020. Athear dies.

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:19:52 PM

[19:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, were you going to go back down that same day?
[19:59] <@Annerose> OOC: Yes
[20:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d6 nonlethal Inari and T
[20:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 4 > [d6=4]
[20:02] <@Kotono> The party takes a brief break to eat. Inari finds herself aching and drained by the time it's over, and T likewise winches and rubs his elbow. "Been a rough day," T mutters, putting down his mug and grimacing.
[20:03] <@Inari> Inari casts lesser vigor on them both to soothe away the aches and pains! She also vanished for a little while to thoroughly towel her tails. Even if she can choose not to produce the musk that makes most humanoids find foxes unpleasant, there's no escaping the curse of wet dog smell.
[20:04] <@Athear> "If we are to open the path again, I would advise caution. The curse may appear again." Athear says. "But it may also not happen a second time. I cannot say."
[20:07] <@Kotono> The magic soothes away the injuries, the sick feeling and achiness leaving both of them. T sighs in open relief, "Yeah, that's it, 'nari," he murmurs.
[20:08] <@Annerose> "You yourself should be fine," Annerose says, upon consideration. "You will try to press a gold coin to the slab. Should it fail to open with that key, however...." Ice appears at her fingertips, and she scribes a basic magical circle on the deck. "If you prick your finger and draw this shape across the slab, it will open for certain."
[20:08] <@Inari> "I'm not quite at my best anyway," Inari admits. "A few hours rest before trying again won't go amiss." Especially since their water breathing spell is gone either way.
[20:09] * @Annerose glances at T and Inari. "Of course, we could wait another day first."
[20:09] <@Kotono> "Yeah, a night's asleep would help," T adds, "All that swimming and fighting has taken it out of me."
[20:10] <@Athear> Athear looks at the circle and nods. "Very well, I can handle that."
[20:15] <@Inari> "Yes, lets do that."
[20:18] <@Kotono> Thus the rest of the day passes in rest. Tola 42 is another hot, sunny day. There's barely a breeze and the sun pounds down. It's bearable out here, but you can bet it's miserable inland. At least your promised swim should mitigate the humidity. After breakfast and short break to let it settle, the party heads back on down to the slab below. It's like you left it last time, sans the vortex leading underground.
[20:19] * @Annerose waits for Athear to try the gold.
[20:20] <@Inari> Inari floats nearby, looking somewhat at peace but thoroughly cognizant of the sharp time limit they're on. All she can do is wait and trust they get it done quickly.
[20:20] <@Athear> Athear will press a gold coin against the slab.
[20:21] <@Kotono> Athear presses a gold coin into the slab. Nothing happens.
[20:22] * @Annerose mimics running a fingernail down the tip of her finger and gestures between Athear and the slab.
[20:23] <@Kotono> T offers his dagger to Athear at that.
[20:25] <@Athear> Athear will take the dagger and prick his finger in order to draw the symbol as he was earlier instructed.
[20:25] * @Annerose waits for Athear to be ready, before slowly trailing the pattern alongside Athear, except in the water.
[20:27] <@Kotono> The pattern is made in the water. It forms and suddenly Athear's hand gushes blood. It flows into the pattern, making it glow brightly before fading away. Before you the vortex appears! OOC: 10 damage, Athear.
[20:28] * @Annerose swims straight for the vortex!
[20:28] <@Athear> He winces, but this is a better solution than having someone else get potentially cursed. He will wait until the others are inside before he goes himself.
[20:28] <@Inari> Inari swims in after Annerose!
[20:30] <@Kotono> It's just like before. Down the party goes and soon you find yourself in the same room as last time. The broken skeletons and forgotten falchions litter the floor. There's the closed door you weren't able to open and the passage to the teleportation circle.
[20:30] <@Annerose> "Oh good." Annerose breathes a sigh of relief. "It's not a resetting trap."
[20:31] <@Kotono> T shakes his head, droplets of seawater going everywhere, 'If we go back up," he jerks a thumb at the swords, "Think you can bring one of those up, Athear? Fancy swords are usually worth something."
[20:31] <@Athear> "Would you care for me to try the same symbol on the door?" Athear asks.
[20:32] <@Annerose> "Well, it couldn't possibly hurt. Except you, from the bloodloss...." Annerose frowns, taking care to dry herself off and incidentally remove all that salt with magic. "I don't see any harm in it."
[20:32] <@Inari> "It's certainly worth a try," Inari says, casting lesser vigor on him to deal with said bloodloss.
[20:32] <@Athear> "We may be able to find something to place them in." Athear considers. "Otherwise, yes, certainly." he hands the dagger back, at that.
[20:32] <@Inari> OOC: 15hp over 15 rounds
[20:32] <@Kotono> The dagger is taken back.
[20:33] <@Athear> Athear nods and walks over to the door. He waits a moment or two before he will try the same pattern again. OOC: Let's say he waits 5 rounds so his hand is still bleeding so he doesn't have to cut himself again, then does it.
[20:33] <@Kotono> After a beat, T holds it far away and gently shakes it off. Athear's blood trickles off it, but not all the way. He then taps it against the floor a few times, slowly clearing it.
[20:33] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. 5 HP back then. More coming.
[20:34] <@Kotono> Athear draws a faint pattern in blood as his wound seals. Unfortunately, nothing happens from it as the injury continues to mend. OOC: Another round, so another hit point bac.k
[20:34] <@Athear> "...Hm." He tries placing the gold coin against the door! You never know.
[20:35] <@Annerose> "If we manage to lower the magical noise drowning everything out, I could tailor a magical key to the door," Annerose muses, now cleaning up T with her magic. "Unfortunately...."
[20:36] <@Kotono> The gold coin is pressed to the door. It melts into it, the door audibly popping open. It's just ajar, but it is now open. OOC: Loot post.
[20:37] * @Annerose blinks in surprise.
[20:37] <@Kotono> "Th-" T begins, turning as the door opens. "That was it?"
[20:38] * @Annerose moves on to Inari next, getting past her initial shock.
[20:38] <@Athear> "Sometimes, the most simple answer is the correct one." Athear says as he opens the door fully but doesn't step through. He wants to see what's in there first.
[20:38] <@Inari> "Well we certainly wouldn't have guessed that," Inari says, looking around Athear to see what's inside.
[20:39] <@Athear> "Then let us simply call it draconic intuition." He responds with a smile.
[20:41] <@Kotono> Ahead is a hallway, perhaps 25ft long. It is lit by fireless torches that have points of light atop them instead of flames. The hallway is at least 50ft wide, massively wide. Set into the walls on either are long cubbyholes, each one holding what looks to be a stone coffin. 20 in total. At the far end the floor is replaced by a hole, a gap plunging into the darkness.
[20:42] * @Annerose fervently hopes it's not more undead.
[20:42] <@Athear> "This would seem an obvious place for traps." Athear says. "How do you wish to proceed?"
[20:43] <@Inari> "We might have a fight on our hands once we step through," Inari says, casting shield of faith in readiness. "Lets just go through and brazen it? If we need to flee we can just run straight for the teleporter."
[20:43] <@Annerose> "Make sure you've recovered from all the bleeding, first of all."
[20:44] <@Annerose> For her part, she casts Ancient Knowledge since it just might come in handy within.
[20:44] <@Athear> Athear nods and waits until his hand has fully healed.
[20:44] <@Athear> "You had mentioned something that was interfering with your ability to properly detect magic. Does that extend into here as well?"
[20:46] <@Annerose> "So far," Annerose agrees, Detect Magic cast all the same. "If it changes I'll let you know."
[20:47] <@Kotono> T pauses a moment, before making some sem-familiar gestures. A gleaming shield of force briefly appears before him before fading away. Meanwhile, all Annerose sees is the faint magic that masks everything. OOC: 4/5 inspiration for T, shield cast for +4 AC.
[20:49] <@Athear> "All right. I will go first." Athear says. He tentatively takes a step into the room to see if there are any immediate effects.
[20:53] <@Kotono> Athear steps into the room. At this, there is a snarl. A voice in draconic, faraway and furious, howls, "Dog of Bahamut!" From the coffins you see them - dozens of pale white spirits. They form 30ft ahead of the party, becoming a solid shape. A bear that is bigger than a bear, with a reddish tint and vile snarl to its face. Horns and ridges decorate its body, and it sclaws are a big as swords.
[20:53] <@Kotono> "BLEED DOG OF BAHAMUT!" it screams. OOC: Init. Athear did cause an immediate effect, yes.

[20:53] <@Kotono> "Ah shit!" T grimaces, staring at the sight.
[20:53] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[20:53] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=4]
[20:53] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[20:53] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 5 > [d20=1]
[20:54] <@Athear> "Well, this was bound to happen regardless." says with a frown.
[20:54] <@Athear> roll 1d20+2
[20:54] <Serith> Athear roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=17]
[20:54] <@Annerose> "It is undead!" Annerose exclaims in dismay.
[20:54] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+10 nerveskitter
[20:54] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=7]
[20:54] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 da bear
[20:54] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=17]
[20:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Athear(19)>BEAR(18)>Annerose(17)>T(10)>Inari(Mikoing)'
[20:54] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Athear.
[20:55] <@Athear> OOC: Any K checks relevant on what exactly it is?
[20:55] <@Kotono> OOC: K:N or K:P.
[20:56] <@Athear> roll 1d20+6 I've got P!
[20:56] <Serith> Athear roll for Serith < 7 > [d20=1]
[20:56] <@Athear> OOC: Just kidding!
[20:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Hi brain damage. Go Athear.
[20:57] <@Inari> roll 1d20+11 I've got nature
[20:57] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=7]
[20:57] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+5 me too!
[20:57] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=1]
[20:57] <@Athear> He doesn't have his armor or his shield, but... nonetheless, he will still present himself as a challenge! "Fine then, creature! Face the righteousness of Bahamut!" OOC: Test of Mettle, DC17 Will against it
[20:57] <@Athear> Athear will also move in within 10 ft of the creature!
[20:57] <@Kotono> Inari can tell it is a dire bear. Big, vicious and mauls things. It's a bear's bear. Don't get hit by it or you'll get bearhugged. But it also doesn't look natural. Ther'es an evil cast to it, something stronger.
[20:58] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 vs 17
[20:58] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=19]
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: No joy. Anything else or is that it?
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Since test of mettle is a swift.
[21:00] <@Athear> OOC: I'll also use Righteous Fury for the future, then.
[21:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:00] <@Kotono> Righteous strength fills Athear, making his body bulge with holy power. The fireless torches glow brighter at this, pale platinum sparks cascading down from them. OOC: Bear is up.
[21:00] <@Kotono> "BLEEEED!" It howls, trying to maul the obliging Athear then and there.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+6 PA) claw 1
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=6]
[21:01] <@Kotono> OOC: Er, -6 PA. You know what I mean.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (-6 PA) claw 2
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=4]
[21:01] <@Athear> OOC: Does it have to move to get to me or does it have reach?
[21:01] <@Kotono> OOC: It has reach. It's a big ol' dire bear.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 bite AC?
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=20]
[21:01] <@Athear> OOC: Okay.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 bite AC? crit?
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=10]
[21:02] <@Athear> OOC: My AC is currently 12 without any armor
[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 2d4+16 claw 1 in retrospect, charging a dire bear without armor wasn't the wisest move. What would Gildas say?
[21:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 > [d4=2,2]
[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 2d4+16 claw 2 in retrospect, charging a dire bear without armor wasn't the wisest move. What would Gildas say?
[21:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d4=3,3]
[21:03] <@Kotono> roll 4d8+22
[21:03] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 35 > [d8=1,2,7,3]
[21:07] <@Kotono> Athear's charge is doubtlessly brave - for he meets his foe head on. Unfortunately, the dire bear meets him claws on. Both claws sink into Athear's chest, tearing it open like a present box. His ribs and beating heart are revealed, as the dire bear's mouth goes in. He bites through the ribs and to the heart, pulling it out with a massive gush of blood. Athear's world tints red, faraway and red
[21:07] <@Kotono> indeed. There's pain, but it feels far away. Why is it so cold? Why are there mists covering his eyes. But far away, he can swear he sees a mountain, his eyes going blind and yet he still sees that. It's strange. As his awareness plunges into darkness, he isn't afraid. It's like going...OOC: Annerose is up.
[21:08] <@Annerose> Shocked far more than she had been when the door suddenly opened for Athear's gold coin, Annerose throws her hands up and wills the bear to just stop!
[21:08] <@Annerose> OOC: Hold Monster DC21
[21:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:09] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=5]
[21:09] <@Kotono> The bear freezes solid. It stops moving, perfectly paralyzed. T just stares ahead as Athear's body hits the ground, eyes wide and mouth open. OOC: T's up.
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d2
[21:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 1 > [d2=1]
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Bastard!" T snaps. Once the bear freezes, he sprints dead on at it, a leaping jump as he tries to skewer it right in the neck.
[21:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge, +3 inspiration 3/5 left, also spending +1 for +3 damage and +2 for +2d6 SA)
[21:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=17]
[21:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d4+2+4d6
[21:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d4=2][d6=4,4,4,6]
[21:14] <@Kotono> T's knife stabs the beast right in the chest, not quite making the jump to its neck. He still drags it from upper chest to hips, opening up a bloody flap of flesh on the paralyzed bear. It bleeds, splashing out amid Athear's own blood. OOC: Inari.
[21:14] <@Inari> Inari's usually calm expression cracks at Athear's abrupt and messy end, before nodding in approval of Annerose's neutralising of the threat. This way he can be avenged at least. Casting forth foxfire to scorch the bear, she walks up to it so she can prepare a killing strike while it's frozen.
[21:14] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[21:14] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=15]
[21:14] <@Inari> roll 5d6 fire
[21:14] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 14 > [d6=4,3,2,3,2]
[21:15] * Kotono changes topic to 'BEAR(18)>Annerose(17)>T(10)>Inari(Mikoing)'
[21:16] <@Kotono> Fire gets it right on, scorching the bear and setting some of its fur ablaze. It's burning hotly, as...OOC: Bear's up. Gets the Will save to try and kick out as a full round action.
[21:16] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 vs 21
[21:16] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=2]
[21:16] <@Kotono> But the bear stays paralyzed. OOC: Annerose.
[21:18] <@Annerose> Still numb in part, Annerose sends several darts into the frozen bear's face.
[21:19] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[21:19] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[21:19] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=5]
[21:19] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=5]
[21:19] <@Annerose> roll 2d4
[21:19] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 2 > [d4=1,1]
[21:19] <@Annerose> roll 2d4
[21:19] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 5 > [d4=3,2]
[21:20] <@Kotono> The darts pepper the bear's face, little stabs that draw lines of blood across it. But it's not down - but T measures and leaps, going right for the beast's heart. OOC: Coup de grace.
[21:20] <@Kotono> roll 2d4-2+2d6
[21:20] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 6 > [d4=2,2][d6=3,1]
[21:21] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 vs 16
[21:21] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=15]
[21:21] <@Kotono> T misses - it's a blow, but hits flesh instead of heart. Another wound, but not a terribly deep one. OOC: Inari.
[21:22] <@Inari> Cueing up her spear under the bear's jaw, Inari pulls it back before giving it a heave up, straight into the brainpan!
[21:22] <@Inari> roll 3d8+33 coup de grace
[21:22] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 44 > [d8=1,8,2]
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20 needs a 20
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=14]
[21:22] <@Kotono> An upward slash cuts the bear's brain in two, causing it to fall back. It dissolves into moaning spirits, ones that fade away seconds later. OOC: Free act.

[21:23] <@Kotono> T stares at the downed bear, silent and just staring at it.
[21:24] <@Inari> Dropping her spear now, Inari sits down by the dragon-man's corpse. "Oh, Athear..." she says sadly, closing his eyes. If he hadn't been so brave and so quick, he might still be standing.
[21:25] <@Kotono> T very slowly closes his eyes, before a shout rips from his throat, "Fuck!" He kicks at the ground, before shuddering and breathing heavily. He half falls, half sits onto the ground, seemingly mindless of the blood there.
[21:27] * @Annerose slowly lowers her hands.
[21:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:28] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=16]
[21:30] <@Kotono> "....Lathander," T finally says, "You remember that, don't you? The Cathedral of Shining Light."
[21:30] <@Inari> Having taken a moment to grieve, Inari stands up. She's seen many friends come and go over the years, so it's not that she's more callous than the others, but perhaps better prepared. "Perhaps we can find a better place for him with the teleporter?" Leaving him to Umberlee whom he hated would be no good, and this seems a poor place to rest.
[21:33] * @Annerose starts pacing the bones-littered inner room.
[21:37] <@Inari> Clearly none of them are in a shape to continue further - through without Athear if they leave now they can never come back. Even so, Inari thinks this has been ill-fated enough. "Perhaps we should call a halt to further exploration here? I don't think any of us are in a fit state for it," she says, ears and tails drooped.
[21:37] <@Kotono> T's silent for a bit, "It's just..." he starts, "I don't know." He says, "I just...damn it!" He waves a hand, "In the stories, there's always a way to bring your friends back. A servant of Lathander's a big one, yeah? Maybe something?"
[21:38] <@Inari> "In real life, death isn't so easily thwarted," she says sadly, resting a hand on T's shoulder. And considering what they've seen so far, she highly doubts any benevolent church will be in a state capable of rendering aid.
[21:41] <@Kotono> T closes his eyes again, "I just don't know," he says, voice sounding small. "But maybe we should try? If we sail north from here, we can make it there quickly."
[21:43] <@Inari> Sitting down again next to T, Inari tries to put this as nicely as she can. "Without water breathing, lifting Athear from the sea-floor will be no simple endeavour. We could well follow him for the attempt."
[21:45] <@Kotono> "Then we'll get some fucking rope and haul him out like a fish!" T turns and snaps, before all that rage dries up.
[21:46] <@Inari> "... alright," Inari says, seeing this is getting nowhere. "But to keep him from going to the abbatoir... won't we need to remove all of the blood?"
[21:47] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11 K:R what would Bahamut want
[21:48] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=16]
[22:00] <@Kotono> Bahamut's fairly neutral on the subject. After all, he does sponsor the 'rebirth' of mortals into dragonborn. On one hand, resurrection would help the world. On the other, Athear would move onto Mount Celestia and Bahamut's realm if not. Regardless, if you want to try and revive him, doing so within a week's time is imperative. After that, resurrection becomes far more difficult.
[22:03] <@Annerose> "This is not about making us feel better," Annerose says at length, heading into that blood-soaked chamber once more. "It's not about what would make me feel less guilty for suggesting we head here. It's about what a paragon of Bahamut would want. So yes, we can drain him of blood and tie him up with ropes to pull him up, and keep him as fresh as we can while his dignity is eroded by being treated as a slab of meat. But would he want that?"
[22:06] <@Kotono> "...let's just go back to the ship," T finally says, quietly. He stands up, "To hell with this place. To hell with all of it."
[22:09] * @Annerose moves past T to what remains of Athear, to arrange his remains into a much more dignified form. They would guard this draconic hoard, after all.
[22:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to return to the ship then, all?
[22:10] <@Inari> They can't get him out of here, not without as Annerose said debasing his remains. But as she watches Annerose arrange him she can see the merit in this resting place, all told. Then with heavy heart, she turns and follows T towards the teleporter.
[22:10] <@Inari> OOC: yep
[22:10] <@Annerose> OOC: Looks like it, the death killed exploration desires
[22:11] <@Kotono> Thus the party returns to the ship. The sun's light is hardly warming now, but on the ship you can see the crew shooting the party looks. Captain Burke awaits, arms crossed. His face is neutral, but his posture is tense. "Where's Athear?" he asks, "His armor's bleeding all over your cabin."
[22:13] <@Inari> Bleeding armour? He's barely worn it since they got on the ship. In any case, "Athear won't be coming back with us, I'm afraid."
[22:14] <@Annerose> "There were more defenders, down below," Annerose elaborates, voice quiet. "They focused on a follower of Bahamut above all else."
[22:15] <@Kotono> "...some sort of magic." The Captain concludes with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry. That means the armor is yours. Do something with it, none of the sailors will touch it."
[22:16] <@Annerose> "Please take us back to Walmfolk."
[22:16] <@Inari> "I'll go and take a look at it, then." Throwing it overboard is out, he'd hate to have his armour given to Umberlee. But maybe she can figure something out.
[22:17] <@Kotono> Captain Burke nods, "I'll do that," he says simply, as Inari heads down to the cabin.
[22:17] * @Annerose nods back, and silently turns to stare out at the ocean.
[22:18] <@Kotono> T joins Annerose, watching the waves. He doesn't say anything, just staring out.

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:22:22 PM

[21:02] <@Kotono> A few subdued days of travel pass. It's a hot, muggy day for Tola 44 when the party returns to the docks. Captain Burke nods, "We were out 5 days, so it comes to a total of 100 gold," he says as the party watches the ship be moored and anchored.
[21:04] <@Inari> "Both of you give me thirty three back and we'll call it even?" Inari asks, handing over a hundred gold. "The professionalism of your crew does you credit, Captain."
[21:04] <@Kotono> OOC: Post it in loot real quick.
[21:04] <@Annerose> "Thank you, Captain," Annerose echoes Inari somberly.
[21:05] <@Kotono> T just nods, then murmurs, "Thanks." The gold is taken and hands are shook, "Good luck out there."
[21:05] <@Inari> "Lets go check on the wagon and horses first?" Inari says as she regains her land-legs.
[21:07] <@Kotono> The trip to the horses is without incident. As you do that, T pats his donkey fondly. "So now what," he asks aloud.
[21:08] <@Annerose> "Let's go to Misty Harbor," Annerose voices. "This was just going to be a diversion from that. But I still want to see how the capital is run, and this time it's important and not just a whim."
[21:09] <@Inari> "We could take a few days here, just to get our bearings back, and then we can resume our journey North?" Inari suggests. Maybe they can find ways to make themselves useful, find people that need help in this city as well. That would be a good way to lift her spirits.
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Got a plan, 'nari?" T glances over at her, as he mounts his donkey. "Or just enjoy the city? Not going to lie, catching a show or play doesn't feele right yet."
[21:12] <@Inari> "We can take our time to grieve in whichever way we see fit," Inari allows. "But each time I've come to this city I've left almost immediately after. Perhaps there are people here in need of help just as much as those in outlying villages, if we only take the time to look?"
[21:13] <@Annerose> "I came here with a trading caravan for the last leg of the journey," Annerose reminisces. "I could look them up, if they're still here. You think we need a few days to get our bearing properly?"
[21:14] <@Kotono> "...yeah, maybe," T finally says, "Y'know, I didn't know him long, but seeing someone die like that, up close...it's not a good business. I could go with seeing someone smile instead."
[21:15] <@Inari> "Or more, or less," Inari says, spreading her arms. "I just don't think we need to be in such a hurry to get everywhere."
[21:16] <@Kotono> T pauses to rub his chin, "I know this great place for dinner. If nothing else, we could go there tonight. They buy swordfish from the fishermen and cook it right at your table. You wouldn't believe it until you've seen it."
[21:18] <@Inari> "That sounds like a plan. I'll go and pay for a few more days stabling and then we can visit it?"
[21:19] <@Annerose> "Sounds like a plan," Annerose agrees.
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: So sounds like the party's going to linger a few days, then? Any plans for the day besides dinner plans? Since it's not too far into the day, you have time to do other things before that.
[21:19] <@Annerose> OOC: As said, I'd like to look up that caravan at the inn. Maybe see if the girl got married, catch on gossip and congratulate her.
[21:20] <@Inari> OOC: I'm going to look for cats stuck up trees or other things I can help with
[21:22] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d2
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 2 > [d2=2]
[21:22] <@Kotono> OOC: T'll tag along with Inari.

