236.2 Seira and the journey past the Amaryl Mountain Range

[Corwin]

[19:42] <Kotono> ------
[19:42] <Kotono> You want to resume where you left off and go towards Kesse?
01[19:42] <Seira> Works for me.
[19:47] <Kotono> Okay. Make your TPs?
01[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d100 Kelara
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 Kelara and gets 49." [1d100=49]
01[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d100 Kesse
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 Kesse and gets 85." [1d100=85]
[19:48] <Kotono> Where in Kesse?
01[19:48] <Seira> Palace entrance, where I've been teleporting before
[19:48] <Kotono> Okay.
[19:49] <Kotono> Oh yeah, are you alone or...?
01[19:52] <Seira> I've been meaning to continue the trip with Amaryl, same as I originally started it. If she's busy and/or someone wants to come along, I can adjust.
[19:52] <Kotono> Amaryl's fine. Okay then.
[19:52] <Kotono> ---
[19:52] <Kotono> It is a cool day with a cold, hard wind. Kesse is subdued - only guards and a few peasants are about when Seira appears. Amaryl shivers and draws into herself at this wind.
[19:53] <Kotono> "Let's get inside? It's not pleasant here at all," Amaryl murmurs as she looks about. "It reminds me of Lord Chillander's domain a little with that wind."
01[19:54] <Seira> "Fire was more pleasant," Seira says by way of agreement, heading towards the gates. "Think you'd like to visit the plane of fire some day? There's an evil efreet that picked a fight with me, and he seems to live there."
[19:55] <Kotono> "Perhaps, how hot is it?" Crackling a little smile as guards eye Seira and approach, ushering her ahead, "How long do you plan to stay here, Seira?"
01[19:57] <Seira> "Pretty hot. Enough so that food chars if you leave it out in the open too long. As for staying here, if we're not needed, just a day or so to ensure that the work on the temples is on schedule."
[20:01] <Kotono> The two are taken to General Andram as Amaryl considers this. You meet him in a rich, plush office deep within the castle. Two guards stand just outside, opening the door for Seira. General Andram looks up from a set of parchments as Seira enters.
06[20:04] * Seira lowers her head in greeting. "General Andram. I hope we did not come at a bad time."
[20:05] <Kotono> The General is wearing a thick greatcoat, pushing the papers aside. "Welcome back to Kesse. You rather did - there's border problems again to both the north and the south. Nothing dire, but flareups of normal border incidents and the like."
01[20:08] <Seira> "Then the timing was rather fortuitous," Seira points out, "since part of the reason for my visit was to ask whether you've come to a final decision on my proposal. I have prepared all the resources on my end, so all I would need right now is to hear that 'yes' from you to go ahead with the program."
[20:10] <Kotono> General Andram considers this for a short few moments, "Intelligence and these incidents are both pointing towards a war as soon as our rivals can manage it. If they both assail us at once...I don't think a foreign outpost will stop them. If you commit to this, you're going to become embroiled in a war. If you're willing to accept that, then yes."
01[20:15] <Seira> "What about a foreign outpost with a one-way portal to send more troops to the combat theater, and magical ways to alert us of a need for more soldiers?" Seira asks. "I've talked to Lord Salman, and he agreed to support this endeavor. Still, avoiding war outright would be better than having to win it. Are your neighbors in league with one another?"
[20:19] <Kotono> "We can't prove it, but Evrai and Sanaxt do seem to be showing signs of unusual cooperation." General Andram stands now, "While with winter coming any campaign will be low intensity, the coming spring would see full out war if that were to occur."
01[20:23] <Seira> "It just means we have several months to try and make people see reason. Going to war because of past grievances easily addressed is stupid. I'm sure you could find plenty against them if you tried.
01[20:23] <Seira> I think my chances to mediate would be pretty decent, especially if I demonstrate an ability to have a force rivaling their own here. You're worried they're both going to attack, so it logically follows the threat of attack would be far lower if they didn't think they could overwhelm you with numbers."
[20:28] <Kotono> "Then we agree," General Andram sticks a hand out, "I'll be blunt. Our chances in a two front war with weak leadership are not great. Any aid is appreciated."
01[20:30] <Seira> "I'll see about avoiding that unfortunate situation altogether, if possible, and mitigate it if battle becomes the only solution," Seira affirms, accepting his hand to shake it. "I could be as blunt with your neighbors as you are being here, of course, but it seems to me that it would have an adverse effect.
01[20:30] <Seira> Is there a way for you to arrange negotiations with them, and allow me to meet with their leadership?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "I have someonein Evrai who owes me a couple of favors..." Quietly thinking, "I may be able to, yes. There's no guarantee. If they're hellbent on it, the messenger will probably come back short a head."
01[20:33] <Seira> "If there's actual risk of them doing it, I could use magic to send a message across," Seira suggests, frowning. "Killing the messenger goes beyond petty."
[20:33] <Kotono> With a dark, amused smile, "It sends a very pointed message. No, no magic. If it happens, we'll know their intentions for sure."
01[20:36] <Seira> "I wouldn't risk the lives of my subordinates like that," she notes in response. "You would know your neighbors best, but I believe that the messenger should be informed of the risks and allowed to opt out if they don't want to take the risk."
[20:37] <Kotono> "I have loyal men that will do it. Besides, what's one man these days?" Leaning back, "AT times of war, a single life is cheap."
[20:38] <Kotono> "That's such a sad thing to say," Amaryl looks down to her feet, "What about all the grieving mothers and children left behind by those cheap lives?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "Kesse has been raised on the backs of widowers and childless mothers," General Andram's voice becomes steely, "We survive."
01[20:41] <Seira> "People die in wars," Seira admits. "But Amaryl's point is quite valid, and aren't we doing this to avoid the bloodshed altogether? Our actions lose meaning if we let it become a matter of numbers. If we accept the death of a single messenger, why not more of them? The line would get difficult to draw." As the general speaks again, Seira nods.
01[20:41] <Seira> "Yes, you survive. Kesse survives. But don't you want more than that, to prosper and move ahead? That's hard to achive if entire generations pass away in combat."
[20:46] <Kotono> "That's the goal, but I'm a realist. You're an optimist." General Andram now nods a little to Seira, "I hope you're right. I really do...but I've seen optimists before and buried each one of them."
01[20:49] <Seira> "I'll make you one, some day in the future," Seira promises. "While we're in the present, however," she goes on, changing the subject, "I want to inquire about the progress on the temples."
[20:50] <Kotono> "They progress well enough. Land has been taken and they're being constructed," General Andram says after checking a bit of parchment.
[20:51] <Kotono> Amaryl sighs a little, 'Between your stories and this...I hope you're right and you can help them, Seira.  That cold way he tossed aside the concept of an innocent man dying sent a shiver down my spine. Is war truly so common here?'
01[20:52] <Seira> "Is there any way I could be of help, there?" she asks. "Even if just to recruit for the position of the high priest?" To Amaryl, she thinks back, 'Seemed that way to me. The Fiefdoms are a lot like this with their attitude, and if I'm meddling there, I'm contractually obligated to meddle here as well and try to help.'
[20:54] <Kotono> "For now, no. In that due time, yes. A high priest is a concern. The Kelemvorites aren't entirely pleased with this as well - they're bristling at competition." Taking another sheet of paper and reading it, "If a war is coming, that won't matter since they'll know they have more important work to do."
[20:54] <Kotono> 'Yes, but the Fiefdoms have some good things to it. Then again, they aren't surrounde dby enemies.'
01[21:00] <Seira> "That's quite morbid," Seira voices. "Well, unless they plan to start a bloody uprising to get their quota of death for the death god, I'm sure we could come to a reasonable arrangement. Waukeen is quite accomodating."
01[21:00] <Seira> 'A very good point,' Seira thinks to Amaryl. 'Maybe if we change that part, the rest would naturally follow.'
[21:02] <Kotono> Snorting, "We will see. Have you also come to see Giselle?"
01[21:04] <Seira> "If it's a good day," Seira says delicately. "I've learned my lesson the last time. Good intentions alone can't solve such deeply-entrenched issues in mere months."
[21:05] <Kotono> "She had a brief court today. She's with her personal bard now - you know the one, you brought him - and listening to him. To be honest, he does her as much good as anything. She's not right, but she's very calm when she's with him."
01[21:08] <Seira> "I won't interrupt, then. But I'll visit again." Seira searches her pack for several moments, before withdrawing a feather. "This holds my personal mark, and would carry a message to me anywhere in the world. Other means of communication exist, most far more convenient, but this is unique enough to reach me where others might get blocked. I wanted you to have it."
[21:09] <Kotono> It's taken, "How do I use it?"
01[21:12] <Seira> "Write a brief message with it on paper or parchment, and then will it to reach me while you're holding the feather," Seira responds. "That would trigger the magic and transform it into a carrier pigeon that would tirelessly seek me out until that missive has been delivered."
[21:13] <Kotono> "I'll do that," Andram puts the feather onto his desk, "We'll meet again when?"
01[21:15] <Seira> "Soon after we get our answer from Evrai. I could keep in touch from time to time via the Sending spell, or you could initiate it, whichever you might find more convenient, General."
[21:16] <Kotono> "Understood," General Andram rises, offering his hand out.
06[21:18] * Seira shakes it. "Before we leave, would it be possible to have the most up to date maps you have of this region?" Seira inquires. "I've been trying to create a world map from a collage of various local ones, and it would aid me greatly in that goal."
[21:22] <Kotono> "If you like." A soldier is sent out, returning with a map about ten minutes later, which is presented to SEira.
01[21:28] <Seira> roll 1d100 I know this place
06[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 I know this place and gets 85." [1d100=85]
[21:29] <Kotono> Amaryl and Seira are escorted to see Lady Malika once more. She awaits for them, lying on her divan. "The two of you look well," Lady Malika observes.
01[21:30] <Seira> "No evil fey this time," Seira responds, after greeting her properly. "We've returned as you bid us to, Lady Malika."
[21:34] <Kotono> "Good. I have spoken to the Pasha on this matter, Seira." As a servant fans her, "He is willing to allow Lady Cemile to be exiled far away, on certain conditions."
01[21:35] <Seira> "Which conditions would they be?" Seira inquires, giving her full attention to Lady Malika while ignoring the servants.
[21:37] <Kotono> "First of all, Celime is not to go to the Baronies or Kelara. She must be further removed from the Fiefdoms," Ticking off fingers as she goes, lazy and toying with them, "Pallanth is acceptable, as is Malmuth, or anything farther."
06[21:39] * Seira glances at Amaryl briefly, before responding. "That should be possible to arrange. Is there more?"
[21:43] <Kotono> "The second condition is that she be adequately provided for. Imprisioned or not, she is still nobility."
01[21:44] <Seira> "I'm sensing that the Pasha's feelings on this matter are rather complex," Seira feels obligated to say. "As with the first condition, I don't foresee a problem."
[21:46] <Kotono> With the hint of a smile, "It may be so. The final condition is that the Pasha will hold you accountable should misfortune come to Cemile, or should she cause the Fiefdoms further harm."
06[21:48] * Seira glances at Amaryl again, much longer this time. "I did make it clear that I'm interested in Lady Cemile's case, not in Lady Cemile, right? You were here. I didn't say something ambiguous on accident, did I?"
[21:50] <Kotono> Do that, Malika starts to laugh as Amaryl blushes. "There was not. As you are advocating for her, he places that responsibility on you. That is all."
01[21:51] <Seira> "Really? Because it sounded just like--" Seira shakes her head. "Alright, I get it now. It's a responsibility I would accept gladly, Lady Malika. Could you be so kind as to convey my gratitude to the Pasha?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "I shall." Malika rises now, "Cemile will be released in due time then, you will be contacted then."
01[21:53] <Seira> "I will be just a teleport or two away," Seira says, bowing respectfully. "And I must thank you once more for making this possible, Lady Malika."
[21:58] <Kotono> "Thank you," Amaryl follows up with that, "Be well, Lady."
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along a bit now, Seira? What's next on your agenda?
01[21:58] <Seira> OOC: Okay! Next I would like to regroup with Abby and talk to her about preparations.
[22:01] <Kotono> OOC: Roll your TP back to Balmuria.
01[22:01] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 1." [1d100=1]
[22:03] <Kotono> Abagail is found at Seira's inn, chatting away with Donald. Well no. More accurately, Donald is chatting to her as she looks at him crticially. As Donald goes on about magical theory, "Ah Seira, there you are. You'll agree with me - Donald looks somewhat lithe, like a woman now, does he not?"
01[22:03] <Seira> "Donald always looked like a woman," Seira says dismissively. "That aside, I'm back, so we can finally leave. Did you have enough time to prepare for everything?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "What the hell?!" Donald blurts, "I'm a man, dammit!"
01[22:04] <Seira> "Elf."
[22:05] <Kotono> Abby turns away from him, "I've done my preparations and have supplies. Some potions, a few scrolls, rations as well as mundane backups."
[22:05] <Kotono> "That's right. Elf."Amaryl smiles sweetly to him, "You're a very cute boy elf. Some humans say that girl and boy elves look alike, though..."
06[22:06] * Seira nods. "Can I pass the casting of Endure Elements to you, as well as the locator spells we've discussed? Having Phantom Steeds for us all in store is something I can provide, as well as shelter for the night."
[22:07] <Kotono> "That raises a question of how wer'e going to travel. Phantom Steed may be faster, but if it's unknown land, is it wise to skip past everything like a hurricane?" Abagail rises, getting a drink of water from the bar before returning. "How are we going to travle?"
[22:08] <Kotono> With a tired groan, "Nevermind, I'm going to go practice my magecraft." Donald mutters and stomps off.
01[22:08] <Seira> "That depends," Seira admits, taking a moment to wave sweetly at Donald.
01[22:08] <Seira> "The divination spells we've talked about. If you managed to get one that has a range of a mile or more, it would make sense to use the steeds to get towards civilization all the faster."
[22:13] <Kotono> Abagail nods to that, "Yes."
01[22:14] <Seira> "So we're decided. Let's go in the morning? That would give us a chance to prepare just the right spells before departure."
[22:14] <Kotono> Abagail nods, "In the morning then."
06[22:14] * Seira gives her a smile, before heading off after Donald.
[22:23] <Kotono> Donald is found in his room. He has his old silver greatsword in hand, going through a few basic motions and practices.
01[22:26] <Seira> "There's a difference between friendly teasing and mocking," Seira says, announcing her presence. "You can tell between the two, right?"
[22:27] <Kotono> "Oh yeah, sure." Donald grunts as he works, nearly knocking over a glass beaker with a heavy, hard swing. "Duck, by the way."
06[22:29] * Seira makes certain to duck without questioning him. "Good. Didn't want to leave without making sure of that. All things considered, everyone wonders sometimes about the course they're on. We all even have regrets, I bet. I doubt..." Seira seizes the tip of her wing. "Well, this, let's say. Alicia must wonder as well, certain times."
[22:35] <Kotono> His blade whisles just over Seira's head as he completes a one handed release, regrouping his sword back. "Yeah. Seira, I don't need a pep talk." He puts his sword down, grinning, "Come on, I'm not an idiot. I can play along too."
01[22:37] <Seira> "It's not a real pep talk," she says, straightening up. "This is more me asking if you're happy with your life, because I have access to pretty impressive magic and even more impressive friends. I could trade for a wish to return you to what you were, if that's really what you want to be."
[22:39] <Kotono> "Eh." Donald puts his sword down next to a pile of books, "I haven't asked, have I?"
01[22:40] <Seira> "So you haven't," Seira agrees, smiling. "Want a souvenier from wherever it is I'll find myself at?"
[22:42] <Kotono> "Sure. It's you, Amaryl and Abagail going?" Donald goes and gets a beaker full of water, drinking from it. "Past the eastern mountains?"
01[22:43] <Seira> "Yeah. And things look like they might heat up on the Kesse front, so want to come along for that when it happens? We may get to test your defenses for the teleportation circles after all, if things go badly."
[22:44] <Kotono> "Let's see...war there or are the Sharrans making a resurgance?" Donald finishes drinking, going to sit on his bed, tossing aside a few scrolls and a broken wooden sword as he does.
01[22:44] <Seira> "Possible war. Far less possible if we manage to avert it, and actually give all the people in that region something to aspire for besides Kelemvor worship."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Let me know if it does, if nothing's going on here. Hopefully with Esthan dead, we're really the strongest force now."
01[22:47] <Seira> "Even if we weren't, would that stop us?" she asks with another smile.
[22:49] <Kotono> "No. So let me know," Donald lies back on his bed, before he grunts and shifts. He reaches under the covers, taking out a slim book. "Oh, that's where that poetry went." He tosses it aside.
01[22:51] <Seira> "It's good for you," Seira tells him cheerfully. "And if you don't know the entire book by heart when I'm back, I will devise a spell that would read poetry to you whenever you fall asleep."

[Corwin]

