046.5 Afina and Ithea

[Corwin]

[21:52] <Koaway> With a bit of Elena coordination, Ithea and Afina meet together...
[21:53] <Afina> "Ithea, do you have a moment?" Afina asks as she flutters up to Ithea wherever she happens to be.
[21:55] <Ithea> "Of course," Ithea says, looking up from a book that Kascha recommended after Simmer and her returned from burning trees. "What can I do for you?"
[21:57] <Afina> "I went to investigate alternatives to the Blade of Endings, because of repercussions it carries," Afina begins, looking to the side, "I found out it's far worse than I imagined. I need to get rid of it, and the only safe place to do that is where it came from... Erathaol the Seer, he told me I'd have to return it to the void, and that you'd know how to get there... and back, I hope?"
[22:02] * Ithea blinks and closes the book after bending a corner of the page she was on to bookmark it. "Did he? Uhm, well, do you remember the Guardian from the 210th layer? Sylvie, Kascha and I had gotten tomes regarding the void from it, I think they're with Sylvie. We never actually figured them out, but they should have what you need," Ithea says after a bit of thought.
[22:04] <Afina> "Ahh..." Afina pauses a moment, wondering if he didn't mention Sylvie for the same reason Gods seem disinclined to her presence? Interesting if so. "I'll have to find her, then. Any interest in coming yourself? It'll likely be exceptionally dangerous, of course."
[22:11] <Ithea> "I almost had to deal with some sort of unknown ancient evil being unleashed because of Tiamat on Earth a while ago, and all I was doing was hunting some elemental," Ithea replies with a snort, as she stands. "There's no likely about it, I'm sure it's all but certain with my apparent talent for finding trouble. Should be a new experience though, assuming we can figure the tomes out."
[22:12] <Afina> "Thanks," Afina smiles gratefully, looking to see if Sylvie's anywhere in the library that she can see. "So what did Tiamat do?"
[22:16] <Koaway> No sign of Sylvie around at all.
[22:17] <Ithea> "Got involved after we killed some crazy sapphire dragon. The dragon was apparently guarding some old prison and she overloaded the dragon in a blast of elemental power that took out 27, released a horde of abishai, and almost broke that prison. Hanna and I did some patchwork repairs on it, but we're going to have to talk to Lady Sunnis about that at some point," Ithea explains.
[22:18] <Ithea> "Prison is only patched up, and there's a valeoloth loose that might want to try and break it again to free its master," Ithea adds to the cheery details.
[22:18] <Afina> "Sounds like a real mess. Think the dragon attacked because of these?" she taps her own forehead.
[22:21] * Ithea rubs her temples at that. "It's pretty much certain that's why, honestly. While I don't particularly know her, I still doubt Lady Sunnis would have placed a guardian there with so many screws loose, and that prison wouldn't even have been disturbed if it'd ignored us or Tiamat hadn't gotten involved afterwards. Like I said, talent for finding trouble."
[22:24] * Afina sighs and shakes her head. "It's easy enough to blame Bahamut, but I think in future when we encounter dragons that aren't hunting us or acting against Lifasa we should just retreat at the first opportunity. Too many chances for Tiamat to cause trouble over it."
[22:29] <Ithea> "Fair enough, though retreat was going to be difficult in that situation, unfortunately. After we deal with this tome, would you help me with the aftermath of all that? Ebony implied that we'd need to deal with not only Lady Sunnis, but also Entemoch, particularly if we seek to form diplomatic ties."
[22:29] <Afina> "Sure, I need to get closer to Earth anyway," Afina nods before once more calling on the help of the little blue girl. "Elena?"
[22:30] <Ithea> "You do?" Ithea asks, looking curious at that.
[22:31] <Koaway> Elena so appears! She's clad in elaborate robes, wrapping her from head to toe, save for her face. "Hi," she calls, "What do you need?" she waves an ornate staff around, bells on the end jingling.
[22:32] <Afina> "To know where Sylvie is," Afina replies. "Any symbolism to this look?" she adds curiously.
[22:33] <Koaway> "Oh no, I just threw some things together. It was that or starting to dress up like deities. I'll start that tomorrow," Elena says cheerfully, "Sylvie's not here. She left with Muirfinn to go to the Prime. Her homeland - I gathered she was on business for you and Jaela. You'd need to get a sending to her."
[22:33] <Ithea> "There's symbolism to her appearances?" Ithea asks almost immediately after her earlier question, before turning to Elena. "I always thought you just grabbed whatever you thought would look good."
[22:35] <Koaway> "It depends," Elena admits, "Sometimes I am for something, sometimes I don't. Oh, do you want to see a few I'm working on?"
[22:35] <Afina> "The rest are usually simple or easy to place," Afina shrugs. "Well, Sylvie's working on something important, so I suppose I'll have to wait... go on?" she bids Elena after resigning herself to a Sylvie-less future.
[22:36] <Koaway> Elena blinks and vanishes! A moment later she returns in full plate blue armor, with a greatsword in hand. Her voice i smuffled by her helmet, "Helm!" she calls, "Tell me what you think while I change again!" Then she's gone.
[22:38] <Afina> "Like a box," Afina replies bluntly. "A metal box."
[22:39] * Ithea laughs at Afina's description. "You looked very tough, actually, Elena," Ithea offers more praisingly.
[22:39] <Koaway> Next Elena appears clad in only light. It keeps her decent where it counts and she carries a huge greathammer in hand, struggling to keep it from crashing to the ground. "Syal-aaaaah!" The tip of the hammer goes up too far, overcorrecting and ruining Elena's balance! Elena tumbles over, landing on her rear. A moment later she blinks and vanishes, appearing in fine, noble clothing decorated
[22:39] <Koaway> with images of the sun. "Lathander!"
