063: I'm serving time, all for a crime I did commit

[Sierra]

<El-Cideon> Back to the void. Days pass in darkness, uninterrupted. It could be called a peaceful journey, presuming one has in mind the peace of the grave. Daylight is a distant memory, but Rover's guiding light seems to have ticked up a notch or two in intensity while you've moved. A sign of progress perhaps? (more)
<El-Cideon> Midway through one day's travel, you encounter something drifting in the great blackness: it is a gigantic stone head, tumbling slowly end over end with its own momentum, looming into sight where but a moment before was only darkness ahead. The mammoth head looks broken off at the neck from some larger structure; by itself it dwarfs most Amaranth houses, and within the screaming mouth is laid down a walkway of somber tiles. The face itself is carved as of a bearded man; the play of faint light upon his features alternately suggests a rictus of rage or terror.
<Julia> "I say without exaggeration that this is the best thing I've seen in days," Julia says, watching the giant tumbling head with something approaching awe.
<El-Cideon> "It is the only thing that we have seen in days!" Rosemund says after starting a bit in fright at the head's appearance.
<Steph> "I want to preserve this moment forever."
<Steph> "You've got to hand it to this plane. The short bursts of something almost make the long stretches of nothing worthwhile."
<Julia> "That does not diminish my appreciation," Julia replies. "Rover, stop," she adds distractedly. "Want to go have a look inside?"
<El-Cideon> Rosemund boldly lifts her mace to better light the strange visitor; the mouth entry is a corridor some ten feet in height and width, winding into blackness out of sight.
<Franceska> "I want very little on this horrible plane, but I suppose I have no objections."
<Steph> "It'll take us with it, won't it?" replies Stephanie, eyeing the tumbling stone. "Can we stop it?"
<El-Cideon> "I suppose we should not stay for very long!" Rosemund hastens to suggest.
<Julia> "We can stop its momentum, hold on a second," Julia says before casting an acid fog in the head's path. Might cause some wear and tear but will certainly cut a bunch of momentum out!
<El-Cideon> Julia's effort has the effect of slowing the visitor's momentum to something appreciably close to motionless, not to mention smoothing out those forehead lines.
<Steph> "Hey, he looks more handsome this way!" expresses Stephanie, floating towards the open mouth and peering into the darkness.
<El-Cideon> The passageway extends through the back of the mouth and looks to wind out of sight, following a curve along the back interior of the head.
* Franceska floats by Rosemund's side, relying on Darrin to spot any dangers to them in time to warn her.
<Julia> "Just wait a minute, I can't actually stop this spell once it's going," Julia says before anyone blunders into the acidic mist.
<El-Cideon> Julia's spell gradually dissipates, the head floating placidly in the void all the while.
<Julia> That done Julia grabs Rover and drags him into the mouth so he won't attract attention from a distance while they explore the interior.
<El-Cideon> Rosemund steps inside and holds up her mace. "Ah, who wishes to go first?" she asks uncertainly.
<El-Cideon> "I am somewhat reassured on not seeing those carved teeth chomp down upon you," Marina admits.
<Steph> "Franzy, gimme that spell, wouldya? The tree one," Stephanie asks, always prepared to be the canary.
<Franceska> "Oh, might as well," Franceska sighs, casting Barkskin for Stephanie's benefit. "Now go and be stabbed in my stead, will you?"
<Steph> Stephanie scoffs. "I'm too fast to get stabbed. I just like the way it makes my thighs feel," she replies, turning to float inside. "Stops the burn, you know?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: roll Perception, Rat
<Franceska> "Don't talk about your diseases to me!"
<El-Cideon> "Er, is there some affliction Julia and I should be helping you with, Stephanie?" Rosemund wonders awkwardly.
<Julia> "I can make a salve for that," Julia offers, floating behind Stephanie.
<Steph> roll 1d20+13
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{15}
<El-Cideon> Stephanie's progress is unhindered. The passage curves up and you get the sense of following a course along where the spine would be on a living creature. Shortly the passage opens up into a burial chamber lodged within space that must be about where the statue's brain should be. The door here is a narrow archway, and beyond is a domed room some thirty feet in diameter. Centrally featured is a weathered stone sarcophagus; three coffins line each wall beside, and another stands beyond it.
<Steph> "Hey, look! Tombs!" Stephanie says with psychotic enthusiasm. "Are we robbing them, or leaving them alone?"
<Franceska> "In here, they will be robbing us," Franceska notes.
<El-Cideon> From the rear of the group, along with your new silent partner, Marina wonders dubiously: "Do we make a habit of robbing tombs?"
<Julia> "We can see if they're good for materials," Julia suggests. "Just a pity they're not fresher..."
<El-Cideon> OOC: Perception again, Rat
<Steph> roll 1d20+13
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{16}
<El-Cideon> OOC: carry on~
<Steph> "No, but we don't like to waste our time, either," reflects Stephanie, continuing into the domed room.
<Julia> Julia goes up to the nearest coffin and pops it open to have a look at what goodies are contained within!
<El-Cideon> As Stephanie crosses the threshold, her foot snaps a spider-thin thread strung along near the floor--and with a twang, from across the room, a trio of arrows fire from the walls at the bold intruder!
