071. Onwards to the Kabath front.

[Corwin]

[19:57] > With the name of Torch Bearers chosen, the party continues onward...(More coming)
[19:57] > In this rain, the party soon reaches duskfall. No sign of immediate reinforcements, only a chance to camp and rest if the party desires. T speaks up at this point, "We really should take some precautions, like last night."
[19:57] <Inari> "Not to worry, I can manage an illusion of that complexity every day," Inari says, masking their presence amidst a thick stand of trees and tangle of thorny undergrowth. "It's not very interesting, but that's the point isn't it?"
[19:57] <Inari> OOC: mirage arcana for reference
[19:57] > "Pretty much," T grins as he gets off his stallion, stretching, "Now if it'll just stop raining before we get to Iron Resolve."
[19:57] <Erad> "I'm sure we made enough noise to get someone's attention." Erad says. "But who knows where they'd try and look for us."
[19:57] <Annerose> "And the guard rotation we keep should suffice if anyone is being overly curious abvout it," Annerose agrees.
[19:57] > OOC: Okay, watch rotation?
[19:57] <Inari> On that note, Inari makes sure her illusory trees look diseased and nasty, so anyone looking for wood to build their fortifications will want to look elsewhere! "I'll take the first one, since that'll extend how long the illusion stays up," she volunteers.
[19:57] <Inari> OOC: Inari, T, Erad, Annerose, Rock, Helena? we can take a couple hours each.
[19:57] <Annerose> OOC: Helena takes mine since I suck at it, but yeah
[19:57] > OOC: Sure.
[19:57] > roll 1d4
[19:57] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 3 > [d4=3]
[19:57] > Erad's awake a bit past midnight. It's dark, quiet and rainy as Sess 41 blossoms. There's a pervasive chill in the air, his breath misting amid the falling rain. It begs him to curl closer to the campfire. As he endures this, he hears it. A distant howling, the baying of wolves.
[19:57] <Erad> OOC: Can I tell how distant that is?
[19:58] > OOC: K:N or Survival could help here.
[19:58] <Erad> OOC: I don't have either of those! Okay, plan B
[19:58] <Erad> Erad hates to bother her, but it's better to be safe than sorry. He goes to nudge Inari awake, she may have more insight into this particular issue.
[19:58] <Inari> "Mmm..." Inari makes a sleepy noise at being nudged awake, rather than shouting and springing to her feet as she might if she were disturbed less gently. "What is it, Erad?" she asks, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
[19:58] > As Inari stirs, the howling is heard again. It carries in the cold night air.
[19:58] <Inari> "Wolves?" one of her ears quivers at the sound, turning towards the direction it comes from. "Not to worry, the illusion covers scent as well, we won't seem appetising no matter how hungry they are."
[19:58] <Inari> roll 1d20+13 nature, unless they're hero wolves or monster wolves or some shit? I dunno
[19:58] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=3]
[19:58] <Erad> Erad nods. "Apologies for waking you, then."
[19:58] > They do sound like wolves, but off somehow. There's something different about the howling, but it's far away. It's also coming from the west.
[19:58] <Inari> "No need for apologies, always better to be safe than sorry," she smiles at Erad before her expression falters. "They do sound a bit strange though... off in some way I can't place. But they shouldn't bother us."
[19:58] <Erad> Erad nods again. "If I see them approaching despite your magic I'll call an alarm."
[19:58] <Inari> "Try and wake us quietly unless they enter the illusion. It doesn't mask sound," she whispers, curling back up in her bedroll.
[19:58] > As Inari curls back up and Erad takes position, the howling continues. It's a steady constant, happening every 30 seconds or so. As Erad listens to it, he indeed thinks it is coming closer. Slowly, but it is getting louder.
[19:58] <Erad> Erad just stays on guard and continues to wait!
[19:58] > About a half hour passes. The howling continues and sounds like it's getting quite close now.
[19:58] <Erad> Well, it's almost Annerose's turn anyway. Erad will go to wake her up!
[19:58] <Erad> OOC: Scratch that, he'll wake Helena instead.
[19:58] > Helena blinks and stirs slowly, groaning aloud. "Already?" she mutters, sitting up.
[19:58] <Erad> "Ah... it's a bit early." Erad admits.
[19:58] <Erad> "But I wanted to get someone who wouldn't go charging into the wolves that I think are coming." Erad says.
[19:58] > "Eh?" Helena blinks, a groggy groan as she slowly stands up. "Wolves/ The illusion should get rid of them."
[19:58] <Erad> "I'm having my doubts." Erad says. "They keep getting closer and closer."
[19:58] > "Right," Helena gets her shield and puts on her armor, "I'll stir you if it looks like it's going bad."
[19:58] <Erad> "I'm having my doubts." Erad says. "They keep getting closer and closer."
[19:58] > "Right," Helena gets her shield and puts on her armor, "I'll stir you if it looks like it's going bad."
[19:58] <Erad> "It's fine, I can stay up a bit longer." Erad says. "I'd rather wait and see what happens."
[19:58] > It doesn't take long - you see it to the north. Snow begins to fall about 100ft north of the camp, the ground freezing over. To the northwest, Erad can see wolves running along at a steady trot. They are semi-transparent and have eyes of solid ice-blue.
[19:58] <Erad> "...Well that's not normal at all." Erad mumbles to himself. He decides to get Inari up too, just to be on the safe side.
[19:58] <Erad> OOC: Any K checks relevant to this that isn't N?
[19:58] > OOC: K:R.
[19:58] <Inari> Roused once more, Inari sits up and looks over towards the wolves, reaching for her spear as she considers the situation...
[19:59] <Inari> roll 1d20+13 goddess knowledge!
[19:59] <Erad> roll 1d20+8 I can do that.
[19:59] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=19]
[19:59] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=16]
[19:59] > Helena watches and blinks, "That's really not normal!" She seconds.
[19:59] > Erad and Inari both recognize them as ghosts or spirits of some sort. Inari can identify them as ghosts, some sort of cold, spectral manifestation that's right in Auril's wheelhouse. An old story comes to mind - Auril's tributes set loose by her faithful. Animals sacrificed to her and called back to serve her will.
[19:59] > T and Rock are meanwhile still asleep, snoozing away despite the howling.
[19:59] <Inari> "Shh," Inari hushes Helena softly. "They'll hear." She reaches over to nudge Anneorse awake but doesn't attack or cast any spells, waiting to see if her illusion fools them.
[19:59] <Erad> Erad frowns and just continues to watch. Where could they be going?
[19:59] > Annerose awakens to snow. As the wolves come closer, passing by 100ft to the north, snow begins to fall over the camp. The mud freezes and puddles become ice, the temperature dropping rapidly. The howling is a ghostly song, offered up by the wolves as they pass. They look to be headed to the east.
[19:59] <Inari> "We should put them out of their misery," Inari whispers, seeing that they're not making a fight of it themselves. While Auril's ghost wolves might be on their side in the war, and foxes and wolves have difficult relationships to start with, she can't abide such a blasphemy against nature before her.
[19:59] <Erad> Erad glances over to Inari. "Do you think we can send their spirits somewhere else?"
[19:59] > Helena readies her shield, "Can we even hurt ghosts like this?"
[19:59] <Annerose> "I think healing should deal with them just as well as with any other ghost," Annerose says quietly, eyes narrowing.
[19:59] <Inari> "The same place all go when they die. Better than to be Auril's plaything," Inari says, "Magic or healing hurts ghosts," she adds, letting Rock and T sleep since they lack magic weapons. "This isn't our mission, but I think it needs to be done."
[19:59] <Erad> "They might wander off and harm someone innocent anyway." Erad says. "It's better to deal with them now."
[21:10] * Topic is 'Annerose(29)>Hooded Man=Ice Elemental23)'
[21:10] <@Inari> "I'll go draw them North, and we can flank them," Inari suggests, taking that as approval for her plan and transforming into her fox form, bounding off the wagon and out onto the plain, intending to pull the wolves after her so they can be pincered.
[21:11] <@Kotono> OOC: So Inari goes north to get their attention and the others prepare?
[21:15] <@Inari> OOC: yeah, wake T as well since he can turn undead
[21:15] <Annerose> OOC: I'll wake T up, fill him in and help defend him by taking ghost hits for him
[21:15] <@Kotono> T is promptly awoken with a mutter, "Oh now what?" he says, sitting up and looking around. "...right, it's snowing. Auril problems?"
[21:17] <Annerose> "Ghost Auril wolves problem," Annerose sourly tells him. "You know how she has people ritually kill animals for her so that she owns them forever?"
[21:17] <@Kotono> "Go on," T gets up, as meanwhile Inari takes to fox form and runs ahead. OOC: Describe hwo you're trying to get their attention?
[21:18] <Annerose> "We don't like that very much. So we'll be using positive energy to destroy them to free them from endless torment."
[21:19] <@Kotono> T yawns widely, "Let me guess, hit a bit close to home for 'nari?" He gets himself up, fishing out some holy symbols from his bag.
[21:19] <@Inari> OOC: if they don't spot me and react I'll resume humanoid form and throw foxfire at them
[21:20] <Annerose> "I'm quite upset with them as well. In any case, you can help Inari destroy them as we catch them in a pincer, while I keep you reasonably safe. Does that work?"
[21:20] <@Kotono> Inari goes 100ft ahead and 20ft to the east. She positions - and they just dont' react to the fox at all. They certainly see her, but she doesn't seem to get their attetnion.
[21:21] <@Inari> They'll be out of range soon and she can't have that, so Inari throws a globe of foxfire at a random wolf in the middle of the pack! "Come and be released!" she calls.
[21:21] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[21:21] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=7]
[21:21] <@Inari> roll 1d100 miss chance
[21:21] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 99 >12 [d100=99]
[21:21] <@Inari> roll 7d6 fire
[21:21] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d6=6,2,3,3,3,4,3]
[21:41] <@Kotono> Inari braces and fires - a single wolf of the pack dissolves into wet snowflakes on the impact, stopping the rest. Growls come from them as they focus on her, 20ft to the east of her. Oh yes, you have attention alright. OOC: Roll init, that provoked 'em.
[21:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 helena
[21:42] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=9]
[21:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:42] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=8]
[21:42] <Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[21:42] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=1]
[21:42] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[21:42] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=19]
[21:42] <@Inari> roll 1d4 foxfire recharge
[21:42] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 3 >12 [d4=3]
[21:43] * Kotono changes topic to 'Inari(23)>T(14)>Helena(13)>Annerose(6)'
[21:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Waiting on Erad.
[21:43] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:43] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d20=6]
[21:44] * Kotono changes topic to 'Inari(23)>T(14)>Helena(13)>Erad(8)>Annerose(6)'
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 wolf pack
[21:44] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=15]
[21:44] * Kotono changes topic to 'Inari(23)>Wolf Pack(19)>T(14)>Helena(13)>Erad(8)>Annerose(6)'
[21:44] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Inari.
[21:45] <@Inari> Casting shield of faith to protect herself against incorporeal attacks, Inari withdraws a further thirty feet to the north so the wolves will leave their rear exposed to her friends!
[21:47] <@Kotono> The ghost wolves move smoothly, going to surround Inari on alls ides. They growl low at her as she's completely circled in by the pack. They're keeping 10ft of distance for now, just out of her reach  as they position. OOC: Wolves took a round ot surround Inari. T and then Helena is up.
[21:47] <@Kotono> T takes his turn moving into position, just 20ft behind them and with holy symbol out. Helena advances as well, coming to within 40ft of the ghostly light of the wolves.  OOC: Full round to move into position for next. Helena likewise positions. Erad.
[21:52] <@Erad> OOC: Sorry, how far are we from them?
[21:53] <@Kotono> OOC: 100ft to the north and 20ft to the east now.
[21:53] <@Erad> OOC: Thanks
[21:54] <@Erad> Erad will move 70 feet to the northeast, hovering slightly off the ground!
[21:54] * Annerose boost her speed with magic to maneuver before T and Helena.
[21:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then, you're up, 'nari.
[21:58] <@Inari> Surrounded like this, Inari is able to reach every wolf now with the light of her divine radiance, calling it forth in waves of positive energy that undermine the tributes' hellish unlife! If any press her after that she has her spear poised to blunt the first attack!
[21:58] <@Inari> roll 3d6 turn undead DC 20
[21:58] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d6=4,3,6]
[22:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=20]
[22:04] <@Kotono> As one, the wolves whimper and cry out, retreating back from Inari's radiance. They hesitates for a few moments before pouncing on her, trying to rip her apart. OOC: They provoke an AoO from you, 'nari.
[22:05] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10
[22:05] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=11]
[22:05] <@Inari> roll 1d100 miss chance if that hits
[22:05] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 49 >12 [d100=49]
[22:05] <@Kotono> OOC: no joy.
[22:06] <@Inari> OOC: AC 27, all applies vs incorp touch
[22:06] <@Kotono> OOC: No, even.
[22:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 vs 27 needs some luck (+2 flanking)
[22:06] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=6]
[22:07] <@Kotono> Inari is surrounded on all sides, bitten at and menaced. But despite it she clears the way with her spear, pushing them back and avoiding any damage. At this chance, T rushes in and pulls out a holy symbol of Gwynharwyf, "Back!" OOC: 1 inspiration spent, going all turney on them.
[22:07] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 DC 14
[22:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d6=5,3,6]
[22:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d20=4]
[22:08] <@Kotono> A second blast of life-light causes the wolves to dissolve in the glow of it, nothing more than phantasms fading away in the snowfall all around you. OOC: Free act. Y'all handled that pretty well.
[22:09] <@Erad> Erad says a small prayer to Bahamut, then to Eldath, to hopefully take their tortured spirits somewhere where they can rest.
[22:09] <@Inari> "Return to the earth and be at peace," Inari murmurs, holding her spear upright as the danger passes. "Thank you for supporting me, everyone," she then looks up to smile at T and the others. "We could have avoided that fight with no danger to ourselves."
[22:10] <Annerose> "Thank you for stopping something so unnatural," Annerose tells Inari and T in turn.
[22:10] <@Erad> "Well, they may have attacked innocent people if they'd continued on. Either way, it's a win because they can be at peace and Auril lost something." Erad says.
[22:11] <@Inari> "Indeed!" Inari nods happily. "Now lets get back to our well earned sleep?" she says, heading back towards their illusory campsite.
[22:14] * Annerose embraces that suggestion fully, sleepily dragging herself back.
[22:19] <@Kotono> The rest of the night passes without incident. Dawn is gray and rainy, Sess 41 like the past days. "We're getting closer," T says, "Just a few more days, a few sidestepped villages and the like and we'llb e there."
[22:19] <@Erad> "I wonder what other wonders await us." Erad says dryly.
[22:21] <@Inari> "It depends how deep the Kabathian front is," Inari says. "If they're all bunched up against Adamantine we might be past the bulk of their forces. If they're expecting a counterattack they could have lots more forces in reserve back here though."
[22:22] <@Kotono> Helena yawns and nibbles at breakfast, "Still, let's get...aaaaaawn...going soon. The sooner there, the sooner done."
[22:24] <Annerose> Barely avoiding a yawn of her own, Annerose nods. "All things considered, we're doing well."
[22:24] <@Inari> "Yes, it's no good if we bring back these weapons and Malana has already been carved open," Inari agrees, falling silent and clearing her plate dilligently. At least they're good on food and other supplies since they sacked that outpost the other day.

[Corwin]