[22:41] <Ithea> Turning back to Afina, she asks again, "What was it you needed with Earth anyway, Afin..." or starts to ask, anyway, only to giggle at Elena's mishap. "You might want to stick to smaller weapons, Elena."
[22:43] <Afina> "The light's a good look, though," Afina offers appraisingly. "You look like a human nobleman now," she then says for the Lathander one. Finally deigning to answer Ithea's earlier question she explains, "I have fire and water. Air is easy, but I need to better understand earth before I can think about taking it into me."
[22:45] <Koaway> Elena giggles and vanishes.
[22:45] <Ithea> "We met an elemental that talked about enlightenment and learning at the Groundswells, if that's of any help," Ithea replies.
[22:46] <Afina> "Maybe, but I don't want to dive into something like Magmasoul again. Just spending some time there should be enough for now."
[23:04] <Ithea> "Since Sylvie isn't around, Afina, do you want to talk to Ebony and find out how we can go meet Lady Sunnis about the prison situation?" Ithea asks Afina, figuring Elena will keep changing outfits for the rest of the day if they don't excuse themselves.
[23:06] <Afina> "Yes. Elena you can tell Hanna she's off the hook until Sylvie gets back," Afina asks her to relay that message before following Ithea.
[23:08] <Ithea> "Is Ebony at Creasea's, Elena?" Ithea asks, just to make sure.
[23:09] <Koaway> Ebony is found with the phase spiders. Most give this a wide birth, but Ebony sits on a seat made of spiderwebs, watching over them as they spin. She looks over as the others approach, "General Ithea and General Afina. How can I serve you?"
[23:10] <Ithea> "Remember what we were talking about? Regarding meeting Lady Sunnis about the prison situation?"
[23:13] <Koaway> "Yes," she says, as one of the spiders comes and waits at Ebony's feet. "Do you require my services regarding it?"
[23:16] <Ithea> "Please. If you can help, it'd be appreciated. I think we can start off better if we meet through your connections, since killing that sapphire dragon could well work against us and break down talks before they even start," Ithea answers. "I know you said we'd need to talk to Entemoch as well, but will it be alright to talk to her first, or should we get some more people to form two parties?"
[23:21] <Koaway> Ebony's hand strays down to pat the phase spider as she listens, "It can be done. Who will be involved in the diplomatic effort?"
[23:22] * Afina raises her hand. "I'm not really the best person to head up diplomacy, but I need to get a feel for Earth so it would be good to go along."
[23:23] <Ithea> "I'll be going as well, and I'd hope to have you come. Besides that...how big a team would you recommend, since you know more about Earth politics, Ebony? I can ask Elena who's available based on that."
[23:25] <Koaway> "Nothing related for Air. Drena or his elementals are out," Ebony says, "A small group is better."
[23:26] * Ithea nods and calls for Elena, asking who's free right now that would be good to bring along with the three of them.
[23:27] <Koaway> Elena so appears, dressed like Lathander still. Ebony gives her a startled look as she replies, "Do you need someone who can transport you?"
[23:31] * Ithea nods at that. "Yes, that'd be great."
[23:32] <Koaway> "Balyss has recovered if you want to use her. Hanna's in the baths and I could get her. There's Sage Vul'lath as well, he's not working on anything too important I think. Adrian's here if you really need him, but he's, well...he's distracted over that Lannark Imperium adn other things. Can Simmer plane shift? I'm not sure. She's around too if she can."
[23:34] <Afina> "She can't," Afina supplies.
[23:38] <Ithea> "Hanna saw what happened with the prison, so we should definitely take her. Balyss and Vul'lath sound good to you to round us out, Afina?"
[23:39] <Afina> "Other people might need help with transport as well," Afina points out. "Taking all three would hinder Aurora while we're away."
[23:41] <Ithea> "Point. Just ask Hanna then," Ithea says with a nod towards Elena.
[23:42] <Koaway> "Done. Hold on." Elena vanishes, only to appear about a minute later. A basin covers her head, water dripping down her clothing. "She'll be along. Yes," With exasperation, "Step carefully, I think she has a case of the nerves."
[23:43] <Afina> "She just had a rough time with me," Afina nods, wincing.
[23:44] * Ithea blinks. "Eh? What happened?" Ithea says with worry. "We...we can just take Vul'lath if she needs rest."
[23:44] <Koaway> "Oh. Want me to get someone else then?" Elena offers. "She threw this at me when I appeared." Picking the basin up and shaking her hair dry, "She had a wild look in her eye.s"
[23:45] <Ithea> "....yeah, ask Vul'lath instead, tell Hanna to get some rest," Ithea decides after that.
[23:45] <Afina> "What I said about needing to go to the void," Afina reminds Ithea. "Hanna was with me."
[23:48] <Ithea> "Yes, I remember, but what exactly happened when you found that out though? And do -you- need any rest yourself if that's the case?" Ithea asks. Afina had looked as cool as always, but maybe she needed rest too!
[23:49] <Koaway> Elena so vanishes in the meanwhile. She reappears a few moments later, "He'll be along."
[23:49] <Afina> "I... wouldn't mind," Afina admits. "I wanted to deal with the blade urgently because it's the cause, but for anything else... no, nevermind. This shouldn't be taxing."
[23:51] <Ithea> "It really shouldn't," Ithea agrees. "Alright, we'll just wait on Vul'lath then."
[23:52] <Koaway> In the interum Ebony speaks up, "Ithea and Afina," she states, "This spider wishes to communicate with you." Patting the phase spider near her, right on one of its legs, "Would you?"
