Sidequest 3: How Do I Shot Web?

[Ebiris]

Loot

There are various bodies and bones strewn about the lair - Farme doesn't permit interfering with the corpses of the two chainmail clad soldiers, but has no objection to you searching the rest.

Where you find 147gp worth of gold and jewellery and not much else of note.

Upon arriving in Silverymoon, Lieutenant Farmes proves good to his word, and the party is given 800gp for their efforts in dealing with a menace to the roads.

Experience

2 Adult Wyverns - 600
6 Juvenile Wyverns - 450

[Ebiris]

[15:07] <Usagi> After leaving Linda behind, it's several days journey back towards Silverymoon, during which Aramas mysteriously vanishes for mysterious reasons of his own, but slowly the party approaches their destination. Perhaps just over a day to go till they reach the city itself, the group breaks camp just off the side of the road and prepares to travel once more...
[15:09] * Alveria is deeply engrossed in study, leafing through the page of a garish, red spellbook, with hand-drawn flame motifs adoring all sides. It is worth noting that Alveria cannot draw.
[15:09] * Gourash is exchanging tales with Varul as they make their way down the road, gruff a s always.
[15:10] * Amonet offers a prayer of thanks to Horus-Re for all that he provides, blissfully unaware of the world around her.
[15:12] <Usagi> It's as the party are just returning onto the road that they happen to see a figure approaching them, seemingly also heading towards Silverymoon through the early morning mist at a leaden pace as he drags a large wrapped bundle along the road behind him.
[15:12] <Usagi> The man you see approaching might be considered ruggedly handsome, were it not for the fact that half of his face is obscured with blood, which is also matting down his straw coloured hair. He wears chainmail emblazoned with the emblem of Silverymoon - a heraldic rampant unicorn, and carries a longsword belted to his waist and a heavy shield on his back.
[15:13] * Gourash snorts, "Business coming," under his breath.
[15:14] <Varul> "Yep," Varul says flatly, eyeing the poor, battered warrior.
[15:15] * Alveria totally doesn't notice the figure, still absorbed in reading her spellbook-like book.
[15:16] <Amonet> "Friend!" Amonet exclaims, directing her horse towards the bloodied figure. "Are you in need of assistance?"
[15:17] <Usagi> "Ho, there," the man greets you all tiredly as he approaches, limping a bit as he drags his burden, a wrapped and tied up bundle about six feet long, that seems to be stained with blood itself. "Aye," he nods to Amonet, wiping some blood from his brow. "If you have any bandages to spare I'd appreciate it."
[15:18] * Varul gives the man a careful once over, "What happened?"
[15:18] <Amonet> "Most certainly!" she agrees with a smile, and rummages through her things to procure them.
[15:21] <Usagi> "Ambushed," the man snorts disgustedly. "I'm Lieutenant Farmes, Knight of Silver," he adds with a nod, "My men and I were sent to deal with a nest of Wyverns that've moved in and started attacking travellers on the road, here. Blasted things found us first, though!"
[15:22] <Gourash> "Dealt with them, or did you just manage to escape?" Gourash eyed the road behind the man.
[15:22] <Amonet> "Oh my!" Amonet's eyes widen. "Did they get all your men?"
[15:25] <Usagi> Farmes shakes his head at Gourash. "Caught us just after dawn, when only Reddick was keeping watch - his screams woke the rest of us. Carried him right off, they did. Killed Vicks and Geddoe as well," he glances back at his bundle, "At least I can bring Geddoe back for a proper burial, but the other two were taken back, no doubt to be devoured."
[15:26] * Gourash glances at Varul, as if to say 'should we see about taking this as a job', in his own not very expressive way.
[15:27] <Varul> "Do you need them to be eliminated," Varul offers blandly, shifting his sword's grip.
[15:30] <Usagi> Farmes eyes Varul speculatively, before looking around the rest of the group. "I don't want to send anyone on a doomed errand, but you lot don't look like you're just out for a walk. If you think you can handle two adult Wyverns and a handful of juveniles... Aye," he nods.
[15:30] <Usagi> "If I can at least bring back something of the other two, give them a proper burial, I think it'd mean something to their families. I could speak to my superiors back in Silverymoon about recompense if you do this."
[15:31] <Alveria> "How were you planning to engage them?" asks Alveria, dreamily looking up from her picture book.
[15:31] <Varul> "I'm for it. They're clearly canny, tactical beasts," Varul rumbles, casting a glance at Alveria.
[15:33] <Gourash> "We could...  but is there pay in it," Gourash wondered openly, always the profiteer.
[15:34] <Usagi> "Geddoe was a fair tracker," Farmes replies, sighing and shaking his head. "Plan was to find their nest, take them their where they can't fly around us so easily. Had some thunderstones and tanglefoot bags to help with that as well." Frowning a bit at Gourash, he adds, "I said you'd be compensated, didn't I?"
[15:34] <Alveria> "Did you have any anti-poison stuff?"
[15:35] * Gourash nods and shrugs, unshaken and satisfied. "We need any equipment for wyverns, Varul?"
[15:35] <Usagi> He nods. "Got some potions for that - obviously if any of you get poisoned doing this then you can use them." He looks down a moment, "Riddick had the antitoxin, so that's out. But I've got a couple of cure potions."
[15:37] <Amonet> "This cause is most just, friends!" Amonet sounds, nodding to herself enthusiastically.
[15:38] <Alveria> "Wait, wait, are tehy potions of neutralize poison or delay poison?" asks Alveria, frowning. "Because, you know that you drink the latter *before* you get poisoned, right?"
[15:39] <Alveria> "I mean, you do that with both, really."
[15:41] <Usagi> "Neutralise poison," Farmes replies tersely, "I've only got two, though, so no sense wasting them until someone actually needs it."
[15:41] <Varul> Varul nods. "Good news," he agrees, awaiting.
[15:43] <Alveria> "But wyvern poison is lethal immediately after infection," replies Alveria, sounding troubled. "By the time someone 'needs it', it's probably too late..."
[15:46] <Usagi> "You sound like you know a lot about them," Farmes notes, turning to Alveria, "I'll trust your judgement in that case, but it still leaves only two potions - question is, who gets them, then?"
[15:48] <Alveria> "Well, if you're coming with us, you should probably keep one," reflects Alveria. "I guess Varul or Gourash should hvae the other one, as they'll be up-close and personal..."
[15:50] <Varul> "Yeah," Varul sighs as he goes to take the potion. Great, poison.
[15:53] * Gourash nods. "For the best. Better to just not get hit with their tails."
[15:54] <Usagi> "That's always the rub, isn't it?" Farmes replies, snorting. "Well, if you're truly willing to help with this, I can lead you back towards the area Geddoe said they were probably nesting in. Don't suppose any of you are trackers?"
[15:56] * Gourash shakes his head, even as he keeps his eye out for ambushes.
[15:56] <Usagi> OOC: make a SPOT check, Gourash!
[15:58] <Gourash> roll 1d20+1 ala no?
