013: In which things go badly

[Yuthirin]

<Kotono> ----------------(Wall Ko goes here)------
<Kotono> LAST TIME ON HONEYMOON HIJINKS:
<Kotono> [18:22] * Fiora will incant a cure spell for him, to keep with good relations with thier hosts. And knowing that it won't heal naturaly here.
<Kotono> [18:22] <Fiora> roll 2d8+11 cure mod.
<Kotono> [18:22] <Hamish> OOC: I'll keep in contact with Thyan in case he notices anything else.
<Kotono> [18:22] * Hatbot --> "Fiora rolls 2d8+11 cure mod. and gets 20." [2d8=2, 7]
<Kotono> [18:23] <Thyan> OOC: Then I'll continue to shadow the group, incase they try something.
<Kotono> [18:26] <@Kotono> The next period is spent traveling ahead and through the forest. You're lead expertly along, your shardsense growing subtly closer but not close. After a time your guide stops, "This is the end of our territory," he announces, your shardsense telling you that it's still further on.
<Kotono> [18:26] <@Morana> "Thank you for your guidance through your territory," Morana says politely enough.
<Kotono> [18:27] * Fiora nods to him, "Well, it looks like our quarry lies further ahead still." "Light be with you, if your people need my aid, I am still willing to offer it on our way back," Fiora adds in carefully spoken Celestial.
<Kotono> Fiora's offer gets a nod, as the path ahead is forest - but you can see it starting to think out. You can't quite see what lies beyond it from here.
<Iris> There's only one way to find out, right? Keep walking!
<Thyan> "Since it's thinning, I think we should spread out a little more. Do you want me to continue scouting?"
<Morana> "Feel free."
* Thyan nods and moves ahead of the group a bit, trying to stay hidden whenever possible.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay. More coming, no need for rolls yet.
<Kotono> As the party begins to advance along, Thyan taking point? From above a shadow passes over the party, momentarily darkening things yet more.
* Iris glances up...?
* Thyan looks up, worried about an ambush of some kind.
<Kotono> Above is an eagle. A great eagle of unsurpassed size, soaring on broad wings through the foliage. It's descending down with rapacious speed towards Thyan.
* Thyan worries for his safety and draws an arrow, but not firing just yet..
* Aleira puts a hand over her eyes and squints. "That's a mighty big bird. Wonder if it tastes like chicken."
<Kotono> The bird swoops on down, circling around Thyan and looking to be preparing ot land next to him.
* Thyan watches the bird, keeping a bit of distance from it.
* Iris has one hand raised, ready to cast a spell, but if the person the bird's homing in on isn't concerned...well, no need for rash action just yet.
<Morana> ooc: knowledge check to recognize the kind of bird it is? Magical, normal, confused dragon?
<Kotono> OOC: K:N.
<Kotono> The bird lands before Thyan, sharp predator's eyes boring into his own.
<Morana> roll d20+2
* Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+2 and gets 11." [d20=9]
<Iris> roll 1d20+13 I have K:N!
* Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+13 I have K:N! and gets 31." [1d20=18]
* Thyan eyes the bird, trying to figure out what it wants.
<Thyan> roll d20+12 K:N
* Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 K:N and gets 15." [d20=3]
<Iris> "Dire eagle," Iris categorizes the beast with an unexcited shrug. "Somewhat larger bird than we are accustomed to, but otherwise unremarkable.
<Iris> "
* Thyan cautiously reaches his hand out to it.
<Morana> "Not a magical and intelligent creature then? What does it want with us?"
<Iris> "Food?" Iris ventures.
<Thyan> "I.. Think it's here for me. It has the same feeling as Aaliyah did when she first showed up."
<Kotono> The bird puts its beak against Thyan's hand, making no hostile moves.
<Kotono> The bird continues to stare at Thyan.
<Morana> "Is it Aaliyah reincarnated then, in a stronger form to protect you?" Morana asks.
* Morana eyes the bird, seeking signs of the smaller bird, not that she'd be good at telling such things, never really paying attention to the first one.
* Thyan pats the bird on the neck.
<Kotono> It's a bird. It doesn't immediately resemble Thyan's last bird companion. But it is birdy.
<Thyan> "I think it'll stay with me, no matter what I do. I guess we have a new companion."
<Aleira> "Well, that's nice and convenient."
* Thyan shrugs.
<Thyan> "The gods provide? I won't question it too much. I'm used to having animals around."
<Aleira> "Which gods do you pray to? Perhaps I should convert."
<Thyan> "The Brothers Fharlanghn and Celestian. I don't pray, exactly, but I honor them and hope they guide my journey.:
<Thyan> "
<Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along then, y'all?
<Thyan> OOC: yarp.
<Kotono> Going ahead, the party finds the trees thin out. The ground rises up 10ft straight up, and ahead? Ahead is a desert. A desert of darkness, hidden from the long forgotten sun. Dunes of sand are ahead, and 30ft up is a roof of earth and glistening yellow quarts crystals, providing dim, unearthly illumination to the sand dunes.
* Iris pauses to test shardsense.
<Kotono> The shard continues to be ahead.
* Thyan eyes the crystals, trying to figure out what they are.
<Kotono> OOC: K:Dungeoneering.
<Thyan> OOC: Don't have that. Regular int check?
<Kotono> OOC: Yes.
<Thyan> roll d20+2 Int
* Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+2 Int and gets 7." [d20=5]
<Thyan> "I've spent a lot of time in the deserts.. Though not one like this. If we follow the roll of the dunes and keep our heading, it'll be hard for the Mind Flayer to see us coming. Unless  it flattens out. I suppose I'm taking lead again, then?"
