Thunk, thunk, thunk.
Lady Honeydip drops the three books she carried into your tower top office. Each book is thick and laden with the dust of ages, yet seemingly unweathered by time. "Spellbooks," she announces, "Nothing revolutionary, but remarkably old. I'm told that the insights from ancient magic can help you appreciate current spell work."
"Oh!" Emily perks up from silent meditation, "I've seen a few books like that. Mom Seira got her hands on a few of them. They're interesting to see how spellwork began and how it's evolved." She smiles softly, "Plus the research itself can be interesting." A glance at Alyssa.
It's a warm day, a sunny day. Outside your realm continues to expand. Mountains on the horizon doubtless have their caverns and tunnels explored, while valleys have civilization brought to them. A glimpse at the right time may show creatures in flight. Often mages and others who have mastered the magic to do so, but at time winged creatures can be seen. Celestials at times as well, be them Selunite visitors or servants of Emily.
"Anything that helps, even if only in lore." Lady Honeydip alights on the back of Emily's chair, sitting sideways so she can look at Alyssa. "What may be the final war comes." Quieter, reflective, "I had heard scriptures that speak of it. The day of judgment. The day of final victory or final defeat. Yet I've always focused on the lost children of Androlynne, and even after, such a thing seemed impossibly far in the future." Going on from that, "Even should we triumph, will it matter if what we unleash to do so brings about such a day? Will the full majesty of all the holy realms be so easily taken back should they be needed to lay Shar low?"
Emily turns from the books to Honeydip, "Have some faith," she declares, "Besides, Alyssa's too stubborn to let things reach a climax before she's studied it all. That's a dragon's perogative and a dragon's will, is it not? While not a dragon in body, Alyssa is trusted by the greatest dragon. Surely that makes her one in honor."
Go ahead, Alyssa, this is just a chance to get going and something to play off of. Set yourself up with this.
Alyssa sniffs a bit and lifts her chin, "I see your little research bribe and am unmoved by it..." after a moment of silence, the books subtly inch closer to her...
"But yes. Many of the underlying theories of ancient magic are the common structure spells of today are built off of. It's entirely possible that structure will show a stronger, more direct tie to the Weave, without being over-complicated by modern refinement. There could easily be secrets revealed in these books.
As for the apocalyptic days, well... Trying to take in the full scope will only overwhelm everyone. The best way to approach it, in my opinion, is the same with every problem: break it down. Identify the individual parts, solve for them, and then collect those solutions into a whole. The others are currently working on their own parts; Jarem is dealing with the army forces and battle plans, Dolamaya is handling the development of governmental and leadership structures, and Bastian is establishing information and reconnaissance. Emily is identifying strike targets and linchpin targets.
So, Lady Honeydip... as you are concerned about day minus one, what do you think about starting there? Begin with planning for reconstruction and then start tying to identify what our fight could kick off for follow-on threats, and identify which entities in the Abyss, Hells, and Heavens are most likely to try and pounce to assume control afterwards. Would working on such a product make you feel more stable about your concerns?"
Lady Honeydip bows her head to consider that a moment. She idly kicks her legs in the air, wings still as she perches on the edge of the seat.
"Perhaps it would," Honeydip considers at last. "But I'd want to think and rest on it before I commit."
Alyssa, there's a mercane nosing around the Gates of the Moon, making noise that he's carrying a message for you. Want me to round him up for you?
Alyssa tilts her head, but replies Yes, that's fine. But do a little probing before I arrive. Do we have a name, at least?
To Honeydip she says, "Then please do so and let me know. For now, it seems I have a mercane visitor."
"It can wait," Honeydip agrees.
Emily smiles, "A mercane? Business and trade, I presume? Well those do never rest, it's only natural for such things to happen. At least according to Auntie Waukeen."
Joghan is the name. It doesn't ring any bells for me.
OOC: Anything to roll to figure out this guy/name? I've got Legend Lore as an at-will.
Alyssa nods, "But a bit odd that he would come to me, personally. If it were just trade, there's plenty of actual merchants in the realm."
To Jarem, Alright, bring him to one of the meeting rooms and I'll come.
K:P. Go ahead and roll real quick.
Take 10 for 72.
It does not ring any bells. How are you going to handle this then?
Just gonna meet with him, then. If any of the others want to come, I'm okay with it.
The other two follow. The mercane is unremarkable and wears a fitted tunic and pants, both muted colors to contrast is blue skin.
Immediately Joghan rises and bows deeply, "May I ask which title you wished to be referred to?"
Emily follows in, polite if distant for now.
Lady Honeydip flies in at military attention, at your other side and ready.
"Lady Alyssa will be fine. I'm not much one for rules and too much structure. Now, Joghan, you come bearing a message? I'd like to know who sent you to me."
"Tiamat, Queen of the Dragons," The man bows his head deeply.
Immediately Emily's expression tightens, hand going to her sword on pure instinct.
Lady Honeydip regards the mercane coolly, "A messenger with great courage to say so openly."
"Courageous," Emily concedes, "But perhaps yet proven penny wise, pound foolish."
