[20:39] <Kotono> It's night. Seira is resting, time passing by well enough in her land of dreams, Elle's house quiet. What wakes her is a loud, rapid pounding on her door! "Colonel! Colonel!"
01[20:40] <Seira> Did they come?! Calling for a Shield to aid her, Seira rushes to the door.
[20:42] <Kotono> A soldier, out of breath and huffing, "Temple of Mystra. Horrible dark creatures, attacking. Need immediate support, Colonel!"
01[20:44] <Seira> "Inform the Countess of the situation, and ask her to be prepared in case it's a diversion," Seira commands him. "Stay here to provide support. I'm on my way." And she is, once she has cast Protection from Evil upon herself.
[20:45] <Kotono> OOC - Merge into #evil.
[22:15] <Kotono> ---
[22:15] <Kotono> The night passes on. Demedais checks many a shoreside house. It's past 3 AM when they come to another - a well built one story affair with a small barn. But when Demedais happens to check the barn while the soldiers sweep the house, he finds ten people in there! They are tied up and bound, sitting there. Some are asleep, some quint thier eyes towards Demedais.
06[22:17] * Demedais calls to his soldiers while entering. "I take it that some sort of construct put you all in here?" Demedais asks, sweeping quickly around for evil and chaos.
[22:18] <Kotono> No evil, no chaos. As the soldiers trot up, one woman calls, "A strange man that smelled like metal," she calls, "Thank Waukeen you're here!"
[22:18] <Kotono> Another man blinks his eyes open, an older man in peasant clothes, "You're not the bastard who kidnapped us?"
03[22:19] * Haruka (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-230-130.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[22:20] <Demedais> "He is dead and gone." Demedais nods in affirmation, beginning to unbind the peasants. "He attempted to parley with the garrison after telling us he had you all as captives. Needless to say that went over poorly."
[22:20] <Kotono> "Good," A fat matronly woman says in relief, hugging Demedais once they're freed. "The strange speaking freak and his friend gave me chills."
06[22:21] * Demedais pauses immediately, turning toward the woman. "...Friend?" he asks slowly, eyes on the woman. "Can you describe this friend?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "Yeah," The first man stands up, "I heard 'em once, but they were talking in weird words."
[22:21] <Kotono> The woman smooths over her large dress, "I didn't understand it, either. I didn't see him - I only heard him talking to the other man."
[22:22] <Demedais> "Any chance you could repeat some of the sounds you heard?" Demedais looks to the two. "Any assistance you can provide in this would be vital."
[22:22] <Kotono> "It sounded threatening one time," A young boy speaks up, "Like the other one was being vicious."
[22:22] <Kotono> The woman manages a few words, as do the others. OOC: What languages do you speak?
[22:23] <Demedais> OOC: Celestial, Gnomish, Infernal, Draconic, Common.
[22:23] <Kotono> It's pretty butchered by them, but it's Infernal.
[22:24] <Kotono> "Sir, permission to search the rest of the house again," One soldier asks once the hostages are free.
06[22:25] * Demedais closes his eyes before nodding once. "Thank you. That is a great assistance... It's unlikely they'll make any attempt at any of you again. We can make sure you get home safe." Demedais says, freeing the last person. At the soldier's words, he pauses, before, "Very well. A contingent of four will stay with the people while I and the rest will sweep the house. If the friend is still present he is likely quite dangerous."
[22:25] <Kotono> "Sir," The soldiers salute as Demedais goes to the house. As this happens, Seira approaches. She can see Demedais and the soldiers at this house.
06[22:27] * Demedais looks to Seira, before nodding once. "Good to see you are well. Mr. Tura was killed, but he had an accomplice, according to the people. He spoke Infernal." he says in quick Celestial, to avoid panic at the last part. "I will be sweeping the house with guards. Do you wish to come along or keep an eye on the people?"
06[22:28] * Seira catches up to Demedais at a trot. "Sounds great all across the board. How about the freed hostages sticking around so that we can respond swiftly if there is anything? I'd love to comb the house with you."
[22:29] <Demedais> "That was my inclination." Demedais replies, before turning to two of the soldiers. "You two, keep an eye out here as well. Keep the people behind you and stay spread out over this area." he instructs, before motioning Seira in to begin searching the house.
06[22:30] * Seira defers to Demedais in the search, intent on providing support.
03[22:30] * Haruka is now known as Sierra_Semilife
[22:30] <Kotono> OOC: Going to take 10/20 on any search?
06[22:32] * Demedais allows Seira to examine the area primarily, acting as intermediary and commander for the soldiers so that Seira can focus on the search.
[22:35] <Kotono> OOC: Taking 20 it is.
01[22:35] <Seira> OOC: 36 at present for me, if a couple soldiers help we'll push it to 40?
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[22:37] <Kotono> The house is searched! It's spartan and impeccably clean. In the bedroom is a heavy wooden chest. Inside of it is coins - mostly gold and platinum coins from various regions all over, a lot of them. There is also a silken bag stitched with gold threat, with a softly glowing powder inside. There are also a few small statues made of metal gears about, whirrling endlessly and smoothly, often made of precious silver.
06[22:37] * Demedais checks the entirety for magic so as not to distract Seira's search unless it's needed.
[22:37] <Kotono> The statues are faintly magical.
[22:38] <Kotono> As Demedais does this, Seira checks the rest of the house. In a small den there is a desk with several papers on it. They are all written in precise languages of law and legalese. Even in common, they are difficult to parse and will take effort to fully comprehend.
01[22:39] <Seira> OOC: Decypher script? >_>
[22:39] <Kotono> OOC: Roll it.
03[22:39] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-25-141-28.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
01[22:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+12
06[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+12 and gets 16." [1d20=4]
06[22:40] * Demedais notifies Seira of the magical auras once she's done searching.
[22:40] <Kotono> Seira spends a few minutes before getting a massive headache. She can make these out in time - it's not an all or nothing thing like most of these, just very difficult to parse.
01[22:41] <Seira> "These are resistant to speed-reading," Seira mutters, clutching her head. "Magical auras, then?"
06[22:41] * Demedais nods, tapping Seira on the shoulder to restore some of her lost strength.
[22:41] <Demedais> roll 1d4
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
01[22:43] <Seira> "Which school?"
[22:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5
06[22:45] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[22:45] <Demedais> "Transmutation." Demedais replies after a moment of thought.
01[22:46] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 K:A on mystery powder
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 K:A on mystery powder and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[22:47] <Demedais> "Which... would make it something that... grants or changes a person, correct?" Demedais continues after a moment before shaking his head. "I honestly don't know how you keep track of all that info."
06[22:47] * Seira nods. "Could be what's shrinking them. An off chance of a spying spell, after a fashion, but I doubt this one."
[22:48] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods. "We'll look into it, then. For now, just get the people home?"
01[22:48] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees. "And you should have Elle check the statues as soon as possible. The last thing we would want is bring several Tura clones back with us."
[22:49] <Demedais> "Right. I'll deliver the statues to her, then, while you handle getting the citizens home?" Demedais proposes. "And get some healing, you look exhausted. ...Did Alicia head in the other direction looking for me?"
01[22:50] <Seira> "Ah, that's one way of putting it...."
06[22:50] * Demedais pauses at this. "And what's another?"
06[22:50] * Demedais then shakes his head, interrupting whatever Seira would say.
[22:51] <Demedais> "It's not relevant right now, never mind. I'm sure you'll brief me on it later. First, get them to safety and get yourself healed."
[18:33] <Kotono> ---------(Princess Ko)--
[18:37] <Kotono> Settling back into Balmuria for a time, fall comes as Alicia and Seira are both off on derring-do and private quests. One dawn, as Demedais prepares for the day, there is a knocking on his room's door. "Sir Demedais?" A man's voice calls. "There's a message for you from Commander Oberuth."
[18:38] <Demedais> "What is the message?" Demedais replies, looking up at the door.
[18:39] <Kotono> Demedais sees the closed door to his room that was just knocked on. It's very door-like. It might just be a door. "A forest giant and his caravan of subserviant goblins and a troll are coming towards the city. Assemble an aide or two and be ready to defend Balmuria if he's hostile, and to deal with him if not."
[18:41] <Demedais> "I will be present shortly." Demedais replies, opening the door and nodding to the man speaking. "Has word been sent to Eudard and Pollyanna?"
[18:43] <Kotono> It's a young soldier, saluting once the door opens. "Not yet, sir. You are to muster whom you deem fit."
[18:45] <Demedais> "Very well. I shall rouse them; we meet at the gate, then, I presume?" Demedais replies, returning the salute with an nod of thanks.
[18:52] <Kotono> "Yes sir!" Saluting again, "May I go now, sir?"
[18:53] <Demedais> "Oh. Certainly. Thank you." Demedais nods again, before heading back into his room to grab the sword and going to get Pollyanna and Eudard.
[18:55] <Kotono> Dawn's rays are splaying over the horizon as the three muster at the gate. Pollyanna smothers a yawn into her hand as she rubs her eyes and peers ahead. The road ahead leads to the Barony of Valandia, while Pollyanna's attention is more to the east/northeast. "I remember the noise the last time a giant came to town. This one was trolls and goblins with him?"
[18:56] <Demedais> "Apparently he does, yes." Demedais nods. "I in part do wonder if it has anything to do with the giant we fought previously."
[18:57] <Kotono> "If it's a warband they'll come to a defeat here," Eudard waits near the walls. Several other soldiers man the gates, starting to process an approaching human caravan of traders in the background.
06[18:58] * Demedais nods slightly. "If it is, yes. Apparently they have a troll with them, which might be entertaining."
[18:58] <Kotono> "Heh," Pollyanna smiles at that, "My arrows will deal with a troll easily enough, worst come to worst."
[19:00] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods at this.
[19:01] <Kotono> Two hours past dawn. A few early caravans have trickled in and a few travelers and a single caravan of have trickled out of Balmuria. Things are just starting to get busy, when you can spot someone running from the east. It's a commoner, shoutinga nd waving, "HELP! HELP! GUAAARD!" This man wears a farmer's well worn clothes and straw hat.
[19:03] <Demedais> "Blast." Demedais mutters, going to meet with the man.
[19:07] <Kotono> As Pollyanna and Eudard trot along with Demedais, the farmer huffs and puffs, hands on his knees as he catches his breath. "I saw it...huge freak....troll on a chain with him and goblins...they're coming this way!"
[19:07] <Kotono> "Did it attack you," Eudard looks the man over, "You look uninjured."
06[19:09] * Demedais looks the man over to confirm Eudard's statement, letting the man catch his breath and answer the question first.
[19:10] <Kotono> He doesn't look injured at all, just winded. "No. I saw them and that damned huge cart with them and ran for the guards." Taking another few breaths after, "Goblins and trolls are no good."
06[19:12] * Demedais nods slightly. "Normally not, no. Thank you for the warning; we'll be ensuring they don't intend harm to anyone. If they do, we'll deal with them."
[19:13] <Kotono> The man nods, "Gonna go inside the city then and get refreshed. I'm not going back out while those things are running around!" With that, the farmer goes inside of the city.
[19:14] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods, before looking to his companions with a slightly aggreived expression. "We may need to send out a notice to the people to tell them most the giants mean no harm. Of course, probably only if this one doesn't as well."
[19:16] <Kotono> "Of course. Even then, there will be panics," Pollyanna reaches back, checking over her bow. "That's a good idea, we can tell that to the Commander when this is over?"
06[19:17] * Demedais nods to this. "While it's bad to presume every creature will behave just like the rest, it's still wise to note what assumptions a person can usually safely make."
[19:19] <Kotono> "Yes." Pollyanna peers ahead again, "What do you think? Fight or parley coming up?"
03[19:19] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28." [1d20=16]
[19:20] <Kotono> "Speaking of..." Pollyanna murmurs, "Still a ways away, but I see some movement ot the east."
[19:20] <Demedais> "A caravan was mentioned. Either a war caravan - not enough people to manage it, but hope springs eternal - or a rich trade caravan."
06[19:20] * Demedais looks toward where Pollyanna's looking to try and spot the group.
[19:27] <Kotono> It's not hard as they approach closer! You can see the dust they kick up first, then the group! At the head is a forest giant, striding forward proudly! In his grasp is a long length of heavy metal chain, attached to a metal collar around the throat of a troll. This trolls drools and looks utterly unhappy. Several goblins lug alon ga wheeled cart behind the giant, covered with canvas so it's contents are hidden.
[19:29] <Demedais> "Yeah, guessing a trade caravan." Demedais mutters at this, striding forward after summoning his armor to meet the giant once he's about a hundred feet away. "Hail, traveler. What business do you seek within Balmuria?"
[19:31] <Kotono> The giant approaches forward as the cart stops. The goblins sag in relief, going to sit down and lay down on the ground. The troll is tugged along with one arm by the giant, who wears furs and has a spear kept to his back. "I have come to the human city of Balmuria to trade! I seek gold, good drink, good food and suitable enchantments for one of my stature and prowess!"
06[19:39] * Demedais quickly looks the giant over, before, "You should have no problems entering; we have had giants enter before for trade and other arrangements. The goblins and the troll will be... a bit more problematic. It is possible they may need to stay outside of town, but we shall see." (more)
[19:41] <Demedais> Turning and flagging down a nearby soldier, "Tell the Commander the caravan has come for trade; requesting any directive re: the goblins and troll."
[19:43] <Kotono> "Sir," The guard salutes and hurries off. In the meantime, the giant crosses his arms, the chain rattling as he does. "They're harmless. They know if they fuck up they're answering to me. See this?" Shaking the chain again, the troll growls but doesn't lash out. "He knows that if he makes a mistake he'll regret it."
[19:44] <Demedais> "I've seen giants dealing with a goblin village. It isn't your control over them that I hesitate for, sir..." Demedais says.
[19:45] <Kotono> "Then what is it?" Staring down at Demedais, "Well?"
[19:45] <Kotono> "I think he means thatw e'd rather not clean up blood from our streets," Eudard says now.
[19:47] <Demedais> "That's part of it. The other half is that the people themselves do not tend to like either trolls or goblins. Allowing them in will thus have to be done with the people's knowledge that you do have them under control - while you or I may know that, their reactions will immediately be one of dislike and hatred." Demedais says levelly.
[19:50] <Kotono> "Eh. I don't much care about the goblins, they're well trained. Someone needs to keep a hold on this boy here," Shaking the chain, "He still thinks he can bite and claw anything that smells good if you don't thump him a few times."
06[19:55] * Demedais nods slightly, looking the giant and his .... pet troll? over. "Understood. I'll be able to give you more information once I have word back from my Commander. Idly, what all have you come to trade?"
[19:56] <Kotono> "Got some silver ore, got some goods, got some adamantine axes I found. How the hell those trolls had them I'll never know, they're dumb as bricks and twice as heavy." The pet troll drools and hisses, tightly held by an amazingly thick steel chain and collar.
06[19:58] * Demedais nods slightly. "You'll likely end up dealing with Elle Stronger for enchanting purposes; she can also handle most goods sales."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Works for me," Shuffling a little and stretching, "You three look strong for humans. Your woman is cute, too. You are the leader?"
[20:02] <Kotono> Eudard keeps quiet for the most part, keeping his eyes on the goblins and troll.
06[20:06] * Demedais closes his eyes for a moment and counts to five mentally before responding the the same even tone as before. "No, thus why we're waiting for message to get back to me. I am Demedais of the Crimson Guard. This is Lieutenant Pollyanna, my fiancee, and this is Eudard, a resident paladin and great friend."
[20:09] <Kotono> "Eh. You look like the leader." Shrugging there, "Fancy armor, fancy lack of hair, the talker who isn't even shaking in his boots." The giant looks Demedais over as Pollyanna lightly blsuhes.
[20:10] <Demedais> "The lack of hair's because I'm a paladin as well. Also dealt with dragons before, so this is a pleasant excursion."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Heh. HEard a couple of humans were tough in Balmuria. Guess so. Oh!" As he thinks, "Think you can keep a hold on him here for awhile?"
[20:14] <Demedais> "What for?" Demedais asks carefully.
[20:15] <Kotono> "In case your leader doesn't want him in." Answering back slowly, "You look like a few claws won't slow you down at worst."
[20:15] <Kotono> "Demedais..." Pollyanna murmurs, "Are you going to do that and carry a troll on a leash around?"
[20:24] <Demedais> "...kch. It's not exactly my idea of a good time..." Demedais grimaces for a moment. "If it comes down to that, we will deal with the troll." he then replies.
[20:29] <Kotono> As Demedais ponders this, a runner returns and salutes. "Sir!"
[20:52] <Demedais> "Yes?" Demedais turns and looks to the soldier.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Commander Oberuth permits the giant to enter the city, but nto the trolls or goblins, as they would cause even more panic, sir."
06[20:56] * Demedais grimaces at this. "Very well, then." A quick glance around to see if there's a large tree anywhere nearby.
[20:58] <Kotono> No such luck nearby. However, there is the city wall nearby as well as teh gates.
06[21:00] * Demedais shakes his head slightly at this, before looking to the giant. "We'll take care of him for now. Next time, please do remember our general policy against trolls and goblins."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Alright, sre," Tossing the chain to Demedais, the giant seems to pay no mind to it as he picks up his cart and goes to walk into town!
[21:03] <Demedais> "Note to self; also send diplomat or two to the giants to have them spread word that while we like trade, we'd rather not deal with their slaves." Demedais grimaces. "Eudard, hate to burden you with this, but mind grabbing the other side?"
[21:05] <Kotono> OOC - Did you grab the chain as it was tossed to you, or did you let it fall to the ground?
[21:06] <Demedais> OOC: Grabbed the chain as it was tossed to me, sorry.
[21:07] <Kotono> The troll glares at Demedais, as Eudard quickly asks, "The other side of what, the chain?"
06[21:09] * Demedais shakes head. "Sorry, a slip of the tongue. I meant the the next segment of the chain." A look to Pollyanna then. "Shoot an arrow at the ground and then nock another? Probably a good policy to show this guy we have fire on hand so we don't have to deal with his antics."
[21:16] <Kotono> Quickly taking it, Eudard grabs a hold! Pollyanna does the same, just as the troll starts to thrash! It makes the two paladins buckle a bit, but Pollyanna's flying arrow lands and sizzles in the ground! It looks to her and sees the flaming projectile, it's struggles slackening.
[21:20] <Demedais> "Tch. Definitely not how I wanted to spend my day." Demedais shakes his head in annoyance, before glancing to the goblins and then back to the troll. "Do you speak Common?"
[21:23] <Kotono> One of the goblins speaks up. "I do," he says. "We're not going to hurt anyone."
06[21:25] * Demedais nods slightly, glancing him over for chaos out of curiousity. "I accept that. Still have to keep you all close, however. Can you talk to the troll?
[21:25] <Kotono> "Kind of. It's...a dumb troll," The goblin admits, "Really dumb."
[21:27] <Demedais> "Ah." A slight pause, then, "Then it probably wouldn't understand 'stop struggling and we'll stop choking you with the leash'?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "Nope!" The goblin grins at that, white teeth seen. His stomach rumbles a few moments later, "Say...do you have any spare food, humans?"
[21:32] <Demedais> "Hold on a second." Demedais replies, before looking to Eudard. "Out of curiousity, how many register as evil to your sights?" With that, he motions a guard over.
[21:33] <Kotono> A glance at them, "The troll's evil, one of the goblins is. The other goblins aren't." He answers. Meanwhile a guard trots up, saluting. "Sir?"
06[21:36] * Demedais turns to the guard, and speaks in somewhat subdued tones, "Please get food for the four goblins. I never thought I'd see the day where I met... well, mostly friendly goblins, but we may as well encourage this." Pulling a small coin pouch out of his pocket, "This should cover."
[21:37] <Kotono> "Sir," Saluting again, the guard goes off. As he goes, "I hope that damned giant isn't in town all day. This is going to get tedious," Pollyanna observes, arrows till nocked and ready.
[21:39] <Demedais> "It will, yes. Worst comes to worst, you two can go back in and we can have some members of the guard assist instead." Demedais curses a bit.
[21:40] <Kotono> "This'll make a good story someday. If it ever makes it to that someday, hit me," Pollyanna says right back. OOC - Skip along a little bit?
06[21:41] * Demedais snorts in reply to this, an amused grin. OOC - sure.
[21:42] <Kotono> About three hours pass. The goblins are fed and sedate, and help keep the troll in line. It snaps and gnashes a few times, making nearby caravans hurry into Balmuria and travelers giving the entire thing a wide birth. But come just before noon, a soldier runs out the gate. "Sir! Captain Demedais!" He salutes. "Orders from Commander Oberuth."
[21:42] <Demedais> "Yes?" Demedais replies, looking at the soldier.
[21:45] <Kotono> "There's been an explosion at the Temple of Gond," he huffs, "Commander Oberuth wants you to investigate immediately. Foot soldiers there know the situation better and will report to you there.""
[21:47] <Demedais> "Bad timing." Demedais mutters, before looking at the troll with annoyance. "Eudard, Pollyanna, I leave the troll in your hands; as much as I'd like to have you with we can't afford the troll throwing things into chaos out here. Have the goblins help hold the chain?"
[21:47] <Kotono> "I'll get some more soldiers, too," Pollyanna nods curtly, "Good luck over there...and don't get blown up. Please.:"
[21:48] <Demedais> "Not planning on it." Demedais replies with a grin and a shake of the head to Eudard and Pollyanna, before quickly heading to the Temple of Gond via Horse.
[21:49] <Kotono> Horse makes the trip far faster than it should! The sea breeze is tangy in the air as he approaches, finding several soldiers maintaining a perimeter around the front. Several Gond clergy and workers linger just outside this line. "Sir!" A guard calls, "We've secured the perimeter since thee xplosion, sir."
[21:50] <Demedais> "Alright. What happened?" Demedais replies, dismounting.
[21:53] <Kotono> "About ten minutes ago an explosion happened in the back of the temple, sir," A guard salutes, "Everyone ran out and we made sure no one went in, since it's very dangerous according to what they said. A smith named Adams was back there working on something alchemical."
[21:54] <Demedais> "Is everyone evacuated from there?" Demedais asks, turning to one of the clergy.
[21:55] <Kotono> One man, with broad arms and a beard, as well as tanned skin, nods. "Yeah, I think so." Scratching that beard, "Hope Adams isn't a charred corpse right about now. He'd been back there since before dawn - hadn't heard a peep out of him, but I could hear him forging something."
[21:56] <Demedais> "Anything I shouldn't touch as I go in to try and deal with this?" Demedais asks at this.
[21:57] <Kotono> "Anything on fire or that looks sharp," The priest cautions, "Craftsman Nilhan, by the way." OFfering a hand out briefly, "Watch out for sharp shards of metal or stone from the explosion."
[21:58] <Demedais> "Demedais of Helm." Demedais nods at this. "I'll go see if anyone else is in there, and try to lay down walls of water to cool some of it down. Someone contact Elle or Donald at the inn, they may be able to conjure more water to help put the fire out." With that, he heads in!
[22:00] <Kotono> Heading inside, Demedais sees that the main area of the Temple of Gond is several stalls lined up. Small forges, glass shops, craftings, alls orts of things along those lines. In the back, a chunk of the wall has been blown away. A few bits of fire continue to burn and sizzle about, though it's not catching too strongly. A lot of rubble surrounds the hole in the wall.
06[22:03] * Demedais quickly sweeps in toward where it looks like the explosion was, looking for any sign of where this Adams might be.
[22:05] <Kotono> Inside is a brand new explosion made entrance to a forge! A table is lined with shattered glass containers and beakers! The forge radiates heat as it should, but the insides aren't too terribly damaged, not as bad as the wall and area outside of the forge. A man covered in soot and debris stands near it, glaring daggers at a young woman in rich robes, covered with soot as well. Very slowly, the man is speaking. "I. Said. This. Was. YOUR
[22:05] <Kotono> Very slowly, the man is speaking. "I. Said. This. Was. YOUR. FAULT."
[22:06] <Kotono> Thumping her head, "Ow...I STILL CAN'T HEAR YOU!" she calls back. Her voice is familiar-ish, though with the state she's in it's anyone's guess on to who she is.
[22:08] <Demedais> "I take it you're Adams?" Demedais steps in. "If this is the case, can we have this conversation outside, not inside a burning building?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "Eh?" Turning around and blinking, while the young woman doesn't until Demedais comes into view, "Yeah. Could you try yelling at her that it's her fault for this? Decorations this, money that! Ugh!"
[22:10] <Demedais> "If she's yelling that she can't hear you even with your volume, I'm going to guess the explosion made her deaf." Demedais replies gruffly, before pointing outward. "And let me rephrase. Crimson Guard's ordering you two out of this building until we know what's going on here."
[22:12] <Kotono> "Oh, Crimson Guard...oh, hey, you're Demedais of the Guard." Nodding, Adams starts to walk out. The woman follows and peers at Demedais as she does. Slowly, and loudly, "Demedais? I know Seira. I'm Mia, from the Temple of Waukeen. I think I need magic - I can't hear anything!"
06[22:14] * Demedais nods to Mia, before gesturing outward again as she leads her out.
[22:15] <Kotono> Thet wo emerge into the sunlight! Both blink considerably as they step out! As they get gawked out, af ew call, "Hey Adams, you're okay!"
[22:16] <Kotono> "I'm not dead yet, despite her!" Smiling and waving as he staggers about, "Ooooh, stil a little wobbly..."
[22:18] <Demedais> "It appears the fire is generally contained - bringing water in to remove the rest of it should work. Mia has gone deaf, Adams..." Demedais grabs Adam's shoulder to stabilize him, before trying to heal him a bit. "...may also need some attention. If one of your clerics has the capability to remove deafness, that would be useful. Now. Adams, please tell me what happened."
[22:19] <Kotono> "Yeah,s sure. Oh, that's Mia?" The bearded man trots up, "I can just charge her. Waukeenites love to get money, so let's return the favor." He goes to cast magic on her, while Adams is supported. (More)
[22:20] <Kotono> "Well, Mia commissoned me to work on an alchemical weapon - basically an idea of a weapon that could discharge alchemists fire or the like as it struck. She came by today with some sketches of it for me to work on first thing..but they won't work." Taking a moment here, "I was trying to make it practical but she wanted a bigger payload."
06[22:21] * Demedais pauses for a long moment at this.
[22:21] <Demedais> "Ah. I think I begin to see the issue. But continue."
[22:22] <Kotono> "Ah! Hey, I can hear again!" Mia blurts, as Adams goeson, "We started arguing about it and things got heated...well...the prototype, with alchemical materials in it, got accidentally thrown against the wall. But it was her fault for starting the stupid argument!"
06[22:24] * Demedais rubs head, looking at the hole in the wall without any words.
[22:25] <Kotono> "Hey! It wasn't my fault - and fine I'll pay for the spell," Mia quickly says back to the bearded priest, not missing a beat. "You're the stubborn fool who grabbed the sword to make a point!"
[22:26] <Kotono> Turning to her and using Demedais as a cane of sorts to stay upright, "Yes, but a point needed to be made! This entire thing was a walking deathtrap for the user - you wouldn't listen, but you see now, don't you? That stuff's too unstable to be used safely!"
[22:27] <Demedais> "I can't easily comment on the practicality of using alchemical weapons, but..." Demedais looks between the two. "I'd suggest talking to Seira about it - if anyone can figure out how to manage that sort of thing, it's her."
[22:28] <Kotono> "Are you kidding? Those are just prototype problems! There's a mint be made on this if we figure it out!" Nodding back to him, Mia brightens. "Oh yes, that'st rue. I haven't seen Seira in awhile, I should stop by and see her. Maybe she can help!"
[22:31] <Demedais> "She's on vacation right now, but once she returns I'd recommend a meeting between you three." A glance to the soldiers. "Can I leave it to you all to extinguish the fires? And... you. Please go tell Commander Oberuth that it was an alchemic explosion, and that the fire and area seems contained and unable to spread."
[18:57] <Kotono> > Turning to her and using Demedais as a cane of sorts to stay upright, "Yes, but a point needed to be made! This entire thing was a walking deathtrap for the user - you wouldn't listen, but you see now, don't you? That stuff's too unstable to be used safely!"
[18:57] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I can't easily comment on the practicality of using alchemical weapons, but..." Demedais looks between the two. "I'd suggest talking to Seira about it - if anyone can figure out how to manage that sort of thing, it's her."
[18:57] <Kotono> > "Are you kidding? Those are just prototype problems! There's a mint be made on this if we figure it out!" Nodding back to him, Mia brightens. "Oh yes, that'st rue. I haven't seen Seira in awhile, I should stop by and see her. Maybe she can help!"
[18:57] <Kotono> <Demedais> "She's on vacation right now, but once she returns I'd recommend a meeting between you three." A glance to the soldiers. "Can I leave it to you all to extinguish the fires? And... you. Please go tell Commander Oberuth that it was an alchemic explosion, and that the fire and area seems contained and unable to spread."
[18:59] <Kotono> "Sir!" The soldier stiffens and salutes, crisp as a freshly folded sheet. Running off towards the garrison, "Prototype...more like death type." Throwing his hands into the air, Adams mutters other things under his breath. "You're paying for the damages, by the way."
[19:01] <Kotono> "I'm paying for the damages," Turning and crossing her arms, soot splattering off from the shaking, "We'll just have to TALK about that."
[19:02] <Demedais> "I leave it to you, then. You two may also want to help guide extinguishing the fires to make sure water doesn't get into anything you don't want it on." Demedais replies. "If a message is relayed back here to me, I will be at the east gate." So saying, he remounts Horse and heads back to the gate!
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[19:07] <Kotono> A faint plume of somke rises from the temple of Gond as Demedais leaves it behind him. Returning to the gate, he finds Eudard and Pollyanna keeping hold of the troll and waiting. The troll, for it's part, eyes the flaming arrow of P ollyanna warily, teeth bared. Glancing back towards Demedais, "How was it? Nothing too serious if you're back so quickly?"
[19:11] <Demedais> "Serious but contained. An alchemical weapon explosion at the Temple of Gond as the result of an argument. No casualties and the people there should be cleaning up, so I wanted to ensure everything was all right here."
[19:12] <Kotono> "Ah." Eudard's attention is all on the troll as he replies. "Alchemists fire accident or some such? Good to hear no one was seriously hurt."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Goblin alchemy better..." The common speaking goblin can be overheard, it's voice carrying a little too loudly to be subtle.
[19:17] <Demedais> "One person was deafened, but that was recovered by a priest." Demedais replies, eyeing the troll as well though not dismounting just yet - though he does glance at the goblin with amusement.
[19:19] <Kotono> "Did you happen to see the giant while you ran inside," Pollyanna asks, "My arrow arm aches like a rotten tooth. I've been holding this for over three hours now, surely. Barring that, a little healing?"
06[19:20] * Demedais nods slightly to this and uses a lesser restoration on Pollyanna and Eudard each. "I didn't, no. Somewhat dismayed by this, but."
[19:22] <Kotono> "I do worry that he'll show a disgusting lack of time awareness," Eudard flexes a few times with the chain, stretching. "Thank you."
[19:23] <Kotono> "Nothing to do but wait on him." Keeping her arrow drawn, "At least it's not raining, thank Helm."
[19:24] <Demedais> "If this lasts for too much longer I'll likely request for the newer Crimson Guard members to help me keep a watch while you two rest." Demedais replies, shaking his head.
[19:24] <Kotono> "How much longer? Until lunch, perhaps?" Eudard flexes his arms out again briefly.
[19:26] <Demedais> "If you two are willing to wait that long, yes." Demedais nods, before dismounting and also taking the chain up.
[19:30] <Kotono> "I can last at least that long," Eudard says, as time starts to roll by again. Another hour passes - it's not that far from noon. An hour or so, perhaps. It's then that another caravan comes out of the city. Nothing unusual at all, but this one stands out a bit. It's a set of six wagons, horses and some bodyguards. All of them have the deeply dusky, tanned skin of the Deset Fiefdoms natives. They wear normal clothes for the area, includ
[19:30] <Kotono> They wear normal clothes for the area, including cloaks. One of the men riding along slows, his eyes fixiating on Demedais.
06[19:31] * Demedais looks back to the man evenly, having annoyingly resigned himself to the duty at hand.
[19:33] <Kotono> There's some murmurs and looks from the caravan - a few loudy wonder why a strange creature is on a c hain like that, or if it's a new type of guard. The eyeing man, a sturdy man of perhaps thirty, stops his horse. "You there! Have you ever been to Arad?"
[19:35] <Demedais> "I have." Demedais turns fully and replies, only one hand on the chain as he does so. "Did we meet there?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "Might've. You look familiar. I haven't been there in months, though. I think I saw you around..." he thinks, "Hmph. Take care of yourself." WIth a short nod to Demedais, he spurs his horse on and rejoins the caravan.
[19:39] <Kotono> "Someone you know," Pollyanna briefly turns her look away from the chained troll.
[19:40] <Demedais> "You too. Helm with you." Demedais replies to the man, waiting until he's a fair bit away before shrugging to Pollyanna. "He looks familiar... ish?"
[19:42] <Kotono> "With all you've traveled, I'm surprised that doesn't happen more," Pollyanna flashes a smile at Demedais.
06[19:47] * Demedais smiles back. "If Seira and Alicia get back within a sane amount of time, you two interested in a trip?"
[19:50] <Kotono> "I am," Pollyanna says quickly, with a glance to Eudard.
[19:50] <Kotono> Eudard grunts, "Perhaps, though discuss it when we're not holding off a rabid troll with chain and fire?"
06[19:52] * Demedais grimaces. "Speaking of which, it's close enough to noon. Eudard, could you go see if the recruits are available?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "Certainly," Letting the chain go and meandering off, "I'll send word back one way or anothe rsoon." OOC: Skip along a bit now?
[19:56] <Demedais> OOC: Alright.
[20:12] <Kotono> Eudard is gone twenty minutes...then ten more. At about this time, Pollyanna sighs. "Where is he? It doesn't take that long to go and muster at the garrison, does it?"
[20:16] <Demedais> "We have heard nothing from the garrison of any further news, nor has there been any other change in events so far as I am aware. As such, I am uncertain what the issue is..." Demedais shakes his head, looking out to the gate.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Maybe a giant shark appeared in the harbor again?" Pollyanna sighs, "Busy day and we seem to be on point for catching all of it."
06[20:17] * Demedais grimaces and nods at this.
[20:23] <Kotono> Another ten minutes passes. Still no Eudard. "Demedais, can you send a footman after him?" With a distinctly unhappy look now, "I'm irritated and a little worried."
06[20:25] * Demedais nods and does this, also concerned at this point.
[20:29] <Kotono> About ten more minutes pass before Eudard returns. He has a silly little smile on his face. "Apologies about the delay," he begins, "Xavier, Morund and Daril were dealing with some sea elves that came to the harbor to talk and trade. They'll be just a little longer.":
[20:33] <Demedais> "...aaaah. That'd do it." Demedais half-grimaces, half-smiles at this, before shaking his head. "Mind taking the chain for a bit longer? I can take the bow - you go take the break now. Eudard, if you could stay until they get here, it'd be appreciated."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Sure," Passing her bow to Demedais, Pollyanna sags. "I'm going to go get lunch and rest my arm. Maybe try and hunt up a giant while I'm in there."
06[20:35] * Demedais nods. "That'd be appreciated." With this, he nocks the bow and draws it just enough to fire a quick shot if needed.
[20:38] <Kotono> About a half hour passes. It's then that Morund at last emerges first. He looks relaxed, trotting up. "Sir," he salutes, "Sorry, busy day. The other two will be along within the half hour. You have a troll here?" Looking at it, "On a chain...?"
[20:39] <Demedais> "It's a long story." Demedais says. "Basically we're making sure it doesn't attempt either escape or harm."
[20:43] <Kotono> "I've seen stranger," He admits, scratching the side of his head, "I can do that, sir."
06[20:44] * Demedais nods, offering the bow to Morund. "If you would take the bow, I'll take the chain. Unless your weapon is also fire-enchanted?"
[20:49] <Kotono> "The bow will work," Checking it's draw a few times, "What about the goblins? Are they any danger?"
[20:50] <Demedais> "They aren't, no." Demedais shakes his head, going to take the chain. "Go ahead and take a break, Eudard. And thanks."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Sure," Eudard stands up and goes to do just that. As he goes, "I heard lots of rumors about what you've been up to, sir. Some of them are even believable."
06[20:53] * Demedais gives a look to Morund that borders unreadable. "Rumors? Mind telling me what you've been hearing? I'd rather not have to explain any stories that didn't happen... though I'll likely have to, anyway."
[18:34] <Anastasia> > About a half hour passes. It's then that Morund at last emerges first. He looks relaxed, trotting up. "Sir," he salutes, "Sorry, busy day. The other two will be along within the half hour. You have a troll here?" Looking at it, "On a chain...?"
[18:34] <Anastasia> <Demedais> "It's a long story." Demedais says. "Basically we're making sure it doesn't attempt either escape or harm."
[18:34] <Anastasia> > "I've seen stranger," He admits, scratching the side of his head, "I can do that, sir."
[18:34] <Anastasia> * Demedais nods, offering the bow to Morund. "If you would take the bow, I'll take the chain. Unless your weapon is also fire-enchanted?"
[18:34] <Anastasia> > "The bow will work," Checking it's draw a few times, "What about the goblins? Are they any danger?"
[18:34] <Anastasia> <Demedais> "They aren't, no." Demedais shakes his head, going to take the chain. "Go ahead and take a break, Eudard. And thanks."
[18:34] <Anastasia> * Retrieving #terrorofdunes modes...
[18:34] <Anastasia> > "Sure," Eudard stands up and goes to do just that. As he goes, "I heard lots of rumors about what you've been up to, sir. Some of them are even believable."
[18:34] <Anastasia> * Demedais gives a look to Morund that borders unreadable. "Rumors? Mind telling me what you've been hearing? I'd rather not have to explain any stories that didn't happen... though I'll likely have to, anyway."
[18:35] <Anastasia> "Oh well...traveling the world and fighting dragons, zombies, vampires, demons, and other nameless abominations? All while going and smacking around Malmuth again, sir?"
[18:40] <Demedais> "Smacking around Malmuth again, not so much." Demedais grimaces. "The rest of it... well, some truth, some not."
[18:43] <Anastasia> Daril trots up now, followed by Xavier. Each wears a red cloak of the Crimson Guard, saluting briefly to Demedais. "Well sir...when you're not here, people notice." Scratching the back of his head, "I get commoners asking me what you're like if I mention that you've trained me."
06[18:45] * Demedais grimaces. "Believe me, I'd rather be around here more working with the town, shoring up in preparation for the next seal. But it seems trouble hounds Seira and Alicia most of the time, and me by extension."
[18:45] <Anastasia> ""Reporting as requested, sir." Daril finishes the salute, eyeing the troll with narrowed gaze.
[18:46] <Anastasia> "People assume that you're off doing those things when you're gone, sir," Morund finishes, "Once we were al here, the Commander said you could be relieved for awhile if you needed it."
[18:50] <Demedais> "Thank you, you two." Demedais nods to the two. "If you could assist in holding the chain, it'd be appreciated." To Morund, he nods. "Understood, and thanks for the sentiment. Not sure when I'll take that up."
[18:52] <Anastasia> With three holding the chian, Demedais finds that he needs to put less into it. The troll keeps it's eye son the arrow, all while gnashing and hissing at Demedais on occasion. "Uf. Sir, why aren't we killing this troll exactly? The orders weren't clear, something about accomidating that giant I saw in the city today?" Daril asks.
[18:53] <Demedais> "Pretty much. The troll seems to be generally under control from the giant, but since it would cause chaos in the town proper..." Demedais grimaces. "Told the giant to avoid bringing it next time, but unsure if he'll listen."
[18:56] <Anastasia> "He won't," The Common speaking goblin pipes up, "He does what he wants! He's so strong!"
06[18:58] * Demedais rubs his head. "Right. Will still try to convince him otherwise, but I'm not interested in having this happen again."
[19:01] <Anastasia> About a half hour passes before Eudard returns. "I looked about for the giant. He's at the docks. Apparently, he thinks that sea elves are incredible curiosities and is splashing around in the bay talking to them."
06[19:02] * Demedais stares at Eudard with a mixture between disbelief and annoyance, seemingly speechless.
[19:06] <Anastasia> Morund stares at Eudard. "He's...in...the bay?"
[19:07] <Anastasia> "Yes. Commander Oberuth wants you to go resolve the situation with all the diplomacy that you can, before someone or something gets broken. Like an entire ship." Passing over a scroll to Demedais, "Here's the order."
06[19:08] * Demedais makes sure Daril and Xavier have a grasp on the chain before unrolling and reading it.
[19:10] <Anastasia> It's an order to make haste to the harbor and get that giant out of the bay and calmed down before something breaks. Preferably with all diplomacy so a fight doesn't break out.
[19:11] <Demedais> "Right. Eudard, mind lending these three a hand if they end up needing it? I guess I get to go yell at a giant again." Demedais grimaces, heading to Horse and mounting quickly.
[19:14] <Anastasia> "Good luck," Xavier calls as Demedais takes to his horse and races to the harbor! He finds that the harbor is in something of a panic! Sailors and dockworkers are staying well away from the docks and with good reason! Splashes of water go about as the forest giant wades through the shallow end of the bay! He's laughing as three sea elves swim around him! His stomps make the ships vibrate and shake each time he slams his feet down!
[19:14] <Anastasia> ships vibrate and shake each time he slams his feet down!
[19:16] <Demedais> "Sir!" Demedais says, quickly approaching and dismounting. "While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I'd request at this point that you take it to the empty cove outside of town!"
[19:20] <Anastasia> Water goes gushing around as the giant's attention is on Demedais! Green sea water splashes all around him, saltiness flowing freely! "Eh?" Thumping the side of his head and sendin ga jet of water out of his other ear, "Why not? I like it here."
[19:21] <Anastasia> The sea elves slow, looking to Demedais as well. "Oh, do you mean because of...oh."
06[19:23] * Demedais gestures to the boats. "They were built for rough weather, not the impressive waves you can build up." A nod to the sea elves. "I understand it was all in fun, and there's no issue with that; but I'd rather not be billing any of you for the cost of repairing the ships."
[19:30] <Anastasia> "Oh, surely they can take a little water. They're boats!" Crossing his arms now, "They're not even puny. Are you saying that your human ships are so frail that a few waves can crumble them?"
[19:35] <Demedais> "I think you underestimate your strength, friend." Demedais says in an attempt to soothe him. "I'm willing to show you the way to the cove, if you want." OOC - Diplo check?
[19:38] <Anastasia> OOC: Sure.
[19:39] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17 don't fail me now?
[19:39] <Demedais> OOC: 37!
03[19:39] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:39] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17 don't fail me now?
06[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 don't fail me now? and gets 28." [1d20=11]
[19:41] <Anastasia> The giant looks down at Demedais, "Hmph. Fine." The giant clatters back up, leaping up onto the ground. The boats quake again, seawater dripping off in gallons from the giant's body!
06[19:47] * Demedais nods, walking over to the sea elves. "I'm talking about the cove just a little bit to the east, past the boundaries of the city. Meet you all there?"
[19:49] <Anastasia> One of the sea elves, a pretty little woman, smiles to Demedais. "Okay." She then shrinks back and the three swim off and away!
06[19:50] * Demedais nods and gestures for the giant to follow as he leads him to the east gate!
[19:56] <Anastasia> The two go down and out, passing out the gate! As they do the giant's goblin and troll friend look to him, but he only glances in disinterest. As you walk past and away, "You know..you're strong for a small human."
06[19:58] * Demedais nods to the three cadets and Eudard with a slight 'be back soon' expression, before looking to the giant. "I've done a fair bit of traveling and fighting." A pause, before Demedais' brow furrows. "Are there any dragons out in your lands that you know of?"
[19:59] <Anastasia> "Haven't seen any," He responds with that, then, "Dragons are good to wrestle with, but I wonder if you would be."
[20:01] <Demedais> "I'd want to even the scales size-wise before I tried that." Demedais replies. "I may be strong, but something tells me it wouldn't be hard to pin me with your mass alone."
[19:37] <Kotono> > The giant looks down at Demedais, "Hmph. Fine." The giant clatters back up, leaping up onto the ground. The boats quake again, seawater dripping off in gallons from the giant's body!
[19:37] <Kotono> * Demedais nods, walking over to the sea elves. "I'm talking about the cove just a little bit to the east, past the boundaries of the city. Meet you all there?"
[19:37] <Kotono> > One of the sea elves, a pretty little woman, smiles to Demedais. "Okay." She then shrinks back and the three swim off and away!
[19:37] <Kotono> * Demedais nods and gestures for the giant to follow as he leads him to the east gate!
[19:37] <Kotono> > The two go down and out, passing out the gate! As they do the giant's goblin and troll friend look to him, but he only glances in disinterest. As you walk past and away, "You know..you're strong for a small human."
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[19:37] <Kotono> * Demedais nods to the three cadets and Eudard with a slight 'be back soon' expression, before looking to the giant. "I've done a fair bit of traveling and fighting." A pause, before Demedais' brow furrows. "Are there any dragons out in your lands that you know of?"
[19:37] <Kotono> > "Haven't seen any," He responds with that, then, "Dragons are good to wrestle with, but I wonder if you would be."
[19:37] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I'd want to even the scales size-wise before I tried that." Demedais replies. "I may be strong, but something tells me it wouldn't be hard to pin me with your mass alone."
[19:38] <Kotono> "That's the point," Slapping his knee as he laughs, "I bet you'd keep up anyway, human."
[19:40] <Demedais> "Heh." Demedais shakes his head slightly. "On a side note, how much more time do you plan on spending in town?"
[19:41] <Kotono> "Oh, I don't know. I'll figure that out when I finish with this. So lead on, I want to get back to those elves!"
06[19:47] * Demedais bites his tongue for a moment. "I see. While the troll has not caused any issues yet, keeping an eye on it has caused some strain on the guards.
[19:48] <Kotono> "Oh, is that it?" Turning right around, "I'll knock some sense into the green idiot."
[19:50] <Demedais> "Alternately, do you want me to have him brought to the pond?" Demedais says to interrupt his stride. "That way you can keep a watch on him there. As I said, he himself has not caused issues, but the manpower we've dedicated to keeping an eye on him has been significant."
[19:52] <Kotono> "Have him brought then," the giant agrees.
06[19:53] * Demedais nods. "I'll get you to the cove and then have him brought along. The goblins as well? They've been fine, idly."
[19:55] <Kotono> "Why not," Shrugging now, "Lead on, I grow impatient!"
06[19:56] * Demedais nods and advances forward.
[19:58] <Kotono> The cove is a rocky cliffside that isn't too high, a little inlet in the center. The sea elves are waiting, the giant laughing as he plunges in!
[20:00] <Demedais> "I will return shortly." Demedais calls to the giant. "You may wish to warn them of who I'm bringing with me."
[20:02] <Kotono> Thus Demedais goes off. He finds the cadets and Eudard keeping the troll on a short leash. No sign of Pollyanna being back yet.
[20:06] <Demedais> "The troll's going to watch him for a time, but we need to take him there." Demedais grimaces, dismounting. "Fortunately it's not far, but."
[20:14] <Kotono> "Fun." Eudard glances over, the three holding the chain in place as thet roll stares at the flaming arrow ready for him. "How are we going to do this?"
06[20:17] * Demedais looks to the goblins. "One of you spoke a bit of his language, correct? Could you tell him to follow us to the cove?"
[20:18] <Kotono> "I'll try," the common speaking goblin goes a little closer to the troll, making strange sounds and noises! The troll snaps and lunges, making the three men brace and hold him back from the goblin1
[20:19] <Demedais> "I... take it that was a no." Demedais says, also taking hold of the chain.
[20:24] <Kotono> Backing well away, "He's pretty angry," the goblin whimpers.
06[20:28] * Demedais mutters something in Celestial. "Well, he seems to be at least on his feet..." he then follows through in Common, before slowly attempting to drag the troll in the direction of the cove!
[20:29] <Kotono> The four take the chian! OOC - Make a STR check, +8 bonus, Deme?
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03[20:30] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Kotono
03[20:30] * Kotono sets mode: +oooo Alicia Demedais Hatbot Seira
[20:30] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 right
06[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+13 right and gets 27." [1d20=14]
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 so moot
06[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 so moot and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[20:32] <Kotono> It's a lot of effort, muscles bulging and men grunting! The troll fights being dragged with every ounce of it's vitality! Sweat pours down the faces of all four as they slowly manage to defeat the troll's might and will, lugging him to the shore! On arriving, you can see that the elves are using the giant as a diving board, having him pick them up and then throw them deep out into the water.
[20:33] <Demedais> Demedais mutters a few lengthy profanities just loud enough for the other three to hear before hailing the giant. "He's here."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Good," The giant barely glances back, hurling an elf quite far out into the ocean, "Just keep him tied up or something right now!"
[20:36] <Kotono> Daril sags at this, wiping his face with his sleeve. "How about we tie him up," he mutters.
[20:37] <Demedais> Demedais seems utterly speechless for a few moments, before looking around for a convenient tree.
[20:38] <Kotono> There's a few about 60 feet away or so. Eudard puts a hand to his forehead and breath out, "By Selune's light, why?" he mutters.
[20:40] <Demedais> How big are the trees?
[20:48] <Kotono> Fairly big. Oen of them looks like an old oak tree, massive and tall.
06[20:52] * Demedais looks to Daril. "If I thought we could get close enough to manage it, I'd do as such, but."
[20:54] <Kotono> "Bleh," Daril grins despite that, "Now what, hold him here?"
[20:54] <Demedais> "Tie the chain around that tree?" Demedais gestures to it with his head.
[20:57] <Kotono> The group gets thet roll over slowly, doing just that! As they do the giant and sea elves happy water hour continues behind them, splashing and laughing heard many a time. Once the tying is done, "Can you make it clear to those giants that this isn't acceptable when they come to Balmuria, Demedais?"
[20:57] <Demedais> "I fully intend to." Demedais grunts. "This has been..."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Incredibly aggrivating?" Morund supplies
[21:00] <Kotono> .
[21:01] <Kotono> "No, how about mind bogglingly frusturating," Eudard correct.
[21:01] <Demedais> "You two are being far more polite than I would be, which is why I let you fill in the gaps.
[21:01] <Demedais> "You two are being far more polite than I would be, which is why I let you fill in the gaps." Demedais replies.
[21:02] <Kotono> "Oh, higher!" A cute female sea elf calls, a few more swimming into the inlet. tHe number of them seems to be growing. "Are we going to wait here for him to finish swimming?"
06[21:03] * Demedais exhales, thinking for a minute.
[21:05] <Kotono> "You know, he can drag that damned troll back for all I care," Morund glares at it, as another keeps the bow and arrow trained on it. "At the very least, since he's the one who has it chained up to begin with."
[21:06] <Demedais> "That's my general opinion, yes. If you all wish to take a short break, go ahead; it seems like he might be occupied for hours here."
[21:06] <Kotono> "I will," Eudard says, "I'll find Pollyanna and tell her what's happened, too."
[21:07] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods. "I'll take the bow for now."
[21:10] <Kotono> The bow is passed over, as...OOC - You okay with skipping along a bit, Deme?
[21:10] <Demedais> OOC - Sure.
[21:14] <Kotono> About three quarters of an hour later, Pollyanna returns. "Demedais," she says immediately. "We're needed back in the city. Commander Oberuth is ordering the Ensigns and Eudard to deal with the troll and giant for now."
[21:15] <Demedais> "When it rains it breaths fire." Demedais mutters. "Right." Then to the giant, "I must head back to town, but I wish words with you before you go." With that, he heads off with Pollyanna!
[21:18] <Kotono> Pollyanna stops to get her bow, passing over a flask of oil and another bow to Eudard. As they walk away and out of earshot of the festivilites, "What a day," Pollyanna sighs long, "After this, I want to curl up and watch the sunet, or take a long bath, or something as non intensive as possible."
[21:19] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods. "At least the thing doesn't need to be held by the chain so they can alternate who has the bow."
[21:24] <Kotono> "We're to report to the Commander, but yes," Pollyanna leads the way. The return to Balmuria and the garrison is simple enough, Commander Oberuth waits in the Crimson Guard's meeting room. "Sir," Pollyanna reports.
06[21:25] * Demedais follows Pollyanna's lead, saluting before standing at attention.
[21:27] <Kotono> "Sit," Oberuth gestures to some chairs, "Both of you have had a busy day already."
[21:27] <Kotono> Pollyanna quickly goes ot sit down then, "Thank you."
06[21:28] * Demedais nods and sits down once Pollyanna is seated, looking to the Commander.
[21:37] <Kotono> Oberuth rises, going to the door. A soldier salutes and runs off after a few words. "There's someone I need the two of you to meet. You in particular, Demedais."
06[21:41] * Demedais raises an eyebrow. "What is this in regards to?"
[21:42] <Kotono> "He claims that you're the only one that can save his life," Oberuth says quietly, "He's completely convinced of it. He came to the garrison today asking to see you."
06[21:43] * Demedais frowns at this. "I... see."
[21:50] <Kotono> The door soon opens. An older man, in the twilight of his life, enters. He wears commoner's clothes and has gray hair, still having a full head of it at this age. A blanket is wrapped around him as he shivers. He looks to Demedais, "Are you Sir Demedais of the C-Crimson Gu-guard?"
[21:51] <Demedais> "I am. What is your name?" Demedais asks kindly, a bit confused from all this.
[21:52] <Kotono> "Croger," He shivers all over, going to stumble to a seat. "D=don't worry, I'm not contagious. The d-disease isn't supposed to spread that way."
06[21:52] * Demedais makes sure he's seated before looking to him. "A disease? How was it contracted?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "I-I don't know." Shivering all over, "The healer said that it would take advanced healing to save me."
06[21:58] * Demedais nods. "If I can't heal it, it's possible the temple will have someone that can, but... let me try." With that, he lays his hands on Croger and invokes the magical energy!
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: Make a CL check?
[22:01] <Demedais> roll 1d20+4 this sort of thing isn't my strong suit, Croger
06[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+4 this sort of thing isn't my strong suit, Croger and gets 5." [1d20=1]
[22:05] <Kotono> The magic flows, but nothing seems to happen! Croger coughs again, "Did it not work?" He asks, "Or will it take time to work?"
[22:07] <Kotono> Pollyanna watches on, "We can have healers at the Temple of Helm try as well, Demedais?"
06[22:08] * Demedais frowns at this. "The fact that it didn't work immediately... yes, that would be best. Pollyanna, could you get Father Ceiar? Best to let him gather his strength here." Then to Croger, "You don't know how this was contracted, Croger? Where do you live, if I may ask?
[22:10] <Kotono> "I live in Westermore, a farming village to the west." As he shivers again, looking miserably and with his eyes downcast, "I contracted this two weeks ago. A healer was passing through town and was able to at least diagnose the condition, though he couldn't heal it."
[22:10] <Kotono> OOC: Strike.
[22:10] <Kotono> "I live in Westermore, a farming village to the west." As he shivers again, looking miserably and with his eyes downcast, "I got sick two weeks ago. A healer was passing through town and was able to at least diagnose the condition, though he couldn't heal it. It's slowly eating away my strength...I can barely walk with this blanket on me."
06[22:13] * Demedais nods at this slightly, before trying a lesser restoration. "Eating away at your strength... It's a good thing you got here, at least. The priest of the temple are the ones who taught me - it may take a day or two, but we should be able to mend this. Still, the fact that it didn't go away immediately... it's either advanced or heavily malignant."
[22:14] <Demedais> roll 1d4 stat recovery?
06[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 stat recovery? and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[22:15] <Kotono> "Ah...that feels a little better," he sighs in relief, "Thank you, good sir. I think I can take the walk to the Temple from here."
06[22:16] * Demedais nods, using another lesser restoration before standing. "Use me as support as we go; the Temple's not far."
[22:17] <Demedais> roll 1d4 stat recovery
06[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 stat recovery and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[22:18] <Kotono> His posture improves at that, "I feel less weakened now. Thank you," he repeats as he leans on Demedais! The Temple of Helm is busy today as you approach, Croger looking about as you do. The doors are open, two helmeted guards keeping a vigiliant watch just outside.
06[22:19] * Demedais nods to the guards, leading him in and looking around to see if there is an available priest of sufficient capability.
[22:20] <Kotono> Croger lingers just a moment outside before following in. Once inside, Father Ceiar is there. Stepping away from some of the faithful, ag roup of warriors discussing duty with him, "Oh, Demedais, Pollyanna. What is it?"
[22:22] <Demedais> "This man seems to have an illness that... did not dissipate immediately with a use of Remove Disease. However, Lesser Restorations had a notable effect." Demedais replies, before looking to Croger for a moment and checking him over for chaos and magic.
[22:25] <Kotono> "Curious. Repairing the damage while not eliminating the source? Come with me," Father Ceiar leads the two back to a guest room, having Croger lie on the simple bed there. "What can you tell me about your disease?"
06[22:28] * Demedais looks to Croger with an encouraging nod.
[22:28] <Kotono> REpeating what he told Demedais, "That's what the healer said. He said that only a very skilled healer could help. He named Demedais in particular, too. He said that otherwise my body would wither away until my muscles were like goo and I shivered into my grave."
[22:29] <Demedais> A pause. "A question. What was the name of the healer?"
[22:31] <Kotono> "Esthan," he answers, "HE said that you were the best healer in the land, and the only one capable of restoring m-me." He coughs them, coughing several times. "Somehow I made the journey here intact."
[22:32] <Demedais> "........... Did you notice any symptoms before Esthan came?" Demedais asks after this.
[22:33] <Kotono> "He came the day after I started getting ill. It was fortunate," he trips over the last word, a shiver racking his body. "He helped me free of payment, since he said that my fate was in your hands, not his."
[22:36] <Demedais> "Of course he did." Demedais says quite calmly. "Couldn't imagine him doing this any other way. Father Ceiar, can I talk to you for a second?"
[22:39] <Kotono> "Rest here while we talk," Father Ceiar smiles to Croger, before the two walk outside the room.
[22:41] <Demedais> Once the door is closed, Demedais exhales. "That explains why it didn't work. Esthan's a devil, immensely powerful from the accounts of Seira and Alicia. Odds are it's set to resist magic."
[22:42] <Kotono> "I see. But why do that and send it to us? To infect us with it?" Father CEiar thoughtfully keeps his voice quiet. "Why go to thet rouble of infecting him with this disease and then sending him to be helped?"
[22:44] <Demedais> "Or to show us what he can do." Demedais grimaces. "Regardless, I'd like to have Eudard give it a shot; both he and I are immune to disease so we can try to keep him on the mend until we succeed."
[22:46] <Kotono> "Yes, I'll have him quarantined, just in case," Father Ceiar says with a gentle look, "Do so. I'll have an acolyte fetch Eudard."
[22:46] <Kotono> Pollyanna, having been quiet most of this time, "So cruel. Making someone sick just to make a possible point?"
[22:48] <Demedais> "There are multiple unkind adjectives I could apply to him, but..." Demedais closes his eyes. "Pollyanna, could you please have Eudard come here? I'd like to have him try to remove this."
[19:35] <Kotono> <Demedais> Once the door is closed, Demedais exhales. "That explains why it didn't work. Esthan's a devil, immensely powerful from the accounts of Seira and Alicia. Odds are it's set to resist magic."
[19:35] <Kotono> > "I see. But why do that and send it to us? To infect us with it?" Father CEiar thoughtfully keeps his voice quiet. "Why go to thet rouble of infecting him with this disease and then sending him to be helped?"
[19:35] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Or to show us what he can do." Demedais grimaces. "Regardless, I'd like to have Eudard give it a shot; both he and I are immune to disease so we can try to keep him on the mend until we succeed."
[19:35] <Kotono> > "Yes, I'll have him quarantined, just in case," Father Ceiar says with a gentle look, "Do so. I'll have an acolyte fetch Eudard."
[19:35] <Kotono> > Pollyanna, having been quiet most of this time, "So cruel. Making someone sick just to make a possible point?"
[19:35] <Kotono> <Demedais> "There are multiple unkind adjectives I could apply to him, but..." Demedais closes his eyes. "Pollyanna, could you please have Eudard come here? I'd like to have him try to remove this."
[19:36] <Kotono> "I'll go get him," Pollyanna quickly goes to do that. As she leaves, "From your words, Helm will need to walk with you soon, Demedais. Do you need anything?"
06[19:38] * Demedais remains silent for a few minutes. "Just... keep a vigil eye out for anyone saying they've been sent by him, or for him himself. Do not try to fight him unless you must... I strongly suspect it would not get anywhere."
[19:40] <Kotono> "I'll have word passed around." Father Ceiar stands now, "Helm be with you." He's not gone long before Eudard returns, huffing and puffing, red with exertion in his armor. "I got word," he says breathlessly, "What's going on?"
[19:41] <Demedais> "A man is sick in here. We are unsure as to if it is contagious, but it was inflicted by a devil. Thus, us two are the safest people to try and heal him." Demedais replies.
[19:44] <Kotono> Wiping his forehead, "Immune and able to cure it, yes." After a few long breaths for air, "Take me to him? What deviltry is behind this deed?"
[19:45] <Demedais> "I'll explain that part later." Demedais grimaces. "The patient is not aware of the identity of the inflicter, and there is no need to reveal it." With that, he opens the door.
[19:50] <Kotono> Croger lies on the cot still, shivering lightly. Eudard comes in and goes to his side, "Peace of viligance be with you," he says. "I am Eudard. Rest as I try and help you." He lays his hands on Croger!
[19:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
03[19:50] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
06[19:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[19:52] <Kotono> Croger coughs and then shivers again. Eudard looks to Demedais and shakes his head.
06[19:52] * Demedais grimaces. "Use some lesser restorations; those seem to alleviate the side effects of the illness. I will pray for more removals tomorrow."
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+1 and gets 2." [1d4=1]
[19:54] <Kotono> Eudard prays, the sickness held more at bay! Croger closes his eyes, "Thank you...both of you. Helm bless you." He yawns deeply then, "It's been a long journey to get here. Can I sleep for a little while?"
[19:55] <Demedais> "Very well. We may come in to try further therapies, but you may sleep through them." Demedais nods.
03[19:57] * Celenu (WinNT@user-5443d10e.lns6-c8.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:57] <Kotono> Croger's eyes close thereafter, sleep coming for him with a savage quickness. As it does, "This is troubling. A resistant disease from the hands of..." Stopping there, "What can be done?"
[20:00] <Demedais> "As far as I know, all we can do is continue to try and heal him. As for the being who inflicted it... Seira, Alicia and I have all encountered it. From my understanding, he pretty much shut down any attempt at offense either of them made."
[20:02] <Kotono> "There has to be a better resolution than that."
[20:02] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[20:02] <Kotono> "There has to be a better resolution than that." With a look to Croger, "Still...I'll go finish with that blasted troll and giant. If you need me again send someone."
[20:03] <Demedais> "I will. Thank you." Demedais frowns. "I've little idea as to how to approach it, honestly, though I am thinking on it."
[20:04] <Kotono> OOC: SKip along? Do you have any other plans for the day or ideas or anything you wish to do?
[20:08] <Demedais> OOC: Keep an eye on Croger and monitor his condition, if it gets really bad we'll take the risk of having a Helmite heal him.
