Elric's Tower of Many (5) Levels!

Corwin · September 02, 2006, 03:56:34 PM

[16:00] <Carthrat> <->
[16:00] <Carthrat> "Not far now," whispers Lucia, pointing towards the rising sun. "Dusk. We'll reach there at dusk."
[16:00] <Carthrat> It's presumably the last of five, weary days of travel. Ever since you left that fight behind you, the sky has seemed darker, the sand more brown than orange. In the night, the desert winds murmur about your camps, and during the day, the winds pick up to terrific paces. They don't quite reach sandstorm levels, but they do blow about an irritating amount of grains into your eyes.
[16:03] * Thrall adjusts his straw hat to shield his upper face more against the scraping sand, even if it hampers his vision it's not like he could see much in the desert, anyway. "I'll be glad when this is over. Damnable sand..." the half-orc grumbles.
[16:06] <Maz> "Too bad we can't attack midday," Maz muses. "All those attacks past dusk or before dawn, so cliche...."
[16:06] <Carthrat> "That's what songs are made of," states Gale, cheerfully. "I'll certainly have a ballard about you after tonight, I'm sure. That is, if I don't die of exhaustion."
[16:07] * Seraphin just snorts, rolling her eyes. "If you'd like to commit suicide, I'm sure there are better ways."
[16:07] <Maz> "Yes, let's try not to die," Maz agrees. "Never fun, or so I hear."
[16:07] <Thrall> "We could wait if you really wanted," Thrall offers, though not terribly enthusiastic at spending yet more time amidst the sands. "Makes little difference - whatever we find there will likely be just as good at seeing in the dark as we are."
[16:08] <Maz> "I'm actually worried about their ability to meld with shadows and travel through them," Maz responds.
[16:08] <Seraphin> "Oh it's plenty of fun, you get to meet all sorts of fascinating people," Seraphin remarks brightly.
[16:09] <Maz> "I'll pass," Maz says dryly.
[16:10] <Carthrat> Sylvaria and Lucia both manage to look a little queasy, though Gale takes it all in stride. "Fear not! As long as my healing touch is nearby, there will be no deaths!" he pronounces, grandly.
[16:10] * Thrall frowns at Maz's comment about shadows. "True..." he mutters, wondering if Elric himself will be there, or just lackeys... Still, a well informed lackey is better than nothing. He'll have plenty of questions for that white-haired witch from the other day, no doubt.
[16:13] <Maz> "So what shall it be?" she asks, glancing at the others. "A night attack, after all?"
[16:13] <Carthrat> "We should go as quickly as possible," states Lucia, abruptly. "It's.. expanding."
[16:14] <Thrall> "That settles that, then," Thrall nods to Lucia, urging Pierre ever forward across the dunes!
[16:14] <Maz> "Well, what's the plan, then?" Maz says, frowning. "Like last time, identify what's controlling things and smash it down?"
[16:16] <Thrall> "That box you've got to fix the Weave in these places - how does it work?" Thrall asks, considering.
[16:17] <Maz> "We identify the rip, place the gong that's inside the box over it, and wait for quite some time for it to work," Maz responds. "That last part is the problematic one."
[16:18] <Carthrat> "I'm not sure how well it will work," mumbles Lucia. "It's meant to be fine on rips that nobody has tampered with... but this one, I just don't know. It should have some effect, though."
[16:18] <Thrall> "Guess we'll have to clear the area first, then," Thrall nods. "But until we know exactly who or what's there, it's hard to plan ahead."
[16:21] <Carthrat> Indeed, it takes most of the day to reach your destination. As you draw closer to the so-called disturbance, it only continues to grow darker. The sun seems to set faster, as if fleeing from something. And eventually, on the horizon, you see what might be a reason why.
[16:21] <Carthrat> Jutting out like an evil monument, a great black tower pokes into the blood-red sky. It seems to shimmer, wavering back and forth, as if viewd through a pool of water, and it literally belches out black clouds from the top. Paradoxically, bright, coloured lights randomly swirl around it, curving at a slow pace like vines about a tree.
[16:21] <Carthrat> Lucia looks away, unable to bring her eyes to bear. "Be careful," she whispers, unable to choke out any further words.
[16:22] <Carthrat> Gale freezes in place a moment, shaking his head, as if clearing it of something. Sylvaria does much the same...
[16:22] * Thrall snarls softly, a guttural noise in the back of his throat. Soon... soon he will have answers.
[16:22] * Merc-zzz is now known as Korin
[16:25] <Seraphin> "Well now wasn't that interesting," Seraphin speaks to herself, snorting. "Whoever thought..."
[16:25] <Maz> "You saw something?" Maz asks Seraphin, riding closer to her.
[16:27] <Seraphin> "Basic lessons in killing, the places from which a dagger will reach vital organs on living creatures...only then it started doing a highlight lesson of undead and constructions."
[16:30] * Thrall just keeps quiet, riding onwards and squinting at the ominous looking tower ahead.
[16:30] <Maz> "Sounds like fun," Maz comments, returning her attention to the tower.
[16:32] * Korin frowns at the sudden sensation he just felt, and he shakes his head to clear it. "I...I just started seeing the whole world in a deep red tint for a second there...I saw four people during that moment, one at the base of the tower, and three within at the top. I'm not sure why..."
[16:32] <Carthrat> Lucia rides close to Maz, opening her mouth again. "I will come with you," she says, edgily. "I.. I just have to. I won't get in your way. You might need me."
[16:33] <Maz> "I won't deprive you of the choice, naturally," Maz agrees, nodding curtly. "Stick close to me, and retreat if you need to. That's all."
[16:38] <Carthrat> After almost another hour of dusty trekking, it's become very dark. The tower looms ahead, only about a ten minute jog away. You can't make out much about it- it's too dark, outside the range of your specialized senses.
[16:40] * Maz casts several spells in advance, while she has plenty of time.
[16:42] * Korin decides to not comment any more on what he just felt, as it seems nobody else seems to care about it anyhow, and instead merely keeps a cautious eye out the closer they approach, for that one guard he seemed to sense.
[16:43] <Carthrat> Gale whispers something to Sylvaria, and passes her a small vial. She nods, and ceases as you approach.
[16:43] <Maz> "Illusion, quite a lot of it around here," Maz mutters to herself. "Summonings, too, to our luck."
[16:43] <Carthrat> As you near around five-hundred feat, you can see a lone figure, standing at the base of the tower! It's a humanoid, positioned on a set of stairs that lead up to a great black door.
[16:44] <Carthrat> Then, it vanishes.
[16:45] <Thrall> "That's an illusion alright..." Thrall scowls, readying his axe as they approach on camelback.
[16:45] <Maz> "Light might help us," Maz muses out loud. "If you have any torches, lighting them might be a good idea."
[16:46] <Seraphin> "Or perhaps just invisibility," Seraphin remarks, shaking her head. "Do any of us NOT use both hands in combat?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
[16:47] <Maz> "Throw the lit torch in the opponents' faces and draw the other weapon?" Maz suggests, shrugging.
[16:48] <Carthrat> "I can cast light on something, and it would be easy enough to wear it," states Lucia, shakily.
[16:49] <Maz> "How about Thrall's axe?" Maz suggests.
[16:49] <Thrall> "I don't mind that," Thrall shrugs, nudging Pierre over to join Maz and Lucia so she can cast the spell.
[16:50] <Carthrat> Lucia offers a prayer to Mystra, and Thrall's axe glows brightly, casting back the shadows and letting the party see further forward!
[16:50] <Korin> "Well, they'll certainly be able to see Thrall before they get sliced in half in that case," Korin notes with a bit of dark humor.
[16:50] <Thrall> Holding his axe ready, Thrall guides his camel with his knees, making his way back to the head of their procession as they near the tower's entrance...
[16:51] * Maz rides a bit closer to Korin and Seraphin, offering each a small vile. "Silversheen," she mentions, holding the vials out. "Good for an hour, once you've used it on a weapon."
[16:51] <Seraphin> "Right," Seraphin smiles wryly, pocketing the vial.
[16:52] <Carthrat> OOC: Er. Everyone make listen checks, yeah.
[16:52] * Korin nods as he takes the vial, nodding his thanks. "Thanks."
[16:52] <Thrall> OOC: Taking 10
[16:52] <Carthrat> OOC: Can't, technically, but ok
[16:52] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14."12 [1d20=5]
[16:52] <Thrall> roll 1d20
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20 and gets 5."12 [1d20=5]
[16:53] <Korin> roll 1d20
[16:53] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20 and gets 19."12 [1d20=19]
[16:54] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 17."12 [1d20=17]
[16:54] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 19."12 [1d20=19]
[16:54] <Carthrat> Gale suddenly points forward, just ahead of Thrall! "Something- not far, just above us!"
[16:55] * Thrall sharply raises his gaze upwards on Gale's prompting, tensing for action!
[16:55] <Carthrat> OOC: I do! I want you to roll init!
[16:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+5 ???
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+5 ??? and gets 17."12 [1d20=12]
[16:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Lucia
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Lucia and gets 16."12 [1d20=13]
[16:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Gale
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Gale and gets 9."12 [1d20=6]
[16:56] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16."12 [1d20=14]
[16:56] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17."12 [1d20=12]
[16:56] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[16:56] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[16:56] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 15."12 [1d20=10]
[16:57] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Maz > Korin = ??? > Thrall = Lucia > Seraphin > Gale'
[17:01] <Maz> Crystals appear in Maz's hand, shards of minerals reflecting the light from Thrall's axe and basking in its glory! She throws them with a sweeping motion in the general direction indicated by Gale, chanting as they fly through the air!
[17:01] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[17:01] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12."12 [1d20=6]
[17:01] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[17:01] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[17:02] <Carthrat> Maz's crystals illuminate an airbore figure- a flying woman, with white hair and red robes! She squints, hovering about ten feet ahead of and in front of Thrall, beginning to cast a spell!
[17:03] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin! It's your go. You go at the same time as her, so if you have some clever disruption trick, now would be the time.
[17:03] <Maz> "She's like us!" Maz calls out to Korin and Seraphin through their link. "You know what hurts her!"
[17:07] * Korin proceeds to pull one of his rarely used daggers and proceeds to fling it at her, hoping to at least disrupt her spell in the time it'll take to get her down to the ground.
[17:07] <Carthrat> OOC: Attack go?
[17:09] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[17:09] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
[17:09] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit, somehow, damage
[17:09] <Korin> roll 1d4+5
[17:09] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d4+5 and gets 9."12 [1d4=4]
[17:10] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[17:10] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
[17:10] <Carthrat> The woman freezes in midair, her spell disrupted! She spits a curse at Korin, speaking Infernal words of cursing and hate!
[17:12] * Korin grins and insults the woman back in infernal, with a cheery grin and a wave with the hand that just threw that dagger.
[17:12] <Thrall> Growling, Thrall lets his precious and glowing axe tumble from his hands onto the sand below Pierre's feet (hooves?) and draws his longbow, rapidly pulling back an arrow and loosing it at the floating woman!
[17:12] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10
[17:12] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[17:12] <Thrall> roll 1d8+4
[17:12] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d8+4 and gets 12."12 [1d8=8]
[17:12] <Carthrat> OOC: ...you have that to hit with a bow?
[17:12] <Carthrat> OOC: 7th level fighter, right. @_@
[17:12] <Thrall> OOC: +7 bab, +2 dex, +1 masterwork
[17:12] <Carthrat> The arrow slams into her side, causing the winged being to rock in midair!
[17:14] <Carthrat> Lucia hangs back on her horse, glancing mournfully at the woman...
[17:15] <Seraphin> In a blur of her ready hands, Seraphin's rather shorter bow is raised, an arrow drawn and fired in one fluid movement of reflex at the fiendish woman to join the projectiles of her companions!
[17:15] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[17:15] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 18."12 [1d20=8]
[17:15] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit.
[17:15] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+3
[17:15] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+3 and gets 9."12 [1d6=6]
[17:16] <Carthrat> The woman literally falls to the ground, as Seraphin's arrow does it's dirty work! But even as the woman falls, her body starts to glow red! Faint tracings appear across what visible skin there is, slowly leaking out much of her blood at once!
[17:16] <Maz> "Get away!" Maz cautions the others, nudging her own camel back.
[17:17] <Maz> roll 1d20+7
[17:17] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
[17:19] * Korin motions at Windrider to pull further away, and quickly, from the falling mage as he takes Ms. Despot's advice easily due to not wanting to know what will be happening, at least not with him nearby.
[17:21] <Maz> Maz's eyes widen, and she urges her camel back towards the woman, her right hand holding the reigns while the other glows. "Silversheen, really good time to use it," she tells the others, as she tries to make it to the enemy mage in time to stabilize her.
[17:24] <Carthrat> The blood seeps into the sand at an alarming rate! But Maz's spell stems the flow of blood... and though the woman looks positively awful, she is no longer actually dying.
[17:25] * Thrall stows his bow and dismounts in order to recover his glowing axe. "What's happening?" he asks as Maz heals the fiendish woman.
[17:25] * Maz mutters various curses in Abyssal, glaring at the not-quite-dying woman.
[17:25] * Seraphin follows that advice, silversheening her bejeweled shortsword and inserting both gems.
[17:26] <Maz> "A ritual she did that summons a devil if she dies within the next five minutes," Maz responds with a grimace. "I heard about selling your soul to devils, but this is the first I've actually seen this in person."
[17:26] * Thrall scowls darkly. "Think the rest of them in there will be the same?"
[17:26] * Maz continues glaring at the evil fiendling, measuring time carefully. "We'll have to see."
[17:27] <Carthrat> OOC: If you're waiting five minutes, consider it done
[17:27] * Maz waits an extra minute, just to be on the safe side, before glancing at the others. "Her life was forfeit the moment she made deals with devils, putting her soul as part of the bargain. Any objections?"
[17:28] * Thrall shakes his head grimly.
[17:28] <Carthrat> Lucia and Gale nod as one. "She should have a chance," mumbles the former. "Maybe she knows what's inside," states the latter.
[17:29] <Maz> "I would not trust whatever she said," Maz speaks, frowning, "and I have no means at present to discern her lies."
[17:30] <Korin> "Isn't the bargain only complete if she does die?" Korin asks, somewhat hesitant at the idea that 'putting her out of her misery' would just be sentencing to everlasting torment.
[17:31] <Thrall> "And if she gets the chance to speak, she could cast spells," Thrall points out. "She would have died anyway if you hadn't healed her to stop the demon being summoned."
[17:32] <Carthrat> "With all of us surrounding her??" says Gale, snorting. "If she tried, she'd get skewered on all sides."
[17:32] <Maz> "Her soul is already bonded to the demon," Maz clarifies. "I merely pre-empted the trigger that would summon the other half of her soul here."
[17:32] * Seraphin snorts and shakes her head. "Just get it over with," she snorts contemptuously.
[17:33] <Carthrat> Lucia stares at Maz, aghast. "You can't be serious..." she mutters.
[17:33] <Maz> "It's a very evil ritual," Maz says gravely.
[17:35] <Carthrat> "You know things!" she explodes, riding right up alongside her. "You've studied the planes! I have, too! There's nothing you can do in this life that really justifies being sent there! Nothing! It's not.. it's not long enough to live an eternity for. Even if she was an evil bitch..."
[17:35] <Thrall> "Look around you, Lucia," Thrall states dourly, "We're not dealing with petty slavers - this place is as pure evil as you're likely to find anywhere on the Material Plane. She'll fit in just fine in the Abyss."
[17:36] <Korin> "What happens if she stays alive?" Korin asks curiously. "Does this bond have any effect on her while she's living?"
[17:37] <Carthrat> "Only fiends are true embodiments of evil," snaps Lucia, whirling around on Thrall. "Even if a mortal can sink to such depths, they're still nothing compared to that. I.. I... I won't stand for it. I'll take responsibility for her soul, if I'm the only one who will."
[17:38] * Seraphin smiles wryly. "She has half a point," Seraphin grudgingly admits, if even amused at the prospect.
[17:39] <Maz> "I don't care anymore," Maz says, standing up and crossing her arms in front of her chest. "You have the information, use it as you will." Glancing at Korin, she gives a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Every curse or bond can be broken with enough talent or gold."
[17:42] <Korin> "Ah," the swashbuckler nods at Maz's reply before grinning at Lucia, given how passionately she has been going on about keeping the woman alive. "So going to try and redeem this evil little mageling until her bond can be broken?"
[17:42] <Carthrat> Lucia dismounts her horse, walking next to the fallen wizardess. "There aren't worse things..." she mutters. "I guess I won't come in with you after all."
[17:42] <Thrall> "Fine," Thrall snorts, reaching into his pack for a set of iron manacles and handing them to Lucia. "I suggest you use something to gag her with as well."
[17:42] <Maz> "You don't seriously expect me to leave you here, alone with her?!" Maz exclaims incredulously.
[17:42] <Carthrat> "What's she going to do? Bleed on me?" snaps Lucia.
[17:43] <Maz> "It's the reinforcements she might have I'm more concerned about," Maz says coolly.
[17:45] <Carthrat> "I could also remain," states Gale, slowly, glancing at Lucia with some sympathy. "Ms. Lucia could give Ms. Maz her wand of curing whilst you venture inside the tower."
[17:46] * Korin is about to remind them of his earlier situation where he somehow sensed four people total, of which only one was outside, but then realizes that he's not so certain he should trust that...vision or whatever it was. As a result, all anyone might see is Korin look like he's about to say something before he clicks his mouth shut sharply.
[17:46] <Carthrat> Lucia holds the unfamiliar manacles in her hand, slowly putting them around the wrists of the almost-mortally wounded witch.
[17:46] <Maz> "She won't die on her own. You could come along, and assume whatever responsibilies you wish to have over that woman when we return," Maz suggests.
[17:47] <Carthrat> OOC: Actually, stabilized people on negative HP still have to make checks every hour.
[17:47] <Maz> OOC: We'll be back within the hour!
[17:48] <Carthrat> Lucia nods. She doesn't start gagging the woman, however, slowly taking away her spell component pouch, a wand of red crystal, and a ring. She leaves behind her waterskin, before rising again, proferring the goods to Maz. "Alright, then," she says. "I.. killing, battle, I can live with them. But there are fates people just do not deserve. No matter what."
[17:49] <Thrall> "People make their own fates," Thrall states philosophically with one last look at the downed tiefling, before he starts up the stairs to the tower's great onyx door...
[17:50] * Maz takes the wand and the ring, but returns the pouch. "Fine. If you die, I won't forgive you." She turns back towards the tower, and heads after Thrall.
[17:50] <Carthrat> The door to the tower is made of sleek black onyx, but it appears hazy and insubstantial, as if not entirely real. It looms ahead, only shimmering black stone on either side. Lucia and Gale follow, the latter looking tired and pale.
[17:51] * Thrall takes a second to tap the door with his axe, checking if its real or illusion...
[17:52] <Carthrat> The door waves as Thrall taps it. It seems to be verifiably 'there', but not entirely stable.
[17:52] <Thrall> Shrugging, Thrall sets his axe aside and attempts to push the door open!
[17:53] * Korin gets off his horse and proceeds to cover one of his shortswords in the stuff that Maz provided him. "You wouldn't happen to have more of these silversheen vials?" Korin asks as Maz as he finishes, briefly looking at his other shortsword while he asks.
[17:53] <Carthrat> The corridor before you seems to stretch forever- far longer than this tower should be able to hold. Dark torches glowing purple fire line the walls of this stony place, extending hundreds of metres forward, or so it seems.
[17:54] <Maz> "They're very expensive to make, and take a lot of time and dedication," she says through gritted teeth. "I had a very short notice before I started making them, on top of everything else."
[17:55] * Thrall begins to slowly advance through the corridor, looking around warily for anything out of place... not that there's much to go on with how unreal the entire place appears.
[17:55] <Korin> "Alright, alright, I was just curious," the swashbuckler says, raising his manner in an appeasing manner.
[17:56] * Maz nods curtly, and glances beyond Thrall with the help of her magical senses.
[17:56] <Carthrat> The entire tower seems magically potent to Maz- there's no telling one bit of conjuration/illusion from another.
[17:57] * Korin sighs, and hopes one sword being coated in the stuff is enough for the trials yet ahead of them.
[17:58] <Carthrat> Gale hops off his camel, though he seems to prefer to hang back behind Thrall, rather than take the lead.
[17:59] * Maz resolves to look for any spikes of those sources, and be on the look out for the other areas of magic.
[17:59] <Carthrat> OOC: MAke a search check, Maz.
[17:59] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[17:59] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 22."12 [1d20=17]
[18:00] * Seraphin dismounts, following the group inside without any particular interest just yet. Seems typical fare for wizards of ill repute.
[18:00] <Carthrat> Maz can't tell one part of magic from another. The whole tower seems totally unreal to her.
[18:00] <Maz> "I don't think my special sight would do us much good, here," she mutters, and moves back towards the rear.
[18:02] <Carthrat> Lucia stares straight ahead, and she seems to be checking her pace. It's like she wants to move faster, but restrains herself. As Thrall steps forward in the lead, he feels his foot sink slightly deeper into the stone than just before.
[18:02] * Thrall pauses, pulling his foot back and looking down at where he just stepped.
[18:03] <Carthrat> Suddenly, a trumpet plays a reville! Before the party, 20 white-glowing soldiers appear, standing in two lines of ten. They do not move, settling their eyes upon the party, and holding longswords in one hand.
[18:04] * Thrall scowls. "Illusions?" he asks Maz, raising his axe in a defensive posture.
[18:05] * Maz checks, attempting to block out everything else
[18:05] <Carthrat> Just past the edge of the soldiers appears to be the end of the corridor. There's a triangular black crystal sitting there, about one-metre wide and one-metre tall.
[18:05] <Maz> "Shadows," she mutters with disgust. "I believe I encountered such creations before. They should be susceptible to magical light."
[18:06] <Thrall> "Like this?" Thrall asks, holding up his glowing axe.
[18:06] <Seraphin> "What a great time to be tieflings," Seraphin remarks dryly.
[18:06] <Carthrat> CRACK!
[18:06] <Korin> "Seems like it'll be your show, Thrall," Korin starts to note wrily before his head whips to the source of that cracking noise.
[18:06] <Carthrat> Suddenly, from behind, there's a horrible grinding sound. "Good god!" shouts Gale, turning about! A gigantic boulder has fallen at the other end of the corridor, and slowly begins rolling towards the party!
[18:06] <Carthrat> OOC: NOW we do init.
[18:07] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 11."12 [1d20=9]
[18:07] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[18:07] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[18:07] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6."12 [1d20=2]
[18:07] <Carthrat> roll 1d20-5 Boulder!
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20-5 Boulder! and gets -2."12 [1d20=3]
[18:07] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Gale!
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Gale! and gets 12."12 [1d20=9]
[18:07] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Lucia!
[18:07] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Lucia! and gets 13."12 [1d20=10]
[18:07] <Carthrat> OOC: Everyone can act before the boulder does!
[18:09] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Party > Boulder'
[18:11] <Maz> "I have something that might help," Maz tells Thrall. Withdrawing one of her scrolls, Maz chants, placing a hand on the half-orc's shoulder, and she her voice rises, so does his stature.
[18:11] <Maz> OOC: Enlarge Person!
[18:12] <Thrall> Shooting up in stature, Thrall grins ferally as he drops his axe. "Behind me!" he roars, large legs eating up the hallway as he rushes to stop the boulder with his newfound giant strength!
[18:13] <Thrall> roll 1d20+11 (+5 strength, +4 large size, +2 charging)
[18:13] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+11 (+5 strength, +4 large size, +2 charging) and gets 28."12 [1d20=17]
[18:13] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+25
[18:13] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+25 and gets 45."12 [1d20=20]
[18:15] <Carthrat> Thrall's muscles aren't enough to stop the boulder! It continues to plow forward, bowling him all but aside as it nears closer to the party! OOC: I'm going to say it started at 60 feet away from the edge of the soldier's threat range. Now, it's 35 feet away.
[18:16] <Carthrat> "Even if we run away, there's nowhere to go..." says Gale, staring at the boulder, totally aghast.
[18:16] <Maz> "Crystals are bad," Maz says rationally. "Let's destroy that one." She points at the end of the hallway, where a malevolent-looking crystal sits.
[18:16] * Thrall snarls as his muscles strain desperately to hold back the onrushing rock, trying to dig his heels in!
[18:17] <Carthrat> OOC: Wait until other people act instead of just making you keep rolling checks
[18:17] <Thrall> OOC: Flavour text!
[18:17] <Carthrat> OOC: No worries!
[18:24] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Thrall = Maz > Seraphin > Korin > Lucia > Gale > Boulder'
[18:24] <Carthrat> OOC: Thrall and Maz have gone, I'm raping init, yes. Act in that order.
[18:25] <Carthrat> OOC: Or don't act, either or.
[18:26] <Seraphin> "Gale! Use a light spell! You aasimars have that ability, don't you?!" Seraphin barks, moving in at their only possible escape route! Attack the soldiers!
[18:26] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 28."12 [1d20=18]
[18:26] <Carthrat> OOC: Damage
[18:27] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10 crit threat
[18:27] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 crit threat and gets 16."12 [1d20=6]
[18:27] <Carthrat> OOC: Damage
[18:27] <Carthrat> OOC: Not sneaky attacky damage, though
[18:27] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+5
[18:27] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[18:28] <Carthrat> The soldier before Seraphin is badly injured, apparently! Gauzy black emnates from it, and as she attacks it, it immediately strikes back!
[18:28] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[18:28] <Carthrat> It misses, though, the nimble tiefling easily out the way!
[18:28] <Carthrat> OOC: That was actually crit damage, sorry
[18:28] <Carthrat> OOC: But not sneakyattacky damage.
[18:29] <Carthrat> OOC: Therefore it's actually dead
[18:29] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+5 ?
[18:29] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+5 ? and gets 6."12 [1d6=1]
[18:30] <Carthrat> The soldier dissolves into white mist! But 19 more still remain!
[18:30] <Korin> With Thrall looking like he's having difficulty, Korin joins Seraphin in attacking the shadowy soldiers, heading for the next closest one.
[18:30] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[18:30] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 27."12 [1d20=17]
[18:30] <Carthrat> OOC: They're standing in two ranks.
[18:30] <Carthrat> OOC: Are you attacking the one next to the one Seraphin hit? Or the one that was behind it?
[18:31] <Korin> ooc: the one next to it this round.
[18:31] <Carthrat> OOC: Ok. Hit.
[18:31] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 10."12 [1d6=5]
[18:32] <Carthrat> Korin's hit is able to destroy this creature, as it dissolves away much like Seraphin's did! Lucia simply stays away from the boulder, gazing at it with fright! Gale, though, reaches for something in his pocket! It suddenly glows with bright light, and he flings it forth into the soldiers, all of whom look terribly panicked!
