038.4 Afina, Baleruk's Second Disciple

[Corwin]

[19:38] <Kotono> Getting to Baleruk's lair is simple for one who can fly. Baleruk currently reclines on a pile of golden coins, looking at the tiny fey as it approaches him. Around him are dozens of canvasses, each one splattered with a cornucopia of various colored paints in no particular pattern.
[19:39] <Afina> "Hello, Baleruk," Afina greets him, looking at the paintings idly. "Been honing your artistic skills?"
[19:42] <Kotono> "I am copying chaos," He answers, leaning in close, draconic head mere inches from AFina. An eye as big as she is stares at her, "I approve of this development. Now obtain earth, air and water."
[19:46] * Afina pauses to reflect on that suggestion... despite her now instinctive revulsion at the thought of water, intellectually, "If I could balance the elements within me once more it would bring me significantly closer to regaining my old connection with nature, if not the Cycle itself. A good suggestion, though it's my current transformation that brings me to call upon your expertise," she segues into her original reason. "Simmer, the dryad infused with fire as I am, told me that her transformation rendered her barren. I want to know if I've been afflicted the same way, and considering your knowledge of such transformations and anatomy in general, hoped you might be able to find out."
[19:48] <Kotono> Baleruk gives Afina a long stare. A very long stare. At last he speaks, "Cut your palms open, from wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Inspecting your blood will have to do."
[19:50] <Afina> "I'll be back shortly with a cold iron blade from the armoury. Both palms?" she checks before going.
[19:52] <Kotono> "Yes, do not do it until you return here," Baleruk instructs. Out of the corner of Afina's eye, she can see eyes. Eyes staring at her from behind.
[19:54] <Afina> She looks back at the eyes to see who they belong to!
[19:56] <Kotono> The paintings behidn her are shifting. In the center of each painting a set of eyes can be seen. They wear eyeliner the color of rainbows, constantly clashing. The eyes are empty but clear, staring intently at Afina. As they do, the eyes shift - slowly becoming identical to Afina's eyes.
[19:57] <Afina> "Chaos is copying me," Afina tells Baleruk before she flutters out to retrieve a cold iron bladed weapon from the armoury before coming back.
[20:01] <Kotono> Baleruk only chuckles at that - a terrific, shaking, booming sound. On Afina's return she finds each of the paintings has her eyes now, and as she comes in. She hears her own voice whispering in her mind - words of sorrow, of the loss of the Cycle, of the glories of fire, of the consuming disdain for Water, of the niggling fears of Ilsenine's reaction. Baleruk merely sits in the meanwhile,
[20:01] <Kotono> awaiting.
[20:04] <Afina> "There's imitation and then there's outright theft," Afina points out, clearly perturbed by this new development as she flutters before Baleruk.
[20:10] <Kotono> "Dragons are life. Chaos is life," Baleruk thunders, one wing thrust out to sweep over the right side. The gust of wind from it is enough ot ruffle Afina, "ALL IS LIFE IN CHAOS AND I SHALL GIVE ALL LIFE!" With that thunderous exclaimation Baleruk again comes close, head looming over Afina like a rainbow colored boulder. "Show me your blood now."
[20:12] <Afina> "Well, I am here to find out if I can still bear life," Afina doesn't have the words to argue with Baleruk's rantings, so she flips the dagger in her right hand and carefully cuts down her middle finger and palm enough to draw blood, before she swaps hands and more gingerly holds the blade in her lacerated left hand while cutting down her right. With that done she lets the dagger drop and presents
[20:12] <Afina> her hands palm up to Baleruk.
[20:14] <Kotono> Baleruk sniffs. Droplets of blood flow upward in crazy spheres into his nose, as...
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+37
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 and gets 53." [1d20=16]
[20:17] <Kotono> "Your well of life has been charred to ashes, but it yet lives," Baleruk declares, "It burns like all the rest of you. Your offspring will possessed of the same fire you are. It will be best if you spend any pregnancies on Fire or any place possessed of a heat hot enough to burn a normal mortal to death. Your children will crave the fire and need it to grow strong."
[20:19] <Afina> Hardly ideal, but at least it means when she decides to have children she has the option. "Thank you, Baleruk, that puts my mind at ease," she tells him, gingerly picking up the dagger and intending to go out and spend a few moments in Ysgard to heal her hands. "Is there anything you'd like while we're talking?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Yes." The dragon's breath is close enough to force Afina back, "When you obtain earth, air and water, return to me. I shall give you the gift of Limbo. You shall be EXALTED ABOVE OTHERS AND ONCE AGAIN REMADE. YOU SHALL BE MY SECOND DISCIPLE, AND UNTO YOU I SHALL REVEAL GREAT SECRETS!" Finishing with a roar, "GO!"
[20:25] <Afina> "Oh..." Afina looks at Baleruk thoughtfully, imagining herself as a prismatic fey... it's not a bad image, all those wild and clashing colours all over her. And she doubts Titania or the Queen of Air and Darkness have any prohibitions against prismatic exaltation like Bahamut and Tiamat do. "I just might do that," she tells the dragon, heading out to heal herself. Of course whether she *can*
[20:25] <Afina> obtain other elements with her instinctive revulsion of some and the fact that she'd likely be remade each time rather than adding onto her current state... well, it's something to look into.

[Corwin]

[20:38] <Kotono> It takes a bit of looking. You find Ebony, Misalea and Canderella all together in the garden of Mirima's tower. A bottle of wine is between them, along with a tray of fruit and cheese. Adrian is there as well - rolling a white roller over Ebony's wings, resembling nothing more than a paint roller. It leaves Ebony's wings glowing soft, as, "...like that? I do know the theory of it?" Canderella
[20:38] <Kotono> is speaking, nibbling on a bit of cheese. She looks faintly amused. Misaela is smiling happily, while Ebony has her eyes closed and a look of raptured distraction on her face. Adrian looks half amused and half put on, working away.
[20:40] <Kotono> "That's the core of the theory," Misalea nods, nibbling on a slice of orange. She puts it down after a tiny little bite, "Adrian comprehends it well, doesn't he? He's not gifted with it, but he understood the point of it."
[20:41] <Kotono> Adrian continues rolling the roller over Ebony's wings, "Martially, it is the opposite of how I fight. But it's not hard, since the opposite of my style is defined by being the opposite." Shrugging as he works, before smiling a bit, "I'm not just a handsome face."
[20:41] <Afina> Not wanting to bore everyone with her own issues, Afina just joins the group to see what they're doing. "Hello everyone," she greets them, looking askance at Adrian seeming to be painting Ebony's wings. "Is this an angel grooming thing?"
[20:41] <Kotono> Misalea's color ups a bit, "Mmm, you're morethan - oh, Afina!" Misalea turns.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Oh, it is," Canderella says, "I picked that up a few centuries ago and kept it as a curio. It's about equivalent to a massager for them, and it makes them lustrious."
[20:46] <Afina> "It does seem to be showing a difference," Afina agrees, looking at the two wings, and then at Ebony's face, "Not to mention it must feel nice, too. So what theory were you talking about as I came over? Another philosophical discussion?"
[20:50] <Kotono> Ebony murmurs something throaty and soft, sounding like nothing but relaxation. "No, just the fundamentals of the Graceful Blow." Adrian says, "I'm just here to be pretty."
[20:51] <Kotono> Misalea giggles at that, "You're also very good at using that," she says, "No, he's right. Canderella's considering studying the school."
[20:52] <Kotono> "If I'm going to be serious about going to war, I'd best do something. Succubi aren't fighters," Canderella says slightly, "It makes me think, and I'd really rather not reform in the Heart of Nature after becoming a devil's trophy. They'll come at me with a passionate hate the moment they see me. I'd best learn to defend myself better."
