More than anything else, it's the baby irrigo.
Tryll takes a break from his day's labors, watching the play splash about the surface. He floats just above the beach of an uninhabited island on Lifasa, Calleigh playing nearby. They splash and swim about, innocent and free, playing the games of childhood. Below are your homes, your places, your new life hard one from Hell's grasp. But right now that is only partially on your mind, as Gytha drifts nearby, watching them carefully.
It's a moment of peace, a moment of reward for your hard labors. In this one moment everything is good, everything is right.
"So," Nearby Dana against a palm tree, munching on a large chunk of beef jerky, "Gonna be watching the kids all day, or you got a plan for anything?" She's in her armor despite the warmth here, dry and pristine. Not a drop of sweat is on her as she eats, washing down the jerky with water. "Spring's still not tasting salty, so pretty sure it's not gonna get sea water leaking into it anytime soon."
As with the others this is pretty much just set up, a chance for you to define anything related to this and establish yourself. If you have a to do you want to begin to look into, say so. If you don't, you'll get something tossed your way since it's the beginning of the game and everyone needs a push.
'Things are going quite well here.' Tryll floats calmly next to Dana, half his bulk submerged in the sand. He looks like a strange, ghostly antlion. In the distance, far in front of Dana and any children, a muted KRUMPFF! noise can be heard as a massive plume of water rockets into the sky. The water rises to nearly a hundred feet before halting in the air unmoving. It stays there for a moment before sloppily falling over, revealing itself to be ectoplasm as it rapidly fades from existence. '...bother.'
The sounds of courrish cheering can be heard.
'Well that's another thousand gold worth of deep crystal wasted. I need a better matrix. Doing this blind is rather more difficult than I'd anticipated. Do you know what a psigate is?'
"Fuck no," Dana takes another big bite of jerky, "Is it like a gate, but all made with mind magic instead of Weave magic? Because that's what it sounds like." A shrug afterwards, "Go check my storage room, I have more deep crystal. The dwarves are just giving it away when I ask. Heh," Dana smirks a bit, "Being one of the world's saviors has some fucking perks to it."
'Imagine an expensive location made of stone and deep crystal. Lots of artisan-carved stone and decorations. Very clandestine, psi-chic. Like something out of an adventure. At its center is a psigate. A location of wonder and tremendous power. It's a real shame that it was originally designed by complete morons.' Tryll scoffs, 'A psigate allows a psionic creature to activate the gate to obtain one of two effects. It can either allow the use of the correspond power, or it allows for a single, one-way plane shift. Afterward, the location takes an entire week to generate enough power to allow for either effect to be used again. It's possibly the most expensive shitty wand in the planes. I'm trying to make a better one based on one I saw some time ago in my travels, but really. Whoever designed them was brilliantly stupid. Incredible power, but most of it is wasted.'
These are real things from Complete Psionic. They're really stupid.
"Yeah?" Dana finishes off her jerky and water, putting the waterskin away. "So why don't you copy Tepen's notes and make a Psionic Gate? Same thing, less bullshit. Because that sounds like...actually, how much does a psigate cost to build?" Dana considers.
I'm not familiar with them, so I'm taking your word on it for the amusement.
'Because figuring it out for myself is more fun. Also, this wouldn't just be a gate. I'm trying to build something that can be assembled into a network of gates all across Lifasa. An effort to make transportation and trade easier. Also, recolonization. As for how much? I don't know. I've just been dredging up deep crystal and stone from underground or taking it from other planes. I'm assuming that if I were a human psion...maybe a few hundred thousand gold? Anyway, I plan to make a hundred of them. Their exits would be, of course, confined to Lifasa's prime and the locations of other psigates. Just a constantly reusable Gate would be handy, though tremendously expensive. Really, I want them to be useful enough that anyone with a sentient mind can activate them, not just someone with powers.'
"Right," Dana kicks back, "So hey, we gonna go kick some ass or do anything today, or are you gonna fuck around with gates?"
'Oh yeah, no. That was the seventh crystal matrix I've exploded in three days. Time for a break. Let's go break something that belongs to someone else. Actually, I was hoping to go to the Beastlands and find the missing member of our cadre of ghost squids. Also, we need money. Aren't you supposed to be some sort of royalty?'
This gets Dana to crack an eye open, her eyes shut as she relaxes back. "Yeah, but Daddy and I don't get along. It's disrespectful for a woman to do things besides make babies, huh? Asshole." Dana huffs out. "I need to go kick his ass one day. He tried sending someone to fetch me early on in the Crusade, but Jaela and you know how that bullshit goes with her."
Meanwhile you feel it - a raw, open and forceful mental push. The push of a newborn's mind seeking others. No words formulate, only an intent broadcasted - affection.
'Well. We need money. Your father has a kingdom. Probably a castle. Castles have vaults...probably vaults with insufficient defenses. If you don't like the man, blackening his eye by robbing him might suit your tast-oh that's adorable.'
Dana grins, "Yeah, you think so too? Shit, giving someone a black eye's great. I wouldn't use fucking adorable, but whatever."
As Dana probably says too much about her own tastes, you feel the push again. Simple, pure and innocent affection.
'I thought that might interest you, but no it's not adorable. There's a newborn nearby, reaching out with affection. Can you feel it?'
"Oh that? Yeah," Dana gestures in the direction of the baby irrigo playing, off in the distance. She gives you a look, eyebrow raised, "I'm not gonna get pressed into mothering them, am I?"
'Depends. Fancy yourself the mother of a psychic squid that'll one day be the size of a house?'
"So," Dana hops to her feet in one movement, working the kinks out of her neck after. "Let's just beat the shit out of something. We could go kick the life out of a valkyrie warlord and bring her home with us. Or shit no, all that horseshit about ripping the world up." Pausing to lick her lips thoughtfully, "Got any better ideas?"
'We could go look up that Valkyrie we beat up. She might want to join up. Then we can go blow up your dad's favorite castle or something.'
"Then let's get our asses going," Dana agrees, going and putting her helmet on. From there...
Plan and how you're getting there?
we still have ties to Aurora, which I believe is still on Lucas's. Showing up and asking for a Gatr spell isn't exactly impossible
Do you mean Aurora and a Gate spell, respectively? I presume you got mangled by auto correct.
Holy shit yes wow thank you
Quick hit: You have a way to get home as well?
Reality Revision for a Gate spell equiv. Just don't like using it to leave home. Nothing as scary as being probably useless for an hour.
Fair enough.
You appear in Ysgard, the mountains thick with snow. Snow falls everywhere, a blizzard all around you. The battlefields are still packed, and great, gaping cracks boiling over with lava dot the battlefield. Before you is war, savage and unchecked. You can barely see through the storm, a mass of white with red glowing zones scattered throughout, where the lava pulses.
"Oh fuck yes," Dana grins, "Now THIS is what I was looking for!" She readies her sword and shield, "Hey Tryll, you up for some fucking violence?"
Calleigh opens her mouth to say something, but it's promptly filled with snow. "BLEAH! No!" Pop! Now she's a ball of light.
'Might as well. Let's see whose attention we get.' Tryll replies.
Okay, there's a great big battle raging nearby. How do you plan to enter it?
Manifesting Hail of Crystals
Metapsionics: Twinned, Maximized, Empowered
Damage: 384
Reflex save DC 29 halves
Just gonna fling that in there then? Okay. Make PR if it allows SR/PR.
It does not.
I'll send it a good hundred feet into the melee before it explodes.
> roll 1d20+20
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=10]
This has a quite predictable effect - warriors are shredded amid the snowstorm, blood splashing just as readily as snow falls. Warriors fall for the day, stricken down until the next dawn.
"THAT'S IT, YOU COCKSUCKERS! LISTEN UP! I'M HERE TO BEND OVER YOUR BIGGEST, BADDEST FUCKING VALKYRIE AND FUCK HER WITH MY FOOT LONG COCK! SO GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE UNLESS YOU'RE A CRAVEN FUCKING COWARD!" Dana snarls into the storm, competing with the howling winds. "YOU HERE ME? COME OUT UNLESS EVERY STORY I'VE HEARD OF THE BRAVE VALKYRIES OF YSGARD IS BULLSHIT!"
With Dana yelling and such an opening into the armies, foes are parting, turning, appraising the situation amid the snowstorm. You have plenty of attention now, alright.
Calleigh flies in lazy circles above Dana's head. "Those are some serious words! Wow!"
Tryll awaits the army's decision.
> roll 1d20+44 (+5 circumstance bonus since Tryll dropped the bomb) Intimidate
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=3]
In that moment the storm stops. The snow ceases as soldiers and warriors step back, giving the two of you a wide berth. From above a single droplet of frigid water falls, becoming a column of light. From above she descends, a valkyrie clad in armor of black ice. Her arms are crossed, gaze cool. Her hair a blonde bordering on platinum white, tied back into a severe braid. Her gaze is a pale, icy blue. Snowflakes trail from her wings as she lands, "Big words, heroes of Aurora. What do you want here?"
"Ooooooh, and ice valkyrie!" Calleigh croons, "So pretty!"
'We're looking for a good fight, I suppose. What else is there to do in Ysgard?' Tryll replies.
Dana just grins at this, sword and shield at the ready.
"Blood and feast...and I see no feast, do you?" The valkyrie agrees. She draws no weapon, arms crossed still.
"Food!?" Calleigh pops back into corporeality, "Are you telling me there's gonna be food!?"
The valkyrie's expression hardens, "Child, this is no place for you." Her gaze rises to you, "Why have you brought a courre to this battlefield?"
Dana shrugs, "Calleigh's seen shit fighting with Aurora, this isn't jack shit. Your pussified fucking soldiers barely even register compared to the nightmares we've fought, beat up and pissed all over. So you gonna shut up and fight or are you gonna bitch and moan some more?"
"Pah! I've fought scarier stuff! I fought Taelfa-uh. Fagin! Yeah. Tailfagin. Whatever. Stupid devil names. Also Levistus! So watch out! I'm fighty!"
"I-"
That's all the valkyrie gets out before Dana just charges in, cutting off things with a judicious application of sheer violence. It's a battle.
Init.
"OHBOYTIMETOFIGHTKABOOM!"
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 13 + 9, total 22[/blockquote]
Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 11 + 15, total 26[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+9 Dana
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+15 Valkyrie
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=20]
Init is Valkyrie (35) > Calleigh (26) > Tryll (22) > Dana (21)
Valkyrie opens.
Without moving a muscle the valkyrie watches all of you. From the gashes in the ground lava gushes out, great, snaking columns of it flowing at Tryll and Dana, like giant serpents aiming to consume them head first.
Reflex save, you two. Calleigh is not targeted.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 6 + 26, total 32[/blockquote]
SR?
It's not a spell, just lava. Which means incorporeality bails you out regardless.
> roll 1d20+38 evasion
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=5]
So neither of you take damage.
The lava passes through Tryll to no effect, while Dana just grins and holds her ground. The lava freezes solid when it touches her shield, a great plume of mists as fragile hunks of volcanic glass hit the ground in front of her and shatter, fresh-frozen.
The valkyrie looks on, a moment of open surprise before...
Calleigh.
Calleigh has a crystal wand! Watch out! With a "Blam!", a snaking stream of swirling wind reaches out from Calleigh toward the Valkyrie!
Ranged touch![blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 20 + 26, total 46[/blockquote]
POW! Remind me, do spells crit?
If it makes an attack roll and a crit would be meaningful, generally yes. What spell is it?
Tornado Blast.
Crit confirmation.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 1 + 26, total 27[/blockquote]
For real?
Normal hit then. Roll damage and notice any special effects.
Valk, No save, no SR.[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 2, 6, 6, 2, 4, 1, 5, 4, total 30[/blockquote]
Valk & enemies within 40 ft of valk, Ref 19 half, no SR.[blockquote]Rolled 17d6 : 3, 4, 3, 5, 2, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 1, 5, 1, 1, 1, 5, total 54[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20 1 check since low DC for valkyrie
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 check since low DC for valkyrie --> [ 1d20=20 ]{20}
Unfortunate.
The wind hits the Valkyrie dead on, knocking her back and end over end in the air. As she's blasted away she cries out, lava missing the two of you.
Tryll.
Tryll silently manifests himself and Calleigh some protection!
Inertial Armor.
+19 armor bonus to AC.
Init is Valkyrie (35) > Calleigh (26) > Tryll (22) > Dana (21)
Dana looks up in open contempt as her target flies up, chasing after her. "Hey bitch! FUCK YOU!" Dana barrels in rapier first, a wild charge aimed at her throat.
> roll 1d20+43 (+2 charge, +2 chain of personal superiority, -10 PA)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=1]
But the winds have blown her too far, knocking her away!
Next post shortly with the valkyrie's turn.
Reeling from the windblast, the valkyrie flips in the air, Dana right in her face as she rights herself. "Storms, assail them!" The valkyrie shouts, the winds returning with a passion, a blizzard engulfing all of you.
Fort saves. Calleigh is being intentionally spared so she's off the hook.
Remember to roll for incorporeality miss chance and SR 44. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 20 + 24, total 44[/blockquote]
SR isn't relevant here but incorporeality is.
> roll 1d100 vs 50
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 vs 50 --> [ 1d100=28 ]{28}
You're untouched.
Dana can't fail the save thanks to Steadfast Determination, so no roll needed.
The winds howl and lick at you, but Calleigh is unharmed. Tryll merely ripples as they pass through him harmlessly, while Dana holds her ground. "Try harder, cunt!"
Calleigh.
Tryll is ever-placid, like a calm pond in a snowstorm. Tendrils wave lazily in the air as the snow and wind pass through him.
Calleigh, on the other hand, is covered in residual snow. "Bleah! Is it time to make snow men!?"
How far away is the valk?
50ft ahead and 30ft in the air.
Second verse, same as the first! "You can have some wind too!"
Tornado Blast again. Ranged touch:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 4 + 28, total 32[/blockquote]
Hit.
No save, no SR.(http://www.soulriders.net/SMFTest/Themes/core/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 8d6 : 4, 4, 6, 3, 3, 2, 2, 5, total 29
Valk & enemies within 40 ft of valk, Ref 19 half, no SR.(http://www.soulriders.net/SMFTest/Themes/core/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 17d6 : 2, 4, 2, 6, 2, 6, 6, 2, 6, 2, 2, 6, 4, 1, 4, 1, 5, total 61
Edit: Added save info
Edit2: I didn't touch the dice roll ya crazy machine
> roll 1d20 1 check since low DC
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 check since low DC --> [ 1d20=9 ]{9}
Does the spell only target enemies or is Dana in the range, too?
She's in range!
> roll 1d20 1 check since low DC\
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 check since low DC\ --> [ 1d20=2 ]{2}
Dana has evasion so she's fine.
The wind blast hits the valkyrie again, knocking her over end over end in the air. As she flips and flips and flips...
Tryll.
'Are we going to fight this whole battle for you, Dana?' Tryll says idly. He takes no other actions.
Dana fires off a comment obscene before whirling on the valkyrie and...
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) --> [ 1d20=20 ]{67}
> roll 1d20+42 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+42 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) --> [ 1d20=5 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+37 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+37 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) --> [ 1d20=3 ]{40}
> roll 1d20+32 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+32 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) crit confirmatoin
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) crit confirmatoin --> [ 1d20=11 ]{58}
> roll 1d6+27
> roll 1d6+27
> roll 1d6+27
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d6+27 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{29}
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d6+27 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{29}
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d6+27 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{32}
> roll 2d6+54
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d6+54 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{62}
Dana stabs the valkyrie over and over, scoring nearly a half dozen hits in a second. A storm of thrusts indeed, each one bloodying the valkyrie. She reels back and cries out from the assault and...
Going to take your action? Otherwise valkyrie is up.
Nah, Dana needs this more than I do.
"ENOUGH!" The valkyrie roars, drawing an icy blade from nowhere, striking hard at Dana, going for her head.
> roll 1d20+50
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+50 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{70}
> roll 1d20+45
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+45 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{62}
> roll 1d20+40
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{59}
> roll 1d20+35
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+50 crit check
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+50 crit check --> [ 1d20=12 ]{62}
> roll 3d8+60+10d6
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 3d8+60+10d6 --> [ 3d8=14 10d6=38 ]{112}
Through sheer fury and speed, the valkyrie fast draws past Dana, slashing through her armor and tearing her chest open. This just makes Dana grin more, spitting away a bit of blood. "Congratufuckinglations, you got at my tits! Shit, you did better than any of those limp wristed princes Daddy tried to introduce me to! Hope you enjoyed it, 'cause you're taking it next time!"
Calleigh and then Tryll.
While Dana and the Valkyrie are stabbing each other, Calleigh flies up next to the Valkyrie and shouts, "HI!" while waving a dorje an inch from her ear.
As the valkyrie parries a stab and pushes Dana back, "Not now, child! What are you even doing here!?"
IT BEGINS
Bluff check for a distraction[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 14 + 40, total 54[/blockquote]
"You look like my mommy!"
"What?!" The valkyrie stares a moment, well and truly distracted as...
Tryll.
Manifesting: Energy Stun
Metapsionics: Twinned, Maximized
SR: Yes
Damage: 174 + 174
Save: Reflex 55 half, Will 55 to avoid stun if prior save failed.
Calleigh grins, and the air around the Valkyrie's head absolutely explodes with shrieking noise.
Make your caster level check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+34 : 9 + 34, total 43[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+28 reflex ow yeah, that might be a bit high
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+28 reflex ow yeah, that might be a bit high --> [ 1d20=6 ]{34}
Just out of curiosity, what's the second highest DC you can manage with a power? Besides that one. Since isn't that the one I let you add something to? Correct me if I'm wrong.
I presume sonic damage, but could you clarify?
That's actually not the one we were talking about. And I think that's the highest I can manage. I'll level powers of do more damage Are capped. And yes, it is Sonic damage. Wait, it's -1 damage per die. -29 damage to each of those damage rolls.
Gimme total damage then.
Quote from: Yuthirin on May 03, 2018, 04:44:01 PM
That’s actually not the one we were talking about. And I think that’s the highest I can manage. I’ll level powers of do more damage Are capped. And yes, it is Sonic damage. Wait, it’s -1 damage per die. -29 damage to each of those damage rolls.