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21." [1d20=18]
[20:09] <Kotono> roll 1d4
06[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
[20:09] <Kotono> As the night goes on, Croger's sleep becomes jerky. He often shudders and shivers under three blankets, groaning out in his dreams. His color worsens as the night goes on.
06[20:10] * Demedais grimaces and calls for Father Ceiar at this, explaining Croger's drop in health.
[20:12] <Kotono> Yawning as he enters, sleep clothes worn, "I see. The disease continues to eat away at him." Carrying a washcloth and basin of water, "I'll pray for his recovery come dawn. For now, minister this to him and try and keep him comfortable?"
06[20:13] * Demedais nods. "I will, Father. I will also pray for spells to try and heal him... though I know not how effective I will be, compared to you."
[20:14] <Kotono> "We can only try."W ith that and another yawn, "But I must go back to rest, lest I be too tired and unfocused to gather magic effectively."
06[20:14] * Demedais nods. "Understood. My apologies."
[20:15] <Kotono> "No apology, just..." A yawn splits his face, "Until the morning, Helm be with you." The rest of the night passes without incident. OOC: Refresh your spells, Deme?
[20:16] <Demedais> OOC: New list will be posted in just a moment.
[20:16] <Kotono> OOC: Tell me when?
[20:19] <Demedais> OOC: Done, link posted in #e.
[20:20] <Kotono> Dawn comes. Croger is still aslumber, shivering in his bed. Father Ceiar returns at the dawnbreak, "Has there been any improvement?"
[20:22] <Demedais> "No, but nor has his condition gotten any worse, thankfully." Demedais says with a slight note of exhaustion. "I have also prayed for the strength to remove his disease... should I try first, in case of contagion?"
[20:23] <Kotono> "By all means," Father Ceiar saysy. "Helm's power with you in this task."
[20:23] <Demedais> "Thank you, Father." Demedais says, before turning and attempting to heal Croger!
[20:24] <Kotono> OOC: Declare what spell?
[20:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6 remove disease try 1
06[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 remove disease try 1 and gets 9." [1d20=3]
[20:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6 remove disease try 2
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 remove disease try 2 and gets 20." [1d20=14]
[20:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6 remove curse (on the off chance?)
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 remove curse (on the off chance?) and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[20:26] <Kotono> Demedais calls on the power of Helm! Yet Croger's shivers continue, his half-sleep wrakced again by disease and suffering! Father Ceiar watches on, "This disease is so dreadfully resistant to magic. It does not abate even to the will of Helm."
06[20:28] * Demedais grimaces, before using his lesser restorations on Croger and standing. "It truly does not cease..."
[20:29] <Demedais> roll 4d4
06[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d4 and gets 8." [4d4=1, 4, 1, 2]
[20:30] <Kotono> It's strange. The Restorations seem feeble as they slowly heal them. The first and third do little, only the second really effective. The fourth helps a little as well, his chills slowing after all four.
[20:31] <Demedais> "...it's fighting the restorations." Demedais curses softly, shaking his head. "Father Ceiar, if you can..."
[20:33] <Kotono> "Allow me to try," he says, calling on the removal of disease!
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 14." [1d20=7]
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 11." [1d20=4]
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 22." [1d20=15]
[20:34] <Kotono> Each one brings the power of Helm, but none break the remaining chills. "By Helm's eternal eye...nothing at all." Father Ceiar looks up. "It's as if I never cast."
[20:36] <Demedais> "Kh..." Demedais curses, before becoming lost in thought. "Will you join with me in praying for direct intervention or guidance from Helm in this? I can think of no other alternative, if our magics are failing to pierce the disease."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Let us spend the day petitioning the Watcher for that," he agrees, "To give us the power to do so." OOC: Going to spend the day praying then?
[20:38] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah.
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC: Make a wisdom check?
[20:39] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3 kay
06[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+3 kay and gets 12." [1d20=9]
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 12." [1d20=9]
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+1 and gets 3." [1d4=2]
[20:41] <Kotono> The day passes. Demedais spends it in reflective prayer, yet no answer has come yet to his silent beckonings. Croger stays asleep for most of the day, his shivers intensifying in the afternoon once more. Dusk creeps closer...
06[20:43] * Demedais shakes his head. "I do not know... I will continue to minister to him through the night. Go rest, Father."
[20:45] <Kotono> Looking on at Croger, "I will. Helm be with you," Father Ceiar leaves as night falls. It's not long after that Croger stirs in his cot, coughing a few times. "Mmmmgh..." He blinks bloodshot eyes, "Where...am..." When he sees Demedais, his vision focuses on him. "Oh. Sir Demedais? How long have I been asleep?"
[20:45] <Demedais> "For almost a full day. We've been working to alleviate the disease, but it is proving heavily resistant." Demedais nods to Croger.
[20:46] <Kotono> He coughs before responding. "Thank you. Those of Helm...always take their duty to protect and aid seriously, do they not?"
[20:47] <Demedais> "We do." Demedais nods. "It is our sworn duty.
[20:48] <Kotono> "Heh...I know. I've heard that before." Coughing thereafter, "You're human. The ways the stories spoke of-" Cough cough! "-of you, one can wonder otherwise. They said the man that killed Kondrux is as tall as a giant and can shoot fireballs from his mouth."
[20:50] <Demedais> "...Stories tend to exaggerate some." Demedais says with a slight smile. "Regardless... Do not overexert yourself. Keeping your strength with you is the best way for you to help us fight this disease."
[20:51] <Kotono> "I will...thank you." His eyes droops hut again, a hazy sleep coming over him. OOC - Will you be doing anything tonight besides watching him?
[20:54] <Demedais> OOC: Praying for inspiration/intervention/guidance from Helm as I watch over him.
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Wis check again?
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
[20:58] <Kotono> Midnight comes. As the darkest night comes, silence in the temple...it begins. The sound of a deep, mournful bell is heard. It's tones are like that of a funeral procession, each strike long and resonating several seconds. 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9 times it strikes.
06[21:00] * Demedais stands at alert at this, sword drawn.
[21:02] <Kotono> The echos linger in the air. Croger goes ramrod stiff at this, entire body quaking! His head turns to Demedais, a grotesque grin parting it. His voice is not his own at all, but the voice of Esthan! "Ah, good evening, Demedais. I trust that I find you in good health and tidings, even if your friend cannot say likewise?"
06[21:04] * Demedais turns to Croger/Esthan, face practically blank. "Hello, Esthan. Why am I completely unsurprised to see you doing this?"
[21:06] <Kotono> "I think you understand the point that has to be made." Esthan goes on with nary a bit of unpleasantness in his voice. "It's for you own good and survival, to break through the hubris you so amply displayed at our last meeting."
06[21:07] * Demedais simply raises an eyebrow at this.
[21:08] <Kotono> "This man's disease is incurable by any means you can muster. Despite all your prayers and efforts, he will die within nine more days. All your might, all your power...and he will still die. If you cannot even save one man from my barest attention, how will you stand alone against Hell?"
[21:11] <Demedais> "If you are seeking to overthrow rulers in Hell, why do you bother with what must be insects to you? Either you waste my time, your time, or both. And either way you fail to impress me." Demedais says calmly. "Though I do have to confess, you have managed to tempt me in one way."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Oh? PRay tell, how have I tempted you?" Esthan chuckles.
[21:13] <Demedais> "That will remain my secret. Perhaps another time I'll bother to explain, though you may figure it out anyway." Demedais says with the same facial expression as before. "Is this all you have sought to do?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "Then learn the lesson, so that you may learn something from it. Then again, perhaps you will not. This man means nothing to you now, does he? To you, he's just an old man.
[21:14] <Kotono> "OOC - Gah.
[21:15] <Kotono> "Then learn the lesson, so that you may learn something from it. Then again, perhaps you will not. This man means nothing to you now, does he? To you, he's just an old man." The horrible smile on Croger's face twists out and then down, face resettling as his stiff posture relaxes.
06[21:15] * Demedais kneels down and checks Croger's vitals at this.
[21:16] <Kotono> Croger is shivering and breathing. He looks about as bad as he did a few minutes ago.
06[21:16] * Demedais curses softly, before looking out to the hallway to see who is awake at this hour.
[21:17] <Kotono> The temple seems peaceful and quiet. No one is stirring, despite the bell Demedais heard. There's a few ritual guards out in the main temple as per normal.
06[21:18] * Demedais calls one of the guards over upon seeing them.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Sir Demedais," At attention as he approaches, "What do you need?"
[21:22] <Demedais> "May I request you keep watch over the ill man in here? I must run to make some arrangements for finding a cure."
[21:22] <Kotono> "Sir," A salute again to him, "It will be done in the name of the Watcher."
[21:23] <Demedais> "Thank you. May the Evervigilant One keep watch over you." With that, he quickly departs for Stronger's shop!
[21:25] <Kotono> Balmuria is quiet in the dark night. Only a few guards and late drunks are out. Elle's shope is closed up at night, as is normal and befitting for it.
[21:28] <Demedais> "...Right. Of course she's asleep." Demedais curses again, before heading back to pray for help from Helm overnight.
[21:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 4." [1d20=1]
[21:29] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+1 and gets 4." [1d4=3]
[21:30] <Kotono> The night passes, dawn breaking. Croger is still aslumber, shivers getting worse as the dawn approaches.
06[21:31] * Demedais finishes his prayers for spells, before enacting three attempts upon Croger.
[21:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 and gets 24." [1d20=18]
[21:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6
[21:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[21:33] <Kotono> Demedais calls on all the power of Helm he can muster! For a few moments his shivering stops on the last spell...but then comes back with an abrupt surge, his entire body quaking like a leaf in the wind.
06[21:33] * Demedais then proceeds with the four lesser restorations.
[21:33] <Demedais> roll 4d4
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d4 and gets 10." [4d4=4, 3, 2, 1]
[21:35] <Kotono> The lesser restorations seem half ineffective! The first and second aid him somewhat, but the last two prove fruitless entirely. His shivers lessen some overall, but are far from subdued.
03[21:36] * mojojojo (~soapfan04@cpe-69-203-1-143.nyc.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[21:36] * mojojojo (~soapfan04@cpe-69-203-1-143.nyc.res.rr.com) has left #terrorofdunes
03[21:36] * Kotono sets mode: +s
06[21:36] * Demedais curses at this, before waiting twenty minutes for Father Ceiar.
[21:37] <Kotono> FAther Ceiar comes in in 10, looking in. "How is he," he asks outright, "His pallor is getting worse."
[21:38] <Demedais> "We will need to seek another solution, I suspect." Demedais says flatly, before looking to Father Ceiar. "Would you care for a trip - tomorrow, at the latest?"
[21:40] <Kotono> "Where to," AS he goes to bring in another basin of water and fresh cloth, "I can get leave for my duties for this, certainly."
[21:42] <Demedais> "To Arcadia, to seek assistance from Helm or a follower of his." Demedais replies.
[21:43] <Kotono> Sucking in a breath, "To the House of the Triad itself?" With along look, "To the promised land of Helm? Surely I marvel at your dedication, Demedais. Can you reach so?"
[21:44] <Demedais> "I hope to be able to. However, the fact remains that I am convinced a cure lies outside of mortal hands in this case."
[21:47] <Kotono> "How will you get there?" Ceiar asks next, "Such a place is removed from our realm of existance."
[21:50] <Demedais> "If I am not mistaken, Seira and Alicia have used Elle's capability to do so, inscribing the spells into scrolls for their use. While I do not think we could hire Elle's time - and nor do I think I could use the scrolls she makes - Gil of Waukeen is also capable of the spell." Demedais replies.
[21:51] <Demedais> A pause. "Alternately, we ask for assistance from Alicia or Seira, if either are present."
06[21:55] * Demedais nods at this. "Alicia I know is in town - we can ask him first."
[21:55] <Demedais> *OOC: Strike
06[21:55] * Demedais nods at this. "Alicia I know is in town - we can ask her first."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Let us hurry then." OOC: Moving along?
[21:59] <Demedais> OOC: Yes.
03[22:01] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
[22:01] <Kotono> Alicia's morning is a normal one. The bathing in Evergold is becoming a pleasant memory now. This morning is like any other when there is a knock on the door. Antenora's off back practicing and Jessica's gone, so Alicia's the only one there to get it.
06[22:02] * Alicia is attired in her habitual black tunic and leggings when she answers the door, albeit no sign of her armour. "Ah, hello, Demedias... father Ceiar," she nods to each in turn before stepping back from the door. "Come on inside?"
[22:04] <Demedais> "I'm afraid I'm not here for pleasantries." Demedais shakes his head.
[22:04] <Kotono> "Good day," Father Ceiar says shortly. "Demedais speaks all the truth, for a blight has come to our temple."
[22:04] <Alicia> "Trouble?" Alicia asks with a barely perceptible tensing of her posture, before looking at the older priest, "A blight, you say?"
[22:06] <Demedais> "An illness incurable by my best efforts and resistant to any magic. I would ask your assistance; we need to reach Arcadia, and hope someone there has the resources to heal it."
[22:07] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17 planes, do I know of anything/anyone on Arcadia specifically noted as being opposed to disease? (great healers or holy cure-all sites, basically)
06[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 planes, do I know of anything/anyone on Arcadia specifically noted as being opposed to disease? (great healers or holy cure-all sites, basically) and gets 26." [1d20=9]
[22:10] <Alicia> "One of Ilmater's favoured may be able to help," Alicia agrees. "I met one myself when dealing with demonic servants of Jubilex - do you have any leads yourselves for a person to look for?"
06[22:12] * Demedais shakes his head. "I intended to arrive there and then perform an augury for guidance from Helm."
[22:14] <Alicia> "Well, I have a ring I recently commissioned that allows planar travel - I would warn the two of you that visiting the realm of one's god is ill-advised, for you may find it difficult to leave. We shouldn't tarry over-long in that case," Alicia explains. "Let me get my things and tell Marie where I'm going, first?"
[22:16] <Demedais> "Lovely." Demedais grimaces, before nodding. "Very well."
[22:18] <Alicia> After a few moments, Alicia returns with her breastplate worn and sword readied. Marie is briefly seen waving from the hallway before Alicia closes the door behind her and heads out with the two Helmites. "So, how many have been infected? I can take up to eight passengers."
[22:19] <Demedais> "One." Demedais shakes his head. "But I would not like to see this have the potential of traveling further - and given who has placed it upon him, late manifestations of contagion would not surprise me."
[22:20] <Demedais> At this, he looks to Alicia. "And if you can't figure out who started this illness from that, it was our 'devil friend'."
06[22:21] * Alicia scowls darkly. "I would have thought he'd have left your chuch alone, considering his 'arrangement' with the Watcher," she glowers. "Very well, in that case perhaps you should perform your augery first before we depart, lest it turn out the cure is not to be found on Arcadia?"
06[22:22] * Demedais nods. "Probably wise. Shall we go to the temple so it may be performed there?"
[22:22] <Alicia> "Lead on," Alicia agrees.
[22:23] <Demedais> "And I suspect this was meant to taunt me." Demedais replies. "Since he came to talk to me last night, possessing Croger's body."
06[22:23] * Demedais thus leads on.
[22:26] <Kotono> OOC: Returning to the temple and Croger?
[22:26] <Demedais> OOC: Yes.
[22:27] <Kotono> The three return to the Temple of Mystra without incident. Croger is half asleep, coughing and shivering under his blankets.
[22:28] <Alicia> *Helm
[22:28] <Kotono> *Helm, yes. Dur.
06[22:28] * Demedais grimaces at seeing this. "How likely is it that we will wind up in water or air, not on dry ground?" he asks of Alicia.
[22:29] <Alicia> "Impossible," Alicia replies. "Conjuration spells don't work that way - we can only land on a surface that supports us. It's why you don't see wizards summoning oxen directly above people they don't like."
[22:32] <Demedais> "I always wondered why that never happened." Demedais muses, before settling in to perform the divination! "Will Arcadia be capable of providing a cure for Croger, and if not, where?"
[22:33] <Demedais> OOC: Caster level 8.
[22:39] <Kotono> Praying for guidance, Demedais receives the following! "The true path lies ahead."
[22:40] <Demedais> "I think we're on the right path in planning to head to Arcadia, though the response was obscure enough to provide ambiguity. 'The true path lies ahead.'" Demedais says, before looking to Alicia and Father Ceiar. "Alicia, you know the planes better; should we make any further preparations?"
[22:44] <Alicia> "To be honest I'm unsure whether randomly looking around Arcadia will serve us any better than randomly looking around the Prime," Alicia admits. "But if we focus on Ilmater's realm it will almost certainly offer succur of some degree from this man's suffering. Bringing him with us is probably better than leaving him here."
06[22:45] * Demedais nods. "That was my intent; thus why I asked about where we would land."
[22:46] <Demedais> "And... if we cannot cure him, I am not confident there is much here that can. It is possible, but we know such power sources exist in Arcadia."
[22:47] <Alicia> "Alright," Alicia takes a moment to put her ring of plane shift on, "Can he be woken?"
[22:49] <Demedais> "The spell can be resisted?" Demedais asks, before nudging Croger awake.
[22:49] <Kotono> Croger stirs with a few coughs, wet, hacking coughs. "Mmm...Sir Demedais? Ugh..."
[22:50] <Alicia> "It can be, yes," Alicia agrees, "We have to all join hands as well... although if he's too unwell to walk we should bring a stretcher, shouldn't we?"
[22:51] <Demedais> "We are going to head somewhere that has more talented healers." Demedais says, before nodding to Alicia. "This is Alicia, a fellow paladin, though she serves Mystra. She will take us where we need to go." At Alicia's words, he pauses, then nods. "That is probably wise, yes."
06[22:51] * Alicia smiles at the man. "You'll feel better where we're going," she reassures him.
06[22:52] * Demedais thus heads out to get a stretcher and bring it back in, shifting Croger to it.
[22:52] <Kotono> This goes without incident, the sick man loaded up onto it.
06[22:53] * Alicia then has everyone join hands before she plane shifts them to Ilmater's domain in the House of the Triad! Hopefully.
[22:53] <Alicia> roll 5d100
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 5d100 and gets 213." [5d100=62, 34, 48, 55, 14]
[19:00] <Kotono> The four appear under an infinite, brilliant blue sky. It's like the sky of the highest summer days, like the surface of a vast gemstone. You are surrounded by steep mountain, seeing people here and there about. Despite the steepness, none have problems walking up it's trials. You stand on a stone platform carved with symbols in Celestial, symbols of martyrdom, love, healing and suffering. Your worldly pains slip away here. Croger start
[19:00] <Kotono> Your worldly pains slip away here. Croger starts to shiver, but those stop.
06[19:01] * Alicia swaps her freedom of movement ring back on and looks up the mountain to see if she can see any structures.
[19:02] <Kotono> "I feel better," Croger says, sitting up on the stretcher. "I'm not shivering anymore."
[19:02] <Kotono> The mountain stretches higher than Alicia can see. Dotted on it are many a structure.
[19:04] <Alicia> "Thank Ilmater's mercy for that," Alicia tells him. "But you're not cured, yet..." she then turns to Demedais and Ceiar, "Shall we head up and ask the petitioners to point us to a great healer?"
06[19:05] * Demedais nods slightly to Croger. "That was the hope." After that he also nods to Alicia. "Sounds like the best plan we have. ...will strain here cause weariness back home, though? If so, it's probably best if we keep you on the stretcher."
[19:06] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17 planes, will it?
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 planes, will it? and gets 25." [1d20=8]
[19:11] <Alicia> "That shouldn't be the case, it's not like the astral plane," Alicia shakes her head. "If you feel well enough to walk then there shouldn't be harm in it."
06[19:11] * Demedais nods. "Up for it, Croger?"
[19:12] <Kotono> Croger gets up, stretching his back. "This is wonderful. I feel better than I have in years!"
06[19:13] * Demedais looks in the direction of the pulling to try and determine its source.
06[19:16] * Demedais grimaces. "There's... mrf. Gut says we're going in the right direction... Let's keep moving."
[19:17] <Alicia> "Lead on, then," Alicia invites, folding up the stretcher and carrying it.
06[19:18] * Demedais nods and heads toward the nearest mountain, trying to follow the pull and looking around for anyone they can ask for advice.
[19:21] <Kotono> The party finds walking up the steep mountain is easy. Despite the sheer steepness, it's no harder than walking on even ground. As you walk, you pass by a man going down. He wears nothing but a loincloth, bandages over his body. He is a small, thin, frail elderly man, walking with a gnarled wooden staff. "Peace be with you, mercy of the eternal martyr on you." he says as he passes.
[19:22] <Demedais> "Ah, sir." Demedais asks, pausing. "Would you happen to know where a talented healer could be found here?"
[19:26] <Kotono> "
[19:27] <Kotono> "Continue walking. As you climb Martyrdom and approach the great open air temple of Ilmater, you will find many who dedicate eternity to stamping out disease," He says.
[19:28] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods. "May Ilmater and Helm protect and guide you."
[19:28] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia echoes with a smile at the man. "Walk in peace."
[19:34] <Kotono> Father Ceiar continues to look about, occasionally looking long to the horizon.
[19:35] <Kotono> Croger smiles easily now, "Thanks. Ah, this place is perfect! My body feels like I'm 20 years old again!"
06[19:36] * Demedais nods to Father Ceiar. "I know how you're feeling. But we must accomplish our duty, Father." Then to Croger. "Good. But we still must find a place to heal you and return home; this is not our natural home, as much as it may feel like such."
[19:44] <Kotono> "Natural or not I love it," Croger continues to walk upwards. "Where exactly is this again?"
[19:45] <Demedais> "This is Arcadia, in the realm of Ilmater."
[19:45] <Alicia> "Are you a religious man, Croger?" Alicia asks curiously as they ascend.
[19:51] <Kotono> "...oh." he says, "Wait, I don't think I died, did I?" To Alicia now, as he furrows his brow, "Not all that much. I've thought well of Helm most of my life, and I hear clerics can do amazing things."
[19:52] <Demedais> "You didn't, no. We brought you here because our world lacks a cure for you." Demedais shakes his head.
[19:52] <Alicia> "You're not dead, no, but this is where the faithful of Ilmater go when they die," Alicia replies. "Other gods - including Helm, also reside on this particular plane, but this area specifically is Ilmater's."
[19:54] <Kotono> "We'll find succor for you here. But for now, we have to keep going," Father Ceiar says, after another longing look at the horizon.
06[19:54] * Demedais nods, gently guiding Father Ceiar and Croger along as they move forward.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Ilmater, eh?" Looking about now, with great thought, "If this is his realm, I like it. He seems to be onto something. That man was talking about martyrs...he's the god of them, as well as healing?"
06[19:55] * Demedais nods to Croger's comments. "Indeed."
[19:57] <Alicia> "He and his followers gladly bear the suffering of others in their stead. It is a most admirable calling," Alicia agrees respectfully.
[20:01] <Kotono> "I really like it." Croger admits as you continue to walk up.
06[20:02] * Demedais nods. "Cherish your time here, but remember also why we are here."
[20:06] <Kotono> The party continues to ascend up. Hours pass as you continue to climb. No tiredness or hunger comes, your bodies as sharp and able as they were at the first step. You begin to see it above - the walls of a great, roofless temple, taking up the horizon like the sky. It stretches farther than can be seen.
[20:07] <Alicia> "That must be the temple spoken of earlier," Alicia observes. "Surely one able to counter this vile disease will reside within."
[20:08] <Demedais> "There's the destination, yes." Demedais murmurs, picking up his pace slightly.
[20:20] <Kotono> Thus the party ascends upward! Dozens of gates welcome one into this temple, statues of Ilmater dotted about. Here carvings of men in suffering abound, oftne surrounded by golden halos and serene visages.
06[20:22] * Alicia heads towards the nearest gate, having mixed feelings about the carvings. The suffering is unpleasant to look upon, but the underlying message about bearing it with grace is one that speaks to her.
[20:26] <Kotono> Entering in, the party finds an endless, gigantic open air temple. Here countless petitioners and celestials are about in rest. The maimed smile here, pained no longer. The sick are as vital as any other. There is an amazing sense of wellbeing, as if the burdens of life slide away into weightlessness.
06[20:27] * Demedais looks around for someone who looks like a capable healer.
[20:34] <Kotono> As you walk, one woman stands out. She is an old dwarven woman. A man kneels before her, his arm touched. What was formerly a stump instead of a hand grows back, bones and flesh knitting within moments.
06[20:35] * Demedais guides Croger, Alicia and Father Ceiar over to the woman, waiting patiently for her to finish with the patients at hand.
[20:40] <Kotono> The man sighs in long relief, "Thank you, healer," he bows to her, taking her hands and kissing each one on the knuckles. He sees Alicia, Demedias and company approach, standing aside for them.
[20:41] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods, before looking to the dwarven healer and bowing. "Milady, this man here... has an illness I could not purge from his system after days of trying. It is a devilish infection... Is there any chance you could assist us?"
[20:43] <Kotono> "I can try," she says, beckoning Croger over. As he sits in front of her, "A diabolic source? What can you tell me about it?"
[20:44] <Alicia> "A fiend named Esthan was the one to infect him, although there's no telling where he might have found to contagion originally," Alicia explains as much as she knows.
[20:44] <Demedais> "That it would be lethal in nine days if not cured. Caused shivers, coughing, and frailness. As it progressed it resisted my attempts to remove it as well as to restore symptoms with lesser restorations."
[20:45] <Demedais> A pause, here. "I feel as if one of my final attempts should have worked - symptoms went away for a few seconds, but then returned."
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 27." [1d20=2]
[20:48] <Kotono> "This is an ill omen," The dwarven woman runs her gnarled hands over Croger's face and shoulders, "This Esthan, what can you tell me of him? Is he tied to disease in some manner? Does he possess his own venom or poison?"
[20:49] <Demedais> "I am not aware of either being the case, other than that he is a powerful mage from all accounts."
[20:49] <Alicia> "We suspect he's a pit fiend but have never seen him in his true form," Alicia adds.
[20:55] <Kotono> "The disease sounds like devil chills. A pit fiend's bite can cause that," The woman continues to rub Croger's shoulders, the old man's posture slackening as he relaxes. "The recurring element deeply disturbs me. Diseases that can resist magic like that are not natural in the least. A powerful mage and possibly a pit fiend..hmph. Let me try my magic and see."
06[20:57] * Demedais nods. "Thank you."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Now...Ilmater, remove the disease plauging this man!"
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 (+7 planar bonus)
06[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 (+7 planar bonus) and gets 28." [1d20=3]
[20:59] <Kotono> A few moments later, the woman murmurs a few other arcane words. "...the disease does remain," she says. "There is a root of it within you, one that merely removing the disease cannot cure."
[21:00] <Demedais> "Thus why I felt it return..." Demedais murmurs. "And that Esthan is capable of bringing this sort of thing into being? Sickening."
[21:01] <Alicia> "For him to eclipse even Jubilex in disease-crafting..." Alicia stares, momentarily appalled. Just what kind of devil is he? "Can nothing be done?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "It's not unheard of, but it's rare. He must be ancient and powerful beyond reckoning, or has a master who is," Considering this long, "Yet that is not to say that more powerful measures will fail."
06[21:04] * Demedais nods. "What can be done?"
[21:06] <Kotono> After a moment, "Now if more powerful magic fails...then one should be worried." Turning to Demedais now, "I will take him to our greater healers for mending. Should this not succeed, we will investigate ways to cure it, evne petition the Merciful One. In this realm, no disease can withstand our scrunity for long. As long as it takes, he can stay safely in this realm with no fear of the disease progressing."
06[21:07] * Demedais nods slightly, before pausing. "Will there be an easy way to return him home, as well?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "It can be done," the dwarf agrees. "We give succor to all that come here."
06[21:11] * Demedais nods. "Thank you. ...Oh, I've failed to introduce myself. I am Demedais of Helm.":
[21:12] <Kotono> "Ceiar of Helm," Father Ceiar adds secondly, his attention snapping bakc.
[21:12] <Alicia> "Alicia Reynes," Alicia provides with a nod.
[21:16] <Kotono> "I am Granta Ould." Completing this, "Can you tell me anything else relevant at all to this?"
[21:18] <Alicia> Sadly healing was never Alicia's strong point, and she doesn't really know much about this situation, so she shakes her head.
[21:25] <Demedais> ... "There is one other thing, and I cannot believe it slipped my mind. The night before, Esthan spoke through him, possessing his body. This would bear weight with the seed you mentioned, but I did not correlate the two before - being able to talk through someone at a distance away is the sort of thing Esthan would delight in pulling."
[21:27] <Demedais> "As such I thought it was a magical trick of Esthan's, nothing more. But... if it's something within him that's triggering it, that'd be how Esthan managed the feat."
[21:30] <Kotono> "I have an idea now..." Going to Croger again, "Thank you for that, Demedais."
06[21:31] * Demedais nods. "No, thank you. It wouldn't have occurred to me to mention it had you not prodded me for it."
[21:56] <Kotono> "I will send you word when we succeed," she says, "Will you stay in this realm or depart it in the meantime?"
[21:58] <Demedais> "..." Demedais pauses for a moment. "I think we will need to consult on that, first. We will notify you when we know our plans."
[21:58] <Alicia> "As pleasant a respite as it offers, I would prefer to return to the Prime," Alicia speaks up.
[21:58] <Kotono> "AS you wish." Granta takes Croger's hand.
[21:59] <Kotono> "It...would be best..." AFter a long consideration, "I feel drawn to somewhere. So strongly, but I know from my studies that this is not the time yet."
06[22:00] * Demedais looks to Alicia and Father Ceiar. "Very well, then; I will not object to this." he says after a moment.
[22:01] <Alicia> "Good luck to you, Granta. And to you, Croger," Alicia nods to each before putting on her now recharged ring of plane shift and offering her hands to Ceiar and Demedais. "Shall we?"
[22:02] <Demedais> "Thank you, Granta. We will see you soon, Croger." Demedais nods, before grasping the hand of both Father Ceiar and Alicia. "Alright."
[22:02] <Kotono> Father Ceiar takes Alicia's hand as well.
[22:02] <Alicia> And so, back to Balmuria! Or within a few hundred miles of it...
[22:02] <Alicia> roll 5d100
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 5d100 and gets 311." [5d100=90, 93, 68, 39, 21]
[22:05] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 1." [1d9=1]
[22:08] <Kotono> Splash! The three land in ankle deep water. Rocks are beneath you, the shore ofw hat looks to be a small little island. It's only twenty feet wide, a few hardy grasses growing. Amid them is only one thing of note - a skeleton, lyingin repose, staring endlessly up at the sky.
06[22:10] * Demedais blinks at the skeleton, looking it over for magic as he slowly approaches. "Wonder what happened to him..."
[22:10] <Alicia> "I always seem to end up out in the sea when returning to Balmuria this way..." Alicia muses before her eyes catch on the skeleton. "Marooned... it's a terrible way to go." Slowly she approaches the ossified cadaver, "Whoever this was, I'd say he deserves a proper burial."
[22:11] <Demedais> "I agree." Demedais nods slightly. "Would you mind doing the rites, Father?"
[22:12] <Kotono> The skeleton has no sign of clothes or possessions. The skeleton is bleached white. "I will do so," he says. It takes a little time to dig up enough of the soft island soil to bury the skeleton, a simple funeral calling on the Watcher to protect this soul's trip to beyond.
[22:14] <Demedais> "Thank you, Father." Demedais says once this is done, before looking to the fresh grave. "Helm guide you onward..." A slight pause. "Are we ready to go back home?"
[22:15] <Alicia> "Thank you, both," Alicia smiles after likewise blessing the departed in Mystra's name. "Now, I'll take us to your temple..." she takes their hands and calls upon Mystra to speed them back on their way home.
[22:15] <Alicia> roll 1d100 seen casually
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 seen casually and gets 51." [1d100=51]
[22:15] <Kotono> OOC: REturn home goes without incident. Are you guys going to do anything else immediately?
[22:15] <Alicia> OOC: nothing immediately
[22:18] <Demedais> OOC: Not immediately, no.
[19:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> -----(Bouncy Ko!!!!)
03[19:54] * taislp is now known as Demedais
[19:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A day or two passes without incident. On the morning of the third day, Demedais prepares himself for another day of life. As he prepares in his room, he notices whirls of white mist starting to form in front of him, a small circular condensation.
[19:57] <Demedais> "White mist... Uatu, you call for me?" Demedais murmurs, before quickly taking up his shield and sword, and making sure he has his knapsack over his shoulder, before advancing toward the mist.
03[20:01] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af0e4f7.wfd96.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The mists slowly form into an image! Through the image Demedais can see. He can see himself carrying a familiar, loathesome black belt into a barren desert. Then an ethereal, faraway voice speaks in his mind. 'Take the cursed belt...to the lost Shrine of Eternal Watch...Lost three day's journey southwest of Arad. On thet hird night...destroy the veil of sand and travel below...two of you must go, one for each soul...'
03[20:12] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:14] <Demedais> "I understand, and shall obey, under the guidance of the Evervigilant." Demedais says once he is sure the voice is done speaking.
03[20:15] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af0e4f7.wfd96.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The mists fade away at that, leaving only a faint chill in the room.
[20:19] <Demedais> "A lost shrine, hmmm...?" Demedais thinks for a moment, before heading out to go find Pollyanna and notify Oberuth of his planned absence.
[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Finding Pollyanna is easy enough. Commander Oberuth listens and then nods to him, "Going to the Desert then?" he asks.
[20:21] <Demedais> "Indeed. This shouldn't take too long, but it's something that must be done." Demedais confirms.
[20:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Pollyanna nods to that quietly, "If Demedais feels it has to be done, then we should do it right away." With the faintest moment of a teasing smile, "Don't want him to get cranky, sir."
06[20:23] * Demedais glances to Pollyanna with a small smile, before shaking his head. "It's to break a belt that was made by shoving the souls of two babies into it."
[20:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I remember the report," With a curt nod, "By all means, get going. How long do you think you'll be gone?"
[20:26] <Demedais> "We'll likely ask Stronger to get us to Arad proper, before journeying from there. I will locate a scroll of Sending to contact here once we are finished there." Demedais replies. "Thus, I'd expect about a week."
[20:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Travel safely," Oberuth wishes, "Careful, too."
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: So you're gonna get a scroll of sending and then get Elle to TP you guys over?
[20:28] <Demedais> "Thank you, Commander." Demedais replies.
[20:28] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah, that's the plan.
[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Post buying scrolls and stuff in the loot topic real quick and then w'ell move on?
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100
[20:52] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=30 ]{30}
[20:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Woosh! The three appear in a back alley of Arad! Outside, the early morning bazaar can be heard, squawks and nosies and conversation flying freely. Elle dusts herself off, "Good luck out there, you two."
[20:54] <Demedais> "Thank you for your time and effort." Demedais nods slightly. "I will use the Sending when we're ready to return."
[20:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Until then." With a few words, Elle blinks and vanishes!
[20:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100
[20:54] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=44 ]{44}
[20:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Sniffing the warm, sandy air, "At least the seasons are turning, or so I hear. It's only unpleasant instead of baking?"
06[20:55] * Demedais nods. "After the first night, I will prepare spells to assist in enduring the elements. For now, it's endurable."
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Will we get horses or travel on foot," Pollyanna asks, walking out of the alley. "Three days and then we're supposed to remove the veil of sand, or some such?"
06[20:57] * Demedais considers this. "One thing I've always disliked about this sort of thing is that it leaves the method of travel obscure. I would say we travel by foot, however; the desert is treacherous. Worst comes to worst, we utilize Horse."
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> AT this, the two head out of Arad and into the desert! It's windy but not sandstormy today, not quite. OOC: Could both of you make fort saves?
[21:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 kay
[21:04] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+18 kay --> [ 1d20=11 ]{29}
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
[21:06] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{20}
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's a hard day's travel. Both Demedais and Pollyanna feel it by sunset, the latter sighing and wiping sand out of her face. The winds continue steadily, not rising but not really slackening. "Two more days of this...ugh. I have sand everywhere."
[21:08] <Demedais> "Indeed. Yet another reason I'm not terribly fond of the desert." Demedais grimaces. "We can set up tents once the sun's last light falls."
[21:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It should be soon." Looking up at the sky, as the sun sinks down, "I'm going to sleep like a log tonight."
06[21:13] * Demedais nods. "Tell me if I'm setting too hard of a pace."
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I'm fine." Thus the two continue on with a smile. Camp is soon made, sleep and rest coming quickly. OOC: Keeping watches, yout wo?
[21:19] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah. Deme stays awake until Pollyanna's rested, then he takes his two-hour nap and the two move on.
[21:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100
[21:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=18 ]{18}
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The night passes well enough. Day two opens with the same wind, sand blowing lightly. Pollyanna coughs and scowls, "You had protections you were going to cast, at least?"
[21:25] <Demedais> "They won't stop the sand, but it will stop the heat from being overbearing." Demedais nods, casting Endure Elements on both himself and Pollyanna.
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> So warded, the two continue on the second day!
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100
[21:29] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=100 ]{100}
[21:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's a little past lunch right now. The two are travelling a stretch of relatively shallow dunes. The sandy wind continues to blow, though the heat is mercifully held at bay. Your pace is a little better without the heat being such a concern. Yet, as you walk along, the ground starts to tremble and shake! Ane arthquake?!
06[21:34] * Demedais quickly looks around, attempting to spot anything that might be large enough to cause them.
[21:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Spot check?
[21:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25
[21:34] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{40}
06[21:36] * Demedais grabs Pollyanna and uses his boots to dash away from this area!
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Grabbing Pollyanna, Demedais sprints away at the last moment! Just as he flees away, making it 60 feet away in total, the groud they were on erupts with a pair of tentacles! Horrid tearing claws line it, each of them dozens of feet long! Erupting out from the sand is a horror that should have stayed buried! It's as large as a barn, a dead-gray skin color and with two huge, unblinking eyes! It's tendrils attached to a head, wit
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> unblinking eyes! It's tendrils attached to a head, with six 'arms' of sorts attached to the head! OOC - You're immune to fear, Deme?
[21:41] <Demedais> OOC: Yeeep.
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6
[21:41] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{23}
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4
[21:41] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d4 --> [ 1d4=1 ]{1}
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Pollyanna views it and lets out an earth shattering scream! OOC: INitiative. Polly is paralysed with fear for a round.
[21:42] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 joy
[21:42] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+1 joy --> [ 1d20=19 ]{20}
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7 Polly
[21:42] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+7 Polly --> [ 1d20=9 ]{16}
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+4 OH SHIT
[21:42] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+4 OH SHIT --> [ 1d20=2 ]{6}
03[21:43] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Polly(1 round paralysis)>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU'
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Go Deme. It's sixty feet away.
06[21:46] * Demedais moves out a bit further while carrying Pollyanna, calling for the protection of Helm as he does so! "Why today..."
[21:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Moving your full normal move+haste? What's that?
[21:49] <Demedais> OOC: 40 feet, 20 for armor + 20 for haste boost, I believe.
[21:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Hurrying away, Demedais and Polly are now 100 feet away from the horror! Pollyanna screams and screams, face twisted into an impossible nightmare! At this, those horrible dry tentacles are raised up towards the air! The cry of the dead echos from below, moans! "Water....so thirsty...help me....help me...I don't want to die...!" (More)
[21:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d8
[21:50] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 2d8 --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> From up to fourty feet away to close to the horror, they rise from the sand! OVe ra dozen of them, horrible dried out corpses! Ashen Dusks! Demedais can remember fighting these abominations before, fending them off in a horrible sandstorm. They wear little to nothing, bodies as dry and dessicitated as the desert itself! Somehow they speak, crying out for water and mercy! OOC - Demedais.
03[21:52] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Polly(1 round paralysis)>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(14)'
03[21:53] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(14)'
[21:59] <Demedais> "Oh. Oh, well, isn't this just icing on the proverbial cake of annoyance." Demedais mutters, before turning to Pollyanna. "Pollyanna... Don't let these things near you, if you can avoid it." Tapping her and chanting the Shield Other spell, he then prepares himself for the assault of the husks!
[21:59] <Demedais> OOC: Shield Other, Law Devotion, Kensai Charge.
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus Demedais braces! Pollanna shakes her head, peering as she readies her bow! "Get away from me, in the name of Helm," she cries, arrows flying at the closest ones!
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:00] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{22}
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[22:00] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{17}
[22:00] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:00] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=4 1d6=1 ]{12}
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:00] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=2 1d6=2 ]{11}
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Two arrows go into the closest one, fourty feet away! The twin arrows cause fire to break out amid it's body! The arrows have trouble penetrating the dry flesh, but the fires sweeps it, making it rock and stagger where it stands! It survives as the horde approaches! The closest is a mere 10 feet away now, coming in close! The others follow behind, up to 70 feet away at the rear! Meanwhile, the abomination burrows back beneath
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> he abomination burrows back beneath the sand, vanishing! OOC - Demedais.
[22:09] <Demedais> "Oh for..." Demedais curses, before considering his options. After a moment, he shrugs and casts Eagle's Splendor on himself, moving twenty feet toward Pollyanna so that only the nearest one can reach him!
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais moves twenty feet, putting himself between Pollyanna and the horrors! MEanwhile Pollyanna fires arrows aplenty, targeting the wounded one first!
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{32}
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{19}
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=2 1d6=1 ]{10}
03[22:11] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(13)'
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=8 1d6=2 ]{17}
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:11] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=4 1d6=3 ]{14}
03[22:11] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(12)'
[22:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Two of the horrible zombies are mowed down, crumbling into dry hunks of flesh and dust! Pollyanna moves another thirty feet back at that! Twelve more approach, the closet 10 feet away from Demedais and the farthest 60 feet away! OOC - Deme, you're up.
[22:13] <Demedais> OOC: How many are within 30 feet?
[22:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Say 4.
06[22:15] * Demedais nods gratefully to Pollyanna, stepping back another 20 feet as he surveys the land to see if he can spot where the monster's at!
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais is now 30 feet away from the vanguard and 90 feet away from the rear of the zombies! Pollyanna is 10 feet away, readying her bow again! OOC - Spot check.
[22:16] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25
[22:16] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{35}
[22:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The sand beneath the zombies is moving every so slightly, something beneath the sand heading right in Demedais' direction!
[22:18] <Demedais> "Be careful - he's heading our way again!" Demedais says to Pollyanna!
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Pollyanna nods, moving another 20 feet back an dfiring more arrows! "I swear to HElm, if you come at me, I'll destroy you!" she screams in terror! "Begone, creature!"
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{27}
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{18}
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{16}
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=6 1d6=2 ]{15}
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=6 1d6=4 ]{17}
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=7 1d6=4 ]{18}
03[22:19] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(11)'
[22:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> More arrows fly, more Ashen Husks being destroyed! One falls, another arrowed in the face and surviving, even as it's skull sizzles! As they advance again, once again within ten feet at the closest and 50 at the farthest, the ground beneath Demedais cracks as a tentacle rips out!
[22:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[22:21] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{35}
[22:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: AC?
[22:22] <Demedais> OOC: 38.
03[22:22] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(12)'
[22:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The tentacle comes deadly close to Demedais, but the Fifth REsort stops it in front of his waist! It lingers in the air, connecting to the horror beneath the sands! OOC - Demedais.
[22:24] <Demedais> "And as for you..." Demedais says softly, before ripping into the tentacle with his sword in an attempt to render at least one tentacle helpless!
[22:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA)
[22:25] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA) --> [ 1d20=12 ]{32}
[22:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA)
[22:25] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA) --> [ 1d20=10 ]{30}
[22:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA)
[22:25] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+15 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA) --> [ 1d20=5 ]{20}
[22:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA)
[22:25] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+10 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -4 PA) --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[22:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Three hits, no crits.
[22:26] <Demedais> roll 6d6+48
[22:26] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 6d6+48 --> [ 6d6=29 ]{77}
[22:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais finds the tentacle hard as stone, and resiliant as diamond! It's hard to hack into, yet he does so! He cuts great big chunks from it, leaving it decimated! It lies on the ground, limpid, evne as the dead flesh restores itself in sickening, disguisting agility, starting to mend the wounds! The ashen husks advance, three of them coming in close range to Demedais! OOC: Thre efort saves?
[22:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Strike, Polly goes first.
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais finds the tentacle hard as stone, and resiliant as diamond! It's hard to hack into, yet he does so! He cuts great big chunks from it, leaving it decimated! It lies on the ground, limpid, evne as the dead flesh restores itself in sickening, disguisting agility, starting to mend the wounds! Pollyanna meanwhile draws more arrows, firing away as she holds her ground!
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{32}
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{25}
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=2 1d6=2 ]{11}
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=1 1d6=5 ]{13}
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d8+7+1d6 --> [ 1d8=1 1d6=6 ]{14}
03[22:28] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(11)'
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Another husk goes down, another wounded! Yet the advanc eon! With Demedais immobile, two are able to reach him! OOC - Two fort saves.
[22:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Actually, no need, you have endure elements on.
[22:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> YEt even as they approach, about to strike, the sand around you bursts! Tentacles lash and whirl about, the wounded one weak but moving now! The ground around Demedais is send flying! OOC - Ref save, Deme. Normal ref.
[22:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 augh, normal reflex checks, my one weakness!
[22:31] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+8 augh, normal reflex checks, my one weakness! --> [ 1d20=9 ]{17}
[22:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Do you have your feather fall ring on?
[22:31] <Demedais> OOC: I would not, no.
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 3d6
[22:32] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: 15 falling damage. Ow, near max.
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais plummets down, the sandy floor whirled about! He lands HARD on the face of the horrible abomination! The two Ashen Husks near him bite at him as he falls and lands!
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
[22:32] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{10}
[22:32] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
[22:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> They are rejected, the Fifth Resort moving down and stopping them! However, sands from the sides of the improptu hole is already starting to fall around Demedais! The momentary hole is collapsing, sand up to his ankles already and more coming like a load of bricks! OOC - Deme.
[22:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "DEMEDAIS!" Pollyanna can be heard screaming!
[22:36] <Demedais> "Sorry, creepy, but I can't stay to chat." Demedais grimaces, before calling back up, "THROW SOME ROPE!" OOC: Stalling until Pollyanna's action.
[22:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Coming! Hold on just a little, it's in my pack!" she calls! At the last moment, a rope comes flying down! OOC - Go for it. Declare your action and make a climb check.DC 15, remember to apply ACP.
[22:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Wait, check that.
[22:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: DC 5, you have the wall to bank against while it's holding.
06[22:43] * Demedais quickly grabs the rope and hauls himself up, cursing his armor somewhat as he goes!
[22:43] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 (+7 Str -6 ACP)
[22:43] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+1 (+7 Str -6 ACP) --> [ 1d20=15 ]{16}
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais is ablet o climb most of the way up! As he does, he sees more of the undead lumber! Three of them work around, coming close to Pollyanna! Another reaches the edge, leaping down and at Demedais with a slamming!
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7 (Calling this a charge)
[22:45] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+7 (Calling this a charge) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{16}
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "DEMEDAIS! HURRY! THEY'RE COMING AND I HAD TO DROP MY BOW!" Pollyanna screams at teh top of her lungs! The zombie whizzes past Demedais, hitting against the sandy slope! Meanwhile, the two tentacles lash out at Demedais! OOC - I'm calling you flatfooted here.
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[22:46] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{24}
[22:46] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{20}
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: AC?
[22:47] <Demedais> OOC: 37. I lose 1 AC from flatfootedness. >_>
[22:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The tentacles miss, as the slope crumbles! A wave of sand passes Demedais, the horror below cloaked and hidden now! Three of the Ashen Husks are covered with sand as well! The slope's crumbling fast! OOC - You're up.
03[22:47] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Demedais>Pollyanna>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(8)'
06[22:48] * Demedais finishes scrambling up the slope, before waving Pollyanna back! "I'm fine now - be careful!"
[22:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: You need another climb check, deme. DC 5.
[22:49] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 (+7 Str -6 ACP) kay
[22:49] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+1 (+7 Str -6 ACP) kay --> [ 1d20=3 ]{4}
03[22:49] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(8)'
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> But Demedais isn't able to make any progress! Pollyanna looks about as three Ashen Husks come at her, clawing and clubbing! OOC - Polly's having to hold on with all her might. She's flatfooted as well.
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
[22:50] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{11}
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
[22:50] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{20}
[22:50] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{14}
[22:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d6+6
[22:51] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d6+6 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{12}
[22:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+2 calling for a strength check to hold on after being hit. Don't let go, Polly!
[22:52] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+2 calling for a strength check to hold on after being hit. Don't let go, Polly! --> [ 1d20=3 ]{5}
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> So hit, Pollyanna staggers! She drop the rope and Demedais goes falling! It's in to sand only ten feet down, soft enough to prevent any damage, thankfully! A moment later, two tentacles are on him after he lands, poking out of the collapsing sands!
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{34}
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{27}
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais is able to roll and avoid them, armor blocking one from lashing into him! Yet sand collapses around him, over his head! He's up to his chest in it, the hole collasping rapidly now! "DEMEDAIS!" Pollyanna screams again!
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Polly acts but outside of your view of seeing anything. You're up, Deme, and the sand is coming down like a shitstorm from above.
[22:54] <Demedais> OOC: What sort of a check would be needed to effectively keep on top of the sands by pushing myself up?
[22:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: I'd just call it a a str or dex check, I suppose. Whichever. DC 12, say.
[22:56] <Demedais> OOC: Include ACP?
[22:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Nah, it's just a straight stat check.
[22:57] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 using Str check to try and keep up on top of things
[22:57] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+7 using Str check to try and keep up on top of things --> [ 1d20=2 ]{9}
[22:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais can't move in the sand! He's stuck where he is! He can dimly hear carnage above! (Ashen Husks resolve now)
[22:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
[22:57] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{21}
[22:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d6+6
[22:57] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d6+6 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{8}
03[22:58] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
02[22:58] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af0e4f7.wfd96.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The world goes dark as sand covers Demedais from head to toe! He can't see anything! Yet in the darkness, two tentacles lash out at him!
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Flatfooted, and I'm giving you a fiat -2 to AC due to being effectively blind.
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
06[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 19." [1d20=1]
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
06[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 35." [1d20=17]
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - AC?
[22:59] <Demedais> OOC: 35.
[23:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d8+12
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 2d8+12 and gets 19." [2d8=2, 5]
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais is lashed! Further, there's a problem! He can't breath with sand everywhere! OOC: You're effectively having to hold your breath now. You can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to double your con score. Each time you take damage you lose two rounds of air. What's your con?
[23:01] <Demedais> OOC: 17, +3 mod.
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: So you can hold your breath for 34 rounds. You're currently at 32/34 from the single hit. You're up, Deme.
06[23:02] * Demedais attempts to push himself up through the sands again!
[23:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: I'll resolve Polly after you, since I daresay this round is the important one right now.
[23:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Str check.
[23:02] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 using Str check, I figure the DC's higher now but.
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 using Str check, I figure the DC's higher now but. and gets 18." [1d20=11]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Struggling up, and launching himself like a torpedo, Demedais is able to get a few feet up! He can take in air for a few seconds, his chest free of thes and! The falling is starting to slacken at least, only 15 feet from the top now! BUt he's still chest deep in sand! Meanwhile...
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 and gets 29." [1d20=13]
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 and gets 25." [1d20=9]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 24." [1d20=13]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 14." [1d8=5][1d6=2]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 14." [1d8=2][1d6=5]
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=1][1d6=3]
03[23:03] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(7)'
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Get AWAY!" Pollyanna screams! "DEMEDAAAIS!" OOC - Baddies are up.
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: +7, excuse me.
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
06[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19." [1d20=12]
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d6+6
06[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d6+6 and gets 10." [1d6=4]
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Even as Demedais takes in air, trying to free himself, the cursed tentacles strike at the flatfooted paladin again!
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[23:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 34." [1d20=16]
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 29." [1d20=11]
[23:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Demedais is able to stop them, the Fifth Resort surging out of the sand to block the closest in front of his face! Disturbingly, the wounds on the tentacle he struck are about mended now! More sand falls, covering Demedais just about to his mouth as it slows! OOC - Deme.
06[23:06] * Demedais attempts to surge upward again!
[23:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 using Str check, I figure the DC's higher now but.
06[23:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 using Str check, I figure the DC's higher now but. and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[23:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This time Demedais is ablet o pull himself out! He's standinga t the bottom of a 15 foot deep hole with narrow, steep sides! The sandslide seems to have stabilized for now! Meanwhile...
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 and gets 35." [1d20=19]
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 and gets 32." [1d20=16]
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 14." [1d20=3]
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 12." [1d8=3][1d6=2]
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=2][1d6=2]
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 14." [1d8=6][1d6=1]
03[23:07] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(5)'
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Give him BACK!" Pollyanna's call is heard, as more scents of burning dead flesh fills the air! "DEMEDAAAIS!" OOC - BAddies are up.
[23:07] <Demedais> "I'm alright, just being, you know, attacked by elder horrors of the depths, same as you." Demedais calls up. "This'll take me a minute, though - keep yourself protected!"
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Thank Helm! I'm trying!" She calls back, "Get out of there!" Meanwhile, again two tentacles come up to harrass Demedais!
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+18
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 28." [1d20=10]
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+18 and gets 33." [1d20=15]
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Able to stop them with a careful flick of hsi sword, Demedais stays safe for now! Meanwhile...
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d6+6
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9." [1d6=3]
[23:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Go ahead and go, Deme. Pulling yourself out was pretty much a full round attempt anyhow.
[23:10] <Demedais> OOC: The sand's stopped falling, correct?
[23:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: There's a little loose sand still raining but yeah, basically.
06[23:11] * Demedais grimaces. "That'll be a bit harder - these tentacles will likely stop those attempts! Focus on eliminating the husks, and stay close to the pit if you can so the protection aura can assist you!" With that, he begins hacking at the tentacles again as much as he can, praying to Helm for assistance as he strikes out!
[23:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion +8 Smite -6 PA)
06[23:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion +8 Smite -6 PA) and gets 45." [1d20=19]
[23:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion +8 Smite -6 PA)
06[23:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion +8 Smite -6 PA) and gets 37." [1d20=19]
[23:13] <Demedais> OOC: Strike the smite in the list there.
[23:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -6 PA)
06[23:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+13 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -6 PA) and gets 31." [1d20=18]
[23:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -6 PA)
06[23:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+8 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -6 PA) and gets 25." [1d20=17]
[23:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Three hits.
[23:15] <Demedais> roll 6d6+66
06[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d6+66 and gets 81." [6d6=1, 6, 1, 4, 1, 2]
[23:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Again the tentacle caught is hacked up, rendered limpid and maimed! As this happens...OOC - Pause, work. Holy shit I lost track of time.
[23:16] <Demedais> OOC: Kay!
[17:35] <Kotono> > Again the tentacle caught is hacked up, rendered limpid and maimed! As this happens...OOC - Pause, work. Holy shit I lost track of time.
[17:35] <Kotono> <Demedais> OOC: Kay!
[17:35] <Kotono> OOC: Baddies are up now
[17:36] <Kotono> At this, the abused tentacles slink back down into the ground for the moment! Meanwhile, unseen and above..
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[17:36] <Kotono> OOC: Polly's up now.
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 18." [1d20=2]
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 18." [1d20=2]
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 13." [1d20=2]
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 16." [1d8=6][1d6=3]
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=2][1d6=2]
[17:36] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 15." [1d8=7][1d6=1]
03[17:37] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(3)'
[17:37] <Kotono> The scent of burning, dry flesh continues to fill the air! OOC - Demedais.
[17:42] <Demedais> "Pollyanna, keep aware! The tentacles have reburrowed!" Demedais calls up, before eyeing the walls. Judging that they're loose enough, he cuts at the ground perpendicular from where he heard Pollyanna's voice and eight feet up, doing this until he has a far more even slope to work with!
[17:43] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, so you're basically gonna start cutting the sand to create a bit of a fall and hopefully a smoother slope up?
[17:44] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah, that's the intent. Figure since I'm controlling the pace I can easily stay on top of it as I create the fall, at least presuming I remember my sand physics from beach visits.
[17:45] <Kotono> OOC: Your sword is like a giant sand shovel.
[17:45] <Kotono> OOC: You get four attacks a round?
[17:45] <Demedais> OOC: Three, not using Haste for this round.
[17:47] <Kotono> Hacking and manuvering with Threadsplitter, Demedais cleaves large amounts of sand away! Sand pours around him as he works, chunks of it crumbling! It does the desire effected, making a more manageable slope by the end! Still not easy to climb up of, but doing this did seem to help! OOC: Baddies are up.
[17:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[17:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 6." [1d20=1]
[17:49] <Kotono> Above, the moans of the dead are heard! Below, Demedais finds the sandy ground beneath him starts to quiver and shake erratically! OOC - Polly's up.
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24." [1d20=8]
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 17." [1d20=1]
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=2][1d6=2]
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 13." [1d8=5][1d6=1]
03[17:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU=Ashen Husks(2)'
[17:50] <Kotono> More arrowfire can be heard above, "Demedais, you alright," Pollyanna calls, "There's just a few left up here!"
[17:50] <Kotono> OOC: Deme, you're up.
[17:51] <Demedais> No time like the present... Dismissing his armor, Demedais quickly half-runs, half-scales the new slope, using haste to give him enough push to get out!
[17:52] <Kotono> OOC - Climb check here, since you're trying to scale the not quite so steep sandside now
[17:52] <Kotono> .
[17:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 c'mon bot
06[17:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 c'mon bot and gets 12." [1d20=5]
[17:54] <Kotono> Struggling and without his armor, Demedais has deep difficulty climbing this steep slope! But nonetheless he just barely manages to escale up and out, over the lip and back to terra firma! A few zombies are dmaned close to Pollyanna, both able to claw at her!
[17:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[17:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 22." [1d20=17]
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 25." [1d20=20]
[17:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 crit?
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 crit? and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[17:54] <Kotono> 1d6+6
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+6 and gets 7." [1d6=1]
[17:54] <Kotono> 2d6+12
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+12 and gets 17." [2d6=3, 2]
[17:54] <Kotono> roll 24/2
06[17:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 24/2 and gets 12."
[17:56] <Kotono> Pollyanna is beaten and bruised around again, staggering back! Blood comes from a few cuts and clawings over her body, echoing all over Demedais! Meanwhile, mere seconds after he escaped it, the entire pit below collapses far deeper! The edges of the sand he's on quake and shudder, the pit growing far deepers as tentacles can be glimpsed 50 feet below! OOC: Polly.
[17:56] <Kotono> Stepping back again, huffing and wiping away a bit of blood from her forehead, "Thank Helm!" she glances at Demedais, letting arrows fly!
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28." [1d20=12]
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 36." [1d20=20]
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 12." [1d8=2][1d6=3]
[17:56] <Kotono> roll 1d8+7+1d6
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 17." [1d8=4][1d6=6]
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+7+1d6 and gets 15." [1d8=5][1d6=3]
03[17:56] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>OH FUCK IT'S DESERT CHTULU'
[17:57] <Kotono> In this hail of burning arrows, the last of the Ashen Husks are shattered! They fall and die, burning back into true oblivion! OOC - Demedais.
06[17:59] * Demedais quickly moves away from the pit and toward Pollyanna, healing her with a touch as he does so. "I don't know if we can kill that... It regenerates all my blows as if it were nothing." A slight shake of his head. "Not sure it's even worth trying fire against it."
[18:00] <Demedais> OOC: 28 HP healing
[18:01] <Kotono> "What do we do then? Run away?" Even as Demedais asks that, the edge of the sandpit he was on crumbles, expanding in a five foot ring on all sides. No sign of the abomination for the moment...OOC: Deme and Polly are up.
[18:02] <Demedais> "...It may be our best option, if sacred blows fail to halt its regeneration. Neither of us are mages capable of piercing such things with fire and acid..." Demedais shakes his head, slowly leadng Pollyanna away while keeping a level eye out for any more tremors or shifting earth.
[18:11] <Kotono> Thus the two creep away! Nothing happens immediately...OOC: You two are up again.
06[18:14] * Demedais stares at the hole for a long, long moment. "Pfeh. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but we can return with Seira and Alicia and have a far more even chance at it that way. There's no sense in risking our lives here when we have other duties."
06[18:15] * Demedais continues to constantly look around as he and Pollyanna slowly continue their journey.
[18:15] <Kotono> "How about you summon Horse and we make some distance away from this...thing?" Pollyanna asks. "In case it wants to follow."
[18:16] <Demedais> "I'm... vaguely worried that it can follow footsteps. It explains why it focused on me and not you - the armor's not good for being quiet."
[18:17] <Demedais> A slight pause, before Demedais turns to Pollyanna with a warm smile. "Still, you managed to fend off all of those husks? ...Thank you."
[18:17] <Kotono> Smiling back, "Let's save it for when we're sure we're safe?" she says, hurrying along.
[18:18] <Demedais> "Alright."
[18:21] <Kotono> Fortunately, it doesn't seem game to immediately follow. The two travel along for ten minutes, before Pollyanna looks back and sighs in relief. "I was so scared there! I thought it got you, Demedais!"
[18:22] <Demedais> "It almost did, twice." Demedais grimaces, still looking around cautiously even as he then smiles at Pollyanna. "I was worried you might have been overwhelmed by the husks when the rope went slack."
[18:24] <Kotono> "They weren't too bad. I could have fought them more carefully, but I was trying to kill them as fast as possible," Rubbing a bleeding gash in her side, the last of it's kin to survive healing, "What miserable luck to run into it."
06[18:26] * Demedais nods and gently touched the gash. "Still, you did an excellent job. I remember my first time fighting them - they almost overwhelmed us that night with their consistent assaults, if I recall properly. It's ironic - the spell I cast earlier to shield from the elements also stopped their dehydrating aura. I had forgotten about that."
[18:27] <Kotono> "Fortunate." Sighing again as she leans into Demedais briefly, "I don't suppose this is going to be an easy trip anymore."
[18:28] <Demedais> OOC: Saccing Omen of Peril for a CLW to heal the gash. Minimum healing is
[18:28] <Kotono> OOC: Is enough?
[18:29] <Kotono> The wound heals, Polly then looking over Demedais, "Wht about your wounds? You're fairly well hurt too."
[18:33] <Demedais> "I'll heal as we go." Demedais nods, beginning to heal himself as well. "All things considered, however, I'm just relieved we both survived."
[18:34] <Kotono> OOC: What healing are you gonna do? Go ahead and declare/roll it.
[18:36] <Demedais> 2 CSW, one CMW, two CLW, I'll update which spells I'm sacrificing for this in the topic.
[18:36] <Kotono> Sure, okay.
[18:36] <Kotono> OOC: Sure okay, evne.
[18:40] <Demedais> roll 6d8+12 the two CSW
06[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d8+12 the two CSW and gets 50." [6d8=8, 5, 7, 8, 3, 7]
[18:41] <Kotono> OOC: Advancing on from here?
[18:41] <Demedais> roll 2d8+6 CMW
06[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d8+6 CMW and gets 15." [2d8=4, 5]
[18:41] <Demedais> OOC: Not using the two CLW. And yeah, advancing from here.
[18:43] <Kotono> The rest of the day passes. Th ewinds start to pick up ever so slightly at times, spraying a fine mist of gritty sand. But evening comes, camp made. Pollyanna sinks into her bedroll after dinner, "Tired....wake me up when you need to sleep, Demedais?"
