[20:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ---------
03[20:41] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
03[20:41] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The trip back to Balmuria is a fast paced one. Alicia and Antenora ride horses as fast as they safely can, making good downhill time. There are no serious interruptions and a strident pace gets them back to Balmuria well under a week. On reaching the city, the two come into the southern gate. Here a caravan is being inspected. It's lead by a new member of the Crimson Guard, recently graduated. He's currently watching as a few soldie
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The trip back to Balmuria is a fast paced one. Alicia and Antenora ride horses as fast as they safely can, making good downhill time. There are no serious interruptions and a strident pace gets them back to Balmuria well under a week. On reaching the city, the two come into the southern gate. Here a caravan is being inspected. It's lead by a new member of the Crimson Guard, recently graduated. He's currently watching as a few soldie
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He's currently watching as a few soldiers toss the contents of a caravan's interior, searching. The guards that are just watching stiffen to salute as Alicia is seen approaching.
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He's currently watching as a few soldiers toss the contents of a caravan's interior, searching. The guards that are just watching stiffen to salute as Alicia is seen approaching.
06[20:47] * Alicia has never even met any of the Crimson Guard besides Seira, Demedais, and Obureth, so unless he has some sort of insignia she probably won't recognise him. Since she's in the military and on urgent business, she also has no qualms about skipping ahead of the caravan, returning the salutes she gets from the guards as she heads into the city.
06[20:47] * Alicia has never even met any of the Crimson Guard besides Seira, Demedais, and Obureth, so unless he has some sort of insignia she probably won't recognise him. Since she's in the military and on urgent business, she also has no qualms about skipping ahead of the caravan, returning the salutes she gets from the guards as she heads into the city.
[20:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There isn't any opposition to the two entering the city. You can hear something as you pass though, "How come they get to go ahead?" The caravan owner bitches loudly. But nonetheless, the two head into the city. Once past the gates, "Are we going straight for the pegasi or resupplying or resting first?" Antenora asks.
[20:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There isn't any opposition to the two entering the city. You can hear something as you pass though, "How come they get to go ahead?" The caravan owner bitches loudly. But nonetheless, the two head into the city. Once past the gates, "Are we going straight for the pegasi or resupplying or resting first?" Antenora asks.
[20:52] <Alicia> "Couple of things," Alicia replies. "We'll stop by Elle's and drop off that book the Keeper gave us so she can look into making those wards while we're gone. Then we'll give the Commander a quick report, stop in to let Jessica and Marie know where we're headed, then get moving. No point in delaying any further than that, Esthan has a big enough lead already."
[20:52] <Alicia> "Couple of things," Alicia replies. "We'll stop by Elle's and drop off that book the Keeper gave us so she can look into making those wards while we're gone. Then we'll give the Commander a quick report, stop in to let Jessica and Marie know where we're headed, then get moving. No point in delaying any further than that, Esthan has a big enough lead already."
[20:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora simply nods as the two ride on. Reaching Elle's shop goes without incident. Here you come in to a pleasant old man in rumbled traveller's clothes chatting with Elle most animatedly. Alice smiles and comes out from her position, intercepting Alicia. "Good day," she says. "Can I help you with anything? Countess Stronger is entertaining an old friend at the moment."
[20:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora simply nods as the two ride on. Reaching Elle's shop goes without incident. Here you come in to a pleasant old man in rumbled traveller's clothes chatting with Elle most animatedly. Alice smiles and comes out from her position, intercepting Alicia. "Good day," she says. "Can I help you with anything? Countess Stronger is entertaining an old friend at the moment."
[20:59] <Alicia> "Hopefully you can, Alice," Alicia smiles back, taking the celestial book out from her backpack and placing it on the counter. "Elle should know what this is about, but feel free to have a look yourself - it details how to make a ward against the supernatural despair aura of a creature I recently encountered. I don't want you to make it just yet, just take a look over to see if it's do-able and give me a costing?"
[20:59] <Alicia> "Hopefully you can, Alice," Alicia smiles back, taking the celestial book out from her backpack and placing it on the counter. "Elle should know what this is about, but feel free to have a look yourself - it details how to make a ward against the supernatural despair aura of a creature I recently encountered. I don't want you to make it just yet, just take a look over to see if it's do-able and give me a costing?"
[21:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh. Of course," With a ghost of a smile glimpsed from under her hood, Alice starts to read the book. She flips at a surprisingly fast pace, nearly a page ever ten seconds or so. "...mmmm. It's fairly advanced, but I think the Countess can pull it off. One of the components is going to be bothersome, however."
[21:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh. Of course," With a ghost of a smile glimpsed from under her hood, Alice starts to read the book. She flips at a surprisingly fast pace, nearly a page ever ten seconds or so. "...mmmm. It's fairly advanced, but I think the Countess can pull it off. One of the components is going to be bothersome, however."
[21:02] <Alicia> "Which one's that?" Alicia asks curiously.
[21:03] <Alicia> "Which one's that?" Alicia asks curiously.
[21:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "A tear from a creature that has never felt despair in it's life." Alice answers, flipping back a few pages.
[21:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "A tear from a creature that has never felt despair in it's life." Alice answers, flipping back a few pages.
[21:06] <Alicia> "My familiar would've been fantastic for that if we'd done this a week ago," Alicia grumbles. "On the other hand, wouldn't crocodile tears - or tears from any other animal, do? They don't have the capacity to feel despair, after all."
[21:06] <Alicia> "My familiar would've been fantastic for that if we'd done this a week ago," Alicia grumbles. "On the other hand, wouldn't crocodile tears - or tears from any other animal, do? They don't have the capacity to feel despair, after all."
[21:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It may," Is the answer Alice gives. "It's symbolic magic, it's about fulfilling the intent of the magic, not the letter of it. I'm no expert, but I'll bring it up with the Countess."
[21:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It may," Is the answer Alice gives. "It's symbolic magic, it's about fulfilling the intent of the magic, not the letter of it. I'm no expert, but I'll bring it up with the Countess."
[21:08] <Alicia> "Okay," Alicia nods. "Hold onto the book and have a think about it between the two of you? I'll be out of town again for a few days, but I'll stop by once I come back and we'll see how feasible it is then?"
[21:08] <Alicia> "Okay," Alicia nods. "Hold onto the book and have a think about it between the two of you? I'll be out of town again for a few days, but I'll stop by once I come back and we'll see how feasible it is then?"
[21:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Of course," Alice nods again, "Good travels then, and come back with gold to buy here." She adds this part with her own little smile, "The Countess says that the Crimson Guard will let her buy her own Kingdom if she ever retires."
[21:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Of course," Alice nods again, "Good travels then, and come back with gold to buy here." She adds this part with her own little smile, "The Countess says that the Crimson Guard will let her buy her own Kingdom if she ever retires."
[21:10] <Alicia> "We'll see," Alicia smiles slightly, "Although I'm not sure how profitable this excursion will be. Anyway, I'd best get going. Goodbye, Alice," she waves, heading out and then making her way to the garrison.
[21:10] <Alicia> "We'll see," Alicia smiles slightly, "Although I'm not sure how profitable this excursion will be. Anyway, I'd best get going. Goodbye, Alice," she waves, heading out and then making her way to the garrison.
[21:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Finding Commander Oberuth passes without incident. He's overseeing an inspection of the garrison defenses, including a few archers on the roof. He climbs down, meeting the two on the side of the garrison.
[21:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Finding Commander Oberuth passes without incident. He's overseeing an inspection of the garrison defenses, including a few archers on the roof. He climbs down, meeting the two on the side of the garrison.
06[21:17] * Alicia proceeds to give the commander a quick summary of what they learned about the despair woman, stressing the ward she's got Elle and Alice investigating and the creature's vulnerability to the True Seeing spell. Then moving onto more immediate matters. "We also learned of a devil travelling through the Baronies - the trail first led to Parsifal where we encountered a Gelugon that was in the business if buying souls."
[21:17] <Alicia> "It's back where it belongs, now, but among its correspondence we found a note indicating that the devil we were originally pursuing is headed to Armasea to investigate Uatu. Therefore we need to make use of two pegasi so we can pursue, and maybe beat him there if we're lucky."
06[21:17] * Alicia proceeds to give the commander a quick summary of what they learned about the despair woman, stressing the ward she's got Elle and Alice investigating and the creature's vulnerability to the True Seeing spell. Then moving onto more immediate matters. "We also learned of a devil travelling through the Baronies - the trail first led to Parsifal where we encountered a Gelugon that was in the business if buying souls."
[21:17] <Alicia> "It's back where it belongs, now, but among its correspondence we found a note indicating that the devil we were originally pursuing is headed to Armasea to investigate Uatu. Therefore we need to make use of two pegasi so we can pursue, and maybe beat him there if we're lucky."
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With a growing look of indignation, "More of them? Go ahead and take them...and will you need any more forced dispatched with you?" The Commander asks, "We need to keep snuffing out t hese bastards whenever they slither into view."
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With a growing look of indignation, "More of them? Go ahead and take them...and will you need any more forced dispatched with you?" The Commander asks, "We need to keep snuffing out t hese bastards whenever they slither into view."
[21:20] <Alicia> "I think the two of us should suffice," Alicia replies. Not much point bringing Demedais along, after all, though she's not about to explain that matter to the Commander.
[21:20] <Alicia> "I think the two of us should suffice," Alicia replies. Not much point bringing Demedais along, after all, though she's not about to explain that matter to the Commander.
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Go on then with all due haste," Oberuth nods once more. "I'll be composing a letter to Lord Salman. It's high time we start training more people about how these devils work. They're brazenly stealing souls now, that can't go on."
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Go on then with all due haste," Oberuth nods once more. "I'll be composing a letter to Lord Salman. It's high time we start training more people about how these devils work. They're brazenly stealing souls now, that can't go on."
[21:23] <Alicia> "We make sure to warn the faithful at Mystra's temple about the dangers of such deals, but perhaps more widespread education would not go amiss," Alicia agrees. "Anyway, we'll be off." Though before leaving she makes sure to instruct someone to return their two horses to that nearby village, then quickly stops by home to let Marie and Jessica know where they're headed. And then they're away!
[21:23] <Alicia> "We make sure to warn the faithful at Mystra's temple about the dangers of such deals, but perhaps more widespread education would not go amiss," Alicia agrees. "Anyway, we'll be off." Though before leaving she makes sure to instruct someone to return their two horses to that nearby village, then quickly stops by home to let Marie and Jessica know where they're headed. And then they're away!
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Going home is a pleasant but momentary respite. Jessica smiles bravely and tells Alicia and Antenora to be careful. But soon, even despite that, the two are in the stables. Two full grown pegasi await, Antenora lingering away a moment before sighing and getting on. "Do you think we'll beat him there?" she asks as thet wo begin ascend skyward.
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Going home is a pleasant but momentary respite. Jessica smiles bravely and tells Alicia and Antenora to be careful. But soon, even despite that, the two are in the stables. Two full grown pegasi await, Antenora lingering away a moment before sighing and getting on. "Do you think we'll beat him there?" she asks as thet wo begin ascend skyward.
[21:26] <Alicia> "If we catch him," Alicia replies confidently, gently petting her pegasi's neck before she mounts it. "But that's a big if. So lets get moving and find out, one way or another."
[21:26] <Alicia> "If we catch him," Alicia replies confidently, gently petting her pegasi's neck before she mounts it. "But that's a big if. So lets get moving and find out, one way or another."
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: How are you travelling? Anything special?
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: How are you travelling? Anything special?
[21:28] <Alicia> OOC: fly up, straight line towards the temple on top of Uatu.
[21:28] <Alicia> OOC: fly up, straight line towards the temple on top of Uatu.
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100 yeah right
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d100 yeah right and gets 80."12 [1d100=80]
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100 yeah right
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d100 yeah right and gets 80."12 [1d100=80]
[21:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The trip is a short, flying one. The only rests are those that are absolutely needed, the two women hurrying with an abundant speed. Below the terrain slowly changes from verdant fields and farms to rising hills. You proceed towards Pilltain and Armasea with all due haste. You are nearly there when you see it. Not the temple, but instead, a great field of mist. A field of mist that hides and cloaks, unmoving and solid.
[21:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The trip is a short, flying one. The only rests are those that are absolutely needed, the two women hurrying with an abundant speed. Below the terrain slowly changes from verdant fields and farms to rising hills. You proceed towards Pilltain and Armasea with all due haste. You are nearly there when you see it. Not the temple, but instead, a great field of mist. A field of mist that hides and cloaks, unmoving and solid.
[21:33] <Alicia> "It'll be dangerous to fly through that, I think. Lets continue on foot," Alicia suggests, guiding her pegasus to land on the road leading up to the temple so they can proceed with solid ground at their feet (or hooves).
[21:33] <Alicia> "It'll be dangerous to fly through that, I think. Lets continue on foot," Alicia suggests, guiding her pegasus to land on the road leading up to the temple so they can proceed with solid ground at their feet (or hooves).
[21:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus the pegasi and riders land. As you advance, the two find themselves quickly enveloped in fog. The fog is thick, the mists blocking out anything else. Yet ahead, in the mists, you can see a gate. TWo men in full armor stand guard at it, watching ahead endlessly.
[21:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus the pegasi and riders land. As you advance, the two find themselves quickly enveloped in fog. The fog is thick, the mists blocking out anything else. Yet ahead, in the mists, you can see a gate. TWo men in full armor stand guard at it, watching ahead endlessly.
[21:40] <Alicia> "Hail," Alicia calls in greeting as she approaches the guards.
[21:40] <Alicia> "Hail," Alicia calls in greeting as she approaches the guards.
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The air is crisply cool here, as Alicia feels it. A feeling of being close to something, a new eye in her mind opening wide. It's a sharp, tangy, intense feeling, but one that brings her a feeling of peace. "What is your business here in the house of Uatu?" One challenges back to Alicia. "The mists have parted ways for you. What do you seek here?"
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The air is crisply cool here, as Alicia feels it. A feeling of being close to something, a new eye in her mind opening wide. It's a sharp, tangy, intense feeling, but one that brings her a feeling of peace. "What is your business here in the house of Uatu?" One challenges back to Alicia. "The mists have parted ways for you. What do you seek here?"
[21:44] <Alicia> "I wish to know if another has been here, recently," Alicia replies. "His name is Esthan."
[21:44] <Alicia> "I wish to know if another has been here, recently," Alicia replies. "His name is Esthan."
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "None have come past us in recent times," The answer is said, "The last were two others of the Guard that you belong to."
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "None have come past us in recent times," The answer is said, "The last were two others of the Guard that you belong to."
[21:47] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia glances at Antenora, "It's possible we got here ahead of him. Or he might have already been rebuffed..." turning her attention back to the guards she raises her voice again, "Do these mists block passage for some?"
[21:47] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia glances at Antenora, "It's possible we got here ahead of him. Or he might have already been rebuffed..." turning her attention back to the guards she raises her voice again, "Do these mists block passage for some?"
[21:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It would be fortunate," Antenora agrees in return.
[21:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It would be fortunate," Antenora agrees in return.
[21:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The mists protect Uatu, as we all do," The guard answers back.
[21:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The mists protect Uatu, as we all do," The guard answers back.
[21:50] <Alicia> "Your duty to protect Uatu, does it supercede all else?" Alicia asks curiously, pondering the situation with Esthan.
[21:50] <Alicia> "Your duty to protect Uatu, does it supercede all else?" Alicia asks curiously, pondering the situation with Esthan.
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes." The answer comes without a single second of hesitation.
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes." The answer comes without a single second of hesitation.
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The other speaks then, "Our Lord has decreed our duty is to do so. It rules above all other."
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The other speaks then, "Our Lord has decreed our duty is to do so. It rules above all other."
[21:52] <Alicia> "Good. The one known as Esthan is a baatezu who would seek to use Uatu for the benefit of the Nine Hells," Alicia tells them. "He has a compact with Helm that offers him some degree of sanctuary from the Watcher's faithful. But if your duty to Uatu would supercede any such arrangements, I can rest easy."
[21:52] <Alicia> "Good. The one known as Esthan is a baatezu who would seek to use Uatu for the benefit of the Nine Hells," Alicia tells them. "He has a compact with Helm that offers him some degree of sanctuary from the Watcher's faithful. But if your duty to Uatu would supercede any such arrangements, I can rest easy."
[21:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We will brook none coming closer without approval," the first says solemnly. "Uatu must be protected."
[21:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We will brook none coming closer without approval," the first says solemnly. "Uatu must be protected."
[21:57] <Alicia> "Very well. I will trust you to execute your duty in this matter," Alicia nods respectfully before she turns her winged steed around to depart the way she came. "Farewell."
[21:57] <Alicia> "Very well. I will trust you to execute your duty in this matter," Alicia nods respectfully before she turns her winged steed around to depart the way she came. "Farewell."
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the two depart and out of the mists, "Are you going to let the matter stay on that?" Antenora asks quietly.
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the two depart and out of the mists, "Are you going to let the matter stay on that?" Antenora asks quietly.
[21:59] <Alicia> "We can't stay here indefinitely waiting for Esthan to show up, especially when it's just as likely that he's already been rebuffed and went on his way," Alicia reasons. "We'll return to Balmuria by the roads, on the off chance we run into him en route - we may have overtaken him even with his head start, since this terrain makes slow going which we were able to fly right over. But there's little else we can do at this point."
[21:59] <Alicia> "We can't stay here indefinitely waiting for Esthan to show up, especially when it's just as likely that he's already been rebuffed and went on his way," Alicia reasons. "We'll return to Balmuria by the roads, on the off chance we run into him en route - we may have overtaken him even with his head start, since this terrain makes slow going which we were able to fly right over. But there's little else we can do at this point."
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He may still be in the area or coming to it. Alicia, I'd like to stay and search about for a few days and see if he's left any sort of a trail." Antenora says, "I intensly dislike the idea of leaving a devil we know of wandering freely in our backyard."
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He may still be in the area or coming to it. Alicia, I'd like to stay and search about for a few days and see if he's left any sort of a trail." Antenora says, "I intensly dislike the idea of leaving a devil we know of wandering freely in our backyard."
[22:02] <Alicia> "If you think it's possible at all to find a trail," Alicia nods. "I agree with you, this isn't something I want to let lie, I'm just not sure what we can do. I don't mind spending a few days looking around the vicinity, though."
[22:02] <Alicia> "If you think it's possible at all to find a trail," Alicia nods. "I agree with you, this isn't something I want to let lie, I'm just not sure what we can do. I don't mind spending a few days looking around the vicinity, though."
[22:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I can search for trails, try to stir up information in any nearby farms or settlements and generally see if anyone's found anything." Antenora answers, "Alicia, if you need to attend to the other things, I can also manage this alone." She smiles for a moment, "And...I'd like a chance to try this alone. I got a reminder that one day you're going to be in Celestia and I need make sure I can keep on a decent path alone."
[22:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I can search for trails, try to stir up information in any nearby farms or settlements and generally see if anyone's found anything." Antenora answers, "Alicia, if you need to attend to the other things, I can also manage this alone." She smiles for a moment, "And...I'd like a chance to try this alone. I got a reminder that one day you're going to be in Celestia and I need make sure I can keep on a decent path alone."
[22:08] <Alicia> "Well, I'd only ever visit Celestia for the same reason that Marie isn't native to Arborea even though she's an eladrin," Alicia points out. "But even if I'm not going to be around forever, it doesn't mean you should necessarily go it alone. When dealing with devils, you really need someone to watch your back."
[22:08] <Alicia> "Well, I'd only ever visit Celestia for the same reason that Marie isn't native to Arborea even though she's an eladrin," Alicia points out. "But even if I'm not going to be around forever, it doesn't mean you should necessarily go it alone. When dealing with devils, you really need someone to watch your back."
[22:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Well, Dweomerheart, but it's the same idea. Didn't you feel how Celestia drew you? I felt it...you never feel like that when you're condemned to Hell." Her own smile becomes nothing but a memory, but she continues on. "But...alright. Let's go then."
[22:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Well, Dweomerheart, but it's the same idea. Didn't you feel how Celestia drew you? I felt it...you never feel like that when you're condemned to Hell." Her own smile becomes nothing but a memory, but she continues on. "But...alright. Let's go then."
[22:13] <Alicia> "I understand what Latha meant about visitors choosing to stay forever, yes," Alicia admits. "Tell you what, though, since you wanted to try going it alone, why don't you take the lead on this one and I'll follow your lead?" she offers.
[22:13] <Alicia> "I understand what Latha meant about visitors choosing to stay forever, yes," Alicia admits. "Tell you what, though, since you wanted to try going it alone, why don't you take the lead on this one and I'll follow your lead?" she offers.
[22:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "In that case, we shoudl fly around to the nearest towns and look for any information. It's a bit of a longshot, but asking about rumors as well as for an Esthan may turn something up. There's a chance we could tip him off, but he'll find out sooner or later if word about Kortische reaches him." So thinking, "We can keep our eyes open for travellers as we fly as well, but that's a bit of a longshot."
