The Dragon-Turtle Meet 15

[Corwin]

20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, what's your plan here, DevaR?
20:43 <Devar> OOC: He will just keep an eye on things from the air and help out where needed for the time being to help calm things down. If he sees any cargo or anything he'll try and grab it.
20:49 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure. Perception for all of that.
20:50 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 because I am boring
21:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Fair.
21:05 <•Kotono> Devar pulls out a few things here and there, but most of its sunk. Still, it's something. Panic is giving way to order now, at least at the docks.
21:06 <Devar> Devar will stay to help anyone else who needs some. If things feel like they've back to "normal" after about 10 minutes he'll regroup with his guard cohort to continue his original investigation.
21:13 <•Kotono> Things here do seem to be calming down, at least as much as they're going to for some time.
21:13 <Devar> Devar gives the docks one more fly-by before he heads back to the cooling warehouse!
21:17 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception here, +4 circumstance bonus.
21:18 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24 because I am boring
21:23 <•Kotono> OOC: Kobot's gonna be out a job at this rate.
21:23 <•Kotono> You return to the cooled warehouse without incident. Only a pair of guards outside, who give you nods as you approach.
21:24 <Devar> Devar nods and will head back in - to the section he was going to investigate originally - the newer foodstuff.
21:27 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me another PErception check then.
21:29 <Devar> OOC: you guessed it, take 10 for 20
21:33 <•Kotono> Nothing seems awry with the goods stored here, at least to Devar's searches.
21:35 <Devar> Devar will give it a once-over with Detect Magic to be sure, but after that will move on!
21:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:36 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=8 ]{8}
21:36 <•Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft.
21:38 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24
21:39 ⇐ Kobot quit  ↔ •Kotono (was Ko; promoted to owner, opped) nipped out 
21:43 <•Kotono> Luck is with you. You happen to move aside just the right fruit, and you get a sudden, different aura you can just make out beneath the aura that the warehouse provides.
21:45 <Devar> Devar will carefully move the fruit to investigate further - is it the fruit themselves, or something else in there?
21:55 <•Kotono> Devar goes to investigate more....next time! OOC: Family is family and it's about time, so more next time.

[Corwin]

19:06 <•Kotono> Checking deeply, you see that some of the fruit - apples as it happens to be - are dusted with a familiar mold.
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@DBBE83F6.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP)
19:09 <Devar> Devar frowns. He will find an empty container to start moving the dusted fruit into - including anything else that was close by and may have been contaminated.
19:15 <•Kotono> That's done well enough. It's quite a few apples, now quarantined.
19:17 <Devar> Devar will mark the crate with a skull and carry it out, staying a bit away from the guards. "I found the contaminated apples and put them in here. Where's the best place to dispose of them?"
19:18 <•Kotono> The guard visibly recoils, "Poisoned? How are they contaminated?!" He gets ewll away from them.
19:19 <Devar> "They have the mold on them that's been causing the sickness." Devar explains. "I'd like to think Skaya has handled things from all aspects, but do you have any sort of inventory list that I could see to see who delivered these? Just in case we have another culprit."
19:24 <•Kotono> "I can go get it-" A stop as suddenly the skies darken. Huh? In moments it goes from summer to storm, as in a few heartbeats the sky is dark and a cloudburst happens. Rain gushes down. Thunder crackles with it, as if a storm came from nothing.
19:29 <Devar> Devar frowns again. Was the storm in Dareslan man-made? "Hold that thought for now, I'm going to leave this here so no one meddles with it." He explains, putting the box back into the warehouse. "I'll be back." He says, summoning Storm's Eye and flying straight up. "Hey, can you determine if this is a magical storm - and if so, do you think you can stop it?"
19:34 <•Kotono> Storm's Eye yaaaawns loudly. "Good afternoon to you too," he says before, "Smells magical. Good lightning, but it's all gussied and then hussied up."
19:35 <Devar> "Good morning!" Devar says, flying higher and towards the clouds themselves. "Can you absorb it, you think?"
19:39 <•Kotono> "The lightning? I make a good lightning rod," A chuckle of amusement, "Wouldn't mind some straight from the tap."
19:40 <Devar> Maybe it'll disrupt the magic causing the rain. "Okay, do I just... hold you up? Is there something else you want me to do?" Devar asks. "Please don't say 'yes, rub along my shaft' or something."
19:45 <•Kotono> "Hold me up over your head and don't let go," Storm's Eye advises, "Hahahahaha, please, only if Anne was holding me, or maybe Sanda. Rina too, and Skaya....mmmmm....hahahahahahahaha."
19:46 <Devar> "You're the worst sometimes." Devar says as he holds Storm's Eye high above his head! "Show me what you can do!"
19:55 <•Kotono> A few more booms of thunder until CRACK! White light all around you as Storm's Eye laughs. Lightning slams into the spear, yet not a jolt passes onto you. Your eyes are clear despite the flash of light, as it happens again and again. You definitely have an effective lightning rod.
19:56 <Devar> He does wince once - but then remembers that this can't actually harm him, so he stays strong. A beacon of peace in a turbulent storm. "Let's keep it up!" He shouts.
20:01 <•Kotono> More and more lightning comes, strike after strike. Storm's Eye is almost purring a the constant influx, as meanwhile Skaya flies closer, close enough to see who it is and what's happening - even with bright flash after bright flash.

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> Speed serves Skaya well. She's just in time, grabbing the last two just as there's a horrible, screaming noise from above, and she moves fast as she can...OOC: Ref save, +8 circumstance bonus. Speed saved two lives nad gave you a nice bonus to resist being caught in something.
19:05 <Skaya> OOC: Bot please
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@DBBE83F6.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP)
19:06 <Kobot> OOC: Here.
19:08 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+8+7
19:08 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+8+7 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{31}
19:08 <Skaya> OOC: Evasion
19:10 <•Kotono> Skaya beats out the roof, diving out as it collapses with a mighty CRASH! THe last two victims are taken out safely, as you land roughly but safely on the streets. Cheers go up from people watching at your braverly, while meanwhile Rina emerges from the building next door, also on fire, carrying out an old woman. "Building's clear," Rina calls out, unbothered by the heat and smoke. "She was
19:10 <•Kotono> the last one!"
19:10 <Skaya> "Get them all over here!" Skaya calls out, before using her power to heal all the rescued victims.
19:10 <Skaya> roll 3d6
19:10 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
19:17 <•Kotono> Victims mend. So does Rina, who trots over to get fixed up. "Thanks. You're pretty good at that, just like Anne. You really figured out how to copy her?" Meanwhile the victims cough and moan, healing and resting amid the panic. A waterline is started, soldiers going to the nearest well. Others try and make fire banks, even as the fires burn.
19:18 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73
19:19 <Skaya> "I was pretty close to getting it right in Dareslan," Skaya affirms with a nod. "What happened here?"
19:22 <•Kotono> "Fire, no idea on the cause." Rina shakes her head briefly, guiding you a bit away for a moment of privacy. "City fires like this are always terrible, because they can spread so easily. I-" Rina scowls and looks up. What was clear skies turn dark, as stormcloud suddenly gather from nothing. In moments a crack of thunder and suddenly a torrential downpour erupts out from above.
19:24 — Skaya sighs. "The timing is just atrocious. Are the guards that came with you alright? Are they investigating or looking through the buildings?"
19:25 <•Kotono> "It's not all bad." Rina remarks, raising her voice. The burning buildings are at least partially quenched by this, as then a loud, carrying woman's voice, "Soldiers, don't stop! Get those fire banks going! The storm will help, but we all need to do our parts!"
19:26 <•Kotono> "They're trying to put out the fires," Rina's next remark is as she looks around. "Can't investigate when the building's on fire."
19:26 <Skaya> "I fought a dragon turtle," Skaya muses. "There's zero chance this could happen at the same time on accident."
19:26 <•Kotono> "Magic," Rina agrees with that. "It has to be."
19:28 <•Kotono> Then after a beat, "The fires or the storm?"
19:30 <Skaya> "I'd bet on the fires but you never know," Skaya responds after a brief reflection. "I'll leave you here and fly around to look for anything out of the ordinary. Keep the peace, and we'll investigate the source of the fires later? Ah, and if there's a criminally-lit fire, a lot of the times the arsonist returns to watch it. So keep an eye out for people who don't belong here."
19:34 <•Kotono> To your surprise, Rina blinks and then looks abashed. "...it's pretty," she mutters, sounding mortified.
19:36 <Skaya> "Yes it is. So look for other people who think that, or who look extra concerned and helpful without actually having a legitimate reason being here during a quarantine," Skaya tells her patiently, and then she takes off! Straight up and into the storm.
19:36 <Skaya> OOC: Can I use knowledge nature or arcane to figure out if it's a natural storm?
19:36 <Skaya> OOC: Either way, I want to see if there's anything new I can see from above in town. If nothing, I'll fly over to where Sanda would be.
19:39 <•Kotono> OOC: K:N, I suppose.
19:41 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16
19:41 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{25}
19:44 <•Kotono> It's not a natural storm. Storms don't usually gather hyper fast like that after all. Definitely someone throwing some powerful magic around.
19:47 <Skaya> Sanda it is! Though if Skaya sees another event happening within town limits or an archmage cackling to himself Skaya would investigate that first. "Have people stay out of the rain," she tells Rina upon briefly descending, and then she's off for real.
19:55 <•Kotono> It's not hard to see something. In the distance, a figure holds something up in the rain. It's lit by lightning strike after lightning strike in the air gathering to it, rather than slamming down below.
19:56 <Skaya> Let's go take a look! Maybe that's Devar! Maybe that's a strangely helpful mage!
20:00 <•Kotono> Skaya flies over and...OOC: #evil.

