The Second Act 16

[Corwin]

19:09 <•Kotono> With Rina asleep and being watched by guards, Skaya and Anne are called to the High Reeve's side. He looks better today, sitting outside again as clouds linger and roll in. He's tucking away a large breakfast, listening to a report that's just finishing up. The guard bows, nad after the High Reeve has a big swallow of eggs, "Good, tell them to keep it up," he waves him off, then looks eagerly
19:09 <•Kotono> to the two of you. "Skaya! Anne! You two look well today!" His voice is energetic, "Breakfast?" he offers.
19:14 <Skaya> "Thank you, that would be lovely," Skaya agrees. "You seem to be recovering quite nicely, Sir."
19:16 <•Kotono> "Please," Anne agrees, as you're gestured over to seats. Anne sits herself, a sturdy seat that bears her armored weight with ease. "Considering how that poison affected Rina, your recovery is all the more remarkable."
19:17 <•Kotono> "It wasn't my time," The High Reeve's smile is wide, "And the news is good! Yes there are more cases, but it looks like we may have been early enough to stop the problem before it got out of hand."
19:17 <•Kotono> Then after eating more food eagerly, "Once the situation is settled, well...Brachidos has earned a response, not just from Rockgale or Dareslan, but from Welland as a whole."
19:18 <Skaya> "The more resources are devoted to stopping him and bringing him to justice, the better for everyone involved," Skaya agrees.
19:25 <•Kotono> "The Lawkeeper and the Lawmaker sent me a message this morning," The High Reeve goes on, "50,000 gold, in Welland coins or the coin of any nearby kingdom, for Brachidos. Dead or alive. They're spreading his name and description far and wide now."
19:25 <•Kotono> Anne raises an eyebrow, "Not that I object, but I fear Brachidos has likely exhausted his time in Welland already."
19:26 <Skaya> "Is there a separate reward for sightings?" Skaya inquires.
19:27 <•Kotono> Plates come - laden with beef, eggs, fried tomatoes and garlic potatoes, and finally mint candies to the side. Anne takes hers with a murmured thanks, listening all the while.
19:28 <•Kotono> "Yes, 10,000 for information that leads to others capturing him, and discretionary awards to be handled on the city or village level for lesser but still important information, if verified," The answers come warmly. "Of course, of course, I suspect he came here to lead Welland and head north. Justice will still look for him nonetheless."
19:29 <•Kotono> Going on from that, "There's also something else," A sealed letter is produced, "For you and yours alone."  The seal has the symbol of a judge's gavel. "From the Lawkeeper and Lawmaker."
19:29 — Skaya mirrors Anne, starting with the beef and tomatoes. "Hopefully we learn where he went," she voices, before glancing at the letter and reaching for it.
19:38 <•Kotono> If nothing else, at least the High Reeve feeds you well. The food's excellent. You read the letter. It goes as follows. To Skaya, Devar and the rest of Mellanic's Heroic Guild. I write you to give you notice of your homeland's situation, as you have been brave and true friends of Welland. Laremy faces war to the south and to the east. It is a difficult situation for them, and one that will cost
19:38 <•Kotono> a great deal of blood and treasure at best. Yet to speak plainer: Through back channels, we have been offered land and treasure to attack Laremy as well. Brachidos's plagues have interfered with that; for it is as said that evil devours evil.  We have become more concerned with the motivations beyond this, and that forces wish to plunge all the nations around Laremy into violent warfare. It is
19:38 <•Kotono> clear that this is a dark time where evil men work to bring down the light of civilization." *More)
19:42 <•Kotono> "I will not mince my words: I believe Laremy a wicked kingdom that has been bathed in bloodshed and conquest for longer than we have lived. This does not make what stirs in the shadows any better. I ask of you to continue your quest for Brachidos, and should you need any support in this, the High Reeve will aid you. It is vital that Brachidos be stopped and that the truth behind the other
19:42 <•Kotono> voices, be they disease mongers of other patrons or something darker yet, be found. We entrust Brachidos to you, so that we can turn our attentions to other matters that are just as important."
19:45 <Skaya> It seems their request while delivering supplies was fulfilled. Skaya actually agrees that the kingdom isn't in the best of hands given her experience with some of its nobles, but a bloody war would only harm its people who don't deserve any of that. She passes the letter over to Anne, nodding at the High Reeve in understanding. "Please help convey our gratitude to the Lawkeeper and Lawmaker, Sir," she voices.
19:46 <•Kotono> Anne eats and reads, as meanwhile? "I will. I lost a grandfather to Laremy's wars." He mentions, "But this...this..." he shakes his head. "Plague and death, war and destruction. What dark times."
19:47 <•Kotono> "In other words, they're wise enough to accept that Laremy's destruction is bait," Anne says softly, "Though I like the turn of phrase that evil devours evil. It feels true here."
19:49 <Skaya> "There is an abundance of it here," Skaya says, shaking her head. "Our strongest lead pointing to Brachidos being here was from a servant of Talona, since Brachidos was interfering with her plans. That's just insane if you stop and think about it."
19:52 <•Kotono> "It tells us that the Adversary and Talona are not allies," Anne points out, "And that they work at cross purposes, despite both seeming to deal in plague. Were Brachidos not a mobile, wandering threat of vast calamity, I'd be tempted to try and turn the two sides against each other directly."
19:55 <•Kotono> "You take care of Brachidos," The HIgh Reeve advises, "I was told yesterday to focus on what's in front of me. Good advice, good advice."
19:55 <Skaya> "Let's just focus on curing all we can and making sure the infection stopped in its tracks. Between that and dealing with the threat of that draconic turtle, Rockgale should be safe."
19:56 <•Kotono> A nod at that as...OOC: Okay, got any other plans for the day as you wait on Devar to do things?
20:00 <Skaya> OOC: Just patrolling and making sure everything is going okay
20:00 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:00 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=20 ]{20}
20:00 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:00 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=41 ]{41}
20:00 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:00 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=91 ]{91}
20:02 <•Kotono> The start of the day passes. It's cloudy, thick with humidity and promising more rain. Perhaps storms too as the summer winds on. The streets are still emptier than usual, but as noon starts to draw close? No signs of further trouble, thankfully. That's when you stop in to check in on Rina. She's awake now. She sits up in bed, still a bit pale but looking better. She raises a hand in greeting,
20:02 <•Kotono> "How is it out there?"
20:02 <•Kotono> roll 2d4 meanwhile
20:02 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d4 meanwhile --> [ 2d4=3 ]{3}
20:02 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 61/61(-5 con)
20:06 <Skaya> "Surprisingly well. No attacks, no surprises, treatment going well. Isn't that pretty nice?"
20:15 <•Kotono> "I still feel terrible, even after more healing," Rina admits, "I'm going to sleep the entire afternoon away."
20:15 <•Kotono> "I feel like we may have stopped the worst of it this t ime," Anne says, "If there's no other troubles lingering nearby."
20:16 <Skaya> "That's why we're trying to stay vigilant," Skaya agrees. "And Rina, I'm sure you'll be fully recovered tomorrow!"
20:21 <•Kotono> "I should be," Rina murmurs before falling back, "I'll see you tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
20:21 <•Kotono> Anne cracks a smile, "Keep it up, you'll be back soon."
20:24 <Skaya> "Think we should actually try using the Alarm spell while resting?" Skaya asks Anne as they leave.
20:28 <•Kotono> "I'm not planning on resting if they aren't back," Anne says plainly, "Not until the danger is passed. I don't trust Brachidos not to have more trouble ready to strike."
20:30 <Skaya> "Is there anything else you think we should be doing right now?"
20:35 <•Kotono> Anne considers a time, "Honestly, I still believe Brachidos is no longer in Rockgale. It would fit with how he managed Dareslan. I want to know where he went, or if we need to get on a ship and follow him."
20:37 <Skaya> "If he went across the waters, Devar and Sanda should be able to find out from the villages along the way. Really, our best chance here is to wait on reports, since there's now a bounty."
20:49 <•Kotono> Anne quietly agrees, "It's worth a try, at least."
20:51 <Skaya> "How's the mood in town, from what you've seen?" Skaya asks, changing the topic. "Are people optimistic, or just hanging in there?"
20:54 <•Kotono> "It could be worse. The plague isn't that widespread, so there's some hope by the more observant. It's better than Dareslan," Anne concludes. "Though-" A stop as the ground softly rumbles. Anne immediately takes to the air, and with a groan, "Now what? A stampede of ankhegs?" She can't keep the annoyance out of her words, mace and shield drawn just in case.
20:55 — Skaya follows Anne into the air to see where this is coming from.
21:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception then.
21:02 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
21:02 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{22}
21:03 <•Kotono> Nothing obvious. It passes after a few moments. Anne also looks about, before, "I don't see anything," she says, No signs of of an attack from below. No screams, either."
21:04 <Skaya> "Let's do a circle of the town and check by each gate if the guards had seen anything," Skaya proposes, starting to lead the way.
21:11 <•Kotono> A good choice, perhaps. For you head to the southern gates - and chaos. A dozen ankhegs lie dead or dying, along with more guards. Soldiers are rushing as you zoom in. The ankhegs themselves look strange - often burnt, charred., as often as weapon stabbed or clubbed.
21:12 <Skaya> "Why are you right about this?!" Skaya exclaims, diving down to kick one of the ankhegs threatening the soldiers.
21:17 <•Kotono> "I don't want to be," Anne cries out as the two of you zoom in and down, "I was joking!" OOC: Roll init and I'll describe/set up after.
21:17 <Skaya> roll 1d20+12
21:17 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{22}
21:29 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Anne
21:29 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 Anne --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
21:29 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 ankhegs
21:29 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 ankhegs --> [ 1d20=19 ]{19}
21:29 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+1 guards
21:29 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 guards --> [ 1d20=18 ]{19}
21:29 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (22) > Ankhegs = Guards (19) > Anne (9)
21:29 <•Kotono> OOC: More.
21:39 <•Kotono> Most of the ankhegs are down. A few more are just poking out, the closest of which is 30ft down and 20ft away. You notice even these have visible burns, even as they reach the surface. OOC: Go ahead.
21:43 <Skaya> If only they could talk properly! But even then, given the attack on the guards.... Skaya can regret this later. For now, she just comes down on the closest of the ankhegs with both feet!
21:43 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+7
21:43 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+7 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{21}
21:43 <Skaya> roll 2d8+4+7
21:43 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2d8+4+7 --> [ 2d8=3 ]{14}
21:53 <•Kotono>  OOC: We'll pick up here next time. I may run you mid week or maybe Neph, and get one of you cleared so I can focus on the other one Thursday.

[Corwin]