<El-Cideon> roll 3#1d20+15 vs Steph
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 3#1d20+15 1,0vs Steph --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{21}, 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{31}, 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{31}
<Steph> OOC: AC's 35... I think. Barkskin bonus is +4?
<El-Cideon> OOC: obviously we'll get to that in a sec, Julia~
<Franceska> OOC: +5
<El-Cideon> There's a panicked shout from Marina as the arrows dodged by Stephanie ricochet along the corridor. No one seems to have been hit--however, Julia's imprudent act of exploration comes with consequences of its own. The coffin is inhabited, and its occupant is eager to make friends--skeletal, yet with a mass of writhing viscera within its abdomen that snakes up and serves it as a tongue, and the moment its resting place is disturbed, the remaining coffin lids slide off to reveal similar occupants in most. In the coffin against the far wall is something different: a tall, pointy-eared undead with a rapacious visage, and within its emaciated chest is embedded a feeble homunculus. This horrible creature looks over the party and whispers hungrily: "Fresssh soulssss..."
<El-Cideon> OOC: init
<Julia> roll 1d20+2
<Rei-chan> 6,0Julia rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{11}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+1
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{13}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+3 D
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0D --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{11}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+5 Alice
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0Alice --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{9}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7 Marina
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0Marina --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+2 Rosey
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+2 1,0Rosey --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{3}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+4 big baddie
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+4 1,0big baddie --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{14}
<El-Cideon> roll 6#1d20+9 skellies (sorta, mostly)
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 6#1d20+9 1,0skellies (sorta, mostly) --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{22}, 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{29}, 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{25}, 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{22}, 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{20}, 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{20}
<Steph> roll 1d20+9
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{19}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > S3 (25) > Marina (24) > S1 & S4 (22) > S5 & S6 (20) > Steph (19) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey (3)'
<El-Cideon> The other two skeletons on Julia's side of the room trundle out of their coffins and toward her--one lashes out with a claw, while from the depths of its partner an intestinal tongue lashes out!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 attack
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{18}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch attack
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{27}
<Julia> OOC: AC 22
<Julia> OOC: 14 touch
<El-Cideon> OOC: roll fort, then
<Julia> roll 1d20+5 +2 vs sleep, stunning, paralysis, poison, disease, +4 vs negative energy, +2 vs mind affecting
<Rei-chan> 6,0Julia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0+2 vs sleep, stunning, paralysis, poison, disease, +4 vs negative energy, +2 vs mind affecting --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{6}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4 paralyzed this many minutes good lord your bot hates you
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d4 1,0paralyzed this many minutes good lord your bot hates you --> 6,0[ 1d4=3 ]4,0{3}
<El-Cideon> At the awful touch of that slimy appendage, Julia's nerves lock up and freeze her in place! Marina chants a spell to hasten the party, alas a moment too late for Julia--the sleeper she'd awoken takes advantage to slash at her once with a claw, while one of the opposing line of skeletons makes for Stephanie.
<El-Cideon> OOC: Haste is in effect
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch vs Steph
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch vs Steph --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{22}
<Steph> OOC: nope
<El-Cideon> The remaining two skeletons also make for the nearest target, Stephanie--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 claw
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
<El-Cideon> OOC: you're up, Steph
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 also I forgot an attack roll vs Julia!
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0also I forgot an attack roll vs Julia! --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+7 slam
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d6+7 1,0slam --> 6,0[ 1d6=6 ]4,0{13}
<Julia> OOC: AC 15 now but they get +4 bonuses
<Julia> OOC: is it magic + bludgeoning?
<El-Cideon> OOC: nope!
<Steph> "I'm definitely stealing your shit now, corpses!" snarls Stephanie, popping out of sight and retaliating against the skeleton that tried to touch her in the wrong place.
<Steph> roll 1d20+21
<Steph> roll 1d20+21
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+21 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{36}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+21 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{38}
<Steph> roll 1d20+22
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{24}
<Steph> roll 1d20+16
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{35}
<Steph> roll 1d20+17
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+17 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{23}
<El-Cideon> OOC: all but the last hit
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=6 3d6=13 1d6=5 ]4,0{31}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=2 3d6=7 1d6=1 ]4,0{17}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=6 3d6=9 1d6=3 ]4,0{25}
<Steph> roll 1d6+6+3d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+6+3d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=3 3d6=12 ]4,0{21}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > S3 (25) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > S5 & S6 (20) > Steph (19) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey (3)'
<El-Cideon> Broken bones and gobbets of viscera are all that's left once Stephanie's work is through. The monstrous undead draws itself up and hisses at her: "No breaking toyssss, mortal girl!" It chants an imprecation, and a ripple of disorienting magic suffuses those within the tomb--
<El-Cideon> OOC: will, Julia and Steph
<Steph> roll 1d20+17 mopm
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0mopm --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{27}
<Julia> roll 1d20+10 +2 vs sleep, stunning, paralysis, poison, disease, +4 vs negative energy, +2 vs mind affecting
<Rei-chan> 6,0Julia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0+2 vs sleep, stunning, paralysis, poison, disease, +4 vs negative energy, +2 vs mind affecting --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{15}
<El-Cideon> OOC: Julia is also confused for 18 rounds, http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/confusion.htm
<El-Cideon> Julia's senses utterly desert her, but Stephanie holds firm!