[20:09] <@Kotono> OOC: Since it's been a bit, refresh me on your travel scheme/setup?
[20:16] <@Inari> OOC: we're travelling mostly off the roads towards the fortress by day, camping at night under illusions for concealment.
[20:16] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. How far off road?
[20:17] <@Inari> OOC: far enough that the road can't be seen. Barring impassable terrain forcing us to take the easier path.
[20:17] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:17] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 84 >12 [d100=84]
[20:19] <@Kotono> The next day starts early. You travel in the wilderness - nothing too hard. Just cold, muddy plains as you slog on ahead, Annerose's magic helping with the worst parts. You bypass villages and more on the roads, fortune with you're far enough off not to come on anything. That is, until the afternoon...far ahead, the party can see them on the drizzly horizon. The glimmer of upraised spears and
[20:19] <@Kotono> waving flags, stretching quite far. A great many soldiers far ahead, marching overland and in your general direction.
[20:21] <@Inari> "I think that's more than we can handle," Inari says, guiding the horses to turn away from the approaching army in a Northerly direction as she looks around for any sort of cover or terrain that might help in hiding before they're spotted, if it isn't already too late.
[20:22] <@Erad> "Wonder if they heard about the camp that got run over." Erad muses as he follows Inari's lead.
[20:23] <@Kotono> T peers ahead, a hand over his eyes. "Shit," he mutters, "We made need that illusion early, 'nari." Meanwhile, Inari and Erad looks around. It's open and muddy plains. Not a lot of places to hide, unfortunately. There's a few trees to one side, but nothing to really hide a wagonb ehind.
[20:23] <@Kotono> Helena readies her shield, "That's really not good," she murmurs, "Our luck's running out, so now what?"
[20:23] <Annerose> "They will eventually get a lucky hit," Annerose allows, though she glances at the unending line of troops in the distance calculatingly.
[20:24] <@Inari> "I could hide us by those trees, or I could make illusory fortifications to possibly slow them down if we want to make a run for it openly," Inari offers two possibilties for action, guiding the horses towards the trees either way since they can't afford to waste time standing around.
[20:25] <@Kotono> Rock just looks at them and follows in the meantime, keeping along with the party.
[20:25] <Annerose> "Can you make something like a swamp that fits the enrivonment?"
[20:26] <@Erad> "If they have those mages along, they'll probably be able to get past either, so I say just go the subtle route and let's see if they just go past us." Erad says. "If they don't, we'll have had to deal with them anyway."
[20:27] <@Inari> "Yes, I can mix the two, we can hide amongst the trees with some marsh around us to dissuade anyone looking for lumber," Inari says, thinking that's a good idea and urging the horses to hurry.
[20:29] <@Kotono> "Yeah, let's do that," T agrees, as the party hurries to the trees, fast as they can. OOC: Describe the illusion you're setting up.
[20:30] <@Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:30] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=7]
[20:30] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[20:30] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=13]
[20:31] <@Inari> Placing the wagon on the other side of the trees relative to the army, Inari creates a mirage arcana of more trees and undergrowth to surround the wagon while all around the trees the ground becomes a marshy swamp, choked with reeds and moss and stinking of rot to make it further unappealling. "Just stay still and be quiet now, let them pass," she says, settling in to wait.
[20:32] <@Kotono> As Inari weaves her illusion, T suddenly bites out a vile curse. "Our tracks! Our tracks and horse foot prints!" he points back the way they came, "Anyone with two eyes'll be able to follow them. 'nari, I think we have a problem. I can make someone invisible to go try and do something about it, but I'll just leave a trail in the mud walking back."
[20:33] <Annerose> "Erad can fly back."
[20:35] <@Inari> "Or..." Inari starts to smile, forming a second illusion now within the marsh of a ruined and crashed wagon, a dead and rotting horse laying on its side looking mostly picked to the bone. The mirage arcana covers their tracks within the area so there's no way to know that this isn't where it really ends.
[20:35] <@Inari> OOC: major image for that, actually make it a cart rather than a wagon, something more humble
[20:36] <@Kotono> "That works too," T says, "Assuming no one thinks to wonder why there's fresh tracks by a long wrecked wagon."
[20:36] <@Erad> Erad is moving to stand and then wrinkles his nose. "That really is too convincing."
[20:36] * Annerose retreats into the room within the wagon.
[20:36] <@Inari> It even has some flies nastily buzzing about for effect. "Lets hope they're more focused on getting to the front than investigating every curiosity on the path. They're an army with a schedule to keep, not like us who can go running after anything that catches our fancy."
[20:39] <@Kotono> "Hope so," T grunts, going into the wagon as well. OOC:Anythinge lse to do or just bunkering down now?
[20:39] <@Erad> "If they happen to come over here, I can fly out of the illusion." Erad offers. "I doubt they can really catch me and I can drag them away."
[20:40] <@Inari> "Only if they start poking around. If they pass within feet of us without paying attention it's fine," Inari says.
[20:40] <@Inari> OOC: I'm done
[20:41] <@Erad> OOC: Yep, just waiting
[20:43] <@Kotono> From your hidden place you see them come. A vast column, lead by a great expanse of pikemen and flag bearers. A
[20:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[20:45] <@Kotono> From your hidden place you see them come. A vast column, lead by a great expanse of pikemen and flag bearers. Song fills the air as they pass, tunes to bravery, battle and the glory of Kabath. They all march on, foot soldiers in great rows, with the occasional officer on horseback amid them. The illusion is indeed noticed as are the tracks, some looking over it as they pass. You can't really
[20:45] <@Kotono> hear anything, surely hundreds and hundreds of men going by.
[20:46] <@Erad> Erad just stays quiet!
[20:46] <@Inari> On the plus side the first wave of soldiers passing will ruin any tracks so if they have any more alert types amidst their rearguard it won't even matter. Inari watches the soldiers pass, unseen by them and quietly patient.
[20:52] <@Kotono> T just stays dead silent, Helena watching as well. Row after row of soldiers plodding along - and as they pass, right behind them is a trail of donkey and horse drawn carts and wagons. More soldiers ride along and a few walk with them as well. Quite a few - easily a hundred wagons, you'd guess.
[20:53] <@Inari> Inari does nothing to impede them, her focus solely on maintaining her illusions.
[20:57] <@Kotono> Helena peeks out of the wagon just a little, still well withinthe illusion. She watches them go and in a bare whisper, "So many and they're putting their flank to us. Do we dare to do anything to it?"
[20:59] <@Inari> "Only if you think we can survive their reprisal," Inari whispers as softly as she can. She could maybe set one wagon alight, but they'd all see where the incriminating foxfire came from.
[21:00] <Annerose> "There is one thing," Annerose whispers herself, taking a look. "With T's invisibility, if one of the wagons near the end was made to break down, we could try to capture the crew while they're left behind to fix it and get more information on the army."
[21:01] <@Kotono> "Are you kidding?" T hisses, "It's a small gain for a huge risk. We already have to get those damn weapons, and risking doing battle with an entire army isn't helping."
[21:01] <Annerose> "If we know how long we have to get back, it tells us how long we have before it's pointless to return with the weapons."
[21:01] <@Inari> "If we're going to get information get it from the generals, not the wagon drivers," Inari agrees quietly with T.
[21:05] <@Kotono> "Yeah," Helena nods to Annerose, "I say it's worth the gamble, you two are just being too cautious."
[21:06] <@Inari> "Caution has its place."
[21:08] <@Erad> "I feel like we'll have better opportunities to get information." Erad says. "This one might bring too many soldiers back for us to deal with."
[21:08] <@Kotono> "Exactly," T murmurs, "Let's not use up a bunch of luck on a marginal scheme."
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Hmph." This draws out a little pout from Helena, turning her gaze away from them. "I still think we're missing a good chance."
[21:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then, that's outvoted, I assume all of you are waiting for them to pass now?
[21:13] <Annerose> OOC: Let's move on
[21:14] <@Kotono> From there, the rest of the day is quiet, as is watch. Sess 42 is surprisingly warmer and sunny, the clouds at last gone. Over a quick breakfast, "We're fairly close now, I think," T turns to Erad, "So what's our plan going to be?"
[21:16] <@Erad> "I suppose it depends on what we find when we actually get to our destination." Erad says. "If there are soldiers there, we'll have to deal with them... but then I suppose it's a matter of how we approach the ruins themselvs."
[21:16] <@Erad> OOC: themselves
[21:17] <Annerose> "Since we didn't try to get any information from them, let's just go in blind?" Annerose suggests. "All the obvious precautions, as if we're expecting battle, but other than that...."
[21:18] <@Kotono> "I expect watches, so that's a problem right there," T says, "Unless we kill everyone there, I doubt we can just wheel our wagon up." Pausing to glance at Annerose, "It'll depend on how many they've garrisoned around it, or if it's just a token force because the fortress is breached."
[21:20] <@Kotono> "We'll just have to figure it out on the fly," Helena says, a hint of acid in her voice as she glowers at T. "Annerose is right."
[21:20] <@Kotono> Rock keeps busy eating his meal, but pauses. "Kill? Eat?" he asks in slow Common. "Eat fortress?"
[21:21] <Annerose> "I can see ways to get around it, but we're quite limited in time," Annerose admits with a shrug. "We can try to run the guards off. If they happen to chase after the army, it's only good for our forces for it to turn back after us. And even that would give us time. On the other hand, it was massive enough I can't see them having more forces like it elsewhere, so even other reinforcements wouldn't keep us pinned down."
[21:21] <@Kotono> "Yeah, yeah," T waves a hand, getting up and dusting himself off. "No helping it...and Helena," He smiles a little bit, 'Disagreement or not, let's not do that on the day we're going to attack and/or infiltrate an entire fortress, okay? We all need to be on top of our game."
[21:23] <@Kotono> Helena doesn't reply to that, instead nodding to Annerose. "Yeah. If nothing else, wouldn't they use it as a supply depot? It makes sense with the roads. I'm not expecting serious soldiers as much as rearguard elements and maybe some wounded or old soldiers to fill the ranks.""
[21:23] <@Erad> "Well, if it's as haunted as we were led to believe, they may not even be anywhere near it." Erad says.
[21:24] <@Kotono> T blinks at Helena, "Someone's been paying attention, though how you got that from what Annerose said?" A light shrug, "I think you're right about that, Annerose, assuming the haunting isn't a factor."
[21:25] <Annerose> "We've had a bit of a test run for the haunting earlier," she muses. "It's a shame I couldn't be of more help there, but you and Inari would be more than enough."
[21:25] <@Inari> "Hm?" Inari looks up as she hears her name. "Oh, yes we could try running any guards off with illusions. Or give them a diversion to chase after if they're poorly disciplined."
[21:26] <@Erad> "Honestly, if it's a bunch of wounded, they may not even put up a fight if we can scare them enough." Erad offers. "But as we get closer, I can always fly around and check while invisible."
[21:28] <@Kotono> "Something distracting you, 'nari?" T asks. "That's a thought, we'll just have to see." OOC: REady to move along then?
[21:30] <@Inari> OOC: yep
[21:31] <@Kotono> roll 1d100+10
[21:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 109 >12 [d100=99]
[21:31] <@Kotono> roll 1d100+10 uh oh
[21:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d100=12]
[21:32] <@Kotono> You're barely on the road when you come on it. A four-set of soldier statues, four Kabathian soldier statues just standing in the middle of the wilderness. They look to be statues of warriors in battle, swinging stone spears and blades about, perfectly frozen.
[21:33] <@Kotono> "Well great," T drawls, "They're so at home in Malana that they're starting to decorate."
[21:34] <@Inari> "What in the world..." Inari peers ahead at the statues. "Are they warrior totems or something?"
[21:34] <Annerose> "My first thought was Auril showing her universal hatred for everything again."
[21:34] <@Kotono> Helena gasps, "But I don't think statues fit that."
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=5]
[21:35] <@Erad> OOC: Any K checks apply here?
[21:35] <@Kotono> "I don't know," T rubs his chin as he studies them, walking on up to them. "Good work. They're really lifelike. Too good a work to be just sitting here."  OOC: K:A. T also just took 10 on appraise.
[21:35] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[21:35] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=12]
[21:36] <@Kotono> Something clicks in Annerose's minds. These men aren't statues - they're probably petrified, such as by seeing a basilisk. That's the most common cause by far. They fit the normal routine, which is warriors petrified on fighting them.
[21:38] <Annerose> "I don't think I ever saw anyone petrified before," Annerose says slowly, taking a closer look. "Huh. What do you think? Basilisk?"
[21:39] <@Kotono> "Petrified?" T grimaces and looks them over, "Why didn't I think of that? Yeah, this would fit. Never seen it myself. Probably was a basilisk."
[21:39] <@Inari> "Could it still be around?" Inari wonders, stopping the wagon and climbing off so she can look around for tracks.
[21:39] <@Inari> roll 1d20+11 survival
[21:39] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=16]
[21:40] <@Erad> "Well, would that large force have scared them off?" Erad wonders aloud. "Hm..."
[21:45] <@Kotono> Looking around, Inari finds some old tracks of an odd creature. Six big pawprints, heading off to the south.
[21:48] <@Inari> "It headed South, so we probably won't run into it except perhaps on our way back," Inari says, returning to the wagon. "It seems like a strange beast just going by the tracks it left."
[21:48] <@Kotono> "We don't really have time to deal with it or, y'know, get petrified," T remarks, "Assuming it wasn't already killed off."
[21:49] <Annerose> "No need to, either. All the villagers fled from here long ago, so if it's dangerous to them we can deal with it later."
[21:50] <@Erad> Erad nods. "Agreed."
[21:50] <@Inari> "You won't hear me arguing," she says, getting the horses moving again.
[21:51] <@Kotono> From here the party moves on. By a few hours 'till noon, you can see it on the horizon. A massive, boxy fortress. Even from afar, you cans ee the outer walls are smashed and broken. You're coming from the southern side, off the main roads. You can't quite see the roads from here, but you alsod on't see anything like a huge army here, either.
[21:51] <@Inari> It would be a waste of manpower to leave an army guarding a broken fortress, so Inari is unsurprised. But will they be lucky enough to find it entirely abandoned? Soon they'll find out!
[21:56] <@Kotono> "Finally," T breathes out, spurring his horse along. Heading a little closer, you can now see the roads. Empty. No sign of people around the fortress, oddly enough. As you get closer, it's becoming quieter and quieter.
[21:57] <@Erad> "This is rather eerie." Erad says. He glances around for any sign of recent use on the roads or anything of that nature.
[21:57] <@Inari> Inari's tails swish unhappily behind her as she looks around. "I don't think we'll be the ones haunting anyone today," she says.
[21:58] <@Kotono> "Probably," Helena murmurs, "I'm guessing haunted it is."
[21:58] <@Kotono> "Probably," T echos as you ride even closer. The roads are empty - no sign of recent tracks. However, by the western walls, you can see a handful of tents there. Perhaps half a dozen in total, a few people about there.
[21:59] <Annerose> "We expected as much," Annerose says with a frown. "Same plan as that other day? You and T try to turn them, Inari? While the rest of us provide the ghosts a distraction?"
[22:00] <@Erad> Erad glances over towards the tents. "Hm... Perhaps that should be our first destination?"
[22:00] <@Inari> "Well, not that haunted after all," Inari says, the eerie sensation obviously no impediment to whoever's guarding here. They are Kabath types right? Any flags or banners to confirm that?
[22:01] <@Kotono> A single Kabath flag flies from one tent.
[22:03] <@Inari> "Alright, fire and illusions then?" Inari asks, stepping off the wagon now that enemy presence has been confirmed, spear held at the ready.
[22:03] <@Kotono> T nods, "Probably, yeah. See if we can scare them off."
[22:05] <@Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and set yourselves and your plan up then, y'all.
[22:07] <@Erad> Erad will just wait for the others and see what happens! OOC: I don't really have much to add to this plan.
[22:07] <@Inari> Inari opens things up by throwing some foxfire at the flag to announce their presence, she can have the fire spread much faster with illusions in a moment but this seems a suitably thematic way to start things off. "For Malana!" she shouts because it's the done thing.
[22:07] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[22:07] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=12]
[22:07] <@Inari> roll 7d6 fire, die flag die!
[22:07] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d6=6,3,1,6,3,6,2]
[22:07] <@Inari> roll 1d4 recharge
[22:07] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 2 >12 [d4=2]
[22:10] * Annerose stays in reserve for now, so that if the guards flee and bring reinforcements they wouldn't have something directly tailored against her particular skillset.
[22:10] <@Kotono> Quite predictably, the flag goes up in flames. As Rock scoots back, you see the illusion take root and spread. People come rushing out of the tents - each one a man or woman in full plate armor. A gestured spell soon quenches the non illusion fires and as the illusion continues, more magic seems to happen from them, then muttered words. On each of them is an engraved symbol on the breastplate
[22:10] <@Kotono> - a shield with a flaming sword thrust upright.
[22:12] <@Inari> Are they just ignoring the wagon full of suspicious types right next to them? Inari gives her friends a helpless shrug. "I think it worked better last time because we were putting them under more pressure, I'm afraid you'll have to get your hands dirty."
[22:13] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[22:13] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=16]
[22:14] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R sure
[22:14] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d20=3]
[22:14] <@Kotono> Ah, the holy symbol of Tempus, the state religion of Kabath. As Inari reflects on her odd luck, the various men and women turn to the party. There's a long moment where they just gaze on them, before one booming female voice demands, "Who dares incite against the Lord of Battles?"
[22:15] <Annerose> "Who doesn't?" Annerose calls back, disembarking. "Are you backing down from the challenge?"
[22:16] <@Kotono> "Oh great, clerics," T mutters, sighing.
[22:16] <@Erad> Erad punches T in his shoulder lightly.
[22:17] <@Inari> "I am Inari, Lady of the Forest!" Inari shouts back. "Begone from here, or suffer my wrath!" Or Rock's wrath, that's probably scarier.
[22:18] <@Kotono> There are perhaps a dozen of them. One approaches - a woman with deep brown hair, the color of chocolate. It's cut severely short and her gaze is narrow. A sword is sheathed on her belt. She's tall and walks with strong purpose. "You challenge us then? Fine. Come forward and we will duel. Since you offer yourself, Inari, I am Amanna of the Foehammer. I challenge you to one on one combat!"
[22:18] <@Kotono> The others turn away from the illusion now, all attention on the party.
[22:18] * NeremWorld (~Nerem@71-212-36-245.tukw.qwest.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[22:20] <Annerose> "Do you want to take this, or shall I?" Annerose offers to Inari.
[22:20] <@Kotono> "We could let her fight Rock," T murmrus, "That would probably do it."
[22:20] <@Kotono> "I could fight her too," Helena speaks up, :Knock her down and keep her down."
[22:20] * NeremWorld (~Nerem@71-212-36-245.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #dunes
[22:21] <@Kotono> Rock's attention turns to all the clerics, sizing them up.
[22:21] <@Erad> "I think that might incite more violence than we really need to deal with." Erad says.
[22:22] <@Inari> But she's not very good at actual fighting! "I was going to offer up Rock as my champion actually," Inari admits, ears drooping. "But I did rather set myself up with that wrath talk, didn't I?" Hefting her spear she steps forward. "We'll fight to death or surrender, the winner gains control of this fortress - or what's left of it."
[22:22] <Annerose> "So you had," Annerose agrees. "I believe in you, of course!"
[22:23] <@Kotono> Amanna smiles - a dark smile as she draws her blade. "Gather round, allies and enemies alike! A circle around us, a circle of WAR!" The other clerics of Tempus form a half circle around her. Amanna then bows to Inari, "Few of your kind are good for war. I find it refreshing to face one with a modicum for war instead of screwing and singing."
[22:25] <Annerose> "Why is clergy of Tempus actually keeping to the rear instead of being on the front lines of the war?" Annerose feels obliged to ask, reciprocating on Inari's side.
[22:25] <@Inari> Oh she's being complimented by the enemy! "And you, you fill out your armour most becomingly!" she smiles winsomely back at Tempus's cleric. "Now, have at you!"
[22:26] <@Kotono> T and Helena follow, taking Rock along. "Yeah, I was wondering that myself," Helena has to add, "You'd think you'd be chasing glory at the front."
[22:27] <@Kotono> "Hmph," Is all Amanna says to Inari as she prepares, 15ft away from her. "Because there is the song of war here. It is all that matters, to hear the drumbeat of war and to please the Foehammer!" With that she lunges at Inari. OOC: Init here.
[22:28] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[22:28] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=20]
[22:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[22:28] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=12]
[22:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Inari(24)>Amanna(16)'
[22:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Open.
[22:28] <@Kotono> "War! War! War!" The others chant, starting to clap in rythym to the battle.
[22:29] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R for any loopholes in case this goes badly in Inari's favor? Maybe a way to step in on her behalf?
[22:29] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=17]
[22:29] <@Inari> Holding her spear up to meet Amanna's charge, Inari calls upon the primal ferocity of nature to fill her! Her teeth grow noticably sharper and her eyes glow red, fur and hair both spiking up wildly from her more pleasantly groomed appearance as she takes upon animalistic power!
[22:29] <@Inari> OOC: +2 str/dex/con from that
[22:30] <@Kotono> Erad can tell that no, not really. A one on one duel is a fairly big deal for the clergy of Tempus. Oh sure, trickery and the like exists in the faith, but most take duels seriously. At the least, it'll probably degenerate into a full battle.
[22:30] <@Kotono> "Even better," Amanna closes in, headless of Inari's reach as she tries to close in close. OOC: She provokes an AoO, go for it. Sec, gotta get my early dinner before work from the microwave.
[22:30] <@Inari> roll 1d20+11
[22:30] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d20=1]
[22:31] <@Inari> OOC: AC 25 for her attack
[22:33] <@Kotono> The swipe is too slow, Amanna past it before she closes in with a swift slash.
[22:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge)
[22:33] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 33 >12 [d20=20]
[22:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge) crit?
[22:33] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=6]
[22:35] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6 does not penetrate your DR
[22:35] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d8=4][d6=5]
[22:35] <@Inari> OOC: I have none!
[22:35] <@Kotono> OOC: I thought you have cold i-oh, that's Annerose. Dur.
[22:37] <@Kotono> It's a swift, sharp slice across Inari's side, drawing blood and staining her robes with it. As she pushes Inari back, "Tell me what draws you to attack an entire fortress alone," she asks, smiling as blood trickles off her blade. "Courage or compulsion?" OOC: Go.
[22:38] <@Inari> "Ahh! My, you're certainly skilled," Inari winces as first blood goes to Amanna. Indeed this isn't a fight she can win slugging it out one on one, so she resists the urge to step back and employ her spear. Instead she plays for time, feinting to one side before leaping to the other so she can buy some distance before casting another spell for protection while her spear once more is raised to
[22:38] <@Inari> ward off any charges. "Since you're not manning the walls I'd say we're attacking a little campsite, not a fortress, to be fair."
[22:38] <@Inari> roll 1d20+15 acrobatics to avoid AoO
[22:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=6]
[22:38] <@Inari> roll 1d8+7 casting aid regardless once space has been bought
[22:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d8=8]
[22:39] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 AoO vs 25
[22:39] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=15]
[22:39] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6
[22:39] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d8=7][d6=2]
[22:39] <@Kotono> OOC: How far back did you move?
[22:40] <@Inari> OOC: 15 feet, just enough that she can't full attack/has to provoke from me when moving in
[22:40] <@Kotono> "Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood and war! Blood and war! Blood and war!" The others continue to chant. Meanwhile T claps his hands, "C'mon, 'nari! Show them what they want on her, not on you!"
[22:41] <@Kotono> Guh! Another slash opens Inari right up, this one across her leg. She stumbles but stays up, all while Amanna chuckles. "Such are meaningless with a fortress of the dead." She slips right back in, making no effort to avoid giving Inari an opening. OOC: AoO on her.
[22:41] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[22:41] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=3]
[22:42] <@Kotono> This time she raises her armored arm up, deflecting the spear with steel. She barrels on in, a shoulder check followed by a sharp vertical slash across her front.
[22:43] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge)
[22:43] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=11]
[22:44] <@Kotono> But this time Inari falls a step back, T and Helena scurrying back to give her more room. Inari brings the haft of her spear up, blocking the blade as the two clash. "What does nature care about this place then?" Her smile grows, "If you want battle, the rush of blood and the pounding of metal, you've come to the right place. Tempus welcomes those like that."
[22:46] <@Inari> "I'm not averse to the odd battle," Inari says, lashing out with a quick punch to Amanna's nose before ducking and somersaulting past her and away to keep distance between them so her spear's reach can be brought into play. "But this war is poorly timed. I'd at least conclude it on equal terms rather than the victory your nation is heading towards."
[22:46] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10 punch
[22:46] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=13]
[22:46] <@Inari> roll 1d20+15 acrobatics
[22:46] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 35 >12 [d20=20]
[22:46] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[22:46] <@Inari> roll 1d6+4
[22:46] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 5 >12 [d6=1]
[22:48] <@Kotono> Got her. The blow catches her off guard, a crack as her nose is crunched. Blood comes from it as she smiles even more, despite blood coming down her lips - which she licks up. "But what is war without victory, unless you crave eternal war?" she challenges, "Unless you crave to burn this world ot ash on the altar of Tempus?" She charges in again, as...OOC: Inari can AoO.
[22:48] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[22:48] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=14]
[22:48] <@Inari> roll 1d8+7
[22:48] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d8=6]
[22:49] <@Kotono> "Blood and war! Blood and war! Blood and war!" The chants continue as Inari strikes, stabbing into her thigh. It's not a pretty wound, but it slows her a moment. "Finally something from you," she grunts, her blade glimmering with light, "By Foehammer I crush you!" she shouts, loudly and shrilly.
[22:50] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+2 charge, +4 smite domain)
[22:50] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=5]
[22:50] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R Does Tempus have any mercy for those who can't fight on their own? Maybe he could make a comment to distract Amanna?
[22:50] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=14]
[22:51] <@Kotono> Erad can recall that Tempus doesn't have much interest in them - save the wounded who were crippled in war. He respects his faithful who suffer under that if they cannot be mended. He also ignores Eldath, his essential opposite, rather than waging war on her.
[22:52] <@Erad> "Tempus has no love of burning the world to ash." Erad calls out. "You forget that He says to save the wounded who were crippled in such things!" He shouts! Maybe it'll give Inari an opening!
[22:53] <@Kotono> The flash of power stuns Inari - but it doesn't stop her instincts. Her spear comes up, naother close lock together. Inari can feel sheer, pressing force from her sword now, the two face to face, close enough to feel Amanna's breath on her. "Blood and war," she whispers to her, but what she says next is lost. She doesn't quite turn to Erad, but her eyes do momentarily dart to him. OOC: Go, you're
[22:53] <@Kotono> up, Inari.
[22:53] <@Inari> "Far more will die of hunger and want when this is done, than faced Tempus's challenge on the battlefield," Inari retorts, thinking she has Amanna's measure by now. Rather than taking an opportune punch or casting a spell, she leaps back away from Amanna and braces her spear in readiness to meet the woman's inevitable charge!
[22:53] <@Inari> roll 1d20+15 acrobatics
[22:53] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=2]
[22:53] <@Inari> OOC: spear braced for charge regardless
[22:54] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 AoO
[22:54] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=14]
[22:54] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6 ow
[22:54] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d8=7][d6=5]
[22:57] <@Kotono> Unfortunately, Amanna's answer isn't verbal. She kicks Inari right int he guts, knocking the air from her as she tries to escape, followed by a backhand with her gauntleted hand. It sends Inari reeling, a broken nose immediately slipping back into place from aid's protection. "Then let the Queen take them," she retorts right away, "Surrender and the people will be fed." At seeing Inari's position,
[22:57] <@Kotono> she instead slams her fist against her breastplate and the symbol there. Just like the image, her sword bursts into flames. "Come at me, Inari!" OOC: She's not approaching you. Go.
[22:59] <@Kotono> T's eyes narrow a bit as he watches, as meanwhile Helena calls (and Rock takes several paces back all over again), "Come on, Inari! Finish her off! Get her!"
[22:59] <@Inari> "Not so predictable after all," Inari complains. "But I'm no dog to be led around on the leash," she says circling around while maintaining her distance and casting a divine shield to better protect her in what could be the closing stages of their battle.
[23:00] <@Inari> OOC: +3 deflection ac
[23:02] <@Kotono> "Are you, now?" Amanna challenges, taking the chance to barrel on in once more. OOC: She'll risk another AoO.
[23:02] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[23:02] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=4]
[23:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+2 charge, +4 smite domain)
[23:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=15]
[23:03] <@Inari> OOC: AC 28
[23:03] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6+1d6 (1d6 is fire, the second one that is)
[23:03] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d8=8][d6=2,3]
[23:04] <@Kotono> Agony as Inari is impaled through the stomach. She finds herself suddenly unable to breath as she's kicked off Amanna's blade. "Yield to me," she demands, "You are beaten. I fear you will not survive another strike."
[23:06] <@Kotono> OOC: Hold on just a moment, forgot the bonus damage from smite.
[23:06] <@Kotono> OOC: That's 6 more.
[23:07] <@Inari> Well she's got Inari's measure, that's true. But with the level of protection she currently has she thinks she can avoid another strike at least a little longer. "Not just yet," she growls, grabbing at Amanna's hand and twisting her arm painfully out of alignment with the aid of some holy potency before she sidles behind and away from her foe, continuing to rely on her greater reach to afford
[23:07] <@Inari> the advantage!
[23:07] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10 divine might punch
[23:07] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=7]
[23:07] <@Inari> roll 1d20+15 acrobatics
[23:07] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 30 >12 [d20=15]
[23:08] <@Kotono> A narrow miss - her armor's just too thick as Inari retreats back safely. "So be it. If you seek a warrior's death, then I will give it to you. For Tempus!" She declares, before charging in headlong once more. OOC: AoO.
[23:08] <@Kotono> "Dammit, Inari," T hisses, eyes widening after that last strike.
[23:08] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 divine might
[23:08] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=4]
[23:09] <@Kotono> Butshe's just too fast, too much. She's in your face before you can react, sword swinging again...
[23:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge)
[23:09] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=15]
[23:09] <@Kotono> OOC: Ac nw?
[23:09] <@Inari> OOC: 28
[23:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6 You die at con instead of -10, syou may not drop dead immediately from this
[23:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d8=5][d6=5]
[23:12] <@Kotono> Pain. Inari can't even feel anything but the pain of Amanna's sword in her chest. "Well fought," is the last thing Inari hears, darkness taking her into a gray numbness. OOC: The rest of the party can act.
[23:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Sicne the battle's over.
[23:12] <@Kotono> Amanna slowly forces Inari down, laying her on the ground and withdrawing her sword, kneeling over her.
[23:12] <Annerose> "T, heal Inari," Annerose says, making her way towards the pair.
[23:12] <@Kotono> The clapping becomes louder, a chorus of cheers from the ones watching.
[23:13] <@Kotono> "No,"Amanna says, "I am the victor and it is my choice. I will heal her. She fought nobly, better than many of Malana's soldiers."
[23:13] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+5 and react to that, gotta spring since super late for work now
[23:13] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d8=6]
[23:14] <@Erad> Erad just stays silent for right now as there's no reason to provoke the situation any more than it is.
[23:14] <@Inari> Inari's eyes flutter back open as the worst of her injuries mend over, sucking in a rasping breath. "Ahh, I never did learn when to fold..." she laments, meeting eyes with Amanna. "The victory is yours."
[23:15] <Annerose> "My faith was misplaced," Annerose says sadly. "Well, what can you do?" She offers Inari a hand to get her back on her feet.
[23:16] <@Inari> "Ohh, there's nothing worse to my ears than those words," she cringes as Annerose helps her up, ears flattened against her head.

