Warming back up (Afina)

[Anastasia]

The armor are genuine suits of armor, just giant sized. They're well cared for. They're nothing exceptional as far as construction, though that doesn't count in if they're enchanted.

"Another specialist," Kascha says, "Probably, though there's been discussion about it."

Meanwhile Crystal advances ahead a bit, quiet and looking about with Hope.

> roll 1d20+32 spot Hope
<Serith> Kozzz roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+35 Listen Hope
<Serith> Kozzz roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=4]

"It seems quiet," Crystal calls back, "Not even a mouse scurries, save for us."

[Ebiris]

"Could be they're out causing trouble elsewhere. How many giants are likely to live here, Kascha?" Afina asks as she flutters openly down the middle of the entrance hall. If there are any side paths she'll shout back for her elementals to go running down them just to try and lure some giants their way, but otherwise she'll go right to the end of wherever this hall leads.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/3/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

"A few dozen," Kascha replies as she looks around, "Along with some retainers and pets - usually dire wolves, which are like playful pups for them." There are indeed side doors and paths down the hall, wide open and easy to see. There's even what must be a secret passage, the seam plainly visible to the party. "The main hall's ahead, they have rooms and other things spread about to the sides. If anyone's here, they're probably straight ahead."

[Ebiris]

"You two go that way and that way," Afina instructs two of her elementals. "If you see anyone just shout at them and try and get them to follow you back here. You, wait for the next elementals to show up and send them down this way." She doubts this will last long enough for reinforcements to appear far less matter, but who knows? Besides it must do them good to feel useful.

"Playful is nice," she smiles at Kascha next. "The ones Annalise brought aboard were always a bit too obedient. Lets avoid hurting the wolves unless we have to?"

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/3/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

The elementals scurry right off.

"I don't know," Kascha says, "An obedient dog's easier to deal with - they're just well trained. Then again, vampire." She droops a little bit, "Dogs are nice and those wolves act like them."

[Ebiris]

"They've been a lot better since Muirfinn took charge of them," Afina says. "Back with Annalise... it was like they were waiting all the time, living just to be commanded." She falls silent a moment, considering the parallel to her own servitude under Queen Ilsenine. Remembering that life also spurs another thought, and she chases it rather than be bogged down with introspection. "Say Crystal, do you remember the Hunter of Heroes? His hounds were something special weren't they?" she smiles as the thought occurs that Crystal might even have been jealous given her love of riding canines. "A pity we haven't caught any trace of them since the fall, I remember they reaped quite a toll in the last battle."

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/3/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

"Vampire hounds can be like that," Kascha remarks as you go on.

"It is a pity," Crystal sighs slightly as you advance on ahead. "I miss so many things from Lifasa. In all truth, I had intended to get you a good riding hound once we I return to financial solvency."

[Ebiris]

"It's kind of you to offer, but I'd only ever treat it like a pet," Afina says. "My wings are all I trust to bear me where I need to go." Or sometimes her feet if she's feeling lazy, but she won't say that. She has an image to uphold after all.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/3/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

"But you'd look adorable on one," Kascha interjects, before blushing and putting a hand over her mouth.

Crystal cracks a smile as you reach the end of the hall. A set of massive wooden doors lead further in. "A pet or not, a worthy mount is not something to discount, Afina." She pauses to pet Hope's neck, "Even if a hound cannot compete with a dragon."

[Ebiris]

"Well Hope, why don't you show some of your worthiness by knocking on the door before I have to disintegrate our way through?" Afina suggests he put some of that draconic might to use for them.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/3/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

Crystal leads Hope back, before the two brace on and charge dead ahead at the door.

> roll 1d20+5 Crystal helping out
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+10 HOPE SMASH
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=6]

WHAM! The impact shakes the door - but nothing happens, it doesn't budge. As Crystal pats Hope and leads him away from it, "The door didn't give. It may be barred or locked."

[Ebiris]

Once again nothing a trusty disintegrate won't fix. "I should really start bringing some golems along on these things. The behemoths would love this," she reflects, raising her hand and firing a green beam of unmaking at the door to open their way forward.


[18:15] <@Inari> roll 1d20+36 ranged touch
[18:15] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=11]

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/2/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

A new doorway is made, a hunk of wood disintegrated. Ahead lies a great hall with a massive, long table. It's sized for creatures far bigger than a pixie. The heads of giant animals adorn the walls, as well as more blue tapestries. A massive fire pit int he back burns, making the room quite warm and toasty.

There's also still not a single soul about. Crystal crosses her arms as her wings twitch, "Did we truly arrive with the manor empty and the lords off carousing?"

"It seems so," Kascha says, taking to the air and looking ahead. "I don't see anyone. So how about we prepare them a fine welcome?"

[Ebiris]

"Honestly it's making me suspicious. Surely they'd still have servants and retainers to mind the keep?" Afina says, flying through the hole and ascending above the long table so she can look around. "If not for the lack of blood or damage - besides our disintegrated doors, I'd think someone beat us to the punch here."

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 208+20/208, greater mage armour (CL 23) and moment of prescience (CL 23), heroes feast (CL 20), resist energy (electricity) CL 23, shield (CL 23), greater heroism (CL 23).
AC 64 (touch 50, flat footed 64), CMD 70, blindsense 30, spell resistance 38, electricity resistance 30, immunity to fire, disease, water, poison, fear.
Spell charges remaining: 6/6/6/8/9/8/2/8/6/7

[Anastasia]

"That part I can explain," Kascha says as she flies along, Crysta following. "These giants don't like slavery or servants. It falls to the lesser members of the clan to do menial tasks. It also means one of the perks of leadership is to be exempt from them. The closest they have are retainers, who serve a martial capacity."