<El-Cideon> OOC: Fran
<Franceska> "Be gone! All of you shambling things, just die!" Franceska commands, throwing a thin cloud of diamond dust ahead of her and blowing on it to send the dust towards the moving corpses!
<Franceska> OOC: Undeath to death, 48HD, Will DC23 negates
<El-Cideon> Despite the potency of Fran's spell, the enemy horde resists her efforts! (OOC: too many HD individually, spell only hits 9HD or less)
<El-Cideon> OOC: Darrin, and I guess Julia can babble madly if she likes
<Julia> OOC: I can't even babble, my lips are frozen!
<Franceska> Darrin helps shore up Franceska's defenses.
<El-Cideon> OOC: think happy thoughts?
<Franceska> "Why won't they die?" Franceska complains.
<El-Cideon> Alice gestures elegantly, and a barrier of flashing blades erupts into existence across the room, cutting through two of Julia's and Stephanie's attackers each--
<El-Cideon> roll 4#1d20+10 ref
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 4#1d20+10 1,0ref --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{19}, 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{23}, 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{16}, 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{11}
<El-Cideon> roll 13d6 one halved
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 13d6 1,0one halved --> 6,0[ 13d6=41 ]4,0{41}
<El-Cideon> --and, this done, she draws a gleaming silver sickle and leaps forward next to Julia.
<El-Cideon> Rosemund decides to mimic this example, summoning up an overlapping field of swords and summoning an aura of holy light 'round her mace before moving in to menace Julia's first attacker.
<El-Cideon> roll 4#1d20+10 more blade barrierrrrrs
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 4#1d20+10 1,0more blade barrierrrrrs --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{30}, 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{20}, 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{21}, 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{14}
<El-Cideon> roll 12d6 first three halved
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 12d6 1,0first three halved --> 6,0[ 12d6=41 ]4,0{41}
<El-Cideon> Most of the group is badly maimed by this joint effort, but none are put down for good. With Julia paralyzed, one of her attackers turns it unwanted attentions towards Rosemund, while another moves out of the sword wall and Jabs at Alice.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch vs Rosey
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch vs Rosey --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch vs Alice
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch vs Alice --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{14}
<El-Cideon> OOC: Rosey dodges because Haste~
<El-Cideon> Marina glances around the field, focuses on the most grievously wounded enemy, and flings an array of missiles in its direction--
<El-Cideon> roll 5d4+5
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 5d4+5 --> 6,0[ 5d4=16 ]4,0{21}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > S3 (25) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > S5 (20) > Steph (19) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey (3)'
<El-Cideon> One of Stephanie's attackers crumbles to the ground! The other maneuvers out of the cloud to charge Franceska by the door, while another does the same for Alice.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12+2 charge vs Fran, regular hit
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12+2 1,0charge vs Fran, regular hit --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{33}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 vs Alice
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0vs Alice --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{28}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch vs Alice
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch vs Alice --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{26}
<Franceska> OOC: AC23
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+7 Alice damage, she is immune to paralysis
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d6+7 1,0Alice damage, she is immune to paralysis --> 6,0[ 1d6=3 ]4,0{10}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+7 Fran damage
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d6+7 1,0Fran damage --> 6,0[ 1d6=3 ]4,0{10}
<El-Cideon> OOC: Steph.
<Steph> Flickering back into sight, Stephanie flings herself at the creature assaulting Franceska and strikes at it twice!
<Steph> roll 1d20+21
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+21 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{34}
<Steph> roll 1d20+22
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{35}
<El-Cideon> OOC: bot hit
<Steph> roll 1d6+3d6+7+1d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+3d6+7+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=1 3d6=8 1d6=5 ]4,0{21}
<Steph> roll 1d4+3d6+6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d4+3d6+6 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 3d6=7 ]4,0{14}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > S3 (25) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > Steph (19) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey (3)'
<El-Cideon> This finishes the loathsome creature, leaving just the three on Julia's side of the room remaining.
<El-Cideon> Cut off from its intended prey by a double array of flying magical blades, the devourer snarls in frustration and emits another pulse of debilitating mental energy--
<El-Cideon> OOC: centered on Fran, so her/Steph/Marina/D roll will
<Steph> roll 1d20+9 learning to hate
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0learning to hate --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{20}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+11
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{22}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7 Marina
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0Marina --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{22}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+10 D
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0D --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{26}
<El-Cideon> But everyone boldly resists this malign influence!
<El-Cideon> OOC: Fran and Darrin
<Franceska> "No, no, this is all wrong!" Franceska exclaims as Darrin flaps his wings in alarm and gesturing towards the monsters crowding Rosemund and Alice!
<Franceska> OOC: Halt Undead, Will DC20 negates for intelligent undead
<El-Cideon> roll 3#1d20+9 will
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 3#1d20+9 1,0will --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{14}, 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{15}, 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{26}
<El-Cideon> Two of the monsters halt in their tracks!
<Franceska> OOC: Immobile for 12 rounds
<El-Cideon> OOC: D taking any action?
<Franceska> Darrin, meantime, clasps the wand of Magic Missile and tries to snipe the one that got away!
<Franceska> roll 1d20+9 UMD
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0UMD --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
<Franceska> And fails!