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:23:22 PM

#ed

[21:26] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:26] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 74 > [d100=74]
[21:29] <@Kotono> Inari and T go to wander the city streets, seeing the sights of Warmfolk. It's another hot one, but buying drinks helps. As you wander, you come by a rather large hall. It's decorated with colorful jesters and dice. "Gaming hall," T says as you pass through the middle of the city, towards the docks. He jerks a thumb at it, "Great way to lose a bunch of money, or win some if you're really
[21:29] <@Kotono> good. Thing is, most of them are rigged or corrupt on some level. But not too much unless they're greedy, since most games are designed to have odds that favor the house. So while one person might get lucky, overall they win more money than they lose." The next hall down is a bit draber, decorated with grapes and wooden mugs that hang on long lines form the roof to the ground. "Brewery.
[21:29] <@Kotono> Good place to drink, not such a good place to find people that need help."
[21:31] <@Inari> "We're in the wrong part of town," Inari says. While she's sure she could clean out that gaming hall if she wanted to... she doesn't want to. "Lets go around the outskirts and the poorer areas, the parts that don't receive attention from those in charge."
[21:33] <@Kotono> "We're going there, y'know," T says, leading down the next street. Indeed, it looks shabbier, more run down. It's strangely noisier here - women hanging the wash on lines, dirty children running in the streets. Eyes are on the two as you walk in, some obvious and some less so. T murmurs out of the side of his mouth, "What sort of trouble are we looking for here?"
[21:35] <@Inari> "We won't know until we find it, will we?" Inari responds, smiling to those that meet her eyes.
[21:35] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a perception check?
[21:38] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[21:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
[21:38] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[21:38] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=16]
[21:39] <@Kotono> As you wander, T murmurs softly again, "Alley on your left."
[21:40] <@Inari> Inari has a look!
[21:43] <@Kotono> Glancing to your left, you can see a teenage girl is there. She wears a dirty old brown dress, resembling sackcloth more than anything. Her long, brown hair is tangled and filthy, while her face is streaked with black grime. She's hiding in the back of the alley, kneels up to her chest and clinging to the shadows.
[21:46] <@Inari> She might be a thief who wouldn't appreciate attention drawn to her, so goes to lean against the building at the front of the alley while ventriloquism has her voice issue in the girl's ear to the far side from Inari's. "Hello, is someone after you?" her transferred voice asks.
[21:47] <@Kotono> "!" The woman says nothing, but she visibly startles. She then stills and murmurs, "Y-yeah. You aren't them?" Her voice is quiet, softspoken.
[21:49] <@Inari> Her ears twitch as she listens in from the other side. "I don't think so," she responds via the spell. "Who are they, in particular?"
[21:52] <@Kotono> "Jack and Joe," The answer is whispers softly, "Big E's enforcers. Dad owes them money, and they're looking to collect it however they can."
[21:54] <@Kotono> T stops now, idly glancing about before checking his pockets. "Well?" he murmurs as he does so.
[21:56] <@Inari> That certainly sounds ominous, even to Inari's somewhat sheltered perspective. "Talking," she murmurs quietly to T while her spell handles the other end. "It sounds like you could use a friend. Why don't you come out. to your right. I can see about helping, and you can be assured Jack and Joe won't trouble you while I'm around."
[21:57] <@Kotono> A beat before she stands and comes out of the alley. She's even dirtier than you imagined, perhaps 16 to 18 years old. It's hard to tell -s he's skinny as a rail and filthy. She looks around, squiting in the hot sunlight.
[21:58] <@Inari> "Hello," Inari says with her real voice. "My name's Inari, and this is T."
[22:01] <@Kotono> She looks about before staring at Inari and her eyes, "H-hi." She nods quickly, "Liza. You aren't with Jack or Joe?"
[22:02] <@Kotono> "Promise," T says casually. "Never heard of them before today."
[22:03] <@Inari> "How about we go find a place to get a bite to eat and you can tell us about big E and his business here?" Inari suggests, putting an arm around Liza's shoulder to make it clear to any troublemakers that she's looking after the girl.
[22:08] <@Kotono> With a quick nod, the two head to the nearest tavern. It's a dark and dirty place - it's just poor and run down. But a few coins get you a table and some basic food - bread, stew, ale. In chairs that groan beneath you, the meal is quietly eaten. She eats swiftly, taking big bites of bread and drinking her stew straight from the bowl. In between that, "Big E runs the street games. Dad had a
[22:08] <@Kotono> bad run and owes him 50 gold. Dad can't pay that, so..."
[22:08] <@Kotono> "So you're the payment, or they're going to take the payment out of you," T kicks back, sticking with just the ale. "Guessing you don't have the money yourself."
[22:11] <@Inari> "What kind of games are these?" Inari asks, though it's more of a tangent. She can of course just give the money away, but Big E would just remain a problem. Maybe she can figure out something clever, though...
[22:13] <@Kotono> "Gambling, betting on fights as well. Anything to pass the time." Liza explains, finishing her meal in a minute flat. She licks the bowl clean and then says, "Sometimes they pay the working ladies to put on a show, or throw a party, or whatever makes money."
[22:14] <@Kotono> "Typical," T murmurs, "So Big E's the strongman and those two are his fists?"
[22:15] <@Inari> An idea starts to percolate in Inari's mind. The fighting bets and the lady shows don't have any grist, but gambling? Maybe they could do something with that. "Where do the street games happen?"
[22:16] <@Kotono> "Every night," Liza says, "Unless it's raining, then they're indoors sometimes."
[22:17] <@Kotono> "Hm." T murmurs again, draining his ale. "Got any ideas, 'nari?"
[22:18] <@Inari> "Where at, though?" Inari asks, ordering another plate for Liza. Poor girl could use some meat on her bones. "Maybe," she answers T. "I'm sure lots of others are in debt to this man. Perhaps we could beat him at his own game?"
[22:19] <@Kotono> "Usually Downwing Street," she says, "But it depends sometimes." She looks up at the food, getting the exact same thing and attacking it with gusto.
[22:20] <@Kotono> "Maybe, but 10 to 1 he's crooked. If he's willing to send enforcers after an innocent woman..." T shakes his head. "Seen his type, they're usually no good. Got a way to beat his games and schemes, like cheating?"
[22:22] <@Inari> "If necessary... hmm, yes I'm getting a good idea, now," Inari says. "Lets bring Annerose in on it as well, but if we do a little cheating of our own, make sure he has a few bad nights, he might grow more desparate. Exposing some really blatant cheating on his part to ruin his reputation and customer base?"
[22:24] <@Kotono> "Could work. We need somewhere to keep her safe," The currently feasting teenager doesn't even look up. "Oh, and a plan to escape of things go wrong. Always have an escape plan if the worst happens. It's not hard to get away in the city. See, there's so many allies, streets and roofs that a pro at it can go almost any direction they want. If there's also an accessible tunnel or sewer system,
[22:24] <@Kotono> it's even better""
[22:26] <@Inari> This is turning into a fine distraction! But on that last note, "Liza, if you like we can put you up at the inn we're staying at for a few days while we deal with Big E. Do you want to tell your father, first?"
[22:29] <@Kotono> "No." She says, "I know they'll be on the house a lot. Dad told me not to come back until it was safe," she explains, finishing her second meal.
[22:31] <@Inari> "Alright, lets get you settled in and we can start planning once Annerose comes back?" Inari suggests, counting out some coins to pay for the meal.

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:24:10 PM

#d

[21:24] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a quick diplo check for GIing, sicne you're trying to find them.
[21:24] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+14 I do know the inn they were staying in
[21:24] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=5]
[21:30] <@Kotono> It takes some work, but luck is with Annerose. She passes by an inn, stopping. There's a nice glass window, and her eye sees a woman inside - Helena? She's sweeping the front, face locked in concentration as she works.
[21:31] * @Annerose doubles back to the entrance, and steps inside.
[21:32] <@Kotono> A little bell jangles. The scent of cooking fruit is thick in the air. Mmmmmmm. Helena looks up, blinking once before she says, "Annerose?" She puts her broom aside, "Oh yes, I remember you!"
[21:32] <@Annerose> "Hello again," Annerose greets her. "I was just thinking about you, and there you are. What a coincidence!"
[21:34] <@Kotono> "That means a duck walked over your grave," She says with a small smile, "How are you? Are you here for a room?"
[21:40] <@Annerose> "Oh, I'm staying with some friends," Annerose responds, shaking her head. "But thanks. How have you been?"
[21:41] <@Kotono> "Alright. I met my husband," she says, smile a little less now. She pauses and goes back to her sweeping, "He owns this inn."
[21:44] * @Annerose shadows Helena, hands stretched out behind her back. "He's the one responsible for the delicious smell?"
[21:48] <@Kotono> "No, that's our cook. He's...away." A beat before her smile returns, "Would you like some? We're having pies this evening."
[21:49] <@Annerose> "Sure. Want some help with the sweeping to get done faster? And as thanks for the pie!"
[21:51] <@Kotono> "Sure. Here," she offers the broom and hurries away, coming back with two slices of blueberry pie. Sitting down at an empty table is simple enough after sweeping, "So what are you doing now, Annerose?"
[21:53] <@Annerose> "Learning about the world," Annerose responds, leaning on the table with her elbows. "Fighting Auril and Tiamat's minions. Making mistakes."
[21:54] <@Kotono> "Really!" After a bite of her pie, "Tell me about it." She gestures with a blue-stained fork, "I've seen plenty of Aurilites in my travels."
[21:58] <@Annerose> "I know, right? They're everywhere, like roaches! Why would they even leave the mountains, it's just beyond me," Annerose complains. "This was one just like them. Intelligent enough to make his own decisions, but surrendering his own will for another's. And so he fought me and my friends not because he wanted or needed to, but because Auril told him to." Annerose knocks on her armor's chest plate. "Broke one of his hands on this and then melted. I think there's a lesson in all of this." She sneaks a bite of delicious pie.
[22:01] <@Kotono> "Don't punch you?" Helena smiles at that as she eats - oh, it really is good pie! "Since it doesn't work out?"
[22:06] <@Annerose> "True enough," Annerose has to agree. "It rarely works out well. But the real lesson would be to do what feels right, not what you're forced into. You know? I see that lots of times, and in some cases it's about people who feel trapped between all sorts of bad options. But hey, it doesn't have to be like that! There just might be someone ready to give a helping hand." She pauses long enough to be suggestive, before continuing. "That servant of Auril's was in Eldath's grove of Ailan, and let me tell you, those people had the worst luck. First Auril takes over the grove and messes it up. Then, there's all the weather to ruin crops. But it's not enough, because a whole tribe of goblins rolls in, abducts them all to be sold off into slavery and burns the village down. Anyone would give up, right? But once freed, they bandied together to rebuild, and replant, and drive Auril off. I figure, if they can manage, who couldn't?"
[22:10] <@Kotono> Helena's face screws up into a pained look at those first words, almost speaking before Annerose cuts her off. She listens instead, "It really is that bad," she begins abruptly, "I mean, with my husband, not that village."
[22:12] * @Annerose takes another bite, hoping to project much needed calm with her demeanor. "What's the problem, Helena?" she asks her.
[22:15] <@Kotono> A pause, "He's older...38 years old. He's not unkind, but he...doesn't respect our vows. I smell other women on him all the time. He comes and goes as he pleases, while he has me work at this inn."
[22:17] <@Annerose> "Being your husband's live-in maid is a problem," Annerose agrees. "How about what you want? To get him to be more faithful? Find someone else, if your vows don't mean that much? Strike out elsewhere?"
[22:19] <@Kotono> "I don't want to be a maid," Helena says quietly, "I can accept housework, but it's so boring!" She leans in, whispering quietly. "Then he lays where he will, which is insulting! A husband's supposed to be loyal, not a tomcat on the streets!"
[22:21] <@Annerose> "Yes," Annerose agrees. "He should be." At least, one needs to be properly discreet, if it's a marriage of convenience. "But you still haven't told me what you want, not just what you don't want. Because the latter can be fixed in any number of ways, while I'm sure you've got an idea of exactly what you'd like~"
[22:22] <@Kotono> Helena pauses, closing her eyes. When she opens them, she meets Annerose's. "I want out of here," she says.
[22:26] <@Annerose> They're getting somewhere. Annerose simply nods, smiling at her. "That's easy enough." She savors another bite of cake. "Do you care about the details at all? Where you'd like to go, what you'd like to do, if you'd like to have your husband's blessing for it-- or none of it's really as important as taking your things and leaving?"
[22:27] <@Kotono> "I just want to leave. Father...he thought he was doing the right thing for me, but this is misery." Helena shakes her head, "I want to be back on the road, traveling."
[22:29] <@Annerose> "I'll ask my friends if they wouldn't mind another, when we leave for Misty Harbor," Annerose muses. "I doubt anyone would have a problem with that, though it will be a few days still. How does that sound?"
[22:31] <@Kotono> "I can live with it," Helena says, and with a smile, "Thank you, Annerose!" She grasps Annerose's hands, "I owe you!"
[22:32] <@Annerose> Happy that she has her gloves on, Annerose smiles back at Helena. "Don't mention it. I told you when we met, didn't I? I think people should be free to choose their path in life~"

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:29:03 PM

[19:59] <@Kotono> Woosh! The three sit at a comfortable table in a restaurant. It's decorated with netting and mementos of ships - a ship's wheel, a bit of a mast, a fake crow's nest, sails and so forth. The three sit at a table a sa ruddy faced man stands before you. Before you is a wheeled metal cart with a large swordfish in it. "Now...yaaaah!" He lights it, the fish bursting aflame, flames leaping up a good
[19:59] <@Kotono> four or five feet into the air.
[20:00] * @Annerose jumps back! Even knowing about this couldn't prepare her properly.
[20:01] <@Inari> Inari applauds politely in appreciation. Dinner with a show!
[20:01] <@Kotono> T grins and leans back on his chair. The flames burn for several moments before going out. With deft, quick hands, the swordfish is placed on a platter before the three. "Go ahead, it's done," the chef declares, "Everything from head to fin's edible."
[20:02] * @Annerose warily approaches the table again, and prods at the fish with a fork.
[20:02] <@Kotono> As he leaves, T uses a fork and knife to slice himself a serving. As he does, "So 'nari and I found a little lady to help. She's holed up at an inn right now, all safe, but there's some bad men after her and her dad. Gambling debts."
[20:03] <@Kotono> It's fishy. It feels cooked to Annerose's poke. To be honest, it smells good.
[20:03] <@Annerose> "I found someone as well," Annerose responds. "Neither of you mind bringing along another when we head out of here?"
[20:04] <@Inari> Inari slices off several chunks to place onto her plate. "The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. If you think they're good company that's good enough for me."
[20:05] <@Kotono> "Depends on who it is," T says, "Treasure goes shorter with more, but it is safer." He pauses to eat a bit - mmm, warm fish, fresh from the sea. It's pretty good.
[20:06] <@Annerose> Finally deeming the fish safe, Annerose retakes her seat and serves herself. "Excellent. She's very nice! But introductions can wait until later... you mentioned gambling debts?"
[20:07] <@Inari> "Yes, there's this man who runs street games in the poorer part of town," Inari begins to explain. "Gambling, shows, fights, things like that. Someone got in debt to him and left his young daughter at risk of having to pay for him. I don't think just paying his debt would help any after we leave, so maybe we could have a look at these games and see if we can get one over the man in charge."
[20:09] <@Kotono> "It's doable if you have a good way to cheat." T says, "I know the ways but I'm not that good at them myself. Never really put my head to it." He pauses to eat more, "Mmm! See, this is why stopping in town is a good idea. Imagine eating trail rations again instead."
[20:11] <@Inari> "Yes," Inari says, pausing as she eats a bit. "I thought we could go tonight to see what we have to work with, and then tomorrow go with whatever plans we make. The idea I was thinking of was to cheat just enough to make him start cheating really brazenly, then expose it and ruin his reputation."
[20:11] * @Annerose chews as she thinks about the offer. "I suppose it's not impossible for me to cheat without being spotted," she says, swallowing her food. "Although I don't have anything directly useful towards winning a rigged game. That said, you also mentioned the girl being used as collateral by her own family? To really help, we would need to have a talk with the father as well."
[20:11] <@Inari> "We can do that too," she nods.
[20:13] <@Kotono> T nods to himself, as outside, you hear a sudden CRACK of thunder. A few moments later the pounding of rain begins. "I got the impression that her dad didn't offer, but his enforcers took the liberty."
[20:14] <@Annerose> "But his compulsive gambling was entirely voluntary, yes? What is to stop him from going to a different establishment afterwards?"
[20:16] <@Inari> "One can hope that this experience might have scared him from the idea, but it is a concern," Inari accepts.
[20:16] <@Kotono> This gets T to shrug, "Not a thing. See, the thing is that these games are what pass for entertainment to the poor." He waggles his fork, a bit of swordfish falling off. He spears it anew and goes on. "Plus the lure of winning big so you can have some damned money. I've seen it plenty of times before. The money always ends up gone ons omething nice but not lifechanging and they're back in the
[20:16] <@Kotono> games soon enough."
[20:16] <@Kotono> That draws a slight nod to Inari, "Yeah, 'nari, got to put the fear into him or he'll do it again. If he's sharp, this alone will do it."
[20:17] <@Annerose> "On a practical side, do you think the casino uses magic to cheat? Or detects its use?" she asks T.
[20:17] <@Kotono> "Hah. Probably not. This is street level stuff run by toughs and those with a few more brains. No self respecting wizard would bother." He wolfs down more fish and then says, "You could make more selling finger-waggles and predictions to the rich and with zero chance of losing."
[20:18] <@Inari> "Surely they'd have to or any passing apprentice would break them?" Inari asks. But T is more experienced in these things, so she trusts his judgement.
[20:19] * @Annerose grins. "Then I'll just support you with Mage Hand when you give me a signal, or throw an illusion to distract the dealer. With enough signals, we could get pretty flexible~"
[20:20] <@Kotono> "There's not really a point when you can make more money safely. Plus, sure, you could in theory win a thousand or two gold here, but good luck ever getting paid." T says, "Unless you're willing to shake them down for it. Saw someone do that once. Turned out he was a mage in the local guard. He got his money in the end and the ringleaders stayed out of the stocks and noose."
[20:22] <@Annerose> "Should we use that approach?" Annerose wonders. "Disguise as someone in position of authority?"
[20:23] <@Kotono> "It's not a bad play if you think you can get away with it. The problem is that Inari and I may already be known to them - we went waltzing away with Liza, and we won't be forgotten." He pauses and smiles a little bit, "Feeling like playing the ice maiden again?"
[20:24] <@Inari> "Also I do look rather distinctive," Inari says apologetically.
[20:25] <@Annerose> "That might be the best part of the setup~" Annerose takes another bite. "They'll never expect we're together, not if I look like a guardsman and just happen to be there. Surely, I wouldn't be secretly a mage helping you win."
[20:28] <@Kotono> "Right, so..." T says, as...OOC: Okay. So what's your scheme here, you two?
[20:28] <@Inari> OOC: lets go to the games and check them out, we can play a few and lose/win as the dice fall while figuring out ways to cheat that we can use later?
[20:29] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:29] <@Annerose> OOC: I'll GI for guards, basically look for a few to gain a few possible faces/basic ideas on behavior, then disguise myself as someone who is sick or out on a mission and happen to show up at the games.
[20:29] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Go ahead and roll the diplo for GI first, Annerose.
[20:29] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+14
[20:29] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=2]
[20:31] <@Kotono> It's trivial to pick up the names and faces of guards. It's not like they're invisible and not guarding people. Sure, it takes going to the nicer parts of town or the docks, but Annarose has plenty of potential names and faces to choose from. OOC: This is easy enough knowledge to get, so I'll let you fill one in yourself here, within reason.
[20:34] <@Annerose> Her first pick is a woman whose voice isn't too hard to fake for her. Dark skin, short dirty blonde hair and an overall mean appearance that must make her quite efficient at keeping the peace. It would allow Annerose to play a character and gauge things. If their opponents truly are unobservant, she can always switch to a backup male guard later.
[20:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a disguise check. Remember the bonus disguise self adds.
[20:35] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+16
[20:35] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=17]
[20:44] <@Kotono> Soon enough Annerose is disguised and ready. Thus the trio head out. With the storm passed, you find the poor sections are dark - except for one street that's lit with torches. Here people drink and gamble - dice, cards, all sorts of things. The scent of booze and the sound of laughter, cursing and jesting fills the air.The entire street is filled with rickety tables that serve as places to
[20:44] <@Kotono> game.
[20:45] * @Annerose walks over while looking like she belongs, although she doesn't intend to participate just yet. No, merely to keep an eye over things and perhaps look for an easy mark.
[20:46] <@Inari> Inari and T arrive separately from Annerose and soon go about examining the games, playing a few with an eye to seeing their tricks more than winning.
[20:48] <@Kotono> OOC: Any relevant skills here, Inari?
[20:49] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 sense motive
[20:49] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=9]
[20:49] <@Inari> OOC: or perception
[20:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 T'll run perception, +4 inspiration 4/5
[20:51] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
[20:52] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception, Annerose.
[20:53] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2
[20:53] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 5 > [d20=3]

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:30:48 PM

#d

[20:55] <@Kotono> Annerose wanders for a little bit. Finding an easy mark is harder than it looks. But her guise gets her plenty of distance and respect, many eyes on her - but so long as she doesn't do anything, that seems to be all it is. As she wanders, "Hello, hello!" A jovial voice calls. A portly man approaches, dressed in fine tunic and pants. He has a brown goatee and an easy smile. "And how are you doing this fine day, guard?"
[20:59] * @Annerose turns to look at him, and while she doesn't inflict the full force of her feigned sourness upon the man, she radiates enough to prevent him from getting too close or too comfortable. Plus, it should keep her disguise intact. "Patrolling," she practically sneers.
[21:00] <@Kotono> His smile dents before resuming. He goes on, "I see, I see."
[21:02] <@Annerose> "Is it?" she asks abruptly, gesturing at the array of rickety tables. "A fine day."
[21:05] <@Kotono> "Yes, a fine day," The man nods, before stepping back and allowing Annerose to go on.
[21:07] <@Annerose> Strange. She assumes he was there to try to get her to gamble, but it would have ruined her job as backup, both in the cheating department and support in case things take a bad turn. But maybe there was more to it? Distracted by the thought despite her best efforts, she keeps on going while incidentally maneuvering into a better position to observe T and Inari without making it blatant.