[18:44] <Demedais> "I will. Rest up." Demedais nods slightly.
[18:44] <Kotono> OOC: What light sources are you going to have tonight. Any?
[18:46] <Demedais> OOC: Um, either a small fire if materials/weather permit, or a sunrod otherwise.'
[18:46] <Kotono> OOC: You can nurse a fire, and it'll feel nice with how cold it is at night here. Okay.
[18:46] <Kotono> OOC: Make a spot check?
[18:46] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25 right
06[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 right and gets 36." [1d20=11]
[18:47] <Kotono> A few hours past sunset, Demedais is looking about. The fire casts light in about a 30 foot hollow. He happens to glance to the edge of it, when he notices the sand tilting upward a bit, as if something below is pushing it up again.
06[18:48] * Demedais quickly wakes Pollyanna quietly, using a Lesser Restoration to rid her of fatigue. "We've got company, I think..."
[18:50] <Kotono> The spell fires quickly, stirring Pollyanna. She has her bow besides her, grabbing it and her chain shirt nearby. "What is it?" she asks quickly, even as the ground under the tent begins to slightly shake!
[18:51] <Demedais> "Unless I miss my guess, it's the same damn thing!" Demedais curses. "Helm guard us, how much longer will we have to deal with this thing?" With that, he quickly pulls Pollyanna away from the campsite!
[18:53] <Kotono> A split second after the two flee from the tent back into the firelight, the tent erupts out! Canvas flies upward as the abomination appears once more! It leaps out of the sand this time, straight up thirty feet! The tent is sent flying hundreds of yards by this, the abomination then landing hard down and into the hole in the sand it momentarily created! It's just below ground level right now! Sand splatters all over, the fire slightly
[18:53] <Kotono> Sand splatters all over, the fire slightly sputtering because of a sandy bath! OOC - Initiative.
[18:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 abomination
06[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 abomination and gets 15." [1d20=11]
[18:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1
06[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 and gets 3." [1d20=2]
[18:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[18:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25." [1d20=18]
03[18:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino'
[18:54] <Demedais> "Now's our best chance to see if it's weak to fire... pepper the damn thing!" Demedais hisses.
[18:55] <Kotono> Pollyanna lets her chains hirt drop, only thin underpadding and pants worn as she braces herself, a mere 20 feet away from the abomination! "In the name of Helm, return to the hole that spawned you, monster!"
[18:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet)
06[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet) and gets 32." [1d20=14]
[18:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 18." [1d20=2]
[18:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 24." [1d20=13]
[18:55] <Kotono> roll 1d8+9+1d6
06[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+9+1d6 and gets 23." [1d8=8][1d6=6]
[18:56] <Kotono> The flaming arrows fly! One of them burrows into the main body of the creature, sneding hissing smoke out! It's body thrashes as it burns far too easily! OOC - Evil one is up.
[18:57] <Kotono> With the flaming arrow embedded into it's flesh, it raises it's tentacles into the air! The sounds of the restless dead fill the air! "Water....kill me....kill me....it hurts....so thirsty...Why...."
[18:57] <Kotono> roll 2d8
06[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8 and gets 3." [2d8=1, 2]
03[18:58] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK=Ashen Husks(3)> Demedais of Hino'
[18:59] <Kotono> Three of the Ashen Husks abruptly appear around Pollyanna and Demedais, groaning! They are on the unprepared party fast, two on Polly and one on Demedais!
[18:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Polly
06[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Polly and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[18:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Polly
06[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Polly and gets 6." [1d20=1]
[18:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Deme AC?
06[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Deme AC? and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[18:59] <Kotono> OOC: The first one hits polly since she doesn't have her armor on. Ow.
[18:59] <Kotono> roll 1d6+6
06[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+6 and gets 7." [1d6=1]
[18:59] <Demedais> OOC: No armor, so 22.
[19:00] <Kotono> The two are beseiged! As they defend themselves frantically, Pollyanna gets a claw raked across her stomach! She grunts at that, "These things aren't anything, they can't take much punishment, Demedais!" OOC - Deme.
[19:01] <Demedais> "You're the only one that can hurt the big one... focus on it! I'll be your shield!" Demedais replies, calling forth Helm's blessing of protection forth once again as he begins dissecting the husks!
[19:03] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA), Protection Devotion again (+5 AC to Polly/self)
06[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA), Protection Devotion again (+5 AC to Polly/self) and gets 29." [1d20=15]
[19:03] <Kotono> OOC: HIt.
[19:03] <Kotono> OOC: Resolve attacks one by one.
[19:03] <Demedais> roll 2d6+20 Yeah, 's what I'm doing
06[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+20 Yeah, 's what I'm doing and gets 32." [2d6=6, 6]
[19:04] <Kotono> OOC: Cleave.
[19:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA) cleave
06[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA) cleave and gets 31." [1d20=17]
[19:04] <Demedais> roll 2d6+20 Yeah, 's what I'm doing
06[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+20 Yeah, 's what I'm doing and gets 25." [2d6=4, 1]
[19:04] <Kotono> OOC: Attack 2, only one left up.
[19:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA) right, lost Mighty Cleave
06[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste -6 PA) right, lost Mighty Cleave and gets 17." [1d20=3]
[19:05] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[19:05] <Demedais> roll 2d6+20
06[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+20 and gets 27." [2d6=3, 4]
03[19:05] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino'
[19:06] <Kotono> AS Demedais sweepshis blade, Pollyanna leaps up! It's just in time, the coordination letting him sweep his blade through the torsos of both zombies on Polly! There after he casually thrusts his blade forward, impaling and ruining the zombie that clawed at him! OOC - Pollyanna's up.
[19:06] <Kotono> "Good," she breathes out, focusing intently on the abominatino as she fires antoher flurry of arrows!
[19:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet)
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet) and gets 21." [1d20=3]
[19:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet)
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet) and gets 23." [1d20=5]
[19:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16." [1d20=5]
[19:07] <Kotono> But these arrrows aren't well aimed, landing around the abomination without actually hitting it! OOC - It's up.
[19:08] <Kotono> The horror plunges back into the sands, the hole itw as poking out of crumbling behind it as it burrows out of sight! OOC - Demedais.
06[19:11] * Demedais curses silently. "We can't fight it while it's burrowi-" A pause. "If this works, slap me afterward for not thinking of it, dear." A wall of boiling water suddenly spring up fifteen feet away from the duo as Demedais moves thirty feet diagonally away from it, gesturing for Pollyanna to follow as he asks Helm for accuracy and insight! (OOC: Movement, Standard action wall of boiling water, swift action law devotion.)
[19:12] <Kotono> The wall of boiling water appears as the two hurry along thirty feet diagonally away! "Hoping it scares it off," Pollyanna asks, only stopping to grab her chain shirt before following!
[19:13] <Demedais> "Hoping it's attracted by the water, actually." Demedais replies. "The burning heat of the water and the arrows might be enough..." he replies, trying to trace where the monster is with his eyes!
[19:14] <Kotono> OOC: Spot again?
[19:14] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 and gets 34." [1d20=9]
[19:16] <Kotono> Demedais can see the sand trail! It's taking the long way around the wall of water, it looks like. It'll take a round or two to get around it and over to you at the rate it's going.
[19:20] <Demedais> "It's avoiding the water...?" Demedais curses. "I must be forgetting something... let me try this." With this, Demedais drops concentration on the first wall, creating a circular wall of boiling water around where he's spotted the beast!
[19:23] <Kotono> The wall of water appears for a second time! It hisses and boils! Demedais can notice that it's trail doesn't dance in any direction at that point. Meanwhile, Polly quickly puts on her chain shirt! OOC - Polly acted and it's doing soimething you can't see. You're up, Deme.
[19:24] <Kotono> OOC: Also bear in mind it's pretty dim here and getting dark quickly the more you heada way from the fire.
06[19:25] * Demedais moves away from the direction he last saw it in, before fumbling in his pack for a sunrod to get a second source of light out.
[19:27] <Kotono> The party moves away! Demedais can't really see the wall well now. The sunrod helps, but there's not a whole lot of light. Still, no sign of the abomination at all. "Demedais," Readying her opw again, "If it's distracted or scared off, we should take the chance and get out of here. We're having real problems fighting this thing, and if it gets either of us in a hole again..."
[19:28] <Demedais> "You're right. And this time, screw caution, it was able to track us anyway." Calling Horse and quickly mounting, offering his hand to Pollyanna. "Let's get out of here. We'll have to buy another tent, but so it goes."
[19:30] <Kotono> Horse so appears! Getting on and holding onto Demedais, "Let's go!" OOC - How fast does Horse go/how far are you going to go?
[19:34] <Demedais> OOC: Base speed is 60 ft, we're gonna push his speed the first thirty minutes for as fast as possible and then just move double speed after that.
[19:35] <Kotono> A half hour apsses, Horse running like the wind! They leave the horror behind them, slowing down after that time. Pollyanna leans against Demedais's back, the sandy wind chafing. "Whew. But now what? Travel for the rest of the night or so and hope it takes us where we're supposed to be tomorrow night?"
[19:38] <Demedais> "We didn't exactly check direction when we fled, but I... think we went in the correct direction? Or close to it." Demedais confesses, looking up at the sky for any directional markers - moon, star constellations he knows, anything.
[19:38] <Kotono> OOC: Do you have survival or any relevant knowledge skill?
[19:39] <Demedais> OOC: Nope!
[19:40] <Kotono> OOC: Make a wis check?
[19:40] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3 If Polly has anything, she's free to check too!
06[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+3 If Polly has anything, she's free to check too! and gets 12." [1d20=9]
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
06[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 7." [1d20=6]
[19:41] <Kotono> Demedais thinks he's more or less going in the right direction. He thinks.
[19:42] <Demedais> "We'll call it good enough... worst comes to worst, we ask Helm for guidance after tomorrow night." Demedais shrugs after a moment.
[19:47] <Kotono> Thus the two travel to sunrise. The part of desert they're at doesn't look any different offhand. The long, sleepless night is wearing on Demedais, his body starting to cry out for it's brief refreshment.
06[19:50] * Demedais grimaces. "I... must rest sometime soon, and prepare spells for the new day." Slowing Horse down, he takes off the helmet and hands it to Pollyanna. "Could you cover guard for the next two hours? I hope we've made enough distance away..."
[19:51] <Kotono> Changing out helmets, "I will. Try to sleep as well as you can without a tent," she smiles sadly at that, "I think I can rig up something with the other sleeping roll to at least keep the sand out of your face."
[19:53] <Demedais> "It'll be okay." Demedais shakes his head, touching himself with a Lesser Restoration. "I wouldn't bother, normally, but if we are to have the benefits of the spells for another day, this must be done. If you must wake me, do not hesitate."
[19:54] <Kotono> "I won't," Smiling to him, "Sleep well." OOC - Skip along two hours?
[19:55] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah.
[19:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
06[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 and gets 34." [1d20=12]
[19:57] <Kotono> Two blessed hours of sleep pass. It's now fully into the morning heat when Demedais awakens. The sand has continues to blow, picking up a bit of intensity. Further...is that a cloud in the sky? Or two? The desert is usually blue-skied and empty.
06[19:57] * Demedais rolls awake and quickly glances to Pollyanna.
[19:59] <Kotono> Pollyanna is keeping watch and waiting. She takes off Deme's helmet as he wakens, "Here. It's been quiet. The wind's picking up, though we might have a sandstorm if our luck continues to go wrong."
03[19:59] * Celenu (WinNT@user-514d69c8.l2.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:04] <Demedais> "That's annoying, but I suppose it's also expected." Demedais mutters, casting Endure Elements on himself and Pollyanna before looking to the helm. "Keep it on for ten more minutes. I'd like to make sure we're going the right way first." With that, he begins a prayer for guidance from Helm, placing four sunrods around him for directional guidance. (more)
[20:04] <Demedais> "Helm, in which direction lies the safest road to the temple we seek?
[20:06] <Kotono> "The path is not yet created; it is born in the fall of light and the rise of sand."
06[20:10] * Demedais pauses at this, before accepting the helmet from Pollyanna. "Our current direction is satisfactory, I suspect. Let's keep a good pace for now."
[20:12] <Kotono> "On foot or Horse?" Pollyanna asks.
06[20:13] * Demedais thinks. "Let's... I'll be honest, from the response, I'm not sure it matters. So let's take Horse; we can outpace the creature fairly easily that way." With that, he resummons Horse!
[20:16] <Kotono> Thus the two take off on Horse! The morning and afternoon pass, Pollyanna occasionally napping as they ride. The winds steadily pick up, coming closer and closer to an outright sandstorm. By about 4 PM, the howling of the wind is becoming a serious problem. Visibility is dropping, sand is getting everywhere. It's not quite flying fast enought o hurt of flay, but it's a not a far sight removed from that.
06[20:18] * Demedais nudges Pollyanna into covering up everything except her face, doing the same for himself. He also tries to find some quite thin cloth he can drape over the face opening for his and Pollyanna's helmet.
[20:21] <Kotono> This takes a littel bit but they're able to rig something up. "Are we going to keep going," Pollyanna asks.
06[20:24] * Demedais muses. "Let's... we should at least let you rest here, yes." he nods after a moment. "I think the sandstorm will only get worse from here, so..." A quick glance around for anything that can be used as a temporary wall before the sand gets much worse.
03[20:24] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
[20:24] <Kotono> There's not much of anything but endless sand about.
[20:26] <Demedais> "We'll have to make an impromptu shelter." Demedais shakes his head after a moment, dismounting and dismissing Horse as he prepares to do just that.'
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC: Describe what you'll do then?
[20:32] <Demedais> OOC: Using climbing gear, spare outfits, and rope to try and create a small cover from the sandstorm. Nothing impressive, and pretty ramshackle, but hopefully it works.
[20:33] <Kotono> OOC: I'll call that an untrained survival check. Wis check?
[20:33] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3 sure
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+3 sure and gets 10." [1d20=7]
[20:34] <Kotono> Demedais is able to make a ramshackle, shaky emergency cover. IT's not perfect, but it stops the majority of the sand.
[20:36] <Demedais> "Get some sleep, I'll keep watch." Demedais then replies, waiting for the third night.
[20:38] <Kotono> Pollyanna falls fast asleep! Within an hour, the wind has picked up even more. Sunset looms, but a full out sandstorm has broken out! Sand is starting to cover the wind deeply, the howling making sound muffled and broken and the wind making it difficult to stand up. The wind is blowing from the southeast, bringing great heaving loads of sand.
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC - Strike.
[20:38] <Kotono> Pollyanna falls fast asleep! Within an hour, the wind has picked up even more. Sunset looms, but a full out sandstorm has broken out! Sand is starting to cover the wind deeply, the howling making sound muffled and broken and the wind making it difficult to stand up. The wind is blowing from the northeast, bringing great heaving loads of sand.
[20:41] <Demedais> "'Destroy the veil of sand, and travel below...'" Demedais murmurs, looking into the sands with sword drawn, even as he braces himself upright. "With my faith and my sword...?"
[20:43] <Kotono> Demedais can see that the sandstorm only looks to be starting. Great heaving waves of sand are starting to fly, like waves coming forth from the ocean. The improptu shelter is also starting to buckle in the wind.
06[20:45] * Demedais holds up the shelter a bit as he prays for guidance on destroying this veil of sand. While he has ideas, he doesn't want to disrupt anything that might come after...
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Doing anything or just praying generically?
[20:48] <Demedais> OOC: Since I already used my divination, directed prayer toward this, but no spell involved.
[20:49] <Kotono> The wind continues to blow! It blows out of the northeast steadily, sending sand over your head and around/through out! The wind continues unabated, Pollyanna stirring at this. "Demedais?" she asks as she peeks out, coughing. "Ugh! Sandstorm?"
[20:51] <Demedais> "Yes... 'Destroy the veil of sand and travel below...' This must be the veil of sand, but how to destroy it...? Any ideas?" Demedas murmurs.
[20:52] <Kotono> Putting on her chain shirt quickly, "I'm not sure. It's blowing from the way we came, if I read the wind right. Okay, what do we know again? Can you repeat it? If this is the third night, it's time to figure this out."
[20:53] <Demedais> " 'Take the cursed belt...to the lost Shrine of Eternal Watch...Lost three day's journey southwest of Arad. On the third night...destroy the veil of sand and travel below...two of you must go, one for each soul...'" Demedais repeats dutifully, still mulling it over.
[20:55] <Kotono> "Anything else? I know you've cast Divination a time or two," Pollyanna scowls as she thinks. "Destroy the veil of sand. We need to go below...go down...does that mean that stupid burrowing monster is the key?"
[20:57] <Demedais> "If it is, Helm's sense of humor is grand indeed." Demedais mutters. "And as for the divination...'The path is not yet created; it is born in the fall of light and the rise of sand.'"
[20:57] <Demedais> "Thus I've concluded the path is born by destroying the veil, and that's how we travel below. Thus why I'm trying to figure out how to destroy the veil."
[21:00] <Kotono> "The fall of light and the rise of sand...well..." Tapping her chin, "It is sunset and the sand is certainly rising with the sandstorm," Raising her voice to be heard over it, "So the path is being made or has been made now? So we need to do something about this sand?"
[21:01] <Demedais> "I suspect so. My first idea is a wall of boiling water to block out as much sand as we can." Demedais replies, also speaking up.
[21:05] <Kotono> "Maybe? Worth a try." Pollyanna agrees.
06[21:06] * Demedais nods and conjures a wall of boiling water to impede the ways of the sand, right in front of the and with the heat emenating away!
[21:09] <Kotono> The wall appears at Deme's command! IT blocks the sand, wet sand particals falling in and out of the barrier! It's a handy, wet shield against the blowing sand! It starts to stack up around the wall of boiling water, wet, heavy sand.
06[21:09] * Demedais then looks to the southwest to see if anything is revealed!
[21:12] <Kotono> The view to the southwest has a narrow band of little to no sand flying. Nothing's revealed by it, beyond seeing the sunset.
[21:13] <Demedais> "Hmph. It did say third night... perhaps we must wait until then..." Demedais says keeping concentration on the wall. "Any further suggestions?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "At the moment, no? Let's wait a bit?" Pollyanna suggests after some thought.
06[21:15] * Demedais nods and does so, content with maintaining the wall and keeping watch. If he's supposed to cut the sand with his sword, well...
[21:18] <Kotono> Night falls! With only minimal light Demedais can observe the following things. The sand continues to blow, stacking up outside of the wall. There's a few feet of sand around the boiling water wall now! Sand blows high in the air from the northeast, the ground outside of the spherical wall eroding down several feet.
[21:22] <Demedais> "The sand level's going down around us..." Demedais says, musing. "On the one hand, this could very well be the travel below that was mentioned... on the other hand, what of destroying the veil of sand?"
[21:27] <Kotono> Thinking for a time, "WE have to go down below. A sandstorm is superb at removing sand. But..." Looking to the side as she thinks, "I'm not sure about that part. Maybe more has to blow, or we overshot it with Horse after all?"
[21:30] <Demedais> "From how I phrased my question and the resulting reply, I don't think that we could have overshot it, but..." Demedais muses, concerned. "It sounded like another temple I've been to, where the mist contracted distances - if you were meant to be heading there and going in the general right direction, you'd reach it."
[21:30] <Demedais> After a moment, "Could you pull a sunrod from my pack?"
[21:31] <Kotono> Pollyanna does so, presenting it to Demedais.
06[21:32] * Demedais slowly lights it and uses it to try and peer out farther.
[21:34] <Kotono> Looking ahead, Demedais can see that more and more sand blows from the northeast. It's starting to form a downward hill far to the northeast, moving more and more and more and more sand.
06[21:36] * Demedais points over there to Pollyanna. "Should we investigate?"
[21:37] <Kotono> "It's a good an idea as any," she says, peering ahead as well.
06[21:38] * Demedais nods and begins heading in that direction slowly, letting Pollyanna use him as a small wall as they advance!
[21:40] <Kotono> Thus the two advance into the blowing, flaying sandstorm! As they bear it, eyes running and irritated from teh sand, they begin to see a great, gradual dip is being blow open! From five feet to ten to twenty as you advance on over several minutes, you see that the wind is acting like a shovel, tearing this particular segment of sand out in particular. It starts to go down a little more steeply.
[21:42] <Demedais> "Righty-o, here we go!" Demedais calls out, beginning to head down and trying to keep his eyes open enough to spot any threats or relevant beings!
[21:44] <Kotono> It's a grueling, tiring trip! As you walk through the sandstorm...OOC: Both of you make con checks?
[21:44] <Kotono> OOC: Er, fort saves.
[21:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 kay
06[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 kay and gets 33." [1d20=15]
[21:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 21." [1d20=14]
[21:46] <Kotono> The both endure the long walk down, going about 200 feet down. Around them teh sands continue to rip and whip the gash in the earth! At last, Demedais can see a bottom in earnest! Here, a few ancient, broken pillars lie about, surrounded by a simple cave just visible out of the sands.
[21:47] <Demedais> "This must be it..." Demedais murmurs. "Let's go. At least the cave should be safe."
[21:55] <Kotono> THus the two go into the cave! The respite from the howling sand is a merciful one! It's a path leading into the earth, unremarkable at a glance. "Sot his lost temple must be down here somewhere?"
[21:55] <Demedais> "I suspect so." Demedais nods.
06[21:56] * Demedais continues in, holding the sunrod to provide light.
[22:01] <Kotono> The path twists and winds for a good 100 feet deeper. Then you come to a narrowing. Here the cave path dead ends, only a small, broken hole a few feet wide by a few feet wide visible. Beyond it you can glimpse what looks like stoneworked walls, far different from natural earth.
06[22:04] * Demedais sticks the sunrod through in an attempt to see what's beyond the hole more clearly.
[22:07] <Kotono> Ahead is a large room. There is an ancient, dust covered font decorated with eternally seeing eyes. There is no water in it, bone dry and covered with dust. The room is covered with faded, ancient symbols. There's a door on the far wall and a door on the left wall.
[22:07] <Demedais> "Helm, forgive me for this." Demedais murmurs, before attempting to knock out a lower section of the wall in a burst of strength!
[22:08] <Kotono> OOC: STr check?
[22:09] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11 (+4 using Kensai Strength)
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+11 (+4 using Kensai Strength) and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[22:10] <Kotono> CRAAACK! The wall shatters, a large hole now in place of the small one! It would be simple to walk through now.
06[22:11] * Demedais winces. "Didn't mean to do that much damage..." Regardless, he ducks under and in, a prayer to Helm uttered as he enters and looks to the font!
[22:13] <Kotono> It looks like a font for holy water. It's long since dried out, however. It's made of a plain stone. They're often used for scrying by priests, something Demedais isf amiliar with considering his domains.
06[22:14] * Demedais nods at this, before looking to the other two doors. Choosing the far one, he opens it once Pollyanna's ready.
[22:18] <Kotono> Pollyanna readies her bow and nods once. The door opens out into a curved hallway. The walls are made of stone, long faded paintings of a great, all seeing eye all over. Periodically, there are doors on this side of the hall. The hall goes too far to see the end of it in either direction.
06[22:19] * Demedais heads down the hallway, opening the first door!
[22:21] <Kotono> This door leads into a room like the previous, save no hole in the far side wall. It has no doors on it's side either. Instead of the font, there is a large, man sized mirror made of metal. It's not rusted, but it's very dull and hard to tell what it is.
06[22:22] * Demedais looks it over for magic before moving on
[22:22] <Demedais> OOC: Strike.
06[22:22] * Demedais looks it over for magic before moving on and opening the next door.
[22:30] <Kotono> No magic. The next door leads to another room like the first, a dried up, old font.
06[22:32] * Demedais nods at this and looks ahead to see how many doors there are before the end of the hall.
[22:33] <Kotono> Four more, before a studden iron and wood door is found at this end of the curved hall.
06[22:33] * Demedais checks the four rooms on his way to the iron and wood door.
[22:34] <Kotono> Two more have the mirrors and two more have holy water fonts. The third also has a dusty, creaky, ancient wooden dresser and case in the back.
06[22:35] * Demedais makes note of all this before going to open the large door at the end.
[22:36] <Kotono> The door's stuck pretty good. The metal's rusted and the wood has warped. Merely opening it won't suffice.
06[22:36] * Demedais grimaces, before trying to force it open!
[22:37] <Kotono> OOC: STR check.
[22:38] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7
06[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 and gets 21." [1d20=14]
[22:38] <Kotono> CRACK! The wood gives way and t he metal parts fall apart! It's not so much forcing it off as the entire door succumbs to age and force. Over the wreckage of it you can see a three-set of arches leading into a bigger hall.
06[22:39] * Demedais sets the wreckage aside with another grimace. "I feel like a temple looter, but I know this is where we need to be..." he murmurs with a slight smile to Pollyanna.
06[22:40] * Demedais then looks ahead into the big hall.
[22:40] <Kotono> "I suppose, but I don't think anyone's been here in years. Well no, centuries, if not longer." Sniffing the air, "Smell that ahead? The air's stale." Sure enough, as you step ahead and move, the air coming out smells dead, musty, ancient.
06[22:42] * Demedais nods. "Probably before the war with Daa-vid, was this built, and possibly abandoned in that war." A look around at the three-set of arches and this section of the temple.
[22:43] <Kotono> The arches were once superb stonework, now forgotten. The hall ahead is dead dark, only Deme's sunrod lighting the way. Viewing everything by the light of Deme's rod, you can see that this hall connects to a stair going down. It's decorated all over with unknown writings and occasional images of an eye.
[22:45] <Demedais> "Down we go, then." Demedais muses, looking around with a careful eye for any other entrances to this room before he descends.
[22:46] <Kotono> There's a door on the far side, made entirely of rusted metal. There's a few doors dotted on the opposite hall as well. OOC: Ooops, I knew I forgot part of it.
06[22:46] * Demedais nods, descending anyway!
[22:47] <Kotono> As you descend, you find a moderately long, twirling stair. As you descend it, the wall besides you abruptly shakes and shudders hard!
06[22:50] * Demedais pauses at this, before quickly pushing Pollyanna back up the stairs quickly! "If this is what I think it is I'm going to be more than mildly annoyed."
[22:50] <Kotono> The two ascend back up quickly! As they do, they can hear a shattering of stone below! Looking back as they run back up to the previous floor, they can see withered, dessicated tentacles lashing in the new hole in the wall!
[22:50] <Kotono> "Oh, for the mercy of Helm!" Pollyanna growls, "It's this persistant!?"
[22:51] <Demedais> "I'm more concerned about how in blazes it's able to track us!" Demedais curses. "Fire arrows at the tentacles? Maybe they'll do lasting damage..."
[22:53] <Kotono> OOC: I'll call initiative here, say? Your'e about thiryt feet up and at the start of the stair now. You can look down and see the tentacles thrashing. The wall has crumbled, as well as about a five foot segment of thes tair. A small wave of sand has also gushed in.
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Desert Cthulu does not give up
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Desert Cthulu does not give up and gets 15." [1d20=11]
[22:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 joy, Desert Rapesquid
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 joy, Desert Rapesquid and gets 9." [1d20=8]
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27." [1d20=20]
03[22:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino redux 2.0'
[22:54] <Kotono> Drawing her bow swiftly, Pollyanna fires three arrows!
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24." [1d20=8]
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 25." [1d20=9]
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22." [1d20=11]
[22:55] <Kotono> Yet none of the arrows can land on target, clattering on the stairs or whizzing into the wall instead! The creature's tentacles withdraw at that, retreating into the hole in the wall and sands, vanishing from sight. OOC: Go ahead and go, Deme?
[22:57] <Demedais> "... We need to kill this thing." Demedais says after a moment. "Your arrows are our best bet... But let's not engage it here, we need the stairwell, I suspect." With that, he moves back into the great hall, triggering his aura of protection with a prayer to Helm!
[23:00] <Kotono> Demedais triggers his protective aura, Pollyanna following! No sign of the creature yet...OOC: Goa head and go, Deme?
06[23:01] * Demedais motions Pollyanna 30 feet away to the end of the room, before standing about right in the middle of the room and waiting.
[23:02] <Kotono> Pollyanna does so, still no sign of the beast...OOC: go ahead if you're doing anything besides waiting?
06[23:04] * Demedais calls his armor on and asks for Helm's guidance for attacks, before looking to Pollyanna for a moment... and then beginning to jump on the floor hard while in his armor.
[20:19] <Koaway> <Demedais> "... We need to kill this thing." Demedais says after a moment. "Your arrows are our best bet... But let's not engage it here, we need the stairwell, I suspect." With that, he moves back into the great hall, triggering his aura of protection with a prayer to Helm!
[20:19] <Koaway> > Demedais triggers his protective aura, Pollyanna following! No sign of the creature yet...OOC: Goa head and go, Deme?
[20:19] <Koaway> * Demedais motions Pollyanna 30 feet away to the end of the room, before standing about right in the middle of the room and waiting.
[20:19] <Koaway> > Pollyanna does so, still no sign of the beast...OOC: go ahead if you're doing anything besides waiting?
[20:19] <Koaway> * Demedais calls his armor on and asks for Helm's guidance for attacks, before looking to Pollyanna for a moment... and then beginning to jump on the floor hard while in his armor.
06[20:21] * Demedais takes a quick moment to cast Eagle's Splendor and Divine Favor on himself, ready to move if the being strikes underneath him as he's casting. If not, he goes back to jumping.
[20:23] <Koaway> So casting and then after, Demedais clatters around loudly! The stomping sound makes a lot of noise, metal clanging against ancient stone! Thump thump thump THUMP! The last jump gets an extra jolt as the floor moves as Demedais lands! OOC - Balance check.
[20:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20-5 damn.
06[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20-5 damn. and gets -1." [1d20=4]
[20:25] <Koaway> OOC: You're prone.
[20:25] <Koaway> OOC: More coming.
[20:27] <Koaway> Demedais is unbalanced by this, falling over onto his side! HE lands heavily with his armor clattering! The entire floor is a cobweb of cracks, debris rattling down from the ceiling! OOC: You're up, Deme, w'ell pick up from your initiative tick.
[20:28] <Demedais> "Well, that was stupid of me." Demedais says, standing quickly. "No sign of the damn thing, either."
[20:28] <Koaway> OOC: Just talking or doing anything else your turn?
[20:29] <Demedais> OOC: If I can move, I'll move a bit away from the area.
[20:30] <Demedais> OOC: Else... uh, hell. Protection/Law devotion are triggered already, so... no.
[20:31] <Koaway> OOC: Standing up is a move-equivalent. You can use a 5ft step by that's it.
[20:31] <Demedais> OOC: Step 5 ft diagonally away so Pollyanna's still 30ft away.
[20:32] <Demedais> OOC: Scratch that.
06[20:33] * Demedais moves about fifteen feet away from the crack, keeping Pollyanna within 30 ft as he waits for a reaction in that area.
[20:40] <Koaway> A moment later, the floor shatters! Flying stones go everywhere, the entire floor ripped open! It's baaaaaaaaack! This time the spray is not one of sand displaced, but of heavy, ancient stones! OOC - Ref save, Deme, you're too close to the burst.
[20:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 concentrate!
06[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 concentrate! and gets 24." [1d20=4]
[20:41] <Koaway> roll 4d10
06[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 4d10 and gets 24." [4d10=1, 4, 9, 10]
[20:42] <Koaway> OOC: Halve that.
03[20:42] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:43] <Koaway> The rain of stones slams on Demedais hard, though his quick concentration an dreflexes let him evade the worst of it! OOC - Deme, you're up.
[20:44] <Demedais> OOC: How much of it do I see? The tentacles? The head?
[20:46] <Koaway> The tentacles and the top of the head are out, yes.
[20:46] <Koaway> OOC: Gah.
[20:46] <Koaway> OOC: Anyway, carry on.
[20:47] <Demedais> "Take it down!" Demedais bellows, rushing at the head and belting out a huge upward slash in an attempt to split it in half!
[20:48] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev., +8 Smite, +2 Charge, -8 PA)
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev., +8 Smite, +2 Charge, -8 PA) and gets 30." [1d20=4]
[20:49] <Koaway> OOC: Hit.
[20:49] <Demedais> roll 2d6+30
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+30 and gets 34." [2d6=2, 2]
03[20:49] * Koaway is now known as Kotono
[20:50] <Kotono> Leaping and letting out huge slash, Demedais cuts deep into the resiliant 'flesh' of the abomination! He opesn up a reasonably wide gash, face to fae with it at last! A moment later, arrows come flying in support!
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet)
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet)
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet) and gets 24." [1d20=6]
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet) and gets 29." [1d20=11]
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 14." [1d20=3]
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Polly also has to make a will save since it's been 24 hours since you've dealt with it.
[20:52] <Demedais> OOC: Feh, right.
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d4
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 3." [1d4=3]
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Saves the helmet uses at least. 1/3 down.
03[20:52] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna(2 rounds paralysed)>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino redux 2.0'
[20:53] <Kotono> Pollyanna starts to fire, but a primale fear takes her over! She screams in utter terror! At this, it's pair of tentacles and the gruesome 'arms' around it's head all concentrate on Demedais!
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 23." [1d20=5]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 26." [1d20=8]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 35." [1d20=19]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 30." [1d20=14]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 35." [1d20=19]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 23." [1d20=7]
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28." [1d20=12]
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[20:54] <Demedais> OOC: 37. (+1 Haste, +5 Prot. dev., -2 charge)
[20:55] <Kotono> Somehow amid the storm of utter carnage, Demedais is an island of sanity! He deflects and stops each blow, his blade, hsi armor and his shield all working triple time to keep him untouched, somehow! OOC - Deme, you're up.
[20:56] <Demedais> "Like hell I'm letting this go any further!" Demedais bellows, going overtime on the undead creature's skull!
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+28 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev., +8 Smite, -4 PA)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+28 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev., +8 Smite, -4 PA) and gets 46." [1d20=18]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 38." [1d20=18]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 18." [1d20=3]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[20:56] <Kotono> OOC: Two hits.
[20:57] <Demedais> roll 4d6+38
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+38 and gets 50." [4d6=1, 3, 6, 2]
03[20:58] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna(1 rounds paralysed)>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino redux 2.0'
[20:59] <Kotono> As Pollyanna screams her heart out, Demedais hits the monster again! He finds it exceedingly difficult to injure, body like steel and repairing steadily as he strikes! Nonetheless, he rips into it's head twice, gouging into one of it's too large eyes deeply! AT this, the creature rears it's head back! From it's 'mouth' a vile purple gas flows out, choking in a 10 foot radius around the creature! OOC - Fort save, -4 modifier.
[21:00] <Kotono> choking in a 10 foot radius around the creature! OOC - Fort save, -4 modifier.
[21:00] <Demedais> roll 1d20+16 (+2 Eagle's Splendor, -4 mod)
06[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+16 (+2 Eagle's Splendor, -4 mod) and gets 36." [1d20=20]
[21:02] <Kotono> Demedais avoids the gas, sweeping his blade around to create a momentary zone of clear air around his body! However, the gas is lingering and not dissolving quickly! OOC - Deme, you're up.
[21:04] <Demedais> "Oh, great. Hurry up, dear..." Demedais grimaces, continuing his brutal assault on the beast!
[21:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
[21:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 32." [1d20=12]
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 26." [1d20=6]
[21:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 34." [1d20=19]
[21:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA)
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Dev, -4 PA) and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[21:05] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[21:05] <Demedais> roll 4d6+32
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+32 and gets 49." [4d6=5, 4, 5, 3]
[21:06] <Kotono> Demedais hacks into it further, hitting and slashing and bashing! He does more damage, even as his first great bit slash has fully mended itself! However, a foursome more have come to take it's place! OOC: Last round of paralysis for Polly. It's up now.
03[21:06] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>DESERT CHTULU OH FUUUCK> Demedais of Hino redux 2.0'
[21:06] <Kotono> The gas continues to linger in the air! OOC: Fort, -3, Deme.
[21:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17 (+2 Eagle's Splendor, -3 mod)
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 (+2 Eagle's Splendor, -3 mod) and gets 24." [1d20=7]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d6 int
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 int and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[21:09] <Kotono> As Demedais feels his mind go hazy, the beast takes a single whipping tentacle at Demedais!
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 19." [1d20=1]
[21:10] <Kotono> It misses completely, then it leaps up slightly, hitting the room and making it shake, and burrows rapidly down and away! OOC - It's right in front of you, you can AoO it if you like.
[21:10] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 sure.
06[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 sure. and gets 31." [1d20=11]
[21:10] <Demedais> roll 2d6+16
06[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+16 and gets 22." [2d6=5, 1]
[21:12] <Kotono> Slashing into one of it's arms as he goes, Demedais manages to sever that 'arm' off completely! Thereafter it is gone, down the gaping hole in the floor! Pollyanna recovers her wits a moment too late, readying her bow! "Dammit!" she swears! OOC - You're up, Deme. Act. The gas is also still around.
06[21:26] * Demedais curses violently and incoherently, before slamming a wall of boiling water on the vertical wall of the tunnel that the monstrosity fled down in an attempt to burn it alive!
[21:28] <Kotono> OOC: Going to try and catch it in the wall directly?
[21:28] <Demedais> Yeah.
[21:30] <Demedais> OOC: Damnit, forgot OOC. Anyway, yeah, presuming the idea works.
[21:31] <Kotono> OOC: Roll damage? 2d6+15
[21:31] <Demedais> roll 2d6+15 burn, muthaf****, burn!
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+15 burn, muthaf****, burn! and gets 23." [2d6=6, 2]
[21:31] <Kotono> roll 23*1.5
06[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 23*1.5 and gets 34.5."
06[21:32] * Demedais then stumbles out of the gas as far as he can.
[21:33] <Kotono> Stumbling back, Demedais gets fresh, sweet air! The tunnel has steam rise from it, the entire thing shaking! The gas obscures what happens for a bit, but Demedais can hear the collapsing of stone and sand and the boiling water!
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and act?
[21:34] <Demedais> "You okay, Pollyanna?" Demedais curses, using a Lesser Restoration on himself.
[21:34] <Demedais> roll 1d4
06[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 and gets 3." [1d4=3]
[21:34] <Kotono> "Just shaken," She checks herself ove,r "Dammit! When I saw it again, it was like the first time all over again. My heart wouldn't stop throbbing."
[21:35] <Demedais> "Don't worry about it." Demedais shakes his head. "Hopefully the burning water will score some lasting damage..."
[21:37] <Kotono> As the gas clears, you see that most of the floor ahead is ruined in a large radius. The very sides remain intact, and it's collapsed down into a 10 foot deep pool of broken stone and loose sand. "We have to figure out some way to stop it from fleeing if it comes again. Anything."
06[21:38] * Demedais shakes his head. "I'm all ears if you get an idea - I've got nothing at this point, myself.
[21:39] <Kotono> "Hmmmm." Thinking long and hard, "My best idea is...to tie a rope to an arrow on one end and attach it to something heavy and immobile on the other."
06[21:41] * Demedais nods slowly at this. "Might work, though I'm worried about what we'd tie it to. It's likely strong enough to be able to drag a lot of things with it." A pause and a grimace, "Whatever. Let's do what we came here for, so we can dedicate more resources to killing the thing when it returns."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Right," Pollyanna agrees, ready to follow Demedais.
06[21:42] * Demedais heads back toward the stairwell, cautiously eyeing the hole made by the beast as he slips down.
[21:45] <Kotono> Walking back down, you find a five foot section of the stair is gone. It's going down, making it an easy jump to go down past it, however.
06[21:46] * Demedais looks to see if it's decently easy to get back up as well.
[21:46] <Kotono> IT's a five foot jump up. A little harder but doable.
06[21:47] * Demedais shrugs and slips down, keeping a weather eye down the tunnel the monster presumably made.
[21:50] <Kotono> OOC: What's your jump mod?
[21:50] <Demedais> OOC: +1 total.
[21:52] <Kotono> OOC: Make a jump check? It's DC 5.
[21:52] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 right
06[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 right and gets 20." [1d20=19]
[21:52] <Kotono> Hop! Demedais easily makes it over! Pollyanna does so easily as well, the two across the gap now!
06[21:53] * Demedais nods and continues down the stairwell.
[21:55] <Kotono> It bottoms out another fifty feet below. A door waits here, a door of old wood and steel. From the looks of it, it might have the same problems as the previous door you had to batter down. The wood is anciently warped, the metal is rusted.
06[21:56] * Demedais grimaces, and yet again moves to push the door down after a quick focusing of strength!
[21:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11 (+4 Kensai Bam)
06[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+11 (+4 Kensai Bam) and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[21:56] <Kotono> WHAM! The door collapses into rubble once more! Ahead is a T-shaped hallway, coming in from the top-left of the T. At the top-center is another door, as is one directly opposite you at the far end of the T.
[21:57] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[21:57] <Kotono> WHAM! The door collapses into rubble once more! Ahead is a T-shaped hallway, coming in from the top-left of the T. At the top-center is another door, as is one directly opposite you at the far end of the T. The walls here are plain enough, made of long worked and long forgotten stone.
[21:58] <Demedais> "...I think I guessed right, but I may not have." Demedais curses. "And this is going to be expensive to repair..." Muttering a bit, he heads to the door directly opposite him and opens it.
[22:00] <Kotono> IT leads to a short stone stairway going down 20 feet. At the bottom of it, straight ahead and down at an angle, is another door. This door is made entirely of metal and not rusted at all.
[22:00] <Kotono> Also, you can see down the T juncture as you passed it. There's a few doors on the walls there and one at the end.
06[22:01] * Demedais nods and continues advancing down the hallway! "If I'm right, we're to ascend as low as we can... Or at least, that's my guess." Demedais says as they walk. "I might be wrong on this, but this looks right."
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC: Down the T shaped juncture's split hallway or down the stairway you saw and found?
[22:09] <Demedais> OOC: Down the stairway and opening the door. Sorry.
[22:11] <Kotono> The door opens with a creak! Ahead is a short hallway leading to another door. This door is warded with the signs of the all seeing eye on the back of a gauntlet. Helm's symbol is lined with a steey gray fire.
06[22:12] * Demedais looks it over for magic, also trying to recall if this symbol on the door holds religious significance.
[22:12] <Kotono> OOC: K:R, +5 competence bonus since this is right up your clerichood?
[22:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19
06[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 and gets 30." [1d20=11]
06[22:14] * Demedais advances to the door and opens it without hesitation!
[22:17] <Kotono> The door opens! Ahead, you see a great archway. Past it are rows and rows of shelves built into a long, narrow hall. The shelves are lined with coffins, each one with carved symbols of an eye over them, with a golden plaque attached to the shelf just below. They are several rows on each wall...there must be thousand sand thousands of coffins here, lying in eternal repose.
[22:20] <Kotono> "So many coffins..." Pollyanna advances to the closest one, checking a few plaques. "I can't read them, but there must be...I can'te ven see the end of the hall from here. Hundreds. Maybe more."
06[22:20] * Demedais pauses at this for a moment. "Gratifying to see there's nothing wrong here, at least on the surface." A glance to Pollyanna, before advancing to the plaques and checking them himself.
[22:21] <Kotono> OOC: What languages do you speak?
[22:21] <Demedais> OOC: Celestial, Gnomish, Infernal, Draconic
[22:22] <Kotono> Demedais can't read the writing here. Much of it is faded as well, time's ravages slowly erasing what once was.
06[22:25] * Demedais takes out a piece of paper before casting Amanuensis, glancing to Pollyanna. "Unfamiliar to me, too. I'd like Seira to identify this script, at the least..." With Amanuensis, he copies down the writing of about fifteen of the plaques onto the sheets of looseleaf paper.
[22:27] <Demedais> Once he's done with the copying, he leads Pollyanna back to the T-section, opening the door at the center.
[22:30] <Kotono> This door leads to what looks to be a practice room at front, with heavy steel doors with the gauntleted and firey sigil of Helm on them. There's bits of old weapons and armor about, rusted and forgotten. It's rather big, lots of room for many a warrior or priest to go at once.
06[22:31] * Demedais nods very slightly, glancing around for magic as he looks over the room once. If nothing's found, he'll go through the door at the end of the T-junction next.
06[22:34] * Demedais heads for the left-most door in the back and opens it first.
[22:36] <Kotono> The door opens! There is a stairway going down, with a plaque written in several languages embedded into the floor. One of them is Celestial, letting Demedais read the following: 'Captured Weapons of Chaos stored here. No admittance!'
[22:37] <Demedais> "Right, we'll deal with this later." Demedais shakes his head. "Worth looking into for... ah, fixing, but." With that he checks the second door!
[22:39] <Kotono> The second door has another plaque just inside, another downward stairway. In Celestial in one line, 'Weapon Storage. No admittance without permission!'
[22:41] <Demedais> "If there's actually anything in these, Seira will have a field day." Demedais muses, before checking the final two quickly, making sure to close the doors behind him once he's done unless one says they're not to weapons of some sort.
[22:43] <Kotono> The third is armor and miscellanious items. The last has only this, 'WARNING: DO NOT ENTER. GUARDIAN WILL ATTACK AND ASSUME ALL ARE TAKING THE TRIAL TO TAKE ORDERIUM.'
[22:45] <Demedais> "... We are definitely waiting on that one until the desert zombie squid is dead." Demedais mutters before heading to the door at the end of the T-junction and opening it.
[22:45] <Kotono> This door leads to a glowing white and blue circle. Symbols of magic adorn the circle, a second small circle in the center that glows with it's own yellow light.
[22:46] <Demedais> OOC: K:R check apply here?
[22:46] <Kotono> OOC: No. K:A if you have any.
[22:48] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3 come on K:A
06[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+3 come on K:A and gets 23." [1d20=20]
[22:51] <Demedais> "Aaaaand we aren't touching this until we have Seira or Alicia with us." Demedais comments, checking in the two side rooms on the way. "No desire to fail this just because we can't get back through the teleport."
[22:55] <Kotono> The first side room looks to be ancient storage. Nothing of note beyond supplies far too aged to be any worth except to a history professor. The other leads to a long, long hallway, sloping ever so gently down. It goesf arther than you can see.
[22:56] <Demedais> OOC: For mapping purposes, from the teleport room, the long hallway is the left or the right door? (I presume one door is on the left, one on the right)
[22:56] <Kotono> Same side as the far T door, the one that leads to the crypts.
06[22:57] * Demedais follows the hallway down curiously.
[22:59] <Kotono> It stretches hundres and hundreds of feet. As you walk forward, you can begin to hear a song. A song in Celestial, a song of praise to Helm. It sounds like a thousand voices sing it from very far away, down the hall.
06[23:01] * Demedais continues to follow, wondering if this is where the belt should go, taking Pollyanna's hand as he goes on down.
[23:03] <Kotono> Down the hall you go, further and further! You seem to walk for hours, but you know it's only a few minutes. Each step becomes more important, heavier. The tone of the song begins to change. It signs of protection - protecting those little ones that cannot protect themselves, those who are innocent of the world's wearying pains and troubles.
06[23:03] * Demedais continues to listen devotedly as he continues on.
[23:07] <Kotono> Ahead you can see a heavy door of pure steel, untarnished by the ages. It's twenty feet wall and fourty wide, enough to admit an entire battle host through easily. The song slows now as you get closer, then stops into gentle echos and reflection. The echo is, 'Now it is the time...'
[23:08] <Demedais> "Open wide the gates, and let eternity begin?" Demedais murmurs, advancing to the door slowly and opening it reverently, after a prayer of thanks to Helm.
[23:12] <Kotono> The door opens as if a hundred men were laboring to open it! The gates spread wide! Ahead you find this is one of many doors, leading to a grand room. Here statues of Helm and his sigil are all over. His deeds are painted on walls, such as the armored Helm grappling with a horrible, venom spitting Marilith that looks to rend him asunder, or crossing swords with a giant slaadi! A great painted, tiled circle of an eye and gauntlet serve a
[23:12] <Kotono> slaadi! A great painted, tiled circle of an eye and gauntlet serve as an altar of sorts. Standing in that circle is an angel...no. It looks like an angel, but it's wings are of metal. It's face is smootha nd metallic, unliving but keenly aware. It does not move, yet it's eyes on perfectly on you.
06[23:14] * Demedais looks toward the angel with more than a bit of awe on his face, before looking to the altar, and then back to the angel. "I see..." he whispers, before looking to the angel as he takes three slow steps forward, watching to see if the eyes follow him.
[23:15] <Kotono> The eyes are on him, watching the two intently. In perfect words without emotion, "You who have been given revelation to this place by Helm, come no closer. Speak your mind and your duty that takes you to this forgotten refuge."
[23:17] <Demedais> "We have come to destroy an accursed artifact made by followers of Shar." Demedais states clearly, pulling the belt from his backpack at this. "For this purpose have we come here."
[23:22] <Kotono> "I see. I understand why you have been sent here. I am a blank slate...I will be able to give body to the vile energies within this belt." The angel appears in front of Demedais intsantly, one moment far away and the next close. "Give it to me and prepare yourselves for battle."
06[23:24] * Demedais nods slightly at this, hoping he's prepared for this after the battles with the abombination as he hands the belt to the angel, quickly preparing his focus upon law and protection as he does so! OOC: Law/Protection devotions up.
[23:27] <Kotono> The belt is taken! The mechanical angel's body twists, metal smoothly turning black! One head splits into two small ones, it's wings turning into talons that jut out of it's back, long enough to reach around! From each of it's two mouths little pained cries come out, and in the cries a constant chant of 'Mommy...Mommy...Mommy!' can be heard! It's stomach distends, turning into a black disk! In the center of this disk is a hungry mouth,
[23:30] <Kotono> It's stomach distends, turning into a black disk! In the center of this disk is a hungry mouth, full of oynx teeth that snap and drool! It's legs twist into snake bodies, lined with dozens of black blades that burst out from the snakescales! It begins to float in the air of it's own accord, not bound by mere gravity and longer! The mouth in it's black guts writhes, "I will consume...I will return everything to the void! The fate of all
[23:30] <Kotono> "I will consume...I will return everything to the void! The fate of all existance is oblivion! Come and join all those that have fallen to it!" As it speaks, it's two tiny heads cry out in pain, calling for Mommy in babyish, horrifying terror! OOC - Initiative?
[23:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 c'mon desert cthulhu, come kick this thing's ass?
06[23:31] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 c'mon desert cthulhu, come kick this thing's ass? and gets 17." [1d20=16]
[23:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Horrible horrible thing
06[23:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Horrible horrible thing and gets 12." [1d20=10]
[23:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Polly
06[23:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Polly and gets 20." [1d20=13]
03[23:31] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>What is best not named'
[23:33] <Kotono> "Oh...Oh...." Pollyanna steps back, eyes wide! She shudders and retches as it transforms, going to her knees to vomit! She is able to stagger and rise as it speaks, wiping her mouth away with the back of her arm. Grabbing her bow, "No! Begone!"" she fires quickly at the stomach as she takes a five foot step backwards!
[23:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet since fuck this shit)
06[23:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet since fuck this shit) and gets 24." [1d20=6]
[23:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 helmet since fuck this shit)
06[23:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 helmet since fuck this shit) and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[23:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[23:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[23:34] <Kotono> roll 3d8+25+3d6
06[23:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+25+3d6 and gets 48." [3d8=1, 6, 6][3d6=2, 3, 5]
[23:36] <Kotono> The arrows fly swiftly, embedding into the stomach and torso of the creature! They slam in hard as Pollyanna's aim proves true! OOC - Deme.
06[23:39] * Demedais does not hesitate in quickly drawing his sword and carving a brutal sheath across the chest of the mechanic-angel-turned-monster!
[23:39] <Demedais> roll 1d20+16 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -8 PA)
06[23:39] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+16 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -8 PA) and gets 19." [1d20=3]
[23:40] <Kotono> D
[23:41] <Kotono> Demdais swings heavily, but just misses the body as he overcorrects! THe creature acts all at once! First, it's two tiny heads cry out for Mommy! Waves of ear splitting sound come out! OOC - Fort saves, both of you.
[23:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[23:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[23:42] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18
06[23:42] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 and gets 38." [1d20=20]
[23:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 CL check for Deme's SR
06[23:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 CL check for Deme's SR and gets 31." [1d20=17]
[23:43] <Kotono> roll 5d6 you both halve this, man Hatbot is being tsundere for you lately.
06[23:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d6 you both halve this, man Hatbot is being tsundere for you lately. and gets 13." [5d6=1, 3, 1, 2, 6]
[23:44] <Kotono> As cones of sound burst around the two, devastating but endured, your ears ringing with the sound, the twisted wing-talons on it's back twist around to strike Demedais!
[23:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[23:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[23:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 43." [1d20=18]
06[23:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 42." [1d20=17]
[23:44] <Kotono> OOC - AC?
[23:44] <Demedais> OOC: 38.
[23:44] <Kotono> roll 2d8+18
06[23:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+18 and gets 29." [2d8=8, 3]
[23:45] <Kotono> Demedais is raked by the talons, devastated and staggered as his blood is ripped out from them! At that, the two bladed snake legs spring up! One slashes at Demedais, while the other spews a load of bladed scales out at Pollyanna!
[23:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Deme
06[23:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Deme and gets 33." [1d20=8]
[23:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Polly
06[23:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Polly and gets 32." [1d20=12]
[23:46] <Kotono> roll 1d6+9
06[23:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14." [1d6=5]
[23:47] <Kotono> Then the twisting mouth on it's stomach laughs! A spew of pure black acid gushes from it's mouth at Demedais, burped up to engulf him! OOC - Ref Deme. This is also single target.
[23:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 drat.
06[23:48] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+8 drat. and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[23:48] <Kotono> roll 6d8
06[23:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d8 and gets 31." [6d8=3, 5, 6, 8, 4, 5]
[23:48] <Kotono> As acid bathes Demedais, his flesh turns black! Youc an see nothing but oblivion in the acid-burns, as if his scarred body was nothing at all! OOC - Polly's up.
[23:50] <Kotono> Grimacing in pain, "Shar, or whatever you are...begon in the name of Helm! Return to the shadows that you rutted from, bitch!" With that, more arrows fly!
[23:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (Helmet again)
06[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (Helmet again) and gets 35." [1d20=17]
[23:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 34." [1d20=18]
[23:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[23:50] <Kotono> roll 3d8+25+3d6
06[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+25+3d6 and gets 54." [3d8=3, 5, 4][3d6=6, 5, 6]
[23:50] <Kotono> Firing arrows as fast as she can, Pollyanna successfully perforates it with three more! These aren't light wounds in the least, peppering all over it's body! The heads turn to Pollyanna at that, crying, "Mommmmy!" to her in pain. "It hurts, Mommy! Why did you let the bad men do this to us?!" OOC - Deme.
06[23:52] * Demedais almost howls, letting loose four sharp blows as he tries to level the opponent as fast as possible!
[23:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE)
06[23:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) and gets 35." [1d20=17]
[23:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE)
06[23:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) and gets 22." [1d20=4]
[23:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE)
06[23:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+12 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) and gets 16." [1d20=4]
[23:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE)
06[23:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[23:53] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[23:53] <Demedais> roll 4d6+20
06[23:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+20 and gets 38." [4d6=4, 6, 4, 4]
[23:55] <Kotono> Demedais defends himself carefully as he hacks into the THING! He scores two more hits, it's wounds mercifully not regenerating like that of your other recent foe! At this, it's entire body starts to pulse black! The pulse appears all over, draining from it's extremeties down into it's stomach! From that leering, screaming mouth of the profane, a thick black mist escapes! OOC - Ref, both of you. Area effect, Deme.
[23:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
06[23:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[23:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 right
06[23:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 right and gets 25." [1d20=5]
[23:56] <Kotono> OOC: She has evasion, so no effect on Polly.
[23:57] <Kotono> roll 8d8 half damage, Deme, and no other effect.
06[23:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d8 half damage, Deme, and no other effect. and gets 33." [8d8=7, 1, 6, 2, 1, 4, 5, 7]
[23:58] <Kotono> Demedais is able to duck, avoiding the worst of the mist! Pollyanna leaps gracefully up, bouncing against the wall to throw herself well up and away, landing safely! The mist gnaws at Demedais skin, a cloying darkness that nearly gets his eyes! Yet he resists, only weakened somewhat! Thereafter, the creature falls back thirty feet! OOC - You can AoO it if you like.
[23:59] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) Dewey decimal? Do we ever!
06[23:59] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+12 (+1 Haste +4 Law Devotion -3 PA -3 CE) Dewey decimal? Do we ever! and gets 14." [1d20=2]
[23:59] <Demedais> OOC: Should be 5 more. Whoops.
[23:59] <Demedais> OOC: ... actually, 6 more. I suck at math today.
Session Time: Sat Mar 07 00:00:00 2009
[00:00] <Kotono> OOC: 20 total? Hit.
[00:00] <Demedais> roll 2d6+10
06[00:00] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+10 and gets 20." [2d6=6, 4]
[00:01] <Kotono> Just as it falls back, Demedais takes the chance to slash into it's side! Yet as he does it manages to make it back, leaving a wound in it's body! But a second later...SLAM! THe ground beneath Demedais shakes like a rotten tooth from below! OOC - Balance check?
03[00:01] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>What is best not named>DESERT CTHULU'
[00:02] <Demedais> roll 1d20-5 Demedais and dex
06[00:02] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20-5 Demedais and dex and gets 9." [1d20=14]
[00:02] <Kotono> The shaking is considerable but not so great as to knock Demedais over, thankfully! "Oh..." Pollyanna sputters in utter disbelief. "You are not serious, are you?!?!"
[00:03] <Demedais> "Angel, if we could have a slight pause on this battle, I believe we have an intruder! If you could help kill it, that'd be nice too." Demedais bellows.
[00:04] <Kotono> "Waht should I do," Pollyanna calls as Demedais bellows! Meanwhile, the tiled sigil of the eye on the floor begins to glow! The creature, the abomination in front of you, makes no signs of having heard! OOC - Goa head and act first, Deme?
06[00:05] * Demedais retreats toward Pollyanna, healing himself in the process! "Brace yourself for seeing it again!" he replies.
[00:05] <Demedais> OOC: 28 HP healing
[00:10] <Kotono> Demedais soothes his wounds as he retreats back! Pollyanna braces herself, all while taking aim at the unresponding angel-horror in the meantime!
[00:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[00:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[00:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[00:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 34." [1d20=18]
06[00:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28." [1d20=12]
06[00:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23." [1d20=12]
[00:10] <Kotono> roll 3d8+21+3d6
06[00:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+21+3d6 and gets 44." [3d8=7, 1, 1][3d6=6, 6, 2]
[00:11] <Kotono> "Helm must have a good reason for this. Right, Demedais?" She says as she draws more arrows in a hurry! "Right?"
[00:11] <Demedais> "Well, I've always been a firm believer that he has one of the weirder senses of humors you'll find out there..." Demedais says, before nodding. "That, and I suspect the defenses on this part of the temple won't take kindly to this..."
[00:13] <Kotono> The three arrows hit the beast fast and hard, staggering it! It looks momentarily disoriented as it takes to the air! IT's snake-barbed concentrate, throwing several scales, three at each Pollyanna and Demedais!
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Deme and gets 33." [1d20=13]
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Deme and gets 26." [1d20=6]
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Deme and gets 33." [1d20=13]
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Polly
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Polly
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Polly and gets 32." [1d20=12]
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Polly
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Polly and gets 22." [1d20=2]
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Polly and gets 40." [1d20=20]
[00:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Polly crit?
06[00:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Polly crit? and gets 25." [1d20=5]
[00:13] <Kotono> OOC: Do you have protection devotion up?
[00:13] <Demedais> OOC: Yep.
[00:13] <Kotono> OOC: How much?
[00:13] <Demedais> OOC: +5
[00:14] <Kotono> OOC: One hit and a crit to her then.
[00:14] <Kotono> roll 3d6+27
06[00:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+27 and gets 38." [3d6=2, 4, 5]
[00:15] <Kotono> The blades are stopped by Demedais, but Pollyanna is raked three times! Blood comes freely, but one barely has a chance to look! The floor they were at bursts open...and then...light gushes down from above, as the tiled eye glows with pure fire!
[00:15] <Kotono> roll 20d8
06[00:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8 and gets 108." [20d8=7, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6, 5, 2, 4, 3, 2, 7, 4, 5, 6, 4, 8, 3, 6, 6]
[00:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 fort save
06[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 fort save and gets 8." [1d20=2]
[00:16] <Kotono> A shining bolt of power comes from the Heavens! It strikes the horror just as it breaks out, stopping it in it's tracks! It reels momentarily! OOC - Polly's up.
[00:17] <Kotono> "Which one?" Pollyanna grits her teeth and staggers back, blood flowing down from her stomach to stain her legs and pants! "Which one should I shoo-shoot?"
[00:18] <Demedais> "...Focus on the angel! The abombination will have to deal with me!"
[00:18] <Kotono> Firing quickly, Pollyanna does just that, aiming over the desert horror to shoot at the Shar based horror!
[00:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[00:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[00:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 17." [1d20=1]
06[00:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[00:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[00:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[00:18] <Kotono> roll 2d8+14+2d6
06[00:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+14+2d6 and gets 32." [2d8=7, 6][2d6=3, 2]
[00:22] <Kotono> Those two arrows are aimed perfectly! They go right into the vile mouth in it's stomach, penetrating straight through! It's mouth twists into a look of shocked agony, "No....oblivion.....hahahahahahhahaa!" It twists and screams as the mouth turns white and fades away! The horrible wing-talons crumble into dust, the snakes turning back to legs! The two heads detatch from the body, turning to gentle motes of light! The crying of children
[00:22] <Kotono> turning to gentle motes of light! The crying of children stops, the two lights flying around Demedais and Pollyanna now! For a moment, he can hear the happy laughter of a baby...then they are gone! On the floor, at his feet, are a pair of perfect white diamonds, each the size of an apple. The angel staggers momentarily before it's vision fixes. "It is done...and an intruder dares?!" OOC - Deme, your'e up.
03[00:22] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>Mecha Angel>DESERT CTHULU'
[00:23] <Kotono> "It is done...and an intruder dares?!" OOC - Deme, your'e up.
[00:24] <Demedais> "Any assistance you can lend to us in killing it once and for all would be much appreciated, thank you kindly!" Demedais yells, charging at it while it's stunned and attempting to impale it!
[00:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, +2 Charge, -7 PA)
06[00:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, +2 Charge, -7 PA) and gets 24." [1d20=5]
[00:25] <Kotono> OOC - Whiff.
[00:25] <Kotono> Demedais charges in, the creature's eyes blank and it's tentacles not moving at the moment besides a few twitches! However, it's still as tough as ever, Deme's sword failing to find a weak point! The angel flies in quickly, it's fist striking out! "You will be eliminated!"
[00:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+27
06[00:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 and gets 42." [1d20=15]
[00:25] <Kotono> roll 1d8+9
06[00:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+9 and gets 12." [1d8=3]
[00:26] <Kotono> OOC: DESERT CHTULU is stunned this round. Polly's up.
[00:26] <Kotono> Pollyanna draws yet more arrows, breathing out in relief. A tired smile crosses her face as she fires at the abomination!
[00:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[00:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 22." [1d20=6]
[00:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[00:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28." [1d20=12]
[00:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[00:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[00:26] <Kotono> Yet she can'tq uite land a blow on it, arrows missing by inches! OOC - Deme.