19:10 <•Kotono> Sanda and Devar prepare. Sanda has her staff and gear ready, "Do you like our odds, Devar?" Sanda asks as you travel to meet up with Dia. The streets are still quiet, the morning bustle suppressed in favor of guards at work. Yet you don't see the sick so far, at least, or at least not so many as to be notable.
19:11 <Devar> "Yes." He says. "We will find a way to save it."
19:12 <Devar> "Maybe it's... foolish of me to believe in that, but, we've done so much already to make the world a better place, this is just one more step towards that." He adds, after some thought.
19:18 <•Kotono> "One better suited to your talents. You've not gotten as many chances for peace as you'd like, have you?" Sanda observes.
19:19 <Devar> "I'm sure you've heard of some followers of Eldath that preach total pacifism and non-violence." Devar says. "I interpret Her word differently - I'd love it if we could avoid conflict in all situations, but... that simply isn't possible. No words or offers of peace will stop someone like Brachidos."
19:21 <Devar> "I don't mean to make it sound as if I don't respect those who take that sort of Vow - it just isn't my role in this life." He says with a smile. "I wonder how someone who took that sort of Vow would handle a situation like this..."
19:23 <•Kotono> "They'd be there with the sick and the injured," Sanda answers, "I've seen enough of plague-fighting to know that by now." She looks ahead, voice thoughtful.
19:25 <Devar> "I'm surprised Anne didn't take that sort of Vow, but I wonder if her patron understands that words aren't able to do everything either." He says with a shrug. "Still, it's good that, honestly? Our group rather well-covers for each other, I think. We can, all together, handle pretty much any situation - look at how we overcame that dimensional place."
19:31 <•Kotono> "I think it's because for all her caring, Anne doesn't mind violence," Sanda remarks coolly. As you reach the docks, you see Dia ahead. She awaits, a hooded cloak worn and hood up. She has a hand on her hip, watching the two of you on your approach.
19:32 <•Kotono> "Good morning!" A ready greeting, "An underwater adventure is ours, it seems."
19:33 <Devar> "I'm not intimately familiar with what most druidic types can do, but I'm guessing underwater breathing isn't anything new to you, Miss Dia?" Devar asks.
19:44 <•Kotono> "Dearie, dearie, it's not hard as long as you don't drown," Dia chuckles warmly, "No no, it comes with my vocation." Waggling a finger with a smile, "Once you get past the first few breaths, you'll learn."
19:45 <•Kotono> "It's easy. It's water, after all," Sanda remarks, "It's the most natural thing of them all."
19:46 <Devar> "Says the person partially made of it now." Devar says. "We can't all have that luxury! Anyway, I'll take us to around where I saw it last, and we will just have to go down from there. Whenever we find it, if a fight breaks out, I'll draw its attention and entrust the scroll to you, Miss Dia."
19:50 <•Kotono> "We'll do as we can, of course. Do speak up if you need to rest or get hungry. I packed sandwiches and healing potions of all kinds," Dia invites.
19:51 <Devar> Devar just smiles at that. She and Anne would really get along. "Understood." He nods and will start to fly, making sure not to leave the other two behind.
19:51 <•Kotono> For some reason Sanda chuckles at that, and on getting a curious look? "Somehow I feel one of our mutual friends is going to become like you in a few decades. She's already a matron, she just needs time to reach that sort of energy."
19:51 <Devar> "You both would get along famously." Devar agrees.
19:54 <•Kotono> With that the three of you head into the water. Sanda hops right in. Her clothing doesn't stick to her or get badly wet, but seems to be normal. She moves with ease and grace, a firmness of movement that is absent on land. Dia shimmers and with a laugh that turns into a strange noise, transforms into a dolphin. She lets out a noise and swims on, quite happily.
19:55 <Devar> Devar will fly above the water for now since he's faster that way, and once he gets about as far as he remembers being, will fly down and plunge into the water to head down!
20:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, for my reference, what's your movement speed underwater?
20:00 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:00 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=65 ]{65}
20:01 <Devar> OOC: I think, due to the Ring (which provides Freedom of Movement) it's just my land speed, which is 30
20:14 <•Kotono> Even with freedom of movement, Sanda swims faster than you move. So does Dia, as the two of you plunge beneath the waves. As you swim down towards the ocean bottom, Sanda's words come out clearer than they were last time you were underwater. "This is better," she calls, the cloud cover darkening the waters, but still bright enough to see by. Beneath the waves fish swim in great schools,
20:14 <•Kotono> along with other ocean dwellers. As you descend you can see an oddity. Short, stumpy trees. No more than fifteen feet tall, but the lightly dot the landscape ahead. Soft blue fruits grow from their branches, similar in shape to an orange.
20:19 <Devar> Devar tilts his head at the trees. He opens his mouth to ask a question, but the water makes this more difficult - he can breathe water, but not speak in it, but he does his best. He points at the trees and looks at Dia and Sanda to see if they have any ideas.
20:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Do you speak Aquan?
20:23 <Devar> OOC: I do not
20:27 <•Kotono> A long series of squeaks from Dia. Sanda takes a moment and speaks out loud, "Neither of us speaks dolphin." More squeaks. Sanda nods, "Oh, that's better. They're Luet trees. The fruit's edible, but the taste isn't great to land dwelling creatures. It's useful in herbal medicine to treat dehydration, but it's rare enough to be too expensive for that. I think it's also used in certain
20:27 <•Kotono> potions."
20:28 <Devar> Devar nods. If they're rare, they probably ought to collect some, but for now he points past them and starts swimming that way.
20:34 <•Kotono> Deeper down. The trees become more common, not quit esparse any more. It's not far until you start noticing trees without fruits, having been picked clean. More dolphin squeaks, "We must be close to a village," Sanda translates, "Keep your eyes open."
20:36 <Devar> Devar nods to that and continues on - if they run into some people he'll let their watery representative do the talking.
20:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d100+25
20:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100+25 --> [ 1d100=43 ]{68}
20:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d100+25
20:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100+25 --> [ 1d100=51 ]{76}
20:50 <•Kotono> For a little while longer it's quiet - until in the distance, you see a collection of seaweed shaped huts and buildings. All simple and plain, but the unmistakeable sign of civilization. It's in a clearing surrounded by Luet trees, fish ample and abundant here as well.
20:51 <Devar> Devar will keep going, unless for some reason Dia makes any particular noteworthy dolphin noises.
20:57 <•Kotono> No sign of that. However, as you pass? You see the inhabitants. They're dwarf-like minus the beards, who peer up at the three of you with steady, unblinking gazes. Sanda doesn't seem bothered by them, and indeed, none of them are making any immediately hostile moves.
20:59 <Devar> Devar raises a hand in greeting, and Devar gently touches Sanda on the shoulder to get her attention, and tries to do his best 'roaring monster' mime impression for her sake, and then points at the dwarves and shrugs his shoudlers at her.
21:00 <•Kotono> Sanda gives you an utterly blank look back, "Do you want me to scream at them?" she asks after a few moments. "Statistically speaking, I'm not sure how that helps us at all."
21:03 <Devar> Devar shakes his head - he leans down and draws into the mud and dirt at their feet - 'ASK ABOUT DRAGON'
21:11 <•Kotono> "Oooooooh." Sanda says, swimming off to do that. Staying with or letting her go do that? Meanwhile, Dia squeaks, which gets Sanda to call back as she goes, "It was not obvious, Dia!"
21:13 <Devar> Devar makes a gesture and nod towards Dia - she gets it! Devar puts his hands on his hips and just shakes his head sadly with a watery sigh at the departing Sanda.
21:24 <•Kotono> More squeaks from Dia follows, and a back fin pats your back once she swims on over. Sanda chats a bit and finally comes back, "I got directions," she announces, "We're going in the right direction, too."
21:26 <Devar> Devar nods to Sanda and gestures for her to lead the way since she knows where they're going!
21:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=15 ]{15}
21:40 <•Kotono> It's just above more and more Luet trees. The slope of the ocean floor becomes a little steeper as you plunge deeper in. "We're going to where the coastal highlands stop and there's a sharp drop to the ocean floor," Sanda explains, "There should be a hidden cave along that slope we can find."
21:41 <Devar> Devar nods, keeping an eye out for anything else as they go!
21:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception.
21:42 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20!
21:53 <•Kotono> OOC: We'll pick up with that next time.

[Corwin]

19:01 <•Kotono> The next stretch is quiet. The cloudiness starts to break up some you imagine, because the light from above gets brighter. That helps as you approach the great dropoffs ahead, where the sea floor drops sharply down. "We're on the right path," Sanda calls, gesturing ahead. A few dolphin noises follow before, "Well yes, and the odds are good we'll find this, if we're persistent."
19:02 <Devar> Devar simple blurbles in agreement, making a note to learn Aquan at some point.
19:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception, Devar.
19:08 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 this is not Sanda's skill
19:08 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 this is not Sanda's skill --> [ 1d20=18 ]{18}
19:08 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Dia however, has some talent here
19:08 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 Dia however, has some talent here --> [ 1d20=13 ]{25}
19:09 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 average he likely won't do better
19:09 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 average he likely won't do better --> [ 1d20=17 ]{27}
19:13 <•Kotono> You begin to descend. IT takes a few more hours, but...but...but...! At last it's Devar who stumbles no it. As it darkens a bit, hidden in a sea of seaweed and Luet trees that grow almost horizontal on the sharp slope, Devar finds a large, well hidden cave entrance. Large enough for even a dragon to proceed through.
19:14 <Devar> Devar will blurble and wave at the other two and float near the entrance for them.
19:22 <•Kotono> With a wave the party gathers. "This looks like it," Sanda says, as a burbling noise comes from Dia. She glances over at her before, "Yes, he's a good Devar, isn't he?" Sanda says, voice amused. "That lost something in translation, it sounds like-oh. It didn't?" Sanda hums, "I didn't know dolphins had a word for sweetie." A few moments, more dolphin noises. "Well then, I'll take your word
19:22 <•Kotono> for it, DIa."
19:25 <Devar> Devar blurbles at them and heads into the cave. Hopefully they can find somewhere in it he can breathe to cast some preparatory spells.
19:27 <•Kotono> It's a large, open cavern. The walls are smoothed over, perhaps by ages of water eroding a soft spot in the sea floor down. The ground has sandy grit and similar on the bottom, seaweed giving way inside. It goes inward perhaps 300ft before coming to a turn. No sign of air, but you're glad you have darkvision now considering the light fades soon enough. It doesn't seem to bother Dia either,
19:27 <•Kotono> who swims onward.
19:28 <Devar> Devar simply follows along for the time being, keeping his eyes peeled - as best he can, anyway - for trouble.
19:34 <•Kotono> Around the corner - light. Light momentarily dazzles you. Set into the walls are polished pearl-like spheres the size of watermelons, each set into the wall on an ornate claw of shaped pink and red coral. These spheres glow with strong, bright light. It's a 150ft passage straight ahead now, into a larger chamber. This chamber is quite large and and has a series of raised, terranced levels,
19:34 <•Kotono> with often barnacle or sea growth covered treasures lying about. Coins of all types, gems, gold. Wood. Art. Weapons. Armor. Trinkets of magic and power. Scrolls. Not a one looks adversely affected by the water, and besides the growths of them, there's not a speck of sogginess, rust or similar problems to be seen. The highest level of the terraces are out of sight due to angles, but it looks
19:34 <•Kotono> like it breaks above the surface of the water.
19:39 <Devar> Devar looks around - this is the second dragon hoard he's seen in a month, which, really, is impressive in and of itself. For now he simply follows after Dia, since she seems to know where she's going!
19:43 <•Kotono> Dia goes still, but after a moment and no response, begins to move ahead - ! Before she can go forward more than a few swims on the fin, a roar. Angry, furious. It comes from that chamber and above, and it sure sounds like the dragon turtle you saw last time!
19:49 <Devar> Is it going to come down here? Devar frowns but goes to start swimming up anyway. He cast a protective spell earlier in the day which is still going, so if it does decide to come down here, he can draw its attention.
19:55 <•Kotono> "Devar-" Sanda calls, but starts to swim as Dia does. You make it 50ft of the 150ft to the chamber ahead, when the waters start churning and...OOC: Swim check. +8 if you naturally (or in a form that does) have a swim speed.
19:56 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Sanda
19:56 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 Sanda --> [ 1d20=11 ]{22}
19:56 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+15 DIa
19:56 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+15 DIa --> [ 1d20=4 ]{19}
19:58 <Devar> OOC: I mean humans can swim but I don't know that I'd count as having a swim speed, but I have freedom of movement for whatever that matters.
19:58 <Devar> roll 1d20+11 swim either way
19:58 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+11 swim either way --> [ 1d20=13 ]{24}
20:07 <•Kotono> Devar and Sanda manage to hold their ground as the currents rage against them. Dia isn't so lucky, a frantic series of squeaks and dolphin noises as she's swept away, around the corner and out of sight. That might be a bit of a problem.
20:09 <Devar> Devar blurbles and goes to start swimming after Dia. There's no sense in them getting split up, so he makes sure Sanda is following.
20:15 <•Kotono> Sanda follows as wlel, and the current certainly helps. In moments it feels like the three of you are outside the cave, Dia wobbling in the water. She lets out strange noises, and Sanda comes over to gently help her right herself. "There, there," she murmurs, and then to Devar, "Terrible vertigo from that. She'll be fine in a minute, hopefully we have that long."
20:16 <Devar> Devar will turn toward the cave entrance and wait, just in case.
20:20 <•Kotono> The current is continuing, but no sign of the drago-! You can see it coming ahead. A boiling torrent of water coming from the cave, roiling and burning hot. It's coming out, like you're lobsters about to be tossed into the pot.
20:22 <Devar> Devar will go to grab Dia and try and dive down, knowing she likely isn't going to be able to get out of the way given her current situation. Sanda he trusts to be able to do something for herself or simply avoid this with her wateriness.
20:24 <•Kotono> Sanda likewise hurries down as you grab Dia, fleeing as...OOC: Ref saves. Sanda gets +2 and Dia and Devar are even (bonus gone in exchange fro msaving her from a mess.)
20:24 <Devar> roll 1d20+18 evasion, thank you freedom of movement
20:24 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+18 evasion, thank you freedom of movement --> [ 1d20=14 ]{32}
20:32 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Sanda one interrupt later
20:32 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 Sanda one interrupt later --> [ 1d20=12 ]{21}
20:32 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Dia
20:32 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 Dia --> [ 1d20=1 ]{13}
20:33 <Devar> OOC: that was the whole reason for saving her!!!
20:33 <•Kotono> roll 6d8 toasty ow Dia full, others are off the hook since it's pass/fail
20:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 6d8 toasty ow Dia full, others are off the hook since it's pass/fail --> [ 6d8=39 ]{39}
20:36 <•Kotono> Devar dodges out of the way barely, as does Sanda. Dia struggles but angles and her own dazedness work against her. Her underside is boiled, squeaks of pain and whimpering. "Well, transform back if you need to! We'll cover you!" Sanda calls back.
20:38 <Devar> Devar will swim back up slightly, keeping an eye out for any further boiling water attacks. But if it can just do that on a whim, getting back into that cave is going to be a challenge...
20:42 <•Kotono> With a gasp Dia becomes humanoid once more. She gurgles and curses, and manages muttered words to heal her injuries.
20:42 <•Kotono> roll 4d8+10
20:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d8+10 --> [ 4d8=11 ]{21}
20:43 <•Kotono> Burns mostly recede and healthy flesh returns, as Sanda stays on vigil as well. "We're going to need a plan to get in there now, or at least immunity to heat. Ironic that we could use Rina here the most."
20:44 <•Kotono> Burbles from Dia, and after a moment and a blank look from Sanda? She pantomimes swimming upward and then puts two hands in front of her, then more swimming. A blank look before, "You're not any better than Devar at that."
20:45 <•Kotono> A sad look and then Dia becomes a dolphin once more. Squeaks follow and then, "Oh, why didn't you just say so? Odds are it wouldn't work, a barrier will just send the water around us and we'll boil from the heat that spreads from the boiling water."
20:48 <Devar> Devar looks around, looking considerate for a moment. He goes over to some more mud to draw with his finger. 'Sanda, try calling out to it? Tell it we want to help.'
20:58 <•Kotono> "Worth a try," Sanda swims up, then calls out in the strange, gurgly noises of Aquan, loud as she can. Several moments and she repeats it again and then a third time. Then, from the depths of the cave? You see the dragon turtle begin to swim out.
21:02 <Devar> Well,  it didn't try shooting water at them... Devar nods to Dia and wiggles his hands at her and then makes a motion like he's unfurling a scroll. He then swims up and in front of Sanda, holding an arm out protectively.
21:11 <•Kotono> Squeaks, which translate to, "When it's time, because water and scrolls don't mix," Sanda informs quickly, as the dragon turtle races out. Going to do anything or just let it approach?
21:13 <Devar> Devar will take no offensive motion at all.
21:20 <•Kotono> The dragon comes out in a hurry - and looks about, frantic. The dolphin swhims up and becomes Dia once more. She quickly, desperately takes out the scroll and...
21:20 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8
21:20 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{19}
21:21 <•Kotono> Even as water starts to ruin the scroll, it shimmers as the magic is activated. The dragon stops all at once and then slumps heavily down. There's no resistance, no attack - only the dragon lying there and Dia going back to dolphin form.
21:24 <Devar> Devar blurbes questioningly at Sanda. He gestures for her to stay back as he slowly swims closer.
21:34 <•Kotono> Sanda shrugs and waits. Dia waits. The dragon is listless until...OOC: Do you speak Draconic?
21:34 <Devar> OOC: I do, in fact!
21:43 <•Kotono> "My mind...everything..." the dragon speaks, steam coming from its mouth with every word. "What did I do?"
21:44 <•Kotono> Sanda crosses her arms and replies in the same, "Do you feel better now?"
21:44 <Devar> Devar gently puts a hand onto the dragon's side. He blurbes once and gestures towards the cave, trying his best to mouth like he's trying to talk towards Sanda.
21:46 <•Kotono> "My mind is clear again," The dragon says, "That masked human did strange things, and all I felt was anger. How dare he?"
21:48 <Devar> They clearly need to have a conversation about this! Devar looks around again and goes to some more mud nearby - just writing 'Can we talk inside?' and he gestures towards the cave.
21:51 <•Kotono> Dia squeaks and makes dolphin noises as well. On that being written, "...yes. Yes, you have earned that trust. Come with me.
21:51 <•Kotono> "
21:52 <Devar> Devar will dutifully follow the dragon turtle!
21:54 <•Kotono> Thus you head inside to talk...next time! OOC: Just about time so a bit late to start a new scene.