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:32:08 PM

#t

[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Actually, make Wis checks, both of you. Just to see how you do randomly gambling.
[20:59] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 T
[20:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=14]
[21:00] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[21:00] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=8]
[21:02] <@Kotono> T and Inari wander about. Cards, dice and other games. T about breaks even, while Inari loses 2 gold, 5 silver and 1 copper. Ah well, some days fortune doesn't favor you. But you get a good grasp of the games. As you go, T narrates about them. "Like this game here," he murmurs, "Blackjack's relatively good to play. The odds aren't bad if it's played straight." But mostly it's just
[21:02] <@Kotono> colorfully learning, laughter as people win and lose - more lose than win, Inari can tell.
[21:07] <@Inari> Really more have to lose than win or there wouldn't be any point running it as a business. But making a profit while entertaining and taking advantage are differing things, so she's on the lookout for cheats and tricks even while allowing herself to fall victim to them herself. Like Blackjack, if it's played straight then it should be fine right? So she indulges in a few hands to see if
[21:07] <@Inari> there's something skewing the odds...
[21:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception there, +2 because of your SM result.
[21:10] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14
[21:10] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=8]

Corwin · June 20, 2015, 03:35:34 PM

[21:12] <@Kotono> Inari plays a few hands as Annerose approaches. It's subtle, but you can see the dealer occasionally deal from the bottom of the deck . He's quite good - only the fact that Inari is looking for it big time tips it away at all. Whenever he deals from the bottom, someone goes bust.
[21:14] <@Inari> Inari is all smiles, celebrating wins and commiserating over loses with her fellow gamblers before she demurs to go seek another game after figuring out the trick.
[21:16] <@Kotono> T follows and murmurs, "Craps next? Or how about Dragon's Bones?"
[21:17] * @Annerose tests something, in the meantime, as a phantom lizard silently crawls out of the darkness underneath one of the tables and swiftly makes its way over to a crack in the wall. If someone here can spot her illusions, this would be the best way to see without giving away her true intentions.
[21:17] <@Inari> Dragon's bones sounds a bit sad given what recently happened to Athear. "Lets try craps?"
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: ARe you trying to have it be seen, Annerose?
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: I mean the spell.
[21:21] <@Kotono> Ah, another game. A dice game this time, no less! As Inari plays it, passing and throwing, she notices something. It's quite subtle, but every once in a great while, the man running the games palms the dice before passing them to the next shooter. That shooter invariably loses within a throw or two, wiping out.
[21:22] <@Annerose> OOC: Yeah. It's an SLA, so I want to see if people react to it like to a real thing.
[21:22] <@Annerose> OOC: Silent Image
[21:23] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:24] <@Kotono> The lizard crawls up the wall. One man spots it and scowls, chucking a rock at it - a clean miss. There's a few comments from that, but nothing more.
[21:24] <@Inari> Inari plays long enough to be handed the bad dice, feeling their weight and rolling them in her palms to see how they feel different before she throws. Of course she acts as if she's warming them up and praying for a stroke of luck, but she takes her inevitable loss with good grace.
[21:25] <@Annerose> No one acting strangely. Alright! That can work, perhaps if she replaced the face of a card during a key moment.
[21:27] <@Kotono> It's indeed a loss. The dice feel almost the same - just the edges are slightly, subtly off. Too smooth.
[21:29] <@Inari> Well they're certainly being very subtle about things, she'll give them that. Nodding to T she bows out to go and try another game.
[21:30] <@Kotono> OOC: Do y'all have anything else to accomplish here, or is the rest of the night just the same thing?
[21:33] <@Inari> OOC: it is exactly this. Laying groundwork for tomorrow.
[21:33] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, we can skip along then until tomorrow. Any prep or things that need to be covered IC for it, or just going to go straight to the plan?
[21:35] <@Inari> OOC: any ideas Cor? I was thinking a mix of bluffing, sleight of handing, and the odd illusions to get us winning big/
[21:37] <@Annerose> OOC: It's a good core. My job would be to wait on signs from you guys, and either create a distraction to boost sleight of hand, or replace a card with an illusionary card fitting the request (we can say we have a few signals for different select cards). If something goes wrong, charm can happen or mage hand, which I can precast and then just keep concentrating on.
[21:37] <@Annerose> OOC: In fact, I can probably help mage hand the dice if we start with that when you sign me they've changed them, then let go of the concentration and use silent image to help with cheating at cards. And provide distractions whenever it seems like a good idea.
[21:38] <@Inari> OOC: sounds good, then say if we're high rollers and we get a crowd we can wait till they do some obvious/easily explained cheat and we can expose it?
[21:38] <@Annerose> OOC: Sure. And if they figure my disguise out, I'll try to charm my way into making it okay
[21:39] <@Annerose> OOC: We'll probably avoid fighting this way.
[21:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Sounds like a plan.
[21:44] <@Kotono> Tola 45 is hot, hot, hot! Until about mid-afternoon, when booming storms erupt over the skies. It dumps rain on everything until a bit past nightfall. It's muggy but not that hot as the trio heads on down. They find the street games on a different street this time, but set up about the same. OOC: Go ahead and set yourselve sup.
[21:46] <@Annerose> This time, Annerose lets T and Inari head in first. It will give them a bit of time to establish themselves, and then she will walk in. Her new guise is male, and a bit sloppy, with an uncertain air about him reminiscent of the person that accosted her at the game. Someone who looks like he's no stranger to such places, and dangerous because of it and the position he holds. And, of course, much of her concentration would be reserved for the Mage Hand spell she would need to help her companions win with rigged dice.
[21:48] <@Inari> While yesterday Inari only brought pocket change, today she has a bag bulging with coins that mark her as a big spender. But armed with the knowledge of their tricks and having prepared various hand signals to Annerose, she's ready to bring these games down!
[21:50] <@Kotono> T follows along, equipped with a lesser coin bag. He's smiling now, "This'll be good. Which game first?" he asks.
[21:52] <@Inari> "How about craps? I'm feeling good about those," Inari says, heading towards the game with the crooked dice.
[21:54] <@Kotono> You find a ring of people here, the ringleader a slender, smiling man with a shaved bald head. "Oh, lookie here. A return from last night." Cheers come, "The fox-eared vixen herself!" You note his eyes go right to Inari's coin purse.
[21:55] <@Inari> "Ahh, you remembered me? How sweet!" Inari beams, reaching into the bag to produce her stake. "I like games like this, where it's more down to chance than skill, and I'm feeling lucky tonight~"
[21:56] <@Kotono> OOC: For the record, how much is it?
[21:57] <@Inari> OOC: 5 gold, starting slow for me but it should be a decent amount for most folks here
[21:57] <@Kotono> "Oh ho! New shooters then, new shooter!" The dice are passed to Inari, "Knock 'em dead!" OOC: Okay, I assume Annerose is running support here?
[21:58] <@Inari> OOC: I'll play in good faith until he swaps my dice, then I'll give her the signal to give me a lucky streak
[21:59] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d100=7]
[22:00] <@Kotono> The dice are thrown - seven! "A natural," the dealer calls, cheers erupting as bets are made and won. "That's the spirit, throw another one. Seven or eleven wins, otherwise it's craps or the point is made." Another throw - an 11."Another natural!" More money, the bet stacking up and up. "She's on a hot streak to start, folks!" At this point, it's not hard to notice the subtle palming
[22:00] <@Kotono> going right in place.
[22:03] <@Kotono> T whistles, "Damn, 'nari, Tymora likes you!"
[22:04] <@Inari> She really is lucky! While her tails quiver in excitement at her luck, she has the white tip of her left tail touch her left elbow in signal to Annerose that she requires her services. Accepting the dice she grins, "I think this is the start of a really good night for me," she says before giving them a throw!
[22:04] <@Annerose> It would be best for her to manipulate just one of the dice. But that just means keeping the other rolling after the first stops on a number, and helping it get to whatever value it needs to get to seven or eleven. Simple, with magic! She even practiced with manipulating a die ahead of time, so the motion itself would look reasonably natural even to someone who knows the dice are rigged.
[22:08] <@Kotono> The first one is a 1, so it's not too hard to change the second die from a 1 to a 6. "Seven!" The dealer's voice is a little higher after that, "Another seven! Three naturals in a row!" Cheers go up, more people drifting over. Inari's bet of 5 gold is now up to 20 gold, the coins gleaming in the torchlight.
[22:08] <@Kotono> T grins at this, "I don't know about all of you, but I'm going to get some money in on this," he declares, putting 10 gold of his own down.
[22:09] * @Annerose draws in casual interest to the table, also incidentally maneuvering herself into a better position to spot the dice.
[22:10] <@Inari> "I want to see how far I can stretch that five gold I started with," Inari says with guileless happiness.
[22:12] <@Kotono> Coins are tossed down, bets coming fast, "Get your bets in now before the shooter shoots again! We have a hot hand here, hot hand!"
[22:13] <@Kotono> Another shot - it would be a 12, but a six can be flipped to a 1 easily enough. 20 gold becomes 40, as do many other newly placed stacks. The dice are taken and palmed again - this time with the othe rhand, the three can note. "Four in a row! Four in a row! Everyone's winning right now!"
[22:15] <@Inari> "Eeeeee!" Inari makes a high-pitched noise of girlish excitement as everyone cashes in on her good fortune. "I want to hit a hundred!"
[22:16] <@Annerose> No matter how weighted the dice are, magic would still make them roll the way Annerose wishes. And keep them steady afterwards, if need be.
[22:18] <@Kotono> Another toss - woah! This pair is heavier, going for snake eyes with abandon. But a quick flip manages another 7, 40 becoming 80. Amid the loud cheers and clapping, "Five in a row! Five! Five!" The ringerleader starts and the crowd cheers. By now a few dozen people are around, betting and watching. You can see the portly, goateed man from yesterday approach, "Well, well," he says,
[22:18] <@Kotono> "Someone's on a hot streak!"
[22:18] <@Kotono> The ringerleader looks up at him, but the portly man only smiles, "Keep shooting, miss. Keep shooting."
[22:24] <@Inari> "Mmmh..." Inari feigns indecision. She is ahead a lot of money after all. "Oh, I'd hate to lose it after coming this far..." but nonetheless the exuberance of the crowd soon sways her into giving one last throw of the dice!
[22:24] <@Kotono> The dice are thrown - and this time, Annerose feels indecisiveness wit her magic. Like an opposing force! OOC: Caster level check for mage hand, Annerose.
[22:25] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[22:25] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=8]
[22:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[22:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=20]
[22:27] <@Annerose> So they did have someone like her on their side! But it's alright. Annerose relinquishes this battle, and uses her fallback once the dice are about to settle. She knows where it will happen, given how much they're weighted towards 1. So an illusion springs in place at the final moment to show a die that landed on six alongside the untouched one!
[22:28] <@Kotono> Seven! The portly man stares a moment, mouth gaping. But few notice, as a massive cheer erupts, "Incredible! Another natural! 80 becomes 160 gold! All bets will be paid off anda new shooter, the table's reached its maximum. What a run!" OOC: +160 gold, Inari. Post it in loot. T also made 80 gold by getting in on it, and a bunch of others made cash but won't be posted for obvious reasons.
[22:29] <@Inari> Inari stares for just a second before cheering and grabbing the dice in a sweep of her hand, kissing them jubilantly before setting them down on the edge of the table. "Amazing, that was the best!"
[22:30] <@Kotono> "Hah!" T's grinning as he scoops up his winnings, putting them away. "Now that's a win!"
[22:30] <@Kotono> The portly man turns and smiles now, "Congratulations, Miss..." He offers his hand out to Inari, approaching.
[22:31] <@Inari> "Inari, I'm Inari," she answers, shaking his hand while the other shovels gold into her increasingly bulging bag. "Oh, what game shall we try next, T?" she asks, only seeming to pay the man cursory attention.
[22:32] * @Annerose keeps her attention on the now-closed table -- and on the portly man near it, by extension. Now that she believes him to be a mage of some sort, she looks for any signs of magical influence.
[22:33] <@Kotono> OOC: Casting DM or anything, or just watching him?
[22:33] <@Annerose> OOC: No DM, but if there's a time to use Spellcraft or K:Arcana, just let me know
[22:33] <@Kotono> "Big E," He offers, his grip firm and warm. "T, eh?" His gaze turns on them, as his eyes meet Inari's. OOC: K:A.
[22:34] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11 K:A
[22:34] <@Kotono> "Yeah, just T's fine," T says easily, "Hey, nice games you got running here."
[22:34] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=5]
[22:34] <@Kotono> The way he looked into Inari's eyes seems a little off to Annerose. Like he's trying to set up a charm person spell in a really amateur way.
[22:35] <@Inari> "It stands for something embarassing," Inari titters, drawing her hand back before her eyes widen in surprise. "Oh, you're the man who runs these games?"
[22:35] <@Annerose> She's grown to know Inari well enough that she'll spot any change in her demeanor or deviation from their plan if Big E actually has anything that could affect her.
[22:36] <@Kotono> "My name gets around. That's right," He says with a nice smile, "There's a special table for high rollers like you, where you splash around real money. Interested?"
[22:37] <@Inari> "Oh, that could be fun," Inari says without seeming to think about it. "I've got a nice stake going here anyway," she pats her moneybag.
[22:38] <@Kotono> "It's over this away, inside," He offers, "T, you can come along too."

Corwin · June 27, 2015, 03:33:55 PM

[20:12] <@Kotono> From there Big E leads Inari and T along - not towards another point at the street, but a nearby house. OOC: Annerose, chance for you to react here or follow or whatever.
[20:13] <@Annerose> OOC: Can you please describe the house? We did case this entire area the day before. Any guards? Other exits? Windows of note?
[20:13] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 sense motive, he's not just gonna take us in there so several nice men can break our fingers out of sight
[20:13] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=16]
[20:14] <@Kotono> Inari can tell something's off about it. He's a little too nice, a little too happy about it. Meanwhile, Annerose can see it's a simple home of brick and wood. There's a few windows, dark from the front. There's narrow alleyways with a door in on the left alley. The back rests against the back of a building facing the next street over. It's a single story and rather plain - from what you've
[20:14] <@Kotono> gathered, it's the sort of house that houses perhaps 10 of the poorer sorts, a communal sort of thing.
[20:15] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 T sense motive, belated
[20:15] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=17]
[20:16] <@Inari> She didn't bring her spear because it's meant to be a friendly evening of fun and games, but she thinks she remembers how to throw a punch if needed. Reaching up to scratch her right ear, she flicks the left one in a signal to Annerose that things might be about to go off plan.
[20:17] <@Kotono> T follows along, loose and smiling. But his eyes are just a touch harder now, whistling low as he glances at Inari. A casual sort of thing, just a look.
[20:17] * @Annerose slips into one of those alleys, now, seeking out a window that would give her a chance to look inside and take stock of a situation or a guard she could charm to gain much of the same. Inari's signal means she is ready for a dynamic entry the instant it sounds like violence has commenced!
[20:18] <@Inari> Inari smiles back at T and gives him a wink.
[20:20] <@Kotono> Easy enough. Annerose gets to a window as the three go inside. Inside is dark until Big E lights an oil lamp. It's rather dull in here - just a series of old matresses lying on the floor, about a dozen in total. No one's here, save for two hunks of muscle in the back of the room. They stand there, arms crossed. Big E turns and smiles, "Congratulations. I can appreciate fellow hustlers and
[20:20] <@Kotono> showmanship, and that was fine showmanship. So how's Liza doing? I presume that's why you're doing this?"
[20:23] <@Inari> "Just so," Inari nods, seeming completely at ease. "I suppose I'm disappointed at not getting a chance to take you in over another game, but we may as well get to the point. I don't much care about her father's debts, but making his young daughter pay in his stead is offensive."
[20:23] <@Annerose> Easy enough. She considers changing her guise, but the situation doesn't call for that and if T or Inari attack her by thinking her one of the goons it would be unfortunate. For now, she just prepares to use her magic on Big E if hostilities do break out.
[20:24] <@Kotono> T lightly shrugs his shoulders, "Oh, you know. Me, I'm just along for the ride. I'm with fox ears here."
[20:26] <@Kotono> "Blood tells and blood connects. It's perfectly legal to enforce debts down family lines." He observes casually, but smiles, "But I'm not an unreasonable man. Pay off her father's debt and we'll call it even, and I'll leave Liza alone."
[20:32] <@Inari> What an awful law. This country really has gone to ruin. "And what about the next pretty young thing with a delinquent parent? No, no, I'm afraid that won't do at all," Inari shakes her head. "Here's my counteroffer, stop extending credit for gambling, write off what you're out by now, and I won't exert myself to ruining your operation."
[20:34] <@Kotono> "I'd listen to her, you know," T adds smoothly, "You have to know she's not human with those ears and tails."
[20:36] <@Kotono> The two hunks of muscle start to stride forward, but Big E holds a hand up. They stop and step right back. His smile doesn't flicker, "You drive a hard bargain, don't you. But under the circumstances, I think I can agree to that."
[20:38] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 sense motive, he caved rather quickly
[20:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=20]
[20:38] <@Kotono> You get the feeling it's only good for as long a syou have your eyes on him. In other words, he's not sincere.
[20:38] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 T
[20:38] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=5]
[20:41] <@Inari> "Good," she nods. "Because I spent yesterday figuring out the trick to every single one of your games - I don't mind a bit of trickery now and then, respect it even. But I have friends in the guard, and in town. So if they see you renege, they'll make sure word gets spread to the right quarters." That should have him spending fruitless money on bribing guards...
[20:44] <@Kotono> "Mmm-hmm," Nodding a little bit, just casually, T adds, "We'd hate to come back and get let down. So would the guard and all of our other friends. Winter's a tough thing, you know. Even when it strikes in summer."
[20:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+4 inspiration 3/5 left) bluff trying to sell his play
[20:44] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=1]
[20:46] <@Kotono> Slowly Big E's smile slips. It's not gone, but it's much less than it once was. "Of course I understand," he murmurs. "It'll get taken care of."
[20:48] * @Annerose decides to make her play, then, and retreats from the window before heading for the door to open it quite brazenly.
[20:49] <@Inari> "Excellent. I'm glad we understand each other," Inari smiles. "We'll be on our way... it would be bad if we had to meet again, you understand," she says genially with no hint of a threat in her voice.
[20:50] <@Kotono> "Exactly," T adds, glancing back to Annerose.
[20:50] <@Kotono> This gets Big E to look at Annerose, unmoving a moment. Before anything else he holds his hands up, goons staying still. "I get what you want."
[20:50] <@Inari> "Ahh, right on time," she smiles at seeing Annerose. Reaching into her bag she hands over a small fistfull of gold. "Not to worry, things remained civilised." And then she walks on out.
[20:51] <@Annerose> A nod as she makes the gold disappear, and then Annerose heads off in a different direction without so much as a look at Big E.
[20:54] <@Kotono> T follows, the party leaving Big E behind as...OOC: Going to regroup and call it a night there, you two?
[20:54] <@Annerose> OOC: Yes
[20:54] <@Inari> OOC: yep
[20:55] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, so now what in Warmfolk?
[20:55] <@Annerose> OOC: I'm ready to go for the capital. We can always come back soon to see how things are going. So... introduce Helena to everyone?
[20:56] <@Inari> OOC: sure
[20:58] <@Kotono> Tola 46 is rainy, gray and relatively cool. Liza is sent off, safe once more. By mid-morning the rather wet and sodden party returns to Helena's inn. They find her there, sweeping away. As soon as she sees Annerose, she perks up. "Annerose!" she calls happily, "Hello there!"
[21:00] <@Kotono> T wipes his face clean withh is hand, "It's raining like cats and foxes out there," he says, "A bit of early autumn. Nice to meet you, by the way." He adds, clearing his throat.
[21:01] <@Annerose> "Hello~" Annerose returns, Sigfried waving from her side. "Helena, these are Inari and T. Guys, that's Helena. Awkward introductions part, all done!"
[21:01] <@Kotono> "Nice to meet all of you," she greets, and quietly, "I need to get ready. Don't mention anything, alright? Also, there's someone staying here who's looking for you, wants to meet all of you. He said he's from Ailan?"
[21:02] <@Inari> "Hello, I'm Inari. A friend of Annerose's is a friend of mine," she smiles at Helena, having invested in an umbrella to keep most of the rain off. "Oh, I wonder how they're all getting on," she says, hearing of Ailan.
[21:03] <@Kotono> With that, Helena hurries off. As she prepares...OOC: Go ahead and intro yourself, Erad. I assume she told you they're here and then went ot get ready.
[21:06] <@Erad> The individual comes out to greet them. It's another Dragonborn, but obviously this one is different. Human-sized and lacking the... charismatic presence their last one had about him. He clears his throat and nods to the ladies. "Hello. My name is Erad... I'm from Ailan. I never got to properly thank you all for what you did for us. I'm... er... ...It's hard to say, exactly, but... Bahamut sent
[21:06] <@Erad> me." Erad frowns. "I know what happened. I'm here to go with you all if you'll have me. I have my own mission that I think would coincide with the good that you're all bringing to this wretched place."
[21:06] <@Inari> "I... think I would have remembered seeing you before," Inari says, peering curiously at Erad.
[21:07] <@Annerose> "Yeah, no kidding," Annerose admits frankly, unable to keep from staring.
[21:07] <@Kotono> "Yeah," T thirds, "Erad, don't think I remember seeing any other members of the scale club besides Athear."
[21:08] <@Erad> "I was human when you saw me the last time." Erad says with a smile. "I was... ...inspired, I suppose you could say, by something he said to us when you were all there."
[21:08] <@Annerose> "Umm. When you guys talk, humans become like you?"
[21:09] <@Kotono> T quickly glances down at his arm, then back up, "Yeah, I think we need an explanation here."
[21:11] <@Erad> Erad blinks. "You never asked... ...Oh, I guess it never came up. It's a rite of transformation." Erad explains. "You basically build... well, think of it as a vessel. You go in as one thing and come out as this. Well, everyone's is different, obviously... He was bigger, so he turned... well, bigger, you know? But it's a ritual of transformation, basically. It's not... required, I suppose, but...
[21:11] <@Erad> I heard a call that I couldn't ignore."
[21:12] <@Annerose> "So you die and get changed into a dragon." Annerose nods to herself. "I see."
[21:14] <@Kotono> T pauses, looks down at his arm again and mutters, "By Auril's frigid tits." He then looks up and says, "So you got called by Bahamut?"
[21:14] <@Erad> Erad scratches the side of his chin. "In essence, yes."
[21:14] <@Inari> "It sounds more like a chrysalis, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly?" Inari suggests. "Well, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I presume you were hoping to catch up with Athear?" she asks, her face nearly wincing as she prepares to break the bad news.
[21:14] <@Erad> Erad nods again. "Yes. Like I said, I have my own mission." He looks at Inari and shakes his head. "No. I know what happened to him. That's why I'm here."
[21:15] <@Annerose> "Oh?"
[21:15] <@Kotono> "Huh." T murmurs, adding nothing more than that.
[21:16] <@Erad> He gestures around at the inn and then at the three of them. "I know the three of you are going to continue to help this place... every place, like you helped Ailan. I'd like to go with you all and do the same, and... in doing so, see if I can find a way to help him, too. I'm not going to ask you all to go on a quest to find some ancient scroll of mystical powers... but if we happen to find one
[21:16] <@Erad> when we kill another one of Auril's wretched followers, then isn't that the same thing?"
[21:18] <@Annerose> "What."
[21:19] <@Inari> "Well we can always use the help," Inari says, feeling a little bit out of her depth. Even a few centuries as a goddess never prepared her for this. "But we're... mostly focused on the living and their problems, you understand?"
[21:20] <@Erad> Erad blinks. "Yes, of course. It's a matter of 'if something crosses our path,' not a matter of going out of your way to find it, if that makes sense? It's my own mission, not one that I intend to let fall on the shoulders of others. But at the same time, I know going with you all is the best thing for this world."
[21:21] <@Kotono> "So you're aiming to take Athear's place?" T rubs his face again, "I..." He pauses and then shrugs, "Hell. I wonder if Auril's or Umberlee's followers feel like this when they throw around some weight. Kid...er, Erad. It's not every day that a deity 'round here does something and we aren't wondering how much we'll give up to make it go away. This is a bit out of the ordinary."
[21:21] <@Annerose> "I don't really understand, but you want to come along and help other places like your own Ailan?" Annerose confirms. "The more the merrier. I guess. Umm, except for the carriage, I don't know if it has enough room-- did you bring a horse? Do you ride horses? Does it feel weird when you do?"
[21:23] <@Kotono> As the party talks, Helena comes on down. She's dressed in traveling clothes, a medium length dress with leggings, belted at the middle. She carries no weapon but does carry a heavy spiked shield. A backpack is on her back, "Alright, I need to be leaving about now, before anyone notices or sees anything missing."
[21:23] <@Annerose> "Now is fine let's go I'll show you the way?" Annerose says hurriedly, grateful for the interruption as she steps outside.
[21:24] <@Erad> "No." Erad stops T when he says that. "I'm not a replacement. Whatever his goals were are potentially different from mine. I don't intend to try and fill in his shoes." Erad says, rather sternly. He turns to Annerose with a nod. "I can ride a horse without too much trouble. Other than that, I can just fly if you want. Bahamut gave me a gift that I can use without too much trouble."
[21:24] <@Kotono> "Hell." T repeats, "C'mon, the wagon's this way," He falls in with Erad, "We'll sort this out on the road."
[21:25] <@Inari> "Oh yes, I should go and say goodbye to Liza if we're leaving. Wait up for me?" Inari asks.
[21:26] <@Erad> Erad shrugs to T. "Yes, I suppose that's for the best. If I need to purchase a horse I can, as well."
[21:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along a bit?
[21:28] <@Inari> OOC: sure
[21:31] <@Kotono> Back out into the rain, in rather a hurry. Wagon and donkey head out, but as you walk down the relatively empty streets, "Hold on!" Liza comes running up, "Inari! T!"
[21:32] <@Kotono> T halts his donkey and peers over, hand over his eyes to stop the rain, "Liza?"
[21:32] <@Inari> "Oh, Liza," Inari hops off the back of the wagon. "Forget something?"
[21:34] <@Kotono> 'This," She stops, soaking wet and catching her breath. "Dad got his hands on this to pay the debt off, but he gave it to me now that it's not a problem. It's...whew! It's the sort of thing you'd need on the road, isn't it?" She presents a sheathed dagger, "It's made of special sivler. Alchemic silver?"
[21:37] <@Inari> "Catch your breath," Inari smiles indulgently, reaching out to take the dagger. It's not really her style but she can hardly turn down a gift given in good faith. Maybe T can use it, actually. "And thank you, Liza. That's very kind of you," she goes on approvingly.
[21:40] <@Kotono> "You're welcome," she says, "If...if when you come back, could you come by to viist?"
[21:41] <@Inari> "I'll definitely do that," Inari says. "We can't have big E thinking we aren't watching now, can we?" she adds conspiratorially.
[21:42] <@Kotono> That gets a smile back and a hug - a wet, brief one, before she separates and waves, leaving Inari and the others.
[21:42] <@Kotono> OOC: Good to move on a little more?
[21:42] <@Annerose> OOC: Yes
[21:42] <@Inari> OOC: yep
[21:42] <@Erad> OOC: yar
[21:45] <@Kotono> Thus the party heads out of Warmfolk. The road is wet as the party goes, but the rain slackes a little bit. Helena settles into the wagon and speaks up, "Finally out of there," she sighs, "Now I need to decide where to go."
[21:46] <@Annerose> "Take your time, see the world some more?" Annerose muses in response. "Maybe even places you didn't get to go to before."
[21:47] <@Inari> "After Misty Harbour we could end up anywhere," Inari says, nodding along.
[21:47] <@Erad> "Haven't been there in a while." Erad says from the driver's seat. "Looking for anything, or just going there to see the situation?"
[21:49] <@Kotono> Meanwhile, T stays on his donkey. He takes out a flask and has a swig from it. In the meantime, Helena glances at Inari, "Wait, are you saying I'm going with you?" she asks.
[21:50] <@Annerose> "You're not forced to, of course," Annerose feels obliged to say. "But I did offer to take you wherever you liked, and until you decide where that is...."
[21:51] <@Inari> "I just assumed you were," Inari says, glancing between Helena and Annerose before belatedly answer Erad. "We want to see the centre of this country, and find out from which direction the rot spreads."
[21:52] <@Kotono> "I hadn't decided," Helena admits, "Are you inviting me?"
[21:52] <@Erad> Erad nods to Inari. "Makes sense."
[21:52] <@Annerose> "Sure?"
[21:54] <@Kotono> "Well..." Helena hangs it a moment, "As long as we don't go back to Warmfolk anytime soon. I sort of...borrowed some things from my husband. Some of those things got pawned and some are in my backpack."
[21:54] <@Kotono> T glances on over at the wagon, closes his eyes and slowly exhales through his nose, before taking another swig.
[21:55] <@Annerose> An amused snort escapes Annerose as she turns her head away to stare outside, chin supported on her hand.
[21:56] <@Erad> Erad blinks at that. He'll have to remember to ask about the story behind that sometime.
[21:56] <@Inari> They do need to go back soon, but... soon's all relative, so Inari keeps quiet.
[21:59] <@Kotono> Thus the day continues as the party heads on the rainy road towards Misty Harbor. Behind them like Warmfolk and Ailan, one improved and the other saved. Despite the rain, the day passes well...OOC: Okay, let's pause here.