[16:54] * Thyan heads out in front of the others, making sure to leave a fairly visible trail in the sand for them while using the dips in the dunes to stay hidden.
[16:55] <@Kotono> OOC: I assume most of you can climb or get carried up, but how are you getting a cart+horse up that 10ft rise to the desert?
[16:55] <Thyan> OOC: Astral plane, right? Floaty/flying?
[16:56] <Iris> OOC: make a sand ramp, clearly!
[16:56] <Aleira> ^
[16:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Oh right, okay.
[16:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Dur.
[16:56] <Hamish> OOC::D
[16:56] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:56] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[16:57] <@Kotono> You travel for perhaps twenty minutes over these sand dunes, as your shardsense pulls you ahead! Ahead you can feel it - and on the horizon is a house, squat yellow-cast stone. No windows and only one barred door.
[16:57] <@Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[16:57] <@Kotono> You travel for perhaps twenty minutes over these sand dunes, as your shardsense pulls you ahead! Ahead you can feel it - and on the horizon is a house, squat yellow-cast stone. No windows and only one barred door. Your shardsense is leading you right to it.
[16:58] * Thyan pauses the group, hidden behind a dune.
[16:58] <Thyan> "So, how do we want to do this? Want me to go check it out, or just walk right up?"
[16:59] <Aleira> "I think that some stealth is required. I don't want to give our guy time to leave the second he sees us coming. I say Thyan takes a peek for us."
[16:59] * Iris casts a spell to let her see the invisible, just in case their opponent is up to his old tricks again.
[17:00] <Hamish> "Well, I reckon I can attempt to dispel any of the magic the beastie uses if it comes to that." Hamish drawls. "He caught me by surprise last time, that's fer sure."
[17:00] <@Kotono> There's nothing invisible that Iris can see.
[17:01] * @Morana walks up to the door and knocks, since nobody else seems to be doing anything.
[17:02] <@Kotono> On knocking on it, Morana finds that the door goes slightly ajar at her knocking. Despite being barred it's loose on the hinges - a good push should open it.
[17:03] * Thyan circles around to Morana's flank, trying to stay hidden and give her some support and cover.
[17:04] * @Morana pushes it open! "Hello, anyone around?" she calls, just to be polite!
[17:04] * Iris loiters at a somewhat safe distance behind her more adventurous companions, a few dozen feet. Just in case.
[17:04] * Hamish clambers off the cart, keeping up the rear of the group with his reluctant wifey.
[17:04] * Hamish grins cheerily at Iris!
[17:05] <@Kotono> No answer.
[17:05] * Aleira also loiters with the cart!
[17:05] * Iris studiously ignores Hamish.
[17:06] * @Morana looks inside, having opened the door, and getting no answer.
[17:06] <@Kotono> Inside looks to be a lot of rubble - overturned chairs, broken pottery, that manner of thing.
[17:07] <@Morana> "Looks like things are a mess here...don't see anybody," Morana comments to the others as she steps inside, trying to zero in on the shard sense.
[17:08] * Rogue (4cb1f902@ircip1.mibbit.com) has joined #dunes
[17:08] * Aleira cautiously edges to the doorway, peering inside. "I don't like this. A shard in an abandoned house? It's too easy."
[17:08] * Thyan keeps an eye out, scanning for any type of danger or ambush.
[17:08] <Iris> Well, the fact that Morana has not yet been brainwiped by abominations is a promising start! Iris follows her inside to look around.
[17:09] <@Kotono> It's a rather large, single room. Despite being an entire building, there's no interior walls at all. Just wall to wall ruins. Torn up tapestries, broken pottery, twisted silverware, shattered plates, broken tables. You can't even see the floor in all this mess.
[17:09] * Aleira steps inside and tries to focus her shardsense! Looking through this mess will take forever.
[17:09] * @Morana just follows her shard sense, not focusing on the disaster.
[17:10] <Iris> It seems like their target is here, so there's no choice but to search every inch of the place, methodically and thoroughly.
[17:10] <@Morana> Well, besides for navigating and not tripping and falling on her face, of course.
[17:10] <@Kotono> There's a distinctly downward pull to it now. OOC: If you're actually searching, roll a search check. If you have no ranks it is an int check.
[17:10] * Hamish readies a dispel!
[17:10] <@Morana> roll d20-1 I don't know why I'm searching! I should have a shard sense to zero in on these things!
[17:10] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20-1 I don't know why I'm searching! I should have a shard sense to zero in on these things! and gets 16." [d20=17]
[17:11] <Iris> roll 1d20+13 I have ranks!
[17:11] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+13 I have ranks! and gets 29." [1d20=16]
[17:11] * Thyan follows the others in, but keeps an eye out for any kind of threat while helping with the search.
[17:11] <Thyan> roll d20+12 Search
[17:11] * +Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 Search and gets 26." [d20=14]
[17:11] <Aleira> roll 1d20+7 search
[17:11] * +Hatbot --> "Aleira rolls 1d20+7 search and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[17:11] <Hamish> OOC: Ranks, I have not.
[17:11] <@Kotono> Searching around, the party is able to find a trap door underneath all the rubble. It's not particularly hidden, save for the messiness of the room.
[17:13] * @Morana goes open the trap door, not having interest in digging around the rest of the house's mess.
[17:13] <Aleira> "Say, Thyan. Take a look at this. I'd hate to have my face melt off when I open this door."
[17:13] * Thyan stares flatly at Aleira, remembering the box, before heading to the trap door and inspecting it.
[17:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, search check, Thyahn.
[17:14] <Thyan> roll d20+12 Search
[17:14] * +Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 Search and gets 32." [d20=20]
[17:15] <@Kotono> Thyan is pretty damn sure the trap door isn't booby trapped or anything like that.