[20:54] <Afina> Nodding, Afina volunteers her take on it. "Most combat styles defensively fall between enduring an enemy's blows, whether through heavy armour and tough skin, or evasion through reflexes or speed. Jaela's an example of the former and myself the latter. Different from that, the Graceful Blow is fundamentally an art of distraction - it's not just wowing your foe with your beauty, since not all
[20:54] <Afina> would be attracted. It's keeping them off balance with flashiness and spirit so their blows can be redirected into misses, or they hesitate at a vital moment while striking."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Yes," Ebony murmurs, Misalea nodding, "Canderella would be a natural at it. I want to teach her right away."
[20:57] <Kotono> "I agree." WIth a smirk, "Who am I to argue with my love bringing beautiful women home?"
[20:58] <Kotono> Canderella giggles at that, as Misalea quickly turns a bright crimson, "A-Adrian!" she gasps, Ebony opening her eyes. In a slow drawl, "You live dangerously."
[20:59] <Afina> "Or he's amazingly optimistic," Afina agrees. "Anyway, what's interesting is that while resilience and reflexes are typically mutually exclusive, the style of the Graceful Blow can mesh with either, resulting in an even more robust defence. It's a very ingenious technique."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Most of us rely on dodging, but a few do use heavier armor," Misalea says, "It's not encouraged...you smell like a steelyard and your grace becomes an iron thud."
[21:01] <Kotono> "Elrisa wouldn't tolerate it," Adrian adds, "Mirima's allowed it, but she'll try to change it. Useful, but not that useful, since you can get those bracers that work like armor, or just cast that spell. With the sorcerous background involved in the style, it's common."
[21:05] <Afina> "True, but enchantments beyond the immediately defensive that can be woven into armour can be very helpful," Afina goes on. "For example even the lightest leather armour, like leafweave, would offer too unforgivable an impairment to my movement and hinder my defences more than help them. But a Graceful Blow practitioner could easily use it and enchant it with things like energy resistance,
[21:05] <Afina> fortification, command, all sorts of helpful boosts. Most of the pixie spellcasters on Aurora wear it, and it doesn't hinder their movement or spellcasting at all. Nor smell like metal," she finishes, wrinkling her nose.
[21:17] <Kotono> "Yes, that," Misalea says, as Canderella nods, "I don't like armor anyway, so I don't have to worry about that. The last time I wore armor - oh wait, no. That's another story you won't want to hear about."
[21:17] <Kotono> "You need to stop telling old stories," Ebony murmurs, "No matter how much you enjoy the reactions."
[21:19] <Afina> "I hope I don't end up like that when I think of stories from when I was a fey," Afina remarks, before considering it properly, "Although most of those stories are probably as unsuited for polite company as Canderella's, now that I think about it..."
[21:20] <Kotono> "We should trade." With a warm smile, "It's funt o reflect on the good old days. It makes me think...but mmm, I've accepted it." Tapping a finger to her lips before winking, "I doubt you're nearly so accepting."
[21:23] <Kotono> "At least you changed, even if you don't repent," Ebony adds in her own quiet opinion, "There's no glory in the past for me."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Oh, nonsense," Canderella chuckles, "You did what you did. You enjoyed it at the time, I bet. Why pretend otherwise?"
[21:26] <Afina> "No," Afina's face falls and she shakes her head. "Any normal fey would have gladly accepted death before being torn from the Cycle... thousands of lives across countless millenia in an unbroken chain, and they all end with me. It's monstrous to think about, but when the moment came, I couldn't face the end without seeing Lifasa free. Thus this," she gestures at her ruddy figure. "Although
[21:26] <Afina> apparently if I can take the other three elements into myself the same way, Baleruk could turn me into a prismatic creature. That doesn't sound so bad, for all that I can't help shuddering at the thought of water, now."
[21:27] <Kotono> "I'd take anything that dragon says with a grain of salt," Adrian adds his own opinion in, "Besides, wouldn't being a glowing rainbow pixie make stealth impossible?
[21:27] <Kotono> "
[21:28] <Kotono> "In the ashes of the old, the new is made," Ebony says, turning to Afina, "Accept your new role and live up to it to your utmost. You've been given a second chance."
[21:29] <Afina> "You'd be surprised," Afina smiles secretively, but leaves it at that. "What about your change, Ebony? Has it brought any new challenges?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "No. It..." Ebony hesitates, "My pain, suffering and remorse were taken away." A gentle smile comes to her, "They helped me finally put to rest the guilt gnawing at my heart. I was reborn in the arms of the two goddesses. I feel as a child again, the world anew and with restored eyes. I'm free."
[21:40] <Afina> "Aww. That sounds..." she'd been about to say like a fey being reincarnated, but decides against it, "That sounds nice. I'm happy you're feeling better for your change."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Thank you," Ebony bows her head to Afina, "How is your change?"
[21:42] <Kotono> "Not nearly so well," Misalea murmurs, "But maybe I'm wrong. Afina?"
[21:46] <Afina> "No," she shakes her head. "My mind and my heart are disunited. Fire flows through my veins, changing my moods and my tastes. I fear water, and feel cold more harshly even with magic. My moods are harder to control. And... I love fire, just the thought of burning things makes me happy even things I know shouldn't be burnt. It feels natural, but I know it's anything but."
[21:51] <Kotono> "Oh, you're a pyromaniac," Smiling knowingly, "I understand. I went through a phase of that." Canderella says, "I grew out of it after a few decades. If you feel it, go with it. It's fun to watch things burn when you're into it."
[21:53] <Afina> "A shame just about everything on the planes is resistant or immune to fire," Afina pouts, crossing her arms. "It's like some grand conspiracy to ruin things."
[21:54] <Kotono> "You can resist your nature," Ebony says, "I know one who resisted her nature and changed. But it was difficult, and your impulses will fight you every moment. I once had those impulses, those choices made in foolishness." Ebony cracks a smile at that, "There's ways around that. Seira is quite the strong hand with fire."
[21:56] <Afina> "Yes, Simmer is teaching me the same. But it's effort I'd otherwise be free to expend on my combat or crafting skills... if you think about it, what's the point in frying a devil with a mighty overcharged high power fire spell when a normal electricity spell does it just as well?"
[21:57] <Kotono> "Style," Ebony and Adrian say at once, Adrian shaking his head as he moves along to Misalea, starting on her wings. Ebony resumes, "There's something to be said for the psychological factor of it. Some of the dumber devils won't even dodge a fire spell, not realizing that this one can burn them. The greater ones are too controlled and may dodge anyway, or simply identify the spell being cast
[21:57] <Kotono> and take precautious."
[21:59] <Afina> "I think the last time we fought weak devils was those bearded devils when Adrian and I met," Afina giggles. "Since then they've been pulling out all the stops."
[22:01] <Kotono> "A compliment." Ebony says, sitting forward and turning her full attention to Afina. Meanwhile Misalea makes a little pleased noise at Adrian's work, Canderella going to lie on her belly adn gnaw on a bit of yellow cheese. "Devils do so love using minions, and the stronger the minions, the higher up the chain you've offended. To be drawing pit fiends, fallen solars and the Nessians means you've
[22:01] <Kotono> gotten the vaunted pits of power in Baator upset."
[22:04] <Afina> "Just need to make them dead, next," Afina nods determinedly, deciding to help herself to some of the food despite not being hungry at all since her change... but neither Ebony nor Canderella should need to eat either, and it doesn't stop them. Picking up some cheese over anything liquid or juicy, she begins to raise it to her mouth only to notice the slice softening and deforming on her hot
[22:04] <Afina> fingertips, making her pause and simply stare, watching the dairy slowly melt on her skin...
[22:06] <Kotono> There's a moment of silence at that, before Ebony comes forward a little bit. She puts her hand on Afina's back, and quietly, "You are what you are. There's no shame in being of one of the elements."
[22:10] <Afina> "Oh..." Afina blushes, though it isn't as noticable with her already dark complexion, putting her fingers in her mouth and sucking the melted cheese off of them. "That caught me off guard," she says afterwards. "I'll have to get used to such things."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Simmer can help you with that." Ebony suggests, "How about we go see her?"
