057. (Coda 2) Part 1: A quiet day

[Merc]

[19:55] <Kotono> ---
[19:55] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, quick prep questions. Do you have your spellstoring arrows setup, Lief?
[19:56] <Lief> OOC: Shiiittt... Yes, I have it somewhere, give me a sec.
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC" Let me know when.
[20:02] <Ithea> roll d8+10 temp HP from Feast
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d8+10 temp HP from Feast and gets 12." [d8=2]
[20:02] <Muirfinn> roll 1d8+10 temp HP from Feast
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d8+10 temp HP from Feast and gets 11." [1d8=1]
[20:02] <Lief> roll 1d8+10 Temp HP
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Lief rolls 1d8+10 Temp HP and gets 18." [1d8=8]
[20:02] <Muirfinn> OOC: 12 HP is still 12 HP
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC: Any other prep? Last call.
[20:04] <Lief> OOC: What's the CL on those spells in my arrows?
[20:04] <Muirfinn> OOC: I'm doing spell list tweaks
[20:04] <Muirfinn> OOC: But other than that, I think we're good
[20:04] <Kotono> Say 21, since you can get them cast by allies.
[20:04] <Kotono> Okay. Let me know when the tweaks are done, Yuth.
[20:05] <Muirfinn> Gimme like 5 more mins
[20:06] <Kotono> Okay.
[20:09] <Muirfinn> Alright
[20:09] <Muirfinn> I'm good to go as is
[20:09] <Kotono> -----
[20:10] <Kotono> After a day's waiting and a feast just before it, the party again meets with Antenora. Her expression is solemn as she meets with the party at Aurora's gates. "The time is now. Are you ready?" she asks, "This will not be a trifling battle."
[20:12] * Muirfinn casts a quick spell on himself. "Nearly forgot that. Yes, I am ready." OOC: Primal Instinct on Muirfinn
[20:15] <Kotono> Antenora heads out of the gates and stands in open Air. The heaven-like expanse of open sky is a bright blue today, undisturbed by anything but air currents. Antenora withdraws a small tree branch, tossing it into the air. It dissolves into sparkles and before you a portal appears. The portal is a dull black, swirling with waves of energy. "This will take us to Pazunia, the 1st layer of the
[20:15] <Kotono> Abyss. We will be where we need to be. It is not likely the demons have defeated the protections this fast, but it is not impossible we will step into a war zone. Be ready." At that, Antenora heads through the portal.
[20:16] * Muirfinn turns into an obnoxiously large silver dragon!
[20:17] * Muirfinn squeezes himself through the portal!
[20:17] * Ithea follows.
[20:17] * Lief turns invisible and heads through!
[20:18] <Kotono> OOC: How large, Muirfinn?
[20:19] <Muirfinn> ooc: lET'S GO WITH GIANT FOR NOW, SINCE IT CAN BE ADJUSTED ON THE FLY
[20:19] <Muirfinn> OOC: wow caps
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC: Going to need an official size cateogry here.
[20:20] <Muirfinn> OOC: Whoops. Huge
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, to cut to the chase here since this is sort of an inane delay, the portal's designed for medium sized creatures.
[20:21] <Ithea> ooc: I recommend changing sizes after portal. Moving on~
[20:21] <Muirfinn> OOC: I move to strike!
[20:22] <Kotono> OOC: Sure, reline then.
[20:22] * Muirfinn strolls through the portal.
[20:27] <Kotono> It's like an endless tumble, head over heels. Falling without end, screaming voices all around - you stand in a vast, empty place. You stand before a magic circle of intense and massive complexity, glowing silver and metallic red. Inlays of precious rubies and diamonds glitter where lines connect. In every direction is empty, dead plains. It turns into a haze about 100ft out from the circle.
[20:27] <Kotono> The sky is dark, listless, dead. Yet there is a palpable sense of security here, of safety. Ithea in particular feels soothed. Antenora glances about, "Don't go more than 100 feet away or you'll find yourself out of the protections and back in the full Abyss.  For now, it seems our task is to stand guard while the preparations continue. For it seems the demons have been held at bay."
[20:28] * Joins: c-rat (~Kallen@115-64-180-246.static.tpgi.com.au)
[20:28] <Muirfinn> "Well that's good to hear." Muirfinn says, looking about.
[20:28] * Ithea just nods at the instruction.
[20:28] * Quits: Iri (Iri@115-64-180-246.static.tpgi.com.au) (Ping timeout)
[20:29] * Lief gets a bit of altitude above the group and turns lazily, keeping an eye out for any danger.
[20:29] <Kotono> Antenora has her black spear in hand, gaze sweeping about. "We will endure until then." OOC: If you're going ot do anything notable or want to say anything/ask anything, now's the time.
[20:31] <Lief> "Is there anything I can do to help, or do you just want me on lookout?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "Be on lookout," Antenora says, "Syala and Sharess are occupied with what they are doing. We are their shield and sword right now."
[20:33] * Muirfinn nods, keeping a sharp lookout on everything he can.
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d100+66
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+66 and gets 120." [1d100=54]
[20:37] <Kotono> Perhaps an hour of this passes, perhaps two. It is a tense time, waiting and yet dragging out in anticipation. Then, a feminine voice giggles and whispers into each of your ears, "Dear friends, whatever are you doing here?" The voice is as intoxicating as strong wine, sending thrills down your spines.
[20:38] <Muirfinn> "Well that's probably bad." Muirfinn says drily.
[20:38] * Lief readies an arrow...
[20:40] * Ithea searches for any visual cues of a body to go with the voice.
[20:40] <Kotono> The sky rumbles. As if the darkness above quakes in anger, but the voice giggles, "Oh furball, you're not the only one who can be subtle here." In each of you ears you hear, "Yes, yes," Her voice is throaty and thrilling, Antenora visibly shuddering. "What an interesting magic circle and ritual!"
[20:40] <Kotono> Ithea doesn'ts ee any source for it - the voice even seems to be coming near you and yet away.
[20:42] <Kotono> "Identify yourself, demon," Antenora murmurs, stiffening. "Or better yet, show yourself."
[20:42] * Lief swaps his arrow for one of the ones storing Holy Smite... Even though he was saving those for Kina-ja, it does seem like this is someone to go half-way on...
[20:43] <Ithea> "Or you can just go look at some other stuff. I'm sure this magic circle and ritual aren't all -that- interesting," Ithea adds to Antenora's statement.
[20:45] <Kotono> "Oh, you all know me in your hearts. When passion consumes all, you know my name." You can feel warm breath on each of your necks, causing goosebumps to ripple there. "I am the Queen of the Succubi and the Razor Throne. Oh Ithea, Ithea, Ithea. How could I miss something with both Sharess and YOU, right in the Abyss?" Her laughter makes it hard to think, like you've drank too much wine. Yet it
[20:45] <Kotono> comes in great, pleasing gusts. "Most of the brutes flail ineffectively, while a Queen slips through the cracks and to within."
[20:45] * Lief shakes his head, trying to focus through the effect... whatever it is..
[20:47] <Kotono> "Begone whore, before we force you to leave," Antenora says firmly, brandishing her spear. "Do you think you can hide from our light? Perhaps this is the day we remove two blights on Creation, not just one."
[20:47] * Muirfinn blinks, then palms his face. "Of course you're here. That's just fantastic."
[20:48] <Ithea> "...you're not a plushie collector, are you?" Ithea can't help but ask cautiously after the feeling of goosebumps.
[20:49] * Muirfinn snorts in spite of himself.
[20:50] <Kotono> More laughter. Wonderful, intoxicating, terrible laughter. "Oh no, Ithea. Why settle for that when I could have the real thing?" Ithea can feel arms around her, even if she can't see any. Warm, wonderful, yet they make her body shake in fever. "Tell me, what ARE you doing here? Mmmm....Ithea, satisfy me and my curiosity and I'll leave you to your little ritual."
[20:51] <Kotono> "No, just a collector of souls too blinded to see anything but her superficial beauty," Antenora replies sharply, "Too cowardly to do anything but beg for scraps of knowledge, demon?"
[20:52] * Lief mentally readies a spell and continues searching for a target...
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Spot, Lief.
[20:52] <Lief> roll 1d20+62 Spot
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Lief rolls 1d20+62 Spot and gets 65." [1d20=3]
[20:53] * Muirfinn places a hand on Antenora's shoulder and says quietly, "Let's not overantagonize the demon lord, shall we? Cooler heads may prevail here."
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: Have any ranks in K:A or K:R as well, Lief?
