Meeting Hell (Afina, Jaela, Tryll)

[Anastasia]

Okay, ready to move along then?

[Corwin]

"One thing you might press them on," Jaela tells Morniel and the Lawgiver. "It's so obvious it was left unsaid, but better have it voiced after all. Muirfinn was the one on Aurora who was chasing after rumors and information about Father, and the one in charge of his destruction. Whatever Hell knows about the Father, the most relevant information surely came from him. As part of it, they would know that we either have the means to destroy him, or are pretty close to them right now. So if they try to dawdle, we can be at our most condescending while suggesting their means or courage fall far behind our own. Just a thought."

Let's move on, yes.

[Anastasia]

Most of the nitty-gritty will be covered by Diplomacy checks rather than 20 pages of posts of arguing over semantics IC. I'd like Diplo checks from Jaela and Morniel. Yuth and Eb, you're welcome to roll as well to help out. If you do, however, that means you're involving yourself and will be tied up in that. There will be other things happening while the hashing out of the contract happens.

[Ebiris]

Afina will continue playing bodyguard.

[Yuthirin]

Oh the benefits of having a familiar.

Tryll chooses to assist where he can in negotiations, while Calleigh keeps a lookout with Afina.

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+39 : 5 + 39, total 44[/blockquote]

[Corwin]

[20:40] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+56+21 diplo
[20:40] <Kobot> Annerose rolled 1d20+56+21 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{87}

Jaela will also use Moment of Prescience on Morniel (she has two prepared). It's a +21 insight to his roll.

[Anastasia]

<Annerose> roll 1d20+56+21 diplo
<Kobot> Annerose rolled 1d20+56+21 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{87}
> roll 1d20+98 (+21 moment of insight) Morniel
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+98 (+21 moment of insight) Morniel --> [ 1d20=16 ]{114}

> roll 1d20+85 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ???) Kaessa
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+85 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ???) Kaessa --> [ 1d20=15 ]{100}
> roll 1d20+100 (+5 ???, +20 ???) Martinet
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+100 (+5 ???, +20 ???) Martinet --> [ 1d20=14 ]{114}

Thus the sides settle into negotiate. An hour passes with little progress, both sides locked in what's essentially diplomatic combat. The word play, sheer will, bickering and horse trading is so complicated that it's hard to follow, with constant references, clarifications, counterpoints and arguing over minutiae.

All of this leaves Afina and Calleigh a bit on the bored side. Damian flies over to them, "Ladies, are you in awe of my master's skills yet? You are, aren't you?"

[Ebiris]

"Remain on your side of the room, lest your presence be taken for affront," Afina says, one hand drifting to the hilt of Hywelbane.

She's not that bored, an assassin's job is great bouts of tedium broken up by short sharp bursts of violence after all. Though her tolerance for enduring said tedium has worn down a bit as she's grown more capable of mowing through opposition that would've required more careful consideration in the past.

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh's flighty attention turns to the imp, eyes wide and curious.

[Anastasia]

"Surely you wouldn't take my presence as an offense?" The imp asks, putting his hands on his chest as if wounded. "Do you wish to wound me?"

[Ebiris]

"I will not ask again," Afina says warningly, not even looking at the imp as she keeps her eyes on the greater devils. She can track him well enough with blindsense.

[Yuthirin]

'I can make him go away without violence!' Calleigh sends.

[Anastasia]

Damian gives you a look but retreats without further comment, going back to his master.

Afina and Calleigh both hear a dry chuckle. 'Cold as death,' The voice is emotionless and makes both of you shiver. High Necrolyte Halles looks your way and then adds, 'I approve. Reject others save for your purpose. If your purpose was the correct one, I would welcome you to undeath with open arms.'

[Ebiris]

Afina's hand moves away from her sword now that the imp has been seen off. 'Better than you have offered,' she responds curtly to the necrolyte. 'I am not here to bandy words, cease your distraction attempts.'

[Anastasia]

'Neither of us are involved in the current negotiating,' Halles replies coolly, 'You know that in the end you will fail. Hell is limitless and unstoppable, while you are merely one creature. Muirfinn's fate will seem like an unfathomable mercy compared to what Prince Lixer will do to you. Kneel, submit and repent of your mistakes. Is your defiance now worth trading your eternity away?'