[Corwin]

20:01 <Skaya> "So you figured out this was an unnatural storm, too?" she calls out to confirm.
20:03 <Devar> "Oh, hey!" Devar calls down. "I thought it was too reminiscent of Dareslan - a storm and all the other things going on. I was hoping Storm's Eye might be able to disrupt the magic in the storm somehow, so, here we are. Oh, I found some of the fruit that was contaminated - I boxed it up and was going to investigate who brought it, before this started."
20:05 <Skaya> "Did you know it started right after we rescued everyone from the burning buildings? Nice timing!"
20:06 <Devar> "It seemed way too concidental to just start all of a sudden. Burning buildings, huh? Everyone okay?" He calls out.
20:08 <Skaya> "No. But we helped all those we could," Skaya says curtly. "What's your plan here?"
20:09 <Devar> "I was just going to keep this up to try and stop the magic." Devar says.
20:09 <Skaya> "Wish there was a good way to tell if there's poison or something in the water itself. Don't suppose you checked?"
20:10 <Devar> "All he could tell was that it was magical - I didn't try to analyze it too much." He admits.
20:11 <•Kotono> "It's a little more than that now that I've gotten a good taste," Storm's Eye speaks up, "It's not just magic, but something unusual. An unique spell."
20:11 <Skaya> At least she told Rina to keep the people out of it, so only the guards will risk prolonged exposure. "Guide me through it?" Skaya requests.
20:11 <Skaya> OOC: Can I spellcraft or something?
20:14 <Devar> "Hold on, I don't know how well this will work, but I'll try..." Devar says as he keeps holding Storm's Eye up. OOC: Detect Magic, take 10 on Spellcraft for 24
20:15 <•Kotono> "It's strong, curated. It's not just Control Weather, but something finer tuned. No, this was made to create storms - thunder storms, hurricanes, blizzards." Storm's Eye declares. Unfortunately, there's no magic besides Storm's Eye around to analyze. The thunderbolts seem non magical, for whatever that's worth. Though now that Devar looks, they seem a little...he doesn't know. Odd? Different?
20:15 <•Kotono> Too bright, too perfect. Too pretty, maybe.
20:16 <•Kotono> OOC: There's no magic aura to analyze here, but you could try K:A, Skaya.
20:16 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6
20:16 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{39}
20:17 <Devar> "It does seem like this was created for a specific purpose." Devar echoes. "It's clearly to distract from something else, or at least that's my guess."
20:22 <•Kotono> It's definitely too fast for Control Weather. A custom spell is most likely, something meant to bring storms. You'd need to see the actual magic or spell to tell more, but what STorm's Eye says makes sense.
20:24 <Skaya> "You know, shouldn't Control Weather's caster be right here? Even if it's a more finicky spell, would you really change that part to cast it from miles away? Can you even do that?"
20:25 <Devar> "If he has a cloak or something to make him invisible, sure." Devar says. "We've been operating that he has some kind of invisibility or something like that, so he certainly could be in town and I don't think we'd know, unless Anne and I wandered around focusing on detecting evil intent or something."
20:26 <•Kotono> "In other words your quarry's being a little coward and striking from the shadows?" Storm's Eye scoffs. "Not a big, strong man like Devar."
20:27 <Skaya> "I'll go make the rounds, then," Skaya decides with a sigh. "I'll check on Sanda and Anne and circle back to Rina unless one of them has a good idea to try. Find me in the sky later? Our patrol schedules got messed up by now."
20:28 <Devar> "You got it. If we can figure anything else out up here, I'll let you know." He agrees.
20:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Going off then, Skaya?
20:32 <Skaya> OOC: Yes, I can't help here. I'll go to Sanda first. I assigned her and Anne to some places in town, so even if I don't know the exact locations OOC I'd know IC!
20:38 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, #dunes.

[Corwin]