[20:53] <Lief> OOC: Just K:N.
[20:54] <Kotono> Lief can see the air itself gently vibrates. There's a distortion everywhere - for a moment you can see past it. To a throne of blades and razors, where a woman of terrible beauty sit.s You only get a glimpse before something in you screams and makes you look away, but it leaves you shaken. You can tell it's some sort of connection, but you lack the training to know more.
[20:54] * Lief shivers and pants a bit, blinking his eyes to try and ward off the memory of it...
[20:54] <Kotono> Antenora closes her eyes and slowly exhales, "I know."
[20:55] <Ithea> "Well, you know, when a girl finds that she apparently has admirers amongst the denizens of the Abyss, she gets curious why that is, you know?" Ithea answers the demon lord that is apparently interested in her and her companions. It's kinda true, even if it's not the reason for the circle and ritual. And hey, maybe she'll get an answer as to the whole 'what the fuck is up with demons?!?' thing.
[20:57] <Kotono> "Oh, you know," Malcanthet warmly purrs, which makes the skies shake again. There's a palpable sense of rage, to which another chuckle comes. "Oh furball, you can try.  We can dance with everyone here while your ritual collapses. Such rudeness for guests, far away from home and vulnerable. If you must know..." Malcanthet whispers something in Ithea's ear! OOC: Make a Will save.
[20:58] <Ithea> roll d20+32+1+11 will (+inspiration, because I'm sure nothing good can come from this)
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+32+1+11 will (+inspiration, because I'm sure nothing good can come from this) and gets 45." [d20=1]
[20:58] <Ithea> ooc: of course
[21:01] <Kotono> Whatever it is, Ithea falls to her knees. Something she said was too much - Ithea screams as she shudders, twisting away from it. The succubi's laughter echos in her mind at that, then all about. "Oh, so that's what it is. Well, I tried, Ithea. You have a fascinating mind, by the way. Have fun with your snake hunt."
[21:02] <Kotono> Antenora dashes over, standing over Ithea with spear out. "Enough!"
[21:07] <Ithea> "Seriously wish I knew what's up with the whole obsession with Ithea. It's getting old..." Ithea says as she steadies herself.
[21:08] <Kotono> Antenora reaches out, helping to steady Ithea. "Nothing good comes from the Abyss," she gently says, looking about.
[21:09] <Ithea> "Hn...guess she's gone now that she's satisfied after mucking around my brain?"
[21:09] <Muirfinn> "Are you alright?"
[21:11] <Ithea> "...I'd point to what I just said, but frankly, I'm better than the last time some demon started mucking around my brain."
[21:11] <Kotono> Lief can notice the vibrations are gone. Meanwhile, Antenora glances around and says, "Probably so. I think she got what she wanted. Any chance of our motives being wholly unknown are lost now. We can only pray she doesn't try to ruint he entire ritual or tip off Kina-ja somehow."
[21:12] <Lief> "She's gone, I think... The vibrations are gone... I think I saw her. For a moment. Something, at least. Razors and a throne."
[21:13] <Muirfinn> "I've always thought that sounded uncomfortable."
[21:14] <Kotono> OOC: Listen cehcks, all.
[21:14] <Lief> "It was pretty uncomfortable to see..."
[21:14] <Lief> roll 1d20+52 Listen
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Lief rolls 1d20+52 Listen and gets 63." [1d20=11]
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+41 Antenora listen
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+41 Antenora listen and gets 57." [1d20=16]
[21:15] <Ithea> roll d20+51 listen
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+51 listen and gets 55." [d20=4]
[21:15] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+33
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+33 and gets 51." [1d20=18]
[21:17] <Kotono> The party can hear a faint rumble coming from the haziness to the south. Antenora turns and takes up 5ft into the air, spear out. "South, rumbling."
[21:17] <Muirfinn> "I hear it."
[21:20] * Lief looks to the south, trying to see what it is, even if he can't hear it yet.
[21:22] <Kotono> With warning, the party is there to see it. A massive black beast, dog-like without fur and about 30ft tall, bursts through the haziness. You can only see its front, a massively muscled body. Its skin is covered with dozens and dozens of what looks to be stomachs, pulsing and bulging full. "So we have our first brave demon and our first dead demon," Antenora declares, as...OOC: K:P first, y'all.
[21:22] <Ithea> roll d20+41 K:P
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+41 K:P and gets 55." [d20=14]
[21:23] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22 DAFUQ
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 DAFUQ and gets 28." [1d20=6]
[21:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+37 Antenora
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Antenora and gets 51." [1d20=14]
[21:25] <Kotono> Ithea knows what this is. A Hunting Hound of Gluttony. These are created by a long-dead demon lord. They live to hunt and eat anything they can. They're fairly powerful and have acid breath and breath weapons. They'll swallow you whole, so watch out. Fortunately, Ithea also knows they're completely unrelated to The Father. It likely wants to eat whatever's in this barrier, since they care about
[21:25] <Kotono> nothing but. OOC: Init here, you know it's hostile.
[21:25] <Kotono> OOC: What's your aura add, Lief?
[21:26] <Lief> OOC: Uh, I don't recall, give me a sec.
[21:26] <Lief> OOC: +5, I think.
[21:27] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+17+5
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+17+5 and gets 41." [1d20=19]
[21:27] <Ithea> "That's a hunting hound of gluttony. Watch out for it's breath, it's got a breath weapon, acid I think. Despite the name, shouldn't be related to Father at least," Ithea informs the others.
[21:27] <Lief> roll 1d20+21 Init
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Lief rolls 1d20+21 Init and gets 27." [1d20=6]
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Antenora
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Antenora and gets 32." [1d20=18]
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 hound
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 hound and gets 16." [1d20=6]
[21:28] <Ithea> roll d20+22+5 Ithea
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+22+5 Ithea and gets 36." [d20=9]
[21:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(41)>Ithea(36)>Antenora(32)>Lief(27)>Hound of Gluttony(16)'
[21:28] <Kotono> OOC: Open Muirfinn. Enemy is 100ft away to the south.
[21:32] <Muirfinn> OOC: Can I hold and prep a spell for when he's within 75 ft?
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: ASsuming so and let me know what spell it is, Ithea's up.
[21:33] <Muirfinn> OOC: Prepping Splinterbolt, waiting a beat for him to close 25 more feet
[21:34] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[21:34] <Kotono> OOC: Iteha.
[21:36] * Ithea just casts a disintegrate at it. It's within range after all, and she's kind of cranky after having her head scrambled by a demon lord.
[21:37] <Ithea> roll d20+39 ranged touch
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+39 ranged touch and gets 41." [d20=2]
[21:37] * Quits: Sailor_Mercury (~Merc@c-50-175-190-75.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) (Ping timeout)
[21:37] <Kotono> OOC: Hit. SR check.
[21:38] <Ithea> roll d20+32
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+32 and gets 42." [d20=10]
[21:39] <Ithea> ooc: actually, -6 to that. Can't apply spell power
[21:39] <Ithea> ooc: haven't injured it in melee yet.
[21:39] <Kotono> OOC: Right. Success. Fort save next, I think?
[21:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26 DC?
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 DC? and gets 37." [1d20=11]
[21:40] <Kotono> The disintegration flies, htiting the beast - but only a single stomach vanishes and no more. It resists and shrugs off the spell. OOC: Okay. Antenora's up. I need a sec so go ahead and go first, Lief.
[21:40] <Ithea> ooc: DC is something way under that.
[21:40] * Lief focuses a bit and casts Fell the Greatest Foe on himself!
[21:40] <Ithea> roll 5d6 still takes partial damage from disintegrate
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 5d6 still takes partial damage from disintegrate and gets 15." [5d6=3, 1, 3, 2, 6]
[21:42] <Ithea> "Looks like the creature has spell resistance and good fortitude too. Keep that in mind for your spells!" Ithea informs the others.
[21:49] <Kotono> OOC: We'll pause here, it's late and I'm tired. Note: Antenora's up next and Lief has fell the greatest foe up. Note that in thecaludron, Lief.