[23:53] <Afina> "Oh, of course," Afina smiles, finding the spiders endearing herself so she flutters over to land next to it, resting a hand on a leg.
[23:53] * Ithea nods quietly, as she leans down on one knee and does the same.
[23:59] <Koaway> On touching the spider, you can feel the sensation that it wishes to give you something.
[00:01] <Afina> "We're grateful for whatever it is," Afina replies, expressing her feelings of gratitude back.
[00:02] * Ithea just gives the spider a curiousity-filled look back and waits, still keeping her hand on the leg.
[00:08] <Koaway> The two get the feeling they should take off their armor and outer clothes.
[00:11] * Afina cocks her head and then looks at Ebony. "Why does the spider want us naked?"
[00:11] * Ithea is wondering that too!
[00:13] <Koaway> Ebony looks down at the spider, "Ah, I see. They want to make you armor," Ebony explains, "They've been taught how to, and how to make the webbing far more rigid as they spin it. Syala and Alicia encourage it, as reinforced spider's silk makes strong, light armor."
[00:17] <Afina> "Ahh... on one hand, Afina can't wear any armour because even the lightest spoils her mobility, but on the other it could make for nice clothing... Touching the spider she sends back feelings of lightness and elasticity, unable to truly protect but serving the concealing function of clothes. She waits for any sort of acknowledgement to that before stripping unashamedy.
[00:21] * Ithea feels a brief surge of annoyance, having recently lost her armor and having had to get new one, it would have been more useful just a short time ago. Still, it's not the spiders' fault, and she easily pushes the feelings back almost as quickly as they come. "I'll give it a try," Ithea says, as she starts to take off her armor first, and then clothing, if a fair bit more slowly than Afina.
[00:21] <Ithea> "Uhm...clothing might be nicer than armor for me as well?" she requests as well after Afina's statement.
[00:23] <Koaway> "Hold," Ebony quickly raises a hand, "If you're going to be so brazen as to strip in public, at least allow me to craft an illusion to protect your modesty!" A blush comes to her cheeks, quickly chanting several verses of magic. A wall rises up around all of you, suddenly blocking out the rest of the world.
[00:25] <Ithea> "Thank you for protecting our modesty, Ebony," Ithea says with a smile, for some reason amused by the blush on Ebony's face.
[00:26] <Koaway> "It's undignified for officiers in an army to do such a thing!" Ebony adds, a hint of mortification coming into her voice.
[00:26] * Afina blinks. "Sorry," and produces a fog cloud for those who have true seeing. "It doesn't normally matter to me, but I suppose people might see me differently as a leader if they see me half-naked," she acknowledges, doffing her hat and shedding her colourful dancer's dress.
[00:31] <Ithea> "Sorry, I just figured the spiders usually had a kind of private spot to themselves...though come to think of it, we probably saved Vul'lath from a worse reaction when he arrives."
[00:31] <Koaway> With that the spider works! Silk comes out flying like ribbons, engulfing both Ithea and Afina! To both it forms a slinky, clingy dress, ankle length and misty-white. It shows off a bit of cleavage but not too much, two slender shoulder straps keeping it in place.
[00:34] <Afina> Afina has zero cleavage ever, but still it feels nice on her skin, letting it breathe well despite the persistent clamminess that comes from fire and water in balance within her. Dismissing the fog cloud she picks up her hat and replaces it, standing to look herself over. "I'll have to dye it, I think, but..." placing a hand on the spider's leg at the joint, "Thank you."
[00:34] * Ithea nods. "Thank you," Ithea repeats. "Is there anything we can do for you all in return?"
[00:38] <Koaway> The spider promptly lies down, Ebony going to pat it as well. "It's exhausted. This can only be done once every few months," she explains, "Since it takes a lot of stored up silk. They're simple creatures as far as that goes. They do it because they've been taught it's a good thing to do, and they're praised for it.  They're certainly not unintelligent, but in some ways they're child-like."
[00:38] <Koaway> After a moment, "If you are to dye it, avoid any dye that would add a silver or white color or any more shimmer. Those treatments make the spidersilk phase into full transparency at times."
[00:39] <Afina> "I'll pick up something nice later, what do they like to eat?" Afina asks, nodding to Ebony's advice. She favours vibrant colours anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[Corwin]

[19:49] <Kotono> As you converse with the phase spider, the illusions go down and Sage Vul'lath approachecs. His face is a study in restrained dour-hood, "You asked for my services?" he enquires, "What do you need?" He gives the large spider barely a glance, seemingly uninterested and uncowed.
[19:51] <Afina> "Back in a moment, Ithea will explain," Afina says, bundling up her previous outfit and zipping off to throw it in her room.
[19:51] <Kotono> Sage Vul'lath turns his attention to Ithea, awaiting.
[19:57] <Ithea> "We need to speak to Lady Sunnis, regarding an incident that should be brought to her attention," Ithea explains, assuming that the sage has some passing knowledge of who Lady Sunnis is. "It involves what happened in my recent trip to Earth."
[19:58] <Kotono> "The Archomental Sunnis." Sage Vul'lath confirms, "What is my role in this to be?"
[20:05] <Ithea> "Any that you feel you can offer in our attempts to form diplomatic ties, though at least initially, transportation," Ithea says. "Also, do you know anything about an imprisoned being called Zalmoch by any chance? I could not find much on it under my own research, but you might have come upon something in your own studies in the past."
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 46." [1d20=13]
[20:07] * Afina returns, no longer laden down with extra clothing.
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 lore
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 lore and gets 40." [1d20=16]
[20:08] <Kotono> "I have some knowledge of Zalmoch," Sage Vul'lath replies, "One ancient text referred to him as the Demon of Earth, claiming that he invited the power of the Abyss into Earth."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Ah," Ebony says, "So he was a fool sealed away for this hideous mistake? I can think of no other outcome for courting the power of the Abyss."