[22:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "In that case, we shoudl fly around to the nearest towns and look for any information. It's a bit of a longshot, but asking about rumors as well as for an Esthan may turn something up. There's a chance we could tip him off, but he'll find out sooner or later if word about Kortische reaches him." So thinking, "We can keep our eyes open for travellers as we fly as well, but that's a bit of a longshot."
[22:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Also, Antenora scowls at herself, "My opinion our odds seems to be more evident than I'd like to admit."
[22:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Also, Antenora scowls at herself, "My opinion our odds seems to be more evident than I'd like to admit."
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> *on our
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> *on our
[22:21] <Alicia> "There's no harm in trying, regardless," Alicia replies supportively. "Do you want to try and circle around the temple area or make our way down the road to check villages on the route South?"
[22:21] <Alicia> "There's no harm in trying, regardless," Alicia replies supportively. "Do you want to try and circle around the temple area or make our way down the road to check villages on the route South?"
[22:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The latter, then the former and then the latter again if all else fails." Antenora decides, starting ot have her pegasus rise. "ARe you any good at gathering information?"
[22:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The latter, then the former and then the latter again if all else fails." Antenora decides, starting ot have her pegasus rise. "ARe you any good at gathering information?"
[22:24] <Alicia> "I have some knack for making people talk. Plus I have a lot of pull in the Baronies with people who recognise me," Alicia replies, likewise urging her mount upwards. "It's all dependant on people knowing what we want to find out, though."
[22:24] <Alicia> "I have some knack for making people talk. Plus I have a lot of pull in the Baronies with people who recognise me," Alicia replies, likewise urging her mount upwards. "It's all dependant on people knowing what we want to find out, though."
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - I'm going to skip you guys along a bit. What's your mod on gather information?
[22:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - I'm going to skip you guys along a bit. What's your mod on gather information?
[22:29] <Alicia> OOC: +12
[22:29] <Alicia> OOC: +12
[22:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Okay. You have the better mod so Antenora'll try to assist you. She's going to try to play your status up and you guys have plenty of flash with the pegasus. I'm going to assign a +2 bonus on account of that. Would you make 3 gather info checks?
[22:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Okay. You have the better mod so Antenora'll try to assist you. She's going to try to play your status up and you guys have plenty of flash with the pegasus. I'm going to assign a +2 bonus on account of that. Would you make 3 gather info checks?
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21."12 [1d20=7]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21."12 [1d20=7]
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 1
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 1
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 2
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 1 and gets 23."12 [1d20=17]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 2 and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 3
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 2
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 1 and gets 23."12 [1d20=17]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 2 and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 3 and gets 12."12 [1d20=6]
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 aid Alicia 3
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 aid Alicia 3 and gets 12."12 [1d20=6]
[22:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There's a small village not too far south, situated in Pilltain's hilly terrain. It's tucked away and near a steadily flowing river that eventually empties into the bay. As you search about you eventually end up in it's town tavern, talking with residents at the end of the day. Amid all the attention you get, th etwo happen to chat up a big, flourstained man with a face like dough. "Whazzat?" he asks. "Esthan? I know that name!"
[22:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There's a small village not too far south, situated in Pilltain's hilly terrain. It's tucked away and near a steadily flowing river that eventually empties into the bay. As you search about you eventually end up in it's town tavern, talking with residents at the end of the day. Amid all the attention you get, th etwo happen to chat up a big, flourstained man with a face like dough. "Whazzat?" he asks. "Esthan? I know that name!"
[22:37] <Alicia> "Where'd you hear it?" Alicia asks casually, not having any need to be harsh or press the helpful and observant man.
[22:37] <Alicia> "Where'd you hear it?" Alicia asks casually, not having any need to be harsh or press the helpful and observant man.
[22:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Really?" Antenora smiles at that, looking happy and interested. She sits next to him, "We'd appreciate it as a favor if you told us about him. It's very important."
[22:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Really?" Antenora smiles at that, looking happy and interested. She sits next to him, "We'd appreciate it as a favor if you told us about him. It's very important."
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It was a couple of days ago." He smiles to both, looking at the appealing women with just enough restrait to not be ogling. Barely. "Strange guy - he had a hood on and gloves like it was winter still. He came in and said he smelled spiced bread and that he wanted a loaf. Now, it was kind of late and I didn't want to make a new batch...but he put a gold coin on the counter." His eyes gleam, "So I made him a batch. We chatted a bit
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It was a couple of days ago." He smiles to both, looking at the appealing women with just enough restrait to not be ogling. Barely. "Strange guy - he had a hood on and gloves like it was winter still. He came in and said he smelled spiced bread and that he wanted a loaf. Now, it was kind of late and I didn't want to make a new batch...but he put a gold coin on the counter." His eyes gleam, "So I made him a batch. We chatted a bit
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> So I made him a batch. We chatted a bit while he waited."
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> So I made him a batch. We chatted a bit while he waited."
[22:40] <Alicia> "He say anything about his travel plans?" Alicia asks, countenancing the possibility that he'd just go around telling fake travel plans to random strangers for just this eventuality.
[22:40] <Alicia> "He say anything about his travel plans?" Alicia asks, countenancing the possibility that he'd just go around telling fake travel plans to random strangers for just this eventuality.
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I didn't get to ask many questions now that I think about it. He got me to talk about my kids, my wife, the town, that strange old temple...not so much about him. He did mention a friend in Armasea proper - the actual town, not the barony." He thinks a few minutes, "You know, the only time he wasn't getting me to talk was when he ate a fresh loaf of that bread. I swear, he reminded me of a cat that got into the cream then."
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I didn't get to ask many questions now that I think about it. He got me to talk about my kids, my wife, the town, that strange old temple...not so much about him. He did mention a friend in Armasea proper - the actual town, not the barony." He thinks a few minutes, "You know, the only time he wasn't getting me to talk was when he ate a fresh loaf of that bread. I swear, he reminded me of a cat that got into the cream then."
06[22:44] * Alicia idly wonders if that makes him an odd devil for having such an appetite, or if Antenora really is a hardcore ascetic, after all. "Was he planning on visiting the town, do you know?"
06[22:44] * Alicia idly wonders if that makes him an odd devil for having such an appetite, or if Antenora really is a hardcore ascetic, after all. "Was he planning on visiting the town, do you know?"
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I don't know. He wasn't so talkative about himself. I put him on a traveller right away. A lotta travellers don't like to talk about themselves or are more interested in pumping for information." He shrugs with a little smile, "Like now, ma'ams."
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I don't know. He wasn't so talkative about himself. I put him on a traveller right away. A lotta travellers don't like to talk about themselves or are more interested in pumping for information." He shrugs with a little smile, "Like now, ma'ams."
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora smiles as well, "Yes, and we thank you very much for that. DId he mention anything else at all?"
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora smiles as well, "Yes, and we thank you very much for that. DId he mention anything else at all?"
[22:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I did get one more question in. I asked if he was rich since he paid a whole gold for a loaf of bread. He chuckled and said that he had plenty of gold...and that there's always ways to spread it around." He stops there, "You know, I got the idea he wanted something there, but...damn, what if he's one of those freaks that..." he shivers. "Unless he was a girl under there. I don't know, I just had the feeling he wanted something."
[22:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I did get one more question in. I asked if he was rich since he paid a whole gold for a loaf of bread. He chuckled and said that he had plenty of gold...and that there's always ways to spread it around." He stops there, "You know, I got the idea he wanted something there, but...damn, what if he's one of those freaks that..." he shivers. "Unless he was a girl under there. I don't know, I just had the feeling he wanted something."
[22:49] <Alicia> "Uh..." Alicia looks slightly uncomfortable. "Er, yes. Probably best you didn't give him what he wanted, I think we can all agree on that. Thank you for your time, sir, you've been most helpful."
[22:49] <Alicia> "Uh..." Alicia looks slightly uncomfortable. "Er, yes. Probably best you didn't give him what he wanted, I think we can all agree on that. Thank you for your time, sir, you've been most helpful."
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora almost chuckles herself, but thinks better of it. She leands out to pat the man's hand, "Thanks for your help. If I pass through again I'll be sure to patrionize your shop and it's wares."
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora almost chuckles herself, but thinks better of it. She leands out to pat the man's hand, "Thanks for your help. If I pass through again I'll be sure to patrionize your shop and it's wares."
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With an agreeable look to Antenora and Alicia, "It's fine." He raises a mug of ale to them, "Good luck."
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With an agreeable look to Antenora and Alicia, "It's fine." He raises a mug of ale to them, "Good luck."
[22:51] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods, heading towards their horses. "Well then, to Armasea, then?" she asks Antenora.
[22:51] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods, heading towards their horses. "Well then, to Armasea, then?" she asks Antenora.
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> AS the two ascend into the air again, "Yes. It might be a dead end or a misdirection, but...it's better than searching futilely." After checking her spear and preparing to soar above, "Esthan from Nessus, tied to Martinet. He has odd tastes, too. He must not have any skill or desire for combat, since he's seemed to have wanted to avoid it."
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> AS the two ascend into the air again, "Yes. It might be a dead end or a misdirection, but...it's better than searching futilely." After checking her spear and preparing to soar above, "Esthan from Nessus, tied to Martinet. He has odd tastes, too. He must not have any skill or desire for combat, since he's seemed to have wanted to avoid it."
[22:54] <Alicia> "What makes you say that?" Alicia asks curiously as they head towards the town.
[22:54] <Alicia> "What makes you say that?" Alicia asks curiously as they head towards the town.
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The odd tastes or wanting to avoid combat?" Antenora asks back.
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The odd tastes or wanting to avoid combat?" Antenora asks back.
[22:55] <Alicia> "Avoiding combat," Alicia clarifies, since they haven't had any leads indicating that he's been actively avoiding it, it more seeming that it just hasn't come up around him.
[22:55] <Alicia> "Avoiding combat," Alicia clarifies, since they haven't had any leads indicating that he's been actively avoiding it, it more seeming that it just hasn't come up around him.
[22:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He got Demedais to escort him, yes? What self respecting devil needs a known enemy - especially one tied to destroying the gate from Hell to this world - to do his battles? I suppose it could be simple arrogance and cruelty. But the risks are great, as we're on his trail because he enlisted Demedais. It seems a strange risk to take unless he needed the help or needed the insurance. If he's from Nessus and on business from Martinet,
[22:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He got Demedais to escort him, yes? What self respecting devil needs a known enemy - especially one tied to destroying the gate from Hell to this world - to do his battles? I suppose it could be simple arrogance and cruelty. But the risks are great, as we're on his trail because he enlisted Demedais. It seems a strange risk to take unless he needed the help or needed the insurance. If he's from Nessus and on business from Martinet,
[22:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> If he's from Nessus and on business from Martinet, I don't see why he'd waste time and compromise his mission unless he had to."
[22:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> If he's from Nessus and on business from Martinet, I don't see why he'd waste time and compromise his mission unless he had to."
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We've already used it to ruin one potentially profitable soul harvesting operation and it's entirely possible we'll find another in Armasea at this rate. Why endanger all of that?"
[22:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We've already used it to ruin one potentially profitable soul harvesting operation and it's entirely possible we'll find another in Armasea at this rate. Why endanger all of that?"
[23:00] <Alicia> "Ah, you're right," Alicia admits. "It could have simply been a way to taunt an enemy in using Demedais like that, but it does seem like a large risk, especially in retrospect. It could well be that we're pawns in some convoluted infernal politicking, at this rate."
[23:00] <Alicia> "Ah, you're right," Alicia admits. "It could have simply been a way to taunt an enemy in using Demedais like that, but it does seem like a large risk, especially in retrospect. It could well be that we're pawns in some convoluted infernal politicking, at this rate."
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It's possible that's it as well. I mean..." Antenora takes a breath. "Infernal politics are incredibly complicated, twisting and full of betrayls obvious and subtle. What if Martinet wants this web of operatives to fail for whatever reason? What if this is some squabble between Agares and Martinet, especially in light of his failure with the portal? What if this is a third, fourth or fifth party interjecting and using Martinet's na
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It's possible that's it as well. I mean..." Antenora takes a breath. "Infernal politics are incredibly complicated, twisting and full of betrayls obvious and subtle. What if Martinet wants this web of operatives to fail for whatever reason? What if this is some squabble between Agares and Martinet, especially in light of his failure with the portal? What if this is a third, fourth or fifth party interjecting and using Martinet's na
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> fourth or fifth party interjecting and using Martinet's name wittingly or unwittingly?"
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> fourth or fifth party interjecting and using Martinet's name wittingly or unwittingly?"
[23:04] <Alicia> "How galling, that even when we defeat one fiend we're merely advancing the agenda of another," Alicia sighs unhappily. "But then, if we do nothing then we're letting the agenda of the first one proceed. All we can do is follow our instincts and try not to second guess ourselves."
[23:04] <Alicia> "How galling, that even when we defeat one fiend we're merely advancing the agenda of another," Alicia sighs unhappily. "But then, if we do nothing then we're letting the agenda of the first one proceed. All we can do is follow our instincts and try not to second guess ourselves."
[23:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes. Unless if we can go to Hell itself and dispatch of the problems..." Antenora's quiet here. "Since if you kill a devil in Hell they're truly dead. If we ever have to confront Agares, we'll have to do in his domain or in Avernus, if we got so lucky and he's desposed of his rank." Thoughtfully riding along, "You know...I don't think it's possible to hate Hell more each day that I awaken, but I do."
[23:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes. Unless if we can go to Hell itself and dispatch of the problems..." Antenora's quiet here. "Since if you kill a devil in Hell they're truly dead. If we ever have to confront Agares, we'll have to do in his domain or in Avernus, if we got so lucky and he's desposed of his rank." Thoughtfully riding along, "You know...I don't think it's possible to hate Hell more each day that I awaken, but I do."
[23:07] <Alicia> "As we're seeing, it works very hard to earn such ill feeling," Alicia replies over the beating of their steeds' wings. "So much effort and intrigue, all to sow misery and pain."
[23:07] <Alicia> "As we're seeing, it works very hard to earn such ill feeling," Alicia replies over the beating of their steeds' wings. "So much effort and intrigue, all to sow misery and pain."
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "If we hurry...maybe we can prevent a few more souls from finding out about that first hand," With that, Antenora lightly spurs her flying mount along. OOC - Skip ahead?
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "If we hurry...maybe we can prevent a few more souls from finding out about that first hand," With that, Antenora lightly spurs her flying mount along. OOC - Skip ahead?
[23:08] <Alicia> OOC: sure
[23:08] <Alicia> OOC: sure
[21:13] <Kotono> Armasea is a scarred battle town. On seeing it there is really no doubt about it. While not recently, this town not that long ago saw vicious battles. The city is protected by a high wall, on ethat still bears the scars of arrows and boulders. It's set up to be against a high rising mountain, it's back against a safe wall. A sturdy set of guards stand out front, as well as a pacing rotation of them walking the long distance of the wall p
[21:13] <Kotono> Past the wall, easily seen thanks to your aerial positioning, is a moderately large, old town. The most salient feature is a castle and keep, a secondary defensive line there with a moat, another wall and all the accompaning defenses.
[21:15] <Alicia> As they approach from a distance, Alicia offers a possibility to Antenora. "We're going to stand out no matter what, coming here on pegasi, but if you want I can disguise us both like we did in Parsifal so we won't be recognised for who we are."
[21:16] <Kotono> "Mmmm. Pegasus are going to be noticed either way, but...the entire town looks rather well defende-" She stops there, "That's a good idea, though anyone particularly in the know may guess anyway. Pegasus don't seem common. Same diguises as last time?"
[21:18] <Alicia> "Sure," Alicia proceeds to cast alter self upon herself, then channel the same spell into her backup dagger so it can be bestowed upon the erinyes. "Do you want to do a methodical sweep of the town first, or try asking around about Esthan first?"
[21:19] <Kotono> "Ask around. That went pleasantly well last time." Antenora starts to fly down towards the front gate.
06[21:21] * Alicia follows so they can present themselves properly rather than making a potentially hostile gesture such as flying over the walls without pausing.
[21:22] <Kotono> The two land, a detachment of four guards coming. They move quickly with polearms with crossbow support. "What's your business here," one calls. "Wizards?"
[21:25] <Alicia> "Warriors," Alicia corrects, though she's otherwise happy for Antenora to do the talking and flex her leadership capabilities.
[21:29] <Kotono> "We're travelling warriors who seek to enter Armasea," she answers. "We're not here to cause any trouble."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Hmph." The two get looked over, "There's no reason not to let you enter, but...you'd better keep out of trouble. If you're hiding something and get caught...the Lady Armasea is not likely to be amused."
[21:34] <Alicia> "We're loyal subjects of Lord Salman, have no fear," Alicia assures them, dismounting and walking her flying horse into the city.
[21:35] <Kotono> "Thank you," The guards let you head in. Just inside is a large public stable, stablehands staring at your horses. Past that are a few inns, then the city begins in earnest. "Well then...?" Antenora murmurs.
[21:38] <Alicia> "Lets reserve an inn so we can stable the pegasi and have somewhere to retire if we want to stick around till nighttime, then we'll start asking questions?" Alicia suggests, looking for the nicest seeming inn the town has.
[21:43] <Kotono> There are three inns nearby. The nicest looking one is the Owl Splitter and a room is procured with ease. Once that's done...OOC - Go ahead and make a gather info check? Antenora will assist.
[21:44] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[21:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 aid
06[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 aid and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[21:45] <Kotono> The afternoon burnsa way in a haze of walking, talking and fair few ale flumes from the various bars. No luck on a Esthan, though." As the afternoon approaches the nearpoinht of evening, "Nothing," Antenora says as you walk out of another tavern. "Not even a twitch."
[21:47] <Alicia> "Then we do what we did in Parsifal," Alicia suggests. "Come on, lets get to our room before our disguises wear off - this was the last one I can cast on you for today."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Yes." Thus the two head to the room. It's really rather a nice room, with a decent bed and goose down pillows. "Midnight sound good again," Antenora says once they're resting. "I can get a few hours of sleep before then so I'm fresh."
[21:51] <Alicia> "Won't be enough time for me to regain my spells, I'm afraid, but I should still have enough left to handle anything that crops up," Alicia notes as she removes her armour and then sits down to relax on the bed, not tired enough to sleep right now, anyway.
[21:54] <Kotono> Ante nora falls asleep next to Alicia without incident. The time passes, midnight coming. Once the hour strikes twelve, "Ready then?" Antenora asks.
[21:56] <Alicia> "Good to go," Alicia confirms, donning her armour and checking all her gear is in order. "We saw enough of the city today it should be easy enough to work out a systematic route to cover everywhere in good time."
[21:58] <Kotono> "Yes," Antenora readies her spear. Thus the two head out! They find thes treets are surprisingly well lit. Torches and lanterns at regular intervals, almost no shadows. You can see a patrol of four soldiers walking down the immediate street next to the inn.
[22:01] <Alicia> Hopefully she won't get recognised this far from Balmuria, although it's possible they'll get challenged anyway simply for being out so late. Oh, well, all they can do is lay low and not cause any trouble. At least until they run into any baatezu.
[22:03] <Kotono> THus they begin to walk. By the tim ethey pass to a second street, a patrol is coming their way. "Excuse us," They call, "What are you doing walking on thes treets in arm and armor?" It's four men, two polearms and two crossbows readied. They sound quite polite.
[22:07] <Kotono> "We're taking a walk. Isn't it normal to go out prepared, just in case?" Antenora says nicely enough.
06[22:07] * Alicia considers just pulling rank, but decides to see if Antenora can handle this herself.
[22:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 24."12 [1d20=17]
[22:09] <Kotono> "There's little need in Armasea. By tradition and law we have patrols on every street." His answer is stern, to the point. "While it's not illegal to carry weapons of your own at night, it will get you the attention of every patrol who sees you. If you get into the least bit of trouble, you'll be assumed to be at fault until proven otherwise."
[22:09] <Kotono> "I thank you for your concern, but this spear is like a third arm to me. I just feel wrong without it. Don't worry," Antenora smiles to him, "If all the guards are like you, then it won't be any imposition.
[22:09] <Kotono> "
[22:10] <Alicia> Since Antenora seems to have things covered, Alicia sees no need to intervene.
[22:11] <Kotono> "Be careful," He agrees, the group of guards moving past. As they do, 'That is an inconvience if they really dos top us every street. Can you hide our weapons?'
[22:12] <Alicia> 'Not really,' Alicia replies. 'Besides which, we need to be able to see your spear to find our prey. I could avoid the inconvenience by presenting myself at the garrison here, but word would spread quickly and likely tip off the one we seek. We'll just have to bear with it.'
[22:13] <Kotono> 'Right.' Antenora starts to walk then, 'At worst, if one wants to arrest us, you can clear it up.'
[22:17] <Kotono> Thush the two continue on...
[22:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
[22:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[22:18] <Kotono> A few more streets down, a few more guards talked out of it. Nothing yet, but Antenora keeps on leading.