[Merc]

[19:33] <Kotono> > OOC: We'll pause here, it's late and I'm tired. Note: Antenora's up next and Lief has fell the greatest foe up. Note that in thecaludron, Lief.
[19:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(41)>Ithea(36)>Antenora(32)>Lief(27)>Hound of Gluttony(16)'
[19:36] <Muirfinn> OOC: Reminder that I am holding a spell for once he is within 75 ft
[19:37] <Kotono> OOC: Right.
[19:37] <Kotono> Antenora moves like a flash. One moment she's there, the next she's plunging through the air right at the hound, holy light gathering around her spear as she strikes, faster than the beast can react. OOC: No AoO since flatfooted. Boots of the battle charger used to make this a standard instead of a full round action.
[19:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+51 (+2 charge, +1 blinding speed (haste), +14 furious strike, +4 fiend dread, -15 PA)
[19:39] -eraniss.tx.us.lunarnet.org:@#dunes- Kotono invited Serith into the channel.
[19:39] * Joins: Serith (~iron_drag@cpe-173-172-46-15.tx.res.rr.com)
[19:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+51 (+2 charge, +1 blinding speed (haste), +14 furious strike, +4 fiend dread, -15 PA)
[19:39] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 69 > [d20=18]
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 3d8+207+4d6+7d6
[19:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 260 > [d8=6,8,4][d6=1,3,4,2,5,4,5,4,2,3,2]
[19:42] <Kotono> Antenora impales through the creature's side, strange outer stomachs pierced. No blood of viscera comes, and Antenora is back where she began a second later. "It's tough, hit it hard," she calls, as...OOC: It's up now.
[19:44] <Kotono> The hound of gluttony snarls at all the party, pressing forward. It charges in  with a snarl, going right for the party. OOC: Muirfinn, taking your held action?
[19:49] * Muirfinn lets fly with a spell, three huge pointed timbers flying from his outstretched palm and streaking toward the beast! OOC: Splinterbolt
[19:49] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30
[19:49] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=13]
[19:49] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30
[19:49] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30
[19:49] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=15]
[19:49] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=13]
[19:49] <Kotono> OOC: Regular or touch AC?
[19:50] <Muirfinn> OOC: Ranged touch
[19:50] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[19:50] <Muirfinn> roll 3#4d6
[19:50] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 17, 15, 15 >
[19:51] <Muirfinn> OOC: Note that these are physical. No SR applies.
[19:51] <Muirfinn> OOC: Piercing.
[19:51] <Muirfinn> OOC: Also magic
[19:52] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[19:53] <Kotono> The splinterbolts go flying, slamming into the hound like oversized wooden swords. It is barely slowed by it, body pierced but still going right for the party. It stops just before them jerking its head about. From its mouth comes green acid, steaming and boiling as it flies all about. OOC: Ref saves, all.
[19:54] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+28
[19:54] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=8]
[19:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+40 Antenora (+4 vs evil)
[19:54] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=13]
[19:54] <Lief> roll 1d20+37 Ref Save
[19:54] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=10]
[19:54] <Ithea> roll d20+30 reflex/evasion
[19:54] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=9]
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: Remembe rto note evasion in the save, Iddy.
[19:57] <Kotono> roll 26d8 acid Muirfinn and Antenora half, Lief and Ithea none.
[19:57] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 104 > [d8=6,8,6,3,7,1,5,5,3,4,6,1,2,4,1,1,6,1,6,6,3,2,3,1,7,6]
[19:59] <Muirfinn> OOC: Oh god I have evasion
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC: Then you're off the hook.
[20:03] * Kotono changes topic to 'Ithea(36)>Antenora(32)>Lief(27)>Hound of Gluttony=Muirfinn(16)'
[20:03] <Kotono> The acid flies everywhere. Lief is simply too fast for it, moving between the gushes of steaming, stinking acid. Ithea chants a quick spell and fades back like a ghost, acid passing through her as if she wasn't there. Muirfinn meanwhile flows like water around the acid, body becoming closer to his elemental kin. Antenora merely holds her spear up in warding and endures, the worst of it deflected
[20:03] <Kotono> away by an unseen force. She's still burned a bit, but none of it seems serious. The hound is 20ft from you now, an angry growl of defiance as...OOC: Ithea.
[20:03] * Halcyon is now known as Halcyon_Lagout
[20:06] * Ithea takes a step and begins attacking in full. "Hey ugly! Eat some of this!" (OOC: AS 5, channeling touch of idiocy)
[20:07] <Kotono> OOC: Right.
[20:07] <Ithea> roll d20+50 attack #1
[20:07] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 63 > [d20=13]
[20:07] <Ithea> roll d20+45 attack #1
[20:07] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=13]
[20:07] <Ithea> roll d20+40 attack #3
[20:07] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=8]
[20:07] <Ithea> roll d20+35 attack #4
[20:07] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=9]
[20:07] <Ithea> roll d20+32 to overcome SR assuming at least one hits
[20:07] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 41 > [d20=9]
[20:08] * Quits: Halcyon_Lagout (~Nelly@tor-exit-node.privacyrepublic.org) (Ping timeout)
[20:09] * Joins: Halcyon_Lagout (~Nelly@95.130.15.96)
[20:09] * Halcyon_Lagout is now known as Halcyon_Starlight
[20:10] <Kotono> OOC: All hit. Damage and bring on the pain.
[20:11] <Ithea> ooc: did SR pass as well?
[20:11] <Ithea> roll d6 Int/Wis/Cha penalty if it did
[20:11] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 3 > [d6=3]
[20:12] <Kotono> OOC: It did, yes.
[20:12] <Ithea> roll 4#d10+25+5d4
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 46, 41, 44, 43 >
[20:13] <Ithea> ooc: Oh, question - I assume it is EVIL and thus holy power applies?
[20:14] <Ithea> ooc: Cause if so, I need to remember what the hell holy power did damage-wise, since I can't recall the last time it did apply
[20:15] <Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[20:16] <Kotono> 3d6+1 negative level per hit.
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 3d6 hit #1
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 3d6 hit #2
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 7 > [d6=1,5,1]
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 3d6 hit #3
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 9 > [d6=1,2,6]
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 14 > [d6=3,6,5]
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 3d6 hit #4
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 14 > [d6=6,4,4]
[20:16] <Ithea> ooc: Well, I feel like that was a good round then!
[20:19] <Kotono> Ithea blurs between strikes, glaive glowing with arcane fire as she slashes into the gluttony hound. She tears off the stomachs in great heaves, finding no blood or guts. The creature's body just seems floated with soft fat within, cut apart like greasy butter. She opens up many cuts as she dodges, but it's still not going down. OOC: Antenora's up. Technically Lief but he's away a sec, so I'll
[20:19] <Kotono> resolve her.
[20:20] <Kotono> Antenora adjusts as her wounds vanish, "Now, before it can strike again!" she calls, spear dancing out in a series of testing, probing stabs. OOC: Using divine succor to recover her hit points and full attacking.
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+45 (+1 haste, +14 furious strike, +4 fiend dread -19 PA)
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 60 > [d20=15]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+34 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA)
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=12]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA)
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=7]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA)
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=19]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA) crit threat
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=12]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA) crit threat
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=20]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 (+1 haste, +4 fiend dread -19 PA) crit threat again wow
[20:24] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=9]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d8+83 1
[20:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 89 > [d8=6]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d8+83 2
[20:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 86 > [d8=3]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d8+83 3
[20:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 91 > [d8=8]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 3d8+249
[20:26] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 263 > [d8=7,5,2]
[20:27] <Kotono> roll 16d6
[20:27] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d6=6,2,1,3,6,2,6,2,4,4,1,1,5,4,2,6]
[20:27] <Kotono> Already wounded, the beast is pierced all over. More wounds at it starts to deflate like a balloon, withering before you. But it's not down as...OOC: LIef.
[20:28] <Lief> OOC: The hound is the only thing in range?
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Yep, the only enemy. Pretty well ravaged by this point, though.
[20:29] * Lief follows suit and lets loose a volley of arrows at the hound!
[20:29] <Lief> roll d20+42 ATK 1
[20:29] <Lief> roll d20+42 ATK 2
[20:29] <Lief> roll d20+37 ATK 3
[20:29] <Lief> roll d20+32 ATK 4
[20:29] <Lief> roll d20+27 ATK 5
[20:29] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=3]
[20:29] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=9]
[20:29] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=17]
[20:29] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=2]
[20:29] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=10]
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: All but the 34 hit.
[20:29] <Lief> OOC: What's it's size category?
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC: Collossal.
[20:31] <Lief> roll 5#1d6+23+7d6+5d6 extra for Fell Greatest Foe
[20:31] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 75, 66, 71, 66, 57 >
[20:31] <Lief> OOC: 335 total.
[20:32] <Kotono> The hound is beset by a rain of arrows. The pierce through its head, neck and chest, going right in without any resistance. The beast simply deflates and falls flat, melting into the ground in a puddle of bubbling black goo. As if it was hollow within, now little more than a black stain on the ground. OOC: Free act. Y'all wrecked that one pretty good.
[20:34] * Muirfinn relaxes a bit. "Huh. Unpleasant beast."
[20:34] <Lief> "I don't want to jinx us, but... I was expecting... more."
[20:35] <Muirfinn> "I'm sure that's not the last of it. And we still have our end goal, too. Don't get too excited."
[20:35] * Ithea scratches her nose and flicks nonexistent blood off her glaive (motion ingrained by habit), as she notes agreement with Lief. "I feel bad about wasting as much magic on it as I did."
[20:40] <Kotono> "It's never the first battle in the Abyss, but the last. The demons are legion," Anenora slowly looks about the perimeter of the warded area. "Do you remember our last battle here, Muirfinn?"
[20:41] * Muirfinn snorts. "Was it the frenzied fight at the bridge, or the mad soul-tearing whirlwind?"
[20:43] <Ithea> "Another reason to conserve magic when possible then," Ithea replies while putting away her weapon.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Or the army of demons that beset us," Antenora's gaze doesn't stop moving, her wings curled around her like a defensive cloak. "Let alone when the machinations of Hell intersect. Let us hope no lurking archdevils have an interest in us."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Exactly," Antenora murmurs to Ithea.
[20:44] <Muirfinn> "Well, at least we have each other?"
[20:48] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, going to just keep watch and hope no more demons pierce the barrier until the ritual's done, y'all, or any other plans?
[20:48] <Muirfinn> OOC: Keep wwatch, we really don't have the opportunity to explore.
[20:49] <Ithea> ooc: ^
[20:49] <Lief> OOC: I'll fly up and bird's nest it for approaching threats.
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, noted, Lief.
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:50] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 97 > [d100=97]
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d100 sub tables uh oh
[20:50] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 44 > [d100=44]
[20:55] <Kotono> Around the ritual of Syala and Sharess surely continues. But your steady guard duty stays quiet for a time. Peaceable for a time. Until there is a roar from outside the barrier, a massive blast of sound that leaves each of you reeling. A roar that dwarfs the roar of a dragon, as if the earth and stones came apart and smashed together as hard as they could.
[20:55] <Muirfinn> "That's probably not good."
[20:57] <Kotono> Antenora takes off, just an inch or two off the ground. "Anyone see anything or have any ideas?" she asks, looking about.
[20:57] * Muirfinn looks!
[20:57] * Lief looks around for the source!
[20:57] <Muirfinn> 1d20+48 spot?
[20:58] <Lief> roll 1d20+62 Spot
[20:58] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 79 > [d20=17]
[20:58] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+48 spot?
[20:58] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=10]
[20:58] * Ithea also looks because why not! Anything roaring that loud must be big!
[20:59] <Ithea> ooc: 51+12, Ithea 'rolls' a 63.
[21:01] * Joins: Irisviel (Iri@115-64-180-246.static.tpgi.com.au)
[21:02] <Kotono> The party can spot something straight up. Lief first, and his attention clues in the others. There's a faint vibration in the misty border of the barrier, as if undulating.
[21:02] * Quits: Iri (Iri@115-64-180-246.static.tpgi.com.au) (Ping timeout)
[21:04] <Muirfinn> "It looks like a...something."
[21:04] * Quits: Serith (~iron_drag@cpe-173-172-46-15.tx.res.rr.com) (Ping timeout)
[21:04] <Ithea> "Anything we can do to strengthen the barrier around that area?" Ithea asks. "Or at least make it one way see through?"

[Merc]

[21:16] <Kotono> The party can spot something straight up. Lief first, and his attention clues in the others. There's a faint vibration in the misty border of the barrier, as if undulating.  OOC: Due to netsplit, just repeat any lines that were lost in it.
[21:17] <Muirfinn> "It looks like a...something."
[21:18] <Ithea> "Anything we can do to strengthen the barrier around that area?" Ithea asks. "Or at least make it one way see through?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "Not that I know of," Antenora says after a moment, "But if anything comes through, be ready to strike or dispel it, if applicable."
[21:20] * Muirfinn prepares to dispel!
[21:20] * Ithea prepares to strike!
[21:21] * Lief prepares to do both with an arrow loaded with dispel!
[21:24] <Kotono> Thus the party waits - before the noise ceases. So does the movement above. There are several moments of nothing, as normality returns. "What's happening out there?" Antenora murmurs, peering up.
[21:25] <Muirfinn> "Maybe whatever it was had more important things on its mind than us?"
[21:26] <Lief> "Getting distance to charge?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "Or a fight out there," Antenora suggests, "Never put it past demons to kille ach other."
[21:28] <Muirfinn> "Well, if they're fighting out there, they're not fighting over here."
[21:32] <Kotono> Antenora nods, settling back in. OOC: Anyone going to do anything or just going to be on guard?
[21:32] <Muirfinn> OOC: Nope.
[21:33] <Lief> OOC: Just bird nest.

[Merc]