[Corwin]

[19:59] <Annerose> "Life is filled with surprises," Annerose says philosophically.
[20:00] <@Kotono> T's face is tight, tense, but he doesn't say anything. Helena comes on over, patting Inari's back as she says, "So...now what?"
[20:01] <@Kotono> "Now," Amanna says, "All of you inform me what a bunch of Malanese irregulars are doing here." Her blade is still out, though not pointed at anyone.
[20:01] <@Inari> Inari's heals herself since she's only on her feet thanks to animalistic power. "W-well!" she rounds on Amanna, "You should know, each of my friends are stronger than me!"
[20:01] <@Inari> roll 3d8+7 healz
[20:01] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d8=4,7,7]
[20:01] <Annerose> "Lady Amanna of the Foehammer," Annerose addresses the victor. "It would be churlish to challenge you to another duel or to fight all of you, now. However, I would still very much like to gain access to the ruins. What will it take for you to acceede to my request?"
[20:05] <@Kotono> No reaction to Inari's spell. Amanna holds a hand up, the other clerics not advancing, though a few do draw weapons. "By order of Her Majesty, none are allowed into the ruins of Iron Resolve. The restless dead roam there and desire nothing more than another glorious battle."
[20:05] <Annerose> "Part of the reason for our visit is to deal with them. Does Her Majesty oppose this?"
[20:12] <@Kotono> "I dare say that Her Majesty has no interest in Malana visiting its former fortress.' Amanna drawls, "No matter your intentions. I suggest that you accept that Kabath's victory is inevitable, for Tempus guides us and enables us to realize our victory."
[20:14] <Annerose> "Do you like how easy this war has gone for your side?" Annerose asks her curiously. "That victory seems to inevitable that you've been left here quite behind the front lines, guarding an empty building. Wouldn't Tempus wish for more of a challenge, a better chance for his followes to prove their mettle?"
[20:15] <@Inari> Inari flinches, well aware she wasn't much of a challenge just now. Still, at least Amanna was nice enough to heal her afterwards? It just goes to show you can find nice people in all walks of life!
[20:24] <@Kotono> "Yeah, I'm wondering about that." T comes on forward, "How come you're back here while others get the glory? Stuck on exorcist patrol like this, chasing dead spirits and no glory. Must be tough."
[20:25] <@Kotono> Amanna's smile dims just a bit, "Everyone has their role in the military. Right now, this is ours."
[20:27] <Annerose> "I'd say it's all because of your new weapon. If something didn't go around penetrate fortress walls at a whim, you'd have your part to play. You'd actually be a part of the war effort, wouldn't you say?"
[20:31] <@Kotono> "I know. I'd think you'd be up there, seeing to a fortress falling right about now. The ones that are trusted and powerful are there." T chuckles, "But I suppose this is the part all of you are cut out to play in the war effort."
[20:34] <@Inari> "Certainly, you're a lot stronger than the elites we faced before!" Inari is compelled to speak up for Amanna's prowess. Based on them she was sure none of Kabath's soldiers would be a threat.
[20:36] <@Kotono> There's a long pause as all eyes end up on the party. Amanna smirks, "The part we have to play, eh? What about all of you? What drives you onto a suicidal mission with no hope of success?"
[20:36] * Annerose isn't quite sure where T is going by antagonizing the zealots, but her own idea of convincing them to step aside has a slim chance of success as it is under the circumstances so she's curious enough to see it all play out. "Knowing we would succeed where others would no doubt fail."
[20:37] <@Erad> Erad stays quiet, as he doesn't have a lot to add to this current conversation that wouldn't probably cause more trouble.
[20:40] <@Kotono> "Yet you failed even before you stepped inside of there," Amanna retorts, "So now what?"
[20:42] <@Inari> "We could give those ghosts the battle they crave?" Inari suggests hopefully. "You'll get to see some more fighting and perhaps be redeployed somewhere more interesting now that you don't have to watch over them anymore?"
[20:43] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R maybe to think of some saying from Tempus on not to judge a group by one person's actions alone?
[20:43] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=14]
[20:43] <Annerose> "No plan survives contact with the enemy," Annerose says sagely. "Now, I would prefer for you to suggest some sort of loophole in your orders that would allow us into the fortress to clear out its ghosts, as Inari has suggested. Then, I promise to make my best to give Malana a fighting chance. Enough, perhaps, for you all to get your chance to prove yourself in battle instead of watching others do it from a place of safety."
[20:49] <@Kotono> Nothing directly comes to midn for Erad. He does know that Tempus emphasizes each person to be considered seriously and not disparaged, for valor and honor can arise in anyone. That's about as close as anything that Erad can think of.
[20:51] <@Kotono> "No." Amanna says, "My orders stand, and only a fool lets the enemy have free weapons during a battle. It is faster and better to continue this course, to defeat Malana and end this war."
[20:52] <@Erad> Erad lets out a breath as he looks contemplative about something.
[20:53] * Annerose frowns. "In that case, I'm afraid I must ask for your surrender."
[20:55] <@Kotono> There's a pause here - before laughter erupts amid all the clerics here. Amanna's own laughter is hearty before she says, "You're outnumbered and proven to be outclassed. If it's a battle you want, it'll end with a warrior's burial for all of you."
[20:57] <@Erad> "Doesn't Tempus say that you should consider each person and not simply write them off, despite how you might feel?" Erad says. "Perhaps you did best Inari in your own combat -- that isn't her strength. She supports us in our endeavors. If you'd like a real challenge, then maybe you should try fighting Inari, Annerose and myself with you and your best and see how well you do." He folds his arms
[20:57] <@Erad> afterwards, hoping to have made his point.
[20:58] <@Inari> "It's true, I'm terrible at fighting," Inari agrees. Back when she was a goddess and protector she always dominated foes through sheer power, this amply demonstrates how she fares against a skilled enemy without that advantage.
[20:59] <Annerose> "In honor of the way you treated Inari, I will not seek to end your lives needlessly," Annerose announces to the laughing clerics. "Any of you who change their mind about that surrender later may do so. But now, I'm going to that fortress!"
[21:08] <@Kotono> "A challenge, a group battle?" Amanna laughs, but looks interested. "You think to -" She stops at Annerose's words, simply looking on at her. "You are, eh?"
[21:09] * Annerose simply brings her shield up, a lance of ice forming in her other hand.
[21:14] <@Kotono> "So be it," Amanna raises her blade, pointing at Annerose, before chaos and war breaks out all around the party. OOC: Init there.
[21:14] <Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[21:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=15]
[21:15] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[21:15] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=10]
[21:15] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:15] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=11]
[21:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Amanna
[21:17] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d20=5]
[21:17] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 clerics rolled in bu lk for the sake of ease of use
[21:17] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=16]
[21:18] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=1]
[21:18] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=13]
[21:18] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 Rock
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=6]
[21:20] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(25)>Inari(14)>Erad(13)>Amanna(9)'
[21:23] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(25)>Clerics of Tempus(20>Helena(17)>Inari(14)>Erad(13)>Amanna(9)>T=Rock(7)'
[21:23] <@Kotono> OOC: Amanna's a mere 10ft from the party, while the clerics are 20ft away and spread out. Open, Annerose.
[21:27] <Annerose> They're prepared for her, and so Annerose doesn't feel the slightest hesitation as she thrusts her spear at the clerics and a massive gust of cold sweeps through all those in her path!
[21:27] <Annerose> roll 8d6 cold ref DC23 half
[21:27] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d6=3,3,1,3,4,5,4,3]
[21:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Amanna
[21:28] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=9]
[21:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 clerics
[21:28] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=11]
[21:29] <@Kotono> "Guh!" Amanna is shaken by that blast, armor lined with ice as two other clerics are badly frozen. But despite that, the clerics  form a line around Amanna. Two touch her, healing light spreading around her.
[21:29] <@Kotono> roll 2d8+5
[21:29] <@Kotono> roll 2d8+5
[21:29] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 >12 [d8=4,1]
[21:29] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d8=7,3]
[21:31] <@Kotono> Others chant, words and magic spreading. Some glow white, others bulge with muscles. A dull gray aura surrounds all of them, seeming to quicken them to your eyes. "For Tempus!" "Foehammer, guide me in battle!" "For glory now and forever!" "We are the hammer that batters Malana to its knees!" OOC: Helena's up.
[21:32] <Annerose> OOC: Can I AoO any of them coming over? Spear is 15ft.
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC:S ure, go for one.
[21:34] <Annerose> roll 1d20+11 K:L
[21:34] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=14]
[21:34] <Annerose> roll 1d20+6+2 ranged touch
[21:34] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=16]
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:35] <Annerose> roll 1d8+3+2 cold
[21:35] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d8=2]
[21:37] <@Kotono> Annerose takes the chance, thrusting out quickly. She lands a shoulder-stab on one of the clerics, wounding him but not putting him down. As this happens...
[21:37] <@Kotono> Helena simply charges headlong into the melee, shield out as she lams into the warrior in front of Amanna. "Fine then, out of our way!"
[21:37] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge)
[21:38] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=19]
[21:38] <@Kotono> OOC: +1 tm, too.
[21:38] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+6+2d6
[21:38] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d6=4,2,1]
[21:40] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 trip attempt
[21:40] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=14]
[21:40] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 fort vs dazing
[21:40] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=18]
[21:40] <@Kotono> That cleric gets a chestful of shield, knocked back and down in a heap. She groans and starts to get up, as...OOC: Inari.
[21:40] <@Inari> "Sorry, this is my fault for not being a better fighter," Inari apologises, rushing in to stab Amanna with her spear!
[21:40] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 -2pa charge divine might
[21:40] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=10]
[21:41] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit, Helena knocking down the warrior in front of her made that possible.
[21:41] <@Inari> roll 1d8+16+1d6
[21:41] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d8=1][d6=5]
[21:44] <@Kotono> Leaning past the downed warrior, Inari manages to stab Amanna in the shoulder. It knocks her back, blood running down her armored side. "Finally figured out how to hit," Amanna retorts, as...OOC: Erad.
[21:47] <@Erad> "We'll show you the same honor that you showed Inari." Erad calls out as he moves to take one of the clerics out of the fight, flying straight at them with his claws dripping acid!
[21:47] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11
[21:47] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=14]
[21:47] <@Erad> OOC: Do they count as evil? I would presume so but you never know.
[21:48] <@Kotono> OOC: No.
[21:48] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.
[21:53] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit, sorry.
[21:53] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+2d6 last is acid
[21:53] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d6=5,1,5,4,1]
[21:55] <@Kotono> Erad charges in and punches him dead on, acid-claw eating through armor. He cries out as he's knocked back, but he's still up yet. OOC: Amanna.
[21:59] <@Kotono> Staggering, Amanna presses her hand to her chest. The flaming shield there begins to crackle with very real fires - as a column of flame appears from the sky, striking down on Annerose, Helena and Inari. OOC: Do any of you have SR?
[22:00] <Annerose> OOC: Not me
[22:00] <@Inari> OOC: yes! 19, 23 vs evil spells/outsiders
[22:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 vs 19 Inari's SR
[22:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=16]
[22:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Ref saves, all y'all.
[22:00] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 evasion
[22:00] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=4]
[22:00] <Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[22:00] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=4]
[22:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Helena evasion
[22:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d20=7]
[22:02] <@Kotono> roll 9d6 half fire half divine damage. Ironically this is better for Annerose. All full, none of you could pull out a non-horrible saving throw.
[22:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 35 >12 [d6=4,1,5,5,4,2,6,6,2]