"Well... I suppose I can guess as to what this concerns, but it seems a bit out of character for her to communicate in this way... Did she send you here for negotiation of something, perhaps?"
"An invitation," Is the answer, "To meet in three hours on the Astral Plane," Is the answer, "There are matters she wishes to discuss."
Alyssa contemplates, sending a message to the others, Opinions? Other than Tiamat's evil.
It's a trap. Why contact us in such an indirect and convoluted way? It may not even be Tiamat. We need to know more.
Alyssa sighs, "Unfortunately, I'll have to refuse at this juncture. I've been in conflict with Tiamat's son recently, so I'll have to consider such an invitation a trap. Additionally, you're an unknown messenger. If she were serious about this, someone of note that I could link directly to her would have brought this message.
Unless you have answers for these, you'll have to return empty handed, and Tiamat can send someone I can verify."
The man stands and bows, "Then I accept your answer," is his reply.
Alyssa nods and calls someone to lead him out.
Alyssa then sends a message to Bastian and Jarem, Have someone follow him. See if we can't trace this message back to the sender.
'I'll have it dealt with,' Bastian sends back shortly. 'But ten to one says he goes back to some mercane holding and we lose him there. It's how I'd do it if I paid good money for a messenger like this.'
Alyssa replies, 'That's fine. It's an odd request I don't think will have much follow up either way.'
"That was too easy," Emily muses, "Was it not? No great force, no second effort? Perhaps our trickster grew wary, or merely wishes to divert our attention to Tiamat. Perhaps I should ask the others about such a matter?"
"You should. If it was a concerted effort, that'll tell us something."
"I will," Emily promises, "Mom first, that'll be quickest. Just give a minute."
Lady Honeydip alights on a windowsill and awaits.
"Deep thoughts, Lady Honeydip?"
"Yes, many. Of which I ha-"
"What?" Emily mutters aloud, "Mom Amaryl said that Mom Seira got the same invitation, and is going to meet Tiamat as we speak."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"Hm. Interesting. I assume you want to tag along?"
"I'm wondering why she invited both of us now," Emily admits, "It doesn't make any sense that I can see. Can you?"
Lady Honeydip frowns, "It seems like a curious combination, but besides Emily, you do have another tie to dragons, Alyssa."
Alyssa grunts.
"Perhaps she realizes what's going on and wants to make a pact like Asmodeus? And yes, I know my empowerment... We could tag along with your Mothers. It would potentially throw her off and make a solid display of our alliance."
"Mom Seira's on the way. We can catch up if we want to," Emily offers, "But we should prepare and leave now if we do."
Alyssa considers.
"Well, if Siera's going, at least we'll have backup. We might be deities, but we're new and not really at the top of the hierarchy. While it could make us look subordinate to Seira, that can also be manipulated to a degree. Let's get ready to head out, I suppose."
Okay then, any prep?
Just my standard buffs:
Long Duration:
Self:
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 spellcaster level
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Mind Blank, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
Protection from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts.
Energy Immunity x2 (Electricity/Sonic), CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
Immune to Electicity/Sonic
Epic Mage Armor, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+20 armor bonus to AC.
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained.
Prying Eyes, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
1d4+36 eyes, 120 ft normal vision in all directions, 25 word instructions:
"Orbit me in ringed layers leaving no gaps and report any useful resources or dangers."
Elemental Body (Fire), CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
Attune Form spell, Immune to Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Fire Sub-type, Darkvision 60ft.
Agility of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Dex
Beauty of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Cha
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Many Moments of Prescience, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
4 uses, +30 Insight bonus to any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, saving throw, or AC vs. a single attack.
Everyone:
Mass Energy Immunity (Acid), CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
Pre-combat, medium duration:
Greater Spell Immunity (Crown of the Ten Stars), CL 30, Duration: 300 minutes
1st: Disintegrate
2nd: Dimensional Lock
3rd: Binding
4th: Ability Rip
5th: Antimagic Ray
6th: Banishment
7th: Enervation
Spell Turning (SLA), CL 36, Duration: 360 minutes
1d4+6 spell levels turned
Alyssa
HP: 760/760
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 110
SR: 52
Bonuses: Attack+63/61/56/51 +1d4 Flailing Strikes, Unarmed Damage5d10+48, AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 29 Inspiration, 14 Opportunistic Piety
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
Excellent. Give me a quick d100 then.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 44, total 44[/blockquote]
The trip there is uneventful. It is a floating landmass in the Astral, empty save for a tent pitched on it. It looks mundane to the eyes, but your senses you can feel the magic in it. An artifact you believe, something powerful and rare.
Alyssa gives it a good once-over, checking what the effects are!
Since this is just a call for a roll, I'll do this early. Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+127 : 7 + 127, total 134[/blockquote]
It provides great luxury within. Nothing really offensive, just a nice, portal place for instant enjoyment. Doesn't ring any bells to you otherwise.
Alyssa heads in!
Okay, merging you into Seira's thread now.
Okay then, did you have something in mind, Alyssa?
Not especially, so I'll default to the goals talked about before:
- Exploring the faith/worshipers.
- Realm updates.
- Miscellaneous background work such as realm details and faith organization.
- Node goals.