[19:45] <Kotono> <Lief> OOC: Just bird nest.
[19:48] <Kotono> There are shuddering bangs and ground-quaking shakes, but ultimately  nothing more happens. Silence again returns as the ritual continues - until at last golden light fills everything. "It's time!" Antenora says, spear brandished, "Don't attack until we have word! Let the fruit of your labors strike them first!"
[19:49] * Muirfinn nods. "Let's get settled then."
[19:49] * Lief is ready!
[19:50] <Ithea> "We'll hold until necessary," Ithea agrees.
[19:54] <Kotono> In the center of the ritual a great light appears. It swells to tremendous radiance, until it suddenly snuffs out. What emerges from it is something from a nightmare.
[19:54] <Kotono> The creature before you looks to be a marilith, yet is it scarred all over. Its tail is split in twain, strings shiny with fresh blood connecting the two halves together. As she slithers forward her tail splits apart and bleeds, only to be pulled back together by the strings. Instead of the six arms of a proper marilith, you see six things gruesomely tied and soldered to her body. An ashen white
[19:54] <Kotono> humanoid arm with bloody red fingernails is the first. The second is a too large brown arm bulging with veins, a terrific carrion reek coming from it. The third arm is a rusty thing of metal ending in a claw, resembling the works of Mechanus. The fourth is a tanned and toned arm of a human or similar creature, bearing a jagged, curved blade. Yet where it connects to the marilith's body, the
[19:54] <Kotono> flesh of the snake-demon constantly smoulders and smokes. The fifth arm is naught but a blade, as big as a giant's greatsword. It is opposite the last arm - a brown wing of wood and feathers, creaking as it flaps in the air. (More)
[20:01] <Kotono> "Sharess..." The creature rasps, before the light returns. It screams as if being put to the sword, as before it a cavalcade of images show. Images familiar to Muirfinn - the life of Kina, showing in sharp clarity. Around her swirl the blood of the child of Jormugandr, the Gilded Heart of Holiheant and the fruit of the Lover's Tree. The voice of Sharess echos about you now, a terribly chilling,
[20:01] <Kotono> predatory snarl. "Kina, you sold yourself to the Abyss and rejected everything you were taught! You've brought countless suffering all for delusions and ego! You sought eternity in the arms of destruction and hate, not love! For this, be forever separated from what you dreamed of!" Another scream from Kina-ja, the broken marilith smoking as if put on fire. She convulses violently as she whirls
[20:01] <Kotono> about, "I will not!" Tears run down her face even as she shouts defiance, "It was your fault! YOUR FAULT!"Then, seeing no visible sign of Sharess but the party instead, "You...I know all of you!" Her gaze fixes on Muirfinn in particular, "Suffer!" OOC: Init.
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC: Your aura bonus is +5 to init, Lief.
[20:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Antenora
[20:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=11]
[20:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Kina-ja
[20:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=13]
[20:01] <Ithea> roll d20+22+5 Init
[20:01] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=7]
[20:02] <Lief> roll 1d20+21
[20:02] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=12]
[20:02] * Kotono changes topic to 'Ithea(34)>Lief(33)>Kina-ja(26)>Antenora(25)'
[20:02] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+17
[20:02] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=14]
[20:02] * Muirfinn waves placidly. "Hi."
[20:02] * Kotono changes topic to 'Ithea(34)>Lief(33)>Muirfinn(31)>Kina-ja(26)>Antenora(25)'
[20:03] <Kotono> The party surrounds Kina-ja, 30ft away from her. She writhes and smoulders as if being burnt, sizzling in the light that fills the ritual area. Antenora's voice is loud, "Now! STRIKE! Hold nothing back!" OOC: Ithea, you open.
[20:09] <Ithea> ooc: before I attack, do I need to roll something for knowledge devotion, or can I assume we know enough about her to get the +5 bonus? >_>
[20:09] <Kotono> OOC Roll for it, it's mechanics.
[20:09] <Ithea> roll d20+41 planes/religion (either or, whichever applies)
[20:09] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=11]
[20:10] * Ithea takes a step forward and then uses the effect of her bracers to stretch her reach to do exactly as Antenora called out. (OOC: swift action for greatreach, arcane strike lv 5 spell, channeling touch of idiocy)
[20:11] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:11] <Ithea> ooc: sorry, I cannot for the life of me find my cheat sheet, so I need to read all mods >_>;
[20:12] <Ithea> ooc: so I'm lagging a bit
[20:12] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:12] <Ithea> roll d20+50
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 70 > [d20=20]
[20:12] <Ithea> roll d20+50 crit
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=2]
[20:12] <Ithea> roll d20+45
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 60 > [d20=15]
[20:12] <Ithea> roll d20+40
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=11]
[20:12] <Ithea> roll d20+35
[20:12] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=17]
[20:13] <Ithea> roll d20+32 for SR assuming one of them hits since she surely has it
[20:13] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=15]
[20:13] <Kotono> OOC: Total success due to flatfooted.
[20:13] <Ithea> ooc: SR also?
[20:14] <Ithea> roll d6 touch of idiocy
[20:14] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 3 > [d6=3]
[20:14] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 (3d6 from holy power, 5d4 AS) hit #1
[20:14] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 48 > [d10=4][d4=2,4,2,2,3][d6=4,1,1]
[20:14] <Ithea> roll 3*48
[20:15] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 144 >
[20:15] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 (3d6 from holy power, 5d4 AS) hit #2
[20:15] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 61 > [d10=9][d4=2,2,4,2,3][d6=5,3,6]
[20:15] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 (3d6 from holy power, 5d4 AS) hit #3
[20:15] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 59 > [d10=7][d4=2,4,2,4,4][d6=6,3,2]
[20:15] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 (3d6 from holy power, 5d4 AS) hit #4
[20:15] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 59 > [d10=8][d4=4,2,4,3,3][d6=4,1,5]
[20:15] <Ithea> ooc: and 4 negative levels (or is it 6 because of crit?)
[20:15] <Kotono> OOC: Strike the crit toal. You don't multiply extra damage dice on a crit. Roll it like this: 3d10+75+5d4+3d6. However, since crit and it's a holy power weapon, it goes up to 9d6 instead of 3d6 on the end and 3 negative levels.
[20:16] <Ithea> ooc: Ooooh right, sorry, forgot that.
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 3d10+75+5d4+3d6 for the crit, scratch hit #1
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 109 > [d10=1,6,2][d4=3,2,2,4,3][d6=4,4,3]
[20:16] <Ithea> roll 109+61+59+59
[20:16] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 288 >
[20:17] <Kotono> Ithea's reach extends far beyond the norm, her bracers working as her glaive cuts deep into the demon's flesh. It parts like butter under a hot knife, shredding off hunks of burning flesh. Her flesh bursts into flames once separated, her screams joining the sizzling sound of her body frying.  In response, a cat's hiss is heard, angry and defiant. OOC: Lief.
[20:18] <Ithea> roll 6d6 (I rolled 3d6 instead of 9d6 for the holy power)
[20:18] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 17 > [d6=2,3,4,1,2,5]
[20:18] * Lief follows Ithea's seemingly devastating strike with a volley of magically loaded arrows, hoping to land some serious damage!
[20:18] <Lief> roll d20+42 ATK 1 Greater Dispel, CL 21
[20:18] <Lief> roll d20+42 ATK 2 Sword of Conscience, CL 21
[20:18] <Lief> roll d20+37 ATK 3 Sword of Conscience, CL 21
[20:18] <Lief> roll d20+32 ATK 4 Holy Smite, CL 21
[20:18] <Lief> roll d20+27 ATK 5 Holy Smite, CL 21
[20:18] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=16]
[20:18] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=7]
[20:18] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=11]
[20:18] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=15]
[20:18] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=3]
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.  Roll base damage first while I look up the spells.
[20:20] <Lief> roll 3#1d6+23+7d6
[20:20] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 55, 50, 54 >
[20:20] <Lief> OOC: 159 total.
[20:20] <Kotono> OOC: Make three dispel checks at +21, LIef.
[20:22] <Kotono> OOC: So 1d20+21.
[20:22] <Lief> roll 1d20+21 1
[20:22] <Lief> roll 1d20+21 2
[20:22] <Lief> roll 1d20+21 3
[20:22] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=7]
[20:22] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=12]
[20:22] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=15]
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+40 Will 1 (-10 circumstance, +20 burning a use of unmovable)
[20:23] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d20=15]
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+40 Will 2 (-10 circumstance, +20 burning another use of unmovable)
[20:23] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 42 > [d20=2]
[20:24] <Kotono> Unseen and translucent energies shatter around Kina-ja as Lief's arrows land. Swords of pure light slice into her mind, making her howl further in pain.  She howls, her arms thrashing as she tries to shield her face. At this....OOC: Muirfinn.
[20:25] * Muirfinn waves his hands, casting a quick spell on himself. He takes a quick step forward and trnsforms himself into a silver dragon! OOC: Death Ward, 5 foot step.
[20:25] * Muirfinn snaps out with a bite!
[20:25] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+44
[20:25] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=3]
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC: The whiff.
[20:29] <Kotono> Muirfinn snaps out, but Kina-ja has recovered. She brings up Elasha, her scimitar blocking the dragon's strike. "All of you dare," she hisses, slithering forward slightly, towards Muirfinn, "Die!" Her voice is full of pain, tears still pouring down her face.
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+64 (-10 circumstance, +20 unstoppable burning a use) elasha 1
[20:30] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 67 > [d20=3]
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+59 (-10 circumstance, +20 unstoppable burning another use) elasha 2
[20:30] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=9]
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+54 (-10 circumstance, +20 unstoppable burning a third use use) elasha 3
[20:30] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=7]
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (-10 circumstance) elasha 4
[20:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=9]
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+34 arm of vampire touch AC on this one
[20:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=3]
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+38 arm of hezrou
[20:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=16]
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+38 arm of Mechanus
[20:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=13]
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+38 arm of Blade
[20:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=6]
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+38 arm of wing
[20:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 56 > [d20=18]
[20:32] <Kotono> OOC: AC and touch AC, Muirfinn
[20:32] <Kotono> ?
[20:32] <Muirfinn> OOC: Was a sec. 28
[20:33] <Kotono> OOC: 28? Wow, your AC sucks!
[20:33] <Muirfinn> OOC: Oh, whoops
[20:33] <Muirfinn> OOC: 71 AC, 28 touch
[20:34] <Kotono> roll 17d6 negative energy damage, does death ward stop this?
[20:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d6=2,2,2,5,3,4,2,5,4,5,3,1,4,1,4,4,4]
[20:34] <Muirfinn> OOC: YUP
[20:35] <Kotono> But Muirfinn is there. Dragon and snake do war, with Muirfinn's silvery scales blocking the frenzied assault of the maimed marilith. Then her energy surges, and suddenly, the full horror of what she is slams into the party. OOC: Will saves. This is mind-affecting, note if protected or immune.
[20:35] <Muirfinn> OOC: Immune as per Medi
[20:36] <Lief> roll 1d20+23 Will
[20:36] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=15]
[20:36] <Ithea> roll d20+32 (add +4 to that if it's a fear effect)
[20:36] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=15]
[20:37] <Kotono> But like this, even the sheer horror of Kina-ja can be endured. Somehow it seems weaker, piteous. She sounds like a lost child screaming in defiance, as from above a torrent of opal light pours down. Antenora plummets at her, calling, "Repent or face oblivion!"
[20:38] <Ithea> ooc: I'll want to use Opportunist if she connects with a melee attack
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+50 (+2 charge, +13 smite good, +14 furious strike, +1 haste, +4 fiend bane, -29 power attack, using call to judgment)
[20:40] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 60 > [d20=10]
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 3d8+594+4d6+7d6
[20:43] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 638 > [d8=5,1,3][d6=3,1,4,3,2,4,6,6,3,1,2]
[20:44] <Kotono> The blow impales Kina-ja from head to tail. Opal light explodes out of the wounded demon as golden chains bind her all over. Antenora stays there, spear held in place with both hands, "NOW! She can't retreat! End this!" OOC: Ithea.
[20:45] <Ithea> ooc: Using opportunist first to get a free AoO hit after Antenora's strike, then my turn
[20:45] <Ithea> roll d20+54 AoO
[20:45] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 67 > [d20=13]
[20:45] <Kotono> OOC: Sure. Hit and damage.
[20:45] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 (3d6 from holy power, 5d4 AS) AoO
[20:45] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 56 > [d10=4][d4=1,4,2,2,4][d6=6,2,6]
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and segue into your turn, I'll resolve it at once.
[20:48] * Ithea takes another step forward even as she repeats the use of her bracers one more time so she can continue a full assault until she can finish getting within reach without their magic, and uses the magic of her boots to speed up her follow-up attacks as well! (OOC: swift greatreach again, boots of haste effect (free action), repeating AS 5, channel touch of idiocy)
[20:48] <Ithea> roll d20+53
[20:48] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 62 > [d20=9]