[15:58] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+1 ala no? and gets 16." [1d20=15]
[15:58] <Usagi> Gourash doesn't see any potential ambushes/
[16:02] <Usagi> And so, the party now backtracks the way they came and off the road, Farmes having left Geddoe's wrapped up body under some bushes off the road for collection on the way back. It's just over half an hour of walking/riding when they come to the Knight's former campsite, signs of battle all about - most especially a dead Wyvern, which is likely a juvenile from its small size, not much bigger than a man.
[16:02] <Usagi> "Here's where we were attacked - Geddoe thought they were probably nesting a bit further North where it gets hillier," he pronounces.
[16:04] <Alveria> "More hills..." mutters Alveria, disheartened.
[16:04] * Gourash nods continuing without complaint and watching for anything that might hint they were getting close to the lair.
[16:05] <Amonet> roll 1d8+2 Farmes
[16:05] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d8+2 Farmes and gets 4." [1d8=2]
[16:06] <Usagi> OOC: Who wants to make a survival check for the group?
[16:06] <Gourash> OOC: Aye.
[16:06] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9
[16:06] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27." [1d20=18]
[16:09] <Usagi> Despite not being a tracker, Gourash is still more than familiar with the ways of the wilds, and after perhaps another hour of searching, he spots a small cave that looks a more than likely candidate - just big enough for an adult Wyvern to comfortably walk in or out of, and a some er, Wyvern droppings (probably) littered messily around it.
[16:11] * Gourash gestures to the others, staying low and examining cover along the way to the cave, making sure quickly everyone was aware of their proximity to the potential lair.
[16:12] <Alveria> "Ok," whispers Alveria, comically quite. "Gourash, you're quite small, so I'll cast a spell that makes you larger. Same for you, Amonet. It'll last five minutes, so when we're close enough to get in..."
[16:12] <Usagi> The area around is mostly mud and scrub, the cave a jutting crag of rock against the incline of the next rolling hill, near the top.
[16:12] <Varul> Varul watches and nods quietly. "Lure them out and use range?" he offers.
[16:13] <Alveria> "Hmm. We could try that, but I might have a better idea," she reflects. "Remember that web spell? It works really nice indoors. I figure, I can get a few of them with that, and we'll only need to take on a few at a time!"
[16:14] * Gourash eyes the yammering Alveria and hums. "So casting it inside their lair to push them out into the open?"
[16:14] <Usagi> "Better that than letting them fly around us," Farmes agrees. "I've got a thunderstone we can toss inside to disorient them before we attack, as well.
[16:14] <Alveria> "Or they all get stuck and we shoot them full of holes, we win either way."
[16:15] <Alveria> "Got those tanglefoot bags?"
[16:15] <Usagi> The Knight nods. "Got one of them left - who wants?" he offers.
[16:16] <Alveria> "Hold on to it. You're still hurt, so you're better off not charging in," states Alveria.
[16:17] <Usagi> Farmes nods, unlatching the brown bag from his belt and waiting for everyone to finish planning the attack.
[16:19] * Alveria directs people to start moving closer to the lair, briefly taking some time to cause Gourash and Amonet to almost double in size! On her part, she splits into several dulpicates of herself before proceeding...
[16:19] <Alveria> roll 1d4+1 MI
[16:19] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d4+1 MI and gets 2." [1d4=1]
[16:19] <Alveria> OOC: Sigh
[16:19] * Gourash finds a place for the horses a fair ways away so they won't interfere with the fighting.
[16:20] * Joins: Corwin (~corwin@bzq-88-155-96-122.red.bezeqint.net)
[16:20] * Quits: Amonet (cor@p11811112.orange.net.il) (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[16:20] <Alveria> "Eww..." she mutters. "There's only three of me. Not nearly enough..."
[16:22] <Usagi> Gourash and Amonet suddenly become giant sized, their equipment luckily increasing to match! Meanwhile, Alveria splits into crazed elf triplets.
[16:22] <Gourash> "Hopefully not needed at all," Gourash rumbled, swinging his axe out of his holster in readiness.
[16:22] <Usagi> OOC: If you're going to the edge of the cave, make move silently checks. Unless you don't care about stealth.
[16:25] * Alveria also takes aim, flinging forth a mass of sticky webs that take root within the entrance to the cave, blocking up the entrance, and beyond...
[16:25] * Gourash is about as unstealthy as it gets, not really caring as he got ready to bring pain to anything that tried to get past the cave entrance.
[16:26] * Amonet stays near Alveria for the time being, ready to protect her should the need arise.
[16:27] <Usagi> Multitudes of thick grey strands of web suddenly clog up the cave entrance, making it look like a spider's lair more than anything else, now! Inside, you hear a series of growls and hissings, and Alveria, Gourash, and Amonet can see a group of scaly winged reptilians milling about, their attention snapping to the cave entrance!
[16:27] <Usagi> OOC: initiative
[16:28] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5 glee
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 glee and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[16:28] <Amonet> roll 1d20
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20 and gets 6." [1d20=6]
[16:28] <Usagi> roll 5#1d20+2
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 5#1d20+2 and gets 48." [5#1d20+2 = 3, 21, 4, 16, 4]
[16:28] <Gourash> roll 1d20+1 slow and steady kills the wyvern
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+1 slow and steady kills the wyvern and gets 4." [1d20=3]
[16:28] <Usagi> roll 2#1d20+1
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2#1d20+1 and gets 29." [2#1d20+1 = 10, 19]
[16:28] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2 Farmes
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 Farmes and gets 9." [1d20=7]
[16:32] <Varul> roll 1d20+6
[16:32] * Hatbot --> "Varul rolls 1d20+6 and gets 26." [1d20=20]
[16:33] <Varul> OOC: Holding for the moment, I assume?
[16:36] <Usagi> The Wyvern's hiss and snap amongst themselves, before one of the larger ones hurries forward on foot to burst through the webbing and get at the invaders of their lair!
[16:36] <Usagi> roll 1d20+6
[16:36] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[16:36] <Usagi> But it swiftly finds itself jammed up in the webs, blocking the entrance!
[16:37] <Usagi> With the entrance now blocked by a large wyvern and a whole bunch of webbing, the remaining creatures are at something of a loss as to how they can get out.
[16:37] <Usagi> OOC: go Alvie
[16:38] * Alveria snaps her fingers, releasing a trio of dangerous dazzling darts! Bobbing and swirling like fireworks, they inevitably come to slam into the creature's head!
[16:38] <Alveria> roll 3d4+3
[16:38] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 3d4+3 and gets 15." [3d4=4, 4, 4]
[16:40] <Usagi> The darts blaze right through the webbing as if it wasn't there, slamming into the beast's bony crown and eliciting a hissing roar of fury, the wyvern snapping its teeth in impotent fury!
[16:40] <Usagi> Farmes decides to hang back for the moment, since the Wyverns seem under control...
[16:40] <Usagi> OOC: Go Amonet
[16:41] <Amonet> "Eating humans is unforgivable!" Amonet calls out, stepping forward and striking at the trapped wyvern. "To the afterlife with you!"