<El-Cideon> The bandaged diviner focuses on the one remaining skeletal horror left active and slashes at it thrice in succession!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+18
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+18
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{25}
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+13
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{30}
<El-Cideon> roll 3#1d6+2+2d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 3#1d6+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=5 2d6=4 ]4,0{11}, 6,0[ 1d6=1 2d6=2 ]4,0{5}, 6,0[ 1d6=2 2d6=6 ]4,0{10}
<El-Cideon> Rosey follows suit in trying to bludgeon it death with her shining mace--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{20}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{31}
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{22}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8+7+2d6+10
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d8+7+2d6+10 --> 6,0[ 1d8=2 2d6=4 ]4,0{23}
<El-Cideon> Despite this assault, some thread of vile energy keeps it barely standing! It focuses on Rosemund and tries to put her in a state similar to Julia's--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 attack
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{21}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 touch attack
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
<El-Cideon> While two of the enemies stand frozen in place, Marina aims to finish off the active one!
<El-Cideon> roll 5d4+5 missiles!
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 5d4+5 1,0missiles! --> 6,0[ 5d4=10 ]4,0{15}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > Steph (19) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey (3)'
<El-Cideon> OOC: Steph
<Steph> Stephanie glances at the blade barrier, and then cricks her neck for a moment. OOC: Holding.
<El-Cideon> Denied its desired repast of sweet, delicious souls, the devourer again fires an aura of derangement at the array of enemies by the door--
<El-Cideon> OOC: will for the same group as last time
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7 Marina
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0Marina --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{11}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+11
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{21}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+10 D
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0D --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{23}
<Steph> roll 1d20+9
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{27}
<El-Cideon> Marina is stricken with a look of crippling perplexion! But her allies persevere.
<El-Cideon> OOC: F & D
<Steph> "Hey, get that thing out the way!" exclaims Stephanie, the next time this hideous wave rolls over her.
* Franceska starts casting as she attempts to bring a fire elemental into being right next to the undead elf!
<Franceska> Darrin, in the meantime, heads farther back to take cover and ensure no one would come up from behind them.
<El-Cideon> "Oh! Sorry, I was only trying to help!" Rosemund says, pausing to deactivate her spell blocking the back half of the room. Alice quickly follows suit.
<El-Cideon> OOC: Blade Barriers down
<Steph> OOC: acting now, then
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > large undead (14) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey = Steph (3)'
<Steph> Stephanie kicks off the ground and flings herself at the offending creature that seems intent on destroying her mind with senseless foolery.
<Steph> roll 1d20+19
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{29}
<Steph> roll 1d20+19
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{31}
<Steph> roll 1d20+20
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{32}
<Steph> roll 1d20+14
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{28}
<Steph> roll 1d20+15
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{22}
<El-Cideon> OOC: he's not exactly within a 5-ft step
<Steph> OOC: I can jump some distance as a swift, and this is indoors
<Steph> OOC: How far is he?
<El-Cideon> 20 ft.
<El-Cideon> OOC!
<Steph> OOC: I can take a 5ft-step and clear 15 feet on the jump, due to haste (even without a running start). So I can make this.
<El-Cideon> OOC: okay, 24 and above hit
<Steph> roll 1d6+3d6+7+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+3d6+7+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+3d6+7+1d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+3d6+7+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=5 3d6=10 1d6=6 ]4,0{28}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+3d6+7+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=5 3d6=14 1d6=4 ]4,0{30}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+3d6+7+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=2 3d6=16 1d6=4 ]4,0{29}
<Steph> roll 1d4+3d6+6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d4+3d6+6 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 3d6=8 ]4,0{15}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > Fran (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey = Steph (3)'
<El-Cideon> There's the suggestion of some wisp of life--a ghost, a soul?--being set free as Stephanie rends the loathsome monster, but maybe that's just your imagination? In any event, this leaves just two immobilized enemies on the field--along with a very confused Marina--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100 confusion!
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0confusion! --> 6,0[ 1d100=24 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> Marina chants a naughty song in elfish!
<El-Cideon> OOC: F & D
<Franceska> Feeling like she could cry, Franceska directs her newly-formed fire elemental to burn everything dead that still remains.
<El-Cideon> OOC: fort for him as he appears
<Franceska> roll 1d20+10
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{15}
<Franceska> OOC: Actually +11, so 16
<El-Cideon> OOC: DC is 25. Take a level loss.
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | S2 (29) > Marina (24) > S1 (22) > Fran = fire elemental (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey = Steph (3)'
<Franceska> roll 1d20+22+2-1 charge, spring attack
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+22+2-1 1,0charge, spring attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{27}
<El-Cideon> OOC: hit
<Franceska> roll 2d8+5+2d8 last is fire
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 2d8+5+2d8 1,0last is fire --> 6,0[ 2d8=4 2d8=12 ]4,0{21}
<Franceska> It then comes to stand protectively between Franceska and the undead thing.
<El-Cideon> The vile skeleton shakes out of its lethargy once it's wounded again, ready to defend itself!
<El-Cideon> OOC: D taking any action?