[17:15] <Thyan> "Looks clean to me. Everyone ready?"
[17:15] <@Kotono> At this Morana opens the trapdoor. Ahead is a simple ladder going down. It's wood and really rather rotted.
[17:16] <Iris> "Insofar as such is possible," Iris allows.
[17:17] <@Morana> "Ready enough. Let's find this shard then, shall we?" Morana says as she starts going down the ladder. "Careful, the ladder looks to be in pretty bad condition. One at a time?" she suggests.
[17:17] * Aleira shrugs and begins climbing down, testing each step to make sure it can bear her weight!!"
[17:17] * Thyan follows Morana down, leaving the giant bird to circle the house and hopefully act as a loud warning in case something approaches.
[17:20] <@Kotono> Thus the party proceeds down. You find yourself in an old, neglected room. Here racks of barrels and wine bottles are dustless. Several nailed shut boxes are about, and atop one a large cube of clear material sits. It looks to be crystal or something similar, transparent white. It's about a foot wide and a foot tall, and within the center you can see the Dream Shard you seek!
[17:21] <Thyan> "So. Magic trap?"
[17:21] * Thyan inspects it, trying to get an idea of what the cube is.
[17:21] <Iris> "Very curious," Iris says, scanning the area and the cube for exactly that--magic!
[17:22] <@Kotono> The cube radiates strong magic. OOC: Make spellcraft if you want to study it further.
[17:22] <Iris> roll 1d20+16 I do indeed
[17:22] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+16 I do indeed and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[17:22] <Hamish> roll 1d20+17 psicraft same thing
[17:22] * +Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+17 psicraft same thing and gets 23." [1d20=6]
[17:24] <Hamish> "Sealin' magic, looks to be." Hamish says, rubbing his chin at the shard.
[17:25] <Iris> "Well, some manner of enchantment is definitely in place to keep unwelcome hands away," Iris concludes. "Regrettably I do not possess spells suitable for dispersing this, unless we wish to try simply burning it away."
[17:25] <@Morana> "What does the spell do exactly?" Morana asks.
[17:25] * Aleira blinks. "Sealing magic? Like, if we touch it, we'll get sealed away in a bottle or something?"
[17:25] <Thyan> "Hmm.. Can it be triggered from a distance? Like, with an arrow?"
[17:26] <Iris> "I do not know," Iris says. "If anyone wishes to experiment, let us all retire to a safe distance first?" she suggests, doing just that, insofar as the crummy basement room has space for it.
[17:26] <Hamish> "Lemme try." Hamish says, giving the cube a glare. OOC: Dispel Psionics
[17:26] <@Kotono> OOC: Dispel check.
[17:26] <Hamish> roll 1d20+12 augmented for 7 points
[17:26] * +Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+12 augmented for 7 points and gets 16." [1d20=4]
[17:26] <Hamish> OOC: Oh wow
[17:27] <@Kotono> Hamish throws the power of his mind at the cube, attempting to unravel the magics around it! Alas, nothing at all happens, his power not enough to affect it.
[17:28] <Hamish> "...thing's tough. Let's take it with us."
[17:28] <Thyan> "Well, we need to be able to move it, first. Is it even safe to touch?"
[17:29] <Iris> "Even if it is safe to take it with us, doing so would render us directionless," Iris points out. "As long as this shard is here, we cannot sense the next."
[17:29] <Thyan> "So we need to get it out. Mind giving it another try?
[17:29] <Thyan> "
[17:30] * Hamish grumbles and refocuses his mind on the cube. OOC: Dispel again.
[17:30] <Hamish> roll 1d20+12 augmented for 7 points
[17:30] * +Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+12 augmented for 7 points and gets 21." [1d20=9]
[17:30] <@Kotono> Again Hamish attempts to use pure psionic energies to unravel the magic cube! Again, nothing happens!
[17:30] <@Morana> "As long as you can verify that it's not some instant death spell, I'm willing to try grabbing it, just make sure you stand back and have some healing readied if I need it," Morana suggests.
[17:31] <Iris> "I can verify nothing," Iris says, not sounding happy about it.
[17:31] <Thyan> "Do we have any other options, really?"
[17:31] <Hamish> "...it's REAL tough." Hamish grouses. "Why not just take the box it's on?"
[17:31] <Iris> "Is it conceivable that that will work eventually if you keep trying?" Iris (reluctantly) asks Hamish.
[17:32] * @Morana waits to see if people move away somewhat before trying for the box.
[17:33] * Thyan shrugs.
[17:33] <Hamish> "Well, if my lovely wifey here wants me to try, a goodly husband can hardly deny her most intimate desires!" Hamish's expression abruptly does a 180, blooming into an easy grin. He tries yet again!
[17:33] <Thyan> "Let me try an arrow, first, Morana."
[17:33] <Hamish> roll 1d20+12 dispel already muthafuckaaaaa
[17:33] * +Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+12 dispel already muthafuckaaaaa and gets 26." [1d20=14]
[17:35] <@Kotono> This time, the cube around the shard glows faintly before dimming!
[17:35] <Iris> "Good work," Iris (grudgingly) concedes.
[17:36] * Hamish wraps a loving arm around Iris' waist and pulls har close, smiling wildly. "'sall part o' the husbandly service!"
[17:37] <Iris> "That is the ENTIRE part of said service," Iris says, forcibly pushing Hamish away and stepping forward to examine the shard.
[17:37] * Thyan chuckles.
[17:37] <Thyan> "I think she's just shy about public displays, Hamish."
