034.2 "A pity. Most dragons put up more of a fight."

[Corwin]

[19:52] <Kotono> Hurrying along, Ithea finds the Master in the Courtyard. He is currently putting several students through the paces, breaking away as Ithea comes for him. "Ah, are you interested in participating?" he asks.
[19:57] <Ithea> "Not particularly, sorry. If anything, going to have to cancel your class. I need your help, warmaster," Ithea says with a quick shake of her head before passing the note to the Master, even as she quickly summarizes the note and tries to pass on the urgency of the matter. "Lief, prophecy, trouble, and one of the nine traitors. And soon...so we need to be moving."
[19:57] <Kotono> He scans it in a few lines, eyebrows raising. "Understood." He inhales and exhales, "Finally, there may be a worthy opponent," he murmurs, looking up to Ithea. "Where is Lief right now?"
[20:01] <Ithea> "I'm -hoping- he's at the usual, with the medicant golems," she replies. "...but with the urgency of the note? I somehow doubt it. Elena!" she calls out for the spirit.
[20:02] <Kotono> Elena so appears, clad in a cute military uniform and breastplate, coupled with a skirt and beret. "Reporting!" Elena appears, saluting Ithea.
[20:04] <Ithea> "...Nice uniform, Elena," Ithea notes first, before crossing her arms. "That aside! We need Lief quick. His life may well depend on it, Elena." She frowns as she says the last part.
[20:05] <Kotono> "He's not here. He went off to a tournament," Elena dutifully replies, "It's over in Ysgard thataways," Making a vague gesture to the northeast, "If you really need him, you'd best get walking or get someone to magic you over."
[20:11] * Ithea gives a small sigh at this. "Yeah, knew he wasn't going to be here," Ithea says, with a shake of her head. "Oh well, I could have hoped." Turning back to the Master, she says, "The note says not to take anybody else for the fight. I doubt there'd be a problem getting anybody to teleport us as long as they stayed out of the way. Do you agree?"
[20:11] <Ithea> Back to Elena, "Also, does anybody know exactly how far off 'thataways' is for this tournament, Elena?"
[20:13] <Kotono> "I know the location," Elena says, "He says he was going to participate in the Valinholm tournament at the arena of the same name. It's between two volcano mountains."
[20:18] * Ithea nods to that. "Who's the closest person who can teleport us there, and where are they?" she asks, since the Master didn't seem to disagree with her earlier question. "Sylvie? Hanna, Jaela, whomever?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "Um, Hanna and Jaela are a bit busy," Clearing her throat, "Sylvie and Tepen are both in the library."
[20:20] <Kotono> The Master nods slightly, already starting to head towards the entrance to Aurora.
[20:28] <Ithea> "Alright, library it is. The faster we can get to Lief's side, the sooner we can take care of Yien, see who's the best martial artist between the two of you and all," Ithea says, already starting to move after the Master.
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Sylvie or Tepen, since I gathered you're getting teleported?
[20:30] <Ithea> ooc: Either one, whomever thinks they know where it is/can get us the closest to the place. I trust both not to stick around if shown the prophecy too, or at least hide themselves or something.
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d2
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
[20:33] <Kotono> Tepen is found first by pure chance, right by the portalways. He looks to Ithea and the Master as they come in, "Ah, looking for a good book?"
[20:35] <Ithea> "Transportation," Ithea corrects. "27 came to me with a new prophecy. Lief's in danger, the Master and I are off to see if we can go help him. Valinholm Tournament if you know where that is."
[20:37] <Kotono> "I can open a gate there, if need be," Tepen replies, "Now?"
[20:39] * Ithea nods. "Faster we can get to Lief, the better. Thanks, Tepen."
[20:41] <Kotono> Hurrying out, the group are soon outside. Tepen immediately begins to chant, a whirling portal appearing before the two. "Go," he says, "It's ready."
[20:42] * Ithea takes this time to cast her spell on her weapon. "We'll be back soon. I'll bug you for a good book then," she says with a grin to Tepen before moving through the gate and starting the search for the pixie survivor.
[20:44] <Kotono> The Master nods his thanks, before the duo passes through the portal! You stand atop a path, a building nestled between two close, smoky volcanic peaks! A great coliseum stands here - blasted terribly, lying in ruins! Smoke rises from several fires that burn about it, parts of the walls collapsed! The path ahead leads to various entrances in, some collapsed and some not. Further, there are
[20:44] <Kotono> gaping holes and piles of rubble that could be ascended in.
[20:46] <Ithea> "...alright, I was hoping he hadn't struck yet, but that's not encouraging," Ithea says, immediately casting another spell, this one shared with the Master. She'll cast it again for Lief if they find him...
[20:46] <Kotono> "Hurry," The master says, running ahead, fast as a gale. "Disaster has already struck."
[20:47] <Ithea> That done, she immediately starts searching for signs of either Yien or Lief as she follows after the Master as best she can.
[20:53] <Kotono> The two hurry through the ruins ahead! You race inside, the entire coliseum shaking as you proceed inward! Stone crumbles around you as you race within, hopping over a collapsed wall! Ahead...the coliseum proper is here. The stands are full of burning fires and toasted bodies. A thick pall of smoke hangs bove the seats here. The arena floor is vast - and ahead, you see two! Lief flies in
[20:53] <Kotono> the air, an arrow nocked and ready in his bow. Standing 50 ft away from him is one figure. It is a pit fiend, muscled and scaled, redder than most. His wings flap with fire, sizzling in the air. "They were a waste of time." he intones towards Lief, "You may be worth a few more moments, but I doubt it. The inevitability of submission draws nigh!" His voice is deep and rumbling, far too deep
[20:53] <Kotono> for the size of his body.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Fuck. You." Lief says in a furious and cold voice. "This is for Lifasa!"