Corwin · June 27, 2015, 03:39:10 PM

[19:55] <@Kowork> By the end of day, the party has made slow but steady progress. Unfortunately, the slow progress and bad luck means either camping out or forging on to the next inn. As you've traveled this road before, you know it's about 2 hours to another inn. In this weather, it's likely closer to 3 due to the wet roads. T pauses, peering up at the setting sun while half-shielding his eyes. He brings his
[19:55] <@Kowork> donkey up to the side of the wagon and says, "So do we rough it or push on into the night?"
[19:57] <@Erad> "I have little trouble with the darkness." Erad says. "And I can give us the energy to push on if we need it. I think it best to continue. We'll be in worse situation if we try and camp out here."
[19:58] <@Inari> "I don't mind calling it a night here," Inari says, reaching over to pat the flank of one of their horses. She's been acting a little strange all day, wriggling her bottom and seeming somewhat giddy.
[19:58] <@Kowork> Helena looks up from polishing her shield and spikes, "I'd rather stay outside. I've had enough of inns for a year!" She then makes a face.
[20:00] <@Erad> "If that's the case, I can keep watch." Erad responds.
[20:01] <@Kowork> "Whichever." T says with a shrug, "Let's go ahead and settle in. Oh yeah, Inari, come with a moment? Need a favor from you."
[20:02] <@Inari> "Of course!" Inari says, taking a step before a rustling sound is heard at her rear and a third tail joins the two already present. "Oh, did you hear that?!" she twists around to look, grabbing at the new tail. "I could feel it coming in all day!"
[20:03] <@Erad> Erad blinks. "Is that... normal?"
[20:04] <@Kowork> "..." T stops, staring. He starts to say something, stops and sighs, closing his eyes. "Hell no. But today hasn't been normal."
[20:04] <@Kowork> "Oh!" Helena startles and scoots away, "Did you just...you did! Another tail?"
[20:04] <@Inari> "I had to wait decades for my third tail last time, you know," Inari says. "Either they're quicker at regrowing or it's counting the time I was asleep. Mmm, feels nice," she smiles contentedly.
[20:05] <@Kowork> "Right. Just come with me," T says, spurring his donkey to go off road.
[20:05] <@Inari> "Oh, of course!" she jerks back to alertness and hurries after T.
[20:06] <@Kowork> Helena turns to Annerose, "At least you'll sleep well. That armor looks amazing for summer."
[20:07] <@Kowork> Meanwhile, once away from earshot, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I need hairs from a fox for a spell catalyst. Tail fur would work fine." T says.
[20:08] <@Erad> Erad looks around for a good place for them to stop off the road, in the meantime.
[20:08] <@Annerose> "It's amazing all year round," Annerose affirms.
[20:08] <@Kowork> OOC: Perception or survival, Erad.
[20:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13 Perception
[20:09] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=4]
[20:09] <@Kowork> There's a little rise ot the side. Barely even a small hill, but just enough to be a bit above the pit of mud most everything is right now.
[20:09] <@Inari> "Need a little more cunning, hmm?" Inari asks, rolling on her heels with an air of smug. "Well alright, I trust you," she says, carefully grabbing single strand from one of her older tails and plucking it free. "Of course I'm no ordinary fox it might not work quite as expected..."
[20:10] <@Erad> Erad will take the horses and wagon to the rise, then!
[20:11] <@Kowork> "Especially summer," Helena says, as the party sets up. Meanwhile, T takes it with a slight smile, "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, 'nari. So long as I don't start sprouting tails of my own."
[20:12] <@Inari> "It takes a hundred years for the first new one," she reassures him before going to rejoin the rest for camp.
[20:12] <@Annerose> "Especially summer. Of course, winter's pleasant enough on its own when Auril's got better things to do than bug you," Annerose muses.
[20:13] <@Kowork> As the party chats, everyone settles in for the night on the hill. Making a campfire is hard but not impossible with a bit of cheating, and soon warm food settles the party down for the night. OOC: Erad, you mentioned taking watch?
[20:15] <@Erad> OOC: Yes, I can do it first and stay up extra as needed.
[20:16] <@Annerose> OOC: I prefer first or last watches in general
[20:17] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay. T'll volunteer for themiddle watch then.
[20:17] <@Kowork> OOC: Erad-T-Annerose?
[20:18] <@Erad> OOC: Works for me
[20:19] <@Kowork> OOC: Perception, Erad.
[20:20] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13 Perception
[20:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=3]
[20:20] <@Erad> OOC: You know, Serith... I really don't like you...
[20:21] <@Kowork> Night falls. The party passes into slumber, save for Erad. He keeps a watch and his ears open. But suddenly, at the edge of his 60ft darkvision? They're coming in alld riections, like a sudden swarm. North, west, east, south and more besides. Rotten, bloated human corpses. Icicles hang from their mouths and they run forward with stunning, unnatural speed. They are absolutely silent - they make
[20:21] <@Kowork> not a sound, even as the ground beneath their feet freezes, puddles becoming icy patches. OOC: React, Erad. What you will do will impact what immediately happens.
[20:23] <@Erad> Erad narrows his eyes. More fiflth from that winter-loving whore goddess. "Awake! Everyone! We are under attack by the dead! Rouse yourselves!"
[20:24] <@Kowork> The party stirs into darkness. To Erad's eyes, he can see them - closing to 30ft in nearl ya blink of the eye. T groans and rolls up, stumbling to his feat, dagger drawn. "The hell?" Helena almost leaps up, shield covering herself, "We're under attack?!"
[20:24] <@Inari> Inari hefts her blanket off and stands up, grabbing for her spear!
[20:25] <@Erad> "They're faster than they appear!" He calls to the others. "Be wary!"
[20:25] * @Annerose mewls piteously, flailing for the sleep that even now escapes from her!
[20:25] <@Kowork> OOC: Init. But before you roll that, note if you have low-light or darkvision.

[20:25] <@Erad> OOC: darkvision 60ft for the record
[20:25] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5 low light
[20:25] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=16]
[20:26] <@Inari> OOC low-light
[20:26] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[20:26] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay.
[20:26] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=8]
[20:26] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+6 T
[20:26] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=6]
[20:26] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[20:26] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=11]
[20:26] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:26] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=20]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (N)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=10]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (N-2)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 1 > [d20=2]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (NE)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=12]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (E)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=14]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (E-2)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 6 > [d20=7]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (SE)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 2 > [d20=3]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (S)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=12]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (S-2)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=11]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (S-3)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=16]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (SW)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=15]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (W)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 5 > [d20=6]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (W-2)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=11]
[20:27] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 z (NW)
[20:27] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=13]
[20:28] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena(15)>Inari(12)>ZN(9)>ZN2(2)'
[20:29] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena(15)>ZE(13)>Inari(12)>ZNE=ZS(11)>ZS2(10)>ZN(9)>ZE2(6)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[20:30] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena=ZS3(15)>ZSW(14)>ZE(13)>Inari=ZNW(12)>ZNE=ZS(11)>ZS2=ZW2(10)>ZN(9)>ZE2(6)>ZW(5)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[20:31] <@Kowork> It's dark - Erad can see fine, seeing the zombies come from all direction. Annerose and Inari can see fine as well, while T calls, "Shield girl, light a torch or something!" OOC: Erad, you open. They're 30ft away in all directions. Literally.
[20:32] <@Kowork> "Shield girl?" Helena shoots back as she stumbles to awaken herself.
[20:32] <@Erad> OOC: Are there more behind them?
[20:33] <@Kowork> OOC: Not that you see, to the limits of yoru darkvision.
[20:33] <@Erad> OOC: okay.
[20:34] <@Erad> "We'll be swarmed by them either way... So I will engage one direction to give you some breathing room!" Erad calls out as he moves to the north, aiming to drive his fists right through the zombie there! OOC: Do I need to watch for AoOs or anything?
[20:34] <@Kowork> OOC: Nah, they're all flatfooted.
[20:34] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.
[20:35] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[20:35] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=7]
[20:35] <@Kowork> OOC: Hit.
[20:35] <@Erad> OOC: Do these count as evil?
[20:35] <@Kowork> OOC: Yes.
[20:36] <@Erad> roll 1d8+2+1d6 and counts as good-aligned if there's DR
[20:36] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 10 > [d8=5][d6=3]
[20:37] <@Kowork> Erad leaps in, slamming the zombie in the chest. Flesh crackles and burns, but it takes the blow well. It snaps its teeth at him, trying to bite him apart with that icy maw. OOC: Annerose.
[20:38] <@Annerose> The pleasant dream of playing with icekittens translates into a terrible nightmare, and in her panicked flailing Annerose brings down Winter all around them!
[20:38] <@Annerose> OOC: Sleet storm, centered on me, radius 40ft in a 20ft high cylinder
[20:39] <@Kowork> OOC: Link me?
[20:39] <@Annerose> OOC: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sleetStorm.htm walk at half speed if you make DC 10 balance
[20:41] <@Kowork> Suddenly all the area is a sleet storm. None can see anything but the sleet as it hails on down. Helena's voice is heard amid the wintry storm, "Sleet?!" she cries. OOC: She'll hold since she can't see anything. ZS3 is up.
[20:41] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[20:41] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 6 > [d20=7]
[20:41] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZSW
[20:41] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=13]
[20:42] <@Kowork> roll 1d20
[20:42] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 1 > [d20=1]
[20:42] <@Kowork> From the storm a zombie manages t o close in from the southwest. IT ends up next to Inari, trying to snack on the fox directly.
[20:42] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 flatfooted AC?
[20:42] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 6 > [d20=3]
[20:43] <@Kowork> But even half asleep and fumbling, Inari kicks the undead horror away, frozen teeth snacking only on air. OOC: ZE is up.
[20:43] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[20:43] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=16]
[20:44] <@Kowork> roll 1d20
[20:44] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=16]
[20:44] <@Kowork> Another zombie manages to make it through, stumbling forward towards Helena and trying toe at her whole!
[20:44] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 vs AC 17
[20:44] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=20]
[20:44] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 vs AC 17 crit?>
[20:44] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=10]
[20:45] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+1+1d6 (1d6 is cold) her HP is 49/49 before this damage, add it to topic HP
[20:45] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 > [d6=6,6]
[20:46] <@Kowork> Helena's cry of pain is heard amid the sleet storm, followed by, "Get off me!" OOC: Inari.
[20:46] <@Inari> Well she can't see anything but she knows they were pretty close - especially that one that just tried to bite her! Bracing her spear on the ground for stability, she channels positive energy through her body and out to invigorate her companions and erode the undead nearby!
[20:46] <@Inari> roll 3d6 DC 21 will half
[20:46] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 6 > [d6=1,3,2]
[20:46] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+8 fort Helena, almost forgot
[20:46] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=15]
[20:47] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 I'll just roll once for the sake of brevity here, rather than doing ten diffferent saves
[20:47] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=8]
[20:48] <@Kowork> The walking dead are scolded, life energy eroding them as ice blinds them. Meanwhile, another zombie...OOC: ZNW is up.
[20:48] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[20:48] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=19]
[20:48] <@Kowork> Suddenly, Erad has a zombie at his side, trying to chomp down on him like a snack.
[20:48] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 AC?
[20:48] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=11]
[20:49] <@Erad> OOC: 17
[20:49] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZNE, will resolve these at once
[20:49] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 4 > [d20=5]
[20:49] <@Kowork> As Erad parries a blow with a feint and sidestep, there's a loud crash from the side, zombie flesh hitting the ground. Meanwhile...
[20:49] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZS
[20:49] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 5 > [d20=6]
[20:50] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZS2
[20:50] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 6 > [d20=7]
[20:50] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZW2
[20:50] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=14]
[20:50] <@Kowork> roll 1d20 since he's charging the bulk and not just poor Erad to the north
[20:50] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=10]
[20:50] <@Kowork> It's Annerose who finds herself suddenly with a faceful of zombie, trying to chew off her face from the sleety storm.
[20:50] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 AC?
[20:50] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=11]
[20:50] <@Annerose> OOC: Denied
[20:51] <@Kowork> But the western zombie is easily repelled, a wall of ice appearing between her face and the foe. As it recoils back...
[20:51] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena=ZS3(15)>ZSW(14)>ZE(13)>Inari=ZNW(12)>ZNE=ZS(11)>ZS2=ZW2(10)T>>ZN(9)>ZE2(6)>ZW(5)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[20:51] <@Kowork> OOC: ADding T here since I forgot to put his 12 init in.
[20:52] <@Kowork> Suddenly T gestures, "Turn and channel!" he cries in Common, as suddenly....OOC: 5/6 inspiration, using opportunistic piety.
[20:52] <@Kowork> roll 3d6
[20:52] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d6=1,4,5]
[20:52] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 that also tops off Helena
[20:52] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=6]
[20:52] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena=ZS3(15)>ZSW(14)>ZE(13)>Inari=ZNW(12)>ZNE=ZS(11)>ZS2=ZW2(10)T>ZE2(6)>ZW(5)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[20:53] <@Kowork> Before Erad, the zombie he hit flashes white and dissolves into hunks of frozen flesh. The others recoil and smoulder from the holy energy, as Helena's wounds heal further. OOC: Ze2 is up.
[20:53] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[20:53] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=15]
[20:53] <@Kowork> roll 1d20
[20:53] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=10]
[20:53] <@Kowork> Then T finds himself face to face with a zombie, half ruined and trying to make up for it with a midnight meal.
[20:54] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 vs 20 4/6 inspiration to gain +3 AC
[20:54] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=12]
[20:54] <@Kowork> But T's too fast, ducking away amid the sleet storm. Then...
[20:54] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1 ZW
[20:54] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=17]
[20:54] <@Kowork> roll 1d20
[20:54] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=19]
[20:55] <@Kowork> A zombie comes up on Annerose's side, again trying to snack on her as a second joins the first.
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 probably needs a 20
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 8 > [d20=5]
[20:55] <@Kowork> But it'sa nother easy parry, a flick of her wrist batting away its smoking head.
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 1 > [d20=2]
[20:55] <@Kowork> As another zombie is heard falling, the second northern zombie is right by Erad, trying to bite him all up, oversized frozen fangs going for his chest.
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 AC?
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=16]
[20:57] <@Erad> OOC: 17
[20:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+1+1d6 (1d6 is cold)
[20:57] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 7 > [d6=1,5]
[20:57] <@Kowork> OOC: Fort save. It's a disease effect, note if you're immune since you probably are since paladin.
[20:57] <@Erad> OOC: I am.
[20:57] <@Erad> OOC: and I have resist cold 5 for reference
[20:57] <@Kowork> OOC: 2 damage then.
[20:58] <@Kowork> Erad is chomped, but it's only a grazing blow. He endures it well enough, as...OOC: Annerose.
[20:59] <@Annerose> Already batted away and unbalanced, the zombie attacking her is in a terrible spot to dodge her hand seeking it out, glowing golden. But Annerose's main focus is on the undead biting at Helena, and she takes a step to push it away with that same glowing hand!
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7 freezing touch, dragonfire smitings
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7 freezing touch, dragonfire smitings
[21:00] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=17]
[21:00] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=7]
[21:00] <@Kowork> OOC: Both hit.
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+1d8 good and magic and frosty
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+1d8 good and magic and frosty
[21:00] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 9 > [d6=3,1][d8=2]
[21:00] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 16 > [d6=4,6][d8=3]
[21:00] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena=ZS3(15)>ZSW(14)>ZE(13)>Inari=ZNW(12)>ZNE=ZS(11)>ZS2(10)T>ZE2(6)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[21:01] <@Kowork> The two zombies before her are frozen with freezing flames, bursting into hunks of icy meat. OOC: Helena will hold since this shuts down her entire gimmick. ZS3 is up.
[21:01] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[21:01] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=11]
[21:02] <@Kowork> From the south another comes - this one stumbling towards T and trying to chomp on him as well.
[21:02] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 vs 20 3/6 inspiratoin
[21:02] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=9]
[21:03] <@Kowork> But T just punts it away, as...OOC: ZSW is up.
[21:03] <@Kowork> The zombie on Inari is half dead from the blasts, dead again from holy energy. But it lumbers on, trying to get Inari once more with singleminded determination.
[21:03] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3 AC?
[21:03] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=10]
[21:04] <@Kowork> But Inari's much too fast of foot for it to connect, weaving back amid the unplanned outbreak of winter.
[21:04] <@Kowork> roll 1d20-1
[21:04] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=16]
[21:04] <@Kowork> OOC: So you did, Erad. Sorry, you're up.
[21:05] <@Erad> OOC: No problem.
[21:05] <@Erad> Erad will strike out at the northern zombie that just tried to attack him! OOC: I think that's ZNW or maybe NE, It's hard to tell
[21:05] <@Kowork> OOC: It is, on uprpose since it's na extremely chaotic and blinded melee. I'm keeping track, so go.
[21:06] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[21:06] <@Erad> roll 1d20+3
[21:06] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=8]
[21:06] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=9]
[21:06] <@Erad> OOC: Serith, seriously
[21:08] <@Kowork> OOC: Two htis.
[21:08] <@Erad> roll 2#1d8+2+1d6
[21:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 10, 12 >
[21:08] * Kowork changes topic to 'Erad(25)>Annerose(21)>Helena=ZS3(15)>ZSW(14)>ZE(13)>Inari=ZNW(12)>ZS(11)>ZS2(10)T>ZE2(6)>ZSE(2)>ZN2(1)'
[21:09] <@Kowork> Another zombie goes down, shattering like icy glass before Erad's blows. The unnatural storm continues to howl, as a zombie approaches Helena, trying to chomp her down.
[21:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3
[21:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=15]
[21:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+1+1d6
[21:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 6 > [d6=2,3]
[21:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+8
[21:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=4]
[21:11] <@Kowork> Helena's arm is chewed on, the zombie getting a good bite in before she kicks it away. OOC: Inari, go.
[21:11] <@Inari> "Everyone still okay?" Inari calls out loudly since she can't see their health for herself. But blindly blasting out omni-directional waves of positive energy should cure most ailments, including a particularly nasty zombie outbreak!
[21:11] <@Inari> roll 3d6 DC 21 half
[21:11] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 > [d6=4,5,3]
[21:12] <@Annerose> "This is horrible!"
[21:15] <@Kowork> With holy energy flowing, the undead crumble. All the party can see at their various vantage points melta way with the sleet, leaving behind ruined fleshed. OOC: Free act, nos ave since it's irrelevant here.