[17:37] <@Kotono> The shard is still surrounded in crystal or some such. It glowed briefly and then dimmed when dispelled.
[17:38] * Hamish grins easily, following her. "I'm sure."
[17:38] <Iris> "Are none of you able to realize when a joke has run its course?" Iris grouses as she reaches out to touch the cube.
[17:39] <@Morana> "I haven't said anything," Morana offers.
[17:39] <@Morana> "Neither has Lady Gauss."
[17:39] <Aleira> "Jokes like that one *never* die." Aleira says with a straight face.
[17:39] <Thyan> "Not that you haven't enjoyed it, though."
[17:39] * Thyan chuckles at Aleira.
[17:40] <@Morana> "I will neither confirm nor deny such allegations, Sir Aldcar."
[17:40] <Hamish> "The plan e of Elysium declared us to be married. Whether ye like it or not." Hamish says matter-of-factly.
[17:40] * Thyan grins at Morana.
[17:40] <Iris> "The plane of Elysium is not the boss of me," Iris says firmly.
[17:40] * Hamish shrugs.
[17:41] <@Kotono> The cube is touched. Nothing happens. It's faintly cool to the touch but nothing more.
[17:41] <Hamish> "Don't come cryin' ta me when you decide to get married and the gods give ye warts'r somethin'."
[17:41] <Thyan> "So, the crystal. Any idea what it is? I suppose we're not lucky enough for it to be encased in diamond?"
[17:41] <Aleira> "I hope the children are not quite as competitive as you two," Aleira comments as she floats up the ladder to the ground floor.
[17:42] <Iris> "I look forward to the day when you find yourself attracted to someone else and tire of this charade," Iris says, attempting to pick the cube up.
[17:42] <@Kotono> The cube is a bit heavy, but Iris can pick it up. Nothing awry happens.
[17:43] <Iris> Back to the cart with it, then! Iris doesn't want to haul this thing everywhere personally.
[17:43] <Hamish> "Get me to a good tavern and you've at least got the night off." Hamish replies cheerfully.
[17:44] <@Kotono> The party returns to the cart without incident. OOC: Okay, feel free to chat about what y'all are gonna do now since you have the shard -s orta.
[17:44] <Thyan> "Do we want to check around and see if there's anything else of value?"
[17:45] * Hamish grabs up the crystal and looks at it. "Anyone got an idea t' open this thing?"
[17:45] * Iris drops the cube on the cart and shrugs. "If you wish. I saw little but garbage within, however. Could we attempt to break our prize free now? The warriors to start with perhaps? I suppose I could try burning it free if physical force fails."
[17:45] * Iris examines the crystal to try and determine exactly what it's made of, whether this substance might have any notable weaknesses.
[17:45] <Thyan> "We didn't think there'd be much back in that shack in Hades, either."
[17:46] * Thyan grins at Iris.
[17:46] * Thyan takes a few moments to head back into the shack and check the boxes in the basement, hoping for any additional loot. And checking for hidden places, too, after last time with the box.
[17:46] <Hamish> "Force, eh?" Hamish concentrates. OOC: Telekinetic force. Going for the break DC. MAking Intelligence check in place of Strength.
[17:46] <Hamish> roll 1d20+5 Break!
[17:46] * +Hatbot --> "Hamish rolls 1d20+5 Break! and gets 20." [1d20=15]
[17:51] <@Kotono> OOC: Have any skills relating to mineralogy or the like, Iris?
[17:52] <@Kotono> OOC: Link me to the power, Yuth?
[17:52] <Iris> OOC: most knowledge skills...but not all
[17:53] <Hamish> OOC: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/telekineticForce.htm
[17:54] <@Kotono> Hamish sends a mental jolt to the object - it cracks in a few places with very fine, minute cracks. But it doesn't break.
[17:54] <Iris> "Well, that is a start. This is appears to be just a matter of persistance."
[17:57] <@Morana> "Want me to try and finish breaking it? I already broke one diamond," Morana offers, as she offers her hand, palm up, for Hamish to pass the object over.
[17:57] <Hamish> "You're pretty demandin' fer a wife that doesn't appreciate her husband." Hamisn points out.
[17:57] * Hamish passes the cracked crystal off to Morana. "Go ahead, missy."
[17:58] * Iris decides this is a good time to start ignoring Hamish again.
[17:58] <Iris> roll 1d20+10 appraise cube just because I can!
[17:58] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+10 appraise cube just because I can! and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[17:59] <@Morana> While Iris appraises the cube, Morana simply raises it above her head and then throws it down as hard as she can into the ground. "Let's try without breaking my hand this time first..." she mutters as she eyes the results.
[17:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Str check.
[18:00] * Iris merely shrugs, quite stumped as to what it might be.
[18:00] <@Morana> roll d20+4 str
[18:00] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4 str and gets 9." [d20=5]
[18:01] <@Kotono> The cube thuds down hard, not a single new crack on it afterwards.
[18:02] <@Morana> "Well, boo. Possibly breaking my hand again it is," Morana says with a sigh as she picks it up and this time keeps a hold on it as she slams it onto something that looks hard and good for breaking magical cubes.
[18:02] <@Morana> roll d20+4 str
[18:02] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4 str and gets 16." [d20=12]
[18:02] * Aleira pipes up, "Why not have one of the horses stomp on it? Perhaps they could weaken the cube?"
[18:03] <@Kotono> SMASH! The cube still doesn't really give way despite Morana smashing the hell out of it.
[18:03] <Hamish> "Morana's probably stronger." Hamish looks on. "Probably."
[18:04] <Iris> "Set it down somewhere and I can try burning through it?" Iris suggests.