[20:54] <Ithea> ooc: Init?
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, init. You and the Master are 200ft away from Lief and 250ft away from the pit fiend.

[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Lief
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Lief and gets 19." [1d20=7]
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21." [1d20=12]
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Yian
[20:56] <Ithea> roll d20+9
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Yian and gets 10." [1d20=1]
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+9 and gets 22." [d20=13]
[20:56] * Kotono changes topic to 'Ithea(22)>Master(21)>Lief(19)>Yian(10)'
[20:56] <Kotono> OOC: Open, Ithea.
[21:02] * Ithea claps the Master's shoulder and immediately winks them off to behind Yian. No words are said in introduction, Lief's words are more then enough. Her own introduction comes with a click of her boots, as her glaive crackles with arcane might and begins to feed on the traitorous pit fiend's back, Ithea simply hissing as she attacks Yian. (OOC: AS 5, vampiric touch, free action haste, and qc dimension door)
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+31
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 and gets 34." [d20=3]
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+31
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 and gets 50." [d20=19]
[21:02] <Ithea> ooc: forgot to add +5 from AS
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+36 confirm 19
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+36 confirm 19 and gets 48." [d20=12]
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+31
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 and gets 51." [d20=20]
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+31 confirm 20
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 confirm 20 and gets 36." [d20=5]
[21:03] <Ithea> roll d20+26
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+26 and gets 46." [d20=20]
[21:03] <Ithea> roll d20+26 confirm 20
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+26 confirm 20 and gets 30." [d20=4]
[21:03] <Kotono> OOC: 2 crits.
[21:04] <Kotono> OOC: Two crits and one hit, sorry.
[21:05] <Ithea> roll d20+21 SR
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 SR and gets 41." [d20=20]
[21:05] <Kotono> OOC: Success. 20 machine.
[21:05] <Ithea> ooc: I am shocked and pleased
[21:06] <Kotono> OOC: What does your weapon count as?
[21:06] <Ithea> ooc: silver + good
[21:07] <Kotono> OOC: Right. Carry on to damag.e
[21:08] <Ithea> roll 7d10+119+15d4+6d6
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 7d10+119+15d4+6d6 and gets 224." [7d10=7, 7, 9, 7, 7, 4, 9][15d4=1, 1, 4, 1, 4, 4, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 3, 3, 4, 1][6d6=2, 2, 6, 3, 1, 5]
[21:08] <Ithea> roll 8d6
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 8d6 and gets 33." [8d6=5, 6, 3, 5, 6, 2, 2, 4]
[21:09] <Kotono> With incredible speed Ithea and the Master appear behind Yian! He barely even begins to react before Ithea stabs his back! HIs spine is ripped in half, wings torn asunder! You feel the raw hate pouring off him, staggering you even as boiling blood spews out all around! He stumbles, "You dare...Impossible! None could have forseen this!" he hisses, even as the Master steps in, eyes sharp, "Are
[21:09] <Kotono> you who I've been waiting for?" he asks, striking again and again!
[21:10] <Ithea> ooc: oh and +6 damage if he has silver DR btw
[21:10] <Kotono> OOC: Noted.
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33 stunning fist
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 stunning fist and gets 45." [1d20=12]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 42." [1d20=9]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 45." [1d20=12]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 37." [1d20=9]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 29." [1d20=6]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 37." [1d20=19]
[21:11] <Ithea> "You attacked one of my people, and you betrayed our world. Lief said it. Fuck. You," Ithea says, as she takes an extra attack besides the Master's flurry of attacks.
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 fort
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 fort and gets 48." [1d20=20]
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 4d8+11+4d8+11+4d8+11+4d8+11
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+11+4d8+11+4d8+11+4d8+11 and gets 106." [4d8=1, 1, 7, 2][4d8=2, 1, 3, 8][4d8=2, 6, 1, 5][4d8=3, 5, 8, 7]
[21:12] <Kotono> The flurry of blows rocks the bastard even harder, snapping scales and tearing off a wing! OOC: Go Ithea.
[21:13] <Ithea> roll d20+40 Opportunist
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+40 Opportunist and gets 57." [d20=17]
[21:13] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:13] <Ithea> roll d10+19+5d4+2d6 (I'm assuming +2 from shiftsilver applies)
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d10+19+5d4+2d6 (I'm assuming +2 from shiftsilver applies) and gets 39." [d10=5][5d4=3, 4, 2, 1, 2][2d6=2, 1]
[21:14] <Kotono> Another blow comes, ripping apart the scales across the fiend's back! Blood and fire leak out, bursting out inf ront of the Master and Ithea! OOC: Reflex save, you two.
[21:14] <Ithea> roll d20+22 reflex, evasion
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31 improved evasion
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+22 reflex, evasion and gets 41." [d20=19]
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 improved evasion and gets 42." [1d20=11]
[21:15] <Kotono> But the flaming blood is sidestepped smoothly, dodged! A moment later Lief draws up his arrows, eyes narrowing, "Gotcha!" he calls, letting fire his wrath!