[22:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[22:18] <Kotono> After persuading a third group to not make a hassle, you pass by the locked gate and drawbridge to the castle and inner keep of Armasea. There's no easy way to get in there, one can note, though Antenora keeps walking past it anyway.
[22:20] <Kotono> After that, the rest of the streets are swept as reasonably as possible.
[22:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23."12 [1d20=16]
[22:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[22:21] <Kotono> You've done a sweep of the entire city, returning to your room at the inn. "Nothing," Antenora shakes her head in vague irritation, "Not a single bit of light or anything."
[22:25] <Alicia> "It's possible we were sent on a false trail by Esthan spreading misinformation as he travelled," Alicia admits. "Do you want to stay around to investigate more tomorrow, or move on?"
[22:27] <Kotono> "I'd like to spend the morning asking about him again, then move on if we miss entirely," Is the final answer, after a few moments. Antenora goes back to the bed, taking off her stormy cloak and then working on her chain armor. "I know you need rest, and I could use some time to think, to see if anything else comes to mind. That and a bath," she says thoughtfully.
[22:28] <Alicia> "If I don't get my eight hours I'm just a complete wreck for the rest of the day," Alicia agrees in dry amusement as she strips down to her skivvies and slips into bed.
[22:29] <Kotono> The night passes peacefully. In the morning, after a decent meal of hot oatmeal, "Shall we," Antenora says.
[22:31] <Alicia> "Want to go incognito or not?" Alicia asks.
[22:31] <Kotono> "Mmmph. We may as well, if we haven't annoucned ourselves this far," Antenora says. "N ick me."
[22:32] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and make a gather info check too.
[22:32] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31."12 [1d20=19]
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 aid
06[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 aid and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
[22:39] <Kotono> You search up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right. Nothing at all. No sign of Esthan, no one reacting to the name in the least.
[22:39] <Alicia> "I think we've been had," Alicia tells Antenora after their exhaustive second round of intelligence gathering.
[22:40] <Kotono> "Bastard. He could be anywhere in the region now." Antenora deflates downward, "Further, this means that even if we find info on him again, it may just be more misdirection."
[22:42] <Alicia> "It's quite likely," the paladin agrees. "Realistically, the best we can hope for right now is to happen on him by chance. We have no leads at all."
[22:43] <Kotono> Antenora pauses, "FUCK." she snarls a moment, hitting her fist against her side. "We may as well go home then. We can at least be working on our other problem instead of messing with a dead end."
06[22:46] * Alicia gives the erinyes turned aasimar a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. "We dealt with the devil in Parsifal, so this wasn't a complete waste. And we know that Uatu is securely protected."
[22:47] <Kotono> "Small consolation to the next soul Esthan buys," she retorts fiercely, but then sighs. "I'm worried. He's from Nessus AND he's good enough to hide amid the population and travel freely. Unless he slips up or makes a move, we probably won't hear him again."
[22:50] <Alicia> "I'm not saying I like it," Alicia replies in a soothing tone, "But letting it get to you won't help anyone, either. How many other devils are running around that we don't even know about? Kortische's report mentioned a few, after all. But we can't get hung up on the ones we missed or never knew about - that's just a hole with no bottom."
[22:51] <Kotono> "Bleh. Now you sound like I imagine I should to you," With a tired moment, she runs a hand across her face. "You're right and I know you're right. It's still a frusturating pill to swallow. After finding out about Martinet, I wanted to catch hima nd squeeze information out of him."
[22:53] <Alicia> "More likely we'd just kill him in a heated battle. Most devils don't bother to surrender, after all. And even when we've managed to subdue them, they tend to be unhelpful." Alicia then cocks her head thoughtfully, "Not that I think simply killing him would in any way be a disappointment."
[22:54] <Kotono> "Oh no, but I have plenty of motivation to try and get him to talk," Antenora says, "And if he's a good little devil he'll have reports or orders or what have yo uon him. But still...alive or not, let's go home."
06[22:56] * Alicia nods. "We do have other matters to attend to, after all," she agrees, heading back to the inn to collect their mounts.
[20:33] <Kotono> ----
03[20:33] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:36] <Kotono> Pleasant days pass as spring blossoms and gushes. One morning finds Alicia with little to do. No duty today, a day of rest and freedom. Jessica's humming and fixing lunch, Antenora's off flying somewhere on watch. Really, it's very peaceful. "Sister," Jessica calls as she chops vegetables.
06[20:38] * Alicia comes in from the garden where she's simply been sitting and enjoying the morning sun. "What is it, Jessica?" she asks upon entering the kitchen, for once not wearing her armour. Although she still retains her usual black undershirt and leggings that she wears with her breastplate, seemingly ready to go at a moment's notice if necessary.
[20:41] <Kotono> Jessica's working away, chop-chopping. She keeps her gaze on that, working over a carrot. "When you first got here, did yo uever guard the entry gates or go on basic patrols? For the Crimson Guard, that is."
[20:43] <Alicia> "No," Alicia shakes her head as she leans on the dining table. "I've been attached to patrols outside the city once or twice, but I've never been on gate watch or walking the beat. They don't really use officers for that, even outside the Crimson Guard. Why the interest?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "Oh, I was talking to one of the new recruits to the guard. Morund, I think? He was leading a patrol and he mentioned that the first class of the Guard did things like that at first, and Commander Oberuth is repeating it for them." Glancing back at Alicia, "But you came in independantly, didn't you?"
[20:48] <Alicia> "That's right. I never trained at that academy or anything, I just happened to be passing through the United Baronies when I heard word of what you... Beth, had done. My plan was to go to Balmuria and investigate the matter, but I ran into Lord Salman en route."
[20:48] <Alicia> "He was impressed enough with my skills that he offered clemency in exchange for service, and thats how I joined the Crimson Guard." She looks thoughtful for a moment, "I think there were four originally, not counting the Commander, but Seira's the only one left - Demedais came in later as well."
03[20:49] * Ebiris_ (WinNT@user-5af1ccc2.tcl125.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:50] * Ebiris_ is now known as Ebiris
03[20:50] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
02[20:55] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af1ccc2.tcl125.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[20:55] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:57] <Kotono> "Yes. I heard about one of them - A Shamal? She died around the time of Kondrux. Then there was a countess who went back to Armasea. The last isn't talked about so much, for some reason." AS Jessica talks, there's a steady, loud knocking on the door. "Ah. Alicia, would you?"
[20:58] <Alicia> "Defected to Malmuth," Alicia fills Jessica in on the last one as she heads into the hallway and opens the front door.
[21:01] <Kotono> At the door is not trouble - thankfully. It's Pollyanna instead, wearing a contented smile. "Oh Alicia. Can we talk," she asks quickly.
[21:02] <Alicia> "Good morning, Pollyanna," Alicia gives the younger woman a smile in reply. "Come on in - from how you look I'll assume it's not trouble," she adds as she leads her to the kitchen.
[21:03] <Kotono> Once inside and with a glance to Jessica, "It's not. Alicia..." A blush covers her face, "HAve you ever...had any experience planning a wedding? Anything like that? You come from a good family, don't you?"
[21:06] <Alicia> "Ah, yes, as it happens," Alicia admits, blinking as she's somewhat caught off guard. "My sister-in-law and I don't really get along, so I didn't have much to do with that one, but I had plenty of first-hand experience with my own... wait a second..." she trails off, leaning towards Pollyanna. "You mean... you and Demedais are...?"
[21:06] <Kotono> Her blush grows, but Pollyanna nods back quickly. "And I have plenty of money for it too from that mercenary work with Rods."
[21:08] <Alicia> "Congratulations!" Alicia beams. "That's wonderful news - for both of you! Have you decided when?" she asks enthusiastically. Ah, young love... it does take her back.
[21:12] <Kotono> "Not yet. Maybe in the late summer or early fall..aaah." Smiling and blushing all the while, "I need some time. AFter all of this...I just want the nicest, happiest wedding you could imagine."
[21:15] <Alicia> "That gives lots of time to prepare, yes," Alicia nods, sitting down at the dining table and gesturing for Pollyanna to do the same. "Having it at Vigilance is probably a given, so I won't even bother talking up the services of my own church," she goes on wryly. "A fantastic dress should be easy enough for you to afford as well, although getting Demedais into something formal might take more convincing..."
03[21:18] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as Sierra_Comatose
[21:20] <Kotono> "Oh yes," She nods to the first bits, listening well. "A good dress, a brocade, good food, good drink, a celebration...bridesmaids." She thinks a minute, before smiling. "Yes, you can be one if you want. As for Demedais...I'm sure he'll go along with it once I explain things to him."
[21:25] <Alicia> "You only get married once," Ideally, "So he should be able to bear with it, yes. And I'd be happy to be a bridesmaid for you," Alicia accepts graciously. "Speaking of that, though - the guestlist. How big an event are you thinking?"
[21:28] <Kotono> Blushing again, "Big. I want to have a big, nice wedding. Very nice." He says this with determined energy, "All our friends will have to come. Jessica," Raising her voice to carry, "You can come too if you're listening! You can even invite that pixie thing I heard about and Antenora."
[21:30] <Alicia> "That's my familiar, I'll let her know," Alicia agrees, referring to Marie who's currently out and about on her own errands since it's a quiet day. "I'm glad you want a big one, though - considering how famous Demedais is, your wedding will likely get a lot of attention whether you like it or not. Planning it this way from the start makes things easier."
[21:30] <Kotono> "Oh! Congratulations too!" Jessica calls back, "I'll make you some lunch with us."
[21:31] <Kotono> "That too...and it's good security, just in case." With a slight frown, "It wouldn't do for some enemy to make trouble for us that day."
[21:33] <Alicia> "It would hardly be an auspicious start, no," Alicia agrees. "Though with all of the Crimson Guard and a good number of allies present, it would be foolhardy for anyone to try anything... loathe as I would be to fight in a bridesmaid's gown."
[21:50] <Kotono> "No worse than ball gowns," Pollyanna murmurs, but she doesn't pursue that. Instead, "Yes, that's why. Plus it will be such a happy day, won't it?"
[21:54] <Alicia> "It had better be," Alicia nods. "If the wedding goes poorly it's a very poor omen for the marriage itself." She then stops and cocks her head, "Fighting in a ball gown? There just has to be a story behind that."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Oh yes." Pollyanna smiles at that, "I remember now...Shamal and Lyselle. I heard the story." There's an odd pause there, before she lowers her voice. "It's about the time your sister...came to Balmuria."
[21:57] <Alicia> "Oh." Alicia takes the hint, letting the subject drop. "Well, nevermind that. Anyway, you might want to keep an eye on Demedais as the date gets closer - some men like to get a little bit wild right before they settle down. Demedais doesn't really strike me as the type, but there's always going to be someone who tries to instigate something. I'd say Donald, except they don't actually like each other very much."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Heh, heh." Thinking a moment, "A night of relevry...I'll have to remember that, yes. What, did it happen to you?"
[22:02] <Alicia> "Yes. Luckily Hans behaved himself... honestly, I think most men would, since otherwise they wouldn't be interested in marriage, anyway. But there were a few bawdy tales spread around about that evening..." she smiles fondly in recollection of simpler times. "Such parties seem more for the benefit of the groom's friends than anyone else, really."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Men." With a fond snort herself, "I doubt Demedais will get him into trouble. Frankly...he's been travelling with you, Alicia and Seira. Each of you is beautiful in your own ways. If he's not going to cheat by now..." With a long, surprisingly deep sigh out, "I think. I don't think he would."
[22:05] <Alicia> "Well, he's a paladin of Helm, so it doesn't get much more duty-bound than that. If he's making that sort of commitment to you, I'd take it as a given," Alicia reassures supportively.
[22:06] <Kotono> "Excellent." Going to sit down now at last, "I'm just excited. It's so much," she gushes, "I'd fallen for him so hard, but he'd always been so worried about his duty."
[22:10] <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia unfortunately has to turn to more pragmatic matters. "Maybe once the business with Daa-vid is finished he'll be able to settle down for real, but until then he's still going to be away a lot. But having a wife and home to return to might spur him on more than simple faith," she concludes with an upside, not wanting to truly rain on Pollyanna's parade.
[22:11] <Kotono> "I hope so...most men go mad just thinking of down there," Pollyanna coughs. "I hope between that and someone he loves and a good home it'll be enough to settle down one day. Or at least enough to have a good family. I know he'll probably have a busy exciting life no matter what."
[22:13] <Alicia> "I don't know. For some, at least, raising a family has more allure than any sort of excitement or adventure," Alicia replies wistfully. "And making the family could be more exciting, regardless," she adds with an amused grin.
[22:16] <Kotono> WIth a blush, "
[22:17] <Kotono> WIth a blush, "Yes I know. But..." A shake of her head, "I don't know. I just suspect that's what's in the cards."
[22:19] <Alicia> "Well, once it does, you do what you can to keep him home," Alicia declares firmly, leaning forward on the table towards Pollyanna. "Even if you're fine with letting Demedais go running off for weeks at a time, a child shouldn't be deprived of their father."
[22:21] <Kotono> "Well..." Pollyanna blushes, "Or their mother, since I know I want to go with him sometimes."
[22:24] <Alicia> "Well, that's your decision to make," Alicia relents a bit. "But if I were you I'd get the wanderlust out of my system before starting a family."
[22:25] <Kotono> "Perhaps so, yes. But it's not wanderlust entirely." Leaning back, "I know Demedais will need to go out at least occasionally. I'd rather fight with him than pine over him and hope he comes back unhurt. All the tales...the falls, beaten by a giant fire elemental, shocked nearly to death, stabbed, burnt, slashed, bitten, clawed, hexed, cursed and more."
[22:28] <Alicia> "It is pretty dangerous out there, yes," Alicia acknowledges. "At least he feels comfortable enough to be honest with you about all that, though. I'm not sure being ignorant would really be better, considering what you might imagine."
[22:31] <Kotono> "Yeah. I went with him to the Barbarian lands recently. The giant we fought there..." Pollyanna takes a moment to let herself shiver. "He towered over us and fought like a score of men instead of just one."
[22:32] <Alicia> "I ran into them, myself, although I didn't have to fight any. On that last excursion to the ruins, though, we had to fight over a half dozen frost giants. Horrible things, they were," she idly rubs her ribs where she took that horrendous axing.
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yes. The one we fought used poison of some sort as well. It's spear numbed Demedais fiercely. Helm help us if they ever come towards Balmuria," With that Pollyanna nods sympathetically.
[22:36] <Alicia> "I don't think there's enough there to really threaten the city, and they seem to know well enough not to cause too much trouble or else they'll have everyone trying to bring them down," Alicia states with some confidence.
[22:37] <Kotono> "Good." Sitting back now and closing her eyes, "There's always the devils, too."
[22:39] <Alicia> "Yes..." Alicia wonders if Pollyanna knows about Esthan, but decides it's not her place to say. Demedais told her and Antenora, so he's clearly not protecting the fiend, after all. "But how did we get onto these unpleasant subjects when we were discussing your nuptials?" she tactfully returns to the original purpose of the conversation.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Good question. Now..." Closing her eyes, "Silk. I think I want silk. Real silk for a wedding gown. Don't you think that would be lovely?"
[22:44] <Alicia> "Very elegant," Alicia agrees warmly. And the cost is really not an issue at all for her, anyway. "I picked up some silk clothes in the Desert Fiefdoms when I was passing through there, but I wound up selling them because I was trying to travel light at the time." Plus they were a bit more showy than she likes, but a gift is a gift. "Felt very nice to wear, though."
[22:49] <Kotono> "Yes. It would be nice to wear good clothes instead of just mundane things like armor. It gets tiring, doesn't it? In fact, I think this is the second time I've seen you not in armor."
[22:52] <Alicia> "Considering I actually do get attacked in my own home from time to time, it's just prudent..." Alicia looks somewhat irritated. "Makes me glad I went to the trouble of getting it made of mithral, since wearing a steel breastplate all the time would be a tremendous pain. I'm probably taking a chance even doing this, but I wanted to relax, today."
06[22:52] * Alicia smooths out her shirt over her belly and leans back as if to emphasise her state of increased relaxation.
[22:54] <Kotono> That gets Pollyanna to sigh. "I feel bad for you. All you're doing is defending us from horrors beyond our world, but you're in constant danger because of it."
[22:56] <Alicia> "It is annoying that I'm not even safe in my own home," Alicia admits with a sigh of her own. "Still, between myself, Antenora, Marie, and even Jessica, it's a lot harder for anyone to sneak in than it used to be, and we're quite capable of fending off any attacks."
[22:58] <Kotono> "Indeed...say, speaking of her, will she be around. I've wanted to meet her." Pollyanna speaks up. "A little flying girl would be another thing I'd never thought I'd see."
[23:01] <Alicia> "I think she's at the temple, next door," Alicia gestures in the direction of her church. "Since she's actually from Mystra's divine realm, she's fairly popular there. You'd probably like her, though. She's an archer, too," the paladin smiles. "Had to enchant her bow quite heavily for those toothpick little arrows to do much good, though."
[20:32] <Kotono> ---------JUNGLE KO hides here--
05[20:32] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:32] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.135.18) has joined #dunes
03[20:32] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:39] <Kotono> The days begin to pass by as Alicia rests. One evening, after dinner, Alici ahas a knock on her room's door. "Alicia," Antenora calls, rapping.
06[20:42] * Alicia wouldn't be resting in her bedroom unless it actually was bedtime, so clearly she must be doing something else. Probably cleaning it up. Regardless, she's here, and her visitor is not, so she offers a simple solution to this dilemma. "Come on in," she calls, setting aside some sheets she'd been folding.
[20:45] <Kotono> Antenora enters. She closes the door behind her, "I needed to talk to you about something," she says, coming right to the point and approaching.
06[20:48] * Alicia sits down primly on the bed and pats the mattress beside her. "You know my door's always open. What's wrong?" she asks with a concerned look towards the erinyes.
[20:49] <Kotono> Antenora sits as well. "It's nothing impo...well, I suppose this much money is important, but it's more of speculation." Sitting next to Alicia, "Lately I've come into a lot of money from our various trials...but I find myself at loose ends on what to spend it on. I've had one idea, but the costs are quite high."
[20:52] <Alicia> "Well, it's your money. Almost all of mine goes towards improving my equipment so I'm better able to survive future trials, and there's nothing frivolous about that even if the amounts involved are certainly vast." Pulling one of her legs up slightly so she can turn towards Antenora, she asks, "What did you have in mind, then?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "Enhancing my rope to be able to entangle etherial creatures. I remember the struggles we had against the Deathshriekers." Looking downward, "Countess Stronger's assisstant said it would be extremely expensive and just on this side of possible."
[20:57] <Alicia> "Really? I know making a sword able to touch such creatures without fail is a rather rudimentary enhancement, I'm surprised it would be so much more difficult to apply to a rope. You're right, though," she nods, "The Deathshriekers were horrendously difficult to deal with, and preparing for similar foes in the future only makes sense."
[20:58] <Kotono> "I was thinking of having them be made solid while entangled entirely," Antenora answers. "That's why."
[21:02] <Alicia> "Ah!" Alicia's face lights up in a smile. "Yes, that would certainly be a big difference - a solid ghost wouldn't be able to fly or phase through walls, you'd be able to keep it entangled with your own... gifts at rope use," Alicia finds herself glad Marie isn't around to make the obvious comment, "And it would be an easy target for anyone else to hit. The appeal is very understandable."
[21:05] <Kotono> "Yes." Looking ahead, "Oddly, I've remained able to entangle with the best of them. I should take advantage of this," Antenora says, looking ahead now. "I wanted to ask if you had any other ideas, though."
[21:11] <Alicia> "Well, I was somewhat more pedestrian and defensive with my purchases. An amulet of natural armour and an improvement to my armour that makes near-fatal hits like that giant inflicted - I can't do much if I'm constantly forced on the defensive, after all, and it was becoming clear that I needed the help. Likewise, this blindfold," she taps her black headband, "Is just the thing for when the next dogai appears."
[21:11] <Alicia> "If you're already confident in your defences - which would be a fair assessment from what I've seen, then there's no real harm in going for an exotic and specific countermeasure for a particular foe. You might not get much use out of it most of the time, but when you do use it, it'll really stand out and make your life far easier."
[21:11] <Alicia> *that giant inflicted less likely
[21:18] <Kotono> "That's one way to think of it," Antenora agrees. She goes quiet for a little after that. "That's also not why I came here, Alicia. Not entirely."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Well, go on," Alicia gestures invitingly, currently all ears.
[21:21] <Kotono> "I've been thinking. Does...being angry make your paladin's code hard to maintain?"
[21:30] <Alicia> "Hmmm... it's a tough question," Alicia admits as she thoughtfully considers it, recalling what she tried to get across to the followers of Torm. "Being angry, by itself, doesn't conflict with the code. In fact, I could be the most hateful and pitiless woman on earth - in my head - and it still wouldn't conflict with my code so long as I kept my feelings bottled up and continued to behave in the manner expected."
