054.6 Adrian

[Corwin]

[19:54] <Kotono> Mirima starts to reply, but it is lost as Afina and Jaela rush in.
[19:56] <Afina> Afina flutters in behind Jaela and speaks, "We just heard from Elena that Adrian's gotten worse. How's it looking?"
[19:57] * Jaela gives Mirima a smile that is on the terse side, adding, "Where is he now?"
[19:57] <Ithea> "I don't know, I told Hanna what I saw when I examined Adrian's body, but I'm not a healer, and I just got sent downstairs for boiling water. Balyss, Hanna and Misalea are in the room with him," Ithea says worriedly, still moving up.
[19:59] <Afina> Wanting to show support but not crowd the healers, Afina trails behind Ithea on the way up.
[20:03] <Kotono> The group heads back upstairs! You find the door open. Adrian kneels on the floor, Gaelach before him. The first foot of it is embedded in the stone floor, his hands hanging onto the hilt. Adrian's body is covered in bleeding scars, pulsing each time he pants for air. Balyss is at his side, chanting the following prayer, "Rise, rise, rise moon! Cover, cover, cover us in merciful moonlight!
[20:03] <Kotono> Banish, banish, banish the nightmares!" Nearby is Hanna, waiting with crossed arms.
[20:04] * Ithea sets the water by the entrance of the room. "I have the water," Ithea whispers to Hanna.
[20:04] <Jaela> "What did you try already?" Jaela asks her mother quietly, coming up to her other side. "And did you consider sending him to a heaven? Ilmater's realm, or any other?"
[20:07] <Kotono> Hanna nods to Ithea, before gently escorting the party outside of the room. She speaks in a low voice, calm and soothing, "Physical healing helps, but it's not needed. Adrian's bleeding, but there's no resultant loss of vitality or physical damage. The bleeding is purely a metaphysical effect. Right now we're weighing options and trying to better figure out what's going on. In the
[20:07] <Kotono> meantime, could you explain to me where Adrian got exposed to draconic blood? He mentioned something about mists while searching for Aurora."
[20:08] * Jaela blinks. "We killed a dragon made of mist, and he ate its misty heart thing that was left behind."
[20:09] <Afina> "We analyzed it first to know it would strengthen the consumer," Afina promptly adds because that just sounds dumb.
[20:09] <Ithea> "Pretty much just that. It was in the Deep Ethereal where we encountered it."
[20:13] <Kotono> "Hm." Hanna murmurs that, "Dragons are immortal creatures. They aren't really mortal as a mortal would reckon it. I don't know enough here to do anything but guess, but perhaps that dragon's heart was a type of benign contamination. Maybe the two energies are clashing."
[20:14] <Jaela> "Is there anything you think our own in-house dragon can help with, to push the benign contamination along?"
[20:14] <Ithea> "It's generally been helping him though, unlike Abigor's, but would it be easier to purge the dragon essence from him and would that really help at all?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "AGH!" Adrian's scream cuts through Hanna's reply, the grinding hiss of steel on stone following!
[20:18] <Afina> "If anyone knows about spiritual contaiminations and combinations it's Baleruk," Afina says, showing her faith in the would-be dragon god. "Hang in there, Adrian!"
[20:18] * Jaela grits her teeth at the scream, but keeps quiet for now.
[20:19] <Kotono> Balyss screams a moment later, a heavy thud! Hanna winces, "Go consult with him then. Better yet, get him to swallow his pride and come to the window. Can he take human form? That would be even better."
[20:20] <Afina> "Elena's already speaking to him. I'll go, just in case she isn't having any luck, though." Considering how Elena's always telling her to deal with whatever situation Baleruk is in she's clearly their resident expert on him. Flying out the window she heads up to his lair!
[20:22] * Jaela decides to return to Adrian's side. Even if healing doesn't help with his wounds, so long as it sooths him she would be useful enough.
[20:24] * Ithea sighs and frets, moving to stand near the entrance to see, wondering what she can do to help, keeping and edge of an eye out back towards the stairs so she doesn't block the door for anyone coming in.

[Corwin]