[22:13] <Afina> "Yes," Afina considers that a good idea for two reasons, "Do any of the rest of you want to come? It'll be a good chance to introduce you all."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Sorry," Misalea says, "I promised Canderella a lesson after we finished talking," she says, "She wants to start learning immediately."
[22:15] <Afina> "Adrian?"
[22:15] <Kotono> Adrian considers, "I'll come along," he finally says. "Elena!"
[22:16] <Kotono> Elena so appears. "Yes?" she asks immediately.
[22:18] <Kotono> "Where's  Simmer?" Adrian asks. To this Elena says, "You know those big forges? The ones big enough to forge giant sized weapons in," Elena says, looking to Afina.
[22:20] <Afina> "Ah, yes," Afina nods, glancing at the others. "I only actually saw them when I first arrived since I've been using my own magic for most of my crafting. But maybe I will spend more time there now... thank you, Elena," she tells the little blue girl, standing up and fluttering into the air.
[22:21] <Kotono> Elena waves and vanishes! Adrian and Ebony fall in step, the former whistling a bit. "How is it to be that hot and not burn, anyway?"
[22:23] <Afina> "Surprisingly chilly," Afina admits with a shiver, "I can't feel my own heat, so even if you're roasting from standing next to me in a cold room, I'll be freezing!"
[22:27] <Kotono> Adrian just nods to that as you head to the forges. The biggest one is quite large, a square thing set into the wall with a slot big enough for three or four men to slide into. Flames eternally dance in it, heat radiating out from it. Glorious, seductive heat, and within? Simmer lies in there, the flames licking her body. Her clothes lie in a neat pile just besides the opening of the forge. She
[22:27] <Kotono> lies stomach down, arms under her chin.
[22:28] <Afina> "Turn around a second, Adrian?" Afina suggests before fluttering up keeping far enough away so that her clothes don't catch fire... she'll have to go on a shopping trip to Fire where Simmer got hers. "Hello, Simmer? I wanted to introduce you to some of my friends and talk some."
[22:28] <Kotono> Adrian coughs and politely looks away, going to lean against the side of the forge.
[22:29] <Kotono> "Oh Afina! Hi!" Smiling, "They can come over unless this bothers them? I can get out if you need me to, but it's so waaarm." Sighing happily, "You should come join me."
[22:30] <Afina> "If it doesn't bother Adrian then it'll bother Misalea. They're getting married soon," Afina explains. "I can join you later, though. I really need to get fireproof clothes at some point, anyway."
[22:31] <Kotono> "Oh." Shimming out as Adrian pointedly looks away, Simmer gets dressed. Once done, "I'm decent," she calls, "So you're Adrian, and you're Misalea?" Looking to Ebony, "Oh, that's right, you're the girl they mentioned sprouted angel wings!"
[22:32] <Afina> "No, this is Ebony," Afina corrects. "She's a servant of a goddess from Balmuria. It must be a very impressive city..." she mutters that last before moving on, "Adrian, Ebony, this is Simmer. She's a friend of Sylvie and Balyss from way back, and now a friend of mine," she smiles at them both.
[22:39] <Kotono> "Ah, the city that-" Ebony murmurs softly, but segues into a greeting of, "A pleasure." Adrian just nods back to her. Once done Simmer says, "Oh Ebony, my mistake."
[22:42] <Afina> "Easily done, since I mentioned Misalea just then," Afina lets it go, "Really, I wanted to talk to you about Fire," the capitalisation is audible in her words, "Earlier on I was going to eat some cheese, but when I saw it melting on my fingers I became almost hypnotised. Was it like that for you? Did you ever get past it?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "I did. You learn to control it. Not that seeing something melt isn't wonderful - it is - but you learn to control your reactions in polite company. Only an immature fire elemental  can't control itself in the presence of company. But the answer's simple - we get a bunch of things to melt and practice until you have it down."
[22:47] <Afina> "That sounds straightforward enough," Afina nods. "How about we try that later? Other than that, how are you settling into Aurora? Have you enjoyed seeing Sylvie and Balyss again?"
[23:01] <Kotono> "We've had some catching up," Simmer says, "Aaah, it's good to see them again."
[23:05] <Afina> "I'm happy for you," the pyropixie smiles. "Having people you know from before around makes adjusting to life here much easier. At the start when Adrian, myself, Ithea, Jaela, and Willim started this all, we were strangers. But since then we've managed to gather people we knew from before, or in Jaela's case find a long lost mother... a shame about Willim, he died when we rescued my Queen from
[23:05] <Afina> Hell. She's currently in the Seelie Court trying to gather more support for our Crusade."

[Corwin]

[19:29] <Kotono> "Doing the hard way was tough, but you need to make those bonds," Ebony murmurs, "One cannot stand alone."
[19:31] <Kotono> "It's grown," Simmer observes casually, "You have an entire army growing here."
[19:32] <Afina> "It's not enough yet, but little by little we're getting there," Afina nods, before deciding to change the subject away from work. "What did you spend your time doing on Fire, Simmer? Other than burning things, what other things were good to see or do?"
[19:36] <Kotono> "I practiced my magic. On Fire, I found I was able to learn it much faster than on the Prime," so saying, and leaning against the furnace, "I got to know some the neighbors, learned a lot about fire. Had a relationship, though it was mostly out of need." Listing those off, "Just go see Fire. There's something new and profound for you as you go along. Soak in the great rivers of burning flowfire.
[19:36] <Kotono> Climb the mountains of leaping flames, where only the elder fire elementals celebrate. Visit the realm of Kossuth. Swing by the City of Brass - though I wouldn't recommend that one, nor did I do it myself."
[19:37] <Kotono> "Seeing the sights, one blaze at a time?" Adrian smirks, "Though I guess you get more otu of fires than we do?"
[19:38] <Afina> "They're allies of devils, that makes them our enemies," Afina agrees resolutely. "I did visit Kossuth's realm once, there was someone from Lifasa who was supposed to be powerful that had ended up there. But he had no stomach to rejoin the fight."
[19:49] <Kotono> "Too bad - wait, really?" Simmer scowls, "If there's one thing Fire gives, its fire in the blood and belly. He should be ripping to fight, especially if he was tied to Kossuth."
[19:49] <Kotono> Adrian crosses his arms, "Apparently not."
[19:50] <Kotono> "Strange. Was he commanded to stay or did he just not want to fight?" Simmer inquires.
[19:52] <Afina> "He thought it was pointless," Afina shrugs, "The way Lifasa fell in less than a day was dispiriting, and he has his service to Kossuth to consider. I bear him no grudge, and would rather not have his type in the Crusade anyway. It is of no matter."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Anyway," Simmer goes on, "So you guys are going to beat up the devils on your world?"
[20:07] <Afina> "And anywhere else we can find them," Afina smiles at that. "Most of our battles have taken place elsewhere because we don't have the numbers to commit to an invasion right now. We're focusing on gathering our numbers and aiding our allies to ensure more support, and striking mainly at Devil strongpoints where Lifasan prisoners are held so we can increase our numbers that way."
[20:18] <Kotono> "I heard there's a bunch of refugees here from your last mission," Simmer goes on, stretching, "Do any of you really mind if Afina and I slip back into the forge?"
[20:20] <Kotono> Adrian coughs and turns away, while Ebony smiles faintly, "I have a friend in Sylica who enjoys heat as well, though not to this degree."
[20:21] * Afina gives the other two a slightly apologetic look since it was Ebony's idea to come here in the first place. "I have been pretty cold since I got back," she admits nonetheless. "And I can't even enjoy a hot bath, since... well, water."
[20:27] <Kotono> "I don't mind," Adrian says, "As long as this doesn't get back to Misalea. I won't look." His gaze is pointedly away.
[20:27] <Kotono> Ebony merely smiles, "If it's what you need, I don't mind. Far from me to make you uncomfortable."
[20:29] <Afina> Leaving her hat on, Afina slips out of her other clothes before she flutters into the forge. "You need to take me shopping on Fire to get clothes like yours that won't burn," she tells Simmer, sighing happily as the flames bake her tiny body.
