038.7 Muirfinn and the aftermath of the Infinite Stairway

[Corwin]

[20:51] <Kotono> Vivantha continues to stare up, before going back to Muirfinn, "Tannin, was he the other mortal who was with you?"
[20:52] <Muirfinn> "Yes. He was with a new friend of mine and he was pretty torn up by all this before we started fighting the demon. I'm glad he got away, but I'd like to go see him."
[20:54] <Kotono> "As would I," Vivantha replies, "May I come with you?"
[20:54] <Muirfinn> "Of course."
[20:56] <Kotono> With that the duo go to find Tannin. He rests in the infirmary, the Jarl looming over him with crossed arms. Tannin looks to be staring off at the ceiling, resting.
[20:58] <Muirfinn> "Jarl," Muirfinn nods at the giant, "how is he?"
[20:59] <Kotono> "I'm awake," Tannin grouses, turning his head to Muirfinn. He exhales, sighing, "Damn, you made it after all. I thought you were dead!"
[21:03] <Muirfinn> "Ah, good. I'm afraid I'm a bit harder to kill than most men you will meet, even most tortles. Even if I had perished, the Mother Ocean would have looked kindly upon my death. Protection is in her nature. My new friend here, Vivantha and her sisters, aided me and kept me alive for the fight, long enough to give you and Chok a bit of running room. I owe them a debt I cannot repay for
[21:03] <Muirfinn> that." Muirfinns says.
[21:07] <Kotono> Sighing again, "Fucking hell." he mutters, "We're damned lucky we aren't dead or worse. If that bastard of a zombie hadn't gotten in that lucky shot, this wouldn't have happened!"
[21:08] <Kotono> Vivantha bows her head, "No. It is not you who owe us. We owe you for risking your lives against a great evil. If not for the Lannark Imperium, our leaders and heroes would have dispatched the demon before you ever saw it."
[21:10] <Muirfinn> "Tannin, I could barely hold the thing off. Even without the zombie, it was bad, and that thing could still be out there. Who knows where it wound up." Muirfinn says, then looks at Vivantha. "What's the Lannark Imperium? It sounds like they're hindering you?"
[21:17] <Kotono> "A group of dragon blooded humans from a Prime. They've discovered the Infinite Staircase and have set out to conquer it. Negotiations to ward them away have failed, and they have declared war on us." Shaking her head, with a helpless sounding laugh, "The entire Imperium must be filled with great fools. Nonetheless, we have to defend ourselves and cut off incursions before they try toe
[21:17] <Kotono> establish secure camps within."
[21:19] <Muirfinn> "Conquering it would give them access to...pretty much everywhere, right?" Muirfinn muses. "I don't suppose they're related to evil dragons? That would make this all so much simpler."
[21:36] <Kotono> "It can't be permitted because of that," Vivantha agrees, "I don't know. I haven't been involved in the battles."
[21:38] * Muirfinn taps his beak. "We can look into it, I'm sure." Muirfinn looks over to Tannin. "Tannin, when we originally set out on this mission, you said that something was happening back on your home plane. What exactly is going on there?"
[21:39] <Kotono> "A friend's in trouble," Tannin says, "Oh hell, I forgot all about it in this!" Grunting as he sits up, before the Jarl's hand forcefully pushes him back down, "I prescribed bed rest!" he insists, "That means you stay in bed!"
[21:41] <Muirfinn> "Injuring yourself further is hardly wise. How much trouble are we talking about here? What kind? Information, man."
[21:42] <Kotono> Tannin grunts as he is pushed down, hand engulfing his chest and torso. After a few moments he goes still, "The local ruler there is a corrupt twit," Tannin sighs, "My friend doesn't want to pay ball, life starts getting unpleasant for him."
[21:45] <Muirfinn> "So did you have a plan there, or were you going to kick in the proverbial door and save the day? Lack of prearedness has led us to disaster once already on this." Muirfinn says. "What's to stop another corrupt leader from taking his place and starting the cycle over again? Cutting the head from the weed will make no difference if it will grow back twice as gnarled."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Hell," Scratching his chin, "He's only been in power for a generation or so since the old Empire collapsed. I was going to put someone capable in charge or foist it off on the local international do-gooders. Knowing the Crimson Guard, they'll probably butt in at some point."
[21:50] <Muirfinn> "Tannin." Muirfinn says, giving the man a flat azure look. "I like you. You're a good man. What are two men supposed to do against a ruler and his likely large amount of guards?"
[21:54] <Kotono> Without blinking, "Swing in, confuse them, knock them out? I mean, these aren't devils. A punch each should take most of them out."
[21:57] <Muirfinn> "You are sure of this?" Muirfinn asks, "No surprises should we get there and an archmage decides to show up?"
[22:01] <Kotono> "There's the Crimson Guard, they're pretty good. You know Sylica and the Cauldron? The goddesses there were the first members. They're scarily capable when they apply themselves." Tannin shakes his head, "But I doubt they'll stick up for that tin tyrant."
[22:05] <Muirfinn> "Ah, yes. I've heard it mentioned a few times. Good to know that there are good people on this plane. How urgent is this? Can it wait for you to rest, or is your friend's life in danger?"
[22:05] <Kotono> "It-" The Jarl glares at Tannin a few moments, and he slumps, "It can wait until I'm rested up."
[22:08] * Muirfinn nods. "Good. As soon as the Jarl clears you then, we can set off. Perhaps a Plane Shift would be faster, next time. It would allow us to skip the Infinite Stair altogether, since you are worried for your friend." He looks over at Vivantha, "Would you care to join us? Oh, what am I thinking? Do you need to return to the Infinite Stair?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "I do," Vivantha says, "My sisters must know that the demon is vanquished."
[22:13] * Muirfinn nods. "I can direct you to the door we used, if you don't already know where to find it. I'll be contacting you regarding the Lannark Imperium soon. I'd like to know more about it. Please know that you are welcome here at the Aurora any time. Your sisters as well. We could use more scales around here." Muirfinn chuckles, making a bit of a hissing sound as he does so.
[22:18] <Kotono> That draws a song-like laughter as well, "A warm offer. Thank you," Smiling to him, "I can find the door on my own, worry not."
[22:22] * Muirfinn nods. "Alright then."
[22:30] <Kotono> Coming to Muirfinn, Vivantha gives him a tight hug. "Thank you, brave hero, for risking life and limb for us."
[22:32] <Muirfinn> Hugs! What is with people and hugs!? Muirfinn awkwardly pats her on the arm. "Ah, yes. You're welcome. I won't say it was a pleasure getting thrashed like that, but it was worth it."
[22:33] <Kotono> With a giggle as she slowly parts, "You have strong scales," she murmurs with a bat of her eyelashes, before parting and heading out.
[22:34] * Muirfinn looks at the empty doorway for a moment in consternation before shaking himself. "Well! Jarl, how much longer until he's ready to get limbs torn off again?"
[22:38] <Kotono> "A good night's rest and a hearty breakfast will fix him," The Jarl says.
[22:39] * Muirfinn nods. "We'll try it again tomorrow then, Tannin. Get some rest. I need to take care of these cursed wounds and talk to Afina anyway."