<Franceska> OOC: No
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+18 Alice vs active mohrg
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+18 1,0Alice vs active mohrg --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{37}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+18
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{23}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+13
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{25}
<El-Cideon> roll 2#1d6+2+2d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 2#1d6+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=2 2d6=6 ]4,0{10}, 6,0[ 1d6=5 2d6=9 ]4,0{16}
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Current planar traits: subjective gravity, major negative-dominant, negative energy enhanced, positive energy impeded | Marina (24) > S1 (22) > Fran = fire elemental (13) > Julia = Darrin (11)  > Alice (9) > Rosey = Steph (3)'
<El-Cideon> OOC: Rosey and Steph
<El-Cideon> "These things are awful," Rosemund says as she tries to put down the last one. "Just awful! I am sorry, Julia, but I hope you never take it into your head to collect one of these."
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{18}
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{31}
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{30}
<Steph> Stephanie steps towards the last skeleton, and her swords flicker for a moment, then burst into flame and strike out at the wretched thing! OOC: Using burning brand to give myself 10ft reach.
<Steph> OOC: Also, my damage is fire now!
<El-Cideon> roll 3#1d8+7+2d6+10
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 3#1d8+7+2d6+10 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 2d6=8 ]4,0{29}, 6,0[ 1d8=2 2d6=6 ]4,0{25}, 6,0[ 1d8=1 2d6=6 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> OOC: noted~
<Steph> roll 1d20+19
<Steph> roll 1d20+19
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{25}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{22}
<Steph> roll 1d20+20
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{29}
<Steph> roll 1d20+14
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{22}
<Steph> roll 1d20+15
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{23}
<El-Cideon> OOC: it's technically still paralyzed while you're simultaneously attacking it, so roll some crazy numbers
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Steph> roll 1d6+7+3d6+1d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=6 3d6=8 1d6=5 ]4,0{26}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=1 3d6=8 1d6=6 ]4,0{22}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d6+7+3d6+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=4 3d6=17 1d6=3 ]4,0{31}
<Steph> roll 1d4+6+3d6
<Steph> roll 1d4+6+3d6
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d4+6+3d6 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 3d6=11 ]4,0{18}
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d4+6+3d6 --> 6,0[ 1d4=4 3d6=12 ]4,0{22}
<El-Cideon> At last the tomb is silent as a tomb once again--well, apart from a momentarily deranged sorceress's occasional outburst.
<El-Cideon> OOC: free act
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100 more confusion~
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0more confusion~ --> 6,0[ 1d100=12 ]4,0{12}
<El-Cideon> "If--if anyone knows a spell for disenchantment, now would be a good time!" Marina pleads in a brief moment of control.
<Franceska> "Dispel!" Franceska tries, not knowing anything else of use.
<Franceska> roll 1d20+10
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{11}
<El-Cideon> Alice hurries over and makes her own attempt--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{20}
<El-Cideon> Rosemund solves this problem with a plea to her patron deity, overcoming the enchantment without any resistance. After some waiting, Julia's condition in turn returns to normal.
<Steph> "Do skeletons really eat our souls?" asks Stephanie, kicking a bone across the floor and looking to root around the tombs.
<Franceska> "Maybe. Who knows, with their sort?"
<Julia> "Well... that was very humbling," Julia confesses when she regains her motive power, wringing her hands. "That kind can. They devour souls to power their magical abilities."
<El-Cideon> The individual coffins contain nothing but dust, but there does remain an unopened sarcophagus in the center of the room. Its carved countenance is imposing and humorless, not unlike the stone head itself.
<Steph> Stephanie shudders, and walks over to step on that thing's skull.
<El-Cideon> "I would not be at all surprised," Marina says. "Those appendages of theirs--" She just shudders.
<El-Cideon> Alice sheathes her weapon, and summons a dark aura of negative energy to heal her minor wound.
<Julia> "Do we want to open the sarcophagus?" Julia asks. In theory all the guards are gone and it should be safe... unless they were keeping it in instead of others out.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8+5
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{10}
<Franceska> "Could it really be any worse?" Franceska asks.
<El-Cideon> "Well, perhaps we should open it with most everyone at a safe distance," Rosemund suggests.
<Steph> "Give me a minute to catch my breath," says Stephanie, looking over the sarcophagus and searching it for any writing.
<El-Cideon> OOC: Perception, Steph
<Steph> roll 1d20+13
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{16}
<Julia> Julia heals herself a bit while they take that minute.
<El-Cideon> Stephanie finds it an aggressively primal and simplistic object, with little in the way of unnecessary ornamentation.
<El-Cideon> Alice watches Julia's act with curiosity, then cautiously extends one darkly glowing hand towards her shoulder, pausing for permission.
<Julia> "By all means," Julia invites. If she hits everything with negative energy she probably doesn't get much healthy social contact.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d8+5 unnecessary heals!
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d8+5 1,0unnecessary heals! --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{11}
<El-Cideon> Julia finds the touch as soothing as she normally does the necromantic powers. Alice's facial bandages shift in an odd way--it's difficult to be certain, but there might be a smile under there?
* Julia smiles back. "That feels nice, thank you."
<El-Cideon> She curtsies politely.
<Steph> "Can you guys use some, I dunno, divination? See what's in there?" asks Stephanie, after a moment.
* Franceska starts saying no, and then glances at Alice curiously.