[20:12] <Ithea> "That's one of the things I'd found. I actually found conflicting information regarding that and his defeat, some stating he was instead an archomental as well, or both that and demon somehow. On his defeat though, we can personally attest to Lady Sunnis' involvement though, after stumbling onto his prison with Ebony and others," Ithea explains.
[20:13] <Ithea> "The prison has been damaged, and a servant of Zalmoch's escaped. This is the primary reason to seek out an audience with Lady Sunnis, though if possible I'd like to turn it into a new diplomatic tie for Aurora."
[20:15] <Afina> "It's slightly bad taste to ask someone for help after apologising for ruining something of theirs," Afina points out, "But making amends could serve us well for any future dealings on Earth."
[20:17] <Kotono> "As you command," Sage Vul'lath says, "Where will I be transporting us to?"
[20:17] <Ithea> "I wasn't going to ask for help right off the bat, Afina, merely hoped to actually make some ties of some sort," Ithea clarifies.
[20:25] <Ithea> "Anyway, as to where you're transporting us, I wanted to ask Ebony that, since she's more familiar with Lady Sunnis. How should we make contact?" she asks, turning to the other girl.
[20:28] <Kotono> "We could go through diplomatic channels," Ebony begins, "It will take time to do so, which may or may not help our cause. Alternately, we can travel to the Quartz Spire and make ourselves known there. This will get some sort of reaction...again, which may or may not be in our favor."
[20:30] <Afina> "Given the magnitude of the fault, I think haste serves us better," Afina suggests.
[20:32] <Ithea> "Agreed, especially with the valeoloth loose, it may be better to go to the Quartz Spire then," Ithea adds with a nod.
[20:32] <Ithea> "Should we take a gift of some sort? Could you make anything quickly or have something available you can part with, Afina?" Ithea also asks.
[20:35] * Afina blinks. "I can make most things quickly but no I don't have anything I can give away. I doubt an earth elemental wants pixie sized equipment, anyway."
[20:43] <Ithea> "Hrm, well, I can't think of anything that we could offer as a gift right now, perhaps something for a second visit if we manage a favorable initial impression, then," Ithea says. "If you'll allow me a moment to get back to my room and change back into my armor, we can go."
[20:48] <Afina> "Are you sure? I can make something if you have an idea of what would be good," Afina asks, glancing at Ebony.
[20:55] <Kotono> "Anything to do with Earth, including hard metals, stone and gemstones." Ebony supplies.
[20:56] <Ithea> "The chunks of Radia that I brought back for Afina?" Ithea suggests. "They're good for armor, I believe."
[20:58] <Afina> "Alright, you want me to make glowing full plate?" Afina asks, considering the styles she'd need to use with stone. "Or a shield?"
[21:01] <Ithea> "A shield, I think?" Ithea says musing that question, turning to look at Ebony and Vul'lath for their opinions.
[21:05] <Kotono> Ebony nods, "I think that would send a good message. We took out the duty to defend in our hands."
[21:10] <Afina> "Alright I'll just go to the lab and do that, I'll be back in a moment," Afina says, fluttering off to do just that.
[21:15] <Ithea> "While she's doing that, I'll go change back into my armor. I'll return shortly as well," Ithea says for her part, gathering her own garments.
[21:20] <Afina> With her rapid crafting skills, Afina shortly returns bearing a kite shield as big as she is, looking more like a shard of red hot magma freshly torn from the living earth than the gently glowing ore it was before. "Tanthiad," she announces its name. "It should make a pleasing gift, I hope."
[21:23] <Kotono> Sage Vul'lath gives it a brief inspection, "It shall do well, I think."
[21:25] * Ithea returns soon after, giving an impressed smile at the shield. "Alright, are we ready to go then?"
[21:26] * Afina conjures a floating disc and rests the shield on that to save her having to carry it. "Lets."
[21:36] <Kotono> In that moment, reality parts. The heaviness of gravity asserts itself on the foursome as you appear within crystal. You stand in the soil, the earth, the ground. The rock here entombs you perfectly, clear crystal around you. Through these crystals you can see the ones ahead weaving together, into multi-lighted and faceted houses, towers, roads, streets, and rising above it all, a vast
[21:36] <Kotono> crystalline spire.
[21:45] <Afina> "Mmmf!" Afina gets out in alarm as she discovers her predicament, promptly producing an ice storm inside her prison to try and bash her way out, or at least free her arms enough for some disintegrations!
[21:45] <Afina> roll 2d6 cold
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 2d6 cold and gets 3." [2d6=1, 2]
[21:45] <Afina> roll 3d6 bludgeonings
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 3d6 bludgeonings and gets 14." [3d6=4, 4, 6]
[21:46] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, that's what Afina's doing in her little tomb. What about you, Ithea? I want actions in from the both of you before I resolve for everyone.
[21:49] * Ithea likewise reacts immediately at the attempted entombing, as she screams with magic enhancing her shout, trying to shatter crystal around herself. (OOC: Shout)
[21:50] <Ithea> roll 15d6 shout vs crystalline object
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 15d6 shout vs crystalline object and gets 47." [15d6=3, 1, 4, 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 5, 3, 6, 3, 1, 2, 3]
[21:52] <Kotono> Ice causes the crystal to splinter heavily, and Ithea's shout shatters the crystal around all of you! The four of you are unharmed by the crystal shards, finding yourselves within a 30ft cone of free space. You can breathe now, some air! Ebony alights off the ground slightly, "I believe we'll need to force our way ahead, as we cannot burrow like creatures of Earth."