[17:15] <Kotono> -----------\
[17:18] <Kotono> Amaryl is ready with Seira. She has her travelling gear on and a warm cloak over all of it. Abagail, in contrast, strides in wearing a rich blue mantle, hair tied back in a ponytail. She wears knee high leather boots, a loose, belted gray dress going with it. They meet in Seira's quarters, the morning ahead and ready of them.
06[17:21] * Seira is herself dressed in ancient gnomish fashions, being a mage and thus capable of traveling in style. "Endure Elements should let us stay comfortable as we travel to the east. And it'll let you meet Neve like you wanted to, Abagail, and without freezing half to death, at that."
[17:22] <Kotono> "As you like. Who should I cast it on?" Abagail asks, "I've only read of the cold mountains to the east. This should be a worthy time of it."
01[17:23] <Seira> "All three of us, since we don't know how things will go. Teleporting to a place I've only seen once carries a risk, and it helps to be prepared." Seira hands a small pearl over to Abagail. "And with this, you could actually cover us all."
[17:23] <Kotono> "I was about to say, I only memorized it twice. Very well." With that, Abagail casts Endure Elements on all, magic wrapping around the three!
01[17:25] <Seira> "Let's go, then," Seira announces, and takes hold of Abagail and Amaryl as she teleports them to the entrance to Neve's home.
01[17:25] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[17:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 95." [1d100=95]
[17:26] <Kotono> roll 1d10
06[17:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 7." [1d10=7]
[17:26] <Kotono> roll 1d10
06[17:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 8." [1d10=8]
[17:26] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[17:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 7." [1d9=7]
[17:27] <Kotono> You stand in a winter wonderland. Planes of ice stretch out as far as the eye ca nsee, frozen tundra untouched by the feet of mortalkind for countless ages. Ahead of you stretch out vast mountains, looking on the horizon like talons streaking towards the sky.  The air is impossibly clear, cold and clean.
01[17:28] <Seira> "Good thing we prepared ahead of time," Seira muses, calling upon the magic of teleportation once more!
01[17:28] <Seira> roll 1d100 success this time?
06[17:28] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 success this time? and gets 71." [1d100=71]
[17:30] <Kotono> "A mis-" Abagail begins as she turns to Seira, the three vanishing again! You appear in the stony, snowy mountains, the thin air felt immediately. It is freezing cold here, your magic preventing the wrath of winter from draining your vitality and body warmth.  The loose snow on the icy, slippery floor has been moved into a few banks. OOC: Make a spot check, Seira?
01[17:30] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
06[17:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[17:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 33." [1d20=13]
01[17:31] <Seira> "Yes, like I was saying, it's tricky teleporting to places you don't frequent daily," Seira agrees, taking a look around.
[17:31] <Kotono> Amid the snow you can see a creature lying in it. A large white bear, with a coat of fur just like the frozen snow.
03[17:33] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
06[17:34] * Seira blinks. "Neve, you've redecorated?" she calls out. "Or brought friends over?"
[17:35] <Kotono> "Bear?" Amaryl's hand is on her arrows, reaching over her shoulder.
[17:36] <Kotono> From the shadows Neve emerges, slowly walking up to the pile of snow and the bear. She goes to lay a hand on it, "I find this creature a pleasing, useful servant, nothing more."
01[17:36] <Seira> "Let's be frank, a bear can't menace the manifestation of winter," Seira tells Amaryl. "He would only be here if she wanted him to-- and there she is!" Seira waves at Neve with a smile.
[17:38] <Kotono> The bear lies down at that touch, little black eyes staring at Seira and company.
[17:38] <Kotono> "What is it you want, Seira?" Neve asks, a chilly breeze blowing in from above, skittering a bit of snow about.
01[17:39] <Seira> "Several things," she answers. "First, I was passing through and wanted to say hi. Since teleporting so far from home isn't something I do daily, it was a good chance to do that! Also, I wanted to introduce Abagail to you, because she said you were very admirable and she wanted to make your acquaintance."
[17:41] <Kotono> "Charmed," Abagail steps forward, making a deep curtesy.
[17:43] <Kotono> Neve looks Abagail over, "One who has manners." A slight uptake of her lips, "Welcome to endless winter. Have you come to feel your lifeblood slow as the cold fills every speck of your body?"
01[17:43] <Seira> "Is this your way of asking if she wants a hug?" Seira inquires curiously.
[17:44] <Kotono> "Tsh." With a chilly, freezing look at Seira, "Perhaps you do? For the only ones that come from the east seem to be women. Are men a forgotten thing in the melting light of summer?"
01[17:46] <Seira> "Nope. Plenty of them back home," Seira responds. "Actually, that's the other thing I wanted to talk about. Alicia mentioned meeting you, but she has to be wrong. Endure Elements will make it easy for you to travel to Balmuria, so I figured I'd ask you there and prove that you aren't the subject of some nasty prophecy."
[17:50] <Kotono> "Ah, propechy." Neve's smile returns as she steps away fromt he polar bear. "Alicia came asking of omens and portents, mentioning a most suicidal goal. Are you looking to leave this mortal coil in the heart of a howling winter as well?"
01[17:50] <Seira> "Aww, don't be like that. I'm sure I'll beat the odds!"
[17:51] <Kotono> Amaryl s hivers.
[17:52] <Kotono> "Will you? This is no mortal trifle to run off to and slay before returning home for supper." Neve's look is darkly humorous, the cold of the chamber seeming to increase twentyfold, your limbs growing cool and numb. "Were a Winterwight to come for me, I would pray to any God that listens to end my suffering quickly."
01[17:54] <Seira> "Or you could call me," Seira mentions with a smile. "I'll come running, though it wouldn't be to end your suffering. That would be because I'm crazy enough to think I'd have a chance and save you!"
[17:57] <Kotono> "You are crazy. If anyone survives the Winterwight's wrath and remembers you, they can inscribe it on your burial stone." Neve chuckles now, "Your bravado is a disservice to your continued life span. Seira, I do not speak of this lightly. A winterwight is removed from a normal threat as a mane is removed from a balor."
01[17:59] <Seira> "Neither do I. If I'm that confident about my chances, I just might have something beyond bravado and insanity up my sleeve," Seira tells her, still smiling. "But enough talking about depressing death stuff. I really did come to ask if you wanted to go on a trip with us, whether back to Balmuria or past the mountains no one's ever traveled across in our lifetime.
01[17:59] <Seira> Either way, it would be a chance for you to get out for a while, and for us to get to know you better. How about it?"
[18:02] <Kotono> "You are obviously superior to mundane rubbish. You exude the rights and honor of nobility," Abagail smiles to her, "I would be honored if you would come with us."
01[18:03] <Seira> "And you already know we like you, so that goes without saying," Seira adds, gesturing as herself and Amaryl.
[18:05] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, Seira?
01[18:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+27
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 and gets 46." [1d20=19]
[18:08] <Kotono> Neve turns away, crossing her arms. "Perhaps the lands untouched by true winter need to be remedied of this failing..."
01[18:11] <Seira> One day, Neve would actually be honest with her feelings, Seira hopes! "Sounds good to me. Do you have a preference here? Seeing the unknown versus visiting my home, where all sorts of people strange and mundane live."
03[18:14] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@c-98-210-201-139.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) has joined #evildunes
03[18:14] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[18:14] <Kotono> "Let us go to the unknown," Neve turns back to Seira, "I wonder now what lies beyond these cold mountains."
01[18:15] <Seira> "Every single one of us here does," Seira agrees. "Abagail, can you manage another casting of Endure Elements?"
[18:31] <Kotono> "Do you have another pearl?" Abagail asks, "I can if I have to, but it will take a higher circle slot."
01[18:32] <Seira> "No, don't carry more than the one. But it should be alright. I doubt we'll find civilization today, so you'll get a chance to refresh the spells."
[18:33] <Kotono> "Alright." Abagail focuses, calling on words in Draconic and Elven to wrap elemental protections around Neve!
06[18:34] * Seira uses that as her chance to invoke her last teleportation spell, mentally summoning the image of the scene of her accidental teleportation past the mountains to aid her!
01[18:35] <Seira> roll 1d100 low is good!
06[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 low is good! and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[18:36] <Kotono> Woosh. The air is gentle and cool. The sun is near high noon, a bright, clear blue sky above you. You stand in gently rolling hills, a few trees about. Not a sign of civilization can be seen. It is quiet, save for birdsong.
01[18:39] <Seira> "Well, let's see if we know where we are," Seira muses, seeking out the mountains.
[18:39] <Kotono> Amaryl kneels down and checks the ground, "Soft. It's hilly but not overly rocky. Smells fresh," she observes, "But not foresty at all."
[18:39] <Kotono> The mountains loom back behind you. From the direction of the sun, Seira can tell that the mountains are to the west, roughly. They are faraway on the horizon.
[18:39] <Kotono> "It's the countryside." Abagail shrugs, "Surely some civilzation is not too far away?"
06[18:40] * Seira nods to herself. "Yes, seems like we're where I intended us to be. How about you try that divination now, looking for a hamlet-sized settlement or anything larger?"
[18:40] <Kotono> Neve's feet touch the ground, grass beneath her turning blue-white and frosting over. Her breath mists in the cool air, "Quaint is the word I'd use, or untouched."
[18:41] <Kotono> Abagail nods, kneeling down and focusing as she calls on her magic!
01[18:41] <Seira> "Quaint works," Seira agrees, while Abagail works her magic. "And I've been curious for a while, now. Can you actually control that chill, Neve?"
[18:42] <Kotono> "Why would I even consider that? The earth deserves winter's embrace as much as anything else."
[18:43] <Kotono> "...Impossible..." Abagail murmurs, her spell finished.
01[18:44] <Seira> "That we can go against our nature is, more than anything, what puts us above animals," Seira responds. "Nothing works better at showing you're special than--" At Abagail's outburst, she gives the younger mage her full attention. "What's impossible?"
[18:45] <Kotono> "Nothing. Not a touch of civilization within 70 miles all around us." Abagail stands up, dusting off her knees. "Either the divination has been foiled or we really are in completely untouched lands."
01[18:45] <Seira> "How far away is any real civilization in Pallanth from the mountains?" Seira asks Amaryl.
[18:46] <Kotono> "Several hundred miles at least," Amaryl answers. "It means we may be in outreaches, though this hardly frozen, dead earth."
01[18:46] <Seira> "What if it's a patch of land in between two frozen wastelands?"
[18:49] <Kotono> "That could be it," Neve starts to walk forward, leaving freezing footprints behind. "If this land is empty, then surely there should be no objection to winter's heart bringing it close to ice covered perfection."
01[18:51] <Seira> "You're right," Seira agrees. "It also logically follows that if we manage to make contact with sentients, bringing winter's heart closer to them before we properly befriended them might be a wrong first move." She contemplates something, before nodding to herself. "Alright. Let's not take any chances, here. We should all study this area for an hour or so, in case we need a speedy retreat.
01[18:51] <Seira> After that, we could just take a stroll towards the east and see what we find, if anything. Alternately, I could get us phantom steeds to cover more distance."
[18:52] <Kotono> "If we're nont in a hurry, I'd rather walk," Amaryl says, "It's the journey, not the destination, is it not?"
01[18:53] <Seira> "It's both! But I'm fine with walking. I do that a lot."
[18:55] <Kotono> Abagail sighs lightly, "At least cool water for sore feet tonight should be easily gotten."
01[18:55] <Seira> "And I have a couple healing spells. Plus you could still get the horse, it'll just have to pace itself."
[18:57] <Kotono> "That is a marvelous idea," Abagail smiles to that, "I accept the offer."
06[18:58] * Seira splits her time between memorizing a Phantom Steed spell, casting it and firmly committing the area to her memory before she's ready to proceed.
[19:00] <Kotono> The hour of time passes, a phantom steed summoned! With Abagail on it and Amaryl walking next to Seira, "Let's go? We're heading in what direction? East? North? South? Or even west, if you want to explore what's closer to the mountains?"
01[19:02] <Seira> "East, for now. Remember how we talked about exploring what's past the ocean? We would've gone on in a straight line until we found something, and this isn't much different."
[19:03] <Kotono> Thus, the party sets out!
[19:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100 Random encounter chance before anything else
06[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 Random encounter chance before anything else and gets 96." [1d100=96]
[19:07] <Kotono> You travel for perhaps two hours. As the sun begins it's afternoon descent into the western sky, you begin to notice birds far above. At first one or two large, black vulture like birds, but more begin to fly high above the party. Four, then six.
06[19:10] * Seira eyes the birds above, but resolves not to do anything as long as they don't try to attack them.
[19:10] <Kotono> Amaryl peer sup, "Vultures?" She asks aloud, "They're carrion hunters. They don't usually circle above anything but prey, though."
07[19:10] * Ginrai is on IRC (Ginrai)
01[19:10] <Seira> "I was thinking the same thing, so it's weird. Not sure why they'd do that."
[19:10] <Kotono> Neve merely looks up and smiles, "They can try if they're suicidal. Otherwise, they're not even worth our attention."
01[19:11] <Seira> "Perhaps we're not the ones they're circling," Seira muses out loud. "That might mean there's someone besides us here."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Maybe ,but I haven't smelled or seen any carrion. It tends to be easy enough to spot." Amaryl keeps her gaze upwards. "Well, as ong as they don't do anything else, it's harmless enough."
06[19:13] * Seira resolves to proceed.
[19:14] <Kotono> After about another ten minutes, the terrain still hilly and empty, it's up to 10 birds. Amaryl peers up, "More of them...are they gathering for something?"
01[19:16] <Seira> "I'll go take a look," Seira says, casting Shield and Dragonskin and foregoing her disguise altogether. "Maybe one of them's like Roc and we could communicate. If communication breaks down, well, sucks for any birds that attack."
06[19:17] * Seira flies up!
[19:18] <Kotono> "Careful!" Amaryl cries, "If they attack, fall back so we can support you!"
06[19:19] * Seira salutes Amaryl before rising higher still.
[19:20] <Kotono> Seira flies up 100 feet! The birds are 180 feet above her. They do look like vultures, but a bit too big...OOC: You can make an K:N check if you like.
01[19:21] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
06[19:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 25." [1d20=8]
06[19:23] * Seira tries to cut that distance by 120 more feet, as she activates the magic in her shades for a divination of her own.
[19:24] <Kotono> Seira gets to within sixty feet. A few of them caw at her, staring down.
01[19:27] <Seira> "Why are you following us?" Seira demands to know in Draconic.
[19:28] <Kotono> There is no reply, ten sets of red eyes staring at Seira.
01[19:28] <Seira> "Do you understand me?" Seira asks in Abyssal, then in Infernal.
[19:31] <Kotono> The birds stare at Seira with those sharp red eyes.  They caw as one...and then fly off, ascending upwards and away.
06[19:33] * Seira decides against following them, instead taking a good look around for any unusual terrain.
[19:34] <Kotono> From here, Seira can see that a ways ahead there's a thickening forest. However, it stands out mainlyb ecause there's a vast, long gash in it, as if part of the forest was removed.
01[19:34] <Seira> Good enough for her! She descends to ground level, and shares this little tidbit with the others.
[19:35] <Kotono> "Curious creatures," Abagail considers, "Natural creatures aren't my areas of study, though."
[19:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 26." [1d20=11]
[19:36] <Kotono> "I know about them. Those red eyes don't sound the least bit natural, but I don't recall anything like that." Amaryl just shrugs at the end, "Of course, they may never have been seen by another person in our kingdoms before, so."
01[19:36] <Seira> "What would they be?"
[19:38] <Kotono> "I'm really not sure. It could just be a local variant on vultures or something magical." Amaryl starts to walk again as she looks up, "If they come back again, maybe we can find out more?"
[19:38] <Kotono> "They're just birds." Neve looks ahead, "You said there was a broken forest ahead"
01[19:39] <Seira> "Maybe," Seira agrees. "For now, let's take a look at the unnaturally-growing forest." At Neve's words, she nods. "Yes, that. Sounds like a great way to see if we're the only sentients within miles."
[19:42] <Kotono> You spend another hour on foot, the afternoon wearing on. You come to the forest over a few more hills! Ahead, you can see it grows over hills that begin to become more like little bumps in a plain. A vast gash hundreds of feet wide is in this forest. The trees outside of it are tall and ancient. The 'gash' is full of half rotted, felled trees, and the start of new trees and saplings growing amid them.
01[19:43] <Seira> "So, any idea when this happened based on the age of the saplings, or what caused this to begin with?"
[19:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 28." [1d20=13]
[19:44] <Kotono> Amaryl goes to the saplings and checks them out. "Oaks, pines, that sort of thing. A mish-mash of trees..." She kneels in the dirt for a little bit, "These old trees look like they were bowled over or uprooted, but...you'd need to be big as the biggest dragon to do that. And this width..." She looks about, "This happened maybe a year or two ago?"
01[19:46] <Seira> "How about direction?"
[19:47] <Kotono> "I'm...not sure entirely, but if I had to guess from the angle of the trees?" Amaryl points ahead. "I think."
[19:47] <Kotono> "So there's something really big here? Bigger than a giant or a titan?" Abagail looks about warily, "What could be so huge?"
01[19:48] <Seira> "I can think of plenty things," Seira responds. "Keep together, and teleport if there's any actual danger. The spot we started out from works for that."
[19:51] <Kotono> "Understood," Amaryl begins to advance, picking her way through the forest ruins.
[19:52] <Kotono> Neve just walks along, freezing dead wood and alive wood with equal opportunity. "If it comes, I'll have it slavering in my feet as it meets the loving touch of eternal winter. Worry not."
06[19:52] * Seira laughs. "Why can't you just say that you'll protect us if it comes to that?"
[19:54] <Kotono> Growling as she picks up her pace to get a little ahead of the rest, "Don't get the wrong idea. I just want to bring eternal cold to such a magnificent creature!"
01[19:55] <Seira> 'She's not doing this because she likes us. She's just passing by,' Seira thinks to Amaryl, catching up to the fey.
[20:00] <Kotono> The rest of the afternoon is spent following the ruined path through the woods. Nightfall creeps on, still no end to the forest in sight. Smothering a yawn in one hand, "It doesn't feel that late, but it is getting dark," Amaryl speaks, "Should we make camp soon?"
01[20:01] <Seira> "I can't spring for a mansion just yet, but a house isn't out of the question," Seira suggest, looking about for an area to cast her spell.
[20:02] <Kotono> With a little looking, Seira's able to find a place where she could wedge her secure shelter into it.
06[20:04] * Seira does so, summoning the spell from the depths of her mind. "That should give us plenty of space to rest comfortably," she announces to the others. "Tomorrow, Abagail, you might want to have an extra spell of location. Only Neve would actually need the endure elements magic, and I have a few scrolls of that for emergencies."
[20:05] <Kotono> The cottage appears as created, from nothing at all! "I'll do that, and finally," Getting off her horse and wincing, "That was too long to be on horseback."
06[20:08] * Seira brushes her hand over Abagail's shoulder, calling upon a healing spell. "This might help with the symptoms, at least," she says, casting a look about. "I wonder if we'll actually find something. There's bound to me more people besides the countries we know of, but would they necessarily be here? If not, maybe I can actually claim the land for myself...."
[20:13] <Kotono> "It's possible we're just out in the far countryside, but more spells tomorrow should give us a better idea," As you head inside, Amaryl going to rest, Abagail smirks, "Queen seira"
[20:13] <Kotono> "It's possible we're just out in the far countryside, but more spells tomorrow should give us a better idea," As you head inside, Amaryl going to rest, Abagail smirks, "Queen Seira?"
01[20:14] <Seira> "It does have a nice ring to it, I keep on telling people," Seira returns with a smile.
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 91." [1d100=91]
[20:22] <Kotono> Rest goes welle nough. Or it does, until Seira awakens with a start! The ground is shaking all over, the secure shelter shuddering! Amaryl is on her hands and knees on the floor, blinking, "W-w...E-earthquake?!!"
01[20:23] <Seira> "Or a giant something, everyone out of the cottage!" Seira calls out, following her own advice without wasting any time.
[20:24] <Kotono> Abagail stumbles out half asleep, while Neve hurries and awake! As you come out, you see that the night sky and moon are blotted out by something gigantic! The forest ahead of you is being obliterated, tossed aside like matchsticks! Whatever it is is beyond huge, a great gaping maw and creature charging ahead at your structure! It's as if a mountain has come to life!
[20:24] <Kotono> "Aaaaaaah!" Amaryl screams, "Ring, here, I have the ring ready!"
[20:25] <Kotono> "My..." Neve stares up, eyes so wide as to be gigantic. "That is..." OOC: All of you make will saves?
01[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 18." [1d20=1]
01[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+22 will
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 will and gets 25." [1d20=3]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Amaryl
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Amaryl and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Abagail
06[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Abagail and gets 12." [1d20=5]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 Neve
06[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 Neve and gets 23." [1d20=1]
[20:27] <Kotono> OOC: Everyone but Amaryl is shaken.
01[20:27] <Seira> "No time to decide, teleport us," Seira says tersely.
[20:27] <Kotono> "It's...Oh god oh god oh god...that's death. It's death..." Abagail wheezes in and out, transfixed as she stands by Amaryl.
[20:28] <Kotono> As it closes in, the maw of a great beast unknown...Amaryl uses her ring!
[20:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 1." [1d100=1]
[20:28] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear where you spend time studying, back to where you started. Seira's heart pounds several times a second, a shaking terror filling her body. Abagail falls onto her rear, speechless. Neve starts to speak, but her words and voice shake uncontrollably.
06[20:29] * Seira takes deep breaths, her eyes closed.
[20:29] <Kotono> Amaryl, in a relatively calm and only somewhat shaky voice, "What in Waukeen's good name WAS that? There can't be a creature that large! It shouldnt' be possible!"
01[20:30] <Seira> "Either it is and we found it, or it's magic," Seira rationalizes, trying to recover her senses.
[20:36] <Kotono> The fear clings to you, only letting go with great effort. "I...what..." Neve breathes.
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 19." [1d20=4]
01[20:37] <Seira> "Come morning, we don't go east," Seira mutters. "In fact, we'll go north. Which is not east."
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Amaryl, turns out her and a MM5 Virago have the same mod. Go fig.
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 Amaryl, turns out her and a MM5 Virago have the same mod. Go fig. and gets 26." [1d20=11]
[20:38] <Kotono> "Y-y-yeah." Abagail sits and stares tothe east, "Oh my..." she holds herself, as if in the grips of the shakes.
[20:42] <Kotono> "So...we just camp out here?" Amaryl asks, taking her pack and digging into it.
01[20:43] <Seira> "I don't see much choice," Seira admits. "I honestly didn't expect to encounter anything that it would be downright stupid to fight."
[20:45] <Kotono> "I can keep a watch," Amaryl says. 'Seira, I...I didn't...I managed to react fast enough, even with how scared I was. I did, didn't I?'
[20:46] <Kotono> "I know not what that was, but in the name of all that is, I can think of no better name than Beast. Never have I seen anything like that," Neve sits onto the ground.
01[20:46] <Seira> 'You did great,' Seira reassures her, settling down as she says, "I'll help with the first one."
[20:48] <Kotono> As Abagail and Neve find what sleep they can, "Seira," Amaryl murmurs, "I've never heard of that thing either. Is it possible this is why there's no cities around here, that we are in the domain of some impossible predator?"
01[20:49] <Seira> "There's no such thing as an impossible predator," Seira responds just as quietly. "And if there had to be one, it would be man. Or elf. You know what I mean."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Be that as it may, it was gigantic and it came right for us. That mouth was bigger than a giant!" Amaryl frets and then leans into Seira, "How do we fight something that big?"
01[20:53] <Seira> "We'll need a really big sword?" Seira puts her arm around Amaryl. "If we really had to fight, we could try trapping it. Outsmarting it and choosing our battlefield. From that point on, however, it would have to be magic."
[20:56] <Kotono> "Absolutely, unless we can get dragon riding giants to fight it," With a shaky laugh there, "We can manage it. I know we can, but...let's be very careful."
01[20:58] <Seira> "We'll need to have a watch despite the cottage next time," Seira agrees.
[20:59] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to skip along?
01[20:59] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[21:02] <Kotono> The night passes. The dawn comes, bringing an end to the tense night...Abagail has risen, "So what do we start with today? Going north?"
01[21:03] <Seira> "Yes. We'll travel north, see the sights, and try the spell then. Afterwards, if nothing comes up, I'll try teleporting us to our resting spot to try the spell there as well, and return us to the north once more. We'll know more afterwards."
06[21:05] * Seira prepares a phantom steed for Abagail's benefit, before judging herself ready to depart.
[21:07] <Kotono> Thus the party takesto the north!
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d100 random encounter dice
06[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 random encounter dice and gets 38." [1d100=38]
[21:08] <Kotono> Most of the morning and then noon pass without incident. The hilly terrain continues without an immediate end in sight. You pass a few deer drinking from a stream, and a couple of flocks of normal birds, but nothing too awry otherwise as you pass the noon hour by.
01[21:10] <Seira> "I've been thinking," Seira speaks suddenly. "There's wildlife. Clearly, that means this region isn't filled with horrible beasts of murder. And people would be even more resilient than just dumb animals, so even a horror like last night's visitor wouldn't just prevent civilization from forming."
[21:11] <Kotono> "That assume it's rational," Abagail speaks up now, "And not something purpose driven or with motives we don't understand. Further, I'm not sure I want to start guessing the motives of a living mountain of hungry terror.":"
01[21:12] <Seira> "A living mountain of hungry terror either must feed itself constantly to stay alive, or doesn't eat people, at least not in quantities that would make them go extinct," Seira argues.
[21:13] <Kotono> "That even assumes it's intelligent or it has a motive," Neve tosses her hood and hair back, "Or that there were ever mortals here to begin with. We could be the first mortals here in millenia."
01[21:13] <Seira> "That, however, is a good point. It's a point that would make me terribly sad, but a valid one nonetheless."
[21:14] <Kotono> "Let's keep going?" Amaryl says, "If we can find something with travel, that'll make all this a lot easier."
01[21:15] <Seira> "Ruins would be fine, too!"
[21:16] <Kotono> Evening comes. The hills continue, no sign of an ending after the day's travel. Getting off her horse and wincing, "Shall I cast Locate City now, Seira?" Abagail inquires.
01[21:16] <Seira> "I think it's a good time for that, yes."
06[21:16] * Seira quickly adds, "Remember, even a tiny hamlet is fine!"
[21:17] <Kotono> Abagail kneels and focuses, casting the magic! When ti is done, "Not a thing," she announces, "Zero."
01[21:17] <Seira> "My next step is a bit risky, but I want to teleport us back briefly, so you could recast the spell near our previous camp site."
[21:19] <Kotono> "If you're sure and we have a quick escape," Abagail agrees.
01[21:19] <Seira> "Amaryl, myself and you all have a way to escape. The more we know...."
06[21:19] * Seira spends an hour studying the location they found themselves in, before casting the teleportation spell, aiming for an area half an hour's walk away from the dangerous forest.
01[21:19] <Seira> roll 1d100 seen once
06[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 seen once and gets 18." [1d100=18]
[21:20] <Kotono> You appear in a wasteland. The forest around is gone. The ruins of it lie all about you, broken trees and wide craters about. There is a dead silence here, not even a single bird's tweets to disturb it.
06[21:21] * Seira keeps watch, flying up to observe, while Abagail has time to cast her spell.
[21:23] <Kotono> Seira ascends! The entire forest around here is gone, laid into ruin. As Seira gets alook around, "Nothing again," Abagail calls up.
06[21:23] * Seira frowns, descending. "In that case, our campsite awaits."
01[21:23] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 72." [1d100=72]
[21:24] <Kotono> Woosh! You return safely. "Let's make camp? I'll take first watch again," Amaryl suggests.
[21:24] <Kotono> "I could use the sleep," Abagail agrees, "Good, take it."
06[21:24] * Seira summons secure shelter again. "Watches are a good idea, yes, but there's no reason we can't sleep in style."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Yes, sleep would be good after that day's rest. Too much as far as I care fo rit."
[21:24] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to settle in and sleep for the night?
01[21:24] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[21:24] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 87." [1d100=87]
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100+40
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+40 and gets 105." [1d100=65]
[21:25] <Kotono> It's a few hours past sunset. Seira and Amaryl are waiting, resting...when it happens. The ground begins to shake, not a full on earthquake, but a few lurching shudders.
06[21:27] * Seira wakes the others, intending to teleport everyone to their starting point as soon as they are ready.
[21:27] <Kotono> As the party awakens, the shaking gets worse! "Again?" Neve growls, "How?"
01[21:28] <Seira> "Misfortune. Luckily, magic gets over it!"
01[21:28] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 74." [1d100=74]
[21:29] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear in the night at your starting point once more. "No shaking. It's gone and we'r away from it." She goes to sit, "You can go back to bed, I'll keep watch."
01[21:30] <Seira> "This time, we'll return in the morning and press ahead to the north once more," Seira states. "If this is an area ruled by these beasts, we'll just have to push through and find what lies beyond it."
[21:31] <Kotono> "Maybe we should rethink it and use those phantom steeds, too," Abagail speaks up, "So we can find what there is to find faster, since there's open danger here."
06[21:32] * Seira considers the suggestion. "It sounds like a good idea to me. Amaryl, Neve?"
[21:32] <Kotono> "I'm for it," Amaryl agrees. "Let's go until we find something."
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: TP roll.
01[21:35] <Seira> roll 1d100 northern rest stop
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 northern rest stop and gets 4." [1d100=4]
[21:37] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear without incident. The hills you were resting on are broken all about you. You stand not in a hill, but in a flattened, steep crater.
01[21:38] <Seira> "This... is creepy," Seira voices, looking around. "Keep watch while I prepare the four steeds?"
[21:39] <Kotono> Amaryl does that, as Neve peers about. "Did it jump up and down to make this?"
01[21:40] <Seira> "Still sounds better than the other theory, where a god or more doesn't like us being here and tossed meteorites down to teach us a valuable lesson."
[21:41] <Kotono> OOC: Makign the steeds?
01[21:42] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[21:44] <Kotono> The steeds appear as summoned. As Neve gets onto hers, "To the north, then?"
01[21:45] <Seira> "That's our best bet at this moment."
[21:47] <Kotono> After about an hour and a half of super-speed travel, the hills slacken. Ahead are lake filled plains, large lakes dotted about liberally.
06[21:49] * Seira decides to pause near one such lake, using water breathing upon herself to see whether it's really another crater that was filled up with water.
[21:51] <Kotono> Seira swims in! The sides and bottom are muddy - but to a casual eye, it's easy to tell that mud or not, that it does look to be in the shape of a water filled crater. There's also not any fish that Seira sees.
06[21:52] * Seira comes out of the water, drying herself. "What if we're on the outskirts, alright, but the civilization here is made up of beasts like the one we saw? Happy thought of the day."
[21:53] <Kotono> "An entire civilization of them? Thank the Gods that those mountains are there, then," Amaryl's eyes widen, "Perish that thought!"
[21:54] <Kotono> "Beasts like that don't have a proper society or place," Abagail insists, "Even if there is more than one, they're still beasts."
01[21:54] <Seira> "We have to advance as far and as quickly as possible, and see if there is anything beyond them," Seira decides. "It won't be as comfortable, but we'll be resting within Rope Trick tonight."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Yes, exactly," Neve says with...well, not warmth, but approval in her voice. "Beasts are useful servants or hinderances, but little more."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Okay, then let's go and hope we don't have to," Amaryl spurs her steed along.
01[21:57] <Seira> "Let's get past the hinderances, then," Seira voices, catching up to Amaryl. "My house isn't large enough to keep one as a pet."
[22:00] <Kotono> Another hour of travel passes. The lakes end - but ahead, yo usee a plane. Lying about this vast plane, stretching to the north as far as the eye can see, are the ruins of war. Catapults, siege engines, weapons, broken armor, thousands of skeletons. They all lie on the broken plains. While not fresh, the metal is not fully rusted over and t earth has not buried the remnants.
06[22:01] * Seira snaps her fingers, halting the steed slowly through its neck-breaking pace. "Finally!"
[22:02] <Kotono> Abagail stares ahead, "That's...did an entire army battle here and lose? It's a graveyard of war." Her voice is a little hoarse, "There's so much as far as I can see ahead!"
01[22:03] <Seira> "That was insensitive of me," Seira admits. "I was so excited and they've been dead for a long time, that-- never mind. Abagail, we need to know where all these men came from. If we go there, we'll learn what they fought for. We might even help, in some way."
[22:04] <Kotono> "Hmph," Neve looks ahead, "It's just bones. If they come to like, we remind them that they're dead with as much force as it takes."
[22:04] <Kotono> *life
01[22:04] <Seira> "Large-scale battles like that don't just happen spontaneously. Now that I've seen the scene of one, I can't leave it without knowing the reason behind it."
[22:05] <Kotono> "Let's go?" Neve starts to lead her horse towards the wreckage and planes. "Magic will fell any undead in any event."
[22:05] <Kotono> "Of course," Abagail does likewise, "I'm curious now, just...did that creature do this?"
01[22:05] <Seira> "Without Abagail to give us a direction, we'll just be going blind."
06[22:06] * Seira frowns. "I hope not. But if it did, then the help I mentioned giving becomes a possibility."
[22:07] <Kotono> "Okay then," Amaryl takes the lead, "I can take point, I have good eyes."
[22:10] <Kotono> OOC: Going ahead?
[22:13] <Kotono> Abagail stops and kneels, casting Locate City!
[22:14] <Kotono> "...nothing..." she murmurs, "Within 70 miles, at least."
06[22:14] * Seira takes a deep breath, but then nods. "Alright, let's try our luck and proceed ahead for now."
[22:15] <Kotono> As you reach the edge of the war graveyard, your phantom horses stop, a mere step away from entering it.
01[22:15] <Seira> "O-kay," Seira drawls out, calling upon detect evil and detect magic.
[22:16] <Kotono> Everything ahead radiates moderate magic but no evil.
01[22:18] <Seira> "Necromancy, but no evil?" Seira muses out loud. "That doesn't make terribly much sense. Let's get a hundred feet between us and the graveyard. Abagail, summon something and send it inside."
[22:19] <Kotono> The party does so! To Abagail's summons, a golden eagel appears! It flies ahead...and stops just before the war graveyard, not flying into it.
01[22:21] <Seira> roll 1d20+23
06[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+23 and gets 33." [1d20=10]
01[22:23] <Seira> "Keep the eagle around," Seira decides. "I'll try heading inside on foot. If anything happens, I'll switch myself with it."
[22:23] <Kotono> The eagle flies besides Abagail. "Seira," Amaryl takes Seira's arm, "If anything happens, teleport out, please."
01[22:24] <Seira> "It was something terrible that did this. I don't think I can just walk away." She pats Amaryl's arm, smiling. "I'll try my best to be careful."
06[22:24] * Seira then tries to step a foot into the graveyard.
[22:24] <Kotono> OOC: Make a will save?
01[22:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+22
06[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 and gets 38." [1d20=16]
[22:25] <Kotono> Seira steps into the graveyard! A faint sense of desparing resignation mixed with a mourner's tears fills her, but her will keeps in check.
06[22:26] * Seira looks around for any other magical signatures, as well as any identifiable marks on the corpses.
[22:27] <Kotono> The skeletons are bare and broken, no signs on them. The moderate necromancy is now strong necromancy and there's another aura, too.
01[22:28] <Seira> A sword that hasn't finished rusting all over, weapons in general... some might have crests upon them, things to tie them to a banner of a country or a noble house. Seira looks for those.
[22:29] <Kotono> Seira looks about. Several of the broken bits of armor do have a sigil, as well as the hilts of some swords. It is of a white teardrop.
06[22:30] * Seira takes one of the swords with her, and then attempts to leave the graveyard and rejoin the others.
[22:30] <Kotono> "Anything?" Neve inquires as Seira returns, "This mystery niggles at my curiosity."
01[22:31] <Seira> "The necromancy is stronger, and there's enchantment as well. Given our shared experience with such effects, it might be more prudent to focus on finding who this crest belongs to," she says, showing the sword she took with her.
[22:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 18." [1d20=5]
[22:33] <Kotono> "I don't know that sigil. I know a few with teardrops in them, but not a single white one." Peering at it, Abagail looks to Seira, "It could serve as a base for divinations, though."
01[22:34] <Seira> "Let's go around this place, but press on to the north. If we don't find anything with your divination come evening, we can reconsider our plans."
03[22:34] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
01[22:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
06[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 27." [1d20=14]
[22:35] <Kotono> "Very well," Neve pushes on her horse. OOC: Move along now?
01[22:35] <Seira> OOC: Yeah
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: Going around it via east or west?
01[22:36] <Seira> OOC: East
[22:38] <Kotono> It takes about an hour and a few fragments of the next to find an end to the vast war graveyard. You start to go around it, skirting it's eastern edge. You travel north for two hours, noon passing.  Ahead, you see the end of the graveyard...and the shore. Ahead lies the store, the ocean waters coming up to a beach. The graveyard ends about 300 feet before the shoreline. About the shore a few old tents are dotted about. Jutting out of the w
[22:38] <Kotono> About the shore a few old tents are dotted about. Jutting out of the waters in various points are broken ships, as if dashed against the shores.
01[22:40] <Seira> Tents might have something she can use, documents she might peruse. Something of use. Seira sets her horse towards them.
[22:41] <Kotono> "All broken." Abagail stares as he rhorse goes, "That's more sihps than the harbor in Balmuria could hold. Was this an entire invasion from afar that failed?"
01[22:42] <Seira> "That would fit with what Demedais said about the land he was in, at least. Larger empires mean larger armies," Seira reasons. "But if so, what were we invading? We might just have to travel to the south once we're done here."
[22:42] <Kotono> "They, you mean? Good question." You reach the tents. A few of them still stand. You could go inside of them if you wish.
06[22:43] * Seira snorts. "I must be more tired than I thought. I'll go search. Abagail, check the area here and the tents themselves for magic."
[22:43] <Kotono> Abagail does so as Seira goes to search! OOC: Make a search check?
01[22:44] <Seira> OOC: I'll take 20 for 46, the others can aid for that magical 50?
[22:45] <Kotono> Abagail doesn't find any magic. Seira does find a bastard sword that's intact, with a white teardrop emblem on the hilt. One tent has a statue of a crying, gray faced man in rough robes. The statue is small, about the size of Seira's hand. There's tiny writing enscribed to the base, but Seira can't read it.
06[22:47] * Seira calls upon Comprehend Languages, trying to understand it with magic.
[22:48] <Kotono> It reads as the following, 'Free us from our tears, Saint-Martyr! We strike in your name against the Destroyer!'
01[22:49] <Seira> It would have been nice if the writing gave a destination, or travel times, but you can't have everything. "Proceeding to the north might be our best bet, if an entire army had to come across the sea to deal with this Destroyer," she muses out loud.
[22:51] <Kotono> "And failed, from the looks of it," Neve looks to the sea, "Should we wish to walk, perhaps I can aid us in that, if we are willing to go slowly. But is there a better way? Can you summon and conjure up a ship, Seira?"
01[22:52] <Seira> "I could, but phantom steeds are extremely fast, and mine can fly and walk on water," Seira tells her. "We'll be fine, and for the night, we'll rest in rope trick."
[22:52] <Kotono> "These horses are superior. We can proceed on without any more magic," Abagail leads her horse to over the water, "Seira can help ups breath ewater if something happens."
01[22:53] <Seira> "That's true," Seira agrees. "Let's go on, then, and hope the trip is a brief one with the aid of our magic."
[22:54] <Kotono> You racea long over the water! About fourty five minutes pass before you see it on the horizon. Ahead lies a large island, blanketed with forest. The shores are one great harbor, dozens and dozens of ships being built. Stone-gray castles and towers compose a vast city around these harbors.
01[22:57] <Seira> "We'll slow down to allow them to see us, and travel near the waters to make them believe the horses are treading water and not actually flying, to lower their threat assessment," Seira tells her companions. "Let's use the front entrance and see what happens."