[20:30] <Kotono> Simmer joins Afina, sighing in just the same way. "Mmm-hmm," she murmurs, lying on her stomach once more. "Isn't this so much better? As much as I miss what I lost, a good roaring inferno makes me understand it's not all bad."
[20:34] <Afina> "Mmmm..." Afina is silent for a moment, laying down as Simmer does, her wings glowing in the heat and twitching above her back, she rests her chin on her crossed arms to look out at the other two after settling in. "Baleruk said if I was able to take the other three elements into myself I could become a prismatic creature like him... I always felt attuned more to air or water before, but now
[20:34] <Afina> it's all out of balance. Still, even leaving the prismatic part, with four elements I would be in tune with nature again, even without the Cycle."
[20:42] <Kotono> "I can help you with that, at least a little bit," Ebony speaks up, "Seira and the Cauldron have researched this very subject. Kascha carries a weapon made of Cauldron Iron, composed of all the elements. You may find it illuminating."
[20:45] <Afina> "Yes, the three of us should get together later," Afina agrees. "What do you think, Simmer?"
[20:46] <Kotono> "Mmmm, sure," she says, sounding dreamily happy, "After we spend some time baking."
[20:50] <Afina> "Well, that's that." Deciding that Simmer probably isn't going to be good for conversation for the next little while, but maybe that's not so bad. It's nice to just absorb the radiant heat all around her in here...
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: Skip ahead a bit?
[20:51] <Afina> OOC: by all means
[20:53] <Kotono> Ah, time slips by as you simmer with Simmer. Adrian excuses himself, as does Ebony. But as you relax, "Hello?" Kascha's voice, "Afina? Afina? Ebony said you wanted to see me."
[20:56] <Afina> "Ah! Hello, Kascha!" Afina calls from the furnace, behatted head poking out as she waves for the friendly angel's attention. "Over here! I'll just get dressed," she pushes herself up and hops out of the furnace, starting to garb herself.
[21:01] <Kotono> "Oh!" Coughing into her hand, "Ah. Ebony informed me that you'd like company in the furance and to talk about my sword," Hefting that sword, making a little face of strain, "What happened?"
[21:03] <Afina> "Oh, if you can endure the fire you're welcome to join us," Afina smiles brightly, promptly tugging her skirt back off and fluttering back into the grand forge, patting the space between her and Simmer for Kascha. "You know how Zaaman Rul asked for an item or a service for the Quilium? The service was to capture a Sundered Sun currently in Magmaforge," she begins to explain while waiting for
[21:03] <Afina> Kascha.
[21:04] <Kotono> Kascha blushes and looks around, before murmuring words. Her body becomes that of flame and fire, crackling bright. To Afina her beauty seems to become clarified and far more interesting than plain, unburnt flesh. She disrobes and slides in, the three cozy. She drags her sword in with her, "I haven't had a superheated sweat since I joind Aurora," she says, "But isn't this a weaponforge?"
[21:08] <Afina> *Magmasoul I meant above
[21:08] <Afina> "We have to make do," Afina blushes. "In time we'll make lava pools like the hot springs and aquarium, as well as something for the air elementals. Anyway," she gets back to her story, smiling at the now fiery angel, "Magmasoul is a sacred place on Fire, currently ruled over by Imix. I was able to infiltrate it all the way to the core, but just as I attacked the Sundered Sun, I tripped a wall
[21:08] <Afina> of dispel magic he'd prepared. Foolish mistake, but fatal down there. Burning to death, I took the only way out I saw, casting myself into the heart of Magmasoul... I emerged on the surface of Fire like this. I'm no longer a fey, but a creature of pure fire."
[21:21] <Kotono> "Oh." Kascha gasps, "I'm so sorry!"
[21:24] * Afina nods accepting Kascha's commiserations. "It's awkward. I have all these instincts telling me it's fine and natural - I even thought you looked better after you cast that spell," she reaches across and touches Kascha's now aflame hair briefly, "And I became captivated watching things melt and burn on Fire and here. But intellectually I know things were better before. Anyway, you come from a realm that's all about melding the four elements together even though they're revolted by each other, and I wanted to know how you do it."
[21:29] <Kotono> "I say listen to your instincts," Simmer pipes up, "But go on."
[21:30] <Kotono> "Oh, of course!" Kascha nods to that, "That's why you want to see my sword?"
[21:32] <Afina> "I was more interested in you than your sword," Afina replies, shaking her head. "Cauldron Iron might offer some insights, but it's the people of Cauldron I want to know about here, how it all fits together. If I could accept all the other elements into me the same way, it would make me balanced, closer to nature even with being cut from the Cycle. Also, Baleruk said if I did that I could learn
[21:32] <Afina> to be like him... I doubt Titania or the Queen of Air and Darkness have the same worries Bahamut and Tiamat have, so it's an option worth thinking about."
[21:36] <Kotono> "We've been working on it. First of all, Cauldron Iron was the first real success," Grunting as she lifts the blade with one hand, "It's much harder with living creatures. Once you have Fire within you, your body will aggressively reject Water. Adding equal amounts of Water into you will most likely kill you as sure as lethal poison. Two elements can be combined that make a para elemental plane,
[21:36] <Kotono> such as fire and earth. Adding more than that runs into the problems of opposition."
[21:39] <Afina> "There's no way to work around the circle?" Afina asks, "If I started with air and used that as a bridge to water, or used my fire to bridge air to earth?"
[21:43] <Kotono> "We've been working with that, but it's difficult." Kascha admits, "Air and Earth oppose, as do Water and Fire. Fire and Air, or Fire and Earth can be done. Seira's been experimenting, trying to create a whole new type of composite omni elemental. The problem is that the elemental forces have to be perfectly balanced, like four perfect spheres, and the magic involved in making the opposing
[21:43] <Kotono> elements not reject each other is heavy."
[21:46] <Afina> "I see," Afina nods as she digests that. "What about how other creatures manage? Baleruk absorbed essences from dragons of other elements than his original air element as a green dragon, and held them in check - the last one he got was a blue dragon of the earth element. And genies - they're very close to elementals, aren't they? But there's a type that's blended between the main four, even if
[21:47] <Afina> weaker, in Janni. Do you think there's anything to be learned from that?"
[21:50] <Kotono> "Seira's been studying them and sees them as a prospective lead," Nodding along to that, shifting as flames come up to lick all three of you, "The research is really not fully developed yet."
[21:52] <Afina> "Ah, well. I can be patient. I hadn't even considered it at all until Baleruk mentioned it. In the meantime I'll at least try to find out about other elemental sites like Magmasoul so I know where they are if needed," Afina decides. "I'd like to visit the Cauldron with you sometime, just to see it for myself if that's alright?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "Sure!" Kascha perks up, "Oh, that'll be f un, and it's warm there so you'll like it! There's these steel chambers for the fire elementals, where they channel pure fire in and magnify it."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Eh?" That gets Simmer's attention, focusing on the conversation again.
[21:58] <Afina> "Oh, that sounds a good place for practicing. I suddenly know a lot more fire spells than I used to!" Afina giggles. "What about clothes shops? I need clothes that won't burn, like my hat and Simmer's outfit."
[22:04] <Kotono> "Oh, we have a boutique that specializes in it," Kascha goes on, "We're not Brightwater, but Seira has helped a lot of shops get started in the Cauldron." Smiling now, "I can probably get you a discount, too."
[22:08] <Afina> "We definitely need to go there, then," Afina nods resolutely. "There was something else I wanted to ask... both of you, really. I've died hundreds of times before, but that was always an ending leading to a new beginning. Now if I die, I'll just reform on Fire, won't I? What's that like?"
[22:11] <Kotono> Kascha shakes her head, pain coming to her face. Simmer smiles bravely, "Afina, I won't lie. It hurts. It hurts a lot. I died from the cold spells of a nymph. There was a time where I knew nothing but the bitter chill of death and that magic, before my body reformed." Here Kascha speaks up, "It's worst if something that opposes you kills you. Evil killing good, law killing chaos, fire killing
[22:11] <Kotono> water and so forth. Neutral killings aren't so bad. I'm told its like falling asleep and waking up after oversleeping."