#ed

[20:33] <Kotono> Baleruk's lair is a riot of colors and gold. Gold all over, a golden pot with a rainbow brew bubbling inside. Golden statues of tiny angels are about, splattered with a rainbow of paint. Next to Baleruk is Elena, "...so that's what's happening," she says.
[20:36] <Afina> "Ah, you've explained it," Afina smiles at not having to do the same herself as she flutters up. "Any ideas, Baleruk? Hanna thinks the heart of a mist dragon Adrian consumed provided a benign contamination that's interacting with Abigor's and causing the trouble, but you must have had to deal with lots of that from those other dragons you absorbed for your own ascension, right?"
[20:42] <Kotono> "You are correct," Baleruk speaks low, like a rumbling storm on the horizon. Elena shrinks back from that voice, "Dragons are not weak like mortals. They will not sit there and suffer at the hands of an spiritual wound. They will expel it."
[20:45] <Afina> Afina's used to it. Sitting down patiently in front of the dragon to play up her disciple role, she asks, "How is it expelled? Are there mental exercises or rituals to be performed that mortals could learn to imitate?"
[20:49] <Kotono> "Willpower," Baleruk answers, voice taking on a lecturing tone, "A mortal would never have the sense of self and will to do it. That and time is sufficient."
[20:51] <Afina> "I see," Afina holds back a sigh, "Do you know of any methods that do work for mortals?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "Death." The answer is short, "But it is like curing a termite infestation by burning down the entire house."
[20:56] <Afina> "Since there's no danger of it spreading to other houses there's no point in that, no. I suppose it's just up to his willpower, then," she stands up, disappointed. "Thank you for sharing what you knew, anyway, Baleruk."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Your willpower is strong," Baleruk adds, "You did the impossible. He could learn that from you, disciple."
[21:01] <Afina> "I will try," Afina nods, though it's not exactly something that's easy to teach. "Thanks," she smiles up at him before flying out and back to the tower.

[Corwin]

#t

[20:32] <Kotono> Misalea follows Jaela, heading back in. Adrian stands, a too wide smile on his face. It twists up, showing bloodied teeth. His wound drip, drip, drip, drip blood. Gaelach is in hand, his gaze like a burning flame. "Do you have any idea how long a millenia is?" he asks, "A child's skull breaking makes the same sound as an egg. So fragile. So easy to allow it to happen and be above it.
[20:32] <Kotono> It's just another mortal soul." Gaelach is raised, pointed at the door as Jaela enters, Misalea following, "Hell with that. Back to Hell with it! I know things that mean more than that! I know what it is to find a real chance to make things better! You know what I'm saying, don't you?"
[20:33] * Jaela scans the room for Balyss, lips pursed.
[20:35] <Kotono> Balyss is slumped against a wall, blood blossoming around the back of her head. She looks to be knocked cold out. "Adrian." Misalea calls, worry as she takes a hesitant step forward.
[20:37] <Jaela> "Really? Really?!" Jaela gestures angrily at Balyss. "This is what I hate about those assholes the most. They always bite the hand that feeds them. Are you really gonna follow their footsteps?"
[20:41] <Ithea> "Adrian, you just said you were better than him! Millenia or not, your life is your own!" Ithea exclaims from the doorway as she tightens her grip on the frame. "Don't...don't make me drop a tree on your fool head!" she exclaims, hoping the familiar and old threat would do something, even if a tree really is nothing to someone like Adrian.
[20:47] <Kotono> Hanna brushes by, pushing the three aside. She kneels next to Balyss, incanting a healing prayer! At this Balyss stirs! In the meantime Adrian looks at them, "You think I don't know that?" he rasps, "It's so fucking HEAVY!" With a snarl Adrian plunges Gaelach into the floor, thrusting it in up ot the hilt. His fists lash out, pounding the floor! "I'm just a castoff soldier who got lucky."
[20:47] <Kotono> Panting that, "But like all the Hells that are and will be that I'll give up!" He snaps that, before turning aside! A great hissing torrent of blood erupts from his mouth, Adrian vomiting it out! It smells like rotting flesh and brimstone mixed together, the red blood becoming a hazy mist that settles over the room. "I said back to Hell, Abigor! Everyone here means more than your endless
[20:47] <Kotono> lifetimes do!"
[20:49] <Jaela> Even as she grimaces, Jaela steps close enough to Adrian's side to hold onto him. "He was alone in the end. And for all his miserable life too, I'd bet. You're different, and that's why we won that time, at Auril's court. And that's why we'll win again this, now."
[20:52] <Kotono> "Ugh." Panting and on hands and knees after vomiting, "Yeah." His voice is a bit quieter after that. Misalea hurries in, at his other side and smoothing back his sweaty hair. "I know."
[20:54] <Jaela> The greater vigor spell should alleviate his suffering a bit, and is good for several minutes. Jaela calls on that as she tries to buy them some time.
[20:56] <Kotono> Murmuring thanks to both as the Greater Vigor spell works over his body, "Hey...Ithea."
[20:56] <Ithea> "Yeah?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "Got a hell of a stupid idea. Need you to tell me how stupid it is."
[20:57] * Ithea leaves the doorway and moves closer. "Share away, though the fact that you already think it's stupid..." Ithea quips weakly.
[20:57] <Jaela> "Is it so stupid it just might work?"
[20:58] <Ithea> "Well, that is how we found the Aurora," Ithea admits.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Maybe. 21." He says that and licks his lips, "It dissolves all evil, doesn't it?"
[21:00] <Jaela> "You'll die," Jaela states. "For all of time."
[21:01] <Ithea> "...you're right, that -is- a stupid idea," Ithea immediately says as she goes still as her brain completes his thought process. "I don't think -you're- evil, but that's -my- thoughts. And you heard Jaela."
[21:02] * Jaela sighs. "If we're this stumped and nothing helps, I think we should just go to a heaven. My wounds felt better there, at least. Maybe that sort of help will even let you meditate properly for a change?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "No 21." A cross look comes over Misalea's face, "Don't even think about it!"
[21:04] <Ithea> "He wouldn't be able to convince Sylvie anyway, I don't think," Ithea offers Misalea.
[21:05] <Jaela> Her mood souring even further, Jaela asks Adrian, "Want to give this a try? Selune's realm might be best for you, but I don't think any of them would go badly."