Jesus Christ voice to text is not there yet. This was from my phone in the car.
Okay. 55 is probably the highest DC I can pull off. The only reason the damage is so high is because of epic feat combinations. It'd be higher if I'd Empowered it, but I figured that'd be too much. I'll figure out my second highest at some point. Energy Lance is the one you let me add. That one would not be able to reach this DC. It's 2 levels higher, and it eats up more PP so there's less room to augment.
For this power, the damage is 174-29=145, twinned.
> roll 1d20+23 vs stun
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 42 > [d20=19]
The blast of sonic power leaves the valkyrie reeling back, blood flowing from both ears. She groans, stunned and out of it, as...
Dana.
"Hey bitch, you lose!" Dana snaps, rapier going for the kill with sheer savagery.
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 65 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+42 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 43 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+37 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 52 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+32 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 38 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) crit confirm
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 64 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+37 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA) crit confirm
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 40 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d6+27
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 33 > [d6=6]
> roll 2d6+54
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 60 > [d6=5,1]
> roll 2d6+54
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 62 > [d6=2,6]
What follows is sheer violence. Dana stabs and stabs, grinning as she impales the valkyrie once, twice, thrice. Blood pours down her breastplate, staining the icy garment as...
Stunned. C*T time, go.
Sorry about no posts. Today was busy.
Tryll and Calleigh both hold, waiting for Dana to finish up. Calleigh does drift backward a bit.
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+42 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+37 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 42 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+32 (+2 chain, rapier storm, -3 PA)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d6+27
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d6=5]
> roll 1d6+27
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d6=1]
> roll 1d6+27
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 33 > [d6=6]
> roll 1d6+27
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 30 > [d6=3]
Again. Again. Again. Dana keeps it up on the valkyrie, who falls to the ground in a kneel, bleeding profusely. "I yield!" she finally declares, gasping. "I yield!"
Free act.
Calleigh flits about, bouncing off of Dana's pauldrons one after another and humming cheerfully.
To Dana, Tryll says privately, 'What's your assessment of her?'
'Twenty pounds of cunt in a two pound bag,' Dana snarks as she flies down, wound slowly healing, bleeding already stopped and flesh knitting back to wholeness. 'Typical valkyrie bullshit. Almost a shame I'm not a dyke, I'd live up to my threat otherwise.'
After a bit of translation, Tryll replies, 'Unfortunate. I was hoping she'd be worth recruiting. Having someone to watch your back in melee once we get into the real work will be valuable.'
'Then fucking recruit her. We can hammer out her bullshit and make her an upstanding fucking member of sea squid society.' Dana rolls her eyes, the intent of that felt through the bond. 'Shiiiiit, bitch would probably like tentacles, too.'
Tryll leans in, giving Dana an exceptionally squiddy look, 'So you're saying you'll train her?'
'Sure, why the fuck not? I'll even fucking housebreak her so she doesn't piss in the ocean or hump chairs. You're cleaning up after her if she pisses or shits on the floor, though.' Dana replies, unmoved by the squiddish gaze. 'Also we really need a fucking extraplanar hangout if we start dragging powerful outsiders into this shit. Fuck, let's not get Afina or Jaela bitching at us because we're fucking up Lifasa, okay? Nagging histrionics suck even if you're a fucking woman.'
'Haha! Alright Dana, you can keep her. As for our home base, we'll need something sufficient. Something grand and overstated, yet subtle. Ostentatious, but understated. Also, dangerously explosive. Not a castle, though. A demiplane! I lack the resources to craft one myself, so I think it's reasonable that we should of course steal one.' Tryll begins to plan.
Meanwhile, Calleigh flutters up to the valkyrie and pokes her in the forehead with a tiny pointy pointer finger, "Hey!"
The valkyrie answers by vomiting up blood and bile, shuddering as her wounds slowly stop bleeding. "Not..now...child," she gasps out, shuddering.
'Sure, what the fuck ever. Or how about a giant fuck off ship we can all live on? That works like fuck too, right, especially if we shake Vlaakith's tits until she gives us one, or take Jaela's or what the fuck ever. Oh hey, we could do shit with a flying fucking island. Call it the fucking Squidtopia and have it be a flying fortress of squids.'
"Gross!" Calleigh pokes her with a wand of Cure Critical Wounds instead! [blockquote]Rolled 4d8+10 : 8, 2, 4, 7 + 10, total 31[/blockquote]
'What about a giant flying crystal skull? Too villain-chic? A crystal brain! With tentacles! Yes! I wonder where we'd find one. Probably have to make one. Hmm. We're going to need a lot of crystal. And a plumber.'
'No skulls. Let's not get fucking smited by someone just being on the safe side,' Dana shoots right back. 'Seriously, I think a flying ship is the way to go.'
'I like the idea behind it, but it's all very gith. Why are you so keen on it? Fancy yourself a pirate queen?'
"Are you done ralphing?" from Calleigh.
"I...am well enough now, thank you, child," The valkyrie stands as Dana makes a few comments not suitable for public consumption. Huh, apparently your mother fancied equines, canines and maple trees.
Anyway, the valkyrie's wounds are still healing but she's recovering visibly. "You three are strong," she confesses, "I had thought the magic allowing me to control the weather and area here would be more than enough."
"We're with Aurora. We're too awesome for stuff like that. You should totally join up and help! You're fighty!" Calleigh says, then turns to Dana, "She's not really my mommy. She's been dead for like, thousands of years. Her soul merged with Arborea. I think. Maybe. She liked Chauntea. Wherever Chauntea's people go. I dunno. But! Fighting! I bet Dana could train you up real good!"
"Yeah, fucking look," Dana takes a long exhale, "We need warriors to help us and we're looking for bitches who can be trained into something better than a warm puddle of squid piss. You up for it or are you too busy taking fire giant cock or whatever bullshit is here?"
Make a Diplo check just for my own reference, y'all.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+48 : 2 + 48, total 50[/blockquote]
"It is the way of Ysgard for the victorious to take from the vanquished," The valkyrie says, "I will serve you, if it is what you want. For now, so long as you remain strong."
'Alright, you're with us then. That means we need to move on stealing something soon. Since we can't immediately return to Lifasa, let's look at going to help Debonah. She might have a line on something we can use. I'd rather not wander the Astral aimlessly again. I've got nowhere to drag a gigantic astral dreadnought corpse to.' Tryll replies to the group.
"Yeah," Dana smirks as she says, "Plus I learned some shit from this, too."
Two things.
1. Do you want the valkyrie as a full part of the node or a minor supporter?
2. You've completed Dana's first reward. Either you or her gain a bonus power known of 5th level or lower. The kicker: It has to be one the other person knows, but can be any power the other knows of the appropriate level. Let me know which and that you've visited the updated node topic.
"What'd'ja learn!?" Calleigh asks.
1. Let's go full part of the node. Everybody wants their own valkyrie.
2. Dana's got nothing I want, she's free to choose something from my list.
2.5. I've visited the node topic.
Okay, she'll be posted in a day or two.
"It's called Energy Stun, motherfuckers! So, what's your name?" Dana asks.
"Miranda," The defeated valkyrie says, wounds still healing before your eyes. "Miranda the Brave."
"Ohhhh, she's gotta title!" Calleigh grins, "I am Wind-Princess Calleigh Summerbreeze! Really rolls off the tongue, right? This is Dana." There is a lightning-fast boop of Dana's nose, "And the big ol' squidguy is Tryll. I hope you live up to your name, 'cause we're gonna do some CRAZY STUFF."
"I-" Miranda begins.
"Yeah, yeah, shut your hole, there's no cock here to suck. So where the fuck are we going now, Tryll?" Dana says, "Gimme some place I can put her through the paces without wrecking the plane just because she's powerful."
'No need to be mean, Dana.' Tryll chides privately. 'She's a member of the team, now. That being said, Ysgard is probably the best place for it. Nearly all mistakes can be recovered from, here.'
Glancing between all of you, Miranda finally says, "I own a lodge here. It will suffice."
"YAY!" Calleigh cheers, "Let's go!"
It's perhaps an hour's flight here, past the peak and down the mountain. Here a recessed, huge cave lets in sunlight, a large lodge built of stone here.A few fields of dirt have been dug in and added to the mountainside cave near the front, one with several dozen apple trees. The other is simply grass, a golden-yellow dog napping in the sunshine there.
Miranda whistles low, the dog perking up and coming over, wagging his tail. "Champion, good dog," Miranda kneels and pats his head. "They're with me, learn their scents."
Champion sniffs all of you - even Tryll. Dana eyes him carefully as the dog then goes back to lying down.
Arcana for Blink Dog or Moon Dog[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 19 + 50, total 69[/blockquote]
It's a blink dog. An odd one no doubt - that coloration's a bit odd for them and it's a relatively small specimen for one, but it is a blink dog.
"Oh boy a blink dog!" Calleigh says, reaching over to give the dog a good scratch about the head. "You're pretty!"
"Woof!" Champion barks.
Miranda smiles, "Technically a spirit that passed onto the Beastlands, but that's a long story." Her expression softens at Calleigh and Champion's play, the dog perking up and watching her intently, panting lightly.
A gesture ahead. It's a sturdy lodge building, three stories tall and made of solid stone. Not a hint of give in it, with a well visible on the side a swell as a small barn. There's plenty of space beyond the house, but it quickly falls into shadows. The lodge house has regular windows of glass, the ones in the front letting in sunlight.
"The Day and Night Lodge," Miranda announces, "We'll break bread here and you'll tell me more of what you've gotten me into here."
'You know,' Tryll says idly, 'I'm really grateful for my incorporeality. Houses and such are never build for creatures my size.'
"What exactly are you?" Miranda looks in your general direction, "I know your name from the stories of the Aurora, but nothing else."
'Irrigo. There are five of us. Well, more now due to divine mandate and blasphemous soul grafting. It's a long story.' Tryll replies.
"It is. You will tell it to me momentarily," Miranda says, "If you have committed crimes against the Gods, I will smite you where you stand."
Dana grins at that, "See? She can learn! Fucking wreck his face if he's being a giant squid asshole."
Miranda doesn't justify that with an answer, heading inside with Champion following. Inside is a front room, a cosy and large taproom. Here on a bear skin rug - the entire place has rustic feel to it - drowses a tiger with gold accents to his black stripes. "That's Victory, but he's harmless," Miranda says, "Have a seat, get comfortable, I'll be back in a minute. Stay here with them, Champion."
Tryll gives a squiddish shrug. 'You could try. Remember that we beat you, and I was very much not trying at all. The last time a solar tried to smite me, it didn't work and Calleigh made her feel bad.'
Miranda shortly returns with a tray of salted meats, putting them down before sitting. "I'm listening," Miranda says, "Tell me things."
Meanwhile Victory slowly rises, stretching before padding on over to Calleigh, feline eyes inspecting her.
Calleigh immediately grabs a piece of meat and lobs it at the tiger's face!
Tryll goes on as if nothing were happening, 'I have rough knowledge of events occurring over the last two million years. I have many things I could tell you. Specify.'
With a lightning quick snap of his jaws, Victory swallows the hunk of meat.
Meanwhile, Miranda takes a long breath, "Don't deflect. You know what I want to know. Reasons, motivations - what the hell you are, for that matter."
Calleigh cackles as she begins hurling strips of meat off the plate and toward the tiger, rapidly depleting the tray.
'As I said, I am irrigo. Where once there were millions of us, then there were five. Our physical forms shed, we are beings of pure intellect and will. Until recently, anyway. A god silent for millions of years spoke clear to us and demanded we reconstitute our race. So we delved into the realm of the divine and created both life and soul from nothing. No retribution has come, our god approves. So it's sort of kind of not blasphemy? I suppose. Anyway. Giant non-undead ghost squids. The five of us, anyway. There are fleshy babies now. They're adorable. If we can figure out how to get you to not destroy the prime, you could go see them.
As for motivations, while we were killing Tawlfagn and expelling Baator's forces from Lifasa, he mentioned in his madness that everything had been done to prevent the Prophecy of Primus from coming true. Something about Shar. I've not read the thing. Anyway, I decided that the only way we're going to fix the planes is if we kill Shar. So we're going to kill Shar. Aren't you glad you decided to join up?'
"I....see." Miranda closes her eyes and rests back, a distinct sigh escaping her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Dana waves a hand, "Look, once your balls drop and you stop pissing yourself, this shit virtually works itself out. Well, if you do a lot of killing to fucking help, and let me tell you, we do a lot of fucking killing. Some fucking too, but that's more of a sideline. At least I do, Tryll...shit, do you even have a cock, Tryll?" Dana glances over to you. "Anyfuckingway, any more questions before I start making something out of your pale ass?"
"Dozens," Miranda takes a long breath out, "Dozens and dozens and dozens. But right now I only have one - this training is going to be unpleasant, isn't it?"
"Fuck yeah it will be!" Dana reaches over to pat Miranda's shoulder with a big, sardonic grin, "So hey Tryll, how soon do you need us again? I need some time to unfuck this bitch."
'We're training on the road, I'm afraid. I want to look into that psychic grumpier that Deborah is after. I've never heard of such a thing, but apparently someone stole it. The upshot is that you might get to stab the man.'
I'm guessing you're on phone based on the auto correct typos?
"Well fuck," Dana drawls, miming someone walking with two fingers, "You can teleport your ass to the paradise Debonah's killing time at and go see how fucking urgent is is. Shit, Tryll, you can't do this shit half fucking cocked or you end up with no cock at all because you get it lopped the fuck off. If it's not urgent, you can give me some time to sort this out."
"I-" Miranda begins.
"Need to shut your fucking mouth," Dana doesn't even glance at her, shutting her up cold.
"Well now-" Miranda tries again.
"Look, shut your mouth-cunt up a minute. I've seen shit that would make a typical valkyrie run screaming and fought worse. I've seen an entire world assfucked by Hell's legions and fought the smug sons of whores who dominated it. You're going to shut up and I'm going to train you up so you can keep up. Spare me the ego, half the teachers in Ysgard would have you be a corpse by now and call it education. When we're done you're going to be good enough to grab Lixer by his smug face and introduce him to three feet of valkyrie steel."
"Who...I mean, who is-"
"New Lord of the First, tremendous asshole and Daddy's boy who probably only got the position because Asmodeus regrets not feeding him to is hellhounds, so he has to do something with his boil-ridden, necromantic ass." Dana turns her attention back to you, waiting for an answer.
Home now, will fix. To be fair though, that's hilarious.
'I don't have now now.' Tryll says.
"Y'know," Calleigh says, slinging a slice of meat at Dana's face, "I don't understand that. Why did Asmodad make Lixer lord of the First anyhow? It's not like he's been successful. Heck, Aurora stomped him more times than we actually stomped Bel. Did he ever win against us?"
"Hell if I know," Dana snatches the meat and pops it down. 'Do I look like a jackass overcompensating for something?"
"I wumdr wht happen tuh Bel." Calleigh muses, gnawing messily on a piece of meat.
'Hmm, more I think about it, I think it was Makaril hunting the grimoire and not Debonah...I've got things crossed up. Calleigh! Where's the scroll!'
A scroll with tiny meat-juice fingerprints leaps into the air from Calleigh's side. It is subsequently snatched from the air and unfurled.
'Yes. Makaril. Hmmmmmmmmmm. I see what you mean, Dana. I've gone scatterbrained again.'
"Yeah, so c'mon." Dana gets up, grabbing Miranda's hand and leading her off, "We'll be off training," she calls, leading Miranda deeper and away.
As they do, you hear such gems from Miranda as, "...why lava?" "What about my clothes?!" "MIND SPIDERS?!"
Once they're gone...
Next move is yours, Tryll.
Well. The scroll rolls itself up and stuffs itself back into Calleigh's pack. 'I suppose we're on our own, then, Calleigh.'
Calleigh heaves the plate over the side of the table, leaving the rest of the food for Victory. "Let's go!"
Time to look up Makaril.
How do you intend to find him?
No idea. Dana managed to hear about him on Elysium, so we'll start there.
Okay, cool. How are you getting to Elysium?
Reality Revision for a Gate spell, I guess. I'll probably burn that hour of bad casting while searching.
You appear in the warmth of Elysium, besides a babbling brook that cross a wide open, lightly forested area. It's sunny, pleasant and downright perfect.
Go ahead.
"Yay Elysium!" Calleigh yells, zipping around the trees. "We were supposed to go to Limbo though, I thought."
'No no, the sheet says Dana met Makaril on Elysium.'
"Yeah, but in between all the bad words and stuff, she said he thought the thing was in Limbo." She's now wearing a leaf as a hat. " So we shoulda gone to Limbo. Maybe ask Renbuu if he can help!"
'...bother.' Tryll sighs. 'Well, let's poke around. Maybe we'll be able to link up with him if he's still here.'
WE GONNA WANDER
Sure, roll 1d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 98, total 98[/blockquote]
You wander a good half hour, just enjoying the area and looking around. It's then that you distinctly hear footsteps behind you, as yo fly through a field.
Calleigh turns to look!
Standing behind you is a man in peasant clothes, tall and young. "Hi," he greets Calleigh with a nod. "Nice weather today."
"Yep! Who're you?!"
"Ricky," He greets, a smile on his face, brushing away a bit of black hair. "Just taking a walk. You?"
"I am Wind-Princess Calleigh Summerbreeze! I'm looking for Makaril!"
"Oh. Don't know about any of that, Your Highness," the man says, "Well, I hope you find him." He pauses then, "Oh! Here," He fishes into a sack he carries with him, taking out a little baked pie. "Try this. I bet my cooking's fit for a princess!"
"I LOVE PIE! What kind!?"
"Peach," The man offers it to Calleigh.
Sense Motive is goooooooooooooo also Read Thoughts[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 1 + 32, total 33[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+2
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=18]
I presume this doesn't beat the DC, correct me if I'm wrong.
His thoughts are totally open, just hoping this fairy princess really likes his pie.
He seems completely on the level to you.
it does not. Just being cautious.
"Yay! Thanks!" Calleigh takes the pie and scarfs it down. "Peachy!"