[22:13] <Afina> "It wasn't like that for you, was it?" Afina asks her sympathetically, scooting closer and putting her arm over the much larger angel's back to try and comfort her.
[22:16] <Kotono> "Devils killed me," Kascha whimpers now, starting to cry, "It hurt for weeks." Hissing tears of steam and fire leak from her eyes, "Each night I had nightmares of it happening, again and again! I saw the glaives stabbing int o me and I couldn't ever dodge! I was there, but I couldn't get away1 They were always too fast! Those leering, maggot covered faces!"
[22:18] <Afina> Her other arm goes around Kascha now, embracing her in a flaming hot hug to offer what comfort she can. "We won't let that ever happen again. You're safe with us, right Simmer?" she looks over at the dryad to try and get her to help as well.
[22:19] <Kotono> Simmer reaches over, stroking her shoulder, "See, I burn devils I find. They hate that. They're too busy burning to stab anyone."
[22:20] <Afina> "There, you see?" she tells Kascha with a smile, patting her back and wiping her tears away. "In dreams is the only place they can hurt you, and we have special beds for that, too."
[22:21] <Kotono> Hiccuping and sniffling, "O-okay," Kascha murmurs, "Sorry, just...just it hit close when Simmer started talking and..." Taking a shaky breath, "So don't let water or cold kill you. Ever."
[22:23] <Afina> "I won't," Afina nods sollemnly, "And I'm sorry for bringing back bad memories, it was thoughtless of me. Lets go back to something nice?" Letting go of Kascha and rolling onto her back beside her, she looks up at the top of the forge, "What sort of fashions do they have in the Cauldron?"
[22:28] <Kotono> "Oh," Picking up from that, "Amaryl's been partial to greens the last year and they've been popular. Green, lowcut dress-tunics with hose and a belt are popular, especially amid elves and human women. Emeralds are always popular, though this year rubies and any dark blue gemstones have been more popular to offset all the green. For armor, anything that shows an elemental is considered at least
[22:28] <Kotono> passingly fashionable. Hairstyles are going through a short haired favor - the ladies like cutting it short, then using magic to grow it long when it passes." Taking a bit of flaming hair and blowing it out of her face, a puff of fire following, "Anything short and face-framing is in, especially if you have brown or red hair. As for shoes, the higher the heel, the better! There's these cute red
[22:28] <Kotono> high heels, six inch heels. They're murder to walk in, but they're just so cute to wear."
[22:30] <Afina> Tugging briefly on a lock of her own short ruddy red hair, Afina shrugs afterwards and decides that she passes. "I'm used to wearing slippers even though I hardly ever walk... but that makes them better anyway. No sense wearing heavy boots or high heels if you're never on the ground..."
[22:31] <Kotono> "Hats are out this season, though," Kascha points out, "The emphasis is on the short haircuts, not what's covering them." Going on from that, "That means ou can wear them without the discomfort. Plus with your new coloring, some fireblush would go a long way with yoru cheeks."
[22:36] <Kotono> Simmer leans in, "Trim that hair a bit, get her a cute dress and some jewelry?" She hums, "I think you'd fit in there."
[22:38] <Afina> "The hat stays," Afina's hands clutch it atop her head protectively. "It's not just the only object I've got from Lifasa, it's also heavily enchanted, now."
[22:41] <Kotono> "But..." Kascha begins, "It's...it's...challenging to work around," she finally says.
[22:42] <Kotono> "It's not challenging. It's Afina's unique signature," Simmer speaks up, "Wear it boldly."
[22:43] <Afina> "I will," Afina nods at Simmer, taking the hat off now and running fingers through the exposed hair on the crown of her head. "Look at me," she challenges Kascha, "Doesn't something just seem fundamentally wrong? Your mind tells you 'that's Afina' but your heart says that something's missing!"
[22:44] <Kotono> "Um..." Kascha considers, "Perhaps Simmer's right. Perhaps it is you," she says.
[22:47] <Afina> Considering her point made, Afina places her hat back where it belongs. "So what have you been up to since coming back from Zaaman Rul's realm anyway?"

[Corwin]

[19:42] <Kotono> Blushing and barely not sputtering as she recovers, Kascha goes on, "Studying magic, preparing. I've been researching lore on a celestial known as Grandfather Time. Ithea and I met him, but I've not found anything solid. According to lore, those level of angels tend to keep little attention on them. There's no great reason for my research; I'm really curious. It's...well...isn't it wonderful to
[19:42] <Kotono> imagine someone like that? He's...he's like everyone's grandfather, going about time. He's so nice, Afina."
[19:46] <Afina> "So is he the Celestial counterpart to the Duke of Destiny?" Afina asks, realising promptly that if such a powerful goodly being exists, there's no doubt a horrible counterpart to undo all the good he does. And then some.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Not quite," Kascha says, "I believe he's one of the keepers of the Temporal Compact. From what I've learned, there are nine keepers, one from each of the nine beliefs. He is the one of pure good. The Seer of Celestia, Erathaol is the one for law and good combined. I don't know myself if the Duke of Destiny is the one for Hell."
[19:54] <Kotono> "Mmm, mmm," Simmer murmurs throughout this, "Sounds like its set up so no one can get an edge."
[19:57] <Afina> "Ah, so there could be another devil with powers over time," Afina nods in resignation. "It's... actually terrifying to think about. No being should ever have the power to undo what's already been done, it makes reality suddenly tremendously fragile."
[20:01] <Kotono> "That's why the Temporal Compact was made," Kascha continues, "The Gods warred into Time itself. Legends say that Creation itself was threatened by waves of paradox. By unified agreement from all, time magic was sealed away and nine were appointed to oversee and protect time, removed from any other interests in that capacity. They are to ensure time is never again interfered with." Here Kascha
[20:01] <Kotono> shakes her head, "Seira's managed to grasp temporal mechanics. I haven't. I think you need to be a deity to do so, or unspeakably brillant. How can you comprehend a time loop? My head throbs when I try too hard. How can something be and no be at the same time?"
[20:02] <Kotono> "Or insane," Simmer pipes up, "If you can say something's two contradictory things at once, I think you're ready for an alysum."
[20:04] <Afina> "27 could handle it, I bet," Afina snorts, adding for Simmer's benefit, "He's a slaad prophet or seer of some sort that we picked up on Limbo before meeting Baleruk."
[20:08] <Kotono> "HEY!" Suddenly Kascha sits up, "Of course, 27!" Slamming her hand into her fist, "A slaad's already insane, so it's not like it can be any worse!"
[20:16] <Afina> "Well, that and he seems to know what's what when it comes to time and possibilities," Afina admits her own reasoning, looking up curiously anyway since Kascha seems to have had an epiphany. And she looks much nicer focused on a challenging but stimulating problem than recalling her nightmares.
[20:24] <Kotono> Sitting up now, starting to murmur to herself, "If that's true, then if..." She gets up and out, dressing without even seeming to pay attention. She gets her robe on wrong, hanging off her chest and not keeping her decency, and her halo is at an angle. She doesn't even seem to notice, though.
[20:25] <Afina> While it might increase the morale of some, she knows Kascha would be horrified if someone saw her so dishevelled, so Afina springs out of the forge and quickly flies after the angel, grabbing her robe at the side and lifting it up in case she's not listening as Afina tells her, "Be careful, Kascha, your clothes are barely on!"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Huh?" Kascha looks down,b efore turning red as a beet. "AH!" Quickly going with Afina and fixing, "Thank you, thank you! That's so embarrassing when it happens, or when I walk out of the public bathhouses naked because I have an idea to think about!"
[20:32] <Afina> "That's happened before?" Afina asks with wide eyes, even as she goes to collect her own clothing and slip it back on.