[18:32] <Carthrat> OOC: Thrall- strength check!
[18:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+25
[18:33] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+25 and gets 35."12 [1d20=10]
[18:35] <Thrall> roll 1d20+11
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
[18:36] <Carthrat> The boulder continues to push Thrall, getting ever-closer to the party! (You cleared 5 feet of space, it got forward another 10 feet, so.. it's now 30 feet away!)
[18:36] <Carthrat> OOC: Maz!
[18:36] <Maz> "I could reduce your size like I enlargened Thrall's, Korin," Maz suggests, glancing back at the boulder Thrall is struggling with. "You or Seraphin, really. That might be enough to get one of you past the soldiers and in position to destroy that crystal."
[18:38] * Korin considers it but shakes his head. "It's not a good idea right now, there'd still be too many of them to tumble our way past them. We need to whittle them down more before we can try that."
[18:39] <Seraphin> "I'm not THAT good at tumbling..."
[18:39] <Seraphin> Seraphin gripes, drawing her second sword while they move forward.
[18:40] <Maz> "Well, then," Maz mutters, baring her fangs, and flings out her arm at the crystal ahead, sending an orb of swirling water and ice at it!
[18:40] <Maz> roll 1d20+6 ranged touch
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 ranged touch and gets 13."12 [1d20=7]
[18:40] <Carthrat> OOC: Caster level check.
[18:40] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 25."12 [1d20=20]
[18:41] <Carthrat> OOC: Damage. >_>
[18:41] <Maz> roll 3d8 cold
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d8 cold and gets 12."12 [3d8=8, 2, 2]
[18:41] <Carthrat> The crystal is covered with a frosty layer of ice! The very corridor shudders for a moment! But it doesn't break, and still stationary soldiers and boulder remains!
[18:41] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraph.
[18:44] <Seraphin> With her second sword out and singing as it comes down, Seraphin attacks the line!
[18:44] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[18:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24."12 [1d20=16]
[18:44] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+5
[18:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[18:44] <Carthrat> OOC: That's a hit... your next attack?
[18:44] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+6
[18:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+6 and gets 14."12 [1d20=8]
[18:45] <Carthrat> OOC: That is not a hit.
[18:45] <Carthrat> The soldier rocks back as Seraphin strikes! But as she does so, it comes back with a counterattack!
[18:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[18:45] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[18:45] <Carthrat> It misses, though, swinging wide of the dodging tiefling!
[18:45] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin.
[18:45] <Korin> "Look, if we cut them down by half, I'm willing to risk trying it," Korin replies to the mage briefly before he goes back to attacking, pulling out his second shortsword while moving close enough to the next soldier in line to make a full out attack.
[18:45] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[18:45] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 16."12 [1d20=8]
[18:45] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[18:45] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20."12 [1d20=12]
[18:46] <Carthrat> OOC: HitHit
[18:46] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[18:46] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 7."12 [1d6=2]
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 11."12 [1d6=6]
[18:47] <Carthrat> Korin's soldier falls instantly, however, easily brutalizing the shadowy creature! Gale stares at the proceedings, before snapping his fingers! A terrible BANG goes off in the middle of the line of soldiers!
[18:47] <Carthrat> roll 6#1d20
[18:47] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 6#1d20 and gets 64."12 [6#1d20 = 15, 19, 5, 8, 16, 1]
[18:47] <Carthrat> Both in the second-to-last rank look dazed, and so does one at the rear! But none seemed to actually have damage dealt to them!
[18:48] <Carthrat> The boulder continues it's ominous forward rolling!
[18:48] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+25
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+25 and gets 45."12 [1d20=20]
[18:48] <Carthrat> OOC: Thrall. >_>;
[18:48] <Thrall> roll 1d20+11
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+11 and gets 14."12 [1d20=3]
[18:49] * Laggy|Sleep is now known as Laggy
[18:50] <Carthrat> The boulder stampedes straight over Thrall, sending him prone to the ground, despite his new and improved size! He's cast prone to the side!
[18:50] <Carthrat> roll 4d6
[18:50] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 4d6 and gets 18."12 [4d6=4, 4, 6, 4]
[18:51] <Carthrat> OOC: THe boulder is 10 feet away. from the party. >_>
[18:51] <Carthrat> OOC: Maz?
[18:51] <Maz> "Unless someone else does it, I'll go after the damn crystal myself," Maz growls, glaring at the rapidly approaching boulder.
[18:57] <Korin> "I think we're all going to have to try and run towards it and hope we don't get skewered," Korin mutters as he looks at the boulder as well before taking a deep breath and making a break towards the soldiers. "Try to keep up so they don't have a chance to attack often!"
[18:57] <Korin> ooc: skewered -> run over*
[18:57] <Carthrat> OOC: Are you just running past?!
[18:57] <Seraphin> "...Yeah' that's looking like the best idea," Seraphin agrees, dashing forward!
[18:57] <Korin> ooc: I shall risk the AoOs for now.
[18:57] <Korin> ooc: until I take enough damage that I'll let Seraphin take the lead.
[18:58] * Maz throws her arm forward towards the soldiers, an icicle flying through the air and morphing into a wolf of ice. "Go, Snowflake!" she commands it, pointing at the crystal lying behind the rows of soldiers.
[18:59] <Carthrat> The wolf run pasts the soldiers!
[18:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 20."12 [1d20=20]
[18:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[18:59] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+8
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+8 and gets 18."12 [2d8=2, 8]
[18:59] <Carthrat> The wolf is instantly sliced in half by one of the soldiers!
[18:59] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin, Seraphin? Just running?
[19:00] <Seraphin> OOC: We have other options?
[19:00] <Korin> ooc: yeah, at least for now.
[19:00] <Carthrat> OOC: O-kay. Korin goes FIRST.
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 20."12 [1d20=20]
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 6."12 [1d20=6]
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 3."12 [1d20=3]
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[19:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 threat!
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 threat! and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[19:00] <Carthrat> OOC: AC 20, right?
[19:00] <Korin> ooc: 21
[19:01] <Carthrat> OOC: Right, no difference
[19:01] <Carthrat> OOC: Wait, yes there is
[19:01] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+4
[19:01] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+4 and gets 9."12 [1d8=5]
[19:02] <Carthrat> Korin manages to make it to the other side of the soldiers, but he's gutted in the passing!
[19:02] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraphin, now.
[19:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 4."12 [1d20=4]
[19:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 17."12 [1d20=17]
[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 9."12 [1d20=9]
[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[19:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+8
[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+8 and gets 10."12 [1d8=2]
[19:02] <Carthrat> OOC: Gack, +4.
[19:03] <Carthrat> Seraphin is wounded, too, taking a blade to the back as she charges forward! Maz, too, rushes in!
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[19:03] * Korin grunts at the pain, but at least it looks like it worked. "Seems we made it past them..." Korin notes with a bit of relief.
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 13."12 [1d20=13]
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 13."12 [1d20=13]
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[19:03] <Carthrat> OOC: Ac, Maz?
[19:03] <Maz> OOC: AC 18
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 15."12 [1d100=15]
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[19:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 31."12 [1d100=31]
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 74."12 [1d100=74]
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+8
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+8 and gets 18."12 [2d8=2, 8]
[19:04] <Carthrat> Maz is not quite so fortunate, taking two blades to the back- though one misses, misjudged due to her concealing robe!
[19:04] <Carthrat> Gale goes next, frantically scampering forward!
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 2."12 [1d20=2]
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 20."12 [1d20=20]
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[19:05] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 threat
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 threat and gets 3."12 [1d20=3]
[19:05] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+8
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+8 and gets 16."12 [2d8=6, 2]
[19:05] <Carthrat> Gale likewise takes a pair of terrible blows to the back! He staggers as he runs foward, beyond the soldiers! But none remaining have the speed to strike Lucia, who somehow gets through it all unscathed!
[19:06] <Carthrat> The black crystal stands before the gathered and wounded party, throbbing power in the dim light!
[19:07] <Thrall> Scrambling to his feet, Thrall grabs up his axe and hurries after the boulder, hoping he might be able to chop it up before it squashes his friends!
[19:09] * Maz shoots the evil crystal with her oft-forgotten crossbow.
[19:11] <Carthrat> Maz hits the crystal! Gale strikes at it too, and between their twin blows, they're able to shatter the thing in a shower of black sparks! The cavern dips, twists, and turns, and suddenly...
[19:11] <Carthrat> ...the party stands in a small, round chamber. The open door to outside lurks behind them, and ahead of them rises up a spiral staircase, whirling around the interior of this fell building, leading to places unknown...
[19:12] * Thrall blinks at the abrupt change in scenery. "What...?" he looks around in confusion, battered and bruised body sagging.
[19:13] <Korin> "Well...that was exciting," Korin grunts in annoyance, and a little bit of relief.
[19:13] <Maz> "Lucia, can you heal the others?" Maz requests, examining the staircase for any shifts in the magic.
[19:13] <Carthrat> Lucia seems to take it all in stride, beginning to cast healing spells without preamble.
[19:14] <Carthrat> OOC: Gems are getting bitchy.
[19:14] <Carthrat> OOC: Well, the 15 round one.
[19:14] <Korin> "Thanks," Korin offers as he is healed almost back to full health, and gives Lucia a warm smile.
[19:14] * Thrall nods his thanks to Lucia, looking up the stairs and wondering if his enlarged bulk will fit...
[19:14] <Carthrat> Thrall will be able to squeeze up the stairs. Just.
[19:15] * Seraphin pops the explosive gem out, just shaking her ehad. "Interesting..."
[19:20] <Thrall> "Maybe someone less likely to set off traps should take the lead?" Thrall suggests, a bit uneasy after having triggered the last one that nearly did them all in.
[19:22] <Carthrat> Somewhere higher up in the tower, mad laughter peels out. A feminine voice, crazed and disturbed.
[19:23] <Maz> "Sounds like an invitation!" Maz says cheerfully.
[19:23] <Seraphin> "Well, if there are traps..." Seraphin shrugs, going ahead of the group, shortswords tapping along lightly to deign the presence of traps, along with her eyes.
[19:23] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13
[19:23] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 and gets 19."12 [1d20=6]
[19:24] * Thrall follows after Seraphin, hunching down a bit to fit...
[19:24] <Carthrat> It's almost pathetically easy for Seraphin to find, among other things, a sliding staircase trap, several spring-loaded crossbows, and even one particular device that will drop an anvil on somebody.
[19:24] <Carthrat> They're just as easy to disarm...
[19:25] * Thrall shrinks back down to normal size, now able to maneuvre the stairs more easily.
[19:26] <Seraphin> "Whoever set these is an utter incompetent, or joking with us. An ANVIL?" Seraphin snorts as she returns, gesturing back up the way. "Well, it's as clear as I'll mek it."
[19:26] <Thrall> "More likely toying with us, considering that first trap," Thrall notes uncomfortably.
[19:26] <Korin> "Joking, I'd imagine, given the first trap," Korin notes.
[19:27] * Korin nods in agreement with Thrall.
[19:27] <Carthrat> "They weren't there until we found them... they weren't there until we found them..."
[19:27] <Carthrat> Lucia stares at the ground, mumbling that phrase over and over again...
[19:28] * Maz redirects her attention to Lucia, examining her.
[19:28] * Thrall looks towards Lucia in vague alarm at her creepy mumbling. "Lucia?"
[19:28] <Carthrat> "Oh, yes?" she says, glancing at Thrall. "I'm fine. Let's keep going." Lucia doesn't seem to have changed to Maz's sensitive sight.
[19:29] <Maz> "No overt effects that I could see," Maz says with a frown, and resolves to pay more attention to Lucia.
[19:29] <Thrall> "If you're sure..." Thrall looks uncertain, nonetheless continuing up the stairs behind Seraphin.
[19:30] <Carthrat> Shortly enough, the party reaches another great black door, carved from shimmering black wood. It too has a surreal tone to it, much like the rest of the tower...
[19:31] * Seraphin checks the door for traps!
[19:31] <Maz> "How far to the rift?" Maz asks Lucia in a whisper.
[19:31] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13
[19:31] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 and gets 19."12 [1d20=6]
[19:32] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraphin finds nothing!
[19:32] <Seraphin> "Nothing I can find, but who knows..." Seraphin declares the door safe, shrugging.
[19:34] <Thrall> "Only one way to find out," Thrall represses a sigh at the tiefling's inactivity, stepping forward to push the door open.
[19:34] <Carthrat> The room inside appears to be very real. The glass floor rests on a dangerously flimsy foundation, apparently suspended over empty air. It wobbles slightly as you step across, seeming likely to suddenly buckle.
[19:34] <Carthrat> The left side of the wall is painted over with motifs of air that seem to swirl and dance, the image of typhoons and hurricanes in motion. You feel a mildly breeze blow past you as you see it.
[19:34] <Carthrat> The right side of the wall seems to have dancing pictures of fire across them, infernos and bonfires flickering across it as if they were truly there. Perhaps they are, because this room certainly feels warmer than it should.
[19:34] <Carthrat> Directly across from the front door is a staircase up- but it's blocked by a veil, a great, half- transparent black curtain. As you watch it, you see strange shapes form on it. Faces, screaming for help, their white skin twisted into ghoulish patterns.
[19:34] <Carthrat> In each corner of the room is a black triangle- one-metre wide, pulsating with a black glow. And in the centre are two figures, both of whom glance at you as you enter. They stand clad in dark armour and black leggings, and both seem not quite real, their edges flimsy and hazy. But that is where the similarities end.
[19:34] <Carthrat> The one on the left has blue hair spiraling about her, floating, as if buffeted by a personal nimbus. A spiked chain wraps around her body, tinged blue, and it crackles with bright white sparks.
[19:34] <Carthrat> The one of the right has red hair that spikes up from her head, wavering back and forth. She carries sword and shield, fidgeting rapidly, and bouncing on her heels.
[19:34] <Carthrat> "Wait," says the air genasi, holding out a hand. "You can't pass here without getting through us. But we don't want to fight."
[19:37] <Maz> "Can we talk to you about what's past you without fighting you?" Maz suggests.
[19:38] <Carthrat> "Elric and his coterie," says the fire-haired woman, bitterly. "They're opening a gate to the plane of shadow... well, they're on the fifth floor, and this is only the second."
[19:39] <Maz> "Do you want the gate to be opened?" Maz asks, directing her question to the fire-haired woman.
[19:40] <Carthrat> "We don't," replies the blue-haired woman, softly. "But we aren't.. we're not real. We're copies of the dead... and though we have some memories, some idea of who we once were, so much is forgotten now. We only know what he wanted us to know... our skills and our names, perhaps. It's impossible for us to let you past. We are bound to prevent that as best as we can. But nothing prevents us from talking, as long as you don't cross the threshold."
[19:41] <Thrall> "Elric..." Thrall snarls, tightening his grip on his axe. "Is there no way we can release you short of slaying you?" he asks.
[19:41] <Maz> "You could always close your eyes," Maz suggests. "I could promise very nicely not to pass between you."
[19:42] <Carthrat> "We cannot!" cries the fiery woman. "Our souls, or what replicas they are- they're bound to his will! It's all we can do to not rush at you now! Slaying us is the only way... the only way we can know peace, and the only way to go forward."
[19:43] <Maz> "We'll avenge you, then," Maz tells them with a nod. "Anything you want to relay to your loved ones back home?"
[19:43] <Seraphin> "...So what if we filled you with arrows?" Seraphin suggests idly, raising an eyebrow. "Could you just stand there while we did that?" she offers.
[19:44] <Carthrat> "We don't know who they were," they reply, in unison. "And.. haha, your arrows can't even reach us from outside the room," they explain. "Try it. It's useless."
[19:45] <Maz> "Could one of you approach?" Maz asks, tilting her head. "Unless you were expressly forbidden from having spells cast upon you."
[19:45] * Thrall bites down a curse. That corpse in Darromar, that woman calling him 'Copied One'... it all fits. Yet... why isn't he bound to Elric's will? Or perhaps he is and just doesn't realise it, dancing on strings he cannot see...
[19:46] <Carthrat> "We can't make it easy for you to pass. Don't you understand? We're forced to strike you when you try to go past," replies the blue-haired woman. "You don't think he let us keep these memories, or even our own minds, so that we could be bypassed, do you? He's just... savoring our torment. We remember misery well enough."
[19:47] * Maz casts shield on herself, frowning, the bluish snowflake coming into existence briefly in front of her.
[19:47] <Carthrat> "The ritual will be completed in two days," pipes up the fiery one. "That's what this tower is for. It's to delay people heading up. If you need to refresh spells, refresh bodies..."
[19:48] <Korin> There's an intake of breath from Korin at the mention of two days. "Two days..." he mutters.
[19:48] <Maz> "There is a spell to clear your mind for a limited period of time," Maz tells the shadow women. "If I understand you right, I can't cast it from outside the room."
[19:49] <Carthrat> "I cannot allow you to cast it on me," replies the blue woman. "I can't allow myself to give you an advantage against us. Only the fact that we can't venture outside this room, and that you haven't yet stepped in restrains us."
[19:50] <Maz> "That is unfortunate," Maz replies. "What about the room's other defenses? Is there anything you could tell us, while we haven't entered it yet? Or, perhaps, something about the other floors?"
[19:50] <Carthrat> "Wait, sister. We can tell them about this room," replies the swordbearer. "The ground, it is weak, and a pit towards the ground awaits," she begins. "The fiery wall will hurl flames towards intruders, while the windy wall will blow them into the holes our combat will doubtless create."
[19:51] <Maz> "I see," Maz says with another nod. "Thank you. I take it, you do not require a floor, yourselves?"
[19:52] <Carthrat> "We can fall like anyone.. well, I can," states the fire genasi. "But this room isn't.. it's not something you can strike from outside itself. It's as a lucid dream- and the waking world can't interfere."
[19:53] * Korin winces. Does not sound like a fun room. "Hrm...If we step in and then step back out, would you follow us out to fight us? Or remain in this room?"
[19:53] * Maz begins casting several spells on herself, the time for talk coming to an end.
[19:54] <Carthrat> "If you flee the fight, you can't re-enter whilst others still remain," they reply, jointly. "We can... from the black crystals, we will heal and refresh ourselves, and await your return as a group."
[19:55] * Thrall waits on Maz to finish her preparations, tensing himself for battle. "So be it. If death is the only release we can grant you..." he intones grimly.
[19:56] <Carthrat> "May you succeed," they respond.
[19:58] <Thrall> With Maz finished her spells, Thrall bravely steps into the room, cautious but ready to do battle!
[19:59] <Carthrat> OOC: Init. Everyone, I guess.
[19:59] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[19:59] * Maz follows, a pair of wands in her arms.
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16."12 [1d20=14]
[19:59] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[19:59] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 20."12 [1d20=15]
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[19:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+5
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+5 and gets 15."12 [1d20=10]
[19:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+7
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+7 and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
[19:59] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 25."12 [1d20=20]
[19:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Gale
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Gale and gets 23."12 [1d20=20]
[19:59] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 Lucia
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 Lucia and gets 14."12 [1d20=11]
[20:00] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin > Gale > Firegirl > Seraphin > Maz > Thrall > Airgirl > Lucia'
[20:01] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin go?
[20:02] * Korin crosses the threshold into the room and proceeds to head towards the fire genasi, proceeding with care as he makes the first strike of the battle. OOC: expertise +3 AC
[20:02] <Carthrat> OOC: The girls are adjacent to each other.
[20:02] <Carthrat> OOC: Gotcha.
[20:02] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[20:03] <Carthrat> The fire genasi's entire visage changes as Korin steps in! Her face becomes eager, her pupils dilate! She isn't ready for his blow, somehow, and it strikes!
[20:03] <Carthrat> OOC: Damage
[20:03] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[20:04] <Carthrat> She rocks backwards, but quickly compensates! Taking a step to the side, she stands nearby her sibling, between her and potential opposition- and only then does she strike at Kethean! A massive surge of red fluid flows from her wrists, enveloping her blade in blood!
[20:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
[20:05] <Carthrat> It misses, though, sweeping just past the canny swashbuckler!
[20:05] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraphin.
[20:06] <Carthrat> From just outside the combat, Gale begins playing an inspiring tune on his harp! "I can help you from out here, and I'll come in if you need healing," he rapidly says, as his music inspires the party to great heights!
[20:06] <Carthrat> OOC: +2 to hit/damage yeah.
[20:06] <Carthrat> OOC: Again, Seraphin!
[20:06] <Carthrat> OOC: You can get into flanking position with the shield-wielding genasi with Korin.
[20:06] <Carthrat> OOC: However, it's not really going to be possible for anyone to get to the spiky girl without getting AoO'd by firegirl.
[20:07] <Seraphin> Seraphin moves in, silver haired and ruby eyed fiendling almost slinking through the entrance and across, behind the fire genasi and striking out with a visious blur of steel!
[20:07] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 and gets 26."12 [1d20=13]
[20:07] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit.
[20:08] <Seraphin> roll 2d6+4
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 2d6+4 and gets 7."12 [2d6=1, 2]
[20:08] <Carthrat> OOC: Don't you have +2d6 sneak attack now?
[20:09] <Seraphin> OOC: You are right.
[20:09] <Seraphin> roll 1d6
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6 and gets 4."12 [1d6=4]
[20:09] <Carthrat> The woman grins ferally as she loses more blood to Seraphin's attack, but she recovers quickly!
[20:09] <Carthrat> OOC: Maz.
[20:11] <Maz> Another whirlwind of water and ice, mixing together, appears above Maz's palm. With a twitch of her hand, she sends it flying at the fire genasi, aiming to put the shadow out of her misery.
[20:11] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 and gets 8."12 [1d20=2]
[20:11] <Carthrat> The blast flies into the roof, crashing with a splash and giving the fighters a nice shower!
[20:14] * Thrall makes his way past those engaging the fire genasai, keeping his guard up as he passes before unloading his axe on the spiked chain held by her sister! (Putting -4 into combat expertise)
[20:14] <Carthrat> OOC: AoO first
[20:14] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 and gets 16."12 [1d20=6]
[20:14] <Carthrat> The fire genasi attempts to lash out at Thrall as he passes by, but her bloody blow misses the quick-moving half-orc!
[20:14] <Carthrat> OOC: NOW sunder.
[20:15] <Thrall> roll 1d20+15 (still with the -4 expertise)
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+15 (still with the -4 expertise) and gets 16."12 [1d20=1]
[20:15] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+11
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+11 and gets 13."12 [1d20=2]
[20:15] <Carthrat> OOC: Oh god the hilarity, damage.
[20:15] <Thrall> roll 1d12+11
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+11 and gets 22."12 [1d12=11]
[20:17] <Carthrat> With a shower of dizzying sparks, Thrall's axe cleaves through the spiked chain! Lightning flashes before his eyes, but the woman snaps a curses in an airy tounge as it breaks! She takes a step back from Thrall, though- and her hand shoots forth, flinging a black ray at him!
[20:17] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[20:17] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 10."12 [1d20=10]
[20:17] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+2
[20:17] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+2 and gets 3."12 [1d6=1]
[20:18] <Carthrat> It strikes, and Thrall feels his limbs weaken instaneously! OOC: -3 strength.
[20:18] <Carthrat> Lucia hovers near the door, glancing on worriedly. And then... the walls begin to twist and move!
[20:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d4
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d4 and gets 1."12 [1d4=1]
[20:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[20:18] <Carthrat> roll 4d6
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 4d6 and gets 19."12 [4d6=4, 6, 4, 5]
[20:19] <Thrall> "Urgh!" Thrall groans as his muscles wither, yet not as badly as when he took the same spell from that Sharran what seems like so long ago!
[20:19] <Carthrat> A sizzingling bolt of fire leaps out from the fire wall, scorching him with painful heat! No gust of wind blows from the other wall... yet!
[20:19] <Carthrat> Black energy seeps from the four crystals, flowing towards the injured fire genasi! Her wounds begin to close almost instantly! In a flash, she's mostly healed!
[20:21] * Korin grimaces as he takes a burst of fire, his eyes flashing red in fury as he takes his frustration out on the fire genasi in front of him, stabbing savagely with his twin weapons.
[20:21] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14."12 [1d20=4]
[20:21] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 13."12 [1d20=3]
[20:21] <Korin> ooc: so. very. lame.
[20:22] <Carthrat> Both blades bounce off her shield, snappily deflected! Abruptly, she casts out with a counterattack, yelling a Word of Magic as she does so!
[20:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+13
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+13 and gets 27."12 [1d20=14]
[20:22] <Carthrat> roll 3d6
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=3, 6, 1]
[20:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+4
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+4 and gets 8."12 [1d8=4]
[20:23] <Carthrat> The blood on the blade seeps into Korin, as if trying to rip him apart! The brutal fluid twists inside his body, and the actual sword-blow pales in comparision to the pain he suddenly feels!
[20:23] <Carthrat> OOC: Gale keeps playing. Seraphin?
[20:24] <Seraphin> Seraphin doesn't waste any more time now, both blades flashing vengefully to end the Fire Genasi!
[20:24] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[20:24] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25."12 [1d20=14]
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
[20:24] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit miss
[20:25] <Seraphin> roll 3d6+6
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 3d6+6 and gets 16."12 [3d6=4, 2, 4]
[20:25] <Carthrat> One blade is blocked a