[Corwin]

[21:05] <Kotono> "Yeah." Adrian grunts, trying to stand up. He does so and pulls out Gaelach, "It dissolves evil. I'm not evil but the contamination is. Best idea I could think of." Staggering to his bed and sitting down heavily on it, "Wouldn't hurt." he finally says. Meanwhile Afina flutters back in and up, catching up to everyone.
[21:07] <Afina> "Baleruk wasn't a great help, dragons just excise any contamination through willpower alone. He doesn't think a mortal would have the sense of self for it, but he suggested I try and teach Adrian anyway," she catches everyone up on her trip.
[21:07] <Jaela> "Balyss?" Jaela asks next. "Are you onboard for this?"
[21:08] <Kotono> Balyss is rubbing the back of her head with a wince, hand coming back bloody. "I am," she says, "Selune will guide us."
[21:09] <Kotono> "Selune will..." Adrian begins to echo, shuddering! His arms wrap around his stomach as he spews out a great vomit-wave of bloody mist! His mouth bulges too wide open, skin ripping open as a massive torrent of it erupts out of him!
[21:09] <Jaela> "Since Baleruk's no good for this, I think it's--" Stopping abruptly, Jaela turns away with a wince.
[21:09] <Ithea> "Should we also take Tep..." Ithea starts to ask, before wincing as well. "Okay, we're leaving now, I think."
[21:10] <Afina> "I have one idea of my own," Afina speaks at seeing this. "Magic jar. His body is distracting him from what is a problem with his soul alone. If the two were seperated his soul might have a better chance of healing without the added discomfort."
[21:10] * Jaela repairs Adrian's body as best as she can with a Heal as she listens to Afina.
[21:10] <Kotono> Adrian collapses to his kneels once more, panting violently! "I am...Adrian Barnan...I am not another victim!" Slamming his fist into the ground, shuddering all over...
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 (+1 from the ioun stone Ithea lent him)
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 (+1 from the ioun stone Ithea lent him) and gets 42." [1d20=18]
[21:13] <Kotono> What comes next is another torrent of blood, Adrian shaking all over! His scars pulse out with small rivers of blood before he collapses! After he hits the ground the scars cease bleeding, starting to scab over.
[21:14] <Jaela> "We talk too much," Jaela mutters. Another Heal, and she studies the effects with her magical sight.
[21:16] <Kotono> The maelstrom of magical torment around Adrian is settling down. It looks like he was on the brink of something bad, but whatever caused it has stopped.
[21:17] <Jaela> "He's going in remission, seems like?" Jaela voices, glancing at Balyss and her mother for confirmation.
[21:17] <Ithea> "I'll help carry him to the gate. Is someone going to grab Tepen? I don't want to think Tepen might go through this as well, but..." Ithea says as she picks up Adrian.
[21:27] <Kotono> "It's stopped," Hanna says, "Hold on a moment, Ithea. Let's make sure nothing's happening before we take him off."
[21:27] * Ithea nods.
[21:28] <Jaela> Now that she had received her confirmation, Jaela sags slightly in relief. "I think it was a good idea," she tells Afina. "Though it probably won't work that well on the old man, since his symptoms are different?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "I'm still awake," Adrian groans, "Just...tired. Really tired."
[21:31] <Afina> "Anyone have any jewellery handy with valuable gemstones in it?" Afina asks, "If not I can go buy one from the Mercane, assuming we want to go through with it. What do you think, Adrian? About your soul being put in a magic jar to rest and heal away from your body for a while?"
[21:33] * Ithea shudders briefly at that thought, wishing Afina didn't talk so...nonchalantly about it.
[21:48] <Kotono> "Feel better," Adrian slowly looks up, "The ache isn't so bad now."
[21:50] <Afina> "We'll save it for if you start sickening like before again, then," Afina nods. She's hardly eager to use it since she'll have to inhabit his body for the duration, after all. "If you're going to meditate, I suggest not just focusing on your identity and sense of self, but also on the mist dragon essence you absorbed. Otherwise you're fighting Abigor and that, doubling your work."
[21:52] <Kotono> "Yeah." Adrian says, as Misalea comes to him. She holds his hand as he looks up, "Thanks, all of you. 'specially you, Ithea. Good timing. Mind if I keep the ioun stone for awhile longer?"
[21:55] <Ithea> "If it's helping you deal with this, by all means," Ithea says.