[21:52] <Kotono> "I can do better," Sage Vul'lath looks about in dour annoyance, "A wish should allow us to travel as the xorn do."
[21:53] <Afina> "It would take a lot of disintegrates to get very far," Afina agrees, picking up the shield she made since her floating disc will have trouble regardless.
[21:54] <Ithea> "At least we have a bit of breathing room for the moment. That's just uncomfortable," Ithea says as she moves her limbs around as if testing everything was still fine after the brief moment of immobility.
[21:56] <Kotono> As the party talks, you see something ahead in the clear crystal. A great, tower-like mass of the same clear crystal, moving through it like water. It's coming in your direction, really rather fast.
[21:57] <Afina> "Might be a greeter coming now," Afina comments, positioning herself in front of Vul'lath.
[21:57] <Ithea> "Looks like we got someone's attention already," Ithea comments, watching the mass move and waiting for it.
[22:00] <Kotono> Sage Vul'lath and Ebony both step back, on careful defense as it approaches. It has no real features, but it simply a mass of crystal. It stops approximately thirty feet from the party, "You have come to the Quartz Spire unprepared," It says, a twanging twing that reverbates in the crystal around you. "Creatures not of Earth and with a pure heart may offer a prayer to Lord Entemoch or
[22:00] <Kotono> Lady Sunnis for guidance."
[22:02] <Afina> "I've... never prayed before," Afina replies awkwardly, looking at her companions. "It's like showing obesiance to your queen when she's not there, right?"
[22:04] <Kotono> Ebony steps forward, "I can guide you," she approaches Afina, kneeling next to her. "It's far more than mere obesiance. Prayer is how priests gain their magic. It is a small connection between you and the divine."
[22:06] <Afina> "Right..." Afina says dubiously, setting the shield aside and kneeling as well, deciding to just copy Ebony if it'll make their journey easier.
[22:08] * Ithea lets Ebony guide Afina in that, as she turns her head towards the spire and closes her eyes, leaning on one knee while using her glaive for support. Bowing her head, she gives a silent request in her head for both Lord Entemoch and Lady Sunnis to grant them passage and thinks of the gift they have brought as well. 'Please, grant us your wisdom...' she ends her silent prayer with.
[22:08] <Kotono> "Clear your mind and touch your heart," Ebony begins, "Reach out and pray. Ask Lady Sunnis to guide you and open your heart to her. Ask for her to guide you." Meanwhile Sage Vul'lath stands aside, watching and instead incanting words under his breath, drawing patterns in the air that glow and hiss.
[22:11] * Afina looks jealously at Vul'lath for a moment. He seems to have the right idea... still, it probably won't hurt to open herself up to this strange being, right? They are here to apologise so the gesture might help on that score. Shaking her head and clearing her mind, she murmurs, "Lady Sunnis, please guide me."
[22:18] <Kotono> On praying, Ithea and Afina can see the clear crystal before them ripple. They feel lighter here, lifted up, as if the heavy weight of Earth has relented! OOC: Heavy gravity trait of Earth is suspended until further notice.
[22:19] * Ithea smiles with her eyes closed and gives a silent 'Thank you, Lord Entemoch, Lady Sunnis,' before opening her eyes again and standing.
[22:21] <Afina> "It's definitely an effective defence. An attacker would be bogged down for hours while the defenders can attack and withdraw with impunity," Afina comments as she stands up, picking up the shield and starting forward.
[22:23] <Kotono> Ebony does the same. As you approach the crystal, you find that it wavers apart as you do, allowing you passage ahead!
[22:28] * Ithea moves along as well, following the passage granted to them.
[22:30] <Afina> Since Ithea's keeping quiet Afina addresses the creature that came to them, "We seek an audience with Lady Sunnis concerning recent events... where was it, Ithea?"
[22:32] <Ithea> "The Groundswells' crystal sea," Ithea answers. She had planned on saying more in Lady Sunnis' presence, but if the creature requests more information now that Afina has brought it up, she'll answer now instead.
[22:39] <Kotono> "I will pass it onto her," The crystal promises, "You will be summoned if you are granted the audience." The crystalline mass moves away, leaving the party be.
[22:46] <Afina> "Well, lets find somewhere to wait in the meantime?" Afina suggests to the others, looking up the street.
[22:50] <Ithea> "I figured we should just follow the opening passage. It seems to lead towards the spire."
[22:51] <Afina> "I suppose it's more convenient if we get a quick reply," Afina shrugs, falling in behind Ithea.
[22:52] <Kotono> OOC: Just going ahead then?
[22:54] <Ithea> ooc: yes
[22:56] <Kotono> You wander on down the paths of crystal, flowing around you smoothly. As you wander the streets, each of you can hear the following whisper, "Oh," A jovial voice says, all cheer and good humor, "Don't worry about Lady Sunnis. Follow my voice and visit me instead."
[22:59] <Ithea> "Is this what you spoke of before, Ebony?" Ithea asks regarding the whisper. If that whispering voice is Entemoch, he sounds like a rather nice fellow at least.
[23:00] * Afina quirks her head. Ebony and Ithea seem to know what's what, so she defers to their lead.
[23:01] <Kotono> "I believe it is. Lord Entemoch," Ebony speaks up, "We are of Aurora, the fortress once known as Medicant. We seek an audience with Lady Sunnis, though I do not doubt you may become involved as well." Kneeling amid the crystal, "Will you grant us this? It has to do with the near escape of a threat within Earth."
[23:03] <Kotono> Before you the crystal parts, "Come ahead," The jovial voice calls, "Down this alley," A nearby alley between two crystal encased houses of quartz, "You'll find the way."
[23:04] <Ithea> "Is this an audience with the two of them together, or just with Lord Entemoch?" Ithea asks curiously.