Corwin · September 02, 2006, 03:59:18 PM

[20:34] * Korin grimaces as he's heavily injured, but concentrates on the fire genasi before it does whatever it's planning. Learning from his last mistake, he goes back to fighting defensively as he strikes. ooc: expertise +4ac
[20:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+6
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+6 and gets 25."12 [1d20=19]
[20:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+6
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+6 and gets 26."12 [1d20=20]
[20:34] <Carthrat> OOC: !! check threats? o-o
[20:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+6 threat 1
[20:34] <Carthrat> OOC: Remember, you're also getting +2 because Seraphin is flanking.
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+6 threat 1 and gets 21."12 [1d20=15]
[20:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+6 threat 2
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+6 threat 2 and gets 13."12 [1d20=7]
[20:35] <Carthrat> OOC: No crits, but still two hits. >_>
[20:35] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 9."12 [1d6=4]
[20:35] <Korin> roll 1d6+4
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+4 and gets 7."12 [1d6=3]
[20:36] <Carthrat> The fire genasi drops, Korin's dual strike sending her to the ground!
[20:38] <Seraphin> With a prone and vulnerable victim, Seraphin desce3nds, both her blades slicing in a scissor like motion to sever the head of the fallen!
[20:38] <Carthrat> The fire genasi almost instantly melts into a dark puddle after Seraphin slays her! Only her sword and shield remain, falling that extra inch towards the ground...
[20:39] <Carthrat> OOC: Maz.
[20:40] * Maz decides to repeat her earlier actions, picking an adjacent corner away from the main battle area. Once again, a miniature whirlpool of water is slammed against a crystal!
[20:40] <Maz> roll 3d8
[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d8 and gets 13."12 [3d8=1, 8, 4]
[20:40] <Carthrat> This time, the crystal Maz attacks isn't quite damaged enough. It's frosty and starting to crack, but not destroyed...
[20:40] <Carthrat> OOC: Thrall.
[20:41] <Thrall> Ignoring the air genasai behind him, Thrall swings again at the crystal!
[20:41] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-4 power attack)
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-4 power attack) and gets 29."12 [1d20=19]
[20:41] <Thrall> roll 1d12+17
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+17 and gets 24."12 [1d12=7]
[20:42] <Carthrat> OOC :Damage (like it matters)
[20:42] <Carthrat> Thrall's axe-blow shatters the crystal into tiny pieces, reducing it to nothing! Meanwhile, the air genasi attempts to cast a spell without leaving an opening!
[20:42] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+12
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+12 and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
[20:42] <Carthrat> She's able to succeed- and a blast of fire washes over Thrall!
[20:42] <Carthrat> OOC: Reflex save.
[20:43] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19."12 [1d20=15]
[20:43] <Carthrat> roll 5d6
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 5d6 and gets 13."12 [5d6=1, 5, 2, 2, 3]
[20:43] <Carthrat> It's muted, though, not doing quite as much damage! In another flash, she's invisible again, and she's run off somewhere else in the room...
[20:44] <Carthrat> roll 1d4
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d4 and gets 4."12 [1d4=4]
[20:44] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 8."12 [1d20=8]
[20:44] <Carthrat> roll 4d6
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 4d6 and gets 15."12 [4d6=4, 4, 3, 4]
[20:44] <Carthrat> Another bolt from the side of the room catches Thrall in the side, burning away more flesh and almost getting to the bone underneath!
[20:45] * Thrall cries out in pain as he's burnt, one hand going to his charred side as he staggers!
[20:47] * Korin takes a deep breath as he ignores his injuries and heads towards the last crystal, aiming to destroy it and end this fight for good as he lets loose a quick stab with his right hand's weapon once he's close enough.
[20:47] <Korin> roll 1d20+12
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[20:48] <Carthrat> OOC: There are FOUR CRYSTALS, 2/4 destroys, 1 = fine, 1 = wounded
[20:48] <Carthrat> OOC: And you can charge the crystal for the final +2 to hit.
[20:48] <Carthrat> OOC: So you probably hit it, damage.
[20:48] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 7."12 [1d6=2]
[20:48] <Korin> ooc: bah, forgot the +2 bonus again
[20:49] <Carthrat> At Korin's mighty blow, the next crystal is destroyed! In a flash, the entire fire-side of the wall vanishes, transforming into nothing!
[20:49] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraphin.
[20:49] <Seraphin> Seraphin just charges the last crystal, shortsword coming down on it!
[20:49] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13
[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 and gets 31."12 [1d20=18]
[20:49] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13 crit threat
[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 crit threat and gets 27."12 [1d20=14]
[20:50] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+7
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."12 [1d6=3]
[20:50] <Carthrat> OOC: Crit, double damage.
[20:51] <Seraphin> roll 1d6+7
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6+7 and gets 13."12 [1d6=6]
[20:52] <Carthrat> As Seraphin attacks the crystal, she can make out faint lines in it. Lines that are weak points. Lines that will destroy the thing in one blow... and that's exactly what happens. It's carved neatly in two... and with a sickening, twisting feeling, the room reverts back to a simple round room, lacking in notable features. Out of nowhere appears the blue-haired woman, kneeling on the ground, sobbing.
[20:55] * Korin gives a brief nod of thanks to Maz in spite of not being anywhere near full health still. "Well, at least that's over with," he mutters as he leans against the wall for some support, a few tired breaths escaping his lips.
[20:56] * Maz approaches the blue-haired woman, tilting her head as she does so. "Are you now freed of Elric's influence?" she asks.
[20:56] * Thrall slowly approaches the blue-haired planetouched, his own question dying on his lips as Maz asks it.
[20:57] <Carthrat> "I am..." she says, soberly. "I didn't know it was those crystals. I thought they just.. made the room and healed us," she whispers. "I'm free. And my sister is, in a way..."
[20:58] <Thrall> "As free as I am..." Thrall mutters bitterly. "I'm almost sure of it, now - I was created the same way you were."
[20:59] <Carthrat> "The bastard who made us this way is just upstairs," she says, vengefully. "Give me a sword- I'll help you kill the bastard. Then we'll really be free."
[21:00] <Maz> "Are you certain you'll remain free of his influence once you are in his presence?" Maz asks her.
[21:00] <Seraphin> "Your sisters' sword is over there," Seraphin suggests, shrugging.
[21:00] * Korin points at the sword from the fire genasi. "Take your sister's sword if you need a sword. It'd be most appropriate for her to join you in one more battle," Korin agrees.
[21:01] <Carthrat> Her face falls. "I... am not," she replies. "I don't know how his reach extends. Perhaps he's merely allowing me this, so that I can strike you from the rear later."
[21:01] * Korin looks over at Thrall. "...You said you were the same as them?" Korin asks.
[21:02] <Thrall> "I had considered the same thought," Thrall admits. "But can't you now cast that spell to block out mental influences, Maz?" Thrall asks their mage, before glancing at Korin. "Remember what that woman said - Copied One? And we found a corpse that looked just like me in that pit in Darromar..."
[21:02] <Maz> "I intend to, with her permission, once we head out," Maz agrees. "That particular spell doesn't hold for long, after all."
[21:03] <Thrall> "Best to save it for before we encounter Elric, then," Thrall nods grimly.
[21:03] <Carthrat> The air genasi walks sadly over to her sisters fallen weapons. "Oh..." she murmurs, staring at something else on the ground- a black crystal. "This.. this must be what's left of her."
[21:03] <Carthrat> It's not very big- it could fit in the palm of your hand.
[21:04] * Korin waves over for Lucia, hoping she'll come and help heal him up some more as he comments, "Looks like you'll get your chance to help avenge yourself and your sister then, miss...?" he ends his statement in a query for her name as he looks at the air genasi curiously.
[21:04] <Carthrat> "I don't have a name," she replies. "I was just... here. Know any good ones?"
[21:05] <Maz> "Relly is a really good one," Maz suggests.
[21:05] <Carthrat> "Relly..." she says, turning the name over in her tounge. "Alright. I'll be Relly from now on."
[21:05] <Thrall> "Thrall's the one I was given," the half-orc replies bitterly. "I'll pick a new one after I kill him..."
[21:05] <Seraphin> "...Maz, you scare me some days," Seraphin snorts.
[21:06] <Maz> "What?" she asks, glancing at Seraphin innocently.
[21:06] * Korin shrugs. He was about to suggest Arael, but seems the air genasi seems taken with the name Relly already.
[21:07] <Seraphin> "I might as well start naming children after my victims..." Seraphin shakes her head.
[21:08] * Korin blinks. "Some significance to that particular name we should know about?" he asks looking a little amused despite his still being injured waiting for healing.
[21:10] <Maz> "My beloved sister has it. I gave it to her," Maz informs Korin. "It's a really great name."
[21:11] <Korin> "Not what Seraphin seems to be implying, but okay," he notes, still sounding amused.
[21:11] <Seraphin> "Yes...'beloved', they try to kill each other," Seraphin snorts, rolling her eyes.
[21:11] * Korin laughs. "I see."
[21:11] <Maz> "It's a misunderstanding," Maz waves that off. "She'll come around."
[21:11] <Thrall> "They're also identical twins, so be careful in case you ever meet her without realising it," Thrall observes dourly.
[21:12] <Carthrat> "I.. see." replies 'Relly'.
[21:13] <Maz> "I'm pretty sure underneath all that hate there's a gentle soul who just needs a hug," Maz states firmly.

