Walking to Rosewater

[Ebiris]

Well, taking Rosewater from Malcanthet and taking it after Alicia wrecked it are two different things. And Alicia had expected Violet would plane shift back to the Abyss as soon as she got clear of the severed astral links, but then... not thinking clearly.

Also following her own instincts hasn't worked out great today.

"You may be right," she says, folding up her portable hole and replacing it under her belt. "Latha, Syala, this way!" she compresses space between herself and a point further downstream the styx following its current that matches Violet's observed speed, flying through and trying to detect the water-form demon.

[18:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 perception
[18:41] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 92 > [d20=12]

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia HP: 684/772
Active spells:  Many moments of prescience (CL 34), extended greater anticipate teleportation (CL 35), extended mind blank (CL 35), extended nondetection (CL 35), epic mage armour (CL 39), pass without trace (CL 34), greater heroism (CL 34), energy immunity (acid) (CL 34), energy immunity (sonic) (CL 34), telepathic bond (CL 34), sensual blessing (CL 34), recitation (CL 34), foresight (CL 34), greater visage of the deity (CL 34), power of the huntress (CL 34), repelling shield (CL 34), spell turning (CL 35), righteous wrath of the faithful (CL 34), invisibility (CL 34), opal protection (CL 35), celestial valor (CL 35), life's grace (CL 35), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 34), brilliant aura (CL 34), Latha's sunmantle (CL 34), keen edge (CL 34), extended dance of the unicorn (CL 35)
Defences: AC 110, CMD 114, spell resistance 49, energy immunity (fire, cold, acid, sonic), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 49), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +10 armour AC, +10 circumstance stealth, +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +2 insight AC/reflex, +1 natural armour, +4 str, +2 dex, +4 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +20 competence stealth, +8 enhancement natural armour AC, +9 shield AC, +3 morale damage, +3 morale AC, +4 sacred attack/damage/AC/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Arcane sight, low-light vision, blindsight/tremorsense 3 miles, perception +80
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/12/9/9/14/9/4/6/8/0/3/4/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/19/11/7/9

[Anastasia]

"You may be," Syala concedes, "I wouldn't mind a chance to express my displeasure."

Latha is there as you all shift - and you see it, far down the Styx. Violet, half water and half flesh, is dangled just above the Styx. The Adversary is there, standing there and hooded. One death white hand can be seen holding the succubus by the neck.

In a whisper soft voice, "Thank you," he says, "But your services are no longer required in Hades. You have performed adequately, leave."

"Well. Well, well, well," Syala hefts the Blessing of the Twelve, "You used us, fiend."

Latha stands there, radiance against the pitch darkness of the Oinoloth. "The dawn always comes, no matter what you do, devil."

Violet struggles weakly, pitch black death going up and down her neck. Flesh rots away in moments, the scent of it immediately putrid and foul.

[Ebiris]

Being used is a given when making a deal with a yugoloth, Alicia is neither surprised nor upset since she knew what to expect going in.

It also means she doesn't feel obligated to him for prior services rendered. She had no kind of pleasant fate in store for Violet, but it would at least be kinder than what the Adversary offers.

"Violet?" her question comes not to the Power before them but his victim and their original target, a single word, of mercy offered even after all that's happened today.

[Anastasia]

"Kill...him..." Is the answer you get from Violet, a choked out gasp.

Ever so quietly now, like a ripple of fever-poison in your brains, "A foolish sentiment, Violet. Do you think I am alone and bereft of allies?" The Adversary says.

"For a single true word of regret and repentance, I'll fight all of Hades," Antenora speaks up, "Violet. Please. Your pride isn't worth oblivion. There's a better way, even now." She levels her spear, ready.

"...Devil...whore..." The succubus manages to cough out, blood and Styx water splattering from her mouth.

[Ebiris]

What magic word could Violet have said that would have prompted her to attack the Adversary and rescue her? Certainly not those four.

She's half-tempted even now, even knowing she'll certainly take the chance to flee back to Malcanthet and cause further grief. If the Oinoloth wanted her dead she'd already be so, and she'll likely cause another strain of grief once broken to his will. Neither appeals, but making a grand gesture that might cause her to re-examine her life speaks to Alicia's poetic side.

Vanity, really.

"I didn't come here to kill a daemon," she says, echoing Antenora in levelling her sword. "But I did come here for a demon. Drop her... please."

What a day this has turned out to be.

[Anastasia]

There is a moment of silence as you stand your ground.

"Please?" The Oinoloth asks, voice sharp and mocking. "You would beg for a demon?"

A ripple of images around Violet. Images of all of you - taken, broken, raped, corrupted. Violet's hatred, triumph, arousal and more are all laid out before you, like physical forces felt. "That is the desires of her soul." The Adversary declares, as the black runs up to her jaw, down to her chest and out of sight under her clothing. "You would fight to protect THAT? This is the poison of her soul, Alicia Reynes. Is that pleasing to you?"