The man smiles as Calleigh takes a bite. It's really good, actually. Well made, fresh, tasty. Mmm, peaches.
Calleigh finishes off the pie, "Mmm! Good job on the pie! Real good stuff!"
"Thank you!" The man smiles, "I'll let everyone know a real princess likes it!"
"You bet! Anyone who says otherwise can come ask for me at Aurora or on Lifasa!"
Ricky waves and goes off, and thus the two of you resume. The rest of the hour passes uneventfully, no sign of Makaril by randomly wandering in Elysium.
The pair head upward, widening their vantage and looking for a settlement.
You fly upward. Perhaps a dozen miles away you can see a sprawling village, surrounded by several farms on the outskirts.
They have time to kill, so off they go!
Thus you fly over. It's not too long by flight, and soon enough you reach there. It's a simple village - nice enough from above. Happy. Pastoral. Picturesque.
Ball's in your court here.
As the pair come in to land in the town, Calleigh nods and says, "It's very Elysium here."
Tryll gets no reactions, naturally, while a few passerbys giving Calleigh smiles.
"Hey!" Calleigh accosts a random passer-by, "You seen or heard from a guy named Makaril? Tall, dark, got teef wike diff?" Calleigh is holding her upper front teeth between her fingers as she ends her questioning.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d100=7]
How thematic.
The woman in question is middle aged and yet oddly ageless, carrying a basket full of fruits. "Eh? Oh! Makaril the Avenger! I've heard stories about him. Makaril and his sword Kalembar, who all the bards who pass through are talking of, as he was part of the Aurora."
"Yep that's him! Where'd he go?"
"I have no idea," The woman sighs, brushing back a bit of stray brown hair. "I wish I did. He'd make a great husband!"
"Blah! Maybe!" Calleigh makes a face. "This is getting us nowhere! I knew we shoulda gone to Limbo!"
"Limbo?" The woman asks, "What's a Limbo?"
"Itsa nother plane. Lots of slaads. Definitely not Elysium. It's green, but lots of other colors as well. Also, chaos."
"Horrible!" The woman gasps, "I've heard of slaad! They're monsters who will eat anything and lay eggs anywhere! Why would you want to go there, dear?!"
"Nah, Slaads are great. I get along with them just fine. They know not to eat me." Calleigh replies, "And I think Makaril's gone to Limbo. He was last seen here, but he was talking about heading there."
"Well, then he must be there fighting the slaad," The woman says, shaking his head. "I heard he got a girlfriend at the Aurora, so maybe she's with him?" Tsk-tsking after, the woman shakes her head.
"He got a girlfriend!? Why didn't anyone tell me!? Elena! Wait, shoot. Not on Aurora. Uh. Fine. Whatever. Who's his girl?"
Meanwhile, Tryll is busy getting his act together. Manifesting the power of Correspondence, Tryll reaches out across Creation and says, 'Say, Makaril. Tryll here. Are you in Limbo or Elysium?'
Miranda is up along with a node update. Post here to acknowledge that you've seen it. As noted in downtime, posting will resume this evening.
"I hear her name is Hannah, and she's the bravest nymph there is," The woman perks up, "Beautiful as a sunset and wields a silver sword from the moon!"
"I know Hanna. She's not a nymph. She's a solar." Calleigh flexes her pecs, "BIG AND STRONG AND CHESTY!"
"Oh! Like a barbarous warrior?" The woman gasps, a hand to her mouth as her eyes wide. "That's scandalous!"
"Can major celestial beings be scandalous?" Calleigh looks confused. "Also, I'm pretty sure they're not dating."
"Well yes - and if they're not dating, they're married then?! Has Makaril taken a wife?!" Another gasp, even louder. The woman starts to fan herself with her hand, "Oh, I have to tell everyone!"
"Yeah sure okay has it been an hour yet!?"
"An hour since what?" The woman looks at you oddly, but hurries off.
It has been just about, now that you think about it.
Meanwhile...
'I am in Elysium, Tryll,' Makaril replies. 'If you have need of me, come to the Windward Peak.'
"HE'S STILL ON ELYSIUM OH MY GOSH WE HAVE TO GO WHICH WAY TO THE WINDWARD PEAK!?" Calleigh demands.
The woman's already hurried off, so that's not exactly a question you'll be getting an immediate answer to.
Well then Calleigh takes off after her!
She's hurrying on down the street at a goodly clip, back down it as you catch up.
Ball's in your court, Tryll and Calleigh.
"Hey! Where's Winwhatsits Peak? Windward! Peak! Where?"
"Uh...oh! North! North, I think. I think a bard mentioned it one time," she says, pausing to smooth over her dress.
"Thanks!" Calleigh says, heading NORTH!
So you two just gonna fly north, huh? How long and how far?
Until we see mountains, I guess.
You fly for a few hours, no sign of mountains until...
'Tryll,' Ebony's voice is heard in your mind. 'When will you return to Dana and Miranda? Events conspire forward.'
Tryll responds, 'Sure, we're getting nowhere here anyway.'
A gate is opened to Ysgard!
The trip back to the lodge is simple enough. In the front room Miranda is sitting in front of the fire, armor off. She's looking into the fire, drinking deeply from a tankard of fale. Dana's pacing back and forth while Ebony merely sits on the couch, sipping a cup of tea.
"Tryll, what the fuck is this horseshit, when did I become the best fucking teacher ever, I mean I know I'm a crazy bitch but what the FUCK?" Dana blurts out, whirling on you, "And now stupid shit's happening back home and what the fuck is today?"
'None of what you just said is either news or a surprise. What IS a surprise is that Ebony is here. What's going on?' Tryll replies.
Meanwhile, Calleigh sets up camp on Dana's shoulder. "Elysium is too big."
"I bring news from Saint Alicia," Ebony replies quietly, finishing her tea. "But I think Dana is going to speak first."
"You're motherfucking right I will, you giant cunt humping whore!" Dana snaps out, "She learned THREE fucking new circles of magic in hours training her. HOURS! The fuck is that shit? She went from an elf deity's sloppy seconds to a halfway fucking competent fighter like that! What the absolute shit is this? We grew fucking fast on Aurora but this is fucking bullshit!"
"I have no idea," Miranda chimes in, drinking deeply from her mug. "It's as if the walls I had worked against for ages were suddenly gone, and a smooth road took its place instead."
'I blame the gnomes.' Tryll replies.
"Ohh, good group to blame!" Calleigh adds helpfully.
"Who cares about some rump humping midgets?" Dana snaps, "I didn't get a damn fucking thing from the training, either! What sort of shit is that?"
Ebony closes her eyes as she savors her tea, and quietly adds, "It is a mystery. That was not remotely natural. Either Miranda made the greatest breakthrough of a thousand lifetimes, Dana is the best teacher ever known or something odd is afoot. I suspect divine involvement."
"Prob'ly." Calleigh says, "Ohhh, do you think it's the Queen? I haven't talked to her in a while!"
"It could be, but this isn't quite her dominion," Ebony says, "The Red Knight, perhaps, but this isn't her style. She's more about teaching and learning the hard way." Another long sip before she puts her glass down, "I don't really know for certain who could have done it."
Calleigh shrugs, "Does it matter?"
'What brought you to us today, Ebony?' Tryll asks.
"Yes," Ebony says, rather calmly, "A patron like that is best understood if possible. This was no random act of whimsy. This was a gift of great worth. Moreover, because...I know of another who has recently experienced the same unthinkable growth, thanks to Balyss."
A moment's pause, "Calley, Sylvie's son, went from being a mere young child to knowing a great deal of magic - perhaps all of Sylvie's gathered magic and abilities. In the blink of an eye, he learned an immortal's lifetime as if he always knew it."
"Why didn't you fucking tell me that shit?!" Dana whirls on Ebony, eyebrows twitching.
With the faintest smile, "You never asked, nor wanted to give me a word edgewise."
"No kidding," Miranda mutters, voice carrying.
"So that is another possibility that must be considered, and of course only one thing Sylvie has could even conceivably do that." Ebony continues.
Calleigh pauses from taking notes on a scroll, throwing the paper into Dana's face. "Wait, you think she gave 21 to her KID!?"
"Hey!" Dana grouses, "Aim at Ebony, not me!"
"Hardly," Ebony says, "Nor did Balyss think so. However, that doesn't mean she couldn't have done it with 21. That's one of the theories I'm working on, and now Miranda's sudden advancement is another data point."
"I don't have this 21, whatever it is," Miranda calls over. "If anyone wants to explain what's going on, feel free!"
"Hooboy. Okay. Quick and dirty. Balyss is a Lunatic. Selunite kind, not an actual crazy person. She's got an occasional direct line to Selune, who stuffs her full of prophecies. Sylvie is a mortal who abandoned her kid on Balmuria and turned herself into some sort of celestial. Something. She's also in possession of 21, which is a weird thing that uhhhhh," Calleigh's eyes go glassy a moment, "Wait, what, REALLY? Okay. So that's a big secret. Also, terrifying why did people let her keep it???? Okay. Okay. So she works for Oghma and has a really scary ancient weapon that destroys evil on contact. Apparently it's maybe been used to edit reality?"
Miranda listens to all of that, finishes her drink and reaches to the side of her chair. Another full mug of ale is there, which has a healthy drink from it. After that and a few moments to consider, Miranda eloquently says, "What."
"Sister, you're tellin' me. It's been a weird couple'a months."
"Why me?" Miranda asks, plaintively, then finishes off another mug of booze.
"Eh, why the fuck not? You got the skill and someone approves, so you're in now," Dana pipes up, "Better than pissing around Ysgard and watching dead warriors fight every fucking day."
"Mmm." Ebony considers, eyes closed shut. "As fascinating as this entire discussion is, I do not want to forget to go into why I am here."
"It was fate!" Calleigh crows.
'Please, go on, Ebony.'
"We received intelligence that there is trouble in Langersun," Ebony continues now, eyes opening to gaze at Tryll. "It involves a paladin champion who serves Raziel, a succubus soul broker, an ultroloth information broker, Imix or agents thereof and possibly Shar. Not to mention your father, naturally," Ebony concludes now, glancing over at Dana. "Alicia commanded me to investigate and recruiting you is logical, Dana. In fact, Alicia herself suggested it."
"So okay, Daddy will beat their asses like a succubus in the Fourth Hell," Dana says, "You want me to go with you and add more bullshit to that mess?"
"In essence? Yes," Ebony smiles faintly, "Be it a full group effort from all of you or not. Alicia has made me her proxy in this matter, I will be heading to Langersun personally. If our information is right, this may be a disaster in the offing purely because of everyone involved."
"...huh." Calleigh says, rummaging around through Miranda's personal belongings and only paying token attention.
'Sounds like we might make things more complicated, not less.' Tryll replies.
Miranda barely seems to notice, but Champion pads up on up to Calleigh, giving her a long look.
"You may," Ebony concurs. "I can take Dana alone if she's interested and you are not. Or if you would rather spend time with Miranda, as I believe she is too powerful to travel the Prime safely."
"How come Miranda can't go on primes, but I can?" Calleigh asks, diving onto to Champion's face.
Champion looks unbothered by this, while Ebony merely chuckles. "You are a courre familiar and not a mighty solar or powerful valkyrie?"
"Yeah but I'm way scarier than a normal courre! I'm, uhh...I'm a princess courre!" Champion receives ear scratches!
"Still, you are no threat to the Prime, last I heard," Ebony says, gently so. "So...Tryll?"
'I will go with Dana. Miranda, you are tasked with finding a way to prevent your presence from damaging a prime. Once you do so, join us there.' Tryll says.
"The only way I've ever heard of is to be a divine proxy," Miranda says, slowly.
"Then go suck Tempus's cock or something," Dana grunts, getting up.
"I-" It's all Miranda manages to get out, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
"Seriously, if you're going to be a worthless bitch, at least make a man happy so women who are worth a fuck don't have to waste their time with that bulls-"
WHAM!
Miranda's fist impacts Dana's jaw with a distinct CRACK of breaking bone. A moment later the two are grappling, rolling on the floor and punching, headbutting and clawing one another. "YOU BLACKHEARTED BITCH!" Miranda screams as Dana grins back despite her broken jaw.
Ebony merely blinks once at this, "...I see."
Calleigh looks up from Champion's fur, "Whoa!"
'I've changed my mind.' Tryll says. 'Nobody is going anywhere until you two can get along. Get this out of your systems now.'
> roll 1d2 1 Dana 2 Miranda
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d2 Dana 2 Miranda --> [ 1d2=1 ]{1}
A rolling, rollicking fight follows. A brawl, the two of them bloodying each other in it. Broken noses, torn cheeks, gashed heads and more. In the end Dana puts Miranda down with a final headbutt then rolls off of her, groaning. Miranda groans as well, the two bloodied but healing thanks to Ysgard.
"...heh..." Dana manages to say, spitting out a tooth and blood. "...guess you're alright."
Miranda's reply is a deeper groan, "...particularly....if you can talk...with more intelligence than...profanity...ow..." She wipes her brow with her forearm, blood coming away plentifully.
"See?" Dana slowly sits up, looking like she went twelve rounds with a boxing balor, "This is why I like Ysgard." She pauses to spit out a few more teeth, "Shit, I thought you'd hit me quicker than you did."
"Today's been a long day," Miranda says and lets it go at that, sitting up as well. She's in much the same state as Dana.
'If you two are quite finished?' Tryll asks mildly.
"Yeah, good enough," Dana says as her injuries continue to mend before your eyes. "What were you saying we were gonna do, Tryll?"
'Nothing. We are going nowhere. We are going to stay right here. In this building. Until you explain what gotten into you. I'll admit I haven't known you that long, Dana, but lately you've been remarkably unpleasant. Even for you. Your rudeness to Miranda has been tremendous.'
Dana flops back and growls, "Happy endings are miserable."
Miranda grimaces as she adjusts her broken nose, taking the right shape as the swelling continues to go down. "Not a sentiment I expected to hear."
"Look, ever since we beat Hell...then what? Some people can sit around and be happy and pretty, but I want some fucking action!" A deeper growl at that, "Lifasa's so happy and safe and BORING right now!"
'Dana, I don't think you understand the magnitude of what we're trying to build, here. You are the first and an integral part of a team we're putting together that will accomplish great things. Terrible things. The kinds of things that nobody writes about because they've never happened before. Did you think I was making a joke when I said I plan to kill Shar? We need allies, and I'd appreciate you not alienating them as soon as I try to recruit them.
As for Lifasa, we're not staying there. Not permanently. The kinds of things we're going to be chasing down don't need to know that we have a connection to Lifasa. Certainly not something I want to involve the children in. We'll likely only go there to check in and use the Aurora's facilities if they're available. It's a safe haven we can fall back on, but not one we should abuse. If we can't solve Miranda's issue with primes, doubly so. We're going to need to acquire another mobile demiplane and go from there. We're starting our own Medicant. A Tryllicant. No. That's a terrible name. We'll figure it out. So relax. Calm down. Try not to be a such a turbobitch.'
"Yeah, yeah," Dana says, rubbing her chin as it resets, heals itself. "So hey, at least we have this kickass lodge for now."
Miranda shakes her head, "Turbo...bitch?" she says, slowly. "Like the difference between a mundane sword and a magical sword, only for being intolerably bitchy?"
"Wait, there are turbo swords?"
"Like, instead of 'chop chop stab' it's 'CHOPCHOPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!'" Calleigh windmills her arms wildly.
"...I don't think there are, but never mind," Miranda says. "Still though...after today I'm willing to give you a second chance." Getting up, "I'm going to go take a soak in the bath. Hot springs, do any of you want to join me?"
Dana smiles a bit at that, "Just like Aurora? I'm in."
"I have no objection," Ebony stands, "I'll make sure they get along and make up, Tryll. Make your decision while we freshen ourselves up."
"Hoooooooot spriiiiiingssssss!" Calleigh sings, flying figure eights around the larger women's heads.
'That's fine.' Tryll replies. 'Go on, enjoy your water.'
Okay, so what's your plan as the ladies work things out, Tryll?
I'll go with Dana. Might not be a bad idea to send Miranda to talk with Hanna. She's walked on Primes without blowing things up. Have I got enough time for a Sending? Assuming so.
Sure, send away.
A correspondence is manifested! 'Hanna, where are you right now? I have a Valkyrie with questions. Also, a hot spring free of badger slaads.'
> roll 1d100 Hanna
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 46 > [d100=46]
'Fighting demon hordes on Pazunia, long story! Talk later.' Hanna's mental voice is firm but hurried, harried.
Well that won't work. Tryll needs a new idea. Tryll reaches through the walls and utters a ghastly psychic wail, 'Mmmmiiiirrrraaaaannnnndaaaaaaaa...'
'What?' Miranda sends back to you, unperturbed.
'Are you close to any particular gods?'
'I pay homage to Tempus on occasion as the Master of War, and occasional respect to the Red Knight, Alicia, Syala and the Seldarine.' Miranda replies. 'Basically any power who lives in or meddles in Ysgard at least gets respect from me.'
'And if you had to pick one you were closest to?'
'Tempus, I suppose, but I have always served Ysgard most of anything.' Miranda replies.
'The proxy option might be all we have. My only other lead is currently slaughtering demons on Pazunia.'
'She sounds like an admirable person,' Miranda sends back. 'I've never even met Tempus, let alone serve him enough to become his proxy. I may as well try to get the Jormugandr to stop eating his own tail.'
'I'm pretty sure we know one of his kids. Grandkids? Something like that.'
'Yes, he has many spawn across Ysgard,' Miranda says, 'The grandchildren are powerful and the children unfathomably mighty.' A chuckle over your voice, 'Why am I not surprised?'
'Bah. We'll figure it out. Most of our work will be done off of primes anyway, I'm hoping.'
'So...you really want to kill Shar?' Miranda asks, 'Selune's been trying for a long time and she hasn't done it, you know.'
'I don't want to kill Shar. I'm going to kill Shar. Big difference. As for Selune...nice woman, she didn't smite me when I flirted with her. She's alright with me. Hell, I might be able to bring her around. But...sometimes it takes a mortal to do a god's job. Pseudo-mortal.'