Corwin · November 13, 2006, 05:05:33 AM

[23:11] <Carthrat> 'Relly', Gale, and Lucia stand up from their brief rest, gazing towards the other side of the fire/wind chamber through which you'd just battled. Another black stairwell is across the other side, awaiting your journey upwards.
[23:12] <Thrall> "Everyone ready to go?" Thrall asks, hefting his axe and showing no discomfort from his wounds as he looks towards the next stairwell.
[23:13] * Maz glances at Relly. "How about you? Need a bit of healing, first?"
[23:13] <Carthrat> Relly shakes her head. "I am.. fine. It is strange, but my wounds are not paining me," she replies.
[23:16] * Maz nods at that. "Alright. Would you like me to place a shield around your thoughts in advance, or wait for now?"
[23:16] <Carthrat> "Save your magic... there's no sense using that on me until we must face Elric," she replies, her voice turning cold towards the end.
[23:17] <Thrall> "Best to wait until we confront Elric - that spell won't last too long," Thrall mutters a word of warning before he advances on the stairwell.
[23:20] <Carthrat> The next stairwell leads to a room that actually seems to fit within the outer dimensions of the tower. But it is rather bare, compared to those you've seen previous. A small shelf stands in the centre of the room, on which four spherical objects sit; two black orbs, and two white orbs, each small enough to easily fit in the palm of your hand.
[23:20] <Carthrat> A gilded mirror stands against the wall, but it does not appear to be reflecting what is before it. Rather, it seems to paint a picture of a town, a wharf; buildings alongside the open sea...
[23:26] <Korin> "A dead end?" Korin asks as he looks at the room that they've come across.
[23:26] <Maz> "Well," Maz says at length. "A puzzle seems more likely. We could probably go around it by flying up from the outside, though."
[23:27] <Thrall> "Could be an illusion like on the first floor?" Thrall suggests, looking around warily.
[23:27] <Maz> "I only sense illusion on the mirror and the orbs," Maz reports, "and it is the illusion part of shadow magic."
[23:30] * Maz frowns. "I might be able to find a path." She glances at the others. "I'd prefer if some of us waited outside the room, just in case."
[23:31] <Thrall> "What do you have in mind?" Thrall asks, lingering by the stairwell down.
[23:31] <Seraphin> "My first impulse is to throw the orbs into the mirror," Seraphin snorts softly.
[23:32] <Maz> "An attempt to go through the looking glass, actually," Maz suggests. "At worst, I'll suffer from a bruised pride."
[23:34] <Carthrat> "How poetic," remarks Gale, leaning opposite Thrall.
[23:34] <Maz> "In case something goes wrong and the room seals itself, I would rather have someone along for the attempt," she adds with a shrug.
[23:36] <Thrall> "I'll stay with you, then," Thrall volunteers, walking over to the tiefling.
[23:36] <Maz> "Excellent," she says with a curt nod, and steps into the room, intent on approaching the mirror.
[23:37] <Seraphin> "If this were a bad story, this is where everyone in turn volunteers," Seraphin snorts softly, stepping back and waway from the room.
[23:37] <Carthrat> The mirror doesn't seem to come into focus as you get nearer, still showing the same blurring, non-detailed image that you saw from the edge of the room. It remains hard and unyielding to your approach.
[23:37] <Korin> "Could be," Korin replies as he stays near Seraphin and waves off the other two. "Have fun, you two. Don't blow up the room while you're still inside," Korin encourages cheerfully from the entrance.
[23:38] * Maz places her palm against the mirror's surface, and tilts her head.
[23:39] <Carthrat> The mirror feels like a mirror. The image behind it seems to waver a little as you touch the glass, but it's not budging as you touch it.
[23:39] * Maz takes one of the white orbs, and then places it against the mirror's surface.
[23:41] <Carthrat> As Maz picks up the white orb, she feels a tingling that starts at her fingers, and spreads quietly through her whole body. Thrall can see her shadow literally dissapear- and a faint white glow surrounds the woman! The image behind the mirror suddenly comes into focus for her, an exceptionally clear picture of a seaside street...
[23:42] <Maz> "Interesting," she muses out loud, examining the image in the mirror, and trying to establish whether there is motion in it or if it is a still picture.
[23:42] <Thrall> "Maz?" Thrall looks vaguely alarmed at her shadow vanishing, glancing briefly at the mirror before looking down at where her shadow used to be, and then just focusing on the fact that she's now glowing. The fun never stops, here!
[23:43] <Carthrat> The image seems to be in monochrome, lacking colour of any kind. There's not much movement, there... but you can make out what seem to be three figures, standing and gazing at the ocean. They seem to be moving a little, not quite statues, even though there is nothing dramatic about their motion.
[23:44] <Maz> "Yes?" she asks, tearing her eyes away from the image and glancing at Thrall.
[23:45] <Thrall> "You're glowing," the half-orc comments, deadpan. "And your shadow has vanished as well," he points down at his own shadow and the corresponding space where hers should be but isn't.
[23:45] <Maz> "It's a nice, tingly feeling," she agrees. "Great at parties, I'd imagine."
[23:47] <Thrall> "So what's the plan?" Thrall asks dourly. "Touch all the globes to the mirror and see what happens?"
[23:48] * Maz holds up the white orb, and hands it over to Thrall. "Kind of. I feel the black orb would do the opposite, and the both of them together might be the key."
[23:49] <Carthrat> As Maz holds the white orb against the mirror, she feels it slide through easily, as if it were a curtain of water! Her hand passes through easily enough, as well!
[23:50] * Maz blinks, and pulls on her hand lightly, willing it and the orb out of the mirror.
[23:51] <Carthrat> It easily goes in and out the glass.
[23:51] <Maz> "Cool," she agrees, and places it back, picking up a black orb.
[23:52] * Thrall simply watches, letting Maz do... whatever she's doing.
[23:52] <Carthrat> Maz's shadow returns- with a vengeance. As she picks up the black orb, it seems to wrap around her, putting a dark cast across her features. In the moment she put the white orb down, the mirror-image dulled again, but upon grasping the black orb, it returned to it's clearer focus.
[23:53] * Maz tries holding both orbs together, before looking at the mirror once more.
[23:55] <Carthrat> Try as she might, Maz simply isn't able to pick up both the white orb and the black orb. Her hand simply shys away, refusing to follow her command to grasp it.
[23:56] <Maz> "Unless there are any other ideas, let's try getting to the other side?" she offers Thrall. "I'll use the white orb to open the way, and try to get you in by holding onto your hand. If that doesn't work, you can pick the other white orb and follow me. That works?"
[23:57] * Thrall nods wordlessly, placing his greataxe into its harness before taking Maz's hand. Hopefully this isn't a heinous trap...
[23:58] * Maz takes hold of the white orb once more, and places it against the mirror, pushing through it.
[23:58] <Carthrat> Maz finds it easy to walk through the mirror, but upon stepping through, she finds Thrall's hand slipping out of her own. The world beyond the glass grows suddenly larger, more real, as her eyes pass beyond...
[23:59] <Thrall> As he finds his own progress impeded, Thrall dutifully collects the other white orb before following.
[00:01] <Carthrat> Thrall recognizes it instantly as he heads through; one small part of Waterdeep. The sky here has a black cast to it, swirling ominously above your heads. The port is hardly the size it should be, however, and the scenery about you is cast in monochromes, rather than true colours. The mirror stands behind you, facing back into the room from which you just came.
[00:01] <Carthrat> In fact, it seems as if a small section was literally sliced out of town itself, and moved over here. You stand on stony pavement, running alongside where the ocean should be, but the water there is perfectly still. There is a single street nearby; it turns to the right, but it is inexplicably barred by a pair of shimmering, transparent walls; one black, one white...
[00:01] <Carthrat> Three figures stand about twenty metres away, on your side of the walls.. Three whom you recognize. Kern Windriver, captain of the Ravage. A huge, disgustingly fat, red-skinned humanoid, holding a massive scythe-like blade. Etna, couched in her ever-present, all-covering robes...
[00:01] <Carthrat> Four bodies lie scattered about them, five men of all types. Two Sharran fanatics, and a rogue already dissolving into shadow. A white-haired, wiry figure, dressed in purple with two wide, curved swords near the tips of his fingers. He, too, begins to dissolve. But one corpse doesn't, the face of a noble, dead by Seraphin's hand months ago, before she met her allies.
[00:02] * Thrall scowls as he recognises the scene. "I don't know if this is what Maz had in mind, but would two of you grab those black orbs and follow us if it looks like trouble in there?" he calls over to the others by the stairwell. "This could be messy," he notes before striding through after Maz.
[00:05] * Maz observes the three figures she had previously seen with curiousity.
[00:05] <Carthrat> Kern glances over and faces you, a pale mask in place of his former, cocky demeanour. "Do you know what we all have in common?" he asks, apparently addressing Thrall more than Maz.
[00:09] <Thrall> "Death?" Thrall responds grimly, albeit with a trace of uncertainty as he places the white orb in his belt so that he'll have his hands free if this turns violent. Even if Windriver was alive last he saw him, it fits for the others... and himself. Perhaps the Ravage never left Calimport quick enough to avoid whatever had its captain so eager to depart.
[00:12] * Maz takes to the skies as Thrall confronts the captain, in an attempt to use her vantage point to get a better idea of the situation.
[00:13] <Carthrat> "We are all pawns," states Etna, as Windriver shakes his head. "One way or the other, we advance to die, in a battle we can't completely see." Windriver speaks again- "Beyond here lies the game of memory. Pawns, Bishops, Knights, Rooks... the orbs you hold can open the gates. But there are more gates than you hold keys, and to head to the next square..." Windriver flicks his hand, revealing a white orb, before pocketing it again.
[00:14] <Carthrat> Maz sees, from her higher vantage point... little more than she saw previous. Behind the gates lies a path to illusions- only half-formed images of more city streets of Waterdeep. A yellowed scrap of parchment lies just in front of the translucent curtains, something indeterminate scrawled across it.
[00:15] * Maz swoops down to glance at the scrap of parchment from close by, finding no magical signature around it.
[00:15] <Carthrat> Maz finds... a map!
[00:16] <Thrall> "And so these are keys?" Thrall briefly holds up his own sphere. "How do you know this?"
[00:17] * Maz tries to determine where she is on the map, or some other key point she can use as reference
[00:17] <Carthrat> "This tower is a contest of wills," replies Windrider. "Your own minds pitted against the builders. As such, we know the way for you to travel... but likewise, we stand against you."
[00:18] <Carthrat> Maz figures she's at the bottom of the map; the long stretch of wharf. Aditionally, at the other end of the map, an 'E' slowly fades into being, written in red.
[00:21] <Thrall> "You won't let us pass?" Thrall asks warily, glancing briefly towards the street to the right. "But this is the only way to advance?"
[00:22] <Carthrat> "Pass if you will," replies Windrider. "But when the gates are opened, your orb will be lost. And there are many gates."
[00:23] * Maz takes to the air again, map secured and committed to memory, while a pair of wands make their way to her hands. "Our friends hold the keys for our advancement, Thrall, it seems."
[00:26] * Korin pokes Seraphin. "Sounds like we need to follow after our companions in order to get past this mess," he comments before he looks over at Lucia and the others with a grin before he starts heading into the room. "I guess that leaves you all to watch the fort."
[00:27] <Carthrat> "Not much seems to happen until we start it around here," remarks Gale, grinning back. "Stay safe."
[00:27] <Seraphin> "Guess so," Seraphin shakes her head, going back into the room. "If we die, I suggest just getting out of here," she provides lightly to the others, taking a black sphere and heading in!
[00:28] * Korin nods as he does the same with the remaining sphere.
[00:28] <Carthrat> It's just as easy to head in with a black sphere as it was with the white spheres.
[00:30] <Maz> "It seems you'll have to die again for the greater good," Maz tells Etna. "No hard feelings, right?"
[00:30] * Thrall sighs as he unlimbers his axe. "If this is the only way... so be it."
[00:30] <Seraphin> "So you rang for the rest of the death squad that hates their families?" Seraphin drawls, clicking two gems into place on her one shortsword.
[00:31] <Carthrat> "Feelings are beyond me," responds Etna. "Beyond us all. Beyond you," she adds, staring dead-set at Thrall.
[00:31] <Maz> "Hey, Thrall, she does get to see your axe in action one last time," Maz adds suddenly. "Isn't that great?"
[00:32] <Thrall> "Considering how badly you upstaged me last time," the half-orc returns dryly, before focusing on Etna. "Not yet beyond me, Etna. Not yet..." he tells her, preparing for battle.
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: It's that init time again.
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 12."12 [1d20=10]
[00:33] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 16."12 [1d20=12]
[00:34] <Korin> "You lot make the nicest friends, you know that, right?" Korin drawls out as he pulls out his pair of weapons, getting ready for combat.
[00:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[00:34] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14."12 [1d20=9]
[00:34] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 and gets 17."12 [1d20=14]
[00:34] <Carthrat> roll 1d20-1
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20-1 and gets 15."12 [1d20=16]
[00:34] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 and gets 15."12 [1d20=12]
[00:35] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin > Windriver > Maz > Belzor = Etna > Seraphin > Thrall'
[00:35] <Thrall> "You'll get used to it if you don't die, first," Thrall replies.
[00:38] <Korin> "Well, thankfully, I have no plans to die any time soon," Korin answers cheerfully, before he abruptly starts moving rapidly towards that Windriver fellow, leaving Etna for Thrall, and the other guy to whomever wants him. Once he's within reach, he strikes with a cautious opening strike to test the fellow's defenses. ooc: expertise +3AC
[00:38] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[00:38] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[00:39] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit
[00:39] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[00:39] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 9."12 [1d6=4]
[00:40] <Carthrat> Windriver barely makes a sound as Korin wounds him, cut grazing through his armour and drawing first blood of the day! But instead of immediately returning the attack, he pauses for a moment, weapon almost ready to strike...
[00:42] <Maz> Withdrawing a scroll, Maz glares at the enormously fat fiendling, her eyes cold flames as she chants vile curses in demonic tongues! The scroll evapores, becoming snowflakes that fade away in the light, and a curse is placed on her enemy's scythe.
[00:44] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 17."12 [1d20=17]
[00:45] <Carthrat> Maz's spell takes effect across the demon-creature's weapon! Even as he lopes towards Korin to make a pulverising blow, his blade curls back and strikes towards him!
[00:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10 (-3 power attack)
[00:45] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 (-3 power attack) and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
[00:45] <Carthrat> roll 2d4+15
[00:45] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d4+15 and gets 22."12 [2d4=4, 3]
[00:46] <Carthrat> A spray of blood shrieks forth from his body- but now, Windriver strikes at Korin, even as Etna begins casting a spell!
[00:46] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10 windriver
[00:46] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+12 windriver and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[00:47] <Carthrat> roll 3d6+6
[00:47] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 3d6+6 and gets 15."12 [3d6=1, 3, 5]
[00:47] <Carthrat> A blow to a weak spot in Korin's distracted defences! The blade slips in and out of his body, and... Windriver springs back from Korin, keeping a short distance from the fighter!
[00:48] <Carthrat> Etna, for her part, flings forth a hand at Thrall, the half-orc feeling his mind twist with ludicrity! OOC: Will save
[00:48] * Korin growls as his side starts bleeding. Crappy defenses, but good attack power. Better than his probably. This wasn't going to be a fun fight, was it?
[00:49] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[00:49] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 15."12 [1d20=11]
[00:49] <Carthrat> Unable to keep the magic from affecting him, Thrall drops to the ground, laughing his orcish mouth off!
[00:49] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin > Maz > Windriver = Belzor = Etna > Seraphin > Thrall'
[00:55] <Seraphin> Seraphin darts forward, almost like a shadow herself as she slips behind Belzor. She failed to kill him as ordered the first time...why not now? So her weapon slashes out! Trying to pierce his hide!
[00:55] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+12
[00:55] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 21."12 [1d20=9]
[00:55] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit
[00:56] <Seraphin> roll 3d6+5
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 3d6+5 and gets 14."12 [3d6=5, 3, 1]
[00:56] <Carthrat> The huge beast groans in agony as Seraphin's blades pierce his tough skin! Only his natural resilance can help to deflect blows, but what might have once seemed a daunting prospect is now easy meat for the tiefling rogue.
[00:56] <Carthrat> OOC: Thrall LAUGHS. Korin?
[01:03] * Korin grimaces, but quickly decides to switch targets and to help with attacking Belzor at his other side, deciding it's better to focus on one opponent and gang up on him with Seraphin, as their two opponents seem to be trying with him. With two rapid strikes, he makes sure to maintain a defensive position given the attacker at his other side. OOC: Expertise +3AC again
[01:04] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[01:04] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9."12 [1d20=2]
[01:04] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[01:04] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23."12 [1d20=16]
[01:04] <Carthrat> OOC: MissHit
[01:04] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[01:04] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 10."12 [1d6=5]
[01:04] <Carthrat> Korin's blow sinks into the bastard's side, but the massive tiefling-thing refuses to fall, vengefully holding it's traitorous scythe above it's head!
[01:07] <Maz> "By my will and this power," Maz chants, her right palm glowing, "let this fell spell be no more!" A blue line of unwavering light erupts from her palm, headed for its target, Thrall and the spell Etna had cast upon him!
[01:07] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[01:07] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[01:07] <Carthrat> Thrall finds mirth leaving him at an abrupt pace!
[01:08] <Maz> "I do believe Etna wants to hear your axe sing more than ever, Thrall," Maz comments from where she's flying overhead.
[01:09] <Thrall> That was not funny! Standing up, Thrall glowers at the half-elf and advances threateningly on her!
[01:09] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin > Maz = Thrall > Windriver = Belzor = Etna > Seraphin '
[01:10] <Carthrat> Windriver dances forward again, striking out at Korin before sharply retreating! There's no chance for the swashbuckler to strike out as his foe dances away!
[01:10] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[01:10] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[01:10] <Carthrat> roll 3d6+6
[01:10] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 3d6+6 and gets 23."12 [3d6=6, 5, 6]
[01:11] <Carthrat> Another crippling blow, this time almost bringing Korin to his knees! Windriver flicks his rapier as he dances back, showering the tiefling warrior with blood!
[01:11] <Carthrat> Meanwhile, Belzor plunges his scythe towards the most damaging little fiend aside him; namely Seraphin! His scythe plunges down towards her...
[01:12] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+13 (-3 power attack)
[01:12] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+13 (-3 power attack) and gets 24."12 [1d20=11]
[01:13] <Carthrat> OOC: Hits AC 21, is that a hit or miss, Ser?
[01:14] <Seraphin> OOC - Sadly.
[01:15] <Carthrat> roll 2d4+15
[01:15] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d4+15 and gets 18."12 [2d4=2, 1]
[01:16] <Carthrat> The revenge-shot cleaves through her flesh, sheering it like only so much paper! Etna continues to attempt to work magic, though she's now frustrated by her orcish nemesis!
[01:16] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[01:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+10 and gets 15."12 [1d20=5]
[01:16] <Carthrat> Her spell fails as she backs off a step, unable to maintain the position necessary to cast it without issue!
[01:17] <Seraphin> Seraphin slashes back! Swords tearing at Belzor in a snarling fury of sharpened steel and magic!
[01:17] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[01:17] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 23."12 [1d20=13]
[01:17] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[01:17] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26."12 [1d20=17]
[01:18] <Seraphin> roll 6d6+7
[01:18] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 6d6+7 and gets 30."12 [6d6=5, 2, 5, 4, 2, 5]
[01:19] <Carthrat> The two blades find all-too-necessary organs and arteries, reducing a mighty fiend into a corpse in moments!
[01:23] <Korin> With Belzor down, Korin turns around towards his earlier opponent, his eyes burning red with rage. Only by the barest of margin does he resist going after his attacker, as he takes a small step away from the warrior so he's not within range of a counterattack and so he can grab one of his healing potions.
[01:23] <Korin> roll 1d8+3
[01:23] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d8+3 and gets 7."12 [1d8=4]
[01:25] * Thrall snarls as he tries to put Etna down for good, ebony axe whirling like a dervish as it cuts into the wizard!
[01:25] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-1 power attack -2 expertise)
[01:25] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-1 power attack -2 expertise) and gets 16."12 [1d20=6]
[01:25] <Thrall> roll 1d20+5 (-1 power attack -2 expertise)
[01:25] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+5 (-1 power attack -2 expertise) and gets 19."12 [1d20=14]
[01:25] <Carthrat> OOC: Miss, hit
[01:25] <Thrall> roll 1d12+11
[01:25] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+11 and gets 14."12 [1d12=3]
[01:26] <Carthrat> Etna balks at Thrall's strike, her greying robes quickly streaked with hot blood! She draws a dagger, as Windrider swoops in opposite the half-orc, easily dancing just outside reach until he closes in to strike!
[01:26] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+12 I remembered flanking yay
[01:26] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+12 I remembered flanking yay and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[01:27] * Maz twirls in the air, letting a trio of bright missiles fly unerringly at the half-elf witch!
[01:27] <Maz> roll 3d4+3 unless she has shield
[01:27] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d4+3 unless she has shield and gets 10."12 [3d4=1, 4, 2]
[01:28] <Carthrat> The blasts slam into Etna, the half-elven wizard toppling like a broken dresser! Windriver attempts to strike Thrall, but his blow chinks against his opponents mighty armour!