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (22) > Ankhegs = Guards (19) > Anne (9)
19:03 <•Kotono> Direct hit! The injured ankheg slumps and is still, no more resistance after a loud THAWCK to the head. It slumps in its burrow-tunnel, no more fight int hat one. The few left spew acid, sending it flying over guards as they struggle.
19:03 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+3
19:03 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{20}
19:03 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+3
19:03 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{22}
19:04 <•Kotono> roll 4d4 half
19:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d4 half --> [ 4d4=8 ]{8}
19:04 <•Kotono> roll 4d4 half
19:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d4 half --> [ 4d4=7 ]{7}
19:04 <•Kotono> The guards do well enough - generally good dodges and discipline holds, even as acid burns are taken - but on arms, shoulders, sides. Not fatal injuries. In turn Anne descends amid a cluster of injured and dying, and in a flash of healing...
19:06 <•Kotono> roll 3d6
19:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
19:06 <•Kotono> OOC: 12 total to all of them.
19:07 <•Kotono> The injured heal. Acid burns and mandible wounds seal up as Anne calls, "Rally!" as she puts herself between ankhegs and the healing. At the same time the guards that survive hold and attack from afar, using spears to avoid getting too close to the monsters.
19:07 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5
19:07 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{21}
19:07 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5
19:07 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{11}
19:07 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5
19:07 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{10}
19:07 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+2
19:07 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+2 --> [ 1d8=1 ]{3}
19:07 <•Kotono> There's a few minor injuries, but they're more fighting to endure, survive as...OOC: Go.
19:10 — Skaya is not a wizard and cannot take out many of the pests in one strike. But she'd come a long way from only being able to duel just one! Skaya wades into their midst to draw enemy fire and take them out!
19:10 <Skaya> roll 2#1d20+10 kama
19:10 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2#1d20+10 kama --> [ 1d20=6 ]{16}, [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
19:10 <Skaya> roll 2#2d8+5
19:10 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2#2d8+5 --> [ 2d8=5 ]{10}, [ 2d8=9 ]{14}
19:13 <•Kotono> Only one hit - but Skaya dances amid them, another ankheg hit and knocked down and out. It falls hard as the few remaining begin to retreat, even as they're attacked for it.
19:13 <•Kotono> roll 3#1d20+5
19:13 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3#1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{24}, [ 1d20=13 ]{18}, [ 1d20=3 ]{8}
19:14 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+2
19:14 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+2 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{10}
19:14 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+2
19:14 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+2 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{6}
19:14 <•Kotono> Another is downed, only a small handful escaping into the earth. Meanwhile Anne flies about, dropping another healing down as she calls, "Bring the wounded to me, gather them around!"
19:14 <•Kotono> roll 3d6
19:14 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
19:14 <•Kotono> OOC: 12 total again, free act. You're right that just a few ankhegs aren't much of a thing for you now.
19:15 <Skaya> "How are the wounded?" Skaya asks, coming over to Anne.
19:17 <•Kotono> "Saved most, but some were already gone," Anne calls as it goes, another healing burst once they're gathered. The soldiers are resting, more pouring out of town. "Did you see the burns on the-" then Anne stops, calling, "Yes, yes, like that," she says as injured are dealt with. Then back to you, "But yes, they were already hurt."
19:17 <•Kotono> roll 3d6 just in case it matters
19:17 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 just in case it matters --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
19:17 <•Kotono> OOC: 21 this time.
19:18 <Skaya> "I did. Can you dive underground to see what's there a bit better? And maybe what direction they're headed?"
19:23 <•Kotono> OOC: Anne's the one who never got it, remember. All she got was the improved lungs.
19:23 <Skaya> OOC: I don't! I'll reline.
19:24 <Skaya> "Let's check the other gates, and then fly out farther to see what's going on around the city?"
19:30 <•Kotono> "For the best," Anne takes off at that with you, as you check the other gates. AS you fly? "My concern is that something drove them up, or one of those strange wyrms at worst. I would wager gold that they fled from a stronger predator, as we know they already fled from those wyrms. Perhaps they stumbled on the domain of something stronger that objected to their presence? Though I fear that
19:30 <•Kotono> something fiery may lurk in the bowels of the earth below."
19:35 <Skaya> "Either way, if they only attacked one gate we'll have the rough direction to look at."
19:42 <•Kotono> A brisk nod - and flying about shows no other ankheg attacks at the other gates, or in the city for that matter.
19:43 <Skaya> "Let's fly out for an hour," Skaya proposes. "If we stay high enough we'll be able to see for quite a distance, and if the city can't survive us being gone for two hours we have bigger issues to begin with."
19:48 <•Kotono> "We're technically not supposed to, but I suppose the ankhegs and Devar's mission have already proven this quarantine less strict," Anne comments, "Or perhaps as a leader is steel or sand, a quarantine is the same."
19:48 <Skaya> "We won't touch down or interact with someone outside, not that it matters since we're immune to disease," Skaya reasonably responds.
19:57 <•Kotono> "I have no doubt this High Reeve will accept that," Anne comments, "But the last one may well have taken stricter measures, if only because the gamble isn't worth his citizen's lives."
19:58 — Skaya shakes her head in amusement at how pedantic Anne is being and takes off into the air!
20:02 <•Kotono> A flight of an hour in the heat of the cloudy day. It's not u npleasant, even as rain threatens but does not come. You see into the countryside ahead and as near as you can see? No sign of further ankheg problems.
20:03 <Skaya> "Well, it was worth a shot," Skaya decides, pulling into a hover. "What do you think, let's return?"
20:07 <•Kotono> "I think so," Anne's hair is loose in the wind, a smile on her face despite everything. She glances up before, "...no, you're right, let's go back."
20:08 <Skaya> "Race you back!" Skaya calls out before dashing off! Staying just ahead of Anne and making her look like victory is possible and actually selling it as believable would be a nice diversion during all this mess.
20:14 <•Kotono> "Hah!" Anne races on, as the two of you laugh and return, as...OOC: What's the play here now that things seem quiet for the moment?
20:17 <Skaya> OOC: Just patrol and make sure things are running and overconfidence isn't messing us up.
20:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=1 ]{1}
20:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 how good
20:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 how good --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}
20:23 <•Kotono> A few hours pass - Devar isn't back yet, but at least things are quiet. Rain finally comes, a soft drizzle that mutes the warmth of summer. It's when you stop in to check on Rina that it happens. She's asleep, but a messenger awaits by your room, "Ma'am, ma'am," he greets, "I have a message from the High Reeve."
20:23 <Skaya> "Thanks," Skaya says, accepting it and taking a look without delay.
20:35 <•Kotono> "It's verbal," The messenger clears his throat. "Ahem. There was a sighting of Brachidos leaving Rockgale on boat just before this all began, hidden on a ship. It's believed to be reliable."
20:35 <Skaya> "A boat, huh? Which one, and headed where?"
20:37 <•Kotono> "I don't know, ma'am," Is the answer, "I was sent to inform you and that the High Reeve knows more."
20:37 <Skaya> What a strange message. "Is the High Reeve inviting me over, then?"
20:41 <•Kotono> "That'st he intent, ma'am," Is the answer, the messenger bowing.
20:41 <•Kotono> Anne comes forward, "You did fine, message received. We'll go pay him a visit."
20:42 <Skaya> "Yeah, let's go."
20:49 <•Kotono> The trip to the High Reeve is busy enough. People come and go, hurrying along. Semi familiar faces by now, but you meet him without anyone else there. He nods briskly before, "You got my message?"
20:49 <Skaya> "Yes, Sir," Skaya responds. "It seems like we got lucky, here."
21:10 <•Kotono> "We did," An answer, "The captain of the Hornadin saw him, no less. He's a good, reliable man who isn't prone to exaggerations," THe High Reeve's voice is energetic, "This isn't some greedy dissolate or drunkard who saw it."
21:11 <Skaya> "So the ship returned already?"
21:19 <•Kotono> "No," A shake of his head, "Let me explain. "The good captain was watching from his ship as his men unloaded cargo. He was across from another ship, the Nixie's Song. He happened to look and watched a few moments, because they were taking in cargo and preparing to go. They had some stacks of barrels just on board, creating a screen between the ship and the water. He happened to glance that way,
21:19 <•Kotono> and he saw a masked man standing there. He stared until the masked man turned and looked right at him. It startled the old captain, enough to look away, and when he looked back, the masked man was gone."
21:20 <Skaya> "Ah, that makes sense," Skaya says, nodding thoughtfully. "Where was the Nixie's Song headed?"
21:22 <•Kotono> "North, to a town called Bellway Port." Is the answer, "It's a several week journey."
21:24 <Skaya> "I don't suppose we have a way to send word there?"
21:25 <•Kotono> "It can be done with magic," Is the answer, "Or someone making the trip across the sea by flight, though it's not an easy trip."
21:25 <•Kotono> "Or," Anne muses, "A flying group intercepting the ship. An incredible opportunity, but one that would almost certainly see innocents die on board the ship."
21:28 <Skaya> "By the time Devar, Sanda and Miss Dia return, perhaps we could try and catch up to that ship?" Skaya muses. "Rina should recover by then, and we'll see if there are any other attacks on Rockgale."
21:35 <•Kotono> "The sooner the better," Anne remarks, "And not to court misfortune as I did once today already, but..." Trailing off, "A ship of sailors might be a ship of prey or sacrifices to one such as Brachidos. It may be we fly into an atrocity."
21:36 <•Kotono> The High Reeve sniffs at that, "Horrible! The Nixie's Song is a respected visitor to Rockgale! To imagine something would happen to that ship. Why, the captain has amazing taste in ales and good food, and a fondness for fine stories!"
21:36 <Skaya> "Alright. Then once we know the city is safe from rampaging dragon turtles, we'll go investigate the Nixie's Song and protect its crew and passengers," Skaya says, happy for the High Reeve's prompt.
21:42 <•Kotono> "Do so, do so," The High Reeve insists, "You have my permission to leave - quietly. Unofficially." A clearing of his throat, "So go once it's dark and with discretion."
21:43 <Skaya> "It will be as you command, Sir," Skaya agrees. Surely the others will be back by then!
21:46 <•Kotono> WIth that the two of you slip away. Once you're away from all of that, "If all stays well, when do you want to?"
21:47 <Skaya> "What, today? Maybe I'll go say hi to Becca. Or do you mean for once we've caught up to the ship?"
21:51 <•Kotono> "The ship," Anne asks, plainly. "If he's in there, we may be able to force a confrontation - if he can't escape, which me may well be able to."
21:54 <Skaya> "We can only rely on luck. It's not like we have any special resources or knowledge to make use of here," Skaya reasons. "So long as he doesn't blow up the ship, Sanda, Devar and I could help any sailors that fall overboard, so we'll be able to save lives. And we might finally see some of Brachidos's actual combat skills aside from him running away or using illusions and traps?"
21:55 <•Kotono> "Useful," Anne murmurs, "And our flight allows us the luxury of retreat if we're outmatched." Consideration, "I have reservations, but...it's too good a chance to pass up."
21:57 <Skaya> "In the end, it's the best chance we'll have. There may be potential hostages, but we'll be surrounded by miles and miles of water, so it'd be better than almost any other situation in a populated area we could track him down to. And even if he can teleport, like you said, having flight handy means we should be able to escape into the skies."
21:57 <•Kotono> A nod and the answer comes...next time!