<El-Cideon> Alice steps forward, unwraps one hand and places it upon the sarcophagus. After a moment, she flips through her deck and displays a pair of cards: one is a set of iron bars, with ominous shadows obscured in the cell beyond; the other is an array of dazzling jewelry. She steps back, looking uncertain.
<Franceska> "Self-explanatory for a change," Franceska notes. "Stephanie should open it."
<El-Cideon> "We all admire your bravery," Marina encourages from far back by the door.
* Franceska uses her bead and then casts greater magic fang upon her hands in preparation, returning to the door herself.
* Julia summons up a pair of ogre zombies to back Stephanie up while she retreats alongside Marina.
<Steph> "Let's, um, how about we prepare?" says Stephanie, pulling out a wand and tapping herself with it.
<Steph> roll 1d20+14 umd?
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0umd? --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{30}
<Franceska> Once Stephanie is about to touch the sarcophagus, Franceska becomes a nefarious albino bear and casts her strongest combat spell!
<Steph> Her amulet pulses a moment later, protecting her with a ward against death, and then Stephanie reaches out to try and pull the great coffin open.
<El-Cideon> Two things happen very quickly--at about waist level, a blade arcs out from a cleverly concealed panel; and from within the sarcophagus, a specter emerges, the vaguest shape of a man, visible only by Stephanie immediately before the sarcophagus itself. There's an expression of...rapturous release, followed swiftly by one of imperious will and a scowl of vengeance that sends shivers along Stephanie's spine before the apparition simply disappears from sight--
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+20 attack roll, also roll will
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0attack roll, also roll will --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{27}
<Steph> roll 1d20+17 mopm
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0mopm --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{25}
<El-Cideon> Stephanie resists the crippling arua of fear that threatens to overcome her...and of the spirit, there is no sign. But within its former resting place, about the dust that might once have been a body, lies a collection of gold and jewels; a set of heavy armor seemingly hewn from stone; a black iron helmet forged in the image of a leering demon; a narrow ring that quietly emanates icy wisps and another almost humming with electricity; a pair of shiny gauntlets; and, to one side, a long glaive that looks to have had the blade and point fashioned from some manner of horn.
* Franceska retakes human form once more, frowning.
<El-Cideon> Marina distantly tries to peer over Stephanie's shoulder. "Is it safe?"
<Steph> Stephanie shivers. "I... I think it's just gone," she says, eventually, looking over their newfound riches and feeling out of sorts. "This might have been a mistake."
* Franceska sends Darrin to take a look, while she covers for him.
<El-Cideon> Darrin sees nothing but a satisfying array of riches.
<Julia> "Yes... yes, I think it might have been," Julia agrees with some worry.
<Franceska> "Another powerful undead on a plane of them," Franceska notes. "So the prison part proved true. Is there anything in the reward that is worth our while?"
<El-Cideon> Rosemund hustles over to look inside. "If there was anyone there, they are gone now," she agrees, pointing to layer of dust outlining what might once have been a body.
<Julia> "Well, may as well look over what's left," Julia sighs, casting detect magic and giving all the stuff a good look over.
<Steph> "There's lots of stuff," replies Stephanie, looking over it and shrugging. "We're rich. Again. We don't need most of this junk." She backs away from the sarcophagus to let the others look at it.
<Julia> OOC: taking 10 for 27 on everything
<Steph> roll 1d20+13 appraisal of gems
<Rei-chan> 6,0Steph rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0appraisal of gems --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{27}
<Julia> "There's some good things here, though none I'm interested in personally," Julia says before pointing and reciting the abilities of each one so any interest can be affirmed by the others.
<Franceska> "You took the words right out of my mouth," Franceska agrees. "So we take it all and go?"
<El-Cideon> "I am sure that we can find a noble use for the wealth even if we ourselves have no need of it," Rosemund says charitably.
<Steph> "I guess. Hey, the armor could work for you, Rosemund!"
<El-Cideon> Rosemund frowns, and picks it up experimentally. "It is a bit too heavy for me, I am afraid. I like how I can move in my current set!"
<Franceska> "It could be like training on Earth without setting foot in that benighted plane again!"
<El-Cideon> Rover is waiting patiently for you upon exit from the tomb, and at a word sets out once again toward Whitsunhold. His course is straight and unerring over the next couple days, the gem lodged within his head rising to a brighter blue glow the further you proceed. (more)
<El-Cideon> But again as you travel, something makes its presence known out in the void: Rover's light reflects off a clear, faceted object, a great gemstone floating in space, faceted geometrically and large enough to contain a person within--which is in fact what it does. Sitting crosslegged within the gemstone prison is a woman: she looks human and of some indeterminate age past adulthood; her hair is a glossy silver and flows past her waist to drift idly in the air. Her countenance is a dour and unfriendly one, with a patch around her left eye marred by some childhood illness that renders the flesh waxy and insensate. She has a muscular build well displayed by her simple peasant gown. Her eyes are closed, evidently in meditation, when you arrive.
<Franceska> "How about this time?" Franceska asks Alice.
<Steph> "How come we're running across so much stuff? Is it attracted to us?"
<Julia> "You really do find the oddest things here," Julia remarks.
<Steph> "I guess people chuck it here when they want to get rid of it?"