[16:42] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9
[16:42] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27." [1d20=18]
[16:42] <Usagi> OOC: damage
[16:42] <Amonet> roll 2d6+10
[16:42] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 2d6+10 and gets 15." [2d6=1, 4]
[16:44] <Usagi> Amonet's enchanted blade scythes through the webbing, shedding its dull red light which is soon joined by the scarlet of wyvern blood as she finds its neck, cutting a deep gash there, but still not enough to put down the furious beast, yet!
[16:44] <Usagi> OOC: Go Gourash
[16:44] <Gourash> Gourash waits, studying the motion and manner of the beast in preparation for when it gets closer, growling in readiness.
[16:44] <Usagi> OOC: Go Varul
[16:46] <Varul> OOC - Can I strike anything reasonably as is?
[16:47] <Usagi> OOC: not really. If you have a bow you can try shooting, otherwise you risk being webbed
[16:48] <Varul> OOC - I'll hold.
[16:49] <Usagi> Battered and bleeding, the wyvern still struggles to move its bulk through the mass of webbing and at its attackers!
[16:49] <Usagi> roll 1d20+4
[16:49] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+4 and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[16:49] <Usagi> But its unable to make any headway at all!
[16:49] <Usagi> OOC: Alveria
[16:50] * Alveria hangs around and doesn't do a lot. If only she had the muscles to actually fire one of the neat bows they have!
[16:50] <Usagi> OOC: Amonet
[16:52] <Amonet> "Let this shining Ranseur of Justice be the last sight for your villainous eyes!" Amonet exclaims, her weapon attempting to strike at the wounded wyvern and finish the job.
[16:52] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 and gets 28." [1d20=19]
[16:52] <Amonet> roll 2d6+8
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 2d6+8 and gets 12." [2d6=1, 3]
[16:53] <Usagi> Another slash once more carves a strip of scaly flesh from the wyvern's neck, the creature now badly hurt and with no place to run as it hisses furiously!
[16:53] -> *Alveria* You can hear amidst its hissing some words in Draconic, "Push me!"
[16:53] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 21." [1d20=19]
[16:54] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 22." [1d20=20]
[16:54] <Usagi> roll 1d20+8
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+8 and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[16:54] * Joins: Dracos (WinNT@c-71-206-197-94.hsd1.pa.comcast.net)
[16:54] <Usagi> This time the wyvern surges forward, bursting forth from the webbing at last! And right into the path of Amonet's blade...
[16:55] <Usagi> OOC: Attack of opportunity if you want it
[16:55] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9 die
[16:55] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 die and gets 24." [1d20=15]
[16:55] <Usagi> OOC: damage
[16:55] <Amonet> roll 2d6+8
[16:55] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 2d6+8 and gets 11." [2d6=1, 2]
[16:57] <Usagi> Another solid blow from Amonet's giant ranseur, this one tearing a gash right down the creature's grey scaled flank, blood spattering freely!
[16:57] <Usagi> OOC: Go Alveria
[16:58] * Alveria sends another trio of bolts flickering forward the flatten the foul fiend as it forces it's way through the webbing!
[16:58] <Alveria> roll 3d4+3
[16:58] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 3d4+3 and gets 12." [3d4=4, 1, 4]
[16:58] * Quits: Gourash (~WinNT@c-71-206-197-94.hsd1.pa.comcast.net) (Ping timeout)
[16:59] <Usagi> That does it, this time the magic missiles spill their fury over the wyvern's chest, pummeling it to submission as the creature emits a dying wail and collapses at Amonet's feet!
[16:59] <Usagi> Snarling and hissing in rage, the other large wyvern seeks to escape the cave and seek revenge!
[16:59] <Usagi> roll 1d20+6
[16:59] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 17." [1d20=11]
[17:00] <Usagi> This one manages to barrel through the webs without getting stuck, meeting Amonet at the entrance!
[17:00] <Usagi> Farmes tosses his tanglefoot bag at it as soon as it emerges!
[17:01] <Usagi> OOC: strike that
[17:01] <Usagi> roll 1d20+4 strength check
[17:01] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+4 strength check and gets 18." [1d20=14]
[17:02] <Usagi> This one makes it halfway through the web!
[17:02] <Usagi> Farmes holds for the moment.
[17:02] <Usagi> OOC: Go Amoment
[17:03] <Amonet> "I shall be your opponent!" Amonet proclaims grandly to the stuck wyvern, her ranseur flashing in its direction.
[17:03] <Amonet> roll 1d20+10
[17:03] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+10 and gets 16." [1d20=6]
[17:03] <Usagi> But she fails to connect solidly, ranseur turned aside by a combination of webbing and thick scales!
[17:03] <Usagi> OOC: Go Gourash
[17:04] * Gourash charges forward, swinging his axe downward at the beast.
[17:04] <Gourash> roll 1d20+11 (-2 PA)
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+11 (-2 PA) and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[17:06] <Gourash> roll 3d6+9+4 Bringing the Pain.
[17:06] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 3d6+9+4 Bringing the Pain. and gets 25." [3d6=4, 2, 6]
[17:07] <Usagi> It's a terrific blow from Gourash, shearing scales as if they were naught but air, and crushing ribs into powder! The Wyvern howls in pain, yet still manages to stay upright!
[17:10] * Alveria jauntily walks to the edge of the web, alongside Gourash and Amonet, ready to scorch the best with searing fire if it managed to progress close enough to harm anyone!
[17:10] <Alveria> OOC: Readied action to BENURNING HANDS it if it does, indeed, close distance before Gourash and Amo kill it
[17:11] <Usagi> The beast bravely struggles forward, perhaps to its doom!
[17:11] <Usagi> roll 1d20+4
[17:11] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+4 and gets 16." [1d20=12]
[17:11] <Usagi> It's almost out of the web, but not quite!
[17:11] <Usagi> OOC: AoOs for Gourash and Amonet
[17:11] <Amonet> roll 1d20+10 glee
[17:11] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+10 glee and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[17:11] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA) More pain!
[17:11] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 (-2 PA) More pain! and gets 21." [1d20=12]
[17:11] <Usagi> OOC: both hit
[17:12] <Gourash> roll 3d6+9+4 Bringing the Pain.
[17:12] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 3d6+9+4 Bringing the Pain. and gets 19." [3d6=2, 2, 2]
[17:12] <Amonet> roll 2d6+9
[17:12] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 2d6+9 and gets 18." [2d6=6, 3]
[17:13] <Usagi> Amonet's ranseur manages to enlarge the wound already made by Gourash, gouging out internal organs, while the half-orc himself manages to messily decapitate the wyvern outright!
[17:14] <Alveria> "Those were the only large ones I saw," states Alveria, flancing at Farmes. "There were only two, right?"
[17:15] <Usagi> "It's a nest, they had juveniles as well - still nasty enough, and we need to put them down before they grow up to become a worse threat," Farmes replies determinedly, hanging back behind the two giants at the cave entrance.