06[00:27] * Demedais continues to try and hack the beast to pieces!
[00:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+22 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA)
06[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA) and gets 29." [1d20=7]
[00:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+22 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA)
06[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA) and gets 24." [1d20=2]
[00:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA)
06[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA) and gets 21." [1d20=4]
[00:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA)
06[00:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+12 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -2 PA) and gets 27." [1d20=15]
[00:27] <Kotono> Despite his best efforts, Demedais can't land a single blow! He hacks and hacks and hacks and does little! THe angel strikes twice again!
[00:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[00:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 32." [1d20=7]
06[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 40." [1d20=15]
[00:28] <Kotono> roll 2d8+18
06[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+18 and gets 23." [2d8=3, 2]
[00:28] <Kotono> The horror is plummeled, damaged but surviving! OOC - It's stunned one more round. Polly's up.
[00:28] <Kotono> Following the trend, Pollyanna fires three more arrows!
[00:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 21." [1d20=5]
[00:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[00:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 25." [1d20=9]
[00:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[00:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[00:29] <Kotono> Yet again, she can't quite find a weak spot in it's disgustingly hard body! OOC - Deme.
06[00:29] * Demedais grimaces! "Will that eye fire again?" he calls to the angel as he continues slashing!
[00:29] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
[00:29] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:29] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 32." [1d20=8]
03[00:29] * Celenu (WinNT@user-544627a2.lns2-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
06[00:29] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 31." [1d20=7]
[00:30] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:30] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 35." [1d20=16]
[00:30] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:30] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 25." [1d20=11]
[00:30] <Kotono> OOC - Three hits.
[00:30] <Demedais> roll 6d6+24
06[00:30] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d6+24 and gets 42." [6d6=1, 1, 5, 3, 4, 4]
[00:31] <Kotono> Demedais cuts into it over and over, tearing it's unholy body! Yet somehow it lives through blows that would cut a normal man asunder, even as the angel continues to pound it hard!
[00:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[00:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 40." [1d20=15]
06[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 35." [1d20=10]
[00:31] <Kotono> roll 2d8+18
06[00:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+18 and gets 30." [2d8=4, 8]
[00:32] <Kotono> Plummeled again, the beast is considerably beaten! It thrashes wildly, striking out with it's tentacles and arms at the two surrounding it!
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 Deme
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 Deme and gets 19." [1d20=1]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 Angel
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 Angel and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Deme
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Deme and gets 20." [1d20=4]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Deme
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Deme
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Deme and gets 32." [1d20=16]
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Deme and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Angel
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Angel and gets 24." [1d20=8]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Angel
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Angel and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[00:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Angel
06[00:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Angel and gets 21." [1d20=5]
[00:32] <Kotono> OOC - AC, Deme?
[00:33] <Demedais> OOC: 39. Angel also gets +5 AC benefit, I'd guess.
[00:33] <Kotono> OOC - Handy.
[00:33] <Kotono> The creature strikes and strikes and strikes and strikes, yet neer a blow lands successfully! More arrows come in support!
[00:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[00:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[00:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24." [1d20=8]
06[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 25." [1d20=9]
06[00:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22." [1d20=11]
[00:33] <Kotono> Again Pollyanna can't seem to find the right spot on this one! OOC - Deme.
06[00:34] * Demedais continues his relentless assault in an attempt to break the thing once and for all!
[00:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 30." [1d20=6]
[00:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 33." [1d20=9]
02[00:34] * Alicia (WinNT@user-544627a2.lns2-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
[00:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 33." [1d20=14]
[00:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion)
06[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion) and gets 27." [1d20=13]
[00:34] <Kotono> OOC - Three hits.
[00:34] <Demedais> roll 6d6+24
06[00:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d6+24 and gets 45." [6d6=1, 6, 2, 3, 6, 3]
[00:35] <Kotono> With a savage, desperate fury, Demedais stabs down into the abomination! His blade cuts apart it's eyes, and with a last drive, severs a tentacle! It
[00:35] <Kotono> With a savage, desperate fury, Demedais stabs down into the abomination! His blade cuts apart it's eyes, and with a last drive, severs a tentacle! It's too much for it, the entire thing breaking apart into horrible chunks and going still, sliding back down the hole it came! OOC - Free act.
06[00:37] * Demedais looks to the hole, then to the angel with sheer exhaustion before muttering "I'll see what can be done about repairing this in a bit." With that, he goes to mend Pollyanna's wounds! OOC: Saccing Magic Circle. from Chaos
[00:37] <Demedais> roll 3d8+6
06[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 3d8+6 and gets 15." [3d8=1, 5, 3]
06[00:37] * Demedais frowns and heals again. OOC: Sac MCfromEvil
[00:37] <Demedais> roll 3d8+6
06[00:37] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 3d8+6 and gets 23." [3d8=5, 8, 4]
03[00:37] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
[00:38] <Kotono> Pollyanna falls to her knees in exhaustion, "We did it..." she sighs as her wounds mend. "We really did it....that was the point, wasn't it?" As she's healed, Demedais can see her color isn't quite right. She looks drained and tired and pale. "That energy from above was enough..." She leans forward onto Demedais. "That was much too much."
06[00:39] * Demedais also expends a lesser restoration. "It was. But now it's over." With that, he prepares magical sight, before looking to the diamonds and then to the angel.
[00:39] <Demedais> roll 1d4 if it's relevant
06[00:39] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 if it's relevant and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[00:40] <Kotono> The diamonds aren't magical, nor is there any magic around of note. Pollyanna's color improves at that. "Whew. I'm running on magical restorations and I've been torn up and survived and sandstorm and we've dealt with that damned belt...all of that..."
06[00:41] * Demedais nods slightly, before looking to the angel. "May we rest here for the night? We've been chased by that thing for two nights now. I thought we had lost it twice and scared it off two other times..."
[18:56] <Kotoro> > Pollyanna falls to her knees in exhaustion, "We did it..." she sighs as her wounds mend. "We really did it....that was the point, wasn't it?" As she's healed, Demedais can see her color isn't quite right. She looks drained and tired and pale. "That energy from above was enough..." She leans forward onto Demedais. "That was much too much."
[18:56] <Kotoro> * Demedais also expends a lesser restoration. "It was. But now it's over." With that, he prepares magical sight, before looking to the diamonds and then to the angel.
[18:56] <Kotoro> <Demedais> roll 1d4 if it's relevant
[18:56] <Kotoro> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 if it's relevant and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[18:56] <Kotoro> > The diamonds aren't magical, nor is there any magic around of note. Pollyanna's color improves at that. "Whew. I'm running on magical restorations and I've been torn up and survived and sandstorm and we've dealt with that damned belt...all of that..."
[18:56] <Kotoro> * Demedais nods slightly, before looking to the angel. "May we rest here for the night? We've been chased by that thing for two nights now. I thought we had lost it twice and scared it off two other times..."
[18:57] <Kotoro> "There are rooms that should still suffice," The mechanical angel informs you. "Come, this way."
[18:57] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods, picking up the diamonds before he follows the angel.
[18:59] <Kotoro> You go into another door that connects to this room(There are several, notably), and are lead to ancient private rooms. They're ancient and creaky but usable. Sleep comes quickly to both, rest occuring. OOC: Go ahead and refresh your spells, unless you had something you wanted to do before resting?
[18:59] <Demedais> OOC: Not at this time, no. Exploration can occur after rest.
[18:59] <Kotoro> OOC: Refreshj spells and declare any healing you'll do before that?
[19:03] <Demedais> OOC: First, a CMW on Pollyanna.
[19:03] <Demedais> roll 2d8+6
[19:03] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 2d8+6 --> [ 2d8=8 ]{14}
[19:03] <Demedais> OOC: Next, two CSWs on self.
[19:03] <Demedais> roll 6d8+12
[19:03] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 6d8+12 --> [ 6d8=31 ]{43}
[19:05] <Demedais> OOC: CMW self.
[19:05] <Demedais> roll 2d8+6
[19:05] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 2d8+6 --> [ 2d8=3 ]{9}
[19:05] <Demedais> OOC: Two CLWs to top off.
[19:05] <Demedais> roll 2d8+12
[19:05] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 2d8+12 --> [ 2d8=9 ]{21}
[19:06] <Demedais> OOC: Finally, and before I forget, Identify on the diamonds. Subtracting the 100 gp right now.
[19:07] <Kotoro> OOC: The diamonds weren't magical.
[19:07] <Demedais> OOC: Scratchscratchscratch
[19:09] <Kotoro> OOC: Okay. Doing anythign else before rest then?
[19:09] <Demedais> OOC: No.
[19:11] <Kotoro> OOC: Got spells refreshed?
[19:13] <Demedais> OOC: Now I do.
[19:16] <Kotoro> The morning dawns. After resting and recovering spells, the two find the angel waiting for them just outside of the room. It stands impassively, timelessly.
06[19:17] * Demedais nods slightly to the angel. "You have waited for us to wake? I apologize."
[19:19] <Kotoro> "There is no need. Time means nothing to me." So answering, "Helm has guided you to this lost sanctuary. What will you do now?"
06[19:22] * Demedais pauses at this, looking to the angel. "I have some interest in seeing this place used as a training ground and temple once again, if it is Helm's will that it be so rejuvenated."
03[19:23] * Kotoro is now known as Kotono
[19:26] <Kotono> "The sandstorms that revealed it will cover it again in due time," The angel speaks, "The sands consume all. As long as you understand that...you may do with it as you will."
06[19:27] * Demedais nods slightly at this. "I understand. I feel at least obligated to oversee repairs where the monster attacked. Will you stay here?"
[19:28] <Kotono> "I will. It is my duty," The mechanical angel-creature responds. "Should you desire, I will explain thet emple to you, should you wish to use it."
[19:29] <Demedais> "I would appreciate that." Demedais nods slightly.
[19:30] <Kotono> "There are three wings to the temple," STart to walk back, "This is the Ring of Guarded Rest, where quarters and rooms are. The wing you came from is the Wing of Vigiliant Seeing. It is a wing of training, of scrying, of our duties. It is also where are dead lie in honor. The last Wing is the Wing of Eternal Worship. There the faithful pay service to He Whom Watches."
[19:35] <Demedais> "I see." Demedais muses. "So we were entirely in the Wing of Vigilant Seeing until we found the path into here." A pause, before, "There was a room with a teleport marked in it near the hallway into here. What would that be?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "That would lead to a temple near Lake Bural. It has not been used since before this temple was abandoned," He answers.
[19:40] <Demedais> "Lake Bural...?" Demedais murmurs.
[19:42] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11
[19:42] <Rei-chan> Demedais rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{29}
[19:42] <Kotono> Demedais remembers now! Lake Bural! That was the lake where Zariel, Torm and the celestial host fought the God-King! It lies in what is now the endless, blasted, frozen wastelands. You traveled in that area as you passed through a forest of crystallined, petrified trees and angelic ghosts.
[19:44] <Demedais> "... Right. Lake Bural. Are there any other portals?" Demedais then inquires.
[19:44] <Kotono> "There are not," the mechanical angel answers.
06[19:45] * Demedais nods slightly. "And what is the Trial To Take Orderium?"
[19:47] <Kotono> "Orderium is a weapon left behind by a traveling priest long ago. You must defeat a powerful guardian to obtain it. THus the Trial to Take Orderium."
[19:48] <Demedais> "Right, should've expected a literal interpretation. ...Is the temple shielded from magical reach?"
[19:50] <Kotono> "There was a shield long ago, but if that creature was able to attack in and penetrate successfully, it may have degraded over time."
06[19:53] * Demedais nods slightly at this. "That'll likely be part of any repairs if we can manage it, along with seeing if we can redirect the teleporting room." A pause, at this. "I apologize for the scattershot nature of my questions, I've got three different things I'm sorting through at once here... and in all this I've failed to precipitate introductions. I am Demedais of Helm, and this is Pollyanna."
[19:55] <Kotono> "I am Guardian. It is not a name, but what I am called." It answers.
[19:57] <Demedais> "I see. Thank you, Guardian." Demedais nods slightly to this, a touch embarrassed. "When was this temple abandoned?"
[20:00] <Kotono> "I am not sure. Time is not something I was designed to track," I t answers. "It has been countlessly long."
[20:01] <Demedais> "...there was no reason for the departure of the people from here?" Demedais asks.
[20:01] <Kotono> "There were battles and conflicts, and then...the temple was lost," It answers.
06[20:04] * Demedais nods. "I understand. I believe I can guess when the temple was lost, then." A slight pause, at this, before, "Is there anything you wish from us in all this?"
[20:08] <Kotono> "I am sufficient," Guardian answers. "I will continue to be sufficient as long as I hold my vigil."
[20:09] <Demedais> "Very well. Are there any other major points of interest in the temple?"
[20:16] <Kotono> "There are libraries of religious works in the Wing of Eternal Worship," It answers.
06[20:16] * Demedais raises his eyebrows in interest at that. "Alright. Are there records of the construction of the shield or the teleport room?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "I do not know. I have never read the books in there, as it is not my duty," he answers.
[20:18] <Demedais> "I understand." A slight pause, before Demedais looks up to the eye that blasted the squid. "How many of those are there in the temple, and what triggers them?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "They are over important doors that must be guarded in lesser form. The greater one lies only in the center room of worship between all three Wings."
[20:21] <Demedais> "So this is... the center room, if I understand you correctly?" Demedais says, looking around. "I'd believe that."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Yes."
[20:22] <Kotono> Pollyanna continues to be quiet for a little longer, then, "What should we do first?" she asks. "Oh, and is there a source of water here?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "There is a well in the Wing of Guarded Rest. I do not know if it still draws water."
[20:27] <Demedais> "I'm trying to decide. The main thing of import is to depart here and return to Balmuria to report the task as complete. Since the temple seems safe, we should be able to have Elle teleport here, presuming that would work." Demedais says with a look to Guardian. "In the meantime, we could check the water, yes."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Let's do that, then," Pollyanna says, "Water's so rare in the desert. If this has a real spring, this could really work."
06[20:31] * Demedais nods. "Maintaining a food and water supply here would be the most difficult task, yes, but I do not think it impossible if the teleport rings were to be fixed."
[20:32] <Demedais> "Thank you, Guardian." he nods again to the protector of the temple, before glancing to the other doors. "Which leads toward the well?"
[20:36] <Kotono> You are lead deep into the Wing of Guarded Rest. Past a door with the sigil of Helm, you find a room with a twenty foot wide stone well in it. Several ancient buckets are attached to rotted ropes around the edge of it.
06[20:38] * Demedais pulls out his rope and ties a bucket to it, before lowering it down the well slowly.
[20:40] <Kotono> Demedais lowers the bucket ten feet! Twenty feet! Thirty feet! Fourty feet! Fi-plunk! A splash of water, at about 45 feet or so. It echos up and above.
[20:41] <Demedais> "The other question is, is it drinkable." Demedais muses, letting it fill before he pulls it back up.
[20:47] <Kotono> The bucket comes back! Water is dripping out of it from several holes, the ancient bucket quite leaky! There's still enough to have a drink, though!
[20:49] <Demedais> "Oh, right. Holes." Demedais rubs head, tilting the bucket to preserve as much water as possible, a quick glance to make sure it's not green or something before he hands it to Pollyanna.
[20:50] <Kotono> The water is fairly pure, no signs of obvious disease in it. "You want me to drink it?" she asks.
[20:52] <Demedais> "If you're thirsty. I'm guessing it's safe? I'll take a sip to see if I taste anything, but I'm not the most optimal person to determine if something will cause illness." Demedais shrugs.
[20:54] <Kotono> Pollyanna takes a moment, then takes a sip. "It tastes fine, a bit dusty, but fine. Besides, I'm fairly sure I won't get sick and die from drinking water from one of Helm's temples. No way, not after all that we went through to get here."
[20:56] <Demedais> "If you get sick I can heal disease in most situations... unless the disease is infernal in nature, mainly." Demedais shakes his head. "So."
[20:59] <Kotono> "So now what?" Pollyanna asks.
06[21:00] * Demedais rubs his head. "One final question while I think of it: do you know anything about the creature that attacked during the trial, Guardian?"
[21:06] <Kotono> "No. My duties involve the temple, not what lies beyond. It was smote by the power of Helm and our skill at arms. Let the abomination lie forever silent."
06[21:08] * Demedais nods slightly to this, deciding not to press the subject. "Then... our next priority is to find a room our friend could safely scry and teleport into."
[21:09] <Kotono> "There are rooms of scrying in the Wing you came from," The Guardian speaks, "They are receptive to it, moreso if the shields have failed."
06[21:10] * Demedais nods. "We will head there, then. Thank you, Guardian."
[21:15] <Kotono> Thus the two head back to the scrying rooms! It's quiet here, quiet and very silent. The dusty rooms of scrying lie untoucehd yet still.
06[21:16] * Demedais pulls out the scroll and attempts to cast the sending therein!
[21:16] <Kotono> OOC: What's your message?
[21:19] <Demedais> OOC: "Elle: At temple of Helm in desert. Requesting scry and teleport to current location. Temple is secure, no issues. Will pay scry on return. Demedais."
[21:23] <Kotono> The message returns! "Understood. Do not resist, hour casting time. Elle."
[21:28] <Kotono> An hour passes, then...
[21:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:28] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=74 ]{74}
[21:29] <Kotono> Elle appears! She sniffs the air, "Sand and dust," she sneezes a second after, rubbing at her nose. "This is it? It looks...ancient."
[21:31] <Demedais> "It is. Abandoned during the war with the False God-King, I suspect. The one resident knows little about the circumstances." Demedais replies softly. "The temple is huge, and I would like to see it used as a training ground for the temple of Helm in Balmuria. This likely means you'll get a few more orders of teleport rings for the temple as soon as I can arrange the funds, idly."
[21:34] <Demedais> "Alternately, we can try and re-set some of the other features here. It's infeasible to manage direct transportation here, however, since the temple will likely be covered by sand soon."
[21:36] <Kotono> "That's a helluva lot of work. You'll need a good pile of gold to fund that, fair warning," Elle says, already starting to look around.
[21:38] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods. "We also may look into other solutions, but the teleport rings are the best I can think of. We'd give you a short tour, but there's seals on many doors, and I'm not sure how well they'd interact with you."
[21:42] <Kotono> OOC: Where all are you going to show her?
[21:43] <Demedais> OOC: We weren't going to just now. That's why the whole "we'd give you... but..."
[21:44] <Demedais> "Well." Demedais says after a moment. "I'm sorry I'm not up for a tour now, though I'd like to later - especially if we can make sure you'd pass the seals - but... wait, hold on just a minute."
[21:45] <Demedais> Demedais runs over to the corpse of the monster - whatever it is - and cuts off a tentacle and part of an eye so that Elle might be able to identify it - before returning back. "Sorry. This is the other thing - we fought this monster here. The corpse is too huge, but it's also not going anywhere in this place - perhaps you can identify it from these?"
[21:46] <Demedais> "Once we teleport back, that is."
[21:46] <Demedais> "We can also get further items from it later, but for now, I'd rather get back."
[21:47] <Kotono> Elle examines the entire thing...."I'd need to see more of it," she says. "It looks properly disgusting and twisted."
[21:48] <Demedais> "We'll see what we can bring back later, then. If we run into one again I'd like to have a good battle plan - it pursued us halfway across the desert." Demedais shakes his head. "If you want these for spell components or think you can do something with them, go ahead. Either way, let's get going?"
[21:49] <Kotono> roll 1d100 seeing if there are crazy TP botches?
[21:49] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 seeing if there are crazy TP botches? --> [ 1d100=60 ]{60}
[20:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ------(ZOMBIE KO)--
[20:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Catching up to Lord Salman is easy enough for Seira. He lingers on the stage as the others depart, giving Seira a chance to speak her mind as she wishes...
01[20:27] <Seira> "Would it be possible to speak to you in a more private setting, Sir?" Seira asks the ruler quietly, using the chance granted to her by circumstance.
[20:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Certainly," Lord Salman nods, "Come, the honor guard will head back to the residences for now. We can speak there."
01[20:31] <Seira> "Thank you," Seira responds. "It is a matter I do not wish to delay any longer, and this is a good opportunity to bring it up, especially in light of that attack."
[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The honor guard, Seira and Lord Salman pass back into the residences. Here Seira and Lord Salman meet in his office. "By all means, speak your mind, Seira."
01[20:36] <Seira> "I'll get straight to the point, then," she says, nodding curtly. "We are faced with many threats from those who hate us just for who we are and what we stand for. We can either submit to them, or we could fight back. However, as things stand, we cannot cover every corner of the known world. The world around us keeps on growing, leading to a numerical inferiority on the side of the Guard."
[20:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes, we have read the reports from Balmuria. Tales of places as far flung as the borders of the western jungles, and then going past those impossible lengths." Lord Salman folds his hands together. "The world seems vast and yet accessible at the hands of magic in this changing era."
01[20:43] <Seira> "And we know that there are those both willing and able to reach across those patches of land previously thought untraversable to strike at us. However, what if we had the means to strike back in force, Sir?
01[20:43] <Seira> I have been working on a concept of connecting ourselves with our distant allies via magical portals, eventually creating a network where we could react to our enemies as soon as they are discovered without the need to rely on those of us in the Guard capable of teleportation. The costs alone are prohibitive, but what I truly lack is a strong force capable of achieving armed interventions that go in our favor."
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Lord Salman peers forward now, "How heavy are the costs, Seira?" Lord Salman asks, "For this network of portals you speak of? Further, by an armed force, what do you mean? If the Crimson Guard is not sufficient, do you mean an army proper?"
01[20:48] <Seira> "In the area of thirty thousand gold for a two-directional link," Seira says, unable to conceal a wince. "Naturally, such lines connecting the distant spots of the world could be used by the temples of Waukeen to improve trade and standard of living, and that would even serve as fine cover for this secondary purpose for the portals. However, the costs I'll do something about."
06[20:48] * Seira stands a bit straighter as she delivers the next part. "What I am talking about, what I would like to form, is a special force dedicated to armed interventions against evil in any form."
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Could a link between Victoria and Balmuria be made?" Lord Salman asks after som ethought, "How large a force then? How capable?"
01[20:56] <Seira> "It could be, though my priority in funding it would be lesser than the hot spots of the world," Seira admits. "As for what I seek... Sire, while the Guard is capable of taking on a country and winning, this fact is not truly understood by its people here," she presses a hand to her chest, "even if they realize it intellectually.
01[20:56] <Seira> To achieve true deterrance, it must be a force capable of stopping a vanguard conventionally, or giving the appearance of such while we support it as well. We won't seek the eradication of evil so much as a deterrent for those with evil intentions who think about acting up on those."
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I see. You speak of.." Lord Salman stops there, "No, continue. Tell me all of your plan, all of the specifics."
06[21:08] * Seira nods once more at the prompting. "There would be a secure location which would serve as the hub for portals going back and forth to locations all over the world. Through it, we could project military force if needed, while bettering our friends both near and distant through Waukeen's grace.
01[21:08] <Seira> In many ways, the plan calls for a carrot and stick approach, Sire. Wealth and prosperity are the carrot, and if there are those who would not be satisfied with that, military force would come in. If there are problems stirring in a distant land like Kesse, the aim is that we would hear of it from the start and intervene before it becomes an issue we must mobilize our entire force again.
01[21:08] <Seira> We cannot rely on the enemy's arrogance in launching a first strike at us before they are truly ready again, like in that instance."
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "What you are speaking of is a grand undertaking, Seira," Lord Salman stands now, talking as he walks. "What you speak of could very well be seen as the start of an empire of influence. With that great a project and that great a power, great responsibility must follow or the entire enterprise will be folly."
01[21:32] <Seira> "I understand that!" Seira exclaims. "But how long must we remain fragmented, divided by petty rivalries inherited from those who came before us? How long are we to let fiends and vile gods dictate the state of the world? I refuse to accept that reality! And if it means taking on the world to change this status quo, then I will gladly spearhead the effort!"
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Then, what is your ideal world?" Lord Salman asks, "What is the ultimate fruit for this labor?"
06[21:40] * Seira thinks about the question. "A world where everyone, regardless of status, can raise to the top. Where the way is open for them to do as they wish. A world without poverty and ignorance and pointless battles, as many die for the pride of few. I want a world where everyone has a choice before them, and they make the right one."
06[21:40] * Seira smiles crookedly. "It's an ideal, and those usually can't be attained. But they can and should be struggled for, so that we might create a more perfect existence!"
[19:18] <Kozzz> --------
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "I see. You speak of.." Lord Salman stops there, "No, continue. Tell me all of your plan, all of the specifics."
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira nods once more at the prompting. "There would be a secure location which would serve as the hub for portals going back and forth to locations all over the world. Through it, we could project military force if needed, while bettering our friends both near and distant through Waukeen's grace.
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> In many ways, the plan calls for a carrot and stick approach, Sire. Wealth and prosperity are the carrot, and if there are those who would not be satisfied with that, military force would come in. If there are problems stirring in a distant land like Kesse, the aim is that we would hear of it from the start and intervene before it becomes an issue we must mobilize our entire force again.
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> We cannot rely on the enemy's arrogance in launching a first strike at us before they are truly ready again, like in that instance."
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "What you are speaking of is a grand undertaking, Seira," Lord Salman stands now, talking as he walks. "What you speak of could very well be seen as the start of an empire of influence. With that great a project and that great a power, great responsibility must follow or the entire enterprise will be folly."
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> "I understand that!" Seira exclaims. "But how long must we remain fragmented, divided by petty rivalries inherited from those who came before us? How long are we to let fiends and vile gods dictate the state of the world? I refuse to accept that reality! And if it means taking on the world to change this status quo, then I will gladly spearhead the effort!"
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "Then, what is your ideal world?" Lord Salman asks, "What is the ultimate fruit for this labor?"
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira thinks about the question. "A world where everyone, regardless of status, can raise to the top. Where the way is open for them to do as they wish. A world without poverty and ignorance and pointless battles, as many die for the pride of few. I want a world where everyone has a choice before them, and they make the right one."
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira smiles crookedly. "It's an ideal, and those usually can't be attained. But they can and should be struggled for, so that we might create a more perfect existence!"
03[19:24] * Kozzz is now known as Kotono
[19:26] <Kotono> "Seira." Lord Salman begins, "Long has our nation put our hopes into the Crimson Guard. From it's inception nearly two years ago, it has become a shining beacon of hope for our nation. You speak of making it a beacon of hope for all nations. Yet never have we held our hand as the Guard strives and we will not hold it this time. You have our permission to proceed. Further, we will commit 10,000 gold to establishing a pathway from Balmuri
[19:26] <Kotono> Further, we will commit 10,000 gold to establishing a pathway from Balmuria to Victoria. Without a doubt, Balmuria is our most important city. Let it be connected to our capital truly."
01[19:29] <Seira> "It shall be done, Sire," Seira promises.
[19:32] <Kotono> "Then let it be so," Lord Salman declares. "Are there any other matters?"
06[19:36] * Seira considers her next words for, perhaps, longer than is proper. "In addition to the request for troops and support, Lord Salman, there is one more matter I wished to raise if the response was positive. The matter of intelligence and counter-intelligence, to be specific. It is an open secret that every nation gathers intelligence on others, be they friend or foe.
01[19:36] <Seira> To be especially effective and to respond before the situation gets out of hand, we need that capability. If we need to train such agents from scratch, then I would like to start on that. If such resources already exist and we have not been made aware of them until now, could our cooperation be tightened in the future?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "We have begun to take measures in that field since the second Malmuthian war." Lord Salman nods, "The organization is largely seperate from the Crimson Guard; they report directly to me. Our agent in Torm's ranks in Balmuria is one such person. However, the service is still new and raw, useful information contacts take time to establish."
01[20:01] <Seira> "I have access to information that goes through the temples of Waukeen," Seira voices, "though except in unique cases, it would likely be useful as background information at most. Unfortunately, nothing truly useful has come out from this so far, though eliminating travel times is bound to affect this." She looks both upset and embarrassed at that fact.
01[20:01] <Seira> "Perhaps you could have someone coordinate with the allied priests, Lord Salman? I'm afraid that my expertize is either in direct infiltration or by gathering peripheral intelligence, and this situation calls for something midway through the two."
03[20:09] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-514d2c08.l1.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:09] <Kotono> "It can be done," Lord Salman agrees.
01[20:12] <Seira> "Of particular concern to me, right now, are the nations around Kesse." Seira frowns. "They are simply too far, and we haven't had any contact with them until recently. We know next to nothing about them except that Kesse's previous leadership was on good terms with most of them.
01[20:12] <Seira> While not a portal, normal teleportation would allow several skilled people to be dispatched there so that we would be able to keep an eye on that corner of the world. Would that be possible, Lord Salman?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "We will grant you leave to deal with that matter, yes,"Lord Salman agrees.
01[20:20] <Seira> It's certainly very nice to have her liege's ear on such matters, and Seira decides to quit while she's ahead. "Once again, thank you for supporting me in these tasks, Sire. I will not betray your trust in me," she says, bowing deeply.
[21:19] <Kotono> You're in a deep void. A deep...something. Nothing is there. Only your most basic awareness. From deep in this void, "Seira...Seira...Seira...! SEIRA!"
01[21:21] <Seira> "Here!" Seira decides to call back. She's one of the strongest mages in the world. There is no need to fear anyone!
[21:21] <Kotono> Blink-blink. Your eyes open. It's bright here, morning sunshine all over. It dazzles you, your arms going up to rub your eyes out of instinct. "Seira, wake up," Amaryl's voice? "It's almost noon! You've nearly slept the day away!"
06[21:23] * Seira stops her arms, and looks down on them. She doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger, so it's time to see if her senses are lying to her ow not.
[21:24] <Kotono> She's...in her bedroom? Not her normal bedroom. Her childhood bedroom. Amaryl is there, wearing a soft green dress. "Morning, sleepyhead," she smiles widely, "You're going to miss lunch at this rate. It's your favorite, too."
06[21:25] * Seira smiles hesitantly. "Why am I here, Amaryl?" she asks, getting out of bed.
[21:36] <Kotono> Seira wears a silk nightgown. Her mirror image spell is gone. It looks happy and sunny here. "Because we're here visiting your parents? You know, you shouldn't drink wine if it does that to you," Giggling now, "You only had one glass, too."
01[21:38] <Seira> "I don't want to worry you," Seira says quietly, "but it wasn't wine. It was-- yes, it had to be magic that targetted my memory. I recognize the signs, because it happened again." Unless it is another weird dream like the one she experienced in Malmuth. In that case, she would need to be extra-careful about using any magic in it. "Can you tell me about this visit to bring me up to speed, please?"
[21:48] <Kotono> "Well, we came over to visit," Amaryl smiles at the entire thing, "Your parents wanted to see you. We got here yesterday, now we're going to go eat lunch with them. Your friends should be visiting today, too."
01[21:50] <Seira> "My friends? Which of them?" Seira snorts, looking around for more suitable clothing. "I did manage to acquire quite a few, somehow."
06[21:55] * Seira considers her situation in the meantime. Either the Inevitable had lied to them, which might well be as everything here is geared towards stopping them, or this is a mental attack and not one to be stopped by the supposed mastery of time of the gnomish Magus.
01[21:55] <Seira> And there is the unpleasant possibility that by looking into the images shown to them and attempting to glimpse a particular one she had lowered her defenses and allowed for this to happen. Would that make the Amaryl with her a fake Amaryl?
[21:56] <Kotono> "Well, Shamal is already here. She's helping your Mom set up. Elle is coming after lunch. Alicia...she might be a little late, but she'll be here at some point. Demedais...oh, and Pollyanna, and a few others are bringing friends. Dinner will be so much fun tonight."
06[21:58] * Seira freezes, her throat becoming tight. "I see," she manages to get out, and gives up her search for clothing as nothing is helpfully made immediately available with a cursory glance. "Amaryl, I need to ask you an important question. I've just said that powerful magic was used on me to affect my mind. Why aren't you showing the least bit of worry?"
[22:01] <Kotono> You find a closet with plenty of elven clothes. They look like they fit. "I thought you were joking. Too much iwne," Blushing now as she looks at Seira, "You're not? I can get your father. He's one of the best spell casters in Pallanth. If there's something wrong he can fix it up."
01[22:04] <Seira> "I'm not incapacitated, so we just go and see what he thinks," Seira tells her, ditching the nightgown. She hardly has a preference, and merely chooses the most practical outfit in the closet. "Mom is here as well, you said?"
[22:07] <Kotono> It's a green tunic and black pants. Pretty normal if nice and rich. "She is. It wo uldn't make much sense if we came back when she wasn't here."
01[22:08] <Seira> "No, it wouldn't," Seira agrees. "Let's go and see her now, then? You can tell me just where we normally live while we search for her."
[22:09] <Kotono> "Sure!" Amaryl says, as the two go out. As they do, a voice whispers in Seira's mind! It's fast talking, as if not enough words can be said at once. "All of this...it can be yours, Seira. Your mother, your family, your friends. Everything you've always wanted. No death, no lonliness, no despair."
01[22:12] <Seira> "I'm not really sure I like the implications of what you've just said. In my head." Seira frowns. "That sounded kinda bad. But anyway, mysterious voice person, aren't you being a bit rude by implying that I normally don't have friends and family and loved ones around me?"
[22:13] <Kotono> "You know what I offer is happiness beyond that, beyond your rebuttal. In this time strand, your mother never sickneed. Shamal never ran into a fate of shocker lizards. Saul never vanished chasing Irenes. Your aunt Filetta never came. Here...everything is the best possible outcome for you."
01[22:15] <Seira> "Then how would I meet those very friends if I never had cause to live my land of birth?" Seira reasons. "And even if I came across them, how would we forge the relationships we have right now without going through the same experiences together?"
[22:17] <Kotono> "There is time. As much time as you want here," The voice promises. "Forsake the quest for the Resorts, sweart it off forever...and you can go meet them. You can go meet her, Seira. She's waiting there for you."
06[22:20] * Seira snorts. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to? I don't need your help or permission to see my friends and family! You're saying I need to be an obedient little girl and stay home to meet my mom again? Screw that! I'll go to Celestia or wherever and find her, once I've got all the Resorts and kicked Daa-vid's ancient ass!"
[22:23] <Kotono> "The threads continue to narrow...is it true that this is the one that will proceed on? Your hearts are all so strong and so fixiated, even in the chance to have eternal happiness. Is that what they wanted? Mortals who are able to throw everything away for the future?" OOC: #Evil.
[18:31] <Kotono> > "Oh!" Blushing from scalp to neck, "Thank you!" Blurting that and taking Demedais' hand, shaking it, "Iw ould forever ben in your debt!"
[18:31] <Kotono> * Demedais nods, returning the shake. "Think nothing of it. I will begin by talking to Jurgen and asking him to stall negotiations until I can devise a plan. Hopefully this can be resolved simply."
[18:31] <Kotono> > "Bless you!" she declares, "The children will be forever in your debt!"
[18:31] <Kotono> * Demedais shakes his head. "They're in yours, for the work you do for them. I should be off now, to try and resolve this. Worry yourself not over this, Sister Julia."
[18:31] <Kotono> > "Bless you," she repeats, "Be well, kind stranger.May blessings follow everything you do!"
[18:31] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Thank you, Sister Julia." Demedais inclines his head. "Take care."
[18:31] <Kotono> OOC: Where wer eyou going, Deme?
[18:32] <Demedais> OOC: Back to the Kingdom's Pride.
[18:33] <Kotono> The trip back to the Kingdom's Pride is without incident. Demedais can go back up to his room or do something else should he wish, or simply rest and kill time.
06[18:35] * Demedais first inquires at the desk about the location of a reputable moneychanger, and afterward if he could get the room number of a Mr. Jurgen regarding business.
[18:36] <Kotono> "Ah, you need foreign coin changed?" The deskman, a well groomed man of perhaps 30, bows deeply. "Mr. Arnald Greenlake at the Merchant's Fancy can do so. And yes, there is a Mr. Jurgen staying here. He is on the first floor, room 104."
[18:42] <Demedais> "Thank you. If Mr. Jurgen stops by, inform him that I will be back shortly. and that I'd - Demedais - request to speak to him before he does anything else, if you could? He won't recognize my name, I'm afraid, but..."
[18:42] <Kotono> "Of course, sir," The desk clerk bows again, "Is there anything else you need, sir?"
[18:45] <Demedais> "Ah. Directions to the Merchant's Fancy, if you would?" Demedais asks modestly.
[18:46] <Kotono> "It's on the opposite side of the square as this inn, sir," The desk man bows once more, "Should desire an escort, one can be arrainged."
[18:46] <Demedais> "Oh. No, it's fine." Demedais says, a slight blush. "Heh, thank you very much, sir."
[18:49] <Kotono> "If you require anything else..." Once more he bows, "Good day, sir." Thereafter, Demedais heads to the Merchant's Fancy. It looks to be an import shop of sorts. Rare, expensive things are on display. Gems, rich fabrics, spices, and even a few planar things. One man overlooks it all, a whip-thin man with a red birthmark splayed all over his face. He wears a noble's clothes, a warm fur cape on his back. "Good day," he calls as Demedais e
[18:49] <Kotono> "Good day," he calls as Demedais enters.
06[18:51] * Demedais idly glances the man over for chaos, but returns the greeting anyways. "Good day. I have been told you do currency exchanges?"
[18:52] <Kotono> No chaos. "Ah yes. My name is Arnald." He approaches, offering a hand out. "How much coin are you looking to exchange and from what realm? Dinarrian Silvers get a good rate here, as do Lefetian Crowns."
06[18:56] * Demedais accepts the hand and shakes. "Ah. See, this is part of the issue that I feared I'd have - my currency is neither of those. In fact, from what I understand it's rather unlikely you've heard of it at all." A wry smile at this as he pulls out a small bag of coins. "I'm from a very distant land - Balmuria. I suppose the first part is an estimate of what, if anything, you can give me for these."
[18:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
03[18:56] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[18:56] * Kotono sets mode: +v Hatbot
[18:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[18:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 30." [1d20=13]
[18:57] <Kotono> OOC: How much is in the bag?
[18:57] <Demedais> "Other names... Kesse, Kelara, and Malmuth are all relatively close, if those help."
[18:57] <Demedais> OOC: Let's say 200 or so.
[18:59] <Kotono> "You're right, I haven't." He says, whistling, "You're from a realm or world very far away, then...Oh, I think I have heard of a land called Kesse. Far, far, far, far away to the east, across an ocean. Maybe." Riffling through the coins, taking a few silver and gold ones out, "Ah well, it's academic. If you want to trade these in, I'll need to appraise them to ensure the gold and silver quantity in them is pure and see what the exchange
[18:59] <Kotono> gold and silver quantity in them is pure and see what the exchange rate will be. This will take me about a half hour."
[19:04] <Demedais> "I may have to obtain a map of the lands around here for a friend of mine - she'd absolutely love to learn of a city like this, I suspect." Demedais grins at the news that Kesse's familiar, before pausing. "I suppose I have two quick questions before you begin appraising the coin, if you're willing to answer?"
[19:06] <Kotono> "I can direct you to a mapmaker a village over, and of course Telerath proper has several world class mapmakers," Arnald holds the coins up to the light, peering at them. "Ask them, then."
[19:07] <Demedais> "Not sure I'll be able to stay for that long, but the offer's appreciated. As for the questions... one, would you know how much the orphanage down the road is worth, land and all, and two, what do you know about the man seeking to buy it?"
[19:08] <Kotono> "Now that's interesting," He takes the coinsd own, peering at Demedais. "The gossip is hot about a sale to Balbast. Well, I'm no expert in real estate, but a thousand or two? It would depend on how much the building's worth, and I've never been inside."
[19:10] <Kotono> After a few more moments, "I've met Mr. Balbast once. He's very strongly willed, that one. He doesn't take no for an answer."
06[19:12] * Demedais nods. "I had heard the same, and thus wanted to inquire. I apologize if it seems rude, but the entire situation seems quite curious." A nod to this. "That was the general impression I got. I may end up talking to him later... For now, though, thank you - you've been of great help. I should be back in about thirty minutes or so."
[19:13] <Kotono> "By all means," Taking the bag of coins, "Unitl then." OOC: Ball's in your court, Deme.
[19:15] <Demedais> OOC: What time is it?
[19:16] <Kotono> OOC: Later afternoon.
06[19:17] * Demedais returns back to the Kingdom's Pride, pausing momentaraily to see if the deskman says Jurgen's been by before heading to Jurgen's room himself.
[19:19] <Kotono> "He has not been by the front desk, sir." Armed with that information, Demedais goes to his room. It's not as grand as the suite Demedais was treated to, one door of many along a hall. 104 is painted above the door and hangs on asmall wooden plaque tied to the doorknob.
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03[19:23] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[19:23] <Anastasia> "He has not been by the front desk, sir." Armed with that information, Demedais goes to his room. It's not as grand as the suite Demedais was treated to, one door of many along a hall. 104 is painted above the door and hangs on asmall wooden plaque tied to the doorknob.
06[19:23] * Demedais nods and knocks politely. "Ah... Mr. Jurgen? May I speak with you for a bit?"
02[19:25] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
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03[19:28] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
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[19:29] <Kotono> The knock and call is answered by a voice on the other side of the door. "I'm coming, I'm coming," A tired, weary voice is heard calling. The door opens, an old man with a white beard peering at Demedais. "Yes, and you are...?"
[19:33] <Demedais> "Hi. My name is Demedais. Sister Julia told me you were staying here. ...Can we talk?" Demedais asks politely, eyes looking over the other person with some concern.
[19:35] <Kotono> "You know Julia?" He waves his hand in, "Yeah, sure, come in." He steps aside, a plain if well kept and clean inn room past this. It's dotted with various personal possesions and odds and ends. Some are half charred or smoke damaged.
[19:36] <Demedais> "We just met today, but yes. She... has told me about the tragedy that's befallen you."
[19:37] <Kotono> "Ah yes. A tragedy," Shaking his head, "Such shouldn't happen to an old man."
[19:39] <Demedais> "Indeed not." Demedais muses. "I must confess, however, such is not my complete concern - I have also heard of the fate of the orphanage."
[19:40] <Kotono> "YEs," A shake of his head, "It breaks my heart, but the reality of my situation is that my fiances are ruined. I face abject poverty otherwise."
[19:41] <Demedais> "Indeed. I cannot fault you for the position you're put in. ...but I wish to do what I can to avert that fate."
[19:45] <Kotono> "What can you do then? ARe you offering to buy it instead?" Asking that, peeering at Demedais, "You look as rich as a Duke, I have to say. That's some mighty fine armor you're wearing, and those rings on your hands!"
06[19:48] * Demedais flushes a deep red. "I... this armor carries entirely the wrong message in some ways - it's worn solely for their defensive properties. Last time I tried asking to get it all less ornate, I was told by the dealer I work with that she couldn't manage it at her skill level, but I should ask again now." Shaking his head out of his reverie, "But yes. I'm willing to buy it."
[19:49] <Kotono> "Well, you see, there's another buyer who's already made a tender for a fair sum. 2,000 Telerath Marks." He explains, going to sit on hisbed. "Mr. Balbast is very intent on the purchase and offered above my own price."
[19:50] <Demedais> "Has Mr. Balbast said anything about himself or why he wants it?" Demedais inquires.
[19:51] <Kotono> "He has plans to open a maze there, or so he says. He's..." He stops, to rub his chin long. "He's a very odd fellow. Very willful, but about the strangest things that get his fancy, yet some important things seem not to concern him."
[19:55] <Demedais> "... I see. I may need to have a long conversation with him, myself - from what I saw alone, he's an... interesting fellow." Demedais replies, looking around. "I'm having my currency reviewed across the street, but I have enough gems on me that I should be able to go over his current price without issue. When will you be talking with him again?"
[19:56] <Kotono> "Tonight," He answers, "How much are you willing to offer, then," Jurgen's eyes narrow a tiny bit, voice pitch rising.
06[20:00] * Demedais frowns at this, a quick mental calculation based on his gems, before, "Let me return back to you quickly on that - I want to make sure I am not underestimating things, here. This being said, presuming correctly... 3,000 Marks will likely be what I offer. If you will permit me to go confirm this?" Demedais asks.
[20:00] <Kotono> "Oh yes, go on," With a growing smile, "That would be most satisfactory."
[20:05] <Demedais> "I anticipated it would, all things considered. Hopefully I won't have to eat my words too harshly, but I believe it would be feasible." This being said, Demedais excuses himself and heads off back to see how well the coins convert.
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 43." [1d100=43]
[20:07] <Kotono> Going back to Arnald, you sit in a quiet little back room. He has the coins spread out on a table between thet wo of you. "Well, the coins are quite pure. These coins use slightly less than the Imperial Standard for Telerath. The exchange rate is about 1 gold of these for .915 Marks. That comes out to 183 Marks."
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06[20:15] * Demedais nods slightly. "That is reasonable... I also have gems, but I would like to conserve those in case this journey takes longer than my own estimates predict. Thusly, I would estimate for my current needs... 2500 of my own marks, plus 1000 in the worth of gems, if that is permissible?"
[20:18] <Kotono> "Hand them over and I'll see," he offers, "But this can be done."
06[20:19] * Demedais nods and puts the stated amount on the table.
[20:20] <Kotono> OOC: 2500 in normal curreny or enough to equal 2500 marks here?
[20:21] <Demedais> OOC: 2500 of my own currency, 1000 of my own in gems if there's any conversion issue there.
[20:23] <Kotono> The money is passed over in heavy coins banded together with thin rope cords, ten of them to a bundle. They resemble ingots this way. "Each of these bands is 500 marks," he explains, "Each of the big adamantine coins is worth 50 marks, and there's ten in a band. Three thousand marks are in six bundles, and there's loose coinage for the rest."
[20:25] <Demedais> "..." Demedais is vaguely speechless. "This is a far more elegant system then our own..." Demedais glances to the spread-out coins. "...as you can probably estimate. Thank you very much."
[20:27] <Kotono> "How does your land work? Loose coins? Letters of credit?" Asking now as he leans back, "Telerath is relatively advanced in that with all the wealth that focuses here, being able to pass along large sums of money is often required. It was such a headache in the old days, when you had to haul a chestful of gold or a sack full of spices or ore to make big purchases."
[20:28] <Demedais> "Loose coins and magical items, primarily." Demedais grimaces. "Truth be told, we're still adjusting to a sudden influx of wealth in the first place. ...on this note, a completely non-sequitor question - what stories do you have about gnomes in this land?"
[20:29] <Kotono> "Gnomes?" Blinking, "I hear there were gnomes in ancient days, but I'm no scholar of history."
06[20:31] * Demedais nods slightly. "Frankly, that's all I wanted to know - it seems to be a peculiar trait of our world in that no more gnomes exist here. Your statement confirms that we're on the same plane, albeit many, many leagues apart."
[20:32] <Kotono> "Interesting. So you're beyond the end of the known world?" Eyeing Demedais, "Even if I'm right about having heard of Kesse, it's farther than anyone's traveled in centuries."
[20:35] <Demedais> "And Kesse is farther than our country has gone in centuries, as well." Demedais nods. "Only recently at all has this been changing. ...Though, there is one other question I wish to ask, now that we've wandered this far into this topic. About half a year ago, were there a sudden influx of odd events?"
[20:36] <Kotono> "...Hm. No, not that I noticed. I was off plane for much of it - my great-grandfather was beyond this world. I have means to leave this plane thanks to him." With a shake of his head there, "Gathering shining gold in Bytopia."
06[20:39] * Demedais muses on this, before pausing. "Waitasec, that's not the same. As far as I know... there's been no planar travel for a long while in our world, though perhaps it's just our continent."
[20:40] <Kotono> "A curious thing," Arnald considers.
[20:42] <Demedais> "Hm. Regardless, this likely gives a friend of mine ample reason to figure out ways to explore beyond our continent." Demedais grins after a moment. "And it's given me some things to chew on, myself. It's been a pleasure - hopefully I have time to stop by again."
[20:43] <Kotono> "Safe travels," Arnald bids, as Demedais heads out. OOC: Ball's in your court again.
06[20:45] * Demedais then heads back to the inn to talk with Jurgen further, probably getting stares as he walks back and forth between the two, but whatever.
[20:47] <Kotono> On going to Jurgen's room, he finds the door ajar. As he approaches, Demedais can hear the sounds of a conversation drifting from inside.
06[20:47] * Demedais pauses two steps away from the door, listening for a few seconds to make sure he's not interrupting a private conversation.
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Make a listen check?
[20:49] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 hi thar
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 hi thar and gets 33." [1d20=7]
[20:50] <Kotono> "Three thousand?" A quick, hasty voice says. "Really? That much for that? Grr. Why did he offer you that much? My offer should be more than enough money for you!" You can hear feet pacing back and forth, "Oh, I see, you're trying to drive up the price, aren't you?"
06[20:51] * Demedais nods slightly, before knocking. "Ah, excuse me."
[20:51] <Kotono> "IT was-oh wait." You can hear Jurgen's voice, "That's him. Come in!"
06[20:52] * Demedais nods and enters, closing the door partway behind him before looking at the two.
[20:54] <Kotono> The man in here is the man you saw before. Balbast is whip-thin, a blue cloak settled on his shoulders. His gaze travels all over Demedais in a moment, "And what are you doing, trying to outprice me?"
[20:55] <Demedais> roll 1d20+23
06[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+23 and gets 34." [1d20=11]
06[20:59] * Demedais looks to Balbast quite evenly, arms crossing. "I'm interested in buying the orphanage, frankly put. Consider it sentimental reasons if you have to attach one to it. Though, tell me - you wanted to build what there?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "I desire a maze there. The old building is boring." Crossing his own arms, "And what will you do with it? The same boring old thing it's always been?"
[21:02] <Demedais> "If you're saying an orphanage is 'boring', then yes." Demedais says with some faint amusement, eyeing the man. "A maze? Any particular reason why, or just the fact that you like confusion and discord?"hord."
[21:03] <Kotono> "Because. Good enough reason." He glares at Demedais, "Go away." His face then crosses with real pique, "I'll over 3250 Marks for it, then." OOC: No save needed, yo'ure immune to what he's doing there.
[21:03] <Kotono> *offer
[21:05] <Demedais> "Hah, no." Demedais replies with the same mild amusement. "Out of curiousity, are you even from this plane?"
[21:06] <Kotono> Balbast bites down on his lip, now glaring at Demedais. "I'm officially bored of this conversation. I don't know who in the blue abyss you are, but scram."
[21:06] <Kotono> Jurgen stays a little back, watching the exchange back and forth.
[21:07] <Demedais> "No." Demedais replies just as easily. "And I'm kinda surprised you're this easily bored with the conversation - but perhaps we should take this argument outside?"
[21:09] <Kotono> With a low, croaking growl deep in his throat, "You know what? DOWN!" A dreadful word of power comes out of Balbast's mouth, rocking the world! Yet it has no effect on Demedais! Balbast stares a moment, then, with a deep breath, "Who or what are you?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "W-what?" Jurgen shudders from that word, stepping back. "What the hells?"
06[21:10] * Demedais eyes Balbast. "Jurgen, please step outside." he says quickly. "Balbast, I do think you and I need to have some serious words, if you're willing to resort so quickly to force."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Waaah." Now looking postiviely piqued, "I WAS having fun here until you show up and get in my way! Oh, you want words, then? Some WORDS would just be perfect now, I think. Jurgen, get out."
06[21:13] * Demedais nods slightly to Jurgen, with some sympathy in his face.
[21:13] <Kotono> Jurgen looks between the two, gulpinga nd after a moment, hurrying out.
06[21:15] * Demedais watches Jurgen leave, before turning to Balbast and casually unhooking the glaive. "So. Slaad, I take it?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "So. Inevitable, I take it, or is that just a stick up your ass?" Now with open fury, "There's one thing I can never stand, and that's some idiot getting in the way of what I'm doing!"
[21:18] <Demedais> "Stick up my ass." Demedais replies with open amusement. "I dislike what I've seen of Inevitables, too, but I suspect that won't lead to a mutual bonding experience... but you chose the wrong target here in all regards. Outta curiousity, did you set the fire, or was that just lucky timing for you?"
[21:21] <Kotono> "Hmph. Pure luck." Now levelling a deadly, harsh gaze on Demedais, "Why are you here? Just my luck correcting itself?"
[21:22] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 sense motive
06[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 sense motive and gets 25." [1d20=7]
[21:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 rolling for the sake of concealing it regardless if Deme's right or not.
06[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 rolling for the sake of concealing it regardless if Deme's right or not. and gets 33." [1d20=9]
06[21:25] * Demedais shrugs. "That's probably part of it on your end. You also managed to both annoy Helm and pique my own curiousity."
[21:27] <Kotono> "Oh, Helm? The God of boredom, nitpicking and entropy? I'll pass." Balbast steps back, "Well, if it's going to come to a fight..." He cracks his knuckles, "You're going to lose and lose hard!"
[21:31] <Demedais> "Am I?" Demedais chuckles, his devotions springing into place. "So, you never did answer most of my questions... ah well, time for that later."
[21:33] <Kotono> The creature shifts! It is now about man sized, wearing the same clothes as before. It's skin is a reptilian grey, distinctly frog-like. It has claws, running them together. "Then if it's a fight you want...!" With that, the creature is attacking! OOC: The two of you really didn't hit it off, like at all. Let's roll initiative?
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d10+10 ribbit
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+10 ribbit and gets 16." [1d10=6]
[21:33] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 hey, Deme was making jokes!
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 hey, Deme was making jokes! and gets 14." [1d20=13]
03[21:33] * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad>Demedais'
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 27." [1d100=27]
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d4
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
[21:34] <Kotono> Balbast leaps back, past the bed and to the far side of the room! Roiling chaos forms, filling the room up, a wall of four, large, red slaad in front of Demedais! A split second later, four hammering blows of chaos strike him hard!
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 CL vs SR
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 CL vs SR
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 CL vs SR and gets 18." [1d20=8]
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 CL vs SR and gets 29." [1d20=19]
[21:35] <Kotono> Balbast leaps back, past the bed and to the far side of the room! Roiling chaos forms, filling the room up, a wall of four, large, red slaad in front of Demedais! A split second later, four hammering blows of chaos strike him hard!
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 CL vs SR
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 CL vs SR
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 CL vs SR and gets 17." [1d20=7]
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 CL vs SR and gets 23." [1d20=13]
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: SR?
[21:35] <Demedais> OOC: 32.
03[21:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Red Slaad(4)>Demedais'
03[21:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Blue Slaad(4)>Demedais'
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: Blue, sorry, dur.
[21:36] <Kotono> All the hammering blow fizzle around Demedais, not touched at all by the onslaught! Balbast is unseen, the large slaad taking up everything and blocking his way entirely! OOC: Deme.
[21:38] <Kotono> All the hammering blow fizzle around Demedais, not touched at all by the onslaught! Balbast is unseen, the large slaad taking up everything and blocking his way entirely! OOC: Deme.
[21:44] <Demedais> "I see. Not exactly playing fair, but ah well...!" Demedais chuckles. "Let's see how well turnabout works!" With that, a web of energy slams into place right in the center of the room, the top just barely skirting the ceiling! OOC: Order's Wrath, positioned so the bottom goes underground and the top fills the room pretty much precisely.
[19:43] <Kotono> * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Red Slaad(4)>Demedais'
[19:43] <Kotono> * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Blue Slaad(4)>Demedais'
[19:43] <Kotono> > OOC: Blue, sorry, dur.
[19:43] <Kotono> > All the hammering blow fizzle around Demedais, not touched at all by the onslaught! Balbast is unseen, the large slaad taking up everything and blocking his way entirely! OOC: Deme.
[19:43] <Kotono> > All the hammering blow fizzle around Demedais, not touched at all by the onslaught! Balbast is unseen, the large slaad taking up everything and blocking his way entirely! OOC: Deme.
[19:43] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I see. Not exactly playing fair, but ah well...!" Demedais chuckles. "Let's see how well turnabout works!" With that, a web of energy slams into place right in the center of the room, the top just barely skirting the ceiling! OOC: Order's Wrath, positioned so the bottom goes underground and the top fills the room pretty much precisely.
[19:43] <Kotono> OOC: Make caster level checking up in this place, Deme?
[19:46] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (+1 Law Domain -1 negative level)
06[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 (+1 Law Domain -1 negative level) and gets 18." [1d20=11]
[19:46] <Kotono> OOC: Roll.
[19:48] <Demedais> roll 7d6
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 7d6 and gets 32." [7d6=3, 6, 4, 6, 5, 5, 3]
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 DC, Deme?
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 DC, Deme?
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 DC, Deme? and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 DC, Deme?
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 DC, Deme?
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 DC, Deme? and gets 17." [1d20=12]
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 DC, Deme? and gets 24." [1d20=19]
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 DC, Deme? and gets 11." [1d20=6]
[19:49] <Demedais> OOC: 17
06[19:52] * Demedais then triggers his boots of haste! OOC: That's it.
[19:52] <Kotono> The wrath of order sends the blue slaads into chaos! They wobble about and half of them are outright dazed! Demedais can'ts ee in the back, so he has no idea how it impacted Balbast! However, he can hear him call twisting, potent arcane words of power! OOC: Blue slaad are up, two of the them are dazed and take no action.
[19:53] <Kotono> Two of the blue slaad loom over Demedais, looking to rip him apart with an absolute flurry of claw rips!
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 22." [1d20=7]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 25." [1d20=10]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 28." [1d20=13]
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 bite
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 bite and gets 30." [1d20=17]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 26." [1d20=11]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 17." [1d20=2]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 18." [1d20=3]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 29." [1d20=14]
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 bite
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 bite and gets 18." [1d20=5]
[19:53] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[19:53] <Demedais> OOC: Uuuuh 42
[19:53] <Kotono> Despite all these attacks, Demedais is able to stop each and every blow with ease, all of them failing to have the least impact on him! OOC: Deme.
06[19:58] * Demedais grunts and lashes out with several spear thrusts at one of the blue slaad blocking his way, attempting to kill it quickly and get past them! OOC: Aiming for one of the middle two, preferably a stunned one
[19:58] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+1 Haste +6 Law Devotion -1 neg level)
06[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+1 Haste +6 Law Devotion -1 neg level) and gets 30." [1d20=4]
[20:00] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11
06[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 and gets 17." [1d10=6]
[20:01] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 next attack
06[20:01] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 next attack and gets 43." [1d20=17]
[20:02] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:02] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11
06[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 and gets 17." [1d10=6]
[20:03] <Demedais> roll 1d20+21 next attack, if it's not dead keep stabbing it else move to the next one and tell me so I can make my one cleave roll
06[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+21 next attack, if it's not dead keep stabbing it else move to the next one and tell me so I can make my one cleave roll and gets 26." [1d20=5]
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:04] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11 poke
06[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 poke and gets 12." [1d10=1]
[20:04] <Kotono> OOC: That your last attack? It's still up, just barely.
[20:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+16 final attack
06[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+16 final attack and gets 27." [1d20=11]
[20:05] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11 poke
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 poke and gets 21." [1d10=10]
[20:05] <Kotono> OOC: Cleave.
03[20:05] * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Blue Slaad(3)>Demedais'
[20:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+16 cleave
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+16 cleave and gets 35." [1d20=19]
[20:06] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11 poke
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 poke and gets 12." [1d10=1]
03[20:06] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-544794a8.wfd84b.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:10] <Kotono> Demedais rips and tears into the blue slaad, returning it into ribbons of asymmetrical matter all over, before it vanishes away! The three survivors are still there, however, and the two dazed ones are moving again! The two rear ones send waves of freezing, constricting power at Demedais! OOC: Two will saves?
[20:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+22 save 1 (+5 mind-affecting, -1 nl)
06[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 save 1 (+5 mind-affecting, -1 nl) and gets 36." [1d20=14]
[20:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17 save 2 (-1 nl)
06[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 save 2 (-1 nl) and gets 26." [1d20=9]
[20:14] <Kotono> Demedais has the will of atiger, throwing off such feeble attempts, as the blue slaad in melee with him attempts to grapple him down! OOC: This provokes an AoO from you if you like.
06[20:15] * Demedais grimaces at the slaad! "Not happening if I've got a say in it!" With that, he slashes upward at the slaad!
[20:15] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 35." [1d20=9]
[20:16] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:16] <Demedais> roll 1d10+11
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+11 and gets 17." [1d10=6]
[20:17] <Kotono> Demedais impales the slaad, stopping it from coming in contact with him at all! More arcane words can be heard in the meanwhile, twisted and ever changing! OOC: Deme?
[20:19] <Demedais> OOC: I presume I can't see where Balbast is?
[20:20] <Kotono> OOC: There's still three big slaad in the way. Also, correction. You're in melee with someone and using a reach weapon. You can't AoO with a reach weapon in melee, so strike that AoO. My bad.
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 touch AC, Deme
06[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 touch AC, Deme and gets 31." [1d20=16]
[20:21] <Demedais> OOC: Huh, wait, I can't hit it before it charges in? Eh, okay. Also this is why AoOs/grapples/all that confuse me, too many priority orders. Also 22.
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: Grapple checks.
[20:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 31." [1d20=11]
[20:22] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 wooooo grapple
06[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 wooooo grapple and gets 30." [1d20=11]
[20:27] <Kotono> roll 2d6+6 unarmed damage
06[20:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+6 unarmed damage and gets 16." [2d6=4, 6]
[20:27] <Kotono> Demedais is clubbeda nd held down by the slaad, grappled! OOC: Deme, your'e up now and being grappled.
[20:28] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 trying to break grapple
06[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 trying to break grapple and gets 30." [1d20=11]
[20:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 21." [1d20=1]
[20:29] <Kotono> Demedais is able to do so, twisting and breaking free of the grapple! OOC: That was a standard ation, you still hav ea move+swift if you like.
06[20:29] * Demedais focuses his strength for if the slaad tries this again!
[20:33] <Demedais> OOC: Strike.
[20:33] <Demedais> In frustration at getting caught for even a second, Deme steps back lightly before letting loose a fury of thrusts at the offending slaad!
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +6 Law Dev -6 PA)
06[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+1 Haste +6 Law Dev -6 PA) and gets 24." [1d20=4]
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d10+23
06[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+23 and gets 33." [1d10=10]
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC: Still up. Next attack?
[20:35] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (+1 Haste +6 Law Dev -6 PA)
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 (+1 Haste +6 Law Dev -6 PA) and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[20:35] <Demedais> roll 1d10+23
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+23 and gets 30." [1d10=7]
03[20:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Gray Slaad=Blue Slaad(2)>Demedais'
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC: Downed, but the other two aren't in FA range, they're back a bit, so no cleave.
[20:36] <Demedais> OOC: Kay.
[20:36] <Kotono> Demedais counters and impales twice, ripping the blue slaad to tiny little bits! It's gone, only two remaining! He can now get glimpes of Balbast behind, twisting, multihued chaotic energy flowing around his amphibian body! The two surviving blue slaad diverge, one goes for Demedais while the other tries magic again!
[20:36] <Kotono> OOC: Will save? Mind effecting.
[20:37] <Demedais> roll 1d20+17
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 and gets 32." [1d20=15]
[20:38] <Kotono> As Demedais once again keeps his will intact, the other slaad is on him!