[20:40] <Kotono> "Um, a few times?" Blushing deeply red, looking down, "One time I had a breakthrough that helped finish Cauldron Iron," she protests, "I went from the baths to the forges at a run, and was halfway through making new diagrams before Lumembur came by and made a comment."
[20:43] <Afina> Shaking her head in despair, "You need a minder, Kascha... but you came up with the breakthrough for Cauldron Iron? I guess your head's too full of astonishing thoughts to catch up with the little things," she approves nonetheless. "Come find me if you have time after 27 and you can tell me about it? And tomorrow we can see about a trip to the Cauldron if that's alright?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "I don't need a minder!" Kascha blushes dark, "It's sort of vexing. I mean, I wasn't this bad in my mortal life. But after being one with Arborea so long, it's so much easier to track of everything outside of me."
[20:46] <Kotono> Simmer sticks her head out of the furnace, shrugging and coming out to get dressed too.
[20:48] <Afina> "And that's why you need someone to help you catch up with those things outside," Afina nods, her point made. "You're nice enough I doubt anyone would mind helping out... though I guess few mind you running around half-naked, either, at that."
[20:50] <Kotono> "The elementals don't care," Kascha says, "But Amaryl is scandalized by it." Reddening even more, "So...I'm really supposed to pay more attention, since a naked angel running around gives visitors considerable pause and leads to awkward explinations."
[20:55] <Afina> "Awww!" Afina is struck by the redness on top of that flaming countenance, and impulsively flies in to give Kascha a quick hug. "You're too cute at times," she giggles, letting go and fluttering back. "I bet that's what those visitors think as well, I suppose..."
[20:56] <Kotono> Kascha smiles at that, despite blush, "Now if a cute guy would just say that," she adds with a deeper sigh. "But thank you, Afina."
[20:58] <Afina> "I don't plan on changing my body that much, sorry," Afina laughs that off. "But maybe 27'll say something nice when you go see him?"
[21:01] <Kotono> With that, Kascha runs off. As she's gone Simmer looks to Afina, "How's the transition going for you?" she asks, right to the point.
[21:03] <Afina> "Well, you heard all that I just said back there," Afina shrugs, "I'd rather not be this way if I had a choice, and I'm open to ways of moderating it. Until I manage that, though, I just have to accept it and get on with life. The Crusade can't afford me losing focus... but speaking of that, how about going into Ysgard to burn some things?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "Let's!" OOC: Skip along ab it?
[21:04] <Afina> OOC: sure
[21:05] <Kotono> Thus the duo heads out into Ysgard. As you step out into the chill air, "AFINA!" A ragged, hacking voice calls! Staggering in your direction, a few hundred feet away and coming down a mountain slope, is Tannin. He staggers and limps, color that of newly drawn milk mixed with green mold. His hood is down, sweat pouring down his face. His arm is tucked into his cloak.
[21:08] <Afina> "Tannin!" Afina exclaims herself, rushing towards him and promptly dimension dooring both of them to Aurora's gates. Bracing him as best as she can while flying, she starts helping him towards the infirmary. "Elena, ask the Jarl to come to the infirmary at once!" she calls once within the courtyard.
[21:10] <Kotono> "NO!" Tannin hacks, "Go back...it's coming." Taking his arm out, a blackened stump without a hand, "The demon is coming. It defeated Muirfinn...his companion's circling around...kept 'em on me...heading this way, teleporting and playing with me. Arrows don't work," he babbles, "Lillend, so many dead. Cut through them like wheat. Bloody red wheat." Coughing and falling to his knees, "Beware the
[21:10] <Kotono> spirit bound to him...and everything around him rots and dies. Stay away...but stop him before he gets here. He brings death."
[21:13] <Afina> "Dammit, Elena, change that, we need the Jarl here!" she amends as Tannin collapses. "Hang on, help's coming. No demon's going to penetrate Aurora's defences," she reassures Tannin, waiting for someone to come and help him but keeping an eye on the gates. "Simmer, get back inside now!"
[21:15] <Afina> While she waits she casts shield first, other spells to follow since battle's likely imminent.
[21:17] <Kotono> Simmer does just that! As Elena vanishes, "HAH! So this is Aurora?" A voice, booming like breaking bones, thunders. The creature appears 50ft from the gates of Aurora. This massive creature is the size of a giant, and it sports chipped, antlerlike horns from which hang desiccated bodies and skulls. The creature wears intricate armor, and dark, pitted plates cover legs that end in hooves. Its
[21:17] <Kotono> many-fingered hand holds a broad greatsword. Swirling around its body is a phantasmal image, covered in shrouds save for its face. Its face is a mask of pained despair, an amulet hanging from its neck. The creature before you raises its sword in salute a moment, as black energies swirl and crash against the outer barriers of Aurora!
[21:18] <Kotono> Simmer's breath catches in her throat, as flames dance around her hands, "Fiend," she mutters darkly, "Afina. You said you wanted to melt some things, didn't you?"
[21:22] <Afina> "Demons are easier to burn than devils, aren't they?" Afina agrees brightly, sweeping her hand before herself, flames dancing after her fingers in a line that solidifies as she clenches her fist at the end of the movement, a searing blistering dagger of flame at the ready. Slowly, giving time for help to come for Tannin, she walks towards the gates. "Do you think to challenge Aurora, demon?"
[21:22] <Afina> she calls out in response to his barrage of negative energy. "Turn away or be prepared to suffer a final death." Just not immediately, they still need to figure out the secret there...
[21:23] <Kotono> SImmer follows, and brightly adds, "A particularly unpleasant, burning one."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Courage!" Laughing, the huge demon swipes a bloody swath through the air with his blade. "I seek more worthy warriors like the turtle who fell to my blade! Are there any warriors brave enough to face me?"
[21:25] <Kotono> Meanwhile people are reacting. Soldiers are dashing forward, the Jarl running over from the Galuh board. You can see the Graceful Blow tower emptying out, Mirima and Misalea at the head of it.
[21:25] <Afina> roll 1d20+30 hey I now know stuff about the planes
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+30 hey I now know stuff about the planes and gets 34." [1d20=4]
[21:26] <Kotono> Afina: The creature before you is a Deathdrinker. An aura of unlife surrounds it, dealing serious negative energy damage each round. They carry blades that feed on wounds and store the blood, using it to inflict grevious harm. They're about as strong as a balor and can teleport and fully attack in an instant.
[21:28] <Afina> "Hold back," Afina instructs the reinforcements. "His aura of unlife deters mass assaults. Simmer and I will handle this," she hastes Simmer and herself before emerging out of the gate's defences to engage the foe.
[21:29] <Kotono> Thus the two emerge out! Immediately the life of Ysgard is replaced by a heavy, cloying sense of death! You can feel your body immediately starting to wither! "Blood and glory!" the demon shouts, "I am Thorazul, Slaughterfriend!" OOC: Init here.

[21:29] <Afina> roll 1d20+26
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+26 and gets 40." [1d20=14]
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Simmer
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Simmer and gets 26." [1d20=16]
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20=10
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20=10 and gets Error: Numeric values only." [1d20=1]
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: 11.
[21:30] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(40)>Simmer(26)>Thorazul(11)'
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: Open Afina.
[21:34] <Afina> "You face Afina, Pyropixie," Afina tells him, proceeding to live up to that name as she speeds herself up immensely, providing time to bracket the demon with a pair of timed blistering fireballs that detonate just as she slows down, still moving at tremendous speed as she blitzes towards him, stabbing twice and repositioning sixty five feet behind him just outside of the aura.
[21:34] <Afina> roll 1d20+18 SR fireball 1
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+18 SR fireball 1 and gets 32." [1d20=14]
[21:34] <Afina> roll 1d20+18 SR fireball 2
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+18 SR fireball 2 and gets 23." [1d20=5]
[21:34] <Afina> roll 1d20+18 SR dagger
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+18 SR dagger and gets 38." [1d20=20]
[21:34] <Afina> roll 18d6+7 DC 29 reflex fireball 1
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 18d6+7 DC 29 reflex fireball 1 and gets 64." [18d6=1, 2, 6, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 4, 2, 6, 1, 5, 4, 5, 1]
[21:34] <Kotono> OOC: Two successes on SR, yes.