[21:17] <@Erad> Erad looks around to see if anything else is coming, and takes stock of what's currently there. OOC: any knowledge checks on these besides 'they're zombies that auril made'?
[21:17] <@Inari> "Hold on, I'm coming your way Annerose," Inari calls, stumbling in the direction of that traumatised voice.
[21:17] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 acrobatics to not fall over
[21:17] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=17]
[21:19] <@Kowork> OOC: Can't see due to sleet, Erad.
[21:19] <@Kowork> OOC: K:R, sure.
[21:20] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7
[21:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=2]
[21:21] <@Erad> Erad will fly up to try and see beyond the sleet storm!
[21:21] <@Inari> "So... no injuries here, then?"
[21:21] <@Annerose> "They bit Helena! A lot! Why are there zombies?!"
[21:23] <@Inari> "Here, this should take the worst off," Inari says, casting lesser vigor on Helena. "As for the second question, I have no idea."
[21:24] <@Annerose> "Why the zombies? Why?" Annerose demands, turning to Helena.
[21:26] <@Kowork> Erad flies up. It's dark above the sleet storm, but he doesn't see anything else around.
[21:26] <@Kowork> Helena smiles, "Thank you," she murmurs, rubbing her arm where it was wounded moments ago. "An entire horde of them attacking at once is strange. I've seen zombies before, but not like those."
[21:26] <@Inari> "I don't suppose you can do something about this sleet before we go searching for answers to big questions?" Inari asks hopefully.
[21:27] <@Erad> He will come back down to land near the others. "I don't see anything else coming."
[21:28] <@Annerose> "But there might be more zom-- oh that's alright then." Annerose waves her hand at the howling winds, and they become a tornado that scoops up all of the ice and sleet in the air before disappearing into the night sky.
[21:30] <@Erad> "I can keep watch to make sure there aren't." Erad says. "They can't sneak up on me."
[21:30] <@Inari> "Alright then," Inari sends out foxfire to illuminate around them. "That is rather a lot of corpses... I don't think we'll get a good night's rest here, now."
[21:30] <@Annerose> "My dreams will be zombies," Annerose says with a shudder.
[21:30] <@Kowork> T sighs in relief, "Yeah, le'ts just get to an inn and get a late start tomorrow?" he suggests, "This night's ruined anyway."
[21:31] <@Erad> "Should we just try and make it to the inn, then?" Erad asks. "All right. If you all want to rest, I can get the wagon there."
[21:32] <@Inari> "Or... we could find out just where these zombies came from?" Inari suggests nonchalantly.
[21:33] <@Annerose> "Either way, there will be no sleeping," Annerose agrees fatalistically. "Do you want to track them?"
[21:33] <@Kowork> "No sleep," Helena agrees, "That was horible."
[21:34] <@Inari> "It certainly warrants investigation," she nods, going around the area she first saw the zombies appear at to see where their tracks converge back.
[21:34] <@Kowork> OOC: Survival check, Inari.
[21:34] * @Annerose meanwhile puts her armor on with a relieved sigh at that familiar coolness.
[21:34] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10
[21:34] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=7]
[21:34] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+12 Helena will aid
[21:35] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=6]
[21:38] <@Kowork> The trail isn't hard to track so long as you provide light. They gathered about 500ft to the west of the party before circling around them. There's a trail leading further to the west - just a single set of footprints.
[21:38] <@Inari> "Someone must have summoned them..." Inari says upon this discovery, casting detect magic.
[21:39] <@Annerose> "Why?!"
[21:39] <@Erad> "I doubt it was to go after you all specifically..." Erad reasons. "There's no way anyone would know we were headed this way or would stop here."
[21:40] <@Inari> "Well who else could they have been sent after?"
[21:40] * @Annerose blinks. "That's not strictly true. You knew where to find us, right?"
[21:40] <@Kowork> "Why not?" T shrugs and yawns, "You ask me, this entire thing feels like a headache." Meanwhile, Inari doesn't detect any magic.
[21:41] <@Kowork> OOC: Strike that, faint. Dur.
[21:42] <@Erad> "I didn't know specifically where to find you." Erad says. "As for who? I don't know, maybe just any travelers? They could have been trying to collect... something."
[21:44] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 spellcraft I took way too long to parse that
[21:44] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=20]
[21:50] <@Kowork> It looks like summoning magic. Yep, something to summon zombies. Nasty business. Interestingly, it's not just summonings in the traditional sense - it pulls them from somewhere relatively nearby, like a teleportation spell.
[21:51] <@Inari> "Definitely summoned, from an existing... supply, rather than magicked out of the ether. Shall we see about following the summoner's tracks now?"
[21:51] <@Erad> "Especially if this person is trying to prey on innocents." Erad says.
[21:51] <@Annerose> "Alright."
[21:52] <@Inari> "We're innocent," Inari smiles, following after the singular footsteps now. That rain was good for something at least.
[21:53] <@Kowork> Thus the party heads into the night. You follow the track sfor an hour or so, before you come to something. Here a simple house of stone sits. There's no stables, but there is a small field. It's utterly unremarkable and remote, but the tracks lead to it.
[21:54] <@Erad> Erad looks around, both in a visual sense and in a magical sense, for anything evil! OOC: using Detect Evil
[21:56] <@Inari> "Alright, any preparations you want to do, do them now. This could get messy," Inari says, beginning to layer spells on herself and her allies.
[21:56] <@Inari> OOC: mass resist cold on T, Helena, Erad. Divine protection, sign, and animalistic power on me.
[21:57] <@Kowork> The entire buildign radiates faint evil to Erad's senses.
[21:58] <@Annerose> Not really needing any extra protection, Annerose just waits for Inari to finish casting.
[21:58] <@Kowork> T nods, quickly taking out a bit of fox tail hair and focusing. OOC: 5/6 inspiration, +4 int to T. This is getting buffy enough that let's go to #thecauldron to sort it all.
[21:58] <@Erad> His eyes narrow at that. "The entire thing... evil." Erad states. "Disgusting."
[21:59] <@Kowork> "Right," T checks his dagger and rolls his neck, "Yeah, ugly feels about right."
[21:59] <@Kowork> Helena nods, "I didn't think I'd be chasing down zombies after one day!"
[22:01] <@Inari> "T, why don't you and Helena circle round to watch the back in case he tries to run while we three go in the front?" Inari suggests once protections are dispensed.
[22:01] <@Kowork> T nods, "C'mon, shield girl. I'll show you around."
[22:02] <@Kowork> "Shield girl?!" Helena glares at him as she follows, hissing, "I'll have you-" What she says next is lost, as the two go around the back.
[22:03] <@Erad> "I can go first, if you'd like." Erad says to the others. "If it's just one, we should be able to corner them."
[22:04] <@Inari> "Go ahead," Inari nods, readying her spear. "There might be more zombies inside, though."
[22:04] <@Erad> "Right." Erad nods as he heads to open the door in one swift motion, hopefully ready for whatever lies behind it!
[22:06] <@Kowork> What is ahead is a simple entryway. A hook for a cloak (a green one hangs) and a place for shoes. A muddy pair of boots is there. Past it is a short hallway that opens up on the left to what may be some sort of sitting room. Past that, the hall goes on ahead, before making a turn to the right.
[22:07] <@Erad> Erad keeps his Detect Evil active, looking to see if there's a stronger aura anywhere within its radius.
[22:07] <@Kowork> Erad doesn't detect any stronger evil presences.
[22:08] * @Annerose looks for magic!
[22:08] <@Kowork> There's magic around the doorway. OOC: Spellcraft.
[22:08] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[22:08] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=18]
[22:08] <@Kowork> It's an alarm spell. Suffice to say, it was tripped when the party entered the house.
[22:09] <@Annerose> "He knows we're here," Annerose murmurs. "Magical alarm on the door."
[22:09] <@Erad> "Hm... I'm not sure where they're hiding..." He says quietly as he enters. He blinks and nods to Annerose. "Then there's no point in being subtle." He will jog forward to look left!
[22:10] <@Inari> Inari twitches her nose, trying to track which way inside the house the owner of the scent she's been tracking went.
[22:10] <@Kowork> To the left is a pleasant sitting room. It has furniture and decorations - nice enough, save for a complete lack of a fireplace. It its place sits a large block of white ice. It is unmelting despite summer's heat.
[22:10] <@Kowork> Inari can smell the scent of death and half elf. Unfortunately, it's thick all over - it's his den, so to speak, so his scent is everywhere.
[22:11] <@Inari> Well, she tosses a ball of foxfire at that ice just to send a further message before heading further down the hallway where it bends right.
[22:12] <@Erad> They can come back and destroy that testament to Auril later. He moves on to the end where the hall turns to the right. He will continue to look for evil auras as they go along, in case he took a hidden path somewhere that they might not be able to see.
[22:12] <@Kowork> OOC: Fire damage, I presume? Make a ranged touch attack, Inari.
[22:12] <@Inari> roll 1d20+8
[22:12] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=12]
[22:12] <@Kowork> OOC: Damage.
[22:12] <@Inari> roll 6d6 fire
[22:12] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 > [d6=4,6,1,1,5,5]
[22:13] <@Kowork> The block of ice is hit. It melts before you, steam rising from it. As it does, Inari feels a deep chill overtake her, a chill despite her magical protections. OOC: Will save. Mind-affecting.
[22:14] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 it's not magical protection, I've got an innate cold res 10
[22:14] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=16]
[22:15] <@Kowork> Inari shakes off the feeling - it's not natural, but it fades after several moments.
[22:16] <@Inari> Message delivered, there's more of the house to explore! She paces herself though, with an eye and an ear out for any clue as to where their quarry must have tracked his (or her!) muddy feet.
[22:16] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 perception
[22:16] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=6]
[22:16] * @Annerose stays by the entrance for now to cover their backs, though not directly in clear view of the outside.
[22:19] <@Kowork> No sign of muddy feet. Perhaps fortunately, the only way ahead now is to continue on in the hallway and to the right, as the sitting room is a dead end.
[22:19] <@Inari> That's where Inari's headed!
[22:20] <@Erad> Erad will accompany Inari and keep an eye out for changes in the auras.

Corwin · June 27, 2015, 03:43:41 PM

[20:04] <@Kotono> Inari finds it leads to a kitchen. There's no fireplace, but there is some food laid out on the counter. Some potatoes and carrots, about half of them chopped up. There's a door on the far wall, one that has a glass window on it. It leads outside. There's also another passage to the south.
[20:06] <@Inari> She goes to open the door so she can check T and Helena are doing okay back there.
[20:06] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:06] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=7]
[20:06] <@Kotono> As Inari goes to the door, Erad happens to glance back. An aura of strong evil is behind him - for a moment he sees a frozen, translucent corpse, coming up behind him, reaching for his neck with frozen hands.OOC: Not flatfooted since you made the check.
[20:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch AC?
[20:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=10]
[20:07] <@Erad> OOC: 17
[20:09] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 cold damage plus 1 vile damage
[20:09] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 > [d6=5,2,6]
[20:10] <@Kotono> OOC: So 3 cold damage and 1 vile damage. Note the vile damage separately, since it requires special means to heal.
[20:10] <@Erad> OOC: Okay
[20:12] <@Kotono> The hands wring Erad's neck. It's like winter has him in its grasp, shaking him all over. A low, mournful howl comes from the unseen spirit, echoing amid the kitchen. As it echos, you hear dozens of voices, "Cold..." "I can't see..." "The snow's getting worse..." "I can't feel my legs anymore..." OOC: Init here, y'all.
[20:12] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:12] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 7 > [d20=2]
[20:12] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[20:12] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=16]
[20:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 icey
[20:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=5]
[20:13] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(26)>Ice Spirit'
[20:13] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[20:13] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=13]
[20:13] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(26)>Inari(17)>Ice Spirit(15)>Erad(Miko)'
[20:13] <@Inari> roll 1d4 have I recharged foxfire yet?
[20:13] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 1 > [d4=1]
[20:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Go Annerose.
[20:15] * @Annerose looks around but doesn't see anyone. It's one thing if it's a ghost, but if some creepy invisible zombie is trying to sneak up on them she's got just the spell for it! Snow gathers over Annerose's armor in a thin shell, and then it is evaporated in an instant while channeled into her spell!
[20:15] <@Annerose> OOC: Tenacious dispelling on invisibility
[20:16] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+6
[20:16] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=5]
[20:16] <@Kotono> Annerose attempts to unravel magic around - but nothing happens. OOC: Inari.
[20:17] <@Inari> Inari draws forth her foxfire again, sending a purple ball of illusory flame through the spirit where it briefly manifested next to Erad!
[20:17] <@Inari> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[20:17] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=5]
[20:18] <@Inari> roll 1d100 miss chance?
[20:18] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 93 > [d100=93]
[20:19] <@Kotono> No good. Inari fires but seems to miss whatever it is, wherever it is. It appears again a moment later - a frozen corpse, faintly translucent in the light of Inari's foxfire. It's where it was before, trying to wring Erad's neck.
[20:19] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch AC?
[20:19] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=11]
[20:19] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 cold plus 1 vile
[20:19] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d6=3,2,2]
[20:19] <@Kotono> OOC: No cold damage and 1 vile damage.
[20:20] <@Kotono> Erad's body shudders from the contact, as the spirit simply sinks into the floor and out of sight. OOC: This does provoke an AoO from you with your reach weapon, Inari. Likewise, if you have CR, you can AoO, Erad.
[20:20] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.
[20:21] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[20:21] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=13]
[20:21] <@Erad> roll 1d100 miss chance
[20:21] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 7 > [d100=7]
[20:22] <@Inari> Inari's spear flashes out to pick up on this opportunity!
[20:22] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9
[20:22] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=18]
[20:23] <@Kotono> OOC: Miss chanced, Erad. Miss chance, Inari, you hit.
[20:23] <@Inari> roll 1d100
[20:23] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 > [d100=24]
[20:25] <@Kotono> Swings and stabs at the spirit, but it slips away into the floor and out of sight. OOC: Free act for the sec.
[20:26] <@Inari> While she has a chance Inari opens the door to check on T and Helena as she originally intended.
[20:26] <@Annerose> With a flick of her wrist, a spear of ice forms in the air while its hilt rests in her hands, and Annerose points it at the floor with a frown.
[20:27] <@Erad> Erad waits for Inari, but stands still to focus on his detection of evil in case more think to arise.
[20:38] <@Kotono> Inari finds T and Helena awaiting, ready to pounce, "Hold it, shield girl," T holds an arm blocking Helena's way, "Anything, 'nari?"
[20:39] <@Inari> "Some spectre attacked Erad but nothing yet," Inari reports. "Why don't you join us? This has the look of a last stand to me."
[20:41] <@Kotono> T nods and comes in, Helena following. She peers all around the kitchen.
[20:42] <@Inari> "Keep an eye out for ghost fly bys," Inari warns, heading south.
[20:44] <@Kotono> The party carefully heads south. It leads to a long corridor. There's a door on the left-side wall, and at the end of the hallway, is a stone stairway leading down.
[20:45] <@Kotono> "Huh," T murmurs, "Guess he's far enough from the shore for a good basement or two."
[20:46] <@Inari> "This is like no house I've ever seen," Inari says, pushing the lefthand door open.
[20:47] * @Annerose follows from a distance, to prevent them all cluttered up as a tempting target.
[20:48] <@Kotono> "Well yeah," T tags along, "Clearly a madman built it." Inside is a simple bedroom - a bed, chest, closet, that sort of thing.
[20:48] <@Kotono> OOC: What about you, Erad? Need ot know what the entire party's doing.
[20:48] <@Erad> Erad will advance towards the stairway. "I will go first down. I can try and engage him as quickly as possible if I see him to harry any further spells from him."
[20:49] <@Inari> "Go ahead," Inari makes way for him to take the lead, taking a quick look around the bedroom for recent disturbances before following.
[20:49] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 perception
[20:49] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=18]
[20:50] <@Kotono> OOC: Anyone going with Erad, or is he going solo?
[20:50] <@Erad> OOC: I'm not going to actually go down until the others are ready.
[20:50] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:51] <@Kotono> Erad reaches the stairs. They go down into pitch-darkness. A darkness that his darkvision doesn't even dent - a sure sign of magical darkness. The bedroom is tidy, save for the chest - it's not locked, the latch for it undone and hanging.
[20:52] <@Inari> "Wait a moment," Inari asks, going to open the chest to get an idea of what was in it... or what's been put in it.
[20:52] <@Erad> "Magical darkness." Erad calls out to the others.
[20:53] <@Kotono> The chest is mostly empty. A few things are in there - what looks to be a few dead flies, a ball of bat guano, some rose petals, a little prism.
[20:53] <@Annerose> Well, if it's magical there might be a way to dispel it! And Annerose gives it a try!
[20:53] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+6
[20:53] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=19]
[20:55] <@Kotono> Annerose walks over and throws her magic against the magical darkness. It sputters out and fades - below is a stairway going down. You can see it opens up into a sort of a basement. After a moment, the scent of rotting flesh hits you, thick and miserable. It's coming from below.
[20:55] <@Inari> "They've stocked up on spell components," Inari says, going to rejoin the others.
[20:55] <@Kotono> Helena checks her shield, "So that means this is going to be a fight?" she asks, shield in front of her.
[20:56] <@Erad> Erad wrinkles his nose. "Thank you, Annerose. Let us put an end to this... monster." With that, Erad will jog down the stairs.
[20:56] <@Annerose> "It was always going to be a fight," Annerose says rather reasonably. "Want to stay up with T to make sure the way out is safe?"
[20:56] <@Kotono> "Probably, yeah," T checks his dagger as well, "Gonna be an ugly one, no doubt. They're waiting for us down there, all prepared. You know, I had a friend who tried this - charging a mage's sanctum with the mage having prep time. Ended up burying him in a thimble."
[20:58] <@Inari> "Well, time's wasting, let's go?"
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, what order are y'all going down the stairs?
[21:00] <@Erad> OOC: I'm first and probably a little ahead of the others?
[21:00] <@Annerose> OOC: I'm bringing up the rear, but I have a 15ft iceland!
[21:00] <@Annerose> OOC: Icelance, alas
[21:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Helena would prefer to take second or third, if possible. T doesn't care, middle's fine with him.
[21:01] <@Inari> OOC: second
[21:01] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, so does Erad Inari Helena T Annerose sound good?
[21:01] <@Annerose> OOC: Let's do this thing
[21:05] <@Kotono> Thus the party goes down. Ahead is a rough basement, uneven walls and full of junk. Shelves and tables line the walls, full of strange things - one hardly has a chance to look at the arcane instruments and beakers there. It's 15ft in width, with the stairway coming down against the back wall. 40ft ahead are two, both wearing brown, cowled robes. 30ft away, 10ft before them, is a mess of tables
[21:05] <@Kotono> and junk. Chests, instruments, broken glass. It bars an easy path to them, giving them cover. Hovering over the table is the ice spirit, flickering in and out of sight. One of the cowled speaks, a strong man's voice, "Blasphemers!" Then the other adds in, a cold woman's voice, "Heretics! How dare you resist?" The man again, "Cower in fear before the wrath of the Frostmaiden!"
[21:07] <@Inari> "How dare you attack innocent travellers!" Inari retorts. "It's about time you received what's due for your wicked ways."
[21:07] <@Annerose> "I see that talking is useless," Annerose voices, taking the scene in.
[21:08] <@Kotono> "Nah," T says, shaking his head, "Don't think you appreciate the situation you're in."
[21:08] <@Erad> "I'll put my fist through your wretched hearts." Erad calls out. "I'll send you to meet Auril!"
[21:10] <@Kotono> The man gestures - a frozen, icy silver unholy symbol of Auril in hand, "Die!" OOC: Init here.

[21:10] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:10] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=15]
[21:10] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=4]
[21:10] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=20]
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[21:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=13]
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 ice wraith
[21:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=15]
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 man
[21:11] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=17]
[21:11] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 woman
[21:11] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d20=6]
[21:11] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(30)>Erad(20)>Helena(17)>T(10)'
[21:11] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 sign
[21:11] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=4]
[21:12] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(30)>Ice Wraith(25)>Male Aurilite(22)>Erad(20)>Helena(17)>Inari(13)>T(10)>Female Aurilite(Miko)'
[21:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Annerose. Note that with those tables 30ft ahead blocking the way adn all that junk, it'll be tough to get to them. It also stops a direct charge.
[21:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Barring exceptional reach or the like.
[21:14] * @Annerose looks from one of the cowled figures to the other, before gesturing at the wraith and striking at it directly with positive energy! That will have to do, while her spear's reach should prevent anyone from charging her companions.
[21:14] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[21:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=3]
[21:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit since flatfooted.
[21:14] <@Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 3 > [d6=3]
[21:15] <@Kotono> The wraith his hit dead on, flickering brighter with this energy. It howls low and pained, voices crying out in noisy agony. But the ice wraith stays where it is, menacing and guarding. OOC: It's holding. Male's up.
[21:17] <@Kotono> "Auril, bestow winter's power!" The man prays, as frost surrounds him tightly. It focuses on his arms, coating them with an extra layer. OOC: Erad, go.
[21:17] <@Erad> OOC: Can I fly over all the stuff to land next to the female?
[21:18] <@Erad> OOC: Fly speed is 60
[21:18] <@Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[21:18] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.
[21:18] <@Kotono> OOC: You might provoke an AoO, though. He doesn't have an obvious wepaon out, but they're close enough to protect each other.
[21:20] <@Erad> "I'll make you suffer for what your horrible kind did to Ailan!" Erad shouts as he extends his wings and takes flight to effectively jump over the debris and take aim with a strike against the woman before she has a chance to start casting, his fists suddenly driping in acid! OOC: Going to use a Swift to activate Draconic Fist and try to Smite the woman as well, I'll take any AoO that will occur
[21:20] <@Kotono> OOC: There is an AoO, will resolve that first.
[21:21] <@Kotono> As Erad closes in, a lash of frost comes from his hand, striking Erad like a whip.
[21:21] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 AC?
[21:21] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=3]
[21:21] <@Erad> OOC: 17
[21:21] <@Kotono> But Erad is too fast, an arm coming up to deflect the blow away. OOC: Go, make your attack. Smite evil? I tapplies.
[21:21] <@Erad> OOC: Okay
[21:22] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8+5
[21:22] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=7]
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 also forgot the wraith, dur, was so deep in her statblock, forgot to roll for him. Since the entire point of him being there is to guard an AoO.
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=15]
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 cold and 1 vile, same routine has last time. Also, you hit, Erad, roll damag.e
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 > [d6=2,5,5]
[21:23] <@Erad> OOC: Okay
[21:23] <@Kotono> OOC: 1 cold and 1 vile then.
[21:23] <@Erad> roll 1d8+2+5+1d6+2d6 the five is from smite, 1d6 is holy strike and the 2d6 is acid damage
[21:23] <@Kotono> OOC: 2 cold and 1 vile, my mistake.
[21:23] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 > [d8=4][d6=5,2,1]
[21:25] <@Kotono> "Ailan?" The woman utters, freezing a moment. Whatever her reaction, it's perfect for Erad. His fist catches the woman in the throat, making her gasp and stumble back, clutching at it. As she does, "Lu!" The man cries, while Helena charges forward, trying to leap the table, past the ghost and to the man in one single bound. OOC: Helena's up, incoming acrobatics check.
[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=15]
[21:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch AC vs her, made the check for over the table, though
[21:27] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=9]
[21:27] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 plus 1 vile, same verse as the first
[21:27] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 > [d6=4,6,6]
[21:27] <@Kotono> OOC: 6 cold damage and 1 vile damage.
[21:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 shield smack
[21:27] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=13]
[21:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5+2d6
[21:27] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d6=4,6,3]
[21:28] <@Kotono> Wham! A direct hit in the man's face, a crunch as his nose is smashed beneath the shield. The spike misses, but the flat of the shield is still a solid blow. As she lands, the ghost rears around and grabs her arm, turning a part of it dead-white, as if frostburned. "Got you!" Helena meanwhile calls. OOC: Inari.
[21:30] <@Inari> That spectre is causing no end of trouble, so Inari goes to do something about it! Walking forward she raises a hand that glows pale gold, passing the positive energy onto the wraith with a touch!
[21:30] <@Inari> roll 1d20+7 melee touch
[21:30] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 8 > [d20=1]
[21:30] <@Inari> OOC: that's a cure serious there, still held since I missed
[21:30] <@Kotono> But the shot is errant, hitting a side wall instead. OOC: Brutal luck for you today. T.
[21:31] <@Kotono> T stays right where he is, "Now where is..." he rustles in his pockets, before coming out with a holy symbol for Tempus, "Turn and burn in the name of war!" OOC: 5/6 inspiration, turning again, hits the ghost and everyone not in melee with the two.
[21:31] <@Kotono> roll 3d6
[21:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d6=6,1,3]
[21:32] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[21:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=12]
[21:33] <@Kotono> The ice wraith flickers again, body glowing with a pale golden light. It ripples like a reflection in a pond, vibrating all over as Lu gasps. She holds her throat and tries to concentrate...
[21:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:33] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=5]
[21:33] <@Kotono> OOC: And that's not a good reuslt for her. She provokes an AoO from Erad and Helena.
[21:34] <@Annerose> OOC: How far from me?
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: 40ft since you didn't move.
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 shieldings
[21:34] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=2]
[21:34] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=17]
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: You hit, Erad.
[21:34] <@Erad> roll 1d8+2+1d6
[21:34] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 7 > [d8=3][d6=2]
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 to keep spell
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=1]
[21:35] <@Kotono> Ice starts to form in her hands, but it flickers away and fades as Erad kicks her right in the stomach. She doubles over and falls back, gasping for air. OOC: Annerose.
[21:35] <@Erad> "Repent, and I might have some forgiveness for you!" Erad yells.
[21:36] * @Annerose comes a bit closer while still aiming for that abominable wraith!
[21:36] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch, now 15ft away
[21:36] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=15]
[21:36] <@Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:36] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 4 > [d6=4]
[21:37] <@Kotono> Another blow, one that makes it ripple even more. It's howling now, and that blow seems like too much. It pounces towards Annerose, gliding right for her. OOC: This provokes AoOs from Erad and Helena, if you have any left. Helena doesn't. It also provokes from Inari and Annerose, who have reach on it.
[21:38] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8 touch
[21:38] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=6]
[21:38] <@Erad> OOC: I do not, unfortuantely, for all that I want to
[21:38] <@Inari> roll 1d20+7 try again! touch
[21:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=20]
[21:38] <@Inari> roll 3d8+5 positive energy
[21:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 25 > [d8=7,6,7]
[21:38] <@Kotono> OOC: Miss, as it's unfortunately not flatfooted any more. Inari hits, though.
[21:38] <@Erad> OOC: Wait, no
[21:38] <@Erad> OOC: I do have one more
[21:38] <@Kotono> OOC: AoO away ,then.
[21:38] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[21:38] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=13]
[21:39] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:39] <@Erad> roll 1d8+2+1d6 presuming this is also evil
[21:39] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 > [d8=2][d6=2]
[21:39] <@Kotono> OOC: d100 miss chance for incorporeal, Erad.
[21:39] <@Kotono> OOC: Ki strike lets your attacks count as magic so you can at least hit it, though.
[21:39] <@Erad> roll 1d100
[21:40] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 90 > [d100=90]
[21:41] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(30)>Male Aurilite(22)>Erad(20)>Helena(17)>Inari(13)>T(10)>Female Aurilite(Miko)'
[21:41] <@Kotono> Erad leaps back with a roundhouse, kicking the ghost in the back of the head. It stumbles, ki energy rippling through it. It charges - only to meet Inari's hand. The positive energy in it makes it howl, melting like a ghostly puddle and evaporating. The voices fade as...OOC: Male is up.
[21:41] <@Kotono> "Blasphemers!" The man repeats, gasping. He concentrates...
[21:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[21:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=13]
[21:42] <@Kotono> Before a tight, winding blast of cold explodes in front Erad and Helena. The cold feels far frostier than before, so much so that the blast of frigid wind sucks the breath right out of you. OOC: Ref save, you two. SR applies if either of you have it, but I don't think you do.
[21:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Helena evasion
[21:42] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=14]
[21:43] <@Erad> OOC: Does this count as evil?
[21:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Paste me the feat in PM real quick.
[21:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11+2 evasion
[21:45] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=19]
[21:46] <@Kotono> The two are too quick, a massive flash of cold that hits nothing. Everything around them is flash frozen, but they are untouched. OOC: Erad.
[21:47] <@Erad> OOC: If I flurry, do I use Draconic fist on each strike or can I only use it on one?
[21:48] <@Kotono> OOC: Just the next attack.
[21:48] <@Erad> OOC: Okay
[21:49] <@Erad> Erad takes a breath, his fists dripping in acid which is somehow bathed in a holy energy as well. "You won't repent? Then I hope the afterlife treats you better!" He yells as he tries to tear into the woman with a flurry of fists, smiting her at the same time!
[21:49] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7+5 Smite is here
[21:49] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=13]
[21:49] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:49] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:49] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=9]
[21:49] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 8 > [d20=6]
[21:50] <@Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[21:50] <@Erad> roll 1d8+2+5+1d6+2d6
[21:50] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 24 > [d8=5][d6=3,5,4]
[21:50] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(30)>Male Aurilite(22)>Erad(20)>Helena(17)>Inari(13)>T(10)'
[21:51] <@Kotono> The crunch of blood and bone is heard as Erad strikes the throat of the woman again. It collapses, a gurling cry as she falls back, blood erupting out of her mouth. "Lu!" The man manages to get out as she falls, as Helena brings her shield 'round again and again.
[21:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[21:51] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=18]
[21:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:51] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=9]
[21:52] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5
[21:52] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 6 > [d6=1]
[21:52] <@Kotono> Another shield blow hits him fairly hard, knocking him back further. He's battered and bleeding, face a wreck as...OOC: Inari.
[21:52] <@Inari> Having dealt with the annoying spirit, Inari considers stabbing something, but the call of irony is just too strong so instead she flings a ball of fixfire at the male member of this frosty duo!
[21:52] <@Inari> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[21:52] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=2]
[21:53] <@Inari> OOC: wait, +1 on that if it helps
[21:53] <@Kotono> OOC: It actually does. Bare hit then.
[21:54] <@Inari> roll 6d6 fire
[21:54] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 > [d6=3,5,3,5,1,1]
[21:54] <@Kotono> Hit right in the chest, the man bursts aflame. He falls, crying out in agony before the flames silence his protests. OOC: Free act.

