038.8 Makaril

[Corwin]

#ed

[19:43] <Kotono> On return to Aurora, a message goes out from Morniel to Jaela, Gisfal, Adrian and Ithea. The five gather, and without fanfare he begins, "I've set up a meeting with Makaril," he says, "It took more time than I thought, but he'll meet you in Elysium. He specified that he wants to meet the leaders of Aurora in particular."
[19:44] <Jaela> "Good job," Jaela says, nodding at Morniel. "This is is the chance we've been waiting for."
[19:45] * Ithea nods as well, agreeing. "When does he want to meet?"
[19:47] <Kotono> "As soon as possible." Morniel replies, "He awaits at Restinghome, a village on the banks of the river Oceanus."
[19:48] <Jaela> "Where is Afina?"
[19:49] <Kotono> "Afina and Muirfinna recovering from an incident with a Deathdrinker demon who assailed Muirfinn and then Aurora," Morniel explains.
[19:52] <Kotono> "If he wants to see the commanding troops, that's myself, Afina, Jaela, Ithea and Gisfal. Anyone else we should bring along?" he asks, sitting back deep in his chair, hand on his amulet. "Arguably we should leave a general in case something happens while we're gone."
[19:52] <Jaela> "I see. Yes, someone will need to stay behind in any case since we can't all go," Jaela agrees with Adrian. "Any volunteers?"
[19:54] <Kotono> "I'll stay," Gisfal speaks up, "He has no need for my presence to verify your ability or righteous drive, and you speak for your world better than I can."
[19:56] <Jaela> "Alright. It's still too much, but we'll try to make it a short absence. Morniel, please check with Afina and see about her preference. We will leave in an hour, and I would like you to come with us either way."

[Corwin]

[20:10] <Kotono> Meanwhile...
[20:11] <Kotono> As Afina goes to find Filbrez, it takes a little time. By misfortune his shop is closed for the rest of the afternoon. As she ponders that a moment, Elena appears before her. "Oh Afina. They need you in the meeting room. It's about Makaril," Elena says.
[20:12] <Afina> "Oh... alright, then," Afina swiftly changes gears, deeming this safely more important than a bank. Besides, she doesn't much like rivers anymore, anyway. "I'll go there now. Thanks, Elena."
[20:14] <Kotono> Afina finds Morniel, Gisfal, Jaela, Ithea and Adrian there. Morniel stnads as Afina enters, "Afina," the new pyrofey is greeted, "Makaril has requested a meeting in Elysium with Aurora's commanding officers, as soon as possible."
[20:14] <Jaela> "Gisfal volunteered to keep a lid on things, so the rest of us are good to go," Jaela adds to that. "How about it?"
[20:20] <Afina> "Oh, yes," Afina nods quickly. "There's something about Mercane and banks Muirfinn wants to talk about, but it can wait."
[20:22] * Jaela shrugs. "Mercane are patient, so it doesn't sound time-critical. I've been thinking of waiting, at first, but since we're all here let's just go. It was by the river Oceanus, Morniel? I'm pretty sure I know where to take us."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Banks and Mercane," Morniel speaks up, "I may know what this is about; I'll see to it."
[20:23] <Jaela> "I'd rather you came with us. We can listen to that story afterwards."
[20:25] <Kotono> "You wish for me to come?" Morniel says, "As you command." Nodding his head forward, "Aim for the village of Restinghome."
[20:25] <Jaela> She said as much before, and so Jaela just nods and stands up. "I'll shift us once we're past the gates."
[20:26] * Ithea stands up as well, getting ready to follow along.
[20:27] <Kotono> Peace. Peace and contentment, a feeling of being home. The senses of Elysium surround you in white light as Jaela shifts you towards the Blessed Fields. For long moments you can only feel that contentedness, then you hear the sound of water. The sound of a river, a gentle melody that underlays everything here. You stand in a village crafted of log and stone and sod, several dozen buildings
[20:27] <Kotono> in a casual, sprawling village. The ground is soft and grassy, the sun high in the sky.
[20:28] * Jaela spends a few moments observing Afina, first of all.