[Corwin]

[20:09] <@Kotono> The blast of divine fire catches the party unawares. Annerose is hit dead on, bursting aflame from the contact. Her cries of pain join Helena's, yet Inari makes not a noise. She simply collapses under the assault, burning away and face down on the ground. "Shit!" T calls, "Inari!" he settles back, just in range to heal the party but not the soldiers. He whips out his little drawing of Inari,
[20:09] <@Kotono> "Get up!" OOC: 1st daily use of this, 5/6 inspiration left for the encounter.
[20:09] <@Kotono> roll 4d6 healing
[20:09] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d6=1,3,3,5]
[20:10] * Retrieving #dunes modes...
[20:11] <@Kotono> T's energy passesthrough the party and mends wounds. It awakens Inari, who is face down and prone, but alive. Meanwhile, Rock screams and lunges into the front lines, body bulging with sheer rage.
[20:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+2 charge, +2 rage, -4 PA 1/2 daily rages)
[20:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=20]
[20:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+2 charge, +2 rage, -4 PA 1/2 daily rages) crit?
[20:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=13]
[20:12] <@Kotono> roll 2d8+24
[20:12] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d8=7,1]
[20:13] <@Kotono> Rock's arm thrust through the chest of one cleric, coming out the other side before ripping ot the side. Blood goes everywhere, the cleric falling back and down. OOC: Annerose.
[20:14] <@Annerose> "It really is a shame," Annerose says through gritted teeth, skin warped by that terrible fire, "that it had to come to a fight." She is beyond pain, but that doesn't stop her from stepping in and backhanding the cleric standing guard over Amanna!
[20:14] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8-4 fighting defensively, touch
[20:14] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8-4 fighting defensively, touch
[20:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=15]
[20:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d20=8]
[20:14] <@Annerose> OOC: +2 to each of those
[20:16] <@Kotono> OOC: Bot hit.
[20:16] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2d6+2 cold
[20:16] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2d6+2 cold
[20:16] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d6=3,5,3,2]
[20:16] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d6=5,5,4,1]
[20:17] * @Annerose discards her ice spear as she presses the fight truly into melee!
[20:17] <@Kotono> Already wounded, that cleric stumbles and falls, half frozen from Annerose's assault. The way to Amanna is now open. OOC: Clerics are up.
[20:23] <@Kotono> The clerics rush in to protect Amanna, another taking the place of the fallen. Spells and chants come, this time a wave of menance passing over the party. OOC: Will saves, all. Fear and mind-affecting.
[20:24] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+6
[20:24] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=7]
[20:24] <@Erad> OOC: I'm immune to fear, is anyone with 10 ft of me?
[20:24] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 +4 if Erad has the aura I guess?
[20:24] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=7]
[20:31] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3 T isn't close enough
[20:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d20=6]
[20:31] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Helena
[20:31] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=13]
[20:32] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+18 Rock (+2 rage, +2 rage again for separate Will boost, +4 aura)
[20:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 38 >12 [d20=20]
[20:35] <@Kotono> Waves of fear ripple through the party. T pales visibly as the others resist. OOC: Helena's up then Inari. T's shaken. Go Inari, I'll be a sec.
[20:36] <@Inari> Keeping down on the ground, Inari attempts to cast heart's ease so no one need be afraid!
[20:36] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14 concentration
[20:36] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=14]
[20:36] <@Inari> OOC: assume that worked, T is no longer feared
[20:40] <@Kotono> As Inari's magic spreads, stilling T, Helena continues to press. "You should go down and stay down!"
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=15]
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=19]
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d6=4]
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d6=6]
[20:41] <@Kotono> Two hard checks withher shield send another cleric stumbling back, face bloodied and chest bruised. OOC: Erad.
[20:42] <@Erad> "What is it going to take for you to yield in this confrontation? We didn't come here to slaughter Tempus' flock." Erad calls out. OOC: Is he still in melee range of some clerics? They moved in to protect Amanna so I know she's off limits.
[20:44] <@Kotono> OOC: You could, sure.
[20:45] <@Erad> Erad frowns. If they only respect fighting prowess, then maybe the fastest way is just... ...He takes a breath, his claws dripping with acid once again as he goes to try and tear into some more of the clerics!
[20:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10
[20:45] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=14]
[20:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:45] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=1]
[20:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:45] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=9]
[20:47] <@Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[20:47] <@Erad> OOC: Rock stole all my 20s.
[20:47] <@Erad> roll 2d6+3+2d6 last is acid
[20:47] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d6=1,6,2,5]
[20:53] <@Kotono> Erad swiftly strikes out, clobbering the already wounded cleric that Helena checked. He goes down, side battered and body sizzling with acid. OOC: Amanna.
[20:57] <@Kotono> Battered and beaten, Amanna looks on at the battle, "We did not come here to surrender!" Amanna retorts, as healing light spreads from her hand to her body.
[20:57] <@Kotono> roll 2d8+6
[20:57] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d8=7,2]
[20:57] <@Kotono> Her wounds heal further, repairing the damage done ot her. Meanwhile, T stays back and once again waves around his drawing of Inari.
[20:57] <@Kotono> roll 4d6 healing
[20:57] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 >12 [d6=2,4,3,1]
[20:58] <@Kotono> OOC: 10 HP healed to all. Go Annerose.
[20:58] <@Annerose> OOC: Rock?
[20:58] <@Kotono> OOC: Oh yes, sorry. Headache.

[Corwin]

[20:03] <@Kowork> With the battle joined, Rock tears into the clerics with a snarling fury.
[20:04] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 (+2 rage) claw
[20:04] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=18]
[20:04] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 (+2 rage) claw
[20:04] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=10]
[20:06] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+9 (+2 rage) bite
[20:07] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=17]
[20:07] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+10+1d6+10+2d6+15+1d6+5
[20:07] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 55 >12 [d6=1,2,1,6,5]
[20:08] <@Kowork> Rock leaps on one of the clerics, pinning them downa nd ripping him apart, armor and all. He screams as blood gushes everywhere, one cleric now going to meet Tempus personally. OOC: Annerose.
[20:08] <@Annerose> "Then you'll fall here!" Annerose snarls to Amanna, stepping into the breach made by Helena, Erad and Rock's efforts. "You have the time to heal yourself on the battlefield? Don't look away from your opponent! Don't stop fighting for any reason!" Her shield wards off the cleric to her side, but her attention is solely on Amanna in an effort to bring her down as frost gathers all around her hands!
[20:08] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+2 touch
[20:08] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+2 touch
[20:08] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=19]
[20:08] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=4]
[20:08] <@Kowork> OOC: Two hits.
[20:08] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2d6+2 cold
[20:08] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2d6+2 cold
[20:09] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d6=4,5,2,3]
[20:09] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d6=5,3,4,6]
[20:09] <@Kowork> Both blows hit Amanna, ice forming over her armor and her skin turning blue. She's down on one knee briefly, but manages to bull herself up. Not that you have time to admire it, for at this poitn the rest of the clerics close in, a storm of blades and maces falling on everyone.
[20:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Annerose
[20:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=12]
[20:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Annerose
[20:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=13]
[20:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Erad
[20:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=16]
[20:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Erad
[20:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=13]
[20:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Helena
[20:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=3]
[20:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Helena
[20:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=3]
[20:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Inari
[20:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=15]
[20:10] <@Erad> OOC: My AC is 20, so both hit
[20:10] <@Annerose> OOC: AC 29
[20:10] <@Inari> OOC: AC 28, they get +4 for attacking prone so that hits
[20:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 vs Rock fortunately, being down a few members saves a few hits.
[20:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=18]
[20:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d8+8 Erad 1
[20:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d8=8]
[20:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d8+8 Erad 2
[20:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d8=6]
[20:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d8+8 Inari
[20:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d8=3]
[20:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d8+8 Rock
[20:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d8=7]
[20:11] <@Kowork> OOC: Nonlethal to Rock.
[20:14] <@Kowork> Battle is joined. Blows land as it becomes a grim struggle to survive, steel against steel. The ruined fortress is a mere backdrop to this carnage, the clang of metal the only music that is heard. OOC: Helena.
[20:16] <@Kowork> Surrounded and blocking blows with her shield, Helena's body surges with power. Her entire body swells larger as she lets out a battle cry, "Tempus take you!"
[20:16] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+12 (+1 ab, 1/2 pp left for the day)
[20:16] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=8]
[20:16] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+7 (+1 ab, 1/2 pp left for the day)
[20:16] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=12]
[20:16] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+6
[20:16] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+6
[20:16] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d6=5]
[20:16] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d6=2]
[20:17] <@Kowork> She gives blows as good as she takes, managing to bruise a few more but not scoring any kills. But she's also unwounded, parrying blows madly and going into little mini-charges to knock Tempus' warriors about. OOC: Inari.
[20:19] <@Inari> Inari attempts to cast a spell for some security before she stands up!
[20:20] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14 concentration on mass lesser vigor, targetting me, Erad, and Annerose
[20:20] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=1]
[20:20] <@Kowork> OOC: Yep, that's an AoOin'.
[20:20] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 (+4 prone)
[20:20] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=12]
[20:21] <@Kowork> OOC: AC?
[20:21] <@Inari> OOC: 28
[20:21] <@Inari> Okay, that didn't work quite as well as she'd hoped, but it worked out okay! Now she can stand up without fear!
[20:22] <@Inari> OOC: and done
[20:23] <@Kowork> Inari has to roll to the side, avoiding a mace to the head. She manages to spring up, back on her feet now. She's bleeding all over, robes stained crimson. Her vision is hazy and she can't focus well. Her left arm barely works, numbness and pain whenever she tries to use it. But she's up, still in the fight if just barely. OOC: Erad.
[20:25] * Candide (Candide@207-210-181-180.cpe.skymesh.net.au) Quit (Client exited)
[20:25] * Candide (Candide@207-210-181-180.cpe.skymesh.net.au) has joined #dunes
[20:31] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R on some saying of Tempus along the lines of fighting a losing battle is stupid
[20:32] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d20=1]
[20:32] <@Erad> OOC: Well screw you too Tempus
[20:32] <@Kowork> OOC: I think it's safe tos ay that's a failure, yes.
[20:33] <@Erad> "Do you want this broken down fortress to be your grave, here in the middle of nowhere?! Stop fighting before you've no more allies to stand with you, you bull-headed fool!" Erad cries out, before he reluctantly goes to thin the lines of clerics that are in front of him.
[20:34] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10
[20:34] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:34] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=13]
[20:34] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=18]
[20:34] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[20:34] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=18]
[20:34] <@Erad> OOC: ...sure, we'll go with that.
[20:35] <@Kowork> OOC: All hits.
[20:36] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+2d6 last is acid
[20:36] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d6=6,4,1,3,4]
[20:36] <@Erad> roll 2#3d6+3
[20:36] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 11, 15 >
[20:38] <@Kowork> Erad strikes about, catching one warrior in the throat. It burns away in acid, another one sent headlong into death. Another block knocks another cleric to his knees, a third kicking him hard in the face. OOC: Amanna.
[20:42] <@Kowork> Amanna pulls herself together, "Then so be it," She coughs after, shuddering, "Better to live one day as a lion thna a life as a mouse!"
[20:42] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+11 Annerose
[20:42] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=11]
[20:42] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+6 Annerose
[20:42] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=18]
[20:42] <@Kowork> But Annerose is too fast and too canny, dodging both of the blows amid the general bloodshed. OOC: T'n'Rock.
[20:45] <@Kowork> With the battle lines swamped, T simply vanishes - literally. OOC; Invisibility, 3/6 inspiration left.
[20:46] <@Kowork> OOC: Actually strike, had a derp.
[20:46] <@Kowork> Despite some clerics being in the way, T once again channels life energy for the party. OOC: 3rd daily healing, 3/ 6 inspiration.
[20:46] <@Kowork> roll 4d6
[20:46] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d6=1,4,1,6]
[20:47] <@Kowork> As life energy mends the party and some of the hostiles, Rock goes about fixing that second part. Violently.
[20:47] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 claw
[20:47] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 claw
[20:47] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=13]
[20:47] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 34 >12 [d20=20]
[20:47] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+9 bite
[20:47] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=13]
[20:47] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14 claw claw crit
[20:47] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=3]
[20:48] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+10+1d6+10+2d6+15+1d6+5
[20:48] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 59 >12 [d6=2,3,3,5,6]
[20:52] <@Kowork> Another cleric goes down as Rock leaps to the next, mauling and tearing himi apart limb from limb - literally. Arms and legs go flying as....OOC: Annersoe.
[20:53] <@Annerose> "As you wish," Annerose says grimly, going for the killing strike!
[20:53] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+2 touch
[20:53] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+2 touch
[20:53] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d20=1]
[20:53] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=19]
[20:53] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2d6+2
[20:53] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d6=1,4,2,3]
[20:55] * Kowork changes topic to 'Annerose(25)>Clerics of Tempus(20>Helena(17)>Inari(14)>Erad(13)>T=Rock(7)'
[20:55] <@Kowork> The touch gets Amanna right on the chest. She gasps, trying to breath but her lungs are frozen. "Te..." is all she manages to gasp out, before falling onto the welcoming earth. At this...
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d100+15 (+15 due to various things in combat) 51+
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 41 >12 [d100=26]
[20:55] <@Kowork> But the clerics seem resolute, pressing the battle further despite losses.
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Annerose
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=4]
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Annerose
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=14]
[20:55] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Erad
[20:55] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=9]
[20:56] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Helena
[20:56] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=3]
[20:56] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Inari
[20:56] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=15]
[20:56] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10 Rock
[20:56] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=10]
[20:56] <@Inari> OOC: AC 28, not prone~
[20:56] <@Erad> OOC: AC 20
[20:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d8+8
[20:57] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d8=5]
[20:57] <@Kowork> OOC: Nonlethal.
[20:58] <@Kowork> More blows - but the tide is turning, the party rallying. As it goes back and forth, Helena surges again, throwing all she has into it.
[20:58] * @Annerose looks insufferably superior, staring down at the zealots trying to cut her down.
[20:58] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+12 (+1 ab, 0/2 pp left)
[20:58] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=10]
[20:58] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+7
[20:58] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=11]
[20:58] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+6
[20:58] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d6=3]
[20:59] <@Kowork> Helena manages to knock another down, that one going still from a shield to the face. Oh sure, he's bleeding, but he's also not moving. OOC: Inari.
[21:01] <@Inari> Rather than collecting her spear, Inari settles for striking at the man who attacked her with elbow and knee strikes! "You can handle the next duel, Annerose!" she praises the yuki-onna as Amanna is finally dispatched.
[21:01] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10 unarmed
[21:01] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=18]
[21:01] <@Inari> roll 1d6+3
[21:01] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 5 >12 [d6=2]
[21:02] <@Inari> OOC: +1 to that, animalistic power
[21:02] <@Kowork> Right i the face. It sends the cleric stumbling back, a muffled cry as hestays up. Bloodied but up. OOC: Erad.
[21:02] <@Annerose> "You got it!" Annerose calls back.
[21:03] <@Erad> "If you don't cease this senseless fighting, NOW, then you'll watch as your leader dies in front of your eyes! Stop. Fighting!" Erad insists as he goes in again!
[21:03] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10
[21:03] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=12]
[21:03] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:03] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=14]
[21:03] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:03] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=12]
[21:07] <@Kowork> OOC: Two hits.
[21:08] <@Erad> roll 2#3d6+3 nonlethal
[21:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 9, 13 >
[21:08] <@Kowork> Another soldier goes down to a throat jab - but this one collapses, gasping and alive. T hangs back a second while Rock doesn't know the meaning of quit. OOC: T'll hold in case of emergency now. Rock attacks.
[21:08] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14
[21:08] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+14
[21:08] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=5]
[21:08] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=13]
[21:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+9
[21:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 10 >12 [d20=1]
[21:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d6+10+1d6+10+2d6+15
[21:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 45 >12 [d6=3,2,1,4]
[21:09] <@Kowork> Oh look, another cleric ripped to shreds. Rock's really getting into it now. He just tears him open like a present, getting to the red, squishy rewards within. OOC: Annerose.
[21:12] * @Annerose summons her spear anew, the ice growing out of her palm until its sharp tip lightly touches the nose of the cleric that was directly behind Amanna. "Leave this land!" she demands simply, not complicating the choice for the cleric and his brethren.
[21:12] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+16 intimidate!
[21:12] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=7]
[21:13] <@Kowork> roll 1d100+25 (+25 due to combat things) 51+
[21:13] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 44 >12 [d100=19]
[21:14] <@Kowork> But they seem relentless. Instead of routing, they begin a careful withdrawl, the surviving six falling back defensively. OOC: They're using the withdrawl action to get out of combat, rather than just running. They do seem to konw the battle's gone bad and it's throwing bad money after good. Is anyone going to contest this?
[21:15] <@Erad> OOC: I'm not
[21:15] <@Inari> "Down, Rock," Inari says, recovering her spear now. "We've won."
[21:16] <@Annerose> It's not a rout, but Annerose considers it an acceptable outcome. She makes her spear fade away, simply standing there glaring at the retreating clerics to ensure they don't get the bright idea of charging back in.
[21:19] <@Kowork> T sags in relief, wiping his brow. "And get out!" Helena calls, as Rock stares balefully at the rest. OOC: Diplo, Inari.
[21:20] <@Inari> roll 1d20+18
[21:20] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 37 >12 [d20=19]
[21:22] <@Kowork> It's enough - Rock stands down, growling and staring as the warriors retreat. Wounds heal as vigor works its course, the battlefield yours -f or now. OOC: Free act.
[21:23] <@Inari> "Good work, you did very well," she praises the troll before turning to include the rest of the group. "All of you. I'm sorry it was necessary on my behalf."
[21:24] <@Erad> Erad goes to check on Amanna. She might not be dead, yet!
[21:24] <@Kowork> "Are you alright," Helena hurries over to Inari, "You were so dreadfully wounded!"
[21:24] <@Erad> OOC: Actually, he'll check on the others that didn't, you know... ...die by troll.
[21:24] <@Annerose> "It happens," Annerose responds with a shrug. "I couldn't have healed us back from that hateful fire."
[21:24] <@Kowork> T saunters over slower, "We made it out of on ethat time. 'nari, be more careful next time. You got beaten like a drum."
[21:24] <@Kowork> OOC: Sure, Era.d Heal.
[21:25] <@Erad> roll 1d20+12 Dr. Dragon
[21:25] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=7]
[21:25] * @Annerose winces, before voicing, "T, can you check them for any written orders or anything of the sort?"
[21:25] <@Kowork> One cleric and Amanna still live- barely. They're living by a thread and dying. Healing or medical attention might save them.
[21:26] <@Erad> "These two might still make it." Erad calls out. "Do any of you object to me getting them back to the world of the living?"
[21:26] <@Inari> "It goes to show I need to work on my fighting skills," Inari agrees, healing herself some more. "In the past I got by simply from overwhelming power, but without that to back me up... well," she shrugs lightly. "And of course not Erad, go ahead."
[21:26] <@Inari> roll 2d8+7 cure moderate
[21:27] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d8=3,6]
[21:27] <@Erad> He nods. He puts a hand on both of them. OOC: 12 points of healing to both.
[21:27] * @Annerose relieves the clerics of their weapons.
[21:28] <@Erad> OOC: Strike that, sorry, just enough to stabilize, if I can tell.
[21:29] <@Kowork> OOC: 1 hp each is sufficient for that.
[21:30] <@Erad> OOC: Okay, then 1 HP each!
[21:32] <@Erad> "I can tie them up so they don't cause us any trouble whenever they wake up." Erad offers. "I'm sure they've got some rope in their tents."
[21:33] <@Annerose> "We can make them comfortable there, and take our time going over their correspondence with their leaders, or any maps they might have. Then, once they wake up, it would be in a changed setting and with us both wiser and in a position of strength."
[21:33] <@Kowork> T goes through, summarizing what was found. "...and no writtne orders. I'm guessing verbal orders for this," T says. OOC: Loot post.
[21:36] <@Erad> Erad nods. "I'll take care of getting them situated." Erad says as he moves to carry Amanna and then the other cleric to one of the tents.
[21:37] <@Erad> OOC: I'm going to try and remove anything held from both of them, probably except for their armor.
[21:37] <@Annerose> "Good. T, please check the tents while we keep a watch against those zealots?"
[21:38] <@Inari> Inari heals herself a little more as her bolstering spells start to fade away, content to let Erad manage the survivors while T checks out the tents.
[21:38] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5
[21:38] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d8=1]
[21:39] <@Kowork> As Erad gets the other two in, T does a quick search of the tents. "Still no orders," he says, "I hate to say I was right, but I was right." OOC: Loot post.
[21:41] <@Inari> "I'll have a look over it all for any magic?" Inari suggests, casting detect magic and doing that.
[21:45] <@Annerose> "Being thorough doesn't hurt us," Annerose says with another shrug. "Thank for the effort, T."
[21:50] * Yuthirin (~Yuthirin@75-171-84-116.phnx.qwest.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:51] <@Kowork> "Doesn't hurt," T goes to rest, "But now what? I can bet we'll face trouble if we linger here too long."
[21:52] <@Kowork> Following along, "Yeah, but we're all a bit windeda fter that battle," Helena remarks, "I don't really want to face ghosts already spent."
[21:54] <@Inari> "I don't think we have a choice," Inari says. "There'll surely be reinforcements come to recapture this area within the day."
[21:54] <@Annerose> "The most important question is how much positive energy you two can call upon now?"
[21:55] <@Kowork> T waggles a hand back and forth, "Some more, but not that much. It's hard to do, you know?"
[21:56] <@Annerose> "I know," she says with great patience. "And you, Inari?"
[21:57] <@Inari> "I can turn undead seven more times, and I can cast my strongest spell three more times," Inari replies. "I used a few in this battle but certainly not the majority of what I can do."
[21:58] <@Annerose> "Then let's go, after securing our wounded prisoners. We'll see how the entrance treats us, and take it from there."
[21:59] <@Erad> "I can muster more." Erad says. "If we need it."
[22:00] <@Kowork> OOC: Hwo are you securing the prisoners?
[22:02] <@Annerose> OOC: Take away their armor/weapons/spell components, bind them with rope. Ensure they're otherwise comfortable in the tents and protected from the elements.
[22:02] <@Erad> OOC: I can probably get a general idea of when they'll wake up without healing?
[22:02] <@Annerose> OOC: If Rek wants to, he can also watch them
[22:02] <@Kowork> OOC: That's fine.
[22:03] <@Kowork> OOC: We'll pause here.