[20:48] <Ithea> roll d20+48
[20:48] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=20]
[20:48] <Ithea> roll d20+48 crit #2
[20:48] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=13]
[20:48] <Ithea> roll d20+43+11 (using inspiration)
[20:49] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=14]
[20:49] <Ithea> roll d20+38+11 (using inspiration)
[20:49] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 62 > [d20=13]
[20:49] <Ithea> roll d20+53 haste attack
[20:49] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 62 > [d20=9]
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: All hit. Pain train is a go.
[20:49] <Ithea> roll d20+32 SR
[20:49] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=5]
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: No joy on SR.
[20:49] <Ithea> ooc: ah well
[20:50] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 hit #1
[20:50] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 hit #3
[20:50] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 61 > [d10=7][d4=4,3,4,1,3][d6=4,5,5]
[20:50] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 hit #4
[20:50] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 56 > [d10=6][d4=1,4,2,3,1][d6=6,2,6]
[20:50] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 58 > [d10=10][d4=4,2,3,1,2][d6=5,3,3]
[20:50] <Ithea> roll d10+25+5d4+3d6 hit #5
[20:50] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 53 > [d10=10][d4=3,2,2,2,1][d6=1,4,3]
[20:50] <Ithea> roll 3d10+75+5d4+96 crit #2
[20:50] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 199 > [d10=6,3,7][d4=1,2,2,3,4]
[20:51] <Ithea> ooc: Add 16 damage also, forgot to add damage from expert tactician triggering
[20:51] <Ithea> ooc: And speaking of that, there's a +2 atk/dmg bonus for everyone for a round due to expert tactician
[20:51] <Muirfinn> OOC: AWESOME
[20:52] <Kotono> Kina-ja is pinned in place by Antenora, as she howls in pain. The howls become whimpers and sobs as her flesh is ripped off in great hunks. As if tearing the meat off a spit-roasted chicken, her wing-arm tumbling to the ground."S-stop! Mercy!" The marilith sobs, shaking all over. OOC: Lief, you're up.
[20:54] <Lief> "Will you repent?! Will you let Sharess cleanse you?!"
[20:55] <Muirfinn> "Mercy would require you repenting to Sharess, yes. Her mercy is what you'd need. Not ours."
[20:56] <Muirfinn> "Of course, she may give it freely, you'd just have to, well, ask. And probably apologize.
[20:56] <Muirfinn> "
[20:56] * Muirfinn is being helpful.
[20:57] <Lief> "Ilmater has saved the tortured before! Our friend just days ago in Hades!"
[20:59] <Kotono> "Do you see now? All of this is meaningless. Your life until now has been meaningless mistakes and a grand tragedy written in blood." Antenora's voice softens, "Repent in truth and there's still hope, Kina." AT this there is a feline hiss - and the visions of Kina's life play again. You see her life, her rise into the ranks of the Sharessians and then one memory in particular: A middle aged
[20:59] <Kotono> Kina, alone and in ill favor with her church. Too proud to use typical magic, too many bridges burned by her own mistakes and pride. Unwilling and unable to change that, because she was right. Then a tidal wave of memories, as the three offerings around her shine brighter. She was right. She was right. She was always right. The sheer pride is overwhelming, yet is held back by the words of the
[20:59] <Kotono> party. (More)
[21:04] <Kotono> The Guilded Heart of Holiheant glows brighter. A faraway voice whispers, "I gave everything to protect others. I was the one who was right, not the ones who clung to pride." Then the blood of the Jormugandr glows like a bonfire. The voice of the child of Jormugandr is heard, "I am eterna life given out of acceptance. There was never anything to fear, if you could only let go of your anger and
[21:04] <Kotono> bitterness." Then, finally, the fruit of the Lover's Tree glows like the sun itself. Two voices, male and female, speak as one, "We forgave each other. We forgave ourselves." Then - Kina-ja melts away like snow on a hot summer day. Curled up in a fetal ball, impaled still, is a middle aged woman. She chants over and over, "I'm right. I'm right. I'm right. I'm right. I'm right." Endlessly so.
[21:06] <Kotono> Antenora lands, letting her spear stay where it is. "Stop. Listen to their words," she commands, "Listen to them instead of yourself, Kina."
[21:08] <Lief> "Kina. If you were right, would we still be trying to save you? Even now? After all this time? After everything? If you were right about Sharess, would she hesitate to strike? But she hasn't, has she? She won't. And you know it."
[21:08] * Muirfinn cocks his head, sighing. "It was never about being right, Kina. Nor was it about Sharess snubbing you, because she never did. It is the nature of all things to lose their luster. All things shiny will dull with time. Take a silver bell. It tarnishes with age in the best of environments. Does that make it any less silver, or any less a bell? Underneath the tarnish lies beauty, for those
[21:08] * Muirfinn willing to expend the effort to look."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Look at yourself, Kina. All of the Abyss is loathesome, yet all the Heavens are wonderful. Why? Look at your own spirit. If you were right, would you not look as us instead?" Antenora places a hand on her, "All the ugliness is you and everything you've done.  It's time to stop lying to yourself."
[21:16] <Ithea> "Well, if she wants to keep lying to herself, she's welcome to it, she just shouldn't try to bring others into it, quite frankly," Ithea says for her part, not nearly as moved to try to save Kina-ja, though still holding back from doing further damage at this point. "That's really what's gotten her to this miserable point after all. Would be better if she she sees the truth and all though, I suppose. Really up to her and Lady Bast to figure out where to go from here."
[21:20] <Kotono> "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The woman howls as she looks up, "Lady Sharess, help me, please!" Her voice is a broken, terrible thing, "Help me from it!" OOC: Make spot checks, all.
[21:21] <Lief> roll 1d20+62 Spot
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+41 Antenora
[21:21] <Serith> Lief roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=6]
[21:21] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d20=14]
[21:21] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+48
[21:21] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=6]
[21:22] <Kotono> OOC: Kitty, make your check.
[21:23] <Ithea> roll d20+51 spot~
[21:23] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=2]
[21:24] <Kotono> The party can see it now - like a switch was turned on that notice. A creeping shadow covers everything. The ground is nothingness and you're starting to sink into it. An endless void. Empty. Blank. Yawning. Hungry. (You can hear the voice of The Father, joined by thousands and thousands of others, relentless.) Holes of shadow are starting to appear in the barrier. Kina's voice calls, "It's
[21:24] <Kotono> coming! Help, Lady Bast, save me!"
[21:27] <Muirfinn> "The Father. Why am I not wurprised? My patience wanes." Muirfinn grumbles.
[21:27] * Lief looks for a target to shoot.
[21:27] <Ithea> ooc: any knowledge check to identify exactly what's going on with the sinking/how to escape it effectively?
[21:27] <Muirfinn> OOC: Surprised
[21:27] <Kotono> You hear another feline hiss, "We have been tricked!" It sounds like a very upset feline, followed by Syala, "Be ready, we're going to try to get us out of here," One of the two deities of Sylica calls.  OOC: K:P, Ithea.
[21:28] <Ithea> roll d20+41 K:P
[21:28] <Serith> Ithea roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=16]
[21:31] <Kotono> Ithea's mind recoils. She knows it and she dearly wishes she didn't. Agony flares as infinte conclusions pour into her mind, countless equations all coming to one horrible truth: OBLIVION. DESTRUCTION. HATE. HATE. HATE. HATE. The voice of the Father. Athux. Malcanthet. Gurlan. Canderella. For a moment, Ithea hears the voice of every single demon that ever was and ever will be. She recoils back,
[21:31] <Kotono> mind shattered like glass. 666. The 666th layer. OOC: 24 points of vile Wisdom damage, Ithea. Puts you at 1 Wisdom.
[21:33] <Kotono> "Oh Alicia," Antenora says, voice strained for just a moment. Then a look of determination shows on her face, as she scoops up Kina. "To Hell with it all! We have to escape or all of this was meaningless, all of the preparation to avoid this!"
[21:34] <Lief> "That sounds like an amazing plan."
[21:34] <Kotono> "Gather around!" Suddnely Syala and Sharess are there - the white haired angel and the feline goddess. They join hands, "The barrier's going to collapse, so be ready to defend everything as we open a way out!"
[21:35] * Ithea just starts babbling madly as the others say things she can't comprehend. Somehow things don't seem critical anymore?
[21:35] * Lief dive-bombs out of the air on a dead straight path for them, keeping his arrows at the ready.
[21:35] * Muirfinn eyes Ithea. "Uh, Ithea?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "Muirfinn, NOW!" Antenora shouts, "Just get over here!"
[21:36] * Ithea just stares at him with a glassy look as she blinks at being addressed. And then she starts babbling again. So maybe not.
[21:37] * Muirfinn grabs Ithea by the rear of her belt with his teeth, hoisting her and trotting over to the group.
[21:38] <Ithea> "Wheee!"
[21:38] <Lief> "Ithea! Get over here!"
[21:38] <Kotono> A split second later, the barrier shatters. Before you are demons - a hoard that takes up everything outside of it. Thousands and thousands of fiends, a tidal wave that stand still for a moment before crashing over. OOC: Will saves, all. Fear effect. Ithea's immune right now.
[21:38] <Kotono> OOC: Antenora's immune, aura of courage.
[21:38] <Lief> OOC: Are we immune still from the feast?
[21:38] <Ithea> ooc: we're all immune due to heroes' feast
[21:38] <Muirfinn> OOC: Immune to mind-affecting
[21:38] <Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[21:38] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
[21:39] * Muirfinn has a look on his face that looks vaguely like he would say, "Oh my."
[21:40] <Lief> "... I'm going to need more arrows."
[21:40] <Kotono> At the party resisting the fear, it gives just enough time for reality to split. There is a scream as...(More)
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[21:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=16]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=19]
[21:43] * Ithea giggles at the horde of demons and blows kisses at them as she's hoisted by her belt by Muirfinn, waving at all of them! They look so friendly!
[21:44] <Kotono> For a moment, it is deafening, dazing and overwhelming at once. THousands of demons are sent flying back, as a sheer force of hate collides. Sharess raises one hand, and in a voice that shakes the horizon, "NO." A sensation of everything feline, everything beautiful, fills you. For a moment you see countless lives lived along those lines, in honor of them. Then the Abyss istself shatters like
[21:44] <Kotono> a rotten egg. Like a lanced boil, gushing out pus. You stand in the Astral Plane a few moments - barely long enough to feel the timelessness of the Silver Sea - before you stand in a sunny grassland. OOC: Free act. Sharess won the opposed rank check there, so that saved you a lot of hassles.
[21:45] * Lief wobbles a bit in the air at the sudden and unexpect shift before landing on the ground with a bit of a cold sweat.
[21:45] * Muirfinn relaxes. "Ah, there we are. Thank you."
[21:45] * Ithea purrs and spins in the air as her belt and Muirfinn allow, making kicking motions while her arms are stretched wide.
[21:46] <Kotono> Antenora falls to one knee, as Syala comes forward. HEr sense of presence is nigh-overwhelming now, making it difficult to breathe. This is joined by Sharess' presence, making all of you faint. "Recover," Sharess says in a serious tone, as Ithea feels her mind simply become right, as if it was never wrong. OOC: Wisdom restored.
[21:47] * Ithea blinks and winces as the mother of all migraines hits her. "Okay...piece of advice, never try to understand what demons are trying to do."
[21:47] <Ithea> "Thank you, Lady Bast."
[21:47] <Kotono> "Sleep," Syala says a single word to Kina, who simply falls aslumber. Sharess goes over and picks up Kina, vanishing with her.
[21:48] * Lief shakes harder, his tiny body shivering as the goddesses approach and drops to his hands and knees as it weighs down on him.
[21:49] <Kotono> "It's done," Syala says, looking to all. She doesn't quite smile, but the oppressive mood lessens. "Congratulations. You've played at the games of the divine and came out more or less intact. Few can say that." She looks down to Lief, the sense of presence gone in the same instant. "Relax, LIef. You've earned that much."
[21:49] * Lief nods.
[21:49] <Lief> "Thank you."
[21:52] <Kotono> Syala looks about again, finding all before going on. "There's still the question of that void, but it's a question for another day. Well done, we succeeded."
[22:02] * Muirfinn snorts. "It's not our first time, and unlikely to be the last. I still have to rid the planes of the Father, after all."
[22:02] * Quits: Nephrite (~ryan.scud@97-97-130-179.res.bhn.net) (Quit: BRB)
[22:03] <Lief> "That thing is becoming a very great annoyance."
[22:03] <Muirfinn> "It's getting worse, rather quickly too."
[22:03] <Muirfinn> "I fear my plans for dealing with him will have to be shortened be a great deal."
[22:03] <Ithea> "It is, though hopefully we're annoying him just as much if not more, given how we keep escaping his reach."
[22:04] <Muirfinn> "It's an abomination. Who knows what goes through its head?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "YEs, that problem needs to be expunged," Syala agrees, "I will send message about that through Ebony. For now...go, rest." With that Syala is simply gone. Antenora rises now, reclaiming her spear. "We triumphed. Today, that is enough."
[22:04] <Muirfinn> "Or what passes for a head."
[22:05] <Muirfinn> "We've dealt with Kina-ja, yes, but the greater problem still lies." Muirfinn says. "As much as I wish we could celebrate, I have difficulty justifying it."
[22:06] <Lief> "Every little victory leads us to our next, greater victory."
[22:10] <Kotono> "We can only keep fighting further," Antenora says, offering her hand to Muirfinn. After a shake, "Good fortunes on the road ahead." Then she's gone as ewll, as...OOC: Okay, good with wrapping this one up here?
[22:10] <Ithea> ooc: sure
[22:10] <Muirfinn> OOC: Yep