[20:29] <Afina> Afina's long pointed ears flick towards the sound of the burbling river and her face shows a momentary flicker of displeasure. Even the best river in the planes does nothing for her, now.
[20:29] * Jaela nods slightly, and asks Morniel, "Where to now? Do we knock on every door?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Let us look about. I am certain we will find the way," Morniel states, looking about. As you do, a child approaches. He is perhaps ten years old by human reckoning, though his race is that of the elves. His skin is a deep, otherworldly white. He smiles to the party, and with a solemn nod that clashes with his joy, he points down the street, "The final house at the very bank of the river,"
[20:31] <Kotono> he asys, simply, "Makaril awaits you."
[20:32] <Afina> "Thank you, child," Afina nods, starting to fly that way.
[20:32] * Ithea heads in the direction pointed out, nodding her own thanks as she follows behind Afina.
[20:35] <Kotono> At the end of the sprawling village is the great river. Waters race down it, wide enough here that the far bank can only be glimpsed faintly on the horizon. A simple house of stone sits here, plain and unassuming. Ivy covers much of it, the back of it right against the river. A pier juts out from it on the back end. The front end hasa doorway, no door in it - just open for whomever wishes.
[20:35] * Jaela strides forward, only pausing once she's crossed the doorway to knock on the wall.
[20:36] <Afina> At least it's not wood. Still pausing a moment to look at that ivy thoughtfully, the pyropixie follows Jaela inside.
[20:39] <Kotono> Within is a small, simple living room. Furniture of stained wood is about, rugged but servicable. A small fireplace crackles with fire. Before it, with his back to the flames, a single angel sits. He wears naught but a leather and iron kilt, iron plates stitched to leather. The iron plates are scarred and scratched up, gouged but not broken. The figure before you has bronzed skin and a
[20:39] <Kotono> powerful musculature. His eyes are a soft green, face patient and unexpressive. He sits with his legs crossed, an unsheathed blade of rippling purple-red in his lap. On seeing it, each of you feels a momentary hitch in your throats, an instinctive thrill of wary panic passing through you.  Set out before him are bowls and plates of food, joined by earthenware pots full of drink. In a soft
[20:39] <Kotono> spoken voice he gestures, "Welcome, my guests. Would you break bread with me?"
[20:41] * Jaela has never given up to panic and is not about to do so now. She steps into the room and then takes a seat opposite the angel. "Certainly."
[20:41] <Kotono> "We would be honored," Morniel steps forward, going to sit before the food. "We are the forces of Aurora. I am Morniel, servant of the Triad."
[20:41] <Afina> They seek an alliance, so Afina is willing to make the symbolic gesture. Fluttering towards a table, she picks up a hunk of bread, tearing part off and eating it as it slowly toasts in her hand. "Afina, general of Aurora," she introduces herself.
[20:42] <Kotono> Adrian eyes that blade with a little hitch, but advances. "Thanks. Adrian Barnan, general of Aurora." He takes a jar of water and sips, then sips a few more times with his eyes widening.
[20:42] <Jaela> "Jaela," she follows suit, picking the bread after Afina. Then, some water to wash it down properly.
[20:42] * Ithea grabs a seat as well, though she doesn't yet grab any of the food. "I'm Ithea, same rank as them," she says simply.
[20:44] <Kotono> Taking a chunk of the othe rend of the loaf of bread, Makaril takes a bite from it. "Have you heard news of the Burning Aeropolis?" His voice is really rather quiet, a slow drawl to his words.
[20:44] <Jaela> "Only what we saw for ourselves when we attacked," Jaela responds, shaking her head. "Did it crash?"
[20:45] <Afina> "We hear little from Lifasa," Afina admits.
[20:49] <Kotono> "It is no more," He says, "The Lower Polis shudders and shattered. Devastation rained down on the diabolical armies below, crushing those too slow to teleport away. Parts of the Upper Polis survived, but they are but fragments." Reaching for a jar, raising it up, "Cheers." Drinking deep and putting the jar aside after, "I was on Lifasa when it fell. This is the first time since that dark
[20:49] <Kotono> day I have left that blighted world."