[Corwin]

[20:03] <@Ko-Kappafear> OOC: Okay, make spellcraft if y'all are scanning Amanna's gear and that other cleric's gear.
[20:04] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12 Amanna
[20:04] <PlushieIthea> Annerose roll for PlushieIthea < 15 >12 [d20=3]
[20:04] <@Inari> OOC: take 10 for 23
[20:05] <@Ko-Kappafear> Her weapon and armor are magic but you can't figure them out.
[20:07] <@Ko-Kappafear> OOC: Anything else to do with 'em or are y'all ready to move along?
[20:08] <@Annerose> OOC: let's go
[20:08] <@Erad> OOC: Tie them up, make them comfortable, make sure they can't get to their stuff easily and leave them knocked out for now. Do we want to use the ghost touch scroll on anyone? My suggestion would be Rock, probably.
[20:08] <@Inari> OOC: don't think it works on natural weapons, but we can give him a weapon from one of the clerics and cast it on that.
[20:09] <@Ko-Kappafear> OOC: Okay.
[20:11] <@Ko-Kappafear> Ahead is the ruined fortress. The outer walls are shattered, revealing the inner courtyard and keep. It's dead silent as the fall sun shines down, not a sound ahead. It is in disarray, bloodstains still visible on walls and the ground. There are several stables to the sides, with a path leading to more side buildings and warehouses, then the actual fortress proper.
[20:11] <@Inari> "Rock, why don't you pick up a weapon you like?" Inari suggests to the troll, holding up the ghost touch scroll. "I can make it magic so it'll hurt any ghosts we run into."
[20:17] <@Ko-Kappafear> Rock looks around, before grabbing a large chunk of wall. It's old stone, a rough club he hold sin two hands. "Smash."
[20:19] <@Inari> "Good enough," Inari quirks a smile. "I'll wait to cast it when we first see ghosts, since it won't last more than a few minutes. Just don't attack any until I tell you it's safe, okay?"
[20:20] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Yeah," T drawls, "Until we see them all up close and ectoplasmic."
[20:21] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Shush," Helena murmurs, shield up as she advances next to Annerose.
[20:23] <@Ko-Kappafear> "So..." After long moments, T looks around. "Which way?"
[20:25] <@Inari> "Into the main keep I think," Inari says, stepping through the rubble of the shattered wall rather than bothering with the gate.
[20:25] <@Annerose> "Took the words right out of my mind," Annerose agrees, following closely.
[20:26] <@Erad> "I doubt there's anything on the other sides anyway, I'd imagine it's already been pilfered." Erad reasons.
[20:27] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Probably," T agrees as the party heads on in. As you pass through the courtyard, a chill wind blows. It brings shivers to you. A feeling of unsteadiness, of numbness
[20:27] <@Ko-Kappafear> .
[20:28] <@Erad> Erad shifts his posture a bit. "You think diplomacy works on ghosts?"
[20:29] <@Inari> "If we can assuage whatever unfinished business ties them to the world," Inari says. "Though I think it's less unfinished business and more horrible magic in this case."
[20:30] <@Erad> "Horrible magic tends to be the root of a lot of things." Erad mutters.
[20:31] <@Annerose> "They might be happy to help Malana win?"
[20:32] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Yeah, and maybe I'll wake up as the Prince of Kyrgur," T shakes his head, "I doubt we'll havem uch luck on that front."
[20:32] <@Ko-Kappafear> "I don't know, maybe they would care. We can try, can't we?" Helena glances at T before going on.
[20:33] <@Inari> "I don't think things will be that convenient for us," Inari says sadly, heading towards the keep itself. The catacombs are more likely found in the middle than exploring stables and such. "But words cost nothing."
[20:37] <@Ko-Kappafear> The front gate to the keep has been torn down. Within looks to be defensible positions along a hall. Arrow slits in the sides, little barriers and cover in lines, choke points where it narrows down to 5ft wide passages at most. It goes on for a good ways, the path funneled towards the strong points. Far ahead you can see a gate leading further in.
[20:38] <@Inari> "Looks like they at least tidied up the bodies," Inari says. Either that or they all got used to make horrible undead monsters, but she hasn't seen or heard of any of those being used by either army so it seems that genie is remaining in its bottle!
[20:39] <@Annerose> Since they are the first on their side to actually visit the fortress, Annerose voices, "If any of you find a clue as to how the fortress was brought down, or the weapon used, we can spend a bit of time to investigate that."
[20:42] <@Erad> "My personal guess is that it's some sort of magic that causes an explosion." Erad says. "If I see any evidence to either prove that or to the contrary I'll say so."
[20:44] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Eyes open then," T remarks. OOC: Make perception checks on that note.
[20:44] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14
[20:44] <PlushieIthea> Inari roll for PlushieIthea < 34 >12 [d20=20]
[20:46] <@Erad> roll 1d20+14
[20:46] <PlushieIthea> Erad roll for PlushieIthea < 26 >12 [d20=12]
[20:46] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2
[20:46] <PlushieIthea> Annerose roll for PlushieIthea < 22 >12 [d20=20]
[20:49] <@Ko-Kappafear> roll 1d20+11 T
[20:49] <PlushieIthea> Ko-Kappafear roll for PlushieIthea < 17 >12 [d20=6]
[20:49] <@Ko-Kappafear> roll 1d20+11 Helena
[20:49] <PlushieIthea> Ko-Kappafear roll for PlushieIthea < 16 >12 [d20=5]
[20:49] <@Ko-Kappafear> OOC: Inari, roll 1d20+34. This is a situation where an exploding crit may be worthwhile and relevant.
[20:49] <@Inari> roll 1d20+34
[20:49] <PlushieIthea> Inari roll for PlushieIthea < 50 >12 [d20=16]
[20:58] <@Ko-Kappafear> The party studies as they go along, while Inari comes on something. She stops to study a chunk of wall, where she notices a strange, faint residue. It makes her nose tingle as she gets a whiff of it. OOC: K:A, Inari, if you have ranks.
[20:59] <@Inari> OOC: I don't!
[21:00] <@Inari> "Hmm..." Inari stops and leans over, running her index finger over the residue and bringing it up for a closer sniff. "There's some strange residue on the rubble here. Think it could have something to do with what broke the walls? Some sort of alchemical compound?"
[21:01] <@Annerose> "You never know," Annerose muses, giving it a curious, closer look at Inari's words.
[21:02] <@Ko-Kappafear> OOC: K:A, Annerose.
[21:02] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[21:02] <PlushieIthea> Annerose roll for PlushieIthea < 29 >12 [d20=16]
[21:06] <@Ko-Kappafear> Hm? That's odd. It's residue of bat guano and something else. Some sort of ash. From the looks of it, something burnt so hot and fast to only leave faint dust behind. Far hotter than a typical fireball. Much too hot for typical magic to conjure, but perhaps something tied to fire...?
[21:08] * @Annerose shudders before she can stop herself. "That's the hottest fireball I ever heard of! Burnt almost everything in a flash, too! That's not a spell the basic theory covers...."
[21:09] <@Inari> "That's it, just a fireball?" Inari asks, looking around at the conspicuously broken but not melted or charred rubble as she rubs her thumb against her finger to wipe off the stuff. "It doesn't seem to fit with the debris though, does it?"
[21:09] <@Ko-Kappafear> T stops and hms, "Really? It doesn't, so what gives?" T looks around, leaning on an intact wall, arms crossed. "A and B don't make sense, so where does that leave C?"
[21:10] <@Erad> Erad tilts his head. "Fire elementals?" He asks. "I don't have much experience, but... well, that would fit, wouldn't it?"
[21:10] <@Annerose> "I don't see why they would be using spell components," Annerose says doubtfully, "though I suppose nothing prevents a fire elemental from being a fire wizard."
[21:12] <@Inari> "It just leaves more questions behind, doesn't it?" Inari says, picking her way through the rest of the rubble to get into the keep proper.
[21:13] <@Annerose> "Definitely," Annerose agrees. "I can see the spell being highly targetted, given that it's magic, but why use it here?"
[21:15] <@Erad> "Maybe this was a test?" Erad asks as they go along.
[21:22] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Could be," T hmms, "A trial run in combat?"
[21:25] <@Erad> "I mean, if it didn't work, so what?" Erad says. "It seems like they didn't have a lot to lose, really, just make their siege take a little longer."
[21:26] <@Ko-Kappafear> "Yeah," T says ,as the party meanwhile goes on. At the far end you find this gate is intact, albeit slightly ajar.
[21:28] <@Annerose> "Let's check the gate for more of that residue?" Annerose suggests, doing that very thing.
[21:30] <@Inari> Inari tags along with her valuable nose!
[21:35] <@Ko-Kappafear> As Inari begins to sniff around? "Leave..." A voice whispers, just audible.
[21:36] <@Erad> "Oh, here we go..." Erad mumbles.
[21:36] <@Inari> "We can't," Inari answers, looking around for its source. "We're here for weapons Malana needs to win the war." Lets see if appealing to patriotic spirit (pun unintended) works.
[21:38] <@Annerose> "If we don't, a great deal of innocent people will be hurt," Annerose adds. "Can we come to any sort of accomodation?"
[21:38] <@Ko-Kappafear> There's a low murmur of voices at that, the air growing colder. T shivers and looks around while Helena protects herself - and Rock's eyes widen, a look of sheer panic on his face.
[21:39] <@Inari> "Don't worry Rock, it's not fire!" Inari cheerfully reassures the troll.
[21:42] * Ko-Kappafear is now known as Kotono
[21:42] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a quick dipo check to keep Rock in line.
[21:43] <@Inari> roll 1d20+18
[21:43] <PlushieIthea> Inari roll for PlushieIthea < 24 >12 [d20=6]
[21:47] <@Kotono> Rock squirms at this, looking around wildly. Meanwhile, the voice whispers again, "Leave, patroits. Your warning is here."
[21:48] <@Annerose> "Leaving is the same as condemning our citizens to ruin and death," Annerose responds, shaking her head. "If we can't reach an accord with you, then we can only fight."
[21:53] <@Erad> "We respect your own patriotism." Erad calls out along with Annerose. "But our duty is to the living and not to the dead."
[21:54] <@Kotono> "Come and die. Come and join us," The voices whisper to you, before going silent.
[21:55] <@Inari> "I suppose they're waiting below," Inari says, resuming her sniffage.
[21:55] <@Annerose> "Fair enough," Annerose says in a tight voice, waiting on everyone to make their final preparations before proceeding.

[Corwin]