[Corwin]

[21:00] <Kotono> > "And failed, from the looks of it," Neve looks to the sea, "Should we wish to walk, perhaps I can aid us in that, if we are willing to go slowly. But is there a better way? Can you summon and conjure up a ship, Seira?"
[21:00] <Kotono> <Seira> "I could, but phantom steeds are extremely fast, and mine can fly and walk on water," Seira tells her. "We'll be fine, and for the night, we'll rest in rope trick."
[21:00] <Kotono> > "These horses are superior. We can proceed on without any more magic," Abagail leads her horse to over the water, "Seira can help ups breath ewater if something happens."
[21:00] <Kotono> <Seira> "That's true," Seira agrees. "Let's go on, then, and hope the trip is a brief one with the aid of our magic."
[21:00] <Kotono> > You racea long over the water! About fourty five minutes pass before you see it on the horizon. Ahead lies a large island, blanketed with forest. The shores are one great harbor, dozens and dozens of ships being built. Stone-gray castles and towers compose a vast city around these harbors.
[21:00] <Kotono> <Seira> "We'll slow down to allow them to see us, and travel near the waters to make them believe the horses are treading water and not actually flying, to lower their threat assessment," Seira tells her companions. "Let's use the front entrance and see what happens."
[21:04] <Kotono> As the party slows down and approaches, they get closer. They can see the docks and the people standing there. Most wear plain brown or gray clothes, little distinctive color. They are slightly tall humans, lean and gray skinned. They stare ahead without any particular expression on their faces.
01[21:05] <Seira> "Cast tongues, just in case?" Seira asks Abagail queitly. "My own spell should be enough to understand them, at least, but if we need to say something back, casting right next to them might be a bad idea."
[21:06] <Kotono> Abagail does so, chanting words of seven languages as she invokes her magic! The gray humans don't say anything, watching without expression.
01[21:07] <Seira> "Ask them who the leader is?"
[21:08] <Kotono> "Hail! I ask of you, who is your leader?" Abagail calls out.
[21:10] <Kotono> Seira can understand the words they speak thanks to her magic, "Our leader is the Saint-Martyr Holiheant." They have tired voices, lacking warmth or coldness or energy or boredom. "We are the Forsaken of Yasyvant."
01[21:13] <Seira> "Let's find out how long has it been since the previous visitor, and what is the procedure to seeing this saint-martyr," she murmurs to Abagail quietly.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Have others come to visit you before?" Abagail calls, "Can we see this Saint-Martyr Holiheant?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "The other Forsaken come to us before each Crusade. You may if you wish. Head to the Church of the Holiheant." Again they answer, though this time, one of them points ahead, deeper into the city. "It is our Church of the Forsaken."
01[21:16] <Seira> "What are the Forsaken?" Seira asks via Abagail. "How does one become a Forsaken, how many are there, and what do they have Crusades against?"
[21:17] <Kotono> "What are the Forsaken, and how does one become a Forsaken. Are there a lot of you? What is this Crusade and what is it against?" Abagail calls, then in lower tones, "The small of my back is shivering. I feel like I'm talking to a construct."
[21:17] <Kotono> "How cold and utterly without hope," Neve smiles a little, "They have no proper cold flair, but there is a lack of heat in them that I approve of."
01[21:19] <Seira> "It remains to be seen what the saint-martyr is like," Seira muses quietly. "Still, whatever happens, keep the means of teleportation at hand."
[21:20] <Kotono> "We are the Forsaken, cast out of our land by the Destroyer. If you have been cast out of your land by the Destroyer, come, joins us. The Saint-Martyr Holiheant said that one day we would be saved in the eyes of the Gods and reclaim or lands. The Crusade is when each generation goes to fight the Destroyer. It is our purpose to prepare each generation to fight the Destroyer. Until we succeed, we shall forever be Forsaken."
[21:20] <Kotono> fight the Destroyer. Until we succeed, we shall forever be Forsaken."
[21:21] <Kotono> After that is said and understood, "A curse?" Abagail murmur sto Seira, "Some manner of great curse that has taken them all?"
01[21:21] <Seira> "Only one way to find out. Ask them who or what the Destroyer is, and to describe the being."
[21:24] <Kotono> Abagail does so, waiting for the answer. It comes with the same lack of pause or emotion as the rest. "The Destroyer was sent to punish us as Forsaken. Until it is slain, we will forever be Forsaken. The Destroyer is destruction. It is our punishment."
01[21:25] <Seira> "Let's just go to the church," Seira mutters. "It's useless to try and find out more here."
[21:25] <Kotono> "They're telling us everything and yet..." Abagail looks away, "Gods, they have no sense of pride, either! They're like constructs, truly! How pathetic!"
[21:26] <Kotono> "Perhaps winter's heart would give them some meaning to life as it embraces them?" Neve murmurs with a frosty smile, "If they are so worthless and feelingless, it would even be a blessing to them."
01[21:27] <Seira> "Or we could go to the church and find out more. Just saying." With that, Seira heads farther into the city where the church was said to be.
[21:29] <Kotono> The city is paved with gray stone, so smooth and worn that it's faintly slippery to walk across. The towers and buildings are not decorated. You pass by many, many humans, all the same. The only new thing is that this close you can note that each wears a pendant with a tiny white teardrop. The buildings are all similiar as well, almost identical to each other.
[21:30] <Kotono> Abagail grabs the arm of one of them, a woman, "Where is the Church of the Holiheant?"
[21:30] <Kotono> The woman points ahead, to a large building that you can't see the end of, merging into the greater city all about.
01[21:31] <Seira> "Ask her if she changed when she joined the Forsaken, or if she was born that way?" Seira asks on a whim.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Excuse me. Were you born as Forsaken?" Abagail asks.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Yes. We are all Forsaken here." The woman answers without feeling, "This is the land of the Forsaken."
01[21:31] <Seira> "Are there other lands?"
[21:33] <Kotono> Passing that question along, Abagail gets the following reply, "There are the other two  lands of the Forsaken. Other lands mean nothing to us, for they are not Forsaken."
01[21:33] <Seira> "Where are those?" Seira inquires, if only to know what to avoid.
[21:35] <Kotono> "There is Mene to the east and Uluian to the south." She answers, "The three Tribes were broken, Forsaken of each other."
06[21:36] * Seira glances at Neve. "Don't suppose you heard the names before?"
[21:37] <Kotono> "I'm afraid not," Neve smiles slightly, "Three islands of it...Oh Seira, will anyone miss one of them? Winter would be so welcome here. Come, stop and watch as an eternal blizzard overtakes them. It will be divine." Sliding up to Seira's side now, "Would snow and ice not liven up this miserable pile of stone?"
01[21:38] <Seira> "I can honestly say no one will probably miss them. But snow and ice still wouldn't liven things up, so that's neither here nor there. Let's see if the priest here is a drone, a zealot or a fraud."
[21:41] <Kotono> "You do that," Neve turns away, "You say winter won't liven this place up? Let's just show how wrong you are, Seira."
01[21:41] <Seira> "Aww, come on! You promised you wouldn't do that if you came along! Are you really that fickle?"
[21:45] <Kotono> "Neve, please don't," Amaryl goes up to her, grabbing the elbow of her fur coat, "That isn't what will help them! It'll just put them out of this drab existance! And...I'd have to fight you if you did. They don't deserve to freeze to death."
[21:48] <Kotono> A freezing arctic winds blows, Neve glancing back. "Fickle? Please. They beg for it. These aren't living beings, they're just pathetic globs of mud and pointlessness. They're pathetic even for humans!"
06[21:51] * Seira takes hold of Neve's other arm. "Just stop and think for a moment. You think their existence is pathetic, and you want to do something that will help them. It's not about the glory of winter, or about hating them! It's about you wanting to do something for them and not knowing how!" She forces Neve to look at her, saying, "I can save these people. Give me a chance to prove it, please."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Why should I care? I'll want ot do the same thing even if they're saved." Neve meets Seira's eyes, her own eyes having a raging storm of snowflakes flying in them. "Do you forget so easily what I am, thinking I'm an easily housebroken pet? Go on a heartwarming quest to bring them light and love, slay the Destroyer and become a legendary hero. I'll still bring the portents of winter afterwards."
01[21:54] <Seira> "So what you are trumps who you are?"
06[21:56] * Seira gestures at the monotone people about. "That's funny. I always see you as you. As someone unique. Not as something who can't deny its nature, or a pet. Are you really telling me you're just like them, deep down?"
[22:00] <Kotono> Neve smirks now, "I follow you because you are stronger than I and for the debt I owe." Another wind blows, Seira swearing that she can see a few snowflakes in it, whizzing by her. "They're unique all in one: Unique in being worthless mud. Fine then, I propose a wager. Let us go to this Church and meet with the Saint-Martyr. If you can find one decent reason to hold back winter there, I'll follow along with what you say and leave them be."
[22:00] <Kotono>  one decent reason to hold back winter there, I'll follow along with what you say and leave them be."
01[22:03] <Seira> "We don't need to go that far for a decent reason, Neve," Seira tells the fey, shaking her head. "You'll be lonely again. Isn't that reason enough to hold back, unless you are forced to act in self-defense?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "You'll have to kill us to do that, or we'll have to kill you," Amaryl adds, "Either way, you'll be alone again like Seira said."
01[22:05] <Seira> "I don't know if I could do it," Seira admits. "But either way, I couldn't stay, as much as I like you."
[22:06] <Kotono> "You're infinintely better than them," Abagail goes on, "They are worthless dreck. But that means you can use them or ignore them if you please. Slaughtering them is a waste of resources and ill fitting of a noble creature like you. Only fools would do so!"
03[22:14] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
[22:14] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahea dand make a diplo real quick first?
01[22:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+27
05[22:15] -batcave.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[22:15] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
01[22:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+27
03[22:15] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 and gets 43." [1d20=16]
01[22:16] <Seira> OOC: Let's bludgeon her into submission with aiding all the way to 47  >_>