20:38 <•Kotono> OOC: Just so I don't have to check my notes, where did you send them exactly?
20:39 <Skaya> OOC: Anne is basically with clerics visiting and local, and Sanda with mages, likewise.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
20:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=76 ]{76}
20:51 <•Kotono> You fly on. Besides the somewhat quenched fire near the gates, you fly on. You end up in a temple in the heart of the city. A large one with a big open space within, dedicated to Selune. The walls are white with black stars and moons engraved, pretty enough one supposes. Here Anne's quietly in discussions with about a dozen others. Some are in robes, some armor, some in plain clothes.
20:53 <Skaya> "Have things been quiet?" Skaya calls out, announcing herself.
20:55 <•Kotono> You get looks, from a dwarf with a beard and a stony stare, just like the stories. Humans, though one has a hint of silver to patches of his skin. It's an array but it's Anne who answers, "Of course not. We're organizing our response. We have some good fortune." That get sa few chuckles. "Fortune here," The silver hinted man is nodded to, "Casts like a sorcerer does, and disease curing is one
20:55 <•Kotono> of his spontaneous spells."
20:56 <•Kotono> "The Golden Dragon's guidance and wisdom never fail me," Is his glib response, giving you a lopsided smile. "Right place, right time. I came here two days ago, meant to live today but I got delayed."
21:04 <Skaya> "Glad to have you here," Skaya tells him. "I think it's about as confirmed as it's going to get that we're working against an adversary that isn't done yet. We've just had an attack by the dragon turtle at the port, and a spontaneous fire followed by a spontaneous storm at the city gates. Be very aware of your own safety as you act to help the residents."
21:11 <•Kotono> "The storm's not the problem," Anne speaks up at that, "Dia did that."
21:13 <•Kotono> "Let me explain," One man steps forward, maybe 60 or so and wearing armor despite it, with the sigil of an open eye against a gauntlet. "Dia's an old friend of mine, and that spell of hers is distinctive. If she cast it, it was for a good reason."
21:13 <Skaya> "Devar's out there playing lightning rod. I'll step out to bring him back instead," Skaya says at that, heading back out.
21:14 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Anne calls as you go. But as you fly back, you see Devar is no longer there.
21:16 <Skaya> Seriously? Skaya tries to fly around a bit to look for any clues.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception, let's say.
21:18 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
21:18 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{31}
21:19 <•Kotono> You eventually spy something higher up - lightning. All the lightning seems to be striking something up in the storm itself, flowing towards that point from all directions in the clouds.
21:21 <Skaya> Yep, not going there. She returns to Anne and the other priests, shrugging. "I think Devar went into the storm. We'll just have to let that play out."
21:25 <•Kotono> "Alright," Anne agrees, "In short: We're preparing resources to treat any plague when it pops up. We've already sent a few off to cure others. Both heroes proof against disease, one who serves Lathander and another who serves Jetina. Since the last plague was so nasty in that it targeted those who cured it, we're not taking chances yet. We're hoping quarantine and decisive action curbs it right
21:25 <•Kotono> away, and preparing how to handle this if not."
21:25 <Skaya> "What about Logan and his pal? Did you try seeing how they respond to magical treatment?"
21:29 <•Kotono> "They're being cured right now," Is the answer, "They'll be useful," Fortune goes on, "And best to make sure they don't get any lingering symptoms."
21:30 <•Kotono> Another adds, "It's insidious. This Brachidos needs three feet of steel shoved through his heart."
21:30 <•Kotono> "If nothing else," Anne goes on, "I'm making sure everyone knows. The more that know, the more that go after him. Even if we don't get him, someone will."
21:30 <Skaya> "Equal odds he's here to direct things," Skaya says with a sigh. "Say, back to the storm. Who is Dia? And how did we not see her cast it? There was no one in the sky."
21:42 <•Kotono> The older man clears his throat, "Dia is a druid who trained with Lorran Silvereye far to the south. She's a veteran of the Blackoath War, if you know history that far removed from this region." Clearing his throat, "But since the past isn't important, the present is that she's a capable druid who has a fairly good scroll collection to supplement what she knows."
21:44 <Skaya> "What's our best way to communicate with her? We're already getting in each other's way, unless this was all some convoluted plot to get Devar into the storm."
21:49 <•Kotono> "She went out," Is the response, "She's a tall human and looks 20, even thoughs he's closer to 70. Black hair, good full figure-" A few of the ladies glare or clear their throats at that, and the man  coughs into his hand. "As I was saying, black hair, a dark blue cloak and a traveling dress that moves strangely if you look at it too long."
21:51 <Skaya> "Got it. I'm going to check up on the mages now."
21:55 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Anne calls as you go and do just that.
21:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=95 ]{95}
21:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 subtables vs ???
21:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 subtables vs ??? --> [ 1d100=14 ]{14}
21:56 <•Kotono> It takes a little time to head over, and as you get close? The storm begins to slacken suddenly, the downpour at last turning into a more reasonable rain.
21:57 — Skaya pauses and looks around for Devar. If he was there. And if he survived.
22:03 <•Kotono> No immediate sign of him at least, or at leats until you see him come out of the clouds and pause, perhaps looking around. Hard to see from this distance.
22:03 — Skaya flies over!
22:08 <•Kotono> OOC: I'll move you into #evil shortly.

[Corwin]

20:38 <•Kotono> Lightning strike after lightning strike. Are you going to do anything but stay here and soak them up?
20:40 <Devar> "Do you feel like this is helping you at all?" Devar calls out. "I do think we're diverting the lightning, if nothing else."
20:42 <•Kotono> "I need more! Are you lightning proof?" Storm's Eye calls back.
20:43 <Devar> "You hadn't noticed so far?!" Devar shouts.
20:51 <•Kotono> A laugh at that, "Better to be sure!"
20:52 <Devar> "Do you want me to go higher?" Devar asks, still holding Storm's Eye up. "I admit, I'm not too gifted on how storms work."
20:53 <•Kotono> "Higher! High into the clouds, into where the lightning forms," Storm's Eye says, "Let's kick this up a notch!"
20:54 <Devar> Devar does just that, rising higher into the clouds themselves!
20:57 <•Kotono> So much in the way of lightning. The boom of thunder is loud, but no longer deafening to you, not as you are now. Instead you're hit all over. Arcs of lightning gush towards you and Storm's Eye, drawn in faster and faster as you ascend into the dark clouds.
21:00 <Devar> Devar will keep going until Storm's Eye says to stop!
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=88 ]{88}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=14 ]{27}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 ????
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 ???? --> [ 1d20=5 ]{17}
21:16 <•Kotono> It comes and comes - but the storm's enduring. "No good, it's stronger than I thought, or I'm still not all the way there," Storm's Eye complains, "Feels great, though!"
21:17 <Devar> "Really?" Devar asks. "Well, even so, it must've helped you somehow, so that's good enough for me. Do you want to stay or just go back?"
21:19 <•Kotono> "Would you rather risk lightning strikes starting a fire down there, or hitting somene?" Storm's Eye challenges back. "Right now it's aalllll going to me."
21:20 <Devar> "You've got a point." Devar says, holding Storm's Eye up. "We'll stay until given a reason to go."
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{15}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=19 ]{32}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+16
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{31}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{33}
21:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18
21:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
21:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
21:28 <•Kotono> It takes some time, perhaps a half hour, before Storm's Eye suddenly groans, "Oh...oh boy, it's about to happen! Hold on tight and don't let go!"
21:29 <Devar> "You said that way on purpose!" He shouts, but does as he's asked!
21:29 <Devar> OOC: Said it that way, rather
21:36 <•Kotono> The storm shudders - then the rain sputters, the clouds swirl and with a CRACK of displaced air, the storm abruptly begins to slow down and clouds lighten. "Oh...oh...that stung..." Storm's Eye moans, "Didn't...forgot I could...."
21:38 <Devar> "You all right?" Devar asks, lowering his arm slightly. "Did that jog your memory?"
21:47 <•Kotono> The only answer you get is the sound of Storm's Eye snoring.
21:48 <Devar> Devar silently just starts heading back down - he looks around from the air to where the others might be as he does so - or especially anyone wearing a red mask...
21:55 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception, -1 penalty.
21:55 <Devar> roll 1d20+9 I'll play your game, Kobot
21:55 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+9 I'll play your game, Kobot --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
22:03 <•Kotono> You don't see anything that helpful, unfortunately. You do see the fires are at least somewhat contained it looks like - between rain and efforts the spread's been checked for the moment. Hopefully they finish the job. No sign of the others about, however, though the rain complicates it.
22:09 <Devar> Devar will just fly around and see if he can find anyone!
22:12 <•Kotono> It doesn't take long, because Skaya flies up to you and....OOC: Go ahead, chat it out and we'll pause after that.

[Corwin]

22:12 <Skaya> "Hey there! So you were inside after all! And survived."
22:13 <Devar> "It didn't harm us at all, but I imagine that's probably because I can't be hurt by lightning." Devar explains. He gestures with Storm's Eye. "He took the brunt of it and is taking a nap."
22:14 <Skaya> "Turns out it was just fog of war in action," Skaya informs Devar. "One of the healers told me this was the work of a buxom druid he's friends with going by Dia. Apparently it's a signature spell of hers and she has plenty of scrolls to boost her casting to boot."
22:14 <Devar> "Oh, sounds like someone to meet. I hope I didn't mess their spell up." He says.
22:16 <Skaya> "Fire got put out, people might've been worried about strange magical rain but it didn't hurt them, so I think we're still good. Want to go check up on Sanda together?"
22:17 <Devar> "Sure thing." He agrees.