[17:16] <Alveria> "Ok!" replies Alveria, her left hand glowing, and her shadow extending just a tad longer than it should be in preperation for her next incantation...
[17:16] <Usagi> Indeed, with a screech, another wyvern hurls itself through the webbing, trying to fly through!
[17:16] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:16] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4." [1d20=2]
[17:17] <Usagi> But it gets tangled up the moment it reaches the webbing, falling over in a disorganised heap before even entering fully!
[17:17] <Usagi> Still, another group come hurrying right after it, these ones keeping to the ground and rushing forward in a row!
[17:17] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:17] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[17:18] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:18] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16." [1d20=14]
[17:18] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:18] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 18." [1d20=16]
[17:18] <Usagi> One only makes it in five feet, but the other two push themselves forward halfway!
[17:18] <Usagi> OOC: Gourash, Amonet, and Alveria could all take readied actions here if they wanted
[17:19] <Alveria> OOC: You mean regular actions or readied actions?
[17:19] <Alveria> OOC: I have a spell, but it's not my spell of burning justice...
[17:19] <Usagi> OOC: Well, readied for you. Regular for those two since they just haven't acted at all this round.
[17:19] <Alveria> OOC: I'll drop my readied action and take a regular one after them >_>
[17:20] <Usagi> OOC: Okay. Any takers from the Mario siblings?
[17:20] * Amonet hesitates momentarily, before the corpse Farmes was taking back surfaces in her head, bloody and covered. With renewed determination, she strikes at the wyvern coming at her, so much like the one she saw dead at the soldiers' encampment....
[17:21] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9
[17:21] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 and gets 10." [1d20=1]
[17:21] <Usagi> OOC: 1d100
[17:21] <Amonet> roll 1d100
[17:21] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d100 and gets 38." [1d100=38]
[17:21] <Usagi> OOC: wait, sorry, make another attack to see if it misses
[17:21] <Gourash> OOC: *blinks*
[17:21] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9
[17:21] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 and gets 24." [1d20=15]
[17:21] <Usagi> OOC: just a regular miss
[17:22] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids!
[17:22] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids! and gets 16." [1d20=7]
[17:22] <Usagi> Both Gourash and Amoment attack once more into the web, but sadly they can't hit these smaller targets as effectively, both wyverns going unmolested just a little longer!
[17:22] * Gourash moves to the nearest kid wyvern slashing ineffectually!
[17:27] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:27] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 13." [1d20=11]
[17:27] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:27] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[17:28] * Alveria stretches her hand forward, an almost sadistic grin playing across her lips! Her hand seems to lose form for a moment, becoming a haze of misty darkness, before stretching out and engulfing the web ahead in a huge cone of blackness!
[17:29] <Alveria> OOC: will DC 17, 60ft cone, blindness if afflicted. You get a new save every round, but even if you pass it, you still get nuked with a 20% miss chance on all attacks until the spell wears off.
[17:29] <Alveria> OOC: Duration is 5 rounds.
[17:29] <Usagi> roll 6#1d20+4
[17:29] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 6#1d20+4 and gets 91." [6#1d20+4 = 17, 9, 17, 17, 8, 23]
[17:29] <Alveria> OOC: Ah, but if you pass the save right away you're alri...
[17:29] <Alveria> OOC: Ah, but if you pass the save right away you're alright.
[17:30] <Usagi> OOC: Go Amonet
[17:31] <Amonet> Her resolve firming, Amonet points her ranseur at the wyvern she attempted to strike in a clear declaration of hostilities, and then, without delay, she attacks!
[17:31] <Amonet> roll 1d20+10
[17:31] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+10 and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[17:31] <Usagi> Alas she once more misses, simply having too hard a time seeing her smaller target through the web!
[17:32] <Usagi> OOC: Go Gourash
[17:32] * Gourash swings down, seeking to eliminate at least one of the children before they break free.
[17:33] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids!
[17:33] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids! and gets 27." [1d20=18]
[17:33] <Usagi> OOC: hit
[17:33] <Gourash> roll 3d6+9+4 Killing the kids.
[17:33] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 3d6+9+4 Killing the kids. and gets 28." [3d6=5, 6, 4]
[17:33] <Usagi> It's a singularly massive blow from Gourash, easily crushing the wyvern's spine as his axe crashes right through the beast's body with impunity!
[17:34] <Usagi> Still the others struggle onwards!
[17:35] <Usagi> roll 1d20+4
[17:35] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+4 and gets 11." [1d20=7]
[17:35] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:35] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 3." [1d20=1]
[17:35] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:35] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[17:35] <Usagi> But only one makes any headway, now almost at the edge of the webbing, while the other two are unable to progress further!
[17:35] <Usagi> OOC: AoO on number 4 if you want it, guys
[17:36] <Gourash> OOC: I'll take  it!
[17:36] * Gourash continues his bloody reign on the poor wyvern kids, taking opportunity of their trap.
[17:36] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids!
[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Pain for one of the wyvern kids! and gets 23." [1d20=14]
[17:36] <Usagi> OOC: hit
[17:36] <Gourash> roll 3d6+9+4 Killing yet more kids!
[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 3d6+9+4 Killing yet more kids! and gets 21." [3d6=6, 1, 1]
[17:37] <Usagi> This one cuts deeply into the wyvern, but not enough to kill it outright just yet!
[17:37] <Amonet> roll 1d20+9
[17:37] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+9 and gets 20." [1d20=11]
[17:38] <Usagi> OOC: hit
[17:38] <Amonet> roll 2d6+8
[17:38] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 2d6+8 and gets 11." [2d6=2, 1]
[17:38] <Usagi> Amonet finishes it off, however, severing half of the creature's neck and putting it down permanently!
[17:39] <Usagi> The two still at the very rear now try their luck against the web, struggling through in a desperately futile bid for freedom!
[17:39] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:39] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[17:39] <Usagi> roll 1d20+2
[17:39] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20+2 and gets 19." [1d20=17]
[17:40] <Usagi> One makes it halfway through, the other stuck near the start of the webbing!
[17:40] <Usagi> OOC: Go Alvie
[17:40] <Alveria> The shadows about Alveria's arm twist and turn into smoke! Her arm glows a blisteringly hot red, before a tiny ball flashes towards the centre of the webbing, detonating with a low roar! Covering the webs in their entirety but leaving the humanoids outside untouched, the interior of the cave becomes an inferno...
[17:40] <Alveria> roll 6d6 reflex dc half
[17:40] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 6d6 reflex dc half and gets 26." [6d6=6, 6, 3, 4, 3, 4]
[17:40] <Alveria> roll 2d4 save? what save?
[17:40] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 2d4 save? what save? and gets 5." [2d4=4, 1]
[17:41] <Usagi> roll 3#1d20+6
[17:41] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 3#1d20+6 and gets 53." [3#1d20+6 = 26, 11, 16]
[17:41] <Alveria> OOC: if they're all in the web I hit all of them for sure, DC is 19
[17:43] <Usagi> Two of the wyverns are immolated utterly by the flames, consumed and burnt to charred corpses as the web ignites all around them! Only one manages to survive, screeching in frenzied pain as its caught in the inferno!