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 33." [1d20=7]
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 34." [1d20=8]
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 32." [1d20=11]
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 (+2 to all for evil outsider bane)
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 (+2 to all for evil outsider bane) and gets 28." [1d20=12]
[21:16] <Ithea> ooc: He also gets +2 morale from my tactician feat
[21:16] <Kotono> OOC: Hit or hit/damage?
[21:17] <Ithea> ooc: uh, sec, opening book. link on my sheet is slow. I think it was just to hit though.
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d6+10+2d6+2d6
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d6+10+2d6+2d6
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d6+10+2d6+2d6
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+10+2d6+2d6 and gets 27." [1d6=6][2d6=1, 2][2d6=5, 3]
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+10+2d6+2d6 and gets 30." [1d6=5][2d6=4, 2][2d6=3, 6]
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+10+2d6+2d6 and gets 30." [1d6=5][2d6=2, 6][2d6=4, 3]
[21:17] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead.
[21:18] <Kotono> Under the flurry of arrows in his front, Yian staggers back! "This is...my enlightenment..." he gasps, coughing up a great trough of blood! HE staggers to his knees, bleeding terribly and unable to act! OOC: Ithea, go. He's downed but not dead due to regeneration.
[21:18] <Ithea> ooc: damage too. And it's circumstance, not morale apparently
[21:21] * Ithea still says nothing, though her eyes harden at his words, and her grip tightens as she continues her assault on the downed fiend. (OOC: AS+4)
[21:22] <Ithea> roll d20+35
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+35 and gets 48." [d20=13]
[21:22] <Ithea> roll d20+35
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+35 and gets 42." [d20=7]
[21:22] <Ithea> roll d20+30
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+30 and gets 44." [d20=14]
[21:22] <Ithea> roll d20+25+6 (cunning insight)
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+25+6 (cunning insight) and gets 35." [d20=4]
[21:22] <Ithea> ooc: add +2 to all those, I get the tactician bonus too.
[21:24] <Kotono> OOC: Hits.
[21:24] <Ithea> roll 4d10+84+8d6+16d4
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 4d10+84+8d6+16d4 and gets 159." [4d10=4, 2, 4, 1][8d6=2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 5, 4][16d4=2, 1, 1, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, 4, 4]
[21:25] <Kotono> Down the fiend goes! He's torn apart - but does not die, ever so slowly reforming even as he's wounded! OOC: Free act. Don't seem to be getting past his regen, but he's way down in the negatives now.

[21:27] <Kotono> The Master looks down at him, "I had hoped for a better battle, but the tides of war are seldom fair," he observes.
[21:27] <Kotono> Lief lets out a cheer, zooming over to Ithea, "Ithea, what are you doing here?"
[21:28] * Ithea hisses at the devil one last time, digging her glaive's blade into his downed back, twisting it. She keeps twisting it on occassion as she takes a deep breath and looks at Lief. "So...heard you were in trouble," Ithea says. "You can thank 27 for us being here."
[21:29] <Kotono> "I had it in hand," Lief sniffs, "I won the tournament and everything. This bastard here appeared afterwards and it all went to hell."
[21:30] <Ithea> "We probably got lucky getting the drop on him, warmaster," Ithea says to the Master, before nodding to Lief. "Congrats, I guess. And at least this is Ysgard, right? They're going to be better off tomorrow than this piece of shit."
[21:31] <Kotono> "Yeah," Lief grins a moment, going down to kick the bastard in the side of his head. "Wait a moment, did you say he betrayed our world?"
[21:31] <Ithea> "One of the big ol' nine," Ithea says with a nod. "Always wondered what a dragon got out of the deal. Apparently, not much."
[21:33] <Kotono> "Urgh!" Lief flies down, taking an arrow and stabbing it into the dragon-fiend's eyes! The pop of one eye after another is heard, then Lief spits on his face. "Rot, you bastard," he snarls, exhaling heavily before looking up. "We're taking him back for justice?"
[21:37] <Ithea> "Oh, definitely doing that. He's going to regret coming here for the rest of his miserable life almost as much as he'll regret his part in Lifasa," Ithea says with a harsh nod, staring down at the dragon-fiend as she pulls out her glaive and flicks the blood off to the side. "Of course, we're going to have to take the long way back, but I can deal with having to stab him every now and then just fine."
[21:38] <Kotono> "As can I," Lief grins, then rubs the back of his head, "It's going to be a pain in the ass dragging him back. By land it's got to be a few weeks of traveling from here, what with all the mountains."
[21:38] <Kotono> OOC: Make a listen check, all.
[21:39] <Ithea> roll d20+40
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+40 and gets 57." [d20=17]
[21:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 Lief
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 Lief and gets 32." [1d20=10]
[21:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+37
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 and gets 48." [1d20=11]
[21:40] <Kotono> As Ithea speaks, she hears a woman's faint laughter, mocking. Ithea's blood runs cold, for she hears the same laughter she heard on Radiance - the sound of Tiamat, before the green there rose!
[21:41] <Ithea> "That'll be annoying. Were you expecting anybody to come fetch you, or what about flying ba...oh fuck that bitch..." Ithea says as she begins eyeing Yian with concern. If he comes back as some sort of zombie dragon fiend...
[21:41] <Ithea> Actually, screw watching with concern, Ithea just starts stabbing the body over and over as soon as the laughter is heard.
[21:41] <Kotono> OOC: Make a full attack.