"It's what I expected," Syala levels her hammer as well, "No more, no less. It's because that no matter how dark a night, there will be a dawn. That's why we stand here, Sammael, to bring the dawn, not another concert of the same darkness with a different conductor."

Latha joins the three of you, mace at the ready. "Do not make her ask again."

[Ebiris]

Well she can't ask again after Latha said that! But the support is appreciated.

"I know what she is, what she wants," she agrees, hardly surprised by the revolting images shown. "It is repulsive. But if I allow no room for hope and mercy, what good are the heavens as an alternative? What good am I except as a butcher?"

All the violence she's committed today has played into the hands of fiends. Her martial skill hasn't counted for anything important, mighty as it may be. But there's more to her than that.

[Anastasia]

As Violet lets out a keen of agony, the Adversary speaks on. "You ARE a butcher, Alicia Reynes. No deity rises except on a mountain of corpses and triumphs over the opposition. Were all of you darker, they would call you things - serial killers. Monsters. Nightmares." His voice stays ever so quiet all throughout this. "You hunt. Your foes die. Do you enjoy the victories over your opposition, when you leave behind broken bodies and crushed lives?"

[Ebiris]

"Today's challenged my ability to take pleasure in violent victory," she admits, before her expression hardens at Violet's continued torment. "I know what I am and what I'm good at. Must I turn that talent for slaughter upon you, now?"

[Anastasia]

"Yet you take pleasure in violence." The Adversary concludes, a flick. Violet is tossed at your feet, where she promptly is bloodily ill, red and bile staining the ground. "There will be a seat here for you one day, when you are ready to take it. The poison in your heart is strong. With that, I have gained enough today." Then the Adversary is gone, a momentary sense of drowning, drowning in bile and poison, before a bare flex of your will banishes it.

[Ebiris]

All the lower planes really want her for themselves somewhere, don't they?

Alicia crouches down and pulls Violet to her feet, a pulse of silver fire coursing through her. "If you think to try your luck against us again, think carefully on what you just escaped."

greater restoration effect from silver fire.

[Anastasia]

Violet's answer is a mewling cry, a cough of blood as the blackness slowly peels away from her throat.

Antenora kneels down next to her, a hand laid on her forehead. She is silent in the meantime, whilst Latha says, "It is done, then. We have much to reflect on."

"A victory of sorts, even after being used," Antenora remarks.

[Ebiris]

A gate is opened then, back to Sylica. In deference to their guest it's the exact same cabin where they held their earlier meeting with 'Robeaux'. Holding tightly to Violet's wrist, Alicia takes her through and back to their divine realm.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia HP: 684/772
Active spells:  Many moments of prescience (CL 34), extended greater anticipate teleportation (CL 35), extended mind blank (CL 35), extended nondetection (CL 35), epic mage armour (CL 39), pass without trace (CL 34), greater heroism (CL 34), energy immunity (acid) (CL 34), energy immunity (sonic) (CL 34), telepathic bond (CL 34), sensual blessing (CL 34), recitation (CL 34), foresight (CL 34), greater visage of the deity (CL 34), power of the huntress (CL 34), repelling shield (CL 34), spell turning (CL 35), righteous wrath of the faithful (CL 34), invisibility (CL 34), opal protection (CL 35), celestial valor (CL 35), life's grace (CL 35), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 34), brilliant aura (CL 34), Latha's sunmantle (CL 34), keen edge (CL 34), extended dance of the unicorn (CL 35)
Defences: AC 110, CMD 114, spell resistance 49, energy immunity (fire, cold, acid, sonic), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 49), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +10 armour AC, +10 circumstance stealth, +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +2 insight AC/reflex, +1 natural armour, +4 str, +2 dex, +4 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +20 competence stealth, +8 enhancement natural armour AC, +9 shield AC, +3 morale damage, +3 morale AC, +4 sacred attack/damage/AC/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Arcane sight, low-light vision, blindsight/tremorsense 3 miles, perception +80
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/12/9/9/14/9/4/5/8/0/3/4/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/19/11/7/9

[Anastasia]

Moments of relief as Violet is limp, barely moving at all.

Once you are all through, a flex of Antenora's will cleanses the scent of Hades from you all. A gentle breeze blows through, freshening everything.

"Welcome," Syala goes to sit, relaxed and casual, as you sense her checking on the links here, making sure no escape is possible. "We met the poor soul you sent as bait. Poor fool doesn't know what to do with himself now."

Latha stands at the door, allowing no exit. The moment Violet looks that way, sharp and sudden, Latha shakes her head. "We insist," she says, authority and light in her voice, a moment of it that makes Violet flinch back.

[Ebiris]

Alicia goes a bit further, making the area dead to magic as well. Poor Violet would've been fine with that if she was still a proxy, too. And she definitely was one, recently. The spells cast by her and resistant to antimagic in Rosewater were proof of that.

"Yes, as I said to your simulacrum earlier, you're a hard woman to find. But now we can makeup for lost time," she says as she gently but firmly puts Violet into one of the seats at the table.