[Corwin]

[20:41] <Kotono> > "Neve, please don't," Amaryl goes up to her, grabbing the elbow of her fur coat, "That isn't what will help them! It'll just put them out of this drab existance! And...I'd have to fight you if you did. They don't deserve to freeze to death."
[20:41] <Kotono> > A freezing arctic winds blows, Neve glancing back. "Fickle? Please. They beg for it. These aren't living beings, they're just pathetic globs of mud and pointlessness. They're pathetic even for humans!"
[20:41] <Kotono> * Seira takes hold of Neve's other arm. "Just stop and think for a moment. You think their existence is pathetic, and you want to do something that will help them. It's not about the glory of winter, or about hating them! It's about you wanting to do something for them and not knowing how!" She forces Neve to look at her, saying, "I can save these people. Give me a chance to prove it, please."
[20:41] <Kotono> > "Why should I care? I'll want ot do the same thing even if they're saved." Neve meets Seira's eyes, her own eyes having a raging storm of snowflakes flying in them. "Do you forget so easily what I am, thinking I'm an easily housebroken pet? Go on a heartwarming quest to bring them light and love, slay the Destroyer and become a legendary hero. I'll still bring the portents of winter afterwards."
[20:41] <Kotono> <Seira> "So what you are trumps who you are?"
[20:42] <Kotono> * Seira gestures at the monotone people about. "That's funny. I always see you as you. As someone unique. Not as something who can't deny its nature, or a pet. Are you really telling me you're just like them, deep down?"
[20:42] <Kotono> > Neve smirks now, "I follow you because you are stronger than I and for the debt I owe." Another wind blows, Seira swearing that she can see a few snowflakes in it, whizzing by her. "They're unique all in one: Unique in being worthless mud. Fine then, I propose a wager. Let us go to this Church and meet with the Saint-Martyr. If you can find one decent reason to hold back winter there, I'll follow along with what you say and leave them be
[20:42] <Kotono> >  one decent reason to hold back winter there, I'll follow along with what you say and leave them be."
[20:42] <Kotono> <Seira> "We don't need to go that far for a decent reason, Neve," Seira tells the fey, shaking her head. "You'll be lonely again. Isn't that reason enough to hold back, unless you are forced to act in self-defense?"
[20:42] <Kotono> > "You'll have to kill us to do that, or we'll have to kill you," Amaryl adds, "Either way, you'll be alone again like Seira said."
[20:42] <Kotono> <Seira> "I don't know if I could do it," Seira admits. "But either way, I couldn't stay, as much as I like you."
[20:42] <Kotono> > "You're infinintely better than them," Abagail goes on, "They are worthless dreck. But that means you can use them or ignore them if you please. Slaughtering them is a waste of resources and ill fitting of a noble creature like you. Only fools would do so!"
[20:42] <Kotono> * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
[20:42] <Kotono> > OOC: Go ahea dand make a diplo real quick first?
[20:42] <Kotono> <Seira> roll 1d20+27
[20:42] <Kotono> -batcave.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
[20:42] <Kotono> * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
[20:42] <Kotono> * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:42] <Kotono> <Seira> roll 1d20+27
[20:42] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 and gets 43." [1d20=16]
[20:42] <Kotono> <Seira> OOC: Let's bludgeon her into submission with aiding all the way to 47  >_>
[20:45] <Kotono> "They are wastes," Neve agrees. Far away, you can hear a howling wind cascading through the air, ripping through alleys nad around towers like winter's breath. A shiver runs down your back as this wind passes over your body. "Very well then, you amuse me. Lead on, Seira."
01[20:47] <Seira> Neve seems to indicate that she values their friendship, in her very roundabout and mean way, Seira muses to herself, doing just that and leading the way to the temple. Perhaps, one day, Neve won't need to go out of her way to insist it's for some other reason.
[20:50] <Kotono> As a chill wind blows ahead, you continue walking down the gray path. Eventually, you come to a thick, long building. It stretches farther than you can see, buttressed by other buildings. It is silent here, not a word spoken. A plain door leads inside, open. Above it, an engraven image of a tear is carved into the stone.
01[20:52] <Seira> It seems to match the description, and Seira knocks twice on the doorframe before proceeding inside.
[20:53] <Kotono> There is no answer. As you head inside, you see it is a long hall that stretches on far. It's chilly in here, perhaps cooler than outside. The walls are decorated with slotted insertions, light wooden coffins resting within them. This stretches farther than you can see. About this place, men in coarse robes and with long chained necklaces with teardrop amulets walk.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Tsch..." Amaryl looks in and then steps back, "Those are...!"
[20:55] <Kotono> "Charming." Neve's smile comes as she steps inside, "At least they're not the walking undead." With a slip of her lips downward as she pulls her fur coat tighter around herself, Neve glances to Seira.
01[20:56] <Seira> "I don't think they are," Seira drawls, peering closer just to be on the safe side.
05[20:57] -betamax.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:57] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
03[20:57] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[20:57] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 16." [1d20=3]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Abagail
06[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 Abagail and gets 31." [1d20=18]
[20:59] <Kotono> "I don't think so...all of this, it almost reminds me of Ilmater at his most fatalistic," Stepping inside with the last of them, Abagail looks about. "All the quiet suffering."
01[21:00] <Seira> "I thought the same, except I also thought zombies." Seira shrugs. "Bad experience with zombies." With a glance at Abagail and then at the closest of the robed men, she requests, "Think you could ask them where we could find the Saint-Martyr, and whether he's available?"
[21:01] <Kotono> Amaryl's hand goes to the hilt of her sunblade, almost starting to lift it out of it's sheath. She stays close to SEira, biting down on her lips.
[21:01] <Kotono> The man raises a hand, pointing ahead and deeper in. You can see his face - it's sallow and drawn, old.
01[21:02] <Seira> "It might be a curse," Seira whispers to Amaryl, drifting closer to her. "There was that time I didn't look that lively myself, remember? Let's give them a chance, for now."
06[21:05] * Seira is, however, not so naive she foregoes relying on the divination her shades are enchanted with, glancing at the priests as she follows their directions.
[21:05] <Kotono> As you walk along...how long is it? There is a pervading sense of timelessness to this place. You can't answer how long you pass by walls filled to the brim with coffins. Robed men pass you by as you walk. None speak a word, your progression unimpeded. Every so often, a set of ten stairs takes you on a slope downward. Torches light the walls, flickering, guttering light given. Each stair is engraved with a teardrop in the center. (More)
[21:06] <Kotono> Each stair is engraved with a teardrop in the center. (More)
[21:08] <Kotono> As you come down the...you aren't sure how many sets of stairs it's been or how long...a man in robes walks besides you. He is old, walking with a cane and a limp. One eye is whited over, the other on the party as they walk together.
01[21:10] <Seira> This must be the first sign of anyone caring, so naturally Seira attempts to strike conversation! "Hello," she greets him in Common. If that fails, Abagail might do better with her Tongues spell. Or not, if it already expired during the incredibly lengthy walk, but that's a bridge they can cross if they get to it.
[21:17] <Kotono> The man merely shakes his head and continues walking.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Hello?" Abagail tries as well, to no avail. "You know, this is terribly rude, holy grounds or not. When's the last time you've had visitors?"
01[21:19] <Seira> "That's a very good point," Seira agrees, keeping near her. "Maybe Holiheant would be chattier than this?"
[21:21] <Kotono> No reply. The man just keeps walking on.
01[21:21] <Seira> "Well, if we must...."
06[21:21] * Seira keeps on walking ahead.
[21:21] <Kotono> Amaryl shrinks down into herself, shoulder slumping. "I hope this ends soon.":

[Corwin]

[19:12] <Kobrb> * Seira is, however, not so naive she foregoes relying on the divination her shades are enchanted with, glancing at the priests as she follows their directions.
[19:12] <Kobrb> > As you walk along...how long is it? There is a pervading sense of timelessness to this place. You can't answer how long you pass by walls filled to the brim with coffins. Robed men pass you by as you walk. None speak a word, your progression unimpeded. Every so often, a set of ten stairs takes you on a slope downward. Torches light the walls, flickering, guttering light given. Each stair is engraved with a teardrop in the center. (More)
[19:12] <Kobrb> > Each stair is engraved with a teardrop in the center. (More)
[19:12] <Kobrb> > As you come down the...you aren't sure how many sets of stairs it's been or how long...a man in robes walks besides you. He is old, walking with a cane and a limp. One eye is whited over, the other on the party as they walk together.
[19:12] <Kobrb> <Seira> This must be the first sign of anyone caring, so naturally Seira attempts to strike conversation! "Hello," she greets him in Common. If that fails, Abagail might do better with her Tongues spell. Or not, if it already expired during the incredibly lengthy walk, but that's a bridge they can cross if they get to it.
[19:12] <Kobrb> > The man merely shakes his head and continues walking.
[19:12] <Kobrb> > "Hello?" Abagail tries as well, to no avail. "You know, this is terribly rude, holy grounds or not. When's the last time you've had visitors?"
[19:12] <Kobrb> <Seira> "That's a very good point," Seira agrees, keeping near her. "Maybe Holiheant would be chattier than this?"
[19:12] <Kobrb> > No reply. The man just keeps walking on.
[19:12] <Kobrb> <Seira> "Well, if we must...."
[19:12] <Kobrb> * Seira keeps on walking ahead.
[19:12] <Kobrb> > Amaryl shrinks down into herself, shoulder slumping. "I hope this ends soon.":
[19:15] <Kobrb> The robed man follows the party. You continue to walk. You continue to walk. You continue to walk. You continue to walk. The dead are all around you. You continue to walk. You continue to walk. You continue to walk. You-at last. Something. You come to a great, wide open, circular place. It is plain, save for a single gilded coffin of precious gold. On the coffin's lid is engraved a teardrop, cast in gray against the dull gold.
[19:15] <Kobrb> On the coffin's lid is engraved a teardrop, cast in gray against the dull gold.
01[19:16] <Seira> "Saint-Martyr Holiheant, I presume?" Seira speaks, perhaps to herself.
[19:18] <Kobrb> "Here is the Saint-Martyr Holiheant." The robed man prounces in deeply accented Common, standing ahead of the others. "I am Lanex, servant of the Saint Martyr. You have come to the holiest of holies here. What business do you have with us Forsaken?"
[19:21] <Kobrb> "...why?" Amaryl shakes her head, "Why to all of this? This church is nothing but a masoleum! All of you look only a few steps removed from walking death. What's so holy about this place?"
01[19:21] <Seira> "Seira, servant of the Golden Lady," she returns with a mental roll of her eyes, preferring to go with the themed greeting. "These are Abagail, Amaryl and Neve," Seira continues the introductions, gesturing at each of her companions in turn. "As Amaryl put it, all we want at the moment is understand better what the Forsaken and their enemies are, and the circumstances that lead to this situation."
[19:24] <Kobrb> Lanex walks to the golden coffin, kneeling before it. His hands lock in prayer, though he speaks normally. "Long ago, we lived in the fair shores just out of reach of this island. Our ancestors committed the Falling. This Falling was something so terrible that all others turned against us. For our hubris and folly, the Destroyer came. Our homes were laid waste, our generations turned to dust. Only a few survivors found the way to a few isla
[19:24] <Kobrb> our generations turned to dust. Only a few survivors found the way to a few islands that rose off the coast of the land." (More)
[19:26] <Kobrb> "We were to be exterminated even there...but the Saint Martyr intervened. Such was his power that it earned us a communtion of our sentence of oblivion. We would be allowed to live on these islands and survive...we were bound to them. As penance, each generation must prepare for the Crusade, to attempt to battle the Destroyer. Should we succeed, we will no longer be Forsaken."
01[19:26] <Seira> "This Falling, did it perchance happen about two thousand years ago?" Seira interjects, briefly tallying up the years to the gnomish war that ravaged their world.
[19:27] <Kobrb> "I know not." He answers, "The measures of time have been lost to us.  Islands rose from the ground, mountains rose in the Earth, so that the Destroyer would only hunt us Forsaken. Beyond that, I know not."
01[19:28] <Seira> "Well, here's the thing. I've met another culture that experienced something like this. Terrible act by ancestor, loss of past prestiege, everyone hated them, the works. Except for the wide extermination, that is. I didn't have a problem with them, though, so we became friends. How about telling me more? If you fight the Destroyer, then you must know about it in detail. Let's start there?"
[19:28] <Kobrb> "What power would curse you like that, Shar?" Staying very close to Seira here, "What sort of mercy is that? We saw that graveyard...that was the past Crusades, wasn't it? What point is there trying and trying and feeding generations to that monster?"
[19:29] <Kobrb> Abagail snorts, "Amaryl, shhhh." She goes to her, whispering something into her ear.
[19:30] <Kobrb> "The Destroyer is the Destroyer. It is always there. It confronts us on our Crusade...and surely consumes those rare few who attempt to go to the shores otherwise. If you have been to the shores and survived, you are blessed beyond compare to have eluded the Destroyer."
[19:31] <Kobrb> "What of weaknesses? Can you hurt it? Does it dislike fire...or cold, perhaps, or heights?" Neve bears ahead a little, "Old man, speak clearer."
01[19:31] <Seira> "Oh, now I understand. Generation after generation goes to fight and the crusades are eradicated entirely, without anyone even sending back word of what the Destroyer looks like?"
[19:32] <Kobrb> "Thrown fire fails against it. Magic crumbles before it. The legends say the Destroyer is of power akin to the wrath of the world." Bowing his head down in deeper meditation, "No Crusade has succeeded, yes."
01[19:32] <Seira> "Does it go against your religion to have scouts in ships off to shore, or runners, or anything to gather information?"
[19:33] <Kobrb> "Those that do...do not return." The answer is quiet, simple. "If only one did...perhaps that one would end our time as Forsaken."
01[19:34] <Seira> "How do you know there is a Destroyer, then, and that the men you send out don't just... die to plague, or famine, or run away?"
[19:35] <Kobrb> "It is our fate and so taught," The old man replies. "Were it not true, would not we have returned to the shores yet?"
[19:35] <Kobrb> "The wrath of nature?" Neve raises an eyebrow here, before chuckling.
[19:35] <Kobrb> "The world," Abagail murmurs.
[19:36] <Kobrb> "Yes, yes," Neve's chuckles continue. "I wonder if it's just an overgrown fey?"
01[19:36] <Seira> "Wrath of nature is a good one," Seira agrees, nodding at Neve with a smile. "And what if this simply means that some past Crusade succeeded, and now every following one has your Forsaken settle down on the land, as you were foretold?"
[19:37] <Kobrb> "We would know." Looking up to Seira now, "We would know. I have no doubt we would find out our lives are our own again. We would know!" His voice rises a little.
[19:38] <Kobrb> '...Seira...it's likely we did run into the Destroyer, so where are you going with this?' Amaryl asks.
01[19:38] <Seira> 'He doesn't know that. He admitted he can't know that! So I want to see where he draws his faith from.'
[19:38] <Kobrb> "I've heard the stories of the few fey that the Guard has fought..." Abagail considers, bowing her head, "The Lord of the Hunt was a mighty one. But even one that strong was nothing like..."
01[19:39] <Seira> "For the sake of argument, let's say I'm entirely wrong here," Seira allows. "All I'm trying to understand is how you would know. Would the Saint-Martyr tell you? Would Ilmater appear and give all of you a vision? How is this supposed to work?"
[19:39] <Kobrb> "A Lord of the Hunt?" With both eyebrows going up, "Impressive..." Neve murmurs, "Useless onw, but impressive."
[19:40] <Kobrb> "We would know...We would know!" Looking up at Seira, ragged, "Who is this Ilmater you speak of?"
01[19:40] <Seira> "A god. This might actually be a good matter to discuss. Which ones are you aware of?"
03[19:46] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5440e162.wfd80a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[19:46] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[19:56] <Kobrb> "We are Forsaken. There is the Saint Martyr. That is all." Returning to bow before the coffin, "I know not of tohers."
01[19:56] <Seira> "Will asking if the Saint-Martyr is still alive offend you?" Seira inquires curiously.
[20:01] <Kobrb> "The Saint Martyr rests here." With his head bowe dlow, "How else do you become a Martyr?"
01[20:05] <Seira> "Well, given that death is not always the end and you people seem to expect him to lead you back once you stop being Forsaken, it's an understandable question," Seira remarks. "And a curse placed upon you was mentioned. I can't quite understand its details, however. Does it force you to live here and repent? Is there more to it?"
[20:08] <Kobrb> "It is our duty and our responsibility. Our curse." Lanex answers in a quieting tone. "We bear it and are bound here."
01[20:08] <Seira> "I'll really need more clear answers," Seira insists. "Is it a sense of duty, however strong, or a supernatual imperative literally binding you to these three islands?"
[20:10] <Kobrb> "It is." Lanex answers, "It is our curse and our duty. We bear it and are bound here."
01[20:10] <Seira> "But it's not a yes or no question..." Seira mutters sadly to herself, before glancing at her companions for help.
[20:13] <Kobrb> "It might be both?" Abagial murmurs, and then in even lower tones to Seira, "He's a gloomy fanatic. Even if it's not a curse, if all the people are like this, they may as well be ensorcelled."
01[20:16] <Seira> "I have an idea, but it'd go really badly if there's an actual, divine curse," Seira quietly responds. "If the mountains really sprung up as a response to some evil act committed generations ago, there just might be one." Speaking up, she addresses the robed man once more, "Are there any records, even religious texts, that I might consult?"
[20:17] <Kobrb> "The sacred texts are only to be read by those sanctified into this church," the old man replies, "They are sealed away."
06[20:19] * Seira tries a new tactic. "You have to win against the Destroyer to be pardoned as a people, right?" she asks. Not letting him a chance to respond, she continues, "And that's all there is to it. There's nothing saying I can't help you with that. When we arrived a short while ago, we were offered to join you, so there's no problem here."
[20:26] <Kobrb> "If you could slay the Destroyer...but how? Generations have failed." Looking up raggedly to Seira, "What might to you possess to challenge it?"
01[20:28] <Seira> "Let's pretend for the moment that I'm just that good," Seira states. "You are clearly sanctified into the church, unless I'm misunderstanding something. So there doesn't seem to be anything wrong about you handling your sealed records. I don't need to read them myself; it would help your ally in this fight, however, if I knew the exact circumstances of what formed this situation."
[20:31] <Kobrb> "I..." There is a few moments of hesitation there, "That ar-argument is sophistry."
[20:31] <Kobrb> "Is it really? You have someone going out of their way to try and help you and you're babbling about sematics?" Abagail rubs her forehead, "Were you raised with no manners at all? Help us help you."
01[20:33] <Seira> "Abagail really put it best," Seira agrees. "You have spirit in you, or you wouldn't get almost impassioned about claiming you were promised redemption. So how can you just meekly turn it away, when it's here?"
[20:34] <Kobrb> He hesitates a little longer, "I...I..." OOC: Make a diplo check here, Seira?
01[20:34] <Seira> roll 1d20+29 let me help you
06[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+29 let me help you and gets 45." [1d20=16]
03[20:34] * Kobrb is now known as Kotono
[20:40] <Kotono> "...There are...a few things I can tell you." He decides at last. "The sacred texts speak only in simile and shielded reference to the past. Of the Destroyer, I can tell you three things."
01[20:40] <Seira> "I'm listening," Seira tells him, now that they're getting somewhere.
[20:44] <Kotono> "It...it's wounds heal in an instant. It is said that even if you find a weapon that can fully damage it...it's wounds heal trivially as you or I breathe. Second, it moves like a charging God of destruction when it desires, rushing ahead across fields in a blink of an eye. The last is of it's apperance." With a shaking hand, words of draconic are murmured. (More)
[20:49] <Kotono> The image before you is gigantic. It has a deep, dark brown shell on it's back, the entire creature someone animal like. It's maw is vast, full of incredibly sharpened teeth. It has a long, heavy tail. It's claws look like they could rip an armored man apart in the barest moment. "T...this is close to it's true apperance, as recorded within the sacred texts. Forgive me, Saint-Martyr..."
01[20:51] <Seira> It does seem like the freakishly huge creature that destroyed two of her cabins. "Do the text say how the Saint-Martyr saved those left of your people?" Seira asks. "You said that you were still being killed even as you fled to the islands, right?"
03[20:55] * Taishyr is now known as gonetoro
[20:57] <Kotono> "Yes. He intervened - how is not recorded, only that the act occured."
01[20:59] <Seira> "If there is only one Destroyer, and three islands, each in a vastly different direction, how were they all attacked? Or were you persecuted by something else?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "The Destroyer always appears. As to how, I know not," Lanex answers, "It is a mystery I cannot answer."
01[21:02] <Seira> "If it's a barrier, either protecting the islands, or containing the beast to the mainland..." Seira muses out loud. "Don't suppose you could tell me about the locations of any ancient monuments? Come to think of it, it would also help to know how magically advanced your society is, when the next Crusade is scheduled for, and why you're the only one who appears to speak this language here."
[21:07] <Kotono> "What lies inland is lost. The Destroyer took our lands and reduced them to rubble. The last Crusade was a few years ago, we are rebuilding for the next one...and my speaking of your words is magic."
01[21:09] <Seira> "Figures," Seira admits. "What's the highest magical circle your mages have power over?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Third...this spell here is a difficult one for me to manage," The man admits, "Before a crusade, one occasionally reaches higher, but...the Crusade takes them."
01[21:22] <Seira> "Let's see if we can't change that," Seira tells him brightly. "Lanex, is there a way for you to get in touch with the other islands? I'll need to scout this beast, and prepare for battling it. I'll contact you soon enough, but it would be a terrible waste if another Crusade were launched in the meantime.
01[21:22] <Seira> Nothing would change by doing the same thing over and over again, so your best chance for success lies in waiting for me and then striking in tandem to win your redemption and land back."
[21:33] <Kotono> "We are in contact on occasions on ship, preparing before Crusades," he answers.
01[21:35] <Seira> "And you can make this decision?" Seira asks. "To act prematurely would result in pointless sacrifice. I need to be assured that I'll have the time for my preparations to proceed."
[21:42] <Kotono> "It can be done," He says hesitantly.
01[21:44] <Seira> "Let's make this last Crusade count, then," Seira states.
[21:48] <Kotono> 'What's your plan then, Seira,' Amaryl asks.
[21:48] <Kotono> "Hmmm..." Neve merely smiles and chuckles.
01[21:51] <Seira> "Let's return for now," Seira decides. "The initial research is best done home. A legendary monster like that could only be one thing, so I want to confirm it if I can." Returning her attention to Lanex, she asks, "How about maps? Do you have any of this region, as well as an idea of how to find the Destroyer quickly, without having to travel days looking for it?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "The Destroyer finds those who set food on the shore. As for maps, no, only sea charts leading from here to the shore, and otthe other two islands. I do know that the shore is known as a peninsula.
[21:52] <Kotono> ""
01[21:53] <Seira> "I realized as much. Sea charts would help, as a start."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Go to the docks and ask for them. You will be given them if you want," Lanex answers again.
01[21:55] <Seira> "That's what we'll do," Seira declares. "We'll be back soon enough."
01[22:07] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 61." [1d100=61]
[22:08] <Kotono> Woosh! With sea charts procured, the party returns to the point that this all started. Amaryl breaths in deeply, "Ah, this is so much better."
[22:08] <Kotono> "So then..." Abagail looks about, "Seira, what are we going to do form here?"
01[22:13] <Seira> "Hit the books," Seira responds. "I can only think of the legendary tarrasque as a deadly creature of such size, so either it's the right guess or we've discovered something even more exotic. What we've learned should suffice to identify it positively, and give us an idea of which spells to prepare even if nothing turns up.
01[22:13] <Seira> But every beast has a weakness, so once we know this one's, it's a battle we've already won!"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Easier said than done..." Abagail murmurs, "But yes, let's return to Balmuria and study? Countess Stronger surely can help us, as can our various contacts."
01[22:18] <Seira> "I have a spell that can take out anything alive, and even regeneration would be staggered by it," Seira reasons. "If a way to immobilize the creature further can be found, say by drowning it or discovering its weakness for holy blades, then that's our ace right there."
[22:30] <Kotono> "Mmm..." Abagail considers, "That may work, but we'll need to return. Are we going to now, or stand here for the Destroyer to find us again?"
01[22:32] <Seira> "We're definitely returning. Neve, seems like you'll get to visit our home!"
[22:35] <Kotono> "This should be good..." Neve eyes Seira.
01[22:36] <Seira> "It's okay, we don't have any lifeless people around. You'll like it there!"
01[22:38] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 40." [1d100=40]