[Corwin]

19:04 <•Kotono> Inside. Up. Atop the terrances is one well above water, great treasures lying about. Gold and gems, more art, statues, a man sized statue of pure, living coral, chests heaping with rich goods. None harmed by the moisture here either, not even the single bookshelf fitted into the ceiling, books staying in place in defiance of gravity. The dragon turtle sits atop a great bed of coins before,
19:04 <•Kotono> "I remember you at the human port city," The dragon turtle says, "You were in the air, were you not?"
19:05 <•Kotono> Dia takes humanoid form once more and takes in the ambiance, as Sanda does the same, eyes wide and wider.
19:08 <Devar> "Yes, great dragon, that was me." Devar says, floating off the ground to demonstrate now that they're above the water. "It was there that I could see something had happened to you - but all thanks is owed to her." He says, gesturing and nodding to Dia. "She had a scroll of Heal that she was able to use. I won't take credit for that, only noticing something was wrong and you needing help."
19:08 <Devar> He explains as he turns back. "You mentioned a masked man - his name is Brachidos, and he serves one known as The Adversary. We've been chasing him for some time, and it seems he targeted you for some reason... do you remember anything about your encounter?"
19:11 <•Kotono> "He fearlessly apporaches my lair," Is the answer, "He invoked a green gem when I confronted him, and my mind was dazed. He applied some manner of compound to my snout, and then I lost control of myself. He had slipped away by then, but not before stealing from me," A low, guttural growl. "He took the Whisper of Legrane."
19:11 <•Kotono> "You poor thing," Dia cooes, "That's horrible! But could you tell us what the Whisper is?"
19:13 <Devar> Devar nods, awaiting an explanation. It might help them track him, somehow.
19:13 <•Kotono> "A gold armband that gives understanding of all languages, and the ability to whisper secrets into the ears of others. Should a good and kind soul wear it, it can heal and restore grave injuries. Should an evil soul wear it, they can harm, kill and force those killed to rise as the dead that yet live.":
19:14 <•Kotono> "So Brachidos has something that lets him make undead," Sanda concludes darkly, and her next words aren't fit to repeat, even if colorful.
19:15 <Devar> Devar frowns. "I have a feeling he didn't anticipate that we'd be able to heal you as quickly as we did, given your strength and prowess." A little smile at that. "We are currently still searching for him - he wears a ring that protects him from divinations, but perhaps you may know an alternative, or have some other way we might be able to give chase?"
19:16 <•Kotono> "I know not where he went, and divinations are not my talent," The dragon declares, "I am a transmuter, not a diviner."
19:17 <•Kotono> Then, with a consideration, "But I owe you and yours a debt for this..."
19:17 <•Kotono> roll 1d3 1 D 2 S 3 Dia
19:17 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d3 1 D 2 S 3 Dia --> [ 1d3=2 ]{2}
19:17 <Devar> Devar smiles. "Only if you feel it fair." He says. "Doing good deeds is what I was put in this world to do."
19:20 <•Kotono> One chest opens and from it a silver ring flies out, hitting Sanda in the chest. She snatches it out of the air, "A gift to you, then."
19:20 <•Kotono> Sanda inspects the ring and bows low, "Thank you very much."
19:23 <Devar> "We will return your stolen goods once we locate Brachidos and defeat him. If our travel takes us far from here before we do, we will let you know via magic... or some other means, Sending is a bit out of our ability currently, but we'll figure it out somehow." He adds.
19:23 <•Kotono> "Your help is accepted," The dragon agrees, "Go and slaughter this theif!"
19:24 <•Kotono> *thief
19:25 <Devar> "Oh - I do have a question." Devar gestures around. "By any chance, are you familiar with the magic in these pieces?" He takes his Clearwater Ring off to show it to the dragon. "I received a divination that one of the pieces could be found in the ocean, and I figured this counts as the ocean, so you might've seen the type of magic used in it before, or even happened to have a piece in your
19:25 <Devar> impressive collection."
19:33 <•Kotono> "I know where a piece is," The dragon saysa fter a pause, "Retrieve my Whisper and I will have it for you."
19:36 <Devar> Devar nods. "You have our thanks, great -...ah, may I have your name?" He asks. "If we do end up with the ability to cast magic over distances, it may simplify returning your Whisper."
19:40 <•Kotono> "Call me Oceanpearl," Is tne answer you get, "You may return when the time is right."
19:41 <•Kotono> "That's surprisingly pronounceable for us, dearie," Dia points out, "Many dragon names are more complex."
19:42 <•Kotono> "Then call me Ourlumanenariusalendarie," The dragon gives Dia a long, steady look. 
19:42 <Devar> "I think Oceanpearl is rather unique in regards to dragons." Devar says with a smile. "We had to deal with a white one rather recently - terribly unpleasant." He moves to kneel down out of respect. "We will return or inform you of our success. Eldath bless you."
19:47 <•Kotono> Sanda bows as well, as does Dia. With that the party heads out and...once outside? Dolphin noises. Sanda hms and offers the ring to Devar, "Could you?" she asks. "Not that I think it's a trap, but why run the odds of it?"
19:49 <Devar> Devar will Identify the ring! He was pretty curious about it himself.
19:50 <•Kotono> OOC: Post.
19:51 <Devar> Devar looks *extremely* confused. He goes to explain - and blurbles. He kneels down into the mud and draws - 'Turns your blood into molten silver. Not lethal. Have several questions.'
19:56 <•Kotono> "Me too, but let's go back," Sanda decides, "I'm not having this conversation with mud drawing and charades."
19:57 <Devar> Devar gives her a thumbs up. OOC: On their way back, let's collect a good amount of the Luet fruits if we can? Say 30 of them? If Dia wants any we can give some to her as well.
20:04 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
20:04 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=24 ]{24}
20:04 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=69 ]{69}
20:04 <•Kotono> OOC: Merging both groups into #uneds

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> "Then we'll prepare," Anne says, "And hope that he hasn't made yet more trouble by the time we find him."
19:04 <Skaya> "That's all we can really do."
19:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Going to do anything else right away then?
19:10 <Skaya> OOC: Go visit Becca and wait for Devar's return. We can skip ahead.
19:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, lemme finish up Devar then and I'll synch you two back up.
20:05 <•Kotono> It's near sunset when Devar and friends return, meeting up with the others. The plague seems held at bay as the group gathers in your inn rooms, a chance to talk and plan as...OOC: Gao ahead, all.
20:07 <Devar> "We resolved the situation with Oceanpearl - that's the dragon, but you probably figured that out from context." Devar explains. "Brachidos stole something called the Whisper of Legrane - it's some sort of magic item that lets you comprehend languages, and unfortunately in our case allows evildoers to create undead and harm people. Oh, I picked up some fruit that Rina will probably hate, but
20:07 <Devar> it's good for medicines and potions and things."
20:08 <Skaya> "Create undead... how? Raising skeletons? Or summoning them from nothing or another plane?"
20:10 <Devar> "'Harm, kill, and forced those killed to rise as the dead that yet live' were Oceanpearl's words, paraphrased." Devar says. "It can be used to heal people too, somehow or another."
20:11 <Skaya> "Nasty," Skaya mutters. "Alright. On our end, we discovered a lead on Brachidos. He was seen boarding a ship and we know its route, too. The High Reeve told us we could chase after it upon nightfall, which would be pretty much now."
20:13 <Devar> "...Huh, why would he need to get on a boat?" Devar asks. "Maybe his magic is limited - so he can't go extremely long distances like with teleport?"
20:16 <Skaya> "It could be some stupid ploy. Either way, I hope we'll catch him before the ship is full of zombies."
20:17 <•Kotono> "It's probably a ploy or trouble," Rina says darkly.
20:18 <•Kotono> "That's my guess now. Why not make his own ghost ship with that whisper?" Anne comments, "We should be prepared to fight the dead."
20:18 <Devar> Devar nods. "Oh, the dragon gifted us with a ring that uh... turns your blood into molten silver, but somehow doesn't kill you." Devar says. "I'm... really curious how that works, and also if it stays silver if you bleed?" He shakes his head. "Either way, it sounds like we have a boat to catch."
20:23 <Skaya> "I hate to suggest this as soon as you return, but let's depart immediately."
20:23 <Devar> Devar nods. "That's fine - are we carrying the two who can't fly?"
20:27 <Skaya> "We don't really have an alternative. And we're also leaving our carriage and horses, but hopefully they won't be killed off this time."
20:28 <Devar> Devar nods. "Okay. I'll carry whoever."
20:28 <•Kotono> "Very well then," Anne agrees, "Rina, are you recovered enough to come?"
20:29 <•Kotono> "Even if I wasn't?" Rina get sup, "But another of your friends dropped in and finished the job, so I'll be fine," Rina says, waving it off. "I'm ready."
20:29 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73
20:29 <Skaya> "Who wants to fly with me? Premium travel services right here~"
20:34 <•Kotono> SAnda goes to Skaya, as...OOC: Okay, any prep for this or ready to go hunting and hoping?
20:35 <Skaya> OOC: We can't rely deprive this place of any healing resources even if it were possible, so we'll just make sure to have plenty of food and drink in the haversacks and ensure again we have a good map and then leave.
20:44 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay.
20:44 <•Kotono> OOC: What's everyone's Perception scores? Not rolls, just bascis to work with.
20:44 <Devar> OOC: +10 here
20:45 <Skaya> OOC: +18
20:48 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:48 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=33 ]{33}
20:49 <•Kotono> It's dark and you search the seas. There's not much of a moon tonight even with clear skies, the ocean dark and churning below. It's not until past midnight that you finally sight something - a ship, seen in the distance only because a single, purple-green light can be seen from atop the crow's nest. It makes it stand out and guides the eye towards it.
20:50 <Skaya> "What color was the Whisper supposed to be?" Skaya asks Sanda.
20:50 <Devar> Devar makes a prayer to Eldath to keep them safe as they likely head into another undead-infested fight.
20:52 <•Kotono> "I tdidn't come up," Sanda answers, "But the way that stands out isn't natural."
20:52 <•Kotono> "It isn't, perhaps it's a ship with a mage's light to avoid accidents, but..." Anne shakes her head, "More likely it's bait."
20:52 — Skaya decides to cast False Life in preparation.
20:52 <Skaya> OOC: If it's farther than an hour from us by my estimate, I'll do it once we're an hour out
20:53 <Skaya> roll 1d10+6
20:53 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d10+6 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{15}
20:53 <Devar> Devar will cast Mage Armor for Skaya and hold on Luminous Armor for himself since that'll just make them stand out more in the night. OOC: +5 AC
20:54 Channel mode set to -t by •Kotono
20:54 <•Kotono> OOC: Topic open, Cor, Sorry about that.
20:55 Skaya set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+2 ac) Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73
20:57 <•Kotono> With that done, all that's left is to approach the ship. How are y'all gonna do it?
20:59 <Devar> OOC: Once they're actually closer to the ship Devar will cast Luminous Armor for himself, but I guess for now let's head towards the light and see what we can see from a distance?
21:00 <Skaya> "Devar and Rina, how about you land on the deck?" Skaya proposes. "Sanda and I will approach the main mast and investigate the light up the crow's nest if situation permits it. And Anne could eliminate undead at range if they've already taken over the ship, and otherwise fly around it for now."
21:02 <Devar> "Sure." Devar says. "I'll see if I can draw their attention."
21:06 <Devar> OOC: As they're going in, Devar will cast Mage Armor for Rina (+5 AC) and Luminous Armor (+6 AC) for himself, which will likely also make it really obvious they're coming, but he'll do that when they're close enough to actually land on the ship.
21:07 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+2 ac) Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+6 mage armor AC)
21:07 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+2 ac) Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
21:08 <•Kotono> "Got it," Rina says, as Devar and Rina descend and Sanda and Skaya ascend. OOC: #evil briefly, Skaya.

[Corwin]

21:11 <•Kotono> The crow's next is empty, save for a single lantern. This lantern sheds the bright light, a ghostly flame dancing within. The lantern itself is bathed in that light, all the crow's nest brightly tinted in those colors.
21:12 <Skaya> "That's not normal," Skaya whispers to Sanda. "Do you sense magic? What is it?"
21:16 <•Kotono> "Do I look like a magical bloodhound? I don't sense magic, I cast detect magic like a proper wizard," Sanda sniffs, "Give me a moment." A few words later, "There's definitely magic. Let me see if I can narrow it down."
21:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
21:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{20}
21:16 <Skaya> "Wouldn't it be great if you could smell magic?"
21:17 <•Kotono> "Can you imagine what a sword's magic would smell like? Nothing but blood and all the guts they're shoved into," Sanda's retort comes quickly, before, "Magic, but I think it's just a light."
21:18 <Skaya> "Any other magic on the ship down below?" Skaya asks, starting to descend with Sanda.
21:19 <•Kotono> "Let me down there and I'll check," Sanda agrees, as...OOC: Okay, merging you in #dunes in that case.