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Going to find Sanda then?
19:03 <Skaya> OOC: Correct
19:05 <•Kotono> roll 1d10
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@1F73D1FA.49836061.B227C4EE.IP)
19:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=46 ]{46}
19:10 <•Kotono> You find Sanda just outside as the rains come down far slower now. Outside of a tall building near the center of town, the streets empty save for guards. She's out here scowling, looking up at the rain at the right time to see the pair of you descend. "What are the odds?" she questions dryly.
19:10 <Skaya> "What, the rain? It was magical. A druid made it rain," Skaya says, touching down next to Sanda.
19:11 <Devar> "Do we know why they did that?" Devar asks. "Was it just to put the fires out?"
19:11 <Skaya> "No clue. If you see a buxom youthful druid, ask her?"
19:12 <Devar> "I'll... keep an eye out."
19:12 <•Kotono> "No, being out here at the right time to see you approach," Sanda answers, blinking away rainwater from her eyes. "I needed a moment to get some air. Don't know about the rain, I've been in talks the past few hours." A blink at that before, "...really?"
19:14 <Skaya> "So I was told," Skaya affirms. "Anyway, we had a turtle dragon crash the port and attack, and as we were dealing with it, Rina ended up rescuing people out of burning buildings near the gates. The storm was probably to put those fires out, but who really knows. Anne is working with the locals to cure people and carefully check there are no magical traps. Anything to add on your side, Devar and Sanda?"
19:15 <Devar> "I think the turtle went to a cave underwater, but I can't prove that - it's pretty fast in the water, so if we want to chase it we'll need to be prepared." Devar says.
19:17 <•Kotono> "Mages are less immediately useful here, and they're arguing since I'm not local," Sanda reports, "But there's some decent hope with divinations and other support magic for whatever's needed."
19:20 <Skaya> "If they have a local mage better accomplished than you that you approve of, you could hand that over to them," Skaya says with a shrug. "Is there? Otherwise, how about directing support magic towards food preservation or stationing a few mages in strategic positions to help with any further fires?"
19:24 <•Kotono> "I'm thinking about it," Sanda admits, "We don't have the time to waste on this." A nod otherwise from Sanda, taking that in.
19:25 <Skaya> "Gotcha. Don't be afraid to mix things up as we go, our original plan is already a bit of a mess with all those attacks," Skaya muses. "Hey, Devar, how's the state of the food stores? How much of a breather do we have?"
19:25 <Devar> "Oh, that's right - I forgot in all the chaos." Devar says. "I found the molded food, it's quarantined in a box. I was going to see if I could find out who delivered it."
19:26 <Skaya> "Damn. Did you check all the stores? And was that the only place with it?"
19:27 <Devar> "They have a warehouse that stays cold with magic." He explains. "I gave it a pretty thorough search and that was all I found."
19:29 <•Kotono> "They should search that entire warehouse again," Sanda points out, "Statistically speaking, it's not worth the risk you missed anything."
19:30 <Devar> "I checked it over for magic." Devar explains. "So if they are, they should have a mage do it."
19:31 <Skaya> "How about you get the mages to do that? Actually being useful towards resolving this situation would give them some agency," Skaya suggests. "Also, there might be smaller stores and warehouses. Perhaps some with sweets or leisure goods. Anything that's edible, let's make sure it's checked properly. We can rely on the some talent from the Guild to look for hiding spots, too."
19:31 <•Kotono> "I'll do that," Sanda agrees as the rain continues to slow. It's still going, but it's a far cry from the storm from before.
19:34 <Skaya> "Great. I'll check on Rina again, for now. Let's just use the guards headquarters as a central spot for reports and send messages every two hours if there's nothing going on, or immediately if there is something of note. I'll let Rina and Anne know as well."
19:35 <Devar> "Anything you want me doing?" Devar asks. "Or just want me to go with you?"
19:35 <•Kotono> A nod at that, Sanda agreeing.
19:37 <Skaya> "Let's stick together for now, Devar."
19:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what's your next move?
19:38 <Skaya> OOC: We'll make sure everyone's on the same page and share information. Then Sanda's group will go over all the food stores and Anne's group will handle curing the sick. Rina, Devar and I will listen to what was discovered about the delivery of the mold-covered food Devar found.
19:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
19:43 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:43 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=38 ]{38}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{29}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d4
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4 --> [ 1d4=1 ]{1}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 fort
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 fort --> [ 1d20=16 ]{20}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 perception
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 perception --> [ 1d20=16 ]{23}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d10 con
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d10 con --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+3 fort
19:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 fort --> [ 1d20=1 ]{4}
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d12 con
19:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d12 con --> [ 1d12=1 ]{1}
19:48 <•Kotono> You settle in to listen, "We also found mold in two other food sources," The soldier who reports this is middle aged, wearing formal armor and unarmed in front of you. The two of you stand outside in the cloudy but rain free weather, beneath another pavilion a ways away from where the High Reeve works. Out of sight at least, some distance to do your own work. "One on grain, another on dried
19:48 <•Kotono> and salted meats."
19:50 <Skaya> "That seems to confirm the existence of other accomplices. Do we know who placed them there?"
19:51 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes, if it all came in from the same source, that would lead us to one conclusion - but if they were from different vendors..." He frowns. "There may be someone inside town doing it."
19:52 <•Kotono> "We're asking around now and checking records," Is the report, "It's going to take some time, but if they're in the city, there's no getting out now. If they already escaped, then we can pass word to outside of the quarantine to hunt them."
19:54 <Skaya> "Please prioritize their identities, even if you're not certain. If they followed the same pattern, they would've sold food to people before this was discovered. It could help us identify more victims early on."
19:55 <•Kotono> A nod, "We will, ma'am." is the answer back. Meanwhile, down the street, both of you see a runner sprinting. Not remarkable by itself, but when he turns to come towards your paviliion, in between two buildings? It's more noteworthy.
19:56 — Skaya waits patiently. There hadn't been any explosions, so the situation can clearly wait a moment until he reports properly.
19:58 <•Kotono> The soldier glances, his weathered face calm as he steps aside. The runner approaches, hands on his knees, "A-alert. Be wary of assassinations, for an a-attempt was made against the High Reeve. An unnatural creature, small and red, poisoned him."
19:58 <Skaya> OOC: K:Planes 10 for 26 for the creature
19:59 <Skaya> "Where is the creature now? And has a priest been summoned to treat the High Reeve?"
19:59 <•Kotono> It could be a few things. A mephit of an appropriate element, such as fire. An imp also comes to mind, a minor devil of little power. It could even be an unusual elemental. You'd need more details to winnow it down further.
20:00 <•Kotono> "It fled into the air and escaped. The High Reeve is ill but being attended to," Is the report, "Healer Anne reports that he was extremely fortunate and likely to make a full recovery."
20:03 <Skaya> "That's good news, at least. Thanks for letting us know."
20:04 <Devar> First undead, now employing devils? Devar frowns.
20:08 <•Kotono> A nod, a moment to breathe and then the runner turns and hurries away. "It really is like Dareslan again," You overhear the soldier still with you murmur, his voice carrying to both of you.
20:08 <Devar> "You don't have an undercity here, right?" Devar asks.
20:09 <Skaya> "It's the same attacker plotting against us, but it's not the same as Dareslan," Skaya speaks up at that. "As someone who fought through waves of undead springing up from a messed up portal below-- and hey, way to jinx things, Devar."
20:09 <•Kotono> A shake of his head, "There's minor sewers, but they empty into the ocean away from town," Is the answer, "Nothing like I've heard inland cities have, sir."
20:10 <Skaya> "That's not the only thing. By the time the defenders of Dareslan realized what was going on, most of the healers were taken out by a sneak attack. But here we're making sure you and your comrades are protecting them, we're taking better precautions, and most important of all, we caught the infection in the early stages."
20:10 <Devar> "Hey, I was just checking!" He says. "Better to know now than be shocked later!"
20:13 <•Kotono> "That's good news, ma'am," Is the soldier's answer, "War in the south and plague at home. This summer will be known as a dark one."
20:15 <Skaya> "Let's go and get a clear description of the creature," Skaya suggests to Devar, before turning to the soldier, "When we return, can you have a list of mages capable of summons ready? There can't be so many we won't be able to visit them in a day if we make an effort."
20:16 — Devar nods to Skaya.
20:19 <•Kotono> A salute at that, as the two of you go off. You find the High Reeve has been moved inside, and in a room guarded fiercely. You aren't allowed inside, but Anne comes out. She briskly speaks, "He'll be well. The poison was notably virulent, but where most succumbed, he did not." OOC: Anne takes 10 on relevant rolls.