[21:42] <Ithea> roll d20+31
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 and gets 40." [d20=9]
[21:42] <Ithea> roll d20+31
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+31 and gets 40." [d20=9]
[21:42] <Ithea> roll d20+26
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+26 and gets 39." [d20=13]
[21:42] <Ithea> roll d20+21
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 and gets 26." [d20=5]
[21:42] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[21:42] <Ithea> roll 3d10+57+6d6
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 3d10+57+6d6 and gets 105." [3d10=10, 7, 10][6d6=5, 2, 5, 2, 6, 1]
[21:43] <Kotono> Turning back, you see Yian rising in the air! His body twists and throbs, "I...will not be defeated!"  he roars, even as Ithea tears into him! A moment later the Master is there as well, striking with all his might! "Return to the grave, devil," he calls!
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 37." [1d20=4]
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 34." [1d20=1]
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 35." [1d20=2]
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 29." [1d20=1]
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 37." [1d20=14]
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 38." [1d20=20]
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 crit
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 crit and gets 37." [1d20=19]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 4d8+11+4d8+11+8d8+22
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+11+4d8+11+8d8+22 and gets 112." [4d8=7, 4, 7, 4][4d8=3, 6, 3, 1][8d8=1, 3, 2, 5, 7, 1, 7, 7]
[21:44] <Kotono> A moment later, arrows join that as well!
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 35." [1d20=9]
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 38." [1d20=12]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 32." [1d20=11]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 20." [1d20=4]
[21:45] <Kotono> roll 1d6+10+2d6+2d6
[21:45] <Kotono> roll 1d6+10+2d6+2d6
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+10+2d6+2d6 and gets 27." [1d6=2][2d6=1, 6][2d6=6, 2]
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+10+2d6+2d6 and gets 22." [1d6=1][2d6=3, 4][2d6=2, 2]
[21:45] <Kotono> Another another assault, Yian rises...and shudders! He collapses down in a heap, a great gush of flaming hot magic erupting from him all over! OOC: Reflex saves, all.
[21:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23 Lief improved evasion
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 Lief improved evasion and gets 40." [1d20=17]
[21:46] <Ithea> roll d20+22+6 cunning insight
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+22+6 cunning insight and gets 31." [d20=3]
[21:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31 Master
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 Master and gets 38." [1d20=7]
[21:46] <Kotono> But the burst of flame is avoided by all! The fiend falls again, this time utterl unmoving and beaten! OOC: Free act.

[21:47] <Ithea> "IS THIS GOING TO BE A RECURRING THEME, BITCH?!? IS IT?!?" Ithea yells as she shakes a fist to the ground, her eyes focused deep underneath, as if Tiamat was hiding somewhere under all that.
[21:48] <Kotono> "I hope so," The Master murmurs, "Foes with twice the vitality may be more challenging."
[21:49] <Ithea> "I just think it's annoying," Ithea mutters as she takes a deep breath and moves to check the body of Yian.
[21:50] <Kotono> Checking over his body, you find two things. The first is a black ring with an inset of rubies forming a burning, floating island-city. The second is an amulet of red metal, blending well into his scales.
[21:51] <Ithea> "How were you planning to get back to Aurora, Lief?" Ithea asks. "I assume you weren't planning on weeks yourself?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "Flying," Flapping his wings, "It doesn't take so long with these."
[21:58] <Ithea> "About how far are we exactly? I can cast dimension door a fair few times, and get us closer to Aurora, probably all the way if it's less than...2 miles away or so. If it can shorten the distance so you can fly and get someone to fetch us, that works too," Ithea asks the pixie.
[22:01] <Kotono> "A hundred or so miles, as the crow flies," Lief replies after a few moments, "It's not that far if it was a straight line without all those mountains and fjords."
[22:05] <Ithea> "Right, I'll still move us away from here and closer back, though I won't use up all of my spells if it's that far, I think. If nothing else moving away from here before anybody possibly shows up looking for Yian is probably a good idea," Ithea says. "We'll travel by land until we're within a day's flight for you, and then you can go get someone to fetch us. Any objections or better ideas?"
[22:07] <Kotono> "Best one I have," Lief says. OOC: Just going to start teleporting then traveling?
[22:09] <Ithea> OOC: Yeah. I'll get us up to 6,480 feet away from here. That eats up the rest of my level 4 spells.
[22:14] <Kotono> Teleportation gets you 'round the first mountain and a ways beyond. From here the party begins to walk. As you do and lug Yian, you notice his wounds stubbornly attempt to heal, regenerating even now.
[22:16] <Ithea> "Huh, will you look at that. Even after all that...he must have been the clumsiest dragon ever and gone to the devils for that. Don't you think?" Ithea says, stopping to stab another new wound, then going back to drag the body. As long as the body is still as beat up as it is, she doesn't quite have to beat all the crap out of it again just yet.
[22:23] <Kotono> Lief and the Master contribute as well! "A pity. Most dragons put up more of a fight," The Master sighs mournfully
[22:23] <Kotono> .
[22:29] <Ithea> "Most dragons don't agree to become devils, either. Given 27's warning though, I suspect we just managed to take him by surprise, sort of like he did against all the others at that tournament. Dumb prophecy though, said he'd have run if he'd seen more than just two of us. I suspect we'd still have kicked his ass then, -and- been back home by now if we'd brought Tepen or Sylvie along."