[21:30] <Alicia> "The code is very much about *what* you do, not *why* you do it. But at the same time, it's supposed to serve as an affirmation of my honest devotion to a set of ideals that govern my behaviour. While it's possible to follow the code to the letter without really clinging to any of the reasons behind it, it just seems pointless that anyone would bother."
[21:30] <Alicia> Pausing a moment, Alicia smiles and shakes her head, "I went a bit away from your actual question there, forgive me - with all that we've learned about Torm, I admit it's a subject I've been pondering. To answer your question succinctly; yes. Being angry does present more challenge to maintaining my code, but it is not an insurmountable challenge by any means. Hard does not mean impossible, afeter all."
02[21:37] * NeremWorld (~Ari@pool-71-170-78-109.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (thundarr.dejatoons.net scifi-classics.dejatoons.net)
02[21:37] * tiredofthis (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (thundarr.dejatoons.net scifi-classics.dejatoons.net)
02[21:37] * Aya (~Laggy@adsl-68-126-176-255.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) Quit (thundarr.dejatoons.net scifi-classics.dejatoons.net)
02[21:37] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (thundarr.dejatoons.net scifi-classics.dejatoons.net)
02[21:37] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.135.18) Quit (thundarr.dejatoons.net scifi-classics.dejatoons.net)
Session Close: Mon Jun 23 21:40:00 2008
Session Start: Mon Jun 23 21:40:00 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[21:40] * Disconnected
02[21:41] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[21:41] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[21:41] * Topic is 'Nihasa > Blonde > Brunette > Inuga > Demara'
03[21:41] * Set by Ebiris on Sun Jun 22 23:20:08
03[21:41] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[21:42] <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia answers without hesitating. "Despite your origins, you've shown all the commitment to fight injustice that any paladin could ask for. And you've shown that your word is beyond reproach, so I do not think that you would shirk any of your obligations should you choose to shoulder them. If this is what you want, Antenora, you have my full and proud support."
[21:43] <Kotono> Antenora looks up, smiling. "I'd hoped you'd say that..."s he murmurs to Alicia warmly. "I still haven't decided, quite, but..."
[21:46] <Alicia> "Well, let me know - there is more to being a paladin than simply having a good heart, but I'd be happy to train you in all that's required," Alicia reaches over to clasp Antenora's hand and give it a warm squeeze. "If it were anyone else I'd mandate all sorts of horrible tests to make sure they were ready and committed, but after all we've been through they'd be entirely superflous."
[21:47] <Kotono> The squeeze is returned, "I know. I don't worry about the tests...I worry about what they'll do to try and make us fail...or fall."
[21:49] <Alicia> "Well, if some fiend does come under a mask of peace to try and corrupt you, you'll know all the tricks, won't you?" Alicia replies amusedly. "To be honest, I don't think any devils would even risk the attempt on either of us, now. They'd be too scared of ending up just like you."
[21:51] <Kotono> "Don't do that," Antenora says quietly. "Do you think that they won't come up with better ways to try and defeat us? They've had eternity to come up with diabolical plots...and only one needs to work."
[21:54] <Alicia> "Perhaps so," Alicia acknowledges, her demeanour turning more serious. "That means we have to be better than they are. Always and forever. A daunting prospect, but don't you think it's inspiring, too?"
[21:58] <Kotono> "It could be," Antenora agrees quietly, still being thoughtful. "It could be." To that she gets up, "Thank you, Alicia."
[21:59] <Alicia> "You're very welcome," Alicia replies as she likewise stands up.
[22:01] <Kotono> "Oh." Antenora stops a moment, "Where was Marie, by th eway?"
[22:04] <Alicia> "She asked me to change her into an aasimar so she could go for a walk without getting as much attention. That was about half an hour ago," Alicia replies. "Why? Miss her?"
[22:06] <Kotono> Making a slightly exaggerated face, "No. I was more thankful because she'd have surely shot off her mouth if she was here."
[22:08] <Alicia> "She'd probably have started complaining the minute you mentioned getting a method to better combat incorporeal foes, I think," Alicia returns dryly. "Would you prefer if I didn't mention it to her?"
02[22:10] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.135.18) Quit (Broken pipe)
[22:14] <Kotono> "Indeed," Antenora flashes a momentary smile before leaving Alicia's room.
[22:23] <Kotono> ---
[21:03] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> ---
03[21:05] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[21:07] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> The message that waits for Alicia is simple. It was delivered by page again, bearing a single short note: Come to the Luna Del Stronger. Nothing overtly unusual about that, really. It comes in the afternoon, after the day's labors are winding down. On arriving, Alicia finds Elle there, sipping tea and paging through a leather bound tome.
[21:08] <Alicia> "Good afternoon, Elle," Alicia greets the redhead pleasantly, "I got your note."
[21:10] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> With a casual rap of her knuckles, Elle hits the side of the leatherbound book. "Where'd you get this ward? It's a few cuts above the average."
[21:13] <Alicia> "The Keeper of Knowledge, on the second level of Mount Celestia," Alicia answers honestly. "It seems our mysterious - though still sadly nameless - foe has caused her share of problems in the past, as well."
[21:13] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> "Like a bad copper that keeps turning up?" Countess Stronger grimaces, "I see. How urgently do you need this?"
[21:17] <Alicia> "I wouldn't say it's pivotal right now - I don't plan on taking any further action until Seira returns and she can track down her aunt, but having them ready sooner is obviously preferable," Alicia admits after a moment's thought.
[21:17] <Alicia> "On a somewhat related note, she seems to have a notable weakness to spells that pierce illusions - True Seeing was specifically mentioned. I'm not sure if it's a spell you or Alice can cast, but would you have any idea of where scrolls of it could be acquired?"
[21:18] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> "Alright. There's one issue there I need to talk-hm?" Elle suddenly looks at Alicia a little oddly, "As a matter of fact, I do. It's funny, I was going to send you there once all this resolved for that favor."
[21:20] <Alicia> "Well, we can get to that in a second - what did you need to talk to me about, first?" Alicia asks, content to get Elle's issues dealt with first.
[21:20] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> Elle bites her lip before she answers. "The notable component, the tears? Did you want me to get them from an animal like you told Alice?"
06[21:22] * Alicia shrugs openly. "That was just an off the cuff suggestion, I'm no expert on crafting magic items - whatever you think works best probably is best, Elle."
[21:23] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> "As a rule for these sort of things, the stronger the creature you use the better. I have some ideas for it. The best would be getting the happiest, strongest creature you can think of to donate, though. At worst...I'll probably summon something that suffices."
[21:26] <Alicia> "Irritatingly enough, Marie really would have been perfect if she hadn't fallen victim to that same aura of despair. She's still as obnoxiously cheerful as ever, but since she's experienced despair now then she doesn't fit the bill," Alicia admits. Thinking on it further, "There were some pixies I ran into in Pallanth who might qualify, but that's some ways off."
[21:27] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> "Pixies can't work. I was thinking about trying to summon an eladrin, as they're perfect for it," Elle nods to herself, "If you're willing to go allt he way to Pallanth, I can try those as well. Really...I'm more concerned with this ward working than anything else."
[21:28] <Ko-HuntforAcrina> *Can
03[21:28] * Ko-HuntforAcrina is now known as Kotono
[21:30] <Alicia> "Well, lets look at it this way," Alicia considers, "How much extra would you charge for having to summon something yourself, compared with the price of two teleport scrolls? Since it'd take well over a month to get there and back by boat, and I don't want to waste that much time."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Yeah. Economics wins, then." Elle nods to herself. "Alright, I'll look into it. As for the other thing? Alicia, you've occasinally found things in your wandering that are...odd, haven't you?"
[21:34] <Alicia> "You've bought a few of them," Alicia points out easily enough.
[21:35] <Kotono> Elle laughs. "Yes. This one can't really be bought, though. Now then..." Closing her eyes a moment, "Before I settled here, I had my days where I lived as an adventurer and wanderer. As we know, it's a highly overrated profession unless you want money and life threatening danger. Still, it does have occasional perks and things to make it more worthwhile." (More)
[21:38] <Kotono> "I'd swung north of Balmuria towards Armsea and Pilltain. I'd been seeing a lot of plains lately and I figured more diverse scenery would be pleasant. Plus, a nasty little spat there had just settled out again so there would be opportunities. Anyway, while climbing a mountain path, I happened to stop to eat and do some reading. I cast detect magic by chance...and found a segment of the path wall radiated magic."
[21:39] <Alicia> "An illusion or trap?" Alicia asks, settling in to listen to the story.
[21:39] <Kotono> "Investigation showed that it was an illusionary wall that lead into a cave. Being the typical adventurerous sort, I didn't think that perhaps it was best left alone. Oh no, I went in headlong." With her own chuckle again, "Aaah. It's there I met him. Or her. Or it. I was never quite sure on that part."
[21:41] <Kotono> "You see, deeper inside was the blasted remnants of a wizard's tower, as well as a curious man...and then it was a dwarf, then a dog...and so on. Whatever it was liked to mutter to itself, but it didn't seem to be any danger to me, so I started searching around. I pegged it as a wizard's tower that went sour, so why not?"
[21:42] <Alicia> "So... some sort of insane polymorphing... thing?" Alicia hazards, trying to picture it.
[21:43] <Kotono> "Close enough. Ask your familiar to try and describe something so chaotic it can't hold a single form for long. That's close enough, I suppose." After a moment, "When I started, the thing went ballistic, naturally." Elle grimaces there, "It said it wouldn't let a commoner pillage his tower...how it tried to attack, so I defended myself by magic missiling him in the face. It hurt him, but it also made it stop. It took the form of a young man a
[21:43] <Kotono> It hurt him, but it also made it stop. It took the form of a young man and grinned at me. He said he was fine if it was another wizard then." (More)
[21:45] <Kotono> "To get to the point, I spent the next few days with it. It is some sort of wizard and/or sorcerer. Yes, I'm not sure which. It ried to figure it out. Oh, did I try." Holding her head and rubbing her temples a moment, "Anyway, whatever it is, it calls itself Sevren. It's completely and utterly insane, but it's some form of spellcaster."
[21:47] <Kotono> "It has one goal - to recreate it's tower. I helped it a bit in exchange for getting to look at it's...'spellbook'," Elle makes finger quotes there, before rubbing her temple again. "There was some sound magical theory in there, b ut only fragments. It had been altered into something I couldn't really follow. But...he seemed to have a way to combine structured and freeform magic in a narrow niche to achieve remarkable results."
[21:50] <Kotono> "In particular, he can produce...scrolls, sort of. Anyone who can manage magic can use them, and they're often of advanced things within his niche. This includes True Seeing, as his niche is illusion, riddles and general chaos. He's great in that narrow range and almost incompetent anywhere else."
[21:51] <Alicia> "Hmm... I have heard of advanced methods of spell preparation that wizards can employ to prepare more spells than normal by sacrificing their higher level repertoire, and a technique for sorcerers that's something of the same concept in reverse, but only in passing," Alicia considers. "So he's still there? Randomly shapechanging and puttering around his ruined tower?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Now then!" Elle takes a moment to take a breath, "I'd traded him a bit of aid in exchange for scrolls once in awhile." she goes on, stopping as Alicia speaks. "It's not ruined anymore. I got word recently that he finished it and he had something for me as thanks. But...I'd been there a few times and he wanted someone new to see his 'artwork'."
[21:52] <Alicia> "So that's the favour you wanted of me? Just to visit your friend?" Alicia blinks. "There has to be a catch."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Oh yes. That's why I don't want to do it myself and why I'm so happy to pass it onto someone else and accept his request for someone else to see his 'artwork'. While it's not dangerous, the path into his abode is now full of riddles, oddities and...difficulties. Imagine a ruin, take out all the danger and replace it with demented riddles, illusions, traps and Mystra what have you."
[21:55] <Alicia> "Oh... well, Marie would certainly have fun with all that," Alicia nods glumly. She doesn't let the frown last, though, since it sounds like a potentially very productive endeavour. "So how do you get there?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "I'm going to teleport you there," Elle says brightly, "Then I'm going to go home and have a lovely cup of wine while you pay back your favor to me and pick up that gift once you get to Sevren. Marie will have fun with it, and I'd recommend that you bring your sense of humor, too. A big one."
06[21:57] * Alicia puts on a brave face. "Can't be worse than those pixies," she declares.
[21:58] <Kotono> "Right." Elle says, her hand going over her face. "I'd bring my weapons, but you shouldn't need them, I think. Still, just in case..." Shaking her head after a moment, "Going to bring anyone but yourself and your familiar?"
[21:59] <Alicia> "Might as well limit the exposure," Alicia shakes her head. "Once I've finished how will I get back?"
[22:00] <Kotono> "I'll even provide you with a scroll of teleport to return." After a moment, "Trust me, it'll be the least I can do."
[22:00] <Alicia> "You *really* don't want to go back there, do you?" Alicia aks suspiciously.
[22:01] <Kotono> Elle stands up, going to the scroll racks. Taking a scroll, she passes it to Alicia and places it against her chest. "Got it in one. Mystra listened to my prayers on this for once, glory be to her."
[22:02] <Alicia> "She's very receptive, it seems," Alicia notes dryly as she inserts the rolled up scroll into her bandolier. "Want to come along to my house so I can pick up my familiar and then send us on our way?"
[22:03] <Kotono> "Certainly. Let's be off," Elle stands up. OOC - Skip along?
[22:03] <Alicia> OOC: by all means
[22:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:04] <Kotono> OOc - Fire up the miko hate cannon?
03[22:04] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@62.136.24.227) has joined #dunes
03[22:04] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[22:04] <Kotono> OOc - Fire up the miko hate cannon?
[22:04] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=54 ]4,0{54}
[22:05] <Kotono> You appear on a long and narrow mountain path. The air is slightly thin, the afternoon winds whipping by with a surprising energy. It's cool up here - but you appear facing a long, tall and vast rockface on the side of the path. Elle gestures towards it, "Just walk on in," she says. "Good luck."
[22:07] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia replies gracefully. She owes Elle, after all. "Hopefully I'll see you soon." And with that, she walks towards the wall, Marie giving a friendly wave as she follows her mistress.
[22:07] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=46 ]4,0{46}
[22:09] <Kotono> Elle vanishes with a few arcane words! After, the two head right into the wall! It's like walking through air and into a cave. A tall and vast cave, a cave that goes on longer than you can see immediately, as it's rather dark. However, as you enter, you can hear a trumpet sound. Amid this, the the cavern is filled with light. Ahead thirty feet is a stone wall that blocks further progress. It's painted in bands of white and black. There's a do
[22:09] <Kotono> It's painted in bands of white and black. There's a door set into it, and besides it there is a full body mirror. This mirror is held up on one side by an angel's statue and on the other side by a fiend's statue.
06[22:10] * Alicia walks up to the door and pauses before opening it, taking a glance at the mirror which she half expects will show something not at all matching reality.
[22:12] <Kotono> The door has writing on it. Written in tiny black and white text is: Apperances are boring! Don't you agree? Let's all wear a mask and head forthright into a beautiful costume party! The mirror is a shiny glass mirror, though your reflections ar ea bit fuzzy on a glance. You'd have to squint and stare at the mirror to make them out.
[22:13] <Alicia> "We should probably play along," Alicia muses, though she finds that her familiar is way ahead of her, Marie having floated off her head and practically pressed her nose against the mirror as she tries to see her reflection more clearly.
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100 Marie
[22:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Marie --> 6,0[ 1d100=85 ]4,0{85}
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100 Alicia
[22:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d100=39 ]4,0{39}
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d100 Alicia reroll
[22:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Alicia reroll --> 6,0[ 1d100=52 ]4,0{52}
[22:17] <Kotono> In the reflection, you can see a tall Astral Deva pressing her nose into the glass. Behind her is a fair skinned human lass, with blonde hair like silk and a ponytail. Oddly after a moment, that's what's in front of the mirror too, as if it's reflecting the truth.
[22:18] <Alicia> "Hahaha!" Marie laughs uproariously at the change, while the once again youthened Alicia gives her a flat look.
[22:18] <Alicia> "You can forget any ideas about sitting on my head while you're looking like that," she tells her familiar primly.
[22:19] <Alicia> "I could give you a piggyback ride!" Marie goes on gleefully while Alicia just snorts and opens the door.
[22:21] <Kotono> The door opens with ease. As it does, you can hear a faraway laugh. "Come in, come in!" A old woman's voice calls, "We can have a lovely party today!" Past the door is a small room with a merchant's scale and several colored coins lying in front of it.
06[22:22] * Alicia enters the room and briefly looks around for further exits before graviating towards the merchant's scale.
[22:22] <Kotono> There's a door to the west and it has a glass window set into it.
06[22:24] * Alicia picks up one of the coins and inspects it while Marie strolls over to peek through the western window.
[22:26] <Kotono> There are eigh coins. A yellow coin, a blue coin, a green coin, a red coin, a violet coin, a rainbow colored coin, an orange coin and an indigo colored coin. Engraved on the base of the scale is: I'm looking to balance the cost of the legendary spell against it's sum. Out the window, Marie can see what looks to be a water filled cavern. Swimming about on giant sea horses are sea elves, wielding little clubs and chasing each other.
[22:28] <Alicia> "Prismatic spray!" Alicia exclaims, promptly putting the rainbow coloured coin on one scale end and the remaining seven on its opposite. It's even a seventh circle spell.
[22:31] <Kotono> Click! On placing all the coins in place, the western door turns to solid stone! As it does, you can distantly hear, "What the deuce? We were up ten to seven, you blackguard!" One of the sea elves shouts out towards the vanishing door, the view of the water gone. The eastern wall melts away in the meantime, a cool stony fluid that dampens the floor. Ahead is a large room full of indigo colored mushrooms, with a door on the opposite side. A pl
[22:31] <Kotono> with a door on the opposite side. A plaque emerges up where the wall was through the floor.
[22:33] <Alicia> "You made them mad," Marie reprimands amusedly. "They even called you a blackguard," she adds with a snicker.
[22:33] <Alicia> "Well, I'm sure that was the right answer to the riddle," Alicia replies defensively, going over to read the plaque.
[22:34] <Kotono> It's quite a long plaque, reading the following, "REality is in the eye of the beholder? But you know what, I never liked that saying. To the Gehennan wastes with those eye tyrants! I shall ascend into heaven to deny their narrow mono-view of reality! Down with casuality! We shall have 13'oclock to spite the tyrants!"
[22:37] <Alicia> "Mono-view? But they're probably the most multi-viewed things around! Only hydras and horrible freakish gibbering creatures of pure chaos have more eyes!" Marie exclaims. "Still, spiting tyrants sounds good to me," she adds more reasonably.
[22:37] <Alicia> "Yes..." Alicia gives her familiar an odd look, deciding to cast detect poison on the mushrooms before advancing.
[22:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
[22:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{4}
[22:40] <Alicia> "Anyway, the mushrooms are poisonous, so don't eat them. Or touch them, for that matter." They could be contact poison, after all. Casting fly, Alicia floats a few feet over the mushrooms towards the far door, while Marie puts her new feathered wings to use in following.
[22:41] <Kotono> OOC - Would both of you make a spot check?
[22:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 Alicia
[22:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{17}
[22:42] <Alicia> OOC: is Marie polymorphed or just illusioned into her new form?
[22:42] <Kotono> OOC: Illusioned. Use her default values.
[22:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 Marie
[22:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0Marie --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{6}
[22:45] <Alicia> "Hmm, wait a second. Does that look like a beholder's eye to you?" Alicia asks her familiar. "I wonder if we should do something with it before proceeding." Idly, she looks around for any clocks she might set to the thirteenth hour.
[22:46] <Kotono> Alicia doesn't see any clocks or anything around.
[22:48] <Alicia> "Well, we're ascending to the heavens, right? You've even got a beautiful deva to accompany you, so I'd say that part's satisfied," Marie points out. "I don't really know how to make causality go down or change the time, though."
[22:50] <Alicia> "Oh, I know - toss up a dancing light above the centre of the room but shift it a little bit down and to the left, like it's the sun an hour after noon, and the mushrooms can be a sundial of some sort. That way he can't fault us for not trying," Alicia asks her familiar, who dutifully complies, before the paladin goes to try and open the far door.
[22:53] <Kotono> The orb of light appears! As it floats over the mushrooms, it casts it's light down. However, this quickly becomes unrelevant! As it floats there, the mushrooms all seem to shudder! Their caps burst off as they gush clusters of spores upward! Everything a few feet above the mushrooms is covered in a momentary, fading burst of spores, whilst everything below that isn't even dusted.
[22:54] <Alicia> Well that probably covers Alicia's lower legs. And possibly Marie's if her deva legs are real. "I suppose that didn't work..." Alicia observes, floating a bit higher.
[22:55] <Kotono> OOC - Did you go outright into the field above, or had you hung back?
[22:56] <Alicia> OOC: I stopped when I noticed the beholder eye pattern, however far I got at that point.
[22:56] <Kotono> OOC: I'll say you didn't get into it then. Carry on.
[22:56] <Kotono> After a few moments, the caps on the mushrooms begin to regrow.