[20:38] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 23." [1d20=6]
[20:39] <Kotono> But it's single claw is weak, missing Demedais entirely! OOC: Deme.
06[20:42] * Demedais snorts. "I tire of this, I must confess. How about..." Demedais quickly lunges forward, bypassing the two lesser slaad as he aims straight at Balbast with the spear, "...we get serious?"
[20:42] <Demedais> OOC: Accepting AoOs.
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 24." [1d20=9]
06[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[20:43] <Kotono> Demedais dashes by the two blue slaad, leaving them in his rear as he charges forward! OOC: Go for it.
[20:44] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25 (+2 Charge +6 Law Dev +1 Haste -3 PA)
06[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 (+2 Charge +6 Law Dev +1 Haste -3 PA) and gets 39." [1d20=14]
[20:45] <Kotono> The whirling forces around Balbast stop Demedais' glaive, preventing any particular impact! Balbast glares at him as the room is wrecked, one of the blue slaads hopping on the bed as the furniture and odds and ends are tossed about! OOC: I forgot the SR checks on all the will save,s but fortunately it doesn't matter. Dur.
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 17." [1d20=1]
[20:46] <Kotono> A raging hammer of chaos slams into Demedais, but sparks out and fizzles away! The two blue slaad wildly charge Deme's flank with abandon!
[20:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 34." [1d20=17]
[20:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 28." [1d20=11]
[20:46] <Kotono> The two come to menace his back, but he barely even has to whirl to stop them from laying into him! OOC: Deme. You're in the back of the room and a wee bit on the surrounded side.
06[20:48] * Demedais grimaces at the wreckage, but seems more concerned with actually downing Balbast than anything else. "Oh, come now. Surely you can take a puny mortal like me down without issue, Balbast?" he calls mockingly as words of divine intervention and focus escape his lips! OOC: He wants to buff? I'll play that game. Kensai Focus and Divine Power up.
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: What's your concentration mod? It's high as hell, isn't it?
[20:49] <Demedais> OOC: 23, yes.
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Easy enough to cast defensively, right.
[20:51] <Kotono> Demedais calls on the power of Helm, as Balbast growls low, "Oh, your'e going to writhe in agony for that," he snaps, a powerful, glowing orb of pure force coming from his hand, flying at Demedais!
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 ranged touch shenanigans
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 ranged touch shenanigans and gets 42." [1d20=20]
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 ranged touch shenanigans crit?
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 ranged touch shenanigans crit? and gets 41." [1d20=19]
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 20d6 owwwwwww, and yes, Orb of Force ignores SR. It's one of the ones Seira likes.
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6 owwwwwww, and yes, Orb of Force ignores SR. It's one of the ones Seira likes. and gets 58." [20d6=1, 5, 2, 2, 2, 5, 1, 6, 4, 5, 4, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 1, 3]
[20:52] <Kotono> The orb catches Demedais right in the chin, staggering him back hard! The two blue slaad flank him in the meanwhile, trying to rip him apart!
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 20." [1d20=3]
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 32." [1d20=15]
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 36." [1d20=19]
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 29." [1d20=12]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 22." [1d20=7]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 23." [1d20=6]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 36." [1d20=19]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 37." [1d20=20]
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 34." [1d20=17]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31." [1d20=17]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 one crit check
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 one crit check and gets 23." [1d20=6]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 2d6+6-5 (DR)
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+6-5 (DR) and gets 10." [2d6=4, 5]
[20:54] <Kotono> REeling back, Demedais still defends himself excellently! He parries and blocks, only one slash able to graze across his hand! OOC: Deme, you're up.
[20:55] <Demedais> "Heh, nice. I confess I didn't anticipate seeing that spell." Demedais nods slightly to Balbast. "Still, let's see how well those defenses hold up..." With that, a dizzying number of jabs are executed at the frog-Balbast's sides in an attempt to pierce him through!
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+35 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii)
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+35 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+35 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii) and gets 52." [1d20=17]
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+35 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii) and gets 41." [1d20=6]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+30 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+30 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii) and gets 37." [1d20=7]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii) and gets 26." [1d20=1]
[20:56] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii)
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+1 Haste, +4 Divine Power, +4 Kensai Focus, +6 Law Devotion. Hiiiiiiiiii) and gets 22." [1d20=2]
[20:57] <Kotono> OOC: One hit. His AC'sb uffed to hell, blame Hatbot going cold there.
[20:58] <Demedais> roll 1d10+19 kay
06[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+19 kay and gets 24." [1d10=5]
[21:00] <Kotono> Demedais slashes and hacks, ripping away! His glaive hits Balbast in the side, a shallow impalement into him, hsi skin resistant! He growls, "Impossible! I have enough protections to stop a meteor!" He holds the wound, a gray, blood-esque substance leaking out between his fingers. This time, a dreadful word of power escapes his mouth!
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 SR
06[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 SR and gets 33." [1d20=17]
[21:00] <Kotono> OOC: What's your SR, Deme?
[21:01] <Demedais> OOC: 30, sadly.
[21:01] <Kotono> roll 2d4
06[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4 and gets 6." [2d4=4, 2]
[21:03] <Kotono> Demedais is stunned! The glaive drops from his grasp! In his reeling vision he can see the two blue slaad holding him down! Balbast rubs his side, going down to pick Demedais' dropped glaive. He holds it to the stunned paladin's throat as his reflexes start to return, arms held back by the slaad, "Talk. I want to know exactly why you're here."
[21:10] <Demedais> "Heh. Okay, now I am impressed." Demedais manages to croak, head still spinning a bit. "Though, truth be told, I pretty much gave you all the details... You want me to go over them again, then?"
[21:12] <Kotono> "So, this is truly just a random incursion against me by Helm? Hmph." With a croak of his own, "Give me a good reason I shouldn't cut your throat here for this entire fiasco. You've ruined my plans and it's going to be such a cursed HEADACHE to get Jurgen to cooperate again."
[21:16] <Demedais> "A good reason, eh?" Demedais muses at this one. "Well, firstly, killing me's not going to make anyone else happy, including Helm. And while you might enjoy spiting him here, it's not gonna make things pretty down the line - especially since you're not likely to get much else outta here. With me alive you can still spin it as just a rather vocal disagreement between two powerful humans." At the same time, Demedais' muscles seem to be a bit tenser
[21:17] <Demedais> OOC: Kensai focusing, not sure it'd be notable?
[21:23] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, -5 considering the circumstances?
[21:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 mrfk
06[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+12 mrfk and gets 29." [1d20=17]
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23 unrelated check
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 unrelated check and gets 42." [1d20=19]
[21:26] <Kotono> OOC:Make a listen check, Deme?
[21:26] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 kay
06[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 kay and gets 30." [1d20=4]
[21:28] <Kotono> "You know what? I'm bored of this now," With a deeper growl in his throat, Balbast takes a step back. "But you know what I like? This." Holding up the chaotic glaive Demedais dropped, "Cross me again, and I'll take far more than just your weapon." In an instant, Balbast is gone.
[21:31] <Kotono> The blue slaad are still there, however.
[21:32] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 ahahah spellcraft
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 ahahah spellcraft and gets 15." [1d20=10]
06[21:34] * Demedais grimaces at this, before trying to toss the blue slaad holding onto his left arm in front of him!
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: Grapple check?
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 39." [1d20=19]
[21:35] <Demedais> roll 1d20+23 apparently this is a grapple check, str +4 since kensai hulked but divine power's not up awww fuck
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+23 apparently this is a grapple check, str +4 since kensai hulked but divine power's not up awww fuck and gets 31." [1d20=8]
[21:36] <Kotono> Demedais can't escape it's grasp! As he struggles in vain, "What manner of monster is this?" You can hear the sound of your friend's voice, the knight's tones shocked, "Call more guards! Something has gone terribly wrong here!" OOC: Go ahead, Deme, the slaad are just holding you at the mometn.
[21:39] <Demedais> "Balbast is a grey slaad." Demedais replies as calmly as can be managed! "He's either escaping under invisibility or via dimension door, I suspect, and has the glaive I was carrying! Be careful!" Hey, Balbast didn't tell him to keep his mouth shut.
[21:41] <Kotono> You hear the draw of metal, "Demedais, stand strong!" your friend calls. But fortunately, there is little need. The slaad vanish, back to whence they came.
06[21:42] * Demedais immediately snaps off the words to Invisibility Purge, drawing his sword.
[21:43] <Kotono> Nothing is revealed by it, as your friend runs up. "They're gone. Magic is at work here? You're also hurt," With his sword drawn and eyes looking about, "Come, we can mount a short range search party immediately."
[21:47] <Demedais> "Hmph. Must be Dimension Door, then, if I remember the spell correctly." Demedais mutters. "I had anticipated invisibility." A slight nod to Sir Stanley. "That would be appreciated, but a forewarning - he's quite dangerous. I admit that I had not anticipated the breadth of magic he had available to him. Hopefully, however, he's also close to tapped out after this."
06[21:48] * Demedais then also heals himself! "He gives himself away with his aura of overwhelming chaos - it isn't hard to catch if you're looking. If you can, keep some men with Jurgen and send some to the orphanage - I'm heading there just to make sure that's not his next target."
[21:48] <Demedais> OOC: 28 HP LoH
[21:49] <Kotono> Sir Stanley nods, hurrying off with Demedais! He hurries to the orphanage. Approaching it, he sees that nothing unusual is happening, children playing out front without incident on his arrival.
[21:53] <Demedais> "Sir Stanley, can I trust you to get them to relative safety?" Demedais asks. "Also, where would the Rumbling Rooster be?"
[21:54] <Kotono> Viewing the orphanage himself, and with a slight nod, "We shall. The Rumbling Rooster is a few streets down," he points, "Go that way."
[21:55] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais says, giving the building one quick lookover for chaos before quickly checking the Rumbling Rooster - if he's right, Balbast might be there gathering his things?
[21:57] <Kotono> Finding no chaos, Demedais hurries to the Rumbling Rooster. A statue of a rooster made of stone stands just outside, a typical inn building awaiting Demedais. Nothing's happening immediately outside of it.
06[21:58] * Demedais quickly steps in. "Excuse me, but what room would Balbast normally be present in? He has just incited an attack in the Kingdom's Pride, I'm afraid, and I need to access his room." he asks as soon as he gets within sight of the doorman.
[22:03] <Kotono> "Aaah!" The man at the desk is in fact an unremarkable woman, who colors, "S-sir?! He's in r-r-room 43, upstairs."
[22:04] <Demedais> "Ah, my apologies. Thank you." Demedais replies, before sweeping upstairs.
[22:05] <Kotono> Hurrying upstairs, Demedais finds room 43 closed and quiet. Nothing unusual is happening here.
06[22:06] * Demedais checks through the door for chaos?
[22:07] <Kotono> Demedais detects no chaos.
06[22:08] * Demedais curses and heads back down. "If he comes in, don't try to stop him - just try to notify the guard if you can." Demedais requests the woman as he leaves, mind storming.
[22:10] <Kotono> Outside, Demedais can see a band of soldiers hurrying past, searching and bidding citizens to head inside. Otherwise, it's unremarkable outside. OOC: What are you going to do now?
[20:35] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Ah, my apologies. Thank you." Demedais replies, before sweeping upstairs.
[20:35] <Kotono> > Hurrying upstairs, Demedais finds room 43 closed and quiet. Nothing unusual is happening here.
[20:35] <Kotono> * Demedais checks through the door for chaos?
[20:35] <Kotono> > Demedais detects no chaos.
[20:35] <Kotono> * Demedais curses and heads back down. "If he comes in, don't try to stop him - just try to notify the guard if you can." Demedais requests the woman as he leaves, mind storming.
[20:35] <Kotono> > Outside, Demedais can see a band of soldiers hurry
[20:35] <Kotono> ing past, searching and bidding citizens to head inside. Otherwise, it's unremarkable outside. OOC: What are you going to do now?
06[20:41] * Demedais curses his inability to stop Balbast, before frowning. "Evervigilant One, please grant me your guidance..." he says in a soft whisper, looking up. "I have not the capability to tract this threat as Alicia or Seira would, and so I must throw myself upon your guidance in this... Grant me the foresight to anticipate and stop Balbast's next move, that I may reclaim the glaive and end his threat to the orphanage a
[20:43] <Demedais> end his threat to the orphanage and this city. In this, Helm, please grant me guidance."
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Casting a spell or just praying?
[20:50] <Demedais> OOC: Just praying, though there will be a spell cast if he can't get any flash of inspiration from this by his own mind or from Helm.
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: Roll ad 1000?
[20:50] <Demedais> roll 1d1000
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d1000 and gets 213." [1d1000=213]
[20:53] <Kotono> Demedais feels a little better, but there's no immediate flash of wisdom coming.
06[20:55] * Demedais nods slightly to himself, not having really expected anything without going through the formal ten minutes for a real Divination. With that, he heads to the orphanage to ensure their safety and begin casting the spell!
[20:55] <Kotono> The orphanage is still quiet. A peace overlays it, the children inside and safe.
06[21:00] * Demedais quickly weighs the options... OOC: Is there a guard at the door or no?
[21:02] <Kotono> OOC: There's a pair of city guards here, yes.
06[21:04] * Demedais nods to the guards. "My apologies. I am Demedais of Helm, the one who has effectively put out this alarum due to my encounter with Balbast, the slaad. I will be in prayer in the side yard here, if this is permissible - I seek guidance as to how to intercept him in the most efficient method possible, as he has not chosen yet to intercept either of the two points I thought he would."
[21:05] <Kotono> The guard nods, "Of course, sir. Sir Stanley told us about you." The othe rone stays at attention at the time, keeping a vigiliant watch.
[21:07] <Demedais> "Thank you. May Helm aid your watch." Demedais says, before using the Divination spell to try and divine the answer to his earlier prayer...
[21:08] <Kotono> OOC: Going to repeat your question vertabein?
[21:11] <Demedais> OOC: The question being prayed upon would be "How can I best catch Balbast before he is a threat again?", effectively.
[21:16] <Kotono> "Balbast resides deeper within, the rot spreads from the flesh into the bone."
06[21:20] * Demedais pauses at this. "Balbast resides deeper within... rot spreads from the flesh into the bone..." he repeats. "Sewer system, then?" With that, he heads back to the guards. "Where is Sir Stanley supposed to be, or what areas is he searching?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "He should be in the main square of the city now, sir," One of the guards reports.
[21:21] <Demedais> "Which direction is that in?"
[21:21] <Demedais> OOC: Strike.
[21:23] <Demedais> "Thank you - the main square where the Kingdom's Pride sits, correct? In that case, I should make haste." Demedais says, moving to head there unless one of the guards contradicts him!
[21:27] <Kotono> Demedais goes back to the main square! Guards are coming and going, the common people off the streets. Sir Stanley is there, direction soldiers who bring back running reports. "Hail," he calls as Demedais approaches, "Have you had any fortune?"
[21:30] <Demedais> "I have advice from Helm. 'Balbast resides deeper within, the rot spreads from the flesh into the bone.' I can think of but three interpretations - one will be easy to eliminate, but I would have your aid if you would grant it on this. Does this mean anything specifically to you?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "It sounds like a metaphor," Scratching his chin as he squints, "Ont he surface, it sounds like how wound rot will destroy a limb and require amputation."
[21:33] <Demedais> "That was one theory, and thus I was thinking that a hospital might be one such place. The other two... well. Firstly, do you have a sewer system here?"
[21:34] <Kotono> "There is drainage, but who would go in? It's narrow water tunnels full of waste water," Wrinkling his nose, "If you could even fit in, which would be a feat."
[21:36] <Demedais> "I somehow doubt he'd notice or care, which makes it a good place for him to hide while the city is searching for him. There is one final interpretation, however, and though I do not know for sure it is the case, it would be an easy check for me. If I may have your assistance with it? While the last fight was hardly fair, it still gives me an idea of his skill - and I would not face him alone again if given the choic
[21:38] <Demedais> and I would not face him alone again if given the choice."
[21:40] <Kotono> "This creature must be stopped. Noble Demedais, you will have my blade and the blade of Telerath." He declares.
[21:43] <Demedais> "Thank you, friend. There are but two things I would request of you in this. I can handle much of what he can do, but not all - if he prepares sorcery, I would you aim to strike him and disrupt the magic. Leave offense to me - as I think he will only be effectively foiled with the glaive I was carrying, and that he now holds... which means I'll disarm him, first." Demedais nods. "First, to the orphanage - if the taki
[21:43] <Demedais> "First, to the orphanage - if the taking of the Orphanage land is the flesh, then by the rest of the message he could possibly be trying to infiltrate into the orphanage somehow. Thus, the rot into the bone, and the statement that he is 'deeper within'.
[22:02] <Kotono> "Perhaps it is so. But if he is using magic to mimick a child or someone working there, how will you detect him?"
[22:12] <Demedais> "The same way I caught him the first time..." Demedais muses. "He gives off an aura of powerful chaos, one that he cannot hide so far as I can tell. It's the best method I have for catching him here."
[22:15] <Kotono> "Then, let us take to the hunt?" Sir Stanley suggests. "Find himw hevever he lurks?"
[22:15] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais says, leading the way back to the orphanage!
[22:19] <Kotono> You find Sister Julia waiting outside with the guards, "Sir Demedais," she calls as they approach, going past the two soldiers at the door.
06[22:20] * Demedais looks up. "What is the matter?" Demedais asks, cursing himself mentally even as he looks for chaos over all three.
[22:23] <Kotono> No chaos. "The children are frightened. What is going on?" shea sks, hands clasped in front of her.
[22:28] <Demedais> "Balbast... is on the loose, and he isn't human." Demedais replies shortly. "If you see him, don't try to fight - just keep the children as protected as possible. If we could, may we come in for a minute?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "Oh my!" Gasping, "Not human? Is he some sort of monster? A plague from the shadowy depths to blight us? Of course, of course," gesturing Demedais in, "As long as you are there, I know we are protected, holy man."
[22:31] <Demedais> "He is a being of chaos, ruled only by impulse." Demedais says with a slight nod. "Thank you. What room are the children in?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "They are in their sleeping and play rooms," Sister Julia nods, "I can take you there."
[22:34] <Demedais> "That would be appreciated. First, the play room?" Demedais requests.
[22:42] <Kotono> The play room is pleasant and noisy. Children runa round, building blocks, paints and the like all about. A wooden horse is being ridden by a 5 year old, rocking back and forth wildly. Some of the children stare at Demedais as he enters.
06[22:44] * Demedais looks the kids over for that same overwhelming chaos quickly, smiling at the children!
[22:44] <Kotono> A few of the children have chaos, but only faint chaos not fitting of a slaad.
02[22:49] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-208-166.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net batcave.dejatoons.net)
03[22:49] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-208-166.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[22:50] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[22:50] <Kotono> A few of the children have chaos, but only faint chaos not fitting of a slaad.
[18:57] <Kotono> > You find Sister Julia waiting outside with the guards, "Sir Demedais," she calls as they approach, going past the two soldiers at the door.
[18:57] <Kotono> * Demedais looks up. "What is the matter?" Demedais asks, cursing himself mentally even as he looks for chaos over all three.
[18:57] <Kotono> > No chaos. "The children are frightened. What is going on?" shea sks, hands clasped in front of her.
[18:57] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Balbast... is on the loose, and he isn't human." Demedais replies shortly. "If you see him, don't try to fight - just keep the children as protected as possible. If we could, may we come in for a minute?"
[18:57] <Kotono> > "Oh my!" Gasping, "Not human? Is he some sort of monster? A plague from the shadowy depths to blight us? Of course, of course," gesturing Demedais in, "As long as you are there, I know we are protected, holy man."
[18:57] <Kotono> <Demedais> "He is a being of chaos, ruled only by impulse." Demedais says with a slight nod. "Thank you. What room are the children in?"
[18:57] <Kotono> > "They are in their sleeping and play rooms," Sister Julia nods, "I can take you there."
[18:57] <Kotono> <Demedais> "That would be appreciated. First, the play room?" Demedais requests.
[18:57] <Kotono> > The play room is pleasant and noisy. Children runa round, building blocks, paints and the like all about. A wooden horse is being ridden by a 5 year old, rocking back and forth wildly. Some of the children stare at Demedais as he enters.
[18:57] <Kotono> * Demedais looks the kids over for that same overwhelming chaos quickly, smiling at the children!
[18:57] <Kotono> > A few of the children have chaos, but only faint chaos not fitting of a slaad.
06[18:58] * Demedais smiles at the children for a moment longer, before nodding slightly. "And the sleeping room?"
[18:59] <Kotono> "Of course, this way," Sister Julia leads Demedais in deeper. Inside, a few children rest, but not too many. The ones that do look to be napping, Sister Julia putting a finger over her mouth. "Shhhhh."
06[18:59] * Demedais nods, looking them over again!
[19:00] <Kotono> Once again, no chaos worthy of a slaadi. Just innocent, sleeping children.
06[19:03] * Demedais nods slightly, and steps back a few steps out of the room, before saying to Julia in a hushed tone, "Is there a basement to this structure, or a inner section not normally used for orphanage purposes?"
[19:05] <Kotono> "Ah yes, we have a storage basement," she whispers back, "Would you like to inspect it?"
[19:06] <Demedais> "I would. Hopefully this pans out too." Demedais shrugs.
[19:10] <Kotono> You are taken to the back and to a cellar. Opening heavy wooden doors, you are lead inside. Here various old things like - broken bits of metal and wood, decorations, old toys, furniture that has seen better days, reserves of firewood and essentials, that manner of thing.
06[19:11] * Demedais also looks around here for chaos, stepping in to the center and using his normal eyesight as well as his ability to check for chaos to try and locate Balbast...
[19:12] <Kotono> OOC: Make a psot check?
[19:13] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[19:13] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 33." [1d20=7]
[19:14] <Kotono> Demedais spots a few rats hiding behind boxes and a fair bit of dust. But no sign of chaos or Balbast. There's a few things lost in corners - an old doll, a dagger, some rope, but no signs of chaotic slaadi anywhere.
[19:15] <Demedais> "Is there a reason a dagger is down here?" Demedais asks Julia.
[19:16] <Kotono> Approaching Demedais as he says that, "A dagger? None offhand, we don't keep weapons here," she says after some thought. "Where is it?
[19:16] <Kotono> "
06[19:17] * Demedais pauses at this, before checking the dagger for magic as he advances toward it.
[19:18] <Kotono> Invoking the name of Helm to see the unseen dweomers of the world, Demedais finds that the dagger is not magical. It's a dagger. It's not particularly rusty, but it's not shiny or well kept, either. Very average. Sister Julia follows, "I suppose it may have gotten mixed up with some supplies or trash down here."
[19:19] <Demedais> "Perhaps." Demedais looks around. "Alright, I think the orphanage is safe - I can't think of any other places he might try to hide, unless you know of any?"
03[19:20] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Demedais
[19:21] <Kotono> "No." With a deep bow to Demedais, "Thank you for your concern for the children, holy man. What should we do if Balbast returns here? Summon the guard?"
[19:23] <Demedais> "Summon the guard, do not try and fight him. Keep yourself and the children as safe as possible. He's quite powerful." Demedais warns, before nodding to Stanley. "My apologies for the delay, but this seemed like a prime target for him. Where is the hospital?"
[19:27] <Kotono> "There is a small clinic here ran by a disciple of Ilmater," Sir Stanley agrees, "I can escort you there, and if not, we can retire and discuss other places the cur may have fled to?"
[19:28] <Demedais> "If not there, I would not mind further discussion, but... if the sewers are maneuverable, that may be my best option, sadly." Demedais grimaces. "May need noseplugs."
[19:30] <Kotono> Thus, the two go to the clinic. It is a small, unassuming building of old stone and thatch, sandwiched between two larger houses. A small potted plant garden sits out front of it's old wooden door, which hangs slightly off it's hinges. Sir Stanley very carefully opens it, "Please, proceed."
[19:31] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods, scanning for both chaos and unusual sights as he steps in, left hand on his sword but right hand raised peacably.
[19:33] <Kotono> Inside is a common room. Several straw mats and pallets lie about, people resting on them. Basins of water lie at the foot of every one of those. An old, bowed man hurries between the people, talking to them in soft words as he soothes wounds, blisters, warts, fractures and pain. The room is dominated by a mural of Ilmater, the crying god bearing the pains of being broken on the rack with resolute, eternal patience. While a few of the
[19:33] <Kotono> eternal patience. While a few of the wounded radiate chaos, none radiate it strongly. "Ah, good sir," The old man bows to Demedais long, "Welcome to my House of Healing. Do you seek the restorative touch of Ilmater's mercy?"
[19:36] <Demedais> "Thank you, but I am afraid that is not precisely why we have come here. There is a dangerous subject - Balbast - running around town. We are attempting to intercept him, and the recent guidance granted from Helm has led us to think he might try infiltrating here." Demedais replies politely, bowing respectfully to the man and the Ilmater mural.
[19:39] <Kotono> "Welcome," He bows again, "Fellow follower of the Triad. I have not seen Balbast here, though I have heard of him in the past weeks. However," His gaze travels toa man lying on a cot, seemingly aslumber. "Should this man waken, I believe he may know something of Balbast. I found him at the dawn on my doorstep, beaten severly. He rasped of a dangerous man before he collapsed into a coma."
06[19:40] * Demedais starts at this. "May I, sir? I have a bit of healing capability - if it can prove of use..."
[19:41] <Kotono> "Please, try." He steps aside, a young man dressed in brown pants and with bandages over his chest.
06[19:42] * Demedais nods. "Thank you." With that, he places his hands on the man's shoulders, attempting to heal him out of the coma! OOC: 10 HP healing
[19:44] <Kotono> The man stirs briefly in his coma, but shows no signs of waking. "I have tried my own meager talents at healing and had no success," The priest sits next to Demedais, joints creaking audibly. He takes a cloth, wets it with water, and cleans the man's face. "His wounds are mostly recovered, but his catatonia persists."
[19:47] <Kotono> Sir Stanley approaches, "Good man, has this been reported? A victim of what may be a supernatural assault? I have been out of Telerath recently, I admit, but has another investigated it?"
06[19:50] * Demedais muses, before attempting a Restoration on the young man, looking up at Stanley's questions.
[19:55] <Kotono> Calling on the power of Helm, Demedais heals the man! He groans aloud, shivering, "Stop...stop the nightmares..." he whimpers in a tiny voice. His eyes fly open, sitting up in a panic! A scream rips out from his throat as he scrambles towards the wall! "AAAAAAH! AAAAAAhhhh...!" The second one dies in his throat. "W...where am I? What...you're...you're not changing?"
[19:56] <Demedais> "You're okay. You're safe now, thank Ilmater and Helm." Demedais says kindly. "Where were you when you were attacked?"
[19:56] <Kotono> "I had not, as I thought his ailment was one brought on by physical malady and beating. I have seen some slip into comas after being injured and never awaken." The old priest stops here, smiling serenely, "Be at peace, young man. You're safe here."
[19:58] <Kotono> "Oh...I'm free. Oh Gods, the nightmares! Everything kept changing into a thousand nightmarish faces!" He shakes all over, "I kept running but I could never get away!
[19:58] <Kotono> "
[19:58] <Kotono> OOC: GAh.
[19:58] <Kotono> "Oh...I'm free. Oh Gods, the nightmares! Everything kept changing into a thousand nightmarish faces!" He shakes all over, "I kept running but I could never get away!" He holds himself, breathing rapidly, sucking in air in long gulps. "I kept thinking I'd died and fallen into the Abyss!"
[19:59] <Demedais> "You're safe now." Demedais repeats, holding his tone in check. "What's your name?"
[20:00] <Kotono> "Vin. My name is Vin." He licks his lips, "W-What happened to me?"
[20:01] <Kotono> "You were attacked," The old priest elaborates briefly, "You were left at the House of Healing and have lain here for about two weeks now."
[20:02] <Demedais> Two weeks now? Har. Well, maybe he's got a clue as to where Balbast is via association. "Do you remember where you were at last before this?"
03[20:03] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af04e5f.wfd99.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:04] <Kotono> "I...I'd stopped to get a drink," He rubs his face, "I think. I got a bit drunk and..." He stops and rubs his head for at ime. "Something about getting into an argument with someone outside of the tavern. Then...I screamed. I remember screaming and my mind not working right. I was falling into the dreams and then...I was there, until now."
03[20:05] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:06] <Demedais> "I see." Demedais nods slightly, stepping back and glancing to the priest. "Do we know who brought him here?"
[20:08] <Kotono> "No." The old man says, "He was left here, alone." He goes up to Vin, cleaning his forehead once more, "Please, relax and search your mind. Can you remember a name to who did this to you? A face? It is possible the person who did this to you is not human, but a monster that the honored man here needs to stop."
[20:12] <Kotono> "I...I remember..." The man searches his mind, "His name was...Ba...bal something. It started with Bal."
[20:13] <Demedais> "Balbast?" Demedais grunts.
[20:15] <Kotono> "That's it!" Snapping his fingers, "He said that his name could haunt me in my nightmares! Oh GOD, he knew what he was doing to me?" Shaking all over again, "The son of a bitch!"
[20:16] <Demedais> "What tavern was this at?" Demedais asks.
[20:17] <Kotono> "The Silver Monkey." He rubs his head. At that, Sir Stanley speaks up. "I'm familiar with that establishment, it's not in this rim village."
[20:19] <Demedais> "How distant is it?" Demedais asks, looking over.
[20:20] <Kotono> "It's a bit deeper into the valley. About half a day's travel?"
[20:20] <Demedais> "From the skin into the bone..." Demedais murmurs. "That might be it."
[20:21] <Kotono> Sir Stanley raises an eyebrow, "You mean from the outer rim of the valley and farther in?"
[20:23] <Demedais> "It might be it. We're looking for that sort of pattern... though, if he can manage traveling that far, he's at least the level of some of the other mages I've worked with." Demedais mutters. "And if I'm wrong I really won't like the results, I suspect. But he'd want to avoid the heat of staying in town, and if he's got something resembling a base outside of here..."
[20:27] <Kotono> "It's worth a try. Investigating the Silver Monkey can be done on the morrow? If we leave at the dawn, we can reach it by noon?" Sir Stanley estimates.
06[20:29] * Demedais nods. "I will prepare spells for the search and keep patrolling for most the night, in case I hear of anything. Thank you for your aid, Vin, good priest." Demedais bows.
[20:29] <Kotono> Sir Stanley goes to the mural of Ilmater, leaving several gold coins on the ground there. He then bows to the priest, heading out.
06[20:30] * Demedais does the same, taking ten from the loose set of coins given to him before nodding to the two again and following Sir Stanley.
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC: Going to do anything but go rest/spellset/patrol, or do you hav emore in mind?
[20:34] <Demedais> OOC: That's it, yeh.
[20:42] <Kotono> OOC: Right, just lemme know when spells are done and we'll continue.
[20:47] <Kotono> Before dawn, Sir Stanley rises. His horse is out as the two gather, "Are you ready," he asks, "I'm ready to go when you are."
[20:47] <Demedais> "I am." Demedais nods. "Thank you for being willing to undertake this, Sir Stanley."
[20:48] <Kotono> "You are a worthy and noble man." As he spurs his horse along, "It is a fitting adventure to return to Telerath on!"
[20:51] <Demedais> "Heh. At least there is that." Demedais grins, following with Sir Stanley. "If you get more inspiration on the guidance, do tell me, but on the way otherwise, what surrounds Telerath? What's the geography?"
[20:52] <Kotono> "The valley is fair and fertile," he explains, "I told you the story of how the city was founded, yes?"
[20:56] <Demedais> "The result of the Sublime Conqueror, yes?" Demedais replies after a short pause. "And ordered founded by a prophet of Lathander."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Right. That's the most important story. The city's sprung up around it. The farther in you go, the older things get. The land of the valley is quite good, though relatively little is used for farming, especially near the center."
[20:59] <Demedais> "Ah. An interesting choice, though I can easily see why it'd come about and the city grows." Demedais muses. "Have you heard of a land called Kesse? I was talking to the coin exchanger and he said he recognized that land."
[20:59] <Kotono> "Not offhand," Considering those words, "A land close to your own home or one you know of?"
[21:02] <Demedais> "One I know of - but... it's the most distant land I can name from our own. An interesting dilemma, this." Demedais grins slightly. "Heh. So, what is beyond the valley in all directions? Where we returned back from is mostly barbarian lands, correct?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "It leads to the plains and hinterlands. While the Horse Lords are powerful, the goblins are relentless at times and they require aid," Sir Stanley explains, "There are mountains to the northe ventually, after several loose duchies and kingdoms. It is said that an endless ocean lies beyond them. The Principality of Dollea also borders are lands in another way. Beyond those are Vela, The Seven Kingdoms of Hectoria and the islands of Yezh
[21:12] <Kotono> islands of Yezha."
[21:13] <Demedais> "Hm. Which of those is farthest east?" Demedais asks. "My apologies for the weird questions, but... ah, frankly, I'd like to come back here again at some point even if it is not soon, so I'm trying to get a grasp of what all is here."
[21:15] <Kotono> "The Islands, they're off in the sea, though not very far from land," he answers. "I've never been, but I see the fruits that are brought from it seldomtimes from dedicated traders."
06[21:18] * Demedais nods. "Interesting. And how far a trip is it from here to there, on a guess?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "Several months, assuming no delays and missing the rainy season to the east," Sir Stanley strokes his chin as you reach a road, travleing down in in the predawn darkness.
06[21:21] * Demedais pauses at this, trying to figure out mentally how long the trip would be from Kelara to the southeast end of Malmuth.
[21:23] <Kotono> Assuming no bad weather and favorable desert travel, a half year to a year. That's a lot of ground to cover.
06[21:24] * Demedais blanches slightly, before looking at Stanley. "...that's about as far as it is from one end of our traverseable part of the continent to the other... and this is but a spoke? Impressive."
[21:28] <Kotono> "That is...incredible," Sir Stanlye considers, "If you are right about this being merely a long distance from your home, then...the world is vaster than I can imagine."
[21:30] <Demedais> "Indeed. Almost awe-inspiring..." Demedais murmurs. "Tell me, then, what all is to the west?"
[21:34] <Kotono> "Swamps for a little while, the sea cuts deeply inland. Then eventually mountains. I hear drylands are past it and eventually another ocean." He reckons that for a time, "The swamp is full of diseases and plague, and the drylands are difficult to cross. While a few do, there's relatively little knowledge of what lies on the coast there, though I do hear there are several cities."
06[21:36] * Demedais nods slightly. "Interesting indeed." A pause. "Any ruins of possible gnomish origins, or large expanses of wasteland?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "The drylands are called badlands or wastelands at times. There's little water there, so I hear much of the land is uninhabited," Considering that for a time, "I know little fo ruints. All in Telerath are old and long since explored. Those that travel more could tell you, perhaps."
06[21:39] * Demedais nods slightly. "I just find it startling, as many of the events the have scarred our continent seem to have done very little here. Either I am mistaken, or the events that happened...were more local?" A frown.
[21:42] <Kotono> "I don't know," he admits, "Matters beyond me. But you clearly carry much baggage in your mind."
[21:44] <Demedais> "It's... a large mess." Demedais chuckles. "Tell the truth, I was almost relieved when I figured out Balbast was an outsider - I've had to deal with practically only outsiders for such a long while it's almost alien to think of handling affairs between fellow humans."
[21:45] <Kotono> "Strange," Riding along, as the dawnl ight spills over into the air, "What are they like?"
[21:48] <Demedais> "There's two that are pretty much near-constant allies - one Astral Deva and one erinyes, reformed. The other paladin of our group converted her." Demedais comments. "And then... there's the pit fiends, constant vrocks, wraiths and numerous fey, all of whom just enjoy annoying the crap out of us I'm convinced." A grunt. "I swear the things are all hive minds sometimes - even if the hive mind is set to 'chaos random c
[21:48] <Demedais> even if the hive mind is set to 'chaos random crazy wacky shenanigans'."
[21:53] <Kotono> "How...curious." He speaks long on it, but doesn't reply immediately at all. "That is thought provoking."
[21:54] <Demedais> "I take it you guys don't get much of that here?" Demedais asks after this.
[21:54] <Kotono> "No." He agrees, "Stories tell of angels or horrible fiends from beyond the world, but..."
[21:55] <Demedais> "Hm." Demedais grimaces. "Then perhaps I did err in earlier judgment..." A slight pause as they ride in silence. "There's only one other idea I have, but... tell me. How common is magic here?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "It's known of. Rare, but known of. I know a fair bit of it, for my uncle was an amatuer magic caster," He glances back now, "I learned a little of the arcane arts. I have no skill or talent with them, but I remember bits of the lore."
06[21:58] * Demedais nods. "This... sounds familiar to how we started off in our country... few magical spellcasters present, and those that are, highly regarded. But things have expanded in that regard, too - while still rare, it's been rapidly increasing."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Fascinating. A magical reinsance?" The dawn is rising now, rising high. As your horses pass a few wagons traveling upward towards the valley's rim, "Is your equipment normal for one of your rank there?"
[22:00] <Demedais> "It... for my rank? No. For the unit I serve in? Yes, though I seem to get the gaudy versions." Demedais shakes his head.
[22:02] <Kotono> "It is rather attention getting," Sir Stanley says with the faintest smile, "Like a court fashion several years ago - the brightest, most gaudy jeweled clothes you can get."
[22:05] <Demedais> "Hah." Demedias laughs a bit there. "Helm's clown, eh? Frankly it wouldn't surprise me, even as he does watch over me." A pause for a moment, before he then stiffens. "... wait. Then... hm. That's... ... okay, yeah, and if I ever get the chance I need to go bonk Arnald on the head for confusing me."
[22:08] <Kotono> "Hm?" Sir Stanley asks in a single word.
[22:09] <Demedais> "The person who recognized Kesse was a planar traveler. I didn't associate the two because he wasn't inclined to say it flat-out, but all the evidence adds up that way." Demedais comments. "Thusly I'm pretty sure I'm mistaken, now. Ah well."
[22:10] <Kotono> "Hmm...again, these matters are beyond me." Hurrying his horse along, "But when that happens, focus on the current. If we reach there by noon, perhaps we will find Balbast?"
[22:10] <Demedais> "Indeed. Let's go." Demedais says, shaking his head.
[22:14] <Kotono> The day's travel is warm and without incident. You travel much deeper into Telerath, coming to thicker city. It's in one of these that you travel on a cobblestone road, one of many buildings a single storied pub. A silver monkey is mounted besides the door, a foot tall and with a mug hanging out of it's hand.
06[22:16] * Demedais frowns. "Part of the dilemma here is that I do not want to alert him before we have located him - doing so would either lead to possible damage or harm to citizens, or to his escape again. May I ask for you to go in and check to see if he is present?" Demedais sweeps his eyes toward the walls, seeing if there are any windows he can look through for Balbast or even chaos.
[22:16] <Demedais> "If he is, come back out and notify me so we can plan, but."
[22:17] <Kotono> There's a few front windows, but they're grimy and thick. Normal vision is obscured through them, though chaos could be checked for. "I will do so," Sir Stanley says, heading inside in the meantime.
06[22:18] * Demedais does indeed check for chaos, stepping near to the windows!
[22:20] <Kotono> No chaos detected. Sir Stanley comes outa few moments later, "Sir Demedais. Good news."
[22:21] <Demedais> "He is present?" Demedais asks.
[22:22] <Kotono> "He's in the back, gambling and playing cards. In a foul mood, apparently." With a little look, "This is your quarry. How do you wish to approach it?"
[22:24] <Demedais> "What direction is he facing?" Demedais asks calmly. "Away from the door, or toward it?"
[22:25] <Kotono> "I didn't go in that far. The gambling's being done in a back room," Sir Stanley checks his blade here, "I didn'tw ant to risk spoiling any element of surprise."
[22:28] <Demedais> "Thanks." Demedais nods. "That was indeed probably wise, though I confess that I must think on how to extract him without harming the others with him. Let me prepare magics quickly before we advance - going in prepared before we face him is our wisest bet"
[22:28] <Kotono> "Understood," Sir Stanley agrees.
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: Buff away then?
[22:36] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah, just making sure I've got it all straightened out.
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
06[22:41] * Demedais first casts Magic Circle against Chaos and Shield Other on Sir Stanley, and Invisibility Purge, Sign, Eagle's Splendor and Freedom of Movement on himself, before nodding slightly. "Let's move in and get outside his room." Demedais says. "The remainder have shorter time frames for functioning
[22:42] <Demedais> "The remainder have shorter time frames for functioning, so it'd be best to activate those right before engagement."
[22:43] <Kotono> Thus, the two enter! Inside, the tavern is mostly quiet. A few people drink and eat, several doors on the back wall. A few barkeeps and servers mill about, one nodding to the two as they walk in.
06[22:44] * Demedais nods in return. "I almost hate to cause a fuss, but we have little choice. We cannot risk him escaping again..." Demedais grimaces, drawing his sword and placing it by his side. "Which room is he in?"
[22:46] <Kotono> The drawn swords get looks, as Sir Stanley points to the second door from the left. "Excuse us," he says quietly, "Official business. If there are any damages, the Denvelux estate will compensate you."
[22:51] <Demedais> "As will I." Demedais nods slightly. "Our apologies for this." A grimace and a nod as Demedais heads three feet away from door, before muttering a final set of three prayers to Helm. After that, there is only a slight nod to Sir Stanley to indicate he's ready. OOC: Protection Devotion, Law Devotion, Divine Power, in that order. 7 temp HP get.
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23 let's see, there are mitigating factors at least.
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 let's see, there are mitigating factors at least. and gets 42." [1d20=19]
[22:55] <Kotono> Demedais calls on the power of Helm! A few moments later, as he's ready, there's several shouts of surprise from the back room!
06[22:56] * Demedais curses and grabs the door, swinging it open for Sir Stanley to get through. "Hi, Balbast! Decided I was eager to let you try again!"
[22:59] <Kotono> Balbast is thirty feet away! SEveral tables and people are between you and him, as he shifts! His human form fades, revealing the slaad underneath! He spins his glaive with skill, "Oh, you're just aching to get to go nurse at Helm's saggy bosom, aren't you?" OOC: Well, he got lucky. Init?
[22:59] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 kay
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 kay and gets 6." [1d20=1]
[23:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 26." [1d20=16]
[23:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Stanley
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Stanley and gets 12." [1d20=7]
03[23:00] * Kotono changes topic to 'BATTLETOAD GRAY>Sir Stanley>DEMEMIKOMIKOPANIC!'
[23:02] <Kotono> As cardsa nd gold coins go flying, Balbast crackles with forceful energy! He stands tone still, as a massive orb of force fires from him, right at Demedais, "Okay, you know what? Sick of this and sick of you!"
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 touch AC, this is largely moot
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 touch AC, this is largely moot and gets 37." [1d20=15]
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 10d6
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 and gets 29." [10d6=1, 1, 5, 2, 1, 2, 1, 6, 5, 5]
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 29*1.5 empowered
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 29*1.5 empowered and gets 43.5."
[23:02] <Kotono> OOC: 43 damage.
[23:04] <Kotono> The beam whizzes past three different gamblers, innocents diving under tables or gawking as Demedais is hit right in the chest! The massive shot sends him staggering like a punch drunk fool, but he holds his ground despite the shot! Sir Stanley slowly progresses throgh the room, making it part of the way to Balbast, avoding people and tables, "In the name of Telerath, surrender, monster!" OOC: Deme.
06[23:09] * Demedais then proceeds to ignore all the obstacles in his way, leaping over them as if they were nothing thanks to the haste boots and Freedom of Movement, before lunging straight at Balbast's chest in one mighty stroke!
[23:10] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -6 PA)
06[23:10] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -6 PA) and gets 29." [1d20=3]
[23:12] <Kotono> With speed beyond it's abilities, the slaad sidesteps the blow! Demedais narrowly misses, a deep croack coming from it's maw as it does! A moment later, "I said I BORED of you!" A massive word of power follows!
[23:12] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 SR
06[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 SR and gets 20." [1d20=4]
[23:13] <Kotono> But the mighty word crumbles against Demedais! Hopping backwards, Balbast retreats to the rear of the room, 30 feet away! Most people are hiding now or running out of the room in a panic! Sir Stanely comes up to Demedais' side, "I said surrender peacefully or face the justice of TElerath!" OOC: Deme.
06[23:16] * Demedais shrugs slightly and quickly charges up to Balbast again, over the objects in the way! "Hate to say it, but I don't care if you're bored."
[23:16] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -6 PA)
06[23:16] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -6 PA) and gets 39." [1d20=13]
[23:16] <Demedais> OOC: +2.
[23:16] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[23:17] <Demedais> roll 2d6+24
06[23:17] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+24 and gets 28." [2d6=2, 2]
[23:19] <Kotono> Demedais stabs and hacks Balbast in the side! THe blow slips through his defenses, making his eyes widen, "You know," he says as he readies his spear, "That makes me reconsider! You don't hit like a limp wristed lawmaker! Maybe I'll make you one of my pet toys instead!" The glaive lashes out as he retorts!
[23:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
06[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 35." [1d20=12]
[23:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 32." [1d20=14]
[23:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 32." [1d20=19]
[23:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
06[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[23:19] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[23:19] <Demedais> OOC: 40.
[23:20] <Kotono> Balbast's eyes widen as each blow is stopped soundly! Sir Stanley reaches him in the meantime, charging now! "We have you now, villian!"
[23:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 charge)
06[23:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 charge) and gets 21." [1d20=3]
[23:20] <Kotono> But his blow misses, sword stabbing into the wall instead! OOC: Deme.
[23:23] <Demedais> "Heh. I'm flattered, honestly, but I'd rather pass, all things considered. Sorry." Demedais grins before stepping in, his own sword whirling like a mad cudgel as... he proceeds to slam into Balbast with the flat of his blade in a spinning fury, applying the blows to where he guessed the "skull" is!
[23:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+29 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA)
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+29 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA) and gets 38." [1d20=9]
[23:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+29 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA)
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+29 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA) and gets 41." [1d20=12]
[23:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA)
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA) and gets 28." [1d20=4]
[23:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA)
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA) and gets 38." [1d20=19]
[23:24] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA)
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -3 PA) and gets 29." [1d20=15]
[23:24] <Kotono> OOC: Crit confirm on the 38?
[23:24] <Demedais> OOC: ...wait, sorry.
[23:24] <Demedais> OOC: All rolls -4. Those three still hit?
[23:24] <Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[23:24] <Kotono> OOC: Going for nonlethal?
[23:25] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah, what I intended with "flat of the blade".
[23:25] <Kotono> OOC: Anyway, crit confirm?
[23:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 crit check
06[23:25] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 crit check and gets 32." [1d20=17]
[23:25] <Kotono> OOC: Crit and two normal hits.
[23:25] <Demedais> roll 8d6+72 yeah, uh, hi Balbast
06[23:25] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 8d6+72 yeah, uh, hi Balbast and gets 97." [8d6=3, 3, 2, 1, 5, 4, 1, 6]
[17:09] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 8d6+72 yeah, uh, hi Balbast
[17:09] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 8d6+72 yeah, uh, hi Balbast and gets 97." [8d6=3, 3, 2, 1, 5, 4, 1, 6]
[17:14] <Kotono> Demedais catches the slaad right against the wall, ripping into it's froggy body with a fiery passion! He leaves several deep wounds in Balbast's body, who croaks like death and weaves magic around him, "Outside!" he snaps, "Rather than the sensation of being torn aparta against a wall, we're going to do this outside!" In a moment, he is gone! Sir Stanley menaces, "He's gone? Where did he go?" OOC: Deme.
[17:15] <Kotono> OOC: Bashed up. Nonlethal, yeah.
[17:15] <Demedais> "Apparently... outside." Demedais curses. "Same teleportation as before, perhaps, or at least a dimension door variant. Blast." With that, he quickly dashes outside, using the haste boots to power him through as he glides past any bystanders!
[17:16] <Kotono> With freedom of movement and speed, Demedais is able to rocket outside! The slaad stands outside, 20 feet away and 10 feet up! A low roofed building on the other side of the street is where he stands, "Now then," he says, weaving his hands, "Slaad, come forth!"
[17:17] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[17:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 9." [1d100=9]
[17:18] <Kotono> On the roof a green colored slaad appears, heavy and warty! It croaks a promise of death, before leaping down at Demedais!
[17:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (Bite, calling this a charge, will take 1d6 falling after)
06[17:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (Bite, calling this a charge, will take 1d6 falling after) and gets 38." [1d20=18]
[17:18] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[17:18] <Demedais> OOC: 42.
[17:18] <Kotono> roll 1d6
06[17:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 4." [1d6=4]
03[17:19] * Kotono changes topic to 'BATTLETOAD GRAY=BATTLETOAD GREEN>Sir Stanley>DEMEMIKOMIKOPANIC!'
[17:19] <Kotono> The slaad lands in front of Demedais, hitting the ground hard! As peasants and cityfolk gawk at the battle, many having the good sense to run, Sir Stanley perhaps follows Demedais, hurrying at a slower pace! OOC: Deme.
06[17:27] * Demedais seems unfazed by the approach of the green slaad, instead focusing before releasing a massive grid of lawful energy above Balbast's head! "Oh, surely you don't mean you lack enough spine to come down here and face me, Balbast...?"
[17:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 caster level check
06[17:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+8 caster level check and gets 27." [1d20=19]
[17:27] <Kotono> OOC: Success.
[17:28] <Demedais> roll 8d6 (DC 17)
06[17:28] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 8d6 (DC 17) and gets 31." [8d6=5, 3, 3, 5, 1, 5, 3, 6]
[17:29] <Kotono> OOC: Will or fort?
[17:29] <Demedais> OOC: Will partial.
[17:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[17:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 34." [1d20=20]
06[17:30] * Demedais then moves to right next to the wall, hopefully hiding himself from Balbast's eyes!
[17:31] <Kotono> Demedais hurries to the wall! As he hears Balbast curse and croak, the green slaad is on him, tearing at him!
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 claw
06[17:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 claw and gets 35." [1d20=15]
[17:32] <Kotono> A moment later, a hammering blow of pure chaos follows!
[17:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 CR
06[17:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 CR and gets 22." [1d20=9]
[17:33] <Kotono> But it fizzles agaisnt Demedais, no more potent as the spring breeze! Whatever Balbast does isn't seen in the meantime! Sir Stanley makes it out a few seconds later, sword drawn! "Hold on, I'll assist you," he says, fearlessly charging the slaad, even as it swipes back at him!
[17:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 AoO
06[17:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 AoO and gets 24." [1d20=4]
[17:33] <Kotono> As the blow narrowly misses, Sir Stanley closes in, sword swinging!
[17:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[17:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 25." [1d20=7]
[17:34] <Kotono> But the blow hits off the massive, heavy flesh of the slaad like it's tempered steel! OOC: Deme.
[17:35] <Demedais> OOC: Is there any visible, easily-climbed section?
[17:36] <Kotono> The building is a pretty normal, low roofed shop. There's a few old boxes and barrels in an alley to the left. The wall is kind of old brick and stone, a bit chipped and weathered.
06[17:41] * Demedais nods gratefully to Sir Stanley. "Do not let him wear you down." With that, he quickly fishes a potion of flight out of his bag, and swigs it, stepping back into Balbast's range of sight (and preferably a bit away from Sir Stanley).
[17:42] <Kotono> Demedais does so, the slaad swiping weakly and ineffectively against him, already overstrained and unablet o take advantage! Balbast is still atop the roof, glowing with a rainbow aura of shifting energy! On seeing Demedais, his action is quick! Another powerful, bursting orb of force goes to slam right into him! "DOWN!" he calls!
[17:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 this is largely academic with it being ranged touch
06[17:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 this is largely academic with it being ranged touch and gets 40." [1d20=18]
[17:43] <Kotono> roll 10d6
06[17:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 and gets 33." [10d6=4, 3, 1, 5, 3, 1, 4, 4, 6, 2]
[17:43] <Kotono> roll 33*1.5
06[17:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 33*1.5 and gets 49.5."
[17:44] <Kotono> The powerful orb strikes Demedais right in the chin, staggering him badly! Sir Stanley meanwhile fences with his foe,d arting about!
[17:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[17:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 32." [1d20=16]
[17:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[17:44] <Kotono> roll 1d8+8
06[17:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+8 and gets 9." [1d8=1]
[17:44] <Kotono> As he lands a blow in it's side...OOC: Deme.
[17:46] <Demedais> "Oh, and here I was going to join you! How rude!" Demedais grins shakily, before rocketing up at Balbast, lashing out with his sword in an attempt to make Balbast fall!
[17:46] <Demedais> roll 1d20+32 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -2 PA)
06[17:46] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+32 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -2 PA) and gets 50." [1d20=18]
[17:47] <Kotono> OOC: Do you have keen? If so, crit check.
[17:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+32 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -2 PA) sword does have keen.
06[17:47] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+32 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -2 PA) sword does have keen. and gets 40." [1d20=8]
[17:47] <Kotono> OOC: Crit.
[17:47] <Demedais> roll 4d6+32
06[17:47] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+32 and gets 40." [4d6=2, 2, 3, 1]
[17:48] <Kotono> Charging forward in the air, Demedais is like as treaking shot! He impales Balbast in the stomach, kicking him back! The slaad croaks mournfully, falling to his knees! "You...oww.....so it feels like this...fasci..." He falls over face first, down and out cold! Meanwhile, below, the green slaad fights!
[17:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[17:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[17:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 22." [1d20=2]
06[17:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35." [1d20=15]
[17:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[17:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 34." [1d20=16]
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d6+8+2d8+4
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+8+2d8+4 and gets 16." [1d6=1][2d8=1, 2]
[17:49] <Kotono> As Sir Stanley is struck, he retorts again!
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 31." [1d20=15]
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[17:49] <Kotono> roll 2d8+16
06[17:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+16 and gets 26." [2d8=8, 2]
[17:50] <Kotono> Below, the two trade blow after heavy blow, rocking each other! OOC: Demedais.
[17:50] <Demedais> OOC: He dropped the spear, I presume?
[17:50] <Kotono> OOC: Yes, he's out.
06[17:54] * Demedais drops his own sword, before sweeping to grab the spear. "Hold on, Sir Stanley! I'll return to assist in a moment!" With that, he focuses his might for a second, before plunging the spear into Balbast's chest with all his might!
[17:55] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -11 PA -1 Spear)
06[17:55] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power +2 Charge -11 PA -1 Spear) and gets 32." [1d20=12]
[17:55] <Kotono> OOC: You can coup him since he's helpless, no attack roll needed and auto crit.
[17:55] <Demedais> OOC: Requires a full action.
[17:55] <Kotono> OOC: Point. Anyway, hit.
[17:56] <Demedais> roll 1d10+34 this at least weakens him badly
06[17:56] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d10+34 this at least weakens him badly and gets 43." [1d10=9]
[17:58] <Kotono> The impalement is enough! Stabbing the slaad in the chest, the creature melts into a pool of rainbow colored muck! Meanwhile, below...
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 34." [1d20=14]
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 39." [1d20=19]
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31." [1d20=13]
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 2d8+16+2d8+4
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+16+2d8+4 and gets 32." [2d8=2, 2][2d8=1, 7]
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 34." [1d20=18]
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 20." [1d20=9]
[17:58] <Kotono> roll 1d8+8
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+8 and gets 10." [1d8=2]
[17:58] <Kotono> Sir Stanley and the slaad cna be heard to continue fighting! OOC: Deme.
06[18:00] * Demedais then quickly leaps off the platform, lunging at the slaad over Sir Stanley's head! "If it is needed, pull back!"
[18:00] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -5 PA -1 Spear)
06[18:00] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste +5 Divine Power -5 PA -1 Spear) and gets 27." [1d20=3]
[18:01] <Kotono> OOC: Slaad has reach on you and hasn't AoOed this round, it'll get one on you. You alsom issed.
[18:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[18:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 21." [1d20=1]
[18:02] <Demedais> OOC: Uh, spear.
[18:02] <Kotono> OOC: Oh dur. Also moot with the 1, but.
[18:02] <Kotono> Demedais charges and misses by a hair, his lunge a narrow, overpowered miss! Sir Stanley is bloodied, as the slaad ignores Demedais and focuses on his foe!
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[18:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 24." [1d20=4]
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[18:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 27." [1d20=7]
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[18:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 38." [1d20=20]
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 crit?
06[18:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 crit? and gets 26." [1d20=8]
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 2d8+4
06[18:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+4 and gets 8." [2d8=1, 3]
[18:02] <Kotono> With Demedais close, Sir Stanley is able to rally! Despite many wounds, he endures and defends himself well, striking back!
[18:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+2 flank)
06[18:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+2 flank) and gets 24." [1d20=6]
[18:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06[18:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 23." [1d20=10]
[18:03] <Kotono> He can't land a solid blow this time, fencing back and forth! OOC: Deme.
06[18:03] * Demedais nods to Sir Stanley and continues to press his advantage, lashing out with the creepy eyeball spear several times at the enemy's flanks!
[18:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear)
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear) and gets 29." [1d20=4]
[18:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+25 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear)
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear) and gets 44." [1d20=19]
[18:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear)
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear) and gets 34." [1d20=14]
[18:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear)
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 (+6 Law Dev +1 Haste -1 PA -1 Spear) and gets 21." [1d20=6]
[18:05] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[18:05] <Demedais> roll 3d10+36
06[18:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 3d10+36 and gets 54." [3d10=5, 7, 6]
[18:07] <Kotono> Plunging and stabbing, Demedais finishes off the wounded green slaad! It fades away under that bombardment, defeated! OOC: Free action.
06[18:07] * Demedais quickly steps forward and heals Sir Stanley with a touch! "Thank you, friend, for that aid." OOC: +28.
[18:08] <Kotono> Sir Stanley's wounds mend partially, "A difficult battle, but a victorious one." He dries his sword on the ground, before putting it back up. "The city guard should be coming in response to the ruckus. We can get our injuries tended to. You look battered."
06[18:10] * Demedais nods slightly, healing Sir Stanley some more. "The orbs of force he uses are one of the few things I have little defense against. I'll have to work on that." OOC: Restoration sacrificed.
[18:10] <Demedais> roll 4d8+6
06[18:10] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d8+6 and gets 15." [4d8=4, 2, 2, 1]
06[18:10] * Demedais then goes up to pick up and sheathe his spear, before going back down to Sir Stanley. "I... may need one last favor asked of you."
[18:10] <Kotono> Sir Stanley's wounds heal further. "What is it?" he asks.
[18:11] <Demedais> OOC: s/spear/sword
[18:13] <Demedais> "I don't know how much longer I have before Helm chooses to pull me back to my city, my town. Hopefully I will be able to return to deliver the news to Mr. Jurgen and Sister Julia, but in the event that I cannot..." Demedais ponders briefly, before withdrawing four of the Telerath marks from his pouch and putting them in his haversack, before detaching that pouch.
[18:15] <Demedais> "Use the loose coinage to cover any fees incurred by this fight, with my apologies. As for the three large sets of marks... please deliver them to Mr. Jurgen as a purchase of the orphanage, and tell them this: that I leave the property in their care, that it may stay an orphanage for as long as it is needed, and that if I have the chance, I will return to visit."
[18:16] <Demedais> A slight nod. "I hope, as I said, to be able to do this myself, but there's no assurance that I will not be called off myself. Thus, preparation now will save potential grief down the line."
[18:27] <Kotono> "I understand." The coins are taken. "Generous and noble of you." As he speaks, mists begin to creep out around Demedais, coming from all over. "I'll make sure that it stays safe in your name, sir Demedais."
06[18:29] * Demedais looks down at himself and around, before chuckling. "Heh. Looks like I'll heal when I return back home, then. It has been a pleasure, Sir Stanley - stay safe and may you and your line prosper." With that, he begins to fly straight up slowly, murmuring a spell of Detect Magic as he goes up.
[18:30] <Demedais> OOC: I'm only going up around 15 feet, and will quickly look at Sir Stanley and where Balbast died before I go.
[18:31] <Kotono> OOC: Looking for general magic?
[18:31] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah. Iunno if Balbast had anything to drop or anything - if it looks like he did I'll tell/warn Sir Stanley.
[18:43] <Kotono> OOC: Nothing on Stanley, Balbast left some renmants. His clothes aren't magical, though something in them radiates faint magic.
[18:44] <Demedais> "Amongst what Balbast left is an item of magical origin, I think. Hopefully it's of some use to you!" Demedais calls down to Sir Stanley before rocketing up and away!
[18:48] <Kotono> As he does, a reply lost, mist surround Demedais! How long he is in there Demedais is not certain, but when it is done, he stands at the southern gate into Balmuria. The sun is high in the sky, cool, salty air blowing in from the bay.
06[18:49] * Demedais nods and toddles in, first to the garrison to report his return, and then to the Temple to report the apparent success of the quest, spear still clutched in his hand.
[19:12] <Kotono> After Demedais does so and gets healed up, the glaive resolved and then his wounds heal, life continues on. Once he settles in, a messenger comes for him, "Sir Demedais," the young woman blushes and bows, meeting him outside of the temple, "Countess Stronger would like to see you."
[19:14] <Demedais> "I see. Thank you." Demedais nods kindly. "I shall be there presently."
[19:15] <Kotono> On reaching Elle's shop, she finds Alice up front. Engan is chatting with her, several tired, beaten up looking guardsmen lingering behind him. Alice clears her throat, "Countess Stronger is in the back," she calls to Demedais.
06[19:16] * Demedais chuckles mentally at the sight of the guardsmen, but bows slightly to Engan as he passes. "Thank you, Alice." Demedais nods as he goes to see what Elle wants.
[19:19] <Kotono> Engan salutes Demedais with a cocky grin as he heads back. Elle is there, sipping tea and with a book in front of her. "Been busy a while," she asks, "Anyway, someone left a present for you. That's the good news."
[19:20] <Demedais> "A present." Demedais repeats. "I take it there's bad news?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "
[20:20] <Kotono> "It's who left it for you. In particular, Esthan." Elle makes a face.
[20:21] <Demedais> "... Esthan." Demedais pauses. "I presume the gift is cursed to try and brainwash me?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "No. I've analysed it's dweomer and as far as I can tell, it's a rare, beneficial book. Studying it will increase your physical strength; I believe you're familiar with those books?"
[20:25] <Demedais> "...yes." Demedais says, with a frown. "That is an interesting situation."
[20:27] <Kotono> "Esthan left you, Alicia and Seira a book each as a 'gift'," Making air quotes with her fingers before grimacing, "For as much stock as you may choose to put in that. There's more to the story, catch up with Alicia to get all of it. The gist is that the book seems to be legitiamate and Alicia left your book to do with what you will with it. Alicia is going to destroy hers the last I heard, and Seira was thinking about using hers."
[20:27] <Kotono> was thinking about using hers."
[20:28] <Demedais> "... very well." Demedais shrugs near-helplessly. "I suppose that that's all there is to be said for it, no? I'll figure out what I'll do with it."
[20:29] <Kotono> Tapping teh book in front of her, "Do with it what you will. That's all."
06[20:30] * Demedais eyes it. "Thank you for minding it." he says at last, putting it into his bag. "Is there anything else of note?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "Some comings and goings. There was an incident over in the bay the last few days. I don't know if you were involved? The sea elves were attacked by a sahuagin warlord, though I hear the Guard dealt with it."