[21:55] * @Annerose shudders, drawing back.
[21:55] <@Kotono> "That went better than expected," T sheathes his dagger, "They must be more about raising the dead and less about killing the living."
[21:56] <@Inari> "Well those dead had to come from somewhere," Inari points out. "Still, what drives a person to live like that?"
[21:56] <@Kotono> Helena stumbles back, hitting the frozen table. She yelps as she slips and falls to her knees, "Woah..." she whispers, staring at the burning man in front of her.
[21:56] <@Kotono> "Maybe Auril pays well?" T shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck, "Or maybe her servants put out, 'nari?"
[21:57] <@Annerose> "I'll keep watch above," Annerose says, retreating up the stairs.
[21:58] <@Inari> She really hopes that wasn't meant to be a hint. "Lets just see if there's anything useful here that can help us," she says, casting detect magic and having a look around.
[21:59] <@Kotono> "Let's get to it," T agrees, as...OOC: The party's going to be looking around/looting now, then?
[21:59] <@Erad> Erad snorts. "They deserved no less." OOC: Yarp
[22:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=16]
[22:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Sec on a loot post.
[22:05] <@Kotono> Thus the party searches the basement, finding the following: OOC: Loot post.
[22:24] <@Erad> Erad will go upstairs to go through whatever else in in the house and search for any secrets they might've missed in their hurry to find the evildoers.
[22:24] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13 perception if needed
[22:24] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=20]

Corwin · June 30, 2015, 01:45:13 PM

[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Quick question. It's well into the middle of the night by the time the party finishes up in the house. Are you going to rest there or just forge on without sleep now?
[20:01] <@Inari> OOC: lets go back to the wagon, the house is too creepy to sleep in
[20:01] <@Annerose> OOC: Seconded
[20:01] <@Inari> OOC: also move the wagon away from the zombies before sleep
[20:02] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:02] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{12}
[20:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d4
[20:02] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d4 --> [ 1d4=4 ]{4}
[20:03] <@Kotono> The party doesn't rise to greet Tola 47 unti well past sun-up. The party rises save for Helena, sitting around the campfire adn eating breakfast. It's then that a groan comes from the wagon - Helena's voice, sounding weak.
[20:04] <@Erad> Erad rises from his food to go check on her.
[20:04] <@Annerose> "What's wrong, Helena?" Annerose asks, heading over.
[20:05] <@Kotono> "Someone didn't sleep well," T murmurs around a mouthful of berries. He pauses to wipe his lips with a napkin, rising up to follos as well.
[20:05] <@Inari> Inari joins in so they can make a crowd!
[20:06] <@Kotono> You find Helena lying, wrapped in her blanket, as well as Inari's and Erad's. She's shivering, face pale white. "Ugh..." she manages, "Sick. C-can't get warm."
[20:06] <@Annerose> "It's the zombies! And the biting!" Annerose exclaims. "I knew it!"
[20:08] <@Kotono> "Those things were contagious?" T makes a face, waving his hands, "Woah, woah, woah. Are you serious?"
[20:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 Heal check to see if Erad can determine what it is?
[20:08] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+11 Heal check to see if Erad can determine what it is? --> [ 1d20=4 ]{15}
[20:09] <@Inari> "Oh no," Inari says. "Usually freezing prevents diseases from building like with normal zombies, so I hadn't expected anything. Does anyone have any medicinal supplies?"
[20:09] <@Kotono> Erad can tell it's some kind of supernatural disease. No normal disease makes her body ice-cold to the touch. If she were this cold normally, she'd be suffering from hypothermia.
[20:10] <@Annerose> "No, not on me," Annerose responds, shaking her head before looking at the others. "Were there any at that house?"
[20:10] <@Kotono> "Yeah, I have a healer's bag," T says, going over to his donkey. He comes back with a little leather satchel, passing it over.
[20:12] <@Erad> "It's a disease." Erad says with a grumble. "Probably magical. I got bitten as well, but it didn't affect me. I don't have any way to remove it, but I can try and remedy the symptoms as best I can."
[20:12] <@Inari> "Can you look after her in the back of the wagon while we drive it for the inn up ahead?" Inari asks. "Care and hot food are perhaps all we can offer right now."
[20:13] <@Erad> Erad nods. "I'll take care of it."
[20:15] <@Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along then, y'all?
[20:16] <@Inari> "Hmm, there might be one other thing that could work, though it's iffy on diseases," Inari says speculatively, before reaching over and casting animalistic power and then resurgence on Helena.
[20:16] <@Inari> OOC: +2 con from that and then another save if the disease was Su rather than Ex.
[20:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[20:17] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{26}
[20:19] <@Kotono> The spells are cast. There's no immediate effect - but by the time the party's heading to the inn afew hours later, Helena is sitting up. Her color's improving, her skin no longer clammy. She rests against the wall of the wagon, "I don't feel like death now," she murmurs, before coughing twice. It's a wet, thick cough. "But I'm still not quite right."
[20:20] <@Inari> "Don't worry, we'll get some hot food in you and you can take it easy the rest of the day," Inari says. "It looks like you're past the worst."
[20:21] * @Annerose beams at Helena happily.
[20:21] <@Erad> "I'll keep an eye on you over the course of today." Erad says. "You should still get some rest. There's no need to push yourself today."
[20:22] <@Kotono> "Yeah..." Helena groans, slumping back down. "Thanks..." OOC: So plan is to inn it up for the day and rest?
[20:22] <@Annerose> OOC: Yes
[20:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d100+2
[20:22] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d100+2 --> [ 1d100=9 ]{11}
[20:23] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to do anything about Helena's con damage, Erad? I know you have lesser restorations prepped.
[20:23] <@Erad> OOC: Yes, I'll use 'em
[20:24] <@Erad> roll 1d4 con damage restoration
[20:24] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d4 con damage restoration --> [ 1d4=3 ]{3}
[20:24] <@Erad> roll 1d4 con damage restoration because I don't really need to save the other one for right now
[20:24] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d4 con damage restoration because I don't really need to save the other one for right now --> [ 1d4=3 ]{3}
[20:33] <@Kotono> Tola 48 is cloudy and drizzly. It's an absolute sauna, the drizzle adding only steaminess to the day. It is under thes conditions the party moves ahead, forging onward. Tola 49 is a mix of this with more sunshine, another day of unremarkable travel. Great storms blow through overnight, but the party is safe in a roadside inn. Tola 50 is bright and blisteringly hot, all surrounded by a thick
[20:33] <@Kotono> cloak of choking humidity. By noon the party is about to stop for lunch. The road this way is busy, caravans visible ahead and behind you. T trots up on his donkey, "How about we get off the roads and fix up some lunch?" he suggests.
[20:34] <@Kotono> Helena looks up, waving an improptu fan of folded up parchment in front of her face. "A break would be nice," she agrees. "It's too hot today."
[20:36] <@Inari> Inari's tails droop in the heat for all that she maintains an appearance of impeccable good spirits and cheer. "It's about time for it anyway," she agrees pleasantly, starting to direction the wagon off to the side.
[20:38] <@Kotono> Setting up off the roads is unremarkable enough. You can watch the summer caravans go by, as the party makes lunch. As they relax...OOC: Perception, all.
[20:38] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 H
[20:38] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2
[20:38] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 H --> [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
[20:38] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{4}
[20:38] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13
[20:38] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{18}
[20:38] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Tear
[20:38] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 Tear --> [ 1d20=15 ]{25}
[20:38] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:38] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{28}
[20:39] <@Kotono> Amid the relaxation of the party sharing a meal together, it's Erad that notices something. It's subtle, but he can hear something in the back of the wagon? The gentle sounds of cloth being rustled and the nearly silent thumps of things being moved.
[20:41] <@Erad> Erad holds a hand up to the others. He says as quietly as he can, "I believe someone is going through our things." He will slowly stand up and start to move towards the back of the wagon. Perhaps he'll catch them red-handed!
[20:41] <@Kotono> Helena sips her drink, holding her pug next to Annerose's armor. "I need to get a mug of what that armor-" she begins, "Eh?"
[20:41] <@Kotono> *mug
[20:43] <@Inari> Inari remains seated but watches to see how Erad handles this.
[20:43] * @Annerose is all too happy to share her shield for such simple pleasures in life, although Erad's words make her decidedly less happy. "T?" she voices. "You're the expert."
[20:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Stealth check, Erad.
[20:44] <@Kotono> T frowns at this, holding a finger to his lips. "Shhhhhh," he murmurs quietly, rising with nary a sound. He points to the other side, going the long ways around.
[20:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7
[20:45] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{24}
[20:45] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+18 stealth T
[20:45] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 stealth T --> [ 1d20=17 ]{35}
[20:46] <@Kotono> Thus Erad creeps around. He can hear nary a sound from T as he goes longways. Peeking into the back of the wagon, Erad sees nothing - but right now, Helena's backpack is being riffled through by an unseen force. Slowly and carefully, making almost no noise at all. As he sees this, T comes 'round and peeks as well, frowning silently.
[20:49] <@Erad> Erad opens his mouth, then shuts it. He decides to try something, realizing he doesn't have a lot of time. OOC: About how far away is he from the actual back of the wagon?
[20:50] <@Kotono> OOC: You're right at it. The force is 5ft into the wagon, riffling through Helena's backpack.
[20:51] <@Erad> Erad decides to see if there's an easy way out of this -- so he tries to detect evil. If whatever this is shows up, then he can find it, even if it is invisible!
[20:54] <@Kotono> There's is indeed evil. As you detect this, an old steel ladle, decorated with engraved leaves, is taken out, examined and put back.
[20:56] <@Erad> Erad looks over at T and then simply holds a fist up and points into the wagon.
[20:57] <@Kotono> T gestures towards it and nods, his own fist out. He holds up three fingers, then two, then one...OOC: Go ahead, Erad, assuming he's reading your intent right.
[20:58] <@Erad> Erad will go into the wagon to try and lay out the offending evil thief! OOC: He's going for non-lethal damage
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Make an attack roll, see if you hit first of all.
[20:59] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[20:59] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{11}
[21:00] <@Kotono> OOC: That's no joy.
[21:00] <@Kotono> At the same time T comes in, trying the same with a slightly awkward chop.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (-4 non prof, +3 inspiration 5/6 left, will also spend 1 more for +3 inc ase he hits)
[21:01] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 (-4 non prof, +3 inspiration 5/6 left, will also spend 1 more for +3 inc ase he hits) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{15}
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d3+2
[21:01] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d3+2 --> [ 1d3=3 ]{5}
[21:02] <@Kotono> Erad swings and hits only air. T's chop hits - a loud, high pitched yelp, first from the unseen creature and then from T. "FUCK! It's like hitting iron!" he says in consternation, as...OOC: Init here. The jig is up, as they say. Go ahead and roll as well everyone else, since noise is being made.

[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:02] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 T --> [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
[21:02] <@Erad> roll 1d20+1
[21:02] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{13}
[21:02] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[21:02] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+5+5 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[21:02] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 Helena --> [ 1d20=7 ]{11}
[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 ???
[21:02] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 ??? --> [ 1d20=3 ]{12}
[21:03] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[21:03] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{20}
[21:03] * Kotono changes topic to 'T(25)>Inari(20)>Annerose(14)>Erad(13)>???(12)>Helena(11)'
[21:03] <@Kotono> "Aaaagh!" Waving his hand, "I think I broke my fucking hand!" T swears loudly, "You little..." He reaches out, trying to grab the unseen creature.
[21:04] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (+3 inspiration 3/6 left) grappling
[21:04] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 (+3 inspiration 3/6 left) grappling --> [ 1d20=1 ]{9}
[21:04] <@Kotono> But T just blindly reaches at the air, grabbing nothing at all. OOC: Inari.
[21:04] <@Kotono> "Ah!" The high pitched voice says, "You're dead!"
[21:05] <@Erad> "Invisible thief!" Erad calls out to warn the others!
[21:07] <@Inari> "Don't even think of running," Inari warns as she performs an illusion, ringing the area around the wagon and their resting spot by about ten feet with a wall of roaring flame the same blue-purple colour as her foxfire, the temperature within the area seeming to soar in warning for any that get too close to the flames!
[21:08] <@Inari> OOC: major image for that
[21:09] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Annerose.
[21:10] <@Kotono> Flames appear and dance, spreading phantasmal warmth all around. T glances back, "Shit!" he mutters, still waving his hand and rubbing it.
[21:11] * @Annerose flinches away from the fire even as she joins T, and waits for the creature to give any hints of its position before she tries to dispel that invisibility.
[21:11] <@Annerose> OOC: reserving the dispel
[21:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Erad, go.
[21:13] <@Erad> Erad attempts to try and strike the creature with a flurry of nonlethal blows to try and knock them out entirely! OOC: Can a smite be used on a nonlethal attack?
[21:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Yes, it doesn't specify.
[21:15] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8+5 Smite here
[21:15] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+8+5 Smite here --> [ 1d20=16 ]{29}
[21:15] <@Erad> roll 1d20+3
[21:15] <@Erad> roll 1d20+3
[21:15] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{6}
[21:15] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{14}
[21:16] <@Kotono> OOC: Two hits, d100 on both due to invisibility.
[21:17] <@Erad> roll 1d100
[21:17] <@Erad> roll 1d100
[21:17] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=15 ]{15}
[21:17] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=4 ]{4}
[21:17] <@Kotono> OOC: No joy. Brutal.
[21:19] <@Kotono> Erad swings and swings and swings, but each one hits empty air. There's a whirl of air then a yelp, "Fire! Aaaah!" Suddenly there's a gust of cold wind, lumps of ice falling at the illusory foxfire - but as expected, the illusion isn't impacted by it at all. OOC: Helena.
[21:19] <@Kotono> Helena comes around, shield at the ready for now. OOC: She can't really do much. T's up.
[21:19] * @Annerose directs her dispel at the cry of 'Fire!'
[21:19] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+6
[21:19] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{16}
[21:20] <@Kotono> The cold spell is countered before it even begins, fizzling out. As this happens, T speaks up and Helena positions.
[21:22] <@Kotono> As T continues to massage his hands, "Don't like it? The lower the spell and surrender, or we'll throw all the fire we have at you!"
[21:20] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 bluff (+2 from Annerose's dispel)
[21:20] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 bluff (+2 from Annerose's dispel) --> [ 1d20=17 ]{30}