[18:05] <@Morana> "We can just wait until the next time you get your spells, Hamish. Or we can do that, sure," Morana says, passing it over to Iris.
[18:05] <@Morana> "I'm going to go wait outside while you burn the house down around us though," Morana adds, as she starts to go back upstairs.
[18:06] * Iris sets it on the ground, safely away from the cart, takes a few paces and raises her palm to emit two beams of scorching flame!
[18:06] <@Kotono> OOC: Attack rolls.
[18:06] <Iris> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch 1
[18:06] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+8 ranged touch 1 and gets 16." [1d20=8]
[18:06] <Iris> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch 2
[18:06] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+8 ranged touch 2 and gets 10." [1d20=2]
[18:06] <@Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[18:06] <Iris> roll 4d6 fire
[18:06] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 4d6 fire and gets 11." [4d6=1, 3, 4, 3]
[18:07] <@Kotono> The cube looks very slightly melted after this. A minor effect without any serious damage, looks like.
[18:08] * Iris frowns! "One more, perhaps," she says, flinging a barrage of missiles at the cube instead!
[18:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Meanwhile, make a search check, Iddy.
[18:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Magic missiles? Link me on the SRD?
[18:08] <Thyan> roll d20+12 search
[18:08] * +Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 search and gets 22." [d20=10]
[18:08] <Iris> OOC: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicMissile.htm
[18:09] <Iris> roll 4d4+4 no attack roll this time
[18:09] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 4d4+4 no attack roll this time and gets 12." [4d4=1, 2, 2, 3]
[18:09] <@Kotono> The missiles fly free - and do absolutely no damage, as normal for magic missile against inanimate objects.
[18:10] <@Kotono> Meanwhile, down below Thyan finds that in the boxes are several things. One box is full of well crafted quilts. Another is full of bottles of whiskey or something similar. A third is full of salted iron rations. A fourth is sealed shut and full of water.
[18:11] * Thyan takes stock of the crates, particularly the whiskey-substitute, and makes another round of the basement, specifically looking for any hidden things.
[18:12] <Iris> "I am making precisely no progress at this," Iris admits. "Could someone else try? Perhaps the someone who broke open a diamond last time? I can offer an enchantment to bolster strength if needed."
[18:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Search again.
[18:13] <Thyan> roll d20+12 search
[18:13] * +Hatbot --> "Thyan rolls d20+12 search and gets 20." [d20=8]

[Yuthirin]

[18:14] <@Kotono> Back behind one of the boxes, Thyan finds several sacks hanging on wall mounted hooks.
[18:15] * @Morana sighs and grabs the cube again. "Aleira, let me borrow your shard again, as well. That and Iris' spell may have been what helped then."
[18:15] <Hamish> "Give it another go, Morana!" Hamish cheers, leaning lazily against one of the horses and watching the muscley orcish girl move around.
[18:16] * Aleira shrugs, reaches into her chest with a shining hand, rummages around in her ribcage, and pops the cube out with a squelch!
[18:16] * Thyan checks the sacks for contents and checks over the hooks, looking for any possible hidden switches.
[18:16] <Aleira> "I want it nice and clean when I get it back."
[18:16] * Aleira tosses the cube at Morana.
[18:16] * Iris touches Morana on the shoulder and endows her with superhuman strength! For a short time. (OOC: enjoy your +4 STR for 7 minutes)
[18:16] <@Morana> "...how did you make it do that squelching noise in the first place?" Morana asks, looking at Aleira weirdly as she takes the shard, examining it for signs of anything that could make squelching noises.
[18:17] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:17] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 22." [d20=12]
[18:17] * Aleira winks. "I'm just *that* good."
[18:18] <Hamish> "'Good' is not the word."
[18:18] <@Kotono> The shard doesn't look squelchy at all. Meanwhile Thyan finds one bag is full of loose copper and brass coins. Another has scrap metal, a third has balls of yard and sewing needles and the last has several arrowheads. No sign of hidden levers or anything like that.
[18:18] <@Kotono> With a great pounding SMASH Morana tries to break the cube! It cracks in several places but doesn't break.
[18:19] * Thyan grabs the sacks full of coins, sewing supplies, and arrowheads, then goes back up to the rest of the group.
[18:19] <Iris> "I call that progress," Iris says by way of something approximating enouragement. "Keep trying?"
[18:19] * Thyan sees Morana whacking on the cube and pauses for a second before shaking it off.
[18:20] * @Morana shrugs and keeps trying?
[18:20] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:20] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 20." [d20=10]
[18:21] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:21] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 14." [d20=4]
[18:21] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:21] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 20." [d20=10]
[18:21] <@Morana> Three slams!
[18:21] <Thyan> "So! The boxes were full of food, water, whiskey-stuff, and blankets. All things I think we should take. Also found a bag of coins and sewing supplies. Might be worth taking for trade. And some odd little arrowheads."
[18:21] * Thyan reaches into the sack of arrowheads and pulls one out, inspecting it.
[18:22] * Aleira shakes her head and comments dryly, "I know I'm not the sharpest sword in the sheathe, but shouldn't we be doing this AWAY from this place? What if whoever put the cube there comes back for it? Do we really wanna stick around?"
[18:23] <@Kotono> CRACKCRACKCRACK! The cube is full of cracks now, but hasn't quite broken.
[18:23] <@Morana> A few more whacks might do it!
[18:23] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:23] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 20." [d20=10]
[18:23] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:23] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 29." [d20=19]
[18:23] * Iris shrugs. "We appear to be almost done anyway," she says.
[18:23] <@Kotono> More cracks and more - it's more cracks than solid - but it just won't fall apart.
[18:24] <@Kotono> OOC: Can any of you see invisible?
