Afina vs the lich (Afina)

[Anastasia]

"Good mercy," Honeybrook quails, head buried in his hands, "There's always been whispers of some unspeakable plan Tulthas has. The whispers of madmen and monsters, mocking us. A revenge so terrible the world will burn to ash. Never has anything close to confirmation come."

Dana crosses her arms, "I still bet it's fucking bullshit."

Mei goes forward and rests a hand on the elf's shoulder. She utters one beautiful word, "Celanil." Immediately Honeybrook stiffens up and looks up.

"Oh, I did not fully understand before," he says softly, "A speaker. I apologize," he says, gathering himself. "I ask of you, Afina. Do you think it was a bluff?"

[Ebiris]

"No," Afina shakes her head. "He spoke of owning this world, and I imagine he's had a very long time unopposed to prepare contingencies beyond the mere physical defences of his redoubt. The method matters too - as he has to actively keep his revenge from occurring rather than it being something he triggers when threatened, it keeps him safe from even surprise attacks so long as the threat is known."

[Anastasia]

"Triune protect us," Honeybrook whispers quietly, bowing his head again. "I cannot make this decision on my own, nor can one be made fast. Please accept our hospitality for the evening."

[Ebiris]

"I'll send Smrgol home, then," she says, since the place isn't golem-friendly. He can take their looted weapons away for sale too so they're not left cluttering up the place. "The three of us will be happy to accept your hospitality for now."

[Anastasia]

Going to do anything but wait?

[Ebiris]

Just chilling.

[Anastasia]

A night of rest passes. Come morning, you meet with Honeybrook, "We've decided to suspend the attack on Tulthas," he reports, unhappiness clear on his face. "We need to take steps against his threat before we can strike his lair. Nonetheless, thank you. No one's ever pushed him hard enough to play that card before. Until today, it was an old wives tale.  We'd also like you to tell us all you can of his defenses and what you came on."

[Ebiris]

"That we can do," Afina nods, happy to share her knowledge. "We started climbing the Southern face of the mountains and were beset by a few landslides as well as being attacked by harpies and one ogre that was riding on a giant spider. We found a tiny little cave that concealed a secret passage leading to a gallery full of harpies..." she begins, detailing every trap and encounter witnessed right up until the illusory valley above the giant pit of probably-acid with the wind-gust trap on the door out of it.

[Anastasia]

Dana adds in a few comments, while Mei listens quietly. When it's all done, "That's something. So many traps and precautions. The labor of lifetimes, all to protect himself. Bastard," Honeybrook murmurs the last word to himself.

[Ebiris]

"It is impressively paranoid. Makes you wonder why he hasn't sequestered himself in some fastness on the negative energy plane, but I suppose he must have an attachment to this world," Afina agrees. "But as we're no longer able to fulfill our part in slaying him, where does that leave our alliance?"

[Anastasia]

"Our council thinks well of you," Honeybrook says, "Your discretion was wise. An small force to Aurora, while we attempt to get to the bottom of this threat."

[Ebiris]

Better than nothing, and it's not as if she really exerted herself to make it happen. "They'll be well taken care of. We'll have a gate made to transport them over from here in say five day's time?" she suggests to give them some time to gather up the force and prepare it.

[Anastasia]

"Acceptable," he says, "If we can neutralize this threat, we'd like to end Tulthas for good, as we agreed."

[Ebiris]

"We're willing to commit our resources to the task any time you feel confident in managing the fallout," Afina nods. "For now though, we'll return to Aurora. Until next time?" she bids farewell, heading out and gating home.

[Anastasia]

He rises first, offering you his hand. "To good relations," he says, "Even if you can barely shake my hand."