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 20." [1d20=3]
[21:35] <Afina> roll 1d20+32 melee touch
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+32 melee touch and gets 41." [1d20=9]
[21:35] <Afina> roll 1d20+27 melee touch
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 melee touch and gets 28." [1d20=1]
[21:35] <Afina> roll 1d4+16+5d6+2d6
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+16+5d6+2d6 and gets 49." [1d4=2][5d6=5, 6, 5, 4, 6][2d6=4, 1]
[21:36] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(40)>Simmer(26)>Thorazul=Spirit of the Greatest Foe(11)'
[21:36] <Kotono> OOC: Forgot him in init, but he holds anyway.
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 ref for him
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 ref for him and gets 29." [1d20=10]
[21:36] <Afina> OOC: does he need a incorporeal m is roll?
[21:37] <Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[21:37] <Afina> roll 1d100
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d100 and gets 52." [1d100=52]
[21:37] <Kotono> Flames explode around the demon, before Afina zips past him! Flames burst around him and Thorazul, burning both! The demon grunts a moment in surprise, as...OOC: Simmer's up.
[21:41] <Kotono> Running 60ft away along the wall of Aurora, Simmer chants words of power! Energy gathers around her, as she emits a single bead of fire towards the demon, which promptly explodes around him in a sunburst! OOC: Assay SR, Searing Delayed Blast Fireball, battle spell+1, metamagic specialist.)
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31 SR check
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 SR check and gets 39." [1d20=8]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 reflex Thorazul
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 reflex Thorazul and gets 34." [1d20=17]
[21:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 Spirit
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 Spirit and gets 34." [1d20=15]
[21:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100 on spirit
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 on spirit and gets 20." [1d100=20]
[21:42] <Kotono> roll 19d6+19 ignores resistance
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 19d6+19 ignores resistance and gets 74." [19d6=2, 4, 2, 2, 4, 1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 4, 3, 1, 1, 2, 5, 5, 2, 2]
[21:42] * Muirfinn (Muirfinn@h69-128-28-206.vnhlil.dedicated.static.tds.net) has joined #dunes
[21:44] <Kotono> "Guh!" Thorazul grunts, staggering with dual flame assaults! Burnt all over but still standing, he simply vanishes, appearing behind Afina! His blade strikes out swiftly, unhesitating and looming over the tiny pyrofey!
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+36
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 and gets 41." [1d20=5]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 and gets 45." [1d20=14]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 29." [1d20=3]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 41." [1d20=20]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21 crit?
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 crit? and gets 29." [1d20=8]
[21:44] <Afina> OOC: AC 54, 50% miss chance
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 4d6+23 ow
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d6+23 ow and gets 36." [4d6=1, 2, 6, 4]
[21:45] <Kotono> Afina takes a blow across the front, the side of his blade swiping her back and sending stars dancing in her vision! A moment later the Spirit reaches out! It looks transparent and shuddering in the sunlight, crying out, "No...no! Don't make me...aaaaaaaaah!" Nonetheless it reaches out right for Afina!
[21:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 (-5 daylight) touch AC?
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 (-5 daylight) touch AC? and gets 25." [1d20=11]
[21:46] <Afina> OOC: 52 if it's incorporeal touch
[21:46] <Kotono> The ghostly spirit grasps out for Afina, but she's too fast! It howls in pain, "It huuuuurts!" it cries, even as energy flows into it and gnaws at Afina!
[21:46] <Kotono> roll 6d6 negative energy to Afina and healing to the spirit
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d6 negative energy to Afina and healing to the spirit and gets 20." [6d6=5, 6, 1, 3, 4, 1]
[21:47] <Kotono> OOC: Go AFina.
[21:50] <Afina> Needing him to die quickly, since at this rate he could outlast her thanks to that aura, Afina replicates her initial assault, exhausting her most powerful magic to call on a pair of fireballs at radically sped up time before stabbing him twice and fleeing past him to lure him away from Aurora!
[21:50] <Afina> roll 2#1d20+18 fireball SR
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 2#1d20+18 fireball SR and gets 60." [2#1d20+18 = 36, 24]
[21:50] <Afina> roll 1d100 miss chance for spirit
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d100 miss chance for spirit and gets 22." [1d100=22]
[21:50] <Afina> roll 18d6 DC 29
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 18d6 DC 29 and gets 67." [18d6=5, 4, 4, 1, 4, 6, 3, 3, 2, 6, 1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5, 3, 5]
[21:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 Thorazul
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 Thorazul and gets 18." [1d20=1]
[21:50] <Afina> roll 1d20+32 touch
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+32 touch and gets 45." [1d20=13]
[21:50] <Afina> roll 1d20+27 touch
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 touch and gets 38." [1d20=11]
[21:51] <Afina> roll 1d4+16+5d6+2d6
[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+16+5d6+2d6 and gets 49." [1d4=3][5d6=1, 3, 6, 6, 6][2d6=3, 5]
[21:51] <Afina> roll 1d4+16+5d6+2d6
[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+16+5d6+2d6 and gets 34." [1d4=3][5d6=2, 2, 1, 3, 3][2d6=3, 1]
[21:53] <Kotono> Thorazul is rocked by blows, as Simmer approaches to within 40ft! She seems untouched by the aura, white fires burning around her! "Oh glorious fires! Melt this bastard's bones!" A sphere of fire explodes out, forming and staying in shape as it burns the demon! OOC: Searing Fiery Lingering Flames. Battle spell+1, metamagic specialist, assay SR still active
[21:53] <Kotono> .
[21:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31 SR check
[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 SR check and gets 33." [1d20=2]
[21:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 Thorazul
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 Thorazul and gets 21." [1d20=4]
[21:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 spirit
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 spirit and gets 25." [1d20=6]
[21:55] <Kotono> OOC: Meant to be overwhelming, forgot that was declared instead of automatic. Sorry, still getting used to her and she has lots of fiddly bits.
[21:56] <Kotono> roll 15d6+30
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15d6+30 and gets 78." [15d6=1, 5, 4, 3, 5, 1, 1, 3, 4, 1, 4, 6, 3, 3, 4]
[21:56] <Kotono> roll 1d100 spirit
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 spirit and gets 84." [1d100=84]
[21:57] <Kotono> The ball of fire stays in place, immolating the duo and rendering them momentarily overwhelmed by the burning hot, white fires around them! "Got 'em!" Simmer calls, "Afina, fire everything you have at them now!" OOC: AFina, go. 20ft radius fireball is lignering around them.
[22:02] <Afina> Freezing time again, Afina captures them within a circular wall of flame, punching the deathdrinker once and stabbing him with searing flames on her follow through before she flees seventy feet the other way!
[22:02] <Afina> roll 1d20+18 SR for wall of flame
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+18 SR for wall of flame and gets 32." [1d20=14]
[22:02] <Afina> roll 2d6+18 (doubled vs undead)
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 2d6+18 (doubled vs undead) and gets 25." [2d6=2, 5]
[22:02] <Afina> roll 1d20+32 punch
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+32 punch and gets 34." [1d20=2]
[22:03] <Afina> roll 1d20+27 melee touch stab
[22:03] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 melee touch stab and gets 41." [1d20=14]
[22:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+31 SR for lingering flames, let me sort this part out first
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 SR for lingering flames, let me sort this part out first and gets 36." [1d20=5]
[22:06] <Kotono> OOC: -10, Assay SR doesn't apply to you. Okay.
[22:07] <Afina> roll 1d20+25 evasion. That doesn't beat my SR.