[Corwin]

21:14 <•Kotono> The ship's decks are empty. No signs of the crew above decks, only unguarded wood decks.
21:15 <•Kotono> Rina hops down and looks around, "Nothing?" she murmurs, "No one at all, or they're all below?"
21:15 <Devar> "I'm sure they are, dead or alive." Devar says. "We can only hope some people barricaded themselves somewhere." He says, looking around himself. "We'll wait for the others before we go down."
21:16 Devar set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+2 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
21:22 <•Kotono> It's not long until they descend, and Anne joins. Sanda promptly kneels and studies the ship deck, as meanwhile? "I agree, they're almost certainly down below," Anne says, "Likely in fortified positions with the advantage of terrain and preparation. Be it meddlesome heroes like us, another ship drawn by that light and the promise of free cargo or whatever else, this is clearly meant to draw
21:22 <•Kotono> any who come here below."
21:23 <Skaya> "Do you think there's anyone alive down there?"
21:23 <•Kotono> Rina's scoffs ays it all.
21:23 <Skaya> "Then let's burn the ship down?"
21:23 <Devar> "Unfortunately we can't use our little trick here since it's wood and not stone." Devar says. "But I can go first and spring the trap, whatever it is. We can just treat this like Dareslan and use chokepoints - we can always back out if we need to."
21:23 <•Kotono> Still, Anne answers after a moment, "Hope is a virtue," Anne says gently. "I admit I lean towards that myself, but...do we want to be wrong if there are living there?"
21:24 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
21:24 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{23}
21:24 <•Kotono> "Strong magic and a lot of it," Sanda reports, "I can't understand all of it, but this isn't nothing. This is serious magic, and it's coming from below."
21:25 <Skaya> "Let's start heading down, then. If we can't get past whatever's down there, we can reconsider burning the ship."
21:27 <Devar> Devar nods and will head towards the door - or stairs or whatever it is to take them below.
21:30 <•Kotono> There's multiple paths. There's a stairway going down int he center of the main deck. On the far side, near the front, there's a cabin you can enter. In the back you also see a passage down, should you wish to explore that way.
21:31 <Devar> "Any opinions on where we start?" He asks. "I was just going to take the stairs."
21:32 <•Kotono> "Maybe the cabin first?" Rina speculates, "It might be the captain's."
21:32 <•Kotono> "It might be," Anne agrees, "It might also be some manner of storage."
21:34 <Skaya> "Cabin it is. Let's stay back while only Devar checks it."
21:34 <Devar> Devar nods and will head to the cabin to check it out, opening the door when he gets there.
21:36 <•Kotono> The door to the cabin is locked. At the least, it doesn't give way easily.
21:36 <•Kotono> Anne hefts her mace, an unspoken question.
21:38 <Devar> "I really need to buy one of those adamantine weapons when we get back." Devar says, but gestures for Anne to either do it herself or he'll bash it with her mace.
21:46 <•Kotono> WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! SEveral blows batter down the door, enough to dent it inward and allow it to be pulled open. Within looks to be a captain's quarters. Nice enough by ship standards: So cramped but with a bed, couch, desk and chest all crammed in here. No sign of anyone or any disturbances in here...except on the desk. Carved into the desk and glowing with faint lines of green light, is
21:46 <•Kotono> a simple image of a tear droplet.
21:48 <Devar> Devar will detect magic! OOC: Spellcraft for 24, and K:R (I assume) for 24 on the iconography, but if it's something else they're 24 too
21:50 <•Kotono> The magic on the tear is a simple, minor bit of magic to make it glow, you think. The exact shape of that tear doesn't ring a bell for you, unfortunately.
21:51 <Devar> "Nothing in here except what I assume is something significant to followers of that madman's god." Devar says.
21:53 <Skaya> "Let's explore below, now?"
21:54 <Devar> Devar nods and will head towards the nearer set of stairs first.
21:55 <•Kotono> Thus the party heads to the stairs and beneath they find....next time!

[Corwin]