[18:24] <@Morana> "This...is kind of annoying. How many cracks does it take, honestly?" Morana mutters as she looks over the crack patterns, looking for some weak point to focus slamming on.
[18:24] <Iris> OOC: I can!
[18:24] <@Morana> ooc: Iris cast a spell for that! Is it still active?
[18:24] <@Kotono> OOC: Yes. Iris, make a spot check.
[18:24] * @Morana tries another time!
[18:24] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 str check
[18:24] <Iris> roll 1d20+13 eyes
[18:24] * +Hatbot --> "Morana rolls d20+4+2+4 str check and gets 13." [d20=3]
[18:24] * +Hatbot --> "Iris rolls 1d20+13 eyes and gets 20." [1d20=7]
[18:26] <@Kotono> This time there's no further progress. Meanwhile Iris just happens to glance backwards! 120ft behind you, standing atop a sand dune, is a humanoid figure. It is wrapped in bands of sand, and where there should be a face is only sizzling acids! As you turn around, it raises a hand up and a ball of acid flies at Iris! OOC: Getting normal AC instead of flatfooted, and you have a chance to use the
[18:26] <@Kotono> factotum AC booster if you wish.
[18:27] <Iris> OOC: I most certainly shall! So AC 20
[18:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 touch AC?
[18:27] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 touch AC? and gets 32." [1d20=20]
[18:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 touch AC? uh oh George, this is really bad
[18:27] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 touch AC? uh oh George, this is really bad and gets 32." [1d20=20]
[18:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 touch AC? uh oh George, this is really bad yep
[18:28] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 touch AC? uh oh George, this is really bad yep and gets 16." [1d20=4]
[18:28] <@Kotono> roll 20d6 acid damage
[18:28] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6 acid damage and gets 75." [20d6=6, 2, 3, 1, 6, 2, 5, 6, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 1, 2, 6, 6, 5]
[18:28] <Iris> OOC: touch AC would be 15, 16 if Factotum bonus counts for that
[18:31] <Aleira> And hey, if I die, I'm going to look at this as an opportunity to make another character.
[18:31] <@Morana> ooc: scratch last line from logs
[18:32] <@Kotono> As Iris turns, her head is suddenly engulfed in acid! She can only scream - a mournful sound of agony that stirs the entire party to her plight! They turn to see her faceflesh dissolve like runny water, smoking and hissing as it pours down her front! Her skull is momentarily visible before it dissolves under the acid, eating away her brain before the horrified party! After this attack the creature
[18:32] <@Kotono> becomes visible to them as well! OOC: React and then init.
[18:32] <Hamish> "Wifey!" Hamish the Widower cries!
[18:33] <Hamish> "Ya sonovabitch!" Hamish shakes his fist at the crazy sand guy!
[18:33] * Aleira is stunned for a moment, watching Iris fall to the ground. But only for a moment. With a wordless howl of rage she whirls around and flings herself in the direction of their enemy, wishing to avenge Iris or die trying!
[18:33] <@Morana> "...what the devil?!?" Morana asks, confused as all heck.
[18:33] <@Morana> roll d20+1+5 init with +5 to others.
[18:33] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+1+5 init with +5 to others. --> [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
[18:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Morana(22) '
[18:34] <Hamish> roll 1d20+10
[18:34] <Kobot> Hamish rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{17}
[18:34] <Aleira> roll 1d20+7+5
[18:34] <Kobot> Aleira rolled 1d20+7+5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{31}
[18:34] <@Morana> roll d20+1+5 init robo-Fiora
[18:34] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+1+5 init robo-Fiora --> [ 1d20=1 ]{7}
[18:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(31)>Morana(22)>Robo-Fiora(7) '
[18:35] <Thyan> roll d20+4+5
[18:35] <Kobot> Thyan rolled d20+4+5 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
[18:35] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 baddie
[18:35] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 baddie --> [ 1d20=10 ]{14}
[18:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(31)>Morana(22)>Thyan(18)>Acid-Face(14)>Robo-Fiora(7) '
[18:35] <Thyan> roll d20+4 Giant Bird
[18:35] <Kobot> Thyan rolled d20+4 Giant Bird --> [ 1d20=13 ]{17}
[18:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(31)>Morana(22)>Thyan(18)>Dire Eagle(17)>Acid-Face(14)>Robo-Fiora(7) '
[18:36] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(31)>Morana(22)>Thyan(18)>Dire Eagle=Hamish(17)>Acid-Face(14)>Robo-Fiora(7) '
[18:36] <Hamish> roll 1d20+15
[18:36] <Kobot> Hamish rolled 1d20+15 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{22}
[18:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Go Aleira. 120ft away atop a sand dune.
[18:37] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aleira(31)>Morana=Thyan(22)>Thyan(18)>Dire Eagle(17)>Acid-Face(14)>Robo-Fiora(7) '
[18:37] <@Morana> ooc: is it still invisible? or made visible by attacking?
[18:37] <Aleira> OOC: 80ft movement speed so I'm just going to charge the damn thing. I'm going to fly right at it
[18:37] <@Morana> ooc: oh wait, it did
[18:37] <@Kotono> OOC: Visible now.
[18:37] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay go for it, Aleira.
[18:37] <@Morana> ooc: don't forget -1 from lost shard!
[18:38] <@Morana> ooc: but you're smarter at least!
[18:38] <Aleira> With the fury of an avenging valkyrie, Aleira snarls incoherently as she flies towards dear Iris's killer!
[18:40] <@Kotono> OOC: Attacking?
[18:41] <Aleira> OOC: I thought I couldn't cover 120ft in one round?