[22:35] <Kotono> "Perhaps fortune was on our side. It's rare for a warrior of good caliber to be so throughly ambushed," The Master observes as you continue on. An hour of this passes until you hear Tepen's voice in your head! 'Ithea, have you succeeded? Do you need transport back?'
[22:42] * Ithea blinks, grinning at that, stopping and running her glaive through Yian then. 'Tepen! You're a welcome voice! Transport would be nice, definitely. We're heading to Aurora by foot right now."
[22:43] <Kotono> Surely enough, soon a gate appears for the party to pass through. Once done the trio is in Aurora once more, safe and sound, with one beaten past death and still alive pit fiend with them. Tepen stands just past the portal, "Is that him?" he asks.
[22:49] <Ithea> "Yian, former red dragon of Lifasa, traitorous devil, and not quite the martial artist we were expecting," Ithea says in confirmation, dropping the pit fiend like a sack of potatoes. "You're a lifesaver, Tepen. Walking all the way back would have been a bitch."
[22:50] <Ithea> On a whim, she moves up to Tepen and gives him a peck on the cheek, and grins.
[22:51] <Kotono> Tepen blushes a bit at that, clearing his throat quickly, "Ah yes, well..." Laughing after, "You're welcome. Let's get him to a cell and interrogations."
[22:52] <Ithea> "He's going to be out of it for interrogations for a while, but the cell we can do!"

[Corwin]

[19:42] <Kotono> By fortune's whimsy, you meet Stille before Balyss. In particular you meet him when he knocks on your door, a bouquet of delicate, small blue flowers in hand. "For you," he offers.
[19:49] <Ithea> "Thank you, kind sir," Ithea says, smiling as she opens the door fully, and motions inside as she grabs the bouquet. She seems dressed more casually than normal, actually having a simple orange sundress on. "I don't exactly have a place to put them at the moment, not even a glass," she explains as she sets them by her dresser. Her glaive stands against the wall next to it. "Remind me to pick up a glass or some such later on?"
[19:52] <Kotono> "Sure," He says smiling back, offering his hand out, "Shall we?"
[19:53] * Ithea hands him her hand, grabbing the hem of her dress with the other hand and giving a small curtsey. "Lead the way, mister heartbreaker," she says as she finishes the gesture, grinning at him.
[19:59] <Kotono> His hand is strong and callused, giving Ithea's a squeeze as the two head out. Out through the portals you go and into...the strategy room? It's quiet here, and a red tablecloth covers the entire table there. Sitting there are several plates of food, the smell a medley of tasting, alluring things that immediately set Ithea' smouth to watering.
[20:01] * Ithea smiles. "It looks and smells good. How'd you get this place set up? And did you ask permission from anybody?" she asks. "Or just snuck around and used the first empty room you found?"
[20:02] <Kotono> "Elena," He answers, "Wonderful girl, really." Going and pulling out a chair for Ithea, smiling back at that, "Nothing's happening here today, os we have the all clear."
[20:05] <Ithea> "Oh, I'm not disapproving. I was just wondering. Though here's hoping some diplomat doesn't decide to pick -now- to pop in, you know," Ithea says as she sits down, then scoots the chair forward. "Especially if everything tastes as good as it looks and smells."
[20:07] <Kotono> "Hah," Smiling even warmer at that, as he goes to sit next to Ithea, "Oh yes, I drew on my travels for tonight's dinner. The first dish looks to be some sort of salad - except the lettuce is a bright ruby red, joined by what looks like carrot slivers that drift in and out of sight. "I've been going around Aurora, and it's amazing what's happening here. I see your handprint in things, Ithea,
[20:07] <Kotono> and it shows well."
[20:11] <Ithea> "That's kind of you to say, Stille," Ithea replies, as she pokes at the carrot slivers, musing over their effect, finally spearing one with her fork and giving it a try.
[20:12] <Kotono> They feel solid, even when they fade dimor away entirely. It tastes like a carrot - yet the taste fades in and out on her tongue, a curious sensation of being tasted and not. "Why don't you tell me about what you've done here more?" he invites.
[20:18] <Ithea> "Not as much as you'd think," Ithea says between bites, as she keeps trying out the salad. "Jaela and Afina do most of the work, I just try to keep up and do my part where I can. I brought some of my people aboard, and those, uh, oozes, maybe helped with some of the other recruits...but yeah. I've had to learn a lot about diplomacy since we found this place."
[20:20] <Kotono> The lettuce tastes warm and spicy, but nothing particularly strong. A very mild spicy. "The battlefield of words and intent is a vicious one," Stille reflects, "You have to constantly be as nimble with your thoughts and tongue as a dancer is at his craft. I have some passing talent at it, if you'd like some instruction on it."
[20:29] * Ithea laughs. "Sure, why not. I can use all the help I can get. Diplomacy isn't my passion, but it's still important, I've found. Even if I'd rather just fight and kill devils." The last part brings a brief frown, her thoughts flashing to the nine traitors, but it quickly shifts back to a smile.
[20:33] <Kotono> Stille smiles a little bit, taking a bottle and two wineglasses. He fills them with a sparkling clear drink, "Cheers to victory," he says softly, "I saw from the windows when you dragged in that fiend's carcass."
[20:36] <Ithea> "Heh...good eyesight. Yeah, we got the drop on one of the nine traitors of Lifasa. A lot of information, out of that one," Ithea says with a shake of her head.
[20:43] <Kotono> "Congratulations," Stille adds, "But you don't seem as happy as you should be for that. What troubles you so?"