19:02 <•Kotono> OOC: Who's taking point? Matters.
19:02 <Skaya> OOC: This time, Devar in the lead, Anne after, then Rina, Sanda and finally me
19:02 <Skaya> OOC: Also, someone should wear the DR ring
19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Probably Sanda, she was given it and also has the lowest HP/AC/defenses.
19:03 <Skaya> OOC: Okay
19:03 <•Kotono> Three steps down and suddenly Devar's vision clouds. A thick mist fills the air for him, making everything a few feet ahead hazy and indistinct.
19:05 <Devar> "Hold on, something's already wrong here." Devar calls out. OOC: Can I detect this as magic? Spellcraft for 24 if it matters. I mean I assume it's like Fog Cloud or... just is Fog Cloud.
19:06 <•Kotono> Devar can discern it's conjuration magic. OOC: Which matches Fog Cloud for whatever it's worth.
19:06 <•Kotono> "What's wrong?" Rina asks, sword out.
19:06 <•Kotono> "I don't see anything," Sanda's voice is hesitant, "Devar?"
19:07 <Skaya> OOC: Can I still see Devar?
19:08 <Devar> "The area's blanketed in mist and fog. If you get closer you'll see it. Let me try something." OOC: Can I dispel magic part of it (i.e. if the spell is Fog Cloud and reached out to here) and that dispels all of it, hypothetically, or do I need to be at the origin point of the spell?
19:08 <Skaya> "What is it, Devar?" Skaya calls over to him. "Is the path steep? Do we need to tie together with a rope?"
19:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Yes, Skaya.
19:09 <•Kotono> OOC: K:A here, Devar.
19:10 <•Kotono> "I hope it's not rope," Rina murmurs, "Not that most of us need it anymore."
19:10 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24 then!
19:10 <Skaya> "The rope is great! It's a physical manifestation of our bond!"
19:10 <•Kotono> OOC: Devar isn't quite 100%,b ut either it's an effect localized and he can, or it's caused by something and he may need to target that directly. He'd suspect the latter is more likely.
19:12 <Devar> "If you get a bit closer you'll see it - I think it's being caused by something on the ship we'd need to neutralize." He explains. "The rope may not be a bad idea." OOC: Does my luminous armor shedding light do anything appreciable about being able to see around me? I figure at the very least the others will be able to still see it when they enter the fog anyway.
19:13 — Skaya happily takes out a length of rope and passes it on!
19:14 <•Kotono> OOC: It doesn't help much, no.
19:14 <•Kotono> The rope is taken and everyone ropes up, as requested.
19:15 <Devar> Devar will slowly proceed onward.
19:18 <Devar> "Anne, can you create any sort of wind, by any chance?" Devar calls. "If we get stuck somewhere it may be helpful."
19:18 <•Kotono> The party steps down and the others are soon in the fog. Down you go. Belowdecks is a large open space - you presume, as the fog makes seeing anything more than 5ft away nigh impossible. What's more? It's smells horrid down here, the stench of death slamming into the party like a physical force. OOC: Fort all. Immunity to poison negates.
19:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Sanda
19:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 Sanda --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
19:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Rina
19:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 Rina --> [ 1d20=4 ]{18}
19:19 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+7+4 Improved lungs
19:19 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+7+4 Improved lungs --> [ 1d20=18 ]{39}
19:20 <Devar> roll 1d20+28
19:20 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{37}
19:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Also, good point about improved lungs. I looked it up and it mentions poisonous or toxic air, so that applies too. +8 for Rina and +4 for Sanda.
19:21 <•Kotono> Fortunately, the party is able to endure the smell. Rina coughs lightly as Sanda adds, "What is this even..."
19:21 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Anne K:R
19:21 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 Anne K:R --> [ 1d20=20 ]{31}
19:22 <•Kotono> "Ghasts, probably," Anne declares, "They're a more powerful form of ghouls noted for their horrible smell and paralytic attacks. It's a give away, and there must be a lot for a smell this widespread and bad."
19:24 <Devar> Devar frowns. "Then we've got a lot of work to do. Hopefully we can find some people to save, but if nothing else, we will do the work we need to do. Just be ready to fight at a disadvantage until we find whatever's creating this fog."
19:24 <•Kotono> "We'll-" WIth the party barely off the stairs, there's a howl nearby. Sudden and loud, as weapons are readied, "The disadvantage is now!" Rina snaps, "Don't get separated from a path to the stairs, in case we need to fall back!"
19:25 <•Kotono> "The dead walk again. Let's fix that," Anne readies her mace, "Return them to rest!"
19:25 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Sanda merely keeps on guard, "Great, mist and worse. I hate how these odds are being stacked against us."
19:25 <Devar> "Anne or Sanda, now would be a great time for wind to push the fog away if you've got any!" Devar says, readying Goldenfang.
19:26 <•Kotono> OOC: Init on that note, just setting it up and doing some banter since you're not alone.
19:26 <Devar> roll 1d20+3 he'll have supreme initiative one day
19:26 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+3 he'll have supreme initiative one day --> [ 1d20=7 ]{10}
19:26 <Skaya> roll 1d20+12
19:26 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{31}
19:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda would settle for improve dinit
19:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda would settle for improve dinit --> [ 1d20=8 ]{8}
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Anne would settle for not rolling single digits
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 Anne would settle for not rolling single digits --> [ 1d20=20 ]{24}
19:27 <•Kotono> OOC: Anne's rolling well today.
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Rina's not quite Aurora fast, but she's getting thee
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 Rina's not quite Aurora fast, but she's getting thee --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 ???1
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 ???1 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{7}
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 ???2
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 ???2 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 ???3
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 ???3 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{16}
19:27 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 ???4
19:27 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 ???4 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{21}
19:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+2 ???!5
19:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 ???!5 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{6}
19:28 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+2 ???!6
19:28 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 ???!6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{9}
19:29 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (31) > Rina (25) > Anne (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > ???2 (13) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
19:29 <•Kotono> OOC: Go Skaya.
19:30 <Skaya> OOC: Can you please describe my situation in more detail?
19:32 <•Kotono> Skaya and the party are just off the stairs leading below decks. Seeing much more than a few feet ahead is impossible due to thick mist. She can hear a howl from the side, something nasty and inhuman. The smell down here is beyond terrible, and might turn a lesser heroine's stomach.  As noted before, Devar is ahead and hidden by the mists, even the ones near her foggy and cloaked from her sight.
19:33 — Skaya holds for now since there's nothing to be done.
19:37 <•Kotono> Rina does the same, waiting for the assault. Another howl, then a clatter of teeth and unearthly moan. Long and loud, hungry. Anne stays at the ready as well, before...OOC: Holding and waiting to unload once she's sure she has a lot of targets, or melee or do other things if needed. She's reactive, it's a healer's role. Rina's likewise holding for obvious reasons. ???4 is up.
19:38 <•Kotono> It's not like the one howling. From straighta head Devar can see it at the last moment. Something that wears the tattered clothes of a sailor, now bloated with heat and pus. Its mouth is spread wide open, several rows of sharp teeth glimpsed within. It lunges right for Devar  head on.
19:38 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:38 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{20}
19:38 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:38 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=1 ]{10}
19:38 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:38 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=10 ]{19}
19:39 <•Kotono> OOC: AC? Pretty sure higher than that.
19:39 <Devar> OOC: 35 against melee attacks
19:42 <•Kotono> The attacks are frenzied but not the worst Devar has seen. He dodges and parries, moving around claws and bites. It keeps him safe for now, as from the side one lunges at Anne in a similar one, shield meeting frenzy. To the others it can be glimsped only dimly, a horror hidden by the mists.
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=20 ]{29}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=13 ]{22}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{13}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge) crit?
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) crit? --> [ 1d20=12 ]{21}
19:43 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+5 and fort
19:43 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+5 and fort --> [ 1d8=2 ]{7}
19:43 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 69/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:43 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+19 Fort Anne
19:43 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 Fort Anne --> [ 1d20=1 ]{20}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d6+1
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d6+1 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{3}
19:44 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 69/77 (???3) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:45 <•Kotono> In the chaos you hear Anne cry out, a clang of metal as she tumbles to the ground, suddenly limp and boneless. The dead is atop her, biting and clawing at her even as she falls. OOC: Rotten luck. ????2 is up.
19:45 <•Kotono> Then, coming at Skaya, plunging out of the shadows from her side is another of these, coming right in her face, a sailor once before and now nothing but a predator.
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=15 ]{24}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{13}
19:45 <•Kotono> OOC: AC?
19:46 <Skaya> OOC: AC is 33, can I act since I held? How far am I from Anne?
19:49 <•Kotono> OOC: Order is Devar, Anne, Rina, SAnda and you, so you're not right next to Anne. 15ft away. Feel free to take your held action now.
19:50 <•Kotono> Rina (25) > Anne (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > ???2 (13) > Skaya (12) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
19:51 <Skaya> "Anne, how's it going? Rina, can you help?" Skaya calls out, stepping closer to Sanda as she backhands the dead sailor that lunged at her before kicking it away.
19:51 <Skaya> roll 2#1d20+10
19:51 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2#1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{23}, [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
19:52 <Skaya> roll 2d8+5+7
19:52 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2d8+5+7 --> [ 2d8=5 ]{17}
20:10 <•Kotono> A solid hit to the probable ghast knocks it back hard, a direct backhand that staggers it. Unfortunately the kick after misses, as no response from Anne. Instead Rina calls, "Trying," she calls, coming out of the mists dimly, seen sword-stabbing at the ghast on Skaya.
20:11 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (-2 circumstance)
20:11 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 (-2 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{16}
20:11 <•Kotono> Anne (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > ???2 (13) > Skaya = Rina (12) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
20:11 <•Kotono> The blow narrowly misses, as meanwhile Devar...OOC: Go Devar, your turn.
20:14 <Devar> "I'll hold here!" Devar calls out. "If we're backing up towards the stairs, let me know and I'll go last!" He shouts. He takes a swing at the closest ghast - or whatever it is! OOC: targeting #4
20:15 <Devar> roll 1d20+10
20:15 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{22}
20:15 <Devar> roll 1d20+5
20:15 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{23}
20:16 <Devar> roll 2#2d6+4 assuming both hit
20:16 <Kobot> Devar rolled 2#2d6+4 assuming both hit --> [ 2d6=10 ]{14}, [ 2d6=7 ]{11}
20:21 <•Kotono> Two hard blows knock the ghast back hard, slamming into its chest. It stumbles back into the fog, a crunch of flesh and bone. Not down from what Devar can see as Sanda calls, "This is horrible, we can't fight like this," she calls, withdrawing back and up the stairs, taking her chance to get ouf of this mess. OOC: Sanda's taking the chance since Devar's talking about it. ???!2 is up.
20:21 <•Kotono> From the fog ahead, snaking out and around the injured ghast(?) in front of Devar, long, fleshy tendrils lash out, going for him with unerring aim.
20:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{22}
20:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{18}
20:23 <•Kotono> Yet both are dodged by Devar, the source of them further back in the mist. A moment later another of the ghasts(?) lunges out from the shadows, this one going forRina, only dimly seen by the others are the foggy battle continues.
20:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
20:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=13 ]{22}
20:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
20:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{20}
20:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+2 charge)
20:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
20:24 <•Kotono> Rina reacts fast enough, duck-dodging around them, going low as the undead pins her. It's a good dodge as a moment later, more of those tendrils come from the side, this time coming for the downed Anne.
20:24 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:24 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{32}
20:24 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:24 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{20}
20:25 <•Kotono> roll 1d10+6 and more
20:25 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d10+6 and more --> [ 1d10=7 ]{13}
20:25 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 56/77 (???3) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:26 <•Kotono> Amid the howls and cries, the sound of metal scraping against wood as Anne is dragged deeper into the mists, the tendrils around her legs and crushing them even as she's pulled away. Not that it stops the injured ghast on Devar, who continues to pounce and pressure in retort.
20:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{11}
20:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{26}
20:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{27}
20:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 crit?
20:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 crit? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{15}
20:26 <•Kotono> roll 1d4+3 and fort Devar
20:26 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4+3 and fort Devar --> [ 1d4=3 ]{6}
20:26 <Skaya> OOC: Since there's the rope, would it be able to drag her away fully?
20:27 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 56/77 (??23) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:27 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 56/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:27 <•Kotono> OOC: That's a good point. Check that.
20:27 <Devar> roll 1d20+24
20:27 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+24 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{30}
20:28 <•Kotono> Amid the howls and cries, the sound of metal scraping against wood as Anne is dragged deeper into the mists, the tendrils around her legs and crushing them even as she's pulled away.  Or would be but the rope holds, keeping her from going too far. She's still pulled and injured as Devar's clawed across the arm. Nothing serious either, his body enduring the touch of the dead, even as dull cold
20:28 <•Kotono> spreads from the wound. OOC: Fair point, Skaya. The rope proves to be useful. More.
20:29 <•Kotono> With Anne still close, the ghast on her has a lovely opportunity, taken with the downed warrior.
20:30 Devar set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 56/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance)
20:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{22}
20:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance)
20:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{18}
20:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance)
20:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=19 ]{30}
20:31 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+5
20:31 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+5 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{9}
20:31 <•Kotono> roll 1d4+3
20:31 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4+3 --> [ 1d4=4 ]{7}
20:31 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 40/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:32 <•Kotono> As Anne is mauled helpless to resist, meanwhile the one who hit Skaya endures, and lashes out with vicious, unnatural courage and anger, despite its serious injuries.
20:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{18}
20:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
20:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{26}
20:33 <•Kotono> OOC: AC?
20:33 <Skaya> OOC: 33
20:34 <•Kotono> Skaya's far too fast to be touched by any of that, the line holding as...OOC: Skaya, go, then Rina.
20:34 <•Kotono> Anne (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > ???2 (13) > Skaya = Rina (12) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
20:35 — Skaya smacks the undead sailor with full force before making her way over to Anne's rough location. The rope from her to Rina should serve as a suitable guide.
20:35 <Skaya> roll 1d20+11+7
20:35 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+11+7 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{27}
20:35 <Skaya> roll 2d8+5
20:35 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2d8+5 --> [ 2d8=6 ]{11}
20:38 <•Kotono> Anne (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > Skaya = Rina (12) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
20:38 <•Kotono> Another hard blow causes something to give int he ghast's head, and it falls hard to the ground. It doesn't rise again, as Skaya follows the rope. Anne is down with a ghast(?) atop her, clawing and biting. She isn't moving, utterly still. OOC: Rina, one sec.
20:39 <Skaya> "Rina, Anne's down with a ghast on her! Get over here and help!"
20:46 <•Kotono> Rina stumbles in the mist and manages to make it over, a desperate stab as she tries to close in.
20:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (-2 circumstance)
20:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 (-2 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=5 ]{17}
20:47 <•Kotono> Another narrow miss as she tries to compensate, Anne still pinned as menawhile Devar...OOC: Go.
20:49 <Devar> Devar, hearing that Anne is in trouble, and noting that he hasn't heard anything from her, will use the rope to get over to her! OOC: I'm going to assume I can see the tentacles that are on her if I get close enough, can I try to specifically cut them off to get her loose?
20:50 <•Kotono> OOC: You can do that, but you'll provoke an AoO from the ghoul still meleeing you. Okay with that?
20:51 <Devar> OOC: Yeah that's fine
20:51 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:51 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
20:51 <•Kotono> Following the rope, Devar reaches Anne and sees the situation as best he can as well, Anne still unmoving and motionless.  OOC: That's your move action, anything else?
20:52 <Devar> OOC: Oh, also, I'd forgotten about it but since that thing attacked me: Any creature that attacks the wielder when it is drawn must make a DC 24 Will save or be dazzled for the rest of the encounter. - not sure if they're immune to that since they're undead (and none of the other stuff attacking everyone else has attacked me first so it wouldn't have changed anything)
20:53 <Devar> Devar will try and cut the tentacles on Anne off entirely!
20:54 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 whack
20:54 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 whack --> [ 1d20=15 ]{25}
20:54 <Devar> roll 2d6+4
20:54 <Kobot> Devar rolled 2d6+4 --> [ 2d6=12 ]{16}
20:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 will
20:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 will --> [ 1d20=14 ]{21}
20:56 <•Kotono> A heavy blow tears the tendril off, freeing Anne of that at least, even if the ghast is still on her. Meanwhile Sanda's fallen back and is holding the path of retreat, as...OOC: Sanda's busy doing that. More.
20:57 <•Kotono> From the fog the tendrils that missed Devar lash out again, this time going for Rina with deadly accuracy, flying right at her.
20:57 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:57 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{28}
20:57 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
20:57 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{20}
20:57 <•Kotono> roll 1d10+6
20:57 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d10+6 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{8}
20:58 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 40/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 65/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Fort
20:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 Fort --> [ 1d20=16 ]{30}
20:58 <Devar> OOC: Shouldn't Rina have 30 AC because of mage armor?
20:58 <•Kotono> OOC: I fogot she had that, good catch.
20:58 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 40/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
20:59 <Devar> OOC: I'm helping!
20:59 <•Kotono> The tendrils miss, her mage armor flaring bright enough to almost be visible. It blocks her arm from being nabbed, as Rina's back is attacked by another ghast, trying to hold on to her.
20:59 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:59 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{17}
20:59 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:59 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{11}
20:59 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7
20:59 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{26}
21:00 <•Kotono> Yet not a one touches her, defenses and dodges holding as no more tendrils come. One set withdraws back instead, broken by Devar's blow. OOC: Anne is paralyzed and does nothing. 1 round left. More.