[20:44] <@Kotono> "Time to earn or pay...figuratively," T mutters, "Onward?"
[20:45] <@Kotono> Helena nods, "Let's go."
[20:46] <@Inari> "I can't smell any bat leavings here," Inari confirms, heading back towards the keep itself.
[20:50] <@Kotono> You advance along. The defensive hallway soon ends. There's a door ahead, a door to the left and a door to the right. All three are ajar, open slightly.
[20:50] <@C2> "I'll check the one to the right," Annerose announces, doing so.
[20:51] <@Inari> "We really should have asked just where in the fortress the catacombs are," Inari says with a little sigh, pushing the door ahead open fully and stepping through.
[20:52] <@Erad> Erad will check the door on the left, then!
[20:53] <@Kotono> T stays behind Erad, Rock follows Inari and Helena with Annerose. OOC: Are you all going to split up or just peek?
[20:53] <@Erad> OOC: Just peeking.
[20:54] <@C2> OOC: Same
[20:55] <@Inari> OOC: I was gonna just keep going down the middle but I'll wait on peekings
[20:56] <@Kotono> Erad peeks on the door to the left. It leads to another, narrow hall with defensive barricades and murder holes. Annerose finds much the same on the right. Ahead Inari finds the same as well. However, this one is shorter and leads to a grand double doors that shows a man wrestling a lion.
[20:57] <@C2> "Why split things like this?" Annerose muses out loud, moving to rejoin Inari. "Instead of a single bottleneck you have several to defend."
[20:58] <@Erad> Erad goes to rejoin with the others. "A good question."
[20:58] <@Inari> "If the enemy's inside the fortress you've lost anyway," Inari says. "Having an efficient layout to let you move forces outside to the wall is probably a bigger priority?"
[20:59] <@Kotono> "Probably," T rubs his chin, "Also, so they can possibly roll one flank and pincer an attack going straight ahead."
[20:59] <@C2> "Makes sense, I suppose. I'd just drop the top floor on the one corridor I have."
[21:00] <@Kotono> "Still, we do need to choose," Helena says, as a soft wailing is heard from the corridor Inari peeked down. It's one that makes your arms break out in gooseflesh, spine shivering.
[21:00] <@Inari> "Choice made for us!" Inari chirps, going to open the lion doors.
[21:01] <@Kotono> Rock leaps a few feet into the air, stumbling back. T grimaces and Helena hides behind her shield, before going to follow Inari.
[21:01] <@Erad> "For Rock's sake, I hope we don't run into any ghosts that are on fire." Erad says.
[21:01] <@C2> Annerose gives Erad a truly evil look.
[21:02] <@Kotono> Helena shudders, "Fire ghosts?!"
[21:03] <@Inari> "I think cold is their element," Inari says reassuringly.
[21:03] <@Kotono> "Truly we live in the worst of all worlds," T drawls, as meanwhile Inari goes to the lion doors and opens them. Ahead is a great ruined chamber, eight doors studding the walls - two on each side and three ahead. It's a large square room full of debris and bodies - of both sides. The smell of death is strong here, even now.
[21:04] <@C2> Annerose smacks the back of T's head lightly as she passes him on her way to the front.
[21:05] <@Erad> "For your sake too, of course!" Erad says to Annerose. He grimaces as they walk into the room. He says a silent prayer to Bahamut to look after the souls of the departed.
[21:05] <@Inari> "They seemed to clear up the bodies elsewhere," Inari says. "That they haven't here suggests they weren't able to, so we can expect ghosts to start attacking now." So she casts shield of faith on herself to better avoid incorporeal touches!
[21:06] <@C2> Nodding grimly, Annerose prepares to do what little she can.
[21:07] <@Kotono> T grins the back of his head and rubs. As Inari casts and the others catch up - except for Rock, who stays back - the bodies begin to rise. A few dozen soldiers in varying states of maiming and decay, a low wail as they begin to advance. Some carry weapons and some do not, the motley hoard comign at you. OOC: Init.
[21:08] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[21:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:08] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=14]
[21:08] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=9]
[21:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[21:08] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=15]
[21:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 Rock
[21:08] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=18]
[21:08] <@C2> roll 1d20+5
[21:08] <Serith> C2 roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=11]
[21:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=12]
[21:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d20 the risen
[21:08] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 4 >12 [d20=4]
[21:09] * Kotono changes topic to 'Helena=Rock(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)>The Risen(4)'
[21:09] <@Kotono> Helena wastes no time, charging headlong into the zombies as they stand up, zipping right past Inari and Annerose.
[21:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 charge)
[21:09] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 30 >12 [d20=17]
[21:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5
[21:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d6=1]
[21:10] <@Kotono> Wham! A direct hit on a rotting body, which explodes in a gooey mess. The mere contact is too much, Helena coated in black blood and liquefied flesh. There's a moment before she screams, followed by Rock screaming. But he's not advancing - he's running full bore, back towards the outside. OOC: Inari.
[21:11] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 fort Helena
[21:11] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d20=8]
[21:11] <@Inari> "Rock! Come back!" Inari shouts, before throwing some foxfire at a zombie. "You're the scariest thing for miles!"
[21:11] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[21:11] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=18]
[21:11] <@Inari> roll 7d6 fire
[21:11] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d6=1,5,2,1,3,5,6]
[21:11] <@Inari> roll 1d4 recharge
[21:11] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 1 >12 [d4=1]
[21:12] <@Kotono> Two ghosts are hit, bursting into a cloud of ashes. Helena menawhile dry heaves, shuddering all over and gasping for air. But she holds it together as...OOC: Diplo Inari,  -5.
[21:13] <@C2> Annerose dispatches the nearest of the things with a ray of positive energy.
[21:13] <@C2> roll 1d20+9 ray
[21:13] <Serith> C2 roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=4]
[21:13] <@C2> roll 1d6
[21:13] <Serith> C2 roll for Serith < 4 >12 [d6=4]
[21:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:13] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 diplo
[21:13] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=1]
[21:13] * @C2 (~corwin@91.135.102.180) Quit (Quit: )
[21:15] <@Kotono> Another zombie is hit by Annerose's ray, crumbling to dust. Meanwhile Rock keeps on running and screaming, no indication that he's stopping. OOC: T's up.
[21:16] <@Kotono> T simply steps in amid the zombies, pincering them and calling, "Alright, you want a real man to fight, you walking corpses? Here I am!" OOC: 5/6 inspiration, boosting his AC for obvious reasons. He needs to flank something here for SA, so he'll just position this round and try to dodge/show off a bit. Erad.
[21:18] <@Erad> Erad just flies forward, aiming to rid the world of some corpses!
[21:19] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11+5 Smite Evil if applicable
[21:19] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=10]
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: That's a big old hit.
[21:20] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+5+1d6+2d6 1d6 is holy and 2d6 is acid
[21:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 31 >12 [d6=3,3,2,4,6,5]
[21:22] <@Kotono> Erad flies right on in, acid-coated foot scything through three zombie heads. Each one dissolves, the bodies melting into rotting gore. AS they fall, the surviving walking dead advance on the party.
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=7]
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Helena
[21:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=15]
[21:23] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Erad
[21:23] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=1]
[21:23] <@Kotono> But the attacks are broken and slow, the zombies tripping over each other to strike and fail. "C'mon," T challenges, "Just throwing your minions at us before a real fight?" OOC: Helena's up.
[21:26] <@Kotono> Helena promptly withdraws back 20ft, taking up ad efensive position and kneeling. She dry heaves a few more times, shaking all over. Meanwhile Rock keeps on running. OOC: Inari.
[21:27] <@Inari> Inari moves to cover Helena with her spear and launches some more quickly recharging foxfire into the fray!
[21:27] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[21:27] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=10]
[21:27] <@Inari> roll 7d6 fire
[21:27] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d6=1,3,2,6,5,6,2]
[21:27] <@Inari> roll 1d4 recharge
[21:27] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 3 >12 [d4=3]
[21:28] <@Kotono> Three more zombies burst into flaming ash, the horde rapidly thinning out. There's not a lot of them left, going down faster than they can really rally themselve.s OOC: Annerose.
[21:32] * @Annerose can't really do much more than she already is!
[21:32] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[21:32] <@Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:32] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=9]
[21:32] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 1 >12 [d6=1]
[21:33] <@Kotono> Another beam, this one only clipping an zombie. An arm burns away, but this one's still intact. "Finally," T says, striking in all directions fast and hard. OOC: 4/6 inspiration to add +1d6, so he'll do a total of 2d6 after penetrating strike.
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 flanking
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=16]
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (+2 flanking)
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=13]
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d4-1+2d6
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d4=1][d6=5,3]
[21:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d4-1+2d6
[21:34] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 3 >12 [d4=1][d6=2,1]
[21:34] <@Kotono> Two zombies get daggers in the back, falling over and shuddering on the ground. They slowly melt down from the neat puctures, rather than explode from Helena's bashing. OOC: Erad.
[21:36] <@Erad> Erad will move on to more put down the rest! OOC: Am I close enough for a full attack?
[21:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[21:37] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10
[21:37] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=10]
[21:37] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:37] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=10]
[21:37] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:37] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=20]
[21:37] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5 crit?
[21:37] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=19]
[21:37] <@Kotono> OOC: Can't crit undead, but all hit.
[21:38] <@Erad> OOC: Oh right.
[21:38] <@Erad> roll 3#3d6+3+1d6
[21:38] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 16, 19, 17 >
[21:39] <@Kotono> OOC: What's the 1d6 from?
[21:40] <@Erad> OOC: Holy Strike
[21:43] <@Kotono> Like a machine, Erad batters through the remaining zombies. Holy power dissolves them as vile thinks slash against Erad, his stomach turning. OOC: Fort. Free acta fter.
[21:45] <@Inari> Before running after Rock, Inari conjures up some water to rinse poor Helena off! "Poor you, that thing really made a mess, didn't it?"
[21:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13 mettle if it matters
[21:45] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=12]
[21:46] <@Erad> OOC: And +2 more if it's an evil descriptor or supernatural effect
[21:46] <@Kotono> OOC: Pass, carry on.
[21:46] <@Kotono> Helena is rinsed. She shivers and chokes, coughing a few times. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," she mutters. T meanwhile picks his way out of the corpses, "That wasn't so bad. You all right back there?"
[21:47] <@Annerose> "It was pretty bad," Annerose objects. "Not a challenge, though."
[21:47] <@Inari> "Anyway, I'm going to go find Rock and calm him down. Hopefully he hasn't gotten too far," Inari says, jogging back out the way she came.
[21:47] <@Erad> Erad goes over to check on Helena!
[21:48] <@Erad> roll 1d20+12 Dr. Dragon, Medicine Man
[21:48] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 30 >12 [d20=18]
[21:48] <@Erad> OOC: heal check, for reference
[21:52] <@Kotono> Helena looks laright, just shaken up and a bit sickened. Meanwhile Inari runs off to find Rock...OOC: #evildunes.
[21:54] * @Annerose makes sure to clean Helena's hands and armor with magic. "Can't do much about what you fight," she muses. "Only how you do it."
[21:55] <@Erad> Erad puts a hand on Helena's shoulder and channels some healing energy into her.
[21:55] <@Erad> OOC: Using Cadeceus Bracers to trade 5 points of healing to cure sickened.
[21:56] <@Kotono> Helena perks right back up at the water and the touch, "Thanks, both of you," she says, smiling a little bit, "Yeah, occupational hazard."
[21:59] <@Erad> Erad will start on the left side and open the first door while they wait for Inari.
[22:01] <@Kotono> This door leads to straight passage sloping down.
[22:02] <@Erad> "Huh." Erad says as he goes to check the next door. "Too bad we didn't come across a map of the place..."
[22:04] <@Kotono> The next door leads to a passage going straight ahead. This one has a few bodies littering it, but only a few.
[22:05] <@Kotono> "Yeah, no kidding," T goes to check one of the doors ahead, "Looks like a straight shot passage here. Let me take a peek down it."
[22:05] <@Annerose> "Don't get ghosted!"
[22:06] <@Erad> "I don't like the idea of being a grave robber," Erad says with a grimance. "But it's better than leaving anything to be desecrated by Aurilites or anything." He moves to try the last door on the left side.
[22:09] <@Kotono> There were only two doors on the left side. Three ahead and two on the right side. Meanwhile T goes on down that passage, while Inari returns.
[22:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:10] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d100=20]
[22:10] <@Inari> "Rock's going to guard the wagon for us," Inari explains pleasantly to the others as she returns.
[22:11] <@Kotono> T shortly returns, "Looks like it leads to the barracks," T reports, "That way's not really productive unless we wantto raid foot lockers."
[22:11] <@Erad> He really doesn't like ghosts at all. Oh well. Erad crosses over to the doors on the right!
[22:12] <@Annerose> "That wagon will be protected from a small army while we're here."
[22:12] <@Kotono> The doors on the right are checked. One leads on and another leads sloping down, just like the doors on the left.
[22:13] <@Erad> "If I were to take a guess, I'd say that we want to head down these slopes. I mean, we have to at some point go down to get to the catacombs, right?" Erad suggests.
[22:13] <@Annerose> "Sounds like it, yes."
[22:14] <@Kotono> "I think that's o ur play," T agrees, "'nari, ready to lead us to glory? Or Annerose'll probably freeze us solid at this rate."
[22:15] <@Inari> "Alright, alright. I'm going," Inari says, bravely taking point and heading  down the left side passage!
[22:15] <@Annerose> "Whine, whine, whine." Annerose rolls her eyes, catching up to Inari.
[22:16] <@Kotono> T grins right back, "You are a terrifying snow woman, after all." He then stumbles, Helena smacking the back of his head.
[22:17] <@Erad> "You really do bring it on yourself, you know." Erad says as he follows along.
[22:17] <@Kotono> T grumbles as the party goes in deeper...OOC: We'll pause here as I have work soon.

[Corwin]

#ed

[21:56] <@Kotono> Rock's found outside, hiding behind some fallen hunks of outer wall. He doesn't say anything, just staying back.
[21:57] <@Inari> "Hey, Rock," Inari says gently, approaching slowly with her hands raised and palms out. "We killed all those zombies, so they can't hurt you, now."
[22:01] <@Kotono> Rock just looks away, shivering all over. "Bad," he says in giant. "Bad food."
[22:03] <@Inari> "They are, you wouldn't want them anywhere near your mouth," Inari agrees sympathetically. "Why don't you go guard the wagon while the rest of us go get rid of all the bad food?"
[22:05] <@Kotono> Rock quickly nods and hurries off to the wagon.
[22:05] <@Inari> That done she goes back into the keep to rejoin everyone else!

[Corwin]

[21:19] <@Kotono> The party heads down the hall. It slopes then does a curl as it does, going back thew ay you came, only lower. It soon leads to a large chamber, a hallway on the opposite end visible.  Peeking out you see it is silent here, save for some empty barrels and boxes. It's much chillier down here, your breath visibly misting and frost lining the barrels. Past all of it is a stairway going up, next to
[21:19] <@Kotono> a stairway going down.
[21:19] <@Inari> The upwards one probably goes back where they started, so Inari takes the one going down!
[21:21] <Annerose> There will be a chance to explore the rest of it later if they so wish, but for now Annerose can only focus on their mission!
[21:23] <@Kotono> "So cold," Helena murmurs, shivering as you advance. But as you do, the boxes and barrels suddenly clatter about. "No further," a cold voice whispers. "Leave."
[21:24] <Annerose> "I'm sorry," Annerose responds politely yet firmly. "Negotiations have already broken down."
[21:24] <@Kotono> "Then reach for the grave!" All the boxes and barrels rise up, flying at the party one after another. OOC: Reflex saves, all.
[21:25] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 evasion
[21:25] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d20=3]
[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 evasion, 5/6 inspiration
[21:25] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=19]
[21:25] <@Kotono> OOC: Strike, T doesn't have evasion. Roll stands.
[21:25] <Annerose> OOC: Inari and I are in the front, can I take a hit instead of those behind me?
[21:26] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 evasion (+2 if it's somehow evil or chaotic in nature)
[21:26] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 evasion Helena
[21:26] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=16]
[21:26] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d20=6]
[21:26] <@Kotono> OOC: If you want, but you'll forfeit a save by shielding them.
[21:27] * Annerose simply plants her feet and raises her shield to take the assault head on!
[21:29] <@Kotono> roll 5d6 Inari full
[21:29] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d6=4,4,1,4,2]
[21:29] <@Kotono> roll 7d6 Annerose full, others are off the hook by her sacrifice
[21:29] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 34 >12 [d6=5,6,5,4,6,6,2]
[21:30] <@Kotono> Wood comes flying. INari's too slow and beaned in the head by a barrel, knocked down and silly. Her head feels full of wool and pain, utterly disoriented. Meanwhile Annerose has sher shield up and takes it all. Blow after blow hits her, mostly blocked but still peppered by over a dozen projectiles. By the end she's on one knee, hurting all over.
[21:31] <@Inari> "Ow... those ghosts throw a mean barrel," Inari whines, hair all out of sorts as she rubs her head and stands up, casting a healing spell on herself before doing the same for Annerose.
[21:31] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5 me
[21:31] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d8=7]
[21:31] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5 Annerose
[21:31] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d8=1]
[21:31] <Annerose> "Why don't you cease this temper tantrum," Annerose asks, climbing to her feet, "and face us properly?"
[21:32] <@Kotono> Helena hurries over to Annerose, her own shield up as she covers her. "Yeah, how about stopping the cheap shots, or are you too afraid?"
[21:33] <@Kotono> T saunters on over to Inari, helping her up and inching to being behind Helena and Annerose. "Say Erad, is taunting ghosts a bad idea to you too?"
[21:34] <@Erad> "I'm not sure ghosts have many emotions to begin with." Erad reasons. "Well, besides the hatred and spitefulness, anyway."
[21:34] <@Inari> In the absence of further attacks she gives Annerose a little more healing to perk her up! "I think they'll do their appointed duty whether taunted or not. If it makes you feel better why not vent a little?"
[21:34] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5 more icemaiden healz
[21:34] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d8=3]
[21:36] <@Kotono> Annerose's bruises recede, banished back by magic. What's left is pleasantly numbed by the chill below.
[21:36] <@Kotono> "Still, better we avoid that happening again," Helena says.
[21:37] <@Inari> "Just have to be quicker on our feet," Inari says, heading for the stairs hopefully without being assaulted.
[21:39] <@Kotono> The stairs don't fight back. There are stairs going both up and down. The stairs down plunge into darkness, while the stairs up are lit.
[21:40] <@Inari> Some foxfire spirals out from Inari's cupped fingers to lazily circle around her, lighting the way as she continues downwards.
[21:44] <@Kotono> OOC: Paste me foxfire's description in PM real quick, Eb?
[21:46] <@Kotono> The foxfire comes, but fails to illuminate the darkness ahead. OOC: Anyone can make K:A here.
[21:46] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[21:47] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=6]
[21:47] <@Inari> "Well that's vexing," Inari frowns at her failure to light the way.
[21:48] <@Kotono> Annerose can tell it's magical darkness. A spell with the light descriptor of a certain level (depending on the darkness' level) is needed to illuminate it.
[21:48] <@Erad> OOC: Can I still see through it with darkvision?
[21:48] <Annerose> "Got a stronger light spell?"
[21:49] <@Kotono> OOC: No. Your darkvision doesn't penetrate this - this would tell you it's magical as well, Erad.
[21:50] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.
[21:50] <@Kotono> "Magic," T says shortly, peering ahead, "Can't see a thing."
[21:50] <@Inari> "I've never had the need to learn one," Inari says, shaking her head apologetically. "I suppose we'll just have to feel our way down and hope it doesn't extend over the whole of the catacombs?"
[21:52] <Annerose> "Sure."
[21:53] <@Kotono> "Who goes first, then?" Helena asks, peering down as well.
[21:53] <@Inari> So Inari does just that one hand on the wall to guide her, the other holding her spear like a walking stick to keep her stepping properly on the stairs.
[21:53] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Make ana crobatics check, Inari. +3 due to precautions.
[21:54] <@Inari> roll 1d20+17
[21:54] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=11]
[21:54] <@Kotono> Inari plunges into darkness, a few steps down into sightlessness. It's cold and woah! ANother step and she almost tumbles, stopping herself at the last minute. The step beneath her feet is greasy and slippery.
[21:55] <@Inari> "The steps are greased up, so take it slow," she warns, keeping at her steady and careful pace.
[21:56] <@Kotono> "Thanks," T calls back down, "I'll go next."
[21:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+17 T (+2 precautions, no spear for the extra +1)
[21:57] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=15]
[21:57] * Annerose decides to take it even slower at the warning, hoping that her experience with walking on ice will come in handy. "Go for it. I'm after you."
[21:57] <@Kotono> T vanishes into the darkness. "We're going," he calls back up. Meanwhile Inari keeps going down - no short stairs, they're going on more than a dozen steps.
[21:59] <@Inari> It'll take more than a dozen steps to make her need to sit down and rest her feet!
[22:02] <@Erad> Erad will wait for Helena and then try and fly his way down to avoid needing to be acrobatic at all. Failing that he'll just suck it up and deal with it.
[22:02] <@Kotono> OOC: Acrobatics Annerose, +4 bonus between precautions and ice experience.
[22:03] <Annerose> roll 1d20+4
[22:03] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=9]
[22:04] <@Kotono> Inari reaches the bottom - perhaps a few more stairs. Still darkness as - above, Annerose takes a bad step and slips, falling. The thump gets T's attention, as he blindly tries to dodge.
[22:04] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 (+3 inspiration 4/6, -2 slippery surface, -4 darkness)
[22:04] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 >12 [d20=7]
[22:05] <@Inari> "It's about fifteen stairs from where the darkness- oh, everyone alright up there?"
[22:05] <@Kotono> WHACK! There's the loud impact of body on body, a strangled curse by T as the two tumble down. (More)
[22:05] <@Kotono> roll 3d6 Annerose ow
[22:05] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d6=5,3,3]
[22:05] <@Kotono> roll 2d6 T ow
[22:05] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d6=4,3]
[22:05] <@Kotono> The two land in darkness, a mixed up heap with each other. T groans, is breath on Annerose's chest. "Ah hell. Could you get up if you can, Annerose? Bad position."
[22:06] <Annerose> "Yes, I suppose my armor is squashing you," Annerose muses, trying to climb to her feet. "Then again, at least it wasn't the shield to the face."
[22:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Helena after Annerose, +2 precautions
[22:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=14]
[22:07] <@Inari> Waiting a moment for them to recover Inari says, "If you keep a hand on the right side wall, it's best if we follow that so we don't end split up." And she does just that herself.
[22:08] <@Kotono> Meanwhile you can hear more footsteps as Helena goes down, as Erad tries to fly down. OOC: Acrobatics +3, Erad. It's still possible you'll hit your head or something, but falling's less likely.
[22:11] <@Kotono> OOC: Erad.
[22:12] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8+3
[22:12] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d20=12]
[22:15] <@Kotono> Erad also manages ot make it down with no signifigant injury. From here the party follows along - only a bit. Ahead a pale orb of blue fire appears, then another, another and another yet. Dozens of them appear, illuminating the room. You're in a long hall , cobwebs lining the ceiling. They glisten with the blue light of the orbs, mist starting to leak from them, like a punctured pitcher of water.
[22:15] <@Kotono> "Then join us," A chorus of unearthly voices comes from ahead, the orbs changing shape. They become men in armor, semi-transparent. "Join us."
[22:17] <@Erad> "I'm sorry that you're all trapped like this," Erad says with a frown. "We'll give you the rest you're looking for."
[22:17] <@Inari> "Who wants a ghost touch weapon~!" Inari sing-songs, glad they've provided illumination so she can read off her scroll.
[22:17] <@Kotono> "Yep," T cracks his neck, rubbing it with his hand. "Who wants T's special turning? Guaranteed to make the dead go back to being dead."
[22:20] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, let's do init and pause here then.
[22:20] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[22:20] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=1]
[22:20] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Helena
[22:20] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=20]
[22:21] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[22:21] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=3]
[22:21] <Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[22:21] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=10]
[22:21] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[22:21] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=4]
[22:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 ghosts
[22:22] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=11]