[01:30] <Maz> "I actually liked you," Maz tells Windriver sadly. "You gave us money. It's too bad you also have to die."
[01:31] <Thrall> "Just a shadow," Thrall reminds Maz as he turns to engage his one time captain in combat.
[01:31] <Seraphin> Seraphin goes about her work with a near dead silence, just a flickering movement as she comes up behind Windriver, a sharp stab given to the shade!
[01:31] <Korin> "I can honestly say that I'll be pleased to see the son of a bitch die, and be ecstatic if he dies painfully," Korin growls out, as he tosses the empty potion container to the ground.
[01:31] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+12
[01:31] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 16."12 [1d20=4]
[01:32] <Carthrat> Windriver deflects Seraphin's blade, rapier experting whirling about his body to parry her fell strike!
[01:32] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin > Maz = Thrall > Windriver > Seraphin '
[01:36] <Korin> As he tosses the potion's container to the ground, Korin begins to charge at Windriver, finally allowing himself to fall to the rage welling within him as he savagely thrusts the shortsword in his main hand towards the enemy.
[01:36] <Korin> roll 1d20+12
[01:36] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
[01:36] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit.
[01:36] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[01:36] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[01:37] <Carthrat> Windriver opens his mouth to scream as Korin strikes him, but no sound comes out of the captain's mouth. The very features of his face seem to become less 'Windriver', more of a generic sort of human being. Yet, he continues to remain standing...
[01:39] <Thrall> "Just die," Thrall grinds out as his axe swings viciously through the captain!
[01:39] <Thrall> roll 1d20+13
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
[01:39] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20."12 [1d20=12]
[01:39] <Carthrat> OOC: HitHit
[01:39] <Thrall> roll 2d12+18
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 2d12+18 and gets 28."12 [2d12=7, 3]
[01:40] <Carthrat> Windriver does just that, collapsing in pieces as his former crewmate rips him apart! Almost before he begins to fall to the ground, he, Belzor, and Etna begin to disintegrate... leaving behind only a single white orb.
[01:40] * Maz tries to pick up the orb, seeing if she can hold two white orbs at once
[01:41] <Carthrat> It seems that Maz is able to accomplish that.
[01:41] <Maz> "Seems to me we could bring the rest over," she muses, glancing at the orbs.
[01:44] <Thrall> "You need an orb to pass through the mirror - we could only bring one other person in until we get more," Thrall points out.
[01:44] <Maz> "Not quite," Maz says thoughtfully. "The orb does not disappear during travel, and we could exist here without orbs. I could borrow yours and bring two people over, then repeat the process."
[01:46] <Thrall> "Point," Thrall nods, handing over his orb to the mage.
[01:46] * Maz takes the orb, and examines the mirror back into the tower.
[01:47] <Carthrat> When Maz holds three orbs together, she sees no image of a tower; only a bright, all-consuming light, as painful to look at as the sun.
[01:47] <Korin> "You know, I really wouldn't mind some more healing before we encounter some more of your old friends," Korin comments as he breathes heavily.
[01:48] <Maz> "Badness," she mutters, handing the third orb back to Thrall, before attempting to cross over with just two.
[01:48] * Thrall shrugs, replacing his orb in his belt. "Lucia can heal you when she gets here," he tells Korin.
[01:50] <Carthrat> Even with two orbs, it's hard to see through the mirror, the world beyond seeming to be too white and shiny to stare through. She can make out glimpses of her friends across the other side, however, but the mirror does not feel as it did when she came through with one orb... it almost, quite literally, burns.
[01:50] <Maz> "Double badness," Maz complaints, and delivers the second orb to Thrall as well, before returning to the tower.
[01:51] * Thrall blinks, holding onto the orb and watching Maz go. Well, hopefully she'll come back with the wand of healing, at least?
[01:51] <Carthrat> Once Maz is equipped with only one such device, she's able to pass through swiftly. "We saw the fight from here," states Gale, as you enter.
[01:52] <Maz> "I hope you were more than entertained," she comments, and turns to Lucia. "It seems I can't bring the rest of you over, so I would like to borrow the wand you have for a short while."
[01:53] <Carthrat> "Ah.. of course," she responds. 'Relly' glances through the mirror bleakly. "Whatever is in there, once it is conquered, we should also be able to progress," she states.
[01:54] <Maz> "I believe so as well," Maz agrees.
[01:56] <Maz> "Alright," Maz says, once she's back on the other side and everyone has been healed in the meanwhile. "Let's advance towards the first gate on the map?"
[01:57] <Thrall> "You mean there?" Thrall gestures at the black and white barrier blocking the only street they can move down.
[01:59] * Maz nods. "I believe we can advance by circling towards the right and emerging at the top. The central section would hold the last white key we shall need."
[02:00] * Thrall nods his agreement. "That seems the quickest way," he agrees, starting towards the street onwards.
[02:00] * Maz lets Thrall and one of the others each use an orb to open up the way, keeping to the skies to better spot any ambushes.
[02:01] <Carthrat> As the orbs come into contact with the gates, there is a smashing sound, and the barriers fall away, even as the orbs vanish from your possession!
[02:02] <Carthrat> Though there is, at first glance, nothing beyond this gate, more streets of waterdeep- though not in the order you remember them to be- begin to form. A great main road stretches before you, white and black barriers ahead; but far beyond them, you can make out the looming shadow of Elric's Former Guildhouse.
[02:02] <Carthrat> Larger than it was in life, it now dominates the entire landscape.
[02:03] <Carthrat> To the right-hand side is a white barrier, and to the left, a black. The city square you walk in is... uninhabited, or so it seems.
[02:03] <Maz> "Let's head to the right," Maz suggests, pointing at the white barrier.
[02:03] * Thrall snorts at the sight ahead. How gaudy... not appropriate for a thieves guild at all. Not dawdling, the half-orc makes his way to the right and uses his remaining orb to bypass that barrier.
[02:03] <Seraphin> "Mmmm...home," Seraphin murmurs, snorting and shaking her head as she looks around.
[02:04] <Maz> "If there is a key, here, someone might be holding onto it," Maz muses, her eyes searching for that somebody.
[02:06] <Carthrat> There doesn't appear to be anyone present here, excepting yourselves. As Thrall turns right and destroys the second barrier, however, he makes out a bizzare sight. A figure, wearing armour identcle to his, stands in the centre of another courtyard, rapidly constructed out of light and shadow. Turning to face him, he recognizes it... the very same Cleric of Bane he remembers slaying for the armour he wears now!
[02:08] <Carthrat> His demeanour is fierce, inspiring, and terrifying, all at once. A massive black shield with the emblem of Bane's Clenched Fist is strapped to one hand, and a huge mace in the other. But he does not make an aggressive action, instead gazing at the party! "You face the Bishop!" he starts, proudly. "No fool contest of arms alone will avail you here. Only by recognizing the truth- MY truth, can you proceed. Which one of you has slain me prior?"
[02:09] <Carthrat> slain me prior?"
[02:10] <Thrall> "That..." Thrall grins coldly, stepping forward and twirling his axe around in a skillful display as he stares down the Bishop, "Would be me."
[02:10] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 to intimidate!
[02:10] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 to intimidate! and gets 15."12 [1d20=7]
[02:11] * Korin shakes his head. "We're just going to be facing people you guys have killed all throughout this 'puzzle', aren't we?"
[02:11] <Carthrat> The banite snorts. "Your soul never cut my thread off!" he replies, chortling with laughter. "Nor were you press-ganged by that pitiful captain! Even as you stumble forward with borrowed memories, the grip of tyranny still haunts you all!"
[02:12] <Maz> "Actually, I have killed a surprisingly small amount of the people we have seen so far," Maz comments to Korin, pausing briefly overhead. "Just that witch, but she was bad."
[02:14] <Thrall> "None of us killed the guy who cut you up so badly," Thrall points out to Korin, before glaring at the other figure in jet black armour. "Memories make the man, Godbotherer. Allow me to show you just what I remember doing to you..."
[02:16] <Seraphin> "We're going to come across an awful lot of drunks, then..." Seraphin muses, shaking her head. "Just more corpses."
[02:17] <Carthrat> "Memories that act as strings, dancing you as a puppet!" he snarls back, pointing his mace at you. "If you will submit to such foolish acts of dominance, you do not deserve to live!" His gaze becomes ever more contemptuous, as it sweeps across Al'Maz, and Seraphin. "What of you? Are your memories whole? Know you what you play to?" he snarls.
[02:18] * Maz shrugs. "Yeah, sure, you bet'cha."
[02:18] <Seraphin> Seraphin laughs darkly. "Does it matter?" she asks with a smirk, making a dismissive gesture with her shortsword. "Whatever I am, I am."
[02:20] <Carthrat> "Carelessness," he rumbles, before his gaze stares hard at Korin. "Hmph. And what of the last of you? Do you stance on strings, follow whims, or, truly follow a path of your own?"
[02:23] <Korin> "I usually go by my whims, even if they've almost gotten me killed quite a few times," Korin replies with a grin. "Still, life is meant to be lived...and what's life without a little risk?"
[02:28] <Thrall> "Enough talk, figment," Thrall snaps abruptly. "I'll sever my strings soon enough, and severing you is just a step along the way." With that, he advances to attack!
[02:29] <Carthrat> "Risk. Pfah! It seems none of you know who your true masters are," he growls, seemingly furious. "So be it, unwilling servants! You'll find I am no figment, but.. I, too, am the servant of your domitor, and I will tighten the leash!"
[02:29] <Carthrat> OOC: Init.
[02:29] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[02:29] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[02:30] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[02:30] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 14."12 [1d20=12]
[02:30] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[02:30] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[02:30] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+1
[02:30] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+1 and gets 17."12 [1d20=16]
[02:31] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[02:31] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[02:32] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Korin = Seraphin > Maz > Banite > Thrall'
[02:35] * Korin moves forward as he proceeds to engage Banite's attention with the help of one of his shortswords, and hopefully leaving him more open to one of his companion's attentions as well. OOC: expertise +5 AC
[02:35] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[02:35] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9."12 [1d20=4]
[02:37] <Carthrat> The sword bounces off the banite's massive shield, the blade simply skittering off harmlessly!
[02:39] <Seraphin> It's business for Seraphin, nothing to get angry or upset over, just another moment of killing as darts around the cleric, blade tearing out at him!
[02:39] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+12
[02:39] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[02:40] <Carthrat> He bats aside her sword, as well, thick armour protecting his heavyset form more than reflexes ever could!
[02:40] <Maz> "May your vigor leave you, may your arms slacken, may your muscles atrophy!" Maz calls out, pointing her palms at the Banite.
[02:41] <Maz> roll 1d20+6 ranged touch
[02:41] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 ranged touch and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
[02:41] <Maz> roll 1d6+2
[02:41] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d6+2 and gets 4."12 [1d6=2]
[02:43] <Carthrat> The ray of enfeeblement does indeed cause the Banite to stumble- but not nearly enough to cause him true pain! Yet, instead of striking with his mace, he attempts to cast a spell, instead, concentrating fiercely on the magic being uninterruptable!
[02:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+13
[02:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+13 and gets 33."12 [1d20=20]
[02:43] <Carthrat> His magic completed without issue, part of the fist he uses to clutch the mace glows red, and he lashes out with it at Seraphin immediately!
[02:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+5
[02:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+5 and gets 20."12 [1d20=15]
[02:44] <Carthrat> OOC: Will save!
[02:45] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+2
[02:45] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+2 and gets 3."12 [1d20=1]
[02:45] <Carthrat> roll 4d8+7
[02:45] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 4d8+7 and gets 25."12 [4d8=4, 6, 5, 3]
[02:46] <Carthrat> His fearsome spell churns Seraphin's internals, dealing no external damage, yet causing the tiefling to almost retch in agony!
[02:48] * Thrall wades into the battle himself, ebony axe swinging a vicious arc as he crashes into the Baneite cleric!
[02:48] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-3 power attack)
[02:48] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-3 power attack) and gets 19."12 [1d20=9]
[02:48] <Carthrat> The cleric blocks Thrall's strike with his shield, heavy armour once again serving as protection from an array of dangerous attacks!
[02:50] <Seraphin> Seraphin just hisses, focusing on her opponent and lashing out again!
[02:50] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21."12 [1d20=11]
[02:50] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 10."12 [1d20=1]
[02:50] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit, miss
[02:50] <Seraphin> roll 2d6+5
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 2d6+5 and gets 13."12 [2d6=5, 3]
[02:50] <Korin> At the same time as Seraphin attacks, so does Korin, making sure that Banite is too distracted to defend from all their attacks!
[02:50] <Seraphin> roll 1d6
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6 and gets 3."12 [1d6=3]
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 22."12 [1d20=12]
[02:50] <Carthrat> OOC: It's a sneak attack, you know.
[02:50] <Carthrat> OOC: Oh, you do know.
[02:50] <Carthrat> OOC: Yeah.
[02:50] <Carthrat> OOC: Two hits.
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 10."12 [1d6=5]
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 7."12 [1d6=2]
[02:51] <Carthrat> The volley of blows does nothing to deter the total rage across the Banite's face, though it does a lot to cause his actual body to stagger aimlessly!
[02:55] * Maz uses the wand she borrowed from Lucia to restore some of her fellow tiefling's strength.
[02:55] <Maz> roll 1d8+1
[02:55] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+1 and gets 9."12 [1d8=8]
[02:57] <Carthrat> Seeing little reason to cease his previous plan of attack, the cleric once again attempts to focus his energies properly, in order to cast another devilish spell!
[02:58] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+13
[02:58] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24."12 [1d20=11]
[02:58] <Carthrat> Hand charged with red energy again, he lashes out at Seraphin, seeking to give her even the slightest touch!
[02:58] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+5
[02:58] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+5 and gets 8."12 [1d20=3]
[02:58] <Carthrat> But this time, his hand misses, and it's unable to channel his hideous energies!
[02:59] <Thrall> Seeing the opening as his foe reaches for Seraphin, Thrall's axe lunges forth to cleave into him!
[02:59] <Thrall> roll 1d20+12 (-1 power attack)
[02:59] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+12 (-1 power attack) and gets 17."12 [1d20=5]
[02:59] <Thrall> roll 1d20+7 (-1 power attack)
[02:59] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+7 (-1 power attack) and gets 10."12 [1d20=3]
[03:00] <Carthrat> Regrettable for the orcish warrior, neither blow is able to penetrate his opponents defences...
[03:01] * Korin continues on with his attacks with his short swords, not trying anything fancy, merely just trying to put as many wounds as possible on Banite.
[03:01] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 23."12 [1d20=13]
[03:01] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
[03:01] <Seraphin> Seraphin grtowls, ducking udner the cleric's hands to unleash a flurry of shortbladed strikes into his guts, seeking blood and entrails!
[03:01] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 28."12 [1d20=18]
[03:01] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 20."12 [1d20=11]
[03:01] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[03:02] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit miss
[03:02] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+12 crit threat
[03:02] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+12 crit threat and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[03:02] <Seraphin> roll 4d6+10
[03:02] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 4d6+10 and gets 27."12 [4d6=3, 3, 5, 6]
[03:03] <Carthrat> Seraphin's venegeful strike leaves the baneite cleric spewing blood from his neck! He crumbles to the ground, dropping only a pale white gem as he shortly dissolves...
[03:03] * Thrall snarls briefly, cricking his neck as he steps away from the mouthy and now thankfully re-dead priest. Pity he didn't get to land any hits, himself...
[03:04] <Maz> "Well, then." Maz nods to herself. "Let's proceed forward?"
[03:08] <Carthrat> The next gate falls away as easily as the ones before, stones easily pocketed. Behind this gate, however, stands no former a foe, but one who is only known to Korin... a knight, clad in shining armour, and sword and shield strapped away. "I am the Knight, and the protector, or guide," he states, bowing as you approach.
[03:08] <Thrall> "This is new..." Thrall mutters, not recognising this figure.
[03:10] * Korin blinks as he recognizes the face. "Okay, this one I know. Huh, and here I was thinking all we'd be facing would be old friend of yours," he comments with a hint of confusion. "I must say I'm surprised to see -him- in particular, at least here."
[03:10] <Maz> "Did you kill him?" Maz asks sweetly.
[03:10] <Thrall> "A friend?" Thrall raises an eyebrow. "Don't be - Captain Windriver was a friend as well..."
[03:12] <Carthrat> "I am a true friend to you, the only you will find in all these corridors," states the man, proferring a black pearl. "This, I can grant you- as well as knowledge. One question on this tower, I can answer for you, for it is an extension of yourselves now, as much as it is of the ruler."
[03:12] <Korin> "I didn't kill him, but he's not really a friend either...To be honest, all I know is that he saved my life the day before I met your bunch," Korin replies, still looking surprised.
[03:13] <Thrall> "One question... better make it count," Thrall remarks, deciding to let the certified geniuses field this one.
[03:19] <Maz> "I would be really interested to know how one could tell between the shadow clones and the real people," Maz muses to Korin.
[03:22] <Korin> "Maybe, but we don't know if they'll still be a problem once we take care of that Elric fellow," Korin comments.
[03:23] <Maz> "It's not like we're starving for information, here," Maz returns with a frown. "And he'll only answer us a question that relates to the tower in some way."
[03:23] <Thrall> "It would still be useful to know," Thrall rumbles ominously. "But... I could live not knowing."
[03:24] <Thrall> "Ask him the best way to get past the next floor? There's still one more before we reach Elric," Thrall suggests.
[03:24] <Korin> "No, I think Maz's original question might have merit, especially in your case," Korin comments, changing his mind after Thrall's last brief statement.
[03:25] <Maz> "If all fails, knowing the vulnerabilities of Elric and his men, or even who are his men, would help."
[03:27] <Seraphin> "Maybe all the inhabitants of the tower..." Seraphin nods in agreement.
[03:31] * Korin just shrugs finally. "Well, I'll trust you to ask what benefits us the most, Miss Despot. I'd rather not end up asking one of my infamous questions that only result in those short useless answers you like to give."
[03:33] <Maz> "Please, Mr Knight, would you tell us of the enemies we shall face in this tower up to and including Elric, and their strengths and weaknesses?" the tiefling asks sweetly. "It would be really bad to confront demons without silver or forget to pack some fire resistance spell when dealing with a pyromaniac."
[03:34] <Carthrat> "There are few further enemies, but you will need to prepare well for the next two floors," he responds. "Elric, himself... is a being split in two. Light and Dark. You will find that Dark injures Light, and Light injures Dark. This very tower can be a weapon against him."
[03:36] <Carthrat> "The floor above this one features the Archer, a woman of most puissant skill. A member of the Order of the Bow. Her own weapon is a living creature, and her arrows are conjured from this construct itself. They can inflict terrible wounds that continue bleed after the initial injury."
[03:38] <Carthrat> "As well as that, the remaining creatures known as 'Aratons' serve her for twelve further hours, yet. Cloaked in flaying sands, they are weak when struck by cold. Defeating the archer, however, will be difficult, for the battleground has been sculpted to her liking. Height, cover, and concealment; she will have these things, and without magical aid, mobility will be beyond you."
[03:41] <Carthrat> "On this floor... I can tell you naught, but about those who lie beyond these gates," he continues. First, he indicates the white gate... "Beyond there lies a future of the Mystran Cleric. Bitter, as unwilling to aid as she is to fight. Yet, a conversation in her present can affect this place, even now. And beyond the black gate..." He shudders a moment.
[03:42] <Carthrat> "An image, a construct of one whom you hate the most. Domination is his game; hellfire and uttercold serve his whims. The weapons of the blessed are anathema to him."
[03:43] * Thrall frowns as he looks to the white gate. "Lucia...?" he mutters, surprised and honestly more offput by that than what he said about the construct through the other gate.
[03:44] * Maz blanches as he speaks, her already white skin paling near the end of his words. "That's pretty mean," she says at last. "Is the archer real, or a construct like the other two?"
[03:44] <Carthrat> "And one more; the archer is in possession of duo of Elemental Gems," he adds. "She is indeed a real being, flesh and blood and bone, and should she not be slain, she will live on even if this tower falls."
[03:46] * Maz laughs to herself. "Of course she is," she says, somewhat on the hysteric side. "Well, you answered the question fair and square. There's no one around Elric himself on the final floor, I take it?"
[03:47] <Carthrat> The knight bows. "It is as I have said now. The future may be different; I cannot predict things beyond the now."
[03:48] <Maz> "We should return," Maz tells the others. "We'll need Gale's sword, and Lucia... I can't let her have a bitter future. That's just stupid."
[03:49] * Seraphin smiles wryly. "Probably for the best she doesn't end up like us, yes."
[03:49] <Maz> "I'll have you know I'm not bitter about life," Maz says with a huff. "Not one bit!"
[03:50] * Thrall nods. "I don't want to see her that way," he agrees bluntly. Even if it's unrealistic and naive, he does appreciate her mindset.
[03:50] <Seraphin> "Sure sure, dear," Seraphin just snickers, stretching and wincing, but otherwise having no care for the pain and bloodshed before or behind them.
[03:51] * Maz belatedly returns the knight's bow. "Thanks for the advance warning."
[03:52] <Carthrat> "May you find what you seek in this place," he responds, slowly beginning to fade away..