21:00 <•Kotono> Anne (Paralysis 1) (24) > ???4 (21) > ???3 (16) > Skaya = Rina (12) > Devar (10) > Sanda (8) > ???!2 (9) > ???1 (7) > ???!1 (6)
21:01 <•Kotono> The ghast on Anne continues to maul her despite being surrounded, slavishly devoted to tearing apart the living, with no regard for its safety.
21:01 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
21:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
21:01 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
21:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{18}
21:01 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
21:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{12}
21:01 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-B8D5816D.irccloud.com)
21:02 <•Kotono> This time Anne's luck is better. None of the blows can penetrate her armor, glancing off of them, bite and claw both. The ghast, dazzled by Devar's light and armor, nonetheless pursues him and charges half blind, clawinga nd scratching and biting.
21:02 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge)
21:02 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{17}
21:02 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge)
21:02 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge) --> [ 1d20=3 ]{11}
21:02 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge)
21:02 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 (-1 dazzled +2 charge) --> [ 1d20=17 ]{25}
21:03 <Devar> OOC: Oh and if it comes out, the dazzle is -3 as well. Get fucked, undead!!!!!!!
21:03 <Devar> OOC: comes up, rather
21:04 <•Kotono> Not that it helps either, the attacks woven around as....OOC: Skaya.
21:04 <Skaya> "Rina, Devar, we're retreating. We'll move on three. One, two..." After receiving their confirmation, Skaya grabs Anne and retreats towards Sanda.
21:05 <Skaya> OOC: my ac is 33
21:05 <•Kotono> OOC: AoOs will be handed out, yeah. More if so, I'll work it out on my end.
21:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Skaya eats one
21:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 Skaya eats one --> [ 1d20=6 ]{13}
21:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Anne too and she's helpless and with one on her
21:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 Anne too and she's helpless and with one on her --> [ 1d20=18 ]{29}
21:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d8+5
21:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d8+5 --> [ 1d8=5 ]{10}
21:06 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 30/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
21:07 <Skaya> OOC: feel free to strike once and move guys, or just retreat
21:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Up to y'all, let me know. Rina's full retreating, she's not interested in playing a rigged game, so to speak.
21:09 <Devar> Devar will wait until the others have backed to the stairs to follow them and then hold at the bottom to make sure they can get up! OOC: He will just hold the stairs for the time being - if everyone's able to get up he'll go up but doesn't want the undead to just pour out after everyone.
21:10 <•Kotono> Escape. Retreat. Back out of the mists and into the summer night. Anne suddenly gasps for air as the party do, and you notice the ghasts do not pursue. They stay back, the one on Anne virtually flying off once she reaches the stairs. A retreat back to the shipdeck, out of sight of the nightmare below. "Ah...ah..." Anne pants painfully as Devar guards the path back. The ghasts retreat back once
21:10 <•Kotono> the stairs are reached, out of sight. OOC: Free act for the moment, may change that as needed.
21:12 <Devar> "...That's peculiar." He notes. "They aren't even trying to follow us."
21:12 <•Kotono> "Maybe they're cursed or bound to down there?" Sanda speculates, keeping her gaze on the stairs below.
21:12 <•Kotono> "Could...healing, Skaya?" Anne asks, pained.
21:13 <Devar> "We've got plenty of wands if we need to use them." Devar says.
21:13 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception all.
21:13 — Skaya places her hand on top of Anne's head while she leaves security to the others.
21:13 <Skaya> OOC: +19hp
21:14 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 surely someone will roll better than me
21:14 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 surely someone will roll better than me --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
21:14 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 this is not Sanda's skill
21:14 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 this is not Sanda's skill --> [ 1d20=3 ]{3}
21:14 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 49/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Anne
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Anne --> [ 1d20=12 ]{18}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Rina
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 Rina --> [ 1d20=9 ]{21}
21:15 <Devar> OOC: If Anne wants to use a charge of her lesser vigor wand, now's also a good time
21:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Depends on the resolution of the PErception checks. Waiting on Skaya's.
21:15 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
21:15 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{31}
21:19 <•Kotono> Clap, clap, clap. The sound of clapping from behind the party interrupts. 60ft away stand a trio. Two are large, muscular creatures. Once sailors perhaps, but now grotesquely muscled and over ten feet tall. They're rotten and twisted things, faces twisted into expressions of hateful malice. Standing behind them and clapping slowly is the masked man. Brachidos stands there, barely visible behind
21:19 <•Kotono> the massive, distorted creatures that guard him.
21:20 <Skaya> "You can't treat this as a surprise when we purposefully came here to kill you," Skaya points out.
21:21 <•Kotono> "-!" Rina's expression twists into tightly controlled fury, "Why?" she asks, not lunging ahead.
21:21 <•Kotono> Anne glares despite her wounds, "More atrocities laid at your feet. The entire ship is dead, isn't it?"
21:22 <•Kotono> Sanda's still, gaze looking to and from, and even behind her.
21:22 <Devar> Devar stays at the stairs. He can't really be here, right?
21:24 <•Kotono> "It's not often someone's this persistent and refuses to die," Brachidos speaks. His words come quickly, tumbling one after another. There's power in them, each word compelling. "There's too much spite in all of you to die. Too much hate to lie down. You enslaved the elements to your will to chase me."
21:26 <Skaya> "Actually no. My original reason was chasing you for the bounty. Then it changed to bring you to justice and to prevent more victims. But hate you? Would I be so calm if I hated you? So when I say I hope you die I mean it in the nicest way possible."
21:27 <Devar> "You have a really warped sense of the world." Devar calls out. "None of our hearts are filled with spite or hatred, and the last thing we'd ever do is enslave anyone. You're the one who's at the beck and call of a being that's probably at the root of most evil in Creation, so worry about your own enslavement first."
21:27 <•Kotono> "I hate you," Rina admits, venom in her voice, "But because of the tears you made me shed and what you took away from me. The spite isn't to make the world worse, it's to protect it by burning away the sickness that you are."
21:29 <•Kotono> "Enslavement?" Brachidos almost laughs. You can hear it in his words, restrained. "All of this is my liberation." OOC: Perception all. -2 penalty to all but Sanda and Devar, and Devar's position gets him an additional +2 bonus. More after the rolls.
21:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda still isn't good at this
21:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda still isn't good at this --> [ 1d20=6 ]{6}
21:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Anne (-2 circumstance) still isn't great at this, but not bad
21:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 Anne (-2 circumstance) still isn't great at this, but not bad --> [ 1d20=9 ]{13}
21:30 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18-2+6
21:30 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18-2+6 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{28}
21:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Rina
21:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 Rina --> [ 1d20=13 ]{23}
21:31 <Devar> roll 1d20+12 surely someone will roll better than me
21:31 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+12 surely someone will roll better than me --> [ 1d20=6 ]{18}
21:32 <•Kotono> It's subtle, but Skaya can hear the sound of something softly clink back below, from the stairs.
21:33 <Skaya> "Devar, he's tricking us again while something's sneaking up the stairs!" Skaya cautions him.
21:34 <Devar> "He's nothing if not persistent." Devar says, turning his attention back to the stairs and staying on guard.
21:36 <•Kotono> That perhaps saves Devar. Coming up, starting to sprint now that Devar has seen him, is a ghast. Its entire body is loaded with potion bottles of a roiling, black liquid. It's darting right towards him, as...OOC: Obviously the feint was seen this time, so we'll go into init.
21:36 <Skaya> roll 1d20+12
21:36 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{27}
21:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda is still not good at init
21:36 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda is still not good at init --> [ 1d20=1 ]{1}
21:37 <Devar> roll 1d20+3 I mean he can't actually roll worse than that so that's a plus
21:37 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+3 I mean he can't actually roll worse than that so that's a plus --> [ 1d20=18 ]{21}
21:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Anne
21:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 Anne --> [ 1d20=20 ]{24}
21:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Rina's really good atinit meanwhile
21:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 Rina's really good atinit meanwhile --> [ 1d20=8 ]{21}
21:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 ghast down below
21:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 ghast down below --> [ 1d20=11 ]{19}
21:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 giant ghast 1
21:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 giant ghast 1 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}
21:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5 giant ghast 2
21:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 giant ghast 2 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{7}
21:38 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+4 ???) Brachidos?
21:38 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 (+4 ???) Brachidos? --> [ 1d20=3 ]{15}
21:38 <Skaya> "Devar, the ghasts aren't immune to the elements. Isn't that interesting?" Skaya calls out.
21:39 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (27) > Anne (24) > Devar = Rina (21) > Stairway Ghast (19) > Brachidos? (15) > Giant Ghast 1 (13) > Giant Ghast 2 (7) > Sanda (1)
21:39 <•Kotono> OOC: Open Skaya.
21:40 — Skaya shoots Brachidos with magic missiles without hesitation! Time to see if he's really there!
21:40 <Skaya> roll 3d4+3+5
21:40 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 3d4+3+5 --> [ 3d4=9 ]{17}
21:41 <•Kotono> The missiles fly...and a glowing shield of magic intercepts them, blocking them entirely. OOC: Magic missile gets hard countered by shield. Anne.
21:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Anne's going to hold in the event an emergency move is needed, most likely emergency healing. She knows her role. Devar and Rina, go.
21:45 <Devar> Devar, since he's at a better vantage point, flies slightly above the stairway and upends his Haversack, trying to dump several dozen of the frozen alchemist fire potions down onto the ghast, and hopefully get more of them caught in it as well. OOC: He's going to just move so he's above the stairway and this is easier than trying to do it at an angle and drop like 20 of the Frozen Alchemist
21:45 <Devar> Fire potions out.
21:46 <•Kotono> OOC: Hjow much damage does each of them do?
21:46 <Devar> OOC:  1d8 points of cold damage. Multiple jars make bigger and more damaging explosions, though the rate of improvement isn't linear.
21:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Was a sec, and whoa boy, that was a choice. Sec to adjudicate.
21:54 <•Kotono> Frozen Alchemists's Fire falls and meets a ghast strapped with many bottles of an unknown black liquid. Whatever it is, the meeting of it and frozen fire? Once the ghast is caught in the frozen flames and meets that, there's a terrible moment before-! OOC: Ref Devar, -2 circumstance.
21:55 <Devar> roll 1d20+18 evasion
21:55 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+18 evasion --> [ 1d20=11 ]{29}
21:57 <•Kotono> By the barest of margins Devar flies back enough to be buffeted away rather than instantly flash-frozen or incinerated. For a massive column of frozen black fire erupts up and downwards at once, reaching above the crow's nest, and violently tossing the ship about. OOC: Ref saves for everyone but Devar, who is notably in the air.
21:57 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Sanda
21:57 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 Sanda --> [ 1d20=15 ]{22}
21:57 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+7 evasion
21:57 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+7 evasion --> [ 1d20=1 ]{18}
21:57 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Anne
21:57 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 Anne --> [ 1d20=10 ]{22}
21:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 improved evasion
21:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 improved evasion --> [ 1d20=20 ]{34}
21:58 <•Kotono> OOC: For Rina.
21:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 huge ghast 1
21:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 huge ghast 1 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{17}
21:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 huge ghast 2
21:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 huge ghast 2 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{23}
21:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Brachidos
21:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 Brachidos --> [ 1d20=5 ]{18}
22:00 <•Kotono> The ship violently jackknifes inward, broken down the middle from the explosion. Both ends begin to tilt downward at an angle, the deck more and more sloped by the moment. What's worse? All but Rina are knocked down, senseless. Somehow she stays balanced and upright. OOC: Everyone but Devar and Rina knocked prone and stunned 1 round. Ghasts are immune to stun. Stairway Ghast I'm not even
22:00 <•Kotono> bothering with the damage roll and save, even a save and low rolls wouldn't save it from what it just took, so no point.
22:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Notably, the ghasts aren't stunned, as undead are immune to it, but they're still prone.
22:01 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (27 stunned 1 prone) > Anne (24 stunned 1 prone) > Devar = Rina (21) > Brachidos? (stunned 1 prone) (15) > Giant Ghast 1 (prone) (13) > Giant Ghast 2 (prone) (7) > Sanda (stunned 1 prone) (1)
22:02 <•Kotono> "
22:04 <•Kotono> "Ah!" Anne's tossed down hard, Sanda much the same. Even Brachidos and his minions are knocked down, a grunt of surprise audible from the masked man. Most of all - it leaves Rina as one of the only ones up in a perfect moment. She doesn't waste it, sprinting along the broken, tilted ship's deck. Past the downed ghasts and to her prey with a perfect, one in a million charge at Brachidos.
22:04 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 charge)
22:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=20 ]{38}
22:04 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 charge) crit?
22:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 (+2 charge) crit? --> [ 1d20=2 ]{20}
22:05 <•Kotono> roll 2d6+6+2d6
22:05 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d6+6+2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 2d6=12 ]{25}
22:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d6 frost too
22:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d6 frost too --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
22:08 <•Kotono> Rina's frozen sword plunges into Brachidos's side. Not a dead on impalement, but a deep flesh wound that freezes over quickly, but still sprays red onto the deck. Meanwhile black spots quickly form and spread where any of the black fire touched, rotting the wood fast enough to be visible. Not that Brachidos can do anything about it, stunned, even as Rina snarls, "For Regis!" OOC: Giant ghasts
22:08 <•Kotono> are up.
22:11 <•Kotono> "You-" Brachidos coughs from the injury, interrupted as the ghasts, down but not out, swing out and reach for Rina.
22:11 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+19 (-4 prone, +2 ???, +1 ???)
22:11 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 (-4 prone, +2 ???, +1 ???) --> [ 1d20=3 ]{22}
22:11 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+19 (-4 prone, +2 ???, +1 ???)
22:11 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 (-4 prone, +2 ???, +1 ???) --> [ 1d20=15 ]{34}
22:11 <•Kotono> roll 3d8+18 and fort
22:11 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d8+18 and fort --> [ 3d8=11 ]{29}
22:12 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 49/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 44/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
22:12 <Devar> OOC: Use your skirmishing abilities, Rina!!
22:12 <•Kotono> OOC: She did. It's just +1 AC at her level.
22:12 <•Kotono> OOC: She also wanted the charge since she really didn't want to blow her chance.
22:13 <Devar> OOC: Fair enough
22:13 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 fort
22:13 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 fort --> [ 1d20=17 ]{31}
22:13 <•Kotono> A single fist hits Rina in the back, a blow that nearly knocks her down. She cries out in pain...but stays up, just a little longer, just long enough as...OOC: Sanda stunned. Skaya stunned. Anne stunned.  Devar and Rina, go.
22:14 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (27 prone) > Anne (24 prone) > Devar = Rina (21) > Brachidos? (prone) (15) > Giant Ghast 1 (prone) (13) > Giant Ghast 2 (prone) (7) > Sanda (prone) (1)
22:14 <•Kotono> "You...blew up the ship?" Sanda sounds dazed but somehow utters that.
22:15 — Skaya squeezes her fist cheerfully. Devar got her hint!
22:15 <Devar> "Rina, get away from him!" Devar shouts - he flies over and drops however many more frozen potions he has onto Brachidos! OOC: I don't think we ever specified how many potions we had - the loot said 'hundreds' - so however many you think I can dump out in one round.
22:15 <•Kotono> "
22:16 <•Kotono> "Don't care, I'll see you on the other side!" Rina calls, "He's not getting away again!" Even as the potions fall Rina strikes, not wasting her chance to put an end to this.
22:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
22:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{15}
22:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
22:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{16}
22:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9
22:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{16}
22:18 <•Kotono> Rina stabs out again and again - but can't land a decisive blow as Brachidos laughs, laughs and laughs, before frozen alchemist's fire falls and...
22:18 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 improved evasion Rina
22:18 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 improved evasion Rina --> [ 1d20=11 ]{25}
22:18 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Brachidos ref
22:18 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 Brachidos ref --> [ 1d20=3 ]{16}
22:19 <•Kotono> roll 15d8 full Brachidos
22:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 15d8 full Brachidos --> [ 15d8=72 ]{72}
22:21 <•Kotono> Somehow, at the last moment, Rina leaps back. Just out of range of the frozen fire, as Brachidos's laughter stops abruptly. His entire body is flash frozen by the flames, falling back. He lies there, not moving any more. Yet even as Rina dodges, she's not out of danger. The two ghouls swing at her even as they struggle with the tilted ship, not letting her off that easily.
22:21 <Skaya> OOC: Wait a sec please
22:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Hm?
22:21 <Skaya> OOC: They were next to Brachidos and attacking Rina, right? So if she was in splash range next to him, wouldn't they too?
22:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Fair enough. I'll roll ref for them.
22:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 huge ghast 1
22:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 huge ghast 1 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{11}
22:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+8 huge ghast 2
22:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 huge ghast 2 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{11}
22:24 <•Kotono> Somehow, at the last moment, Rina leaps back. Just out of range of the frozen fire, as Brachidos's laughter stops abruptly. His entire body is flash frozen by the flames, falling back. He lies there, not moving any more. The ghasts are likewise flash frozen, still not. Like that, even as the ship rapidly begins to sink towards a watery grave, it's over. OOC: Free act.
22:24 <Skaya> "To the sky!" Skaya calls out, grabbing hold of the rope with both hands and flying up. Between her, Devar and Anne, they should get out in time.
22:24 <•Kotono> Rina wastes no time. She lunges back in and stabs Brachidos in the chest again and again. Cries come from her with each strike, wordless anger.
22:25 <•Kotono> "Don't forget the body, I want that mask," Sanda snaps, "If it's as good as we expect, we want whatever he has on him!"
22:25 <•Kotono> Anne takes to the air as well, "Get it and go," she uges Devar, "I'll get Rina!"
22:26 <Devar> "Uh - sorry about the explosion!" Devar calls out quickly, going over to Rina. "Hey - hey, he's dead, we've got other things we need to do." He will lean down to grab the corpse and then take to the air. "We need to do something about the rest of the undead too, we can't just leave - but I'm not sure what our options are."
22:27 <•Kotono> "The entire ship's sinking,"S anda calls, "If any survive this they're going to be beneath the waves."
22:27 — Skaya removes the ties binding her and then asks Sanda, "Let's dive down below the waves and see if there was anyone left on the ship? It's still sinking. Just give us Water Breathing!"
22:28 <•Kotono> Rina stops after a few more stabs and spits on the corpse, not resisting any more.
22:28 <Devar> "Be careful, whatever it was that had tentacles is still down there." Devar says. "There's also whatever was making the fog."
22:29 <•Kotono> "Heal first," Anne counters, "No more recklessness," A stern look at Rina, "No more risk than we need to take."
22:29 <•Kotono> "I'll see to it," Sanda agrees, "We really did it."
22:30 <Skaya> "Celebrate later, focus now," Skaya insists, healing Anne some more for now.
22:30 <Skaya> OOC: +19hp
22:31 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 68/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 44/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
22:31 <•Kotono> Healing for Rina comes as well...next time!