[Corwin]

[20:33] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)>The Risen(4) '
[20:33] <@Sunshine_Ko> "So now what?" Helena asks, holding back for the moment. OOC: Inari.
[20:35] <@Inari> Inari moves towards Erad, reading off her purloined scroll and giving him the power to touch their spectral foes. "Go, Erad!"
[20:35] <@Inari> OOC: 3 minutes of ghost touch weapon on your unarmed strike
[20:37] <@Sunshine_Ko> Magic flows into Erad's hands, turning them semi transparent. They feel the same to him, as...OOC: Annerose.
[20:37] <Annerose> Her own attacks are not particularly inventive, but Annerose hardly needs to change what works. And that means another positive energy ray!
[20:37] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[20:37] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=6]
[20:37] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[20:37] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 2 >12 [d6=2]
[20:39] <@Sunshine_Ko> A ghost is hit, momentarily flickering from the blast. You don't get a lot of reaction as T yanks out a holy symbol for Red Knight, "In the name of proper tactics, get the hell out of here!"  OOC: 5/6 inspiration, 3rd daily use of op.
[20:39] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 4d6 healing to allies, damage to enemies
[20:39] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d6=5,4,5,6]
[20:39] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+4
[20:39] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=11]
[20:40] <@Sunshine_Ko> The life energy that fills the room sends the ghosts screaming back. They howl and keen, an echo all about. OOC: Erad.
[20:41] <Annerose> "Nicely done!" Annerose cheers.
[20:41] <@Sunshine_Ko> "That's it," Helena agrees, "Go finish them off, Erad!"
[20:42] <@Erad> Erad will fly in to try and rid them of the last of the spirits!
[20:42] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11
[20:42] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=18]
[20:42] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: That's a hit.
[20:42] <@Erad> OOC: Do they count as evil?
[20:43] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Yes.
[20:43] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+2d6+1d6 2d6 is acid and 1d6 is good-aligned damage
[20:43] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d6=3,3,5,6,1,1]
[20:46] <@Sunshine_Ko> Erad leaps in feet first, a drop kick that plunges through three ghosts. They flicker and fade away, howling. The other ghosts follow - a moment of silence. Victor-gah! Before you can react, the room brightens. A pale blue as more and more ghosts gather together in front of Erad. They merge into one, color turning a pale white as they take the form of a dragon. Chill mist spills from its mouth
[20:46] <@Sunshine_Ko> as...OOC: It loses a turn to transform. Helena's up, she'll ho.d Inari.
[20:46] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)>Ghost Dragon(4) '
[20:47] <@Sunshine_Ko> "...crap." T stares at the newly formed dragon, "I think we need to turn it up!"
[20:48] <@Inari> "Be brave!" Inari reassures, running towards the dragon and trying to touch it with a handful of positive energy!
[20:48] <@Inari> roll 1d20+8 melee touch
[20:48] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=5]
[20:48] <@Inari> roll 3d8+7 if that hits
[20:48] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 23 >12 [d8=6,2,8]
[20:49] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Ghost Dragon>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)'
[20:49] <@Sunshine_Ko> The touch makes the dragon shimmer, but at the same time the dragon suddenly quickens, acting before anyone can react.
[20:50] <Annerose> OOC: I'll use an immediate action interrupt in case of a direct dragon attack
[20:50] <@Sunshine_Ko> The dragon rears back, bigger than a horse. Cold air gathers around its mouth, a torrent that is sprayed all around it, freezing Inari and Erad. OoC: Noted, but it went for a close range spray instead of anything at you or targeted. Ref you two.
[20:51] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 evasion
[20:51] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=17]
[20:51] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 evasion (+2 if it's still considered evil, +2 more if it's considered an evil descriptor somehow)
[20:51] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=6]
[20:52] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 8d8 cold damage Erad full and Inari none
[20:52] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d8=1,4,2,1,6,2,5,8]
[20:52] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d4 dex damage Erad
[20:52] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 1 >12 [d4=1]
[20:54] <@Sunshine_Ko> Inari leaps back, out of the spray of cold. Erad tries but slips slightly, taking it right on the chin. He's frozen all over, coated in ice and shivering Further, the ground beneath the two is frozen, slippery. OOC: Both of youa re on icy ground now. This will make moving in and out of your squares hard and may make combat actions difficult. Bear that in mind for your turns. Annerose, you're
[20:54] <@Sunshine_Ko> up.
[20:55] <Annerose> She really, really needs to have something better to use against ghosts and various unded, Annerose admits sourly to herself. For now, she can only try to invite retaliation through her continued usage of positive energy....
[20:55] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[20:55] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=17]
[20:55] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[20:55] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 5 >12 [d6=5]
[20:58] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>Ghost Dragon>T(15)>Erad(4)'
[20:58] <@Sunshine_Ko> The beam hits the dragon - and suddenly its attacking again, moving faster than anyone can react. OOC: Dragon's up.
[20:59] <@Sunshine_Ko> As the dragon ripples from the blast of positive energy, T calls out, "'nari, it's movin-" it's all he gets out before the dragon coughs up a great hunk of ice from its throat, hurtling right at Annerose.
[21:00] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+11 touch AC?
[21:00] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=16]
[21:00] * Annerose wraps herself in wings of ice!
[21:01] <@Sunshine_Ko> Wings of ice flare out, the hunk of ice shattering against it. T flinches to the side and grumbles, "It's like it's counter attacking," he says, whipping out his holy symbol of the Red Knight, "Fine, fuck YOUR tactics!"
[21:01] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 4d6 last one of the day, heals allies and hurts the dragon
[21:01] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d6=6,6,2,2]
[21:01] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+6 dragon
[21:01] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=9]
[21:02] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Ghost Dragon>Erad(4)'
[21:02] <@Sunshine_Ko> Erad's cold injuries and Annerose's own hurts fade away, but the dragon moves the moment after as...OOC: Dragon's up.
[21:02] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13 K:R
[21:02] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=14]
[21:03] <@Sunshine_Ko> Oh ho. This is a very rare and interesting phenomenon of the undead. A ghost hive mind, using split will and multiple minds to do this. It only  manifests in ancient ghosts suborned into a hive mind. This isn't natural for ghosts, so a necromancer or unusual circumstances forced them into it.
[21:03] <@Sunshine_Ko> The dragon rears back, a hunk of ice coming for T now.
[21:04] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+11 touch AC 3/6 inspiration, T will boost his AC for three, touch AC of 17.
[21:04] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=2]
[21:04] <@Sunshine_Ko> But T dives to the side, the ice hitting where he was rather than him. It shatters in a spray of ice shards as T goes into a roll. OOC: Erad.
[21:05] <@Erad> "Is it the positive energy, or something else?" Erad calls out to the others. There's no sense in worrying about it, as his hands drip with acid and he goes in to try and devastate this stupid thing!
[21:05] <Annerose> "It can't be helped! Just break it! Time the attack together!"
[21:05] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10+5 Smite Evil
[21:05] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 33 >12 [d20=18]
[21:05] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:05] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=1]
[21:05] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:05] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=19]
[21:06] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Two hits.
[21:06] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+5+2d6+1d6+3d6+1d6 second 3d6 and 1d6 come from the second hit
[21:06] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 56 >12 [d6=3,4,5,6,3,6,5,4,6,6]
[21:07] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Helena(19)>Inari(18)>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)>Ghost Dragon'
[21:07] <@Sunshine_Ko> Erads fists find the ghost dragon as solid as anything, slamming into it harder and harder. It shimmers all over, before moving lighting-fast and spraying its cold breath all around Inari and Erad. OOC: Ref you two. -2 due to slippery ground.
[21:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20+9 evasion (+2 if it's still considered evil, +2 more if it's considered an evil descriptor somehow, -2 factored in)
[21:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=18]
[21:08] <@Inari> roll 1d20+7 evasion
[21:08] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=12]
[21:09] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 8d8 cold damage Erad none and Inari full
[21:09] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 31 >12 [d8=7,3,8,1,3,5,3,1]
[21:09] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d4 dex damage
[21:09] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 4 >12 [d4=4]
[21:11] <@Sunshine_Ko> Erad is able to bring his wings up this time, buffering the cold away. Inari starts to dodge but slips instead, wobbling as the ice catches her right on. She's painfully cold, limbs aching and unresponsive. Helena stays back, "I have potions if you fall back," she calls. OOC: Holding. Inari.
[21:12] <@Inari> "Oww! Okay, I'm retreating!" Inari calls, trying to back away. OOC: does it have reach?
[21:13] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Yes.
[21:13] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 tumble of hope
[21:14] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=13]
[21:14] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Terrain makes it harder, but you still made it. On the number, no less.
[21:14] <@Inari> Once safely away after a few acrobatic flourishes, Inari heals herself! A bit.
[21:14] <@Inari> roll 2d8+7
[21:14] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 16 >12 [d8=5,4]
[21:14] <@Sunshine_Ko> At the same time, Helena runs up with a potion, pouring it down Inari's throat.
[21:14] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d8+1
[21:14] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 2 >12 [d8=1]
[21:15] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Inari(18)>Helena>Annerose(16)>T(15)>Erad(4)>Ghost Dragon'
[21:15] <@Inari> "Glugglugglug!" Inari says with some surprise but also gratitude?
[21:15] <@Sunshine_Ko> As Inaris truggles with that...OOC: Annerose.
[21:16] <Annerose> "T, let's all hit it together!" Annerose calls out. "Confuse it, keep it choosing between targets. We'll move on Erad's sign!"
[21:16] <@Sunshine_Ko> "I'm out of turning," T says, "I can only manage it a few times before someone upstairs notices," he says, "I really don't want to be noticed!"
[21:17] <@Inari> "But I notice you all the time, T!" Inari calls over playfully.
[21:17] * Annerose rolls her eyes, but nonetheless decides to follow through and support Erad.
[21:18] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Erad, go.
[21:18] <@Erad> OOC: Roger that
[21:18] <@Sunshine_Ko> "You also don't smite first and ask questions in the afterlife!" T shoots back.
[21:18] <@Erad> Erad takes a breath and goes to try and finish off the dragon! It isn't -really- a dragon, but it'll just have to do!
[21:19] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10+5 Smite Evil
[21:19] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=13]
[21:19] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:19] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=1]
[21:19] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:19] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=9]
[21:20] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+5+2d6+1d6 assuming the first hit only
[21:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d6=1,5,1,2,4,4]
[21:20] * Annerose launches her own possibly needless ray of positive energy to keep the dragon honest!
[21:20] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[21:20] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=12]
[21:20] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:20] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d6=6]
[21:21] * Sunshine_Ko changes topic to 'Inari(18)>Helena>T(15)>Erad=Annerose(4)>Ghost Dragon'
[21:22] <@Sunshine_Ko> Beam and fist hit the dragon. It shimmers golden with life energy, a silent roar as ghostly claws scrape at the ground. It breathes out, more freezing air trying to flash-freeze Erad. OOC: ref, Erad. -2 for ground conditions. Also -2 to your attacks, but it doesn't matter there.
[21:23] <@Erad> roll 1d20+9 evasion (+2 if it's still considered evil, +2 more if it's considered an evil descriptor somehow, -2 factored in)
[21:23] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=13]
[21:24] <@Sunshine_Ko> But Erad is able to leap into the air and hover over the cold air, avoiding being turned into a dragonsicle. OOC: Inari.
[21:25] <@Inari> Rather than positive energy, Inari uses her foxfire that had been so useless in the dark earlier, the purple orb flickering with ghostly radiance as it speeds up and is launched at the dragon!
[21:25] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 ranged touch
[21:25] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 12 >12 [d20=3]
[21:25] <@Inari> roll 1d100 miss chance if that hits
[21:25] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 31 >12 [d100=31]
[21:26] <@Inari> roll 1d4 recharge
[21:26] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 2 >12 [d4=2]
[21:27] <@Sunshine_Ko> The foxfire is shot - and just passes harmlessly through the dragon. At least it doesn't react to that, as Helena still stays back. T does the same as...OOC: Erad'n'Annerose.
[21:27] <Annerose> "Again!"
[21:27] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[21:27] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=17]
[21:27] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:27] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 5 >12 [d6=5]
[21:28] <@Erad> Erad goes in, slightly less powered by holy fury this time, but still angry!
[21:28] <@Erad> roll 1d20+10
[21:28] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:28] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5
[21:28] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=12]
[21:28] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 25 >12 [d20=20]
[21:28] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d20=3]
[21:30] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Twho its. No critting undead, alas.
[21:30] <@Erad> OOC: One of these days, undead alice
[21:31] <@Erad> roll 3d6+3+1d6+2d6+3d6
[21:31] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 34 >12 [d6=6,3,4,3,3,2,3,4,3]
[21:32] <@Sunshine_Ko> The beam hits the dragon, making it shudder - giving Erad a chance to kick and punch through, acid dissolving hunks of it. It starts to move but fades apart, soft howls as the beast before you vanishes. Vic...tory? Victory! OOC: Free act.
[21:33] <Annerose> "Those wacky necromancers," Annerose deadpans. "What will they come up with next."
[21:33] <@Sunshine_Ko> "I don't want to know," Helena says, coming over, "Is everyone alright?"
[21:34] <@Sunshine_Ko> T strolls along, "Well, that worked out better than expected."
[21:34] <@Inari> "I'm a little stiff," Inari admits, rubbing her neck. "Not badly hurt, but I'll be slower than usual."
[21:37] <@Erad> Erad lets out a breath, before he channels some healing energy into himself to rid himself of the slowness! OOC: using Wholeness of Body for 5 points to remove the 1 point of Dexterity damage
[21:39] <@Erad> "I can try and fix it, if you'd like." Erad says to Inari. "But now what? Hopefully that was their trump card."
[21:39] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Done, Erad.
[21:39] <@Sunshine_Ko> "I hope so. Onwarda nd hope we find the treasures instead," T says, "Before anything else goes wrong. We're still on a time limit here."
[21:40] <Annerose> "And with a bit of luck, we'll find out more about the ridiculously powerful fireballs as well."
[21:40] <@Inari> "Yes, that's right," Inari nods agreeably with T's sentiments. "Where to now?" she looks to see if this room leads anywhere.
[21:42] <@Sunshine_Ko> Past all of this the path continues ahead into darkness.
[21:42] <@Erad> OOC: More magical darkness?
[21:43] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: No, just your light doesn't go that far, looks like.
[21:43] <@Inari> Inari moves some foxfire over that way to illuminate as far as the chamber goes!
[21:43] <@Inari> OOC: can move it 170 feet max
[21:46] <@Sunshine_Ko> The chamber goes about 100ft on, before another stairway going down.
[21:46] <@Inari> "Of course this means even more formidable guardians are below," Inari notes cheerfully, heading to the stairs and skirting around the icy patch.
[21:47] <Annerose> "Ah, perhaps I should go first?"
[21:47] <@Inari> "You're welcome to!" Inari says, slowing down to let Annerose pass.
[21:48] <Annerose> With a sigh, Annerose tries her best, she really does! Futile though it might be!
[21:49] <@Erad> "I can go first, I don't mind." Erad offers since he can see farther ahead than they can in the darkness.
[21:49] <@Sunshine_Ko> The party reaches the stairs withotu incident. T looks down them, "Not dark," he remarks with a bit of relief, "Annerose?"
[21:50] * Annerose gingerly steps down.
[21:51] <@Sunshine_Ko> The party goes down the steps. No slipperiness or traps this time - just a long, winding stair. At the bottom is a door of blue quartz, light flashing through it from your illumination. There's a handle and a single keyhole just above it.
[21:52] * Annerose takes a look at it through her magical sense, visibly relieved!
[21:55] <@Sunshine_Ko> T sighs, "Looks like we mad eit ot the catacombs, 'nari."
[21:55] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Sellcraft.
[21:55] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[21:55] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d20=2]
[21:55] <Annerose> "Not terribly happy with that?"
[21:56] <@Inari> "Well it's clearly going to be even worse from here, isn't it?" Inari says. "Who was holding the key?"
[21:57] <@Sunshine_Ko> Annerose can't figure out the magic here.
[21:57] <Annerose> "I'll get the door," Annerose offers, not really having other options.
[21:58] <@Sunshine_Ko> Taking out the key they got from Jack Maggen, Annerose puts it into the keyhole. It fits perfectly and turns, unlocking the door.
[21:59] <Annerose> Tugging off her gloves and placing them away, Annerose opens the door and steps past it.
[22:00] <@Sunshine_Ko> The door swings open with a long creak, filling the air with noise as you see ahead. The worked walls end and natural cave takes over. However, thew alls are full of cubbies where coffins rest, silent and still. The air is extremely musty here, making you cough and gag as you get a breath of it. Your light doesn't go that far in it, but you can see a few stairs going down at the edge of your
[22:00] <@Sunshine_Ko> vision.
[22:01] <@Inari> "Ack!" Inari coughs and wrinkles her nose. "Don't think anyone's been down here for a while."
[22:02] <@Sunshine_Ko> "Too long," Helena gags, stumbling back and hacking. "Ugh!"
[22:03] <@Sunshine_Ko> T just turns away, waving a hand in front of his face. "Smells worse than Rock down there."
[22:03] <@Erad> Erad covers his mouth with an arm to cough into it. He makes a silent prayer to Bahamut for the spirits here. And for the living. "Then let us not spend anymore time here than we must."
[22:03] * Annerose uses prestidigitation to turn the air immediately near her face into something far more pleasant, heading for the stairs.
[22:04] <@Inari> Inari follows after Annerose, doing her best to endure the awful musty smell.
[22:06] <@Erad> Erad goes with the others!
[22:07] <@Sunshine_Ko> T and Helena follow. As you go in...oOC: Fort saves for everyone but Inari. Immunity to sickened or the Strong Stomach feat provides immunity.
[22:07] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+9 T
[22:07] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d20=2]
[22:07] <@Sunshine_Ko> roll 1d20+8 Helena
[22:07] <Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=13]
[22:07] <@Sunshine_Ko> OOC: Er, Annerose, not Inari.
[22:07] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[22:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=16]
[22:08] <@Inari> roll 1d20+7
[22:08] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=14]
[22:09] <@Sunshine_Ko> T's looking really pale by the time you reach the stairs. But before you can set a foot on them, a man appears. He is tall and blue, ghostly transparent. He wears heavy plate armor and helmet, his features otherwise hidden. "Turn back." His voice is gentle and surprisingly soft, a sense of peace from him. "There are ghosts ahead that I cannot calm. I fear they will render your mortal life to an
[22:09] <@Sunshine_Ko> end and make you join them for all eternity."
[22:11] <@Erad> "Yeah, we already met the ghost dragon." Erad says with a huff.
[22:12] <Annerose> "You must have realized," Annerose reasons with the ghost, "that we are not here to opportunistically loot the fortress while Malana is at its weakest. It is our belief that what this place holds is needed for us to turn the invasion away and save countless lives of your countrymen. I ask again, is there no way for us to reach accomodation?"
[22:12] <@Sunshine_Ko> "Yeah, 'fraid so," T agrees, "But we came all this way and did so much. We can't turn around now unless we give up the entire enterprise, and Malana needs these weapons."
[22:13] <@Inari> "I think he's on our side anyway," Inari points out, since he's talking about calming the ghosts like he'd want to do it.
[22:14] <@Sunshine_Ko> "I know. My purpose is to stop the unworthy and wicked from progressing. You are not unworthy and you are not wicked. I can only offer you this advice." The ghost slowly looks to each, helmet hiding any epxression. "You are correct. I am not a ghost but a spirit, kept here by command of Maimed Tyr. Unfortunately, ages since have seen others add guardians far more fell and far more unholy than
[22:14] <@Sunshine_Ko> I."
[22:16] <Annerose> "That it should be our duty to dispatch those. What advice do you have for us, since we will be proceeding?"
[22:17] <@Inari> "What criteria do these new guardians use to judge who is worthy of passing?" Inari asks.
[22:19] <@Sunshine_Ko> "They are strongest below. They are united in one mind and will take a single form to challenge you. It may draw influence from one of you that gets its attention," The spirit explains, "They once were patriots to Malana, but now they don't care. Undeath destroys minds and twists motives. No one is worthy to them, and anyone who tries must die and join them as penace."
[22:21] <@Erad> "Can you aid us in battle against them somehow?" Erad asks.