[Merc]

[20:05] <Kotono> ---
[20:06] <Kotono> Ithea sleeps...well. Surprisingly well. The only odd thing is that 27 is at her side when she wakes up, merely nodding to her before wandering off. As Ithea's sleepy mind processes this, there's a knock on the door.
[20:12] <Ithea> "Yes?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "Ithea!" Stille's voice, "Are you awake?"
[20:16] <Ithea> "Yes, what's up, Stille?" Ithea says with a small yawn as she goes open the door.
[20:19] <Kotono> Stille's there, dressed in his normal gear. "Good morning!" he smiles, "Do I need a reason to see you? But in truth, I had an inkling from above that all of you may have troubled rest, that the Abyss takes its toll on you."
[20:21] <Ithea> "That's sweet," Ithea says with a smile. "I actually had a surprisingly good sleep though. Probably Lady Bast's influence when she helped me recover from what happened in the Abyss near the end though."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Excellent," Stille smiles now, "To celebrate your victory, how about a walk about once you've woken?"
[20:25] <Ithea> "Sure. Anywhere in particular?" Ithea asks.
[20:27] <Kotono> "
[20:28] <Kotono> "Yes," Stille sweeps in, hand coming out from behind his back. With a ripple of magic, a tray of steaming hot breakfast food is there. He smiles now, "But first, to the victor go the spoils?"
[20:31] * Ithea laughs. "Always the impressive chef, aren't you?" she asks as she leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you most kindly, good sir!"
[20:38] <Kotono> "My duty, nothing more," The tray is put down as he grins, "I'll be outside once you're done and cleaned up."
[20:42] * Ithea sits down to enjoy the food and then cleans up as requested!
[20:47] <Kotono> The food's rather good. Soon enough the two are in the front hall, heading outside. As you walk, "I have further good news," Stille adds.
[20:53] <Ithea> "Oh?"
[20:58] <Kotono> Stepping outside, Stille sweeps his arm aside. Waiting are Sylvie and Balyss, the latter gesturing Balyss over, "Get over here!" she calls, "You're almost late!"
[21:01] * Ithea raises an eyebrow. "You know, I haven't even heard what I must be late for?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "Your own celebration," Sylvie shakes her head with a grin, "Really, you think we'd keep you cooped up in here after that sort of victory?"
[21:06] * Ithea snorts. "Ah. So what are we doing for a celebration then?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "The four of us," Stille smoothly steps in, "Are going to go celebrate in Brightwater. Dear Balyss has already gotten a reservation somewhere nice, and I've taken care of a few other things."
[21:11] <Ithea> "Ah. Given Balyss and Sylvie were involved, I almost suspected they wanted to go visit that slaad's dungeon again. They do have questionable tastes in celebration, you know, Stille?" Ithea says with a twitching mostly straight face.
[21:11] <Kotono> "it's going to be great," Balyss seconds, "You won't believe-" Balyss stops, sighs slowly and rubs her forehead, "Don't jinx it!"
[21:13] <Ithea> "That's usually your thing when it comes to those dungeons, remember?"
[21:17] <Kotono> As you walk, Drena approaches. He carries an envelope, and announces as he comes close, "There is a message for you, Ithea," she says.
[21:17] <Kotono> Balyss facepalms, "Don't tempt the seemingly super powerful, wise and disturbingly all knowing slaad, Ithea! Dammit!"
[21:18] <Kotono> Stille looks at it with a curious frown, "Hmmm. Perhaps it's unrelated?"
[21:19] * Ithea laughs. "No, it's probably what Balyss thinks. If it is, we can let it wait until after we come back from Brightwater. Just to check though, Drena, does the envelope say whom it's from?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "No," The air elemental presents the envelope to Ithea.
[21:22] * Ithea takes the envelope and puts it away. "Well, like I said, we'll deal with it after we come back. Come on, let's head to Brightwater."
[21:28] <Kotono> "Right," Balyss sighs, as Sylvie laughs. "Come on," The blonde says, "It'll be profitable."
[21:35] <Ithea> ooc: Was Sylvie saying that to me or to Balyss? I assumed to Balyss, in which case I'd had nothing more to add.
[21:37] <Kotono> OOC: Balyss.
[21:37] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'll move you along in a sec.

[Merc]

[20:05] <Kotono> Back at last. Lief's night is a short one - for he awakens from formless dreams with a beating heart. His small bed is soaked in his own sweat, as phantasms of the Abyss fade flawlessly from his mind, leaving only terror in its wake. For a horrifying moment, all the world seems covered in the emptiness of the 666th layer, before reality reasserts itself with the waking world.
[20:06] * Lief swallows down his roiling stomach and pants a little, reflexively searching the room.
[20:07] <Kotono> There's nothing awry in the room at all. Slowly his heartbeat stills and his sweating ceases, terror being slowly brought under control by the rationality of the waking world.
[20:09] * Lief takes a few more deep breaths to try and focus himself before getting out of bed with a sigh and getting dressed. No getting back to sleep after that. Not for a bit, at least. Might as well head out for a bit of air and scenery.
[20:10] <Kotono> To your surprise, you find Hanna waiting outside of your room. The blonde, tall angel nods to you when you come out, and without waiting for anything else, "I had foresight that you may not be well," she says.
[20:11] * Lief makes a sound that's somewhere between a grunt of frustration and a groan of relief.
[20:12] <Lief> "Yeah. Nightmares. I think... I somehow... saw something... I'm not quite sure what, but I don't think it was something I was supposed to see."
[20:15] <Kotono> "The Abyss can do that. It contaminates everything like a sickness," Hanna begins to walk, "Can you tell me what you saw?"
[20:15] * Lief lands on Hanna's shoulder.
[20:17] <Lief> "A... throne... I think. I think... Malcanthet. When she was taunting us. Something... more, maybe."
[20:17] * Lief squints, trying to remember the details.
[20:19] <Kotono> "Malcanthet and the Razor Throne?" Hanna slows at that, "What does the queen whore have to do with Kina-ja?"
[20:21] * Lief shrugs.
[20:22] <Lief> "I don't know. She came and taunted us while they were preparing the circle. Maybe nothing with Kina-ja herself. She could have just been poking her head in to see what was going on. I have no idea, really. Who can?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "Malcanthet is the subtle type, but if Sharess was there..." A trailoff as Hanna murmurs to herself, "It's possible she did something to you. I'd like to make a few checks."
[20:24] <Lief> "Sure. What could she have done?"
[20:24] * Lief says this a bit nervously.
[20:27] <Kotono> At this, Hanna only shrugs. "Malcanthet is a demon lord. There are many things she could have done. Did she physically touch you or strike you?"
[20:28] * Lief shakes his head.
[20:28] <Lief> "No. Nothing touched me while we were there.
[20:28] <Lief> "
[20:29] <Kotono> "How did you see this throne in the first place," Hanna asks, as you come to a teleporter. A quick step takes you into the front hall, quiet right now. A few people are about, but it's unusually subdued.
[20:31] <Lief> "I'm... not sure. She started taunting us and I scanned around, looking for a source... I didn't see anything at first, but something... Shifted? Moved? I don't know... Then I just saw her there, on the throne."
[20:37] <Kotono> Hanna doesn't reply to that, instead leading Muirfinn to the courtyard. She takes him to a quiet corner of it - there's some things going on but it all seems distant right now - and says, "Sit. Breathe slowly."
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC: Lief, dur.
[20:38] * Lief does as directed.
[20:40] <Kotono> At this Hanna's eyes flash blue as she utters a few words.
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+33
[20:40] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=1]
[20:40] <Lief> OOC: ahahahahah
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC: Contagious much?
[20:46] <Kotono> At last Hanna shakes her head, "Nothing seems to be awry. Some trauma from the Abyss is normal. There's steps we can take if it doesn't go away on its own."
[20:46] * Lief nods.
[20:51] <Kotono> "Just try and spend a few days happily. Being around holy objects, exemplars or other forces of good can help as well," Hanna goes on, " You're a fey, so you should be alright in the end. Mortals have more trouble with this sort of thing."
[20:53] <Lief> "Alright. If it starts bothering me too much, I'll come find you."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Do that," Hanna agrees, "If you can't sleep, I ran across Crystal. She's training right now if you need something to do or talk to."
[20:58] * Lief nods.
[20:58] <Lief> "I might do that."
[20:59] <Kotono> "Ebony should also be around if you need to talk to a representative of Sylica. As for Sharess, Ithea's probably best there." Hanna says.
[21:00] <Lief> "Yes. I'll talk to Ithea and see if she can help."
[21:09] <Kotono> "Go on," Hanna says, "If you needa ny help, come back."
[21:09] * Lief nods.
[21:09] <Lief> "Thank you again, for trying to help if nothing else."
[21:09] * Lief takes to the air and heads off towards the training grounds.
[21:11] <Kotono> The training grounds are full of people at work. In particular, Crystal is there, facing off against Afina. Magic meets blade and steam meets lance as the two fight. Lief only catches the last bit of it, the two breaking up as he comes closer and Afina going off into a portal.
[21:12] * Lief approaches Crystal.
[21:12] <Lief> "I only caught the end of that, but it was impressive."
[21:16] <Kotono> Crystal wipes her face with a towel. She then looks at him, tossing it aside, "Thank you. Afina's been in the forge more than usual lately, but she hasn't lost her edge."
[21:17] * Lief nods, a bit distractedly.
[21:20] <Kotono> Putting aside her practice sword, "Congratulations on your successful mission. I heard from Adrian that you'd triumphed."
[21:20] * Lief nods.
[21:21] * Lief refocuses on Crystal.
[21:21] <Lief> "We did. Kina-ja is... saved? I guess. Sharess took her after Kina-ja came face to face with what she's done."
[21:23] <Kotono> "A foe befriended is a foe eternally vanquished," Crystal says, as if reciting something. "Friendship and salvation spoil evil more than the sharpest sword. Well done."
[21:24] * Lief grins a little.
[21:24] <Lief> "Thanks. Though it was a lot more effort on everyone's part than just that."
[21:27] * Quits: Nephrite (~ryan.scud@97-97-130-179.res.bhn.net) (Quit: BRB)
[21:30] <Kotono> "I don't doubt the truth of that," Crystal says, "But have you returned to the court yet?"
[21:32] <Lief> "No. I woke up and was going out for a... stroll, I guess. Hanna was outside of my room waiting."
[21:36] <Kotono> "Oh? Whatforever  had her waiting?" Crystal asks back, over the noise of others practicing.