[20:50] * Ithea smiles a bit at that, and actually reaches for one of the drinks, raising the container. "Cheers," she says.
[20:50] * Jaela drinks at that. "Good news, no two ways about it."
[20:50] <Kotono> "A victory. Finally." Adrian guns his water down, "About damned time we struck them there."
[20:51] <Afina> Afina matches the toast, for all that it discomforts her to imbibe. "Thank you for standing by our world. We are not yet strong enough to return in force, but we wish to offer material support to your efforts there while we build up Aurora for an eventual liberation."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Thank you." Here he pauses, "I am not alone there. The Triad has an extensive presence below the waves, harrassing Harkin and gathering survivors into an army, as well as coordinating various lesser groups. As of now, my forces are there with the destruction of the Aeropolis. The forces there have desired to make contact as well, and in this I speak for them."
[20:55] <Afina> Alas Afina herself can no longer battle below the waves as she once might have, but Aurora certainly has those who can fight there. "What is your next target?"
[20:55] <Jaela> "We were trying to find someone in the resistance to approach, from our end," Jaela says. "Though we were focusing our efforts on the seas, for obvious reasons. If only we realized there might be something organized on land...." She trails off, shaking her head. "That is all in the past, in any case. Are there any more locations holding prisoners we could free?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Right now we haven't decided. We've managed to secure our location beneath the sea. The devil's ability to attack beneath the waves is curtailed greatly, and the properties of our base there - the Free Grotto - prevent diabolical teleportation or scrying. Unfortunately, we weren't in a position to immediately capitalize on the disarray following the fall of the Burning Aeropolis. The majority
[20:58] <Kotono> of our mages were scrambled to ensure everyone escaped from the Burning Aeropolis."
[21:00] * Jaela considers this for a moment, before voicing, "We came across a ritual to ward off all but the strongest of devils. It came up in an interrogation of a devil deserter. If there is a chance, perhaps we could exchange notes with some of the mages in charge of your defenses?"
[21:01] <Afina> "It's little use beyond novelty for a grand fortification, but for establishing hideouts in enemy territory it's priceless beyond measure," Afina seconds.
[21:01] <Kotono> "Anything to help," Makaril states, "As for your question, we know of several. Security has also been at least tripled since Yian's downfall and the destruction of the Aeropolis. Our sources indicate that Warmonger Abigor has recalled further forces from the Blood War, and is using fill ins from Tiamat to patch things over in Avernus."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Tiamat, eh?" Morniel frowns considerably at this, "Do you know how if Bel is aware of this, by any chance? Is this official?"
[21:03] <Jaela> "If one suffers a massive setback, it will reflect on the other as well," Jaela muses, having expected that loser goddess to interfere from the start.
[21:03] * Ithea snorts at the mention of Tiamat, but doesn't add anything.
[21:03] <Kotono> "Tiamat whores herself out to devils again," Adrian's tone is viciously mocking, but adds nothing more beyond that.
[21:05] <Kotono> "Truth," Makaril says, "Our sources and analysis of lead us to suspect that Bel is at least partly being deceived - or at least Abigor is attempting to do so. Knowing devils, Abigor will be blamed when Lifasa is freed, if he still draws breath through some grevious failing of ours."
[21:06] <Jaela> "How big are your forces? And what of the presence Abigor can reliably keep on Lifasa?"
[21:07] <Afina> "A well executed strike at Tiamat could convince her to pull back to a more defensive posture, and leave Avernus hanging. If we can time it just before a major demon incursion... well, Abigor won't last long if Bel has any sense, will he?" Afina suggests, smiling happily at the thought.
[21:10] <Kotono> "We have roughly a thousand irregular soliders directly under our combined command, and perhaps another thousand scattered about in connected groups." Going on from that, running his fingers along the edge of his blade, "A strike on Tiamat, you say? Is Aurora planning that?"
[21:11] <Afina> "No," Afina shakes her head, "She's hostile but not a main target in any sense. However it's a possibility if we can take advantage of Abigor's laxity to humiliate him before Bel. It would need to be planned out."