[Corwin]

[20:28] <~Kotono> "No," The spirit says, "My task is to prevent the unworthy from entering. "But." Before you a sword clatters on the ground. It is a longsword held in a simple leather sheathe. "My weapon will strike true even against the walking dead."
[20:29] <Annerose> "Thank you, that would indeed help!" Annerose says gratefully, looking over her companions.
[20:30] <~Kotono> T shakes his head, "Not me. Too much sword for me."
[20:30] <@Inari> "How about you, Helena?"
[20:31] <~Kotono> Helena snorts, "Yep, just stuck having a small sword, T? I'll take it." she says, going forward and taking the blade. Her eyes widen, "I understand it?"
[20:31] <~Kotono> OOC: Loot post
[20:31] <~Kotono> .
[20:32] <Annerose> "Nothing wrong with that!"
[20:32] <~Kotono> T just glares daggers at Helena, but doesn't comment directly.
[20:33] <@Inari> "It's all about the technique!" Inari agrees jovially. "Anyway, shall we? We should make haste while Erad's punches remain potent against undead."
[20:34] <Annerose> "We shall," Annerose agrees. She nods at the spirit. "Once more, our thanks."
[20:34] <~Kotono> "Tyr's wisdom shall guide you," The spirit murmurs, fading away. Ahead are stairs going down.
[20:35] * Annerose proceeds!
[20:37] <@Inari> Inari follows after Annerose!
[20:38] <@Erad> Erad will follow dutifully! Maybe they can manage to find a weapon or two to help them fight the creatures down there as well.
[20:42] <~Kotono> Down, down and down the stairs you go. More recessed coffins line the walls, as well as urns. Step after step takes you further in, until you at last reach the bottom of the stairs. Here is a wide open place, an empty cave - for only a moment, before dozens and dozens of blue lights appear all around. A whispering horde of voices can be heard, indistinct and blurring one another.
[20:44] <Annerose> "Just how many guardians does this place have?" Annerose mutters, her voice joining the indistinct horde.
[20:45] <@Inari> "Too many," Inari says, stepping forward unafraid.
[20:53] <~Kotono> "Far too many," Helena says, sword drawn. As the party attempts to advance, a gust of wind checks your advance. Moaning voices demand, "Turn back...turn back...!"
[20:55] <~Kotono> "Sorry, can't do that," T calls out, voice chipper. "This is for Malana, so turn aside!"
[20:57] <Annerose> "It is a true sign of madness to attempt the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result," Annerose comments.
[20:57] <@Inari> "Lets skip the formalities shall we? We need to proceed, and you want to stop us," Inari says, preparing to unleash some positive energy once they manifest properly. "So lets get on with it."
[20:58] <~Kotono> The spirits moan and swirl before you. They form into one thing, 50ft away. A great, ghostly fox, large as a giant. Pure blue eyes gaze on the party, gusts of cold wind shearing off from it. OOC: Init. You got its attention,a lright.
[20:59] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[20:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=14]
[20:59] <Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[20:59] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Helena
[20:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=16]
[20:59] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d20=3]
[20:59] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[20:59] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 6 >12 [d20=2]
[20:59] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+4 ghost fox
[20:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=14]
[21:00] * Kotono changes topic to 'T=Helena(20)>Ghost Fox(18)>Annerose(8)>Inari(6)'
[21:00] <~Kotono> OOC: We await Erad.
[21:01] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[21:01] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d20=5]
[21:01] * Kotono changes topic to 'T=Helena(20)>Ghost Fox(18)>Annerose(8)>Erad(7)>Inari(6)'
[21:02] <~Kotono> T holds back, while Helena isn't so restrained. She charges right in, her borrowed sword in hand. "Now gob ack to where the dead belong!" Helena declares, but as she gets close...(More)
[21:02] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[21:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=17]
[21:03] <~Kotono> Somehow Helena keeps going, even as her hair changes, becoming a blonde so pale as to be white. She shakes visibly but holds it together as she's within range, trying to stab the ghost fox.
[21:03] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+2 bane, +2 charge)
[21:03] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=5]
[21:03] <~Kotono> roll 1d8+4+2d6
[21:03] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 >12 [d8=5][d6=1,5]
[21:04] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8 K:R because that's kind of weird
[21:04] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=11]
[21:05] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13+5 it's really weird
[21:05] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=8]
[21:05] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 I'm about the weirdness
[21:05] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 >12 [d20=11]
[21:06] <~Kotono> Helena manages to charge in, impaling the ghost int he chest. The fox shivers from the thrust, but doesn't go down. Instead it howls, a shudder around Helena. Meanwhile, Erad can note that certain powerful ghosts are so horrifying that they can cause a creature to age years in an instant. Helena resisted. In addition, Inari and Annerose can also tell that  Helena's safe now - she resisted it.
[21:06] <~Kotono> Others may not be. It won't do anything to someone naturally unaging and immortal, like fey or outsiders.
[21:06] <~Kotono> roll 4d6 channel negative energy, Helena needs to make a save
[21:06] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 8 >12 [d6=1,4,1,2]
[21:07] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Helena Will
[21:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d20=10]
[21:07] <~Kotono> OOC: Full damage.
[21:08] <Annerose> What terrible luck, that those best suited to hit the ghost directly are also the ones most at risk-- "You risk growing old by getting near it, Helena! T!" she calls out. "You as well, most likely, Erad!"
[21:09] <~Kotono> Helena struggles to stay up, skin growing gray and pallid. But she's still going. OOC: Annerose.
[21:10] * Annerose steps ten feet closer and fires off a ray of positive energy!
[21:10] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[21:10] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 29 >12 [d20=20]
[21:10] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:10] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 3 >12 [d6=3]
[21:11] <~Kotono> The beam hits the fox dead on, making it recoil back. But it stays where ti is, as....OOC: Erad.
[21:12] <@Erad> "Don't worry, we're pretty long-lived. Bahamut'll take care of the rest." Erad calls out as he channels a spell into his allies, ushering unto all of them a blessing! OOC: Bless for 1 minute (which I think is 10 rounds?), +1 attack and saves against fear.
[21:12] <@Erad> With that done, Erad will fly around to land behind the ghost, setting it up to get flanked! OOC: Presuming I can make it that far, anyway.
[21:13] <~Kotono> OOC: Are you immune against fear?
[21:13] <@Erad> OOC: I am, in fact
[21:14] <~Kotono> Erad flies on. Sheer terror hits him -b ut it washes off, leaving him be. He lands behind the ghost fox, who snaps off a quick strike at him as he positions. OOC: Does trigger an AoO, though.
[21:14] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+13 AC?
[21:14] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=6]
[21:14] <@Erad> OOC: 20
[21:15] <~Kotono> But Erad jukes to the side, avoiding the attack by an inch. Ghostly fangs just miss him, a light coating of ectoplasm on his wrist, barely missed. OOC: Inari.
[21:16] <@Inari> Inari runs in to join the fray, channeling positive energy on her fingertips as she moves in alongside Helena. "Don't worry, it only has one tail!" she says to encourage the party.
[21:16] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10 flanking melee touch
[21:16] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=8]
[21:16] <@Inari> roll 3d8+7 cure serious
[21:16] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d8=8,4,3]
[21:17] <~Kotono> The touch hits the ghost dead on, making it shiver anew. Voices are heard muttering at that, a soft chorus of, "...tails...tails...tails..." OOC: Helena's up, T's staying out of this one since he can't think of anything safe and useful to do. He'll rearguard.
[21:18] <~Kotono> Helena holds her ground, "F-fine! Just die and be silent!"
[21:18] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+2 bane)
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 >12 [d20=3]
[21:18] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+6 (+2 bane)
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=20]
[21:18] <~Kotono> roll 1d8+4+2d6
[21:18] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 >12 [d8=5][d6=3,1]
[21:19] <~Kotono> She manages to land a slash across the fox's front, parrying an attack after. As this happens, the fox rears up and howls. A second tail comes out to join its first, as another blast of negative energy surrounds the party.
[21:19] <~Kotono> roll 5d6 negative energy to all but T and Annerose, Will halves
[21:19] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 >12 [d6=3,1,3,1,3]
[21:19] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Helena
[21:19] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 4 >12 [d20=1]
[21:20] <@Inari> roll 1d20+9 will
[21:20] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=18]
[21:20] <@Erad> roll 1d20+15 (+2 if it's considered an evil supernatural or descriptor effect, +2 more if it's from an actual evil creature) mettle if it applies
[21:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 34 >12 [d20=19]
[21:21] <~Kotono> OOC: All passed but Helena.
[21:22] <~Kotono> The ripple of death sucks the energy out of the party, leaving them feeling weaker. It's harder to stay up like this, harder to do anything but wobble on your feet. But you manage it, even as...OOC: Annerose.
[21:23] <Annerose> "Cut off those tails!" Annerose encourages Helena, shooting off another ray at the ghost.
[21:23] <Annerose> roll 1d20+9
[21:23] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=13]
[21:23] <Annerose> roll 1d6
[21:23] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 3 >12 [d6=3]
[21:23] <~Kotono> "On it," Helena shouts as another beam momentarily drives back the fox. OOC: Erad.
[21:26] <@Erad> Erad makes an effort for striking at the tails of the ghost fox with a flurry of attacks!
[21:26] <~Kotono> OOC: Hold on a sec.
[21:26] <~Kotono> OOC: Are you aiming for the tails in particular? If you are, make CMB instead of a normal attack.
[21:27] <@Erad> OOC: Okay. Does flanking apply to that?
[21:29] <@Erad> roll 1d20+9 (+2 more if flanking does apply)
[21:29] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=18]
[21:34] <~Kotono> Erad grabs a tail and simply pulls it off. The fox howls shrilly as a tail is pulled aside, falling from Erad's hand. It writhes ont he ground, constantly shifting and shaking. Inari can smell power from it, a scent indescriable and yet certain. OOC: Inari, go.
[21:36] <@Inari> "I'm the only kitsune around here! You're just a freaky ghost knockoff!" Inari insists, attempting to cast defensively to bring another weapon into play...
[21:36] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14 concentration for spiritual weapon
[21:36] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 22 >12 [d20=8]
[21:36] <~Kotono> OOC: Success.
[21:37] <@Inari> An ornate ghostly longspear manifests above her, this one with a fox-tail of its own as the tassel hanging below the blade, flapping around as it skewers the spectral fox!
[21:37] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 force weapon
[21:37] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 32 >12 [d20=19]
[21:37] <@Inari> roll 1d8+2
[21:37] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 7 >12 [d8=5]
[21:39] <~Kotono> The ghost weapon stabs right into the spirit, another wound amid many. At this Helena presses, "Got it," she calls, aiming for the remaining tail.
[21:39] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+13 CMB (+2 bane, +2 flanking)
[21:39] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 >12 [d20=15]
[21:40] <~Kotono> The last tail is neatly severed, falling to the ground exactly like the first. The ghost suddenly sinks in on itself, shriveling down to nothing before fading away. Only the two severed tails remain. OOC: Free act. Nicely done.
[21:41] <@Erad> OOC: are there still lights around the room?
[21:41] <@Inari> "Hmm... interesting scent on these," Inari says, going to crouch by one of the tails and prodding it with a finger.
[21:42] * Annerose draws closer to take a look through her sense for magic.
[21:43] <~Kotono> On touching one of the tails, Inari feels an electric jolt. It flies into her hand, solidifying in moments. A long spear of smooth white wood with a ghostly tip appears in Inari's hand. It feels good there, right. OOC: Loot post. Make spellcraft, Annerose.
[21:44] <@Inari> "Oh? What's this?" she blinks, casting detect magic and studying this new spear!
[21:44] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft
[21:44] <~Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft, Inari.
[21:44] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 19 >12 [d20=6]
[21:45] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13
[21:45] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 30 >12 [d20=17]
[21:45] <~Kotono> T comes on over, "Well, that worked out," he observes lightly, "You alright, Helena?"
[21:46] <~Kotono> Annerose can tell that the remaining tail is pure potential. If grabbed by a fox fey, it could become something powerful - but it looks like the energy from the second tail went into the first one when it became a spear. It's useless now. Inari can't figure out the spear offhand, but she can tell it's magic.
[21:47] <~Kotono> Helena shudders all over, falling to one knee. "N-no. My hair," she says, voice shaking. "I...I'm okay. I'm okay."
[21:47] * NeremWorld (~NeremWorl@174-24-219-205.tukw.qwest.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:47] <Annerose> "Seems like it was more than a mere knockoff," Annerose comments.
[21:47] <@Inari> "Oh, dear!" Inari goes to Helena as she falls. "Are you alright? Let me try something," she offers, casting heart's ease on Helena in hopes of making her feel better.
[21:52] <~Kotono> "Thanks," Helena gets up at that, "That did help. What happened with that spear?"
[21:52] <@Inari> "I'm not sure, the magic of it eludes me," Inari admits. "Can you check it for me, Annerose?"
[21:54] <@Erad> "Well you made the spear when you touched the one tail, right? Would it make another if you touched the other tail?" Erad asks. "Or maybe make something else for you?"
[21:54] <Annerose> "The spear? I already did," Annerose admits. "Like I was saying, it's fox, ah, goddess magic. Somehow. And the two tails had enough power to manifest one relevant item, which is...."
[21:54] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13 tell me your secrets, spear
[21:54] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 18 >12 [d20=5]
[21:57] <~Kotono> T gives it a long look as Annerose can't figure out the magic. "Anything?"
[21:58] <Annerose> "Hmm? Sorry, no, just that it's something that suits you, Inari," she finishes apologetically.
[21:59] <@Inari> "Well, we can easily guess it works well on ghosts? T, do you want my other spear so you at least have a magic weapon?" Inari offers since he's the only one without for now.
[21:59] <~Kotono> "Yeah," T says, "Hand it over, 'nari."
[22:00] <@Inari> It is obligingly handed over. "Take care of it and it'll take care of you," she says with a smile, hefting her new spear and looking to see where they can go from here.
[22:00] * Yuthirin (~Yuthirin@75-171-84-116.phnx.qwest.net) has joined #dunes
[22:02] * NeremWorld (~NeremWorl@174-24-219-205.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #dunes
[22:03] <~Kotono> There's a path further on, with another set of doors at the far end. A wall is built there. It's covered in a thin layer of ice, the air down here even colder than before.
[22:04] <@Inari> "They're very derivative, aren't they?" Inari says, having a feeling she knows what form the next guardian will take.
[22:05] <~Kotono> "Yeah, you don't need variety when you have a mass of ghosts to do your bidding," T quips, "Just build it plain and let the slaughters happen."
[22:05] <Annerose> "If we do end up fighting, say, another derivative," Annerose muses, heading onwards with a bit of apprehension, "would you mind not mentally scarring me in the process?"
[22:06] <@Inari> "I'll try my best!" Inari promises.
[22:06] <~Kotono> "Sure, sure," T says, "I'll give it a try."
[22:07] <~Kotono> Helena backs up, "I can probably shatter that ice with a good charge," she says.
[22:07] <@Erad> "Well, if Helena gets its attention, it'll probably be some sort of ghostly version of T." Erad says with a nod.
[22:07] <@Inari> "I'll try melting it if that fails," Inari says. "Though I'm sure it won't!"
[22:08] <~Kotono> Helena charges forward, a dead on collision with the door and ice.
[22:08] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[22:08] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 >12 [d20=19]
[22:09] <~Kotono> She hits it dead on, a loud crack as ice gives way. The doors ahead are thrown open, revealing a gently lit chamber. Torches come to life here as you can see shelves and storage chests all about. On them you can see scrolls, colorful potions, rods, staves, weapons, armor.
[22:10] <~Kotono> T steps in and whistles loudly, "Well damn, we made it."
[22:10] * Annerose allows herself to hope that she might yet escape this trauma-free!
[22:10] <@Inari> "Might take a couple of trips to get this all up to the wagon, but yes! Good job, everyone," Inari says, sounding pleased.
[22:11] <~Kotono> "Yeah, time to hurry," T cracks his knuckles, "We really don't want to be caught loading the wagon. Let's just get it in as fast as we can and get going."
[22:13] <~Kotono> OOC: Okay then, so what's the plan? Just get everything in and beat a retreat?
[22:14] <Annerose> OOC: And those who are good at it could check that there's nothing hidden or another door
[22:14] <@Inari> OOC: yeah, no need to waste time Iding it or anything.
[22:14] <@Inari> OOC: good catch
[22:14] <~Kotono> OOC: Anyone who want sto check can roll perception.
[22:14] <~Kotono> roll 1d20+11 T
[22:14] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 >12 [d20=15]
[22:14] <Annerose> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft for any auras not related to the stuff
[22:14] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 17 >12 [d20=4]
[22:15] <@Inari> roll 1d20+14
[22:15] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 20 >12 [d20=6]
[22:15] <~Kotono> No sign of secret doors or any magic that's amiss.
[22:16] <~Kotono> OOC: Anything else?
[22:16] <@Erad> roll 1d20+14 I'll look around too just in case
[22:16] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 27 >12 [d20=13]
[22:17] <Annerose> OOC: We didn't notice anything new about the fireball spell, right? Then let's go.
[22:17] <~Kotono> Erad also doesn't find anything hidden. It seems to be a true dead end.