[Merc]

[19:21] <Kotono> > "Oh? Whatforever  had her waiting?" Crystal asks back, over the noise of others practicing.
[19:22] * Joins: Yuthirin (~Yuthirin@174-26-89-166.phnx.qwest.net)
[19:24] <Lief> "Nightmares. Caused by Malcanthet."
[19:26] <Kotono> A solemn nod follows, "She had an excellent reason." At this Crystal clears her throat, "We should also discuss this in more comfortable conditions." She flutters over to the nearest portal.
[19:26] * Lief follows!
[19:29] * Yuthirin is now known as Muirfinn
[19:30] <Kotono> Your trip takes you a small but comfortable side room next to the fey court. It's currently quiet out there - nothing is happening this moment. Once you get comfortable, "You'll likely be repeating some of this to Queen Ilsenine soon, so consider this a chance to practice."
[19:31] * Lief nods.
[19:35] <Kotono> "Well then, continue," Crystal waves after a moment.
[19:36] <Lief> "Where to begin... We started the ritual, I posted above the group to act as lookout. We got Malcanthet's... attention, I suppose. She began speaking to us and taunting us. I kept my watch but something... happened. I'm not sure how, but I saw her sitting on her throne."
[19:39] <Lief> "It was strange... A little painful. I could tell she wasn't really there, but I could still see her. Eventually she decided to test us, I suppose. She sent a few things after us, which we destroyed. After that, the ritual succeeded in pulling in Kina-ja. We fought her a bit. Not nearly as much as I expected."
[19:41] <Lief> "Eventually she just kind of... Collapsed. She started sobbing and wailing. I took the chance to try and talk to her. To make her see the truth. The others followed my lead. We got through, it seems. Finally. After everything. Sharess forgave her. Took her back in. They left and we returned."
[19:47] <Kotono> Crystal nods in the end, "Many times has evil fallen on itself," Crystal remarks with a bit of sadness, "But a triumph is a triumph. Well done. Wait here while I inform Her Majesty that you're here."
[19:49] * Lief gives a casual salute in acknowledgement.
[19:54] <Kotono> Crystal's gone maybe five minutes. "Queen Ilsenine will see you to hear your report," she says, holding the door open.
[19:54] * Lief nods, stands, smoothes his clothes out, and heads in!
[19:59] <Kotono> Queen Ilsenine is now on her throne. It's still quiet here. Crystal flies over and kneels, "Your Majesty," she murmurs.
[20:00] * Lief follows suit, landing and kneeling in a single smooth motion.
[20:00] <Lief> "My Queen."
[20:01] <Kotono> "My knight errant," Ilsenine replies, "Tell me of your most recent adventure."
[20:07] <Lief> "My Queen, as we began the ritual, I posted myself above the group in order to act as lookout and scout. During the course of the ritual, we attracted Malcanthet's attention. She began speaking to us and taunting us, though it was by voice only. While she was doing so, I increased my watch, looking for whatever trap she had planned. While doing so, I somehow saw her. She was... somewhere else. Sitting on her throne, but I saw her."
[20:09] <Lief> "After she had her fill of taunting us, she sent some of her servants after us. We fought and destroyed them. More quickly than I believed we would, considering we had her direct attention. After we defeated them, the ritual continued and we succeeded in pulling Kina-ja to us. We engaged her, as was expected."
[20:10] <Kotono> Queen Ilsenine listens carefully, "I would expect nothing else," she murmurs.
[20:10] <Lief> "However, part of the way through the fight, she collapsed and began sobbing. She was mumbling about betrayal. I saw a break in the fight and in her, and attempted to act on it by speaking to her. The others of the group followed my lead."
[20:12] <Lief> "We were able to break through to her, at least in some part. She cried for forgiveness and Sharess took her back, I believe. I have no idea what happened to them after that. Following that, we returned here to Aurora and settled in to rest."
[20:12] <Lief> "I have been... disturbed by nightmares of Malcanthet since our return."
[20:16] <Kotono> "You have done well," Queen Ilsenine continues, and after a moment she says softly, "We understand nightmares well, Lief. Be strong and endure them."
[20:17] * Lief nods.
[20:17] <Lief> "I have done so before, and will continue to. I imgaine there are many more to come."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Know that we are pleased with you," Ilsenine goes on after that, "So far, you have fulfilled our hopes for you. Continue to do so."
[20:22] <Lief> "As you command."
[20:23] <Kotono> Queen Ilsenine smiles, "Know you are a hero of this court," she goes on, "Where it not for Afina and Crystal's extreme gallantry in opposing Hell, you would stand alone in your deeds."
[20:24] * Lief blushes.
[20:24] <Lief> "I believe that may be too kind, My Queen."
[20:29] <Kotono> "No, you have earned it," Queen Ilsenine says, "Now go - we'll celebrate at the next court gathering."
[20:30] * Lief stands and bows, taking a step back before turning to leave.

[Merc]

[20:02] <Kotono> Rest at last. Muirfinn spends a lazy day sorting his thoughts and recovering from the battles of the Abyss. While itw asn't his most draining confrontation ever, he still finds himself beset by a deep lethargy. A need to sit back and allow his thoughts to work, rather than any drive to do anything active. By chance, this eventually takes him to the library. It's a good place to sit down and
[20:02] <Kotono> stare off into space. Muirfinn's revery lasts a good long time - Kina's cries of desperation at the end cling to his mind like tar. At last this ends not by any internal force, but by an external disturbance. Elder Magi Tepen comes and sits next to him, "I heard of your victory."
[20:07] * Muirfinn nods. "We won, after a fashion."
[20:08] <Kotono> "The price the Abyss demands is seldom a light tax. Are you well?" Elder Magi Tepen asks gently, "Let alone with the stress The Father must bring onto you."
[20:10] * Muirfinn shakes his head. "That foul thing keeps turning up. Like the stone in your boot that you know is there, but you just can't get rid of."
[20:12] <Kotono> "I fear we will have a reckoning with it as surely as we will have a reckoning with Baator,' Elder Magi Tepen sighs, "But we have the best chance to finally end The Father. That I believe completely."
[20:17] <Muirfinn> "We are not prepared." Muirfinn says. "Not enough."
[20:18] <Kotono> "What do you propose?" Elder Magi Tepen asks back, looking over to him now. "We have all the forces of Aurora and 21. If we can weaken him enough, I'm certain 21 can erase him from Creation."
[20:19] * Muirfinn snorts. "I'd propose an army of combined servants of a hundred gods, comprised solely of holy men and women, prepared to blast the Father from the greatest range possible."
[20:21] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen smiles. "You think expansively," he remarks, "I recall a quote that overkill is a lie and that you can never be too sure. An apt mindset to conjure in the face of The Father."
[20:22] <Muirfinn> "A wise man once said that there is no such thing as overkill. Only enough kill and not enough kill."
[20:26] <Muirfinn> "But enough of this depressing talk. We should be celebrating. We've ended a multi-planar threat and perhaps even saved the soul behind it.
[20:26] <Muirfinn> "
[20:26] <Kotono> "Still." A pause as Tepen looks back ahead, pleasantly going on, "Do not become so obessesd that you lose sight of your needs. Rest when you need to rest. The annals of the fiends are filled with stories of holy champions who fell not out of failure, but simple burn out." At this Tepen does smile again, "Yes, we should celebrate."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Oooh!" Elena's heard from behind the two, "A party?"
[20:33] <Muirfinn> "Oh boy." Muirfinn mutters. "Yes, a party would do. Why not? Best be getting my lethargy out."
[20:35] <Kotono> "On it!" Elena says cheerfully.
[20:35] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen chuckles, "You speak as if your doom has come."
[20:36] <Muirfinn> "You clearly have not ever seen a drunken tortle."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Then do not drink," Elder Magi Tepen says sagely, as if quoting an easy truth.
[20:41] <Muirfinn> "I don't. Every spring, though, one youth or another gets ahold of a cask of wine and thinks he'll be the first one to make it through a glass or two without becoming an instant fool."
[20:45] <Muirfinn> "Tortles do not react well to alcohol. It's fine for mammals, who poison themselves repeatedly with any number of substances. We are...more delicate."
[20:47] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen merely laughs softly. "I'm surprised no one's thought to use magic to mitigate that."
[20:48] <Muirfinn> "Oh we have. We just don't share it with the young. A lesson in humility is valuable."
[20:50] <Muirfinn> "The majority of the elders don't bother with it, as the spell effectively negates the drink's effects anyway."
[20:56] <Kotono> "There's little point there, unless you like the-" Elder Magi Tepen stops. Coming around the corner is Vivantha. She's decorated with flowers all over, beauitful shades of vibrant color. She's crowned with a garland of flowers as well, coming right over to Muirfinn, "Brave hero," she murmurs, embracing him.
[20:57] * Muirfinn returns the embrace, an impressed look on his face. "And hello to you too, Vivantha. You look lovely today."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Thank you," she replies with a warm smile, as Elder Magi Tepen chuckles and rises. "I'll leave you two be," he says, slipping away.
[21:00] <Muirfinn> "This..." Muirfinn gestures at her beflowered self, "This is marvelous. Where did you find them all?"
[21:04] <Kotono> Smiling as she stays close, "There are places the Infinite Stair goes to, empty mortal worlds untouched by anything but nature's grace and perhaps Chauntea's mercy."
[21:13] <Muirfinn> "I'd believe it. You look fantastic. Moreso than usual."
[21:19] <Kotono> "Thank you, chicken princess. The river rides over the teardrop hills, don't you think? Don't be a leopard." Vivantha smiles all the while when she says it.
[21:21] <Muirfinn> "...chicken princess?" Muirfinn eyes her dubiously. "Leopard?"
[21:22] <Kotono> Vivantha smiles and separates from Muirfinn, "You can only die to advance. The kingdom's aura was lost and there were no survivors. I thought he'd love them."
[21:23] * Muirfinn gives her a flat stare. "You're starting to sound like that mad raven man."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Yes, let's stay here together," Vivantha is all smiles now, taking Muirfinn's hand. "Live here with me as my son. We can peel each other away until there are no layers left."
[21:26] <Muirfinn> "This is getting creepy. Even for me."
[21:27] * Quits: Nephrite (~ryan.scud@97-97-130-179.res.bhn.net) (Quit: BRB)
[21:28] <Kotono> Vivanthat doesn't say anything this time, just trying to drag Muirfinna long.
[21:29] <Muirfinn> "Alright, I'll bite. Couldn't be any worse than earlier." Muirfinn says, letting her lead for a while.
[21:32] <Kotono> Vivantha takes you a little deeper in. She then turns and smiles - a smile of all teeth, pointy and sharp teeth, "Eighteen seconds until midnight and no one's home yet." Her face stretches far too far, "I want to know what she felt in that last moment. Please tomorrow, don't ever come."
[21:34] <Muirfinn> "You know, either I'm hallucinating because of some flower's unexpected effects on tortle physiology, which I hope is the case, or you've somehow managed to infiltrate the Aurora. Time to find out. ELENA!"
[21:38] <Kotono> Elena appears, dressed up as Adrian today. A nice look - and she recoils back as soon as she sees Vivantha, "Woah! Do something - yaaaah!" Vivantha darts at Elena teeth first, the ghost girl just barely vanishing before she gets a bite taken out of her.
[21:39] <Muirfinn> "Alright then, not hallucinating. Good to know. I find your taking of Vivantha's form offensive. She had best not be harmed."