'...what?' Miranda finally says again, voice flat. 'What sort of life do you lead? You sound like a bad bard's tale.'
'It's a strange life, but it's been fun.'
'Are you even a man?' Miranda asks, almost plaintively. 'You sound like one, but Dana gives me the impression it's not really the same thing.'
'I'm the closest analog you'll get from my race. We have three genders. Relationship dynamics are interesting.'
'Then come back to my room - second floor, the last room on the northern side. I'd rather have this discussion in person.' A beat, 'Keep Calleigh down there, though.'
'Of course. I'm always keen on explaining more about my race.' Tryll says, bypassing walls entirely on his way to Miranda's room.
Miranda's room is bright. It's outside-ward, windows letting lots of sunlight. A room with a big, fancy bed, a dresser with a mirror, several weapon and armor racks (all full of various implements of war) and a table full of glass bottles, each with a different colored liquid within. Miranda herself is sitting at her dresser, nude and brushing her platinum blonde hair. Half turning to you, uncaring of her nudity, "So explain," she says aloud, "I feel there's so much more to learn, since forces beyond us move to encourage me to work with you."
'It's a rather excessively long story, I'm afraid. Where would you like me to start?' Tryll replies, unperturbed by her uncaringness.
"Where ever you think is best," Miranda says, brush working away. "Think a moment while I tell you a story. Once I visited the Deep Ethereal, a place of dreams and forgotten memories. There I came on a memory of something I thought forever lost - my mortal life. A woman, my mother I believe, telling me that my hair is beautiful and should be kept well. A trivial thing, a meaningless thing with how we wage war forever here, and yet I cling to it and smile at the memory, even shorn of all other context."
'I was a clerk. About two million years ago when I still had a body.'
"That's a long time," Miranda says blandly enough, brushing away. The soft sound of her brush through her hair is steady, and you note it keeps going even as she lets it go, working independent of her hands. "Then tell me about how you ended up in all of this and the Aurora."
'Oh, that's easy. You've been to Brightwater, yes? Best place in the planes to be homeless. Calleigh and I lived in Brightwater for a few hundred years, making exceptional art and trying, rather unsuccessfully, to sell it in galleries. I suppose there's no respect for a starving artist. Not that we were starving. Neither of us needed to eat, but you get the point. Anyway, whenever we needed money, we'd take an odd job through a contracting company. Often it was through the Silver Consortium, a group of gem dragons I quite get along with. Eventually, they referred us to the folks at Aurora and we headed on over. Hanna attempted to smite me with her axe when she saw that I resemble an aboleth, and now we're all friends.'
"There's so much there and yet..." Miranda shakes her head, "How did the Aurora lead you here?"
'Aurora's ultimate goal was the liberation of the prime Lifasa from occupying forces of Baator. While doing so, we were required to slay the Duke of Destiny. Also known as Taelfagn. During the battle, he raced about the Prophecy of Primus and the coming doom of Shar, who might eventually destroy all of Creation. While efforts of diplomacy failed, I decided to look into the matter myself. It seems that Taelfagn may have been right, though as usual Hell's heavy-handedness prevented planar forces from working together to end the greater threat. I'm of the opinion that she needs to be eliminated, as she is a threat to all forms of life. So we're gonna kill Shar.'
"You make it sound so easy, like any other fiery crusader who races to glory or an early grave." Miranda closes her eyes and smiles, as you feel something. A connection between you and her, "But...it seems this is my path now, too. I'll have to live up to it...ah!"
You feel it, Miranda's mind awakening, quickening. You feel this connection, stronger than before, before fading away.
Node objective cleared.
Miranda gains Wild Talent as a bonus feat.
Post here that you've seen the updated note in your next reply.
'...what the hell was that!?' Tryll asks.
"I don't know," Miranda says, "I thought it was something you did!" Prepare.
'Relax and open your mind. I need to see what happened.'
Mind Probe
Go ahead and pose your question, she's not resisting under the circumstances.
I'm not looking for a specific answer, just whether she's undergone mental changes or become psionic.
You can tell she has psionic power and a small power point pool, but no manifesting.
'Were you psionic before today?'
"No, no I was not," Miranda says, ever so slowly. "You felt that, right? A connection?"
'Oh yes. You're psionic now, by the way. Congratulations. If you're interested, Dana or I could give you instruction on how to hone the ability. That's twice in a row with you. Someone's up to something. A divine someone.'
A long exhale, "Your life is so strange that it even surprises you. Why am I not surprised, Tryll?"
'Why make things up? Reality is hilarious all on its own.' Tryll sighs, 'If there were a divine being working in my favor, now would be an excellent time to make Miranda a proxy or give her a quest or something. Just saying.'
If your request is heard, it is not granted. No sign of anything happening.
'Of course not. Would be too easy. Bah.' Tryll grouses, 'Well, fine. Did you have any other questions?'
"Nothing immediate," Miranda finally says, rising and going to her closet. "Good fortune in your hunt in Langersun."
'Thanks. Send a sending or something if you need us. We'll deal with this and then come grab you after. I have a feeling we're gonna need to steal something from the gith or something.'
Okay, next move?
Need more details from Ebony.
Ebony and Dana are enjoying a meal of bread and cheese, augmented by strong, orange-scented drink of some kind, clear as water and yet smelling strongly.
Go ahead and start by asking your question.
Tryll ignores the fact that Calleigh is not present. 'Ebony, we're going to need additional details on where we're going and what we're doing there.'
"Of course," Ebony says, finishing off her bread, cheese and drink before saying, "What is it you need to know?"
'Everything you've got. What our targets are. Allies. Problems. Possible solutions. Assets. Strongholds. Political climate. Will there be cake.'
From elsewhere in the lodge, there comes a clattering.
"Of course," Ebony says, "The truth is that we're going in largely blind, though we have a few allies to call on if we need to. Benyen is a Fist of Raziel who wields Hell Striker, Alicia's former intelligent sword. With an ultroloth, a succubus sorceress, hints of Imix and possibly Shar, there are threats aplenty here. Not to mention the complication and asset of Dana's father. Dana?"
"Yeah, yeah," Dana says, in between big bites of food. "It's like this. Daddy's the strongest, has his shit together and takes care of business. He rules because he can sort shit out double-quick. He's a fighter and a wizard, one of those types. Like Jaela but with sorcery instead of praying. What Ebony wants to is for us to crash in, sort this shit out and smash Shar if she's making trouble there. Hell, smash Imix and those outsiders too while we're at it."
"Preferably without showing our hand too strongly to Benyen. It's primarily a mortal affair, but there's a possibility of Shar. She often escalates above and beyond the norm, thus we do as well. Shadale and Jintorax are Benyen's prey and Benyen has a blood feud with Shadale regardless." Ebony explains, pulling her hood up, checking her dagger at her waist.
"Yeah, and while we're there, deal with Daddy. Honestly, I don't really fucking care about Langersun that much any more. I'm not going to be Daddy's pretty princess no matter what he wants. He can go make another couple of kids, try his luck again. But...a reckoning to get him to step off would be good, now that I'm with you and not Aurora. I wouldn't put it past him to try something dumb otherwise. Plus we can get supplies from the royal treasury once we kick his ass."
'Right. Avoid Benyen, kill Sharrans, take out Imix's forces, and deal with the king. Covert mission. Dana, what kind of ruler is your father?'
"Daddy's fairly popular, since he keeps the people safe and the main dissenters and rebels were wiped out personally. Nothing like boring stability to make boring people happy," Dana finishes her food as well. "He doesn't take no for an answer once he's made up his mind. Fuck, he cares about the people in his way."
"He sounds like a good ruler," Ebony murmurs, "Perhaps not a good fit as your father, though."
"Yeah, I guess. If he'd not wanted a pretty princess, I wouldn't have had half the problems I had." Snorting and kicking back in her chair, "Well, guess I can put off sorting out things with Miranda more for this."
Dana's current node goal has changed. Post that you've read ti in your reply, please.
Read it.
'Alright then, let's-'
Tryll is interrupted by a massive clattering as Calleigh hurtles into the room. She's wearing a massive golden horned helmet that is half again her size and dragging a golden spear across the floor. "SPEAR AND MAGIC HEL-MET!!" she sings. Badly.
'-what where did you get that Miranda get down here.'
'It's fine,' Miranda sends back, 'It's a mercy-touched spear and the helmet is defensive. Let her play, perhaps when she promotes, she will promote into a warrior.'
'She's turned down promotion numerous times. I think she likes being a courre too much. Anyway, we should get moving before Calleigh destroys your home.'
Calleigh rampages around the lodge, overturning furniture and singing off-key.
Okay, any prep then? Also is Calleigh coming?
As-is for Tryll and Calleigh. We're set. Dana might need prep tho. Miranda stays here until we get shit sorted. Or she does research.
Okay, what prep does Dana need you think?
she might wanna gird her loins for this, because it's probably gonna suck any stealth or disguise aides would be good
Going to suggest she disguise herself then?
"Hey Dana! You should disguise yourself as a giant courre!" Calleigh echoes from the inside of her magic helmet.
'Not a bad idea. The disguise I mean. Maybe not the courre part.' Tryll remarks.
"Why? I'm going to go and deal with Daddy, and I don't really care if he knows I'm coming," Dana says.
"But we could surprise him! 'Everything's normal nothing is wron-OHGODITSDANARUN' it could go like that!"
With a glance over at Tryll, Dana asks, "So is there a strategic reason for this, or is Calleigh just wanting to play Princess Dressup?"
'Youre A princess. You may still be recognizable. We'd prefer to stay under the radar until all hell breaks loose.'
"Eh, what the fuck ever," Dana shrugs, "Got something that can do it?"
"Don't you still have that hat of disguise?"
Why the bold, by the way?
"Nah, I sold it," Dana shrugs, "Shit happens and Afina was running a good special."
its echoing!
"That's not the one I stole?"
"You stole one?" Dana asks right back, leaning forward a bit. "You stole one?"
"Uhhhh maybe. I left you a note!"
This really happened.
I think I recall it, but do you have a link?
Or in retrospect since I just now remembered you're phone posting, got a general area and time it happened in, any thing like that to help searching?
tbh no idea. I replaced it with a psicrown though
So she did. Cool. Found it in loot.
"Well, where the hell is it, then?" Dana challenges right back.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,101784.msg1096440.html#msg1096440
"I gave it to 27!"
"Well fuck, never gonna see that again," Dana gets up, "How about I just start this by dealing with Daddy and we sort the rest of the shit out after that? Fuck prancing around. I'm a motherfucking Princess of Langersun, it's time to remember that, not some wallflower."
'I suppose we're ready to go now, then.' Tryll says.
Where in Langersun are you aiming for, if anywhere?
Never been there, fuck if I know. Ask Dana.
"This one's fucking easy. The motherfucking roof of the Castle, right in front of Preake Tower," Dana says, "That'll make an entrance."
'Go in loud?' Tryll glances at Ebony. 'As long as we stay away from Raziel's kid, we should be good. Right?'
Ebony closes her eyes and slowly sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Well, there's no helping Dana." she finally says, pulling her hood up, "Simply address me by Ebony, do not advertise who I am and who I serve. That will have to suffice."
"Well what else would we call you?" Calleigh asks.
"...just Ebony." Ebony exhales again, "Shall we, then?"
Who is portaling?
i suppose that I am. Unless we can portal to Aurora and take a gate from there after an hour? Rather not be debilitated if we're going in hot
That's fine.
Snow.
Snow is falling. Dana strides through the portal, a castle wall overlooking a vast, snowy courtyard. The skies are gray and purple, a snowstorm falling steadily. Dana scowls at it, then looks down at the people in the courtyard. She clears her voice and screams, "YO ALL YOU MOTHER BITCHES AND FATHER FUCKERS, I'M BACK!"
Her voice carries long and far, causing all the courtyard to freeze. Guards and soldiers, servants and maids, commoners and nobles alike look up at Dana, in full armor and gear, sword and shield ready. You're about 30ft up, Dana leaping down and landing in a bone rattling crouch, uncaring.
Fast healing and not in a combat situation, so the damage here isn't terribly important.
Calleigh flutters after her, trailing Tryll's misty form. "Hi everybody!"
Tryll is in mist form. No horrifying squidfish for now.
Ebony descends gently, landing as well.
A guard comes up in red and purple, "Y-Your Highness!"
"Yeah, yeah. Where's Daddy?" Dana asks.
"T-the throne room, seeing to petitioners stuck in the castle due to the storm."
Without another word Dana strides off, heading for the gates inside.
"Thanks mister guard man!" Calleigh says, fluttering after Dana.
Dana leads you inside - to a hall with tapestries depicting a red rising sun cascading down a white background. Guards are there, all of them staring and getting out of Dana's way.
As Ebony follows, she murmurs to you, "Well, at least this will be direct."
"Yep! Maybe they'll all get along and we can have cake!" Calleigh is ever-optimistic.
It's a castle. A nice one, a well kept one that Dana strides through. No one tries to stop her, even when she throws open the grand gates of the throne room. It's a big, white floored and walled place, well lit and with huge windows to show the storm outside. Motes of light dance in the upper reaches of the high ceiling, shedding light equal to noon's daylight. Here petitioners and the court all are, before a throne where a man sits.
He is perhaps 50 years of age and yet has an odd look to him - eyes sharp and young, wrinkles that don't really quite go as far as they should. He's tall, muscular and well built, short blonde hair and wearing robes and a golden grown decorated with sunstones. Dana opens her mouth, but the King holds his hand up and rises after.
"Welcome home, daughter," he says, "For this momentous occasion, I fear I must end the petitions and meet with the daughter. Clear the court."
His words are strong, confident. Guards immediately begin to usher people out, a few shoves to start clearing the galleries.
Calleigh whistles as people are escorted out, "This a nice place!"
Dana and her father lock gazes as the throne room empties. Once done he begins, "It's good to see you again, Dana."
"Yeah, yeah," Dana rolls her eyes, "I didn't forget those bounty hunters you sent to drag me back. Look, here's how shit is and is going to be. I'm not going to be your pretty princess, and in fact have zero interest in ruling anything. My mind is all I fucking need, and anyone who gets in my way is fucked."
"The life you're living is pointless," Dana's Father replies coolly, a soft sigh coming from him. "You're still acting like a battle drunk barbarian, fighting and killing for your own perverse pleasure. You have such a better life here, Dana! The only way you make any difference is when it happens to be a side effect of sating your own desires."
"Yeah, so fucking what? I'm not some prissy ass paladin or a moralizing cleric. I'm myself and that's all I've ever needed," Dana's eyes narrow at that, "Besides, I've done better than a few bushels of them here, just by helping Aurora. Don't see them going and kicking Hell in the teeth, like I've spent doing for quite awhile. So fuck that up the ass."
"You have a responsibility to the people here," Dana's Father doesn't miss a beat, "You're a Langersun, our blood is meant to rule this kingdom. Bearing children and seeing to the bloodline will ensure generations of prosperity throughout your reign."
Meanwhile Ebony watches, face impassive and inexpressive.
"Hey, whoa! Dana is super important! She helped us kill devils!" Calleigh protests.
"Thank you, but I'll ask if I want your opinion," Dana's Father replies to Calleigh.
Dana shrugs her shoulders, "Then get a happy sow wife and pump out a new fucking dynasty," Dana growls low, "So here's how it is. I'm not gonna do it so get over it. Two, I'm going to beat your ass and raid the royal treasury for useful things for our crusade."
Dana's Father sits back, "A crusade, hm? More of Aurora's business? If you're looking for problems to fight, I can provide them for you."
"Wow! You're super rude! I've met real royalty before, and they were never rude like that! Princess Chan! Prince Westwind! ME! You must not be a very good king if you can't recognize good royalty when it's right in front of you! Certainly not as good as the Queen! She's much better than you. You should be ashamed!" Calleigh berates the king, talking directly over him even as he slanders Dana. "SHAME!"
The king pauses to gaze at Calleigh and...
Will save, Calleigh. Mind affecting and fear if you're immune to either.
Mind Blank is up.
The gaze is powerful, terrifying - but nothing else. After a moment of contempt, "See, Daddy just tried to cow you," Dana grumps, glaring at him.
"Regardless, there's problems in Langersun that you would be...uniquely skilled at dealing with," Dana's Father goes on. "An ultroloth's succubus minion is leading some champion around by the nose, along with murmurings of other undesirable cults. Eliminate then and we'll talk, Dana."
"We'll talk my golden tinted ASS," Dana glares even more intensely, "Try harder, like Mom did to get it up for you."
Meeting Dana's gaze coolly, "I'll stop bothering you and you can live whatever life you're hellbent on living, and even support you within reason. But I want these troublemakers out of my kingdom, before they wreck in their private little war."
Calleigh grins at the king cheekily, clearly unfazed. "Kill succubus, eliminate cults? Sounds like a slow Tuesday! And you'll leave Dana alone if we do it?"
"Well, will you?" Dana asks, pressing the point.
"As I said, yes," Dana's Father says, "Unless you'd like me to write out for you in a royal invitation?"
"Oh yes, that would be neat!"
Ignoring Calleigh altogether, "Know where they are?" Dana fires back.
"Here in Langersun or in the hills, possibly in Bartown," Dana's Father says, "You know how it is for powerful creatures and adventurers, teleportation exists."
"Yeah, heh, guilty on that one," Dana glances over at Tryll, "Tryll, do some divining on this shit."
The most around Calleigh glows! There is a divination!
divining location of succubus, ultroloth, any local cult activity,, and all individuals associated with them in the local/Bartown area.
What divination are you using?
Divination!
Okay, one at a time, remember the format of divination. Which question first?
Where is:
1. Location of succubus.
2. Location of any of her thrills or minions.
3. Location of ultroloth.
4. Locations of cult activity in the local area
5. Locations of cult activity in the Bartown area.
Not to be a spoilsport, but each one has a ten minute casting time. Are you going to just hang out in the throne room for an hourish?
Absolutely.
After a few awkward moments, "Is this Tryll divining in the throne room," he asks, almost sounding resigned.
"Fuck yeah he is," Dana says, "HEY GUARDS, BRING US LIKE FOUR FUCKING CHAIRS! NO FIVE! GOOD ONES!"