[17:44] <Usagi> Farmes decides to stay behind the giants, even if one of the wyverns still lives, it probably won't for long.
[17:44] <Usagi> OOC: Go Amonet
[17:45] * Amonet salutes the burnt wyvern with the Ranseur of Justice, aiming to make its demise quick and painless.
[17:45] <Amonet> roll 1d20+10
[17:45] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17." [1d20=7]
[17:45] <Usagi> Alas not quite, Amonet's ranseur still managing to be turned aside even by burnt and damaged scales!
[17:45] <Usagi> OOC: Go Gourash
[17:46] <Gourash> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Finishing blow!
[17:46] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+9 (-2 PA) Finishing blow! and gets 12." [1d20=3]
[17:46] <Usagi> Gourash misses outright, however, only clanging his oversized axe against the rocky side of the cave!
[17:47] <Usagi> OOC: Go Varul
[17:51] <Varul> OOC - Is there a target I can get to?
[17:51] <Usagi> OOC: You can charge the last wyvern
[17:52] * Varul goes to the last wyvern, looking to finish it off with one stroke and charge!
[17:52] <Varul> roll 1d20+11 (-2 PA)
[17:52] * Hatbot --> "Varul rolls 1d20+11 (-2 PA) and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[17:52] <Varul> roll 2d6+15
[17:52] * Hatbot --> "Varul rolls 2d6+15 and gets 21." [2d6=4, 2]
[17:53] <Usagi> Varul charges between the oversized figures of Amonet and Gourash (pity the former wears platemail and not a skirt), descending on the last wyvern with a fury as he splits it apart, right down the middle!
[17:54] * Gourash grunts, looking around and swinging his axe. "That went pretty smoothly."
[17:55] * Amonet lowers her weapon, grasping the holiest symbol of Horus-Re instead, and says a prayer for the departed creatures, misguided and murderous though they might have been....
[17:55] <Usagi> "A bit of magic makes all the difference in the world..." Farmes notes, shaking his head in awe. "Didn't even have to lift my blade... you can be sure I'll tell my superiors all about this!"
[17:59] * Gourash nods. "We shouldn't relax, let's make sure the cave is empty entirely."

[Ebiris]

[15:30] <Usagi> Silverymoon, at last! A city of gleaming marble spires and elegant green spaces, this clean and peaceful city is a welcome respite from the wilds of the North. Entering the city, Lieutenant Farmes departs to report to his superiors and have his men taken for burial, asking that you come visit the Star Court tomorrow at noon where he will have your reward. At this, the party go their seperate ways...
[15:32] <Usagi> While Gourash wanders off in search of whores and drinking, Amonet decides that matters of faith take precedence, making her way to Rhyester's Matins - the grand temple of the Sun God, Lathander, in this city.
[15:33] <Usagi> Varul likewise tags along as the pair walk through the cobbled streets towards their goal, a grandiose structure of three gleaming spires, adorned with great stained glass windows and made of white marble that seems to shine golden wherever the sun strikes it.
[15:35] * Amonet admires the gleaming spires, nodding in satisaction, for a deity of the sun should truly shine before all, faithful and unbelievers alike.
[15:36] * Varul so tags along, looking around at the temple in quiet awe.
[15:37] <Usagi> The temple seems fairly busy - indeed, a troupe of heavily armed and armoured men and women are just leaving as you approach, looking quite stern and serious. No worshippers seem present except for a single youthful priest in the red and yellow robes of Lathander's clergy who tends to the rosebushes outside the temple.
[15:37] <Usagi> seem present outside*
[15:38] * Amonet makes her way towards the youthful priest! "Greetings, friend!" she calls out to him once the distance has closed enough for her voice to be polite.
[15:40] * Varul keeps following, a muted and respectful nod of his head to the cleric.
[15:42] <Usagi> "Oh!" the young man looks up and smiles, showing youthful dimples as he lowers his clippers. "Blessings of the Morninglord upon you, friends," he replies, before his expression falls a bit. "You're not here looking for work, are you?"
[15:43] * Amonet shakes her head, confusion showing. "Have many people come to inquire about work, instead of merely to admire the temple and pay their respects?"
[15:47] <Usagi> "Too many, lately," the priest sags. "My apologies, I shouldn't presume upon you, but..." he glances meaningfully at the group you just saw leaving the temple, "Lately many of our congregation have taken to hiring sellswords to seek a relic that would signify leadership of this temple. It's a rather sad business, really."
[15:48] <Varul> "Politics in a temple?" Varul raises an eyebrow, saying little else. He doesn't seem to approve, so let's see if he runs with it.
[15:49] <Amonet> "Oh?" she asks curiously. "A relic, finding which grants one control of the temple? What about Lathandar's favor?"
[15:51] <Usagi> He nods, "Yes, we had a wonderful high priest in Mornmaster Xavier, but he passed away a few months ago." Turning to Amonet, he goes on,
[15:51] <Usagi> "The congregation could not agree on who would replace him, and the arguments became most unseemly - and so, the Morninglord pronounced upon us a message - we must take for our leader the one who lays upon the altar the rightful sign from Lathandar. Of course, no one knows what or where this sign is - hence the hiring of adventurers to go on violent wild goose chases for it."
[15:54] <Amonet> "Those with strong convictions and a drive for justice should be out looking for it on their own, not seeking outside help!" Amonet agrees, nodding gravely.
[15:55] <Varul> Varul nods as well, smiling ever so slightly. "I suspect the token will be something you can'tj ust send out for like a tokenboy."
[15:57] <Usagi> "Well, yes, that would be preferable," the cleric agrees, "But such semantics are often lost on others. Anyway, since you're not here about that business, what can I help you with? The next service isn't for a few hours - are you here for potions or something like that?"
[16:00] <Amonet> "Oh, I am merely visiting!" she responds cheerfully, giving the priest a wide smile. "I am new to this area, and I always try to pay my respects to the might and wisdom of the sun whenever I get the chance to do so!"
[16:02] <Varul> Varul nods himself, solemn. "Visiting as well. I haven't been to a temple in a good long time."
[16:05] <Usagi> "Oh, then you should stick around for the service, then," the young cleric grins. "Even without a Mornmaster, the priests here can still lead quite the stirring service to the Morninglord's glory, and it's always nice to see new faces."
[16:06] <Amonet> "I am so relieved!" Amonet practically gushes. "The last time I tried to visit a temple to the sun god, it had been taken over by crazy people who did blood sacrifices. It was so horrible, and so very creepy...." She lowers her eyes.
[16:09] <Usagi> "Wh-what?!" the priest boggles, "Wh-when?! Where?!"
[16:09] <Amonet> "Mmm," Amonet muses, glancing at Varul. "About a week ago, give or take?"
[16:10] <Varul> "A little more?" Varul shrugs, "Some insane cultists prattling about false gods. They're telling that to Lathander himself now, however."