[20:33] <Demedais> "I just returned yesterday around noon." Demedais shook his head.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Ah. Well, it seems to have reached a good conclusion," Countess Stronger sips her tea, "Oh yes, why you're here. Are you going to be doing any business?"
[20:37] <Demedais> "Probably, yes, though I must think on what I'll be purchasing." Demedais nods. "Have there been any new items in stock I might be interested in?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "Not at the moment. I have some new stock, but I'm sorting it now. Come back in a week or two," Elle says after a moment of thought, "Sorry, I've been so busy lately with everything."
06[20:39] * Demedais nods, grinning. "I know the feeling. Well, then, I'll think on it and come back then?"
[20:46] <Kotono> ---
[20:46] <Kotono> Deme sits in his room, the book from the ancient temple sitting before him.
06[20:48] * Demedais nods slightly and heads to one of the rather empty prayer rooms in back with the book, deliberately not taking any weapons or anything with him before he sits down and opens the book.
[20:51] <Kotono> Demedais opens the book. The text is rough and hard ritten, with a slight shake to it, as if written in a hurry, or by a grizzled hand. On reading it...OOC: What are your class levels?
[20:51] <Demedais> OOC: Cleric 3/Fighter 2/Prestige Paladin 4/Kensai 5/Divine Oracle 2
[20:51] <Kotono> OOC: Make a level check?
[20:52] <Demedais> roll 1d20+16
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+16 and gets 32." [1d20=16]
[20:55] <Kotono> Demedais can understand the words. This is an ancient tome of fighting techniques and skill. It offers a trade: In exchange for forsaking arcane magic, you can gain an insight to skill at arms. Should you ever begin to develop arcane magic, you will lose the insight forever.
[20:55] <Demedais> "... I guess I do get to leave that to Alicia and Seira..." Demedais muses, before committing to reading the book.
[20:56] <Kotono> OOC: Roll a d100?
[20:57] <Demedais> roll 1d100
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d100 and gets 96." [1d100=96]
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: PM.
[18:49] <Kotono> ----
[18:51] <Kotono> As Demedais leaves his room, he nearly runs smack into Pollyanna. She's in her normal gear, managing to stop just before doing a header into Deme's steel clad chest. "Aaaah! Demedais!" She stops, wobbling back and forth. "Oh good, you're finally awake!"
[18:52] <Demedais> "Yeah. What's up?" Demedais rubs his head. "Apologies for staying in so late, I just woke up."
[18:53] <Kotono> "Something happened to me," she says, "I feel different. Stronger, very literally."
[18:59] <Demedais> "Heh. Helm told me you would." Demedais replies with a smile.
[19:04] <Kotono> "Oh, that...wait, WHAT?" Pollyanna double takes, "Helm told you what?"
[19:08] <Demedais> "Helm told me you would." Demedais replies, a slight smile on his face. "Apparently what happened yesterday meant more than I had guessed at... though what actually did happen is a decently long story. Something tells me we should find somewhere to sit- ah. Is Father Ceiar up?"
[19:09] <Kotono> "Yes, I saw him at the changing of the morning guard." Blink-blinking, "How about I get him and we meet in the prayer room?"
[19:10] <Demedais> "Sure. That works." Demedais nods affably. "I promised him an explanation, so it'd probably be best to explain it to both of you at once."
[19:12] <Kotono> With that, Demedais goes to the prayer room. He's joined by the two shortly after, Pollyanna going to sit on one of the stone benches. "So Demedais, WHAT happened? This has to be another one of your stories."
[19:14] <Demedais> "Something like that, yes. One of the beings that the Crimson Guard's been pursuing for a while was a... what we thought was a fallen angel of sorts. She had been taking former enemies and turning them into monstrosities to face against us - Olburt, Armand, and Seira's aunt, mainly." Demedais begins. (More)
[19:16] <Demedais> "We decided that the best method was to just teleport right in and try to eliminate Seira's aunt, as she was one we thought wouldn't have any wards up herself. 'course, that didn't work - we got dumped off at the front part of a... what looked like a huge mansion, and ended up fighting Almand first, beating him after a somewhat dramatic moment."
[19:17] <Kotono> "Oh, I remember him," Pollyanna makes a disgusted face, "A good talker, but you always felt a little dirty after talking to him."
[19:17] <Kotono> "Go on," Father Ceiar bids, "Tell your tale, for it holds signifigance, of that I have no doubt."
[19:18] <Demedais> "...it sounded like the Abyss was going to leap out of his throat, this time around." Demedais replied, a grimace. "One other thing of note: the mansion was... wrong. Layers and layers of madness and deception; Alicia had cast True Seeing, and what she saw shook her greatly." (More)
[19:22] <Demedais> "We continued on and encountered Oberuth and Seira's aunt, Filetta; after another fight, though weary, we brought them down as well... and then a golden stairwell appeared before us. We ascended and saw the... angel-like being. Just as the battle was starting, Alicia cast Anti-Magic Field on Marie and had her go right next to the angel." Demedais pauses at this for a moment.
Session Close: Fri May 15 19:24:15 2009
Session Start: Fri May 15 19:24:15 2009
Session Ident: #terrorofdunes
02[19:24] * Disconnected
02[19:24] * Attempting to rejoin channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:24] * Rejoined channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:24] * Topic is 'BATTLETOAD GRAY=BATTLETOAD GREEN>Sir Stanley>DEMEMIKOMIKOPANIC!'
03[19:24] * Set by Kotono on Sat May 09 16:20:26
[19:25] <Kotono> "Olburt..." Father Ceiar shakes his head, "Dedicated to his duty to Ferdi, even into the maw of damnation. If only he had found a better way to focus that dedication rather than a suicidal last stand and then this."
06[19:25] * Demedais nods his head. "I hope there's something better for him than damnation, but I cannot say I know for sure there is."
[19:26] <Demedais> "The aura broke the illusion surrounding the angel. It... to call it an abombination would be one of the kindest understatements I could manage. To call it worse in appearance than any demonic hellspawn is still not adequate enough. Its very existence seemed to be in violation of any boundaries or rules of reality."
[19:26] <Kotono> "An absolute terror," Pollyanna shivers, "Though at least you're good at dealing with those terrors by now."
[19:29] <Demedais> "... she - it was definitely female, whatever else it was - started talking to us. Like a child who had no clue what was going on, how it had been threatening us just moments earlier. An angry child who had been... driven mad." Demedais pauses. "I started trying to talk to it, trying to understand. She... whatever she was before, she had descended to Gehenna, and claimed some sort of power that had twisted her thus."
02[19:30] * Seira (~corwin@bzq-79-178-108-221.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[19:30] * CC is now known as Seira
[19:30] <Kotono> "Gehenna...the Four-Fold Furnace?" Father Ceiar frowns, "I've read of that realm, were daemons called Yugoloths commit endless, self centered acts of malice for all eternity."
[19:33] <Demedais> "...she thought I was her brother, in her madness. Apparently Phiel managed the emotionless poker face as well as I do in a pinch." Rubbing his head, he grimaces. "I managed to convince her to abandon the power she took there... Alicia and Seira were convinced we'd have to fight her, but... as she died due to abandoning the power, a... being appeared."
[19:34] <Kotono> "Go on," Pollyanna prods, "What being?"
[19:36] <Demedais> "It... well, at the time, it was sort of this voidish hole, that told us it'd return to fight us later. As much as I was angry at Alicia for feeling she was provoking the woman, I give her battle instincts a lot of credit - she told Antenora to leap forward and stab it with the dimensional anchor sword, before jumping away herself."
[19:36] <Demedais> A slight pause. "And then the mansion exploded."
[19:39] <Demedais> "When we recovered, what we saw was that void sphere, pulsating... before it took form, to a being that looked like it could touch the starts. It... was... even worse than the woman's form, a monstrosity that was just bloody huge. It railed about how this should never have happened, before attacking us."
[19:39] <Kotono> Pollyanna listens, spellbound. "Can you describe it," Father Ceiar asks, "I've never heard of such a creature in any lore or ritual."
[19:41] <Demedais> Demedais bites his lip. "Infinite colors and none, speaking in a million languages that I understood only by gut, not by knowledge. Tentacles were everywhere around it, just writhing like a mad storm. I... don't know how to describe it. It's almost as if reality started faltering where it stood."
[19:42] <Kotono> "I've never heard of anything like that," Father Ceiar repeats, "What hellish nightmare could spawn suc a beast? The AByss?"
[19:44] <Demedais> "I can explain it a bit later; I think I understand what it is. We were exhausted at that point, though, and all four of us were gauging how likely the fight would be in our favor... when, well. I felt Helm's hand on my shoulder, I think." Demedais closes his eyes momentarily. "The others, I suspect, felt their own gods reach down there... for all of us were, in that moment, fully recharged and prepared, our very sens
[19:45] <Demedais> "our very senses heightened for the battle." (More)
[19:49] <Demedais> "It was... Powerful. But we managed the victory quickly, as it practically turned into a tiny ball and shattered... There was nothing else to say, there; we gathered our things and came back here." Demedais pauses. "Frankly, though monstrous I thought it just another abyss-spawn, one long chained and left to gather power, unable to be stopped by anything else that had been sealed in here."
[19:49] <Kotono> "But?" Father Ceiar continues on, "From what Pollyanna told me, that's not the end of the story."
06[19:51] * Demedais nods slightly. "You two both saw me last night - as soon I got into my room, I fell asleep. When I awoke... it was night in the temple. Perfectly still... I donned my armor and spear, before heading out into the main hall. There..." Demedais bites his tongue. "He was there."
[19:56] <Demedais> "Apparently, what we had fought there was not of Gehenna proper, though Helm said it was brought to this world through there. It was... quite literally outside the laws of existence. A threat they could not perceive, because it was bound to something that was tied to existence... According to Helm, had that lasted but ten minutes, reality itself would have begun to unravel."
[19:56] <Kotono> "Go on," Father Ceiar bids, reverence in his voice, "Beyond existance? What lies beyond existance, then?"
[19:58] <Demedais> "Apparently monstrosities and gibbering wrecks, incomprehensible in their entirety. From his words, what we managed to kill was a lesser one, yet it still was a great threat." Demedais replies. "As thanks... he blessed me, and told me he would bless Pollyanna..." Looking to her at this. "Because you would share in my burdens of battle, as you have before."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Oh." Pollyanna lights up at that, "It was from Helm...then thank you, Lord," she prays.
[20:10] <Kotono> "Another honor for you." With a warm smile to Demedais, "You make this temple proud with your devotion to The Watcher."
[20:14] <Demedais> "I, um, try." Demedais says, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed before nodding. "That's... about all there is there. Apparently there will be crusades against Gehenna for allowing this being in in any regard, so."
[20:21] <Kotono> "No great burden on us," Father Ceiar says, dismissing it, "A lower plane deserves nothing less."
[20:21] <Kotono> "Still Demedais." Pollyanna beams to him, "You're so impressive."
06[20:23] * Demedais almost blushes at that, smiling to her instead for a second. "Still, a reason to keep up my training. I'm glad things seem to have gone the best possible way."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Yes," Pollyanna goes over to him, sitting right next to Demedais. "Still though...I'll need to process all of that, but...I'm going to be late to the garrison at this rate, too."
[20:28] <Demedais> "Oh! My apologies." Demedais frowns, shaking his head. "I shouldn't delay you, and there's a few things I need to do, too..."
[20:31] <Kotono> "Go on," Pollyanna hurries away, as...OOC: What di dyou have on your plate here, Deme?
[20:33] <Demedais> OOC: One thing to talk to Elle about quickly (I presume it hasn't been a week so her stuff isn't sorted yet), but then I need to think for a moment.
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC: Gimme a few, so go ahead and think? We'll pick up with Elle in a couple.
[20:36] <Demedais> k
[20:43] <Kotono> Elle is found in her shop. She looks a little tired today, watching Alice lead a musclebound man through an inspection of a Lord of the Hunt's halberd. "Oh Demedais," she perks up, "Come to do some business?"
[20:44] <Demedais> "Quite possibly, yes; there is one question I have that I wanted to confirm in my own mind. Is that book only useful for me?" Demedais inquires.
[20:47] <Kotono> "The one Esthan left?" Elle merely shrugs. "I don't think so, anyone can use it's enchantment."
[20:48] <Demedais> "Alright. That helps me decide what to do with it." Demedais nods. "Secondly... what sort of gloves or gauntlets do you have on hand- er, available?"
[20:49] <Kotono> Countess Stronger winces, "That was a terrible pun. Are you looking for any in particular?"
[20:50] <Demedais> "It just slipped out of my mouth..." Demedais grimaces, before shaking his head. "I'm open to options, but if there's something that increases reaction time and manual dexterity, that'd prove useful."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Oh, those? They're called Gloves of Dexterity. They're fairly common for magical items, I have a few in stock and can make more. The simplest ones are worth 4,000 gold, the better ones are 16,000 and the best ones are 36,000 gold."
06[20:59] * Demedais nods slightly. "I'm not sure I can make use of the best ones just yet... Hm. What other sort of enchantments can be placed on gloves easily?"
[21:15] <Demedais> After a moment, he pauses. "Perhaps something that would make grappling, sundering or disarming would be best - at the least, it allows for easier handling of humanoid opponents."
[21:15] <Demedais> OOC: Strike
[21:16] <Demedais> After a moment, he pauses. "Perhaps something that would make grappling, sundering or disarming easier or more successful would be best - at the least, it allows for easier handling of humanoid opponents."
[21:26] <Kotono> "I have a few ideas," Elle finishes after some thought, "I'll dos ome research and talk to you in a few days."
[21:27] <Demedais> "Alright. In general I'd want either that on top of the dexterity gloves, or the dexterity on top of the sundering assistance - whichever's more efficient or cheaper. I'll talk to you about it later, then?"
[21:48] <Demedais> "Oh." Demedais pauses at the door, before walking back in. "There are two other things I'd like to have done; one's pretty simple, but I've got no clue on the other. One, well... can you glamer this armor to make it look like somewhat more plain full plate? If I could get it less ornate, I would, but... as it stands it doesn't seem that's an option for now. The other request... well, it can wait until everything else
[21:50] <Demedais> "...well, it can wait until everything else is done, but..." Demedais pauses. "I have a natural resistance to a lot of magic, right? Well, I was wondering... is there an enchantment that can help me turn a resisted spell into some sort of healing?"
[21:12] <Kotono> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Deme Ko)--
[21:13] <Kotono> Demedais finds the three appretences finishing up a patrol. Several soldiers are dragging a roughed up looking man in splint mail along. Xavier whistles as he leads the way, hefting a heavy metal shield in his arms. They're in front of the garrison's dusty front.
[21:14] <Demedais> "And what happened here?" Demedais inquires, stepping up.
[21:16] <Kotono> "Oh Sir Demedais," Morund straightens up a bit, "A mercenary started a fight with a citizen over some silly misunderstanding. We had to restrain him before he seriously hurt someone."
[21:16] <Kotono> The man is out cold, bruises on his face and with a big sword-shaped welt across his mouth, forehead and nose.
06[21:19] * Demedais nods. "I see. Fair enough - and your current plan for him? Let him cool down at the garrison?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "Let him cool down and have a magistrate deal with him," Xavier says, turning to the guards. "Toss him in a holding cell." Giving the shield to one of the soldiers, "Put this in storage, in case he needs to pay a fine or any damages."
06[21:20] * Demedais nods to this approvingly.
[21:25] <Kotono> Once the man's gone, Morund following alone, "Have you ever fought underwater, sir?" Xavier asks.
[21:28] <Demedais> "...Once or twice?" Demedais muses. "It's not an area I have talent in at all. Which reminds me, I did hear of the commendations you three received. What did you three think of that mission?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "Oh," Darill lights up there, "It was different. We weren't at our best even when we could breathe water, but it was a resounding success. Captain Alicia, well...she's amazing and so charismatic. Her cohort is...well...rather frightening at times."
[21:30] <Kotono> "She knows a lot about Hell," Xavier shrugs, "Good policy as far as I'm concerned. Those Hellcats are bad enough, and apparently they're lesser devils."
[21:31] <Demedais> "Antenora?" Demedais asks, before nodding. "She has her reasons and her talents - a stalwart ally for Alicia, yes. What roles did you three play?"
[21:33] <Kotono> "We were mostly support and dealing with the sideguards." Xavier says, "Captain Alicia was in command and was familiar with the terrain and circumstances. Abagail supported us with magic as well. We faced two waves of sahuagin, which both were dispatched, as well as sharks they used to attack us."
06[21:35] * Demedais nods. "Still, I honestly doubt Alicia would have given the recommendation had she not appreciated the assistance."
[21:37] <Kotono> "She spoke highly of us," Darill agrees, "Considering that, well...maybe we're going to be as well known and as heroic as the highest members of the Guard in due time now?"
06[21:41] * Demedais muses. "On the one hand, I'd approve as it drives the point home that this isn't solely the province of myself, Alicia and Seira. On the other hand, I feel compelled to provide a two-part warning; one, that attention can be highly dragging, and two, that if it isn't a weight on your shoulders, it's a threat to overinflate your ego." Demedais says the last with a slight grin. "Still. Yes, it's more than possib
[21:41] <Demedais> "Still. Yes, it's more than possible; I look forward to hearing your continued exploits, myself."
[21:42] <Kotono> "It's not all bad," Darill blushes a bit here, but grins like the Cheshire Cat. "When I tell a girl I'm in the Crimson Guard, if they didn't like me before..."
06[21:49] * Demedais chuckles. "Indeed. Still, be vigilant. And... yes. The Hells are, quite annoyingly, a real threat; still, I suspect you three could fare well against some of them now, including the damn hellcats."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Yeah," Morund murmurs as he comes back, "Sir, I wanted to ask you something."
[21:52] <Demedais> "Yes?" Demedais asks, turning to Morund.
[21:52] <Kotono> "There's an elf who serves Colonel Seira, his name is Donald. I heard him say that he used to be a human. Is that true, sir," Morund asks. "As I recall, you know him."
[21:53] <Demedais> "Um. Yes, he was. He was killed during a fight, but, by fortune... a rare magic was on hand that resurrected him. Albeit as a different race." Demedais nods slightly.
[21:56] <Kotono> "That magic..." Shuffling now, "I have a curiosity. Can it be repeated?"
06[21:57] * Demedais frowns. "Very... rarely, I'm afraid, but it might be possible if you set out in search of it. Are you referring to the race-changing properties, then?"
[21:58] <Kotono> Morund curtly nods, "I am. I wasn't aware of such magic existing, but the possibilites are considerable.
[21:58] <Kotono> "
06[22:00] * Demedais nods, musing. "Well. I don't know, myself, how the magic works; replicating the race-change aspect might be possible. Consult Elle and Seira both, is what I would tell you; myself, my training has been mainly in healing and support through divine magic, which lacks such abilities." (More)
[22:02] <Demedais> "Though... two options occur to me: I know Alicia and Antenora both use a spell named Alter Self, though that may not have all the effects you're looking for. Aside from that, consulting a druid might be optimal. Shamal was one, but she's passed on; I don't know if there are any others in the region. Probably in the Barbarian Lands... Which I've been meaning to get back to patrolling, on a side note. It may be a whil
[22:02] <Demedais> "Which I've been meaning to get back to patrolling, on a side note. It may be a while from now, but do you three have any interest in a trip to that area? It'd perhaps help familiarize all of us with the giants."
[22:03] <Kotono> "You know, I remember the giant who came to visit," Xavier murmurs, "That's a good idea."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Seconded," Morund murmurs, "If we ever see a battle group of them comign to Balmuria, it's going to be an unpleasant day."
[22:05] <Demedais> "If we ever see a battle group come to Balmuria, I suspect Seira and Alicia will have a field day with the spells they know. As might I - I've been working on spells to give advantages against larger foes. Still, no reason to presume they'll ever intend hostilities... and no reason to not take precautions just in case." Demedais nods.
[22:07] <Kotono> "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst?" XAvier nods, "It's av ery pragmatic saying. Lord Helm would love it."
[22:11] <Demedais> "Pretty much." Demedais grins. "But yes, Morund, inquire with Alicia, Seira and Elle regarding the possibilities. And, speaking of the Watcher..." Demedais says, the grin lingering, "I'd like to see if I can teach you three a trick he's given me. In its base form, it may not be as usable for all three of you, but I think we can figure out ways to adapt it..."
[22:15] <Kotono> "Really?" The three exchange looks, "Well, we weren't particularly bruised up by that mercenary, so some practice isn't a bad idea, sir."
06[22:16] * Demedais nods slightly, gesturing as he leads the way to the practice yard. "Don't worry, this won't be overly taxing and I'll let you get back to any patrols in a minute. But I wanted to demonstrate it so I could explain myself."
[22:21] <Kotono> A minute later, Morund is on teh ground. He's rubbing his side, looking up at Demedais. "How in the blue blazes did you counte ros fast?!"
[22:24] <Demedais> "Heightened reflexes. I acquired them quickly, but that was a blessing; I want to try and see if you three can acquire them as well by observation and training." Demedais nods. "This being said, what works for me may be unoptimal for you. Think of someone trained with sneak attacks - what better chance for one than in the middle of an enemy attack?"
[22:25] <Demedais> "Or, alternately, if someone's attempting to attack not just you but others around you, a well timed strike might be able to interrupt their own attack. This is all conjunction..." Demedais muses, "...But I believe that with training, both and more are possible.
[22:27] <Kotono> "Let's get trying, then," Xavier steps forward, "If you have the time right now, sir?"
[22:27] <Demedais> "Certainly. Now, the first thing you'll need to do is trust your defenses. It may be possible to take a hit and return it in this manner, but I haven't experimented with it thus far..."
[22:28] <Kotono> ---
[21:37] <Kotono> Once the rest are gone, Pollyanna blows out a breath. "Thanks," she says to Demedais.
[21:37] <Demedais> "No problem." Demedais shrugs. "...If there are more skeletons, it stands to reason there are more trolls. Leaving you two here suddenly seemed silly once I thought about it that way."
[21:39] <Kotono> With a blossoming smile as she goes to rest against a wall, "I know. Not to mention whatever else could be around here. Helm's Throne, there are so many things here! Those giant lizards, the slimes, the trolls..." Blowing out a harsh breath, "It makes Kondrux look relatively mundane."
[21:40] <Demedais> "It does, yes. Not any less deadly, but definitely more mundane." Demedais nods, resting against the same wall but keeping a level eye out, sword in hand here. "Hopefully everything goes well in there. We can't exactly go in to help, but... Donald's good at defending others. That might be enough."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Yes." After closing her eyes and composing herself, "Demedais. You pray to Helm and he speaks to you many a time, yes?"
[21:43] <Demedais> "...apparently more than most, yes." Demedais rubs the back of his head. "I try not to request anything directly unless it seems we're in great need, or I have no other option at hand, but..."
[21:44] <Kotono> "Has he every told you why it's you? Why are you the one to face everything and not someone else?"
[21:47] <Demedais> "No. To be honest, it never occured to ask." Demedais shrugs. "I'd guess a case of what was available at the time?"
[21:49] <Kotono> "I really hate that answer." Pollyanna looks to Demedais, "It's not really an answer. There has to be a better reason for why we're here, deep underground, risking our lives against historic fossils."
[21:51] <Demedais> "...because Daa-vid became a pure engine of breaking this planet, and... I have to think that the chaos we're letting loose upon the world is just a herald of a greater peace, a better stability?" Demedais muses.
[21:51] <Kotono> "You're missing the point," With a little pout as she walks up to Demedais, "I mean, why are YOU it. It can't just be because you were convienent."
[21:55] <Demedais> "...Two other alternatives present themselves to me, based on what I've seen. One is that, well, I was the closest paladin- well, at the time, paladin-in-training and warrior around, and was thus the best possible option. The other..."
[21:55] <Demedais> "Well, I'm still convinced Helm has a rather, ah, sharp sense of humor, and that might be the other reason."
[21:56] <Kotono> "A sense of humor? What does that mean?" With a completely puzzled look, "Like this is some sort of joke?"
[21:56] <Demedais> "No, more like... the one person that least expected or understood what he'd be getting into with what he was doing, but was determined to damned well try anyway."
03[21:58] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
[21:58] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 71." [1d100=71]
[21:59] <Kotono> "Also stubborn enough to keep it up despite that?"
[22:00] <Demedais> "Despite all the resulting, ah, adventures, yes." Demedais grins. "I'd be lying if I said my viewpoint hasn't changed immensely since then, and I'm glad to have this chance, but... For a long time I wondered when it'd end, whether things would 'return to normal'. I've stopped thinking that."
[22:04] <Kotono> "So this is normal now?" Starting to laugh weakly, "All this is normal?"
[22:06] <Demedais> "Not normal, hardly normal... but I've not been walking a normal path." Demedais sighs.
[22:07] <Kotono> "I don't suppose Helm will take complaints about it, will he?" With her own sigh, "No, it's your duty. That's the point of Helm's worship, but..."
06[22:09] * Demedais looks at Pollyanna, one hand put on her shoulder. "... at least at this rate you'll likely be able to call Celestia home as well?" he says with a somewhat crooked smile.
[22:11] <Kotono> "Arcadia, isn't it? I mean...Helm's realm is in Arcadia in the House of the Triad. Right?" With a blink-blink, "I'm not growing wings like Alicia, am I?"
06[22:12] * Demedais closes his eyes. "It's obvious I'm a bit tired, isn't it. Yes, Arcadia."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Heh..." Laughing a little more at that, "Point taken."
06[22:18] * Demedais looks around during the lull in conversation, hand on Pollyanna's shoulder still.
[22:18] <Kotono> As a silence settles over the two, "Say, Demedais." OOC: Make a spot check if you like?
[22:18] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 27." [1d20=1]
[22:18] <Demedais> "Hm?
[22:19] <Kotono> "What do you think of Amaryl?"
[22:20] <Demedais> "...Ah. She's learning quickly as an archer, but I remember reading that it takes a long time for full-born elves to reach adulthood. Translated to our age, she's probably a bit younger than us? Probably still trying to find her own road." Demedais shrugs after a moment. "Why?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Yes," Looking downward and downcast, "Yeah. I don't know, just curious."
[22:24] <Demedais> "...Something bothering you?" Demedais asks at that.
[22:25] <Kotono> "No, nothing," With a hint of peevishness in her voice, "Nothing at all."
[22:26] <Demedais> "...Right." Demedais says. "A side note; I've been thinking. You know that spell Alicia, Seira and Marie use? Magic missile?"
[22:27] <Kotono> "Yeah?" Pollyanna's gaze stays downward, her voice distant. "What abou tit?"
[22:30] <Demedais> "They pierce hard and resistant skin... I was thinking of getting you a bow that'd turn arrows you shoot to those, or something close to them."
[22:33] <Kotono> "Mmm. Really?" Looking up to Demedais now, "Hwo wouldtha twork?"
[22:34] <Demedais> "I'm not sure, but I'd think it'd be simple. Just enchant the bow to change the properties of the arrows." Demedais muses. "Would need to clear it with Elle, but it seems feasible. The splitting arrows trick could probably be added as well... hm."
[22:38] <Demedais> "Anything you can think of that'd help you, there?
[22:38] <Kotono> "Let me think about it," Pollyanna bites down her lip, "I like my bow, but it could stand to be better."
06[22:40] * Demedais nods. "Hmmm..."
[22:45] <Kotono> After another pause, "Alicia's very pretty, isn't she?"
06[22:49] * Demedais blinks. "I..." After a moment, he puts his sword up against the wall as he clasps Pollyanna's other shoulder in his left hand. "You're the only one I have eyes for, Pollyanna. Alright?"
[22:51] <Kotono> "I know. That wasn't what I meant..." Pollyanna blushes like the sun. "I mean, well...I wanted to ask you. Are you ever...tempted at all? Seira and Alicia and Antenora...they're so pretty. Amaryl's an elf and so exotic."
[22:56] <Demedais> "... I once saw Alicia shred an upper-rank devil to shreds in the blink of an eye and with a complete rage on her face. Seira once accidentally - very accidentally, mind, she thought I was protected from it - hit me with a charm effect. Amaryl is... well, she fawns over Seira enough that warning bells would come up in most minds anyway, and Antenora's an outsider and devoted to the concept of it." Demedais mutters.
[22:57] <Kotono> "...I don't quite follow," Pollyanna admits, "I mean...explain that a little more?"
[22:58] <Demedais> "Those are why I'd steer clear of them even if I weren't with you." Demedais shakes his head. "... Which one do you want me to elaborate on?"
[23:01] <Kotono> "Well...Alicia first, since I brought her up?"
[23:05] <Demedais> "...Remember the desert advance against the devils? The one that bow came from?" Demedais asks. "The Cornugon she killed there, without any hesitation or second thoughts... The rage that she can go into, with that sword of hers. I see her face and I remember that, and it's profoundly disconcerting. ...She's also an outsider now, I guess? Doesn't help."
[23:08] <Kotono> "What about the others? Go ahead," Smiling a little now, "Finish that thought."
[23:10] <Demedais> "Seira... well, the surest way to make me wary is to mess around with my mind. While I've forgiven her for it, I still haven't forgotten it. That, and she and Amaryl are cute together, all things considered." Demedais muses.
[23:11] <Demedais> "Antenora... outsider. Really, that's about the end-all of it from that direction, to me. Amaryl... well, first, Seira and her. Secondly, just feels... vacilliating."
[19:44] <Kotono> > "...I don't quite follow," Pollyanna admits, "I mean...explain that a little more?"
[19:44] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Those are why I'd steer clear of them even if I weren't with you." Demedais shakes his head. "... Which one do you want me to elaborate on?"
[19:44] <Kotono> > "Well...Alicia first, since I brought her up?"
[19:44] <Kotono> <Demedais> "...Remember the desert advance against the devils? The one that bow came from?" Demedais asks. "The Cornugon she killed there, without any hesitation or second thoughts... The rage that she can go into, with that sword of hers. I see her face and I remember that, and it's profoundly disconcerting. ...She's also an outsider now, I guess? Doesn't help."
[19:44] <Kotono> > "What about the others? Go ahead," Smiling a little now, "Finish that thought."
[19:44] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Seira... well, the surest way to make me wary is to mess around with my mind. While I've forgiven her for it, I still haven't forgotten it. That, and she and Amaryl are cute together, all things considered." Demedais muses.
[19:44] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Antenora... outsider. Really, that's about the end-all of it from that direction, to me. Amaryl... well, first, Seira and her. Secondly, just feels... vacilliating."
03[19:44] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
02[19:46] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-253-127-193.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Broken pipe)
03[19:46] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-253-127-193.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[19:46] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[19:47] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:49] <Kotono> "Vacilliating?" Looking up to Demedais, "Yes, she rather is."
02[19:50] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-253-127-193.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[19:50] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-253-127-193.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[19:50] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[19:50] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:51] <Kotono> "Vacilliating?" Looking up to Demedais, "Yes, she rather is."
[19:52] <Demedais> "Whatever the reason behind it, though... it's her own business unless she requests help or it falls on our head." Demedais shrugs after a moment.
[19:56] <Kotono> "Yeah," In the quiet that follows...OOC: Make a listen check, Deme?
[19:57] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 kay
06[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 kay and gets 34." [1d20=8]
[19:57] <Kotono> As quiet settles in, you can hear something faint and far away past the door the party went down.
[19:58] <Demedais> "Something's going on in there..." Demedais mutters under his breath. "Damnit, wish we had two more tokens, but..."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Damn," Pollyanna glowers, "I hope they're okay. If things go wrong, is there anything we can do?"
06[20:04] * Demedais grimaces. "Hope they lead whatever trouble there is out here... I think us stepping into there would trigger more disaster upon their heads. Not worth the gamble. But..." Demedais quickly glances around to see if there's any obvious tokens lying around inside the building.
[20:04] <Kotono> Demedais doesn't notice any tokens just lying around.
[20:06] <Demedais> "Of course it's never that simple." Demedais growls. "Damnit. Hopefully Donald hasn't died on them again."
[20:07] <Kotono> "Don't joke about that!" Pollyanna whispers low, "I remember the first time. He's an idiot, but he's a brave idiot."
[20:09] <Demedais> "Which is precisely why I'm worried."
[20:10] <Kotono> "...good point," Pollyanna admits after a beat, "Very good point."
06[20:11] * Demedais grumbles under his breath about fools, angels and Donalds, before grimacing and checking to see if he can follow the wall, trying to hear where the fighting is.
[20:12] <Kotono> Demedais approaches the door! OOC: Make a listen check again?
[20:12] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 32." [1d20=6]
[20:14] <Kotono> Demedais can faintly hear the sounds of something. Footsteps maybe. Too muffled to really make it out.
06[20:15] * Demedais grumbles. Instead of opening the door, he begins to pace alongside the wall going into the base, keeping a wary eye out against any gnomish magical traps.
[20:21] <Kotono> Pollyanna stays close, "This is vexing isn't it?"
[20:21] <Demedais> "It is. I had resigned myself to this being a possibility, but... Our alternatives were not appealing either." Demedais comments, simply trying to keep an ear to the wall.
[20:23] <Kotono> "I know. Standing by and waiting, hoping that they come back safe..." With a little, knowing smile, "It's hard."
[20:24] <Demedais> "I know you know." Demedais gives a small smile to Pollyanna in return.
[20:25] <Kotono> "About waiting, or that it's hard." At that, Pollyanna turns red, smacking the side of her head. "Helm help me, I sound like one of them now."
[20:26] <Demedais> "Both." Demedais shakes his head, before frowning for a second. "What?"
[20:27] <Kotono> "I just had a flashback to the Magus of Time's realm, that's all."
[20:27] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais frowns. "The offer?"
[20:28] <Kotono> "No. Nevermind." this time with her own little laugh, "If worst comes to worst, can we break into that room?"
[20:29] <Demedais> "We can probably break in... but the defenses they'll likely have in place will be another matter." Demedais grimaces. "Give it a bit more time, then I'll yell to see what's going on."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Yeah," Pollyanna settles into to wait, "How long?"
[20:36] <Demedais> "Give it twenty seconds. I think I still hear shuffling, which is at least a good sign? But I don't want to risk surprising them and making them slip... Augh. Need magical vision that lets me see through walls." Demedais mutters.
[20:39] <Kotono> OOC: I'll have you wait a few more rounds and then update you then.
06[20:39] * Demedais nods.
06[21:01] * Demedais waits a few seconds longer, before looking to Pollyanna. "Gonna try calling to them. Hold on a sec." With that, hands cupped to the door, he bellows, "YOU GUYS DOING OKAY IN THERE?" as loud as his lungs can manage, before stepping back to take his sword. "And if it was unfriendly, dear... we may have a fight on our hands."
06[21:04] * Demedais waits about ten seconds before repeating the message.
[21:06] <Kotono> Demedais can hear a muffled, "We're fine," From Alicia?
[21:07] <Demedais> "Okay, they're fine." Demedais shrugs, going back to leaning against the wall with a somewhat amused expression on his face.
02[21:25] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-253-127-193.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[21:42] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@24-247-220-129.dhcp.klmz.mi.charter.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[21:42] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[21:43] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
06[21:59] * Demedais grumbles after a few minutes. "Wondering what they're finding here."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Good question," Pollyanna starts to pace, "I almost want to sit down and rest. WAtch grows boring very quickly."
[22:00] <Demedais> "It can, yes, though I find this more nervous than anything else." Demedais murmurs.
[22:02] <Kotono> "Maybe they'll come out with something interesting, at least?" Pollyanna continues to pace about.
[22:06] <Demedais> "Hopefully." Demedais grimaces, glancing around again as he waits.
[22:06] <Kotono> OOC: Spot.
[22:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 28." [1d20=2]
[22:08] <Kotono> There's nothing of note that you see around. Again. "They'd better hurry," Pollyanna mutters.
06[22:08] * Demedais grunts. "Anything else you wanna talk about?"
[22:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 34." [1d20=16]
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC: Make a will save, Deme?
[22:09] <Demedais> roll 1d20+21 (+5 if it's mind-affecting)
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+21 (+5 if it's mind-affecting) and gets 27." [1d20=6]
[22:10] <Kotono> "No, not in particular," Tapping her cheek to think, "I hope they hurry."
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 28." [1d20=10]
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 23." [1d20=14]
[22:13] <Kotono> Pollyanna suddenly giggles. "Say, Demedais..?"
[22:13] <Demedais> "...yes, Pollyanna?" Demedais frowns a bit.
[22:18] <Kotono> She goes to sit down, patting the ground near her. "How about we sit down at least?"
[22:19] <Demedais> "I'll stay standing. But thanks, dear." Demedais says after a moment.
[22:20] <Kotono> Shrugging as she looks up at the roof, "Have you ever had a nightmare you can't remember?"
[22:22] <Demedais> "Once or twice." Demedais says, going back to lookout mode as they talk.
[22:22] <Kotono> OOC: Make a will save again?
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 first
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 first and gets 37." [1d20=19]
[22:23] <Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
[22:23] <Demedais> roll 1d20+21 +5 if mind affecting, use 2 if so
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+21 +5 if mind affecting, use 2 if so and gets 30." [1d20=9]
[22:24] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Pollyanna closes her eyes, "I never have nightmares when you're close by."
06[22:26] * Demedais smiles slightly, before walking over to Pollyanna's side, still standing as he continues to look around.
[22:26] <Kotono> OOC: Make another spot check?
[22:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 41." [1d20=15]
06[22:31] * Demedais blinks slightly, before moving to grab the small speck on Pollyanna's hair. "Something in your hair, dear."
[22:31] <Kotono> As Demedais reaches out, the spot moves away! OOC: I'll call init h ere for the sake for of orderly conduct.
[22:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 12." [1d20=5]
[22:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Polly
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Polly and gets 15." [1d20=8]
03[22:32] * Kotono changes topic to 'Polly>Dot'
[22:33] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 and gets 8." [1d20=7]
03[22:33] * Kotono changes topic to 'Polly>Dot>Demedais'
[22:33] <Kotono> Pollyanna blinks, "What?" She reaches up and touches her hair, "Some dust?" Meanwhile, the dot...
[22:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 and gets 39." [1d20=20]
[22:33] <Kotono> OOC: 18, my bad. Still a 20.
[22:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 CL check for SR
06[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 CL check for SR and gets 36." [1d20=17]
[22:34] <Kotono> OOC: SR, Deme?
[22:34] <Demedais> "It... moved?"
[22:34] <Demedais> OOC: 34
[22:34] <Kotono> OOC: Will.
[22:35] <Demedais> roll 1d20+21 (+5 if mind-affecting, this is the final use if so)
06[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+21 (+5 if mind-affecting, this is the final use if so) and gets 40." [1d20=19]
[22:36] <Kotono> But nothing seems to happen! OOC: Deme.
06[22:39] * Demedais frowns, eyeing the dot warily. "Pollyanna, aware! I think it's hostile! And -no-, I'm not crazy - it just tried using some magic on me!" With that, three upward slices are executed, attempting to cut into the dot!
[22:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+24
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 and gets 29." [1d20=5]
[22:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 and gets 34." [1d20=15]
[22:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 and gets 23." [1d20=9]
[22:42] <Kotono> OOC: Two hits.
[22:43] <Demedais> roll 2d6+26
06[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+26 and gets 31." [2d6=4, 1]
[22:47] <Demedais> OOC: Erf.
[22:47] <Demedais> roll 2d6 (Should have been 4d6+26, sorry)
06[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6 (Should have been 4d6+26, sorry) and gets 7." [2d6=3, 4]
[22:48] <Kotono> Demedais swings twice! The dot is broken apart, shattered like a bit of glass! Pollyanna scrambles away as Demedias swings, "W-what is it!? Where?!"
[22:48] <Demedais> "It shattered." Demedais comments, before kneeling. "There one on me?" he asks, offering the spear to help her look.
[20:18] <Kotono> * Demedais frowns, eyeing the dot warily. "Pollyanna, aware! I think it's hostile! And -no-, I'm not crazy - it just tried using some magic on me!" With that, three upward slices are executed, attempting to cut into the dot!
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 1d20+24
[20:18] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 and gets 29." [1d20=5]
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 1d20+19
[20:18] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 and gets 34." [1d20=15]
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 1d20+14
[20:18] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 and gets 23." [1d20=9]
[20:18] <Kotono> > OOC: Two hits.
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 2d6+26
[20:18] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+26 and gets 31." [2d6=4, 1]
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> OOC: Erf.
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> roll 2d6 (Should have been 4d6+26, sorry)
[20:18] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6 (Should have been 4d6+26, sorry) and gets 7." [2d6=3, 4]
[20:18] <Kotono> > Demedais swings twice! The dot is broken apart, shattered like a bit of glass! Pollyanna scrambles away as Demedias swings, "W-what is it!? Where?!"
[20:18] <Kotono> <Demedais> "It shattered." Demedais comments, before kneeling. "There one on me?" he asks, offering the spear to help her look.
03[20:18] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af0f2e0.wfd98.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 What's the spear bonus Deme?
06[20:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 What's the spear bonus Deme? and gets 32." [1d20=14]
[20:19] <Demedais> OOC: +5
[20:23] <Kotono> "I...dont' see anything," Pollyanna shakes a little, "What was...what was that about? You're lucky you're a g-good swing with that sword!"
[20:25] <Demedais> "'s part of what I trained for." Demedais says a bit grimly. "Wonder how long it's been there? And... ...mrg. How annoying a design... Keep watch a second?" With that, he quickly flips up his book and leafs through for anything on small creatures.
[20:25] <Kotono> OOC: The books from the slimecat lair?>
[20:26] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah.
[20:27] <Kotono> There is a little bit about small creatures. It talks about reducing the size of the cats for more compact uses, using the oozebodies to be able to become entirely amorphous. It looks like it was shelved in favor of the winterwight research near the end.
[20:30] <Demedais> "Hmph, nothing." Demedais grimaces, looking around as he does. "Only thing they talk about is small oozecats, but nothing so tiny and with magic like that."
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC: You can make spot again if you'd like.
[20:32] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26
06[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 and gets 37." [1d20=11]
[20:36] <Kotono> Nothing at all. Things are...quiet. "Still...now I'm worried," Looking around herself, "SEe anything?"
[20:38] <Demedais> "No." Demedais shakes his head. "Perhaps they're guard motes or something, meant to catch anyone idling? Still, I can't think of any better methods here..."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Hmph." Now jus tsighing, "I hope they get back soon. Should we call them, and maybe work something diffrent out?"
[20:43] <Demedais> "They'll probably be done soon, dear." Demedais replies, gut beginning to clench.
[20:46] <Kotono> Pollyanna gets up and starts to pace again, "Let's not split up again after this, no matterw hat?"
06[20:46] * Demedais rubs his head. "We may not be able to avoid it, but let's try to stick together if at all possible, yes. We should probably try to find two more tokens, first..."
[20:51] <Kotono> Pacing again, "I should remember what I've read, about duty and patience. Yet this place erodes my patience with a fast clip."
[20:53] <Demedais> "It is far easier to keep patience in the allied camp than the enemy's. Regardless, do try to keep calm or you'll get me pacing." Demedais grins at this.
[20:55] <Kotono> Stopping cold, "Let's just wait a bit for them to get back, then?"
06[20:56] * Demedais smiles slightly, putting a hand on Pollyanna's shoulder in sympathy. "Probably wise. They can't be too much longer, right?"
[21:16] <Kotono> As the two wait, the door opens! Donald waltzes out, tossing a token at both Demedaid and Polly. "Catch," he calls, "We finally found a few more."
[21:16] <Demedais> "Excellent." Demedais says, snatching the token and advancing toward the door. "Everything going okay thus far?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "Mostly...besides, tortured celestials, a demon and...ugh." Throwing his hands into the air, "Just fine. By the way, whatever God cleaned this place out is an asshole."
[21:19] <Demedais> "... right." Demedais comments, holding the door open for Pollyanna. "Lead the way, Donald."
[21:19] <Kotono> OOC: #dune.s
[21:55] <Kotono> ---
[21:56] <Kotono> Alicia and Seira stay. The creature behind the glass stares at them, smiling. It holds it's hands up. In it, plain gruel and water appear, pressed against the glass several times.
06[21:57] * Alicia smiles wanly, pressing her own hand against the glass. "Don't worry, little one. We'll get you out of here soon, then we can eat together," she reassures in a soft voice. "Poor thing, left alone so long and not even understanding why..."
[21:58] <Kotono> "Don't worry, little one," It says, licking up a bit of the food. It's tongue is forked, like a snake's. "Mother? Mother?"
06[21:58] * Seira chances calling upon faerie lights for entertainment, feeling out of her element.
[21:59] <Kotono> OOC: CL check.
03[22:00] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
01[22:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
06[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 33." [1d20=16]
[22:00] <Kotono> The fearie fire appears, the creature watching them with utterly focused attention.
06[22:00] * Alicia idly wonders which one was even the mother in the unnatural pairing that produced this being. She decides to sing him a lullaby, something calm and soothing remembered from her cut-short period of motherhood, mostly meaningless rhymes and humming.
[22:01] <Kotono> OOC: Make a charisma check, +2 since Seira's lights are calming it?
06[22:01] * Seira summons the full range of colors available from the spell!
[22:01] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[22:01] <Kotono> Watching the lights and listening to Alicia, the creature lies down on the floor. It's eyes close, sleep coming to it within about a minute.
06[22:02] * Alicia keeps up the humming a little longer once it's settled down before observing, "Most outsiders don't even sleep... but what else to do to occupy the time here?"
01[22:03] <Seira> "If you don't know what you're missing, it may not matter to you," she whispers back. "To us, he's been jailed all this time. To him, though?"
[22:06] <Alicia> "He has to know there's more - why else would he call out for his mother?" Alicia asks. "I wonder... his parents are probably still out there, somewhere. Although one of them is unlikely to care much."
01[22:08] <Seira> "If the gnomes experimented on him as the announcement suggested, he might feel safe from them in this room," Seira muses, before her face twists. "Mother, was it? Maybe we'll be able to find the records, or that succubus could tell us more."
[22:10] <Kotono> As they talk, Amaryl comes back in a pallid tizzy. She goes to Seira's side, "I-I' think I'll stay out here now."
[22:10] <Alicia> "Possibly," Alicia agrees, looking down the hallway to see Demedais and company peering into the far door. "What did you find?" she asks Amaryl.
01[22:11] <Seira> "That bad?" Seira asks sympathetically, taking Amaryl's hand.
[22:11] <Kotono> "...the room where...maybe, they made them."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Hey, Seira or Alicia!" Donald bellows back. "Deme wants one of you to hlep."
[22:11] <Alicia> "He's asleep now, anyway... I'll brave it," Alicia nods, heading over to join Donald.
[22:12] <Kotono> OOC: #dunes, Alicia.
[22:12] <Kotono> "Yeah," Amaryl says quietly.
01[22:13] <Seira> "We do come across a lot of nastiness in our line of work," Seira says with a sigh. "Wish it were different."
[22:14] <Kotono> "It's so...extreme." Sliding next to Seira, "I...I suppose, that after a place like Lathander's realm or Elysium, the extremes seem worse, too. But I don't have the resiliency of an angel to take these things in stride."
01[22:22] <Seira> "I don't think we need to take it in stride," Seira muses out loud in response. "I might, but I'm a special case, and even I'm not immune to it all. But as long as we see it as sparing the people of this world from going through such horrors, what we do gets a lot of meaning, doesn't it?"
[22:22] <Kotono> "Y...yeah," Amaryl says quietly. Befores he has a chance to reply, "Hey Seira," Donald walks up, "You're needed. Trapped or locked door."
01[22:23] <Seira> "It's always something," she mutters. Giving Amaryl a smile, Seira heads for the room at the end of the corridor.
[22:23] <Kotono> Donald lingers while Seira goes off! OOC: #dunes.
[23:01] <Kotono> --
[23:02] <Kotono> Down the elevator goes! AS it does, you feel more heat welling up. As you go down, hotter and hotter washes of air bathe the party! However, the magic(and Seira's natural immunity) prevent anything from coming to it. Nonetheless, the air begins to wobble and shimmer with waves of heat.
06[23:03] * Alicia is glad she took the time to cast that spell, content to patiently wait till they reach the bottom.
06[23:03] * Seira worries over Amaryl's refusal to accept Alicia's help in that department, and draws her sword as the elevator continues down, just in case.
[23:08] <Kotono> After about a minute of going down, the heat is bastingly hot! But you come to the end! Ahead of you is a vast open cavern, farther than the eye can see. Beams of rainbow colored force make walkways, hanging chains of liquid metal forming boundaries to them. They criss cross, dozens of them going about. Below, there is no floor beyond about ten feet. Instead, about a hundred feet down, is a rich, deep pool of molten red magma. Dotted
[23:08] <Kotono> is a rich, deep pool of molten red magma. Dotted about, closer to the bottom, are heavy metallic cups of gigantuan size. They take the magma, hissing and popping, up with great scoops. They then rise up of their own volition to the ceiling and vanish away. They then reappear about 20 seconds later, going down and repeating this. (More)
[23:09] <Kotono> There aren't any other doors the party can see, though you'd need to spend some time searching. Visibilty isn't great with the heat waves. Several hundred feet ahead, a wide pillar of stone rises up from the magma, seemingly unaffected by it. Atop it a sturdy building of some sort lies.
01[23:10] <Seira> "Think we could one day do something like this back hom--" Seira starts saying, before cutting off abruptly, leaning on Donald's shoulder.
[23:10] <Kotono> "Huh?" Donald blink-blinks, "Seira?"
[23:10] <Alicia> "I have no idea what this has to do with cross-breeding experiments," Alicia deadpans as she steps off the lift and looks around. She then looks to Seira in concern at her aborted statement.
01[23:11] <Seira> "Something bad happened here," she says with some effort. "I'll stay near the lift for a bit."
[23:12] <Kotono> "How the helldo you know that," Donald squints through the heat haze.
06[23:13] * Seira grimaces. "Lagann. I might be reading the overwhelming emotions incorrectly, though. Would you like to try?"
[23:13] <Alicia> Bad things seemed to happen everywhere in this pit, Alicia thinks... "Do you want to go back up?" she asks. "See if any of the others want to investigate that structure over there?"
[23:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20
06[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 1." [1d20=1]
06[23:15] * Seira tries to deduce the direction Lagann is forcing into her head.
01[23:16] <Seira> "I could ask," she finally responds to Alicia. "But would you terribly mind if we checked it out ourselves, first? We can all fly, and heat's not an issue. Neither is facing a sudden attack."
[23:17] <Alicia> "It would be quicker," Alicia admits. "You can let Amaryl know what we're doing?" she asks, flapping her wings and lifting off as she starts to tilt towards the pillar.
06[23:18] * Seira pauses, tilting her head. "I think we can turn out the... lava? Some mechanism. Worth a chance."
01[23:19] <Seira> 'It's very hot down here,' Seira thinks to Amaryl. 'The lift itself goes for a minute and comes to a pit of lava. There seems to be something that was stolen from Lagann here, and we'll try to find a way to make the heat manageable. Can you wait for us for a bit?'
[23:19] <Kotono> "Sure," Donald readies his sword, checking over his gear.
06[23:19] * Alicia starts to fly over towards the pillar, reducing her speed so as not to go too far ahead of the other two.
06[23:20] * Seira flies parallel to Alicia, guiding herself from Lagann's directions.
[23:20] <Kotono> Thus, the party begins to fly along! As you get closer, you can see the building is about the size of a medium sized normal house. It's had iron barred doors that seem to sizzle with heat. The rest of it is built of black and gray stone.
06[23:21] * Seira looks for the back entrance.
06[23:21] * Alicia looks over the structure for magic as they near it.
[23:21] <Kotono> There's no back entrance that Seira can see. Just one set of doors.
01[23:22] <Seira> Confused, Seira looks for anything that could be termed control runes.
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 spellcraft
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 spellcraft and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[23:23] <Kotono> OOC: Spot?
01[23:24] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
06[23:24] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 27." [1d20=10]
[23:25] <Alicia> "Abjuration magic all over the structure," Alicia reports. "Not too strong, though. Shall we try the door?"
06[23:25] * Seira thinks gnomish thoughts, looking it over!
01[23:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+28 UMD?
06[23:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+28 UMD? and gets 38." [1d20=10]
01[23:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+29 search traps
06[23:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+29 search traps and gets 38." [1d20=9]
[23:26] <Kotono> Nothing happens. The doors inside don't seem to be trapped.
06[23:26] * Seira tries to open the doors like any proper gnome would.
[23:27] <Kotono> The doors open! Inside is one large chamber. Several circular layers of symbols and diagrams focus in the center. Here several runes float in the air, glittering red and iron-gray. They're about the size of Marie each.
01[23:28] <Seira> "I think we've found our control runes," Seira says, thinking to Lagann, 'Okay, what next?'
06[23:28] * Alicia looks inside after Seira, eyeing the runes and symbols.
[23:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 spellcraft
06[23:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 spellcraft and gets 18." [1d20=8]
06[23:29] * Seira tries to operate the runes, retaining her gnomish thoughts processes!
[23:29] <Kotono> OOC: How are you trying to operate them?
01[23:29] <Seira> OOC: UMD was my thought, is there a better way?
01[23:30] <Seira> OOC: Or a way to study them, like K:A?
[23:30] <Kotono> OOC: No, no, I mean IC. Looking at them? Touching the rooms? Talking to th erunes? What?
[23:30] <Kotono> OOC: KA If you want, sure.
01[23:30] <Seira> roll 1d20+26 KA
06[23:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+26 KA and gets 32." [1d20=6]
[23:30] <Kotono> Donald lingers at the door, peering inside.
06[23:31] * Seira presses her hand against the nearest rune, focusing on aligning her mind with the gnomish magical construct.
[23:32] <Kotono> OOC: UMD first and then spellcraft, regardless sof the UMD result?
01[23:32] <Seira> roll 1d20+28 umd
06[23:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+28 umd and gets 43." [1d20=15]
01[23:32] <Seira> roll 1d20+27 spellcraft
06[23:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 spellcraft and gets 41." [1d20=14]
[23:33] <Kotono> Seira touches the runes! As she does, they turn to a soft blue-white color. The heat in the room begins to fade instantly. Crackling sounds can be heard below, and a few moments later, massive gouts of warm-hot steam begin to surge up.
[23:33] <Kotono> "Aaah!" Donald dives into the room, "Fucking Lathander's foot!"
06[23:33] * Seira raises her eyebrows at the sound. It must be a pretty incredible system, and she wants to take it home!
06[23:34] * Alicia follows Donald into the presumed safety of the room. "What exactly are you doing?"
01[23:35] <Seira> "Turning off the lava."
[23:35] <Kotono> The steam continues to rise up, blanketing everything outside in a thick, almost total fog! Vision quickly becomes obscured to within 5 feet at best!
[23:35] <Alicia> "Is it safe?" Alicia asks, deciding to pull down her blindfold so she can see better.
06[23:36] * Seira opens her mouth, before frowning. "Nothing here is safe. But I get a feeling of success rather than imminent danger."
[23:36] <Kotono> Alicia can see that lots of steam is rising up from above.
[23:37] <Alicia> "Well, I'll trust your instincts," Alicia relents.
[23:37] <Kotono> "So we wait out the steam or what?" Donald asks.
01[23:38] <Seira> "Lagann seems to think whatever that was stolen from him is below, and these runes make going below safe," Seira elaborates. "I'm pretty sure about this part, at least. So yeah, let's give it a bit."
[23:39] <Alicia> "Lets try and find our way back to the lift and join the others - it'll probably take a while for it to settle and we can come back here after checking out that stairway that went off the... breeding, room," Alicia suggests.
01[23:39] <Seira> "I can't wait to set foot in there again," Seira deadpans, but agrees with the suggestion.
[23:40] <Alicia> Since the fog inhibits flying for some, Alicia guides the party along the walkways of force, having everyone hold hands in a chain to keep from getting seperated in the fog.
[20:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ---
[20:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Woosh! Alicia appears, standing on a toppled tree. Around her is rainbow plants and greenery of all sorts. Around her, beautiful flowers bloom. The air is heavy with pollen. From above, heavy vines hang about all over. The vines are moving, moving in a dance towards Alicia in the jungle! OOC: Initiative, your luck was...poor.
[20:35] <Alicia> roll 1D20+8
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1D20+8 and gets Error: Numeric values only."
[20:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 and gets 13." [1d20=5]
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 and gets 8." [1d20=1]
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27." [1d20=20]
03[20:37] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Vine 2>Alicia>Vine 3'
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> One of the vines whip out, lashing at Alicia fast and hard!
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+21
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+21 and gets 22." [1d20=1]
[20:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> But it whizzes over her head, missing her entirely!OOC: Go Alicia.
03[20:38] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Vine 2>Alicia>Vine 1'
[20:38] <Alicia> "Wretched luck..." Alicia grimaces, darting away from the mobile vines before she quickly recasts her teleport spell!
[20:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 CL
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 CL and gets 24." [1d20=8]
[20:38] <Alicia> roll 1d100 seen casually
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 seen casually and gets 77." [1d100=77]
[20:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Woosh! A moment later, Alicia appears in the steel jungle! Just ahead of her, a glimmering white force can be seen. Inside of it, a troll's skeleton is seen, mostly stripped of meat and flesh. It slithers back along towards the right side of the road's jungle.
[20:40] <Alicia> "Ahh... Four oh eight?" Alicia queries on seeing the cube.
[20:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> In Alicia's mind, she hears, 'It is good to eat again.' With a wet plop, the skeleton is propelled out of the slime, chucked onto the road and clattering.
06[20:41] * Alicia replies in the same vein. 'Did the trolls not hurt you?' she asks.
[20:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> 'They are not sufficient to hurt me,' The ooze answers, 'They are easy prey.'
[20:44] <Alicia> Odd, considering how badly the trolls mauled her friends during their battle. Maybe 408 has more than just intellect over his peers? 'I'm glad this area agrees with you,' she instead replies. 'In time we may be able to let you roam further afield, but it seems your needs are being met for the time being.'
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> 'They are. I thank you.' It slithers away, unseen now, 'I go to hunt again.'
[20:45] <Alicia> 'Until we talk again,' Alicia returns, heading on into the fortress to rejoin her friends at the demon prison.
[19:45] <Kotono> -----(Assassin Ko)--
[19:46] <Kotono> The three appear in a flash of light! You stand in a dark room, a teleportation circle in the center. Ahead of you about ten feet is a wall and a plain steel door, closed shut.
01[19:46] <Seira> "Want me to recast the spell and see what the password to return is?" Seira asks quietly.
[19:47] <Alicia> "Seems innocuous enough," Alicia muses, her eyes glinting blue as she looks around. "Wouldn't it be the same?"
[19:47] <Kotono> Donald looks about, stepping out of the circle. He draws his sword, "Nothing odd that I see."
01[19:47] <Seira> "It should if it's for domestic use, such as it is, but it's a military facility. I know I'd have different ones in mine."
[19:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 spellcraft
06[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 spellcraft and gets 23." [1d20=13]
[19:48] <Alicia> "No harm in checking," Alicia allows, going to wait by the door but not opening it while Seira casts. "Abjuration magic throughout this room, by the way."
06[19:48] * Seira nods, and decides to do a sweep of the room before trying any magic.
01[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d20+27 traps
06[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 traps and gets 29." [1d20=2]
[19:49] <Kotono> "Mmm. If it connects to that fire pit, maybe it's fire warding?" Donald taps the walls with his sword.
01[19:49] <Seira> "I don't see anything," Seira muses, before shrugging and recasting the Analyze Portal spell with the help of her pearl.
01[19:50] <Seira> OOC: Same list as before, any CL?
[19:50] <Kotono> OOC: No, you automake the CL anyway.
01[19:51] <Seira> "Password's 'Earth', this time," Seira informs Donald and Alicia, thinking the same to Amaryl. She repeats the Gnomish word slowly, separated into parts so as to not trigger the portal accidentally. "At least the minute wasn't wasted. It does indeed lead back where we came from."
[19:52] <Alicia> "Alright," Alicia nods. "Since it seems safe why don't you tell Amaryl to have the others come through?"
01[19:53] <Seira> "I would, except... Demedais wants to leave?" Seira blinks. "I'll ask them to do that, but check him for magic as soon as he's made it over here?"
[19:54] <Alicia> "I think I recall something similar..." Alicia frowns, recalling their trip through the fey-filled forest.
06[19:54] * Seira nods with a grimace, and studies the door for any traps.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Oh? What was it?" Donald starts to pace around th eroom, "Does poor Deme need a thump upside the head to fix him?"
01[19:54] <Seira> roll 1d20+27
06[19:54] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 and gets 36." [1d20=9]
06[19:55] * Seira will wait for everyone to arrive before opening it!
[19:55] <Alicia> "If something has enchanted him it could affect any of us," Alicia replies seriously. "He has lots of defences against such."
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: #dunes.
[20:57] <Kotono> ----
[20:58] <Kotono> Demedais steps away! As he does...OOC: PM, Seira.
[20:59] <Kotono> Amaryl shivers, "No...no! Wait!" She reaches forward, "Don't go! Please! Don't leave me!"
06[20:59] * Demedais immediately steps back in at the change in Amaryl's expression, keeping Pollyanna with him. "Damnit. Was hoping Seira's anger'd let you shake the damn thing, since it seems the circle's only suppressing it."
06[21:01] * Seira sinks to her knees heavily, a chance at perfection lost. Rejection? She's the one being rejected.
[21:02] <Kotono> Amaryl blinks, "Oh..." she says, "She's so beautiful...I lost myself in that."
01[21:02] <Seira> "She was doing something she shouldn't be," Seira declares through gritted teeth. "Beautiful or not, jailed unjustly or not, there can only be so many misunderstandings!"
[21:03] <Demedais> "Then should we catch up to those two and explicate that, Seira?" Demedais says, voice resorting to steely calm.
01[21:04] <Seira> "Yes, let's," she says, struggling back to her feet. "And we'll have words, after. Oh, we will...."
[21:04] <Kotono> "No...Demedais is right. We need to do that and be calm about this. Before we lose ourselves again." Amaryl nods, "Okay?"
[21:05] <Demedais> "Alright. Everyone, keep pace with me." Demedais nods, leading the four out and ignoring Seira's second comment.
[21:05] <Kotono> OOC: I'll move you three into #dunes in a second, er four of you.
[20:03] <Kotono> -----------------------
03[20:03] * Alicia (WinNT@user-514d1dbd.l3.c1.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[20:05] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Demedais
[20:06] <Kotono> With the First Resort on her back now, Pollyanna waits with Demedais. "An hour," she says, the pair waiting in the front of Seira's inn. Pollyanna drinks a glass of water while she waits, watching the crowd. A manly bard sings in the background, keeping visitors enthralled with the story of a gold and red dragon pair, then the story of the Crimson Guard versus the dreaded Kondrux.
[20:08] <Demedais> "An hour, yes." Demedais nods, eyes closed a bit. "I will be honest: I know nothing of the laws of Mechanus. The first part will be getting a crash briefing on it, I suspect."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Yes. It will be illuminating," Pollyanna says around a sip of her water. "Perfect law, what will that be like?"
[20:13] <Demedais> "... I do not know." Demedais says after a moment of thought.
[20:14] <Kotono> "We'll find out then?" Concluding that as she puts aside her water, "I imagine it will be on time, too?"