Dana's Father closes his eyes and slowly exhales, sitting back deeply on his throne. "Was Aurora worth it, at least, for you?"
"Eh, yeah, sure," Dana replies, "Wasn't bad. Met some good people, took some great troll cock but too bad he died," That's an interesting shade of puce for Dana's Father to color, one has to note, "Fought a lot of great battles, died once but I got better, don't fucking recommend it but whatever-"
"Dana." Dana's Father interjects forcefully, shutting her up a moment. "Can't you at least be a properly holy champion if you're going to live this sort of vagabond life?"
"Nah," Dana shakes her head, "Angel piss is more holy than me. All the Heavens aren't bad, but in case you didn't notice, I'm fucking violent." A pause as servants scurry in with chairs, Dana sitting on one. "I'll serve fucking Tempus or something if I die, or become a spirit directly and do whatever I want. I like fighting, fucking and feasting too much to be a paladin or that type."
"Your wrong," Ebony finally speaks up, wings resting back behind her. She pushes back her hood, "If it's merely violence you need, one only need to look to the warlike protectors of good. If sexual pleasure is your hang up, merely swear yourself to Sharess or a similar deity. And so long as it is not wasteful or gluttony, even the holiest would not object to eating. Speak truly, Dana, you love yourself and your sins too much to change."
"You aren't wrong," Dana finally says after kicking back a bit, putting her feet up on a second chair. "Daddy wants me to be something I'm not. The Heavens want the same thing. Sure, both could probably make me like it more if I really gave into them, bent over and took it, but fuck that. I like who I am, damn it."
"She's not a vagabond. Not really. She has a suite on Aurora whenever she wants it, and we all support each other. Plus we kicked Bel's butt back to Avernus and saved the entire plane, so Lifasa loves us. She's got my support, and I work for the Queen! That's good enough for Good, in my opinion. I mean yeah, she swears a LOT probably really more than she should around a courre," there is a pointed look, "but she's still a good person. She'd make an absolutely terrible ruler though. Can't sit still long enough. Probably start some wars. Not good. Still. She's part of the crew. We're gonna do big things!"
Dana's Father just shakes his head at all of that, as silence comes and you finish the first divination.
Swing and a miss, you don't get anything from it. It just generically failed, worse luck.
On to The next!
No good. This time you can tell something's blocking the magic directly.
Such rudeness. Number 3?
1. Location of succubus.
2. Location of any of her thrills or minions.
3. Location of ultroloth.
4. Locations of cult activity in the local area
5. Locations of cult activity in the Bartown area.
For reference.
Blockarooed, perhaps to the surprise of no one. It is an ultroloth, after all.
It was worth a try! Maybe the cultists will be more reckless!
To clarify, what cults are you referring to here?
The one that Ebony & the king referred to. Sharran.
The answer you get is, 'Seek where river ends and sky begins.'
How about in Bartown? Same answer?
Yes.
"Hey mister king-man! Where's a place where the river ends and the sky begins?" Calleigh asks.
"Dawnfall," Dana's Father answers, "It's where the Arelle River is dammed into a lake."
"Yeah, that would fuckin' fit," Dana says, "It's a few days on horse back, so wanna make with the teleporting bullshit?"
Tryll grabs the location from Dana's mind and-
"Bye mister king man! When we get back we'll repaint your throne room! Don't worry! We know Renbuu! We know what we're doing!"
-away they go!
Dawnfall is snowbound, snow falling. A good foot of it lies on the ground, a large road side town by a massive, frozen over lake. Not a lot is going on as you appear outside of it, perhaps people wisely inside during a storm like this.
Ebony pulls up her hood and looks ahead, "Is your home normally this chilly, Dana?"
"Nah," Dana says, "Must be having a nasty winter. So Squid-Man, let's go and find some fucking cultists."
Calleigh gives a sloppy salute as Tryll breaks off and starts silently and mostly invisibly passing through homes to check inside. He also checks basements and cellars, too.
"So what, we stick here and be snowmen?" Dana grumbles as Tryll goes.
Any rhyme or reason here, or just going through the possibilities?
"Betcha they've got a tavern or something!" Calleigh replies.
No stone will be un-phased-through.
Make a general Perception check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 2 + 47, total 49[/blockquote]
By and large, it's normal people. Unremarkable. Just basements and normal lives, nothing odd at all. Until you phase through one basement wall - and to your surprise, there's a room beyond it, despite no door being there to open to it. More of a hallway, really, going on to another door on the far side.
This might be what he's looking for! Tryll proceeds cautiously, remaining almost fully-phased into the wall to avoid detection.
The room beyond is largely empty, save for dozens of braziers, dark and cold. No sign of fire in them. They're all clustered around the middle, where a heap of ashes lies.
Tryll manifest True Seeing to check for trickery before entering the room properly!
Nothing like that.
Perception.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 7 + 47, total 54[/blockquote]
You can see that something metal is buried amid the ash pile.
Tryll uses Psychometry to view the past!
Psychometry lets me view the recent past, up to the last living person or group of persons to see what they were doing here, who they were, etc. The longer I concentrate, the further back I see. I'm gonna go for the full 32 minutes or until I get what I'm looking for or until I get interrupted.
http://www.psionics.info/powers/psychometry/
3 creatures.
Three humanoids.
About 80 minutes.
Neutral evil.
They came from the direction of the door into this room.
They left in the same direction.
They lit the braziers, chanted strange rituals and offered up sacrifices of gold and hearts.
The rest of the ones are just like that, same setup and same time spent.
Tryll now reaches out carefully with telekinesis to examine the object on the floor.
It looks to be a metal symbol of a diamond, painted red.
Holy symbol? K:R[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 19 + 50, total 69[/blockquote]
It is an unholy symbol of Imix, Prince of Elemental Evil for Fire.
Didn't Ebony mention Imix? Something about Raziel's champion or something. Tryll inspects all walls and floors and ceilings before preparing to leave.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104141.msg1112040.html#msg1112040
You may want to review that, Yuth.
You find a little cubby in a side wall. Inside are several more unholy symbols of Imix.
Well. That's quite a few Imix cultists. Seems like a Correspondence to Ebony is in order. 'Ebony. Dawnfall has what appears to be an Imix cult problem.'
'How lovely, we just happen to be the medicine for that illness.' Ebony sends back.
'Would you like us to deal with it, or are you going to assign it to the locals?'
'A moment, please, I am discussing it with Dana and - ah. Dana wishes to make an example of them.'
'Dana,' Tryll says via a second Correspond, 'I appear to be in their sacrificial lair. Would you like to lay an ambush?'
'Eh, I was gonna go to the guard, show them a silver coin with my fucking face on it and march on in.'
'Overt action may not be our best bet. I'd prefer to root them all out, and having them present for a ritual may provide that opportunity.' Tryll replies.
'Yeah, but are they going to cooperate and do a ritual anytime soon?'
What was the time interval between the last two rituals?
A few days.
And how long since the last one?
Half a day.
'Ehhh. Good point. It'll probably be a couple of days until the next ritual. By then, they'll know you're here and they'll have scattered. Might as well raze the town, salt the earth, and forcibly wipe the minds of everyone who's ever heard of this town.' Tryll replies breezily.
'Gee,' Dana sends back, 'It's like we don't have a criminal justice system to deal with this! Guards, soldiers, courts, everything!'
'You should really get on that. It sounds like a handy thing for a kingdom to have. But seriously, where to?'
'We're heading into town, meet with me,' Dana says, 'From where we were before. Few people are out, hard to miss us in this mess.'
Tryll gathers the remaining symbols and heads out!
The snow continues to fall as you meet the three, all trudging through the streets with DAna in the lead. "I think the royal magistrate's hall is this way," Dana grunts, "Colder than Auril's cock out here."
"Auril keeps chickens?" Calleigh asks.
"Dana," Ebony says, firmly.
"Yeah, sure, giant chickens," Dana lets it go at that.
"I think a chicken made out of ice would be pretty! Especially a giant one! How giant is a giant ice chicken?"
"Oh, I don't know, ten feet tall? Maybe a dire chicken covered in spines and bone plates?" Dana speculates out loud.
Ebony merely keeps going amid the storm. "Tryll," she says, butting in. "So signs of Imix? Any signs of others or merely Imix?"
'Just Imix. I found several holy symbols hidden in a cubby, as well as one on the floor. The floor was covered in ash, and some looking into the past showed that they've been bringing sacrifices of gold and hearts to the hidden room. No idea who or what the hearts came from, though. I should be able to recognize anyone who was in the room in the last four or five days, so that's something.'
A brief nod and you soon reach the royal magistrate's hall. It's a large, long building in the middle of town, well built and with a few guards out there.
Dana takes off her helmet and approaches, "Hey, you two!" Dana hollers, marching up as they ready weapons, "Take out a silver coin and peer at the royal face on it, then take a good look at this motherfucking princess's face," she points at her face, "I'm here to see the magistrate, now."
One guard fumbles for a coin quickly, eyeing it, then Dana and then the coin again. He bows deeply, the other glancing over with widening eyes before doing the same. "Yes, your Highness!" One bows and hurries in, the other leading you within. It's warm in here - fireplaces spread the warmth, a large reception area full of desks and tables. Only a few guards are here. "It will take a few moments, Highness. Most everyone is sheltering due to the storm."
"Eh, it's not that bad of a storm." Calleigh remarks to the guard from Dana's shoulder.
Do you want to get into the nuts and bolts here or skim along, Yuth? It'll mostly be Dana bossing around the locals to do what she wants them to do.
skip
One magistrate and a heap of guards later, five adults are under arrest and the house is being searched. Dana kicks back in the house's kitchen, drinking a mug of fale as Ebony stands back.
"Your Highness," A guard approaches, "We found something in their bedroom, under a false floor."
Presented is a dagger stained with dried blood, wrapped in cloth.
"Looks like they've been doing sacrifices. Hey Tryll, can you mind-whammy out what blood that is on it? If it's human blood, they're gonna hang for murder."
Are those prisoners still present?
'A moment, Dana' Tryll says, conducting his own search of the house's walls, floor, attic, and cellars. And the ground nearby. Because walls are a meaningless concept.
They're bound and aside if you wanna talk to them IC or learn more about them.
You search around. A hah! A hidden compartment in a chest in the attic. In there are several dozen rich platinum coins, just sitting there.
'Chest of platinum coins in the attic, Dana. Handle at your discretion. No other lurking surprises.' Tryll says privately. He re-enters the main room. 'As for you lot...'
THIS GUY GETS A MIND PROBE! THE NEXT GUY GETS A MIND PROBE! EVERYONE GETS A MIND PROBE!
Okay, what do you wanna know?
1. Who they REALLY work for.
2. What their short term goals are.
3. What their long term goals are.
4. Where'd they get the hearts?
5. Is Imix working with Shar?
They work for a 'great prophet' named Eye.
To give more offerings to the revealed Prince of Fire and earn safety once the inferno comes to Langersun.
To be elevated as the new nobility once Langersun rebuilds under the guidance of Imix.
Waylaid travelers.
Not that they know of.
Follow up questions because I can do this all day
1. What is Eye's mortal name?
2. What does Eye look like?
3. Where can Eye be found?
4. Who are Eye's known associates?
5. Where was Eye last seen?
6. Are they privy to any of Eye's plans?
The Eye is not a mortal, but a fire elemental.
Like a medium sized fire elemental. Very burny. He has a pair of hot iron bracers that he wears, though.
The Eye can't be found. He finds you.
The Eye is an associate of Imix, of course. Otherwise he comes alone from the flames.
A week ago.
They are - there may be a great catastrophe soon, the entire kingdom but to the flame and reduced to ash.
1. When is the catastrophe supposed to happen?
2. What are the events that will lead up to the catastrophe?
3. Where will the catastrophe start?
They don't know the exact day or time, but 'soon'.
Eye will come forth and wash everything to flame.
They don't know.
'So they work for a man-sized fire elemental they call Eye, who is apparently a prophet of Imix. They've been waylaying travelers and taking their hearts for sacrifice. Their current plan is to make enough sacrifices to earn Imix's protection from the cataclysm that Eye will bring when he comes to burn the entire kingdom to ash. This is supposed to happen soon.' Tryll tells Dana.
"Fan fucking tastic," Dana drawls, "Not only do we have ultroloths, succubi and Sharrans, we have pyromaniacs. Daddy's really been slacking."
Ebony merely smiles faintly, "We will not be starving for work in the days ahead."
'I'm done with this lot. They're all either murderers or accomplices to such.'
"Great." Dana calls for a guard, "They're all guilty, stow them away, we'll make it official afterwards. They'll hang, and I want double shifts guarding them in case there's a break out attempt." Once done and the guard hurries off, "So now what?"
"Quiet amazement you said all that without a single profanity," Ebony challenges.
'Yes. Well done, Dana.' Tryll praises. Calleigh claps excitedly.
"Well, fucking fuckity horseshit cuntery." Dana says that blandly, "Still, so you got a location on this Eye fucker?"
"Aaaaand there goes the moment." Calleigh sighs.
'Fire, probably.'
"Great," Dana says, "So that's not worth it when we have other problems. C'mon, let's see if we can find any other fuckers around here."
'You're familiar with the are more. Where would you suggest we go?'
"And...shit, hold on, I just got a Sending from Daddy," Dana says, "According to him, there's a pitched battle in Gull's Reach. Sounds like it might be our succubus bitch."
Greater Psionic Teleport.
"And away we go!" Calleigh cheers, crystal wand at the ready.
Woosh. The storm is heavier here - Gull's Reach is a river-port nestled against a roaring river. As snow falls over the clusters of houses and buildings, you see it. Well over the center of the city flies a great red dragon. And...
Perception all.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 14 + 47, total 61[/blockquote]
Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 11 + 35, total 46[/blockquote]
"Oh wow, this is bad!" Calleigh remarks.
Dana and Ebony take 10.
You can see someone hangs from the dragon's leg, a double bladed sword plunged into the dragon's rear leg. He's slowly lifting himself up, trying to climb the wyrm's leg as it flies around.
At least Gull's Reach isn't on fire. Yet.
"Ohh, thrilling heroics!" Calleigh gushes.
"Yeah, so what, we gonna fucking watch or we going to teleport our asses over and intervene like the fist of motherfucking Talos?" Dana growls.
'You want me to drop you on a dragon? Of course you do, why would I even ask that question? Right, can everyone fly if I miss?'
Ebony merely flaps her wings in reply.
Calleigh looks pointedly at Dana.
"Yes, I can fucking fly. Now let's go before that warrior proves he's a bad ass and kills the fucking dragon before we get there," Dana growls again, gesturing towards the dragon's flight over the city.
There is Teleportation!
Where are you aiming for, relative to the dragon?
Above its back, close enough that we can maintain speed without teleporting inside of it.
Woosh! About 40ft below you the red dragon streaks by, while an armored man hangs on, slowly struggling to climb up. As he holds onto his blade...
True seeing or the like up, Yuth?
Should be. Teleportation tends to drastically shorten travel time.
Okay, make a CL check on it.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 6 + 32, total 38[/blockquote]
Your CL for true seeing is 32? Just wanna make sure that's right before going on, it matters.
MY CL FOR EVERYTHING IS 32
Awesome, CL check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 11 + 32, total 43[/blockquote]
The dragon image is shadowy, faint. Above it, far more real, is the image of a red haired, winged woman. A succubus, much smaller than the actual dragon.
Init meanwhile since things are about to get violent.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 3 + 9, total 12[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+13 : 16 + 13, total 29[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+9 Dana
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+9 Dana --> [ 1d20=16 ]{25}
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 Ebony --> [ 1d20=16 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+14 Jintorax
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+14 Jintorax --> [ 1d20=20 ]{34}
> roll 1d20+7 Benyen
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7 Benyen --> [ 1d20=9 ]{16}
Init is Jintorax (34) > Calleigh (29) > Dana (25) > Ebony (24) > Benyen (16) > Tryll (12)
Dragon opens.
The dragon flies past lal of you, going 200ft as it shakes and shakes, trying to dislodge the warrior with a loud, pained roar.
> roll 1d20+38
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{52}
With a cry, the warrior loses his grip on the sword and begins to plummet down, faster and faster towards a meeting with the ground below.
Calleigh.
True seeing say he's a shadowy figure too?
He is not. He looks thoroughly normal and not altered.
Distance?
70ft down and falling, 100ft away.
Calleigh manifests Dimension Swap
"Ebony! Catch!" Calleigh cries before vanishing.
'Rescue team here, do not resist.' Tryll sends to the falling warrior.
"Guh!" Ebony catches him, the armored warrior looking up.
"I have you," Ebony murmurs.
"Great, thank you," The man has a faint accents, "Take me to it so I can smite its accursed head off!"
Dana's up. Was that it for Calleigh?
Calleigh proceeds to fly left and up to rejoin the group without engaging dragon.
Now she's done.
'The dragon is an illusion. Some sort of shadow. Above it is the creator. Succubus. Probably the one we're hunting.' Tryll broadcasts to the group.
Freebie since you'd know IC: It's not that, it's the succubus in a different form, ala a polymorph subschool spell.
Struck.
'The dragon is not a dragon. It's a polymorphed succubus. Probably the one we're hunting.' Tryll broadcasts to the group.
"Got it," Dana calls back and then grins viciously. She glides in, energy manifesting around her body before...
Energy stun, cold damage and up to 30 PP, for 28d6 damage and the save is Fort based.
> roll 1d20+20 vs DC 47
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+20 vs DC 47 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{34}
> roll 28d6+28
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 28d6+28 --> [ 28d6=112 ]{140}
> roll 140*2
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 140*2 --> {280}
CRACK! The ice shot hits the dragon right in center mass, sending it reeling and falling as ice spreads across it. More and more as it plummets to the ground - only to shift back into an ice entombed, winged woman, hitting the ground hard. The CRACK as the ice and the woman breaks is remarkably loud in the storm, like glass shattered. Dana blinks and whistles, "Hey Tryll, that is a great psionic power to know, thanks!"
"...Well. It seems you have this in hand," The warrior says, "Could you please take me down so I can find my sword?"