[21:12] <Jaela> "If a chance appears to make another strike on devil interests on Lifasa, that would take precedence," Jaela adds. "There is also the issue of establishing direct communications with you. Is that possible?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "I would like to test Kalembar against the dragonspawn of Tiamat. Dragons are born connected to the Weave, and fear the powers of this blade on sight." Looking down at it a moment, before turning to Jaela, "Direct communication is difficult, as the properties of the Free Grotto seal magical means. We've gone to lengths to augment the natural properties there, fearing the scrying of devil
[21:14] <Kotono> seers. Harkin would like nothing more than to crush the Free Grotto in particular, and we know he has been given several groups of seers to find us."
[21:17] <Afina> "A fair precaution. At the least, perhaps you can provide a contact that we can reach you through prior to embarking upon any operations you may be able to assist or take advantage of, and you can likewise alert us of the same?" Afina asks, looking at his sword thoughtfully. Dragons aren't the only ones who fear it, at least...
[21:22] <Kotono> "Indirectly, but yes," After some thought he nods, "I can send messages here and have them sent to me. It takes a few days, so nothing urgent will make it."
[21:25] <Jaela> "We will have to go for that, for the time being," Jaela agrees. "Can you plan a joint assault on one of those holding centers you mentioned existing in the meanwhile? Our own forces are similar in number to yours, and you can expect at least the same force as that used on the assault on the Aeropolis, with the reminder kept in reserve."
[21:28] * Afina doesn't look pleased to hear that. "Attacking with Aurora worked once, with the element of surprise. Next time the devils will be ready to expect it. We should keep it off Lifasa until our forces are far stronger, and commit to small unit actions only for now. Otherwise we could lose everything."
[21:34] <Jaela> "I don't know about that. They clearly knew about the Aurora before our assault, and we stand to double, if not triple, our forces. More so, if we coordinate with the resistance."
[21:37] <Afina> "They knew we had Aurora, but that we were roaming the planes and avoiding Lifasa. Of course they weren't expecting us to invade with such a small force - and it was greatly to our luck that the Aeropolis was in an internecine conflict when we did," Afina reasons, before looking at Makaril. "If you can ensure a similar situation exists, or provide a diversion, then I might countenance risking
[21:37] <Afina> Aurora. But only if the situation is ideal. We're not yet strong enough to smash through all resistance."
[21:37] <Jaela> "We're not there yet, no," Jaela agrees, likewise looking towards their host. "It all depends on your intelligence and preparation."
[21:38] <Kotono> "When we're ready, we'll coordinate that," Offering his hand out to Jaela, "In the meantime, we have some intelligence to pass on."
[21:38] * Jaela doesn't think twice before taking that hand in hers and giving it a firm shake.
[21:40] <Kotono> "First of all, does the name Taelfagn mean anything to you, or the name Duke of Destiny?" His grip is stronged, heavily calloused. Jaela can feel the long battles those hands have seen, for a moment feeling like little more than a blade in grasp.
[21:41] * Jaela grimaces.
[21:41] <Kotono> With his own grimace, "That says all I needed to know," Makaril softly shakes his head. "I had assumed you did, based on news of the death of the Child of Lifasa."
[21:42] * Ithea makes more of a face at the mention of the Child, than at the mention of Taelfagn.
[21:43] <Afina> "Very much," Afina nods. "Ygorl is offering support to bypass his prophecies, and we're currently pursuing means to slay him."
[21:43] <Jaela> "Is there anything you know that would allow us to interrupt his immediate plans? Or anything you might know about the segment of Hell's armies that attacked the Throne?" Jaela asks, rather than dwell on the unpleasantness.
[21:44] <Kotono> "The slaad lord Ygorl?" Makaril smiles for just a moment, "Good, good. We need all the helpw ec an get, even from the insane. As of now, no, we don't. He comes and goes to the Governors of Lifasa at will...though not Abigor so much at all." Adding that after a moment, "Abigor and Taelfagn essentially work independently of each other. That aside, which Throne do you mean?"