Corwin · November 13, 2006, 05:07:30 AM

[23:05] * Maz nods to herself, and immediately makes way towards the mirror, beyond which their cleric's present lies.
[23:07] <Carthrat> "Oh..." says Lucia, as you reappear through the portal, with some relief. "Are you alright?"
[23:08] * Thrall follows after Maz, wondering how they can perk up Lucia with a single conversation, but hoping to do some good - she has been pretty depressed, lately.
[23:09] * Maz nods once more. "An apparition told us that you were starting to lose sight of your goals, so we hurried back to see if that was true," she tells Lucia bluntly, observing her.
[23:09] <Carthrat> "I'm here to help you fix this leak," affirms Lucia, looking bemused. "Fixing the Weave has been my goal since we left Darromar, so..."
[23:10] <Maz> "What about before that?" Maz asks her. "You must have some goals that go beyond the immediate."
[23:10] <Thrall> So much for sugar-coating it... Thrall only nods. "You have been... unhappy, though, haven't you?" he asks, not really comfortable with this but wanting to help. "Like what to do with the woman we fought at the entrance to this tower."
[23:12] <Carthrat> "Well... yes," she replies, frowning. "I suppose that's true. But I can't help that, can I?" She gives you a wan smile. "I came out of the temple so I could see the world, as well, and.. well, I wouldn't have said it's to do with losing my naivety then, but now..."
[23:14] <Maz> "Just because you're not naive about the evil of the world doesn't magically make all the good in it disappear," Maz tells her, matching the girl's frown.
[23:16] <Korin> "She probably means the fact that the world is more shades of grey than the pretty black and white of good vs evil," Korin pipes in quietly from a corner where he's leaning against the wall. "It can be a little jarring to see good people do things you might have thought of as evil normally, even if they have a good reason for it."
[23:17] <Maz> "I dunno," Maz comments. "It's pretty easy to still see the black and white if your moral compass functions properly."
[23:17] <Carthrat> "I didn't think that," she replies, shocked. "I'm not.. I'm just understanding the measures that need to be taken to combat that evil, now," she continues. "I can't spare time to try and save evil when it needs to be stopped, really, can I?"
[23:18] <Thrall> "It's a rough world out here, true," Thrall agrees grimly, nodding to the others points. "Perhaps if more people were like you, Lucia, then people like us wouldn't have to make those hard decisions. It would be a shame for you to lose sight of your innocence by following the same path we've taken - it's not one suited for everyone."
[23:18] <Carthrat> Gale and 'Relly' stand further back, the former shifting uncomfortably...
[23:19] <Maz> "The way I see it, people can afford to do that if they take responsibility for that evil and make certain others cannot be harmed anymore." Maz shrugs. "It takes a bit of power to assure that, or some pretty reliable friends."
[23:23] <Carthrat> Lucia starts fidgeting, and you can tell she's forcing herself to look Maz in the eye. "I can't stand that, though," she says. "It's not a sin to worry about your own goals, your own life. I know that this tower isn't about good and evil to all of you, and it's simply wrong of me to.. well, rely on you for things like the woman outside."
[23:25] <Maz> "What do you mean?" Maz asks, confusion seeping into her voice. "If it's about asking me or the rest of us for help in weening that fiendling off evil, I don't mind lending a hand to you. The part about goals, life and sin just went by me, though."
[23:29] <Carthrat> "Well.. let me say it again," she replies, frowning. "It's my goal to solve these rips... that's for now. Long-term, things don't really change, though." She gives a shrug. "There'll always be something like this to deal with, something evil, right? Maybe good people like me are too.. merciful, perhaps, so we need to rely on others who aren't bound by such. People who can really put a stop to things." She shakes her head. (More.)
[23:31] <Carthrat> "I can't just rely on other people for that, right? I mean.. I'd be happy to accept your help. I'd love it, in fact. I'd beg for it, but I can't do it all the time. I'll need to step up someday, and I can't do that if I can't do what needs to be done. Whatever that is." She looks as confused as she sounds at the end.
[23:34] * Thrall shakes his head slowly. "If you seek to emulate us, you'll lose sight of yourself, Lucia. People like us..." he considers his phrasing a long moment, stroking his stubbly chin, "We maintain the status quo. We can keep evil from overcoming the realms... but do we really improve things beyond that? It's people like you that can make the world a better place for everyone. Do you understand?"
[23:36] <Carthrat> She's quiet for a moment, staring at the shadows around the mirror. "This place really makes you think, doesn't it," she says. "I.. I think I understand a little more, now. I don't know how much I agree, but.. it's simple when you say things like that, I guess."
[23:38] <Maz> "If you need to rely on us for now, do it," Maz adds. "Just ask, and I'll be there for you. Train, and gather strength, and your own power will grow as well, the power to subdue those who need to be without causing them lasting harm, if you so wish. One thing's clear, though... you need to make a conscious choice to follow that path, no matter the hardships. Everything else would resolve itself."
[23:39] * Thrall snorts dourly. "Can't believe we have to thank this madhouse for giving life lessons..." he mutters, looking away to hide the slight upwards curve of his tusky maw.
[23:41] <Maz> "We might as well," Maz responds with a hidden sigh. "I'm pretty certain there lies no victory here for me, whatever I do."
[23:42] <Carthrat> "It's funny. An apparition, you say," says Lucia, suddenly. "I'm learning lessons through what you've seen beyond that glass. It's stupid to proclaim that I'm good, without knowing how that fits into things. But.. well, I know what I want to do, now," she continues, straightforwardly. "I don't know what lessons you're learning.. I hope they illuminate your way."
[23:43] <Maz> "Oh, they do," Maz says, nodding. "Would you like to meet my real sister some day?" she asks Lucia suddenly.
[23:43] * Hotaru-chan is now known as Seraphin
[23:45] <Carthrat> "Your twin? Is she like you?" asks Lucia, wondering. "Or is she like your cousins?"
[23:46] <Maz> "I always thought she was like them, but smarter," Maz responds. "But she just might be nice, fluffy and good deep down." She nods firmly to that. "Here's to hoping you'll work your magic on her and help me save her."
[23:47] <Carthrat> "I can't build until you tear it down," she chuckles, grimly.
[23:47] <Maz> "I was hoping for some metaphorical magic, but I guess that works as well," Maz agrees. "I'll see you soon, once we've opened a path to the other floor."
[23:49] <Thrall> "Once more unto the breach..." Thrall sighs, before stepping back into the mirror.
[23:49] <Carthrat> The Waterdhavian surroundings are as hazy and quasi-real as ever. Yet the ground remains solid beneath your feet...
[23:49] * Maz takes to the air once more as she crosses on the other side. "We'll need a black key here," she mentions, pointing left.
[23:51] <Carthrat> The black barrier wavers before you, awaiting the necessary key.
[23:54] <Thrall> "Want to face as much of our sordid pasts as possible?" Thrall asks grimly as he hefts his axe, going to open the requested gate.
[23:55] <Maz> "Naturally," she agrees, wand in hand.
[23:56] <Carthrat> The blackness drifts away, revealing... the spire of a mountain? Three great cairn stones lurk there, and a ghostly apparition hovers slightly above the ground. You recognize it as your druidic cousin, whom you slew upon the cairn mountain... with one important difference. His eyes are bandaged with a strip of white cloth.
[23:56] <Maz> "Well, if there was ever someone I wanted to kill all over again..." Maz mutters to herself.
[23:58] <Carthrat> "I am the 3Bishop1," he states. "I and my siblings be the first of thy kin slain. The first of many in your heart. Thy bloodlust; does it extend beyond retribution? Does it extend beyond responsibility? This test determines neither, but is the lone avenging claw!"
[23:59] <Maz> "Cease your rantings," Maz commands him. "Your respawning goes beyond the ridiculous. Just how many times must you face me and die a horrible, bloody death before appearing in front of your maker?"
[00:00] <Carthrat> "My maker is thee, but alas, my defeat signals the end of vengeance," he responds. The image slowly begins shifting, the three stones glowing with green light! OOC: Init, actions?
[00:01] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[00:01] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 8."12 [1d20=6]
[00:01] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[00:01] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 20."12 [1d20=15]
[00:01] <Maz> "Well, you've met me, then, I guess," Maz deadpans, twirling her wand.
[00:01] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[00:01] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 21."12 [1d20=17]
[00:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+2
[00:02] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+2 and gets 10."12 [1d20=8]
[00:04] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Maz > Seraphin > GhostlyDruid > Thrall > Korin goes last because he's not here'
[00:07] <Maz> "Might as well stick to the basics," Maz murmurs, sending a pair of bright missiles at the druid before drawing her dagger and flying around him.
[00:07] <Maz> roll 2d4+2
[00:07] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 2d4+2 and gets 8."12 [2d4=4, 2]
[00:08] <Carthrat> The druid-apparition flinches as the bolts hit him, but his body is already changing, twisting into a more lion-like form!
[00:11] <Seraphin> Seraphin just sighs softly, her figure a movement of shadows and blood, moving around and behind, magical steel tearing into the creature's unprotected flank!
[00:11] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+12
[00:11] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[00:11] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:11] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 71."12 [1d100=71]
[00:11] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit, damage, sa
[00:11] <Seraphin> roll 3d6+5
[00:11] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 3d6+5 and gets 15."12 [3d6=2, 2, 6]
[00:13] <Carthrat> Even as Seraphin's blow strikes home, she sees her wound begin to close as the creature full shapeshifts into a terrifying, ghostly lion! With pale white skin, gleaming fangs, and it's eyes pinpoints of fiery red, it shimmers in the air, a malefic presence that sickens those who even gaze at it! OOC: Fort saves, everyone.
[00:13] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8
[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17."12 [1d20=9]
[00:15] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[00:15] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[00:15] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[00:15] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14."12 [1d20=9]
[00:16] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+3
[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+3 and gets 6."12 [1d20=3]
[00:16] <Carthrat> roll 3d4
[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 3d4 and gets 8."12 [3d4=1, 4, 3]
[00:16] <Carthrat> OOC: Seraphin takes 1 strength damage, 4 dex damage, and 3 con damage
[00:17] <Carthrat> Seraphin's very soul is ravaged by the terrifying appearance of the beast, sapping the edge of her physical skills!
[00:19] * Thrall is undaunted by the display, striding purposefully towards the ghostly lion next to Seraphin and hacking a vicious arc with his axe into its flank!
[00:19] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-5 power attack)
[00:19] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-5 power attack) and gets 28."12 [1d20=18]
[00:19] <Thrall> roll 1d12+19
[00:19] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+19 and gets 27."12 [1d12=8]
[00:19] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:19] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 49."12 [1d100=49]
[00:20] <Carthrat> Thrall's blow cleaves through what seems to be empty air, his mighty axe seemingly unable to break apart real flesh!
[00:22] * Korin quickly joins the others in surrounding the beast, picking a spot next to Maz as he unleashes a fast stab with his short sword.
[00:22] <Korin> roll 1d20+12
[00:22] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28."12 [1d20=16]
[00:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 14."12 [1d100=14]
[00:24] <Carthrat> Korin's blade simply slips through the incorporeal creature! It's a meaningless effort...
[00:27] * Maz takes a small step behind Korin, her hands fishing out a scroll and casting a spell from it on his second weapon, whispering to him, "This would improve your chances."
[00:27] * Korin nods back at Maz.
[00:28] <Seraphin> Ser doesn't hold back now given the opportunity, both weapons flash, diving for the creature's innards and what else she might be able to tear out in the interest of killing it!
[00:28] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 15."12 [1d20=5]
[00:28] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
[00:28] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 36."12 [1d100=36]
[00:30] <Carthrat> Innards? Only empty air meets her raging blades! The creature stares at Maz, magic being the most fearsome creation against it! With a ghostly roar, it's gaze alone begins to shred her soul apart! OOC: Fort Save
[00:31] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[00:31] * ChanServ sets mode: +a Carthrat
[00:31] <Carthrat> Her soul stands strong, however, resisting attempts at etheric knives!
[00:32] * Thrall growls as his axe fails to find purchase on the creature's ghostly flesh, making another attempt, this time trying to rake the blade right down the shapechanged druid's spine!
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-5 power attack)
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-5 power attack) and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
[00:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 68."12 [1d100=68]
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+5 (-5 power attack)
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+5 (-5 power attack) and gets 14."12 [1d20=9]
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: Wow, that hits
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: Damage
[00:33] <Thrall> OOC: what about the second?
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: It missed.
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d12+19
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+19 and gets 21."12 [1d12=2]
[00:34] <Carthrat> Magical steel finally finds purchase, rending away drops of ethereal blood! The ghost wavers, fragmented body remaining together nonetheless!
[00:34] * Korin switches to using his other weapon as he makes a quick strike to test his luck this time.
[00:34] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[00:35] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:35] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 12."12 [1d100=12]
[00:35] <Carthrat> The blade misses again! Korin feels something... writhing on the backs of his hands, something that is... hot.
[00:36] * Maz retreats to the maximum range allotted by her wand, her feathery wings keeping her afloat, and sends another pair of missiles at her incorporeal cousin.
[00:36] <Maz> roll 2d4+2
[00:36] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 2d4+2 and gets 8."12 [2d4=3, 3]
[00:37] <Carthrat> The pair of blasts find impact as if the beast was a solid wall! It does not howl in pain, but instead takes a great intake of unseeing breath!
[00:38] <Seraphin> If at first you don't succeed... Seraphin's weapons slash! Whether they will be effective or not, seems best left to chance.
[00:38] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[00:38] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13."12 [1d20=4]
[00:38] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[00:38] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 25."12 [1d20=17]
[00:38] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:38] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 89."12 [1d100=89]
[00:38] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit, Ser, SA damage as well
[00:39] <Seraphin> roll 3d6+1
[00:39] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 3d6+1 and gets 11."12 [3d6=3, 3, 4]
[00:40] <Carthrat> The beast lurches, deadly blows taking apart unreal vitals! Yet it still explodes with fearsome might, a terrible roar echoing across the battlefield! OOC: Everyone but Korin makes a will save
[00:40] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 20."12 [1d20=16]
[00:40] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+2
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+2 and gets 17."12 [1d20=15]
[00:42] <Thrall> "Just die again!" Thrall snarls, axe whipping into the creature's side in a whirling frenzy of obsidian bladed death!
[00:43] <Thrall> roll 1d20+13 (-2 power attack)
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+13 (-2 power attack) and gets 17."12 [1d20=4]
[00:43] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 (-2 power attack)
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 (-2 power attack) and gets 20."12 [1d20=12]
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 51."12 [1d100=51]
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 68."12 [1d100=68]
[00:43] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit hit
[00:43] <Thrall> roll 2d12+26
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 2d12+26 and gets 36."12 [2d12=7, 3]
[00:44] <Carthrat> With Thrall's final pair of blows, the creature dissolves into mist, vanishing from sight as if it never were! The cairn-stones vanish as well, leaving behind another desolate strip of ghostly Waterdeep.
[00:44] <Maz> "This vengeance was strangely hollow," Maz comments to no one in particular. "Perhaps I was all out of hate for him after the second time we killed those guys."
[00:45] <Seraphin> "Well that was quick, even if I feel like I was run over by a herd of horses," Seraphin notes dryly, sighing and looking around. This place is really sort of anti-climactic at times.
[00:45] <Thrall> "These things only wear the faces of those we know, nothing else," Thrall states dourly, reaching down to pick up the fallen orb. "You alright, Seraphin?" he asks, noting she looks even paler than usual.
[00:46] * Korin grimaces as he puts away his shortswords and rubs his hand, pulling off the gloves to see if something has changed on those tattoos of his. Given the voice bellowing in his head and the pain, something must have happened.
[00:47] <Carthrat> The tatoos seemed to be carved out of red ink rather than black ink, now. They've also shifted, slightly, though the runes are still undecipherable...
[00:48] <Maz> "We could bypass the others," Maz muses, flying closer to the others, "though can we really have the faith to go against Elric, if we run cowardly from our very own memories?"
[00:48] <Seraphin> "It feelws like the thing was chewing on my inner soul and then buried it for safe keeping," Seraphin snorts, sheathing her weapons, gems clicking out.
[00:49] <Thrall> "Remember, Maz - the nature of this tower is to delay us from reaching Elric in time," Thrall cautions. "The more time we play with these figments, the less time we have to catch Elric."
[00:49] <Korin> "...Hey Maz, I don't suppose I can bug you to take a look at these tattoos of mine?" the swashbuckler asks with a little bit of worry.
[00:49] <Maz> "We have plenty of time," she says, waving off those concerns. "The only way this would stall us is by going after our psyche."
[00:53] * Maz blinks, and glances at the tattoos as she waits for the others to agree to her plan or propose another.
[00:54] * Seraphin glances at the tatoos, trying to decipher their meanings or match them to her own lingual knowledge.
[00:54] <Thrall> "I say we take the quickest way to complete this floor - we have nothing to gain by seeking further battle amongst these fictions of those we knew," Thrall offers his opinion. "And too much to lose."
[00:55] <Maz> "Shadow fire magic, something about setting fire in dreams. Or making shadows. Or shadows of fire." Maz messes up her hair with her free hand. "I'll need a lot more time and a quieter atmosphere to make better sense of this."
[00:57] <Korin> "Yeah, well, I just heard a voice telling me to call upon the dream muse and use the fires of shadow, and then my hands starting to burn. I can't say I'm too comfortable right now..." he mutters as he puts back on his gloves.
[00:57] <Maz> "I'm not comfortable with fire, either," she agrees.
[00:58] <Maz> "Well then, we're off to see an older Lucia?" she asks the others. "Want me to sit this one out, so her present version will come with you instead?"
[00:58] <Thrall> "Considering it seems Elric gets his power from the Shadow Plane, it could be relevant... I'm not all that familiar with the abilities your heritage grants, though," Thrall notes to Korin as he listens to the translations.
[00:59] <Korin> "I don't mind fire, I do mind the fact that I might set us all on fire," Korin replies.
[01:00] <Maz> "I do want to mention that I can't go to the higher floor until I memorize my spells all over again, and it is a day from now," Maz points out. "If I do go up unprepared...."
[01:01] <Thrall> "If you want to rest up, we can try and clear the rest of the way to the exit," Thrall offers, slinging his axe back into its harness.
[01:02] * Maz shrugs noncommittally, and flies aside to let Thrall pass.
[01:03] <Carthrat> The way back to the gates you stood at in your previous fight seems long, longer than it should be. Yet you reach it nonetheless, only a couple minutes passing in your travel time. The two white barriers loom ahead, what lies behind a mystery...
[01:07] * Maz collects the second white orb and presses each to a barrier.
[01:08] <Carthrat> The barriers fade away, revealing a narrow stairwell, hovering over an icy chasm, up through which a cold draft blows. A great pillar rises out of it, and three staircases, including the one you just came from, branch off. A podium with a crystal ball sits there, and woman in a blue dress stares at it, like an automaton.
[01:10] * Maz flies towards the woman, at a relatively slow speed.
[01:11] * Thrall cautiously approaches behind Maz, wondering what to make of this obstacle.
[01:11] * Maz allows the woman a chance to recognize her, first.
[01:11] <Carthrat> "Gold," states the woman, flatly. "How much do you have?"
[01:12] <Maz> "How much do you want?" Maz asks in return.
[01:14] <Carthrat> "Oh, I don't know. I don't need it. It's not useful to me," responds Lucia, turning to face you. She does not look remarkably different from before... only the expression on her face seems to have changed. "I need it to build a way out of here, even though that's impossible. I'll just take everything you have."
[01:15] <Maz> "What if I take you out of here? I don't know how money could help, but maybe I could?"
[01:16] <Carthrat> "Regrettably, Thrall was right when he said we're nothing but the faces we wear," she responds. "This room is all I am. There's only one way you can see me again outside of here."
[01:17] <Maz> "And what would that way be?" Maz inquires, tilting her head.
[01:18] <Carthrat> "If I stay with you," she cautions. "If I stay with you in your present, it's how I'll become who I am today. Sounds funny, doesn't it? But building is harder than slaying, especially when what you've been building is torn down by the one who taught you how."
[01:20] <Maz> "Would you like to stay with us in our present? Or would you, given the chance, make a different choice?"
[01:21] <Carthrat> "After watching you vanish into that mirror for a second time, I wanted to stay with you," responds Lucia. "It made me so happy when you talked to me that way, that I..." She shakes her head, suddenly. "I didn't know what to think, then, not really. But do you really think one like.. like who I was, can stay much longer with your group, and remain unaffected?"
[01:24] <Maz> "You affected me as much as I affected you, I bet," Maz responds thoughtfully. "And I'm sure the rest is true for the others, as well. Is that really so bad?"
[01:25] <Thrall> "Perhaps not," Thrall admits slowly. "But Maz is right, it does work both ways. Who can say what the future truly holds, though?"
[01:26] <Carthrat> "Hmph. I can. The ruler of this tower thinks he can," she replies. "Is that it? If Lucia stays with you, she may end up like me, and that's that. Do you think that's what she wants?"
[01:28] <Maz> "Knowledge of the future inadvertently changes it, wether we want it to or not," Maz responds. "Simply by knowing what you've told us, you could still become someone else, some third possibility not mentioned so far."
[01:31] <Carthrat> "Hope and pray for that," responds Lucia, beginning to shimmer away. "In the end, you did change me there... I thought to charge you passage, but memory alone.." She stares at the bottomless chasm, frowning to herself. "It would've been nice to meet myself... but this is your place, anyhow. May my memories never come to pass..."
[01:32] <Maz> "Were you happy with us?" Maz blurts out, as the shadow begins disappearing.
[01:33] <Carthrat> "Always, even after I-..." she replies, before the image fades out away completely.
[01:34] * Maz burns with a cold hatred for Elric and his crimes, too numerous to count.
[01:35] <Carthrat> The room itself doesn't regain the texture of Waterdeep, remaining a pillar and a chasm in all.
[01:35] * Thrall sighs just a little. Funny how much the girl's grown on him... it'd be a shame to see her turn out like he has, though. "Are we going to take the thing in the middle of the map, now?" he asks.
[01:35] * Maz approaches the orb, gazing into it.
[01:36] <Carthrat> The orb itself reflects empty sky; it's as if it was gazing into the twisted horizon you could see outside. In moments, though, even it begins to fade, replaced with another black stone.
[01:38] <Maz> "Those of us continuing into the central area should ask Gale for his sword," Maz says, turning back to face the others.
[01:39] <Thrall> "You two are the ones that prefer swords," Thrall notes, looking towards Seraphin and Korin. "I'm happy with my axe."
[01:40] <Maz> "I'm not certain how much your axe can hurt him," Maz says, frowning. "I always remembered the old man as being strong. Very, very strong."
[01:41] <Thrall> "If there's only one sword that can even scratch him, we're in a lot of trouble," Thrall states flatly.
[01:42] <Maz> "Three swords, actually," Maz responds. "Silversheen should do the trick as well."
[01:42] <Seraphin> "Korin might have an easier time touching Gale's sword than me. I doubt you have as much blood on your hands," Seraphin remarks dryly to her fellow tiefling.
[01:45] <Korin> "I can try to use it, I suppose," Korin comments after a bit of thought on the matter.
[01:45] <Thrall> "Go ask to borrow it, then," Thrall nods, calmly settling in to wait until they're prepared.
[01:47] <Maz> "Anything you want to know, besides what that knight already told you?" Maz asks Thrall and Seraphin, touching down.
[01:48] * Korin nods as he leaves the trio to go talk with Gale.
[01:49] <Carthrat> "Borrow it?" asks Gale, with some consternation. "I suppose that's not impossible. I guess I'm not brave enough to take it beyond there..." he chuckles.
[01:49] * Thrall shrugs. "Anything useful, I suppose - preferred weapons or magic?"
[01:50] <Maz> "Anything from the White Codicil would not be out of the question, and I especially remember his powers over the minds and actions of others," she says, almost seething. "And he had great physical strength."
[01:53] * Korin smiles. "Yes, if you don't mind I would like to borrow it. Don't worry, I'll return it in the same condition," he comments with a nod. "It could come in handy in the followin fights."
[01:54] * Thrall idly recalls how he once had great physical strength... stupid Djinni. "So he could turn us against each other... any spells to help with that?"
[01:54] <Carthrat> "As long as you return it," replies Gale, making a face. "Don't get lost in there, alright? And.. well, could I borrow one of yours? Don't know what might find us out here," he adds, taking it off his belt.
[01:55] <Maz> "Sure!" she agrees happily. "I have just the thing, though I may not have enough for everyone."
[01:58] * Korin laughs. "I planned to. I wouldn't want to leave you defenseless either." He comments as he pulls out his two swords. "Pick your poison," he says with a grin.
[01:59] <Carthrat> Gale takes one of the swords, frowning a bit. "I'm not used to these light blades," he says, making a face. "But I'll make do! Just focus everything you know to be right when you strike with my sword, and you'll unleash it's power."
[02:00] * Korin nods. "I will."
[02:08] <Carthrat> It's almost like you've walked into the last room you travelled through... there is another great pillar, rising out of a chasm. But rather than marble stairwells, there are great wooden rope-bridges, hanging precariously over the fiery pits. One extends from your platform, reaching for the centre pillar, on top of which stands a red-cloaked humanoid with a powerful presence. With an imperious glare, he chuckles as the party approaches.
[02:09] <Maz> "I would like to take this chance to tell you that I hate you," Maz tells the figure as soon as she sees him.
[02:10] * Thrall readies his axe once more, not caring one way or another about this foe. Just an obstacle...
[02:12] * Seraphin boredly clicks the gems into her sword. More killing. Time to get on with it.
[02:12] <Carthrat> "Hate is all that's inspired," he responds. "It is all this place begets." He gazes at Korin. "Ultimately, hate stirs the fires within you... master the flame, fool, and master thyself! Or it will master you- all of you!"
[02:12] <Carthrat> OOC: Init, yeah.
[02:12] * Korin pulls out his borrowed sword and his remaining shortsword. "Well, looks like we can finally get all this over with."
[02:12] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[02:12] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16."12 [1d20=11]
[02:12] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[02:12] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 6."12 [1d20=4]
[02:12] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[02:12] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19."12 [1d20=15]
[02:13] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+3
[02:13] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+3 and gets 17."12 [1d20=14]
[02:13] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+4
[02:13] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+4 and gets 9."12 [1d20=5]
[02:14] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Maz > Seraphin > Korin > Lord Nebes > Thrall'
[02:14] <Maz> Focusing her hate in the palm of her left hand, raised skywards, Maz thrusts it towards this fiction of her father, a trio of bolts screaming through the air at him!
[02:15] <Maz> roll 3d4+3
[02:15] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d4+3 and gets 11."12 [3d4=2, 3, 3]
[02:16] <Carthrat> The bolts collide with him, but he barely flinches, despite the pain those bolts can deal! A flash of dark fire appears above his head, scorching back towards the icy witch!
[02:16] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+7
[02:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
[02:16] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+7
[02:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23."12 [1d20=16]
[02:16] <Carthrat> roll 4d6+4
[02:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 4d6+4 and gets 18."12 [4d6=1, 6, 6, 1]
[02:18] <Seraphin> Seraphin moves at a quick pace on across the bridge, trying to get over, and hoping she isn't going to just be left alone over here.
[02:18] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[02:18] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10."12 [1d20=5]
[02:18] <Carthrat> OOC: Pass, you make it to next to him
[02:25] <Carthrat> OOC: Alright, I'll assume you ran to one side of him
[02:25] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin?
[02:25] * Korin dashes forward, chasing after Seraphin so she doesn't find herself alone with their opponent.
[02:26] <Carthrat> OOC: Balance check!
[02:26] <Korin> roll 1d20+14
[02:26] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+14 and gets 30."12 [1d20=16]
[02:26] <Carthrat> Korin dances across the rope-bridge like it's as sturdy a floor as any, finding himself up-close and personal in moments!
[02:29] <Korin> With Gale's longsword in hand, Korin proceeds to pull it overhead once he's within range, before bringing it downward with all the force he can muster to strike at Maz's dad.
[02:29] <Carthrat> OOC: Are you unleashing SMITE?
[02:31] <Carthrat> The tattoo's on Korin's hands twist as he attempts to unleash the fury of the blade! Blazing white fire courses from his tattoos across his hands! It flows up, combining with the holy magic of the sword! OOC: Make an attack roll. +4 to hit on top of whatever else you're getting atm.
[02:33] <Korin> roll 1d20+9
[02:33] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
[02:34] <Carthrat> The blazing blade fails to cut past unaturally tough flesh! The fire on the blade does not vanish, however, remaining white-hot and blinding to the eye! But Lord Nebes grins, suddenly. "With the borrowed might of angels, you think to best ME?!" he yells! With a flash of smoke, he's surrounding by a ring of red flames, dancing about him like a shield!
[02:35] <Thrall> Despite his bulky armour, Thrall hurries across the bridge as best he can to assist in the battle!
[02:35] <Thrall> roll 1d20-3 for balance
[02:35] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20-3 for balance and gets 8."12 [1d20=11]
[02:36] <Carthrat> Thrall trips and falls over on the bridge, unbalanced by his heavy armour! It twists madly as his weight falls down upon it, threatening to throw him off! OOC: Quick, trying to do something?
[02:37] * Thrall tries to grab onto the ropes in order to keep from falling, alas having to let go of his adamantine axe in order to use his hands in this endeavour!
[02:38] <Carthrat> OOC: Reflex save!
[02:38] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[02:38] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22."12 [1d20=18]
[02:39] <Carthrat> Thrall's axe plummets away, dropping into the fires below, but Thrall himself is able to catch onto the ropes and steady himself well enough to lose the chances of him falling!
[02:40] * Maz darts after the falling axe, her wings keeping her on course as she stretches out an arm to grab a hold of the haft.
[02:40] <Maz> roll 1d20+4
[02:40] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19."12 [1d20=15]
[02:42] <Carthrat> Maz is able to snatch the axe, rapidly plunging into the fires below! They lick against her protections, but fail to breach them!
[02:43] <Seraphin> Seraphin lashes out with both weapons she has available to her, trying to at least do SOMETHING to this...thing.
[02:43] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[02:43] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 28."12 [1d20=19]
[02:43] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 25."12 [1d20=17]
[02:44] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13 crit confirm
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 crit confirm and gets 16."12 [1d20=3]
[02:44] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[02:44] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."12 [1d6=3]
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."12 [1d6=4]
[02:44] <Seraphin> roll 6d6+5
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 6d6+5 and gets 30."12 [6d6=5, 3, 4, 3, 4, 6]
[02:45] <Carthrat> As Seraphin strikes with her blades, the consuming fires about Maz's constructed father flash and burn her, her fire resistance not enough to stop the oddly draining flames from damaging her!
[02:48] <Korin> Korin's shortsword joins Gale's longsword in a joint attack as Korin proceeds to attempt to slice and pierce Maz's father into pieces.
[02:48] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[02:48] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[02:48] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[02:48] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[02:48] <Korin> roll 1d20+5 threat confirm
[02:48] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 threat confirm and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d8+5
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d8+5 and gets 10."12 [1d8=5]
[02:50] <Korin> roll 1d6+4
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+4 and gets 6."12 [1d6=2]
[02:50] <Korin> roll 2d6
[02:50] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 2d6 and gets 7."12 [2d6=5, 2]
[02:51] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[02:51] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[02:51] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."12 [1d6=4]
[02:51] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 12."12 [1d6=5]
[02:51] <Carthrat> Korin's swords make a terrible hissing sound as they plunge into the imposing magi! Black flames lash out against him in retaliation, searing his hardy tiefling flesh!
[02:53] <Carthrat> Lord Nebes' hands glow with fierce arcane might! With one hand, white strings fly forth, attempting to affix themselves to Korin's head- but they trail away, made nothing by Maz's protective spell! His other hand glows with malelific force, held up high! Dark energy begins to trail around it, seemingly drawn from the air itself!
[02:53] * Thrall attempts to make his way across the remainder of the bridge...
[02:55] <Thrall> roll 1d20-3 for balancing
[02:55] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20-3 for balancing and gets 13."12 [1d20=16]
[02:56] * Maz flies up to Thrall, her wings straining from exertion, and lays his adamantine axe before him. "Why? Why kill her if you were going to bring her back, anyway?" she asks, turning to face the figment of her father once her task is done.
[02:57] * Thrall gratefully accepts the axe.
[02:57] <Carthrat> 4"HATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATE!"1 squeals your father- seeming less real every passing second! The orb he holds in one hand swirls around him, and he appears not as the imposing figure you know, but simply a great, humanoid shadow-creature!
[02:58] <Seraphin> Seraphin's weapons don't stop, tearing and tearing, steel trying to seep in and locate whatever pieces of shadowflesh they can!
[02:58] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[02:58] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13."12 [1d20=4]
[02:58] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[02:58] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 11."12 [1d20=3]
[02:59] <Carthrat> Seraphin's blades meet only tough skin, as if the outer shell of the creation was there a moment ago! The form shifts, slowly... becoming the image of her own father! Surrounded by flames that mercifully do not strike at the tiefling, he glowers at her. "Foolish child! All you have begot is anger!" he roars!
[03:00] * Korin continues his own onslaught as he shifts his hold on Gale's longsword so he can throw in a slash from below flowing upwards, while using that motion to spin and pierce with his shortsword.
[03:00] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[03:00] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16."12 [1d20=11]
[03:01] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14."12 [1d20=4]
[03:01] <Carthrat> OOC: Hitmiss
[03:01] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 9."12 [1d6=2]
[03:01] <Korin> roll 1d8+5
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d8+5 and gets 12."12 [1d8=7]
[03:01] <Korin> roll 2d6
[03:01] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 2d6 and gets 5."12 [2d6=2, 3]
[03:04] <Carthrat> The beast of shadow is utterly unreal! Dozens of faces switch across it... ElricNebesRellyKardonGaleLucia ranging the gamut from your hated enemies, to your companions; all faces are twisted in anger, in rage. The massive orb it holds aloft in one hand is suddenly pressed into the ground! A rippling wave of blue-black energy shimmers out, encompassing the entire room! OOC: Reflex saves, everyone
[03:05] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[03:05] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 24."12 [1d20=20]
[03:05] <Korin> roll 1d20+7
[03:05] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+7 and gets 14."12 [1d20=7]
[03:05] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[03:05] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 25."12 [1d20=20]
[03:05] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[03:05] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 23."12 [1d20=15]
[03:05] <Carthrat> roll 6d8
[03:05] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 6d8 and gets 24."12 [6d8=1, 7, 4, 5, 2, 5]
[03:06] <Carthrat> Sheer force blasts across you all! Korin bears the brunt of the assault, the demonic figure turning on him, the one with the holy swords! But everyone is damaged by it, and nobody finds their resistance useful!
[03:06] * Thrall grunts in pain as he takes half a step back at the hateful explosion of dark power!
[03:08] <Thrall> And then he promptly steps forward, axe crashing into the shadowy shapeshifter, full force!
[03:08] <Thrall> roll 1d20+13
[03:08] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+13 and gets 23."12 [1d20=10]
[03:08] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8
[03:08] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 and gets 16."12 [1d20=8]
[03:09] <Thrall> roll 1d12+9
[03:09] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+9 and gets 16."12 [1d12=7]
[03:09] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit/miss/miss.
[03:09] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+7
[03:09] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6+7 and gets 9."12 [1d6=2]
[03:11] * Maz overcomes the fierce winds summoned by the way of energy, and surveys the battlefield for a brief instance, before she makes her way towards Seraphin, a spell of healing and mending on her lips.
[03:11] <Maz> roll 1d8+2
[03:11] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+2 and gets 8."12 [1d8=6]
[03:12] <Seraphin> Seraphin grits her teeth through the explosion, lashing out again and again in a strugglign storm of attacks!
[03:13] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[03:13] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 23."12 [1d20=14]
[03:13] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[03:13] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
[03:13] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit hit
[03:13] <Seraphin> roll 6d6+5
[03:13] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 6d6+5 and gets 21."12 [6d6=3, 5, 1, 1, 5, 1]
[03:16] <Carthrat> Seraphin is able to strike a blow into the centre of the creature! It freezes, giving off a great wail! Abruptly, the flames die down, the malefic presence dies away... a pile of objects lie on the ground where the creature once stood, objects that were possessions of the ones who hated you... bits of fabric, an arrow, an unstrung harp, a chunk of an axe...
[03:17] * Maz uses up the remainder of her spells to heal her allies.
[03:17] <Maz> roll 1d8+2 K
[03:17] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+2 K and gets 7."12 [1d8=5]
[03:19] <Maz> "Let's grab the orb and open the final gates," Maz tells the others. "I believe we've had enough excitement for the day."
[03:19] * Thrall sighs, once again harnessing his axe. "Agreed."
[03:20] <Korin> "Definitely agreed," Korin snorts as he sheathes his weapons.
[03:21] <Carthrat> Everyone feels awfully sore and battered; the last spell shredded parts of bone and internal organs, making even walking a difficult proposition. Maz's heals help.. a little.