When you meddle in the affairs of less powerful entities, it usually goes smashy fast. Free act.
"Nice shot, Dana!" Calleigh cheers as the group passes on their way down.
Ebony faintly sighs, but on a look from the warrior, she shakes her head. "I am Ebony, servant of Alicia. I had hoped you would overcome Jintorax - that was her, yes? It was?" After a nod from him, "I had hoped you would defeat her on your own, but circumstances are deeper than a mere succubus pact maker. You are Benyen?"
"I am," The warrior confirms, "Thank you for the aid, all. I had her, but...dead is dead, she will not harm another soul on this world."
Dana snorts, "You had her, no shit?"
"Yes, no shit," he returns that coolly, "I was going to climb her back, smite her head and make her crash, then decapitate her with Hell Striker."
Dana's expression lightens at that as snow falls all around you. "Shiiiiit, why didn't you say so in the first place!"
Calleigh leans over to Ebony, "Hey, wasn't this the guy we didn't want to bother?"
"Yes. Yes it was," Ebony says, another soft sigh. "Alicia preaches self sufficiency and growing strong, rather than relying on others."
Benyen smiles at that, "People never believe me when I say that, and then I prove them wrong. Like one time I was fighting a priest of Cyric and he had me in a pit lined with spikes. My companions thought I was dead, and I knew I was in the perfect position to leap up and use the spikes to leap off of, go up and impale the priest before he could do anything else."
"I know!" Dana laughs, a genuine and real sound, "LIke I get dumped in fucking lava and everyone's trying to heal me, when in fact I'm in position to tackle that devil motherfucker in and make him gag on boiling rock."
Calleigh shrugs. "So let's be self suffufuisent or whatever and find that loth."
"Let's," Ebony cuts in rather strongly, "Benyen, is Shadale nearby, do you think?"
"Hm?" Looking away from Dana and blinking, "Oh, no, not at all. No, he hides behind catspaws and pawns, never coming this close. Jintorax was just another in a long line of them."
"Huh. So we gotta root him out. Like a rat!" Calleigh nods.
"From Hades or whatever outer plane he's in, I've found conflicting information on it," Benyen mentions, "He's thoroughly warded against scrying, too."
"Hey Tryll, wanna try, you're not half bad. Or hey, I know some other people that can help. Us two can go do that if all else fails," Dana offers.
"Ah." Benyen smiles, "That would be helpful, though I despair of anyone casually cracking an ultroloth's protections."
Ebony meanwhile sends a long look in your general direction.
"We killed a duke of Hell last month. We're pretty scary. I'm sure we can handle this. You're up, boss!" Calleigh says as her form is eclipsed by a giant black fish eye.
'Hmmmm.' Tryll broadcasts to the entire group.
Dana and Benyen exchange a look, only to be interrupted by fish eye. Benyen doesn't even blink at it, "What manner of creature are you?" he asks, plainly.
"Oh, he's a ghost squid-fish thing that resembles an aboleth but isn't," Dana says, "He's pretty fucking soft and nice once you know him."
"Thank you for your help," he says, as you reach the ground. He hops off and hurries over, Hell Striker lying in the street. A few people are poking out into the storm, eyeing things cautiously. Once he has his sword back he comes over, "Princess Dana? I have silver coins with your face and name on them."
"Yeah, yeah," Dana smiles, "Anyway, you want to come with us? We have some Imix followers to get with the killing, plus maybe some Sharrans."
"I'd love to," he says, "The last time I ran across Sharrans, they summoned a greater shadow to try and kill me."
"Yeah? Took the hits and turned the shit out of it?" Dana asks, as Ebony sighs ever so softly again, giving you a long look. Again.
"I shoved my holy symbol of Raziel into its face for the finisher," he confirms.
From inside the eye, Calleigh's cackling can be heard. "Yup, he's one of Raziel's kids alright!"
Tryll is unperturbed by Benyen's unperturbedness. 'Yes. Hello. I am Tryll. Dana's description is mostly accurate. I am a member of a mostly dead race. I take forms like this eye because they are both simpler to understand and less unnerving than my true form. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you like to help us kill Shar?'
"That sounds like a great goal, but I'm currently in a blood feud with Shadale," Benyen says, "Shadale's agents slaughtered my mentor and his family, ending a line of paladins that stretched back over three hundred years." His voice is firm here, "I will not rest until Shadale is brought to justice for his many crimes."
"What's a Shadale?"
"Someone we can beat the shit out of," Dana says, "So he's skulking in some lower plane, right? Trylll, get on divining him like I asked, damn." Waving her gauntlet-clad hand at you, "We have an ultroloth to fucking disembowel."
"In more detail," Ebony fills in, "He is an ultroloth information broker. It was a failing for his role in matters to be exposed in the first place. Most ultroloths commit their sins in deep secrecy and misdirection."
"It was the Firestar's light that revealed him," Benyen adds firmly again, "And it will be the Firestar's light that ends him - from the point of my blade."
Divination: Where is Shadale?
"Divining!" Calleigh says.
As you begin to cast, the cold snow falls. After several moments, "We can cast somewhere that isn't an open street," Ebony declares, giving you a meaningful look.
"Too late!"
Ebony slowly exhales, "Reconsider," Ebony says, gesturing, "I would like us to leave before we make a bigger ruckus."
"I like a ruckus," Benyen points out, giving Dana a look. "It lets me take the initiative in rooting out evil."
Dana returns it, "Shiiiit, where were you for Aurora! You would've made the post Willim period so much better!"
"Wasn't Willim the demon troll guy? Why bring him up?" Calleigh asks.
"We were fu-" Dana begins.
"That's enough," Ebony says, slowly running a hand through her hair, knocking her hood off. Snow continues to fall around you, steadily. The streets are mostly empty, but more and more windows and doors are opening, people peeking out. "Calleigh, the two were close."
"Like, they stood next to each other?"
Ebony closes her eyes, "Tryll, just teleport us somewhere nicer, please."
'But I have already begun divining.'
"Then begin it again once we are teleported," Ebony says, taking a long breath out. Dana and Benyen meanwhile step back a bit, staying outta this one.
'We could just go inside, you know. No need to teleport twice.'
"...as you like," Ebony finally says, gesturing ahead. "Lead on.:"
What are our nearby structures?
A street with buildings on either side. They look like shops and homes at a glance.
A shop is more likely to be inviting than a home! Tryll wanders through the walls of the nearest shop!
It looks like a tailor's shop. It's currently empty.
Tryll flips the lock open. Calleigh opens the door from the outside!
Once inside you're mercifully outside of the storm. Benyen lingers outside and finally shakes his head. "Thank you, but I wish not to trespass. I would recommend not, as the law-"
As you the rest of you trundle in, a door from the back opens. A 40 something woman, dumpy and with a leery gaze, "What are you doing in my-" she begins.
"Benyen, I have this," Dana says, "Yeah, look, Princess Dana here. I'm imposing my royal right to borrow your home. Here." She opens her bag and tosses out a handful of gold coins on a nearby table. "Rent."
The woman eyes the coins, then Dana, then the coins. She scurries forward and scoops them up, ndoding, "My house is yours, princess! Stay as long as you like!"
Only at that does Benyen enter, "Well, there seems to be no trespassing here."
Calleigh has somehow acquired a snowball in the process of entering the house. "Yep!"
Ebony just sighs again as...
No result from your divination. It's been blocked.
"Aaaand no results. They're protected. That's a bummer! Where was he last spotted?"
"Himself? Never," Benyen admits, "Always catspaws, intermediaries, servants and paid mercenaries."
"Oh, one of those pricks," Dana rolls her eyes, "Fucking bullshit is what they are."
"Paid mercenaries?"
"Yes," Benyen says, "Most die or realize the money isn't worth it."
"We could try them! Kick in some doors, steal their plans, eat their brains, you know. Hero stuff!"
"Enough of that," Ebony says, "We have Imix's plans to stop and a scheme by Shar to potentially stop," she speaks up, "Shadale will have his reckoning, but we have information that Langersun itself may be in danger."
"Awww, okaaaay." Calleigh gives Ebony a sad look.
"Tell you what," Dana says, "How about Benyen and I go hunt down more Shadale leads while you try and track down Eye and solve that problem, or find more info on the Sharrans?"
"Split up? Again!? First we split from Miranda and now YOU wanna leave too? WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY LIKE ME!?"
"I like you, little fairy," Benyen smiles, coming over to her. "Dana and I merely need time to talk about matters between us while we smite more minions."
Ebony takes another breath, "Tryll," she finally says, "Let us make progress forward, regardless."
"Okay." Calleigh says in a small voice.
'Well, our only lead is that fire elementals are not our friends here. If we're thinking in terms purely Imix, we may want to just take over one of their cults and try to either permanently bar Eye from being summoned or go to Fire and find him there to assassinate him.'
"There is one flaw in that," Ebony points out, "Eye may already be here, merely being stealthy." She pulls her hood back up in the meantime.
'I could attempt a divination him as well. It's been spotty, but it's worth a shot.'
"Great, you all have fun," Dana calls back over her shoulder, "Come meet up with us a little later." She takes Benyen with her, the two heading back out into the storm.
Ebony exhales through her nose and finally says, "It is worth a try," she confirms. "Please do."
'Sit tight then.'
There is a divination.
Where is Eye? Where is Eye? Where in the general area is Eye? Who are Eye's trusted subordinates here in Langersun?
Blocked, blocked, blocked and the last one replies with, 'The Prince of Coin, deep in his vault.'
'You know,' Tryll remarks drily, 'this constant blocking of my divination is really becoming irritating.'
"Anything?" Ebony asks, "This is rapidly annoying, yes."
'The only thing I got was a mortal servant here on Langersun, the Prince of Coin. Deep in his vault, as it said.'
"Then divine more on him," Ebony merely says, "Let us track this Prince of Coin down and close in."
More divination!
1. Where is he, specifically?
2. Where is his vault, specifically?
3. What is guarding that vault, specifically?
4. What are the nearby landmarks, specifically?
'Seek the Buried Palace.'
'Seek beneath the notice of the ruler.'
'Beware the living flames.'
Whiff on the last - just a random failure.
Dice roll botch on the last, not blocking, since the spell notes that you know the difference.
'Time to leave. We're seeking the Buried palace, which is beneath the notice of the ruler. Beware the living flames. Yadda yadda, standard stuff. I need a better power. I don't know how you normal spellcasters get by. This is ludicrous.'
"Persistence and better spells," Ebony says, following.
Next move?
> roll 1d100 Dana working in the meantime, higher the better
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 66 > [d100=66]
King's throne room.
A teleport gets you back to the palace. You find Dana's Father there, drinking a glass of wine and lost in thought, the room empty save for two guards hovering nearby him.
Go ahead.
"Hi!" Calleigh says.
A long sip of his wine, sitting back comfortably. "I see my wayward daughter is absent," he observes. "What trouble is she up to now?"
"She met Benyen! They're off beating up bad guys! Also I think he's her boyfriend now. But! We were looking and we found a cult in Dawnfall and there were cultists and they were kidnapping travelers and cutting out their HEARTS so we captured them all and STOLE THEIR MEMORIES and Dana beat them up and put them in jail and then we went to uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsomethingabouttheoceanorbeachesorbirdsorseaGULL'S REACH! Yeah! We fought a big red dragon that was a succubus and not really a dragon and we met Benyen and Dana's off with him and they're looking for an ultroloth named Shademaster or something but we're currently looking for more dudes working for Imix because he wants to burn your entire kingdom down and there's this elemental named Eye who is trying to do it and he's some sort of prophet or something but whatever and we're gonna stop 'em but we're having trouble using divination to find them because everyone's a stupid-head and they're all warded all the time which is really unrealistically expensive for spellcasters innit and we found out that there's some guy named the Prince of Coin who is in the Buried Palace and he operates beneath your notice or whatever that means and he's got LIVING FLAMES which are probably just fire elementals I mean really whatever either way we gotta go get him cuz he works for Imix and he's a bad hombre and needs to be put down!" Calleigh says all in one breath.
A long sip of wine after that, "The Buried Palace is the derisive name given to Alanmorn of Langersun's personal abode. He's a merchant is known as the Prince of Merchants locally. Why, his so called palace is near the castle." Another sip and another, "Do something about that, without damaging the rest of the city."
"Blow up his house without blowing up the rest of the city. Right. Gotcha." Calleigh gives a sloppy salute. "Let's go!"
Next move then? More particularly, how are you going about this?
Correspond first.
'Hey Dana, wanna come raid an evil guy's house in your home town, steal his stuff, and blow it up? Some guy named Alanmorn, the Prince of Merchants. Was this one of the guys your dad wanted you to marry?'
'Alamorn, that asshole? No, he's not a noble. Rich, though. Busy with Benyen, try again later.'
"Dana's not interested. Let's head out. We're walking!" Calleigh shouts.
After a brief interlude for Ebony to request directions, the three of you head out into the snow. Few people but the occasional guard is out, and soon enough you see it. It's a large manor in the city, surrounded by a lawn blanketed in snow. It's one to four stories, varying about, made of stone, brick and even wood in places. Different parts matched together - a room here, an annex there, like a tree slowly sprouting different leaves.
The team heads right through the gates and up to the door!
The gates are closed, perhaps against the storm or perhaps for some other reason.
Fortunately, everyone can fly!
Indeed, the gate is cleared. You reach the front door - or the big door near the center, there's a few other doors scattered about here and there, in case you want to examine or try something different.
The one you're at it is big and carved with images of coins and stars. It's taller than Hanna by a few inches, dark-stained wood. No snow gathers around the door, simply gliding around it and forming drifts to either side.
Tryll uses telekinesis to knock on the door.
No immediate reply, the storm blowing snow all about.
Just as you're about to knock again, the door opens a crack. "...yes?" A man's voice ask, older sounding.
"Open up in the name of the the Queen!" comes the response.
"What?" The man says, voice dry. "Unless the King has remarried, that is news to me."
"Queen Morwel, ya dummy! And I ain't askin'!"
"That's not the name of our former Queen," The man shuts the door at that, rather firmly.
Detect Psionics, looking at the door.
An autopass Psicraft check bypassed, no need to roll it.
Checking it, you see there's a minor but permanent enchantment to keep snow, rain, mud or other things from a few feet around the door.
Cool. Disintegrating the door.
Great. Make the requisite 1 check real quick.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Minus one door. Inside is an older man, dressed in a bed robe and holding a candle in hand. "Wha-" he stammers out, momentarily staring at the two of you he can see.
"There! That's better!" Calleigh says, flying in. "Where's what'shisname?"
Ebony follows, keeping her hood up. Inside it is dim, shadowed, the storm's darkness and the snow's purplish duskfall light only providing minor illumination. It appears to be an entry room, a place for boots and coats, another door leading further in. A few benches are scattered about, the room itself quite large. The benches look nice - carvings of fish on them.
"This is trespassing! That is a crime!" The old man declares, pointing a shaking finger, "What manner of fairy trickery is this?!"
"We haven't gotten to trickery yet." Calleigh leans in, "Unless you want trickery?
"Sir," Ebony's voice is controlled but powerful, "Stand aside." Two words, her gaze on him.
> roll 1d20+13 trying untrained intimidate
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+2
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=19]
Something that gaze is too much, for the man turns heel and flees. Ahead is the mansion, yours to explore as you like - for now.
"He's supposed to be in the vault! Let's see if we can find an entrance!" Calleigh says, going incorporeal as she and Tryll skim the floors and walls for entrances..
Roll and post 1d100, as well as a Perception check for Tryll and Calleigh.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Perception Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 10 + 47, total 57[/blockquote]
Perception Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 12 + 38, total 50[/blockquote]
Servants appear and scurry away quickly as you search. You quickly end up in a library, Tryll's skimming finding a secret entrance behind a bookshelf, stairs going down.
The mansion itself is nice - rich, expensively kept and decorated. Admittedly though, the hundreds of books in this library nor the rolling ladders really catch your attention - your focus is on other things.
'Secret stairway in the library. How cliche.' Tryll sends to Ebony as Calleigh rejoins him.
"Convenient - or a trap to catch those who would assume it to be the true path," Ebony murmurs, "Regardless, we have little choice but to take it. How do we open it?"
'Why bother when we can just pass right thro-oh right you're not an eladrin. Right. Well, we have a few options. Disintegration, tearing it off the wall, or finding the mechanical lever in. Which would you prefer?'
"Whichever is fastest," Ebony says, "Assuming your mind can withstand further exertion and be ready for a serious battle." She gives you a look at that, "Can it?"
'Of course. I'm not even halfway spent for the day.' Tryll says, casually disintegrating the obstacle.
Obligatory 1 check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Well, that's one less bookshelf. The way to the stairs is ahead. Down the party goes, down and down into near darkness. Only the occasional candle mounted on the wall lights the way, the path down remarkably dark. In the end it terminates in a rather stout steel door, blocking the way ahead.
Tryll once again manifests True Seeing and briefly checks what's on the other side before disintegrating his way through!
Peeking on the other side is a storage room. Shelves, boxes and stacks of goods are all here. On a glance it looks utterly mundane.
Chance to react in case that changes your action.
It does not! Disintegrate!
Make your dread 1d20 1 check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Another door is dust. Ebony follows in, checking a barrel. "Parchment," she says, then another, "Quills," she announces, "A storage room. Either an unneededly hidden one, a false lead or camouflage."
There is another clever ethereal searching!
Make a Perception check, Calleigh, as Tryll works.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 19 + 40, total 59[/blockquote]
Calleigh hears footsteps back upwards, by the top of the steps coming down or so.
A beat to relay info, and Tryll says to Ebony, 'Someone is coming down the stairs.'
Calleigh rises up to hide in the ceiling. Tryll angles to the left of the doorway inside the wall, ready to lash out.
"Be merciful if it is not a warrior," Ebony warns, "Even then if, unless they are aligned with evil." She hides behind barrels, waiting.
Stealth. I presume your plan is to ambush them or what here?
Check out dude and either detain or deal with him peacefully.
Calleigh casts Detect Evil, and Tryll readies Ectoplasmic Cocoon.