[Corwin]

[19:47] <Kotono> ----------------------------(City Ko)---
[19:50] <Kotono> Seira's backyard is cool with the evening's gentle airs. Amaryl looks about and smiles openly, while Abagail dusts her clothes off, murmuring potent words of arcane power around herself. Neve merely looks about, sniffing.
01[19:52] <Seira> "Anything you'd like to see first?" Seira asks Neve, gesturing towards the entrance to the inn. "You've heard enough about our city, so it could be up to you. Or I could choose, if you'd prefer that."
[19:54] <Kotono> Huddling into her fur coat, "It reeks of humans here..." With a wrinkle of her nose, twitching away, "Show me something interesting, Seira."
[19:55] <Kotono> "It does, doesn't it," Amaryl almost smiles at that, while, 'Seira, will you be okay without me for a little while?'
03[19:58] * tai-sick is now known as tai-hack
01[20:00] <Seira> 'Sure. The visit to the crypts is still bothering you?' Seira thinks back, while voicing, "You can't possibly smell humans, certainly not where we are, can you? Never mind. How about Countess Stronger's abode? She usually has something interesting in store."
[20:05] <Kotono> "As you wish," Neve starts to follow Seira, as Amaryl smiles slightly, 'I'm a little tired and want to lie down. And...well, it's not all human smells, but the city does have it's own distinct smell.'
01[20:08] <Seira> 'By all means, get some rest!' Seira returns perkily. "Then I guess I wish!" she goes on to tell Neve, leading the way through the inn. "We can return later and you could listen to my bard. Or, better yet, tell him a story of your own about the glory of winter, and he could spread it on."
06[20:08] * Seira glances at Abagail in the meanwhile, in silent invitation if she chooses to join them.
[20:10] <Kotono> Abagail nods, falling in with Neve and Seira.
[20:23] <Kotono> Through the busy streets you head to Elle's. Neve gets some curious looks nad a few whistles. The cold smiles she returns usually sends any minded males quickly away, your trip uninterrupted. You find Alice deep in conversation with a long haired elf, leaning heavily on an ornate gold cane. A man in full plate armor is examining a familiar Yugoloth's longsword, giving it a practice swing with deft speed.
[20:23] <Kotono> giving it a practice swing with deft speed.
01[20:25] <Seira> "A pretty nasty Yugoloth used that blade," Seira whispers to Neve, ignoring the elf and Alice altogether. "Countess, are you in?" she asks, raising her voice slightly, enough for it to carry over to the adjoining room Elle might be using at the time being.
[20:25] <Kotono> "Yugoloth...oh, ah yes, I recall what those fiends are." As Neve smirks, "Selling cursed arms of darkness, Seira?"
01[20:26] <Seira> "It's not cursed. I checked."
[20:26] <Kotono> Alice murmurs something to her guest, then, "She's at the Temple of Mystra and then the Garrison, Seira. She should return within the hour. You can go get comfortable in the back if you like."
01[20:28] <Seira> "Thanks, but it might suit us better to just catch up to her," Seira tells Alice, nodding, and leads the way back outside. "As for the selling part, who am I to oppose Waukeen's will?" she asks Neve with a smirk of her own, deciding to try intercepting Elle at the garrison. They could always wait for her there and, perhaps, meet the Commander.
[20:28] <Kotono> Abagail heads for the back, while the sword bearing man turns to Seira. "You..." he murmurs, "Seira of the Crimson Guard?"
06[20:29] * Seira pauses at the doorway, glancing back curiously. "In the flesh."
[20:30] <Kotono> "Hmph." As Neve pauses, her own response mitigated as she turns to look at the man, she holds her ground.
[20:32] <Kotono> The armored man approaches Seira. He's not too old, maybe a human of 25 or so years. He wears his armor well, decorated with a battered insignia of a hawk rising into the air, holding a glittering diamond in it's talons. He wears a gold stud in both ears. He offers one hand out, "Profit onto you, profit and good will."
01[20:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 15." [1d20=2]
01[20:36] <Seira> "Profit and good will," Seira agrees, shaking it.
[20:37] <Kotono> "I would meet with you tonight, Seira," He goes on, his grip like crushing iron. "I have made reservations at your inn. My name is Dannan."
01[20:40] <Seira> "You are in luck. I've just returned to Balmuria, and plan to spend the night here," Seira notes, judging his reaction for surprise.
[20:40] <Kotono> He just nods, no sign of surprise on his face. "Until then," He says, stepping aside and back to the blade he was examining.
[20:40] <Kotono> Neve watches him, a little smirk as a few snowflakes fall from her shoulders.
06[20:41] * Seira has the ability to soundlessly detect evil and uses it in that instant, as the man appears distracted.
06[20:41] * Seira glances at the elf and Alice for completeness's sake, before echoing, "Until then," and continuing on her original course.
[20:42] <Kotono> The trip to the garrison is without incident. You wait a little there, before finding Elle coming into it. You happen to run into her just heading into the court yard. A few soldiers follow her, escorting. "Ah, Seira," With a sunny nod, "Here on business too?
[20:42] <Kotono> "
01[20:43] <Seira> "Just showing Neve around," Seira says, before gesturing at the fur-covered fey. "Neve, Countess Stronger. Countess, Neve."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Neve..." Countess Stronger doesn't miss a beat, "It's a pleasure."
[20:44] <Kotono> Neve merely smiles, reaching out and taking Elle's unofffered hand. Elle's arm shivers as they shake hands, "Good day to you, Countess."
01[20:46] <Seira> "Business, was it?" Seira picks up the conversation. "What business it is that requires an escort by soldiers, I wonder."
[20:48] <Kotono> "There's problems in Parsifal and Valandia. Shocker Lizards are coming out of the Galkass Mountains in a swarm.  I've been supplying the garrison and teleporting over goods to help with the defense and cleanup."
06[20:49] * Seira grimaces. "Are they an actual threat, or more of a nuisance and waste of resources?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "A few hundred swarmed Parsifal," Elle says without grimness, just smiling. "Alicia, the Commander and trained archers had been dispatched and traveled by Alicia's magic. They routed them. In western Valandia, Pollyanna's been leading that side and they've had several encounters with large groups. They'd have success there, too. So it seems to be under control."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Hundred?" Abagail gasps, "Not just a dozen or a few more, but hundreds?"
01[20:51] <Seira> "With such opposition, it might as well be thousands," Seira says dismissively. "Does this mean you're still busy, or can you take half a day off tomorrow?"
[20:52] <Kotono> "I can take some time if I need it." Waving a hand, "Teleportation is easy and quick these days."
01[20:52] <Seira> "Since I'm showing Neve around and she likes interesting and powerful people, I figured I'd invite you along."
[20:56] <Kotono> "I'll drop by tomorrow then." Elle smiles slightly to Neve, "Excuse me, but I really am busy right now."
06[20:57] * Seira nods, even though it's hard to conceal her disappointment. "A shame you couldn't meet the Commander this time," she tells Neve. "He's really strong. I figured we could've even had a practice match, but...."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Perhaps he is. The humans from this city do seem unusually mighty." Neve smirks now.
[21:03] <Kotono> "Oh yes. Might is something we have great quantities of. The vast empire to the east bowed to us, we've defeated enemy devils and smashed dozens of schemes. The Crimson Guard is the nobility of powerful officers and advenruers in this realm, doubtless."
[21:03] <Kotono> Abagail says that with a little preening smile.
01[21:04] <Seira> "Yes, but he's just crazy strong," Seira says in admiration. "Oh well. Like Elle said, our homes are only a teleport away." At Abagail's words, she smiles. "Good times."
[21:08] <Kotono> Elle waves as she goes off. Neve looks around briefly, then, "What else is there ot see in this city?"
01[21:10] <Seira> "We haven't really seen the garrison, but it's not the same now, so we'll leave it for another day. Since we're staying at my inn for the night, it's meaningless to spend time there just yet. How about the temple of Gond? It has dwarves who build things, and those things sometimes explode spectacularly."
[21:16] <Kotono> "Lead on," Neve smirks, "Explosions, distasteful explosions?
[21:16] <Kotono> "
01[21:18] <Seira> "A friend of mine from Waukeen's temple managed to destroy several rooms with the addition of a single alchemical compound," Seira says proudly. "The plume of smoke was seen for the longest of distances!"
[21:20] <Kotono> "Explosion sand smoke. Utterly distasteful," Neve snorts.
[21:20] <Kotono> Abagail nods, "Fireball and it's like are terribly garish...though one cannot say they are not effective at what they do."
01[21:21] <Seira> "True enough, I wouldn't want to be there for the actual explosion," Seira agrees pleasantly. "But the Gond guys were so angry, it made the whole thing entirely too funny. We won't tell them that, though."
[21:23] <Kotono> "
[21:24] <Kotono> "It was amusing from all reports," Abagail agrees as yous tart to walk down the streets. "Terribly uncivilized, certainly, but amusing."
01[21:25] <Seira> "They banned her from the grounds for a while." Seira rolls her eyes. "As if that was the only time something exploded."
[21:32] <Kotono> The rest of the walk is spent in this pleasant conversation. As you approach the temple of Gond, torches are being set out to light it for the evening. The gates to the temple are still open.
06[21:33] * Seira decides to inquire about a tour for her guest. It's still not that late that she can't get away with such a request, she hopes.
[21:41] <Kotono> As Seira enters inside, she finds that a pair of men  are dragging a giant chunk of metal towards the exit. It's scorched and burnt, smoke rising from it. An angry looking man in seared, charred robes follows them. "Do you know how much work that was?" he berates them, "We'll hav eto melt it down and start over!"
01[21:42] <Seira> "I could set it on fire for you," Seira offers casually.
[21:46] <Kotono> "Ah, Colonel!" The charred man doubletakes, "Colonel Seira of the Crimson Guard! Welcome, welcome," Hecomes up to her, "Sorry you had to see such a disgraceful display."
06[21:47] * Seira shakes her head, before offering him a smile. "It's past time I visited, and don't worry about appearances. I meant it, too, you know. I could melt that for you, if you'd like."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Could you? I twould save us some time. Thank you, sir!" With a look at the two men, "Drag that back into the smithery now!"
01[21:52] <Seira> "It's been a while since I set something on fire," Seira says by way of explanation. "Would you mind showing us around in the meantime?" She gestures at her companions as she introduces them. "You would surely know of Abagail, and this is Neve, a friend from the far east."
[22:00] <Kotono> "Oh yes, yes," Bowing ot both of them, "Follow me."
[22:00] <Kotono> Neve just smiles frostily, the smoke rising from the metal turning white, into chilly white.
01[22:01] <Seira> "I wonder what would happen if you froze it right after I melted it down," Seira muses to Neve, indeed following as requested.
[22:03] <Kotono> "Heat and cold together make things expand and break. Try it on a rock sometime," Neve answers, "It has to do with ice and size."
01[22:05] <Seira> "I wonder if it can make colossal monster carapaces expand and break," Seira says with a smile.
[22:11] <Kotono> "Perhaps if you applied enough. Hmmm..." neve starts to consider that, "Nothing cna resist enough cold."
01[22:12] <Seira> "And nothing should resist my fire," Seira comments. "It could be worth trying. What's your effective range with enough cold to matter?"
[22:17] <Kotono> "Close," Neve answers, "The sort of concentrated cold to freeze something to death quickly."
01[22:19] <Seira> "If we're closer than thirty feet to that monster, we're probably doing something wrong," Seira voices in displeasure.
[22:20] <Kotono> "Verily," Abagail murmurs. "If it gets that close to us, we've probably lost."
[22:22] <Kotono> "Perhaps it is so," Neve says as you are lead into one of the stalls. Here, clockwork figures are on display, tick-tocking along. A clockwork elf figurine stands at attention atop the stall, six inches tall and on guard.
01[22:23] <Seira> "We can control the distance some, due to having access to flight and winged mounts, and magic can open the effective range for Amaryl and I, but...." Seira shakes her head. "I suppose we'll know more once we get a chance to read on the creature." The rest of the planning put off for now, she approaches the clockwork elf to admire it from close by.
[22:24] <Kotono> As you get closer, you double-blink. You see that it looks like yourself in wizard's robes. A slender man is on the other side of the stall, "Oh, Colonel! I didn't know today was the day!"
01[22:25] <Seira> "Today clearly is," Seira agrees easily enough. "What day would today be?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "These were commissioned for the Guard, ma'am," He answers, "I didn't think you'd be by to pick up yours so soon. I hadn't heard, anyway."
01[22:31] <Seira> "Who commissioned them, out of curiousity?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "Miss Antenora. She does a lot of business with me," Answering that as he presents the figurine to Seira, "Here. You're welcome to it."
06[22:35] * Seira nods to herself. "Makes sense. She really likes the clockwork models." Seira accepts it, tapping her representation lightly on its forehead. "My thanks, it's a delightful creation."
[22:42] <Kotono> "It's metal. Metal doesn't normally act that way," Neve leans in to peer at it, "How? Why?"
[22:43] <Kotono> "It's a type of creation from Mechanus and some of the priests here are instructed in it." Abagail answers, "It's quite noble and elite."
01[22:44] <Seira> And Neve doesn't normally act that way, though Seira doesn't voice it, instead feeling happy she chose Gond's temple to visit. "Can I commission one for Neve?" she asks the priest at the stall.
[22:48] <Kotono> Peering at Neve over, "I can make one of her..." he says at last, "I'm honored to have your business, Colonel."
01[22:49] <Seira> "This seems like a venture to make everyone involved happy, then," Seira agrees, letting Neve hold the tiny, clockwork Seira while she peruses the other figurines.
[22:51] <Kotono> There's a half finished one of Alicia, Demedais, Jessica, Marie and others. Ther'es fully made ones of more generic things, trolls, soldiers, elves, dwarves, and so on.
[22:51] <Kotono> "Really? Will it freeze fast on the first frost?" Neve challenges. "They look delicate."
01[22:52] <Seira> "Depending on the metal it's made of, and that's without even taking magic under account," Seira tells her, looking for one of a sea elf.
03[22:56] * tai-hack is now known as asdgsdfasdf-ill
[23:00] <Kotono> Seira finds a sea elf, dashing and with little mechanical drops of 'water' on it.
01[23:01] <Seira> "Are you selling this one?" she asks, pointing it out to the priest.
[23:02] <Kotono> "Oh yes, 50 gold," He answers, "It's for sale."
06[23:04] * Seira offers the money, easily having that much on hand. While the transaction takes place, she uses the chance that Neve's attention is elsewhere to whisper, "Speaking of the figurine for her, I think I've read about something called blue ice? I recall it being as good as metal, enough to forge weapons and armor from it, so would it be possible to use something like that as the base for Neve's gift?"