[20:49] <Ithea> "Apasa. One of the other traitors, and one of my people. It...bothers me a bit to hear Yian's description of him. I dislike the idea of him having had such similar training as myself."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Ooooh." Taking a sip of his drink now, "The reflection in the mirror hit close to home?"
[20:59] <Ithea> "Not so much that, I think. I mean, yes, it bothers me to have similarities of any sort to a man I just can't comprehend. But that's just it. I don't see how he could betray his people. I don't buy this Duke of Destiny and fate nonsense," Ithea says, as she rubs her forehead and reaches for her own glass, to drink what Stille just poured.
[20:59] <Ithea> "And then he had plans for the survivors on Earth too. Ugh... I truly wish it had been Apasa that had been chasing after Lief instead of Yian, honestly."
[21:02] <Kotono> It's sparkling, light alcohol, so ethereal that it glitters down Ithea's throat. Sipping his as he listens, "You know what I think? I think Apasa and the rest of them got sold lies, manipulation and despair. Your entire world fell...I assume you had periods of heartbreak and depression over it? What if somoene came to you during that time, say a demon, and convinced you that the only way to
[21:02] <Kotono> fight back was to embrace the Abyss?" Sipping some more, "Fiends are good at these sort of things, especially when they prey on the vulnerable. With the right manipulation, you can make a man believe damning his soul is doing himself a great service."
[21:06] <Ithea> "It's...possible," Ithea admits, sipping more of her drink. "I do know what I was like when we first got out of Lifasa. I suppose I could see myself having fallen like that, if such an offer had been made. Still, Lifasa was such a peaceful world. What exactly could he have been hit with to make such a horrible thing sound necessary?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "Lies, darkness, misery, temptation? The things that prey on the heart." Stille drinks his champaign down, "Elena told me the story of how Medicant fell in the first place. It's the same thing, really. All those negative whispers, everyone has them. Fiends draw them out and lure into the temptation of evil."
[21:12] * Ithea sighs. "I suppose. I'd like to think I don't have it in me to fall like that anymore," Ithea comments. "But you're right, who knows what they could do with enough time to get into our heads."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Which is why I'm here," Stille says, "I promise you that you won't fall into anything like that as long as I'm here. We have too much to do - Lifasa needs saving and devils need chastisement."
[21:14] <Ithea> "Oh, I don't think the devils could ever twist -that- part of me away," Ithea says.
[21:16] <Kotono> "Good!" With a smile at that, "So you study arcane magic, Ithea?"
[21:21] <Ithea> "Somewhat. Not to the level of say, Teppen, or even Afina, though. I'm no that focused for it. Then again, I'm not quite a jack of all trades either, I still focused my studies in combat and arcane equally, or as close to equally as I could manage. Leads to some limited options with magic for me, but what I've got is pretty damn good, I like to think."
[21:23] <Ithea> "And you? We've been talking almost entirely about me, you know. That makes me feel almost a little rude. Tell me about yourself as well, Stille," Ithea adds as she finishes her drink.
[21:26] <Kotono> With a flick of his wrist, a card is tossed at Ithea. Smiling now, "Well, I've learned disciplines from all across the multiverse, bits and pieces of everything. I know how to strike precisely, I know how to use weapons and armor from the heavies to the lightest, I can cast a good deal of divine magic and a bit of arcane magic, I can focus my life force and invert it to turn invisible, I
[21:26] <Kotono> can smite evil as well as any paladin, I can fight unarmed, I know how to hunt and track, I've unlocked the secrets of a berserker's rages, and more other things than I can relay. Whew." Pausing for a moment, "My Father says that I lack focus, but I rather thing I'm focused on learning a bit of everything."
[21:30] <Ithea> "Ah, so you're a true jack of all trades then," Ithea says, giggling as she eyes the picture on the card, one thing standing out for her. "You realize, I've never seen you with a sword since we met, don't you?"
[21:32] <Kotono> "I haven't had one lately," Stille confesses, cracking his knuckles, "In truth, I prefer to rely on unarmed strikes and magic when things become unpleasant."
[21:33] <Kotono> After a moment and freshening up Ithea's glass with a smile, "I'm always armed that way. It's saved me in more than one moment."
[21:33] <Ithea> "So why the sword in the picture? Thought it made you look more impressive?" she asks with an amused smile.
[22:00] <Kotono> "Yes, that and I had one at the time it was made," Stille replies with a fond look back, "I left it with someone who needed it more, and I'd grown bored of it anyway."
[22:01] <Ithea> "Oh? Do tell," Ithea says, as she moves onto the next dish.
[22:03] <Kotono> This is what looks to be some sort of cheese and meat casserole. Sausage is in there, you think. "Morholt needed the weapon - he's a paladin in training, and we'd gotten along well. I didn't need it to fight, so I left it with him. It'll serve him well."
[22:06] * Ithea nods. "So you prefer fighting unarmed. Have you spoken with the warmaster yet? Might get some more training of your own that way, if you're looking for it," Ithea suggests.
[22:08] <Kotono> "I may just," he agrees, "I may just. Oh yes, he has some impressive lessons." Nodding along to that, "I spent some time talking with dear Balyss today." Shaking his head, "She's still upset over meeting her friend. She's better now that she had a good cry over it, but she's still emotional."
[22:12] * Ithea sighs at that. "I hope those two manage to make up. Balyss certainly has good reason to feel as she does, but both of them are hurting over it. And Sylvie's made clear she's going to give her some space and time to cool before she approaches her old friend."