20:19 <Skaya> "We heard. Excellent job, Anne! And great luck on the High Reeve's part."
20:22 <•Kotono> "It's mostly his good luck," Anne remarks with a slight smile, "Perhaps someone watched out for him, tired of Brachidos. He's still purging the poison, but he's lucid enough to listen and give commands."
20:23 <Devar> "Did you see the thing that attacked him?" Devar asks.
20:26 <•Kotono> "No," Anne says, "But I do have a description. Invisible until it struck, small, with sharp teeth and a leering grin. It wielded a poisoned knife with both hands. An imp most likely based on the description, a minor baatezu used as a familiar for vile spellcasters." OOC: More taking 10 for her.
20:27 <Skaya> "An imp really was my first thought," Skaya agrees. "What's the poison?"
20:27 <Devar> "Great, that guy has a familiar too?" Devar murmurs.
20:31 <•Kotono> "It's possible, or a creature binded, summoned or otherwise compelled," Anne points out, "None of those would be difficult for an opponent as skilled as Brachidos has shown. The bigger question is: Finding it. Rina's already been pulled from that fire to try and hunt it down. Incidentally, the early report she sent back is that the fire was an accident as a result of quarantine."
20:31 <Skaya> "I honestly don't believe that, but I guess it functionally means there are no leads to pursue here."
20:32 <•Kotono> Then a snort, "I dislike it greatly, but it may be it was only vile misfortune that the fires happened, along with the dryness of summer. I'm not sure I believe it either, but Beshaba stalks as surely as disease and plague does."
20:32 <Devar> Devar nods. "We can't exactly walk around town detecting evil everywhere in hopes of finding something invisible."
20:33 <Skaya> "But we can go around the list of known mages to check up on them."
20:34 <Devar> He nods to that.
20:36 <•Kotono> "I can have one made, or ask the High Reeve to do it, which amounts to the same thing," Anne mentions, then blows out a tired breath, "Also, apparently there's a druid and some of the regulars from the guild hunting this imp. Rina's not the only one hoping to get lucky." Then, in a quieter voice, "And less a certainty as much as intuition: But I suggest not being alone or not sleeping
20:36 <•Kotono> tonight. The moment I heard of assassination, I knew and feared we would be appealing targets as well."
20:37 <Skaya> "Resting in shifts makes sense, just like in the wild."
20:40 <Devar> Devar nods. "Agreed."
20:40 <•Kotono> "Or forego it altogether, as I plan to tonight," Anne admits. There's then the loud sound of retching that carries from the room within. "I should check in him again. Do you need anything else right now?"
20:41 <Skaya> "Some luck."
20:41 <Devar> "Maybe you'll become a follower of Tymora after this is all over." He says with a smile.
20:43 <•Kotono> "There's worse," Anne says, "I can even introduce you to one in town should you like. They lack a formal temple, but they have a gambling hall that opens in better times."
20:44 <Skaya> "You know what? That sounds like a perfect place for a temple to Tymora. Stay safe, Anne!"
20:46 <•Kotono> A nod back as one question looms: Now what, as the afternoon wears on?
20:46 <Skaya> OOC: Let's briefly meet with the mages in town and ask them about their familiars. We can say we're focusing on a creature that attacked the High Reeve and need to eliminate them as potential suspects and chat with them, and over the conversations let's use sense motive to see who seems to be hiding something.
20:46 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure. Meanwhile...
20:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
20:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 (+2 circumstance) Rina
20:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 (+2 circumstance) Rina --> [ 1d20=4 ]{18}
20:57 <•Kotono> Sanda helps you gather them up. It's a few dozen. Of them, five don't have familiars. Of the rest? A few mice, a bat, a pair of dogs, a songbird and similar. Most are mundane enough. One, however, stands out. A middle aged man sits, wearing fine clothes and a gold topped walking stick with him. He sits and playing around his feet like hyper puppy is a creature of pure water. It's barely
20:57 <•Kotono> the size of a large cat but dashes back and forth, flowing. Sanda watches it with distinct interest as he says, "This is the most fantastical familiar I've heard of in town," he says, "I did briefly know a wizard who had what I suspected to be an imp, but he ended up hung for corruption and theft."
20:58 <Skaya> "I suppose nice people don't opt for imps as familiars," Skaya voices rather reasonably.
21:01 <Devar> "Our mutual friend would probably love to hear about this whenever we see them again." Devar says.
21:01 <•Kotono> "Statistically never," Sanda comments, kneeling down to pet the familiar. It burbles wetly but leans into it.
21:03 <•Kotono> A warm, pleasant chuckle. "I've had this fellow for over thirty years. He doesn't take a shine to many." Then, to Skaya, "He wasn't a nice person. Of course," With the slightest smile, "Imps can change their shape, usually into the form of common animals. Just so you know."
21:04 <Skaya> "But hiding their true nature from paladins would be more of a challenge, I suppose?"
21:05 <•Kotono> "Mmm-hmmm." A knowing nod to Skaya, "Just so."
21:05 <Devar> Glancing between the two of them, Devar nods and emanates his ability to detect evil!
21:07 <Skaya> "I suppose it's possible this would be a summoned creature, but using the basic summoning spell for an assassination would be impractical," Skaya muses. And if Rina is trying to track it down, it means the duration is longer than such spells would be. In fact, why would it need to run away if it was merely summoned? "So bindings or callings... but those are pretty difficult spells to manage, I heard."
21:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Who are you checking, Devar?
21:08 <Devar> OOC: He'll check all the mages gathered, no reason to leave anyone out.
21:08 <Skaya> OOC: And their little dogs, too!
21:08 <•Kotono> "Not easy," The man says, "I could manage it if I put my back into it," he confesses quietly, "But I prefer not to shout my skill for all to hear."
21:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a CL check on that.
21:09 <Devar> roll 1d20+2 I guess I use my Paladin level for it?
21:09 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+2 I guess I use my Paladin level for it? --> [ 1d20=13 ]{15}
21:10 <Skaya> "Being a proper mage in an otherwise mundane town must be like belonging to a really elite and exclusive club," Skaya notes. "Amongst the others, how many do you think are capable of such magic?"
21:11 <•Kotono> None of the mages radiate magic, nor the familiars.
21:13 <•Kotono> "Of these? None." Is the quiet answer, "Of those who live here but are away in the summer? Five." Is the answer, "Off on adventure, research, travel or leisure. Of those, two can teleport, so they come and go as they please. Of the other three, two are across the sea and one is in the south - in Laremy, actually, investigating the dead lake there, last I heard."
21:13 <Devar> Hmm. Could they be hiding it somehow? There's no sense in not checking, so Devar tries a different sort of detection - magic! OOC: This time he's casting Detect Magic to see if he can see anything like a transmuation spell or something potentially hiding alignment. Spellcraft for 24. If you need a CL check let me know.
21:14 <Skaya> "Oh, really? I actually visited the caverns underneath the dead lake!"
21:14 <•Kotono> OOC: Please.
21:14 <Devar> roll 1d20+6
21:14 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{19}
21:15 <Devar> OOC: I'm not sure if it counts, but the ring I have gives +1 CL to spells, so maybe that's 20? Not sure it interacts.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: If it boosts CL it generally applies to caster level checks, yeah. Also be a few, Saturday stuff. Shouldn't be serious but heads up.
21:25 <•Kotono> Devar scans. Almost all of them have various magical auras around them, well, at least the mages. You'd have to spend time and study them for details. However, only one of the familiars has a magical aura: That of the bat. You study and it turns otu to be...transmutation.
21:28 <Devar> Devar nods and turns to Skaya to whisper to her. "The bat has transmutation magic on it." He says. "I'm not sure how you wanted to handle this."
21:28 <•Kotono> "Really? I've heard it's a curse on Laremy for their violent wars," The man says fondly, "That they are being stripped of the gifts of water."
21:31 <Skaya> "Ah, that's not right. There is a massive cave network underneath, you see? So the water just ended up draining away once the earth spirits connected it to the lake-- well, I suppose it could still be in response to the wars? But it's not a curse either way," Skaya is all too happy to elaborate. At Devar's words, she nods slowly and whispers back, "Ask that mage to identify something in the other room."
21:31 <Skaya> She'll be there in a flash if there are signs of resistance.
21:33 <Devar> Devar nods and approaches the mage with the bat familiar. "Good day sir - I apologize for the time we've taken out of your day today, but I was hoping you might be able to take a look at something for us?"
21:34 <•Kotono> Nodding along to that, chatting as Devar goes to do that, "Perhaps it's both. Then again, tell me, are the caverns dangerous at all?"
21:35 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Devar goes to check. It's not a sir, it's a ma'am. A thirtysomething woman, face drawn and tired. She nods, rather average all around. "I'd be happy to help, so long as it doesn't get me the plague," she says, expression guarded.
21:35 <Skaya> "Right now, not that much. But back when I ventured into them, there was this cabal of crazy wizards that made chimeras out of people and monsters and then set them loose on any visitors. Between them and the earth elementals, it wasn't the safest place."
21:36 <Devar> "Of course, ma'am - please, this way." Devar says - they surely have somewhere nearby that's more secluded."
21:44 <•Kotono> A long, low whistle, "That wasn't the safest place. Ah, that takes me back."
21:44 <•Kotono> Meanwhile, the woman follows along, the bat on her shoulder. OOC: #dunes.