[21:24] <@Kotono> The creature before you appears - huddled in the back of the wagon. It is perhaps a foot and a half tall, a winged humanoid with elf ears, light blue hair and eyes. It wears a loose fitting blue robe and its blue eyes are wide, staring at the supernatural fire. OOC: K:N, anyone who has ranks.
[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 T
[21:25] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 T --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Helena
[21:25] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 Helena --> [ 1d20=12 ]{21}
[21:26] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[21:26] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{27}
[21:29] <@Kotono> It's a pixie, easy enough for Inari to tell. Based on the eye and hair color, as well as the reaction to fire, it's almost certainly allied with winter. Hence it serves the Unseelie Court. The tricks and pranks of such a pixie would likely have a painful or even deadly edge. That it has some power over ice suggests official affliation with the Unseelie.
[21:29] <@Kotono> "It's tiny!" Helena says as she watches it, "Like a toddler."
[21:29] <@Annerose> "And already a thief!"
[21:30] <@Inari> Inari doesn't much care for any of the courts of the fey except to recognise that the Unseelie are dicks. "They learn so young," she shakes her head in mock sadness, going to sit at the edge of the wagon. "Or maybe not so young... looks can be deceiving with pixies."
[21:30] <@Erad> "One of Auril's?" Erad asks to Inari. "I'm clueless when it comes to this sort of thing."
[21:31] <@Kotono> T rubs his chin, "Might be. Auril rules the Unseelie anyway," His eyes turn to the pixie, "Chose the wrong wagon to rob, didn't you?"
[21:31] <@Inari> "Not necessarily," Inari shakes her head. "Could be like Annerose," she nods towards the snowmaiden, "If less morally upright."
[21:32] <@Kotono> The pixie creeps back, back and wings against the wall. "Let me out!"
[21:33] <@Annerose> "What were you looking for?" Annerose asks curiously.
[21:35] <@Kotono> "Yeah, why were you rooting around back here?" Helena asks, glaring at it.
[21:36] <@Erad> Erad folds his arms. "I'm not sure why what a thief was looking for makes much of a difference."
[21:36] <@Kotono> Under the glare of firelight and the gazes of all, the pixie finally says, "I was hired to find you," She turns to Helena, "Your husband wants compensation for what you stole and compensation from the thieves who abducted his wife."
[21:37] <@Inari> "How much is he looking for in terms of compensation?" Inari asks.
[21:37] <@Annerose> "The last part is a misunderstanding!" Annerose feels it important to point out.
[21:38] <@Inari> She also lets the illusory fire drop to make things less tense for their pixie bounty hunter.
[21:38] <@Kotono> "You're a hunter?" Helena stops and stares, "Something like you?"
[21:38] <@Erad> Erad looks taken aback by that comment. He looks at the rest of the party. "They send things like this to collect debts?"
[21:39] <@Kotono> This gets T to shrug, "Pixies are magic and can be invisible at will, plus they can fly. They make great trackers, or so I've heard. But it is strange...your husband just owns an inn, right?"
[21:39] <@Annerose> "If our little friend here is a thing," Annerose muses, tapping her lips thoughtfully, "then what am I? Or Inari?"
[21:40] <@Inari> "Everyone needs to eat, even if most fey just live off the land. Some of us do have a taste for finer things, though," Inari admits.
[21:40] <@Erad> Erad's expression sours. "Not a thief, for one."
[21:41] <@Inari> "Oh don't you start, too," Inari complains, deciding to focus fully on the pixie. "Anyway, compensation, how much?"
[21:42] <@Annerose> "Yes, setting aside the terrible chain of stealing from thieves-- come to think of it, T's right. A simple innkeep wouldn't be able to send fey bountyhunters, nor would he bother. But if he stole those ill-gotten gains! Oh, what a deep chain of theft this might be!"
[21:42] <@Erad> Too? Erad shakes his head. "It sounds like you all had an exciting time before I met you."
[21:43] <@Inari> "Why not. What are your rates anyway?" she adds another question for the mysterious bounty hunter pixie.
[21:43] <@Annerose> "Yes! Tell us more! Tell us everything, little bounty hunter~"
[21:47] <@Kotono> Under gaze by all, the pixie sighs and whimpers. "F-fine!" it says, "I like wealth and the finer things. The humans here are good for that much, and some things are easier to buy than steal. Your husband contacted me through my human servant. He is a powerful human and the others who know him as he truly is fear him."
[21:48] <@Annerose> "So what does he want back, exactly? And just who is he?"
[21:48] <@Kotono> "Great." T pauses to pinch the bridge of his nose, "So you ran off from and stole from someone with that much swing. What is he, a secret Umberlant or one of Auril's children? Another cult? A gang leader? A hidden wizard A pirate in disguise?"
[21:48] <@Inari> "Of course, I'm sure he's a very powerful specimen of a human," Inari nods sagely.
[21:52] <@Kotono> "He wants compensation. He'd prefer her back," Helena gets a wary look, "But I'm just for the compensation. Get that first and a location, then let big humans drag her back. His name is Keeland. I don't know or care why he's powerful, only that other humans thing so and fear him."
[21:52] <@Kotono> Helena blink-blinks at that, "Keeland?" she says in a slightly lost voice, "You think my husband's name is Keeland?"
[21:53] <@Inari> "No, that's the name of her servant that your husband contacted, right?"
[21:53] <@Kotono> T just quietly sighs again, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose.
[21:53] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11 who?
[21:53] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+11 who? --> [ 1d20=7 ]{18}
[21:53] <@Kotono> Name doesn't ring a bell for Annerose.
[21:53] <@Inari> *the servant, since gender hasn't been specified
[21:54] <@Annerose> He probably isn't very important, so Annerose puts it out of her mind. "Wait a moment. First thing's first. Did Helena's husband actually want anything of material value or any sort of possession returned? And if so, what?"
[21:54] <@Erad> Erad keeps his arms folded, letting the ladies handle this since they already seem to have dealt with the situation.
[21:56] <@Kotono> "My servant is powerful." The pixie retorts, "He wanted anything worth sufficient value."
[21:57] <@Annerose> "Oh! So it's all a huge trade. You're stealing for your partner who agreed to find Helena for her husband, not to mention stealing a bit for yourself because you like the finer things. Is that about it?"
[22:01] <@Kotono> "Yeah," The pixie finally replies, "Now let me out of here!"
[22:01] <@Annerose> "Denied~"
[22:03] <@Inari> "Well lets not be hasty, I could give our little friend five hundred gold and they can go back and tell everyone that Helena's dead, maybe you looted her corpse or whatever story you want to come up with?" Inari offers to the pixie. "Say she got eaten by zombies - did you see all of them down the road on your way up here, by the way? That was a hectic night."
[22:04] <@Annerose> "Traveling is so dangerous these days...."
[22:04] <@Kotono> A short nod by that, "I did. Everyone else stayed away from the rotting flesh." The pixie's face twists into disgust.
[22:05] <@Kotono> "Hmm..." T's humming ot himself now, looking down instead of at the pixie or anyone else. He idly hums an off-key little tune, seemingly lost in something.
[22:06] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 sense motive, is T trying to convey a secret message or is he just spacing out?
[22:06] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+13 sense motive, is T trying to convey a secret message or is he just spacing out? --> [ 1d20=5 ]{18}
[22:07] <@Erad> "I don't have any say in this, but do you really trust this pixie to deliver that message?" Erad asks.
[22:08] <@Kotono> Inari can tell T's lost in his thought.s He's turning over something in his head.
[22:08] <@Annerose> "He does seem a little shady," Annerose muses, glancing over at Helena.
[22:09] <@Kotono> "Yeah, good point," Helena scowls, "What if she takes the money and lies afterwards? ...say," she glances at the pixie, "Are you a boy or a girl, anyway? That robe hides everything."
[22:09] <@Inari> "Well, why not? It's not like it costs anything, right?" Inari turns that question right over to the pixie. "You can leave here empty handed with a sorry tale of failure so that someone else can get the job, or you can leave her with money and we don't get bothered. That sounds like a win win solution to me."
[22:12] <@Kotono> "I'll take the money," the pixie says immediately, just glaring daggers at Helena, "I'm a girl, you-" She cuts herself off, stopping. "I'll take the money."
[22:13] <@Erad> "I mean, we'll all know who decided to lie, if we ever see anyone coming after her again." Erad says. "So we'll know who betrayed the good intentions of Inari, here."
[22:14] <@Inari> "There, there, some of us just take some time to grow into our figure," Inari says placatingly to the pixie, reaching over to grab her bag and starting to count out coinage.
[22:14] * @Annerose snaps her fingers. "Ah, I see! I thought you were a boy as well, perhaps you should do something with your hair?"
[22:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Post the expense in loot.
[22:15] <@Inari> OOC: done
[22:15] <@Kotono> The pixie gives Annerose a withering glare, just flying over and taking the money.
[22:15] <@Kotono> T looks at this, "Shield girl, why'd you leave your husband again? I missed most of that two copper drama."
[22:15] <@Erad> "I'd suggest giving up the stealing thing, too." Erad says. "The next people you meet might not be so kind."
[22:16] <@Kotono> "Don't call me that!" Helena whirls on him, "My name is HELENA!"
[22:16] <@Kotono> "Hmph," Annerose gets an unkind look, "Rich, coming from one of our court."
[22:18] <@Kotono> "Just tell me. The short version is fine." T returns that, "Before this turns into a fairy catfight and I lose my train of thought."
[22:19] <@Erad> "I'm curious, too." Erad says. "Especially if your husband can hire invisible stalkers."
[22:19] <@Annerose> "I didn't say anything," Annerose responds with a shrug. "Really, the next dozen people are unlikely to catch you. More to the point, why not focus on the legitimate part of your skills? You're a pretty good tracker, or lucky, I suppose. Which is a skill as well! How do I find you if I need someone tracked down?"
[22:22] <@Kotono> The coins are put away into the pixie's robe. Despite the size, they all fit in without the slightest sign that they're there. Meanwhile, the pixie blinks for a moment, "Ask around for Blancbloom at the Taver's Inn in Warmfolk."
[22:22] <@Kotono> "...he smelled of other woman and did not respect our bonds of matrimony," Helena finally says, looking away. "He wanted a loyal wife who minded the inn and nothing else, while he did whatever he wanted. Or whomever."
[22:23] <@Annerose> "Okay then!"
[22:23] <@Kotono> "A common enough failing," T murmurs, "He should've worn his own cologne and freshed up before coming home. Still..." T starts tos mile, chuckling to himself.
[22:24] <@Kotono> "Now can I go?" The pixie asks.
[22:24] <@Erad> "Well, apparently he's into the sorts of things that allow him to afford trackers to find you." Erad says. "Did you take something important? Because I don't actually see the 'why' in all of this."
[22:24] <@Inari> "Have a safe trip back, Blancbloom!" Inari bids the pixie farewell without protest.
[22:25] <@Kotono> Woosh! The pixie's off like that, unseen once she's a little ways away from the wagon.
[22:25] <@Annerose> "Just because he's a lecher doesn't mean he couldn't love Helena," Annerose points out, waving at the pixie. "If that fails, there's always pride."
[22:28] <@Kotono> "Pride would fit, or a few other things. Now I see a few ways this could play out." T goes to sit in the wagon, "First of all, he's in with some petty crime lord. Maybe his women are whores of that lord's, or maybe they're his own handiwork. That's my best guess but not the only one. I doubt it's the U and A duo, neither of them really encourage that behavior, even if they've been thick on the
[22:28] <@Kotono> ground around us lately. But there is one group tied to this sort of thing. Sort of a secret society of the senses. Common word has them as demon worshipers with supernaturally beautiful women serving them. Could be that. Haven't heard of them in Warmfolk, but they move in high circles. Not so much the slums and the poor parts of town. All that aside, who knows? Maybe he did like Helena or even
[22:28] <@Kotono> love her." A shrug follows.
[22:30] <@Inari> "Maybe we should have spent more time in Warmfolk if that sort of thing's the norm," Inari says, though certainly they'll have reason to return sooner or later.
[22:30] <@Annerose> "If it didn't bring up an uncomfortable subject for you, Helena," Annerose muses, "this whole episode would've been pretty funny."
[22:31] <@Kotono> "We could always go back, poke our noses around," T says, "But we'd have to disguise Helena and have her lay low." T remarks, "Well shield girl, it is rather funny. By the way, did you two consummate the relationship? If you didn't, you'd have the grounds to get an annullment from the offices of the Dynast."
[22:33] <@Kotono> T gets a venomous look, Helena's eyes narrowed, "That's not an option," she says. "Erad, I think he's just jealous and angry I took things. This should put an end to it."
[22:34] <@Erad> Erad nods to Helena. "It's your choice."

Corwin · July 05, 2015, 02:31:47 PM

[20:03] <@Kotono> By the end of the day, the party is sweaty, tired and faint-headed. Reaching a roadside inn an hour before sunset is just wonderful, as is going inside and getting a meal. T pays for it all as the party sits down in the inn's common room. It's full of traders and travelers, a buzz of conversation. The meal is a few roast chickens to share, greens, roast carrots, bread and gravy. A fine way to
[20:03] <@Kotono> relax after this day...OOC: Go ahead and set all of yourselves up, we'll start from there.
[20:05] * @Annerose must be an anomaly around all the sweaty people, although her penguin looks a bit worse for wear, even with her shield keeping him chilled so she leaves them both in the room before head down into the common room.
[20:05] <@Kotono> T kicks back, alternating between gnawing on a drumstick and fanning himself with some folded up papers. "It's days like this that makes me thing Auril's onto something."
[20:05] <@Annerose> "Don't make me hit you," she says immediately, taking her seat next to T.
[20:05] <@Kotono> Helena ate quickly and now rests her head on the table, her plate pushed aside. "Any chance you can do that quietly?" she murmurs.
[20:06] <@Inari> Inari grabs a seat by the window so she can take advantage of what little breeze there is, eating a shredded drumstick along with some gravy and vegetables atop a crusty slice of bread. "I remember the weather being more sedate inland," she says.
[20:06] <@Kotono> "Yeah, yeah." T turns and fans Annerose a few moments, before going back to himself. "Better?"
[20:06] <@Erad> "Not amusing." Erad agrees. He's glad he doesn't wear a lot of heavy armor, at the very least... He's snacking on some of the food and considering preparing Endure Elements for situations like this...
[20:07] <@Kotono> "The coasts are the worst for this. You get the head inland with more wetness and stickiness." Helena groans, "We're still close enough to the coast to get hit with that."
[20:07] <@Annerose> "I could," Annerose muses. "Magic is brilliant." But she really wouldn't use violence so casually. "Maybe there's a spell to affect weather on a truly massive scale?"
[20:08] <@Inari> "There is," Inari nods. "I used to use it somewhat frequently back when I was... more," she shrugs.
[20:09] <@Annerose> "How large?" Annerose asks curiously. "I know of spells that work over miles, but that's the limit."
[20:09] <@Erad> "I'd think something like that would cause unwanted attention." Erad says. "Although I guess it might be wanted, depending on who was to show up..."
[20:10] <@Inari> "Oh, you might be right," she admits. "No, even back then I had nothing that could affect a country."
[20:10] <@Kotono> As the party talks, the door to the inn is thrown open. A man in armor and heavy cloak stumbles in. He's bloodstained all over, face a rictus of grinning agony. He reaches out, bracing against the door before he screams, "Beware the Smith's Lake!"
[20:11] <@Annerose> Turning to Erad, Annerose says, "If you're on the cusp of being able to affect the whole--" And then she just stops and stares at the bloody man.
[20:11] <@Kotono> "It's still a nice thought since-" T begins before turning, the inn room going silent. He stares as well.
[20:11] <@Inari> "Oh my!" Inari sets her food down and rushes to the man, casting a healing spell. "Come sit down sir," she urges.
[20:11] <@Inari> OOC: lesser vigor on questgiver
[20:13] * @Annerose is a step behind Inari, although she can only sadly use her magic to clean him of all that blood.
[20:14] <@Kotono> As silence drapes the inn room, the man laughs. It's a choking, wheezing sort of laugh. The healing spell goes through him, the man gasping and collapsing to the floor.
[20:15] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11+5 what's Smith's Lake? K:L
[20:15] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+11+5 what's Smith's Lake? K:L --> [ 1d20=1 ]{17}
[20:16] <@Inari> That laugh was ominous... worried he might have snapped or been hit by some horrible enchantment, Inari casts heart's ease on him while leveraging him into a chair.
[20:16] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+14 (+6 inspiration 5/6 encounter) T
[20:16] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 (+6 inspiration 5/6 encounter) T --> [ 1d20=2 ]{16}
[20:16] <@Inari> OOC: cures some wis damage, insanity, fear, despiar, psychological effects of torture, confusion, basically any mental ailment that isn't charm or dominate
[20:16] <@Kotono> Doesn't ring a bell for Annerose. She's never heard of anything like it. Which makes sense, since she recalls the nearest local lake is known as Lake Cirrus. There's no other lakes nearby.
[20:16] <@Inari> OOC: also leaves target feeling refreshed and at peace
[20:17] <@Annerose> "Don't worry," she tells the man with a reassuring smile. "You're pretty far from any Smith and his lake!"
[20:17] <@Kotono> At casting heart's ease, the man goes still. Murmurs spread throughout the tavern as the whole party is watched. The man's eyes clear, becoming a pale blue. "Eh?"
[20:17] <@Erad> Erad steps over to investigate the man's injuries, just to be on the safe side. He might've gotten hit with something worse than is obvious.
[20:18] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 heal check
[20:18] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+11 heal check --> [ 1d20=6 ]{17}
[20:18] <@Kotono> The man's fairly wounded. Lots of cuts and scrapes by blades. But not combat blades - little wounds, like he's been tortured or played with, or through a great number of small knicks and knives.
[20:19] <@Annerose> "Yes! The only lake near is Lake Cirrus, so you are now perfectly safe!"
[20:20] <@Erad> Erad's brow furrows with a frown. "Were you tortured, sir?"
[20:20] <@Kotono> "Y'know," T says, "How about we move this upstairs, somewhere private, like our rooms? Before we become the latest bit of bard gossip in these parts?"
[20:20] <@Kotono> Helena stays back from the entire spectacle for now, just watching.
[20:22] <@Inari> "It sounds like he has a warning for everyone," Inari says, not wanting anyone to end up with the same fate. "What happened to you?" she asks, keeping a hand on the man's shoulder.
[20:24] <@Kotono> "Where is this?" He asks. He has a slight accent, rolling his Rs a speaking a touch slower than the norm. "The bloodhouse. We found a bloodhouse," he says, calmly sitting up. "Two floors but there was a third. We didn't dare go up it after the first two. There's something there, we found the signs and clues. The whispers of ethereal. Something that wasn't hungry, but liked it for entertainment.
[20:24] <@Kotono> I don't know how to say it. The words won't come right. It's beyond my words. It's only the slip-holes that freed me."
[20:25] <@Inari> "Where was this bloodhouse?"
[20:27] <@Annerose> "We're north of Warmfolk," Annerose tells him in the meantime. "Less than a week's travel by wagon."
[20:27] <@Kotono> "South of Kryguros. There's caves there, leading to it. We thought it would have treasure and we'd follow the signs. But then...it's like describing something without words. There aren't words for it. It's a butchery, an abba-" He stops at that, "W-warmfolk? I'm in Malana?"
[20:29] <@Annerose> "You're quite the way from home," Annerose notes quite needlessly. "Oh, and no wonder I didn't realize where that lake was!"
[20:29] <@Inari> "Do you think this could be the same place we saw mentioned under the sea?" Inari asks Annerose, before refocusing on the man. He probably won't know which way he went given the mental distress he was under, but she could follow his tracks. "Do you have any money?"
[20:30] * @Annerose winces. "The abbatoir? Maybe."
[20:30] <@Kotono> Now that the man is clean and calm, you can get a better look at him. He wears a breastplate, greaves and arm guards. His dark blue cloak is torn but now clean. He wears dark blue clothes as well, framing a head of coal-black hair. He checks himself, pulling out a pouch. "Yes. Abbatoir. A name for a butcher's shop. It's a fitting name for it."
[20:31] <@Annerose> "Well, might as well ask. Did it have anything to do with dragons? Tiamat? Given teleportation in play, how about any signs of teleportation circles within?"
[20:32] <@Inari> "Good," Inari nods. "You should stay here while we investigate where you came from," she says. "Maybe we'll find a way back home for you, too."
[20:33] <@Kotono> "No, nothing like that," The man finally says. "Nothing about dragons at all."
[20:33] <@Erad> Erad frowns at Inari and Annerose but then seems to lighten a bit at the man's response.
[20:35] <@Annerose> "How about just recovering over some dinner and drinks?" Annerose suggests. "We'll take a quick look outside."
[20:36] <@Kotono> The man rises and nods, standing and going to the table. Meanwhile, T slides up to the others and murmurs, "You know, this is either a damned fishy coincidence or a name-alike."
[20:36] <@Inari> True, with all the blood it should be an easy trail to follow. "Oh, what was your name?" she asks. "I'm Inari."
[20:37] <@Kotono> "David," The man replies, sitting heavily down on the chair. "David of House Pine."
[20:40] <@Inari> "So, what about these slip-holes you mentioned? Or anything else inside this place we should know about if we're to investigate?"
[20:44] <@Kotono> Helena just watches this, rising now and stepping away. After a moment, she grabs some more chicken and munches on it.
[20:45] <@Kotono> "They're holes. They go places. The bloodhouse is full of them. There might be more higher up." David replies, calm despite it all. "
[20:45] <@Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[20:45] <@Kotono> "They're holes. They go places. The bloodhouse is full of them. There might be more higher up." David replies, calm despite it all. "Like gaps. Hender called them unstable portals."
[20:46] <@Inari> "Your friends, did they escape with different holes or could they still be inside?" Helena has the right idea, so Inari grabs her open-face sandwich to finish it off while they talk.
[20:47] <@Kotono> T looks at them, sighs a little and grabs some bread. He starts to eat as David replies, "They're gone. Dead. There's knives there. They're not hungry, but they keep cutting. It was a show. A spectacle."
[20:48] <@Erad> Erad just stays quiet for now, his appetite quite gone.
[20:48] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Helena
[20:48] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 Helena --> [ 1d20=15 ]{24}
[20:50] <@Kotono> Helena narrows her eyes, "Portals...madness? That sounds like the Abyss," she murmurs.
[20:51] <@Inari> "It certainly sounds awful," Inari says after swallowing the last of her sandwich and standing up. "Help yourself to the food, David. We'll take a quick look outside."
[20:51] * @Annerose glances over at Helena, nodding to herself. David would be safe with her, and so she heads out to follow the blood trail while looking out for any magical signatures.
[20:53] <@Inari> Inari takes keeps an eye and a nose out for blood trails!
[20:53] <@Erad> Erad will follow the others and simply look with his eyes! He can see in the darkness, at least, so that might help.
[20:54] <@Kotono> "Yeah, keep him company, shield girl," T says, picking up his pace and following Annerose and the others. OOC: Okay, so all of you minus Helena. One of you make a survival check to track.
[20:56] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10
[20:56] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
[20:58] <@Kotono> OOC: Anyone going ot aid?
[20:58] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 T will try
[20:58] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 T will try --> [ 1d20=15 ]{16}
[21:00] <@Erad> OOC: I don't have survival
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2
[21:00] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{4}
[21:01] <@Inari> OOC: if only we'd brought Helena
[21:02] <@Kotono> It's harder than you'd think to track bloodstains. That or Inari is having a terrible day, since the trail dies off after about a quarter of a mile. It goes off road quickly, but Inari loses it.
[21:02] * @Annerose checks for signs of magic!
[21:05] <@Inari> "Give me a moment, I might be able to find it again if I range around a little," Inari says, dropping to the ground and changing to her three-tailed fox form so she has a closer view to the ground and any red stains or metallic smells as she circles out from where she lost the trail.
[21:05] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10
[21:05] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{17}
[21:09] <@Kotono> There's no magic around here. It's an unremarkable bit of the plains just past sunset - nothing interesting at all for magic.
[21:12] <@Inari> Inari pops up out of the tall grass, "This might be a while, so... make yourselves comfortable?" she offers before going fox again and getting back to it.
[21:13] * @Annerose will only hold Inari back like this, and just settles to practice sculpting summoned snow as she waits.
[21:14] <@Kotono> T settles in and watches as Inari tracks. It takes a lot of time, but eventually she gets the trail back. She thinks she can follow it again.
[21:15] <@Inari> "Found it!" she announces, bouncing back up into her humanoid form and walking after the refound trail. "Sorry for the wait, it was a stubborn one."
[21:16] * @Annerose lets a minature three-tailed fox evaporate with a bit of help from the weather, smiling at Inari. "Let's go?"
[21:18] <@Kotono> T falls in step with Erad, "Say," he murmurs, "Do you get a bad feeling about this entire thing?"
[21:19] <@Erad> Erad just nods to T with a frown.
[21:21] <@Kotono> Following the trail isn't hard. It leads further into the plains - where it simply stops. The scent comes to an end in the wide open expanses, despite nothign of note being around.
[21:22] <@Annerose> It might simply be too late by now, but Annerose keeps an eye out for magic all the same.
[21:22] <@Inari> "This is it, I haven't lost it this time," Inari says. "See those lines of blood there? It's like he fell over and picked himself up. I think this is where he arrived."
[21:22] <@Erad> Erad glances around. "...A portal just dropped him off here? Hm... I wonder if it goes both ways..."
[21:25] <@Kotono> There is indeed faint magic. OOC: Spellcraft.
[21:25] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[21:25] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{26}
[21:29] <@Kotono> There's faint conjuration (teleportation) magic. It's starting to come unraveled - it looks like some sort of portal, perhaps temporary.
[21:30] <@Annerose> "Yes, it was definitely here," Annerose agrees. "One way transportation, as far as I can tell."
[21:31] <@Kotono> "Great," T says, "So we know it's here and that it's freakish. It's also down in Krygur, so unless we're going to swing south and poke into their business..." he leaves it hanging.
[21:32] <@Annerose> "Am I the only one thinking that once we've visited the capital we might take a ship out to see that underwater abbotoir?"
[21:33] <@Inari> "Well, it sounds horrible enough to interfere with no matter where it is," Inari says. "And we do have a convenient Dragonborn to give us another try down there..." she looks at Erad.
[21:35] <@Erad> "I think you all would need to explain what exactly you're talking about." Erad says. "Although I'm putting bits and pieces together. Did you all visit a place like this already?"
[21:35] <@Kotono> "Yeah, something like that. Say, 'nari, want to fill Erad in?" T stretches and yawns.
[21:36] <@Annerose> "Oh, please do. I'll try to see if I can't nudge the portal open the other way~"
[21:36] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[21:36] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{16}
[21:37] <@Inari> "It was where Athear died, though not precisely," Inari explains. "We found a teleportation circle under the seabed near Panther's Rock. One of the possible destinations - though we never tried it, was listed as an Abbatoir. After Athear died to the guardians down there we decided to cut our losses and depart."
[21:38] <@Erad> Erad makes a sour face. "Well, I can't say I'm too thrilled to follow in the same footsteps, but if it's a matter of fighting evil, then I will help."
[21:39] <@Annerose> "It sure wasn't an ally of justice that had skeletons and minions of Tiamat guard it," Annerose mutters distractedly.
[21:39] <@Kotono> "We never did get to the bottom of that whole lair," T admits, "After what happened. I still thinkt his is just a coincidence, but maybe...maybe we got the attention of something, and this is trying to lure us somehow...? But no, it's a dead end."
[21:42] <@Erad> "If it's got anything to do with Tiamat, I will help you." Erad says firmly. "But what do we do now? Are we going to continue on to Misty Harbor?"
[21:43] <@Annerose> "Why not? I'm in no hurry to return to that place," Annerose responds, giving up on her attempt. "For now, let's head back to the inn?"
[21:44] <@Inari> "Yes, we've done all we can here," Inari agrees.
[21:47] <@Kotono> The party returns and finds David asleep already. Helena meets them, "He fell asleep after eating. He had that look on his face when you're really tired and trying to stay awake. Plus he's still injured, even after you rmagic."
[21:48] <@Inari> "I'll heal him more tomorrow if he still needs it," Inari says. "There's no going back the way he came, it was a one way trip as far as Annerose can tell."
[21:50] * @Annerose gives a helpless shrug.
[21:50] <@Kotono> T settles onto a bed, flopping back, "You know, I think we've had more than our fair share of strange things lately."
[21:51] <@Inari> "It's a strange world we live in."
[21:53] <@Kotono> "Stranger and stranger. I hope Misty Harbor is a calm place of reason compared to this," T adds in.
[21:54] <@Annerose> "Do you really believe that?" Annerose asks in amusement.
[21:56] <@Kotono> "My hopes live yet," T turns and smiles to Annerose. "Maybe we'll find a swordgirl to go with shield girl, too."
[21:56] <@Kotono> "Now you're just picking a fight!" Helena glowers at T.
[21:57] <@Annerose> "Did I ever tell you that T is short for Tear, and that he doesn't like people using it?"
[22:00] <@Kotono> "Tear? That's a girl's name!" Helena smiles at that, "I have a friend named Tear, even!"
[22:00] <@Kotono> That draws out a scowl and blush from T, "Good for you. It's T."
[22:01] * @Annerose nods in satisfaction at evening out the playing field, and prepares for bed.
[22:01] <@Inari> "That was a nice thing you did just now," Inari compliments Annerose.