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+25 evasion. That doesn't beat my SR. and gets 30." [1d20=5]
[22:07] <Kotono> OOC: Beats SR. Two hits. Damag.e
[22:07] <Afina> roll 1d3+15+5d6+2d6 nonlethal
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d3+15+5d6+2d6 nonlethal and gets 39." [1d3=3][5d6=3, 4, 3, 3, 3][2d6=1, 4]
[22:07] <Afina> roll 1d4+16+5d6+2d6 searing fire
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+16+5d6+2d6 searing fire and gets 46." [1d4=1][5d6=5, 4, 6, 4, 2][2d6=4, 4]
[22:08] <Kotono> Under that assault, Thorazul shudders and stumbles, before collapsing down, out cold! Meanwhile the Spirit howls and shudders, writhing in the flames! OOC: Simmer's up.
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 lingering flames on Spirit
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 lingering flames on Spirit and gets 25." [1d20=6]
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 19." [1d100=19]
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 15d6+30 Thorazul
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15d6+30 Thorazul and gets 88." [15d6=6, 2, 6, 2, 5, 2, 5, 6, 4, 2, 6, 1, 5, 4, 2]
[22:12] <Kotono> As the Spirit and Thorazul continue to char away, Simmer points and throws another delayed fireball into the bonfire as the spirit screams!
[22:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21 SR OOC: Searing DBF, battle spell, metamagic specialist, overwhelming.
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 SR OOC: Searing DBF, battle spell, metamagic specialist, overwhelming.  and gets 22." [1d20=1]
[22:13] <Kotono> OOC: Yes, SR 21 is that worthless at this level.
[22:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 ref
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 ref and gets 38." [1d20=19]
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 19d6+19
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 19d6+19 and gets 79." [19d6=1, 1, 4, 4, 2, 5, 3, 4, 4, 2, 6, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 6, 5]
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[22:14] <Kotono> Under the sunlight and flames, the Spirit of the Greatest Foe dissolves away! Meanwhile Thorazul burns, body melting into beautiful, glorious slag over the LIngering Flames! Meanwhile, behind the party, a great cheer erupts from Aurora! OOC: Ow. Free act.

[22:15] <Afina> Fluttering closer and landing, Afina seems quite happy to sit and watch the demon burn away into cinders...
[22:17] <Kotono> Simmer comes on over, staring as well. She comes over next to Afina, as the demon's remains melt. She licks her lips, "Good job," she says, "Oooh, I like it, I like it." Amid the overwhelming flames, his armor has smelted down. However, a pair of amulets remain, as well as the demon's sword.
[22:18] <Afina> "Ahhh, that was nice," Afina sighs happily, getting up and walking over, she looks to see if the armour can be repaired or salvaged at all first...
[22:18] <Kotono> The armor looks to be a total loss - nothing but dross is left. The sword and amulets look okay, though.
[22:19] <Kotono> Simmer watches as the flames fade, going to run her fingers through the dross. She gives it a little lick, "Mmmmmm." Sighing happily, "See what I mean?" Flicking her fingers clean, and grabbing the amulets, "They left non flammable treasure, too! How nice!"
[22:21] * Afina nods. "The armour can't have been any good if it melted so easily. Our policy is to sell or exchange salvage with the main treasury, half their value going to the treasury and the other half split between those who earned it. But lets check on Tannin before seeing what we've won." With that, she grabs the heavy sword and drags it along while fluttering back into Aurora.
[22:23] <Kotono> You find Tannin resting in the infirmary. The Jarl towers over him, Tannin's hand restored. "He's exhausted, poisoned, his lifeforce was drained, some of his vitality was stolen, he has vile wounds," Ticking off fingers, "He's lucky to be alive!"
[22:24] <Afina> "Ysgard must have been keeping him going as he ran all the way here... but what was that you said before?" she looks now at Tannin. "That thing killed Muirfinn?"
[22:27] <Kotono> Tannin is not aware to speak. "I can wake him if you need me to," The Jarl says, reaching out to shake Tannin awake. He groants but awakens, looking up, "Eh?"
[22:29] <Afina> "Sorry to wake you, Tannin," Afina looks at him sympathetically. "The demon's been killed, though. What were you saying before, though? About Muirfinn?"
[22:30] <Kotono> "Dead, I think. He stayed back to cover my retreat from the demon." Hanging his head, "They fought, I looked back, and I saw Muirfinn go down. The lillends were fighting him too, but the arrows they had couldn't pierce him. It was a massacre."
[22:30] <Kotono> Quietly, "It was bad luck. Just bad luck. We stumbled on him. Wasn't a devil, wasn't an ambush...just stupid damn luck!"
[22:32] * Afina pats Tannin's hands. "It was, but nevermind it for now. Go back to sleep and rest up, we'll find out about Muirfinn - he's like I am, now, so if he died he'd reform on Water. We'll go and divine what happened and you'll be the first to know, okay?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yeah. Thanks." Tannin shakes his head, "Not tired now." His hand surges up and down, slamming into the bed he lies on. "Damn it! We were completely routed."
[22:35] <Afina> "I'll ask how the battle went later, but finding Muirfinn comes first." Recalling that one of their new recruits specialises in divinations, she calls on Elena. "Elena? Can you tell me where Balyss is?"
[22:36] <Kotono> Elena appears, "She's in the Library with Sylvie," She reports, "I don't think she even heard about this entire battle, they're pretty wrapped up in things."
[22:37] <Afina> "It was a short one, at least," Afina admits to that. "Thank you, Elena. Coming, Simmer?" she asks, heading to the portal.
[22:39] <Kotono> Thus the two get to the library. As you look about, no immediate sign of the duo, "Too bad Balyss and Sylvie weren't nearby. A reunion in battle would've been fun."
[22:40] <Afina> "It would've, but I'm sure you'll get chances," Afina consoles, flying around and scouring Medi's great library for the two Balmurians.
[22:49] <Kotono> The two are found opposite each other. Balyss and Sylvie are both asleep, the former gently snoring. Sylvie has a book in her lap, dangling off the edge of her knees and threatening to fall off. Balyss is holding her holy symbol tight, like a stuffed animal.
[22:52] <Afina> Holding her hand up to her mouth, Afina tries to muffle herself before whispering, "That's adorable!" Fluttering over she picks up Sylvie's book and puts a marker in it before closing it on the reading table. Retreating back a bit she says to Simmer, "Rather than wake them, lets find Vul'lath instead. He's a diviner, too."
[22:54] <Kotono> Simmer grins and hides her own smile behind her hand, "Aaaaw," she says, "Let's." Sage Vul'lath is found in the library. He pours over a tome, two acolytes standing silently behind him. As you approach one leans in and whispers to him, which causes him to mark his place in the book and turn ot Afina. "General," he says politely, "Are you in need of my services?"
[22:57] <Afina> "Unfortunately so," Afina nods. "I don't know if you heard about the fuss outside, a deathdrinker demon attempted to assault Aurora after pursuing Tannin halfway across Ysgard. It had fought him and Muirfinn in the endless staircase, and Tannin thinks Muirfinn was slain. I need you to divine if he's reformed on water, or contact him to see if he needs to be picked up, please," she requests.
[23:07] <Kotono> "I understand," Sage Vul'lath frowns, "I shall use potent magic then to ascertain this swiftly. Stand back."
[23:07] <Kotono> Simmer stands back, "How swift?"
[23:08] <Afina> "Thank you," Afina nods, fluttering back and taking a look at the sword and bracers while Vul'lath does his own magic.
[23:08] <Afina> roll 2#1d20+32 spellcraftan
[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 2#1d20+32 spellcraftan and gets 91." [2#1d20+32 = 41, 50]
[23:09] <Kotono> OOC: Hold that thought a sec, I'll loot post them after session anyway.
[23:10] <Kotono> Sage Vul'lath traces circles through the air in seconds, which appear in lines of blazing white power, "Weave of Magic, hear my words! In the name of Vul'lath, obey me and form the magic of divination! Tell me the fate of the tortle Muirfinn of the Shellscale!"
[23:12] <Kotono> There is a momentary rumble in the air, then Vul'lath sits back down as the circle fades. "A brutish attempt at magic," he observes, "But it is seldom ineffective nor slow. I quote, 'So did brave Muirfinn plunge with the woman of the snake tribe into the spaces between the Eternal Stair, lost to the eyes of all.'