[16:13] <Usagi> "This cannot be!" he shakes his head rapidly, "Tell me where this blasphemy is occuring so that we might put a stop to it! I cannot believe... in the Morninglord's own house!" he steams, seeming almost at a loss for words in his quivering rage.
[16:13] <Varul> "They're alerady dead," Varul says, quite deadpan about it. "Very dead."
[16:15] <Amonet> "It had to be done," Amonet agrees solemenly.
[16:17] <Usagi> "Oh..." the priest deflates. "Well... I suppose that's that, then. But where was this happening? We should send someone to investigate further, and make sure it doesn't happen again, shouldn't we?" He does sound a bit less sure now that his anger's died down, however.
[16:17] <Varul> "They even had a leader - Kristina, wasn't it?" Varul frowns as he remembers, murmuring. "I have no objection passing on the location, and as I recall, we found a book with names of contributors."
[16:18] <Amonet> "Oh, did they not also say they had a branch in another city?" Amonet consults Varul.
[16:19] <Varul> "There was something about Baldur's Gate?" Varul continues to try and remember, frowning deeper.
[16:22] <Usagi> "The name isn't familiar to me..." the priest sounds thoughtful for a moment. "However, we will have to investigate this... cult. If they are defouling our temples and besmirching our clergy, it cannot be permitted!
[16:23] * Amonet nods enthusiastically. "Evil crazy people, even a god won't forgive them."
[16:23] <Varul> Varul merely nods again, "What was that about potions, by the way?"
[16:26] <Usagi> "Hm?" he calms down again, taking a deep breath, "Yes, we stock a wide variety of useful magical potions - you have the look of adventurers about you, and that's usually what adventurers come here for."
[16:28] <Amonet> "Why are you not out there, looking for the relic?" Amonet asks the priest suddenly.
[16:29] <Usagi> He blinks in surprise. "Er... I only took my oaths two years ago. I'd hardly be qualified to lead..." he demurs, looking away.
[16:31] <Amonet> "Surely, the terms set by Lathander did not include such a restriction," she says, blinking in surprise. "In fact, if I may be so bold to say it, it sounds as if it is time to make changes to the older leadership, if even He did not see fit to pick one of them for the part after the internal strife."
[16:34] <Varul> Varul resists comment. Oh boy. There's not al ot tos ay yet, but...oh hell. Maybe this kid'll turn into something.
[16:35] <Usagi> "Er... I can barely cast spells of the second circle. Even if the Morninglord wouldn't forbid it, I hardly think I'd make a fitting leader," he shakes his head. "I thank you for your kind words, stranger, but such flattery is wasted."
[16:44] <Usagi> And so, now done with the young priest who may or may not have a great destiny, Amonet and Varul enter the temple. Inside its elegant surroundings, bathed in the multicoloured glow of light filtered through the stained glass windows, they find a few priests milling about, along with commoners and nobles alike. No sooner have they entered, however, than an elderly gray-haired man in the robes of Lathandar's clergy accosts them!
[16:44] <Usagi> "Morninglord's blessings, how can I help you children on this glorious day?" he asks dramatically, a deep baritone in his voice.
[16:49] <Amonet> "We were invited to the service!" she responds cheerfully.
[16:51] <Usagi> "Ahh, you are too late - or too early, perhaps," the older man chuckles. "I am Dawnbringer Ansus, and I will be leading the evening services, but they won't start until dusk. However... you two have the look of adventurer's about you. Perhaps I could offer a proposition, while you are here?"
[16:53] <Varul> "Depends," Varul says neutrally, waiting for him to go on.
[17:01] <Usagi> "You see, a lot of the priests here have gotten themselves into a mess over a pronouncement we recieved from the Morninglord," Ansus explains, "It's got them all hunting down a 'Sign', but with no real idea of what it is. However, I might have an inkling, and need some capable people to go get it. Interested, perhaps?"
[17:03] * Amonet tilts her head questioningly, her eyes carrying a message of curiousity. "You feel chosen by the Morninglord, then?"
[17:06] <Usagi> Ansus bristles at that. "Lathandar made it quite clear on his pronouncement - whomever places the rightful sign upon the altar will be the one to lead. If it were a matter of making a choice, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with."
[17:06] <Varul> "Mmm." Varul murmurs, thoughtfully shaking his head. "Do you feel like Lathander wants you to be the leader of this temple?"
[17:07] <Amonet> "Indeed," Amonet agrees. "To have even an inkling of the task, when none other do, can be construed as a clear sign of favor."
[17:12] <Usagi> Ansus hesitates a moment before briskly nodding at Amonet's words. "E-Exactly! You have it exactly right, dear child! That is just so!"
[17:18] * Amonet nods, listening to him.
[17:22] <Usagi> "Anyway, do I have your interest?" the grey-haired priest asks, "If so, I would like to discuss this more privately." A furtive glance at his fellow clergymen follows.
[17:22] <Amonet> "Most certainly," she agrees, nodding at him.
[17:33] <Usagi> "Excellent!" Ansus beams, leading the pair aside and into a small side chapel. "You see, I recently had a dream, and in it I saw a sunrise of rose, red, and yellow gems - the symbol of the Morninglord! It was rising over the banks of the River Rauvin, and when I saw the first rays of light, they struck a cave surrounded by stone pillars - I am sure the sign is in there!"
[17:35] <Varul> Varul follows along the entire time, keeping stone quiet. Mmm. "It sounds unusually easy, so I: assume there's going to be some catch or danger?"
[17:37] <Usagi> "Well, finding it, for one," Ansus admits. "But if you think about it, for the Sun to rise over the banks of the river, it would have to be on the West side of a place where the river runs North to South. That would have to be South of Silverymoon, but even so that's two dozen miles long until it turns East again."
[17:45] <Amonet> "Okay!" Amonet exclaims. "It sounds most entertaining a quest!"
[17:45] <Usagi> "Somewhere in that cave must be a sign from Lathandar - if you can return it, I will pay well!"
[17:46] <Varul> "How ell?" Varul asks bluntly.
[17:49] <Usagi> "If I become Mornlord of this temple, our coffers could afford a fair reward of two thousand gold pieces," the cleric nods agreeably. "What say you?"
[17:50] <Varul> Varul looks to Amonet, shrugging.
[17:51] <Amonet> "If the sign is there, it is clear that Lathander has picked you indirectly," Amonet tells Ansus, "and thus, I would like to help you however I can." She pauses, thinking. "Is there a time limit?"
[17:53] <Usagi> "Ah... I may have perhaps spoken of this dream earlier in less private surroundings," Ansus admits, "It is possible someone overheard and has sent proxies of their own to investigate. Haste would be preferable," he concludes, sweating a bit.
[17:54] * Amonet nods at his words. "Then haste shall be our course of action," she tells him.
---------
[15:30] <Usagi> Silverymoon, at last! A city of gleaming marble spires and elegant green spaces, this clean and peaceful city is a welcome respite from the wilds of the North. Entering the city, Lieutenant Farmes departs to report to his superiors and have his men taken for burial, asking that you come visit the Star Court tomorrow at noon where he will have your reward. At this, the party go their seperate ways...