[22:15] <Kotono> "As do I." Stille murmurs, "I think they will - and if not we'll ensure they do, say?" With a hint of a smile as he looks into Ithea's eyes, "You handle Sylvie and I can handle dear Balyss."
[22:16] * Ithea laughs. "Yes, well, we'll see where they're at after a while. I'm hoping that party I wanted to talk to Balyss about also helps distract her, and speed up the process."
[22:17] <Kotono> "She's already having to deal past it, since she's busy," Stille nods, "Being busy is good for that sort of mind." Leaning back a moment as he starts on his own plate, "I also talked to a giant eagle that is also a dragon. That I wasn't expecting."
[22:20] <Ithea> "What's she been busy with exactly? I saw what she was doing when we met each other, but I'm not familiar with Selune's rituals and that sort of thing," Ithea asks. "And you've met Arrel? Yeah, it's pretty hard to think of him as a dragon. I really don't see much of a dragon in him."
[22:22] <Kotono> "I see a little, but he's a strange, strange bird." Pausing for a moment as he listens, "Well, you see, most of Selune's clergy is female. I'm not too familiar with the finer doctrinal points, but there are certain things only a female member of the clergy is allowed to do. Certain blessings and benedictions, she's catching all of them up."
[22:22] <Kotono> Pausing to take a few more bites of his meal, "Male clergy does exist, but I'm unusual in that. In my case it runs in the family."
[22:25] <Ithea> "Ah," Ithea says with a nod. "Are there any male clergy only rituals?"
[22:26] <Ithea> "Since they're rare, as you've said, I'd assume not, but one never really knows, right?"
[22:27] <Kotono> "Not in particular. Selune is a female goddess," Clearing his throat, "Are you familiar with how some hold that the moon and tides influence women? That ties right back into Selune. In turn, she encourages women to take up her worship and be powerful and active in life. The male clergy are rather at loose neds. That's why I didn't linger long in my lessons. The divine magic came to me
[22:27] <Kotono> naturally, and I skimped on the book lessons once I had the basics down."
[22:31] <Ithea> "Could have missed something important, what then?" Ithea asks with a small amused smile.
[22:33] <Kotono> "Oh, I'm fairly sure I haven't," Stille goes on lightly, "Despite all of Father's children, including myself, being entirely unique, we do share the same natural dedication and skill towards Selune. I know what I need to."
[22:37] <Ithea> "I'll take your word for it. Different question. Why is it lycanthropes so often seem to be men? Some of the men even seemed to have a lower opinion of women at first even, amongst our bunch. I mean, these guys have control and all, right? So it's not like it's a curse for them, it's a gift from Selune. Why not more women?" Ithea asks. "Does it have something specific to do with lycanthropy itself?"
[22:40] <Kotono> "Not that I know of. It may be the particular group," Stille says, shrugging, "They seem to all be burly warriors, so it's probably just the group that they are. Besides, lycanthropes of all types who reject evil seek Selune out."
[22:43] <Ithea> "Hrm, I suppose. I do find it amusing how accomodating they seemed to Balyss by the way. I wonder how much it is because of the whole clergy thing, and how much was just spending time around so many strong women here in Aurora," Ithea says before laughing. "One of them actually picked a fight with Elrisa from the Graceful Blow right after they joined, and she laid him low with barely a thought. Poor fellow must have been so embarrassed."
[22:47] <Kotono> "Hah." Chuckling to that, "I have no problem with strong women, myself. No wonder Selune is supporting your Crusade...well, besides the obvious reasons."
[22:52] <Ithea> "If only all deities could see those obvious reasons," Ithea comments with a small sigh. "Still, I'm thankful for those who do. Selune most of all... for my own obvious reasons, of course." Here she grins.
[22:52] <Kotono> Reaching out to clasp Ithea's shoulder, "They'll see, in time. They'll see. I promise you, Ithea."
[22:55] * Ithea smiles at him. "So! Most important question of the night...what -have- I been putting in my mouth all this time, Stille?" she asks, moving onto more important topics.  "Anything that'll make me make a face like the succubus milk thing? Because I'll admit, it did taste as good as it looked and smelled."
[22:57] <Kotono> "Oh, that casserole? It's a simple sausage and cheese dish my mother used to make," he admits, smiling, "I kept it more exotic without being quite so challenging this time."
[22:59] <Ithea> "A home cooked meal! You -are- a man of many talents, aren't you?" Ithea says as she claps, looking over the table with wonder. "I'd almost imagined you'd gotten someone else to cook it, or maybe from the cafeteria somehow."
[22:59] <Kotono> "Oh no, I did all this by hand," he says, sitting back a moment, "I've been terribly busy all day."
[23:01] <Ithea> "Well I'm certainly impressed, Stille."
[23:02] <Kotono> "I'm glad," Taking one of Ithea's hands and kissing it, "Would you like to take a walk? It's night in Ysgard now, and there should be a good moonrise."
[23:03] * Ithea pushes the chair back slightly, and nods as she stands again. "Lead the way, good sir."
[23:05] <Kotono> Out the duo goes. It's quiet as you step out into the night of Ysgard, out of Aurora. It's just past sunset, a blanket of darkness spreading over everything. The air is briskly cold, bringing a chill to Ithea.
[23:07] * Ithea shivers a bit. "Alright, not used to being out so uncovered," Ithea admits, rubbing her arms together, and she pulls the edge of her dress down a bit, as if willing it to stretch and cover more of her legs.