[Corwin]

21:46 <Skaya> "Back where? Is there an exciting story waiting to be told?"
21:51 <•Kotono> "Oh, I once traveled the world," he explains, "And found another dead lake, far to the west of Welland and Laremy. In a nameless land, where sand and salt ruled to the howl of living whirlwinds. A lake where a man could haul away a small fortune of the purest salt I've ever found, free for the taking, and salt-caves that lead deep below the corpse of that lake."
21:54 <Skaya> "Sounds like it's far enough that you'd need to use magic to transport the salt to enjoy the fortune. But if you can do that, you might as well just hop over to Salt to pick it from the source, right?"
21:59 <•Kotono> A laugh at that, "Only a fool goes there, or so I've heard. There's enough trouble int his world as it is."
22:00 <Skaya> "But doesn't that sort of daring call to one's adventurous spirit?"
22:02 <•Kotono> "These days, a hot soak and a warm breakfast call to my tired spirit," The man admits, "Those sort of adventures are a young man's game."
22:03 <•Kotono> Then, quieter, "Or perhaps those who fear not time at all." His gaze travels to Sanda. "My familiar's only ever tolerated me and those with the blood of Water."
22:03 <•Kotono> Sanda looks up from her play with the familiar and blinks, "So that makes the odds about it rather straightforward?" she asks, curiously.
22:04 <Skaya> "Well yes, there's absolutely no reason to exclude you with that criteria."
22:05 <•Kotono> "Fear not time at all, hm?" Sanda murmurs that, but then goes on. "I'm sorry, I lost track of things playing with him."
22:05 <•Kotono> "No harm done," The man says, "But I'm old and my heroic days are long behind me."
22:06 <Skaya> "It's kind of funny. Natural lifespan is not really an issue, but in our profession it was more of a guideline anyway," Skaya voices with a snort. "On a whole other topic, have your travels taken you out to sea? Perhaps you know what the deal is with that dragon turtle?"
22:08 <•Kotono> "They exist, I've heard of them but never seen one myself," Is the answer, "Though now I've seen a winged woman that isn't a celestial." Then with a wistful tone, "Oh, to see a fragment of what lies beyond. I remember it as vividly as the moment it happened. It's as if all the light and color of the world was dim and dust compared to that."
22:10 <Skaya> "Haven't seen a winged woman who is a celestial, myself," Skaya admits. "I'll be sure to take notes when I do!"
22:15 <•Kotono> "It was like nothin gelse. Her presence was calming, and it marked the world. I sat there as grass and trees grew rapidly, and afterwards it lingered. Consecrated ground, but so much more. One of my most dangerous encounters, because I lost the will to leave on my own.I had to be dragged away by others. Things were better there. Pain was less while everything good was more. My hurts and my
22:15 <•Kotono> sorrows dimmed by the hour." Then, softer, "What I saw was an angel of great standing, one so much that the world was wounded by her presence, even after she departed. Ah, that story."
22:17 <Skaya> One more clear example of slaad being superior, as far as Skaya is concerned. "Wow," she voices, looking at the man with interest. "I didn't know any angel descended on this world, nevermind an important one."
22:21 <•Kotono> "It's a long, complicated story," The man reflects, "I was only a bit player in it. It showed me that there is power and then there is power."
22:25 <Skaya> "If you're the one saying that, won't everyone else be discouraged?" Skaya asks him with a grin.
22:28 <•Kotono> The man opens his mouth to answer...next time!

[Corwin]

21:44 <•Kotono> Devar leads the woman along and...OOC: Gao ahead and set yourself up.
21:47 <Devar> He's familiar with the layout of the area for them running back and forth, so he'll find some more secluded room to speak to the woman privately. He'll make sure it's a room either near the guards or in one of the guardhouses themselves, just in case - but he himself will shut the door after she enters - if she can just magic herself out of it anyway it doesn't really matter, but he'll have to
21:47 <Devar> figure that out later.
21:49 <Devar> He clears his throat and looks at the woman. "I am going to ask you a question and hope that you will just be honest - why is your bat under transmutation magic? What is its true form?" He doesn't look to be going for his weapon, but he is ready to activate Goldenfang's Glitterdust in a pinch.
21:57 <•Kotono> A blink at that, a stare. "No!" she snaps, "It's a bat! My poor Dusk is an old, old bat." She cooes softly, the bat looking up. She gently raises its ear up, where a small gold stud can be seen, hidden. "It bolsters his vitality and helps him with his old age." Then she gently pats the bat and it seems completely content with that. "Bear's Endurance is transmutation, is it not? So are the
21:57 <•Kotono> magical items that copy its blessing."
21:58 <•Kotono> Afterwards, she takes the bat in her arms, holding it close to herself protectively. "My bat's no more a shapeshifter than you."
21:59 <Devar> Devar raises a hand as if to try and calm her down. "Peace, madam, I am no zealot out for blood."
22:00 <Devar> "I can admit when I've made a mistake - that is why I wanted to question you privately so as to not cast aspertions." He says. "With your permission, I'd like to just validate your story so there can be no questions."
22:01 <•Kotono> Still holding her bat, "Go ahead," she says, eyes on you warily all the while. "I summoned my Dusk when I was eleven years old, and he's been with me all this time."
22:02 <Devar> "It's wonderful to have such a loyal companion. I wasn't blessed with one, my studies are taking me elsewhere." Devar says, he reaches out to touch the gold stud to Identify it.
22:06 <•Kotono> It's indeed a modified Amulet of Health, made into a small, compact size. Nothing nefarious about it that you detect.
22:07 <•Kotono> "I fear he doesn't have much more time with me," The woman sighs long and softly, "I don't know what I'm going to do once he's gone."
22:08 <Devar> Devar gives the bat a very series of scratches under its chin. "It is as you say. Please accept my apologies for the misunderstanding." He smiles. "You can't have the same experience with something else, but you can the peace knowing that you both spent more time with each other than anyone else ever did with you."
22:12 <•Kotono> The bat is entirely tame, accepting them graciously. "I had thought to travel, face dangers and grow stronger. But the truth is?" With a sign now, "I was not cut out for that life, and all my talent at basic magic stalled past the second circle. So instead of finding a way to help my poor Dusk, here we are, seeing day after day pass.""
22:15 <Devar> "I can tell you with complete certainty that it is never too late to learn." Devar says. "You don't have to face dangers to grow stronger, but just trying to do something new every day should be more than sufficient. If you have the will to do it, I am sure someone," He gestures up above. "Will help you. I know Eldath would."
22:18 <•Kotono> A little nod at that, thoughtful. "Someone else told me that a not long ago," she murmurs, "He had such a strange presence, and spoke of a patron who would unshackle me. But he did nto speak of Eldath."
22:20 <Devar> Devar immediately frowns. "Was he wearing a red mask, by any chance?"
22:23 <•Kotono> A soft gasp, "How did you know? He was terribly charming and persuasive. It was like he whispered into my ear, and told me how I could overcome my limits.  But..." she stops and shakes her head, "We were interrupted, and when I looked back, he was gone."
22:25 <Devar> "That man is the cause of the plague in town." Devar says, sitting down so he doesn't intimidate her by accident. "His name is Brachidos, and you're very lucky he could not poison your mind or worse. Please, tell me everything that you remember talking about - he may still be in town."
22:28 <•Kotono> The answer to that comes...next time!