[15:35] <Usagi> While Gourash wanders off in search of whores and drinking, Alveria heads off on her own to the Vault of the Sages, renowned as one of the greatest repositories of lore in the realms... It's a decent walk across town before she finds her destination, a massive horseshoe shaped building five storeys tall - more blocky and functional than the usual spires of Silverymoon.
[15:35] <Usagi> Scholars and townsfolk hustle and bustle around the main entrance, showing that this place is far from an exclusive preserve of mouldy scholars, but a source of news and information for all.
[15:37] * Alveria walks straight inside, ignoring the presence of... other people... as she plunges towards knowledge and truth! It'd be best if she could do her own research without needing to ask others, but that might not be possible...
[15:39] <Usagi> Entering, Alveria finds herself in a vast forehall, rows of sturdy oaken desks manned by priests of Deneir who deal with the queries of the public. Signs in Common, Elven, and Dwarven give notice that the ground floor and first floor are open to all, and to speak to a member of staff if assistance is required.
[15:42] <Alveria> [01:40] * Alveria seeks out a staff member, armed with the following words... "Hello! I'm here to do some research, you couldn't possibly tell me where I would need to go to look up, um, extraplanar creatures/humanoids, could you?"
[15:45] <Usagi> "You mean Outsiders?" the young looking blonde half-elf chirps, setting aside a sheaf of paper at her desk. "We have a few books on the second floor - Elminster's Ecologies volume 3 gives a good overview of them in general, and then there's Gualdrant's Fiend Folio if you're looking more at the evil kind. Hmm...  perhaps you could be more specific, actually? There's so many different kinds, after all."
[15:46] <Alveria> "True, I was thinking primarily of the Gith," replies Alveria, frowning, her voice turning to a low whisper, as she glances around furtively. "But that's a secret, ok?"
[15:48] <Usagi> "The Gith?" your guide replies loudly. "Would that be the Githyanki or the Githzerai? See what I mean - there's just too many different kinds of Outsiders to keep track of!"
[15:50] <Alveria> "Yes, well, they're practically the same species, you know," replies Alveria, facepalming. "With the whole intermingled history and whatnot. I wanted to know about the former, though. You know. Purely in the interests of science. And longevity."
[15:53] <Usagi> "Well, yes, but you wouldn't say that to their face, would you?" the half-elf girl replies incredulously. "I mean, that'd be like saying you and a Drow are the same, or comparing a Shield Dwarf to a Gully Dwarf. It might technically be true, but you'll get your teeth knocked out if you comment on it!"
[15:53] <Alveria> "Pfft! I laugh in the face of danger! Hah! Hah! Hahahahahahahahaha! TELL ME WHERE TO FIND A SAGE."
[15:55] <Usagi> "Eeek!" the girl recoils back from Alveria, raising her hands in a warding gesture. "Um... consultations with sages cost 50 gold pieces per hour. We have a few that are learned regarding the Astral Plane and Limbo - that's where they live, isn't it? The Gith, I mean."
[15:56] <Alveria> "Yes, yes, they live in some crazy place that doesn't have a floor," says Alveria, nodding. "5,000 coppers an hour? Right, sure, I'll spring for it."
[15:58] <Usagi> "Okay, let me check who's free - can you wait here a moment?" she asks, not even waiting for an answer before she flees, leaving Alveria to her own devices.
[16:00] * Alveria waits impatiently, tapping her foot, straightening her self-rumpling skirt, and generally looking like an edgy ditz.
[16:03] <Usagi> It's a few moments before the blonde half-elf returns, smiling perkily as she seems to have recovered from Alveria's earlier outburst. "Okay! Cassandra Ward is available right now - you're lucky, since she's actually travelled the Planes quite a bit. You'll need this to go to the second floor - room twenty five." She hands over a silver rune-inscribed disc.
[16:03] <Usagi> "Oh, and you need to pay me as well!" she adds as an afterthought. "Fifty gold, right?"
[16:04] <Alveria> "And awaaaaaaaay I go!" replies Alveria, dashing off, the clanging of coins left  bouncing on the desk in her wake, in a variety of irritating denominations.
[16:08] <Usagi> Up the stairs she goes! The second floor is far quieter, long corridors with numbered wooden doors on the sides. Luckily the layout is pretty simple, allowing Alveria to find her destination in short order. Consultation room twenty five is a decently sized space, if a bit musty - the window looks like it hasn't been opened in a good long while.
[16:08] <Usagi> There are a few bookshelves and uncomfortable looking seats around, but nothing special. Also, no sage.
[16:09] <Alveria> "Excuuuuse me, Miss Ward? Are you here?" recites Alveria, giving into temptation and starting to nose around at the books lining the shelves.
[16:11] <Usagi> No reply. The books are dusty and appear to be little more than decoration - it's various literature and general textbooks on an assortment of subjects, nothing especially interesting or relevant, however. It's as Alveria skims over the titles that she hears the door open behind her. "Hello?" a melodious female voice asks, "Are you the person that wanted to know about the Gith?"
[16:12] <Alveria> "Mmm," replies Alveria, turning around. "That would be right."
[16:15] <Usagi> "Excellent!" the Moon Elf who must be Cassandra Ward nods, stepping inside and setting a small pile of books onto the desk. She's probably a bit older than Alveria, though it's doubtful a non-elf could tell, with pale skin and silvery white hair pulled into a severe bun that exgaggerates her pointed ears.
[16:15] <Usagi> "I actually spent some time at a Githzerai monestary about fifty years ago - fascinating people! I'd be glad to help you with anything you want to know," she smiles, although there's a certain prim coldness to it.
[16:17] <Alveria> "Mmm. Well... how to say it, it's not the Githzerai who I'm curious to learn about," replies Alveria, drumming her fingers on the sides of a bookshelf. Tap, tap, tap, taptap, taptaptap, taptap. "Their more violent cousins are of far more interest, regretfully."
[16:19] <Usagi> "Ahh, the Githyanki," Cassandra nods understandingly, "Well, they were once one people, so a lot of the same still applies. And I have met a Githyanki or two in my time as well, so I can still help you there. Do you want an overview or are there specifics you wish to get into?"
[16:21] <Alveria> "I know the basics," replies Alveria. "Psychic potential, sword-lovers, crazy Lich-Queen, got all that. No.. hmm. Firstly, the queen herself. What is known about her?"
[16:25] <Usagi> "Vlaakith the one hundred and fifty seventh..." Cassandra breathes the name out slowly. "She has been their ruler for over a thousand years - a wizard and lich of immense power. I daresay even the likes of Elminster and Sssaz Tam might think twice before trifling with her, though exactly how powerful she is is not known. It is known that she consumes the soul of any Githyanki who becames too powerful, lest they become a threat to her, however."
[16:26] <Usagi>  threat to her, however."
[16:27] <Alveria> Alveria nods. Nothing new, here... "Mmm... what of her possessions?" she queries, suddenly. "Does she have any particularly noteworthy.. ah.. items or projects?"