Corwin · July 05, 2015, 02:34:47 PM

[20:27] <@Kotono> The party rises with the dawn. Tola 51 starts with a dawn storm, rain rolling in along with thunder and lightning. Another day on the road...OOC: Did you all want to do anything else here or travel onwards? Go ahead and set yourselves up.
[20:27] * @Annerose checks up on David once she wakes up, even if the latter takes some effort.
[20:29] <@Kotono> David's in another room. He's already up, staring off out the window. It's dark in here, the storm blocking the rising sun. Only flashes of lightning illuminate his face, the staticco of rain drowning out everything else. Helena tags along, while T goes downstairs to get breakfast for everyone and all that.
[20:29] <@Annerose> "Good morning!"
[20:30] <@Inari> Inari goes along with Annerose to check up on him. "How are you feeling today, David?"
[20:32] <@Kotono> "Better. Still calm." He turns away from the storm soaking the ground and to the party. "It's like a nightmare I can't quite forget. But that's all it is, a nightmare, even if I know it took my friends from me."
[20:32] <@Erad> Erad meets with the others, rubbing at his shoulder as he does. He nods to David, glad to hear he's doing better.
[20:33] <@Annerose> "Sounds like you're on the right track," Annerose agrees. "Do you know anyone... in Malana, I suppose?"
[20:37] <@Kotono> "Not really," He admits, "A few travelers who hailed from there- or here, rather." But David stands at this, dusting himself off, "But it's not a hard trip. If I make good time, I can be back in Kryguros before the first fall snowstorm."
[20:38] * @Annerose nods slowly, asking him, "How did you ever end up in that place in the first place?"
[20:39] <@Kotono> "We were chasing treasure," He admits, "I was part of the Golden Gryphons, a group that seeks lost treasures. We had a lead that the place had lots of old wealth, but we found the bloodhouse instead. We should have turned away, but we decided to brave it."
[20:40] <@Kotono> "Yeah, if you call something a bloodhouse, it's probably best not to go in there!" Helena pipes up, "Did it look like that from the outside?"
[20:40] <@Annerose> "Yes, where was it? What did you know about it? If it's that heinous and open to the public, I'll need to make a point to visit."
[20:40] <@Inari> "Treasure is a powerful lure," Inari says, not judging the decision.
[20:41] <@Kotono> "Like an ominous old building, two stories, built in a cave. But there's a third floor?" He murmurs, rubbing his eyes. "There's athird place, and a fourth and a fifth. A sixth too, I'm sure of it. It's the place where it keeps going, you see. What you see keeps going and going, it doesn't stop. Ugh." He looks away, "I can't talk rightly about it. Words start to come and I can't stop them."
[20:43] <@Annerose> "It was near a lake, you said?"
[20:43] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7 K:P Helena mentioned the Abyss yesterday, are layers like that at all similar to how the Abyss works, maybe?
[20:43] <Rei-chan> Erad rolled : 1d20+7 K:P Helena mentioned the Abyss yesterday, are layers like that at all similar to how the Abyss works, maybe? --> [ 1d20=9 ]{16}
[20:43] <@Kotono> "South of Kryguros. About two day's ride. It's in a remote cave we had to climb to. It's hardly open to the public, unless you're a good climber or have wings." David frowns now, very slowly. He rubs his face in his hand, "It's not the cave, it's the building. When I try to describe or talk about the bloodhouse, words start to come on their own. Yes, it's near a lake."
[20:43] <@Kotono> Erad knows that the Abyss is chaos personified. With at least 666 layers and ever-mutable environs, pinning it down to one is hard. It could easily be a part of many or any layer of the Abyss based on this.
[20:44] <@Annerose> No need to rush to protect anyone, then. Annerose nods again. "I see. Thank you for telling us, even though it brought such terrible memories." Deciding to switch to a more cheerful topic, she voices, "You're welcomed to join us as we head to the capital, in case you're interested in traveling through Malana before returning home."
[20:46] <@Kotono> "Thank you, but no." He smiles a little bit at that, "You aren't bad for Malanese," He offers his hand out to Annerose, "But I wish to go home. I have friends to bury and accounts to settle." His smile fades right away, "And decide if I'll continue the Golden Gryphons or allow them to fade into the past."
[20:48] <@Inari> "Whatever you decide, I wish you well in your endeavours," Inari says. "We're probably going to stay here for another day, or at least until the storm breaks, so you're welcome to join us for breakfast at least."
[20:48] * @Annerose pulls on her glove a bit self-consciously, but then shakes his hand with a smile.
[20:48] <@Erad> Erad frowns about something, still rubbing at his shoulder. He excuses himself briefly to try and take a slightly closer look at, since it's still bothering him. OOC: Is a Heal check sufficient to try and verify what it is?
[20:49] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure, Erad.
[20:49] <@Kotono> OOC: Roll one.
[20:49] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Erad rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{13}
[20:51] <@Kotono> "Thank you, I will," He smiles a little at that, as the party goes downstairs. T's down there - toast with jam and butter goes with fried eggs. The inn's common room is full, people watching the storm rage from the windows. Meanwhile, Erad checks the wound over. It isn't healing - a nugget of corruption, something that's resisting the body's natural inclination to recover. Little bits of disturbed,
[20:51] <@Kotono> warped flesh. OOC: Make an K:R check as a followup, may be relevant.
[20:51] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11
[20:51] <Rei-chan> Erad rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
[20:55] <@Kotono> Erad can tell it is a vile wound. Religious studies tell him it can only be healed at a sanctified altar, as they are the result of contact with powerful evil. OOC: Anything else on this, Erad?
[20:56] <@Erad> OOC: Not for now.
[20:59] <@Annerose> OOC: Moving on?
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure. What's your plan? Move on once the storms pass?
[20:59] <@Annerose> OOC: Yep
[20:59] <@Kotono> By mid-morning the storms have passed. Another hot, wet day looms as the party makes progress. (More)
[21:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:00] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=78 ]{78}
[21:02] <@Kotono> But the roads are quiet this day. Tola 52 brings yet more summer as you travel further north. About an hour or two before noon, the party comes across a single wagon on the side of the road. It's set up, a small camp there. An old wooden stool is right beside the road, a bearded old man sitting on it. He wears a red hat, blue tunic and pants, joined by a purple overcoat. He waves as the party's
[21:02] <@Kotono> wagon passes, "Hello there, travelers fair and true!" He has a thick accent you can't place offhand. "True and honest treasure maps for sale here, stop and find the path to riches!"
[21:03] <@Kotono> T glances over, "Really? Let me guess, you're too old and infirm to do it yourself, so you'll pass them along to us at a completely fair and true price?"
[21:04] <@Kotono> Helena peeks out of the wagon, "Really?" she asks, "Treasure maps?"
[21:04] * @Annerose peers out, after casting Detect Magic to quietly look over the innocuous wagon and the lone man beside it.
[21:05] <@Inari> They did just get a firm lesson on the perils of greed, but Inari indulges her friends' habits until it really gets dangerous.
[21:05] <@Kotono> The man's clothes radiate magic, as his gaze swings to Annerose. His smile doesn't break in the slightest, but his eyes are right on hers. OOC: Spellcraft.
[21:06] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[21:06] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{14}
[21:06] <@Kotono> There's magic, but Annerose can't decipher it.
[21:07] * @Annerose tilts her head curiously.
[21:08] <@Erad> "You can guarantee these maps?" Erad asks, searching for some sort of deception in either the man's voice or his actions. OOC: Trying to sense his motives here
[21:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11
[21:08] <Rei-chan> Erad rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{15}
[21:09] <@Kotono> The man's smile is impossible for Erad to read. "Of course I can," he says, getting up, "Come over to my wagon and I'll show you them."
[21:10] <@Inari> They might get a fun story out of it, so Inari walks over to have a listen.
[21:10] <@Kotono> "Here we go," T mutters, coming up to the wagon and whispering, "This has to be a scam. Get some travelers thinking with their coinbags instead of their brains, make easy money and vanish."
[21:11] <@Annerose> "Why is a wizard selling treasure maps on the side of the road?" Annerose decides to ask.
[21:13] <@Kotono> Inari heads on over, the man gesturing for the others to follow as he gets up, "Oh, this and that, this and that," he says, "But I wouldn't claim to be a wizard. Just a student of arcane ways and means."
[21:14] <@Inari> "And these arcane means furnished you with all these treasure maps?" Inari asks.
[21:14] <@Erad> Erad decides to follow along for now. There's no harm in that, at least.
[21:14] * @Annerose is genuinely more interested in the wizard than the maps, though luckily they are in the same place!
[21:18] <@Kotono> Helena trots along, while T follows to bring up the rear.
[21:19] <@Kotono> "Oh yes, maps and more maps, "He says, going to the wagon. He takes out a collection of scroll cases, "Each one guaranteed to find you treasure."
[21:20] <@Inari> "What kind of treasure?" Inari asks, playing along.
[21:21] <@Erad> Erad looks to be about to ask something, but glances at Inari and stays quiet.
[21:21] <@Kotono> "Depends on the map, but," He pauses to stroke his beard, "Great treasures big and varied! One time there was a lost dragon's hoard! Another it was the treasures of a long forgotten transmuter. A third time was a forgotten temple to Helm."
[21:22] <@Annerose> "Is there themed treasure?" Annerose follows up on the question, getting in character. "Like a snow queen's treasure?"
[21:23] <@Kotono> "Why yes, of course," He smiles, picking one in particular, "This one comes with a special spell scroll related to Auril, for it leads to one of her forgotten temples and tombs. Here her clergy rests, left with treasure and magic worthy of a king!" He grins now, "A mere 500 gold, including the spell scroll."
[21:24] <@Kotono> "Ooooh," Helena leans in, "Can we see it? Auril's made our life difficult lately, or at least-ooof!" Helena stops as T leans in and elbows her side.
[21:25] <@Annerose> "Spell scroll? What sort of spell is it?"
[21:25] <@Kotono> "A cold spell," He smiles, "Made by a mad wizard who followed Auril in ages past. The spell's rather unique, rather than the standard incantations taught."
[21:27] <@Kotono> As Helena turns on T, he just shakes his head and leans in, whispering something to her.
[21:27] <@Annerose> "May I take a look at it?"
[21:27] <@Kotono> "If you buy it, of course you can!" The man smiles, holding the scroll case, "It's a third circle spell, so it's a bargain to go along with the map!"
[21:29] <@Annerose> "Very well. Please wait a few moments." She returns to their wagon for the money.
[21:30] <@Kotono> OOC: Post the expense.
[21:30] <@Erad> Erad shakes his head. "I might as well ask, then, do you have one for something for followers of Bahamut?" He doesn't really believe this guy, but...
[21:30] <@Annerose> OOC: done
[21:30] <@Kotono> Money is taken and exchanged, the scroll case handed over. "Thank you! You've bought a valuable map and some rare arcana. A good, homemade spell that's been lost to the ages, just like the treasure on the map!" OOC: Loot post.
[21:31] <@Annerose> "Oh!" Annerose exclaims, after reading through it. "An anti-dragon spell! How devious!"
[21:32] <@Inari> Well with the spell it sounds like Annerose has found a bargain regardless of the map's veracity. It does make Inari think this isn't actually a trick (which is fine too!) but could be legitimate.
[21:33] <@Kotono> "Mainly red and gold dragons," A chuckle comes "Speaking of, let me see......." There's a long pause as he riffles through, "Yes, did you know there were once seers dedicated to Bahamut? They had a monastery in a secluded wood between Lemmen and Misty Harbor. There's a sample spell the enemies of that monastary made - it inhibits divinations for a long while."
[21:36] <@Inari> "You certainly seem to have an assortment tailored well for our group," Inari notes. "Anything for me in there?" she asks with a wide smile.
[21:37] <@Erad> Erad blinks. "Is that so? Hm... Maybe I'll go check it out sometime."
[21:37] <@Annerose> "Ooh! What about the staff? You know the one, you can't be a local without that. Do you have a mysterious map to its resting place?"
[21:37] <@Kotono> "Of course, if you want to find it, the map would be supremely useful," He offers, "Only 350 gold."
[21:38] <@Erad> Well, Annerose seems to not be getting duped, and it's only 350 gold.... He takes a breath. "Very well then, whomever you are. I'll play along."
[21:38] <@Kotono> Meanwhile, Helena and T back away, whispering animatedly to each other. They wave arms or gesture at the party every so often, but keep it down.
[21:39] <@Kotono> OOC: Post the expense in loot.
[21:40] <@Kotono> "Hmmm, hmmmm, hmmmmm...." At Inari's request, he digs through his scrolls. "Just a moment, just a moment. Ah yes, the Fox's Tomb! Legend has it that a powerful fox spirit once protected a village. It fell into ruin, sadly, and it was forgotten. But its great treasures and offerings remain. This one comes with a spell - more plebian, I'm afraid, but fitting. The spell of fox's cunning is only
[21:40] <@Kotono> apt. I can let go of this one for 350 gold as well."
[21:41] * @Annerose waits for Inari to make her decision before pressing the shady merchant about the staff once more.
[21:41] <@Kotono> OOC: Post.
[21:42] <@Inari> "No, I'm pretty sure all of my treasures were stolen," Inari says sadly. "I just found this spear and a few trinkets when I awoke."
[21:43] <@Kotono> The man stops a moment, blink-blinks and then throws his head back. Cackles of laughter follow, "Really? Truly?"
[21:44] <@Inari> She doesn't find it very funny. "I am the Inari that the legends speak of," she confirms anyway.
[21:47] <@Kotono> "Well. Well, well, well. Inari of no court," He grins at this, "Irony makes the best jests. Pleased to meet you, for my scrolls rarely bring their subjects to them."
[21:50] <@Inari> "And you are?"
[21:50] <@Erad> Erad looks at the old man curiously, then looks at Inari. What's going on? He slowly makes his way back to T and Helena.
[21:51] <@Kotono> "Old Mack." He offers with a half-bow, looking anew at Annerose, "Then, perhaps you are a yuki-onna after all?" He asks to her, "And not one of Auril's?"
[21:51] <@Kotono> Erad goes back, the two turning to him. Helena's scowling, turning away from T. T just greets him with a nod, "How goes the hustling?" His question is casual, glancing over at the others.
[21:52] <@Erad> "I'm not really sure, anymore." Erad says. "It seems like the old man's more than an old man and knows Inari or something."
[21:52] <@Annerose> "Yep! But don't worry, I'm pretty sure the map will come useful. I know Aurilites live in the general area, so it's a good opportunity to teach them the errors of their ways! And that said, do you know where the lost staff is?"
[21:53] <@Kotono> "Huh." T shrugs at that, "Could be a fey? They like to play pranks, as the stories go."
[21:53] <@Erad> "Yeah, I guess." Erad says as he turns back to watch the other two. "I wonder if this map really goes anywhere, then."
[21:55] <@Kotono> "That old legend is a wild goose chase," Old Mack replies with a growing smile once more. "The maps....well, they'll lead to something, but no guarantees that they aren't already picked over. Or trapped, or full of things best not poked. Strange that all of you would buy them and the humans did not, though. It's usually the other way around."
[21:56] <@Annerose> "Helena and T are too busy flirting to buy one, I suppose?"
[21:57] * @Annerose pouts, then. "So you think it was destroyed? That's a shame."
[21:57] <@Inari> "I just hoped for a fun story, or to encourage a trickster," Inari admits. "But when your maps were so very well tailored to everyone I got suspicious."
[21:58] * @Annerose nods in agreement as Inari mentions it seemed fun.
[22:00] <@Kotono> "Adaptability and preparation makes a good prank," The old man chortles at this, "Be content with the new arcana you found. Too much is created and forgotten."
[22:00] <@Kotono> "Who knows?" T murmurs, "I doubt it, but at this point?"
[22:00] <@Kotono> "I hope they do," Helena whispers back, "It sounds like fun."
[22:01] <@Annerose> "Actually! Do you have anything that suits either T or Helena?"
[22:01] <@Erad> "Do you have a real map that you know leads to treasure?" Erad asks.
[22:02] <@Inari> "Oh don't be boring, as if he'd tell you up front," Inari huffs. Well technically he did tell them up front, but that was a lie.
[22:04] <@Erad> "I prefer to think of it as being direct." Erad answers. "I mean, I still bought a map, didn't I?"
[22:04] <@Kotono> "There's one special one..." He trails off, going into his wagon and coming back with a scroll. "It's said that the Dynast's palace has basements, fortified with magic. Beneath even the dungeons are places only the royal family can go, where forgotten riches lie. A place none but the royal family can reach...unless..." He presents them ap. "A way in for the boldest thieves there are."
[22:05] <@Kotono> T turns on that, whistling low, "Y'know, you could just throw a fireball at us when we ride off, if you want us dead so bad. Y'know they hang people for poking around in parts of the palace they aren't supposed to, right?"
[22:06] <@Erad> Erad makes a face. "It's one thing to go somewhere and take something long forgotten and no-longer used than to break into some place like that..."
[22:06] <@Annerose> "No, no, this is actually fun! I'll buy it~"
[22:06] <@Inari> "Well even if we don't use it it's still fun to know," Inari says.
[22:06] <@Annerose> "See? Inari gets it!"
[22:06] <@Kotono> "Fortune favors the brave," Old Mack replies right back, grinning. "It's expensive, I warn you. 1,000 gold."
[22:07] <@Annerose> "Oh, not a problem. But it is the only copy, yes?"
[22:07] <@Kotono> "Yes," Old Mack says, "Obtained ages ago from a Scion of the Realm."
[22:07] * @Annerose mutters under her breath, before she beams at him anew. "Be right back with the gold~"
[22:08] <@Erad> "I'm not one for breaking that many laws at once." Erad says. "But I suppose just having it does no harm..."
[22:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Post the expense in loot. Do you even have that much money?
[22:09] <@Annerose> OOC: Yep. Done.
[22:09] <@Kotono> "Yeah, Erad. I like not hanging," T banters back, "Helps keep my neck in place and my lungs working right."
[22:10] * @Annerose hums happily to herself even as she spends most of her money on mysterious and possibly fake maps.
[22:10] <@Kotono> The money is given and the map is passed over. OOC: {ost.
[22:13] <@Erad> Erad will glance at his map to see how far away they currently are from its location, if he can make heads or tails of it from where they are currently, anyway.
[22:15] <@Kotono> Well, it's still several days of travel to Lemmen, then a few days of travel from there, followed by a day or two off the main roads.
[22:18] <@Erad> "I think a map appropriate for T here would be some sort of house filled with treasures, but he'd only be able to take one." Erad muses.
[22:22] <@Kotono> "I'll pass," T shakes his head, "We hav eenough maps anyway."
[22:23] <@Inari> "Well I suppose that's it. Good luck with your next customers Old Mack," Inari says, heading back to the wagon.
[22:25] <@Erad> As the party is walking away, Erad looks to the others. "Was that another fey you think? I never really met any in Ailan, so two in a few days is a big step up for me."
[22:25] <@Inari> "Oh, most definitely."
[22:25] <@Annerose> "Yep."
[22:26] <@Erad> "Huh." Erad shrugs. He does think, are there any deities that they might be following to just be throwing out maps like this?
[22:26] <@Kotono> OOC: K:R.
[22:26] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7
[22:26] <Rei-chan> Erad rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{26}
[22:26] <@Kotono> OOC:That's a pretty good result, I'll fill you in tomorrow. Legit need to do stuff before work. Remind me.
[22:27] <@Erad> OOC: sure.
[20:01] <@Kotono> Erad realizes it could be a few: virtually any ruling fey would sponsor such trickery, such as Titania or Oberon. Any deity with the trickery domain would also suffice, such as Cyric, Mask, Sharess, Gargauth or really any devil. This doesn't narrow it down much. The fey are known for trickery and pranks, but they're hardly the only ones. If the maps are accurate, that could also indicate such
[20:01] <@Kotono> deities as Oghma and other knowledge or geography related deities.

Corwin · July 05, 2015, 02:35:51 PM

[20:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:07] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=44 ]{44}
[20:09] <@Kotono> The next few days are unremarkable. Tola 55 dawns cloudy and cooler, with a refreshing breeze. It's early fall weather, an unseasonably pleasant day. Ahead of you, the road leads into a massive roadside town. It's overgrown and built of local brown stone, the city sprialing away from the center road that passes through it. "Ah, Lemmen. The nicest and most overgrown roadside town ever." T gestures.
[20:10] <@Kotono> "The inns and shops are all on the road," Helena peeks out from the wagon to see, hopping out after she does. "All the houses and residents are further back."
[20:11] <@Inari> "Think we could stop for a few days, see the sights?" Inari asks.
[20:11] <@Erad> "I visited once when I was a child, but never had a chance to come back." Erad says. "Is there anything we want to do here? I'll be honest, I wouldn't mind following this map if we're not in a hurry." He looks over to Inari and nods. "I can sell the items we picked up so far and get back with everyone."
[20:12] <@Annerose> "Warmfolk was the gift that kept giving, so I don't see why not?"
[20:14] <@Kotono> "That's all good," T says, "We sell today and kick back, have a nice meal and get some rest." He leans back and stretches, "Aaaaaah. There's this great place here that makes roast chicken stuffed with cheese and chopped steak. It's amazing."
[20:14] <@Annerose> "Is that a restaurant, or can we just stay there?"
[20:14] <@Inari> "Oh that does sound good!"
[20:15] <@Kotono> "It's a restaurant," T says, as the party heads in. Lemmen is dusty - the road's dust is kicked up by countless caravans and horses. People come and go before the party...OOC: Okay, what's the plan? I assume selling, so someone go tally up loot real quick and do that?
[20:16] <@Erad> OOC: I'll handle it
[20:16] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, cool.
[20:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:17] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=23 ]{23}
[20:18] <@Kotono> The party goes about, selling off treasure and dealing with all of that. As they do, they happen to look down a side street. An old building is down it, an open courtyard dominated by an cobblestone pattern of crossed scimitars. It is empty and silent, grass growing amid the cobbles.
[20:19] <@Annerose> "So anyone got a friend in town they'd like to visit?" Annerose asks curiously.
[20:20] <@Inari> "So, how far is it to this restaurant, T?" Inari asks conversationally, her tails wriggling around in anticipation behind her back.
[20:24] <@Erad> Erad glances down the street, then frowns as he reaches up to scratch at his shoulder. "Actually, ever since I got wounded by that ghost, I've had an injury that hasn't quite healed. I'm going to see if I can find a place to get it taken care of. I can meet you at the restaurant after."
[20:26] <@Inari> "Oh, I'm sorry I don't have anything that can get rid of it. Let us know how you get on."
[20:27] <@Kotono> Helena shakes her head, "Not really, I know caravans, not residents," she speaks up, "Yeah, my arm's still hurting where I got bit. It isn't clearing up," She rubs it slowly, "I'll go with you."
[20:27] <@Kotono> "It's fairly close," T says, "C'mon, I'll take you there."

Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

News:

020. Athear dies.

Corwin

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