[Corwin]

19:03 <Kotono> Another gasp, this one horrified, "W-what? What do you m-mean he was behind the plague?"
19:06 <Devar> "Brachidos is a follower of someone we only know as The Adversary, who is a terrible being of great evil." Devar explains. "We've been chasing him for some time - he keeps popping up and causing mayhem - he was the mastermind behind the plague in Dareslan, and appears to be manipulating the events here to spread another plague." He smiles a bit after that. "But since we're here, we're curbing
19:06 <Devar> it more than he could've likely expected... So, please, anything you remember about your conversation would be helpful - it may give us a clue as to where to find him. We think he has something that makes him invisible, which is why I was using magic to detect things."
19:09 <Kotono> "Y-yes, I'll try. He was very persuasive. He spoke unnaturally well, now that I think about it." Dusk is gently petted as she thinks, "He vanished like he was never there, and I didn't look away long. He moved gracefully, too. He spoke of secrets he knew, of strange things of the world and magic that could unshackle me, given to him from his patron." A shudder at that, "I-I've studied, and I've
19:09 <Kotono> heard of an Adversary. A creature of disease, hate and spite."
19:11 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes ma'am, that is correct. It doesn't surprise me that he'd use magic to enhance his persuasiveness..." He explains. "Apparently he can summon imps too, or... has had one? We aren't sure. Did he tell you anything about where to go or how to summon him if you changed your mind?"
19:17 <Kotono> "No, he simply left," Is the response, a heavy breath, "Just like that. Teleportation or invisibility, I imagine."
19:18 <Devar> He nods. "Understood. It's still good information. I would suggest you stay here with the guards for some time, I don't want him trying to harm you or Dusk, and I don't think he's brazen enough to come somewhere populated. If you hear of anything else, would you let me know, please?" He stands after that, but offers an arm to her if she needs any help standing.
19:21 <Kotono> It's taken, and a murmur, "Thank you," she says, "I heard about something over by the pier, with that dragon turtle that's been making trouble, too? That was you?"
19:22 <Devar> "We ran it off." Devar says. "But when we were fighting, something seemed odd about it - I think he somehow poisoned its mind, so I'm hopeful we can help it and return it to being docile."
19:28 <Kotono> "There's no sense killing a dragon if you don't have to," Is the agreement, "But please, don't let me hold you any longer." She holds Dusk, "I'm lucky I was interrupted, wasn't I?"
19:29 <Devar> "Very much so." He says. "Why not take that luck and get back to your studies? I'm sure you can find something to help yourself and Dusk live together longer."
19:39 <Kotono> A nod at that, as...OOC: Next move then?
19:40 <Devar> OOC: Let's go get the inventory list for who delivered what we discovered to be the mold-tainted food and then get back to Skaya with that info
19:42 <Kotono> OOC: Sure. The list can be obtained easily enough now that you've put in the request. I'll merge you back in with Skaya shortly, once she finishes her immediate conversation.

[Corwin]

19:04 <Kotono> A wry look, "If you can compete with that, you're far beyond me. Like the legends of the Last Day, perhaps."
19:07 <Skaya> "I still have to keep working on it," Skaya agrees. The dragon ruins or the labyrinth under Dareslan might both qualify, but she really felt more like an observer than the heart of the story, as one might call it. Is that a matter of personal power? Outcome-wise, she did alright, after all.
19:11 <Kotono> Meanwhile, the water familiar is played with, Sanda happily focused on that for perhaps a needed few moments of peace, away from plague worries. But perhaps as if sensing her own ease, the man before you frowns slightly, "Still, we talk amid difficult times."
19:14 <Skaya> "We're doing our best, but given that the mastermind is effectively holding all the civilians in town hostage we're being forced into a rather passive role," Skaya admits with a frown of her own. "Combined arms have always been used in battle for great effect, but cowardly attacks on the civilian population also benefit from this approach, I've found."
19:17 <Kotono> "I'm no military man, but I think I grasp your point. He's attacking from multiple directions and means to be more effective than the sum of his parts?" Is the question back.
19:20 <Skaya> "Since our goal is protecting people, but the strategies for efficient protection from each vector of attack conflict with one another," Skaya says darkly. "And it's not like we can go on the offensive either, because we just don't know where Brachidos ran off to. Our best shot is really finding and eliminating his conspirators so that more new factors don't keep being introduced."
19:23 <Kotono> "It seems you face an intelligent opponent," Is the man's answer, a less pleased smile now. "In times like this, I believe those of a more melee based persuasion are the answer. You only have to find a way to apply them directly to the problem. All the smarts int he world can't outrun three feet of steel through your gut."
19:26 <Skaya> "Have to catch them first, though."
19:29 <Kotono> A wry nod at that, while Sanda says, "Don't worry, the odds of catching him improve every day."
19:32 <Skaya> "Still, some thinking outside the box could also help. Without knowing about the mastermind too much, what would you do to protect the town and its people from what's happened so far?"
19:40 <Kotono> A considering thought, "The problem is that if I were a betting man, I'd wager that Dareslan's plague used most of the free, emergency resources against plague. We have our safeguards, but how many were expended and exhausted in Dareslan?"
19:45 <Skaya> "Would that matter, though? Dareslan was such a crisis because the healers themselves were infected by a dedicated plague. So long as the same doesn't happen here, local mages would be enough to stop the outbreak along with other quarantine measures."
19:47 <Kotono> "You yourself said that he's hamstrung your strategies against each other," The man points out, "Why wouldn't he take that into account, too? Or..." Lowering his voice, "Do you really think this is the end of it?"
19:49 <Skaya> "To dip into military concepts again, you know how it's often said that a bad general is trying to fight the previous war?" Skaya tells him. "That's not all bad, though, since it means you're looking out for what happened previously. Few things are impossible, but who would try to pull off something that only worked in the first place because it was a sneak attack no one expected?"
19:51 <Kotono> A nod, going along with it. Meanwhile, as you talk, Devar returns, a list in hand and...OOC: Go ahead, Devar.

[Corwin]