[18:41] <Aleira> OOC: I'm 80ft movement speed
[18:41] <@Kotono> OOC: You can double move to get close or charge and attack it with +2 to the attack roll nad -2 to AC for the round.
[18:42] <Aleira> OOC: Charge it is.
[18:42] <Aleira> When she reaches her quarry, Aleira charges and throws out a Stunning Fist!
[18:42] <Aleira> roll 1d20+12 Stunning Fist
[18:42] <Kobot> Aleira rolled 1d20+12 Stunning Fist --> [ 1d20=10 ]{22}
[18:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit. Damage and DC on the fist.
[18:43] <Aleira> roll 2d6+4 damage DC15
[18:43] <Kobot> Aleira rolled 2d6+4 damage DC15 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{11}
[18:43] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[18:43] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{19}
[18:44] <@Kotono> Aleira charges in, kicking the strange humanoid right in the sand-belt covered stomach! It's knocked a few feet back, not a single gasping sound from it. Instead there's no sounds, only the foul smell of boiling acid from its not-face! OOC: Morana and Thyan. Go.
[18:45] * @Morana also charges at the creature, crying out sharp curses! "You will regret your actions, fiend!" Morana exclaims as she attempts to cut it down. (OOC: activating righteous fury, using war cry, and avenging strike, with a charge)
[18:45] <@Morana> roll d20+12+3+2+1+5 attack
[18:45] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+12+3+2+1+5 attack --> [ 1d20=5 ]{28}
[18:46] <@Morana> roll d6+4+3+3+1+2d6 damage
[18:46] <Kobot> Morana rolled d6+4+3+3+1+2d6 damage --> [ 1d6=5 2d6=6 ]{22}
[18:46] <@Kotono> The arm of the acid-faced creature gets cut open, bleeding all over as flesh is cleaved from bone! OOC: Ow. Thyan.
[18:46] <Thyan> OOC: Is this a creature that's native to the desert?
[18:47] <Thyan> OOC: or has habitat: All?
[18:47] <@Kotono> OOC: It is.
[18:47] * Thyan zips up and forward, getting into longbow range, firing off an arrow!
[18:47] <Thyan> roll d20+12+1
[18:48] <Kobot> Thyan rolled d20+12+1 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{30}
[18:48] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[18:48] <Thyan> roll d8+7+1
[18:48] <Kobot> Thyan rolled d8+7+1 --> [ 1d8=3 ]{11}
[18:48] <@Kotono> An arrow flies, getting the creature in the chest! It wobbles back, wounded all over! OOC: Eagle'n'Hamish. Go.
[18:49] * Hamish moves forward, leaving Iris' melted form to cool by the cart. He floats forward about 70 feet before concentrating. Behind the creature, a horned humanoid creature takes shape, silently dashing forward and charging in from behind! OOC: Astral Construct, augmented to level 4. Manifested with Trip and Improved Slam Attack
[18:50] <Hamish> roll 1d20+10+2 charging
[18:50] <Kobot> Hamish rolled 1d20+10+2 charging --> [ 1d20=7 ]{19}
[18:50] <Hamish> OOC: +2 for flanking
[18:51] <@Morana> ooc: Is it flanking with Aleira or Morana, just out of curiosity? Or big enough to flank with both?
[18:52] <Hamish> OOC: It's medium, so just one. Whoever's closer to the dude's back?
[18:52] <@Morana> ooc: flank with Aleira, Morana has a lot of attack right now and no PA.
[18:52] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[18:53] <Hamish> roll 1d8+10 damage
[18:53] <Kobot> Hamish rolled 1d8+10 damage --> [ 1d8=6 ]{16}
[18:53] <Hamish> OOC: Trippin times
[18:54] <Hamish> roll 1d20+7 trip
[18:54] <Kobot> Hamish rolled 1d20+7 trip --> [ 1d20=2 ]{9}
[18:54] <@Kotono> That hit shatters the back of the creature, which writhes under the assault before falling to the ground! The acid of its face begins to dry, becoming a foul greenish crust. OOC: Free act. It be dead.
[18:55] <Hamish> The construct stills for a moment, then begins to brutally kick the creature's corpse.
[18:56] * @Morana scowls at the creature, as she tries to figure out what it is, even as the construct kicks it.
[18:57] * Thyan lands next to where Iris' body, staring for a moment before disappearing into the house and returning with a blanket, lying it over the headless corpse and offering prayers.
[18:57] <@Morana> roll d20+9 K:P? Subtract 7 if it's K:N, K:A or K:R. Pass if it's anything else.
[18:57] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+9 K:P? Subtract 7 if it's K:N, K:A or K:R. Pass if it's anything else. --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
[18:57] * Aleira walks over, a tear rolling down her face, and spits on the corpse of the monster.
[18:59] <@Morana> "It seems you had a valid point, Aleira. We should move. We can keep trying to break it later, in case more of those things show."
[18:59] * Aleira looks up. "Can we bury Iris before we leave? It doesn't seem right to leave her here."
[18:59] * Thyan nods.
[18:59] <Thyan> "Sounds like the right thing to do."
[19:00] <@Morana> "Not a place I'd like to bury her in. Given she won't exactly, uhm, smell for a while..."Hamish, can your construct....can it carry Iris to the cart? We can bury her some place better, I think. We should do that much for her."
[19:00] <Hamish> The creation stops kicking and heaves the creature's remains over its shoulder, hoofing it down toward Hamish, who examines the corpse for goods and valuables.
[19:01] <Hamish> "In a moment."
[19:01] <@Kotono> There are several belts of sand all over it. Odd little things indeed. No other possessions.
[19:01] * Hamish yanks the belts off.