[16:31] <Usagi> "The most famous would be the Silver Swords," Cassandra nods, going to lean against the desk. "She gives them to her favoured knights - before they become powerful enough to devour, obviously. To wield one is a great sign of the Lich Queen's favour, and an elite branch of the Githyanki military - the Sword Stalkers - exist solely to hunt down any that are..." she smiles slightly, "Mislaid."
[16:32] <Alveria> "Is that all they hunt down?" Alveria is quick to add.
[16:34] <Usagi> "That is the sole purpose of that group, yes," Cassandra nods. "They are a small organisation, after all. The rest of the Githyanki army typically concerns itself with warring against the Illithid - that's 'Mind Flayers'," she adds with a bit of condescension, "Or Githzerai."
[16:38] <Alveria> "Hmm... the Githyanki, is 'infidel' a curse word of general use amongst them, or does it have a more specific meaning?" she asks, frowning. "And, specifically, while I know of Silver Swords and whatever other weapons they enjoy so dearly, do they possess any other items or the like that might, ah, trigger a particularly violent response, were they to go missing?"
[16:41] <Usagi> Cassandra shrugs eloquently. "They worship their Queen as a God - much like all zealots, anyone who does not share that outlook is an infidel." Peering at Alveria with a calculating look, she drums her fingers on the side of the desk she leans upon, "It sounds to me like your interest isn't just of a scholarly nature, is it?"
[16:44] <Alveria> "Who'd want to learn about these freaks?" mutters Alveria. "Like I told the noisy clerk downstairs, my interest is one of self-preservation." Succintly, Alveria gives the details of the previous engagement with the Githyanki, as well as producing the note (and the all-too-accurate picture of herself) that was found. "So, I am just a mite concerned," she adds.
[16:47] <Usagi> "Indeed..." Cassandra takes a moment to digest all of that. "For them to invoke the Lich Queen personally... it would appear that they think you have taken something from her personally. Silver Swords are considered hers, as I explained earlier, but as they have not sent the Sword Stalkers, it must be something else..." the other elf purses her lips thoughtfully.
[16:47] <Usagi>  "But what, exactly? Considering the Githyanki, even stealing a bauble from one could warrant death - clearly whatever they think you have, it belonged directly to Vlaakith. But it gives no real indication of what it could be."
[16:48] <Alveria> "It isn't a physical object," replies Alveria, sounding sullen. "To the best of my knowledge, anyway. Does that narrow it down at all?"
[16:54] <Usagi> "Hmm... knowledge, perhaps?" Cassandra cocks her head, "No, even if you were a psion, I doubt you could rip anything directly from Vlaakith's mind, and the context of that letter makes it clear you *took* something, not just learned something. Have you ever had dealings with them before this?"
[16:57] <Alveria> "Not with the Githyanki specifically," mutters Alveria, frowning darkly. "Some planar experiment went badly a few years ago, and SOMETHING came out of Limbo and lodged itself in... uh, my mind. It is taking all my willpower to merely speak coherently with you at the moment, it has quite the spiral effect on my thought process. But I have no idea what it is, or what it does, or why anyone would want it."
[17:04] <Usagi> "How odd," Cassandra frowns thoughtfully. "Limbo, you say? That's where the Githzerai reside - forced there after losing their war with the Githyanki, who themselves retreated to the Astral Plane. The two are coterminous, of course, but... wait a moment!" the silver-haired elf perks up, quickly turning to grab one of her books and start leafing through it.
[17:04] <Usagi> roll 1d20
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 1d20 and gets 17." [1d20=17]
[17:04] * Alveria purses her lips, one hand straying to her forehead and holding it, as if trying to keep something from falling out.
[17:11] <Usagi> "Aha!" Cassandra crows, seeming more animated than at any point in the discussion up till now. "I knew I'd heard that somewhere, I just had to check." Turning back to Alveria, "This perhaps does tie to the Githzerai, after all. You see, the holy warriors of the Githzerai wield what are calld 'Karach' blades. Not as famous as the Silver Swords, but far rarer."
[17:11] <Usagi> "In essence, they are formed of Limbo itself - I don't know the circumstances of the experiment you describe, but it is perhaps possible that it touched the Astral Plane as well. Any Karach Blades ever captured by the Githyanki would no doubt be prized by the Lich Queen - perhaps this experiment leached the power from one in her treasury or some such?"
[17:13] <Alveria> "So you're saying I have a sword in my head," says Alveria, sounding flat.
[17:14] <Usagi> "The power from one," Cassandra repeats, exasparated. "Obviously a physical sword couldn't go in there, but the enchantment of it...? I admit, it's purely speculation, but it's the only explanation I have for how an experiment to draw something from Limbo could earn the ire of the Githyanki, who reside on an altogether different plane."
[17:16] <Alveria> "Alright... how could this be verified? Do these blades have some particularly unique magical signiature that could be traced, or the like?" asks Alveria, rubbing her scalp furiously.
[17:21] <Usagi> "No doubt - they are important and uncommon relics to the Githzerai people, after all," Cassandra nods. "I myself wouldn't know how to divine it, but a Zerth surely would - they are the Githzerai holy warriors I spoke of earlier. Not easily found on the Prime, however... Of course, failing that, you could always turn to divine inspiration. You could perhaps ask a cleric at the Halls of Inspiration to commune with Oghma for an answer."
[17:23] <Alveria> "What about the Githzerai?" continuies Alveria, her voice starting to rise in tone. "They can take it, I don't really want it! Don't you, ah, know any?"
[17:25] <Usagi> "Oh, I have no doubt they'd be thrilled to take it, if they indeed can," Cassandra nods. "I could travel to Limbo and find a Zerth for you - but it would make the cost of this consultation look like a drop in the ocean," she cautions.
[17:25] <Alveria> "How much?"
[17:28] <Usagi> "Two thousand and four hundred gold would cover the cost of the plane-shift spells, and a premium for the dangers inherent of travelling in Limbo," Cassandra replies briskly.
[17:32] <Alveria> Alveria's eyebrows twitch. "Very well," she mutters, standing up. "I don't suppose you have any anti-Githyanki spells which I could use to not die in the interim of earning this sum?"
[17:35] <Usagi> "I could pen a few scrolls..." Cassandra replies dubiously, "Nothing specific to Githyanki, sadly, but I have a wide range of protective spells that could be useful. Also, don't forget they are Outsiders - a spell like Dismissal can work wonders if they come at you on the Prime."
[17:37] <Alveria> Alveria's eyebrows continue to twitch, before her eyes shut. "Yes, I will remember that," she says, blankly. "One more thing. As I told you, we killed a bunch of Githyanki already. Know any crazy people who'd buy their stuff?"
[17:39] <Usagi> "Who would buy it? A fool, really - well crafted as it may be, not many would take the risk of being killed for it," Cassandra admits. "You should probably try Sundabar, since people there are warlike enough not to care. I doubt you'd find many people in Silverymoon interested in Githyanki weapons."