[20:14] <Demedais> "If it isn't, I will find it horrendously amusing."
[20:19] <Kotono> At an hour past, a man approaches you. He is a finely dressed man, in travel clothes unmarked and pristinely clean. His haircut is cropped short, not a single bit out of place. He approaches the two, taking a seat next to Demedais. "I am Lortimus the Sixteenth. As per directive, I am to take you to Mechanus to appeal a request for alysum under the Caim-Septus Accords. Before that, there is a matter of a fine due to unauthorized scrying
[20:19] <Kotono> Before that, there is a matter of a fine due to unauthorized scrying. I am authorized to collect this fine under the authority of Code 49-38XT, regulating the proper collection of fines on the Material Plane."
[20:30] <Demedais> "Understood. We were not certain that he was in Mechanus; our apologies, therefore, for the scrying. Regardless, the fine." Demedais pulls out a pouch prepared ahead of time and hands it to the inevitableman.
[20:32] <Kotono> Lortimus the Sixteenth takes the pouch. "I thank you. I am not entirely versed on local custom in your nation. Shall we planar shift from here, or is another location more orderly?"
[20:33] <Demedais> "It would probably be more appropriate to use a more secluded room." Demedais nods. "While it is not entirely uncommon to teleport from any point, that is a method usually left to emergencies. We can depart from the Temple of Helm, if that is acceptable?"
[20:34] <Kotono> "It shall be as you say. I will defer to your knowledge of the methods of this realm." Lortimer agrees, "I will follow your lead until that time."
[20:35] <Kotono> Standing and stretching out before righting herself, "You're welcome." Lower, under her breath, "Manners...?"
06[20:38] * Demedais bites his lip slightly, before nodding to Lortimer. "Very well, then. Let us go." And with that, he begins walking to the Temple. On the way, "I will confess that I have limited practical knowledge of Mechanus law. While it is my hope to learn, my intent here does not afford me the time to do so. Is there any way I can request the assistance of Mechanus in this?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "Yes. You are entitled to a free legal aide in any lawful proceeding. However, it's knowledge is very basic. For more advanced cases, it is recommended that the unversed in Mechanus law hire a lawyer. There are many laywers, as well as baatezu and archon lawyers, if you prefer. I believe the sanctioned Temple of Helms in Mechanus also offer some legal advice on relevant matters."
[20:42] <Demedais> "Then, when possible, I would like to consult with one of the Temples of Helm sanctioned there for further insight." Demedais nods politely. "Thank you."
[20:43] <Kotono> As you walk through the streets, you see that everything is busy. With winter's approach, trade is slowing a little. "There is another matter as well. Your nation, the United Baronies, does not possess any treaties or extradition agreements with Mechanus. While it is possible to challenge some statues, such as the Caim-Septus Accords, without one, it is far preferable to have established treaties regarding these affairs."
[20:43] <Kotono> While it is possible to challenge some statues, such as the Caim-Septus Accords, without one, it is far preferable to have established treaties regarding these affairs."
[20:45] <Demedais> "Our nation has been effectively cut off from all other planes for a significant number of years. As such, no treaties have been feasible for a while. As a representative of the Baronies, I shall endeavor to aid in the creation of treaties, but on those I do not have full authority to certify."
[20:47] <Kotono> "Understood. When your current appeal is resolved, I shall have you directed to the proper offices to do so." After, you reach the Temple of Helm without incident. OOC: Deme, your ball here.
06[20:48] * Demedais nods to Lortimer, before leading the way into a secluded back room.
[20:49] <Kotono> This room, one of the lesser used prayer rooms and a bit of a storage room as well, is reached without incident. Once in there, "If you are ready, I shall begin the transport to Mechanus."
[20:50] <Demedais> "I am ready." Demedais confirms.
[20:54] <Kotono> Lortimer holds hands with Demedais and Pollyanna! In a flash point moment, reality bubbles around them, turning apart like endless gears resorting themselves! (More)
[20:59] <Kotono> You stand in a room. It is a perfect ten feet by ten feet. You are somehow sure of it. You feel drawn here, connected. There is a rythym to everything here. A perfect turning, everything in tune. Distant in the air are the sound of a thousand-trillion gears turning in perfect harmony, a music you can't process but can appreciate in a startling, finely crafted beauty. The walls are made of smooth, white painted metal, as is the floor. G
[20:59] <Kotono> The walls are made of smooth, white painted metal, as is the floor. Going towards a door on the wall, "We have arrived. I will take you to the council and magistrate in this matter."
[21:00] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods, letting him lead the way in this.
[21:06] <Kotono> You are lead out of the room. You seem to be in an impossibly vast building. Rooms nad hallways, so many, yet perfectly set up. Demedais finds it surprisingly easy to keep track of them. There are also signs about, written in the same exact symbols, with regulated changes as you go. After about a half hour of walking, you are taken to an office. Lortimer stands outside of the door, made of perfectly connected gears with a thin metal fr
[21:06] <Kotono> Lortimer stands outside of the door, made of perfectly connected gears with a thin metal frame around it. "Please enter here."
06[21:06] * Demedais nods slightly again. "Thank you." With that, he opens the door and advances in!
[21:10] <Kotono> Inside are several chairs and a bench against the back. Standing before the bench is a creature of gears and clockwork. It's body is painted black, it's face entirely humanoid and yet made of gears. He wears a simple black cape that wraps perfectly around his body, in two identical, symmetrical trails, ending at a pool at his feet, the lowest tips just touching the ground. He approaches, offering a hand out to shake. "I am Magistrate X
[21:10] <Kotono> He approaches, offering a hand out to shake. "I am Magistrate Xesen. I am to oversee your appeal of a Caim-Septus alysum grant?"
[21:11] <Kotono> Pollyanna shakes it briefly, "May we sit?"
[21:12] <Kotono> "You may," Slightly nodding his head, "We are not in formal session until the appeal begins officially."
06[21:12] * Demedais shakes the proffered hand as well, with a slight bow. "Yes, that is our initial duty here."
[21:15] <Kotono> "Lortimer the Sixteenth informed me you will be seeking legal council here? There is a free aide available, though it's quality is very basic." He goes to sit on the bench, folding his hands against one metal knee. "You may have up to thirty days to secure council. I must approve all council; any registered lawyer within Mechanus is approved short of a demonstrated conflict of interest. Any beings not registered with Mechanus will requ
[21:16] <Kotono> Any beings not registered with Mechanus will require my approval. In the event I decline to approve a lawyer, you have another thirty days to seek out another council. Once you have settled on council, the process can begin."
[21:17] <Demedais> "Very well. Yes, we intend to seek council, first among the Temples of Helm here. Can you see any conflict of interest in this action?" Demedais asks simply, sitting as well next to Pollyanna.
[21:18] <Kotono> "No. I see no conflicts of interest. Beyond that, it is not my position to advise you. For all other legal matters, your hired council will guide you. Once you have selected council, my role will be that of an impartial moderator."
[21:21] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods. "We will inquire into legal council, then. Thank you for your time."
[21:25] <Kotono> "In the event that allowable circumstances delay you beyond thirty days, you may also appeal for an extension. Should you feel you have a qualifying situation, you may seek me out to grant such an extension." With a nod as he stands back up, "Lortimer will show you the way out."
[21:26] <Demedais> "Very well. Thank you." Demedais nods, standing back up with a sympathetic glance to Pollyanna.
[21:31] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles at Demedais, before going out.
06[21:32] * Demedais follows Pollyanna out, nodding to Lortimer once they've left.
[21:32] <Kotono> Lortimer leads you along. As he does, along more perfectly measured halls, "How much does legal council cost?" she asks.
06[21:35] * Demedais glances to Lortimer, interested in a reply though his suspicion is that it depends.
[21:37] <Kotono> "It depends on the quality and sort of case." As you continue to be lead along, past a pair of Kolyaruts who barely glance at the trio, "The finest lawyers can be had for tens of thousands of gold. Having one guarantees success, unless your opponent has similar funds."
[21:38] <Demedais> "I see." Demedais nods slightly to this, a slight frown on his face as he thinks.
[21:40] <Kotono> After another half hour of walking, you come to pillared doors leading you outside. Outside... a starry skyscape as far as you can see is seen. This building stands on a vast gear, the edges of it just visible on the horizon. Other buildings, perfectly symmetrical and pleasing to the eye, are about. "Order's Duty is 3.23 miles to the north-northwest," Pointing in that direction, deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue of Helm
[21:40] <Kotono> deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue of Helm outside of it, as well as clear street signs. It is on the Street of Everflow."
[21:41] <Demedais> "I see. Very well, then." Demedais nods slightly. "Thank you, Lortimer."
[18:23] <Blondezilla> * Demedais follows Pollyanna out, nodding to Lortimer once they've left.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > Lortimer leads you along. As he does, along more perfectly measured halls, "How much does legal council cost?" she asks.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> * Demedais glances to Lortimer, interested in a reply though his suspicion is that it depends.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > "It depends on the quality and sort of case." As you continue to be lead along, past a pair of Kolyaruts who barely glance at the trio, "The finest lawyers can be had for tens of thousands of gold. Having one guarantees success, unless your opponent has similar funds."
[18:23] <Blondezilla> <Demedais> "I see." Demedais nods slightly to this, a slight frown on his face as he thinks.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > After another half hour of walking, you come to pillared doors leading you outside. Outside... a starry skyscape as far as you can see is seen. This building stands on a vast gear, the edges of it just visible on the horizon. Other buildings, perfectly symmetrical and pleasing to the eye, are about. "Order's Duty is 3.23 miles to the north-northwest," Pointing in that direction, deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue
[18:24] <Blondezilla> > deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue of Helm outside of it, as well as clear street signs. It is on the Street of Everflow."
[18:24] <Blondezilla> <Demedais> "I see. Very well, then." Demedais nods slightly. "Thank you, Lortimer."
[18:24] <Blondezilla> "Demedais," As she starts to walk, "It's like those clockwork devices they sell at Gond's workshop. It really is. Or the Inevitables."
[18:25] <Demedais> "It is, yeah." Demedais nods, walking with Pollyanna.
[18:26] <Demedais> "It's... fascinating." he adds after a moment, glancing around.
[18:29] <Blondezilla> Around you the buildings rise. Metal predominates here, not a hint of stone or natural material. A constant musical whirring of gears tickles the back of your senses, heard at all times and yet never the slightest bit noticable. There is a sense here, a sense of unity and one-ness that fills Demedais up. About on the streets, creatures of clockwork walk. There are others as well - you can see a blue skinned humanoid in rich robes
[18:29] <Blondezilla> There are others as well - you can see a blue skinned humanoid in rich robes, several humans following him. Lumbering along, a giant clockwork creatures patrols the street. Despite it's size, it makes nary a sound. "It's not our world. Everything so...well, in order. The buildings all look like perfect shapes. Everything does."
[18:32] <Demedais> "Indeed..." Demedais murmurs. "It's surprising to see, honestly."
[18:34] <Blondezilla> "I wonder what it means?" Turning back to Demedais as she walks, not looking where she's going at all, "From what I know, the Upper Planes look like our world but pristine. The Realms Below look like our nightmares. But what's this?"
[18:35] <Demedais> "...To be honest, I'm not sure, myself." Demedais says after a moment. "It doesn't match either of those two, certainly."
[18:36] <Blondezilla> "Mmm. I don't, either." Pollyanna stops now, crossing her arms over her back as she has her eyes sweep over everything. "Maybe if I'd studied Helm's lessons better I might have an idea?"
[18:38] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
06[18:38] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 35." [1d20=20]
06[18:46] * Demedais opens his mouth, before quickly pausing. "Effectively, the gist of what I remember from classes was that this place is like this because it was shaped to be so. Thusly, it is that it's the perfect reflection of rationality."
[18:57] <Blondezilla> "Hm. That makes a sort of sense," Going quiet as she walks along, Pollyanna looks to be content to think for the moment.
06[19:00] * Demedais is happy to just walk along with her until they reach the temple.
[19:03] <Blondezilla> As you walk about this city, you see many sighs. You see building named like 'Third National Mercane Union', 'Guaranteed Order Services' and other such names. Most of the buildings are labelled if Demedais cares to look. At one point, coming around a street corner, you come to a four chambered set of buildings, connected together. This one is named 'Incarceration Center'.
[19:03] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna keeps to herself as you walk, none of the buildings catching her attention.
06[19:05] * Demedais glances around a bit more at the names of buildings, but otherwise seems content enough to just make sure they get to the Temple.
[19:06] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
[19:06] <Blondezilla> Eventually, you come to a single storied hall. In front of it is a statue of Helm the warrior, triumphant over a slain Marilith. The building beyond has Helm's gauntlet over the gateway to within.
[19:08] <Demedais> "Shall we?" Demedais says with a shrug, advancing into the temple.
[19:13] <Blondezilla> Inside, you see that the hall is a perfectly aligned rectangle. Four guardsmen stand just inside, in full plate and helmet. They raise swords to salute Demedais as he enters. Ahead you see decorations of battle, magical scenes of dozens of conflicts about. Past that is another statue of Helm. As you see this, a man in full plate and without a helmet steps into view. His skin has a hint of gold to it, noble features and long blonde
[19:13] <Blondezilla> His skin has a hint of gold to it, noble features and long blonde hair trailing down to his midsection. His face is battlescared, one eye gone. In it's place is a gemstone, moving and looking like an eye. With his superior vision, Demedais can see tiny gears churning within the gemstone-eye. "Demedais of Balmuria. Pollyanna of Balmuria." He bows to both of them, "Our auguries from the Evervigliant spoke of your coming."
[19:14] <Blondezilla> "Our auguries from the Evervigliant spoke of your coming."
06[19:18] * Demedais bows in return to the man. "Thank you for your welcome. I take it, then, you know of our reason for coming?"
[19:19] <Blondezilla> "The auguries told us to welcome one favored by Helm. The details were not forthcoming beyond that." Offering a hand out now to Demedais, "Helm has spoken to us. You shall have what aid we are able, to the best of our capacity."
06[19:24] * Demedais shakes the man's hand at this, nodding. "The path that has lead us here is somewhat complex; we were in pursuit of an abombination, when it managed to escape here. We have been informed it has been granted asylum under the Caim-Septus treaty; we would seek to appeal this and have it mmoved to our custody for elimination."
[19:27] <Blondezilla> "Ah, devils." With a rich timbre in his voice, "Come with me." You are lead back to the statue of Helm in the back, triuphant over a balor this time, holding it's head in one gauntleted hand. "I am Naran," He offers as he kneels before the statue, into a position of prayer. "Let us give thanks to Helm for his viligance in ensuring that you arrived safely."
06[19:29] * Demedais nods, kneeling as well to Naran's side. "Indeed, and that all thus far has progressed smoothly."
[19:31] <Blondezilla> "Thank you, Lord Helm," Pollyanna joins them. After a moment Naran stands back up. "Caim-Septus, eh? That's devil alysum?"
[19:32] <Demedais> After a second, Demedais also stands and nods. "From my understanding, yes. Which I wonder if it even qualifies for... It's a hybrid monstrosity made by gnomes in our world, part hellcat and part ooze."
[19:33] <Blondezilla> "Well, if it's under Caim-Septus, it's being treated as a Baatezu or Baatezu equivalent." Stroking his chin now, "Are you familiar with the laws of Mechanus much?"
Session Close: Tue Jun 30 19:33:47 2009
Session Start: Tue Jun 30 19:33:47 2009
Session Ident: #terrorofdunes
02[19:33] * Disconnected
02[19:34] * Attempting to rejoin channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:34] * Rejoined channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:34] * Topic is 'Vine 2>Alicia>Vine 1'
03[19:34] * Set by Infinite_Ko_Loop on Wed Jun 17 19:40:22
03[19:36] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
02[19:39] * Shizuru (~corwin@bzq-79-179-135-140.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:42] <Blondezilla> "The Caim-Septus accords is a treaty made between Baator and Mechanus. It addresses the issues of devils seeking aid in Mechanus to return to Baator and the reciprical with Inevitables and other servants of Mechanus in Baator. Under it, a qualifying devil or devil-alike is granted protection and safe passage to Baator. However, it allows Mechanus to study any devils that use it and gives them certain other rights, such as seizing
[19:42] <Blondezilla> devils that use it and gives them certain other rights, such as seizing any contraband and persecuting them of any infractions to the Great Laws of Mechanus."
[19:43] <Demedais> "I see." Demedais frowns. "Forgive my ignorance, but are there any of the Great Laws which he might be in conflict with?"
[19:43] <Blondezilla> "So, stripped of all of that, it means that you give each other's soldiers back after you have a go at them for whatever you can get away with?"
[19:45] <Demedais> "Also, uh, it's likely never been to Baator. Ever. If that helps."
[19:46] <Blondezilla> Nodding to all of that, "You'll need a lawyer to help you with all of that. We can provide one if you like, we have contracts with several firms. There's countless firms native to Mechanus you can choose from, and we also have contacts with diabolical and archonic firms. Do you have any preferences?"
[19:49] <Demedais> "...non-diabolical, as much as the irony appeals; otherwise, not particularly. If there's someone who specializes in this sort of case, that would probably be optimal."
[19:49] <Blondezilla> "I have to admit, I'm tempted," Pollyanna cracks a smile, "If we did choose a diabolical lawyer, wouldn't he just betray us?"
[19:51] <Demedais> "I'd guess no, if he signed up for long-term job appeal here. Still, even the lowest of risks, I'd prefer to eliminate here."
[19:52] <Blondezilla> "That's forbidden. The laws regarding lawyers forbids it. You don't want to be disbarred in Mechanus, my friends. Now then, I believe I have just the lawyer. Come with me."
[19:53] <Demedais> "There's that, too." Demedais murmurs, following Naran.
[19:57] <Blondezilla> You are lead to a pleasant room in the back of the temple. Stuffed couches are here, green plants kept in pots and hanging vases. A long table has food and drink on it. "I'll have the laywer along briefly. There's been a meal prepared for you in the meantime."
[19:57] <Demedais> "Ah... thank you." Demedais nods gratefully, glancing to Pollyanna.
[19:58] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna goes to the food, making a plate up before sitting on the couch. She tears into her food. "I hadn't had much to eat today besides that water while we waited," She explains.
[20:00] <Demedais> "I realized that once he mentioned food, yes." Demedais rubs his head ashamedly. "I, ah, forget normal eating habits." Taking a mug of water, Demedais sits next to Pollyanna and sips at it as she eats.
[20:03] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna eats seconds and even thirds, wolfing down her food. Once done, she rests back on the couch. "If we have time durin gall of this, I'd like to go sight-seeing. There has to be amazing things to be seen here."
[20:04] <Demedais> "There does, yes. Worst comes to worst, we can hire one, but... yes. It would be nice to explore here."
[20:05] <Blondezilla> "Better than those Slaadi you told me about." Putting her feet up and taking the bow off of her back, "Though I confess, I wouldn't mind a few to try this on. The practice I did with it was amazing. It was like I was firing those balls of force Seira can do. I blew part the targets with each shot and I never needed to draw more arrows. "
[20:07] <Demedais> "Good." Demedais grins. "It should stay quite solid from what I understand for a long while."
[20:09] <Blondezilla> "Or forever. I've never had a bow anything like this." Running her hands along it's jewelled surface, "My old bow wasn't even a shadow on this. One shot I got just right went through the target and through a four foot thick stone wall before it broke apart."
[20:11] <Demedais> "...We may need to find you a new practice zone." Demedais' grin grows wider at this.
[20:18] <Blondezilla> "Hehhehe," Laughing, the times are interrupted by a knock on the door.
[20:19] <Demedais> "Please come in." Demedais calls at this.
[20:23] <Blondezilla> "Good afternoon!" The man who enters has a cheerful smile, whistling along. He enters, going to the table and grabbing an apple off of it. After taking a big bite, he leans against the table. "So you have yourselves a devil you need to make sure doesn't return back to Hell?" He has curly black hair and fine features, split by an easygoing grin. "My speciality."
[20:24] <Demedais> "Pretty much, although I'm still marginally amused he qualifies as a devil-alike. Ah well." Demedais muses, before nodding. "Oh. I'm Demedais, this is Pollyanna."
[20:26] <Blondezilla> "The term have a certain leeway by design. Mechanus does like to study it's unusual specimens and add them to the great records." Taking another bite of his apple, "Esyer. I'll need you to start at the beginning and tell me anything relevant to this so I can figure out how I'm going to attack this. From the sounds of it, it's not a pure blooded Baatezu?"
[20:32] <Demedais> "It is not. We encountered it inside a gnomish ruin, practically sealed away; it and its kin chose aggression immediately against us. We fought back while exploring; during one encounter, it warped out. However, one of my allies noticed a flareup of wild magic; we concluded that it had disappeared from the area entirely, and began trying to scry to track it down; that's what has lead us here."
[20:33] <Demedais> After a moment, Demedais pulls out the original copies of the gnomish notes. "I have here what information there is on their creation, though it's entirely in Gnomish. If they want information on unique specimens, I'd be willing to offer this if it'd assist our cause here."
[20:39] <Blondezilla> "I can get someone to translate these," With a glance to them, "It would be helpful, thanks." Finishing his apple and placing it down on the table, cored, "Putting that aside a moment, do you have any idea if this devil has any resources to hire good legal help, or if he's skilled himself?"
[20:41] <Demedais> "...I don't know. He seems somewhat intelligent, but this should be the first time he's been out of the laboratory. Ever. So I doubt he has resources of that sort, but... perhaps he is working with Baator in this? His very existance... well, let me put it this way. If the devils could figure out how to duplicate it, I would not like the legion of hellcats that they would then have. That might be price enough... if not
[20:42] <Demedais> "That might be price enough... if not, than I suspect no."
[20:59] <Blondezilla> "Mmmm." Crossing his legs, "In that case, I'm inclined to blitz him before he can get any better positioned. Let's not delay this. We start tomorrow and try to get this done. Alright then. Tell me everything, anything you think I need to know."
[21:02] <Demedais> "First, I might as well start with what issues we have to deal with. Our country is not only relatively new, it has been sealed off from the rest of existence for a rather large amount of time. I do not know if our world previously had dealings with Mechanus except for the gnomes, themselves; whil I would presume so, it is not something I have information on. As such, I have been lead to believe asking for a transfer
[21:02] <Demedais> "As such, I have been lead to believe asking for a transfer to Balmuria would be difficult, if not impossible." Demedais begins.
[21:09] <Demedais> "Aside from that... it is a gnomish construct, created by comission of the False God-King Daa-vid. It possesses various capabilities that mark it out even aside from its appearance, such as its acidic touch that drains agility with ease, and the immense difficulty in spotting it..." Demedais muses.
[21:12] <Blondezilla> "Mmmmm. Mmmm." LIstening to all of that. "I'll look into those. While ex post facto law is generally discouraged, signing a treaty with Mechanus before we go on could provide you with a little extra kick. But that aside, let's say you win. Then what? Going to attempt to wring it's devil neck?"
06[21:13] * Demedais shakes his head for a moment. "Aside from that...? Its residency in the gnomish ruin was meant to be permanent until slain, as the ruins themselves were guarded by a heavenly... being, a barrier against intrusion seemingly made of fire.... Oh. Honestly, we do aim for its death; we are well aware that that will send it back to Baator anyway, more likely than not. However, it puts a rest to the aberrative strain
[21:13] <Demedais> " However, it puts a rest to the aberrative strain that it possesses, which I have been lead to believe is desirable."
[21:18] <Blondezilla> "Mmm, mmm, mmm." Thinking a bit, "I have a plan of attack now. I'm going to argue it's against the natural order and an abomination. As such, it deserves no protection under the law. The desire of Mechanus to remove the unnatural from the world will be the follow up that will hit that magistrate like a herd of goristro."
[21:20] <Demedais> "Would there be any merit in pointing out that our intent to destroy it will also return it to Baator, simply in a more natural form?" Demedais inquires at this.
[21:22] <Blondezilla> "It may be. I'll see how the judge reacts. If I know how they think, though...it may, yes."
[21:23] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais says, leaning back and thinking, glancing to Pollyanna. "Any insight, dear?"
[21:24] <Blondezilla> "You know, if it's unnautral and taking it back to Baator in a bodybag will fix that, can we get Mechanus to do that?"
06[21:27] * Demedais muses, before shrugging. "That is also an option to propose, if Mechanus wishes to also remain in accord to its promise. This being said... it occurs to me that while I speculate it will revert to a normal state, and that said speculation makes sense, I have not confirmed it."
[21:28] <Demedais> "I had not thought to discern that, as the implication of the divination I received from Helm was that slaying it would work; it would also follow with why the ones in the ruins also had to fall. But... there is perhaps the chance that it would work differently here in Mechanus?"
[21:34] <Blondezilla> "Mmmm, yes. Perhaps we could argue for imprisonment or p urification instead. With these notes...hmmm." rubbing his chin, "That's another idea. If we can convince them that the devil is against the natural order and needs to be reverted to it's normal state..."
[21:36] <Demedais> "That could also work, yes. As far as I can discern, the greatest threat is that it is distinctly not what Hell designed, and that being released to Hell would have multiple negative impacts, especially toward the order of things, so to speak."
[21:37] <Demedais> "Thusly, there shouldn't be much issue if it is reverse-engineered back to a normal hellcat or some such. I can pray on this tonight, though, to confirm, but it sounds like another option."
[21:40] <Blondezilla> "It is. Alright. I need to get these notes checked up and do some fine tuning of the law review. We'll meet again here tomorrow morning?"
[21:41] <Demedais> "Alright. Thank you very much, Esyer." Demedais nods.
[21:52] <Blondezilla> Esyer leaves out. Once done, Pollyanna looks to Demedais. "Well then. Do you think he'll do well?"
[21:53] <Demedais> "...I can only hope he does, at this point." Demedais frowns. "I think he's right on one front; we've moved fast enough that I think the oozecat will be a few steps behind, but... hopefully that's enough. We have various options, as he's noted. Hopefully all will work."
[22:02] <Blondezilla> "What do we do until then?" Pollyanna asks after that's said, "We have a day."
06[22:07] * Demedais thinks. "We have a few options, it seems, since things do not start until tomorrow morning, and I can commence my prayers at nightfall while you rest, so... You said you wanted to look around?"
[22:09] <Blondezilla> "Yeah. There has to be something memorable around here to see," Pollyanna rises, "Let's find it?"
[22:10] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods.
[22:33] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100 see if something particularly odd happens
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 see if something particularly odd happens and gets 29." [1d100=29]
[22:41] <Blondezilla> Thus, the two take to Mechanus. As you step outside of the Temple of Helm, you find a particular sight there. A fat, horribly tall creature with fire red skin waits outside. It's wings are cloaked around it's body like a grotesque cloak. It wears gold and jewels, whistling a merry tune. A pair of beautiful black winged women linger behind him, wearing silken gowns of immaculate beauty. Any others nearby give the creature a wide be
[22:41] <Blondezilla> wearing silken gowns of immaculate beauty. Any others nearby give the creature a wide berth.
06[22:44] * Demedais blinks at it, somewhat amused as he guesses at the appearance of a devil. Still, since this is a territory where neutrality is desired... "Hm. Anything in particular catch your interest as we were walking here, dear?" Demedais asks Pollyanna.
[22:46] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna glances at the fat creature as well, but keeps her distance. "Something fun. Let's just explore and see what's out there, then?"
[22:47] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods politely to the being as the pass, before heading outward to see what can be found.
[22:50] <Blondezilla> "Ah sir! Good day, a good day to you!" THe fat fiend smiles to Demedais, teeth made of gold. "Profit on ya!" He continues walking along, the two gorgeous women following. Without any guide, the two happen to wander. (More)
[22:52] <Blondezilla> You find yourselfs drawn to a park of sorts. In it, a gear about the size of a house turns in the air. It floats without any support. Around it sit sixteen Inevitables, chanting a song in perfect repeating harmony. Just past them, several groups of beings of all sort talk, haggle, and argue.
[22:53] <Demedais> "Hm." Demedais says, watching the floating gear. "Interesting."
[22:57] <Blondezilla> Watching it as well, Pollyanna stays close to Demedais. AS they do, woman comes up to you. She has black hair and black eyes, tattered leather clothes with a few daggers here and there. Her feet make a strange clip-cloping sound. "Yo," she says, "Hi there. Humans?"
[22:58] <Demedais> "We are, yes." Demedais nods to the woman, a bit confused.
[18:39] <Kotono> * Demedais blinks at it, somewhat amused as he guesses at the appearance of a devil. Still, since this is a territory where neutrality is desired... "Hm. Anything in particular catch your interest as we were walking here, dear?" Demedais asks Pollyanna.
[18:39] <Kotono> > Pollyanna glances at the fat creature as well, but keeps her distance. "Something fun. Let's just explore and see what's out there, then?"
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods politely to the being as the pass, before heading outward to see what can be found.
[18:39] <Kotono> > "Ah sir! Good day, a good day to you!" THe fat fiend smiles to Demedais, teeth made of gold. "Profit on ya!" He continues walking along, the two gorgeous women following. Without any guide, the two happen to wander. (More)
[18:39] <Kotono> > You find yourselfs drawn to a park of sorts. In it, a gear about the size of a house turns in the air. It floats without any support. Around it sit sixteen Inevitables, chanting a song in perfect repeating harmony. Just past them, several groups of beings of all sort talk, haggle, and argue.
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Hm." Demedais says, watching the floating gear. "Interesting."
[18:39] <Kotono> > Watching it as well, Pollyanna stays close to Demedais. AS they do, woman comes up to you. She has black hair and black eyes, tattered leather clothes with a few daggers here and there. Her feet make a strange clip-cloping sound. "Yo," she says, "Hi there. Humans?"
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "We are, yes." Demedais nods to the woman, a bit confused.
[18:39] <Kotono> "Ah good. Tired of talking to clockwork-heads," With a sloppy grin she offers a hand out to Demedais, "So what kind of deal are you here for?"
[18:42] <Demedais> "Actually, we're here to try and get a foe we were chasing down dealt with." Demedais replies, accepting the handshake while glancing the woman over for chaos casually. "Wasn't honestly expecting to see all too many other mortals here in general."
[18:45] <Kotono> "Oh. Bounty hunters?" The woman's aura radiates faint chaos. "Yeah, there's some. Deals this or deals that. Local talk says this place is blessed for making precise contracts."
[18:45] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles every so politely, "Ah."
[18:48] <Demedais> "Not... exactly bounty hunters, no. Though I suppose it's not inaccurate, either, all things considered." Demedais shakes his head. "But yes, the contracts make for reliable working through the system. Even if the... brevity... of the inevitables causes frustration, too."
[18:49] <Kotono> "Yeah. They're all business," Shaking her head, "I came to see things around here, but it's been a damned waste of time. Had a relative who cottoned to this sorta thing, but I don't see it."
06[18:50] * Demedais looks around. "I suppose it agrees with our taste more, but multiple friends of mine also express disinterest in this sort of thing." A musing, then; "I've heard some of Elysium; it might be more appealing to you, if this isn't your idea of a good time."
[18:53] <Kotono> "Eh." With a shrug, "Either way, this place bores me." Stretching as she starts to walk, "A few gears away from are a few portals, or so I hear. Think I'm gonna make a break for the Astral and see where it takes me."
[18:54] <Demedais> "Then, good luck to you. May Helm watch over you." Demedais nods.
[18:57] <Kotono> With a snort to that, "Yeah, something like that. Tempus in your eye." With that she wanders off.
[18:57] <Demedais> "Tempus in your eye? Heh." Demedais shakes his head. "Sorry for that, dear. Shall we?"
[19:01] <Kotono> "Let's," Pollyanna and Demedais continue along...
[19:01] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[19:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 49." [1d100=49]
[19:02] <Kotono> Strange and curious things are seen, but fatigue catches up to the two. They go back to the Temple of Helm and rest for the night...OOC: Is there anything you wanted to do bfeore the next morning, Deme?
[19:03] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah. Divination to confirm that letting Mechanus dissemble the oozecat will be acceptable for Helm's purposes, so long as it dies before returning to Hell.
[19:05] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. I'll roll it.
[19:07] <Kotono> "In the victory of order, the individual is subsumed and corrected."
[19:08] <Demedais> "So, yes." Demedais nods, before beginning to stand watch again, planning to fall asleep just two hours before "dawn" here.
[19:12] <Kotono> The next morning, Demedais and Pollyanna meet with Esyer. He offers a hand to them as they gather together inside of the temple, "I read those notes last night," he begins, "Fascinating stuff."
[19:13] <Demedais> "Anything in there of use in this scenario?" Demedais nods. "But yes, the situation was... interesting. The last pages mention a Winterwight, which we'll have to contain or destroy somehow... but I digress."
[19:15] <Kotono> "That creature," Whistling low, "I had someone check up on it for me. There isn't much, but apparently a Winterwight is bad news. A 'The End' sort of creature. You know, the sort that apears in a bard's tale, and within a few more words the bard says 'The End'? It ain't a happy ending, either."
[19:17] <Demedais> "Yeah, it's yet another excuse for me to continue my work back on that world in punting the gnomes. Hard. It's sealed... for now. I'd like to ask my companions there to continue to lock it down until we can assuredly kill it, or get the Elemental Plane of Fire to assist us in destroying it."
[19:19] <Kotono> "Good luck. For what it's worth, the reference said it's the 'children of Auril and Shar', for whatever that's worth." Now tapping his knee, "But to our main business. So let's review our plan here. We want to blitz this, do the hearing as fast as possible and try not to let them delay, and get Mechanus to rule it as an unlawful abomination?"
[19:22] <Demedais> "That would be ideal, I think. Helm himself has told me that if it dies, it will revert to a hellcat in Hell, without the aberrative form it possesses now. Thusly, I must believe it's the wisest course of action to take here." Demedais nods.
[19:25] <Kotono> "Excellent. Any questions at all before we go?" Turning ot the door, "The sooner the better then."
[19:26] <Demedais> "None that I can think of." Demedais shakes his head, looking to Pollyanna.
[19:27] <Kotono> Pollyanna shakes her head as well. "I'm ready. Let's go and hope we get this Hellcat sent right to Hell?"
[19:28] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods.
03[19:35] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5444c68b.lns1-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:41] <Kotono> You head to Magistrate Xesen's quarters with Esyer. On being admitted, "Magistrate," Esyer bows to him, "I will be honored to be in your court. I have taken on this Caim-Septus hearing on behalf of Demedais and Pollyanna of the Prime Material nation of the United Baronies."
[19:41] <Kotono> "You're acceptable," With a curt nod, the Magistrate standing, "Is this your chosen counsil?" He looks to Demedais at this.
[19:41] <Demedais> "He is." Demedais confirms, also standing.
[19:43] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Bowing to him again, "We would like to request all expediency in this case. The sooner this manner can be lawfully resolved, the greater the benefit to Mechanus."
06[19:46] * Demedais nods slightly to this, intent on letting the man skilled in these situations handle it without interference."
[19:47] <Kotono> "As pursuiant to sub-clause 49-FT of Caim Septus?" Magistrate Xesen nods, "Very well. We shall have the hearing for it immediately. Lortimer the sixteenth will escort you to the Courtrooms."
03[19:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:48] <Demedais> "Thank you, Magistrate." Demedais bows slightly, glancing to Esyer.
[19:49] <Kotono> Once lead out of the room, Lortimer the 16th leading you along, "The first hearing is for expediency. Fortunately, by law, this hearing has to be done as soon as possible. On the downside, if we lose this hearing, we can be delayed for quite some time if they want to play stalling."
[19:50] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods slightly. "This makes sense."
[19:50] <Kotono> "So we won't lose it then." Pollyanna adds a warm smile to her face, "Right?"
[19:51] <Demedais> "Heh. Right." Demedais nods slightly. "What will you want me to do, Esyer?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "I'll handle most of this for now. Just pay attention and get a grasp of how things move and work here." Hands in his pockets as he walks forward, "If nothing else, learn from this. Better to have a client with an idea of what's going on than some yolkel who has none."
[19:54] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais chuckles.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Understood." Pollyanna adds then. "...We don't soun dthat out of place, do we?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "You sound like you're from the Prime," With a light, easy grin to that, "It's charming."
[19:56] <Demedais> "'Charming'." Demedais repeats, with a grin on his face. "Alright, then."
[20:03] <Kotono> You head to a grand, severe pillared set of rooms. You are guided into to it. Here, woodwork and stone dominate. Everything is perfectly angled, gold clad inevitables in ceremonial armor standing at proper points. Sitting behind a tall, towering judge's bench is Magistrate Xesen. Two benches are a little back and away from the judge's bench. Heading to the left side one, "Looks like the defense isn't hear yet." Behind the benches are
[20:03] <Kotono> Heading to the left side one, "Looks like the defense isn't hear yet." Behind the benches are several rows of chairs. "Go ahead and sit in the first row, you two?"
06[20:04] * Demedais nods and sits there, leaving room for Pollyanna next to him.
[20:20] <Kotono> Pollyanna sits next to Demedais. About five minutes pass in quiet before other senter! The oozecat is first, looking around the room! It's gaze is on Demedais, hostile and cold. Behind him is a fat, familiar devil, teeth of gold and with it's wings wrappeda round it's body. "Good day, Magistrate, good day!" He chortles, belly wobbling. "Ah, Esyer." Going over and shaking Esyer's hand, "An honor. I made a point of at least seeing your c
[20:20] <Kotono> "Ah, Esyer." Going over and shaking Esyer's hand, "An honor. I made a point of at least seeing your client in passing yesterday." Smiling towards Demedais, "Yene of Minaros." Offering one plump hand out to Demedais, "An honor, sir."
06[20:23] * Demedais is not exactly fond of shaking hands with a devil, but does so anyway for a brief moment, eyes looking to the oozecat briefly as well.
[20:23] <Kotono> Pollyanna stays back and away, a polite, frozen glare at Yene.
[20:24] <Kotono> "We may do battle as enemies here, but we can be civil about it," He withdraws his hand after, "I declare that I'm ready, Your Honor. Let's get this going, by your leave?"
[20:27] <Kotono> A gavel slams down, "So be it. This hearing under sub-clause 49-FT of the Caim-Septus Accords is in order. Council," A look to Esyer, "As it's your request, you may address the court first."
03[20:27] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
[20:30] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," Standing up and starting to walk, "The essence of Mechanus is fairness under the law. What fairness is there when requests can be stalled out to outlast those of mortalkind, whom we presume to judge? While the machines of Mechanus and those beyond the mortal realm have time eternal, others do not. My clients are such mortals, who have lives that must be lived fully. To have them waste parts of in waiting folly
[20:30] <Kotono> who have lives that must be lived fully. To have them waste parts of in waiting folly is both cruel and against the intent of the laws of this great plane." (More)
[20:34] <Kotono> "Further, the fairness and application of just law has a second fork that must be considered here, Your Honor." Taking a scroll out, "I have a legal brief here that explains in detail that the creature here," Pointing at the oozecat head on, "Is an abomination against Law itself. It is a chaotic individual, forsaking it's uniformity for a wild transformation! This horrible abberation must not be allowed to spread! In light of this, I a
[20:34] <Kotono> This horrible abberation must not be allowed to spread! In light of this, I am also requesting copies of all the research done to this creature under the purview of the Caim-Septus Accords."
[20:35] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the oozecat growls at Esyer and Demedais, while Yene buffs his nail-claws on his wings. The Magistrate takes the scroll, "Very well. Rebuttal, Counselor?"
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 diplo for Esyer
06[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 diplo for Esyer and gets 32." [1d20=7]
[20:39] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," Standing up and stretching before he walks, "That was a good opening speech, opposing council," With a tip of a nonexistant cap to Esyer, "But it's also a great big pile of lemure shit, if I may be so bold to say. First and foremost, there is no provision entitling disclosure of Caim-Septus results to anyone beyond the records of Mechanus. While it is an acceptable request, there is no weight of law behind it.
[20:39] <Kotono> While it is an acceptable request, there is no weight of law behind it. Your Honor must and shall be aware of this important point." (More)
[20:42] <Kotono> "Moving on," Passing by Demedais and Pollyanna with a smooth, seamless smirk, "Mortal lives are finite, yes. But Your Honor, what is a month? A year? A mere tiny fragment of even the fleetingest mortal life! Is not truth and proper preparation under the law more vital? To move this forward in such a way would be a fundamental and chaotic disruption of my client's rights under the absolute laws of Mechanus!" Sauntering over to in front
[20:43] <Kotono> client's rights under the absolute laws of Mechanus!" Sauntering over to in front of the judge, "While I have no brief prepared on the accusations of opposing council at this time, is not my client a creature of fundamental, diabolical order? Yes sir, he is!" (More)
[20:44] <Kotono> Pointing right at the oozecat, "It is irrelevant if he has a unique form! For in his heart beats order! Even if he is an abomination, it is an abomination friendly to Mechanus and this court! Like any other creature, he deserves his due rights and time! To deprive a lawful creature of this is blasphemy against Mechanus itself!" Swishing his arm back, a hint of sulphur and brimstone tickling Demedais' nose, "Therefore, I must oppose thi
[20:44] <Kotono> a hint of sulphur and brimstone tickling Demedais' nose, "Therefore, I must oppose this motion for expediency."
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 32." [1d20=7]
[20:45] <Kotono> "Thank you, Council," As Yene goes to sit down again, "Do you wish to rebut his statement, Council?" A look to Esyer at that. Esyer stands and begins again! As he does, he looks to Demedais and Pollyanna.
[20:45] <Kotono> "Don't worry," he murmurs.
06[20:46] * Demedais nods slightly to Esyer.
[20:49] <Kotono> "The laws of Mechanus allow for such expediency. This point, written in the very core of Caim-Septus, is not disputed." Esyer begins, walking slow and confidently. "Creature of order driven to a chaotic form, perhaps? But that is ultimately i rrelevant to the basic point. You cannot deny the needs of my clients and it is so written into the law. Your Honor, I can only ask that the rightful laws of Mechanus be followed. These proceeding
[20:49] <Kotono> Your Honor, I can only ask that the rightful laws of Mechanus be followed. These proceedings must be hurried along in with all due haste."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Thank you." Magistrate Xesen looks to Demedais, "Do you have anything to say for this motion, petitioner Demedais?"
[20:56] <Demedais> "There is one thing, that in truth, was just brought to my attention." Demedais rises at this. "I have just received a Sending from an ally in the Prime Material. A nemesis of ours still there may be acting soon. I will be sending Pollyanna-" A look and a nod to her, "- back as soon as I can arrange it. As for myself, I have committed to seeing this through as best as I can." (More)
[20:56] <Kotono> "Very well. Opposing Council," The Magistrate looks to him, "Do you object to this or wish to protest it?"
[20:57] <Kotono> OOC: Sorry, I did a boneheader.
[20:57] <Demedais> "However, once finished here, my presence is needed on the Prime Material to aid in this matter as well, if at all possible." Demedais nods to the court. "Thusly, I also must request expediency in this matter."
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, Deme?
[20:58] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 ahaha, I hope this is just aid another or something
06[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 ahaha, I hope this is just aid another or something and gets 21." [1d20=3]
[20:58] <Kotono> With a look to Pollyanna, "Your Honor," Drawling forth with ease as he stands, "We have no objection to Pollyanna leaving, as long as the main petitioner stays and no secondary petitioners are added at a later date."
[21:00] <Kotono> "So be it. Transport for the secondary petitioner will be settled on our adjournment. Petitioner," A look to the oozecat, "Do you wish to add anything to this motion?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Standing now, Yene clears his throat loudly, a wet, thick sound. "It is best to note that my client does not possess the normal verbal skills of a sentinent creature. He speaks in telepathy."
[21:01] <Kotono> "I see." A short, brisk nod to that, "Go on, Council."
[21:01] <Kotono> "I wish to speak on his behalf then, so that his words may be fairly heard by all," Yene nods, "With your leave, Your Honor."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Objection!!" Esyer stands up then, "Your Honor, Council is an accomplished litigator and wordsmith! This would give him an undue benefit to allow Yene to speak for him directly on his behalf!"
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 31." [1d20=6]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Not Yene
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Not Yene and gets 32." [1d20=7]
06[21:02] * Demedais glances to Esyer on this, slightly nodding
[21:03] <Kotono> "Agreed." With a curt, brief nod, "Baliff, bring forth an impartial aid for this?"
[21:04] <Kotono> One of the gold armored Inevitables bows deep and leaves the courtroom. At this, Esyer sighs in relief, going back to sit and turning to Demedais. "Nice move there," he says with a smile, "Hopefully that'll tip the scales for us."
[21:05] <Kotono> "I hope so," Taking a long breath out, "It's far more developed than at home. There's so many laws being cited and so many words. Both of you are very good at it."
[21:05] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles to this nonetheless, "But I feel like you got the better of him there, both of you."
06[21:06] * Demedais nods slightly. "I'll hope so. All things considered, I'd really like this done fast now. The threat is... well." An exhale. "I get to hope that all of you will be able to deal with it." Demedais nods to Pollyanna, before removing his ring and shield and handing them to Pollyanna. "Take these with you. I won't need them."
[21:06] <Kotono> Yene is currently huddling heads with the oozecat, though neither says a word. The oozecat occasionally looks out to glare at Demedais.
[21:07] <Kotono> "The Resorts?" With wide eyes, "Are you usre? What if something happens here?" In a low whisper, "They're devils, you know! I wouldn't put anything past them!
[21:07] <Kotono> "
06[21:07] * Demedais doesn't bother reciprocating the looks, simply glancing over out of the corner of his eye before glancing to Pollyanna. "Then I'll trust in Mechanus' laws and systems to protect me. Trust me. You'll want these."
[21:07] <Kotono> "...okay." Pollyanna takes both, "At least keep my lesser shield?" She passes it over to Demedais, "Just in case."
[21:08] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods at this. "Lend use of the Resorts to the others if they're going to take a more offensive position. ...damn, I wish I could go back to assist, but my duty is here right now."
[21:09] <Kotono> "You'll be fine," With a game smile, Esyer reaches out. "Knock your foe dead and to whatever hole it crawled out of."
[21:09] <Demedais> "Second verse, same as the first." Demedais mumbles. "I'll explain it later, Esyer."
[21:10] <Kotono> As this happens, a plain woman with intricately braided hair wrapping all over her head and face enters. She wears a spotless gray robe, bowing deep to the Magistrate. "Aid, please hear the words of the petitioner there," Gesturing to the oozecat, "And relay them to us. You'll be doing the same in further hearings regarding him."
[21:11] <Kotono> Clearing her throat, as the oozecat glares at her, "Your Honor, am I not a living being? To deny my rights over another is the pinnacle of self centered chaos. I only request the time I deserve under the laws of Mechanus."
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26." [1d20=17]
[21:11] <Kotono> "Thank you. We're in adjournment until my ruling. Bailffs, please arrainge for transport back to the Prime Material Plane for Pollyanna." A gavel slams down again, the Magistrate standing.
[21:12] <Kotono> Yene stands, going over to Demedais and Esyer. "Nicely argued," He smirks, "You're in prime form today, Esyer."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Spare the words," With his own polite smile, "If you'd excuse us, we have matters to deal with."
06[21:13] * Demedais stands as well, somewhat annoyed at the implication of the oozecat but not letting it show as he nods to Yene slightly, before following Esyer out.
[21:13] <Kotono> "I'll be in touch," With a friendly call, the three head out! Lortimer is waiting outside, "Pollyanna, you're going back to the Prime? I'll escort you."
[21:14] <Kotono> Turning to Demedais, "Careful," Going to hug him tightly, "Dont' let any of the bastards get a drop on you! We'll have good news for when you get home, so make sure you have the same!"
[21:15] <Demedais> "Take care, Pollyanna. And be very careful. It's... Esthan." Demedais says the name in a whisper once sure he's out of earshot of the two devils.
[21:28] <Kotono> Pollyanna nods, takes a breath and smiles, before following Lortimer away. Once that's done, "Let's go have at alk somewhere," Esyer says cheerfully.
[21:29] <Demedais> "Yes. First, I need to apologize to you; wasn't aware that was their lawyer." Demedais grimaces, following Esyer.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Oh, Esyer's not bad. He's very damned good, but he's not bad." Whistling as he walks along, "It tells us something anyway. That damned cat has someone with money trying to bail his ass straight back to Hell. Yene doesn't work cheap."
[21:34] <Kotono> *Yene
[21:35] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods slightly. "I guessed, based on appearance."
[21:37] <Kotono> Walking down a hallway as they chat, "If his benefactor isn't that serious, but just owes that cat a favor, it'll be good but straightforward. If his benefactor is serious..hm. It's possible they may propose arbitration instead. Boiled down, that's them trying to legally pay you off to drop your claim. So..got anyone you know or love stuck in Hell? Several thousand gold in debt? Need a favor from Baator? They'll offer stuff like that i
[21:38] <Kotono> gold in debt? Need a favor from Baator? They'll offer stuff like that if they're that serious about it."
[21:40] <Demedais> "... If it weren't Esthan that was the threat down in the Prime Material, I'd consider for information on him. However, I have my duty here, and it's possible Esthan will be defeated before any information becomes relevant. So I can't honestly say I'm inclined to accept."
[21:42] <Kotono> "It's your choice," Leading you to a small room with a few tables and chairs and going to sit, "For what it's worth, the contracts are done under Mechanus law as they're all resolved here. They might try to get you to agree to come to Baator to do a contract. Don't. As long as you aren't that stupid, you should be okay and the contract should ultimately do what you negotiate it to, as long as you have someone triplecheck it."
[21:42] <Kotono> ultimately do what you negotiate it to, as long as you have someone triplecheck it."
[21:43] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods. "I confess that I've little interest in going to Baator anyway, so."
[21:44] <Kotono> "I went once. I wish I hadn't. Dis is terrible." With a look of faint queasiness, "For now, all we can do is wait for the ruling then."
[21:44] <Demedais> "And... hm. So how likely, in arbitration, do you think it would be that I could obtain the objective?" Demedais asks at this, before nodding to Esyer.
[21:45] <Kotono> "Zero. Assuming they try to bribe you, they'll want the cat bad enough to do so in the first place. It'll be a matter of getting an offer that's worth the loss." With a little shrug there, "That's all."
06[21:46] * Demedais grimaces. "I confess that's really not an appealing concept. Any route around it, then?"
[21:46] <Kotono> "We don't agree to arbitration. Simple enough." Folding his hands together, "We don't have to go along with it."
[21:47] <Demedais> "Then... that would be preferred." Demedais nods. "Will that be an issue on your end?"
[21:48] <Kotono> "Well, they can't force arbitration. It has to be voluntary by both sides. So no, not really."
[21:49] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods, head bowed slightly in thought. "I take it I should speak primarily when offered to by the magistrate, and restrain myself otherwise?"
[21:49] <Kotono> "As a rule, yes. There are times where speaking out may be wise, but-" A stop here, as the door is knocked on. "Hold that thought a moment. Yes?"
06[21:50] * Demedais nods, glancing to the door as well.
[21:51] <Kotono> The door opens, Yene sauntering inside. He fans himself with an ornimental fan laden with jewels, "Ah, it's always too hot in here," he complains, wiping his brow, "I do reckon I'll sit down so we can talk like civilized people." Going to the nearest chair and plopping down on it, his bulk making it shake and quiver beneath him, "Let's talk turkey here, gentlemen."
06[21:52] * Demedais glances to Esyer with an expression as close to amusement as he can get while still looking stone-faced.
[21:53] <Kotono> Hiding a smile with a hand, "So you really don't want me to tell you to go away?" Esyer glares despite it, "Is that desperation I smell already?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "Pfah. Nonsense!" Fanning himself vigorously, a spicy, fiery scent fililng the air, "I just reckon that a more agreeable method to resolving our dispute may be in order. Demedais, has Esyer told you about arbitration yet, or has he been too busy snowing you under about your chances?"
[21:54] <Kotono> or has he been too busy snowing you under about your chances?"
[21:56] <Demedais> "I'm well aware of arbitration, and I'm afraid it holds no interest for me." Demedais shakes his head.
[21:57] <Kotono> "Truly?" Picking up his fanning a few notches, "The being paying my bills would prefer if my client gets back to Baator in one piece. He or she is very willing to dedicate resources to making this happen. How does 100,000 gold coins sound, just as a starting offer?"
[21:58] <Kotono> Whistling, "So which member of the nobility has an interest in an overgrown slime, Yene? Just between us, before you trot out with how he'd prefer to remain anonymous."
[21:58] <Demedais> "No." Demedais says politely, if a bit bluntly.
06[21:59] * Demedais then shuts up, letting Yene and Esyer talk a bit.
[22:01] <Kotono> "I could tell you as part of a settlement," With a cheeky grin to both of them, "But yes, as normal, my benefactor wishes to remain unspoken of. Standard protocol and all that." Waving his fan about, "Souls, magical resources, favors, whatever. Need a wish granted, free of charge or damnation? Need an irritant oh so very dead?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "It's his choice, not mine," Esyer leans back, "I'm on contract anyway." He hooks his arms behind his head, leaning back. "I think that you know your'e going to lose the motion and you're worried that you're going to lose, which will surely make your benefactor put you in shit column for a few thousand years?"
[22:03] <Demedais> "Again, I pass." Demedais shakes his head at this.
[22:04] <Kotono> "Nonsense!" Snorting as he puts his fan dodwn, "Let me tell you about back when I was a little imp. Oh, it was a miserable time! I trawled all corners of creation for souls! But the worst time? I had whispered into his cleric's ear for years and gotten him to forsake Mystra for Mephstopheles! Beautiful work! Some of my best ever! But I get called away for a week and you know what happens? Pure, dumb fucking luck! He runs into a SOLAR.
[22:04] <Kotono> and you know what happens? Pure, dumb fucking luck! He runs into a SOLAR. A fucking solar! All my work goes up in smoke and I end up staying an imp for a few more millenia!" Starting to fan himself again, "Even good work goes sour sometimes, so let's just take out the risk." On hearing what Demedais offers, "Well, you keep that in mind for now."
[22:06] <Kotono> "That story gets more lurid every time you tell ilt. Last time, it was a planetar," Now actually laughing, "You heard him. Don't waste your breath. Also, remind your benefactor that intimidation or other shenanigans get looked on very poorly by magistrates, be it here or on another plane to his friends and family."
[22:07] <Kotono> "I never!" Standing up now, "To think I would sully the laws of great Mechanus in a way that would have me be caught? Absurd!" Stomping off, "Just keep it in mind, Demedais."
[22:08] <Demedais> "So you'd sully them in ways that wouldn't get you caught, Yene? Not the sort of way I'd expect a lawyer to act..." Demedais muses. "Would expect more respect for the law of any place, at least."
[22:09] <Kotono> Yene laughs and grins at Demedais, "Ah, I'm just playing to type. If you excuse me..." With that he steps out of the room, closing the door behind him.
[22:09] <Kotono> "You do that," Going back under control, "Tell your benefactor that he can go suck on an pit fiend's flaming devilhood, too!" Once he's out of the room and the door's closed, "For a devil, he's entertaining enough. At least this trial won't be too boring."
[22:10] <Demedais> "...To be fair to him, it was amusing, yes." Demedais nods. "I wouldn't mind boring if the result was what was desired, but..."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Still, yes. Don't underestimate him. He's won far more cases than he's lost." Sitting back now, "Anyway, to what we were talking about, don't speak up unless it's worth disrupting things and immediatley useful. Doing it too much will also likely irritate the magistrate, who could have you removed from the courtroom."
[22:13] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods. "You know the points I'd likely want to bring up, such as with him speaking for the hellcat - I had no interest in letting that fly."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Good move. Yene can make a baby's burbles sound convincing." Now as he waits, "Hopefully the magistrate won't take forever on ruling. Just go ahead and get comfortable?"
06[22:16] * Demedais rubs his head. "I confess being a bit nerve-wracked, and a bit annoyed on top of it by the hellcat's words. But you're right - worrying about this won't change anything at this point, anyways."
[22:16] <Kotono> "You don't strain a muscle, but these trials tire you out anyway. Tak ea nap if you need one."
[22:17] <Demedais> "I barely sleep." Demedais shakes his head with a slight smile. "I may meditate, though."
[22:18] <Kotono> About four hours pass before there is a knock on the door. Lortimer is there, "Magistrate Xesen is ready to rule. Please follow me."
[22:20] <Demedais> "Very well. Thank you. Pollyanna has been taken back to Balmuria, then?" Demedais nods, standing.
[22:21] <Kotono> "She has," Lortimer leads the two back. Yene and the oozecat have beaten them back. Once everyone is in position, "I'm ready to rule," Magistrate Xesen declares.
06[22:21] * Demedais nods slightly at this, waiting for Xesen's verdict.
[22:24] <Kotono> "The question of time is a difficult one. Both sides have presented pertinent arguments. However, the fundamental fairness of having time to prepare a proper defense is paramount, so that the correct, lawful conclusion can be reached. In light of this fact, I must partially decline the request. However, it is not unreasonable to insist that expediency relative to the mortal lifespan is observed. Therefore, I award one week of time for
[22:25] <Kotono> to the mortal lifespan is observed. Therefore, I award one week of time for preparation and further motions to the defending petitioner. We're adjourned until then." A slamo f his gavel, "Court dismissed."
06[22:26] * Demedais nods slightly at this, appearing unworried about the verdict.
[22:26] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," standing up, Yene smiles serenely to Demedais and Esyer. Esyer merely inclines his head to the Magistrate, before turning ot Demedais and starting to walk out.
06[22:27] * Demedais nods and follows Esyer out at this.
[22:28] <Kotono> Once outsider, Esyer curses darkly. "Damn. I really thought we were going to win that motion," he mutters, "Looks like we won't be able to full on rush things tyen."
06[22:30] * Demedais shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. Let's focus instead on using the time we've got wisely, then. Since Pollyanna isn't here, I can devote my time to studying the laws on the off-chance it will assist any arguments I will make?"
[22:32] <Kotono> "Right. Let's get to it then?" OOC: You're going to want to hit the book shard for a week?
[22:33] <Demedais> OOC: Pretty much! I don't eat, sleep only for two hours, and have minimal other needs, so I get to devote a lot of time to it!
[22:34] <Kotono> OOC: Make an int check? You have extra time to apply to it, so I'll give you a +3 bonus to the roll.
[22:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 righty-o.
06[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 righty-o. and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[22:36] <Kotono> Demedais hits the books hard! He reads and reads and reads and reads! Mechanus has more laws than he could hope to learn in a dozen lifetimes! Narrowing it down to relevant things here is like turning the eastern elven mountains into merely the Galkass mountains. Still rugged and high, but a little less overwhelming. By the end of his time studying, his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1
[22:36] <Kotono> his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1 rank in profession(lawyer) until you leave Mechanus. You gain a +4 bonus to all diplomacy checks relating to hearings and legal arguments here.
[22:43] <Kotono> The 'morning' of the day the hearing begins again, Esyer meets with you at the Temple of Helm. "Well then. How'd the books go?" He asks, as the two fo you begin to walk towards the court.
[22:45] <Demedais> "I... think it went well." Demedais says hesitantly. "While I'm still not fully versed in the format, I think I can outtalk the cat's form, at least."
[22:47] <Kotono> "Assuming he hasn't taken means to improve or a way to get his message out." As yo uwalk along, "Yene might've had him do something like what you did or set something else up to help."
[22:48] <Demedais> "It's possible, yes. We shall see, I suppose? Hopefully the testing the cat's going through took up some time - unless that got put on hold..."
[22:50] <Kotono> "I haven't heard that, but..." As you walk, "We'll find out?"
[22:51] <Demedais> "We will, I suppose." Demedais nods. "As before, I will follow your lead."
[19:15] <Kotono> > Demedais hits the books hard! He reads and reads and reads and reads! Mechanus has more laws than he could hope to learn in a dozen lifetimes! Narrowing it down to relevant things here is like turning the eastern elven mountains into merely the Galkass mountains. Still rugged and high, but a little less overwhelming. By the end of his time studying, his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having
[19:15] <Kotono> > his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1 rank in profession(lawyer) until you leave Mechanus. You gain a +4 bonus to all diplomacy checks relating to hearings and legal arguments here.
[19:15] <Kotono> > The 'morning' of the day the hearing begins again, Esyer meets with you at the Temple of Helm. "Well then. How'd the books go?" He asks, as the two fo you begin to walk towards the court.
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I... think it went well." Demedais says hesitantly. "While I'm still not fully versed in the format, I think I can outtalk the cat's form, at least."
[19:15] <Kotono> > "Assuming he hasn't taken means to improve or a way to get his message out." As yo uwalk along, "Yene might've had him do something like what you did or set something else up to help."
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "It's possible, yes. We shall see, I suppose? Hopefully the testing the cat's going through took up some time - unless that got put on hold..."
[19:15] <Kotono> > "I haven't heard that, but..." As you walk, "We'll find out?"
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "We will, I suppose." Demedais nods. "As before, I will follow your lead."
[19:17] <Kotono> Thus, the two head to court! This time, several white robed clockwork Inevitables sit or stand in the back gallery, watching the proceedings. The oozecat and Yene have beaten you here this time, as things settle in. With a slam of his gavel, "Order! We're coming to order now!" Xesen calls.
06[19:19] * Demedais moves into position, waiting for the proceedings to begin.
[19:20] <Kotono> "We will now hear motions by the defending petitioner," Xesen announces, "Council?"
[19:23] <Kotono> "Ah, thank you, Your Honor," Rising up with a flourish of his wings, before they return into being a cloak around him, "I do declare that I have a goodly bushel of them! If it pleases the court, I would at this time wish to inform the counter-suit that under the Laws of Mechanus, I wish to petition against Demedais for his part in subverting the natural order of the Planes. In this motion, I will that he is the one to be disrupting the
[19:23] <Kotono> In this motion, I will that he is the one to be disrupting the right and lawful order."
[19:24] <Kotono> "How does this relate directly to Caim-Septus?" Xesen asks, while Esyer throws a casual, curious glance back at Demedais.
06[19:24] * Demedais raises one eyebrow at this, refusing to say anything verbally but making it clear that he's pretty much completely clueless as to what Yene's babbling about.
[19:26] <Kotono> "I confess, it is tangential, as the matter in question does not apply directly." Patting his stomach as he looks out to the gallery, "However, his role in this shows guilt and casts doubts on this character and motivations. Your honor, this is not the first time Demedais has had a role in subverting the established order of an aligned outsider. Such a person cannot be allowed to do the same again!"
[19:26] <Kotono> Such a person cannot be allowed to do the same again!"
[19:28] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer rises, "I object! This is completely irrelevant to the proceedings and nothing more than an attempt by the defending council to muddy the waters and further delay this proceeding!"
[19:29] <Kotono> Slamming his gavel down twice, "Silence, both of you!" Xesen raises his voice, "Petitioner Demedais, rise."
[19:29] <Demedais> The eyebrows level as Demedais catches on to the reference to Alicia, before rising at Xesen's command. "If I may speak regarding this, despite its irrelevancy to the current case, Magistrate?"
[19:30] <Kotono> "You may do so," Magistrate Xesen instructs, "I would like to hear these charges answered."