[19:02] * @Morana frowns. "You call yourself her husband, even if in jest, you could at least act it in her death," Morana mutters, before putting away her blade and doing it herself instead of waiting on him, more interested in the aberration instead.
[19:03] * @Morana lays the corpse on the cart and gives a short prayer for Iris, joined by Fiora in the act.
[19:04] * Thyan offers his own prayers, as well.
[19:04] <Thyan> "I.. I think we're going to need some of that whiskey in the basement. Anyone want to help me get those crates moved?"
[19:04] * Hamish returns to the party. "The dead have all the time in the world, Morana. They're dead. Perhaps we can see someone about raising her. We should head for a friendly plane. I hate this plane. More than Arcadia." Hamish enunciates very carefully. He climbs onto the cart, looking at Thyan. "It will obey your orders for now, and is strong."
[19:06] * Thyan leads the construct down to the basement and returns with the crates.
[19:06] * @Morana frowns. "If we're waiting for more of those things to show while you ransack the place, I might as well keep trying to crack the cube open."
[19:06] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 crack
[19:06] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 crack
[19:06] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+4+2+4 crack --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[19:06] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+4+2+4 crack --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
[19:07] * Aleira sighs and climbs up into the wagon avoiding the sight of Iris's body.
[19:07] <@Morana> roll d20+4+2+4 critical crack?
[19:07] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+4+2+4 critical crack? --> [ 1d20=2 ]{12}
[19:07] * Thyan finishes his ransacking and goes back to the cart, ready to leave.
[19:10] * Hamish dismisses the creature after all the goods are aboard. He clicks the reins. "Let's go."
[19:11] * Rogue (4cb1f902@ircip1.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client )
[19:11] <@Kotono> With more cracks, the cube cracks more - yet impossibly it doesn't shatter.
[19:12] * @Morana will have kept trying while Thyan was looting.
[19:12] <@Morana> roll 10#d20+4+2+4
[19:12] <Kobot> Morana rolled 10#d20+4+2+4 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{21}, [ 1d20=18 ]{28}, [ 1d20=1 ]{11}, [ 1d20=10 ]{20}, [ 1d20=11 ]{21}, [ 1d20=7 ]{17}, [ 1d20=2 ]{12}, [ 1d20=15 ]{25}, [ 1d20=2 ]{12}, [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
[19:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, where are ya'll headed now?
[19:13] <Hamish> OOC: Celestia, Elysium, Arborea, Ysgard, anywhere we can find a friend.
[19:13] <@Morana> "That is ridiculous magic, and the sort of thing Iris would probably have loved to study," Morana says after it fails to break even with all the numerous cracks once Iris' spell ends and she passes the shard back to Aleira.
[19:13] * Aleira silently takes the shard and pops it back into his chest.
[19:13] <@Morana> Fiora nods in agreement as she rights something in her journal, probably poetry dedicated to Iris or something. Nobody really knows.
[19:13] <Aleira> OOC: *her
[19:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, need something a little more specific than that.
[19:15] <Hamish> OOC: Celestia.
[19:15] <Hamish> OOC: North.
[19:15] <Hamish> OOC: Thattaway.
[19:15] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[19:15] <@Morana> ooc: We'd just use our portal sense and find the next portal we can find. Hopefully it goes to one of those named planes.
[19:16] <@Kotono> The trip out is without incident. Once you are back out into the silvery void your journey resumes...but not for long. After a little bit of this interminable nothingness of time, the party as one begins to feel a deep languor come over you, as if sleep has somehow asserted itself in this realm.
[19:17] <Hamish> "Ahhh, shit." Hamish says sleepily, trying to steer around it.
[19:17] * Thyan shakes his head, trying to focus past it.
[19:19] <@Morana> "Sleepiness...in Astral?" Morana asks rhetorically. "That can't be right..."
[19:19] <@Morana> roll d20+8 K:P did we stumble onto a demiplane?
[19:19] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+8 K:P did we stumble onto a demiplane? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}
[19:19] <@Kotono> Even as you say that the sleepiness is becoming stronger - much stronger.
[19:19] <@Morana> roll d20+8 K:P Fiora
[19:19] <Kobot> Morana rolled d20+8 K:P Fiora --> [ 1d20=6 ]{14}
[19:20] <Hamish> "I hate this place." Hamish says, drowsing.
[19:21] <@Morana> "...Perhaps it's the Lady of Dreams..." Morana suggests with a yawn. She's dearly hoping it is.
[19:21] <@Morana> Fiora falls asleep as Morana finishes her sentence.
[19:21] * @Morana isn't lasting much longer.
[19:22] * Thyan continues to shake his head, trying to stay awake and wobbling as he moves along.
[19:22] <@Kotono> With this sleep overcomes the party. In this you all can hear - no feel - each other. From this the Lady of Dreams is heard, "My brave champions," she calls, "I grieve with you. I have contacted the spirit of Iris and shall pass on her wishes."
[19:25] <Hamish> "Iffn' she wants to come back, we'll find a realer to resurrect her for a favor or two." Hamish says.
[19:27] <@Kotono> "She does," The Lady of Dreams confirms, "Please, find someone who can call her spirit back to her body."
[19:28] <Hamish> "Will do."
[19:29] <@Kotono> With that, awareness and awakeness returns to all the party, as if they drifted off for an afternoon nap.
[19:29] * Thyan shakes his to clear the last bit of sleep.
[19:30] <Thyan> ".. Okay. Any idea where to find someone who can ressurrect her?"
[19:30] * Hamish snorts, leans forward, and grumbles. "Now let's get the hell out of here." He looks at Thyan,  "Not here."