[Merc]

[19:32] <Kotono> <Muirfinn> "Alright then, not hallucinating. Good to know. I find your taking of Vivantha's form offensive. She had best not be harmed."

***

[19:33] <Kotono> The only answer is for Vivantha to lunge at Muirfinn, teeth first! OOC: Init.
[19:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[19:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=17]
[19:34] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+17
[19:34] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=4]
[19:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Vivantha(25)>Muirfinn(21)'
[19:35] <Kotono> Before Muirfinn can react, Vivantha is on him!
[19:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 AC?
[19:35] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=4]
[19:35] <Muirfinn> OOC: 50
[19:36] <Kotono> Please. Muirfinn more protected than a fortress. The bite just chomps futilely against his clothes. OOC: Go.
[19:37] * Muirfinn deftly evades the bite, making it look effortless. "There's really no point to this." Muirfinn says calmly. "You're certainly not helping your position."
[19:38] <Kotono> OOC: Doing anything or just talking?
[19:38] <Muirfinn> OOC: Talking, let's see where this goes.
[19:39] <Kotono> The only reply is for Vivantha to try and lunge at Muirfinn again. This time she begins to grin, as...
[19:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 AC?
[19:39] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=4]
[19:39] <Muirfinn> OOC: Nooooope.
[19:40] <Kotono> Ting. The sound of teeth on metal doesn't remotely deter Vivantha, even as she's stopped again. OOC: Go.
[19:41] <Muirfinn> "I'm more interested in how you got in here. You shouldn't have been able to." Muirfinn says. "How about we sit down and talk about this instead?"
[19:41] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+40 diploblasto
[19:42] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=9]
[19:49] <Kotono> There's one thing clear - whatever's going on, Vivantha or the Vivantha-alike just isn't interested in talking. Meanwhile, Tepen comes 'round the corner at a full sprint, Staff of Vithos at the ready, "Elena," he gasps out in a single word, as...OOC: Joining init.
[19:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[19:49] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=17]
[19:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Vivantha(25)>Tepen(23)>Muirfinn(21)'
[19:49] <Kotono> Vivantha just chomps down, trying to get a bite out of Muirfinn.
[19:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 needs a 20
[19:49] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=7]
[19:50] <Kotono> It's like being tickled, almost. Meanwhile, Vivantha starts to laugh - a high, hysterical thing, "Oh, isn't it wonderful to be so hungry?!" OOC: Tepen's up.
[19:51] <Muirfinn> "Oh, hullo Tepen. Keep a good distance, my man. I'll try to keep her away from you. Whoe-oh. Well that explains a lot."
[19:52] <Kotono> Tepen's reply is to chant. A magic circle appears at his feet as he intones, "In the name of the Mother of All Magic, hear my words! Spirit within, remove yourself from this loathesome bondage!" OOC: Using a wish to mimic dispel evil+ranged so he doesn't need the melee attack.
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 vs 31
[19:53] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=15]
[19:53] <Kotono> Vivantha shakes all over, but the toothy grin of hers doesn't cease at all. OOC: Muirfinn.
[19:56] <Muirfinn> "Tepen, you may want to go get Balyss. Or another cleric, really. Perhaps a few to work in concert? If she's really possessed, I'd rather not hurt her here, but I'm not sure what I can do but let her gnaw on me for a while." Muirfinn says.
[19:57] <Kotono> "Elena's on it!" Tepen says, "You're calm for the middle of battle." OOC: Doing anything else this round?
[19:59] <Muirfinn> "Panic and anger are easy, but they're not what's needed here. I need to remain in control for now." Muirfinn feints left, reaching out to flick Vivantha's nose with his finger. Just enough to keep her attention.
[19:59] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30 ranged touch?
[19:59] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=19]
[19:59] <Muirfinn> OOC: I meant touch
[20:00] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:00] <Kotono> Oh, that got Vivantha's attention. Her teeth go right for your finger.
[20:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=13]
[20:00] <Kotono> Despite teeth sharper than a shark's, it's still no good. She chews in vain, as Tepen grunts and focuses, calling on his magic after the first strain.
[20:00] <Kotono> roll 1d100 vs 51+
[20:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d100=32]
[20:01] <Kotono> But nothing happens. Tepen curses and sags to the side, leaning on his staff. OOC: Muirfinn.
[20:02] * Muirfinn keeps her attention focused on himself, tagging her on the left shoulder with a shoving strike to throw off her aim.
[20:02] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30 touch
[20:02] <Serith> Muirfinn roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=13]
[20:06] <Kotono> This knocks her back a bit, getting her to lunge again. Persistent little thing.
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20 needs a 20
[20:06] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=11]
[20:07] <Kotono> Chomp. Another bite, another gnawing. But this time she cackles, "Oh Muirfinn, I'm so hungry! I'm so hungry and he's calling us to dinner and it's so wonderful that it's finally here!" Meanwhile Tepen holds for the moment, watching the situation. OOC: Muirfinn.
[20:13] <Muirfinn> "Yes, yes, yes. Hunger, food, eating. It's always the same thing with you, isn't it? Have you ever considered...acting? The lute, perhaps?" Muirfinn taunts.
[20:14] <Kotono> As you talk, Hanna comes running. She crashes into a wall, rebounding offa nd running this way, "Out of the way," she calls, as...
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:14] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
[20:14] * Kotono changes topic to 'Hanna(26)Vivantha(25)>Tepen(23)>Muirfinn(21)'
[20:15] <Kotono> Hanna gestures, as a massive wave of holy energy erupt sfrom her. She utters a single word in Celestial, "LEAVE!"
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 vs 29
[20:15] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=8]
[20:16] <Kotono> There is a massive detonation that rocks the floor, followed by Vivantha collapsing to the ground. OOC: Free act.
[20:16] * Muirfinn skids, ceasing his didging and instead moving to catch Vivantha before she can crack her head agains tthe stone.
[20:16] <Muirfinn> OOC: dodging
[20:17] <Kotono> Catching Vivantha is easy enough. "What's going on?" Hanna comes over, "How'd she get possessed?"
[20:17] <Muirfinn> "No idea. She went to some plane to pick flowers. Came back looking all nice, then suddenly it was all madspeak and teeth."
[20:22] <Kotono> A frown. "We'll need to examine her. Can you carry her?"
[20:23] * Muirfinn easily sweeps Vivantha into a bridal carry. "Absolutely. Where to?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "The infirmary's a good place to start." From there it's a quick trip to the infirmary and all the tests that follow. (More)
[20:25] <Kotono> An hour later, Hanna and Muirfinn stand alone. "We're still investigating, but our early hypothesis is that The Father's powers are growing stronger. With his book here, he may well have been able to subvert some of Aurora's defenses."
[20:26] <Muirfinn> "Marvelous. I thought that the holding cell would keep him contained?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "He's still an extraordinarily potent demon," Hanna sighs, "They're notorious for eroding wards and corrupting things around them."
[20:49] <Muirfinn> "Well, that certainly puts a damper on my plans. Moves up my timetables, too."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Yes," Hanna agrees, "We need to begin to seriously rally to confront the Father. If his seal breaks, I shudder to think what will happen."
[20:53] <Muirfinn> "Yes, yes we do. It's time to start gathering allies. This will be unpleasant. The more power we have at our disposal, the better."
[20:54] <Kotono> "Yes," Hanna says, "It's time to put down another abomination. AS if our plates weren't full enough."
[20:55] * Muirfinn snorts. "It seems to never end. Is Vivantha going to be alright?"
[20:55] <Kotono> "She will be," Hanna says, "She will be."
[20:58] * Muirfinn nods. "We should get started tomorrow, then."

[Merc]

*** Just for reference, break identifies that this is where we took a break for B4, between March and August 2015 ***