<El-Cideon> Alice unwraps one hand and hestitantly places it upon the gem--then quickly reels away. She shakes her head vigorously and whips out a single card: it displays a shield.
<Franceska> "...yes. Yes. It's all your fault, Stephanie, it must be."
<El-Cideon> Should we say hello?" Rosemund wonders in a stage whisper.
<Franceska> "Hello!"
<Steph> "She clearly doesn't want to be disturbed."
<Julia> "Well, the gem is probably protecting her as much as confining her. If we break it she might suffer the ravages of her surroundings," Julia posits.
<El-Cideon> The woman's eyes flick open. They are a clear and passionless gray. She looks over each of you in turn before speaking. You get the sense that her tone is quite raised: "Loudly, please," she suggests in a slightly muffled but unwavering voice. "The walls of my cell are thick indeed."
* Franceska sees no problem with raising her voice as she responds. "Cell? Then you are imprisoned? By whom, and for what offense?"
<El-Cideon> "I am bound to reply with accuracy," she intones. "By my kin, for what they viewed as an act of arrogant presumption."
<Franceska> "Which was? And what is your kin?"
<Steph> "Let's not pretend it wasn't. What was it?"
<El-Cideon> "I sought to impose a degree of determination in opposing our oppressors which they themselves lacked," she says to Stephanie. She gestures to the walls around her: "Obviously, they prefered abject submission." She turns to Franceska: "I was born in a town named, with some degree of accuracy, 'Death of Innocence.' It is a rare habitable patch of Hades, livable enough presuming one does not greatly mind walls that bleed at will. I took it upon myself to see that much of my life was spent elsewhere, for reasons plain."
<Steph> "Why would anyone live there?"
<Julia> "Maybe it's surrounded by monsters or lava?" Julia suggests. "Still sounds bad, but any port in a storm, yes?"
<El-Cideon> "Because they lack the will or means to escape. Because they are lost. Because they are weak." She nods to Julia: "Within the town's walls, safety abounds. Flight to better lands is fraught with danger. So there they stay, in comfortable misery."
<Franceska> "Tell me more about those oppressors, and about how you sought to impose that determination," Franceska instructs her. "Introductions would not be out of place at this point, either. I am Franceska Durant."
<Julia> "Julia Astin," Julia says for herself. Loudly.
<Steph> "I'm a freedom fighter!"
<El-Cideon> "Fiends of one camp or another, occasionally hags," she says dismissively. "Whatever mercenary power called the surrounding lands its domain any particular year. The townsfolk were content to expel a fraction of itself each year to appease whatever unspeakable purposes the fiends might wish them for, as guarantee for our collective security."
<Steph> "I wouldn't fight for them."
<Franceska> "How were they even able to imprison you on a plane of death, then?" Franceska asks curiously, still waiting on an introduction.
<El-Cideon> She continues: "I sought to organize them in proper martial fashion for resistance, as they clearly lacked sense to do so for themselves. I have some experience in these matters. My name is Istradi Mirhaz, veteran of battle throughout the planes."
<El-Cideon> "How else, but through treachery, poison, and cowardly bargains with greater powers?" she says.
<Franceska> "And should we break it, do you have any means of surviving here?"
<Steph> "Regular people, huh? Militias can't contend with fiends," reflects Stephanie.
<Julia> "Well, say your grandparents lived in Hell itself and bravely struck out for better lands... then your parents mess up all their hard work and let their brave new town become an interplanar punching bag... you can't control where you're born, can you?"
<Steph> Stephanie frowns. "I guess not..."
<El-Cideon> "I lack food or water," she says to Franceska. "My cell sustains me in this regard. I fear not for the petty energies this world might seek to inflict upon me, however. I am above such petty impositions." To Stephanie: "Properly trained, armed, and motivated, mortals might accomplish far more than they suspect. If they will only allow themselves to be led."
* Franceska casts detect magic to take a proper look at that cell.
<Franceska> roll 1d20+17 spellcraft?
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0spellcraft? --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{30}
<El-Cideon> A strong aura of various shades emanates from the crystal prison. A powerful mix of cold and disease waits to inflict one breaching the prison by force. Franceska also detects in the cell's aura a compulsion for honesty, and a preservative force to keep the prisoner alive indefinitely without food or water.
<Franceska> "I can break it," Franceska voices, retriving the ring that they had found only a few days ago.
<El-Cideon> "I am bound to warn you that attempts at forceful liberation will be hazardous to the outsider," Istradi says, with an air of reluctant imposition.
<Steph> "Franzy's always willing to take one for the team, no worries!"
* Julia retreats back a little just in case.
<Franceska> "I know that," Franceska responds calmly. "And making Stephanie even more diseased than she already is would be suboptimal. Everyone else should retreat quite a ways." Pausing, she asks, "Do you intend to turn on any of us once freed?"
<Steph> "Why didn't they just kill you, anyway? How is this-
<El-Cideon> "I see no value in doing so," Istradi says.
<Steph> -even sensible?" mutters Stephanie, backing away from it.
<El-Cideon> As Stephanie backs away, Istradi acknowledges with considerable rancor: "I was meant to contemplate the error of my ways."
<Steph> "Did you?"
<El-Cideon> She inclines her chin. "Next time I shall not be so trusting."