[Corwin]

[19:29] <Kotono> <Seira> "This seems like a venture to make everyone involved happy, then," Seira agrees, letting Neve hold the tiny, clockwork Seira while she peruses the other figurines.
[19:29] <Kotono> > There's a half finished one of Alicia, Demedais, Jessica, Marie and others. Ther'es fully made ones of more generic things, trolls, soldiers, elves, dwarves, and so on.
[19:29] <Kotono> > "Really? Will it freeze fast on the first frost?" Neve challenges. "They look delicate."
[19:29] <Kotono> <Seira> "Depending on the metal it's made of, and that's without even taking magic under account," Seira tells her, looking for one of a sea elf.
[19:29] <Kotono> * tai-hack is now known as asdgsdfasdf-ill
[19:30] <Kotono> > Seira finds a sea elf, dashing and with little mechanical drops of 'water' on it.
[19:30] <Kotono> <Seira> "Are you selling this one?" she asks, pointing it out to the priest.
[19:30] <Kotono> > "Oh yes, 50 gold," He answers, "It's for sale."
[19:30] <Kotono> * Seira offers the money, easily having that much on hand. While the transaction takes place, she uses the chance that Neve's attention is elsewhere to whisper, "Speaking of the figurine for her, I think I've read about something called blue ice? I recall it being as good as metal, enough to forge weapons and armor from it, so would it be possible to use something like that as the base for Neve's gift?"
[19:30] <Kotono> "I don't know, I've never worked with it. If I had some, I could try," The man admits after some consideration.
01[19:33] <Seira> "I travel a lot, so I'll try to find some," she returns.
03[19:37] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-54464c28.lns3-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
[19:37] <Kotono> "Sure thing, Colonel," He replies. Meanwhile, Abagail examines another of the clockwork figurines, a little deer. Neve looks about.
03[19:37] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
01[19:38] <Seira> "Want to see where they make all the pretty explosions?" Seira asks with a smile.
[19:44] <Kotono> "Ugh, explosions. No." Neve makes a look of disgust, "How about somewhere else?"
01[19:47] <Seira> "In that case, how about I melt that lump of metal for them and we'll return to the inn for now?" she suggests. "Other than listening to a few tales told the way only a bard could and meeting Donald, we could find out what a strange man I never saw before wants from me, and how he even knew I would be around.
01[19:47] <Seira> The rest of the interesting spots around the city are just too far to properly visit, since it's late, so we could do that tomorrow."
03[19:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:50] <Kotono> "Very well," Neve agrees to that.
[19:51] <Kotono> "I do wonder who that man was. He looked like a brute of a warrior. Not the normal sort for Waukeen to recruit, and his emblem was unusual." Abagail sniffs.
01[19:52] <Seira> "On that note, could I trouble you to check with the Temple of Waukeen, Abagail?" Seira requests. "The last time someone was looking for me, it was an insane Inevitable, and he came there first. If I've had visitors or people wishing to see me, Gilartal would know. Same for the emblem and the greeting used, he might recall those."
[19:54] <Kotono> "Such a menial task..." Abagail sniffs, "But very well. Where shall I meet you?"
01[19:55] <Seira> "I'll be home, likely in the dining area," Seira responds, fully aware that the task is menial, and not commenting on that.
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to skip along then?
01[19:56] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC: Gimme a sec on combat in #dunes.
[20:08] <Kotono> Seira returns home! She finds Donald minding the front door, currently dragging a passed out man outside. He looks up from his work, "Ooof...oh hi," he looks over his shoulder.
01[20:09] <Seira> "Hi. Having fun, as usual?"
[20:10] <Kotono> With a toss the drunken, plainclothes man is tossed outside. Dusting his hands off as he falls in step with Seira, "Sure. There was a big party in here and a few people got drunk. It's good exercise these days."
[20:10] <Kotono> Neve stops at the door inside, looking at the draconic entrance. She eyes it long and warily. "How...distinct."
01[20:12] <Seira> "It's... me, don't you think?" Seira asks her, grinning. "Donald, speaking of fun, how would you like to take a brief vacation with us in a few days? We'll be going hunting this terrible monster that could swallow a giant whole with ease."
[20:14] <Kotono> "It is." Neve agrees, "It's..." Her words stop as she stares up at the door a while longer.
01[20:14] <Seira> "In a good way, right?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "Sounds normal enough." Donald goes back in. The inn is very busy - people are about from all over. You see a few elves baout as well, as well as a single dwarf alone. Humans of all stripes and shapes are around. "Got a name for the creature? Sounds kinda dragon like."
01[20:15] <Seira> "Yes. It goes by... the Destroyer!"
[20:19] <Kotono> "Hmmm...haven't heard of it," Donald shrugs, "Oh well. Oh yeah, Seira." Stopping there, "There's a guy who wants to see you tonight. His name's Dannan, said he talked to you earlier."
01[20:20] <Seira> "He'll wait a bit, at least until I hear back from Abagail," Seira decides. "Unless you know what he's all about?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "I don't." Lightly shrugging, "I didn't ask, I was kind of busy at the time and he didn't stay around."
06[20:22] * Seira accepts that excuse and drops the matter for now. "How about showing Neve around, then? She likes interesting people, so you'll do."
[20:24] <Kotono> "Sure!" Going over, "Oh Neve, we met. Come on," He reaches out for Neve's arm, recoiling and rubbing his hand. "Gaaah, like ice...well, that was obvious." Neve just glares at him as Donald smiles. "Anyway, come on."
06[20:26] * Seira resolves to waiting on Abagail and hoping the combination of Donald and their bard entertains the fey enough, and perhaps gets her to part with a story or two about winter.
[20:27] <Kotono> Abagail returns after about ten minutes of Donald and Neve listening to the bardsong.  Neve looks interested enough, most people giving her a certain wide birth. Donald stays close enough, despite some shivers. Abagail returns then, going to sit next to Seira. "He was there briefly. He stopped in, donated a bit of gold and then departed."
01[20:29] <Seira> "And they didn't have an idea about the hawk symbol?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "Gilartal said it didn't ring any bells, but he'd take a check into it tonight. It'll take him a few hours." Sitting down now and waving for a glass of something to drink, "Well, if he's after you, donating to the church of Waukeen is a decent cover."
03[20:32] * tai-nebulizer is now known as tai-blrgh
01[20:32] <Seira> "Well, we'll know soon enough, I suppose. People who are after me in a bad way just can't restrain themselves, and keep on trying to kill me soon after meeting me properly."
06[20:33] * Seira pats Abagail's shoulder. "Thanks, by the way."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Hmph. It was a servant's work. I mean, really, it's beneath us. Why didn't you just get a guard or a minion to do it," Abagail snorts, "It's beneath a cultured wizard."
01[20:36] <Seira> "There are levels of trust, and much as I have trust in our guards, there are certain things only a very few people close to me would be entrusted with," Seira tells her quietly. "I would appreciate it if you didn't repeat this."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Ah, very well then." A short nod to that, taking a wineglass as it is brought to her. She sips at it, "I suppose discretion is important."
06[20:38] * Seira nods. "And I wouldn't ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself. The only reason I didn't just to to the temple on my own is because of my guest."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Yes."  Looking ahead at Neve as she focuses on the bardsong. It's a story of a desperate battle between a cruel young man and his noble hearted clone. "She has a noble's sense of propriety, yet she lacks a certain...compassion? Freezing that entire city would truly have been a waste of effort, even if it had appeal at the time."
01[20:43] <Seira> "There are many things she lacks," Seira finds herself agreeing. "But at the same time, it feels as if... it feels much like a muscle she never exercised, for lack of a better example. Neve is a good person, I believe, but she is having trouble accepting it herself, perhaps, and she doesn't know how to properly express this."
[20:44] <Kotono> "It's possible." Taking a deeper drink from her wineglass as she listens about how the clone finally triumphs in a difficult battle, going on to save what's important to him, "It's also possible that she's intimidated or grateful, or biding her time."
01[20:47] <Seira> "It's quite likely she's all of those at once," Seira agrees once more. "Does that really precludes having the right emotions, though? I as good as told her that I wouldn't fight against her if she acted on her own. We were too far, and in a land Alicia wouldn't know of, as far as Neve thought. There was nothing stopping her from establishing her own frozen kingdom on those isles or beyond."
06[20:47] * Seira gazes at the fey thoughtfully. "Nothing but the loss of our friendship, really. So I've decided to believe that she logically realized the folly of surviving on her own, and just uses that to justify actually wanting to be around me and my other friends."
[20:49] <Kotono> "Perhaps. Fey don't entirely think like we do," Abagail muses, "Hmph, now I'm curious. I should read of them more."
01[20:55] <Seira> "In the worst case scenario, if a devil can change her colors so entirely, I have good reason to hope?" Seira suggests. "And reading would be a good idea. Start on the research tomorrow, and I'll join you as soon as I am able to."
[20:56] <Kotono> "True, I suppose. I wonder...wast that the exception that proves the rule, or proof that anything can change?" Drinking more of her wine as the sotry reaches a romantic conclusion between clone and his fetching female love interest, "I can imagine what you think."
01[20:57] <Seira> "The former is a great argument, but if you study it, it becomes false. You prove the rule, perhaps, but that in no way precludes other exceptions to the rule, does it?"
[20:59] <Kotono> "The theory is that an exception to the rule proves the rule because it's so damned rare and noteworthy that  reinforces th enorm," Abagail retorts. "It doesn't beg another exsample."
01[21:02] <Seira> "An exception to the rule proves that exceptions exist," Seira insists. "Once you get a foot in the door, that door can never close fully, and the exception in question fills that role. True, it would need to be extraordinary circumstances that lead to it. Such as, perhaps, returning from death and undeath alike,
01[21:02] <Seira> and facing people stronger than you that treat you with genuine kindness from the bottom of their hearts?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "Maybe. I suppose one of us will be proven right in time?" Neve continues to listen away, Donald chatting all the while at her.
01[21:09] <Seira> "What I'd really like is if it weren't just another rare exception," Seira says wistfully. "I try to give all those I face at least one chance to change. What if, some day, more will take it? It doesn't matter if they just play along. I'm sure that if they spend time with me, even simply traveling and seeing the world, helping people and finding enjoyment in that,
01[21:09] <Seira> that more could find it within themselves to question their old habits!"
[21:11] <Kotono> "Well..." Abagail considers, "I read once that there was a mass migration of outsiders. A heavenly Fall of sorts...so maybe, you could find a way to do that in reverse somehow? But if it were easy, wouldn't it be heard of more? Hmmm..." Reflectively looking down at her image in her wineglass, "Some of our prisoners take to the rehabilitation program. Some turn out to be sincere, some don't. Some don't even want to try."
[21:11] <Kotono> Some turn out to be sincere, some don't. Some don't even want to try."
01[21:13] <Seira> "And there must be another group, those few who don't start as sincere but end up turning around," Seira points out. "I have to believe people like this exist. As for hearing about outsider migration on such scale? There's nothing wrong with taking things one step at a time. I don't have to convert the Abyss to call this a success.
01[21:13] <Seira> Plus, if we just wait on other people to do this for us, this may never be achieved, like with oh so many ventures."
[21:14] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Abagail finishes her wine, waving for another. "True. It does take time. Waukeen's teachings told you that?"
01[21:15] <Seira> "In part. The rest is my own interpretation, but Waukeen must approve, because I ask her from time to time if I'm keeping true to her path."
[21:15] <Kotono> "Mmm." Another quiet pause, "Oh yes, speaking of her, are you going ot find out what Dannan wants? Will you needmy support in case he's hostile?"
01[21:17] <Seira> "It might be a good idea to have you along, as I suppose I might as well meet with him now," Seira responds. "There's more than just magic that I could teach you, and this might be a good chance for us."
[21:19] <Kotono> Abagail nods and rises, "Very well then."
06[21:20] * Seira decides to go and look around for Dannan, then.
[21:23] <Kotono> You find Dannan in his room after a bit of searching. He stands at the window, watching a slow rain beginning, splattering against the windowsill. His hands are behind his back, back to you as he looks out at the rain. For a moment he's like that, before he turns. "Ah, Seira!"
01[21:24] <Seira> "It seems my business took me away for longer than expected, but I'm here now," she responds.
[21:25] <Kotono> Abagail stays behind Seira, watching.
[21:26] <Kotono> "Entirely respectable. Business is the backbone of the world. Through it flows commerce, wealth and prosperity." He advances forward, still wearing his full plate armor. He extends a hand out to Seira, taking off his gauntlet to do so. His hands are callosed and heavy hands, a few small scars here and there. "I'm here to talk to you about that."
06[21:29] * Seira shakes it, much like earlier that day when they met last. "It is indeed one of the few subjects I can keep on discussing for hours on end without tiring myself out or any signs of boredom."
[21:30] <Kotono> "Oh yes, I'm the same! But let me introduce myself properly. I am Dannan. In particular, I am High Holycoin Dannan, profited greatly by the patronage of the Golden Lady. In technical terms, I am one of Waukeen's personal representatives for the mortal planes. A proxy of Waukeen's will."
01[21:32] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 sure
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 sure and gets 27." [1d20=14]
06[21:35] * Seira judges that if it were a ruse, it would be far too easy to discover and thus pointless. "It is an honor that cannot be expressed in mere words," she tells Dannan. "One I'm striving for, myself."
[21:37] <Kotono> "Waukeen thinks very highly of you. She tasked me here to discuss with you what you're doing and the various acquisitions you're planning." Dannan goes to the table in the room, sitting down. "She's pleased with your efforts so far. Balmuria is becoming a city that very much represents her ideals. Temples have been seeded elseware, greatly expanding her influence and bringing more to her faith."
06[21:39] * Seira rubs the back of her head in embarrassment. "I guess you could say it's my hobby, building temples to her."
[21:42] <Kotono> "A commendable hobby. She said that you once told her you wished to be her servant. Your initiative in these areas speaks well of your true dedication." Dannan makes a gesture with his hand, as if drawing. A large gold coin appears on the table, Waukeen's face emblazed on it.  It shimmers a moment, before appearing as real as everything else. "You lost a symbol of Waukeen a time back. Here." He slides the coin to Seira, "This coin will bri
[21:42] <Kotono>  Here." He slides the coin to Seira, "This coin will bring you Waukeen's own luck."
01[21:44] <Seira> "I won't let it be taken from me, whatever the circumstances," Seira promises quietly, reaching out towards the coin, first with hesitation but then firmly as she makes up her mind.
[21:45] <Kotono> The coin feels right in Seira's hand. "It'll protect you when you need it the most." Dannan promises now, "Keep it with you at all times."
01[21:47] <Seira> "I'm grateful for everything Waukeen's done for me, for this world...." Seira trails off, feeling frustration. "It sounds so plain. But I believe Waukeen knows how I feel!"
[21:50] <Kotono> "She does. She's held her hand and voice from you, for Waukeen believes very much in letting you blaze your own trail. You've not dissapointed her." Dannan folds his hands in front of him now, "Instead of standing idle or wasting your gifts, youv'e done much to bring glory to her and prosperity to your home and the lands around it."
01[21:52] <Seira> "It leads to healthy societies and better lives, and in turn, that improves trade, knowledge and the economy even more. What better way to spend my time than for goals such as this?"
[21:55] <Kotono> "Exactly. It all feeds on each other. Doing Waukeen's work brings a brighter tomorrow, for it lays the foundations of it today. Without trade...well, do you remember your city ofBalmuria when you first arrived at it? Look at how it has prospered and it's people have a better lot now."
01[21:57] <Seira> "It really is an excellent example," Seira agrees, "since it achieved in a few years what would normally take a generation or two."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Your work has let Waukeen's blessings blossom here beautifully. You look to expand outward, too. That's the main reason I'm here. Waukeen wants you to understand what you're getting into before you commit to them. Whilet here is great potential for profit, there is great danger as well."
01[22:01] <Seira> "So you're here for guidance, and to help me think through some of my projects?" Seira clarifies, making herself comfortable for this discussion. "It would be quite helpful to have a fresh outlook on things, even if it didn't come with Waukeen's blessing. Please, go ahead."
[22:04] <Kotono> "To the north, past the jungles, lies several kingdoms. You're looking to expand into them?" Dannan begins, "Kesse, Sanaxt, Evrai?"
01[22:07] <Seira> "It figures that the most troublesome short-term venture would be the first," Seira mutters with sigh. "We broke Kesse. We had a very good reason to do it, and Kesse quite deserved it, but from the moment it surrendered it became our responsibility. So yes, I'm looking into projecting our might into that region.
01[22:07] <Seira> Though I would never repeat it outside this room, Kesse is a protectorate of the Baronies at this point. Therefore, I have accepted it as my responsibility to ensure it reaches such a time it no longer needs our aid, and has indeed become a better place, just like Balmuria. Its neighbors, too, if I can manage it."
[22:11] <Kotono> "That land is a land of violence, grimness, darkness, and despair. The three kingdoms and the states around them have long had bloody wars and brutish lives. Your goal is noble if dominating; however, if ou go in, do not do it by half measures.  War looms on the horizon there, as it has many times. If you are not willing to confront this, the area will be nothing but a loss to you."
01[22:13] <Seira> "It's just like the situation here, just a short while ago," Seira states firmly. "We did all we could to reach peaceful coexistence with Malmuth, but we prepared for the worst even as we hoped for the best. And it took a war to get us to where we are now, a war I fully participated in. I understand this much, even if I hold hope that this time around, another war may not be necessary."
[22:19] <Kotono> "It's far more entrenched in them. They've had so many wars between each other that they can't count them all. Remember that." Dannan says, and then, "You're also expanding ot the far est?"
[22:19] <Kotono> *east
01[22:25] <Seira> "There is that, but what would your advice be? I haven't spent time in Kesse and the surroundings, and if I took the time to properly gather all the information before acting, it might be too late. Right now, I'm trying to approach the matter with the carrot and stick routine,
01[22:25] <Seira> hoping to show everyone the benefits of Waukeen's ways while keeping an armed force around to prevent Kesse's neighbors from attacking it. Should I try more? Would it just be better to focus on one aspect instead of advancing both in parallel? The summit I tried to arrange, would it likely be a waste of time regardless of my words and actions?"
[22:38] <Kotono> "It is a difficult path, no matter which you choose. Sanaxt and Evrai are justified and have a just cause for war. To defuse that will be difficult, but the war that will come will be blooduy too. There isn't an easy answer. If you commit to this, commit to it true and be willing to ride out the difficulties until profit comes."
01[22:39] <Seira> "It's not easy," Seira agrees with a grimace. "Everyone is justified, but neither is, at the same time. But must a war come, under any situation? Does Waukeen see no way of avoiding it, regardless of my actions?"
[22:42] <Kotono> "She has not told me that much. The future, while we can see far into it, is always somewhat fluid. But..." He grimaces as well, "It is like a diabolical contract, correct and yet sentencing you to damnation. It's right and wrong at once and makes it very difficult."
06[22:44] * Seira rests her arms on her knees as she leans forward, steepling her fingers. "I see. Then I'll give it a try, even if the chance is slim, because while it exists I have to make my attempt to seize it. This is enough for me." She pauses. "You've asked about my plans for expansion? I intend to explore into every corner of the world, so it's not just the east, but east is where my eyes are cast now."
[22:46] <Kotono> "Good. But it's what lies east that I also want to talk to you about. They call themselve sthe Forsaken, and you look to fight the Destroyer that menances them?"
01[22:49] <Seira> "I intend to do my research, first. As you can see, I'm hardly rushing to the battle. I just had to present it that way so that they won't throw another human wave at that beast in a futile attempt at redemption that's no better than suicide." Seira nods, then. "But yes, if the situation is as I see it, then I would help those people."