Great, make Stealth checks then if you're not etherealling or otherwise impossible to see.
We're etherealing and otherwise impossible to see.
> roll 1d20+10 Ebony stealth
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 Ebony stealth --> [ 1d20=11 ]{21}
> roll 1d20+7 perception
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7 perception --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
The two men that come in are wearing simple leather jerkins and carrying maces at the ready. They're looking about, no sign of seeing you. They look fairly normal - humans, nothing special on a glance.
Do they detect as EEEEEVILLL?
You do not detect evil.
Tryll quietly manifests Read Thoughts and aims it at the bruisers!
> roll 1d20+3
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{22}
> roll 1d20+4
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{10}
They are thinking about finding the burglars who forced their way in and stopping them, so that their boss rewards them.
Marginally useful. 'Let's see if they point out any suspicious openings. Ebony, can you remain hidden?'
'Working on it,' Ebony says, as...
"See them?" One murmurs to the other, a head shake.
"No sign of them and they're magic. Damn, they could be halfway across Langersun now." The second sighs, "Let's search the room."
Tryll dismisses Ectoplasmic Cocoon and instead readies Ghost Sound to go off of it looks like they're going to find Ebony.
> roll 1d20+5 search
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 search --> [ 1d20=10 ]{15}
The two look around...but don't come close. Instead they grunt, one saying, "C'mon, waste of time." The other nods and follows, the two going back upstairs.
'Bah.' Tryll grumps.
'Hm.' Ebony sends, 'Do you think this is a dead end, then?'
Tryll and Calleigh give the rooms walls, floor, and ceiling a deeper look. With detect psionics!
There's faint magic coming from the southern wall, mostly hidden by some boxes.
Spellcraft.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 18 + 50, total 68[/blockquote]
There's a spell there to keep the boxes in place, flush against the wall. Moving them would require great strength or dispelling the magic.
There's also an alarm spell if the boxes are moved, independent of the previous spell.
Dispel check[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 5 + 20, total 25[/blockquote]
What are you aiming it at and what spell are you using? Or power as the case is.
the alarm spell
The alarm spell is dispelled with no difficulty.
And now, one for the sticky spell![blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 1 + 20, total 21[/blockquote]
Natural 1, hi! It's been awhile!
Your psionics fail to dispel the magic here.
"May I?" Ebony asks, voice quiet.
I've been waiting for it.
'By all means!'
> roll 1d20+20 Ebony dispel
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+20 Ebony dispel --> [ 1d20=17 ]{37}
In Celestial Ebony half says, half sings, "Glory of dawn, banish the night's remnants." The magic keeping the boxes in place crumbles, destroyed to the last.
[spoiler]
Ebony
HP: 570/570
Spells Active:
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 5th level bard spell
'Showoff.' Tryll says, lifting the boxes aside with telekinesis.
Ebony smiles, "Let me have my first victory since this mission began. I only pray that Benyen is not the rash type to love them and then marry them."
Meanwhile, behind the boxes is a door, closed shut.
'More victories to come, I should think. As for Benyen and Dana, that's up to them. It'd probably irritate her father, but I don't know if she's the marrying type.' Tryll replies, phasing through the door to check the other side.
Behind the door are more stairs going down.
"Down we go, then!" Calleigh says, flying out of the ceiling and through the door.
'Yes. Let's proceed.' Tryll says.
Ebony opens the door and follows...only to find it locked.
One door opening from the other side later and down the two of you go. As you begin to walk, you notice it's getting warmer.
'Ah, yes. this is likely the living flame I was warned about in my divination. Let's proceed with caution.'
Ebony draws back her hood, "Worrisome. Are you prepared and warded against flame?"
'I am not, but the material world rarely reaches me. I can ward myself if necessary. Unless it's that searing nonsense.'
"Very well," Ebony replies, "Calleigh, do you need anything?"
"I'm okay! I get whatever stuff Tryll needs!"
Thus all of you descend down.
> roll 1d100 Dana and Benyen meanwhile
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 Dana and Benyen meanwhile --> [ 1d100=100 ]{100}
A winding stair, reddish glowing light coming from below. It looks like it opens into somewhere bigger.
"Toasty!" Calleigh says, flying ahead.
Down you go - more and more. Ahead a vast basement stretches in all directions. Here are bonfires, great pits of burning flame. Dozens of them in all directions, burning brightly. They obscure the way ahead, flames intensifying by the moment, spreading out and all around you, more and more.
"Really toasty!" Calleigh says. "Is that fire moving?"
"The fire's moving," Ebony confirms. Walls and paths of it are surrounding you, rapidly boxing all of you in around the stairs.
"Oh, right! Living flame because it moves! Duh!" Calleigh says, "Ebony, you got anything for fires?"
Ebony shakes her head. "Do you?"
'Disintegration?'
The flames continue to advance in the meantime, forming around all of you.
"Swiftly," Ebony says, as you are all now boxed in by the flames, growing hotter yet.
Is Calleigh corporeal or incorporeal right now?
inc
The flames burn hotter and hotter - and from it a great fist of fire emerges, slamming at the three of you. It's larger than Hanna, barreling at you full speed.
Init.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 3 + 9, total 12[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 14 + 15, total 29[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 Ebony --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}
> roll 1d20+10 fist
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 fist --> [ 1d20=6 ]{16}
Init is Calleigh (29) > Ebony (28) > Fist (16) > Tryll (12)
Open Calleigh.
Tornado Blast
Calleigh points a dorje at the fist.
"Nope!"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 5 + 28, total 33[/blockquote]Ranged touch. Impact damage. [blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 1, 5, 1, 3, 4, 2, 3, 4, total 23[/blockquote]Spin damage.[blockquote]Rolled 17d6 : 2, 6, 4, 6, 5, 2, 4, 5, 3, 1, 3, 1, 6, 2, 3, 6, 6, total 65[/blockquote]No SR. Reflex 19 halves.
> roll 1d20+16 Reflex
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=6]
The blast whips the flames, blowing them higher but to either side, away from you. The first of fire parts for a few moments as it blows, coming back together afterwards. It looks a little ragged but intact as Ebony stands her ground, bowing her head and tracing a strange, multi-angled symbol in the air. A note of profound music, like a harp's sounds, follow. A pale beam of blue fires from Ebony's finger, racing at the fist.
Polar Ray.
> roll 1d20 touch AC, will math if it's really low
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=15]
> roll 25d6
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 88 > [d6=4,6,2,4,2,4,1,2,5,4,2,2,4,3,6,5,1,2,5,4,2,5,3,4,6]
> roll 88+44
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 132 >
The ray touches the fist, freezing it solid. The flames sputter out as ice hits the ground, the fist slain - but fires are still burning around you, relentlessly as...
Free act.
[spoiler]
Ebony
HP: 570/570
Spells Active:
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 5th level bard spell, 1 8th level sorcerer spell.
what do I roll to figure out what this thing is?
K:P.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 9 + 50, total 59[/blockquote]
It looks like to be a fire elemental somehow spread out amid the entire room, into nonstandard forms. A rather large one, all told. It'll magic or water affecting the entire room to bring it down, or a sufficiently power dispel. Otherwise you can beat up manifestations without getting anywhere.
'Well it's certainly an elemental, which means it's not native to this world. Can you banish it?'
"I can certainly try if it presents itself again," Ebony says, stepping back as the flames burn hotter, farther.
As you speak, this time a foot of fire forms above all of you, larger than Hanna and plunging right at the three of you.
Init.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 14 + 9, total 23[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 14 + 15, total 29[/blockquote]
'It will. Ceaselessly.'
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+10 foot
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=14]
Calleigh (29) > Foot (24) > Tryll (23) > Ebony (17)
Go Calleigh.
"Uhm. You guys go ahead and banish it. I'll just. Yeah. Bye!" Calleigh goes ethereal and vanishes into the ceiling.
Just in time, for a moment later the foot comes down on Ebony, hard.
Tryll is incorporeal so he's safe.
> roll 1d20+29
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=14]
Ebony's AC of 61 holds.
With a smooth roll to the side, Ebony avoids the foot, flames licking at her robes. As this happens...
Tryll.
Disintegrate.
Fort DC 30
Success:[blockquote]Rolled 5d6 : 6, 4, 6, 3, 3, total 22[/blockquote]Failure:[blockquote]Rolled 20d6 : 6, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 6, 4, 6, 4, 2, 3, 1, 4, 6, 3, 2, 6, 1, total 65[/blockquote]SR:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+34 : 5 + 34, total 39[/blockquote]
Tryll ignores the foot, lashing out with a beam of horror!
Isn't Disintegrate's damage higher than that?
If I augment it, it gets crazy high. But the saved amount doesn't change.
Oops, it's 22d6[blockquote]Rolled 20d6 : 1, 4, 5, 4, 3, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, 2, 2, 5, 6, 3, 3, 2, 3, 4, 3, total 65[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+15 Fort
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=7]
A big hunk of the foot is just gone as Ebony rises, flames burning around her. She bows her head and chants, "Symbol of locking the seven gates, come together and begone!"
Dismissal.
> roll 1d20+12 this is not an elemental's good save, usually
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=3]
With a moaning crackle of flame, all the heat vanishes, cast back to whence it came. Only a flame-charred room remains, no obvious doors about - but no elemental, either. You won!
Free act.
[spoiler]
Ebony
HP: 570/570
Spells Active:
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 5th level bard spell, 1 5th level sorcerer spell, 1 8th level sorcerer spell.
"Is it over? Is the hand-foot fire guy gone?" Calleigh asks, poking out of the ceiling.
'Yes.'
"Yay!" she cheers, "Good job!"
Ebony dusts herself off, "Onward, we have a genocidal fire elemental to quench. But thank you, nonetheless."
'Yes, please. Let's finish this up.' Tryll looks for the way forward.
Perception.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 1 + 47, total 48[/blockquote]
Amid all the burnt-ness and ruin, Tryll notices the outline of what may be a door on the far southern wall.
Tryll attempts to pry it open with telekinesis!
Which function of the ability, to be clear?
I'm taking liberties. 2/5 of our PCs are gods. I'm epic. I'm a paragon. I have:Quote-Telekinetic Force (Su): An unbodied can use telekinetic force as a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Manifester level 4th. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Paragon: Expanded - Instead of using a measured amount of force, Tryll can choose to cleverly apply overwhelming strength in battle. Once per encounter as a standard action, Tryll can use mental force to imitate the Telekinetic Maneuver against another creature. Treat this power as having been augmented to his current manifester level. This power cannot be augmented further.
I'm trying something new. If two of our PCs can be gods, I can use my brain to pry open a door.
Yeah, I'm fine with it, I just wanted to know for DMy reasons and things that may be in play beyond Tryll's current perception, that's all.
With a push of telekinetic power, the door is opened. A flash of burning fire gushes out, charring none of you from your position safely far away. It looks like it leads into a hallway that quickly hooks to the left, curving out of sight.
Groovy, thanks.
"Dramatic and thematic! Drathematic?" Calleigh ponders.
'Quite.' Tryll says, heading through the door.
Ebony arches an eyebrow, but says nothing.
The path ahead is carved of solid stone and smoothed over, a glassy sheen over it. LIght comes from the occasional torch, no smoke coming from them. It goes to a single door at the end of the passage.
You can notice a tripwire about 25ft from the door, kept low on the ground. Your true seeing also lets you see a bevy of invisible wires above and around it.
'Tripwires, both visible and not. Hm. Let's have a look at what they trigger.' Tryll skims the walls, phasing partially to see what awaits them.
There are many swinging, scything blades within the wall, armed and ready to lash out.
'Hm. Blade traps. How delightful.' Tryll says, grabbing onto the wires with telekinesis and pulling them apart.
Easily enough done as...
Perception.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 12 + 47, total 59[/blockquote]
Tryll can hear footsteps back the way you came.
'We have incoming from upstairs.'
"Unfortunate," Ebony murmurs, "If you can handle ahead alone, I can handle what comes this way."
'Ever splitting the party. Very well.' Tryll and Calleigh head forward.
"Give a shout if you need help!"
Thus the two of you fly ahead. Ahead are two statues flanking a door deeper past it. It is of two women, nude and crudely carved. Yet your magic enhanced eyes can see a shimmering, invisible wall of force between the statues, blocking the way ahead.
"Halt."
"Halt."
Two voices come from the statues, each one speaking in the tones of an older woman.
"To pass, answer our riddles four."
"To pass, answer our riddles four."
"What? Really?" Calleigh asks. "Do we have time for this!?"
The statues continue on.
"I start with an E, end with an E and yet only contain one letter. What am I?"
"I start with an E, end with an E and yet only contain one letter. What am I?"
"An eye, because it's also I. Duh!" Calleigh says. "He could be getting away!"
"Wrong."
"Wrong."
From both gouts of acid fly, spraying everything ahead.
Is Calleigh incorporeal right now?
Never changed back, so yes.
Fortunately, being ghostly, the acid harms neither Calleigh nor Tryll. It hisses something fierce on the ground, though.
'Okay.'
Tryll disintegrates the statues. And the wall of force. And anything behind it for good measure.
Make your obligatory one check and I laugh at the entire situation.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Statues? Wall of Force? So in the past. They're both gone now, the door ahead unguarded after your disintegration.
'You alright back there?' Tryll sends to Ebony as they proceed forward.
'Hold it, it's a gaggle of summoned creatures.' Ebony responds, 'I can hold the line here. They're hardly devils.'
Tryll and Calleigh keep calm and carry on, then.
Past the door is a hallway going on, twisting to the right. The air shimmers with heat, an orange glow ahead, radiating from beyond the twist to the right.
Forward!
On and on you go - and ahead is flames. An inferno burns ahead, smokeless and yet surely hot, your incorporeal bodies protecting you from scorching heat to be sure. The way ahead is nothing but fire and fury.
Through the fire and the flames, they carry on.
Amid a holocaust of flames. Amid fire. Amid hate.
Before you it strides forward. A man sized elemental of pure fire, burning bright and hot. He is 30ft away, the flames curling around him. In sizzling words of Common, "Are you of the sacrificial offerings? Come to become burnt offerings to Imix?"
Calleigh detects Evil!
No reading from him at all.
'Eh. Why n-'
Unprovoked attack!
Empowered Maximized Twinned Celestial Conduit
630 positive energy damage.
Ref 42 halves.
SR roll:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+34 : 15 + 34, total 49[/blockquote]
What means of shielding your presence and blocking divinations do you have, beyond being incorporeal, Tryll?
Mind Blank, Hide Mind
Also nondetection
> roll 1d20+34 Ref
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=1]
Ow.
Well, that's a surprise attack with a bang.
BOOOM! The blast of energy sends the elemental flying back like a doll tossed aside by a giant, into the flames with the sound of a loud CRASH somewhere beyond your sight, hidden by the fire. At that...
Init. Ow. Normally I don't allow those sorta thing, but he simply had no way to detect you, as his gimmick was a poor matchup for Tryll. Happens.
Tags are botched. Try again in the next post.
That's what being epic is all about, baby!
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 5 + 9, total 14[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 6 + 15, total 21[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+25 speeeeed
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 29 > [d20=4]
Init is Fire Man (29) > Calleigh (21) > Tryll (14)
Amid the roar of the flames, Tryll thinks he can hear something. An incantation, perhaps, as the flames grow hotter yet, but your incorporeal bodies are unaffected.
Go. You can't currently see your target so you aren't sure precisely what he did.
Can't see it with True Seeing?
Nope. True seeing notes it doesn't help with natural concealment or with seeing through solid objects. In this cases, the flames are blocking your vision. Nothing magical about that, just got an inferno between you and the jerk you just smashed super hard.
Oh okay
Calleigh has a wand! "Blam!"
Tornado Blast
No SR.
Ranged touch:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 11 + 28, total 39[/blockquote]Strike damage (no save):[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 5, 2, 2, 6, 3, 3, 4, 3, total 28[/blockquote]Area damage (Ref 19 halves):[blockquote]Rolled 17d6 : 1, 1, 5, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 1, 6, 4, 1, 4, 4, 6, 1, 2, total 56[/blockquote]
Where are you firing at? Where you saw him retreat to?
Yep. It's got decent range so if all he did was move backwards, it should still hit him. He's got concealment. [blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
> roll 1d100 vs 50 total concealment, actually
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 vs 50 total concealment, actually --> [ 1d100=42 ]{42}
The flames are sent swirling - but your aim is wrong. The fire man is 30ft back and 20ft to the side, against an eastern wall. His flames are flickering but stabilizing, growing hotter as...
Winds at least moved the flames enough to see. Tryll.
If at first you don't succeed?
Empowered Maximized Twinned Celestial Conduit
630 positive energy damage.
Ref 42 halves.
SR roll: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+34 : 2 + 34, total 36[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+34
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{49}
This time the blast is only a graze, but the graze tears away his left side and arm, leaving the flames sputtering...before the figure's fire dies out, leaving behind only two things - a silver medallion and a red, blazing circlet.
Free act. That was a nasty, nasty fight since gimmicks collided and his was on the short end of it.
"Loot!" Calleigh cries, zipping forward to gather up the dropped items.
'Ebony, how fare things?' Tryll sends.
'Well enough, I've held the line,' Ebony says. 'Yourself?'
Loot post incoming.
'I'm pretty sure we just killed either the owner of this house, or Eye. Didn't get a chance to ask. It died like an elemental, so possibly Eye. Or one of his lieutenants.'
'Good,' Ebony sends back.
Ball is at least momentarily in your court, Trylling.
Manifesting Psychometry here to see all that's gone on.
Are you okay with the time needed to get info from it?
I'll send Calleigh to back up Ebony, but yeah. Nothing pressing here?
Besides all the flames, anyway, which don't seem to be spreading.
if they're just normal flames, I'll ignore them. They'll die down.
Calleigh finds Ebony standing here. Bloodstains are about the area, yet only a handful of humans lie here - breathing but not getting up. Ebony stands on guard, "I have defeated the pincer attempt," she reports. "They will live - at least for now, though the law may not be so merciful to them."
"We found a fire man! He wanted to know if we were sacrifices to Imix, so me MURDERIZED HIM!"