[21:45] * Jaela glances at Adrian, since he might be able to provide the best details about that.
[21:46] <Afina> "It was Taelfagn that indoctrinated the governers to betray Lifasa and become as they are, so that's no surprise," Afina admits, letting Adrian describe the place he and Tepen made their last stand.
[21:47] <Kotono> "We suspected as much," A brief nod to Afina, as Makaril turns to Adrian.
[21:53] <Kotono> Sighing a moment, "The Ascended Throne of Heaven. Do you know of it at all?" Adrian asks. To this Makaril nods gravely, "I do. It's called the Fallen Throne now, and it is ruled by Governor Mala. She commands them now - a coven of Erinyes serve her and run things there. She favors erinyes and the occasional fallen who serves in the Blood War  and has sorcereous powers found their way to her.
[21:53] <Kotono> She has the typical detachments of devil forces, as well as cornugons and a squad of gelugons. The latter is interesting, since they've not had much role in the entire invasion or occupation. They're up to something, but we haven't found out what."
[21:55] <Jaela> "What we are interested in is a lead on the pit fiend that stole a piece of Tepen's soul. He was the mage that got the survivors of that place out into Water, but at that price."
[21:56] <Kotono> "A pit fiend? It's likely Kalabaros." Makaril says, "He resides near the Fallen Throne, but isn't under Mala's command. He serves Abigor directly and is carrying out some kind of research. We haven't dealt with him much, an isolated wizard's mansion is more trouble than it's worth when we have easier, more important targets. Also, we don't have anyone in his house."
[21:57] <Jaela> "Afina mentioned a small unit action, earlier. Can we try to come up with a plan together that either snatches him up, lures him away from Lifasa towards that goal, or simply destroys him?"
[21:57] <Afina> "For us it's a vital target," Afina says, straightening. "We'll have to arrange an attack promptly."
[21:59] <Kotono> "He hasn't been known to leave his abode," Makaril says, "But we haven't watched him much. I'll get in touch and see if we can stir some information up about him and forge a plan out of it. If all else fails..." Again going down to his sword, running his thumb across the blade's edge, leaving a smear of blood, "No wizard can hide from me or defeat me."
[22:00] <Afina> "That must be quite a powerful blade," Afina comments since that's the second time he's drawn attention to it. "Is it particularly attuned to sundering magic?"
[22:00] <Jaela> If she were anyone else, she would comment about arrogance at this point. "We'll count on you, then. And such an assault would also serve another purpose. Mala tried to act against us already, and we pushed her feeble attack away. If we shame her like this, she would hopefully have to try and take direct action."
[22:04] <Kotono> "Ideally. If I were Taelfagn or Abigor, I would have the Governors under orders not to do that and with the means to enforce it. Let's hope they aren't quite that brute-handed." After a moment he smiles, "It is. The Mother of all Magic created it as a gift to me, eons and eons ago. No matter how much time passes, how many lives ends and worlds crumble and are born, it will be by my side."
[22:05] <Jaela> "You know, Yian had blackmail on one of them. Want it?"
[22:05] <Kotono> "Yes," Immediately his attention turns all to Jaela.
[22:07] <Jaela> "It was on Willah. Something about her breaking with her orders for her own selfish desires." Jaela glances at Afina here. "We can provide all the interrogation reports we have, from him and from others involved with Lifasa."
[22:09] <Kotono> "They would aid us. Thank you," Makaril replies, "Is there any other intelligence you possess?"
[22:10] <Afina> "Yes, I'll have copies made and sent through an intermediary once chosen," Afina nods. "Most pertinently to you we have Yian's assessments of the other governers. I'm sure you're already aware of Operation Parch in plenty of detail - we've confirmed ourselves that Harkin has made finding your base his highest priority."
[22:12] <Jaela> "Aside from the ritual I mentioned earlier, nothing further at this time," Jaela muses. "Although there is something. You may not know this, but most of our intelligence was gathered by summoning lower-ranking fiends, subduing them and then interrogating them. Should you know any particularly knowledgeable fiends, or those in a position to have relevant intelligence, then passing their names on to us will allow us to continue in a more directed fashion, instead of merely doing this randomly."