[22:58] <Alicia> "It looks like we need to do something else before it'll let us safely proceed," Alicia murmurs, eyeing the regrowing mushrooms. "But I have no idea what."
[22:59] <Kotono> The mushrooms regrow, regaining their caps. As you talk, there is a thumping against the western wall.
[23:00] <Alicia> "We could just try to fly right over the spores - I could even make them explode again at a low level with the dancing light so there's no risk of them hitting us," Marie suggests helpfully. She then glances at the other side of the room. "Sounds like someone's still mad at the blackguard."
[23:00] <Alicia> "Might as well do it, then," Alicia nods, having no clue what this riddle means and gesturing forward as Marie sticks a dancing light amidst the mushrooms just a few inches off the ground.
[23:01] <Kotono> The light appears in the pattern of mushrooms...but in the beholder's eye no spores gush forth. Meanwhile, there's another thump on the western wall. "You scalawag!" can be very distantly heard. "I bet you're stuck now!"
[23:03] <Alicia> Marie starts to slowly lift the light up a few inches at a time, stopping when it's at the same level as last time or when the spores explode, whichever comes first.
[23:03] <Kotono> At about the same level as last time, the mushrooms explode again! Spores come forth, filling the air above the mushrooms, but nothing going below that point.
[23:04] <Alicia> There is enough room to fly over them, right?
[23:04] <Kotono> There's plenty of room to fly over mushrooms, though you'd have to be in the radius where the spores just recently filled the air.
[23:05] <Alicia> *fly over the floating spores
[23:06] <Kotono> The floating spores go from a few feet above the mushrooms to the ceiling.
[23:08] <Alicia> "Okay, we're going- I'm going to have to crawl under them. You can go incorporeal, so go scoot over and open the door from the other side, will you?" Alicia asks as she gets down on her belly and proceeds to quickly shuffle towards the far door, while Marie turns incorporeal and zips straight through the spores and then the door, reverting to her deva form on the other side.
[23:10] <Kotono> This works well enough. No spores gush out and the door is opened! Ahead is a tiny room with two plaques on the wall, one hanging next to each other. Another door is ahead, with chains and locks all over it.
06[23:11] * Alicia goes and reads both plaques.
[23:12] <Kotono> The first reads, "Did you figure it out? If you walked through the eye of the beholder, you're not so stupid! If you didn't, well, the hallucinations arne't permanent! Enjoy!" The second plaque reads, "A good entrance deserves an encore, don't you think?"
[23:14] <Alicia> "I didn't figure it out, but it seems like I avoided the bad end, anyway," Alicia casts a dubious look back towards the room. "But doesn't an encore just risk running things into the ground?" she then looks over the chained and locked door, wondering how easy it would be to kick down.
[23:15] <Kotono> It looks amazingly sturdy. It's of very thick wood and the chains are inches thick and made of solid steel at least.
06[23:16] * Alicia looks around for anything else in this room that she might be able to interact with or use before tackling the door.
02[23:21] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@62.136.24.227) Quit (betamax.dejatoons.net atarians.dejatoons.net)
02[23:23] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[23:27] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[23:27] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@62.136.24.227) has joined #dunes
03[23:27] * atarians.dejatoons.net sets mode: +v Rei-chan
02[23:33] * Aya (~Laggy@adsl-68-126-176-255.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[23:34] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[23:36] <Anastasia> There's nothing but the two plaques and the door on a glance. OOC - You can make a search or spot check if you wish.
[23:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 why not
[23:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0why not --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{5}
[23:36] <Alicia> "Maybe it wants us to go out then come back in?" Marie suggests. "We can try and get different disguises from that mirror!"
[23:36] <Alicia> "Well... okay, couldn't hurt," Alicia shrugs, heading back out and making sure to walk over the mushroom patch and ensuring her familiar does the same as they head back to the mirror.
[23:36] <Anastasia> Alicia looks about. She doesn't see anything else of note.
[23:36] <Anastasia> THus the two head back to the mirror! It stands there, blurry on first glance...!
[23:36] <Anastasia> roll 1d100 Alicia
[23:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Anastasia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d100=3 ]4,0{3}
[23:36] <Anastasia> roll 1d100 Not Alicia.
[23:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Anastasia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Not Alicia. --> 6,0[ 1d100=13 ]4,0{13}
[23:36] <Anastasia> In the mirror are two women. The one wearing armor and a double sword is now a dwarf woman, stumpy and stout. Besides her floats a little imp, pitchfork and all.
[23:36] <Alicia> "Um... lets try again?" Alicia suggests, gathering a rapid nod from her familiar.
[23:36] <Alicia> "Yes, lets!" the little imp agrees, the two turning away from the mirror by mutual consent and counting to five before they try examining it again.
[23:36] <Anastasia> roll 1d100 Alicia
[23:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Anastasia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d100=75 ]4,0{75}
[23:36] <Anastasia> roll 1d100 Not Alicia.
[23:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Anastasia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0Not Alicia. --> 6,0[ 1d100=86 ]4,0{86}
[23:36] <Anastasia> Alicia now appears as a human woman with bright red hair and an adventuresome look on her face. Marie looks like an elf with hair of fire, a Firre to her knowing look.
[23:36] <Alicia> "Acceptable," Alicia nods.
[23:36] <Alicia> "We could be redheaded sisters, kinda!" Marie adds brightly, the two now heading back for an encore of their entrance.
[20:42] <Alicia> [21:29] <Anastasia> Alicia now appears as a human woman with bright red hair and an adventuresome look on her face. Marie looks like an elf with hair of fire, a Firre to her knowing look.
[20:42] <Alicia> [21:30] <Alicia> "Acceptable," Alicia nods.
[20:42] <Alicia> [21:30] <Alicia> "We could be redheaded sisters, kinda!" Marie adds brightly, the two now heading back for an encore of their entrance.
05[20:42] -thundarr.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:42] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.129.129) has joined #dunes
03[20:42] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:44] <Kotono> A bit of walking and a bit of crawling returns the three to the room with the chained door. The chains are stil there, the door still looking entirely stout.
[20:46] <Alicia> "Well, so much for the encore. Time for plan B," Alicia announces as she gives the door a good solid kick.
[20:46] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 strength check
06[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 strength check and gets 23."12 [1d20=17]
[20:46] <Kotono> Alicia's foot kicks hard...and goes straight through the door. LIterally, as if it wasn't there.
[20:47] <Alicia> "Okay, illusions. Of course, should have figured that out earlier, but it just seemed rather lazy," Alicia admits as she steps through the door, Marie chuckling as she follows.
[20:50] <Kotono> Inside of the next room is a large room with three doors to the west, west and in the corner to the northwest. It's literally a corner door, folded right down the center to fit in. Sitting against the wall by the door that you passed through is an young boy. He has a knife out and he's whittling a bit of wood while whistling a merry tune.
[20:52] <Alicia> "Hello. Are you Sevren?" Alicia asks the boy. It can't hurt to ask, since he could theoretically look like anything from what Elle told her.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Nope, I'm not that oldie. Who's askin'?" He looks up, a leather cap shielding his eyes, which he idly takes off and tosses aside. "Oooh, a red head and a freaky elf. So I'm guessin' you're gonna go on since you're looking for Sevren?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "I'm Alicia, normally a brunette," Alicia responds easily. "This is Marie, she's normally a... purplette. And a lot shorter. We are looking for Sevren, though, yes." Marie, for her part, does not take exception to any freaky elf comments, since this isn't even her real form.
[20:57] <Kotono> "Ah, a bunch of freakshows. Figures." He snorts even more, "I hear you're a blackguard who likes rainbows, but isn't so hot on mushrooms or reptition. I gotta say I'd hope you'd be wearing less." He shrugs, working away on his half carved block of wood. "Anyway, do you want the clue for this room?"
[21:01] <Alicia> "Hit me," Alicia nods, deciding that there's utterly no point in getting offended.
[21:01] <Alicia> "She always wears the exact same thing, every day!" Marie nods in agreement with the young man, deciding that maybe Alicia needs to be offended. "I mean, sure, she carries it fairly well, but a bit of change sure would be nice once in a while, and it wouldn't kill her to show some skin now and then - keeping it covered up all the time can't be healthy."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Oh, you had a chance until the girlie here opened her mouth. Gave me an idea," Grinning now as he nods to Marie, "Maybe you're right. You kinda look a bit stuck up. I'm not sure I wanna give you the clue now unless you loosen up."
06[21:04] * Alicia promptly whaps Marie in the back of the head. "Why don't you show him some skin if you think it's such a great idea?" she reprimands irritably. "I'm plenty loosened up, anyway."
[21:05] <Kotono> "Man, you two are sisters, aren't you?" Snickering to himself, "You act like it."
[21:06] <Alicia> "No, she's just a very bad familiar," Alicia replies with a brief glare at her far too mirthful companion. "What's your story, anyway? How'd you wind up in here handing out clues to visitors, of which I don't expect there's many.""
[21:07] <Kotono> "Aaaaaw...wait. You're a familiar? Damn." His attention turns to Marie. "Hey you. Marie, isn't it? How about you and I talk alone?"
[21:08] <Alicia> "Why? Are you a familiar, too?" Marie asks, blinking.
[21:08] <Alicia> "Maybe he just wants to get familiar with someone who has so few reservations," Alicia mutters under her breath.
[21:09] <Kotono> "Some of both," The boy sits up. "C'mon." He drops his stick of wood, grabbing Marie by the hand. "Hey you," he turns to Alicia, "Make like a cat and scram back a room."
[21:12] <Alicia> "That... doesn't even make any sense," Alicia gapes at the horrible simile. "But fine, I'll be just out there. Yell if you need me," she adds, stepping back through the illusory door and then pulling down her blindfold so she can keep an 'eye' on what's occuring on the other side of the illusion.
[21:12] <Alicia> "Wow, you really are forward!" Marie blushes as her hand is taken.
[21:25] <Kotono> OOC - Are you going to try and listen in or naything as well, Alicia?
[21:26] <Kotono> Once Alicia's gone, the boy lowers his voice to a whisper, "So is she really that stuck up?" he asks to Marie. "I can help fix that for you, y'know."
[21:27] <Alicia> OOC: I'm standing just to the side of the door on the other side, if I can hear then great, if not then I won't eavesdrop deliberately.
[21:27] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:27] <Alicia> "Really?" Marie does look somewhat interested. "How so?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "I got somethin' here," Patting his pocket, "She gets a whiff of this and she'll loosen right up to however you ask her. It's like all you say to her will be a suggestion spell. I bet you could get her to have a lotta fun with that." With a smirk, "I'll even give it to you a favor. Boring masters are a terrible burden."
[21:30] <Kotono> *to you as a
[21:32] <Alicia> "Oh, I could have so much fun with that!" Marie agrees in a gleeful whisper. "How long will it last for, and how powerful is it? She's pretty strong-willed." she then asks, leaning down towards her co-conspirator.
[21:33] <Kotono> "That's the good part. If you give her a big dose, she'll almost certainly fall victim to it. It lasts a good hour, too." He reaches into his pocket, taking out a small blue bag. "Refined Indigo Mushroom powder. It turns it's effects from mind altering to relaxing."
[21:35] <Alicia> "She does need to relax a lot more, yes," Marie agrees with a grin as all sorts of possibilities - not all of them related to Alicia directly - flit through her mind.
[21:36] <Kotono> "Good. It works best if it's dissolved in water and she drinks it. It's still effective inhaled, but it's more obvious and a bit less overwhelming that way. But here..." Pushing the bag into Marie's hands, "I wanna see her loosen up."
[21:37] <Alicia> "Well, I'll probably keep it for later," Marie admits, hiding the bag inside her arrow quiver, "Better to loosen up in the comfort of her own home than in such strange surroundings," she nods breezily.
[21:38] <Kotono> "Aaaaw. Damn." With a shake of his head, "I thought you were gonna give to her now!" He crosses his arms and gives Marie a cross look, glaring.
[21:39] <Alicia> "There's less potential for amusement, here," Marie replies. Besides which, she'd get kicked out on her ear if she actually did use it on Alicia and got found out. But this stuff could have dozens of other uses.
[21:40] <Kotono> "Oh well. I guess I'll have to get her to pay up for the clue," Snapping his fingers, "Is she cute under that armor?"
[21:41] <Alicia> "She's a bit too old to be cute, really," Marie admits honestly. "But I guess since right now she's transformed by that mirror, I can't say for sure."
[21:42] <Kotono> "Ack! She's an old hag underneath that!" This isn't a whisper, it's quite loud in fact. Too loud, it carries easily. The boy makes a horrified face, "I thought she'd at least not be OLD!"
[21:46] <Alicia> "Aww, now I feel unappreciated," Alicia deadpans loudly in reply. "And the word you're looking for is 'experienced', sonny," she adds with a bit more honest indignation.
[21:47] <Kotono> Glowering in Alicia's unseen direction, "You just ruined my fun! Wrinkly, liver spotted skin isn't fun to look at!" Glaring at Marie, and then lowering back to a whisper, "At least try to have her have some fun before she dies or gets too old to walk," he says.
[21:49] <Alicia> Marie covers her mouth to try and hold back her laughter as she nods in reply. "So, going to show some consideration for the elderly by giving her the clue?" she asks quietly.
[21:49] <Alicia> "Maybe when you're more mature you'll learn to appreciate the benefits of an older woman," Alicia replies back, trying to resist her own urge to laugh.
[21:51] <Kotono> "No thanks. I prefer it when they don't sag past your waist," The boy retorts, "Fine! Take the clue and get outta here! 'Rainbows breaks of red, yellow and green. The mismatch is unwelcome."
06[21:52] * Alicia saunters into the room with a smug look on her face. "Not sagging at all, right now," she tells the boy smugly, briefly surveying the room for signs of the noted colours.
[21:53] <Kotono> The boy crosses his arms, "Hmph!" He turns away from the two women. On looking, one door has a red stripe, one has a yellow stripe and one has a green stripe. The strange corner door has the green stripe.
[21:56] <Alicia> OOC: how are the doors arranged?
[21:57] <Kotono> OOC: There are three doors on the west wall. The red door is more southern than the yellow door. The green door is pinned into the northwest corner, the middle point on the corner point and even turning into it.
[21:59] <Alicia> "Okay, red, yellow, green," Alicia points to each door in turn as she thinks aloud. "Rainbow breaks, though? What does that even mean?"
[21:59] <Alicia> "Maybe the break means the space between the doors?" Marie hazards, going over to tap the wall between the red and yellow doors.
[22:00] <Kotono> The boy snickers as Alicia taps the wall. It sounds solid enough to a casual ear.
[22:02] <Alicia> "Well... the rainbow goes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, right?" Alicia starts along those lines. "So the break would be orange... but I'm not seeing anything orange around here. And there's no sign of blue onwards."
[22:02] <Alicia> "Maybe that's the mismatch!" Marie points out triumphantly. "It's unwelcome!"
[22:03] <Alicia> "So?" Alicia asks. "What does it being unwelcome really mean?"
[22:06] <Kotono> "I means that you're as dense as a brick?" The boy sing-songs back.
[22:07] <Alicia> "Well, I'm certainly not feeling very welcome," Alicia replies. "Oh well, the best I can come up with is that red is the break - since yellow and green follow sequentially but red has a gap before them, that means it's unwelcome. So the other two doors, logically, must be welcome, and therefore the ones we should use. So lets open door number two." At that, Alicia goes to open the yellow door.
[22:09] <Kotono> The yellow door opens. You hear a little pleasant chime as you do. The green door shudders and blends into the wall, vanishing. "Bah, you got lucky," The boy calls back.
[22:09] <Kotono> Ahead is a well lit yellow cavern. A pool of water lies in the center of the room, with no other doors noted.
[22:10] <Alicia> "Good job!" Marie beams approvingly as Alicia's logic wins the day.
[22:11] <Alicia> "Thank you, Marie. You just have to think these things through logically and rationally, and the answer should become clear," Alicia responds haughtily as she walks towards the pool. "Then when that fails just make something up that sounds good and guess," she adds under her breath.
[22:13] <Kotono> The pool is about twelve feet circular, plenty of space. The water is a pleasant blue, going deeper than Alicia can easily spot. There's writing around the circluar pool, which reads: 20 ft: Red Button; Plaque 1. 40 ft Orange Button, plaque 2. Repeat. One button opens the way.
[22:15] <Alicia> "He does like colours, doesn't he?" Alicia muses as she considers the message. "There's nothing to india
[22:15] <Alicia> OOC: blah
[22:16] <Alicia> "He does like colours, doesn't he?" Alicia muses as she considers the message. "There's nothing to indicate which button we're meant to press, though. Red and orange are sequential... we entered the yellow door to come here, and yellow comes after orange. Hmm..."
[22:17] <Alicia> "Maybe the plaques down in the water will explain more. Want me to go read them?" Marie offers, getting an agreement from Alicia before she turns into an incorporeal ball and dives down twenty feet into the pool.
[22:18] <Kotono> Twenty feet down is a red button and a plaque! Marie reads it: "There are eight buttons, one for each color and a combination button at the bottom. Only one is correct. Each button has a plaque besides it."
[22:19] <Alicia> Marie decides to quickly go and read every plaque before she comes back to report her findings to Alicia.
[22:22] <Kotono> The second plaque reads the following: 'The correct button is not the color of the mushrooms three rooms ago.' The third plaque reads, 'The previous doors have nothing to do with this puzzle.' The fourth plaque reads, 'Parts of the rainbow are direct and deal mere physical harm. These parts are undesirable for this. The fifth plaque reads: 'Don't make a mistake and push the wrong button, you'll regret it!'. The sixth plaque reads: 'Let's keep
[22:22] <Kotono> The sixth plaque reads: 'Let's keep this on this plane and ignore anything that can change that.' (More)
[22:23] <Kotono> The seventh plaque reads: 'I think combinations are best saved for special occasions. Diving isn't a special occasion, eh?'. The last reads, 'Good luck making it back to the top before you run out of air, unless you're cheating.'
[22:24] <Alicia> Marie flies all the way back and relays what she just read to Alicia.
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:17] <Alicia> "Maybe the plaques down in the water will explain more. Want me to go read them?" Marie offers, getting an agreement from Alicia before she turns into an incorporeal ball and dives down twenty feet into the pool.
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:18] <Kotono> Twenty feet down is a red button and a plaque! Marie reads it: "There are eight buttons, one for each color and a combination button at the bottom. Only one is correct. Each button has a plaque besides it."
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:19] <Alicia> Marie decides to quickly go and read every plaque before she comes back to report her findings to Alicia.
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:22] <Kotono> The second plaque reads the following: 'The correct button is not the color of the mushrooms three rooms ago.' The third plaque reads, 'The previous doors have nothing to do with this puzzle.' The fourth plaque reads, 'Parts of the rainbow are direct and deal mere physical harm. These parts are undesirable for this. The fifth plaque reads: 'Don't make a mistake and push the wrong button, you'll regret it!'. The sixth
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:22] <Kotono> The sixth plaque reads: 'Let's keep this on this plane and ignore anything that can change that.' (More)
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:23] <Kotono> The seventh plaque reads: 'I think combinations are best saved for special occasions. Diving isn't a special occasion, eh?'. The last reads, 'Good luck making it back to the top before you run out of air, unless you're cheating.'
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:24] <Alicia> Marie flies all the way back and relays what she just read to Alicia.
[21:53] <Alicia> [20:24] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
02[21:54] * tiredofthis (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:55] <Alicia> "Hmm. Not indigo, then," Alicia nods straight away. "And not red, orange, yellow, or green, since they all do physical harm. Not violet, which plane shifts you. So, by a process of simple deduction, we conclude that the answer is blue. How deep was that button?" Alicia asks her familiar.
[21:58] <Alicia> "One hundred feet, it was the fifth button," Marie answers.
[21:59] <Alicia> "Okay, then, time to go for a swim - it's probably best if we're together when we press it, in case its a teleport thing," Alicia concludes, taking a deep breath before she dives into the water and quickly swims down to the requisite button, Marie following close behind in incorporeal form.
[22:00] <Blondezilla> OOC - How many rounds does it take you to get there? What's your swim speed?
[22:00] <Alicia> OOC: 40 (ring of freedom of movement go)
[22:01] <Blondezilla> Aided by freedom magic, Alicia is able to swiftly swim below. The two reach the blue button without incident.
06[22:01] * Alicia pushes the button!
[22:02] <Blondezilla> Click! Spinning! Alicia is spinning! Marie is spinning! The entire pool is spinning like a whirlpool! After a moment, Alicia can tell why! The bottom of the pool has vanished and the water is being sucked down, like a bathtub's drain!
[22:02] <Blondezilla> OOC - Also.
[22:03] <Blondezilla> OOC - How many ranks do you have in sense motive and K:A?
[22:03] <Blondezilla> OOC - Er, spellcraft.
[22:03] <Alicia> OOC: 5 ranks in sense motive (skill mod of 6) and 4 in spellcraft (skill mod of 5)
[22:04] <Blondezilla> OOC - Make a sense motive check then.