<Franceska> "As a condition," Franceska says, starting to summon a massive stone elemental, "once freed if you choose to come with us, you may not seek employment with the one we are here to meet. Is that acceptable?"
<El-Cideon> "Who is it that you seek?" she asks.
<Steph> "Some undead freak who named herself after our dead queen."
<El-Cideon> "I know naught of any impostor queens," she says. "My only concern with this world is to depart it."
<Franceska> "She might well be Queen Auranelle," Franceska reasons. "Oh, and there is also an old paladin going by Polaris. One who was once Galina Merowyn." She directs her elemental to break the prison, saying, "If you refrain from seeking their employ, our chances of coming to odds at some point in the future are very low."
<Franceska> roll 1d20+17 fort
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0fort --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{29}
<Franceska> roll 2#1d20+23 slam
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 2#1d20+23 1,0slam --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{25}, 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{31}
<Franceska> roll 4d10+20
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 4d10+20 --> 6,0[ 4d10=8 ]4,0{28}
<El-Cideon> "Paladins are rarely comfortable associates," Istradi admits. "We should have no particular degree of difficulty in this regard."
<El-Cideon> The crystal prison is very sturdy, and the elemental has considerable trouble cracking it, but against a defenseless object it is only a question of time. Istradi watches with quiet detachment as you wear through the fabric of her prison. Little bursts of ice accompany each blow, and once the cell wall is fully shattered, a tremendous rush of vile, cold air surges forth to assail anyone waiting outside--
<El-Cideon> OOC: ref and fort, elemental and Fran if she was waiting by it
<Franceska> roll 1d20+17 elemental fort
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0elemental fort --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{31}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+6 elemental ref
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0elemental ref --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{10}
<El-Cideon> roll 15d6 cold
<Rei-chan> 6,0El-Cideon rolled :6,0 15d6 1,0cold --> 6,0[ 15d6=46 ]4,0{46}
<Franceska> roll 1d20+4 my ref, I'm immune to disease
<Rei-chan> 6,0Franceska rolled :6,0 1d20+4 1,0my ref, I'm immune to disease --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{24}
<El-Cideon> OOC: halved, Fran. elemental failed it
<Franceska> OOC: Ring of cold res 20, so 3 damage
<El-Cideon> It's with a nod of approval that Istradi notes you've weathered the outburst with hardly a scratch. "Very good," she says, standing and floating out of the shattered gemstone. "Freedom is gratifying."
<Franceska> "I can imagine," Franceska agrees, letting the battered elemental fade away.
<Steph> "A pity you're free here, of all places."
<El-Cideon> "My intent is to be free elsewhere," she says wryly. "I must impose upon your goodwill for such egress," she admits grudgingly. "I might survive with ease in the most hostile of worlds, but travel between them is not within my powers." She adds: "Have any of you a knife that I might borrow?"
<Steph> Stephanie has plenty of knives, and one of them soon finds its way to the woman.
<El-Cideon> Istradi immediately sets to work sawing through her glorious mane of hair and leaving the severed mass to float away. It's a few minutes brutal but determined work to rid herself of as much as she might easily cut off, leaving a haphazard but clear attempt at a martial buzz.
<El-Cideon> "Better," she says at last.
<El-Cideon> "It seems an awful shame," Marina observes. "It was really quite lovely."
<Julia> "Aww, it looked nice," Julia says, regretful at seeing those beautiful locks shorn off.
<Franceska> "It really was," Franceska agrees. "Still, hair grows back. Do you feel hungry or thirsty just yet?"
<El-Cideon> "Should we enter combat, it would be a liability," Istradi counters.
<Steph> "Hair gets in the way when you fight."
<El-Cideon> "I do not know how many years it might have been since I last indulged in food or drink," Istradi says to Franceska. "I would appreciate renewed acquaintence."
<Franceska> "Then this looks as good a place as any for lunch?"
<Julia> "You can put it up in a bun or a braid," Julia points out. "We can even use the remains of that crystal to try and make a fire on!" she then adds, suitably distracted by cooking.
<El-Cideon> "What is your goal on this world and what are the potential hazards?" Istradi asks as everyone settles in for a meal. "I should be pleased to find myself in any planar metropolis as soon as circumstances permit."
<Steph> "We're here to find that queen and figure out what she's up to. Then stop it, if it's a threat to our world or if she's responsible for certain crimes."
<Julia> "She has death knights and various other undead minions," Julia says as she tries cooking up a nice roast before the negative energy makes it all horrible.
<El-Cideon> "I may assist if you've weapons to spare," Istradi says, "at least until your business takes you away from this plane. It would not do to be defenseless while threatened," she adds.
<Franceska> "I have a rapier I could loan you," Franceska voices. "Unless you would prefer a glaive?"
<Steph> "We've got a suit of full plate, too," notes Stephanie.
<El-Cideon> "Either will suffice," she says, "though the premier instrument of my expertise is the warhammer." To Stephanie: "I would be greatly satisfied with such protection."
<Steph> "We'll lend you the glaive," reflects Stephanie, rummaging around in her bag and pulling out various pieces of heavy armor to hand over to their new friend.
<El-Cideon> Istradi dons the armor and hefts the weapon to get a sense of their balance, and handles both with seasoned expertise.
<El-Cideon> ~