[23:10] <Kotono> "I don't know," Ebony says after a few moments of silence. "But at least we have his attention."
[23:19] * Ithea pauses at that. "Since we're not sure, and both you and I know what happened, we could have you and Afina talk to Lord Entemoch, while Vul'lath and I wait for an audience with Lady Sunnis," Ithea suggests. "This way, we are certain both sides are informed, though with any luck we will both meet with them together."

[Corwin]

#t

[19:42] <Kotono> From there, Ebony and Afina are split away, deeper into the crystal and quartz city. You are lead to a rising tower of it, into it and into open air. Within that tower is but one room, empty inside. Here a being sits on a throne of diamond, over a dozen feet tall and crafted of gemstones and rock. They all shine endlessly, a blade of serrated crystal hanging on a belt from his side. His
[19:42] <Kotono> features are unmistakenly masculine, strong and noble to the eye.
[19:43] <Afina> "Lord Entemoch," Afina kneels before that throne, since she knows he's functionally a monarch despite the title.
[19:46] <Kotono> Ebony does the same, head bowed down.
[19:49] <Kotono> "Welcome, welcome," Sitting back casually on that throne, "There's no need for formalities here." He speaks in perfect Common, voice seeming to gleam and shine like the gems around him, each word rich with it. "I've heard of your work."
[19:51] <Afina> "Would that be Ithea's recent work in the Groundswells or our work in general?" Afina clarifies upon standing to her full height of over two feet.
[19:52] <Kotono> "So you were the ones behind that incident?" He states, "Lady Sunnis has been working to find out what happened. Tell me...what did Ithea get up to that stirred Zalmoch?"
[19:57] <Afina> "She has been cursed by Bahamut and Tiamat," Afina explains. "Bahamut's curse manifests in all dragons feeling intense hatred towards her - the guardian of Zalmoch's cage was apparently a dragon of some sort. It attacked without warning, and was slain for its efforts. This allowed Tiamat's curse to manifest..." she pauses a moment here, clasping her hands before her. "Usually this curse
[19:57] <Afina> manifests in any dragons slain by the cursed one to reanimate themselves as intelligent zombies to go for another round. In this case, though, Tiamat employed an overwhelming explosion of elemental power through the dragon's corpse to slay one of Ithea's allies and open a portal to Hell from which a legion of abishai began to pour forth from. This apparently destabilised the cage enough
[19:57] <Afina> for Zalmoch to begin eroding it from his end."
[20:02] <Kotono> "How troublesome," Entemoch replies lightly, "We thought the devils were behind it, but we couldn't comprehend why. They would hate Zalmoch as much as any other demon. It's the same mark you bear?"
[20:05] <Afina> "The very same," Afina confirms. "In the past we've been able to defuse the anger of dragons we've met that weren't already bent on killing us for another reason, but for whatever reason that didn't happen here."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Now," Giving Afina another look, "Now what did you do that made both of those lovebirds curse you?"
[20:07] <Afina> "We helped a green dragon become a prismatic dragon," Afina replies, having no reason to hide it.
[20:11] <Kotono> "Naughty," Entemoch observes, with exceedingly casual amusement. "Those weren't meant to see the light of Creation again. You made them dust off that old pact from Io for you - you're lucky it wasn't worse."
[20:14] <Afina> "If all of Earth had been taken over by devils and everything you knew despoiled, would *you* be inclined to care what Tiamat thinks?" Afina asks back. It might not justify themselves to everyone, but it at least explains their early missteps on the planes.
[20:16] <Kotono> "No, but I'd learn my lesson from it," He replies, resting his gleaming head in one diamond hand. "Would you do it again?"
[20:23] <Afina> "I'm honestly not sure," Afina admits frankly. "I may not be as consumed by hatred as I was then, but the argument I made was still sound. And that prismatic dragon has proven a worthy ally, and perhaps even a friend. Killing him to satisfy a pact that holds no meaning to me doesn't sit right. And washing my hands of the entire situation would be the coward's choice." Shrugging now, "I
[20:23] <Afina> don't know. I feel that I might, but a part of me says that I shouldn't."
[20:25] <Kotono> Entemoch nods slightly at that, "So you came here to confess what happened in the Groundswell?"
[20:28] <Afina> "Yes, we wanted to make it clear that what happened was a tragic mistake, and to offer to make amends if we could," Afina nods earnestly. "What occured was a horrible converging of events that led to catastrophe, not any kind of effort to destabilise Earth."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Your intent is appreciated," Entemoch considers now for a few moments, "Tell me, what do you know about Zalmoch?"
[20:39] * Afina looks to Ebony to field this one!
[20:41] <Kotono> "Little," Ebony remarks, "We were taken blind with surprise, and have only found lore suggesting ties to the Abyss, or that he was of the Abyss entirely."
[20:55] <Kotono> "I see. It may be that Zalmoch has hidden reserves of followers, even after all this time. In the interests of that," Entemoch continues, "Zalmoch was once the Prince of Elemental Evil for Earth. He came on the idea of combining the vitality of Earth with the fecundity of the Abyss."
[20:59] <Afina> "There was a Vaeloloth that came to defend his cage while it was being eroded," Afina volunteers. "As I understand those, powerful as they may be, are but dumb enforcers for greater fiends."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Be it for Zalmoch himself or another patron," Entemoch drums his crystalline fingers now, "A valeoloth is dumb and subdued enough to be hidden away for eons, in case Zalmoch ever has a chance to escape."
[21:05] <Afina> "That would be a more optimistic take," Afina accepts.
[21:15] <Kotono> "All speculation," Entemoch says, "Your coming here is appreciated," he finally says, "There may be amends, but for now enjoy our hospitality."