[22:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12."12 [1d20=6]
[22:04] <Blondezilla> OOC - Carry on.
[22:05] <Alicia> Funnily enough, Alicia and Marie are both utterly unbothered by the whirlpool on account of either being incorporeal or having freedom of movement active on them. Since she's confident she pushed the right button, Alicia gestures for Marie to follow her as she swims towards the new opening at the bottom.
[22:07] <Blondezilla> Thus the two swim down! AT the bottom they find it's a short drop, but one that the water buffers well! AS they fall, they land in a room. As they land, the water vanishes. It's strange...for Alicia finds her in her parent's house. The gray, rainy Kelaran sky can be seen out the windows. Sitting in their upstairs den is her mother and father, drinking tea and chatting away. Your brother and his wife sit there as well, as does your sister
[22:07] <Blondezilla> as does your sister. They seem to all be raptly discussing the weather. A beautiful maid meanwhile serves the tea - Antenora in particular, undisguised but not seeming to bother anyone.
[22:09] <Alicia> "Uh..." the mercifully now dry Alicia looks at this scene in confusion. "Didn't expect this," she admits openly. Is Sevren reading her mind to make illusions, now?
[22:09] <Blondezilla> "Oh, Alicia," Jessica looks over, "Come, your tea's getting cold. We were just talking about this dreary rainfall today."
06[22:11] * Alicia decides she might as well play along for the moment, and walks over to join the group, briefly checking if she's returned to her normal appearance. Marie, meanwhile, switches back to her corporeal form and either walks or flies behind Alicia depending on what type of eladrin she is, now.
[22:12] <Blondezilla> Your illusions seem to be gone. Marie is a normal eladrin, not that the family seems to object. "Marie dear," your father says, "This rain must be a terrible burden on your wings. Antenora, would you pour the poor thing a little bit of tea?"
[22:12] <Blondezilla> "It is so dreadful," Alicia's Mother agrees. "This abominable rain is intolerable."
[22:14] <Alicia> "Well, it's just normal for Kelara, isn't it?" Alicia smiles inanely as she accepts a cup of tea.
[22:14] <Alicia> "Oh, no, I'm fine - the water just slides right off these," Marie assures with a flutter of her wings as she perches herself on Antenora's head with a somewhat smug look.
[22:16] <Blondezilla> "I do say," Alicia's brother agrees. "I do wish it would stop raining one of these days. I hear rainbows are delightful."
[22:16] <Blondezilla> "Of course, Mistress," Antenora doesn't seem perterbed at all by Marie, "Would you care for a tiny pillow as well?"
[22:16] <Blondezilla> "A rainbow..." Jessica sighs, "Sister, I've not seen a rainbow in as long as I can remember. Always this dreary rain."
[22:17] <Blondezilla> "Yes," Alicia's mother says a little sadly. "It's always rain, rain, rain. Tell me, does it rain so much in the Baronies, dear?"
[22:18] <Alicia> "Tiny pillow!" Marie repeats, a squeal of glee. "Oh, you're so cute I could just take you home!" she laughs, patting Antenora's head beneath her.
06[22:18] * Alicia somehow manages to avoid rolling her eyes at her familiar's activities. "Not nearly as much as here," she replies to her mother, "Still, it'll soon be summer and then things should be dry." For a month and a half, anyway.
[22:19] <Blondezilla> Antenora produces a tiny silk pillow from her maid apron's pocket and places it atop her head. "As you wish, Mistress. Master says thes ame thing as well."
[22:20] <Blondezilla> "Yes, but..." A little sadly, she looks out the window. "I would give gold to see a rainbow now. Or even something just to liven up this dull day. Even the tea tastes dull."
[22:21] <Blondezilla> Your brother's wife snorts at this, "This entire house is dull today. Perhaps our visitor can help," A look at Alicia, slightly catty and challenging. "I do say."
[22:22] <Blondezilla> Your father coughs at Antenora's words. "Antenora, don't say such things in public. It sounds positively scandalous! What would the other families think! They're already jealous of not having an Erinyes servant."
[22:22] <Blondezilla> "Yes, let's not," Mother puts aside her tea and sends a very even look to Alicia's father. "I hear enought comments about immortal strumpets already."
[22:23] <Alicia> Marie hugs the pillow and laughs to herself at the absurdity of the situation, before she finally cottons on to the sharp look Alicia is giving her. "Oh, hey! Maybe we can make our own rainbow - I'll start!" she tosses up some dancing lights by the window. "Look, violet! That's one colour down, six to go!"
[22:24] <Blondezilla> "Ah!" Alicia's brother looks up at those colored lights, "I say, how pretty! Captivating, isn't it?It stands out so nicely against that grey sky."
[22:25] <Alicia> "Okay, for my contribution..." Alicia waggles her fingers, glad to move on from the creepy conversation about diabolical maids as she fires off a salvo of blue magic missiles that spiral across the room before spattering harmlessly into the window. "Blue! Anyone else want to try?"
[22:25] <Blondezilla> "That is nice, Marie," Jessica smiles warmly. "Alicia, you chose so well with her."
[22:26] <Blondezilla> "I do say," Alicia's mother nods. "Violet and blue. ...mmm. Perhaps I have some orange that would suffice?" Reaching into her pocket and taking out an orange kerchief, Alicia's mother tosses it at the window. "Not as impressive, I do say."
[22:27] <Blondezilla> "I would do it if I could it still, MIstress," Antenora bows her head again.
[22:28] <Alicia> "It's still something," Alicia nods approvingly to her mother. "Here, now for some red!" she casts another spell she recently learned, a crackling beam of deep red energy lancing out at the window where it harmlessly impacts.
[22:28] <Alicia> "That's alright, Anty, we love you anyway," Marie simpers from atop the erinyes' head as she covers the window in emerald faerie fire. "Green!" she adds brightly.
[22:29] <Blondezilla> "Yellow!" Father abruptly calls, tossing a few golden coins at the window.
[22:30] <Blondezilla> "We just need indigo now, Masters," Antenora says, "And I love you too, Mistress. I am here for whatever you wish."
[22:31] <Alicia> "A nice head to sit on is all I ask," Marie reassures Antenora as she puts up some slightly darker dancing lights. "Indigo is just slightly darker violet, anyway," she maintains.
[22:33] <Blondezilla> "I hear Alicia's pet does h-," Alicia's brother's wife snorts derisively, but has no chance to say anything else! When the last color is set, the rain vanishes! For a shining moment, the sky outside is a vast spray of rainbow! Then...Alicia and Marie stand in an em pty cavern. To the north is a rising stairway ascending upward.
[22:34] <Alicia> "Success," Alicia smiles brightly as Marie falls slightly from her now vanished perch before her wings take over.
[22:34] <Alicia> "What was that all about, anyway?" the eladrin asks.
[22:35] <Alicia> "I don't really know," Alicia admits. "Some of it was eerily true to life, but I've no idea what was going on with Antenora. Was her head everything you imagined?" she adds in a lightly teasing tone.
[22:36] <Alicia> "It was too easy. The real Antenora would be a more fitting challenge," Marie sniffs in reply. "We should totally get her one of those maid outfits, though, she really did look adorable."
[22:36] <Alicia> "You can be the one to suggest it," Alicia snorts as she starts up the stairway.
[22:37] <Blondezilla> The stairs are ascended! As you come up, you find yourselves in a vast cavern! Far ahead, the faint shillouette of a tower can be glimpsed...but! Near the stairs the young boy is standing. "Aaaaw, you made it out and this far?"
[22:39] <Alicia> "This seems like an appropriate opportunity to turn myself into a horrible old hag," Alicia muses, tapping a finger to her lips. "Oh, well, I suppose that particular secret is out. Got any more clues for us, young man?"
[22:42] <Blondezilla> "Nope. You're not going any farther...I never thought the first new person to come here would be so dedicated!" He laughs abruptly, "But I'm HUNGRY! See my true form and abadon all hope!" With a grand cry, the child is something else! IT looms over you, collosal and blocking everything ahead! It is a dragon! A dragon bigger than any other you've seen! It's scales are like a rainbow given form! "But you know what? You're gonna make a grea
[22:43] <Blondezilla> You're gonna make a great lunch!"
[22:45] <Alicia> "If that was your master plan then why didn't you do it back when we first met?" Alicia points out as she prepared to dispel the far too obvious illusion.
[22:45] <Blondezilla> "Um..." the grand dragon's face looks puzzled a moment, "B ecause I wanted to get you here where I had enough room! Yes!"
[22:48] <Alicia> Alicia can't help it. Perhaps its a weakness of her own character, but she actually feels sorry for the boy. Motivated entirely by pity, she decides to play along - this is probably the first amusement he's had in months, after all. "I should have realised! Oh no, please don't eat me oh grand and terrible wyrm of prismatic fury!" Okay, she's laying it on a bit thick, but it's hard to take it completely seriously.
[22:48] <Alicia> "... what?" Marie gives Alicia a very odd look.
[22:49] <Blondezilla> "That's right!" The dragon roars, the loud sound shaking the very air! "So the old hag has some sense after all! So take off that armor, I don't like metal in my meal!"
[22:51] <Alicia> "But I don't like being eaten!" Alicia replies as she cringes back. "Please, tell me how I might assuage your fury, oh mighty dragon!"
[22:51] <Blondezilla> "Grrrr!" Shaking it's head, "You offended me! Apologize for your actions!"
[22:52] <Alicia> "Alicia..." Marie flutters alongside the paladin's head, whispering quietly as she blushes crimson. "This is embarrassing..."
[22:54] <Alicia> "It's just us here, be nice!" Alicia hisses back, before raising her voice and looking up at the wyrm. "A thousand apologies for offending your delicate sensibilities, you grand yet surprisingly sensitive lizardly titan."
[22:56] <Blondezilla> "Aaaahahahahahaha," The dragon laughs, "That's right!" The dragon hops up and down in glee, which is quite a sight. Really, it should be causing some damage, but it doens't seem to be. "You fell for it!"
[22:58] <Alicia> "No she didn't! She was totally making mmmfff!" Marie is abruptly cut off in her indignation as Alicia grabs her and muffles with a hand.
[22:58] <Alicia> "What do you mean, oh great and terrible dragon?" the paladin calls up innocently.
[22:59] <Blondezilla> The dragon vanishes. For a moment the boy is there, as his form changes. As it does, "You groveled before a cat!" it teases, before a black cat appears where the boy was. It meows loudly once and then runs off towards the faraway tower.
[23:01] <Alicia> Marie shoots daggers with her eyes at Alicia once she lets go. "See, now they're going to make fun of you!"
[23:02] <Alicia> "Who? A random stranger hidden away in an illusion guarded tower that no one ever visits?" Alicia counters. "Besides, anyone who can be fooled by that kind of acting isn't someone with an opinion that matters," she declares as she sedately follows the fleeing feline.
[23:05] <Blondezilla> the two walk on! It's a bit of a walk, but soon the tower is in sight! It's a simple four story tower, made of the same stone as the mountain. It has no fence or gate, just a single closed door to inside the first floor. However, said door has a plaque set into it.
06[23:06] * Alicia briefly looks for a catflap before she studies the plaque.
[23:10] <Blondezilla> No catflap is visible. Written, "Welcome! Come in the top!"
[23:12] <Alicia> "If that's what you want..." Alicia shrugs and flies up to the top of the tower with her still running fly spell. Marie naturally follows.
[23:13] <Blondezilla> On the top of the roof, you find a curious sight. There is a table set out. Here a young looking elf is drinking a mug of ale, laughing. "Hi-ho!" he calls. "Welcome, fellow mage! I must say that you've been entirely entertaining!"
[23:15] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia bows with a flourish as she alights on the roof. "Your lovely friend Miss Stronger asked me to come as a favour, so she'll be pleased to know I provided some amusement. Sevren, I presume?"
[23:17] <Blondezilla> The large gorilla in front of you laughs. "That's right! What a fascinating person you are! Tell me, did you really tame an Erinyes? You're positively insane! It's so lovely that you came," The small dwarven woman stands up, tossing her mug of ale over the roof. "Elle chose well, and you even have a little fairy with you!"
[23:19] <Alicia> "Hi!" Marie waves cheerily.
[23:19] <Alicia> "I wouldn't really use the word tame, especially in her presence," Alicia temporises as gracefully as she can.
[23:20] <Blondezilla> The frost giant that towers over you laughs broadly. "Oh, maybe, but...Oh, before I forget. Here!" Sevren tosses a small bag to Alicia. "For Elle!"
06[23:23] * Alicia reflexively catches the bag. "I'll be sure to deliver it," she promises, stowing it in her backpack without checking the contents. "I must say, the effort you've put into this place really shows. How often do you change the illusions and riddles on the way in?" she asks curiously, trying not to be bothered by the rapid changes even as she makes the effort of shifting her gaze to meet his/her/its eyes each time.
[23:27] <Blondezilla> The tiny little fairy flaps in the air, wobbling a bit as it appears instead of a frost giant. "It' sjust right! I try to keep changing it, but it's quite hard, you understand! You really have to lay down the law with illusions or they won't listen!"
[23:30] <Alicia> "To be honest, I'm not that familiar with illusions - this is about the extent of what I can do with them," Alicia admits, casting mirror image...
[23:30] <Alicia> roll 1d4+4
06[23:30] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+4 and gets 8."12 [1d4=4]
[23:31] <Alicia> And then there were nine of her! "It's a useful spell, I've found, but it doesn't really compare to what you've accomplished by any stretch, does it?" the novemtuplets ask.
[23:32] <Blondezilla> "That's a classic!" The orc in front of you snorts loudly. "Hey, big bad warrior, choke on this!" Laughing away, Sevren goes on. "I've dedicated my life to this and isn't it lovely?" Now it's nothing more than a small dog, yipping instead of speaking at the moment.
[23:32] <Alicia> "Er, sorry, what was that?" Alicia asks, hoping he'll change to something capable of speaking common and repeat whatever that barking was.
[23:33] <Blondezilla> Next he's a human, a young, rather well set but clothed woman. "I said isn't it lovely? Illusions are the best way to relax and let go of your worries! You can change reality to whatever you want for awhile!"
[23:36] <Alicia> "Most certainly," Alicia agrees. "It's the perfect school of magic for someone with a strong imagination - the possibilities really are endless." Sure, he's insane, but he's clearly touched by Mystra in his own way, and that demands a certain respect.
[23:36] <Alicia> "Still, not everyone is as fun and relaxing as you are when it comes to using them - what do you do when someone else is using hostile illusions against you?" she asks, steering to the subject of True Seeing.
[23:38] <Blondezilla> "Oooooh yes, I know what you came for!" The little, unknown, two foot humanoid waggles it's finger at Alicia, "You want the remedy! You want the best way to stop magic! True Seeing! It takes the fun out of everything!" He crosses his arms, "What'cha going to use it for?"
[23:43] <Alicia> "There's a horribly nasty thing out there," Alicia gestures vaguely back the way she came. "I can't even say what it is, because it hides itself in illusions, pretending to be some sort of fallen angel. It wants to kill me, and I heard a story about what happened when some other people fought it, hundreds of years ago."
[23:43] <Alicia> "It defied all probability in how their spells and swords freakishly missed as it tore them all to pieces, but one clever wizard cast True Seeing, and in that moment the creature was powerless - he teleported away rather than pressing the advantage, sadly, and the creature proceeded to murder all of his companions."
06[23:44] * Alicia looks briefly apologetic. "It would be better if I could cast the spell myself, but I can't count on this being giving me the time to advance my spellcraft to that level..."
03[23:46] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[23:46] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
02[23:46] * Blondezilla (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[23:46] <Alicia> [21:44] <Alicia> "There's a horribly nasty thing out there," Alicia gestures vaguely back the way she came. "I can't even say what it is, because it hides itself in illusions, pretending to be some sort of fallen angel. It wants to kill me, and I heard a story about what happened when some other people fought it, hundreds of years ago."
[23:46] <Alicia> [21:44] <Alicia> "It defied all probability in how their spells and swords freakishly missed as it tore them all to pieces, but one clever wizard cast True Seeing, and in that moment the creature was powerless - he teleported away rather than pressing the advantage, sadly, and the creature proceeded to murder all of his companions."
[23:46] <Alicia> [21:44] * Alicia looks briefly apologetic. "It would be better if I could cast the spell myself, but I can't count on this being giving me the time to advance my spellcraft to that level..."
[23:49] <Kotono> "Crafty little thing!" Sevren says in admiration, "Well then! What'cha got? Those scrolls aren't cheap!"
02[23:50] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Screw storms. -=SysReset 2.53=-)
03[23:51] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
Session Time: Sat Jun 28 00:00:00 2008
03[00:20] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[00:20] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
03[00:25] * Sierra_Workheck is now known as Sierra_Mikain
03[00:33] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[00:33] <Alicia> "Well, I have some platinum on me, but... do you even need money?" Alicia can't help but ask, considering that he seems to be an insane hermit who probably doesn't trade much. Except with Elle. "What would you prefer to trade in, I mean?"
[00:34] <Kotono> "Magic," Rubbing his hands together, "Magic is wonderful!"
[00:36] <Alicia> "Okay," Alicia nods. "That I'm willing to part with, anyway... I have these gloves that bear a minor enhancement of dexterity," she holds up her hands. "And a few scrolls of my own - dimensional anchor, web, identify... any of that worth anything to you?"
[00:40] <Kotono> "Web! Ooooh, web! That spell is fun!" Rubbing his hands together, "Give me it! I love casting web, but it's so hard!"
[00:41] <Alicia> "With my compliments," Alicia takes out the rolled up scroll and hands it over. "Hours of sticky fun in there. Or minutes, at least."
[00:42] <Kotono> The now robed dwarf idly tosses Alicia a scroll. "You know what else I love," he says, taking out another scroll and tossing it hand to hand.
[00:43] <Alicia> "What?" Alicia asks as she smoothly catches the scroll.
[00:45] <Kotono> Coming over to Alicia, the sea elf whispers into her ear, "I can smell it on you like a thick musk. That magic fire that's crackling in your body. Give me just a little of it in healing form."
06[00:49] * Alicia raises an eyebrow. "You really are perceptive, Sevren. You'll have to tell me how you figured it out," she replies, putting away her newly acquired scroll as she reaches up to put a hand on the being's shoulder, whatever form it happens to be in the moment, and bestow a single charge of spellfire into his/her/its body.
[00:49] <Alicia> roll 1d4+1
06[00:49] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+1 and gets 5."12 [1d4=4]
[00:50] <Kotono> As Sevren is touched, he sighs. His body shimmers again, this time into the form of an old man, gnarled and tired looking. "Aaah..." he spreads his arms out and falls back, flipping the other scroll to Alicia. He lands on the rooftop, closing his eyes and starting to snore. "The Lady's own magic..."
06[00:51] * Alicia reflexively catches the scroll but doesn't take the time to read it - she can do that later, after all. Instead she goes to crouch over by Sevren. "Have you felt Her touch before?" she asks softly.
[00:52] <Kotono> The only reply from the old man is a soft snore.
[00:54] <Alicia> "Oh, well. Sweet dreams, Sevren - until next time," Alicia gently pats his hand, rising up and going to rejoin Marie. "Time for us to depart," she decides, taking out Elle's gifted teleport scroll and using it to return home.
[00:54] <Alicia> roll 1d100
06[00:54] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 29."12 [1d100=29]
[00:56] <Kotono> OOC - Going to do anything else here?
[00:57] <Alicia> OOC: check out the two scrolls I got. If Anty's around then Marie will point and laugh at her but refuse to explain further.
[01:01] <Kotono> The two teleport home! They arrive, finding Antenora in the kitchen. She's watching Jessica cook. "Now then..." Jessica continues, stirring a pot, "You leave it simmering about an hour and add spices every fifteen. It needs to simmer to cook off the excess liquid, but if you don't reseason it all the taste will steam away."
[01:05] <Alicia> "Hello, you two. Making lunch?" Alicia greets the pair upon arrival, taking out the two scrolls Sevren gave her so she can have a look. Marie, meanwhile, sidles up between them and smiles at Antenora.
[01:06] <Kotono> "That and I'm teaching Antenora to cook a little in case I'm busy and you need to eat," Jessica says happily. "Happy to see us, Marie?"
[01:07] <Kotono> Alicia sees that the scrolls are...somethin gelse. They're legible, but it's going to need some time to quite figure out the path of the magic on them.
[01:07] <Kotono> "What is it," Antenora looks down at Marie. "You're smiling entirely too much."
[01:09] <Alicia> "I'm not sure I'd trust a cook who refuses to eat anything, herself," Alicia comments dryly as she rolls up the scrolls - she can examine them in more detail later - and drops off most of her gear in the corner.
[01:09] <Alicia> "I'm just happy to see you," the eladrin simpers. "You know... if you're going to be cooking, you'll need an apron. So you don't mess up your clothes, I mean."
[01:10] <Kotono> Antenora raises an eyebrow. "I'm not cooking, I'm watching. And I agree, but preparing for an emergency isn't a bad idea."