[22:19] <Kotono> There's a pause to this, "We'll send you a list. We need to ensure the ones we choose won't interfere with our own efforts," Makaril says, "How potent are your means?"
[22:21] <Ithea> "Regarding that list... If you have any information regarding a paelryon named Xantara, that'd be appreciated," Ithea speaks up, bringing up the name of the devil that killed Elrisa.
[22:21] <Afina> "Barbed devils are about the limit, normally. We have some capacity for summoning pit fiends, but it's not nearly as simple. Also our efforts in that avenue have slackened since we upgraded Aurora's defences with a wide scale dimensional anchor," Afina admits.
[22:22] <Jaela> "We can and will make adjustments for that," Jaela tells Afina, before Ithea's words cause her to grimace once more.
[22:22] <Ithea> "I'd like some information on the higher level devils even if we can't summon them," Ithea says at Afina's words on the limit.
[22:26] <Kotono> "We'll compile it and get the information to you," Makaril says, nodding. "Xantara sounds familiar, though." Snapping his fingers a moment, "Yes, I do know that name. She had an audience with Willah and one with Harkin."
[22:27] <Jaela> "She was in charge of holding a group of Lifasans captive on another plane," Jaela elaborates, before frowning. "I wonder if there are other places like that. If they are not on Lifasa, it might be easier to assault them."
[22:28] <Afina> "Those captives would have been sacrificed if we'd been a day later," Afina interjects gravely. "Others in similar situations are likely long gone."
[22:30] <Kotono> "Sacrifices?" Makaril shakes his head, "What manner of sacrifices?"
[22:32] <Afina> "They were gathering pixies from all across Lifasa for yugoloths to sacrifice," Afina explains. "We received few answers as to what they intended to gain. Something to do with slavery and sacrifice from the chants, but little beyond that."
[22:33] <Kotono> "I had mentally assumed it had to do with the Child of Lifasa, somehow," Adrian speaks up. "They do seem fascinated with the fey of Lifasa."
[22:34] <Afina> "Good breeding stock, they call us," Afina mutters in quiet fury.
[22:36] * Jaela doesn't understand it, nor does she want to. "Who can we trust with what we leave here for you?" Jaela asks Makaril. "Also, will we be contacted if you pass us a message through this place, or should we check in on our own once in a while?"
[22:37] <Kotono> "Rill will be here. He is the elf who guided you here," Makaril explains, "He is my descendent. He appears as but a child, but he has the means to contact you."
[22:39] * Jaela nods. "Then all I have left to do is wish you luck." She has nothing more to say, and looks at the others to see if they feel the same way.
[22:40] * Ithea stands, having nothing else to say.
[22:40] <Afina> "One last thing, then," Afina rises. "Aurora's forges are among the most efficient in the planes. If you can provide the resources, we can provide weapons, armour, magical protections, and golems at a quarter of the price you'd find anywhere else. This facility is open to all who fight for Lifasa, and you are welcome to make use of it for yourself and those who fight with you."
[22:41] <Kotono> "We do need more arms," Makaril agrees, rising as well. "There is one more thing. Wait here a moment."
[22:46] <Kotono> Coming back thereafter, Makaril returns with a scroll forged of gold. It catches the firelight and glowswith it, "We recovered a cache of ancient magic not long ago. We offer this to you as a gift of friendship, and ask only that it is used in the liberation of Lifasa."
[22:47] <Jaela> "What is it?" Jaela asks curiously, taking a closer look.
[22:48] * Ithea also moves closer to Makaril, having already been standing, as she attempts to tell what sort of ancient magic it holds.
[22:48] <Kotono> "A spell - an extrodinarily powerful one, rarely seen. I believe it is of the 11th circle," Makaril replies.
[22:48] <Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft, Ithea.
[22:48] <Ithea> roll d20+33 spellcraft
[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+33 spellcraft and gets 46." [d20=13]
[22:51] <Ithea> "I've heard of this spell...It's definitely of that circle," Ithea confirms.