Corwin · November 13, 2006, 07:26:47 AM

[23:02] <Carthrat> The resting is completed; the wounds are cured; the spells are memorized. The mirror through which the alternate Waterdeep once lurked has vanished, replaced with yet another brooding stairwell to climb... "The second-last floor," murmurs Lucia, staring up.
[23:04] * Maz connects everyone via the Message spell, before crafting a suit of armor from thin air, which is then absorbed into her body. "I'm ready," she tells the others.
[23:05] <Thrall> "The next level is guarded by a peerless archer, or so we've been told," Thrall rumbles, stowing his axe and readying his own composite longbow. "The terrain there is designed to favour her, but it will also provide cover for ourselves, I believe."
[23:06] <Maz> "It will also hold sand demons, unless I'm mistaken," Maz adds. "Immune to fire, but vulnerable to weapons such as our friend's longsword."
[23:07] <Thrall> "Those of us with ranged weapons should focus on the archer, while the rest guard us from sand demons?" Thrall suggests a strategy. "Peerless or not, we have numbers on our side if it comes to a shooting match."
[23:08] * Maz frowns, thinking if over. "A more flexible strategy might work better. The way the friendly knight spoke of the archer's defenses, ordinary ranged weapons may well not penetrate them."
[23:09] * Thrall frowns, looking at his mundane bow. "You're right - it's a simple spell to protect oneself against mundane arrows. That could be problematic..."
[23:10] <Korin> "Well, we can always create our own cover of darkness and try to use that to push forward until we're close enough to the archer. We won't be able to attack efficiently while we try to get past the demons, but neither would they," Korin suggests with a shrug.
[23:10] <Maz> "If it's a simple matter of magical weapons, I could solve that easily enough," Maz says. "However, if the concealment is great, it might be best for the rest of you to dispatch the demons while I attempt to draw off the archer's attention and fire."
[23:11] * Thrall bares his tusks as he smiles at Korin. "A good plan," he agrees.
[23:15] <Carthrat> The stairwell to next floor looms ahead, shimmering ever so slightly in the gloomy light the tower does provide. Gale, 'Relly', and Lucia stand ready...
[23:24] <Maz> roll 1d4+1
[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d4+1 and gets 5."12 [1d4=4]
[23:24] * Maz nods, and casts the rest of her protective spells, five winged copies of her appearing in a circle around her in the end.
[23:25] <Thrall> "So, shall we?" Thrall asks, stepping towards the stairwell.
[23:26] <Carthrat> As the party progresses beyond the stairwell, they feel a warm breeze blow across them, from the direction the stairs lead to. You soon find yourselves walking through a slate-grey stone corridor, with a golden light at the end... light, that is revealed to be a brilliant expanse of gleaming sand. (More.)
[23:28] <Carthrat> You find yourself staring across a sandy range, which nonetheless seems to be compacted by yellowstone walls. It is bright, bright enough to be midday in the middle of a desert. There are two great stony stairwells rising up along either side of 'room', leading to a high balcony, on top of which stands a distant figure, wearing a red cloak, shouldering.. something.
[23:30] <Carthrat> In the centre of the sandy front is a... well, all too similar to one you've seen before. Except, this time, it seems to be positively overflowing with water...
[23:33] <Carthrat> "I am positively overjoyed that you have decided to appear," states the figure above, in a husky voice that some amongst you recognize. "Last stop for you, Al'Maz. Thank Naintya, when you see her in hell."
[23:34] * Maz takes to the air, her copies following, observing the robed figure calmly. "Was that the nasty white-haired woman with the staff?"
[23:35] <Carthrat> "Hardly, though Fearlorn was certainly helpful in this regard, as well," she replies. "Naintya is dead, naturally. There is no other way you could have climbed this tower without slaying her first. Indeed, perhaps she took her own life... wretched as it was."
[23:36] <Maz> "I'm terribly sorry to disappoint you," Maz says in a saccharine voice, "but I was convinced to save her life. I guess people change."
[23:37] <Carthrat> 4"LIES!"1
[23:37] <Carthrat> "But nothing new from you, I see."
[23:37] * Hotaru-chan is now known as Seraphin
[23:39] <Maz> "There's nothing wrong with a white lie here and there," Maz responds with a shrug. "It spices up your life." She frowns, then. "I don't really see a reason to lie here, though. You're much too suspicious, I think, and blinded by hatred. Hatred leads to badness, don't you know?"
[23:40] <Thrall> As Maz banters with what's probably another relative of hers, Thrall starts to make his way across the sand towards the stairs on the right hand side, keeping half an eye on what's happening above.
[23:41] * Seraphin shakes her head, following Thrall towards the stairs. They'll probably be at this a while.
[23:41] * Korin starts proceeding towards the left, as he catches what Thrall is doing, attempting to quietly sneak away from the chatting mage and archer's conversation.
[23:44] <Carthrat> "I have you to thank for those things," she snaps. "It doesn't matter now, anyway! As I said before, I'll not take this fall for you, Al'Maz!" She flings away her cloak, revealing an image of what Maz would look like, were she to dress in black leather, and carry a festering bow, constructed out of sinew and tissue. But in her other hand, she grasps something... OOC: Init~
[23:44] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[23:44] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 9."12 [1d20=7]
[23:44] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[23:44] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 and gets 14."12 [1d20=8]
[23:45] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[23:45] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 15."12 [1d20=10]
[23:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+5
[23:45] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17."12 [1d20=12]
[23:45] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+3
[23:45] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+3 and gets 4."12 [1d20=1]
[23:49] <Carthrat> Re'Laizary flings down the pair of black gems she holds in her left hand towards the centre of the desert! With a belch of black smoke, two large.. things appear, appearing to be nothing more than floating cloaks, hovering a couple of feet above the sand! They have a presence, though, one that looms and seems to fill in the gaps within their clothes...
[23:49] <Carthrat> For her own part, Re'Laizary then moves to the right, taking cover behind the corner of the wall.
[23:50] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[23:50] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 17."12 [1d20=17]
[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 18."12 [1d20=18]
[23:51] <Carthrat> Gale begins to play a tune on his harp, inspiring everybody nearby! 'Relly', however, was travelling to the right, attempting to close in on the true Relly alongside Thrall!
[23:51] * Carthrat changes topic to ''Relly' > Gale > Re'Laizary > Korin > Maz > Thrall > Seraphin > Shadow Cowls '
[23:52] <Maz> roll 1d20+14
[23:52] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+14 and gets 34."12 [1d20=20]
[23:56] <Maz> "Nasty critters," Maz mutters, gazing at the cowled shadows with disgust. "Heal from shadow, light harms them, melee with them really harms you if you're unlucky."
[23:58] * Korin continues moving on his path towards the left, speeding up his pace now that the talking is over.
[00:03] * Maz flies towards Relly, before throwing her arms in her direction and snapping her fingers, causing a sonic blast centered on her evil, misguided twin.
[00:04] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 will save-o
[00:04] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 will save-o and gets 13."12 [1d20=13]
[00:04] <Carthrat> OOC: DC?
[00:04] <Maz> OOC: 19
[00:05] <Carthrat> There's a tinkling sound, and breaking of tiny glass objects! The sides of Relly's belt drip a little, blue fluid made useless as the vials break!
[00:05] <Maz> "That's what happens when you side with evil," Maz states with authority, her doubles nodding solemnly.
[00:06] * Thrall drops his bow to the sand, deciding he'll be more useful dealing with these shadow creatures while the others go after Maz's relative. Grabbing the fiery axe he recently looted, the half-orc warrior holds it ready to attack any that come near!
[00:11] <Carthrat> The two shadowcreatures split up! One floats towards Korin, just at the bottom of the arcing ramps, while the other floats towards Thrall, unwittingly letting himself in for a counterattack!
[00:11] * Carthrat changes topic to ''Relly' > Gale > Re'Laizary > Korin > Maz > Thrall = Seraphin = Shadow Cowls '
[00:13] <Thrall> As the creature approaches, Thrall steps forward, swinging his incandescent greataxe forward to cleave into the thing's chest!
[00:13] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 (-5 power attack)
[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 (-5 power attack) and gets 30."12 [1d20=20]
[00:13] <Thrall> roll 1d20+10 threat!
[00:13] <Carthrat> OOC: That's a hit, but not a crit, hilariously.
[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+10 threat! and gets 21."12 [1d20=11]
[00:14] <Thrall> roll 1d12+21
[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+21 and gets 29."12 [1d12=8]
[00:14] <Carthrat> OOC: +1d6 fire yeah.
[00:14] <Thrall> roll 1d6
[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d6 and gets 4."12 [1d6=4]
[00:15] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:15] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 47."12 [1d100=47]
[00:15] <Carthrat> Thrall's fiery blow partially ignites the floating horror, sending cloak and- something physical- underneath spiralling in disarray! But it regains itself, though it seems smaller in composition than it was previous, and lashes out with a tendril of black force!
[00:15] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:15] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[00:16] <Carthrat> But it misses, too disoriented to land a proper blow! The other creature strikes at Korin with it's own lash, attempting to pulverise the lone tiefling!
[00:16] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 2."12 [1d20=2]
[00:19] <Seraphin> With one of the shadow things on Thrall and the other on Korin, Seraphin chooses to go assist her less combative comradelegs carrying her behind the monster attacking Korin, and lashing out with her shortsword at it!
[00:19] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[00:19] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22."12 [1d20=11]
[00:19] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit
[00:20] <Seraphin> roll 2d6+6
[00:20] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 2d6+6 and gets 11."12 [2d6=2, 3]
[00:20] <Carthrat> OOC: +1d6 because your sneak attack is 2d6 now~
[00:20] <Seraphin> roll 1d6
[00:20] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d6 and gets 3."12 [1d6=3]
[00:21] <Carthrat> Seraphin's blow staggers the critter, but doesn't send it down just yet! Gale runs up alongside Thrall, taking a swipe at the creature he fights with the intent to finish it off!
[00:21] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:21] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 5."12 [1d20=5]
[00:22] <Carthrat> But he misses, as 'Relly' continues running up the side of the stairs! In a few moments, she'll be within range of the real Relly... who leans out the side of the wall, taking a short step and firing a volley of arrows towards her counterpart!
[00:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[00:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 6."12 [1d20=6]
[00:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[00:23] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+12
[00:23] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+12 and gets 15."12 [2d8=1, 2]
[00:24] <Carthrat> "Feel that! That's the sting of Angel Scour!" snarls Relly, as 'Relly' staggers back, gazing at a pair of horrible wounds that bleed freely! "You're next!" she adds, glaring heatedly at Maz's many forms!
[00:25] <Maz> "Gee, thanks, love you too!" Maz calls back to her.
[00:27] * Korin turns around and stops to help Seraphin finish off the shadow creature so he doesn't have it trailing after his feet as he chases after the archer...or leave Seraphin without anyone watching her back. As he turns, two strikes lash out at the shadow creature.
[00:27] <Korin> roll 1d20+12
[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
[00:27] <Korin> roll 1d20+12
[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[00:28] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 11."12 [1d6=6]
[00:28] <Korin> roll 1d6+4
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+4 and gets 10."12 [1d6=6]
[00:28] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:28] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 34."12 [1d100=34]
[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 22."12 [1d100=22]
[00:29] <Carthrat> Korin's twin swipes further injure the elemental he faces, glistening blades taking fierce bites out of the creature's cowl and invisible body!
[00:30] * Maz twirls in the air, her hands raised high, and golden energy gathers in her palms. She makes a full turn, and comes to float in mid-air with her hands cupped at her side, before a beam of energy erupts from them, joined by five more, seeking out her sister!
[00:31] <Maz> roll 1d20+8
[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+8 and gets 27."12 [1d20=19]
[00:31] <Maz> roll 1d6+2
[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d6+2 and gets 5."12 [1d6=3]
[00:32] <Carthrat> Relly growls as the beam strikes her, though she doesn't seem truly crippled! The bow flexes and twists and changes as Maz's spell strikes Relly, becoming a little more compact, a little less tightly strung...
[00:33] <Thrall> Snarling ferociously, Thrall rears back with his greataxe before unleashing a terrible horizontal blow into the shadow creature, a quick recovery as he pulls back and then brings the burning blade straight down the middle, a vicious cross-cut!
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+13 (-2 power attack)
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+13 (-2 power attack) and gets 32."12 [1d20=19]
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 (-2 power attack)
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+8 (-2 power attack) and gets 13."12 [1d20=5]
[00:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 52."12 [1d100=52]
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit, miss
[00:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 counterstrike!
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d12+15
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 counterstrike! and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d12+15 and gets 17."12 [1d12=2]
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d6
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d6 and gets 6."12 [1d6=6]
[00:33] <Carthrat> OOC: Will save, Thrall
[00:33] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+4 and gets 23."12 [1d20=19]
[00:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1
[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+1 and gets 8."12 [1d8=7]
[00:35] <Carthrat> Thrall feels an overwhelming wave of nausea creep over him, as memories he thought he'd long forgotten come to the fore! Bravely, he shouts them back, but not before he remembers something bizzare.. something he was sure he never saw before...
[00:35] <Carthrat> However, the creature in front of him is rent in twain by his mighty blow, cloak falling empty to the ground! The other one continues flailing at Korin, however...
[00:35] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:35] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[00:35] <Carthrat> OOC: What's your AC, Korin?
[00:35] * Thrall falters slightly, expression clouding before he shakes his head, putting it out of mind. Right now he needs to focus on the battle!
[00:35] <Korin> ooc: 21
[00:36] <Carthrat> OOC: Will save. >_.
[00:36] <Korin> ooc: ah crap
[00:36] <Korin> roll 1d20+1
[00:36] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+1 and gets 8."12 [1d20=7]
[00:36] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1
[00:36] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+1 and gets 8."12 [1d8=7]
[00:36] <Carthrat> Korin suddenly sees an onslaught of images, each one more painful than the last! His own memories cause him to freeze in indecision and regret! OOC: Stunned for your next round! o-o
[00:37] <Seraphin> Seraphin's attacks continue, two blades going now as they rip into the beast before her, digging practically for internal organs or whatever makes these things tick!
[00:37] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23."12 [1d20=12]
[00:37] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
[00:37] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 and gets 30."12 [1d100=30]
[00:37] <Carthrat> OOC: Two hits, two sneak attacks
[00:37] <Carthrat> OOC: Since this all happened simultaneously, Korin is still flanking it
[00:37] <Seraphin> roll 6d6+8
[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 6d6+8 and gets 32."12 [6d6=5, 4, 1, 6, 6, 2]
[00:38] <Carthrat> Seraphin's pair of fatal blows likewise cut the thing off, causing it to drop on the ground and lie still, motionless!
[00:39] <Carthrat> 'Relly' sags from her place on the stairs, suddenly turning invisible! She appears suddenly before the real 'Relly', who nonetheless seems able enough...
[00:40] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 19."12 [1d20=19]
[00:40] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 threat wtf
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 threat wtf and gets 7."12 [1d20=7]
[00:40] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+4
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+4 and gets 7."12 [1d8=3]
[00:43] <Carthrat> Re'Laizary growls at her sword-wielding foe, taking but a step back (and around the corner, as far as people who aren't her or her enemy are concerned) and unleashing another trio of bolts towards her chest!
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 6."12 [1d20=6]
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+12
[00:43] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+12 and gets 18."12 [2d8=3, 3]
[00:44] <Carthrat> Two find their mark, and just like that, the shadow-crafted genasi is sent flying back, collapsing in the ground with multiple arrow shafts still stuck within her!
[00:44] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Gale > Re'Laizary > Korin > Maz > Thrall = Seraphin = Shadow Cowls '
[00:45] <Carthrat> OOC: Korin loses his turn this action, so... Maz.
[00:47] * Maz flies over to where her new, shadowy friend had fallen, and touches down, glaring at her sister. "Relly, that was pretty inconsiderate of you," she lectures the other tiefling, kneeling to press a hand against the wounded girl's chest, healing energies going through her palm and into the other girl. "Here I am, doing my best to be a target, and you're all rude and unobliging."
[00:47] <Maz> roll 1d8+2
[00:47] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+2 and gets 6."12 [1d8=4]
[00:49] <Carthrat> Barely inches away, your counterpart growls. "Then I will be happy to oblige you," she swears.
[00:49] <Maz> "It's about damn time, too," Maz responds, smiling at her brightly.
[00:49] <Thrall> With his current foe dead, Thrall leaves his bow on the sand for the moment, tearing off after Gale as fast as his armoured form will go!
[00:50] <Carthrat> The shadow-Relly doesn't quite get back up again.. though at least her terrible wounds cease their bleeding. OOC: Ser?
[00:53] * Seraphin moves after Thrall and her not-boyfriend-friend Aasimar bard as long as the creatures are on the floor, moving up towards the Relly Reunion.
[00:55] <Carthrat> Gale manages to make it to 'Relly', laying his own hands upon her as he tries to heal the woman! She's able to stagger to her feet, just barely! But as she clambers up, Re'Laizary produces something- a tiny bead? "Just as I thought," she smirks, as she hurls it towards the trio of people gathered just in front of her!
[00:55] <Carthrat> OOC: Maz needs to make a reflex save.
[00:56] <Maz> roll 1d20+7
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[00:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 8."12 [1d20=8]
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 18."12 [1d20=18]
[00:56] <Carthrat> roll 5d6
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 5d6 and gets 18."12 [5d6=3, 2, 3, 4, 6]
[00:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+5 for gale's heal, why didn't I roll it
[00:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+5 for gale's heal, why didn't I roll it and gets 12."12 [1d8=7]
[00:57] <Carthrat> With a sudden BANG, Al'Maz feels a wave of force strike her, and those gathered nearby! It forms an insulating coccoon around 'Relly', but also tears her almost apart! A layer of force seperates her from the outside world, and Maz and Gale were lucky to escape the same fate!
[00:58] <Carthrat> Relly, herself, turns and runs, once again, legs carrying her at a fast speed! The corridor she runs down turns sharpyl left after only about twenty feet...
[01:00] * Korin shakes his head as he finally is released from the loop of memories, and notes the apparently dead shadow creature and everyone else heading for Relly, and proceeds to go join them.
[01:01] <Carthrat> Korin's able to make it up the stairs towards the balcony, where it seems everyone is gathered... OOC: Maz.
[01:04] * Maz kneels by the dome of force created over their horribly wounded ally, withdrawing a scroll and reading from it quietly, placing one hand on the translucent barrier, channeling her arcane powers into willing it out of existence.
[01:04] <Carthrat> OOC: CL check go
[01:04] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[01:04] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23."12 [1d20=18]
[01:04] <Carthrat> The barrier flashes away, but the woman underneath remains terribly injured, within inches of losing her life!
[01:05] <Thrall> Not having any way of helping out the injured Genasi, Thrall only continues racing down the corridor Maz's sister ran off, wanting to catch her before she finds another defensible spot from which to make their lives miserable!
[01:05] * Maz stands up with a snarl, drawing her ceremonial dagger, and takes off after Relly and Thrall.
[01:07] <Carthrat> Thrall and Maz are both rush about the corner... and see a strange, misty white wall of semi-concealing fog before them! Behind it, they see Relly, just in front of another, similar wall! It seems thin enough to easily walk through...
[01:08] * Seraphin rushes after Thrall and Maz. Can't let them get off on their own!
[01:08] <Carthrat> Back at the balcony, howver, Gale continues to work his healing magic!
[01:08] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+5
[01:08] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+5 and gets 8."12 [1d8=3]
[01:09] * Korin goes to aid Gale as he pulls out his remaining cure potion, which he'd been saving for emergencies, and this certainly counts as one, the genasi in far more need of it than him, as he leans downward to help the girl drink. Seraphin, Thrall and Maz should be able to handle the lone archer on their own.
[01:09] <Carthrat> It's just enough to bring 'Relly' to a sitting position, but no time to worry about that now- Relly rushes towards the other side of the white wall she was standing before! Suddenly, it changes... turning black in colour? You notice, next to the wall you sit near, a strange.. dial, which appears as if it can be set to two different positions.
[01:10] <Korin> roll 1d8+3 healing 'Relly' up some more.
[01:10] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d8+3 healing 'Relly' up some more. and gets 11."12 [1d8=8]
[01:11] <Carthrat> She manages to get to her feat, but she clutches at her stomach! "Those arrows got me pretty bad," she whispers, and you can still see blood dripping from the shafts...
[01:12] * Maz casts her eyes about her quickly, looking for other dials.
[01:12] <Carthrat> OOC: SPot check.
[01:12] <Maz> roll 1d20+5
[01:12] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+5 and gets 25."12 [1d20=20]
[01:14] <Carthrat> Maz can see, just barely, what might be another dial on the other side of the black wall behind the white one; it also seems to be dark in tone, unlike the lighter one nearby.
[01:16] <Maz> "Why did you try to kill that girl?" Maz asks Relly, glaring at her. "She was not a bad sort, you know. And, besides, it's bad form to kill your namesake."
[01:16] * Maz steps through the first wall of white fog as she speaks.
[01:18] <Carthrat> "She was in my way. She was going to stop me dragging you home!" snarls Relly, sounding distant! Maz is able to step through the white wall of fog! A corridor branches out both left and right; great red walls block the way in some places, and she makes out etchings on them, similar to those she remembers from her birthplace!
[01:19] <Maz> "Nice," she mutters to herself, and glances left before continuing onwards, forward.
[01:19] <Carthrat> However, when she tries to walk up against the black wall, she finds it resists her attempts to move forward! Her hands are able to push through a little, but she can't get all the way!
[01:22] * Thrall follows after Maz up to the black fog, before turning right as he thinks he sees a way to circle around the barrier that seems to have stymied the tiefling mage!
[01:24] <Carthrat> But, regrettably, Thrall does not see an easy passage- only another large, black fog! The dial hangs on the other side, unreachable from here!
[01:25] <Maz> "Gale," Maz calls out quietly through the Message, "there is a small dial at the right of the entrance, please turn it so that Relly can't escape."
[01:26] <Carthrat> "Right," he replies. "We won't be able to follow through if I do that.. I'll let Korin go in, and then close it off."
[01:27] <Korin> "Eh? Something happened?" Korin asks, turning to look at Gale as he hears his name.
[01:27] <Carthrat> "Maz wants me to close off the exists with these.. dials.. so that her nemesis cannot escape," states Gale, frowning. "I was going to let you go in first."
[01:31] * Korin nods. "Okay," Korin comments as he stands up and gives a warm smile at the genasi. "You just rest up, and let your injuries heal. Try not to move too much, lest you hurt your stomach worse."
[01:31] * Seraphin begins heading the other direction from THrall and Maz, down the hallway to look for more walls or passages!
[01:36] <Carthrat> Seraphin is able to scout out the entire rest of the complex as she rushes down! Just ahead, she can see a grim mockery of the Well of Memories; built into the greenstone floors of this place, it bubbles with some vile green liquid- acid, perhaps? "Lucia!", yells Gale, calling back from the balcony!
[01:38] <Carthrat> From the other side of the shadows, however, Relly stares daggers at Maz! "I've all the arrows I need to deal with you," she hisses, drawing forth a trio of them and loosing them at Maz- seemingly undeterred by the concealing black wall in front!
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 10."12 [1d20=10]
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d6
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d6 and gets 4."12 [1d6=4]
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d5
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d5 and gets 4."12 [1d5=4]
[01:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d4
[01:39] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d4 and gets 2."12 [1d4=2]
[01:40] <Carthrat> The arrows whistle forth, cutting out three seperate images of Maz! Three remain, and the tiefling remains completely unharmed by Relly's assault!
[01:42] * Laggy is now known as Asher
[01:43] <Thrall> With no way to advance where he is right now, Thrall heads back down the corridor towards the west, before turning the dial before the black wall at the middle path northwards!
[01:45] <Carthrat> The black wall at the middle path turns white, glaring brightly and allowing passage through!
[01:46] <Korin> "We'll leave you to Lucia's tender mercies. In the meantime, I suppose I have some helping out to do," Korin comments as he starts to go into the next room, drawing out his shortswords again.
[01:47] <Maz> "You're such an evil, nasty bitch," Maz growls, throwing her arm in Relly's direction, her remaining images following suit, and trios of bright bolts shoot towards her. "Always with the stabbing and the shooting and the trying to kill your loving sister!"
[01:47] <Maz> roll 3d4+3
[01:47] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d4+3 and gets 10."12 [3d4=2, 2, 3]
[01:48] <Carthrat> Relly spits as the bolts lash into her, trembling with barely harnessed raged. "Maybe. But I've never SUCCEEDED, unlike SOME," she screams, more arrows flickering in her off-hand!
[01:50] <Maz> "Would you believe it wasn't my fault?" Maz asks her innocently.
[01:52] * Seraphin continues her slow and quiet project in the interest of spilling Re'Laizary's blood all over the floor.
[01:52] <Carthrat> Back at the balcony, Gale switches the rear dial, preventing further escape for all involved! OOC: Make hide/move silently checks, Ser?
[01:53] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+13 Hide
[01:53] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+13 Hide and gets 19."12 [1d20=6]
[01:53] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11 Move Silently
[01:53] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+11 Move Silently and gets 24."12 [1d20=13]
[01:53] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:53] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:53] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 18."12 [1d20=18]
[01:53] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 5."12 [1d20=5]
[01:55] <Carthrat> Out of the corner of her eye, Relly is able to spy Seraphin's slow advance! "Cease your moronic words!" she snarls, letting loose only a single arrow at Maz, before dashing off further to the right, and heading further left!
[01:55] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:55] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[01:55] <Carthrat> roll 1d3
[01:55] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d3 and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[01:56] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+3
[01:56] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+3 and gets 8."12 [1d8=5]
[01:56] <Carthrat> The arrow lands solidly in the real-Maz's thigh, draining blood and causing the mage to stumble, limply!
[01:57] <Carthrat> roll 1d100 oops
[01:57] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d100 oops and gets 77."12 [1d100=77]
[02:01] <Maz> "That really hurt!" Maz calls out after her, pulling the arrow out. "You're always like that!"
[02:06] <Korin> "Huh, so that's the trick," Korin mumbles after seeing the fog behind him turn black. Going in the direction of Thrall where he spots the white fog that Thrall just made available, Korin proceeds to go through that section so he meets up with Seraphin.
[02:09] <Korin> Giving Seraphin a grin and a quick wave, the swashbuckler continues past the other tiefling to the white dial, which he promptly twists so Relly can't rush past them.
[02:10] <Carthrat> You hear a shout of frustration from around the corner, as you're rewarded for your efforts!
[02:12] * Maz decides to wait by the portal, confident that her allies would box her wayward sister in, and uses the time to heal herself a bit.
[02:12] <Maz> roll 1d8+2
[02:12] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+2 and gets 4."12 [1d8=2]
[02:14] <Seraphin> Seraphin just smiles at Korin nodding and gesturing for him to go around the corner closest to him, while she turns the black dial in front of her and heads down that way to come around on Relly from behind.
[02:16] * Thrall makes his way forward to join Seraphin and Korin, heading through the now white fog and stopping just before the corner Relly went around, not wanting to give her a free shot before he reaches her.
[02:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[02:20] <Carthrat> Clad in the top-right corner, Relly's ears prick up as Seraphin and- more noisily- Thrall move around to the south of her! Instead of risking a tangle with them, she runs towards the black border! She stops with a start, as she sees Korin, standing right in front of him- and she attempts a shot at point-blank range! OOC: AoO from you, Korin
[02:21] <Korin> As Relly presents herself, Korin quickly makes to strike at the girl.
[02:22] <Korin> roll 1d20+10
[02:22] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
[02:22] <Carthrat> She just ducks out the way, releasing an arrow towards Korin's chest!
[02:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:22] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 7."12 [1d20=7]
[02:23] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+3
[02:23] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d8+3 and gets 6."12 [1d8=3]
[02:25] * Korin growls as he makes another attempt to stab the tiefling archer, and hey, if he's releasing some of the occassional frustrations he gets with Miss Despot, is it his fault if his current opponent looks pretty much like her?
[02:25] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[02:25] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Re'Laizary > Korin > Maz > Thrall = Seraphin'
[02:25] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 23."12 [1d20=15]
[02:25] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[02:25] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+8 and gets 9."12 [1d20=1]
[02:25] <Carthrat> OOC: Hit/Miss.
[02:26] <Korin> roll 1d6+5
[02:26] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d6+5 and gets 8."12 [1d6=3]
[02:26] <Carthrat> Relly is starting to gasp, now, a collection of wounds slowly adding up! But the grip on her bow doesn't laxen in the slightest...
[02:27] <Maz> "Hello again, sister dearest!" Maz calls out happily, her arms raised above her head. A pearl strung on a necklace around her neck glows, and nine bolts of magical energy seek out tender tiefling flesh, three of them real, the other mere illusions! "Wouldn't it be ironic if out of all the people here, I were the one to take you down?"
[02:27] <Maz> roll 3d4+3
[02:27] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d4+3 and gets 11."12 [3d4=2, 2, 4]
[02:28] <Carthrat> "Hah..hahahaha!" laughs Relly, and Korin can see what looks to be a tear flowing down the side of her cheek! "If you kill me, Maz, you'll seal your fate! And if you don't, I'll drag you home! Even death would be better than what's in store for you!"
[02:29] <Maz> "Who said anything about killing you?" Maz asks her curiously. "Of course I'll take you down without you dying."
[02:29] <Thrall> Hearing combat back the way he came, Thrall still continues the way he was going, intending to ensure Re'Laizary has no easy means of escape!
[02:30] <Carthrat> "I'll never let you do that!" she screams, with fury. "Never! I'd rather die that be taken in by you!"
[02:30] <Seraphin> Seraphin keeps on going, moving around to get to Relly's back.
[02:31] <Maz> "Then I guess it's just too bad you won't get your wish," Maz tells her with a shrug. "You're not a kid anymore, things can't always go your way."
[02:32] <Carthrat> Relly glances over her shoulder for a moment, as Thrall and Seraphin continue to approach from that angle! "They never have," she replies, gazing angrily at Korin. She takes but a step back, and attempts to fill him with holes again, apparently heedless of the threat from her other side...
[02:32] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:32] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:32] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:32] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 9."12 [1d20=9]
[02:32] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 6."12 [1d20=6]
[02:32] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[02:32] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+8
[02:32] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 2d8+8 and gets 24."12 [2d8=8, 8]
[02:34] <Maz> "You may not believe it," Maz tells Relly honestly, "but this is for your own good. I can't let you be a pawn of Elric and participate in his Weave-rending schemes." The pearl around her neck glows again, and missiles of magic assault Relly once more!
[02:35] <Maz> roll 3d4+3
[02:35] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d4+3 and gets 9."12 [3d4=1, 1, 4]
[02:36] <Carthrat> Relly slides to one knee, brought down by the final volley of missiles! "Gurgh... my own good? Hah! Since when?" she snarls, arrows clattering from her hand...
[02:37] <Maz> "I've held nothing but your best interest in mind until Father took control of my body, killed you and brainwashed me to forget it all ever happened," Maz tells her matter-of-factly. "I suppose I decided to help you again, now that I finally remember that."
[02:37] * Thrall advances carefully on Re'Laizary, not attacking unless he sees her about to make any offensive moves, herself.
[02:40] <Carthrat> She's not in much state to do that- she looks like she's about to collapse any moment. "Haha... memories, what fragile things," she groans. "It doesn't matter, dammit! You.. you OWE me."
[02:40] * Korin grunts in pain as he's hit, but he takes a step closer to the girl, though given Maz's desire to not kill her sister but still wanting to do something given how she just...well, -shot- him full of holes, he pulls up one of his shortswords, and strikes at her with the flat end of the blade to knock her out and hopefully shut her up. "Yak, yak, yak. Damn family issues..." he grumbles.
[02:41] <Carthrat> Relly wastes no time in falling over, unconcious, bruised, bleeding, and battered.
[02:41] <Thrall> "That was blunt," Thrall raises an eyebrow at Korin. "I thought they had more to say to each other..."
[02:42] <Maz> "So I'll pay you back," Maz says quietly, moving towards her sister. She first makes sure Relly isn't about to die by some freakish accident, before taking stock of the situation. "So! Healing," she exclaims, looking at the others. "Who needs it?"
[02:42] * Korin shrugs. "I wanted to get on to the healing," he says a bit more cheerfully as Maz promptly beat him with the offer.
[02:43] <Carthrat> Relly doesn't appear to be about to die. Maybe sleep for a very long time...
[02:43] <Maz> "You'll have to wait because I was just getting through to my formerly-evil twin sister!" She responds cheerfully to Korin, before turning to look at Thrall and Seraphin.
[02:43] <Carthrat> "Can we come through?" asks Gale, suddenly, a tiny whisper in Maz's mind.
[02:43] * Thrall shakes his head, having only taken a minor knock from the shadow. "I'll live," he rumbles grimly, reaching into his pack for the manacles he had previously offered to Lucia. "So what are we going to do with sister dearest?"
[02:43] <Maz> "Sure thing, we won," Maz responds to Gale. "Are you lot okay?"
[02:43] <Korin> "Oh sure you were," Korin grumbles. "That girl seemed way more stubborn than you, Miss Despot."
[02:43] <Carthrat> "Yes... well, I am alright. But 'Relly' is seriously injured.. I fear she'll need more than conventional healing."
[02:44] <Seraphin> "I'm fine," Seraphin nods, just shaking her head.
[02:44] <Maz> roll 1d8+2 K
[02:44] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d8+2 K and gets 4."12 [1d8=2]
[02:44] * Thrall drops the manacles so someone can deal with Relly, before he starts walking back to open the way for Gale and the others. And recover his bow.
[02:44] <Carthrat> In a few moments, Gale, Lucia, and 'Relly' slip forth, crouching nearby the remains of the fight.
[02:46] * Maz wastes no time in searching Relly and her personal effects, divesting her of weapons and anything magical
[02:47] * Thrall returns himself a few moments after that, now with his longbow safely fastened to his back.
[02:47] <Carthrat> Maz finds an awful lot on Relly's person; the girl was wearing magical boots, designed with patters of the wind on the sides; she's packing a tight suit of studded leather armour that radiates abjuration. But most disturbingly, her bow growls at you as you move to pick it up.
[02:48] <Maz> "Bad bow! Heel!" Maz snaps at it.
[02:48] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[02:48] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20 and gets 4."12 [1d20=4]
[02:48] <Carthrat> The bow flails a little on the ground, though it still doesn't look like it wants to be picked up.
[02:49] * Maz obliges the bow for the time being.
[02:49] <Thrall> "I think that bow is pure evil," Thrall eyes the weapon dubiously, drawing his adamantine greataxe. "We should destroy it, regardless of what we do with your sister."
[02:50] <Maz> "Lucia, Gale, what did you mean about our friend needing more healing?"
[02:50] <Carthrat> "I'm no expert," admits Gale, readily. "But they seem to have shaken her body to the very core, crippling her, at least in part. I've told her to take it easy."
[02:51] <Maz> "Not just yet, please," Maz tells him. "Though the chances are small, if it is tied to her somehow...."
[02:52] * Thrall frowns for a moment, before his eyes widen, the half-orc fumbling in his belt pouch for a moment. "I'd forgotten about this!" he declares, taking out a small potion vial, "I got this from Lucia's temple - it's supposed to heal those sorts of ailments."
[02:52] <Maz> "At least she lives," Maz says with a sigh.
[02:53] <Carthrat> Gale blinks. "I'll feed it to her, then? Unless any of you need it more..." he considers.
[02:57] * Thrall hands the potion to Gale so he can feed the Air Genasi. "So... now what?" he asks. "Elric is on the next level, but I don't think we're in the best shape after all that."
[02:58] <Carthrat> "We need to stop him.. for sure," whispers Lucia, black cloud evident on her mind. "For sure.."
[02:59] <Maz> "We should rest a while, and recover," Maz suggests. "We still have twenty-four hours, so eight of them won't put us too far behind."
[03:02] <Korin> "I wouldn't mind a chance to rest either," Korin agrees.
[03:03] <Thrall> "Agreed," Thrall nods, deciding to put the manacles onto Re'Laizary's unconscious form in case she wakes up and gets any stupid ideas while they're resting.
[03:03] * Seraphin nods, finally cleaning her weapons and sheathing them. "Might be nice."