[01:13] <Alicia> "Yes, but it doesn't hurt to look the part. Nice crisp and neat black dress, frilly white apron... oh, and one of those cute little frilled headbands! You'd be absolutely adorable!" the purple-haired little fairy exclaims happily.
[01:15] <Kotono> The breath Antenora takes out is long, as she rubs her forehead. "...Marie. Why are you telling me to dress up like a serving maid? Unless this is a favor for Alicia," Antenora raises her voice a little there.
[01:15] <Kotono> Jessica laughs a little, "That would be cute...strange, but cute. Where'd you get the idea, Marie?"
[01:18] <Alicia> "I'm pretty sure I'd be the one that would end up paying for this lovely uniform, so I'm not sure how much of a favour I'd call it," Alicia puts in while Marie pouts.
[01:18] <Alicia> "I was hoping for more of a reaction... we saw illusions of a bunch of people when visiting Elle's friend, and Antenora was a maid. I thought it'd be fun to tease her about..." Marie explains.
[01:20] <Kotono> Antenora smiles there, a strange little smile. She kneels down next to Marie. "Marie?" she asks quietly.
[01:20] <Kotono> "I'd chip in," Jessica says breezily. "Even if Antenora isn't showing any sense of humor about it."
[01:21] <Alicia> "Yes?" Marie asks, almost flinching as her danger senses start to tingle.
[01:23] <Kotono> Antenora's smile grows. "Good girl," Patting Marie on the head ever so softly, "You almost made me laugh. Almost. But really now, if I wanted to allure, I'd wear something a little more provocative than a cleaning girl's outfit. Besides," Her eyes narrow, "How many jokes an dideas were flittering through your brain when you thought of this?"
03[01:24] * tiredofthis (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[01:25] <Alicia> Marie looks confused at the head patting, but then responds to Antenora's question. "Well, I wanted to say something about the tiny pillow, but I don't think I could do it justice," she admits.
[01:25] <Alicia> "You really did have to be there," Alicia finds herself forced to admit, nodding sagely.
[01:26] <Kotono> "Now then," Antenora smiles, "You know where I'm going to go?"
[01:29] <Alicia> "Um..." Marie shrugs. "Off to find something provocative?" she hazards. "Although, really, there's a difference between cute and sexy that I don't think you're getting..."
[01:30] <Kotono> "No, no. Not for me." Smiling genially at Marie, "I think I'm going to see if Ic an find someone who'll do clothing for a nice little eladrin maid. That would make more sense, wouldn't it? You're so cheery and bright and you're always wanting to help Alicia. Plus, since you're so small and can fly, you'd be great at dusting all the corners and ceilings. Aaah, can you imagine Marie flying about, carrying plates single file from the drain to th
[01:31] <Kotono> Aaah, can you imagine Marie flying about, carrying plates single file from the drain to the cabinet, or bringing Alicia breakfast in bed one item at a time?"
[01:33] <Kotono> Jessica laughs again, "You know, they're older than us, but they're so childlike sometimes."
[01:33] <Alicia> "Oh, right!" Marie brightens. "That actually sounds fun! I'll even come with you so we can make sure they get my measurements right!" she briefly throws a scathing glance at Alicia who's currently sitting at the kitchen table and trying to hide her laughter. "One time Alicia bought me some doll's clothes and it was like wearing a tent, and the stitching was all rough and horrible!"
[01:34] <Kotono> "Good," Antenora chuckles warmly. "I'll even train you by having you help clean my room. Alicia, we'll be back later," Antenora stands up, "Come on, Marie."
[01:35] <Alicia> "In her defence, Marie is only twenty. Or so she claims," Alicia tells her sister as she fights the giggles, mostly successfully.
[01:35] <Alicia> "I don't mind that, I mean, I can't imagine you of all people would have an untidy room," Marie nods brightly as she follows the erinyes.
[01:37] <Kotono> Jessica watches them go, shaking her head. "Sister, what WAS that about?"
[01:39] <Alicia> "I... don't really know," Alicia admits, finally letting a few giggles escape now that the pair have left. "It's nice to see them getting along, at least."
[01:40] <Kotono> "I...I think Antenora subverted that? I think? I got the impression she wasn't hot on the idea of being a maid," Finishing with her stirring, Jessic agives into giggles of her own.
[01:43] <Alicia> "I think Marie was hoping to embarrass her, yes, but it's hard to embarrass someone with something they've never actually done - it was just an illusion, after all," Alicia agrees. "Marie will probably get bored of wearing a uniform after a couple of days, though. She's such a little clothes horse..."
[01:46] <Kotono> "Still." Chuckling now, "It's all the brighter when I think of everything else, Sister. Marie helps me forget that we're in danger every day. She even gets Antenora to shut up about it on occasion."
[01:48] <Alicia> "I like having her around, too. At first I was a bit unsure, but she's really grown on me," Alicia admits. "It beats having a cat for a familiar, anyway."
[01:50] <Kotono> "I don't know. A cat would be fine, too. I rather like cats," Jessica smiles. "Then again, cats don't protect you very well."
[01:53] <Alicia> "If you want to get a pet, feel free," Alicia offers graciously. "But yes, Marie is good for keeping watch since she never has to sleep, and she could probably hold off an attack against us even by herself for at least a little while. Although I'm glad it hasn't been necessary, yet."
[01:57] <Kotono> "Yet." Jessica folds her arms over her chest. "Sister...I've been thinking about asking Antenora for a bit of money. If I had a magical weapon in case I have to defend myself..." She trails off there. "I'm fairly sure she'd give to me if I told her why I wanted it."
03[01:58] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as Sierra_Comatose
[02:01] <Alicia> "So would I," Alicia points out, standing up and going over to join her sister by the stove. "If you're attacked it's probably better to run away, but I can hardly begrudge you if you want to defend yourself, Jessica."
[02:03] <Kotono> "Yeah." Glancing at Alicia, "Antenora's been on edge since she came back with you recently. Something about a devil stalking the Baronies, but she's not really wanted to talk about it. She's got me thinking."
[02:06] <Alicia> "Well, it's not enough just to have a weapon," Alicia points out. "You need protection both from physical blows and from magic. And you need the skill and the will to use your weapon. Otherwise you're just making it even easier for your attacker."
[02:06] <Alicia> Her tone is quite serious here, imposing the gravity of the situation on Jessica. She'd honestly hoped her sister would have a peaceful life, but if this is what she wants... "I can train you - help you remember your old skills, if you're serious about this."
[02:08] <Kotono> "A little, yes. I think I'll sleep happier if I can defend myself better...and a few others will as well." Smiling now to Alicia, "I'm not scared of them. They already did their worst to me and it came out alright. But I can't pretend they aren't hostile, either. Not if they're half as nasty as Antneora thinks."
[02:10] <Alicia> "Alright then," Alicia nods, giving her sister a wan smile. "I'd hoped it wouldn't be necessary, but... well, if this is what you want, then I'll help you as best I can. Once Antenora and Marie come back we'll go visit Elle's shop and see if there's anything there you can use."
[02:12] <Kotono> "Alicia," Jessica smiles back to her, "Don't smile like that. I don't want you to turn all dour and worried about me."
[02:16] <Alicia> "I'll try not to be dour but I can't promise anything about my worries," Alicia replies in a more teasing tone. "Here," she pulls off her enchanted gloves, "These are probably a lot more use to you than me, so why don't you have them? They'll make you more nimble while worn."
[02:18] <Kotono> "Thanks," Jessica takes them, putting them on to try. "...oh. They do feel..." she murmurs. "But are you sure? You're fighting all the time and need the speed."
[02:21] <Alicia> "My armour gets in the way, but its more dependable than a little extra speed," Alicia replies, rapping her knuckles against the gleaming breastplate. "Besides, I fight with a heavy set of blades that relies more on my strength, while you used to favour lighter weapons where speed becomes more telling. They're overall more useful to you, I'd bet."
[18:32] <Alicia> -----------
[18:32] <Alicia> [00:16] <Alicia> "I'll try not to be dour but I can't promise anything about my worries," Alicia replies in a more teasing tone. "Here," she pulls off her enchanted gloves, "These are probably a lot more use to you than me, so why don't you have them? They'll make you more nimble while worn."
[18:32] <Alicia> [00:19] <Kotono> "Thanks," Jessica takes them, putting them on to try. "...oh. They do feel..." she murmurs. "But are you sure? You're fighting all the time and need the speed."
[18:32] <Alicia> [00:21] <Alicia> "My armour gets in the way, but its more dependable than a little extra speed," Alicia replies, rapping her knuckles against the gleaming breastplate. "Besides, I fight with a heavy set of blades that relies more on my strength, while you used to favour lighter weapons where speed becomes more telling. They're overall more useful to you, I'd bet."
[18:34] <Kogone> "Mmm." Jessica thinks, "It's impressive. But..." Her eyes trail back up to Alicia. "I had another question I'd been meaning to ask you, too. Are you returning to KElara anytime soon?"
[18:37] <Alicia> "Possibly," Alicia replies, "I had planned on it, once Seira returned from wherever she's went off to, since teleporting's the only way to get there in any reasonable time frame. Though other recent events might take precedence..." she admits, thinking of her recently discovered new enemy.
[18:39] <Kogone> "Still worried about that angel?" Jessica asks gently.
[18:40] <Alicia> "I wouldn't call her an angel by any definition of the word," Alicia replies, sighing and leaning against the countertop. "But yes, she does worry me. Although I've picked up a few things that could help in dealing with her."
[18:43] <Kogone> "You know...sometimes I wonder. Why is OUR family a part of allt hese immortal squabblings? Devils, angels, eladrin...why us?" Jessica's smile is wistful, "Do they draw a few families out of some sort of planar hat and decide that they'll be the ones tangled up in this?"
[18:46] <Alicia> "I think it's just a series of unrelated events that happened to bring us to the attention of such beings, and then since we had the temerity to keep surviving it kept getting worse," Alicia sighs. "I mean, I lived twenty eight years without ever meeting an outsider, and you managed thirty. It all just started snowballing, last year."
[18:48] <Kogone> "Mmmm." Jessica's silent there, "Antenora says the devils aren't going to give up, ever, especially as long as she's here. That's true, isn't it?"
[18:49] <Alicia> "Probably," Alicia admits. "Maybe one day we'll be strong enough to frighten them off for good, but I wouldn't count on it. There's always someone stronger waiting in the wings."
[18:50] <Kogone> Jessica is quiet a little more, "When Antenora was really irritated about it, I asked her how it could stop. She said that you'd have to kill this Agares at the very least and hope that's enough. Even then, she said that anyone that kill sa Duke of Hell won't be forgotten by his superiors."
[18:52] <Alicia> "Exactly," Alicia nods. "Now we know this Martinet figure seems to be targetting us, and he's apparently above Agares and second only to a Lord of the Nine. Realistically, they won't give us any peace until we're able to deal with Asmodeus directly, and that's not exactly a realistic prospect. Still, neither is defeating the God King of the gnomes, so I suppose we'll see."
[18:54] <Kogone> "The older devils are supposed to be hundreds of thousands of years old at the least," Jessica's smile twists, "How co-" This stops as Alicia's door is knocked on.
[18:55] <Alicia> "Oh, I'll get that," Alicia sadly interrupts their rather maudlin conversation and goes to answer the door.
[18:55] <Kogone> A sweaty soldier salutes swiftly. "Ma'am, Captain Demedais requests your presence at the southern gate. There are giants there delivering some sort of statue."
[18:57] <Alicia> "Oh... I'll be right over," Alicia nods after a second, going to grab her sword. "Sorry, duty calls - I'll try to be back soon then we can go visit Elle's. Keep some stew on the boil for me," she asks her sister before departing.
03[19:21] * Kogone is now known as Kotono
[19:59] <Kotono> Alicia returns home a little later. She finds Jessica there, making her a bowl ofs tew as she enters. "What was that all about? Trouble?"
[20:00] <Alicia> "Just the opposite, actually," Alicia returns with a smile, going to take a seat. "Remember those giants I talked about after that quest to redeem the orb of soul trapping? They came along to give us a gift, it seems they were that pleased with how things turned out."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Excellent." Jessica goes to sit as well. "It's nice to hear that instead of another devil slinking around."
[20:02] <Alicia> "Too often it's something bad, yes," Alicia agrees as she starts to dine on the meal prepared. "I take it the other two are still off clothes shopping?"
[20:03] <Kotono> "Or something like that. Who knows? Maybe they'll decide to go beat up an Ice Devil." With a light shrug of her shoulders. "The peace is kind of nice."
[20:05] <Alicia> "I wouldn't put it past them, but I hope they'll confine themselves to more sedate activities," Alicia chuckles over a mouthful of stew. "Though I suppose you're right, I should just be grateful for a respite from their incessant bickering."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Mystra works in mysterious ways," Jessica laughs a little herself. "I wonder if she's trying to instill some sort of inhuman patience to you."
[20:15] <Alicia> "I'm a lot more patient than I used to be, so it's probably paying off," Alicia is compelled to admit. "Still, I'd hope Marie might be gaining something from this experience as well, though she's hardly taking any of it seriously."
[20:17] <Kotono> "I know, but...I'm happy she's that way, too. She's so bright." Jessica smiles innocently at this.
[20:22] <Alicia> "I know, and I wouldn't want that to change," Alicia admits. "I suppose she really is fine just the way she is. Hmm... anyway, enough about those two," she leans on the table towards Jessica with a vaguely knowing look, "How have things been going with you and Roald?"
03[20:22] * Sierra_Redead is now known as Sierra_Gruuuuuue
[20:26] <Kotono> Jessica blushes and looks down at the table. "Aaah..."
[20:28] <Alicia> "Come on, sister, that bakery's all the way on the opposite side of the city. Bread alone can't justify such a walk," Alicia encourages her to spill the metaphorical beans.
[20:34] <Kotono> Jessica's blush grows. "It's not that...we like each other a lot, but..." The blush creeps downward to her neck.
[20:35] <Alicia> "But?" Alicia prods, grinning at the noticable blushing.
[20:47] <Kotono> "Well, I'm older and well...not everyone calls me JEssica," she says.
[20:50] <Alicia> "Oh," Alicia deflates. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something troublesome... I'd hoped by now people would have forgotten about that, but I suppose no such luck."
[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ---
03[20:32] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's a fine, warm evening. Amid the radiant glow of the sunset painting the skies red and orange. However, it's when a page comes to Alicia's door. "Ma'am," he says dutifully, "The Commander needs you at the garrison on the triple."
[20:43] <Alicia> "I'll be right over. Did he say what it was about?" Alicia asks as she grabs her sword.
[20:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "About the black feather," h e answers. "That's all I know, ma'am."
[20:45] <Alicia> "That's enough," Alicia nods, her demeanour becoming more serious as she heads for the garrison at a brisk pace.
03[20:45] * Infinite_Ko_Loop is now known as Kotono
[20:46] <Kotono> On reaching the meeting room of the garrison, Commander Oberuth awaits. A small stack of papers sits in front of him, loosely organized. "Well, we just heard from Malmuth." he says, gesturing towards a seat. "It's about Pallan and Almand."
[20:48] <Alicia> "They've vanished?" Alicia assumes as she sits down at the table.
[20:49] <Kotono> "Almand did. Pallan..." Oberuth's color isn't quite right, not nearly so florid as he usually is. "We know the start of the story - there's a black feather left behind and a few charmed guards. Almand's gone, but Pallan...somehow he got out of his chains. As near as they can tell, he rammed into the stone wall head first as hard as he could."
06[20:53] * Alicia shudders at the implications. "Stronger will than I gave him credit for... did he ram his head hard enough?" It's a rather awful way of phrasing it, but she can't quite figure out how else it should be said.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Yeah." Oberuth licks his lips, "Gods rest his soul, whatever caused that." He lets himself look down, "That's no way to have to die."
[20:56] <Alicia> "He probably avoided a far crueler fate, for what it's worth... I think I was wrong about him," Alicia admits, her tone rather melancholy. "Though it's clear what happened to Almand."
[20:59] <Kotono> "Yes. Also, Queen Tant passes on word that they're going to get Claris or someone else over there and cast Speak with Dead on him. We won't hear about that for a little while longer yet, though." Leaning back, "We'll play along with that if they need Claris, it's to our benefit. Odds are that we'll cooperate with them as far as this matter goes. Queen Tant's most unhappy with what happened."
[21:05] <Alicia> "I don't blame her. A jailbreak is still a jailbreak, after all. On the brighter side, still on this subject, I have Elle working on some wards that protect from her aura of despair, and I've also learned that she has a vulnerability to the True Seeing spell - it's beyond the means of myself and Seira to cast normally, but I've got a couple of scrolls of it that I'll save for when we confront her."
[21:05] <Alicia> She then pauses slightly, "True Seeing may not be a perfect solution, however - from the devil in Parsifal we learned that she had slain a pair of erinyes, and while Antenora may be a notable exception, most such devils possess the power of True Seeing naturally. It's better than nothing, at least."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Mph." A nod to that as Oberuth thinks, drumming his fingers on the table. "I still wish we knew more of what was going on here. It was bad enough having an unpredictable enemy on our border, but now we have an unpredictable enemy in our very midsts."
[21:11] <Alicia> "For what it's worth, she seems to be focused on individuals rather than Balmuria itself. Still, I'd rather not give her the chance to strike first and put that theory to the test - once Seira returns from her travels I think it would be prudent for her to attempt to scry on her aunt Filetta."
[21:17] <Kotono> Drumming away as he thinks, "It would be. We might get lucky and get more information from the Speak with Dead spell soon as well. Because...even if they're just going after a few of you, theyr'es till going after the Crimson Guard. As far as we care, they're going after all of the Baronies."
06[21:20] * Alicia smiles at the heartwarming affirmation of solidarity. "Kind of you to say, Hellman," she replies warmly. "As for what Pallan might know, I expect it will likely be a reiteration of what Christopher told us - I don't doubt he would have attempted a similar escape if he had the will, considering how terrified he was."
[21:21] <Kotono> "Probably. I'd like to think he saw something more if he was strong willed enough to do THAT." At these words, "Oh, and speaking of. Christopher's been laying very quiet. We have him in the most secure cell we have and he's...happy there. I've never seen a happy prisoner before."
[21:25] <Alicia> "The orb I had placed in the dungeons probably helps a bit with that, though I fear it's likely false comfort - our foe seems able to come and go as she pleases, and it's only her choice that keeps Christopher safe," Alicia admits with a trace of helpless bitterness. "We're going to have to take the offensive to have any hope of resolving this in our favour."
[21:26] <Kotono> "I heard your report...going to visit the angels, eh?" Oberuth lets a smile creep onto his face, "It sounds like you need to find her new base of operations. Any ideas there?"
06[21:28] * Alicia shakes her head. "For someone who can teleport it really could be anywhere. That's why divination magic is our only real option - her followers are the weak link. If not Filetta we can always try and locate Almand. Perhaps even Olburt."
[21:29] <Kotono> "That's three. Do we know anyone else she might have? Anything?" Oberuth thinks, "Something that would be easier to scry?"
[21:32] <Alicia> "Not that I know of. She mentioned Filetta herself, I saw Olburt, and I got the names of Pallan and Armand from Christopher. Theoretically, I suppose anyone we've crossed swords - or even wits, considering Almand's inclusion - with is a potential recruit," Alicia replies, trying to think of anyone from her past who might merit potential inclusion.
[21:35] <Kotono> "One of the few good things we can say is that most of our serious enemies are no longer with us," Oberuth smiles with a certain coldness. "Febras, Irenes and Ferdi are all dust in the earth now. But..." Leaning back and rubbing his head, "It really could be anyone you've fought, offended or made an enemy."
[21:37] <Alicia> "That's the problem. If it was just mortal enemies then it would be a very short list, but if she'll take even the likes of Christopher and Almand, then it just becomes ridiculous. I'd hardly given a second thought to either of them, my dealings with them were so limited," Alicia concludes, sounding somewhat piqued.
[21:41] <Kotono> "You've made no shortage of enemies, either, just by executing your duties. That is if you interpret it that loosely." With a thought, "At least we haven't heard of Malmuthian die hards vanishing."
[21:42] <Alicia> "Ugh, if we start including people we've never met who just dislike us by reputation... this is a hole with no bottom, sir. Best to just focus on the ones we've confirmed. With luck we'll be able to interrogate those to learn more before we face our real foe," Alicia sweeps her hand across the table as she brings a halt to the speculation.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Agreed. Let's see...you, Seira and Demedais. The enemies Shamal, Lyselle and Berlioz made can be discarded." Thinking a moment, "Of those left...Febras is dead. Irenes is dead. Ferdi is dead. A good start. Olburt and Almand have been taken, while Pallan opted out. On our home front...there was Christopher. There's another of Irenes' lackies in prison here. It was before your time...but all but one worked it out and are serving their debt und
[21:47] <Kotono> but all but one worked it out and are serving their debt under Seira since they have some magical skill thanks to him. The one left hasn't been disturbed, if anything he's insane because of his ability."