[23:08] <Kotono> Stille pauses, taking off his jacket and offering it to Ithea, "Here," he says, "This'll help."
[23:10] <Ithea> "Thank you," she says with a smile, taking the jacket, leaning closer to Stille as well. "I could have just cast endure elements, you know, right? I'll accept the gesture nonetheless. You're comfy."
[23:11] <Kotono> Stille puts an arm around Ithea, slowing down his walk. He's quite warm, and smells like the lovely meal you just ate. "I like to think I am," he smiles, "This way, it's not far."
[23:12] * Ithea follows along as she's led by the Selunite recruit, enjoying the warmth from being besides another person instead of just a magical comfort.

[Corwin]

[20:42] <Kotono> It's a ten minute walk, nothing but the warmth of Stille and the chill of the night. You come to a little cliff, overlooking a mountainous ravine. Here you have a superbly open view of the night sky, as Stille goes to sit at the cliff edge. He guides Ithea down with him, "Just look at the heavens and relax. It's about to begin."
[21:03] * Ithea nods and watches.
[21:06] <Kotono> The starry sky glitters, all you see as you soak in the warmth of Stille. Then...the moon rises! The horizon turns silver-white as the tip begins to ascend! It is a gloriously full moon, softening and illuminating all the rough edges of Ysgard. As it rises you hear the howl of wolves in the distance! Higher and higher it rises, taking up much of the sky.
[21:11] <Ithea> "That's rather pretty," Ithea says, able to appreciate it even if she's more of a sunrise and sunset person.
[21:33] <Kotono> "Yes," Stille says as he watches, turning to face Ithea. "There's a Selunite tradition to herald the rise of the full moon with a sign of life and joy."
[21:38] <Ithea> "Oh? Like?" Ithea asks, as she pushes some strands of hair away from her eyes, and looks at Stille as well.
[21:38] <Kotono> Looking into Ithea's eyes, "Traditionally, it's a kiss," he murmurs, leaning into Ithea.
[21:43] <Ithea> "Why Stille, here I thought you had more subtlety in you!" Ithea exclaims, the edge of her lips twitching further up. She doesn't lean forward to kiss him, but neither does she pull away, keeping her eyes on his, twinkling with amusement.
[21:45] <Kotono> "Why," Smiling over at Ithea, "Sometimes, you have to capture the day. No?" He doesn't give her an ansewr beyond that, leaning in briefly. It's not a long one, but it is a kiss. "Let's just enjoy the night for now, hm?"
[21:46] <Ithea> "I like the way you think."
[21:51] <Kotono> The next morning, Balyss is found in Elrisa's Tower. She's in the little garden there, nibbling on a light breakfast. From above you can hear the thumping clashes of training...OOC: Go ahead.
[21:53] <Ithea> "Balyss? I'm Ithea, do you have some time?" Ithea asks as she approaches, simultaneously introducing herself.
[22:01] <Kotono> "Yeah," She gestures, yawning after, "Sit down. Don't mind me, I had a late night."
[22:03] * Ithea nods, sitting besides Balyss. "I heard. Catching up with all those clerical duties for the guys here. Stille mentioned it," she replies.
[22:06] <Kotono> "Yeah," Balyss replies around another yawn. Stretching back, lying back on her elbows, "So what do you need, Ithea?"
[22:08] <Ithea> "I've been told you're good with parties. You probably haven't heard, but there's a couple planning a marriage ceremony. Adrian and Misalea. I wanted to throw them a congratulatory party over it, you know?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "Oh yeah, I cna handle that," Balyss says, laughing, "Word spreads that fast, huh?"
[22:14] * Ithea had considered just leaving mention of Sylvie aside, but... "Sort of. Rumor about you's mostly dealing with the bit with Sylvie. Sylvie's the one who mentioned the party stuff," she says honestly.
[22:16] <Kotono> Balyss stops and rubs her head, "...yeah. Figures." Sighing and flopping back, "Guess she remembers that at least."
[22:39] <Ithea> "Sorry," Ithea says, before switching topics again. "Well, besides the party stuff, I also wanted to ask what would be an appropriate offering for Selune. When she gave her blessing to our crusade, she left a Lunar Tear with us, and that saved my life a short while back. I figured it was appropriate to show my thanks somehow."
[22:39] <Ithea> "Stille's suggestion was to just give money, but that seemed kinda lazy and uninspiring," Ithea adds.
[22:40] <Kotono> "A Lunar Tear?" Looking up at that, "I can set that up, too. It'll need to be something specialized...and that is lazy," Scowling and shaking her head, "I'll take care of that, Ithea."
[22:42] <Ithea> "Thanks. Let me know what I'd need to do that's appropriate. Soon if possible, I know just about anything still costs money. I'm probably going to bug Afina to make some new stuff for me soon too, and may end up a bit too broke to give proper thanks," Ithea says.
[22:43] <Kotono> "I'll let you know. It'll cost some at least," Balyss says, "Now I have plans for the day." Getting up, "Off to work. No leisurely lie ins here." Shaking her head, "I'd gotten use to that at home. Getting up late and heading to Moonholm later in the morning."
[22:45] <Ithea> "If you need any help adjusting and just doing what needs to be done, let me know, Balyss," Ithea says as she also stands up, offering a hand to Balyss. "Let me know when we can talk about the party as well. No hurry there. Anyway, it's been nice to meet you."