[21:17] <Afina> "Likewise we appreciate your understanding," Afina bows. "We'll await our companions' return on the main thoroughfare."

[Corwin]

#t

[05:03] <Kotono> From there, Ithea and Sage Vul'lath are escorted away from the other two. You are taken to a tower of gleaming crystal, where in a throne of black opal and diamond awaits. Sitting there is a woman, tall as a solar. She is made of radiant crystals, gleaming like the sun submerged deep into Earth. Her glory dims the riches around you into rubbish, speaking in perfect Common, "Ithea of
[05:03] <Kotono> Aurora. The earth of Lifasa has cried many tears and you are one of the few who have given it any succor."
[05:10] * Ithea gives a bow. "Not as few as I once thought, my lady, and a fact I was glad to be mistaken about," Ithea says with a small smile thinking of the many friends she's made since a seedy little tavern in the middle of nowhere in Astral. "My ally is Sage Vul'lath, also of Aurora."
[05:13] <Kotono> "Greetings, Archomental," Sage Vul'lath replies, kneeling.
[05:17] <Kotono> "Earth cries out with the near escape of Zalmoch," Princess Sunnis says, "Speak, Ithea, speak of why you came."
[05:33] <Ithea> "As you are already aware, Zalmoch nearly escaped," Ithea explains, as she straightens up again. "My allies and I managed to realize that when we attempted to deal with the aftermath of drawing Bahamut's and Tiamat's ire through the saphire dragon that resided in the crystal sea."
[05:33] <Ithea> "Thanks to those safeguards of yours, we managed to temporarily resolve that problem however. They were the only reason we managed to do that at all, in fact." Pausing briefly to collect her thoughts, Ithea soon continues.
[05:33] <Ithea> "Still, I...I was not certain if you would have been aware of what had occured, and I wished to quickly inform you, Lady Sunnis. Your safeguard claimed that it may well be 60 years before the prison recovers it's full potency, and besides the loss of its main guardian and the secrecy of its location, a valeoloth minion was set loose."
[05:33] <Ithea> "Ultimately, while I had not sought conflict with that sapphire dragon, I am still responsible for the result of those events, from almost unleashing this Zalmoch, to thankfully containing him again. If we of Aurora can in some ways make amends for the persisting problems, we'd like to do so as well."
[05:35] <Kotono> "The safeguards were created in case of a situation where I am not able to respond," Lady Sunnis explains, "Yet I had detected the machinations of some Hellish power within the release and had been baffled by it. They have no reason to release Zalmoch, for he embraced the Abyss."
[05:45] <Ithea> "That would be due to Tiamat, and a long story in of itself," Ithea answers immediately. Sighing, she expands on the story so as to give the Archomental the full facts.
[05:45] <Ithea> "As I said before, I had drawn Bahamut and Tiamat's ire, along with others from Aurora. We are a repulsive presence to dragons not familiar with us already, due to a curse placed by Bahamut. The draconic guardian was enraged by this curse and may have felt he was completing them by attacking us."
[05:45] <Ithea> "We drove him off, but he attacked a second time and this time we dealt with him...only for Tiamat's part to come into play as she used the guardian's corpse to launch a hellish assault on us that both destabilized the prison and released a horde of abishai onto Earth."
[05:45] <Ithea> "It was because of the abishai that we even came to realize there was a prison at all, I'll admit, as I later returned with more of my allies to deal with them."
[05:46] <Ithea> ooc: (clarification for logs) may have felt he was completing them by attacking us." --> may have felt he was completing his duties by attacking us."
[05:50] <Kotono> "An accident," Lady Sunnis concludes, "You have done well to come and take responsibility for it. You have my gratitude, and the chance to make amends. The sapphire dragon had a name - he was Yilastranpaxal. He volunteerred to serve out of loyalty to Earth and so that the demons could never again attack Earth through Zalmoch. He had a life, a mate and desires. I attempted to return him
[05:50] <Kotono> to the land of the living, but was only able to liberate his soul from the energies of Tiamat and save it from Hell. Now that life is but a memory as he finds his reward." Nodding once, "You will make amends."
[05:54] * Ithea winces at hearing the information about the sapphire dragon. "I am sorry to hear that a good soul was lost because of all this, and am thankful you managed to save his soul at least. What amends can we...can -I- make?" Ithea asks.
[05:55] <Kotono> "Not yourself," Lady Sunnis replies, "For you are a face of many. May I look into your mind a moment, Ithea? There's is specific knowledge I seek."
[05:57] * Ithea looks hesitant briefly, but finally nods her acquiescence. She had said she would make amends, and she would stand by that.
[06:00] <Kotono> There is no sensation at all. Only a moment of unbearable lightness, as if her being was dissolving in radiance. A momentary disorientation and nothing more. Yet Lady Sunnis now speaks, "Arrel." She says the name slowly, "In wake of this attack, a great number of guardians will be used to ensure none try and free Zalmoch. Arrel's heritage would serve him well in joining them. Know that
[06:00] <Kotono> this is not the work of a week, month or year, but of decades. He will leave your Crusade behind and serve to make amends for Aurora with Earth."
[06:14] <Ithea> "That is something I would have to speak with Arrel about. While a noble task, as you said it is the work of decades, and I would not steal the choice from him," Ithea answers as she thinks on what Sunnis has said. "His heritage, while partly draconic, is also that of flight." Ithea knows at least that the archomental is capable of suspending the heavier gravity of Earth for others, but will that be enough for the giant eagle?
[06:15] <Ithea> Her lips twitch as she can't help but add, "At the very least, having emeralds and gems to surround him may go a long way to entice him though. As you said, he does have that draconic heritage."