[Corwin]

[21:39] <Kotono> > "It is a difficult path, no matter which you choose. Sanaxt and Evrai are justified and have a just cause for war. To defuse that will be difficult, but the war that will come will be blooduy too. There isn't an easy answer. If you commit to this, commit to it true and be willing to ride out the difficulties until profit comes."
[21:39] <Kotono> <Seira> "It's not easy," Seira agrees with a grimace. "Everyone is justified, but neither is, at the same time. But must a war come, under any situation? Does Waukeen see no way of avoiding it, regardless of my actions?"
[21:39] <Kotono> > "She has not told me that much. The future, while we can see far into it, is always somewhat fluid. But..." He grimaces as well, "It is like a diabolical contract, correct and yet sentencing you to damnation. It's right and wrong at once and makes it very difficult."
[21:39] <Kotono> * Seira rests her arms on her knees as she leans forward, steepling her fingers. "I see. Then I'll give it a try, even if the chance is slim, because while it exists I have to make my attempt to seize it. This is enough for me." She pauses. "You've asked about my plans for expansion? I intend to explore into every corner of the world, so it's not just the east, but east is where my eyes are cast now."
[21:39] <Kotono> > "Good. But it's what lies east that I also want to talk to you about. They call themselve sthe Forsaken, and you look to fight the Destroyer that menances them?"
[21:39] <Kotono> <Seira> "I intend to do my research, first. As you can see, I'm hardly rushing to the battle. I just had to present it that way so that they won't throw another human wave at that beast in a futile attempt at redemption that's no better than suicide." Seira nods, then. "But yes, if the situation is as I see it, then I would help those people."
[21:44] <Kotono> A nod to that, "To break the cycle of death there and open an entire new market to Waukeen's guidance would be commendable. There lie resources and chances for entire nations to be borne there and connected to Waukeen's guidance.
[21:44] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[21:45] <Kotono> A nod to that, "To break the cycle of death there and open an entire new market to Waukeen's guidance would be commendable. There lie resources and chances for entire nations to be borne there and connected to Waukeen's guidance." Stopping to steeple his scarred hands together, "Of course, the barrier to this has to be eliminated and there in lies the deepest problem. Of what drew the Destroyer I know relatively little - Waukeen's wisdom w
[21:45] <Kotono>  Of what drew the Destroyer I know relatively little - Waukeen's wisdom was that the past and what caused it is irrelevant, that the present and a brighter future are what must be anticipated and planned for instead.
[21:45] <Kotono> "
01[21:48] <Seira> "We happen to be in agreement," Seira responds, nodding curtly. "Much like with the sea elves, while it's quite important to learn of our past so that we don't repeat the mistakes made by our ancestors, there should be no lasting mark of shame on entire civilizations for something no one in the last few dozen generations has had a hand in."
03[21:53] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@24-247-151-205.dhcp.klmz.mi.charter.com) has joined #evildunes
03[21:53] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[21:54] <Kotono> "Yes...but that leads us back to the Destroyer. To do anything with those people and lands, you'll have to get rid of it. Until it is, the Destroyer is there to continue this ghastly cycle."
[21:54] <Kotono> OOC: Gah ,again.
[21:56] <Kotono> "Yes...but that leads us back to the Destroyer. To do anything with those people and lands, you'll have to get rid of it. Until it is, the Destroyer is there to continue this ghastly cycle." Rubbing his hands over his face, "Mortal weapons can't damage it effectively, beyond even the resistance to damage powerful outsiders and fey enjoy. Only weapons made with power beyond the limits of the ninth circle can hurt the Destroyer."
01[21:57] <Seira> "If it's not too bright, I should be able to deal with it. If not permanently, then at least as a temporary solution while I look for a better one. If all else fails, I can just try to beat it up and then plane shift it to the positive energy plane."
06[21:58] * Seira considers this further. "I have one suitable weapon and the means to wield it at a distance, and two others are used by my allies. It might be possible to borrow them for the purpose of dealing with the Destroyer."
[22:04] <Kotono> "Waukeen warns you this - The Destroyer will not fall easily. With the bonds you have created and when the time and your might are right, challenge it with your best plan. For when you do, a treasure will revel itself to you."
01[22:08] <Seira> "I think the immediate danger of their pointless suicide has been resolved, for now, so I should have time," Seira agrees. "I might give it a try, but if the plan isn't working then I'll take a break as I look for a better one. Perhaps I can even try exploring into other directions...."
[22:17] <Kotono> "There may be secrets yet waiting in that land, if you can search it while the Destroyer still walks, but it will be fraught with danger." Dannan warns.
01[22:20] <Seira> "I get it. I'll try to play it safe and keep an escape route or two prepared for now. What about heading out into the ocean, or past the wastes? I'm interested in your opinion, here, rather than asking for Waukeen's guidance. As someone who travels a lot as part of his calling, do you think it's better to focus one's efforts, or on the contrary,
01[22:20] <Seira> to spread out and try to advance from every possible direction?"
[22:24] <Kotono> Dannan is quiet for a time now, leaning back in his chair and regarding Seira. His armor creaks, a soft, slight movement of metal. His eyes are narrow, "I wondered the same thing. My answer ultimately was that I follow what will advance Waukeen's goals the best. Be it focusing on one thing or working on ten things, whatever I feel is best. If you have the energy and focus to do all of that, do so. If not, there's no shame in doing one thin
[22:24] <Kotono> If you have the energy and focus to do all of that, do so. If not, there's no shame in doing one thing and making sure you do it right."\
06[22:27] * Seira considers. In a way, it's not an answer, but at the same time Dannan's words reassure her. "I might give it a try, then. I can think of few things that would please Waukeen as much as connecting everyone on this world together once more."
[22:29] <Kotono> "Waukeen wants you to make your own path. If you fall down, pick yourself up and keep walking." Holding up his hands, "In my path here, I fell more times than I care to think about. I was outbid, I was outfoxed. Who would think a dumb warrior can become a good trader and mogul? I wasn't even a genius, but I was stubborn and persistant."
01[22:31] <Seira> "That's certainly my intention," Seira states, before adding sympathetically, "And it's a shame that people looked down on you because of something like your occupation."
[22:33] <Kotono> "There's fools out there, fools aplenty. It's why we have to keep spreading Waukeen's doctrine." Putting his hands down now, "It's why it's absolutely vital."
01[22:36] <Seira> "I'll do my best," Seira assures him, resting her chin on her joint hands. "Earlier, you mentioned Waukeen wanting to caution me on my ventures. Did they include the purification of the land, or the spread of means of teleportation or, perhaps, fixing the portal to the plane of water?"
[22:41] <Kotono> "I was told about these matters. On the rest, if she is silent, it means for you to make your own path. Waukeen thinks highly of you, however, so I would assume they're good ideas." With a trace of a smile himself, "I would speculate that those sound like ways to improve trade and wealth. Surely she would smile on them."
06[22:44] * Seira returns the smile. "Hearing that alone is reassuring. And if there is some other way I could be of service, all I'd need is to be pointed in the right direction."
[22:47] <Kotono> "You're doing fine service here." Dannan chuckles warmly, "Countess Stronger's shop is doing lovely business, in a large part due to the efforts of the Crimson Guard. I hear there hasn't been a magic shop like that here in thousands of years. The marketplace is bustling, even with winter coming. So much trading, radiating out of this city."
01[22:50] <Seira> "I'm hoping to provide her with helpers and clientelle alike, but these things often take time. Still, she and her business are on a level I haven't seen anywhere else on our world. Hard to believe that a couple years ago she set up shop on this hill, isn't it?"
[22:51] <Kotono> "When an emerging market surges, it's best to be there to make sure this happens. It's like investing. Invest in the right time with growth opportunity and you'll get a huge return on your investment."
01[22:55] <Seira> "I wish my own business here got that huge return," Seira mutters, before eyeing Dannan curiously. "Do you think asking Amaryl's maids to work at the inn would make all the difference? Having a maid catering for you is quite the unique experience, and it would be doubly so because they're elves. If I give them a form of joint ownership, it might be a great incentive, too!"
[23:20] <Kotono> "I don't know theme nough to gauge that," Dannan answers after some thought, "Beauty and sex sells, though."
01[23:21] <Seira> "They wouldn't really be selling the latter, but one out of two isn't bad?"
[23:25] <Kotono> "Indeed." As he settles back now, "I'll be leaving in the morning. My work is seldom done. I have to go off the Prime Material after this, and I was just getting used to it again."
01[23:28] <Seira> "It's a shame, but you will always be welcome back. Even if it's just for a visit or a brief vacation," Seira tells him, thinking to ask about how he gets around but deciding against it at the last moment. "In the meantime, in case I don't see you again before you leave, I would like to wish you success in your endeavors."
[23:32] <Kotono> "You as well. Waukeen will watch you."

[Corwin]

[20:04] <Kokokokoko> ----
[20:04] <Kokokokoko> OOC: What was next on your agenda, Seira?
01[20:05] <Seira> Let's take Elle and Neve on a small teleporting trip tomorrow. I'd appreciate it if Abby started on the research as I've asked. If Amaryl and/or Donald want to come along for extra Neve befriending, there's spots for that.
[20:18] <Kokokokoko> Elle, Seira and Neve meet together at Elle's shop. Amaryl is there, as is Donald. The latter is smiling and whistling, standing near to Countess Stronger. "So where are we going now?"
01[20:23] <Seira> "I thought we could show Neve what surrounds Balmuria," Seira elaborates. "There's more to see in the city itself, but a lot of it might seem similar to someone out of town, so we're switching locations a bit. First, we could visit with Rosamund, and then we'll have a quick teleport over to Oolu."
[20:25] <Kokokokoko> "Oh, that should be fun," Donald grins ear to ear, lithely sliding over to Seira, each step almost like skipping over the ground, "We hardly even need to teleport, if you don't mind spending most of the day in travel."
01[20:25] <Seira> "But where's the fun in that?"
[20:26] <Kokokokoko> "Traveling is for those who lack magic," Neve smiles like ice, "Let us enjoy that we do not."
01[20:28] <Seira> Agreeing that there is no cause to waste their time, nor in any particular desire to travel after the last few days, Seira focuses on her destination and calls upon the magic of teleportation!
01[20:29] <Seira> roll 1d100 grove
06[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 grove and gets 4." [1d100=4]
[20:29] <Kokokokoko> OOC: d100 and where exactly are you...okay. Into the grove itself?
01[20:29] <Seira> OOC: Yes, hopefully she and her family wouldn't be too hard to find
[20:35] <Kokokokoko> You appear in a cool, shadowy place. Trees are all around you, adding shade. Above you hear light, playful laughter. Fairy-like beings dart in the trees above in a dance of playful life. Ahead, you see a unicorn and young foal, the latter walking slowly behind it's parent, another unicorn behind it.
01[20:35] <Seira> "Hi!" Seira calls over to them, waving. "Sorry for intruding!"
[20:36] <Kokokokoko> "Nice," Donald looks around, "In a sylvan-fey-ish sort of way." Amaryl just looks around, then to the unicorns.
01[20:37] <Seira> "It's a change of atmosphere," Seira agrees, waiting for the unicorns to respond.
[20:37] <Kokokokoko> "Seira..." Rosamund begins, but a sharp snort comes from her nose. Her gaze travels to Neve.
06[20:38] * Seira lets her gaze travel to Neve as well.
[20:39] <Kokokokoko> Neve merely smiles, pushing her hood back and stepping forward. Snow falls from her shoulders, leaving patches of snow and ice in the wake of her footsteps. "I am Neve." She even bows, "Seira felt it would be a good outing to bring me here." Her smiles curves, like daggers of frost. "Do you concur?"
06[20:40] * Seira rolls her eyes, and approaches Rosamund. "I wanted to introduce the two of you to each other."
[20:41] <Kokokokoko> From above, the playful laughters turns into gasps and cries, pixies flying upward and away. "Introduce us?!" Rosamund steps back, "Why in the name of the Earth Mother have you brought her here?! Do you know what she is and what she will bring?""
01[20:41] <Seira> "What will she bring?" Seira asks curiously.
[20:42] <Kokokokoko> "Why, what I always bring. Eternal winter," Neve smiles to Seira now, like pure ice. "Ah, a fey and unicorn's grove. It's just where the unyielding, heartless soul of winter should reside. But do not blame me, it was not my idea to come to this place."
01[20:44] <Seira> "Why do you always have to do that?" Seira complains. "You even admitted you had no plans of coming here for that, so why can't you introduce yourself more normally? There's no reason to pick a fight when you don't really want to hurt anyone here, is there?"
[20:45] <Kokokokoko> "I don't think you understand anything at all." Neve turns back to Seira. "Look at them. The pixies are fleeing as if the Reaper was coming for them, and the unicorns are wary to the point of fear. Tell me, for all your intellect, did you think on this at all? How would other fey and creatures of nature react to me?"
06[20:47] * Seira decides to forego her usual disguise. "Yes, yes, it's a tough life. If I go into foreign human cities as I am, people would be wary and fearful, too. That doesn't mean I have to breathe fire and act menacingly just because I can. I'm sure that if Rosamund spent a bit of time with you, she'd change her mind, but you have to cooperate, too!"
[20:51] <Kokokokoko> "You are a complete fool." Neve speaks with utter cold, approaching Seira now. Rosamund and her mate stay around their child in the meantime, protecting the foal. "An utter fool who let some quixotic desire blind her to the simpliest of realities. With a word, this place will become a monmument to eternal winter. Unicorns will freeze to death and the pixies will become will o' the wisps of ice, frozen to this descrated ground. To them,
[20:51] <Kokokokoko>  frozen to this descrated ground. To them, I am the end of life and the beginning of the eternal cycle of winter." A few snowflakes fall down on Seira's shoulders, sizzling away there.
01[20:56] <Seira> "I'm a fool because I believe that people aren't defined by their circumstances of birth? Because I think that life's experiences could change someone?" Seira grits her teeth angrily. "Apparently I'm also a fool for believing you when you said you wouldn't do anything to people who didn't deserve it. But you know something?
01[20:56] <Seira> For all of your power and supposed meanness, you spend an uncanny amount of time provoking me and those around me. I think it's because you're not sure about wanting to freeze helpless people to death anymore, but that's hard to admit, so you're trying to spark a fight. Because then you would only be acting in self defense, and have no choice but to revert to what you think is your true nature."
[21:02] <Kokokokoko> "...you truly are a fool," Cold contempt comes in a smirk from Neve, "So single minded that you don't even grasp the most simple words." Before this can go any farther, Amaryl pushes her way between the two. "Enough! L-Let's go before this gets any worse!"
06[21:11] * Seira begins to nod to Amaryl, before stepping forward and grasping Neve's hands in her own, blocking out the cold as much as she can. "I'm sorry, I think I was born that way," she tells Neve matter-of-factly. "I can grasp the words, alright. You ask me for permission to attack, or try to pick fights with the residents, but you don't go through with it.
01[21:11] <Seira> Rosamund said you will bring eternal winter. Not could, will. She seems so certain, but instead of cold winter all I've seen were cold words. If your one and only goal was to doom this grove and its inhabitants, you would have done it as soon as we've arrived. You would have tried tricking me into coming. You wouldn't be agreeing to leave, now, as Amaryl mediates, since you didn't do anything." (more)
06[21:12] * Seira glares at Neve. "Fine. If you think I've pushed you into a corner where you either have to admit this or act, even if you're not certain you want to, then do it. Start with me. I'll stay here until you either relent or freeze me to death. If I'm such a hopeless fool that has no chance of saving a single person, then this is where my dream should end."
[21:16] <Kokokokoko> roll 2d6+10 cold damage
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 2d6+10 cold damage and gets 16." [2d6=2, 4]
[21:23] <Kokokokoko> "Aaaah." Seira's arms go cold, lances of numb ice running up her veins. Touching Neve is mind bendingly cold, as she pulls Seira into an embrace. "Is that what you want, little foolish dragon? Close your eyes then and I'll take you to a winter that never ends. Relax now and feel your lifefire sputter, cough and die out. But you won't be alone. Winter is coming...and from this grove, it will spread. Your frozen corpse will have a perfec
[21:24] <Kokokokoko> and from this grove, it will spread. Your frozen corpse will have a perfect seat to watch all you cared about fall into winter's wrath. That's all your dream will become."
[21:24] <Kokokokoko> "Seira!" Amaryl shouts, "Get away from her!" She comes up to Neve's side, "Let go of her, I can see the ice! Stop it!"
[21:26] <Kokokokoko> Donald looks back to Elle, the two sharing a quick nod.
01[21:26] <Seira> "So all you wanted was a hug?" Seira asks weakly, her arms pulling the fey closer. "You could have just asked. Is my dream so bad? You are my friend, and I want to share it with you. Please, choose me."
[21:27] <Kokokokoko> roll 2d6+10
06[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 2d6+10 and gets 15." [2d6=1, 4]
[21:30] <Kokokokoko> Seira's vision tints with ice, her eyes frosting over. Her hands aren't there - utterly numb, frozen through. Through them, Seira can dimly see that it's starting to snow. It's a beautiful snow, the ground turning white like the shores of heaven. 'SEIRA!' Amaryl's shout echos in her mind. OOC: I'm going to call init here to organize things better.
[21:31] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+3 Donald
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+3 Donald and gets 10." [1d20=7]
01[21:31] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 22." [1d20=16]
[21:32] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+8 Amaryl
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+8 Amaryl and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[21:32] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+4 Elle
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+4 Elle and gets 5." [1d20=1]
[21:32] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+6 Neve
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+6 Neve and gets 17." [1d20=11]
03[21:33] * Kokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira(22)>Amaryl(20)>Neve(17)>Donald(10)>Elle(5)'
[21:33] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+3 group init for the unicorns
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+3 group init for the unicorns and gets 21." [1d20=18]
03[21:33] * Kokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira(22)>Unicorn family(21)>Amaryl(20)>Neve(17)>Donald(10)>Elle(5)'
[21:33] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Doing anything but talking and holding for the moment, Seira?
01[21:34] <Seira> OOC: Killing her was exactly what I had in mind when I took her sightseeing. That's a vote for... talking and holding, I think. Let me find the words.
[21:34] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Sure, by all mean.s
01[21:36] <Seira> "You're still holding back," Seira gasps. "And you're not taunting me anymore. You don't want to do it, Neve. Are you trying to make my other friends stop you? Just... just stop it yourself, if you lack the conviction to follow through! If you can't swiftly kill your friends with your own hands! Or do you really feel nothing, nothing at all?!"
[21:38] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Make a diplo check, Seira?
01[21:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+37 wasting my ignorance here, seems appropriate
06[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+37 wasting my ignorance here, seems appropriate and gets 47." [1d20=10]
[21:41] <Kokokokoko> Meanwhile, Seira can dimly see Rosamund and her child retreating from the grove, while the male unicorn remains! Then, 'Damn it Seira, say something to me!' Amaryl's voice is in Seira's mind.
01[21:42] <Seira> "I just don't want to see my friends fight," Seira says quietly, thinking the same to Amaryl. "Is that a weakness? Is that wrong?"
[21:44] <Kokokokoko> "Seira..." Amaryl hesitates at that...OOC: Amaryl's holding since your words got her not to intervene quite yet. Neve's up.
[21:45] <Kokokokoko> roll 2d6+10
06[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 2d6+10 and gets 15." [2d6=2, 3]
[21:48] <Kokokokoko> Seira's ears frost over. Words come in muffled echos, her lower arms and elbows senseless now, frozen with ice overlapping them. "You need a lesson, fool." Neve whispers into Seira's ear, the ice growing thicker there by the moment. "What are your dreams in the howling maelstrom of winter's heart? What are the dreams of a fool worth?" Neve flies up 20 feet, holding up Seira with both arms. "Look down at the earth as winter comes for it
[21:48] <Kokokokoko> holding up Seira with both arms. "Look down at the earth as winter comes for it, fool." Then...(More)
[21:49] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+11 will Amaryl
06[21:49] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+11 will Amaryl and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[21:51] <Kokokokoko> roll 4d6+4d6 You can make a ref save if you like, Seira, ice shards are going to be flying all over the place. Amaryl gets one too.
06[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 4d6+4d6 You can make a ref save if you like, Seira, ice shards are going to be flying all over the place. Amaryl gets one too. and gets 21." [4d6=1, 1, 1, 4][4d6=4, 1, 5, 4]
[21:52] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+20 ref Amaryl this is her good save
06[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+20 ref Amaryl this is her good save and gets 21." [1d20=1]
01[21:52] <Seira> roll 1d20+24
06[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+24 and gets 25." [1d20=1]
[21:55] <Kokokokoko> A field of flying ice shards surrounds Neve and Seira, Amaryl stuck in it as ewll! They penetrate and stab, freezing entries all over Seira's body! OOC: Seira, remember, you just talked so you're welcome to go whenever you want. Donald's up.
[22:04] <Kokokokoko> "Seira!" Donald calls, "Get out of there!" Crackling negative energies form around his hand, "I can't take a shot unless you do!"
03[22:08] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-220-93.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #evildunes
03[22:08] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
06[22:09] * Seira screams angrily as Amaryl is showered with icy shards, pushing Neve away. "Fine! Fine! I won't forget this lesson!" She yells more at the fey, but instead, a wave of fire erupts in Neve's face at point blank range.
01[22:10] <Seira> roll 8d8+2d8 fire+holy dc16
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 8d8+2d8 fire+holy dc16 and gets 50." [8d8=7, 3, 7, 1, 8, 4, 2, 4][2d8=8, 6]
01[22:10] <Seira> roll 1d4
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4 and gets 3." [1d4=3]
[22:10] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+23
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+23 and gets 39." [1d20=16]
[22:17] <Kokokokoko> The blast of holy fire catches Neve right in the face! She screams and shields her face with her hands, and between that, "Tsch!" Her burnt face looks back at Seira, hands falling down, "I..." she begins, but a pair of black rays come from Donald, cutting her off! OOC: Donald's acting.
03[22:17] * Kokokokoko changes topic to 'Unicorn family(21)>Amaryl(20)>Neve(17)>Donald(10)=Seira>Elle(5)'
[22:17] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+13 SR
06[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+13 SR and gets 18." [1d20=5]
[22:18] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+13 SR quick cast ray
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+13 SR quick cast ray and gets 30." [1d20=17]
[22:18] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20 touch AC
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20 touch AC and gets 11." [1d20=11]
[22:18] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d4
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d4 and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[22:19] <Kokokokoko> The black beam strikes Neve in the arm, withering it! "Seira, to us!" Donald cries, as Elle steps forward. OOC - Elle's up.
[22:20] <Kokokokoko> Buckling from that ray, "I was going to say," her voice wheezes a bit, "That at least finally you act to save your life." Neve floats in the air, gravity having no hold on her. Snow falls all around you, "Run then. Flee from winter with your life."
[22:23] <Kokokokoko> From Elle's hand a ray flies as well, darker, going for Neve!
[22:23] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+15  and gets 29." [1d20=14]
[22:23] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20 touch
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20 touch and gets 10." [1d20=10]
[22:24] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Actually, I have to check that, she has good touch AC.
01[22:25] <Seira> "My life?" Seira laughs bitterly. "All bets were off when you attacked Amaryl. She wasn't involved. She wasn't involved in this, dammit! All this, all this to prove some stupid point?! To teach me a lesson?! You're the one who's going to learn--"
06[22:25] * Seira swipes at her eyes angrily. "You put others at risk so carelessly, and you think I'm going to flee? I put everything on the line for you, and you spat at me!"
[22:26] <Kokokokoko> The beam whizzles by, narrowly missing Neve! Neve narrows her eyes back, "I said for you to flee, you fool!" She snaps, "Do you ever listen to anything?" Meanwhile Amaryl readies her bow, snapping off a single arrow, "Get away from her, Neve!"
[22:26] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+17
06[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+17 and gets 19." [1d20=2]
03[22:27] * Kokokokoko changes topic to 'Unicorn family(21)>Neve(17)>Donald(10)=Seira>Elle(5)>Amaryl'
[22:27] <Kokokokoko> But the arrrow hits a shard of ice still flying, deflected away! Meanwhile, the male unicorn holds for a moment...OOC: Neve's up.
06[22:27] * Seira answers by having doubles of her spring up.
01[22:27] <Seira> roll 1d4+5
06[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+5 and gets 7." [1d4=2]
[22:29] <Kokokokoko> At that, Neve flies back and upwards! She moves 120 feet away, split evenly between rising and moving away from Seira. OOC: Donald's up.
[22:31] <Kokokokoko> Donald advances a bit, channeling magical power into himself! OOC: Resist energy, cold. Seira, you're up.
06[22:33] * Seira pursues, marking Neve with a targetting ray.
01[22:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+16 sr
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 sr and gets 31." [1d20=15]
[22:33] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Success.
[22:33] <Kokokokoko> OOC: How far/fast can you fly towards her, Seira?
01[22:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+16 ranged touch
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 ranged touch and gets 28." [1d20=12]
[22:33] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Hit.
01[22:33] <Seira> OOC: 30ft
[22:33] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Okay, so still 90ft away.
02[22:34] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-220-93.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Broken pipe)
03[22:35] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-220-93.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #evildunes
03[22:35] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[22:35] <Kokokokoko> Elle invokes words of power around herself as well, advancing ahead 30 feet after. She just shakes her head quietly, intent. OOC: Amaryl's up.
[22:45] <Kokokokoko> Amaryl readies her position, drawing arrows an dfiring!
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 28." [1d20=13]
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 16." [1d20=1]
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 21." [1d20=6]
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 23." [1d20=8]
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+10
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17." [1d20=7]
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+10
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+10 and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> OOC: -2 to each for range.
01[22:46] <Seira> OOC: +5
[22:46] <Kokokokoko> OOC: So +3 total. One hit then, bad set of rolls.
[22:47] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d8+3
06[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d8+3 and gets 8." [1d8=5]
[22:49] <Kokokokoko> Arrows fly freely, on eof them grazing Neve! It pierces her skin, drawing a little bit of blood! Meanwhile the unicorn holds, while Neve flies away again! She's now 210 feet away from Seira, 240 from Amaryl.
[22:49] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Donald's up.
[22:49] <Kokokokoko> 'Seira?' Amaryl asks in her mind, 'Watch out...is it a trap, or is she retreating or what?'
01[22:51] <Seira> 'It was all a trap,' Seira thinks back angrily. 'If she thinks she can run away after this--'
[22:51] <Kokokokoko> Donald shakes his head, "I can't do much with how fast she's moving," he scowls, "Elle?" To that, Elle nods, "As soon as she gets a little farther away," she replies in the meantime. OOC: Elle's holding a moment. Amaryl's up.
01[22:52] <Seira> OOC: No, it's my go
[22:52] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Oh, sorry, my bad. Go.
06[22:53] * Seira is still within range, and sends a disorienting ray at Neve even as she cloaks herself in stoneskin, flying further up in pursuit.
01[22:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+16 sr, ray of dizziness
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 sr, ray of dizziness and gets 30." [1d20=14]
01[22:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+21 ranged touch
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+21 ranged touch and gets 38." [1d20=17]
[22:53] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Hit. Effect?
01[22:53] <Seira> OOC: Pretty much slow on her
01[22:53] <Seira> OOC: Only move or standard actions for her
[22:54] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Rigth.
[22:54] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Actually, what'st he range on that spell?
[22:54] <Kokokokoko> OOC: You're over 200 ft away, remember.
01[22:54] <Seira> OOC: 100ft+10x16ft for me
01[22:55] <Seira> OOC: Aiming to be 180ft away after this
[22:56] <Kokokokoko> OOC: Okay.
[22:57] <Kokokokoko> Firing off ahead again, Seira fires! The glowing beam strikes Neve, slowing down he rmotions greatly! OOC: Amaryl's up now.
[23:00] <Kokokokoko> "Ugh..." Neve flutters in the air, and with a shout, "You want to keep chasing death, do you?"
[23:01] <Kokokokoko> Amaryl moves fourty feet ahead, calling on Sniper's shot as she fires off a single long range attack! OOC: 200 ft away, so just barely within the only -2 range.
[23:01] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d20+20
06[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d20+20 and gets 38." [1d20=18]
[23:02] <Kokokokoko> roll 1d8+3+3d6
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokoko rolls 1d8+3+3d6 and gets 21." [1d8=4][3d6=5, 4, 5]
01[23:02] <Seira> "You went out of your way to make me your enemy! Well, have a fucking prize, because it worked! I'm chasing death? Don't make me laugh! It's you who is fleeing the inevitable!"
[23:03] <Kokokokoko> This arrow is aimed true, piecing Neve's hand! She gestures with it, bloody arrow and all! "You want me so badly! Come to me, Seira!" Her voice becomes that of a singing siren, beautiful and alluring! OOC: Make will, Seira?
01[23:04] <Seira> roll 1d20+22
06[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 and gets 28." [1d20=6]
[23:04] <Kokokokoko> OOC:Sonic, mind effecting if that matters.
01[23:04] <Seira> OOC: Not really
[23:06] <Kokokokoko> OOC: You're captivated by her voice. You want to do nothing more than come in front of her by the most direct route possible. Donald's up...but it's 4 10 and I have work, so we'll pick up there next time.