19:53 <Devar> "Hey, false alarm." Devar says, "But she did see him earlier - he's still trying his old tricks of trying to convince people to join his cause." He adds. "I got the list of the food deliveries." He waves this list as a way of explanation.
19:54 — Skaya blinks, before asking, "Hey, Sanda, did you skip over telling the other mages about who's actually causing all this?"
19:57 <Kotono> "I hadn't gone into it fully," Sanda admits, "We've been busy and well..." Lowering her voice, "I'm staying quiet not to inflame more stupid arguments. Odds are they'll happen if I push. If you want to try, maybe it'll go better for you."
19:58 <Skaya> "Perhaps you can give it a go, Devar?" Skaya asks, accepting the list and scanning it.
19:59 <Devar> "Sure, I can ask them." He agrees and will step over - asking the group of them quietly if they'd seen anyone in a red mask in the last day or so, and especially if they spoke to them in any capacity.
20:06 <Kotono> You get looks, but curious ones. Mostly headshakes, mostly. However, one, a short, honestly unattractive man with a few scars to boot? He peers at you, leaning in close to stare. "Wait, you're talking about a man in a red mask?"
20:08 <Devar> Devar will sit down with him and nod. "That's right." He affirms.
20:13 <Kotono> "I saw him," The man answers slowly, shaking, "Several nights ago, I awoke in the middle of the night and went to my window. The streets were empty except for him and another. A man, I don't know. I didn't see much. The masked man was dragging him - and then he stopped and stared right at me. I fell back and when I looked up, they were gone. I thought it was a walking nightmare, I have
20:13 <Kotono> those sometimes."\
20:15 <Devar> Devar nods and gives the man a pat on his shoulder. "Do you remember exactly when it was? Three days ago, four?" He asks. "It may help us put some pieces of the puzzle together. Also, can you tell me exactly which street? Was it near the markets by any chance?"
20:17 <Kotono> "Four nights ago, maybe five," Is the answer, "Roaring Street, east side. Not far from some of Farmer's Summer markets."
20:17 <Devar> Devar nods and gives the man another pat on the shoulder. "If you hear anything else about him, please let me know as soon as possible." He says, and goes back to Skaya.
20:19 — Skaya glances over at Devar upon his return.
20:20 <Devar> "They saw him four or five nights ago with someone on the east side of Roaring Street. I'm going to guess the someone was our unfortunate farmer, but it's possible it was someone else." Devar explains.
20:22 <Kotono> "Could go either way," Sanda remarks, "What I want to know is logically speaking, why does he like to appear and just vanish?"
20:22 <Skaya> "We can take a look," Skaya muses. "And I really don't know. Wouldn't someone who can actually teleport all over be above this sort of stuff?"
20:23 <Devar> "I wonder if it's some quirk of his." Devar says. "Maybe he enjoys being close to things for his perversions." Devar offers.
20:26 <Skaya> "Time for us to be proactive a bit," Skaya tells the mage she'd been chatting with. "Sanda, want to come?"
20:26 <Kotono> "Or it's a short range teleport, or it's mind games," Sanda works it out as she talks, speculating. "I know I've been looking behind my back more since that battle at the bridge."
20:26 <Kotono> "Yes," Sanda agrees right away.
20:27 <Devar> Devar nods to Sanda. "Maybe it's something his patron gave him - like the mask itself can do it a certain number of times in a day. The person I talked to recalled he was strangely persuasive, so I bet that comes from the mask, too."
20:33 <Kotono> "I want that mask," Sanda murmurs to herself, "It sounds so useful."
20:34 <Skaya> "You don't, it's surely evil."
20:34 <Kotono> A pout at that as...OOC: Okay, plan here, y'all?
20:35 <Devar> OOC: Oh, was there anything on the list that might give us something to go on?
20:35 <Skaya> OOC: Let's make sure the guard over the clerics and the mages is doubled with shifts and everything, and actually make sure all of them were asked about Brachidos. Then let's see if there are any reports of any altercations or missing persons from the area Devar heard Brachidos appeared at with another guy.
20:44 <Kotono> OOC: Okay, what in particular were you looking for on the list, Devar?
20:44 <Kotono> OOC: Sure, Skaya, you can look into that. Just one sec pending Devar's answer there.
20:46 <Devar> OOC: Basically if the name matches up with our farmer, or if it's someone else who delivered the moldy food.
20:50 <Kotono> You check. It looks like the poisoned food was delivered by a 'Sherman Beck'.
20:52 <Devar> "Let's see if we can get any information on this Sherman person while we're there." Devar says. "They might've been at the farm, but... there's always a chance."
20:53 <Kotono> A nod from Sanda as...OOC: You tw ogoing to do this together or split up again?
20:53 <Skaya> OOC: Let's go together
20:56 <Kotono> OOC: Right, more.
20:58 <Kotono> Sending off orders to get the spellcasters protected is easy enough. Meanwhile, all of you end up talking to a guardsman. One who is sweaty and working hard, fixing a broken wagon wheel in the empty streets. A few other guards linger around, weapons ready. "Sherman?" A grunt from him as he works, "What about him?"
20:59 <Devar> "Does he live around here?" Devar asks. "We'd like to talk to him, if possible."
20:59 <Skaya> "He's wanted for questioning in connection to poisoned food supplies," Skaya says bluntly to stress the severity of it. "Any friends or close connections of his you might know of?"
21:05 <Kotono> "I know where he is," A growl the moment you mention poisoned food. The gloom of the cloud cover lingers, the streets wet and with mud. "Johannes, take over for me," he says, and once that's sorted, "He's in a cell for trying to escape the quarantine. He's lucky it was just established so he was granted mercy, or he'd be dead."
21:06 <Devar> "Well, it sounds like it'll be easy to get some answers then." He says with a nod to Skaya.
21:06 <Skaya> "He had good reason to try and flee."
21:09 <Kotono> You're lead to a stone building in the middle of the city. Grim faced guards stand outside, but you're taken right in. Sherman is a man, no more than twenty five or so. He has wild red hair and startingly bright purple-blue eyes. He stands in a cell, a barred jail door letting you see in. He grips the bars and stares, "There you are! Let me out, it was an honest mistake," he complains, "I
21:09 <Kotono> didn't know!"
21:09 <Kotono> "He's all yours," Is the blunt answer by the guard.
21:10 <Skaya> "Thanks," Skaya tells the guards, before asking Sherman, "Alright, I'll bite. What was the mistake? Escaping quarantine?"
21:14 <Kotono> Sanda looks him down evenly as the man stammers, "Y-yeah! I didn't realize it was in place, I just thought it was some trouble with the guards and wanted to avoid it and get home."
21:14 <Skaya> "Well, that seems reasonable!" Skaya exclaims. "I'll pardon you for it."
21:15 <Devar> Devar stays quiet for the time being and just watches.
21:20 <Kotono> "You have the authority? Thank you!" A blurt of words at that, "I can't go home until this quarantine is over, but I'll take a roo mwith a friend over a cell!"
21:21 <Skaya> "I do, and not a problem. So now we just have to address a few bureaucratic matters before that can be processed. What it is that you do for a living, Mister Sherman?"
21:29 <Kotono> "I'm a farmer at my father's farm," he answers, "I usually take the food into town to sell because he's older now."
21:30 <Skaya> "How often do you do that?" Skaya wonders out loud. "And do you handle it all on your own, or together with any friends or siblings? Farmhands, perhaps, who could vouch for you?"
21:32 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:35 <Kotono> "Almost every day during harvests or during the summer, when where's always working on something. It's a big farm," Now a smile shows on his face, "We do great for ourselves, ma'am. Grow the best fruits in Welland."
21:35 <Devar> Devar is doing his best to hide his expression at the moment.
21:37 <Skaya> "How about for this last trip? Were you accompanied by someone?"
21:42 <Kotono> "No, just by myself," He answers after a moment, "Nothing unusual, I usually go alone."
21:43 <Skaya> Skaya's face falls at that answer. "That's a shame, Mister Sherman. You see, there were some irregularities detected with the last shipment. Since you came on your own... well, you can fill in the dots, can't you?"
21:47 <Kotono> The man's face falls. His eyes widen before he says, "W-wait,w hat are you talking about?" he asks, "I didn't do anything!"
21:47 <Kotono> "Really?" Sanda murmurs, "You're a terrible liar."
21:50 <Skaya> "Someone clearly did something."
21:51 <Kotono> "Clearly," Sanda leans in, giving him the eye. OOC: Give me an intimidation check, Skaya, he's certainly scared enough tow arrant it.
21:52 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10 and inspiration for 30
21:52 <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Sanda tries to aid at least
21:52 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 Sanda tries to aid at least --> [ 1d20=10 ]{12}
21:53 <Kotono> "I didn't, you can't prove I put it in them," He blurts out, Sherman staring ahead and frantically talking. "You can't prove I did it! Someone else put it in there!"
21:54 <Devar> "I don't think anyone said anything about what was wrong." Devar pipes up with a look at Skaya.
21:56 <Skaya> "Mister Sherman, you are operating under several misconceptions," Skaya tells him in a level, calm tone of voice. "Firstly, your response here is already a confession. Secondly, I already knew everything when I approached you and offered you a chance to save yourself if you cooperate. Thirdly, under the current conditions and my authority, I can have you suffer a fate worse than death without any sort of proof should I wish to."
22:01 <Kotono> Sherman falls back and stares. "No-" he starts, then bites off a breath, "Now what?" he asks, sounding hollow.
22:02 <Devar> "I'd think the truth is a good place to start?" Devar asks, looking to Skaya.
22:02 — Skaya nods at Devar. "Cooperate and tell me everything. Since I don't need to force a confession out of you, the more you're helpful to me, the more you're helping yourself."
22:05 <Kotono> Words spill out at that, words that are heard....next time!