[19:35] <Demedais> "The incident he speaks of is of an erinyes encountered by my group at one point, who surrendered and asked for redemption from the party's other paladin, Alicia. Firstly, I would like to note this; the erinyes' explicit surrender and request for reformation. Said outsider has remained a paragon of law in this transformation, with the guidance of the other paladin, Alicia. Thusly, the overall strength of order has not be weakened here. Secondly...
03[19:38] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5445be48.lns2-c13.telh.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:40] <Demedais> "There is the very fact that she requested this redemption herself. Imagine the reprecussions if she had come to this conclusion in Baator itself! The very order in Baator would have been upheaved as she struggled and lashed out with these aspects. Indeed, her very presence in Baator would have caused a disruption to the order there; Alicia took it upon herself to ensure that could not act as an agent of upheaval in any plane, ensuring that her de
[19:40] <Demedais> "Alicia took it upon herself to ensure that could not act as an agent of upheaval in any plane, ensuring that her devotion to Law stayed as firm as ever." (More)
[19:46] <Demedais> "Finally, I must confess that my own involvment into ensuring that the erinyes did not cause a disturbance on any micro- or macro-scale of Law was making sure the peace was kept in all regards involving this erinyes. As such, I'm afraid that I do not deserve the thanks that you should give for extracting such a disturbance. I will, however, inform Alicia of them, since that is honestly the only reason I could think that you'd bring this up, Yene..
[19:47] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check? I'll give you another +4 on top of your other +4 since that was really well written out.
[19:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 righty-o
06[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 righty-o and gets 44." [1d20=18]
03[19:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:50] <Kotono> "Your honor, I be objectin'!" Yene clears his throat now, "Baator has an eternal record of being able to deal with internal dissent with lawful precision! The lawful reign of Asmodeus and the Lords of the Nine stretches endlessly! To suggest that BAator is unable to defend itself against this is downright absurd! "
[19:51] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer stands then, "If I may cut to the heart of this matter? If we use divination to assert that the accursed has maintained a lawful and proper perspective, then it is merely a question of Good vs Evil. Such a quesiton is immaterial to the proceedings of Mechanus!"
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 38." [1d20=13]
[19:53] <Kotono> With another slam of his gavel, "Enough. Demedais, you describe what has happened in an eminately ordered fashion. While there is some disruption by any such change, it appears that you indeed acted with the best interests of law in order. However, divination would be proper to cut ot the heart of this. Defending Council, if divination says otherwise, your motion may have legs to stand on."
06[19:55] * Demedais nods slightly, stepping back again.
[19:57] <Kotono> WIth a third slam of his gavel, "Baliff, send a request for a diviner to my chambers. We are in recess until this is resolved. I expect it to take four hours."
[19:57] <Kotono> Esyer rises, going over to Demedais. "Really?" He raises an eyebrow, "That bit with the othe rpaladin and erinyes is all true?"
[19:58] <Demedais> "Yeah, but I didn't expect it to at all be brought up." Demedais rubs his head. "Let's talk in another room?"
[20:00] <Kotono> As you do so, Yene saunters over. He offers a hand out, "I feel like I should shake your hand, I reckon. Got a tongue a Brachina would maim herself for, and so does that other paladin. Once this is all said and done, either of you looking for some freelance work? I have plenty of superb uses for such skilled folks."
06[20:02] * Demedais shakes his head. "Pass, thanks. I try to stay out of places where the gut impulse of most would be to turn me into a mindless wretch or lemure, but I appreciate the offer anyway."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Oh no, it's nothing to do with that. Just freelancing." With an aminable smile, "Remember, we can still arbitrate..." With that he wanders off and away.
[20:06] <Kotono> Esyer shakes his head, "I was about ot say. Let's just go and talk once we get somewhere comfortable."
[20:06] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais shrugs.
[20:10] <Kotono> Going into a quiet meeting room, Esyer sits down heavily. "As I was going to say, it's fairly transparent that he's going to try to force you to arbitrate now. He's not being very subtle, is he?"
[20:10] <Demedais> "No. And... force me to arbitrate?" Demedais raises an eyebrow.
[20:13] <Kotono> "Make it muddy, make you trya nd come to the bargaining table. Hardball." As he settles back into his chair, placing his hands over his face, "The baatezu perspective. Try to politely bully you into quitting. After all, if he can get you in trouble with Mechanus or use the threat to break your nerve?"
06[20:15] * Demedais exhales. "Right. That's... joyous, though Helm help me, I can't think of too much more he can bring against me in any real way."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Yes. But seriously, you got an erinyes to change her stripes?" Raising an eyebrow himself, "Good story?"
[20:17] <Demedais> "Alicia did, yes. I mainly stood by telling her that any attempts at betrayal would not be tolerated. And then she saved me ass." Demedais finishes with a lopsided grin.
[20:19] <Kotono> "I've heard of that happening once or twice, but it's usually angels falling, not the other way around." Starting to grin himself, "Was it worth it, or is she just a typical erinyes working for the other team now?"
[20:21] <Demedais> "Good arguments that she could handily beat me in a fight, for one. I'd call it worth it, but." Demedais shrugs.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Tell me about it while we wait for the Magistrate to finish divining?" Leaning back, "It's a pretty good story, I bet." OOC: Skip along a bit if you like?
[20:22] <Demedais> OOC: Sure.
[20:24] <Kotono> At four hours on the dot, Lortimer escorts you back to court. The Magistrate is back, Yene and the oozecat coming in a little after you. Slamming his gavel down, "Order!"
06[20:24] * Demedais is in position, waiting for confirmation.
[20:25] <Kotono> "I have consulted an oracle on this matter. There is little doubt that the subject Antenora has maintained her lawful mindset in good and in evil. As the quibble between Baator and the Heavnes is immaterial to this case beyond that, I find there no grounds for this motion. The motion is denied." Another slam of his gavel, "Are ther eany others, council?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "I certainly do, Your Honor." Yene rises, stretching before sauntering about the court. "I move for a change of venue. This matter is fundamentally a matter of Baator and should be decided by Baatorian justice. They can assess the state of my client the best of all the realms above and below. Such expertise should not be squandered in making an assessment, Your Honor."
06[20:33] * Demedais raises one eyebrow again.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Standing now with a weary sigh, "Be that as it may, I contend that Mechanus is more than suited to handle such disputes. This is a thinly veiled attempt to get the oozecat back to Baator and circumvent the entire point of the proceedings!"
[20:37] <Kotono> "In that case, I would like to call expert witnesses to testify on this matter," Yene says with booming generousity.
06[20:39] * Demedais restrains the impulse to comment, simply eyeing Yene and Esyer with the slight impulse to speak up on this.
[20:39] <Kotono> Esyer looks to Demedais and nods, "Your Honor, I believe my client wishes to address the proceedings now."
[20:40] <Kotono> "Very well," Magistrate Xesen agrees. "Speak."
06[20:45] * Demedais nods slightly, standing and nodding to the court. "Your Honor, I cannot but question what help bringing expert witnesses in will do for these proceedings. The matter is a simple one; the defendant is currently under Mechanus' purview and thus governed by Mechanus law. Furthermore, if anything this is also an impartial venue for the case, rather than Baator which would be favorably inclined, or, if I wished to contend the same, Arcadia, whe
[20:45] <Demedais> "... or, if I wished to contend the same, Arcadia, where it would be infavorably inclined toward the defendant. Thusly, this is the fairest possible venue to hold the proceedings in."
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Make diplo again? Sorry, was dealing with combat
[20:54] <Kotono> .
[20:54] <Demedais> OOC: No +4 for argument here, correct? Just the innate +4?
[20:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+22
06[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 and gets 38." [1d20=16]
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 33." [1d20=8]
[20:57] <Kotono> "Agreed," Slamming his gavel down, "I see no need for this motion. Mechanus is the final arbiter of law and order. Motion denied."
06[21:00] * Demedais moves back to his former position.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer rises, "In light of this, I motion that we begin the hearing immediately. Further motions are surely as irrelevant as this one. Due process and haste must be observed!"
[21:12] <Kotono> "Your Honor!" rising up himself, "That is preposterous! Council is trying to rush us ahead!" Yene glowers, "To deprive us of our needed time is an absurdity!"
06[21:14] * Demedais lets Esyer handle this one, personally of the opinion that they've gotten all the time they needed.
[21:29] <Kotono> "Now then," Starting to reply, "To continue to delay is meaningless. Is not Mechanus' justice eternal? Is not it's lawsw perfect? What good will further time due? You speak as if it is possible that the laws of Mechanus are mutable and falliable! I appeal to you, Your Honor! Let the ineffable, perfect rules of Mechanus be appiled without delay!"
06[21:36] * Demedais waits for the ruling at this, still not sure what sort of time Yene could need for anything other than frustration.
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 35." [1d20=10]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 34." [1d20=9]
[21:41] <Kotono> "So agreed. Let this hearing begin!" Slamming the gavel down, "Council," With a look to Esyer, "Begin."
06[21:47] * Demedais nods to Esyer, confident in his own lawyer to handle this, for the most part.
[21:48] <Kotono> "Thank you." Esyer rises, "Now then. The simpliest claim is the best. This abomination!" A point right at the oozecat, "Is an unlawful, gross alteration to the form of the Hellcat. The results of the testing will bear this out! This abomination must be purged of it's taint so that the perfect order of Mechanus and Baator is maintained!"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Thank you." With this Esyer sits, "Rebuttal to the point, Council," The magistrate instructs.
[21:54] <Kotono> "I reckon I will!" Puffing his chest out as he rises, "The simple point here, unlike my opposing council reckons, is that my client deserves not to be punished for what he is! His very essence is lawful! Are not changes acceptable! Are not Erinyes acceptable to change at the hands of the opposing petitioner and friends? My client's very same change has been handled likewise, with orderly precision and a maintaining of his lawful center
[21:54] <Kotono> with orderly precision and a maintaining of his lawful center! Your Honor, if you accept the basic tenet that the conversion of the erinyes is lawful, then you must rule this conversion is lawful as well and reject this petition!"
[21:56] <Kotono> Yene whirls to the gallery, "Are we all not lawful here? Are we all not perfected creatures who reject chaos and embrace order? To exclude order from order is to regress to random chaos! We cannot pick and parcel which order is acceptable and which is to be purged! We must embrace all order!"
[21:57] <Kotono> "Very well," The Magistrate nods slightly, "Do you wish to rebut that statement, Counselor?"
06[21:58] * Demedais glances to Esyer at this, content to let him rebut it with what he told him of the creation of the oozecat, as well as the notes. There doesn't yet seem to be a pressing need to speak up directly, so.
[21:59] <Kotono> As Yene goes to plop down on his heavy chair, Esyer rises. He leans against the table, head bowed. "Your Honor, it's something like this. Celestia and Baator bicker endlessly, but both hold law sacred. Yet both of them lack the purity of law that Mechanus holds. To compare them to those," He gestures to the gallery, "Is like comparing the morning's first feeble light to the radiant noon's sunrays!" (More)
[21:59] <Kotono> light to the radiant noon's sunrays!" (More)
[22:03] <Kotono> "Even in light of that, the creation of this creature was a heresy!" Pointing again to the oozecat, "Your Honor, I submit the information on it's creation to you." He goes to the table, getting a few papers. "Created in heresy, forbidden. What right doe ssuch a creature have? Petition those of the ultimate law, of the Eternal Vigilant or of Kelemvor, judge of the dead! They will tell you the same thing!"
[22:03] <Kotono> They will tell you the same thing!"
[22:04] <Kotono> "Thank you." Taking the notes and looking over them for a time....
[22:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 29." [1d20=4]
[22:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (+4 from notes) Esyer
06[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 (+4 from notes) Esyer and gets 30." [1d20=1]
[22:07] <Kotono> After a few moments, "I've heard enough," Xesen announces, "I find this petition to be lawful and proper. The petition is approved." He slams his gavel, "Baliffs, take it away!" He points at the oozecat! At once, five golden armored baliffs are moving towards the oozecat! Yene quickly steps away, reaching over to pat the oozecat on the back. "Rotten luck, kid," he says lightly. "Better luck back in Baator."
[22:07] <Kotono> "Rotten luck, kid," he says lightly. "Better luck back in Baator."
06[22:07] * Demedais nods slightly at this, glad the entire thing's over. Mostly.
[22:09] <Kotono> The oozecat hisses, but the Baliffs are quick! They surround him, then all six are gone! As Esyer grins and takes Demedais's hand in his own, shaking it, "Ah, I declare, well done," Yene nods to both, "I couldn't catch a stroke of fortune."
06[22:13] * Demedais also shakes Esyer's hand, before nodding to Yene. "Perhaps."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Still, I'm not a sore loser." Chuckling so that his belly shakes like jelly, "I'll treat both of you to drinks on me."
06[22:15] * Demedais glances to Esyer, not inclined to get stuck alone with Yene out of personal disinterest.
[22:17] <Kotono> Esyer shrugs. "I've done it a time or two and I still have my soul. Up to you."
[22:18] <Demedais> "Wasn't my concern, there. Sure."
[22:21] <Kotono> The three of you are taken out. Under the starry sky you go to a building in the perfect shape of a pentagram. Here beautiful erinyes stand aside as you enter, wearing leather armor. You head into a comfortable lounge, chairs of leather so soft and firm that it must cost a fortune. A crackling fire burns in a fireplace, music sounding from nowhere and everywhere, soft and soothing. A beautiful erinyes-like creature wears tight black ro
[22:23] <Kotono> soft and soothing. A beautiful erinyes-like creature wears tight black robes, bringing drinks around. Rich paintings hang about, scenes of the various lawful planes displayed. Yene sits into a deeply stuffed chair, putting his feet up before raising his glass. "Make yourself comfortable. That's a helluva performance - pun intended - you put on, son." Sipping his drink, "So I did some homework on your case. That erinyes bit, that's rea
[22:23] <Kotono> "So I did some homework on your case. That erinyes bit, that's really true? All my reports seem to think so."
06[22:24] * Demedais sits at the edge of his chair, loosely cautious and wondering why in Arcadia he bothered to agree other than politeness. "So you went with that without even confirming it? Huh."
[22:27] <Kotono> "No time." With a shrug, "My resources in your world are almost non existant. I had to try and buy up the information third and fourth hand. Shitty way to do business." The erinyes brings drinks to Demedais and Esyer as well, who sits and sips. "Anyway, were you curious who put up the money to save that freak of a bezekira?"
[22:29] <Demedais> "Slightly, though it's more likely than not I won't know the name and thus it'll be useless." Demedais shrugs.
[22:29] <Kotono> "Probably. It was a fourth party underling that couldn't tell you who was behind it anyway," Shrugging, "He didn't even find all the loopholes in the contract I gave him. Oh, there was money behind it, but it got delegated down the chain, too."
[22:30] <Kotono> Taking a deeper sip, as the server goes to sit on his lap and curl up onto his chest, "It's typical devil politics. I'm not sure who in that chain is going to be demoted for it, but they can deal with it themselves. I get paid either way."
06[22:31] * Demedais shrugs. "Sounds about right, all things considered. You've pretty much taken up permanent residence here as a litigator, then?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yes. I've been here..." Ticking off on his fingers, then using the fingers of his lap buddy, "About four thousand years now. Give or take a century."
[22:34] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais falls silent at this for a bit, letting Esyer or Yene initiate the next part.
[22:36] <Kotono> "Now then," Draining down his drink, "I'll be honest with you. I don't really give two shits about Baator's agenda. I get left alone because I'm rich and very well connected in Mechanus. They can't touch me." He leans forward with a smile full of gold, "Even pulled one off on ol' Scax and got away with it. So really, I'm not looking to take your soul or damn you to Baator. Leave that to the rest of Hell. You see, I could use a contact
[22:36] <Kotono> Leave that to the rest of Hell. You see, I could use a contact on your world. You'll be handsomely compensated for it, of course."
[22:40] <Demedais> "I will be honest in return; I have... issues... dealing with devils at this point. This is more a matter of those that arrived in your world. This being said..." Demedais muses. "I may very well have someone else come to talk to you about that; I'll see how they feel on the issue. She's more the type to make business deals, anyway, so you'd probably find that deal more sastifactory."
[22:44] <Kotono> "Ah, excellent." Nodding to that, "Direct them onto me and I'll see what we can work out."
[22:45] <Demedais> "There will only be one issue with that, something I hope to address before I depart back home. Other than that, I'll pass the message on and see what can be done from there." Demedais nods.
[18:45] <Kotono> OOC: What did you have left to wish to accomplish in MEchansu?
[18:46] <Demedais> OOC: Consult Esyer one more time regarding what to do with Seira's position and how to arrange a political agreement between Mechanus and the Baronies.
[18:48] <Kotono> The next morning, Esyer meets with Demedais at the temple. With his feet up, "So now that the case is over...you said you had a friend in trouble with Mechaus?"
[18:48] <Kotono> *Mechanus
[18:50] <Demedais> "I believe so, yes. She had a kolyarut after her for excessive oathbreaking, though at least one of said oaths was made under great duress." Demedais nods. "And while not lawful in the sense of Mechanus, she does repay her debts and is loyal to friends. She's requested that I assist her in reconciliation; I wanted to know how to approach this, and what her options likely are."
[18:51] <Kotono> "When you get an Inevitable after you, it means you've violated the laws to the point that Mechanus wishes to remove you to protect them. " Esyer steeples his fingers together, "She could get council to represent her and try and resolve the charges here in Mechanus."
[18:54] <Demedais> "There... is one other issue." Demedais says reluctantly. "I believe that the Inevitable pursuing her was being influenced by another force that wanted to see Seira removed from the picture. The Inevitable... took prisoners in an attempt to extort Seira into surrendering."
[19:01] <Kotono> "Hmmm." Now leaning back, "That throws a wrench into things. It doesn't mitigate the initial problem, but it does complicate it. This isn't my area of expertise, but if Mechanus was in error with it's punishment, it may help slightly for leinency."
06[19:03] * Demedais nods. "Alright. Do you feel you could aid in this? It isn't a matter regarding the Temple of Helm, so I will cover the costs for it myself."
[19:06] <Kotono> "I can, but what she'll want is a specialist in that field. I could do alright in it, but someone who specialized in Inevitable affairs would be better. Have her send a message and I can have a representative meet her to help her find good council without stepping foot into Mechanus. You don't need to cover the cost: She's the client, unless you want to pay for her anyway."
06[19:09] * Demedais nods. "Alright. That'd be best, then, yes." A pause, then, "I suppose I have two other matters before I head back, one business and one political. Firstly, where would I go to have a diplomat sent to the Baronies to establish treaties with the government there?"
[19:11] <Kotono> "The Planar Affairs Office. Once you hack through the red tape, you'll get a represenative sent. If you want, I can set that in motion for you. It's not hard, just time consuming to do all the needed work."
[19:12] <Demedais> "If you're willing, I would be grateful for that." Demedais nods. "Then, only one other matter remains. Is there a large shop that sells arcane scrolls here, or a store that might have a scroll of Teleportation Circle?"
[19:16] <Kotono> "Yes, there's some markets. To buy upper levle magic like that you need a permit; anything above the fourth circle is regulated." With a faintly amused look, "I can get you one if you want. I'll have to give to you outside of Mechanus, though, for legal reasons."
[19:18] <Demedais> "...heh. I really don't want you to feel like an errand boy, here." Demedais rubs his head in embarrassment. "But thanks, it's greatly appreciated." Taking out the pouch containing the remainder of the government funds, Demedais hands it over to Esyer. "This should cover most, if not all of it. I'll pick up any remaining fees on it. Thanks again."
[19:19] <Kotono> OOC: How much is that?
[19:19] <Demedais> OOC: 5000 gold.
[19:20] <Kotono> OOC: It does, with 175 GP to spare.
[19:21] <Demedais> OOC: Alright.
[19:23] <Kotono> Later that day, Demedais is at rest. He feels a strange compulsion overtaking him. A desire to meditate and pray, coming from deep within him.
06[19:23] * Demedais nods slightly and goes back to the Temple of Helm, praying at the altar there to resolve this compulsion.
[19:25] <Kotono> Demedais silps into a trance, the world of law and gears fading to disinterest. He feels removed, far away, with a deep serenity welling from within him. He feels the cool, clammy touch of mist on his arms and legs, like a living thing.
06[19:27] * Demedais lets the mist take him, focusing solely on the feeling to meditate and pray.
[19:30] <Kotono> You stand within the deep mists. You stand on the sharp, crystalline floors. Ahead of you, floating in the misty ether, is Uatu. An older, vigilant man in full armor stands for you, extending a gauntlet clad hand out. "Blessed be you taken here by the will of Helm."
06[19:32] * Demedais stands at this, unsurprised at the results of this as he accepts the hand. "Blessed be the guardians of this place and of Uatu, under Helm's evervigilance."
[19:33] <Kotono> "Well met." The hands are clasped together, a faint rattle of steel lost in the mists all around you. "Helm has taken you here today for a sacred duty."
[19:34] <Demedais> "I am willing to perform his will as it is assigned to me." Demedais says calmly.
[19:35] <Kotono> "The will of Helm has been made manifest to me. In His wisdom he has granted you clarity beyond the mortal mind, able to divine and see what lies ahead. In your wisdom, you have chosen to explore and follow this path."
06[19:37] * Demedais nods to this. "I have undergone study to train myself to accept His messages and visions as they have been directed to me. What task does He wish me to perform with what He has granted me?"
[19:38] <Kotono> "Uatu waits ahead. It is a being that understands little but sees all. By the will of Helm, when you lay your hands on it, you will see all. For you, the vessel shall be Uatu, and the gift shall be prophecy."
06[19:41] * Demedais is admittedly a bit surprised by this, but maintains his expression. "I understand. Then, by Helm's will, I shall perform this duty." With that, he removes his gauntlets, mind clearing itself in preparation for this.
[19:43] <Kotono> "For a time, you shall stay here in prophecy. Your loved ones are safe under the watchful gaze of Helm." As the man steps aside, crystalline steps begin to rise out of the mist, forming a path to Uatu, ending a few feet from him. "When you are ready, go forward."
06[19:45] * Demedais nods silently, inhaling once before advancing to Uatu and reverently raising his hands up to the being of prophecy.
[19:47] <Kotono> Each step forward leaves everything behind but mist. Ahead, Uatu floats in the air. It glows every so faintly, a cloak of mist over it's body. As you get closer, you can see images dancing in the corners of your eyes. Images of exalted heights and infernal pits, of perfect order and absolute chaos. You can see the fury of the elemental quadruple, clashing into frenzied borders. You can see images of the world, of Balmuria, of Pallanth,
[19:47] <Kotono> clashing into frenzied borders. You can see images of the world, of Balmuria, of Pallanth, of the Desert, of Kesse, of so much more as you step close to Uatu.
06[19:49] * Demedais slowly lets his eyes follow the images as he continues to advance, slowly moving his hands through the cloak of mist to touch Uatu once he reaches him. "Helm..."
[19:51] <Kotono> Stop. Demedais simply stops, as images flow into him. His senses dim as he sees everything...so much, by Helm...everything...
[19:45] <Kotono> ------------------------
[19:45] <Kotono> OOC: Tai, how were you going to ge tin touch with Dad?
03[19:45] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54449ccd.lns5-c10.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[19:45] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:48] <Demedais> Prepare a Sending to clear our arrival, prepare Plane Shift once and go in the early morning Balmuria time, so that I can pray for the second Plane Shift once I get there. This of course might backfire horribly, but.
[19:49] <Kotono> Okay.
[19:50] <Kotono> Go ahead and tell me the contents of the sending real quick?
[19:53] <Demedais> "Dad - was hoping you would have time for a visit. Wish to bring someone to meet you. Will be arriving early our time. Demedais"
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure
03[19:53] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure and gets 47." [1d100=47]
[19:54] <Kotono> You receive an answer, 'You are welcome to come here, Demedais.'
[19:54] <Kotono> Who's going with you, Polly?
[19:54] <Demedais> Yeah.
[19:56] <Kotono> Okay. I'll start you off right after planeshifting. Go your spells lined up/
[19:56] <Demedais> Kay, give me a sec.
[19:57] <Kotono> Sure.
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 5d100
06[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 346." [5d100=52, 57, 84, 73, 80]
[20:06] <Kotono> You stand on a rocky, jagged slope that rises upward and upwards. Martyrdom stretches ahead of you, the path ahead one of constant climbing and difficulty. Yet it is one without pain. Aches are gone, little discomforts banished away.
[20:06] <Kotono> Pollyanna holds a hand to her chest, "Mmmm..."S he closes her eyes and bows her head. "It's so very peaceful here."
[20:09] <Demedais> "It is." Demedais nods simply. "Our destination is up at the top. Shall we?"
[20:11] <Kotono> Pollyanna begins to walk. She walks with her eyes half shut, "I...I feel as if Helm is close. This is part of the House of the Triad?"
[20:12] <Demedais> "It is. We ascend now to Ilmater, who, though his servant, saved my father's life." Demedais nods slightly.
[20:16] <Kotono> Thus you ascend. It is not a difficult trip, the climb up overcome as you apply effort to it. (More)
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 22." [1d100=22]
[20:17] <Kotono> Is it not a long trip. You find yourself entering the great open air temple quickly, the two at it before they even realize it. Floating in the air and approaching Demedais is a Lantern Archon. It bobs in the air once towards each of them. "Honored guests from Balmuria, Demedais and Pollyanna?"
06[20:18] * Demedais nods. "Yes."
06[20:22] * Demedais nods. "Yes." A slight pause, before glancing to the Lantern Archon in brief confusion, letting it continue.
[20:30] <Kotono> "Would you please come with me?" Another bob in the air, "I'm tol ead you to your father.'
[20:39] <Demedais> "Ah, certainly." Demedais nods, confusion dispelled. "Thank you."
[20:40] <Kotono> The two of you are lead along. The sick are healed here, celestials in palaver with various sorts. Clerics of Ilmater rest and talk here, worship services constant. Demedais feels soothed to the marrow of his bones, pains and worries lifted away. Pollyanna smiles, head bowed and eyes closed. An innocent, restful smile blooms on her face as she keeps the pace up.
06[20:44] * Demedais looks around carefully, but continues to follow the lantern archon back and in.
[20:51] <Kotono> You come to a simple golden tent. It's large enough to fit several people in comfortably. It's flap is open, the Lantern Archon standing aside.
[20:54] <Demedais> "...Thank you." Demedais says, silently curious as to the reason behind the tent but not questioning directly as he enters slowly.
[20:59] <Kotono> Demedais' father sits inside of the tent. It's large as a hall, far larger than it should be. He sits on the ground, waiting. A book rests in his lap. His face is full of energy, his eyes shining. His frame has gained some muscle mass, his movement to stand up one single, fluid motion. He wears plain gray robes, a red ribbon dangling down his neck.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Demedais." With a huge smile to him, "My son."
06[21:01] * Demedais smiles broadly at the sight of his father's renewed health. "Father. It is good to see you so well." A slight glance behind to Pollyanna, before nodding. "Pollyanna, this is my father, Croger. Father... this is my fiancee."
[21:02] <Kotono> Croger advances to her, offering a hand. Pollyanna shakes it, eyes widening. "It's good to meet you in earnest, Sir." She then makes a curtesy to him, "You look as if this blessed realm has agreed with you."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Absolutely. Lord Ilmater's energies have reinvigorated my tired body and soothed my weary spirit, blessed be to him." Croger smiles and winks to Pollyanna, "Demedais, you look very well."
[21:04] <Demedais> "I am. We are currently resting and planning our next actions down there." Demedais nods at this.
[21:10] <Kotono> "I've been here, instructed in Lord Ilmater's teachings. The world will need Ilmater's shielding hand and back in the coming years. As long as my body lasts, I aim to go and ensure that his word spreads, so that Ilmater's aid can come freely. Esthan was only a symptom of the disease, a sign of the struggles mighty and mundane that are to come."
06[21:11] * Demedais nods to this, unsurprised by the road Croger's followed. "I would be hard-pressed to disagree, from what I have seen and heard of places beyond Balmuria."
[21:12] <Kotono> "In the ruins of evil's depredations, a new flower grows. An apt maxim." Croger says, "I owe this chance to you. You bent heaven and earth to ensure that I lived despite Esthan's every effort."
[21:17] <Demedais> "I... did what I could, there; it was not of any interest to me even beforehand to let any of Esthan's schemes succeed if I could help it." Demedais shakes his head, before suddenly nodding. "This reminds me. Esthan has been imprisoned in Celestia, never to see freedom again."
[21:18] <Kotono> "Triumphant." With a singular, short nod, "Then I can return to our world straight away."
[21:20] <Demedais> "When you are prepared, I can come to bring you back, or you may have your own route." Demedais replies, a bit lost in thought. "Do you have a plan of action once you get there?"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Yes. I wish to spend a little time in Balmuria. I suspect I will not need to stay long. Ilmater's gifts are needed elseware. Balmuria is a place of light and peace. But realms beyond Balmuria's reaches may need Ilmater's aid far more."
06[21:23] * Demedais nods. "Then we can arrange this. There is room at the Temple, I am sure."
[21:26] <Kotono> "Let's return then," Croger says, "Right now. The sooner I get there, the sooner Ilmater's words can benefit the helpless."
06[21:29] * Demedais nods slightly. "I need time to prepare my spells, but other than that, we should be able to do this easily. Give me a moment."
[21:31] <Kotono> OOC: You can assume this goes without incident. Go ahead and line again. Sec.
[21:33] <Demedais> OOC: Deme just had sudden "...Wait." revelation. Quickly switching out Dispel Magic x2 and Invis Purge for Water Walk x3, everything else is the same.
06[21:36] * Demedais nods, finishing his prayers and standing. "Alright. Shall we?"
[21:40] <Kotono> "Certainly," Croger stands.
06[21:40] * Demedais nods, and invokes the prayer for Plane Shift upon the three!
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 5d100
06[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 301." [5d100=71, 93, 61, 8, 68]
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 7." [1d9=7]
[21:44] <Kotono> You appear in deep grassy fields. Ahead of you, you can see several empty farm fields. Scarecrows are about, warm farmhouses shuttered against the chilly rasp of winter's breath.
[21:46] <Kotono> Pollyanna looks around, "Well, we're in the Baronies...or maybe Malmuth?" She shivers and rubs her arms, "We should be able to find out as soon as we reach a farmhouse or town."
06[21:53] * Demedais nods slightly. "Yes. Should be easy enough, then."
[21:55] <Kotono> Thus, the party walks to the nearby farmhouse. As you get closer, Pollyanna eyes Demedais, "Want to do it or should I?"
[22:00] <Demedais> "You'd... probably be best doing it, as I seem to be conspicuous." Demedais notably keeps his armor off, at least.
[22:03] <Kotono> Pollyanna goes to the front door! She knocks twice, a young woman wrapped in a warm shawl answering. The two talk low for a few moments. She then returns, "We're about three hundred miles west of Balmuria, give or take. On the better side, I got her to tell us where we could buy some horses nearby. So let's get going?"
[22:09] <Demedais> "Certainly. That'd be best." Demedais nods. "Horse could probably support two of us, but not three."
[22:09] <Kotono> "Horse?" Croger look sto Demedais now.
[22:12] <Demedais> "Uh... the paladin mount I was granted." Demedais says, embarrassed. "I wasn't precisely the most creative at that time."
[22:13] <Kotono> "He also names his chairs Chair and his bed Bed." Smiling just a little bit, "But I love him anyway."
06[22:14] * Demedais rubs his head, seemingly too embarrassed to correct this.
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 83." [1d100=83]
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 21." [1d100=1]
[22:21] <Kotono> A few days later, you are passing through a small village. It's peaceful and sleepy with the winter, only a few people out. One of them, a man with a shock of black hair and a twitch in his shoulders, stares. Abruptly, "Sir! Sir!" He calls, approaching.
06[22:22] * Demedais blinks at this, turning. "Yes? Can I help you?" A glance to Croger and Pollyanna, as he turns his horse.
[22:24] <Kotono> The man twitches and bows before him. "Captain Demedais of the Crimson Guard?" he asks, respect filling his words.
[22:26] <Demedais> "Ah, yes." Demedais says, in bemusement. "How may I aid you?"
[22:34] <Kotono> "I'm honored." He blurts out, "I served in the army a little while, but I never got to meet anyone like you."
[22:35] <Kotono> Pollyanna starts to smile, but keeps her peace.
[22:36] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais nods slightly. "Thank you for the services you rendered, then, sir."
[22:40] <Kotono> "Thank you." Her eturns, standing back. "It's an honor, sir!"
[22:47] <Demedais> "And to you. Farewell." Demedais nods with a smile, before leading the group on.
[22:51] <Kotono> The rest of the trip to Balmuria passes without incident. You come into sight of the west gate of the city, your trip home finished. OOC: Deme, do you wan tto follow up on any of this immediately?
[22:53] <Demedais> OOC: Uh... not that I know of? I'd probably want to get Dad up to speed on what I know of the regions around Balmuria, probably mentioning Kesse but also warning that I've no clue how well anything can be done there.
[22:54] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. We'll cut you here for the moment then. Let me focus on finishing up Seira/Alicia.
[23:00] <Kotono> ----
[23:00] <Kotono> OOC: Deme, what's your MO going to be here. J ust a GI check or more or what?
03[23:00] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54476e41.wfd88a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[23:03] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
[23:04] <Demedais> OOC: Frankly I'd rather rely on trying to hear something useful, at least for the first hour or so. If nothing catches Deme's attention enough to merit further investigation... probably look for someone selling religious texts of Helm and ask through them.
[23:05] <Demedais> OOC: Deme's other questions would probably relate to the existence of other interplanar groups.
[23:05] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. What defines 'interesting and useful' for you?
[23:07] <Demedais> OOC: Aside from the Green Castle, any non-C, non-E talking about demons or the Abyss, anyone talking about other interplanar groups, or any talk of Helm or Torm.
[23:09] <Kotono> After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
03[23:10] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has left #terrorofdunes
03[23:10] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[23:10] <Kotono> After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
06[23:11] * Demedais glances over to them, checking for evil or chaos before glancing to Pollyanna. 'Anyone know anything on a Graazt?" Demedais inquires through the link.
[23:15] <Kotono> OOC: One radiates chaos and one radiates eivl, both moderate.
[23:15] <Alicia> 'He's a Demon Lord, one of the big ones,' Alicia telepathically supplies. 'Big rival of Demogorgon's, who happens to be Gurlan's backer, so it might be worth checking out if you have a lead.'
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has left #terrorofdunes
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais glances over to them, checking for evil or chaos before glancing to Pollyanna. 'Anyone know anything on a Graazt?" Demedais inquires through the link.
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > OOC: One radiates chaos and one radiates eivl, both moderate.
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> <Alicia> 'He's a Demon Lord, one of the big ones,' Alicia telepathically supplies. 'Big rival of Demogorgon's, who happens to be Gurlan's backer, so it might be worth checking out if you have a lead.'
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah." The other grunts, "Ol' Six Fingers sent 'em? Least it wasn't anything worse."
[19:22] <Demedais> 'And Six Fingers...' Demedais murmurs telepathically. 'Probably a reference to Graazt, from context. Give me a sec.' With that, he slowly approaches, nodding politely to the two men. "I hate to interrupt you, gentlemen..."
[19:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Both turn to Demedais, looking at him coldly. "Well well," One smirks, "Got ourselves a rich fightin' man here?"
[19:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna stays behind, face mute and calm for the moment.
[19:23] <Alicia> 'Grazzt has six fingers, yes,' Alicia supplies.
[19:23] <Demedais> OOC: As a note, the armor is glamer'd. But the ring probably wouldn't help.
[19:27] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Yeah, but shield. Either way, go ahead and line and we can talk about it in #elysium.
[19:29] <Demedais> "Rich? Probably not by standard definitions. What I have has been won in battle." Demedais replies coolly. "Perhaps says more to what I've had to fight, but. You were speaking of a fight with Graazt?"
[19:30] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "So you were overhearing, eh?" The merc, a burly man with scarred armor and a callous look, "What's it to you?"
06[19:35] * Demedais gives the man an even look at this. "How much do you know of Graazt's servants?"
[19:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The other one bites through a drumstick of chicken, tossing the bone down into the blackness. "I hear someone asking a lotta questions. Do we look like a charity, rich boy?"
[19:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna's face starts to twist into a scowl.
06[19:46] * Demedais puts a hand on Pollyanna's shoulder with a slight smile, before kneeling down in the full plate to look at them evenly. "Hardly; nor do you look in need of charity yourselves. I will pay for whatever info is actually of interest to me."
[19:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The two exchange a look, the burly one just shrugging. "You're speaking wiser now. Let's here what you're lookin' for, then."
[19:52] <Demedais> "A few acquaintances of mine have heard of a place in the Abyss, called Greenrot. Being the sort to wish to explore anywhere that strikes their fancy - you know the type, I presume? - they've got no small interest in visiting. Myself, I know enough of the place to know that they'll probably get disgusted with it within ten, twenty seconds at best." (More)
[19:55] <Demedais> "This aside, I do not think I'll hear the end of it until they actually see the place. As such, I'm looking to entertain this interest by getting them in and out as quietly, quickly and painlessly as possible."
[19:57] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "...mmm." The two exchange another look, "We might know a way, and the tricks to get through it alive. Ain't easy, but you can." The other speaks, a little more slender and harsher gazed than the other.
[19:58] <Demedais> OOC: Which one is that? The one that pinged E, or C?
[19:58] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: C. The burly one is E.
[20:02] <Demedais> "If I thought it would be easy, I'd have just sent them to go by themselves. Frustratingly, the opposite's the case." Demedais replies with a slight nod, before pulling out a small sack and pulling out two gemstones, holding them out some for both to see. "Adequate?"
[20:03] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Lemme see 'em," The slender, chaotic one says.
06[20:04] * Demedais considers, before taking one into his left hand and passing it over. "The other's of the same quality. I'll pass that over once I have the information."
[20:05] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+10 appraisal PM me the value, Deme?
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+10 appraisal PM me the value, Deme? and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[20:14] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hmph." After a minute, "Yeah, alright. I bet you know more than you're tellin' us, but it ain't any skin off our nose if Greenrot has problems."
[20:16] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The burly one takes a sizzling chicken wing and bites through it,s wallowing it bones and all. Wiping his mouth off and flicking grease down into the blackness, "So you wanna get to Greenrot, eh?"
[20:17] <Demedais> "Effectively." Demedais nods, kneeling at this.
[20:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "There's a stairway goin' up - funny, ain't it, the path to Greenrot mostly ascends. Fuckin' hilarious - and you know to take the right stairs and paths, you'll find a door to Greenrot 'ventually. It's damned dangerous. Ever killed a vrock?"
[20:19] <Demedais> "A few." Demedais nods. "They have a tendency to show up just to annoy me, I've become convinced. I take it they guard the door?"
[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh yeah. Nasty old ones that are covered in a poisonous green mold. They're not as tough as vrocks but they're feistier. Oh yeah, you know how vrocks have spores? They have mold instead and it'll eat away at you like poison. Gotta cure the spores before you can get better, but the same tricks to get rid of vrock spores does it."
[20:21] <Demedais> "How charming. Maybe that'll be enough of Greenrot for them, though I honestly doubt it." Demedais mutters.
[20:24] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah, sure it will. You got paladin written all over you." Crossing his arms, "Go give 'em smiting hell. It's your soul." The lean one eyes Demedais, "Anyway, you'll start seeing the mold growing on the stairs, too. Try to avoid it, it's poisonus as all Hell."
[20:26] <Demedais> "Paladin, though I perhaps lean less virtuous than you think I do." Demedais grunts, before nodding to the lean one quietly.
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh-ho," With a smirk now, "Interestin'. Anyway, there's one big platform not far from the door. See, it's set up to be like a poison forest. Ever burned down some treants? Watch out, got an entire fake forest of 'em and they're dangerous. You can burn 'em up and it'll work great, but they're so fulla poison that toxic smoke will spread like death. Breath that in too long and it's like a wizard sicced the yellow vapors on you
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Breath that in too long and it's like a wizard sicced the yellow vapors on you."
[20:32] <Demedais> "...Right. So, effectively, I'm leading them on a picnic tour through the moldy woods from out of a bloody nightmare." Demedais says after a moment.
[20:33] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yes..." A pause here as darkness falls ove ryou. "The fuck?!" The man grunts, as all the stairs going in the various insane directions glitter like stars! A white starlight covers things, casting a different, strange light on everything around you.
[20:34] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Eh." The burly one just shrugs and goes for more chicken, "Some mage throwin' around power or some outsider. Go on, idiot."
[20:35] <Demedais> "..." Demedais remains quiet, though his right eye begins twitching. "I'd bet both at once, but on this sort of thing I seem to have a knack for guessing right. Anyway, go on."
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Outsider mage?" The burly one groans, "Fuck, that's like a walking disaster."
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hehehe." Chuckling at that, "Anyway, if you can get past that, the door's up there. Stories have it that you need a rotting key or some shit, but I'm not too clear on that. 'sides, it's just a door. Magic it or break it down."
[20:40] <Demedais> "'Walking disaster'... not a term I'd use, but considering what just happened, possibly apropos. Will need to investigate later." Demedais growls softly, before nodding. "I've heard of the door, yes, and the rotting key. Can't particularly say I trust magic or physical force on it, considering how much poison leads up to it from your accounts, but."
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah. Got a friendly fiend, use 'em. They don't blink at poison." The burly one says.
[20:43] <Demedais> "I tend to avoid befriending outsiders in general. Most manage only to annoy me to no end." Demedais replies. "There have been exceptions, but most manage to pull it off with an ease that belies their stated attention. This being said I might just throw one of the vrocks at the door like a battering ram, presuming the people with me haven't gotten sick of the place by then."
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Vrock toss." The slender one laughs and slaps his knee, "Nice one."
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "'course, if you still wanna go on, good luck. Greenrot's nasty. Don't know so much about it, but I do no one thing. Your arms turn green, start thinking about chopping 'em off. Trust me."
[20:48] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Why?" Pollyanna looks a little green herself, "That's a horrible thing to do!"
[20:48] <Demedais> "They look aerodynamic enough, if you just bind those damned wings together..." Demedais muses, before glancing to the burly man. "That was the impression I got as well, from what I've heard... Hopefully we do not stay that long, though I won't be holding my breath for that. For other reasons, maybe, but."
06[20:48] * Demedais then glances to Pollyanna. "Better than the rot taking your entire body, I suspect."
[20:49] <Demedais> "Sounds like it's capable enough to do that, at least."
[20:49] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hehehee." The burly one just grins, mouth full of perfect, white teeth. "Nope, cause you'll watch your own arms beat you to death, that's why."
[20:50] <Demedais> "... ...I would say more except that, for one member of our caravan, that would actually quite possibly be more amusing and useful than anything else I'd get to see him do." Demedais says after a very long moment.
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hah!" The slender, chaotic one laughs again.
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Anyway, hand the other one over," The burly, evil man insists. "The gem."
[20:56] <Demedais> "Of course." Demedais nods, passing it over before standing. "I shall not keep you any longer, then. My apologies for the intrusion."
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It paid good." With a shrug, "Good luck not dying."
[21:01] <Demedais> "My luck runs hot and cold - recently, too cold." Demedais mutters. "I'll take informed action any day." With that, he stands and walks back into the crowd of the platform - but attempts, once there as he looks around for a food stand, to catch what the conversation of the two turns toward. OOC: 40 feet in, trying to ranged eavesdrop to make sure they don't start wondering how much they can cash us in for.
[21:04] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Make a listen check?
[21:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+27
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+27 and gets 35." [1d20=8]
[21:13] <Infinite_Ko_Army> As you find a stall selling fresh vegetables, you overhear, "I just know they're looking to go fiendhunting," The burly one says, "Got the look of 'em."
06[21:14] * Demedais keeps listening, while, "Something two can split and eat?" he asks the stall owner.
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The slender one murmurs back, "Think it's related to the Athux fiasco?"
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Army> You get a pair of apples as the merchant stares up at the sky.
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Dunno. Six fingers has more plots than fingers, after all." The burly one grunts.
[21:15] <Demedais> 'Anyone know who Athux is?' Demedais asks through the telepathic link, still listening as he accepts the apples and hands one over to Pollyanna, standing away a bit so that he can listen without interrupting the stall owner.
[21:17] <Alicia> 'Grazzt's son,' Alicia provides. 'Don't know much more than that.'
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna nibbles away. "Be funny if it Greenrot turns into an all out war." With that, "C'mon, we've ate. Let's get our asses moving."
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The burly one grunts, "Yeah, let's. Spend the loot after?"
[21:20] <Demedais> 'Give me a minute more, Pollyanna. I'm listening to their conversation to make sure they aren't going to actively betray us, though it sounds like they might.' Demedais replies through the link, glancing over to see if they're moving.
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They're moving. They're heading away from you, back into the tent city.
06[21:23] * Demedais grimaces. 'Damnit, they're moving. Let's follow.' With that, Demedais moves forward at a discreet pace, keeping one eye on them while making sure to stay well back, relying on his eyes to keep track of them.
[21:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Make spot?
[21:23] <Demedais> roll 1d20+@7
06[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+@7 and gets Error: Numeric values only." [1d20=16]
[21:23] <Demedais> OOC: +27, so 43.
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+8
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+3 and gets 16." [1d20=13]
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> You are able to follow them. They head into a simple, large canvas tent, closing the flap behind them.
06[21:26] * Demedais looks around for someone good-natured in appearance that doesn't radiate chaos or evil - preferably a storekeep near the tent.
[21:27] <Infinite_Ko_Army> There's a nonchaotic/evil Mercane man standing a few tents away, arms crossed but humming ot himself as he waits.
06[21:28] * Demedais approaches the man. "Could I ask a quick question of you, sir? What's that tent over there?" He gestures to the tent in question, keeping one eye on it still.
[21:34] <Infinite_Ko_Army> He eyes Demedais, "It's a new one. Guild member's staying there, though it doesn't sound ilke he's staying long."
[21:36] <Demedais> "I see. It's a Mercane tent, then?"
[21:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "No. Planeswalker's guild. It's a humanoid with some earth in his blood." Retorting back, "I haven't caught his name."
[21:39] <Demedais> "Ah. Apologies." Demedais demurs, curiousity sated for the moment. "Thank you." With that, he circles around the entrance to the tent until he's on the other side and about forty feet away, looking around at the stalls again as he waits to see what the men come out with.
[21:40] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The men come out a few minutes later, coming out with no one. They're making a good pace now.
[21:42] <Demedais> 'Goddamnit. Was hoping that wouldn't blow cover, but they seemed like the best bet to ask from.' Demedais growls mentally, looking to see where they're heading.
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They're heading towards the edge of the city in another direction - near one of the glittering stairs, leading into the void.
06[21:45] * Demedais follows them visually to see if they go down into the void or stay here.
[21:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They go to the stairs and climb them, starting to leave the tent city behind.
06[21:49] * Demedais looks around for another somewhat friendly face, meeting the same requisites as before - or a shopkeep, if one's nearby.
[21:50] <Infinite_Ko_Army> There's a small shopkeep, barely more than anything than a bundle of hair and fur. He sells glass figurines of all types, meeting Deme's requisites.
[21:51] <Demedais> 'Obtained information on the road to Greenrot. Unsure if the informants will seek to tell Greenrot's owners - estimate 25% chance, they seemed disinclined toward Graazt. Got no info on the key or inside Greenrot.' he messages the rest of the group, before approaching the shopkeep with a smile. "Hi. I've a question - where does that stair go?"
[21:53] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Without missing a beat, "Sir, let me tell you about it! See this figurine here?" He picks up a glassy shadow, "Beautiful and only 25 gold coins to purchase. That's where it goes, sir, right into the realms and Plane of Shadow. But if you skip that first landing, well, there's more to see? One stairway there takes you to beauty," Hetakes out a glass lantern archon, "Celestia! The other?" He picks up a glass sphere, rolilng it
[21:53] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Celestia! The other?" He picks up a glass sphere, rolilng it about, "The Prime. Sir, I'll have you know you can own one of these for just around 20 gold. It's a steal that would make Waukeen blush like a virgin on her wedding night. If you're interested, I'll give a 10% discount if you buy three or more!"
[21:55] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It is a bit pretty," Pollyanna's gaze travels to the shadow, "The real deal's a nightmare, though."
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh, that's not a nightmare! This is, ma'am!" Ducking down, he comes up with a large glass nightmare statue, about as large as a pumpkin. It's ornate and beautiful, even hints of glassy smoke coming from it's nostrils.
[21:57] <Demedais> "...That's impressive." Demedais murmurs with a grin, looking it over. "I'll take three of the spheres, however - though I may refer a friend down here, this is her sort of design."
[21:59] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Why thank you sir," Three spheres appear, wrapped in a soft cotton cloth and put in a sturdy small box. "That's 54 gold coins. But you know what? I like you. This nightmare normally goes for 150 gold coins, but I'll let you have for 100! Your friend would love it as a gift and it's so much quality you could even enchant it if you wanted!"
[22:00] <Demedais> "...Hold on a moment." Demedais says, before asking Seira, 'Any interest in a pretty impressive statue? Might make a good decoration for your inn, though I don't know how you'd get it back at this time.'
[22:01] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It is pretty," Pollyanna marvels, "Do you have any of pixies?" With a twinkle in her eye, "Or courre eladrin would be close enough."
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Of course, sir," Spinning back to Pollyanna, "Why, of course I do, m'dear. Let me show you this!" With a sweep of his hand he brings up a pair of glass pixies(Or courre, perhaps), "Twenty gold each, thirty as a pair," he offers, "Oh, they're so pretty together, aren't they? They'll liven up any mantle."
01[22:05] <Seira> 'Would it fit in Alicia's storage?' Seira thinks back. 'I'm always interested in decorations.'
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "They are," Pollyanna leans down. Smiling up at Demedais, "Aren't they nice, dear?"
[22:05] <Alicia> 'Unless its bigger than a troll, it'd fit,' Alicia offers.
[22:09] <Demedais> 'It's not too big. He's got more, but I'll let you come down and see it for yourself, Seira.' Demedais notes, glancing to Polly unreadably for a moment before, "I'm not terribly fond of sleeping on the stone floor, so. This all totals up to about 200, right?" Pulling out the named amount of coins, Demedais passes it over as he accepts the first box and puts it into his pack.
[22:10] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Thank you, dear," Pollyanna leans into Demedai's shoulder, watching them.
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Thank you very much, sir! You have a fine eye for goods, and send your friend right along, I'll give them a good deal for your sake."
[22:13] <Demedais> "I will. She'll tell you that the cranky paladin sent her down, most likely." Demedais assents with a slight grin, accepting the rest. "Have a good day, sir." With that, he heads away a bit, before asking Polly mentally, 'So, do you want to hand Donald two of these balls and tell him he obviously needs them, or should we leave it to Seira?'
06[22:19] * Demedais then asks Alicia, 'Where should we meet you so I can drop this off for storage?'
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Army> 'That's cruel. It'll be funny, but cruel.' Pollyanna smiles as you start to walk away.
[22:21] <Demedais> 'Niceness has never been a prerogative between me and Donald.' Demedais replies. 'I've tried to change that - repeatedly - but he gets his jollies from mocking me. I figure that I may as well keep the field even.'
06[22:22] * Alicia suggests one of the larger plazas with a few hopefully recognisable tents around it that they can reconvene at later. 'What about your potential informants?' she then asks.
[22:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> 'He knows how to carry a grudge...or perhaps you just naturally don't get along,' Pollyanna looks up to the glittering sky, 'It's pretty here. I really like it...everyone looks different and interesting. But at the same time, it's tiring. Everything feels like it'll blow away overnight.'
[22:23] <Demedais> 'I confess annoyance with Alicia, if only because of what you just mentioned - on some of these steps, I imagine it would not have been hard for someone to slip.' Demedais notes calmly.
[22:27] <Alicia> 'Things are still fairly well lit,' Alicia retorts defensively. 'And almost everyone here can see in the dark, even if it was pitch black.'
[22:28] <Demedais> 'I shall take your blessed vision capabilities at face value, then.' Demedais notes with a slight bit of embarrassment. 'It took a second for the lights to begin shining, but very well.'
[22:31] <Alicia> 'Anyway, leaving that aside, what about the two informants you suspect might give us away?' Alicia then asks.
[22:33] <Demedais> 'They're either returning to their home on the Material Plane from here, or going to the Plane of Shadow - I strongly suspect the former. As a result, I don't think there's much of a risk from them. Gave them enough money to sate them, I hope, at least. Either way, they were quite detailed as to the dangers - something they didn't need to do if they did intend to.' Demedais replies.
06[22:45] * Demedais continues walking toward the plaza described, keeping an eye out for it.
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: I'll shunt yo uinto #dunes shortly, Deme.
[20:12] <Alicia> <Alicia> But worse than that is confronting the utterly horrific extent of Shar's petty vileness - even in a time when the Gods were all but absent from their world, she took the time to destroy the life of someone who might as well have been an apostate from Mystra's church anyway? How could any being possibly be so perverse?
[20:12] <Alicia> <Kotono> "Shar is afraid of you...afraid of the Crimson Guard and Balmuria. In all of you, she sees hope. Like Baator, she cannot withstand hope. Mystra's plan for you..." Hans holds Alicia tighter, "It was not yet time, not until the God-King was settled. But you have come now."
[20:12] <Alicia> <Alicia> "What?" Alicia looks at her dead husband with a pleading expression as she compartmentalizes the raging need for vengeance, not wanting it to consume her right now, "It's been *ten years* Hans. Why, after all this time?"
[20:12] <Alicia> <Kotono> "It is a very long story." Hans says gently, "Listen to me now, my love."
[20:16] <Kotono> "When I died, I found myself in oblivion. I screamed in fear, calling for you. But no one answered..until I called Mystra's name in desperation. She was there, a clash between her and another before she took me away. Mystra spoke to me - Shar's goal was to break the potential inside of you. The potential to become what you have and make you into a warrior bowing to her, without a shred of hope in your heart."
[20:19] <Alicia> Does everyone her see her that way? 'Oh, yeah, she looks pretty tough, lets break her into our service!' Still, this is far more personal than Hell's threats or Malcanthet's flirtations. She remains silent for Hans to continue.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Mystra saved us from Shar. She put us aside so that we could watch and wait for you. When the time was right, you would come to Dweomerheart and have the chance to undo what Shar did."
[20:23] <Alicia> "Undo it?" Alicia repeats heavily. "You mean like the Magus of Time offered? Go back so it never happened and make meaningless everything I've done since?"
[20:28] <Kotono> "No." Hans shakes his head, "So that we could be together again, if we wished. So that your heart would not be lonely. What happened to our family was not right."
06[20:34] * Alicia feels horribly trapped. What can she say to her husband, a man who's spent a decade devotedly waiting for her while she's been running around trying to make a new life with no room for him and spreading her legs for casual flings with devas? "Why do this?" she asks in a small voice.
[20:34] <Alicia> "I begged for Mystra, or any God, to return you both, but no one listened... and eventually I stopped hoping. I couldn't live in the past any longer, Hans."
[20:36] <Kotono> "The world wasn't right yet." Hans holds Alicia. "It also wasn't time for this, but events have spiralled out of control. Alicia...I don't blame you. I saw your tears, your heartache and your lonely life for so long. You have a family, friends and have salved the lonliness in you. When I died...I thought only of you. My heart was broken, but..."
[20:41] <Alicia> "I'm sorry, Hans," Alicia struggles to force the words out, knowing how horribly cruel they are. "You've been watching me for ten years... I don't know if you liked all of what you saw, but I suppose you wouldn't be here otherwise. But for me," she sighs wistfully and cradles his chin, "You're a memory."
[20:42] <Kotono> "I know." Hans stares into Alicia's eyes. "But now...I've been able to accept it. I can move onto what lies beyond in peace. Alicia..." he holds her close to him, "I love and always will. As long as you are happy, my blessings are on you."
[20:46] <Alicia> "Don't be so noble," Alicia chides him, her eyes glistening wetly, unable to articulate how screwed up this situation is, feeling she deserves his condemnation for being unable to wait and simultaneously feeling defensive at never having been given any clue there was something worth waiting for.
[20:48] <Kotono> "I can't be. I had you to watch to learn it from." Going to kiss her gently and wipe her tears away, "Don't cry. I'm happy we been given this chance to say goodbye. Alicia...will you dance with me? A parting dance?"
[20:50] <Alicia> "You deserved better," Alicia tells him, no doubt at all in her voice there as she accepts his hand and places the other on his shoulder. A dance is the least she can do, but she couldn't live a lie.
[20:52] <Kotono> Thus the two dance! They sweep across th edance floor, Hans staring into Alicia's eyes. He smiles to her as they go, "You made me happy. I've watched all of them - Antenora, Seira, Latha, Marie, Hugo, Jessica, Demedais, Dawnhope. Be happy with them. You are surrounded by light and love. As long as you guard your happiness and keep hope, you avenge my death against Shar.
[20:52] <Kotono> "
[20:55] <Alicia> "We could have done so much more... I'll avenge you, my husband, I promise you that," Alicia swears vehemently. Shar will learn regret if it's the last thing she does.
[20:58] <Kotono> Thus the two of you dance. "My love...there is also Felix." HE whispers to her.
[21:01] <Alicia> "I've missed out on so much..." Alicia laments guiltily. He must have grown up so much these past ten years, never knowing his mother except whatever images of a terrifying warrior woman he might have been shown here. "Take good care of him, please."
[21:02] <Kotono> "I can if you like." Dancing along, "Or...would you like to see him and perhaps take him back with you?"
06[21:04] * Alicia stops dead, their simple dance skidding to an abrupt halt. "Take him back? Just like that?" she asks, wide-eyed. "Why... why couldn't this have been done earlier? Why didn't anyone ever tell me?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "If we could have gone back before, we would have. But with the world in the state it was in, resurrection was near impossible." So answering, "But you have flung the gates of the world open as you undo the seals."
[21:09] <Alicia> It sounds like a weak excuse to Alicia. "I've got no right to split you apart," she shakes her head bitterly. "It should be Felix's choice. A mother who's a stranger, or the father he's always known... and he'd want to know why we can't all be together. Why does this have to be so cruel? There's no happy ending, not for us."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Shar." With a smile to Alicia, "After what she did...she's tried so hard to crush you."
[21:12] <Alicia> "I'd gotten better, but this is like re-opening all the old wounds," Alicia looks away shamefully. "Except it feels like I'm killing you myself, this time."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Alicia." Whispering to her, "Let me give you a gift of my love before you go. I will protect you."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Even after all this you're still looking out for me?" Alicia whispers back, voice choked.
[21:23] <Kotono> "I love you." Hans answers, taking her chin and bringing her up to meet his eyes.
[21:25] <Alicia> "I know," Alicia replies sadly, wishing she could return his feelings but unable to. Not after so long.
[21:27] <Kotono> Alicia feels his warmth all over her, like a shawl of protection.
06[21:30] * Alicia wraps her arms around Hans and closes her eyes, knowing this really is goodbye... and a better goodbye than she was given the chance for ten years ago. "We should've grown old together," she murmurs.
[21:32] <Kotono> "We should have." Hans agrees to this, "Alicia, be happy in life. Love, friendship, family...I want you to have them all again."
[21:34] <Alicia> "I will," Alicia promises. "And I want you to be happy too, Hans. You've got your own eternity ahead, now."
[21:35] <Kotono> "I will be. Felix will be, too." Stepping back, Hans begins to shimmer like starlight twinkling away. "Be well."
06[21:36] * Alicia feels an urge boiling up inside of her to stop him, if only for Felix. But she resists it - she has no right to take him, no after all this time. "Don't just be well," she raises her hand in a timorous wave, "Be happy."
[21:37] <Kotono> "I will. Forever. You will be too." With that Hans is gone, twinkling light into nothing at all. "I love...you...Alicia..."
06[21:39] * Alicia lies. "I love you too," she replies in a weak and raw voice. She did... she loved him more than she's ever loved anyone. But that's a past that can never be recaptured. A future that was stolen from her not by the greed and malice of man, but by the sinister machinations of Shar. Tomorrow there will be a reckoning. But today... today she grieves anew.
[21:42] <Kotono> For a time Alicia stands there. The hand on her shoulder is one of calming warmth. She feels it, Her presence made clear.
06[21:47] * Alicia wants to ask Mystra why she would do such a thing and then keep it secret, leading to inevitable heartbreak. Such a desire wars with her sense of proprietry and faith. In the end she decides it will only fester if she keeps it quiet. "Why was this kept from me?" she asks quietly, not turning to look at her Goddess.
[21:49] <Kotono> "When it was time to take you away from the world, I had planned to walk the earth with you. We would have visited the sites of your earthly deeds and finished at the grave of your family. There I would have offered you the chance to be with them again, for your long years of faithful service." Mystra's voice is overwhelming, yet held in check. "Celestia chose to disrupt this... a workaround, no less."
[21:51] <Alicia> "It wouldn't have helped," Alicia shakes her head morosely. "What if by then I had taken a new husband, started another family? With every year since they died, this outcome grew more and more likely."
[21:52] <Kotono> "Then they would have passed." Mystra answers. "This was not meant to as so. I apologize, Alicia."
06[21:56] * Alicia takes a deep breath, momentarily thrown by the sheer oddity of a deity - *her* deity - apologising to her. "You heard my prayers, didn't you? After I'd barely breathed your name in over a year, I begged you to give them back to me. You or anyone who would listen... had Shar offered in those dark moments, I have no doubt I would have sworn myself to her in gratitude."
[21:57] <Kotono> "If I could have, I would have. The world would not permit it at the time." Mystra's voice is kind, "We do not watch those who die cruelly and care nothing. Our hands are often bound."
[22:00] <Alicia> "I know," Alicia nods a bit too quickly. "And as my grief faded, I found comfort in the knowledge they had moved on - that they were facing their new lives on the planes with no regrets or worries from the past. The courre you sent to be my familiar, she's always been a very comforting example of that. It's why I've never prayed for death to be undone ever since."
[22:01] <Kotono> Mystra is silent as Alicia goe son. "Marielle has served you with excellence. Alicia, they have been reborn now into th ecycle they were delayed from."
[22:04] <Alicia> "As it should have been all along," Alicia concludes sollemnly.
[22:05] <Kotono> After a few silent moments, "With Hanss love, ou will be able to spread his protection to three others," Mystra intones. "Choose them wisely."
06[22:09] * Alicia cocks her head. That came out of nowhere. "I feel uncomfortable bestowing such a thing on those who have never met him, without knowing how he feels... felt, about any of them. Who would he have chosen?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "Those you care for and love." Mystra so answers.
[22:11] <Alicia> "Would it be exactly the same protection?" Alicia asks, spending a moment trying to quantify the shroud he placed over her and feeling somewhat ill at ease with the depth of feeling she gets from it being felt by those who never even knew him.
[22:12] <Kotono> "It would be protective energy," Mystra answers, "He asked me for a gift to give to you. They will not feel his love, only his protection."
[22:19] <Alicia> "Antenora, Seira, and Amaryl," Alicia decides after a moment, deciding those three would receive the most benefit and finding it somewhat fitting to protect those newly finding their own loves.
[22:22] <Kotono> "So be it." With that, Mystra is gone. You stand in front of Jessica and Roald's shop, Dweomerheart moving around you again.
[22:24] <Alicia> Taking a deep breath to centre herself, Alicia heads inside to spend some quality time with her sister and soon to be brother.