[Corwin]

[18:57] <Kobreakfast> <Seira> "You went out of your way to make me your enemy! Well, have a fucking prize, because it worked! I'm chasing death? Don't make me laugh! It's you who is fleeing the inevitable!"
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> > This arrow is aimed true, piecing Neve's hand! She gestures with it, bloody arrow and all! "You want me so badly! Come to me, Seira!" Her voice becomes that of a singing siren, beautiful and alluring! OOC: Make will, Seira?
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> <Seira> roll 1d20+22
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 and gets 28." [1d20=6]
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> > OOC:Sonic, mind effecting if that matters.
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> <Seira> OOC: Not really
[18:57] <Kobreakfast> > OOC: You're captivated by her voice. You want to do nothing more than come in front of her by the most direct route possible. Donald's up...but it's 4 10 and I have work, so we'll pick up there next time.
03[18:57] * Retrieving #evildunes modes...
03[18:57] * Kobreakfast is now known as Kotono
[19:05] <Kotono> "Almost ready?" Donald asks, holding just a little more. OOC: Donald's waiting on Elle a moment. Seira.
06[19:06] * Seira flies closer, as her eyes cloud over.
01[19:06] <Seira> OOC: +60ft more, for 120ft distance
[19:07] <Kotono> OOC: 120ft moved total your round, basically?
01[19:07] <Seira> OOC: 60ft moved, my base speed is 30. I was 180ft from her, now I'm 120.
[19:07] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[19:08] <Kotono> 'Unicorn family(21)>Neve(17)>Donald(10)=Seira>Elle(5)>Amaryl'
02[19:11] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-206-185.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[19:13] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-212-202.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #evildunes
03[19:13] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[19:13] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:13] <Kotono> In an instant, Elle and Donald blink and vanish away!
[19:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 99." [1d100=99]
[19:14] <Kotono> OOC: Oh, for the love of...
01[19:17] <Seira> OOC: 45ft closer, then, since I can't climb at full
[19:17] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[19:18] <Kotono> No sign of them after the teleport! OOC: Amaryl.
[19:18] <Kotono> 'Seira? Seira?' Amaryl questions, gritting her teeth and firing more arrows! "Neve, get away from Seira!"
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 20." [1d20=2]
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 36." [1d20=18]
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 20." [1d20=2]
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 21." [1d20=3]
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24." [1d20=11]
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21." [1d20=8]
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3 Hatbot just doesn't much like you guys today, does he?
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3 Hatbot just doesn't much like you guys today, does he? and gets 8." [1d8=5]
[19:21] <Kotono> Of that storm of arrows, only one manages to hit, drawing a grazing wound on Neve. The cold iron rips right through her skin! Meanwhile, the unicorns wait and protect themselves...OOC: Neve.
[19:24] <Kotono> "Oh Seira...come here, Seira..." she calls and sings, "I gave you a chance to run away...You too, Amaryl!" Her voice raises, as...
[19:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[19:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[19:24] <Kotono> Amaryl's eyes cloud over as well! OOC: Donald's up but not doing anything you can see for obvious reasons. Seira, you're up.
06[19:25] * Seira flies straight up to catch up this time around, having traveled horizontally earlier.
[19:25] <Kotono> OOC: How far away does that put you then?
01[19:25] <Seira> OOC: 30ft closer now, 105ft away
[19:25] <Kotono> OOC: Thanks.
[19:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[19:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 17." [1d100=17]
02[19:28] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-212-202.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:28] <Kotono> About twenty feet away and twenty above, Elle and Donald appear! Donald has his sword ready, "Thanks Elle!" He then dives straight down at Neve, Guardianil flashing with arcane fires, "Surrender or die!" He calls, sword striking out at Neve!
03[19:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Unicorn family(21)>Neve(17)>Seira>Elle(5)=Donald>Amaryl'
[19:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste, -5 PA)
06[19:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste, -5 PA) and gets 30." [1d20=4]
[19:30] <Kotono> roll 1d10+16+6d4
06[19:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+16+6d4 and gets 27." [1d10=1][6d4=2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2]
[19:32] <Kotono> Driving Guardianil into her arm, Donald's other hand draws quick arcane symbols, before going to thrust his hand into Neve's chest!
[19:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20 touch attack, will calc if it's close
06[19:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch attack, will calc if it's close and gets 1." [1d20=1]
03[19:32] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-221-15.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #evildunes
03[19:32] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[19:32] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:33] <Kotono> The touch is close, but Neve whirls out of the wa, spraying snowflakes over Donald! Meanwhile, Amaryl approaches on the ground, another fourty feet closer and the unicorns hold! OOC: Neve's up.
[19:35] <Kotono> As this happens, Rosamund runs up to Amaryl. Amaryl's eyes clear as she does! OOC: Neve's up now
[19:35] <Kotono> .
[19:36] <Kotono> "All of you...listen to my song..." Neve grimaces as she sings, music coming even as blood comes from her wounds!
[19:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[19:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 34." [1d20=18]
[19:38] <Kotono> Donald's eyes cloud over, while Elle's eyes grow narrow, intense! OOC: Seira, you're up.
[19:38] <Kotono> OOC: Wait, mindfreeze aura resolves.
[19:38] <Kotono> OOC: Nevermind, Elle's outta range.
[19:38] <Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
06[19:39] * Seira flies thirty more feet up, almost directly following Neve's diagonal path.
01[19:39] <Seira> OOC: 75ft away from her in a direct line
[19:40] <Kotono> OOC: Right-o.
[19:42] <Kotono> As Donald stands before Neve, slack jawed at her singing, Elle growls. "Oh damn it," she sighs, flying forward to Donald! She touches him, his eyes clearing! OOC: Amaryl.
[19:44] <Kotono> "T-thanks..." Donald blushes as he glances at Elle, straightening himself up! Amaryl meanwhile snaps out, "Damn it, Seira trusted you and now this? Do you have any s hame?" With that, she moves a little closer, opting for one powerful arrow this time with Sniper's shot!
[19:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35." [1d20=15]
[19:44] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3+3d6
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3+3d6 and gets 11." [1d8=1][3d6=1, 3, 3]
[19:51] <Kotono> The shot arrows is uncannily accurate, nailing Neve in the leg for another wound! At this, Neve grimaces. There is a flash of cold as she continues to sing! OOC: Mind freeze aura, shes' choosing to affect Donald with it and he's the only one in range currently. Will for him.
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21." [1d20=10]
[19:52] <Kotono> OOC: And Elle moved adjacent to him, dur, so she has to save too.
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24." [1d20=8]
[20:00] <Kotono> Donald and Elle are dazed, looking confused! OOC: Seira.
06[20:00] * Seira flies straight towards Neve without a care in the world, taking the most direct path, even as Lagann rages vilely about the Betrayer in her mind. Once she is but thirty feet away from the fey, Lagann takes hold of her weapon and strikes without notice, finally in range.
01[20:00] <Seira> OOC: Moving 30ft horizontally +15ft vertically again
01[20:00] <Seira> OOC: I end up 30ft away. Attack goes through?
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
01[20:02] <Seira> roll 1d20+10+7+4 maim
06[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10+7+4 maim and gets 27." [1d20=6]
[20:03] <Kotono> Lagann directs a sword at Neve, but she manages to sidestep the slash at the last moment! Meanwhile, Donald and Elle are stunned. Amaryl takes a breath, and resting against Rosamund, fires one accurate shot!
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 27." [1d20=7]
[20:03] <Kotono> But this arrow misses as well! OOC: Neve.
[20:05] <Kotono> Neve continues to sing, her mind freeze aura doing it's work!
[20:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Donald
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Donald and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[20:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Elle
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Elle and gets 19." [1d20=3]
[20:05] <Kotono> OOC: Elle is stunned, Donald's shaken.
[20:08] <Kotono> As Elle goes limp in the air, eyes rolling bakc into her head, Donald rallies, shaking but coherent! OOC: Seira.
01[20:10] <Seira> Lagann strikes at the fey angrily with the Resort, even as Seira finally flies up to her, surrounded by eight of her doubles.
01[20:10] <Seira> roll 1d20+21 smite
06[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+21 smite and gets 30." [1d20=9]
[20:10] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
01[20:10] <Seira> roll 3d8+4+6d8
06[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+4+6d8 and gets 36." [3d8=7, 2, 2][6d8=2, 2, 2, 1, 7, 7]
01[20:11] <Seira> roll 1d20+16
06[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 and gets 35." [1d20=19]
01[20:11] <Seira> roll 1d20+16 crit?
06[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 crit? and gets 32." [1d20=16]
01[20:11] <Seira> roll 9d8+12
06[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 9d8+12 and gets 66." [9d8=8, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 6, 2]
[20:12] <Kotono> The Third Resort dances under Lagann's control, stabbing Neve in the stomach with pulsing energy, then ripping out through her side! The wounds are considerable, leaving her staggering int he air, crystal ice blood falling down like a rain of tears from her midsection! OOC: Donald's up.
01[20:12] <Seira> OOC: I'd be 5ft away, as she wants me to.
[20:13] <Kotono> As Seira finishes moving, her mind clears! OOC: At the end o fyour turn, you come in range of Donald's circle and this protects you now. Donald's up.
[20:14] <Kotono> Despite his shakes, "Enough of this, Neve..." Donald murmurs tiredly, voice shaking. "You can hurt me or Seira...but burn in Baator for hurting Elle!" With that, hsi sword glows with power and he strikes!
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste)
06[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste) and gets 44." [1d20=11]
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste)
06[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 (+1 GMW, +2 charge, +3 Arcane strike 1 3rd, 1 2nd, 1st; +1 haste) and gets 38." [1d20=5]
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28
06[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 42." [1d20=14]
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
06[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 35." [1d20=12]
[20:15] <Kotono> OOC: -2 to ecah due to shaken, doesn't matter.
01[20:15] <Seira> OOC: +flanking, so it evens out
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 4d10+4+24d4 (added in DR)
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d10+4+24d4 (added in DR) and gets 86." [4d10=2, 4, 8, 10][24d4=3, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 2, 4, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 3, 2, 4, 1]
[20:16] <Kotono> Neve is torn apart bitterly, Donald's blade flashing with arcane fire as he mauls her side! Elle is meanwhile dazed, as Amaryl fires her arrows, one powerful and accurate shot!
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 30." [1d20=10]
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3+3d6
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3+3d6 and gets 13." [1d8=1][3d6=6, 2, 1]
[20:17] <Kotono> It gets Neve in the eye, a hissing pop as her eyeball explodes into a rain of icy blood! Screaming as she grasps at the arrow, "S-stop...spare me..." she hangs limp in the air, "I beg you!" OOC: Neve's holding at the moment.
03[20:18] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:20] <Kotono> OOC: That means you're up, Seira, by the by.
01[20:25] <Seira> Her fists igniting with fire, Seira backhands Neve ruthlessly, her hand aiming at her temple.
01[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+15
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 and gets 25." [1d20=10]
01[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+15
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 and gets 27." [1d20=12]
[20:26] <Kotono> OOC: No hits on either of those. Anything else?
01[20:26] <Seira> OOC: Yes, moment
[20:27] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
01[20:29] <Seira> roll 1d20+10 impromptu SA
06[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 impromptu SA and gets 14." [1d20=4]
01[20:30] <Seira> Lagann receives new instructions at the last moment, even as Seira fails to take out Neve, striking with the flat of the blade.
01[20:30] <Seira> roll 1d20+19 (-4+2)
06[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 (-4+2) and gets 31." [1d20=12]
01[20:30] <Seira> roll 3d8+4
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
06[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+4 and gets 26." [3d8=8, 6, 8]
[20:33] <Kotono> Clang! With that flat blow of the blade, Neve is clocked hard! She begins to go limp and fall in the air, her one intact eye slamming shut as she falls! OOC: She's out, free act. You wanted you or Donald to try and grab her in PM, Seira?
06[20:33] * Seira roughly snags up one of Neve's arms, indicating for Donald to get the other.
[20:34] <Kotono> Donald drops his sword and shield in a moment, grabbing a hold of Neve! Between the two of them it's not too hard to arrest her fall. "Got her, let go," Donald says quickly, "I'm warded against cold, you aren't."
01[20:36] <Seira> "It's alright," Seira tells him, starting to descend while matching Donald's speed as best as she can. "She can hurt me, right?"
[20:36] <Kotono> "Oh she can hurt you," Donald mutters, "Once we get down I'll heal you some. What the hell, though?"
01[20:38] <Seira> "How can someone act rational and irrational at the same time?" Seira is beyond puzzled, she's dumbstruck. "She wasn't lying to me or tricking me, was she? You spent time with her. She was haughty, condescending, superior... she was a fey Abby! How does she go from that to killing her friends and unicorns?!"
06[20:40] * Seira shakes her head back and forth. "I'd suspect an idiotic trick to teach me some pointless lesson about cruelty and self-preservation, but she kept going after it. I'd suspect a magical enchantment, dammit, but she begged for surrender in the end!"
[20:40] <Kotono> "I don't know." Donald takes the brunt of the load as you ascend down, Amaryl and Rosamund running close as you get towards the ground. "Well, we spared her life, so you can ask her in depth once she's neutralized."
06[20:41] * Seira binds Neve's hands behind her back, then her feet, and finally both ropes together, before fashioning a gag she won't be able to be rid of or bite through. "We can do that. Or we can toss her in a dungeon for a week so I don't do anything stupid."
[20:43] <Kotono> Elle alights behind Seira, "Or we could finish her and let whatever God cares to claim her sort it out? That battle was entirely too unexpected and dangerous."
01[20:44] <Seira> "I want to do that," Seira admits quietly, "but then I think, what if it were anyone else? Not someone I see as a friend? And we can't execute someone who surrendered and we've incapacitated. I studied about her kind enough after meeting her, and wanting to know more about her. She shouldn't be able to escape, and if no one is around within thirty feet, it should be safe."
[20:45] <Kotono> Oh Seira!" Amaryl goes to Seira's side, shivering. "You're still deathly cold!"
[20:46] <Kotono> "I want to know why, too," Donald looks down at Neve, kneeling next to her, "If she was a little faster or we were a little slower, it would've cost us our ilves."
01[20:49] <Seira> "And you... saved me from myself," Seira says slowly, gazing at Amaryl. "I took things too far this time. The real test should be living for a friend's sake, not dying for them. That's not the lesson she wanted to teach me, but I'll remember it all the same."
[20:49] <Kotono> Donald goes to Seira, channeling his helmet to heal her wounds in the meanwhile.
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 4d8_13
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8_13 and gets Error: Numeric values only." [4d8=8, 6, 7, 8]
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 13+8+7+6+8
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 13+8+7+6+8 and gets 42."
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: 42 HP.
01[20:50] <Seira> roll 2d8+10 me
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d8+10 me and gets 16." [2d8=2, 4]
01[20:53] <Seira> roll 1d100 home
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 home and gets 18." [1d100=18]