Meeting Hell (Afina, Jaela, Tryll)

[Corwin]

All of them, one spell to benefit each negotiator. Ideally, I want to cover as many of us as possible. If some work better than others, the best option goes to Morniel since he's the lead negotiator.

[Anastasia]

As in a copy of Moment of Prescience but with merely a different bonus type? No. Just too cheesy for my tastes.

Before we go any further, what sort of bonus type are you looking for here?

[Corwin]

As in something extra, pretty much. The devils have a few different bonuses in their rolls, I was hoping we could gain some extra boost with a spell. But if no, then no.

I'll just memorize 5 Moment of Prescience next time with the karma bead and angel cakes~

[Anastasia]

Well, the thing is you have lots of different bonus types and some are easier to get with spells than others. Some spells like that already exist like Voice of the Dragon, so that's a thing as well. Narrowing it down lets us figure out if anything's easy there.

[Corwin]

Sure, let's emulate Voice of the Dragon. Limited Wish can catch that, too. Between it and the Moments of Prescience we'll be as prepared as we can be.

[Anastasia]

There will be more in the next post, but for now everyone who is going to participate should make a Diplomacy check.

[Yuthirin]

[12:16] <Yu> roll 1d20+25+10-1 diplo
[12:16] <Kobot> Yu rolled 1d20+25+10-1 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{44}
[12:16] <Yu> roll 44+39
[12:16] <Kobot> Yu rolled 44+39 --> {83}
[12:16] <Yu> forgot to add my skill bonus >_>

[Corwin]

21:33 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+56+26+10
21:33 <Kobot> Tohsaka rolled 1d20+56+26+10 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{104}

I'll extend +26 insight from my boosted Moment of Prescience to any who need it, and keep a couple in reserve (memorizing 5 of them). Voice of the Dragon is emulated with relevant spells/psionics, I think we can all manage that and stagger it so that we're not all magicless during the same hour.

[Anastasia]

Quick note, Moment of Prescience caps at +25, so note that unless you have something to get around it.

> roll 1d20+23+25+10 Antenora Diplomacy
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+23+25+10 Antenora Diplomacy --> [ 1d20=8 ]{66}
> roll 1d20+113 (+25 moment of prescience, +10 voice of the dragon) Morniel
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+113 (+25 moment of prescience, +10 voice of the dragon) Morniel --> [ 1d20=20 ]{133}
> roll 1d20+112 (+5 ???, +20 ???, +3 ???, +9 ???)
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+112 (+5 ???, +20 ???, +3 ???, +9 ???) --> [ 1d20=19 ]{131}
> roll 1d20+101 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ????, +9 ???, +7 ???) Kaessa
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+101 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ????, +9 ???, +7 ???) Kaessa --> [ 1d20=10 ]{111}

Hell of a time for Morniel to pull out a natural 20. Mirajane's flat using aid another here.

Soon you've all rested and are back at it. It's more knockout, drag down war. Negotiations stretch on for hours of verbal fencing. Every word is an attack or defense, carefully weighted and used to the utmost. It's like being in a constant battle with your mind, having to exercise it like never before.

Jaela has her hands full keeping Kaessa in check. Only her dogged persistence and the aid of Antenora and Tryll keep you in check. Several times you almost find yourself agreeing to things you never would otherwise, tricked into it through winding words and verbal barbs.

This leaves Morniel and Martinet to do battle by themselves. It is a duel of words where the language switches from Celestial to Infernal freely, then to other languages to make points. Some you know, some you don't, the arguments invariably drifting back to Celestial and Infernal.  They are tremendously complicated but slowly, ever so slowly, Morniel gets his way. It helps that Mirajane chimes in every so often. Not commonly, but always to useful effect.

At last, everyone tired and beaten after more hours of this than you can count, "Then we have an agreement," he says.

Kaessa sits back coolly, not a single hair out of place or look of pique. She merely yields to Duke Martinet, who says, "We do," he smiles, "On that matter, at least."

[Corwin]

"In that case, I'm sending for the book," Jaela says, maintaining her pleasant demeanor. "Restore Muirfinn, and once the book changes hands we'll leave with him."

Any immediately relevant details to the agreement?

[Anastasia]

Do me a quick favor and note your priorities again, I seem to have misplaced the paste I did of them.

[Corwin]

Spoiler: ShowHide

Since she's discussed this earlier, Jaela says, "First, let's figure out what conditions they snuck in that we don't want to live with and deal with them. Next, equally important, we need to ensure reasonably tight restrictions on the Father's use and the best deal we can get for Muirfinn's recovery. Lastly, some way of making sure he's not a security risk afterwards or some sort of sleeper agent. I take it Morniel explained the matters at stake to you, as well as the dangers of the Father?"

As stated, these were listed in order of descending importance.

[Anastasia]

Thank you. I think we can all agree notetaking failures are annoying.

1. Lawgiver and Morniel are fairly certain all the sneaky clauses and tricks are out.
2. The Father's use is reasonably restrained. No unleashing him on Primes or the like.
3. An agreement to restore Muirfinn to as he was before, barring gear, which is 'lost beyond recovery'.

"Once we see the book, Muirfinn will be restored," Martinet says pleasantly.

"That won't be a problem, will it?" Damian adds. "Surely it's no problem to bring the book here?"

[Corwin]

Re: 2, so is killing the Father in a timely matter by mortal standards?

"At this point, is there really a need for petty stubbornness?" Jaela asks. "It would take a while to retrieve the book, and we would not think of turning on Her Majesty so Muirfinn will remain out of our reach. Restoring him presently allows our healers to examine the damage and prepare our specialists back home. It does not, in fact, cost you a single thing. Unless, that is, you insult us by saying that we are going to break this agreement as soon as it has been signed?"

[Anastasia]

Within 9 months, yes. Best they could manage.

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't bend on this point," Martinet says, "I'm under orders that things must proceed in this precise way. If you wish to appeal this decision," Martinet smiles, "Seek the Serpent Throne and the Lord of the Ninth."