"Justice has been done," Ebony says, "If not precisely to the law's reach, but such things can't be avoided." A few moments, "I believe no more reinforcements are immediately forthcoming. How is Tryll?"
"He's fine. Fireguy didn't get a chance to hit us. He's doing brain things now to see if we can see the past."
Ebony lightly clicks her tongue, "I hope they are not hasty in trying again." A side long glance at Calleigh, "In case I forget to tell him again, encourage him to develop faster means of psychometry and divination."
"I think he knows." Calleigh nods. "He got stuck on the whole psigate thing and stopped working on other stuff."
"How is that going?" Ebony asks, gaze back the way you came down here, no further signs of attackers.
"We've destroyed seven thousand gold worth of crystals with absolutely nothing to show for it!" Calleigh cheerfully declares.
Ebony merely holds her tongue at that.
More.
1st minute: One.
2nd minute: Elemental.
3rd minute: Three hours.
As minutes trickle by and no more enemies come. "Unusually sensible, not sending more victims to be defeated," Ebony remarks. "Or perhaps we caught them with a minimum of worthwhile forces."
"Maybe they just weren't expecting the Squiddish Inquisition!"
Please don't make that sort of gratuitous pop cultural reference, this really isn't the sort of campaign to start quoting Monty Python in. Thanks.
"We may have gotten that lucky to catch them mostly unawares," Ebony concurs.
4th minute: Neutral evil.
Calleigh's been making pop culture references since like day 1. This was just one you recognized.
"Maybe!"
Could be. My pop culture level's pretty low.
Ebony merely waits on, nodding to Calleigh.
5th minute: They came from the same direction the path leading to here took.
6th minute: Sat here, prayed and meditated.
7th minute: Did not leave the area, obviously.
Going to continue?
I'd prefer to. Just in case there's anything I could miss. Why?
Just curious.
Make a Perception check, Calleigh.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 18 + 38, total 56[/blockquote]
8th minute: 3 creatures.
Calleigh hears footsteps coming her way, as Ebony merely adjusts herself, facing ahead. "Calleigh," she says softly.
"Yep." Calleigh manifests Detect Hostile Intent! Also, she has a very dangerous tiny crystal wand!
They come down - four men, armed and armored. "Stop! Surrender, trespassers!" Blades are drawn and shields are up, the four approaching.
Calleigh's power tells her that yes, they are hostile.
Calleigh responds with a horrifying amount of wind!
Tornado Blast
No SR.
Ranged touch: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 5 + 26, total 31[/blockquote]
Strike damage (no save): [blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 3, 2, 5, 1, 2, 1, 1, 4, total 19[/blockquote]
Area damage (Ref 19 halves): [blockquote]Rolled 17d6 : 3, 1, 4, 4, 5, 6, 5, 2, 3, 6, 5, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 5, total 57[/blockquote]
Init in this case, they're basically in a position where they're attacking anyway.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+13 : 15 + 13, total 28[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 Ebony --> [ 1d20=3 ]{11}
> roll 1d20+5 soldiers
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 soldiers --> [ 1d20=4 ]{9}
Init is Calleigh (28) > Ebony (11) > Soldiers (9)
Open.
See previous post.
> roll 1d20+8 Ref
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 Ref --> [ 1d20=17 ]{25}
There is a sickening CRUNCH as the warriors are slammed back hard, winds pummeling them. They struggle to rise and fail, the last collapsing.
Free act, they clearly weren't much.
"This thing is way overpowered." Calleigh says, shaking her wand.
"It seems they were only common soldiers," Ebony approaches and checks them.
Note that Detect Hostile Intent is still up! I'll know if they're still feeling murderous!
Nothing like that, mostly on the account of being out cold and/or dead.
Calleigh will choose to believe the former.
Anyway, your move IC.
"Any loot? Are they asleep? Will they turn into newts!?"
"Two are disabled, two are dead," Ebony reports, voice quiet. "A few minor magical items."
Taking 10 as needed.
"Dead? Oops?" Calleigh puts the wand away and grabs another. "Maybe less explody."
A moment's pause, "You're alright?" she asks, voice turning gentle.
"Oh yeah, sure. I just didn't mean to kill 'em is all. Maybe we can try to Rez them later and face charges? Depends on what the guards and stuff say."
Ebony closes her eyes and sighs lightly, "It is a wonder you have not promoted. You are mature beyond your years, Calleigh."
"Eh. They tried. I said no every time. I'm not THAT mature. I've just been around a while and I know that death isn't the end for mortals. They go on to either do other things, get reincarnated, or get promoted if they were favored. It's not that big of a deal."
Perception real quick again, Calleigh?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+37 : 11 + 37, total 48[/blockquote]
"You're mature enough to deal with death," Ebony says, "That's mature enough, more mature than a courre should ever be....besides Marie, I suppose."
"Who?"
"Marielle, Saint Alicia's familiar and companion," Ebony says, "She spends most of her time in the form of an elf, the only reason she hasn't promoted greatly is because she's Alicia's familiar. She's overdue, old and mature."
"Bleah," Calleigh makes a face, "I don't wanna promote. Can you imagine me as a firre? Or a bralani? Or some stuffy tulani?? No way! Courreses are the bestest. I don't care if I'm old. You're only as old as you feel."
"I mean, they've come after me to promote a few times. Usually a good prank or six makes them go away. That's actually what got us kicked out of the Court!"
Ebony hums, "So you wish to be a child yet, is that what you are saying?"
"Oh no. I was a child already. Then I died! Now I'm a courre! And that's way better! Also more fun."
Without missing a beat, "I mean, would you consider yourself a child, mentally and emotionally?"
"Hmmmmyep!"
"Then as they say, children should do what adults say. So...why do you not listen to the adults, Calleigh?" Ebony says, a hint of a smile on her face.
"I was never very good with authority." Calleigh scoffs.
Meanwhile...
8th (second loop begins): 2.
"I see," Ebony murmurs, "Still, it seems we may not see much more danger here, after all."
"Fine with me. Wanna loot the house?"
Ebony nods, "Let us see what writs of evil linger here, if no more resistance comes."
Okay, if Ebony's right and resistance is done, what are you doing from here?
Tryll finishes up his deal. Calleigh & Ebony toss the place. No stone until ironed! No walls unphased-through!
What precisely are you looking for? Treasure? Evidence?
All of the above, plus any goodies.
Okay, make Perception for reference, I'll sort this all out tonight.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 6 + 35, total 41[/blockquote]
Searching is simple enough - time consuming, but a funny thing happens. Once the house is secured, guards by the platoon invite themselves over. Langersun's city guard lead by military officers, arresting everyone and anyone there that is alive and not the three of you. Upside, it means there's no more resistance. Downside, Ebony talks to a commander and meets with you after, "They're officially claiming the manor for the Crown as a royal investigation and possible forfeiture. Unofficially, His Majesty gives us permission to take things within reason that will not impede the investigation."
A pause, a ghost of a smile, "Apparently Dana's made her opinion about the rights of adventurers to loot abundantly clear to her father in the past."
Calleigh clutches her new pile of slightly-used hats as Tryll rises through the floor. 'Delightful.'
Loot post incoming, I'll make another post when it's up. This will be a few.
Loot post is up, go check it out and reply there.
Round 2 of lootposting is up, go reply there.
There has been a reply.
The only thing of IC note is you mentioned being interested in that ruby. Are you gonna make a play for it, first of all?
Second of all we'll cover the evidence you picked up IC.
1. Exactly how large is that ruby?
2. Okay.
Six-seven inches tall and appropriately wide. It's huge by gemstone standards.
Eh, probably not big enough. Anything special about it under true seeing/detect psionics?
No, it's just a huge gemstone.
We'll let it go, then.
A few hours later, Ebony sits in a richly decorated study, going over several documents.
"The good news is that the cult of Imix is not decentralized at this level," Ebony says, "This indicates at least half a dozen other cult hideouts in this kingdom and nearby ones. Giving this to the Crown should solve the Imix infiltration. Further, this confirms the elemental you slew was likely Eye, as it mentions him coming. So I think we can consider the worst of the problems here defused, barring a possible Sharran incident. Jintorax is dead and so is Imix's cult here."
Once that's digested, "Also, read this," Ebony passes you a folded letter.
The folder is lifted and perused.
It reads as follows.
Threat Assessment: Dana Langersun. High power threat, aligned with the Aurora. Irrelevant, brutish and mildly stupid. Do not engage directly, misdirect and set her against her father. Does not get along with her father, the King. Be wary of powerful allies from Aurora. In battle, disarm, entrap and burn alive.
"Dana is a Princess of Langersun," Ebony points out, "This letter is treasonous, in case they need any other reason to finish rooting out this cult."
Calleigh starts laughing, "And in the end, Dana had almost nothing to do with them getting taken down! They never even saw us coming!"
"Still, it leaves the main reason I came here - a Sharran." Ebony takes a breath, "But we aren't finding any sign of them directly. I intend to notify the King of the Sharrans in depth, in case we cannot solve this problem ourselves and must entrust it to another."
'We got caught up investigating Imix. If there are Sharrans, we will find them.'
With that...
Next move, Tryllcreature?
Let's get down to basics. Shar likes loss. So lets look for strings of destruction of public or private property, disappearances and/or murders, or strings of thefts.
Okay. It's still snowing and getting on the later side of things, are you gonna try during the evening or rest up? For that matter, going to go fetch Dana?
Ohh good idea! Tryll uses Correspond!
'Dana. We beat up an Imix cult and killed the fire elemental trying to murder the kingdom. Probably. Have you got any news on the Sharrans?'
'Yep,' Dana sounds relaxed, smug.
'We just finished looting this house. Your father has claimed the house itself for the crown. Unsurprising. It's his land. Either way. Give me your location, we'll join you.'
'The Prancing Stag,' Dana sends back, 'It's an inn. Room 230.'
'We're heading out. Ebony, are you ready?' Tryll asks while Calleigh busily stuffs the last of the loot into her bags.
"Ready," Ebony concurs, "Where are they?"
'Not here. Allow me.' Tryll makes with the teleportatium.
It's an inn room. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. This one is nicer, though, more like a suite. Dana's sprawled out an on overstuffed chair, sword and shield nearby. "There you are. Have fun with Imix's troublemakers?"
Ebony looks around and silently sighs, closing her eyes. "Where is he?" Ebony asks aloud.
"There was a sphinx riddlepuzzle thing that barfed acid on me when I got a riddle wrong!" Calleigh declares.
"Sounds neat," Dana says, just relaxing. "Oh, and bring out some wine for Tryll and everyone, they're back," she raises her voice. "Put on some pants, too!"
Ebony just silently sighs and rubs her forehead.
'Speaking of clothing, Calleigh managed to steal every single hat that noble owned. You never know when you'll need a hat, after all. If he can't find his pants, perhaps he can borrow a hat.' Tryll is being helpful.
"Nah, he's good." Dana relaxes.
Meanwhile Benyen comes on in, carrying a bottle of wine and glasses. He's dressed, though out of his armor and gear. A blush is on his cheeks, but he nonetheless says, "How was your hunt for Imix?"
'Eye banished from the plane, locations of other cults found, and noble house raided. All in all, successful.' Tryll replies.
"You guys find any of Shar's guys?" Calleigh asks.
"Just a few hints," Benyen says, "The King apparently did a quiet excision of Sharrans about ten years ago-"
"Yeah," Dana interrupts smoothly, kicking back. "He does that. Daddy's good at getting rid of things he doesn't want."
"Right." Benyen picks right up, "There's a few rumblings in old places tied to them, little things. An agent's somewhere in the kingdom, maybe, but no sign of where he is."
Calleigh gets a grumpy face. "Well, they're Sharrans. They can't control themselves for long before their weird god gets antsy and starts demanding things. Any bad stuff going on lately?"
"Nothing telling," Benyen admits, rubbing his chin, "We took care of a few things, but we don't have a solid lead."
"Well," Dana drawls, "We got a solid lead on something. If we can't find a Sharran, we can leave it to Daddy and go back to what we were doing."
This gets Benyen to frown, giving Dana a look. Then he sighs, "Raziel, where do I find a few great wyrm dragons?"
Ebony looks up at that, and deadpan says, "What?"
"No metallics or gems, please!"
"Chromatics. I was thinking for two red dragons," Benyen says, then frowns, "How else am I going to propose if we don't have the bodies of two slain red dragons to do it over? Nothing else has the right impact."
Ebony stares while Dana blink-blinks and then laughs, "Shiiiit! I knew I had another reason to like you. Though why?"
"You could be pregnant," Benyen says, "It's my responsibility to take responsibility for that." Blushing and looking away, "Only a cur leaves behind a woman who may bear their child."
Use of Control Sound.
"YOU'RE PREGNANT!?" Calleigh's voice is easily heard in the inn and across town and very possibly the next town over.
'Oh my.' Tryll says, his mental tone very dry.
Dana doesn't even blink at Calleigh's shout, "What the fuck ever, might be. It was just one fuck."
Benyen turns to you, "I would like to join you then, so I can be at Dana's side and take responsibility if she is pregnant, Tryll. Though I would ask that we seek and destroy Shadale at some point as well, to satisfy that enmity."
'Yeah, sure. Your boyfriend can come along, Dana. Just remember,' Tryll turns to Benyen, 'Once we leave this plane, it's very unlikely we'll return any time soon. Our deaths are extremely likely, as our goal is the destruction of the god Shar. I suggest you have your affairs in order before we leave.'
Okay, choice time. Is Benyen someone you want to bring into your node?
Not sure yet. I want to give him a trial run, see if his personality meshes.
Okay, but I generally need a decision fairly soon, so expect this question to recur soon enough.
"I undestand," Benyen says, then grins, "It sounds like fun. I want to be the one that cuts apart Shar's best nightwalker and kicks the body into the Abyss!"
Thats fine. I just want to see who he is first before I decide wherltger he'll be an ally or part of the node.
"We're a long way off from ending Shar, that's for sure! But we can get started here, by rooting out her mooks!" Calleigh says.
"Then let's continue," Ebony says curtly, "How shall we proceed, Tryll? This is your hunt."
There's the ball, it's in your court.
"Well for starters, you're way too frowny for this! Shar feeds on that! She's bad news personized! What's up?" Calleigh asks.
Ebony takes a breath, and then another and finally says, "Benyen, you can do so much BETTER than Dana. She's a walking disaster," Ebony says, meeting his eyes. "Someone who nurtures and bolsters you, rather than a testament to a woman's self absorption and crudity!"
Dana's lips twist and her eyes gleam, opening her mouth to say something.
"So what?" Benyen beats her to the draw, "We've just met, but I get her. She's a woman I can imagine killing a Tarrasque with, or invading Hades to smash an ultroloth cabal or going beneath the waves to wipe out an aboleth colony. That's worth way more than some woman who'll stay at home and pine for me, right? Plus she looks amazing in that stone armor of hers. Like rowr!"
Dana's pissiness dials down a notch, "See? We fucking get each other. Also go fuck yourself with a dragon's slimy doom infested cock, you self righteous bitch, and then go mind your own fucking business. Shit, go find a man, a woman, a dragon, whatever you need, and stop acting like Benyen's moral fucking guardian."
"Sure, something like that," Benyen says, "Besides, I'm an adult and I like Dana."
As Ebony stays, gaze cool and half hidden by her hood, Dana smirks, "Besides, don't be jealous that I've already done better than you can do."
"SHOTS FIRED!" Calleigh comments from the side, munching on some food.
Ebony merely gazes at them, expression distant, chilly. "Very well," she says, then turning to Tryll, "Where were we?"
'We were remembering that our mission is more important than our emotions and who got the cute boy first.' Tryll replies to the the group.
"But that's boring!" Calleigh protests.
Ebony's expression tightens, rather cold now. "We were not. We were discussion strategies to eliminate this Sharran threat. Shall we get to that?"
Calleigh peers at Ebony strangely.
'Yes, we shall. Benyen, what do we have? Could your yugoloth be in league with Shar?'
"No sign of it," Benyen replies, "Can't put anything past him, but that doesn't seem to be related to Shadale's efforts here at all."
"Shar is known to capitalize on areas in flux or turmoil to spread her brand of misery," Ebony's voice is still rather chilly, reminding you of the snowstorm outside. "However, we've neatly eliminated multiple points of turmoil before they could blossom. The agent could be biding their time or aborting their mission."
'Well, that's irritating. Divinations aren't turning up anything, either. I dislike the idea of just waiting to see what they'll try to pull. Eventually they will do something. Sharrans can't help themselves, but I don't want to wait.'
"Perhaps I have an answer," Ebony says, "I can linger here a time, liaison with the King of Langersun. There's no need for the rest of you to linger if this will be a lengthy project."
'Yes, that could work. We can hunt down Shadale in the meantime and see what turns up.' Tryll agrees.
"Then I shall see to that. Good fortune," Ebony turns and walks out.
Once gone Dana whistles, "Me-OW. So hey, let's go link up with Miranda, get some rest and see to it in the fuckin' morning?"
"Miranda?" Benyen asks, "Who's that? It's not a dwarf woman, about yay high," His hand is out to his stomach or so, "Who swings a mean pan and loathes hyena bloodeds?"
"Naw, she's a valkyrie from Ysgard! About six feet tall, super pretty, blonde, leggy, you know. Valkyrie-ee." Calleigh replies.
"Then let's go," Dana says. "Huh, always though tthis would be more dramatic. Not even gonna go see Daddy, just...done with it."
Then you feel it, a connection with Dana. A surge of strength as her armor glows birghter.
Node update, +1 enchantment bonus to Dana's armor. Go read the node update and lemme know you've seen it.
Seen't
'We could always drop in before we leave.'
"Nah," Dana shakes her head, "See, shit is I outgrew home, Daddy, all of it. Even if he dragged me back, I'd just leave again and he can't stop me. I'm ready, let's go on back."
"Yay! Let's go see Miranda!" Calleigh cheers as Tryll alters reality to open a gate to Ysgard.
'I'll need an evening of rest as well to recover. This is well-timed.'
Next move, Tryll?
I'll be starting a new thread for you after this post.
Rest, recover, talk to Miranda, check in on Hanna
New thread incoming in that case.