[06:16] <Kotono> "It would only be right," Lady Sunnis agrees, "You are his face, but not his mind...yes, that is much of the appeal to take the duty," So Lady Sunnis confesses, "Speaking of. I noticed the various sapphires that Yilastranpaxal hoarded are gone."
[06:20] * Ithea feels slightly bad about that, given what she'd heard about the dragon moments earlier. "Most were damaged or outright destroyed in the blast that Tiamat had unleashed, but my friends and I took the ones that could still be sold," Ithea admits.
[06:22] <Kotono> There is a rather heavy silence, Lady Sunnins studying Ithea rather intensely. "All the more reason to make amends," she says. "But there is one treasure I will give to you in return. A cursed treasure, but one you have need for; the knowledge of Zalmoch."
[06:25] * Ithea frowns after a brief nod to her first statement. "Can you clarify that, Lady Sunnis? What lore I could find on this Zalmoch was rare and sometimes conflicting. I'll admit to being curious as to why we would have need of it," Ithea requests politely regarding the second part of her statement.
[06:30] <Kotono> "There may yet be plans and schemes set by Zalmoch or those who would free him. Do not think those of Earth cannot plan for amounts of time that you cannot comprehend." After that moment's pause, "Knowledge may save you. Zalmoch was once the Prince of Elemental Evil within Earth. He sought to combine the power of Earth with the endless infinties of demonkind. Earth was torn apart in
[06:30] <Kotono> total war. Ultimately, he was betrayed by Ogremoch, his lieutenant, and myself, Entemoch and Ogremoch were able to seal Zalmoch away. We could not be certain of slaying him utterly, and if we failed he would reform and be free to hide and prepare revenge."
[06:32] * Ithea just nods as she takes this in.
[06:34] <Kotono> "Grumbar, God of Earth, guided us in this and prevented Ogremoch, Entemoch and myself from coming to blows after." Lad Sunnis seems to ruminate on this, "Ogremoch is a repulsive thing, a misshapen pile of accursed rocks. But he is of Earth above all and have no love for demons. He is morally superior to Zalmoch. Zalmoch consorted not with the tanar'ii, but the ancient obyriths of madness.
[06:34] <Kotono> To see Zalmoch or another obyrith is to see insanity, much as the devils who battled the traitor Zquujaj found out mere decades ago."
[06:36] <Ithea> roll d20+39 K:P
[06:36] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+39 K:P and gets 56." [d20=17]
[06:40] <Kotono> Obyriths are demons of madness. Once they dominated the Abyss, but they were ultimately supplanted by the numerous tanar'ii. Only a few remain known of, with others slain or hidden from the vision of all. To merely see an obyrith risks falling into insanity...amen. Ithea's stomach rumbles with a hunger pang as memories of the Father tickle her mind. Zquujaj is a renegade pit fiend that
[06:40] <Kotono> swore allegance ot Pale Night, a demon lord and obyrith. As you learned before, he pushed both Bel and Abigor back, the latter being covered in inglory, until Bel adn other high ranking devils, such as Gathgorian, pushed him off of Avernus and back to the Abyss.
[06:43] <Ithea> "Should we call upon Arrel before we continue?" Ithea asks, sharing a glance with Vul'lath.
[06:44] <Kotono> Vul'lath nods, "That would be my council, Ithea."
[06:47] <Ithea> "Do we have your permission to do so, Lady Sunnis?" Ithea asks, in case there are defenses or such that need to be handled before Vul'lath casts any magic.
[06:47] <Kotono> "You may go," Lady Sunnis says, "Rejoin with your friends Afina and Ebony."

[Corwin]

[20:37] <Kotono> After consulting, both groups gather within the crystalline city, free to talk and go how they please...OOC: Go ahead yo utwo.
[20:38] <Afina> "Everything go well on your end?" Afina asks Ithea as she shows up, assuming rather similar conversations took place for both of them.
[20:40] <Ithea> "Possibly. Lady Sunnis wishes for Arrel to take the place of guardian for the prison, so it'd depend on how he feels about such a role," Ithea answers. "She has also mentioned something about us needing some 'cursed knowledge of Zalmoch' as she put it."
[20:42] <Afina> "That's entirely up to Arrel, we can't order him," Afina says firmly. "If he's against it I can offer up my golem instead and hope that suffices. But what's this about cursed knowledge?"
[20:45] <Ithea> "Lady Sunnis agreed when I said the same thing about bringing the offer to Arrel," Ithea says with a nod. "As for this cursed knowledge, she did not clarify much about it, I think it depends entirely on us finding a proper guardian for Zalmoch's prison. What she did say was why he was imprisoned, as he consorted with demons of madness. How such knowledge could be useful...well..."
[20:45] * Ithea just shrugs there.
[20:46] <Kotono> "Not on face value," Ebony speaks up, "But knowing your foes is always valuable. A demon of madness - he contracted with the obyrith?"
[20:47] * Afina cocks her head. "That's it? She told you, so it's not a task we've been given to find out the knowledge for ourselves?"
[20:49] <Ithea> "With the obyrith, yes," she says to Ebony. To Afina, "She said it would be a treasure she would give to us after making amends, and the only thing she asked for was Arrel."
[20:50] <Ithea> "Did Lord Entemoch say anything?"
[20:51] <Afina> "Not so much more, just asked why we were here, asked for my feelings on it. He did mention that Zalmoch wanted to merge Earth with the Abyss and that we might be asked to make further amends in the future."
[20:55] <Ithea> "I see. Well, perhaps the first task would be to find Arrel and getting his opinion on the matter of being a guardian. At least we may have another option with that golem of yours."
[20:55] <Ithea> "Well, hopefully anyway."