[Corwin]

19:04 <•Kotono> Anne is healed and in turn heals all the party first of all, topping Rina up in particular.
19:04 <•Kotono> roll 3d6 turn used
19:04 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@618E5807.893F10BA.8F3DD4EE.IP)
19:04 <•Kotono> roll 3d6 turn used
19:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 turn used --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
19:04 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 68/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 56/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:05 <•Kotono> Rina's injures partially mend, bringing back some health and energy to her. Anothe rfollows.
19:05 <•Kotono> roll 3d6
19:05 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
19:05 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 72/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 68/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 66/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:05 <•Kotono> Most of Rina's injuries are gone now, health returned to her. With that the party...OOC: Y'all heading beneath the waves then?
19:06 <Devar> Devar will also fly over to make sure Anne is back in top form! OOC: Lay on hands for her missing 9 HP
19:07 <Skaya> OOC: We're diving!
19:07 <Devar> OOC: Devar will leave the body with Anne and Rina and join Skaya and Sanda underwater
19:07 Devar set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 68/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 66/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:08 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 15+67/67 (+3 ac) Devar 78/78 (+6 AC, -4 to melee against) Anne 77/77 (??2) Sanda 55/55 Rina 66/73 (+5 mage armor AC)
19:11 <•Kotono> Thus the three of them plunge beneath the waves once more. It's dark right away, the night depths providing little light as you pursue the sunken ship. Down into the depths it sinks, down and down and down and down. Fish flee in the gloom, the darkness near all consuming. Down and down and down and down, finally to the bottom, where the broken remnants of a ship can be spied with your darkvision.
19:11 <•Kotono> It's a fairly empty stretch of sea bed, no complications there at least.
19:12 — Skaya can see in the dark! And so long as that unnatural mist is dissipated into the water or just plain gone, she'll see just fine! First, she tries to enter through the nearest suitable opening in the broken hull.
19:12 <Devar> Devar makes a note to learn a spell like Daylight for this sort of thing, but follows along with Skaya for now, making sure to stay near everyone.
19:17 <•Kotono> The mist looks to be gone at least. Sanda swims along like it's the most natural thing in the world, following. The hull's in several pieces, but you begin to explore. Almost immediately you see broken apart ghasts, littered about. Some are stirring and moving, but some are still or too broken apart to ever move again.
19:18 — Skaya makes sure to stab any twitching ghasts she passes by.
19:19 <Devar> Devar looks around for any tentacles specifically - was that part of some sort of larger undead, or just a sea creature, he wonders?
19:25 <•Kotono> It's not hard to finish off the mostly (re)dead ghasts. It's not hard to find tendrils - the intenstines of some ghasts with split open stomachs, it looks like.
19:26 <Devar> Devar sighs in relief that there wasn't some other monster on the ship. He'll keep with Skaya and continue to look around!
19:27 <Skaya> Perhaps there are more undead here they can finish off later, but for now Skaya tries to look for any signs of life. First, if there are any pockets of air, she might see bubbles escape and proceed to investigate them. But if there's nothing immediately obvious, she'll just have to rely on her limited understanding of the layout of ship and look for the most likely places to hide.
19:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, perception then all.
19:32 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 still not Sanda's skill
19:32 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 still not Sanda's skill --> [ 1d20=3 ]{3}
19:33 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
19:33 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
19:34 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 maybe a 20?
19:34 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 maybe a 20? --> [ 1d20=10 ]{20}
19:34 <Devar> OOC: I mean it was a 20
19:35 <Skaya> OOC: Enough to aid for 35!
19:35 <Devar> OOC: Use my special eyes!
19:38 <•Kotono> Searching around in the blasted ruins of the ship, you first find out it's spread out. Not only chunks of the ship itself, but supplies. All around the ship and more, tossed about by its violent destruction. No sign of air pockets or anything like that, and if there were any, not anymore. It's mostly just a broken apart mess, to be honest, violently so. Enough so that the ghasts aren't going
19:38 <•Kotono> to be wandering the seafloor, even those you find that aren't all the way back to deadness.
19:39 <Skaya> There is no rush. Since there's no one immediately in need of rescue, Skaya works methodically to explore all the sealed compartments. Should there be someone inside, they can be rescued, so she taps carefully and listens for a response before breaching. And should there be anything useful or expensive, they can always take note of it and collect it later.
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 a lot of luck here considering what happened to the ship
19:47 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 a lot of luck here considering what happened to the ship --> [ 1d100=15 ]{15}
19:48 <•Kotono> You do find one half broken chamber. Here, a shattered wall compartment has spat out a small bounty of gold and silver bars onto the ground - a hidden compartment. From the looks of it, it might have been part of the captain's quarters. Maybe.
19:49 — Skaya makes sure to stare the bounty away! And keeps looking.
19:50 <•Kotono> That's about it for treasure. IT's mostly ruin after that explosive finale. If any ghasts are still going, they ended up outside of the wreckage area.
19:51 — Skaya signals to Sanda and Devar and swims up.
19:53 <Devar> Devar will come out and retrieve Brachidos' body so Anne doesn't have to keep dealing with it!
19:57 <•Kotono> Back up. Air. Under the night sky you find Anne holding up Rina. Rina's resting quietly, eyes closed. She looks thoughtful, but nods the party's way as they emerge. Anne calls, "There you are! How is it below?"
19:57 <Skaya> "No survivors, no corpses, just dead ghasts."
19:58 <Devar> Devar nods. "I think we've done everything we can." He says.
19:58 <•Kotono> "Then let's go," Anne says, "We can make it back to town by the dawn's rise if all goes well."
19:59 <Skaya> "Sounds good. Unless either of you want to test magic detection down below?" Skaya proposes to Devar and Sanda.
20:00 <•Kotono> Sanda shakes her head, "I'd have done it down there if I wanted to."
20:00 <Skaya> "I'm only asking because I never want to return here. Alright."
20:01 <•Kotono> As the party begins to fly back, "Hey, Devar," Rina speaks up, "About when you dropped all those bottles on Brachidos. Sorry for almost having you indirectly kill me."
20:02 <•Kotono> "There wasn't anything indirect about it," Anne comments as she soars onward. "But nor was there anything despicable in what you did. It would have been a heroic death to ensure the end of a monster. Only lamentable for those you left behind."
20:02 <Devar> "You don't owe me an apology." Devar says. "But you have something to live for now besides revenge, right?"
20:02 — Skaya flies quietly alongside the others.
20:03 <•Kotono> "About that. I didn't dodge that on my own. I knew that was it, but I'd make sure Brachidos died with me." Rina says, and after a pause, "I was pushed. Not by Brachidos, but I felt something shove me and I moved, I jumped."
20:04 <•Kotono> Quietly, "After all we've done, they owed us that much." Sanda adds. "You're being scouted by someone, anyway."
20:04 <Devar> "It sounds like you have someone who wants you to live." Devar says with a smile.
20:06 <•Kotono> Looking down before she answers, "Yeah."
20:06 <Skaya> "I wonder when it'd be my turn. Or Sanda's!"
20:06 <•Kotono> "So be strong, you have many years yet. You may have more than even an elf, should death's touch prove elusive." Anne keeps her voice down, just enough to be heard over the wind as you fly.
20:07 <Devar> "I'm sure there are a few who will come to you in dreams or something." Devar says to Skaya. "You'll find your perfect fit eventually."
20:07 <•Kotono> "Hopefully...never?" Sanda speculates, a side eye at Anne. "I'm more surprised you haven't, maybe it's your blood."
20:07 <Skaya> "I am somewhat immortal now, so it's quite likely. Eventually."
20:09 <•Kotono> "Eventually," Anne smiles at that as you all fly back. IT takes until sunrise, but you return back to Rockgale. How are you going to play this?
20:10 <Skaya> "Maybe we can leave Brachidos's body at the Guild and then report to the High Reeve?"
20:12 <Devar> "We probably ought to check him over, both for things he stole as well as to make sure he doesn't have something awful on him that might hurt someone." Devar suggests. "I can do that while you report, if you want?"
20:14 <Skaya> "Alright. Rina, let's go together?"
20:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay. I'll handle Skaya in here. Devar in #evil but it'll mostly be prep for aloot post most likely.
20:18 <•Kotono> The High Reeve is already up. He's listening to a report as he eats - what looks to be a half dozen egg omelet oozing with cheese and meat, along with fried potato pancakes and an array of breads and jams - and looks up. "You're back? Do you have good news?" he asks, hopefully, waving to a servant, who immediately hurries away.
20:19 <Skaya> "The news is a mixed bag, Sir," Skaya reports. "We had a bit of luck and managed to stop that villain, Brachidos, permanently. Unfortunately, he had already turned everyone onboard the ship into undead."
20:23 <•Kotono> A grimace, though he doesn't stop eating. He has another big bite before, "That poor captain and that ship," he laments, "But Brachidos is dead?"
20:24 <Skaya> "Incredibly so, Sir."
20:25 <•Kotono> "Wonderful. I'll see the body right away to confirm it," He says, "Once I finish breakfast. You'll have your gold once that's confirmed."
20:25 <•Kotono> Rina smiles faintly, "It's finally over. He's been at it a long time, but no more."
20:27 <Skaya> "At least, having him travel by boat greatly reduces any other plotting he might have done elsewhere," Skaya says. "And there is no rush, Sir. We'll wait for you and then escort you to the Guild."
20:28 <•Kotono> "Wonderful," he says, as plates of the same come for you and Rina. "Now, to progress!" A glass of juice is raised.
20:32 <Skaya> Who is she to refuse? "To progress!" Skaya echoes the toast.
20:33 <•Kotono> OOC: Loot post for bounty as well.
20:34 <•Kotono> OOC: More.
20:38 <•Kotono> It's done. That mid morning, with reports the plague seems to be difficult but in hand, the group gathers in your inn room. Rina's by the window, soaking in the summer sunshine. She raises a glass of wine and calls, "To victory."
20:38 <•Kotono> Sanda lies back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Victory," she raises a hand, "I thought we were going to have to across the ocean after him."
20:38 <Skaya> "At long last, to victory," Skaya repeats. "Imagining all the people he would've hurt if we hadn't managed to stop him now...."
20:39 <•Kotono> "The odds of him getting there were high, but not high enough," Anne smiles, "To victory. We saved hundreds if not thousands and thousands of lives."
20:39 <Devar> "We have a lot to consider for the future." Devar says. "But for now, to victory."
20:39 <•Kotono> "We have a lot," Rina drinks up, long and deep.
20:40 <•Kotono> "We should at least consider now what," Anne admits, "Either today or very soon."
20:41 <•Kotono> "I was trying to ignore that," Sanda says with a long suffering sigh. "Thanks Devar. I was sure it would hold if no one mentioned it, but you know Miss Gloomy over there wouldn't let responsibility go."
20:41 <Skaya> "I think we should take a few days before all else," Skaya proposes. "First, we have to absolutely make sure there are no further surprises waiting for us here. And since we've been so focused on Brachidos, we shouldn't be rash about our next move, especially since there's a war. I was thinking, maybe we could try to find out if the war was instigated?"
20:42 <•Kotono> Sanda gets an unamused look from Anne, but it's ignored otherwise. "I happen to agree. We were given strong urgings not to throw ourselves onto the pyre of war."
20:43 <•Kotono> "Picke's message was pretty straightforward about that," Rina admits, "There's also those problems with the ankhegs and whatever's the root cause of that mess."
20:43 <Skaya> "You know, if you manage to teleport," Skaya tells Sanda, "and the rest of us reach the same level, just appearing in one of the capitals might cause the war to stop. Or appearing on the battlefield could pause any fighting."
20:44 <•Kotono> "On the other hand, if we could end the war faster and allievate the suffering..." Anne lets it linger. "We're getting stronger."
20:44 <•Kotono> "I'm close to the fourth circle," Sanda admits, "I can feel it."
20:45 <•Kotono> "We could even take the government's offer here and settle down," Rina comments, "Or make Welland our new homeland. We don't lack for choices."
20:45 <Skaya> "Sanda and I promised a friend to find something to either regenerate or reincarnate. And now with Brachidos gone, we might actually be able to find a relevant scroll in Welland. How about looking for a short term goal like that first?"
20:46 <Devar> "I'm with you all whatever you decide to do." Devar says. "I'd like to stop the war if we have the ability to do so. Oh, we do also need to discuss if we want to try and bargain with Oceanpearl for the Whisper of Legrane - if we want to keep it, I think it'd be a real boon to us and others, especially if we can find a way around its limitation."
20:47 <•Kotono> "In truth, if nothing seriously urgent is chosen, I might return," Anne admits, "Be it either to protect the orphanage or even evacuate them."
20:47 <•Kotono> "Choices, choices," Sanda murmurs, "We did make that promise too, didn't we? So much to do."
20:49 <•Kotono> "You think? It's not a bad option to try and keep them," Rina admits, "We could always use more healing."
20:51 <Skaya> "No objections."
20:52 <Devar> "I'll see if Oceanpearl would accept any of the other things. I assume we want to keep Shadowleap and Bellerena, right? And..." He frowns at this. "The mask didn't seem to be cursed or anything, but I can't say I relish in trying to use it."
20:54 <Skaya> "Bellerena is great and Nolairen is actually pretty useful. In fact, wear it and I can put on Aglaine so we can stay in touch. Sanda wanted Shadowleap for ages, so there's that, too."
20:56 <•Kotono> "The mask, if it is the craft of the daemons, is cursed beyond measure. No, best to put that to ruin. In truth I feel the same way about Sharranworks, even with Shar's demise." Anne mentions.
20:56 <Devar> "I suppose in a pinch we could give it to someone like Picke, too." Devar says. "If we could ever get it to him."
20:57 <Skaya> "Why do you think it's cursed?"
21:00 <Devar> "I can understand where she's coming from." Devar speaks up. "But as far as I can tell it isn't really cursed, but it was made by daemons. But... maybe the ultimate way to spite daemons is to put one of their creations to use for good actions."
21:01 <Skaya> "I don't want my face to freeze that way, so I'll pass on it regardless."
21:01 <•Kotono> "I don't trust something made by yugoloths to be safe or worthwhile, no matter how tempting," Anne declares, "That much power put into it can't come without consequences."
21:04 <•Kotono> "We can think about it, we don't need to choose right away," Sanda retorts, "We have time at last, so why rush it?"
21:05 <•Kotono> "We do," Rina agrees, as...OOC: Okay, I'm going to pause us there since there's loot for y'all to ponder, and something else. Namely it's that time again.

[Corwin]

<Leveling to LVL7>