Corwin · December 28, 2006, 07:14:47 AM

[23:02] <Carthrat> More time is spent recuperating from the latest bout, your prisioner kept shackled and guarded. In any case, Re'Laizary doesn't appear to have regained consciousness by the time the rest of you do... You discovered, at the end of the shadowy maze through which you progressed, yet another winding stairwell. But rather than darkness, this one seems to radiate light.
[23:07] <Thrall> "This is it," Thrall breathes, readying his adamantine greataxe as he looks at the illuminated stairwell. "Everyone ready?"
[23:08] <Seraphin> "Guess so," Seraphin answers quietly, hefting her shortswords and latching the gems into place. "Not like getting older will help us against an elf."
[23:09] * Maz nods, casting as many protective spells around herself as she can.
[23:10] <Carthrat> Gale, 'Relly', and Lucia prepare themselves as well; even the last seems determined to accompany the group. "Shall we just leave her here?" asks Gale, indicating Re'Laizary.
[23:13] <Thrall> "Depends..." Thrall rumbles, looking down at the manacle-bound tiefling. "Maybe could tie her up as well just to make sure she doesn't hobble off?"
[23:14] <Maz> "Whatever works," Maz agrees. "We can't let her rejoin Elric."
[23:14] <Carthrat> She doesn't look like she'll be rejoining anything. Her body is in no shape to fight...
[23:16] <Seraphin> "I'll get to it," Seraphin volunteers, sheathing her blades and clicking out the black and explosive gemstone as long as she'll be tying someone up for a while.
[23:17] * Maz supplies the rope to tie up Relly just in case. Then, she chants, and lays her glowing hands on Thrall and her sister's namesake. "To guard your minds," she supplies.
[23:17] <Carthrat> "This time, I'll come with you all the way," vows Lucia. "It's the culmination of everything here, so..."
[23:17] * Thrall waits for Seraphin to tie up Maz's sister before stepping towards the stairwell, nodding thanks to Maz at her spell. "Thanks," he grunts. "This is it... one way or another."
[23:18] <Maz> roll 1d4+1
[23:18] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d4+1 and gets 5."12 [1d4=4]
[23:18] * Maz summons her five copies once more, all of them nodding back at Thrall.
[23:19] <Seraphin> "Mhm." Seraphin heads up the stairs behind Thrall, drawing her blades again.
[23:20] <Carthrat> Lucia, Gale, and 'Relly' follow afterwards. The bright stairs continue to wind, until you reach another circular chamber, soaring and white. In stark contrast to the grim surroundings you came from, this room appears inspiring and impressive, rather than foreboding and dank. (More.)
[23:21] <Carthrat> Marble columns aboud, as well as statues- statues you recognize all too well. A series of broken figures surround great, larger-than-life carvings of Thrall and 'Relly'...
[23:24] * Thrall snarls at the statue of himself. "So... representations of those damned to shadow?" he assumes, striding into the chamber with axe held ready.
[23:24] <Maz> "Let's hit Elric a lot and find out!" Maz suggests brightly.
[23:26] <Seraphin> "Yeah, sounds like the best idea," Seraphin snorts, setting her shadow gemstone back into place.
[23:26] * Maz glances around, her eyes seeking out magical auras.
[23:26] <Carthrat> "Ostentatious, perhaps, but I felt the symbolism was necessary," says a mild voice. Almost like a curator... Stepping out from behind the statue of Thrall, Elric does indeed appear, leaning casually against it. But there isn't a trace of shadow around him at all. To Thrall, he looks exactly as he did when he saw him before he died... clad in luxrious cape, rapier drawn. A smirk, a wink.. "
[23:27] <Carthrat> "In any case, shadow begets imagery. There's no escaping it, so I decide to choose a more flattering portrayal."
[23:30] <Thrall> "Why?" the half-orc grinds out as he stalks forward, beady black eyes glaring at Elric. "Am I nothing more than a discarded experiment? A thing borne of your former bodyguard's murder?"
[23:35] * Korin stands patiently besides the half-orc, letting the half-orc go through the hopefully cathartic rant against Elric.
[23:35] <Carthrat> "An experiment..." muses Elric, shrugging. "Certainly, you were born of murder. But the experiment, so to speak, is just now reaching it's culmination. It began with my death, and perhaps it will end with it. No matter." He points his rapier towards you, the tip glistening in the light. "You are different from the other creations of Shadow. Given real purpose, given real form bound aside from me. But for my pact to be complete..."
[23:36] <Carthrat> "For that, all the shadow I have borrowed must return to the source. Only then can my true form be made manifest!"
[23:40] <Thrall> "True form?" Thrall scowls darkly. "Is that what all this has been about? Creating your... puppets, of shadow and manipulating them so they can be used to feed some sort of mad transformation? Into what, Elric?"
[23:45] <Carthrat> "Elric. The name, ancient elvish for 'King'," remarks Elric, slowly. "Yes, a fitting name for one such as I. The pact made with me upon death... the slightest edge into this world, it gave me. I will become- myself! The ambition of this corpse has fueled my rebirth! Only his one regret stands between me and the world!" The rapier quivers in his hand. "Hence, you are called here! You, who are barely months old!" (More.)
[23:46] <Carthrat> "I cannot be slain by a mere memory! I will not allow it.. and this miserable host is drained of hope, only seeking to survive! I- we will survive!"
[23:49] * Thrall falters for a brief instant. Months? What the hell *is* he?! "You are mad..." he declares slowly, swinging his axe into a ready grip. "I'd hoped for answers, not the ravings of a power hungry lunatic. We might be equally damned, but... if my artifical life means anything, it will be to end yours!"
[23:51] <Carthrat> "You are part of me!" explodes Elric! The roof begins to crackle, disintegrating away! "You are nothing without me! You were nothing before me, and, Shar forbid, should there be an after, you will be nothing then! All of you, take a glimpse between the planes!" (More.)
[23:52] <Carthrat> The room begins to shake! The walls and roof fall away completely, leaving everyone present standing on top of the huge tower! Rising up behind Elric is a massive, metal circle, the interior of which shimmers with liquid darkness!
[23:55] <Corthala> Elric himself seems to twist and shift, splitting into two seperate forms! One is not wielding a rapier or wearing fancy clothes, but only tattered, drifting blackness, his fingers elognating into claws! The other seems brighter, taller, more perfect than anyone has a right to appear! On four points around the ninety-foot-wide roof, crystals appear; two black, two white, each opposite their respective colour.
[23:57] <Corthala> The desert seems very far away, and the height of the sky only inches away. The tower is the only beacon of light and white; everything outside the roof is cloaked in mist and shadow...
[23:58] <Maz> "Oh, that's what that knight meant!" Maz exclaims, nodding to herself. "One is hurt by Darkness, the other by Light."
[23:58] <Corthala> "...and this is between the real and the dream, where everything takes and loses form," whisper the Elrics, sibilantly. "Let us see who is worthy of existence!"
[00:03] <Thrall> "Die monster! You don't belong in this world!" Thrall rages, axe spinning in his hands as he advances on the duo.
[00:03] <Corthala> OOC: Init ho
[00:03] <Thrall> roll 1d20+2
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Thrall rolls 1d20+2 and gets 18."12 [1d20=16]
[00:03] <Corthala> roll 1d20+7 L.E
[00:03] <Korin> roll 1d20+5
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+7 L.E and gets 13."12 [1d20=6]
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Korin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7."12 [1d20=2]
[00:03] <Corthala> roll 1d20+5 D.E
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+5 D.E and gets 22."12 [1d20=17]
[00:03] <Corthala> roll 1d20 ???
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20 ??? and gets 4."12 [1d20=4]
[00:03] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 1d20+6 and gets 19."12 [1d20=13]
[00:03] <Seraphin> "Not you, for certain," Seraphin answers primly, sheathing one blade to withdraw a pebble, beginning to focus her hereditary magic into it as she follows towards the melee.
[00:03] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+5
[00:03] * Hatbot --> "Seraphin rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
[00:04] <Corthala> roll 1d20+3 Gale
[00:04] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+3 Gale and gets 20."12 [1d20=17]
[00:04] <Corthala> roll 1d20+3 Lucia
[00:04] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+3 Lucia and gets 14."12 [1d20=11]
[00:04] <Corthala> OOC: Actually they can all just use Gale's init. for my sanity
[00:05] * Corthala changes topic to 'Seraphin > D.E > Gale > Maz > Thrall > L.E > Korin > ???'
[00:06] * Corthala changes topic to 'Seraphin > D.E > GMPCs > Maz > Thrall > L.E > Korin > ???'
[00:10] <Seraphin> Hurt by darkness? Well, here's to hoping! Seraphin thinks, releasing the spell into the pebble in her hand, snapping her wrist to send it flying at the 'light' Elric as she advances on his darker companion, blade coming back out in a hiss of blood seeking steel.
[00:11] <Corthala> Elric seems to recoil from the darkness ever so slightly, flinching as he stands within it's radius!
[00:12] <Corthala> The 'Dark' Elric swipes at Seraphin, claws reaching out to rip her apart! The screams of nightmares are heard as the rend away!
[00:12] <Corthala> roll 1d20+13
[00:12] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+13 and gets 15."12 [1d20=2]
[00:12] <Corthala> roll 1d20+8
[00:12] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17."12 [1d20=9]
[00:14] <Corthala> Both strikes miss, clumsy and errant blows that do not reach near their targets! Lucia chants and Gale flings forth a stone of his own, mirroring Seraphin's action by obscuring the 'Dark' Elric in perfect brightness!
[00:14] <Corthala> 'Relly', for her part, charges straight towards 'Light' Elric, screaming in incoherent fury! Blood spatters across her blade before she even reaches him!
[00:14] <Corthala> roll 1d20
[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d20 and gets 15."12 [1d20=15]
[00:14] <Corthala> roll 1d8+4
[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 1d8+4 and gets 8."12 [1d8=4]
[00:14] <Corthala> roll 3d6
[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Corthala rolls 3d6 and gets 16."12 [3d6=6, 5, 5]
[00:14] <Corthala> Her blow cuts across his chest, but he only laughs at her as she's within range! "You are not even worth the effort," he sneers, contemptuously!
[00:18] * Maz tilts her head, making her way towards one of the white crystals, before pointing her finger at it and summoning a small orb of water. With a command word, it flies to impact against that crystal, freezing in mid-air.
[00:18] <Corthala> OOC: Let's say it hits, damage
[00:19] <Maz> roll 3d8 cold
[00:19] * Hatbot --> "Maz rolls 3d8 cold and gets 20."12 [3d8=5, 7, 8]
[00:20] <Corthala> The ice smashes against the crystal, encapsulating part of it with a frosty gleam! But parts of the white still shine through like a beacon...
[00:21] <Maz> "A little help here, Lucia?" Maz asks through the Message, frowning at the half-frozen crystal.
[00:23] <Thrall> Unlike his fellow puppet of shadow, Thrall is more calculating in his attack, carefully maneuvering up to the glowing figure of Elric before unloading a powerful swing of his axe into his form!
[00:23] <Thrall> roll 1d20+12 (-1 power attack -1 expertise)
[00:23] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+12 1,0(-1 power attack -1 expertise) --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{15}
[00:24] <Corthala> Your blow glances off mithril links! Elric grins a savage grin, rapier whistling back and forth before your eyes... maddeningly, teasingly, incomprehensibly, before he pirrotes about, taking a draw-cut across your neck, and lunging forward for a stab!
[00:24] <Corthala> roll 1d20+16
[00:24] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Corthala rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{35}
[00:24] <Corthala> roll 1d20+11
[00:24] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Corthala rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{17}
[00:25] <Corthala> roll 1d20+16 threat
[00:25] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Corthala rolled :1,0 1d20+16 1,0threat --> 1,0[ 1d20=11 ]12,0{27}
[00:25] <Corthala> roll 2d6+16
[00:25] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Corthala rolled :1,0 2d6+16 --> 1,0[ 2d6=6 ]12,0{22}
[00:26] <Carthrat> The initial cut lands, ripping open vital arteries and coating his expertly-wielded blade in blood! "As a bodyguard, you never exceeded me," he mocks, blade returning to position!
[00:27] * Thrall growls, a guttural noise of pain and hate. "We'll see about that..."
[00:33] * Korin goes assist Seraphin, one of his short sword snaking forward towards the dark Elric once he's within range.
[00:33] <Korin> roll 1d20+8 (-2 combat expertise)
[00:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0(-2 combat expertise) --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{18}
[00:33] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[00:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=34 ]12,0{34}
[00:34] <Carthrat> Your blade whips through empty air, the darkened shadow of Elric smirking at you as your strike flies wide! With a sudden heave, the gate emits a low, moaning sound- and Thrall feels himself almost literally *pulled* towards the thing! Icy black tendrils flow from his body towards the device, leaving him numb and cold!
[00:34] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[00:34] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=6 ]12,0{6}
[00:35] <Carthrat> The same occurs to 'Relly', who yelps in fear as part of her very being is pulled towards the gate- even as the white crystals beam motes of light towards 'Light' Elric... except, it is deflected off the barrier of darkness!
[00:35] * Thrall shivers, bracing his feet firmly on the ground. "Not going... so easily," he snarls as he tries to resist.
[00:38] <Seraphin> Focusing on the dark Elric, Seraphin takes a quick step out of melee range, and blasts him with her forgotten tiara!
[00:38] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[00:38] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{19}
[00:39] <Seraphin> roll 4d6+4
[00:39] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 4d6+4 --> 1,0[ 4d6=17 ]12,0{21}
[00:39] <Carthrat> roll 1d100 oops forgt
[00:39] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d100 1,0oops forgt --> 1,0[ 1d100=29 ]12,0{29}
[00:40] <Carthrat> A spiraling blast of fire shoots clean through Elric, but the part of his body you thought burned appears to instead be mere shadow, evaporating as the being himself snorts! With a shouted invocation, the obscuring shadows transform into more copies of the black-tinged elf! Three duplicates run madly out, one striking at Seraphin, one Korin, and one 'Relly!'
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10 S
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10 K
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+10 1,0S --> 1,0[ 1d20=8 ]12,0{18}
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10 R
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+10 1,0K --> 1,0[ 1d20=18 ]12,0{28}
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+10 1,0R --> 1,0[ 1d20=18 ]12,0{28}
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+3
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+3
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+3 --> 1,0[ 1d8=8 ]12,0{11}
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+3 --> 1,0[ 1d8=6 ]12,0{9}
[00:41] <Carthrat> OOC: Will save, dude
[00:41] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{7}
[00:41] <Korin> roll 1d20+1 crappy will save that will surely fail
[00:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+1 1,0crappy will save that will surely fail --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{11}
[00:42] <Carthrat> Relly, somehow, shakes off an influence Korin simply *can't*; nightmares assail him as they have once before, consuming his mind such that he is unable to act!
[00:42] <Carthrat> Gale runs towards Thrall, while Lucia runs towards 'Relly', both of them casting healing spells upon their allies!
[00:42] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+5 t
[00:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+5 1,0t --> 1,0[ 1d8=5 ]12,0{10}
[00:42] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1 r
[00:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+1 1,0r --> 1,0[ 1d8=6 ]12,0{7}
[00:43] <Carthrat> Relly, for her part, strikes again at the Elric's, her blade still shining with blood- both her own and his...
[00:43] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[00:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{3}
[00:43] <Carthrat> But he easily deflects her strike!
[00:45] * Maz closes her eyes, focusing on a part of her heritage she rarely uses. A sphere of pure darkness grows in her clenched palm, and she slams it against the ice covering the crystal, willing it to be completely enveloped.
[00:45] <Carthrat> It's covered in utter darkness, the white gleam subsiding before fiendish will!
[00:46] * Maz nods at her handiwork, and moves on to a crystal made of darkness.
[00:47] * Thrall frowns at the odd *other* feeling he gets from the gate, taking a step back from Elric to get some room as he looks between the gate and his 'creator'. "It works both ways, doesn't it?" the half-orc asks, baring his tusks in a knowing grin, as if he's figured out some great secret. And perhaps he has. Clenching one gauntlet-clad fist and gesturing at the oily gate, Thrall tries to pull back on that chained feeling with pure force of will!
[00:48] <Carthrat> Opening himself to the gate, Thrall feels it steal more of his will to survive! And yet, something flows back; a white energy, rather than a black one. Tinges of power.. tinges of reality spill through his mind, and even as his life trickles away, he gains something new...
[00:48] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[00:48] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=7 ]12,0{7}
[00:53] <Carthrat> "Idiot," snorts Elric, contemptuously. "You can't even hope to know it, let alone harness it." He devotes his attention to Relly, striking out at her again and again!
[00:54] <Carthrat> His first blow, he flickers from view, becoming invisible for a mere moment before his blade strikes!
[00:54] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+14
[00:54] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+14 --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{17}
[00:54] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+9
[00:54] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{13}
[00:54] <Carthrat> Yet 'Relly' is still able to defend against both strikes, albeit barely!
[00:54] <Carthrat> Korin is unable to act, but once again, the black gate sucks away the life force of herself and of Thrall!
[00:54] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[00:54] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[00:54] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=8 ]12,0{8}
[00:54] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=7 ]12,0{7}
[00:57] * Thrall grits his teeth at the pulling sensation, yet still wearks his dark tusky grin as he glares at Elric, preparing to counterattack.
[00:59] <Seraphin> Seraphin takes a quick step back into melee combat, both swords flashing birght and dark, tearing into the Elric in front of her!
[00:59] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[00:59] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{10}
[00:59] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[00:59] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{9}
[01:00] <Carthrat> Seraphin artfully weaves her blades around Elric, her expert weapons dancing everywhere but him! With a terrible howl, 'Dark' Elric claws at her twice in retaliation!
[01:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+10
[01:00] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+8
[01:00] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=2 ]12,0{12}
[01:00] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{12}
[01:01] <Carthrat> He doesn't do much better, ably missing the nimbly tiefling like only a.. total failure can!
[01:02] <Carthrat> 'Relly' strikes once more at Light Elric, her sword swiping at the elvish flesh!
[01:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:02] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 --> 1,0[ 1d20=16 ]12,0{16}
[01:02] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+4
[01:02] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+4 --> 1,0[ 1d8=1 ]12,0{5}
[01:03] <Carthrat> It hits, another glancing blow! Gale strings his harp, notes of hope inspiring everyone about! (+2 hit/damage), while Lucia attempts to heal 'Relly' once again! Despite her medication, the woman is still looking poorly!
[01:03] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1
[01:03] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+1 --> 1,0[ 1d8=2 ]12,0{3}
[01:04] * Maz places both hands on the crystal she's facing, her words summoning a heatless flame to light up the crystal's surface.
[01:04] <Carthrat> The crystal is ably covered by Maz's spell, darkness fading and replaced by light!
[01:05] * Maz moves on to the next crystal of darkness
[01:06] * Thrall rears back his axe and lunges forward at Elric, just as a duplicate of the half-orc appears in the midst of the shadowy Elric, mimicking Thrall's movement from the other side as both black plate-clad warriors carve into the glowing elf, ebony axes weaving skillfully between one another as they tear into Elric! The duplicate vanishes as soon as it appears, but Thrall continues his own assault with a savage follow up!
[01:06] <Thrall> roll 1d20+16
[01:06] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{22}
[01:06] <Thrall> roll 1d20+9
[01:06] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{12}
[01:07] <Thrall> roll 1d12+11
[01:07] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d12+11 --> 1,0[ 1d12=5 ]12,0{16}
[01:08] <Carthrat> "Gwagh!" screams Elric as the twin blades scythe through his body, a single injury transformed into two by the appearance of his clone! Elric, nonetheless, is note quite finished (though he's getting there), vengefully turning invisible once again and striking at Thrall in a heartbeat!
[01:08] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+14
[01:08] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+9
[01:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+14 --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{21}
[01:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{18}
[01:08] <Carthrat> roll 1d6+6
[01:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d6+6 --> 1,0[ 1d6=2 ]12,0{8}
[01:09] <Carthrat> He strikes true but once, though the injury he deals hardly seems comparable to the one he just received!
[01:09] * Thrall growls at the wound, but seems undaunted!
[01:10] <Carthrat> roll 2d6 ooops sneak attack
[01:10] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 1,0ooops sneak attack --> 1,0[ 2d6=9 ]12,0{9}
[01:11] * Thrall is a bit more daunted, now!
[01:19] * Korin shakes his head off the nightmares and growls as his eyes flash crimson with anger, and he allows the feeling to envelop him. A red aura begins glowing around his hands before it extends to his shortswords, tendrils of fire soon dancing around the blades before he strikes at the dark Elric with the twin burning swords.
[01:20] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:20] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{15}
[01:20] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:20] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=16 ]12,0{24}
[01:20] <Korin> roll 2d6+5
[01:20] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 2d6+5 --> 1,0[ 2d6=10 ]12,0{15}
[01:20] <Korin> roll 2d6+4
[01:20] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 2d6+4 --> 1,0[ 2d6=8 ]12,0{12}
[01:21] <Carthrat> Korin's blows begin to rend apart the shadowy Elric, black blood dripping freely about! They seem heavily wounded, on their last legs? Even so, more energy seeps from Thrall and Relly...
[01:21] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[01:21] <Carthrat> roll 2d6
[01:21] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=5 ]12,0{5}
[01:21] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d6 --> 1,0[ 2d6=10 ]12,0{10}
[01:22] <Seraphin> Seraphin slashes and slashes again at the dark form of Elric, hoping to actually hit him this time!
[01:22] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9
[01:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+9 --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{28}
[01:22] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+8
[01:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=11 ]12,0{19}
[01:22] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+9 crit threat
[01:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+9 1,0crit threat --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{15}
[01:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[01:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=1 ]12,0{1}
[01:22] <Carthrat> roll 1d100
[01:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=10 ]12,0{10}
[01:23] <Seraphin> roll 2d6+10
[01:23] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 2d6+10 --> 1,0[ 2d6=11 ]12,0{21}
[01:25] <Carthrat> Seraphin's blow continues to savage the darkened Elric, his claws rapidly shrivelling away! "No!" he cries, angrily. "This.. damn you! This ritual may be ruined, but-" He lunges towards his double, grasping his hand! The two forms merge together, and a gigantic wave of power blasts forth from between the two! A huge, black.. cloud of energy manifests as their bodies become one!
[01:25] * Carthrat changes topic to 'Seraphin > Elric-Archon > GMPCs > Maz > Thrall > Korin > ???'
[01:26] <Carthrat> Lucia and Gale stare practically in awe, barely remembering that they have healing spells that must be applied to Thrall...
[01:26] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1
[01:26] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+5
[01:26] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+1 --> 1,0[ 1d8=6 ]12,0{7}
[01:26] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+5 --> 1,0[ 1d8=1 ]12,0{6}
[01:27] <Carthrat> Relly strikes at the creature, unsure of where to properly attack the creation!
[01:27] <Carthrat> roll 1d20
[01:27] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{5}
[01:27] <Carthrat> Whatever she tried does nothing, a futile effort!
[01:27] <Thrall> "Thanks," Thrall nods briefly to the two healers, blood dripping through his armour and green skin noticably waxy, yet he perks up at their healing, posture firming and axe held ready to carve into Elric's new form!
[01:27] * Maz turns towards this merged, new Elric and draws a circle in the air, a corresponding circle appearing on the ground to his side. Closing her hands into fists, Maz raises them upwards slowly, with visible effort, and corresponding to her motions, a shadowy image of Elric appears, rising from the tear in reality. Once it's completely out, it grasps Elric by his throat, his blood-red eyes glowing as it tries to suck the life out of him! "Say hello to my little friend!" she calls at Elric.
[01:29] <Maz> roll 1d20+6
[01:29] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Maz rolled :1,0 1d20+6 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{10}
[01:29] <Carthrat> The attempt fizzles away, the giant-ball of Elric unaffected by the touch of... another giant-ball of Elric!
[01:31] <Thrall> "Go back to the shadows, Elric!" Thrall roars as he leaps up at the roiling miasma cloaking Elric's new form, ebony axe blurring as he unleashes a fury of slashes!
[01:31] <Thrall> roll 1d20+12 (-2 power attack)
[01:31] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+12 1,0(-2 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{16}
[01:31] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 (-2 power attack)
[01:31] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0(-2 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{21}
[01:33] <Thrall> roll 1d12+15
[01:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d12+15 --> 1,0[ 1d12=6 ]12,0{21}
[01:33] <Carthrat> Thrall's axe hits some kind of external barrier, but plows through it in any case, chipping away at something.. hard.. inside! There's no form visible within the ball, but there's something manifesting within...
[01:38] * Korin continues his attack, still angered by the nightmares from earlier, flames still dancing around his shortswords.
[01:38] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:38] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{9}
[01:38] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:38] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{13}
[01:38] <Carthrat> Korin misses twice, his fire burning nothing as he strikes!
[01:41] <Seraphin> Seraphin takes one quick step, allowing her access to Elric's open back! With this opportunity she strikes, blades singing for blood and death and vital organs!
[01:42] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[01:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=12 ]12,0{23}
[01:42] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[01:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=17 ]12,0{27}
[01:42] <Seraphin> roll 6d6+7
[01:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 6d6+7 --> 1,0[ 6d6=21 ]12,0{28}
[01:43] <Carthrat> Seraphin's blows draw blood, and she questions if this being is truly 'alive'. Nonetheless, she strikes at the very core- the very *fabric* of it's being, rending apart things within!
[01:44] <Carthrat> And the interior of the creature becomes more visible! A strange, humanoid figure- similar in shape to the nightmarish shadows you saw on earlier floors- appears, lunging with an emancinated hand! A shockwave of energy ripples forth, hitting Thrall, 'Relly', Gale and Lucia- all at once!
[01:44] <Carthrat> OOC: Reflex save dude
[01:45] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[01:45] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+4 --> 1,0[ 1d20=17 ]12,0{21}
[01:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 L
[01:45] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 1,0L --> 1,0[ 1d20=12 ]12,0{12}
[01:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 R
[01:45] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 1,0R --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{1}
[01:45] <Carthrat> roll 1d20 G
[01:45] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d20 1,0G --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{4}
[01:45] <Carthrat> roll 4d8
[01:45] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 4d8 --> 1,0[ 4d8=17 ]12,0{17}
[01:46] <Carthrat> Gale stumbles back, but 'Relly' collapses in a heap! Lucia screams in pain, unused to feeling her body being torn at, and Thrall himself, despite dodging the blast, is still badly hurt in any case! 4"DESTROOOOY!"
[01:47] <Carthrat> Lucia stumbles back in pain, touching herself with a wand! Gale is made of sterner stuff... and ALSO opts to heal himself, rather than spare a thought for his comrades! Relly simply lies on the ground, helpless..
[01:47] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+5
[01:47] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+5 --> 1,0[ 1d8=7 ]12,0{12}
[01:47] <Carthrat> roll 1d8+1
[01:47] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 1d8+1 --> 1,0[ 1d8=8 ]12,0{9}
[01:49] <Maz> With a muttered curse, Maz runs around the gate towards Relly, dropping to one knee as soon as she is in range, the words of healing already on her lips!
[01:49] <Maz> roll 1d8+1
[01:49] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Maz rolled :1,0 1d8+1 --> 1,0[ 1d8=7 ]12,0{8}
[01:50] <Maz> "Retreating for now, that might be good," she tells Gale and Lucia.
[01:50] <Carthrat> 'Relly' opens her eyes, and starts rolling out the way, looking scared beyond reason.
[01:51] <Maz> "Get back," Maz tells the Relly of shadow, attempting to shield her from Elric.
[01:52] <Thrall> Retreat isn't an option for Thrall, however - this has to end now, no matter what. Swinging his axe once more, the half-orc warrior cleaves into Elric's obscured form with a pair of upwards curving slashes!
[01:52] <Thrall> roll 1d20+12 (-4 power attack)
[01:52] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{13}
[01:52] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 (-4 power attack)
[01:52] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0(-4 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{17}
[01:53] <Carthrat> But it will not end with those two errant strikes! Thrall finds his blows striking nothingness!
[01:55] * Korin just tries to strike at Elric again, starting to get more frustrated than angry.
[01:55] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:55] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{13}
[01:55] <Korin> roll 1d20+8
[01:55] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=14 ]12,0{22}
[01:57] <Korin> roll 2d6+4
[01:57] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Korin rolled :1,0 2d6+4 --> 1,0[ 2d6=8 ]12,0{12}
[01:58] <Carthrat> A searing edge meets a fluctuating ball, blade burning aside layers of gas and shielding to strike the being within! [01:59] <Carthrat> Dark energy flows from the gate towards the gigantic entity, strengthening it! The black power surrounding it roils with furious intensity!
[02:00] <Seraphin> Seraphin doesn't give up! She slashes and stabs, reaching for the beings life force and as deeply as she can with her sixth sense for such!
[02:00] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+11
[02:00] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{18}
[02:00] <Seraphin> roll 1d20+10
[02:00] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=17 ]12,0{27}
[02:00] <Seraphin> roll 3d6+2
[02:00] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Seraphin rolled :1,0 3d6+2 --> 1,0[ 3d6=11 ]12,0{13}
[02:01] <Carthrat> Life is channeled away, but the being ignores those striking it from the side to focus on Thrall, another shockwave of energy blasting out and catching both him and Maz at once!
[02:01] <Carthrat> roll 5d8
[02:01] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 5d8 --> 1,0[ 5d8=25 ]12,0{25}
[02:01] <Carthrat> OOC: Reflex yo
[02:02] <Thrall> roll 1d20+4
[02:02] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+4 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{9}
[02:02] <Maz> roll 1d20+7
[02:02] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Maz rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{11}
[02:04] <Carthrat> Lucia cringes at the side, though she valiantly runs to heal the fallen body of Thrall, as Gale does the same! Even as he begins to topple, he feels renewed strength pulsing through his veins!
[02:04] <Carthrat> roll 2d8+6
[02:04] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Carthrat rolled :1,0 2d8+6 --> 1,0[ 2d8=5 ]12,0{11}
[02:04] <Carthrat> Relly sort of continues crawling away.
[02:05] * Thrall is propped upright by the healing of his allies, remaining in the fight for a bit longer, yet! "Really owe you two..." he grinds out, glaring hatefully at Elric's towering form.
[02:06] * Maz chants, stepping back as far as she can while still remaining in range of Elric. She cups her hands, a ball of frost gathering between them, and thrusts her arms at their shadowy nemesis!
[02:06] <Maz> roll 1d20+8
[02:06] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Maz rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{27}
[02:06] <Maz> roll 3d8 cold
[02:06] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Maz rolled :1,0 3d8 1,0cold --> 1,0[ 3d8=9 ]12,0{9}
[02:07] <Carthrat> The cold effect falls into Elric's corona, another wound to add to many, none truly seen. 4...POWER-- OVERWHELMING!!
[02:08] <Thrall> "Shut up and die!" Thrall snarls hatefully, more brute force than art in his current form as he crashes axe-first into Elric's corona!
[02:08] <Thrall> roll 1d20+12 (-4 power attack)
[02:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{21}
[02:08] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 (-4 power attack)
[02:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0(-4 power attack) --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{28}
[02:08] <Thrall> roll 1d20+8 threat!
[02:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0threat! --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{28}
[02:08] <Carthrat> OOC: !!!!!
[02:09] <Thrall> roll 4d12+80
[02:09] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Thrall rolled :1,0 4d12+80 --> 1,0[ 4d12=30 ]12,0{110}
[02:13] <Carthrat> The gigantic ball yells unto the world, and as Thrall's axe strikes through, he feels it reverberate in his hand! Power explodes outwards from the portal, and the axe morphs into a gigantic monstrosity, cleaving straight through the orb, and leaving a massive dent in the roof of the tower! With a massive BOOM!, the orb detonates, exploding in a fantastic orgy of light and darkness!
[02:15] <Korin> "Holy..." Korin mutters, seriously impressed, enough to be pulled out of his furious anger from earlier even. "That's telling him what to do, Thrall!"
[02:16] * Thrall wrenches his axe out of the dented roof, stepping backwards at the force of that explosion. "Hells teeth..." he gasps, somewhat impressed with himself.
[02:16] <Carthrat> By the time the dust settles, there's nothing much left. A headband, a rapier and a pair of gloves lie where the orb once was. Everything is... quiet.
[02:16] * Maz waves her arm in the air, calling out, "Victory!"
[02:17] <Seraphin> "...O-kay..." Seraphin murmurs slowly, staring blankly at the emptiness before her. "...Yay?" she fianlly offers, a little shellshocked from Thrall's blow herself!
[02:17] <Thrall> "It's over..." Thrall sits down heavily, letting his axe clatter to the floor by his side as blood continues to pool about him from his many wounds. "We did it."
[02:18] * Korin puts away his shortswords, and pats the half-orc on the shoulder. "Remind me to buy you some alcohol when we get back into town."
[02:18] * Maz takes a moment to check the location of the rip, so she could close it and be done with the entire thing.
[02:19] <Carthrat> The rip, naturally, is at the gate... but the tower is made of shadowstuff itself, and will likely dissolve soon after the rip is clear.
[02:20] <Thrall> "Hah!" Thrall clasps Korin's hand, strength in his grip even with his wounds, "We've all earned it after that... Elric dead and Maz's sister captured," he shakes his head. "Incredible."
[02:20] * Maz approaches Thrall, standing on her toes to pat him on the shoulder. "Nice job!" she comments, smiling.
[02:21] * Seraphin sheathes her blades slowly, unlatching the gems before coming over and punching Thrall's shoulder. "...Just...yeah. Wow."
[02:22] <Carthrat> "..that's certainly one to write a song about," remarks Gale, sitting his ass down. Lucia has no words.
[02:23] <Thrall> "Guess I surpassed him after all..." Thrall clambers back to his feet, grinning toothily. "Couldn't have done it without all of you, though..." he shakes his head, "I might just be a thing of shadowstuff, but I owe all of you for this. Whatever happens in the future, you'll have my axe!" he concludes, picking up his weapon once more.
[02:24] <Maz> "I'm pretty sure you're more real than most," Maz offers to him. "And yes, you guys helped me abduct my sister, so that means I have gratitude and lots of it."
[02:27] * Maz shrugs. "So, I'm going to close this thing, which would make the tower disappear and the rest of you dropping from very high up. Want to get back, take Relly with you and wait outside till that's done with?"
[02:28] * Thrall nods, still grinning as he harnesses his axe. "See you at the bottom, Maz," he agrees.
[02:31] <Seraphin> "...Yeah! Let's go!" Seraphin hurriedly agrees, nodding avidly.
[02:33] <Carthrat> "See you," says Lucia to Maz, heading downstairs with the rest of you. Re'Laizary appears to still be unconscious, and is easily carried towards the bottom. In what feels like seconds, the party minus one stands out the front of the massive construction...
[02:34] * Maz places the Mystran gong right next to the gate, making certain her ring is firmly on and her scrolls at hand, should she need them, and settles to wait for it to work its magic.
[02:35] <Carthrat> The gong emits... no sound at all? But nonetheless, the tower begins to shudder, and the portal collapses almost instantly!
[02:35] * Thrall bundles Re'Laizary onto Maz's camel, looking upwards as the tower starts to shake...
* Carthrat changes topic to 'Victory!'

Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

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Elric's Tower of Many (5) Levels!

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