[21:48] <Kotono> "Be-your sister's not a problem now either," Oberuth continues on. "Kondrux is dead as well."
[21:49] <Alicia> Alas, her intent to cease the speculation was ignored. "Lets just wait until we have something conclusive, sir. We'll just keep going in endless circles by guessing."
[21:52] <Kotono> "Alright." With that, "Go ahead then and go back home. There's not much to do for now but speculate and wait for more news to come in, or something to happen."
[21:54] <Alicia> "Yes, sir," Alicia stands up. "Thank you for letting me know, about Pallan and Almand."
[20:14] <Kotono> ---------------(Seira Ko goes here)--
03[20:14] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
05[20:16] -thundarr.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:16] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.129.129) has joined #dunes
03[20:17] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+45
06[20:17] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+45 and gets 46."12 [1d20=1]
[20:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+40
06[20:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 and gets 44."12 [1d20=4]
[20:18] <Kotono> Dreams. The dreams come this night in a rapid fire barrage. A harvester devil holding a child,
[20:18] <Kotono> AOOC - Gah.
[20:23] <Kotono> Dreams. The dreams come this night in a rapid fire barrage. A harvester devil holding a child, dagger plunged into his chest, as Alicia's hands glow with sacred healing. Flying in the sky, fighting an Ice Devil in locked mortal combat. Standing in front of giant terrors, great humanoids that loomed over you like a mountain. All of this swirls as Alicia is asleep but really not at the same time. She is aware of it but detached, struggling in a
[20:24] <Kotono> detached, struggling in a silent, automatic vise. A vast empty weight lays on her, her insides dead and frozen. But despite that her body burns like the sun. Then it is over - the morning sunshine comes pouring in. Dawn is here. There is a vast burden on Alicia - she can feel with with every breath. It's like trying to constantly manipulate a force that overlays her own body. (More)
[20:30] <Kotono> Despite that, the feeling is slowly under control in the morning sunshine...
06[20:34] * Alicia slowly sits up, trying to process things before she spots a tiny eladrin sitting at the foot of her bed and eyeing her intently. "Were you watching me sleep?" she asks, somewhat perturbed.
[20:34] <Alicia> "I felt really intense feelings from you all night, like some sort of crushing weight. It reminded me of Torm's temple... I was worried," Marie replies, smoothing out her cute little white apron over her black skirt.
[20:36] <Alicia> "No, nothing to do with Torm," Alicia shakes her head slowly, raising her right arm to study the immovable ring upon one of her fingers. "This thing... I think, in its own strange way, its pleased..."
[20:36] <Kotono> The feeling is slowly coming under control. The sunlight catches on the ring as it's raised a moment, gleaming.
[20:37] <Alicia> "I'd hate to see what happens when it's angry with you," Marie replies dubiously as she walks up the mattress towards Alicia so she can take a closer look.
06[20:38] * Alicia obligingly lets her familiar study the plain-looking jewellery on her finger. "I've been promised a quick death in that case, though I suspect not a painless one," she snorts with little humour.
[20:47] <Kotono> That morning, Alicia finds Jessica making breakfast. As Alicia sits down to eat, "Oh sister. Antenora left first thing in the morning. I think she said something about going to the temple and then somewhere else."
[20:48] <Alicia> "She say where?" Alicia asks, not really overly concerned. Antenora's a big girl, after all.
[20:51] <Kotono> "It's about some children, orphans from the war and the like. Anyway, she said she'll be gone all of today in case you need her for anything."
[20:53] <Alicia> "Shouldn't do," Alicia admits. "Only training the men at the garrison today on my agenda. I'm sure if some crisis hits she'll hear about it wherever she is."
[20:54] <Alicia> "Aww, do you think Anty's feeling her maternal instincts coming in?" Marie simpers approvingly as she flutters around the room. "I'm so proud of her!"
[20:54] <Kotono> Chuckling, "Maybe. Those children could use all the help they can get..." Sitting down herself, "It's good someone's looking out for them. Anyway, good luck today, Alicia."
[20:56] <Alicia> "Thanks. What about you - doing anything today, sister?" Alicia asks as she dines on Jessica's cooking.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Going to the temple to read," Jessica says, "I..." Jessica trails off, shivering all over her body.
[21:01] <Alicia> "Hmm?" Alicia cocks her head at that shiver. "You alright, Jessica?" she asks, concerned.
[21:02] <Kotono> The answer is a sneeze, and then another. "...choo!" Rubbing at her nose, "I...achoo!" Another sneeze comes, before Jessica frowsn. "I think so? I just feel a little sick."
[21:07] <Alicia> "Maybe you should just take it easy today?" Alicia suggests gently. "Sit in the garden and get some sun and fresh air? Marie can get any books you want from the library."
[21:07] <Alicia> "Although if you get really sick, we can just go to the temple and get someone to cure you, there!" Marie pipes up brightly.
[21:10] <Kotono> "Achooo!" Sneezing again, "That's what I was going to do if this starts getting into my chest and making me cough." Taking a napkin and wiping her nose, "I'll be fine. The two of youd on't need to worry."
[21:13] <Alicia> "If it gets bad you might as well," Alicia agrees, pushing her empty plate away and eyeing her 'maid' for a moment. Despite her attire, however, Marie seems blithely ignorant of her duties, prompting a sigh after a moment as Alicia picks it up herself and goes to wash it. "We'll be back around lunchtime, anyway, so don't worry about cooking - I'll bring something in for both of us."
[21:15] <Kotono> "Thank you...achooooo!" Jessica sneezes again, "I'll see you then, sister?"
03[21:19] * Laggy is now known as Jargon
[21:19] <Alicia> "Later," Alicia agrees after she finishes washing up, heading off to the garrison to hopefully knock some skill and tactics into the guards' heads. Marie gives Jessica a cheery wave herself as she flies after Alicia.
[21:22] <Kotono> Most of the morning passes without incident. Training in the front yard of the garrison goes well enough, the soldiers following Alicia's leads and commands. At perhaps an hour before high noon...there is a distraction, however. "STOP!" Donald's voice can't be easily mistaken at all. Nor that the fact that he's chasing after someone, heading northwards past the garrison. Said person is a child, running like the wind. A few pedestrians and sol
[21:22] <Kotono> Said person is a child, running like the wind. A few pedestrians and soldiers have to quickly move out of the way to avoid being ran into by the duo.
[21:25] <Alicia> "Marie, go see what that's all about, will you?" Alicia asks her fast-flying familiar before returning her attention to her trainees and continuing the training without interruption.
[21:25] <Alicia> Zipping along, Marie easily draws level with the child and matches his/her pace. "Hey, what's all the rush about?" she asks brightly.
[21:27] <Kotono> Running north towards the harbor, the child swerves past a walking guardsmen, who gawks a moment at the flying familiar. "THE...huff huff...SCARY POINTY EARS...huff huff...WANTS TO KILL ME!"
[21:27] <Kotono> Donald scowls and nearly trips, swerving past the moved guard and chasing on. "THIEF!" he retorts between breaths.
[21:28] <Kotono> The child is a young boy, perhaps eight. He wears worn clothing.
[21:28] <Alicia> "Hey, Donald! Why- oh," Marie stops as Donald explains. "You do realise that stealing is bad, right? You should give it back whatever you stole," she lectures, trying to say what Alicia would probably say in this situation.
[21:31] <Kotono> Ducking under a man carrying a barrel in both arms as the tall sails of the ships dip into view, "I'M NOT..huff...huff...huff..."A THIEF! IT WAS...hufhuf...THE ADULT! TELL HIM THAT!" Frantically gesturing as she runs, arms akimbo, "Huff...HE'S GONNA KILL ME!"
[21:33] <Alicia> "Okay, this is just getting silly. How about we all stop and talk this over like reasonable people?" Marie suggests loudly enough for Donald to hear. "The real thief could be escaping at this very moment!"
[21:49] <Kotono> "TELL HIM TO...huff..huff...STOP!" The boy says with terror in his voice.
[21:49] <Kotono> Donald glowers, "Urgh!" He glares at Marie, but sighs and slows down. Catching his breath, "You'd better be right!"
[21:51] <Alicia> "There, see! He stopped, now you stop as well," Marie tells the little boy. "Don't worry, if he tries anything bad I'll shoot him," she adds reassuringly.
03[21:53] * Jargon is now known as Laggy
[21:53] <Kotono> The boy looks back, slowing and huffing. Hands on his knees, he looks up at Marie. "...A fairy?!" he asks in breathless astonishment.
[21:55] <Alicia> "You just noticed?" Marie asks, likewise astonished. "I'm Marie, what's your name?"
[21:57] <Kotono> "Anders..." Breathing in and out, "Oh man...an elf and a fairy..." he says in a dense mix of horror and awe, face flushed and eyes wide. "Y-you aren't going to kidnap me away and turn me into a tree spirit, are you?"
[21:58] <Kotono> HAving caught his breath, Donald begins to carefully approach. "Look kid," Donald says, running a hand through his hair, "If you aren't the thief, spill it."
[21:58] <Alicia> "I couldn't do that even if I wanted to," Marie shakes her head. "Anyway, yes, who stole what?"
[22:03] <Kotono> "It was the man by me!" Anders blurts, creeping back from Donald's approach. "I was just skipping lessons! I didn't steal anything!" His eyes fill with tears.
[22:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 Marie has sense motive
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 Marie has sense motive and gets 15."12 [1d20=10]
[22:08] <Alicia> "There, you see!" Marie rails on Donald. "What sort of brute accuses a helpless child like that?!"
[22:08] <Kotono> Donald takes a deep breath, "You mean the big guy? You're kidding. I saw the pouch in your hand! No way someone that fat could have good nimble fingers."
[22:09] <Kotono> Donald's eyebrow twiches up, "Oh shut up," he says slowly. "You'd think he was it if you were there too!"
[22:10] <Alicia> "The classic thief's art of misdirection!" Marie exclaims. "While you're running off on a wild goose chase, he merrily saunters off with your loot! I can't believe you fell for it so easily!"
[22:12] <Kotono> "Listen to her, you scary...ELF!" The child slinks back a little further. "I don't have it!"
[22:15] <Kotono> Running a hand over his face, "..ugh. Shut up, brat! Donald retorts eloquently, glaring at him. "Fine, whatever, you don't have it. Just get out here!" he gestures. A street away form the docks, people are walking past, though some are stopping to openly rubberneck at the situation.
[22:17] <Kotono> At those words, teh boy doesn't even hesitate. He runs off like the dickens, hustling away as fast as his short legs will take him. All thing sconsidered, it's surprisingly fast.
[22:18] <Alicia> "Aww, I was going to offer to get him something to eat," Marie watches the boy go with some regret. "Oh, well, I've got nothing better to do now, so I suppose I can help you recover your precious thing," she gives Donald a winning smile, clasping her hands innocently behind her back as she flutters in the air before him.
[22:21] <Kotono> Donald twitches, "I spent a few minutes trying to track him down," Donald sighs, starting to walk back. "To be honest, if he's right, the thief's long gone. It was just my loose change coin pouch. It's not that important." Glowering now, "If I see him again though..."
[22:23] <Alicia> "Well, he sounded pretty distinctive from what you said, I'm sure you'll recognise him if you run into him again," Marie offers consolingly as she flies along with Donald.
[22:24] <Kotono> Sighing, "I think I'm going to go get my mind off of it. I'm not working at the inn today, so I think I'll go ..."He thinks a moment, "Oh yeah." Snapping his fingers, "I do have something to do. Anyway, go ahead and flutter back to Alicia then. I need to go get mya rmor."
[22:26] <Alicia> "Try not to give traumatising emotional scars to any more innocent children," Marie singsongs as she wheels away and heads back towards the garrison so she can resume providing verbal support and encouragement to the training.
[22:28] <Kotono> Donald glowers and says something dark about Marie, an erinyes and a spear, but it's not fully caught. Thus Marie returns and lunch comes. There's a note at home that Jessica went to the temple...
[22:31] <Alicia> Having bought some rolls and sliced meats for lunch, Alicia doesn't have to worry about anything getting cold, so simply makes some for herself and Jessica and leaves them covered on the dining table while she goes to work on her book while waiting on her sister so they can have lunch together when she returns.
[22:37] <Kotono> A half hour passes. There's a heavy, solid knocking on Alicia's door at this point.
[22:37] <Alicia> Naturally, Alicia goes to answer the door!
[22:41] <Kotono> There is a man at the door. He is a man with warm, easy eyes and a respectful smile. He is tall and lithe, human but perhaps with a dash of elven blood. He offers a hand, "Ah, are you Alicia Reynes? It's a pleasure."
[22:42] <Alicia> Recalling a certain fiendish plot against her that revolved around her trustingly giving a handshake to someone, Alicia hesitates for a second to sense for any evil before accepts the hand.
[22:44] <Alicia> "Thank you," she shakes his hand after a hopefully not too obvious pause. "And you are?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "Tura," he answers. "I'd heard much about you in my travels, and of the Crimson Guard. I'd wanted to meet you face to face."
[22:48] <Alicia> "Well, now you have. Is there something I can help you with, or is this simple curiousity?" Alicia asks pleasantly. She's happy to be friendly and welcoming to any who look up to her, but she doesn't really want her house to become a tourist attraction.
[22:49] <Kotono> "A simple favor," He says warmly. "I have a small matter of business with SEira, but she doesn't seem to be in town. As it's rather important that I find her..." he trails off suggestively.
[22:51] <Alicia> "I'm sorry, last I heard she was in Pallanth," Alicia shakes her head. "Perhaps if you tried the temple of Waukeen? If it involves business I'm sure they would help you in contacting her."
[22:52] <Kotono> "Perhaps they can. Thank you, good day," Bowing his head to Alicia, Tura turns and walks away.
[22:54] <Alicia> "You're welcome," Alicia returns, closing the door as he leaves and shrugging. Oh, well... since she's been distracted from her writing, she might as well have lunch now anyway. Jessica can have hers whenever she happens to show up.
[18:07] <Alicia> [20:48] <Alicia> "Well, now you have. Is there something I can help you with, or is this simple curiousity?" Alicia asks pleasantly. She's happy to be friendly and welcoming to any who look up to her, but she doesn't really want her house to become a tourist attraction.
[18:07] <Alicia> [20:49] <Kotono> "A simple favor," He says warmly. "I have a small matter of business with SEira, but she doesn't seem to be in town. As it's rather important that I find her..." he trails off suggestively.
[18:07] <Alicia> [20:51] <Alicia> "I'm sorry, last I heard she was in Pallanth," Alicia shakes her head. "Perhaps if you tried the temple of Waukeen? If it involves business I'm sure they would help you in contacting her."
[18:07] <Alicia> [20:52] <Kotono> "Perhaps they can. Thank you, good day," Bowing his head to Alicia, Tura turns and walks away.
[18:07] <Alicia> [20:54] <Alicia> "You're welcome," Alicia returns, closing the door as he leaves and shrugging. Oh, well... since she's been distracted from her writing, she might as well have lunch now anyway. Jessica can have hers whenever she happens to show up.
03[18:08] * Euphy is now known as Seira
[18:14] <Kotono> Lunch is quite good today. As Alicia polishes that off the afternoon begins to wear by. When Jessica finally returns, she's perkier and humming to herself. "Hi Alicia," she calls as she sees her.
[18:15] <Alicia> "Afternoon," Alicia returns, getting up to stretch her legs a bit as she greets her sibling. "There's some rolls in the kitchen if you're hungry - feeling better?"
[18:17] <Kotono> "Much. It's nic ehaving a sister with so much respect in the Church." There's a pause while JEssica goes to eat, coming out with her meal. "I ran into one of your friends there as well."
[18:18] <Alicia> "Got your cold cured, after all? Thank Mystra, I suppose," Alicia shakes her head wryly. "Who did you run into, then?"
[18:20] <Kotono> "A big man with an axe. He was asking around the temple about something or other...oh, wild magic, I think." Tsking her tongue as she goes to sit, "He picked up you were my sister somewhere and asked if you knew anything about it. I'd said I'd ask you."
[18:20] <Kotono> "Oh his name was Rods. Of course," Jessica chuckles at herself, "Sorry, I'm still a bit lightheaded, magic or no."
[18:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 do I know about wild magic?
06[18:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 do I know about wild magic? and gets 12."12 [1d20=5]
[18:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 does Marie know?
06[18:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 does Marie know? and gets 12."12 [1d20=5]
[18:23] <Alicia> "Ah, yes," Alicia nods. "Unfortunately I don't know much about wild magic, so no real help there, I'm afraid. It's very rare, but I suppose with magic becoming ever more common he might have run into something involving it."
[18:24] <Kotono> "He said it had something to do with 'some stupid tragedy up in the mountains', whatever that means," Jessica gnaws on her bread. "He's probably still poking his big nose around there if you're curious."
[18:28] <Alicia> "Tragedy? Hmm..." Well, it is just right next door to her house, so it's not like it's a big trek out of her way or anything. "I think I'll pop on over to see what it's about, yes. Thanks for letting me know, Jessica," she gives her sister a smile, heading over to the temple of Mystra.
[18:31] <Kotono> It does take a bit of searching. You find Rods tucked away in a back library, chatting up an old man. Well, that's not quite right. Someone's chatting, but it's not Rods. The old man is going on, "...and in the year of our Goddess Mystra, she saw fit to reveal to us..." he goes on, as Rods leans against a bookshelf and listens with half lidded eyes.
06[18:33] * Alicia positions herself nearby to listen in, of course not being so rude as to interrupt a learned sage as he dispenses his wisdom.
[18:36] <Kotono> "That the gifts of magic are ever flowing from her, like how the body's lifeblood is pumped by the heart. To revere Mystra is to revere all the miracles in our world, to bend your knee to her shows the proper respect to the one that can lift us up from mundane dirty, death and disorder. Only Mystra can show the true way, a path of life and enlightenment! It only plays into the hands of the Black Bitch should you walk away from her glory!"
[18:36] <Kotono> Rods nods in the right places, arms crossed. "Right. Does that relate to wild magic, old man?"
[18:37] <Kotono> "It will," He promises, "But you must understand Her wisdom first. For if you allow nihilism and despair to rule your heart, you will become blind to Her miracles." The old man continues on. "For you see..."
03[18:38] * Sierra_SortaDead is now known as Sierra_Mikain
[18:39] <Kotono> Rods sighs a little here. "Look. I know Mystra is great and she has some really hot worshippers, but that's not the point. I need to know about Wild Magic, not about dogma."
[18:39] <Kotono> "Really hot worshippers?!" The old man sputters, "That is completely irrelevant to Mystra's wisdom!"
[18:40] <Kotono> Starting to grina t that, "Then just tell me about the wild magic. Do you really want me swinging around here, trying to read all this books with tiny writing, looking for what I need? Shit man, I got a friend who can do that, but I'm not him."
[18:43] <Kotono> "Urgh..." The old man looks pained, "Mystra regrets your attitude about the faithful. But.." He sighs, "Wild magic is a discpline of magic that involves variance, random chance and spell mutation. It uses 'Wild Surges' to greatly affect and bolster magic in theory."
06[18:43] * Alicia just hangs back and lets them talk, since every time she's about to join in the conversation has already moved on, often in a somewhat embarrassing manner.
[18:44] <Kotono> "What?" Rods blinks totally, "So Mystra's against having hot worshippers? Does she want a lot of lonely guys in her temple?" Grinning as the information comes, "Alright. That wild surges stuff. You said in theory, so what's that mean?"
03[18:44] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as Haruka
[18:45] <Kotono> "It means that the surges aren't always beneficial." The old man elaborates. "Sometimes the spell will come out underpowered. Sometimes...bad things will happen. Flukes that were far away from the intended spell's outcome. Think of it like lightning striking from a clear blue sky."
[18:45] <Kotono> "Fits," Rods mutters, "So it's basically like accidents if you dabble in the stuff?"
[18:47] <Kotono> "That's about right," The old man confirms. "Accidents can certainly happen with Wild Magic."
[18:47] <Kotono> Rods sighs there. "Damn. Yeah, I ran into something like that. I guess it was just some poor fool who fucked up. Thanks." Nodding his head to the old man, Rods turns to walk away.
06[18:49] * Alicia waves to Rod from the bookcase she's leaning on nearby. "My sister said you were looking for me," she begins. "Although it sounds like you now know just as much about wild magic as I do."
[18:49] <Kotono> "Oh, yeah. Figures I find you right after I find outwhat I wanted." Coming over to Alicia, "Yeah, just wrapping up some loose ends from that mess with the Temple of Gond."
[18:50] <Alicia> "Figured out what happened, yet?" she asks. "I heard some of what happened from Pollyanna."
[18:52] <Kotono> "Yeah," Rubbing his neck, "Long story very short, the guy found some old device up in the mountains thanks to Gond or such. I finally got that outta the clerics there, and they mentioned something about 'wild magic', but they didn't know what. So I was trying to put together the last clue." Shrugging now, "I wish we hadn't had to kill him, but..." With a long, easy shrug again, "It sounds like no one could've helped him."
[18:54] <Alicia> "Perhaps," Alica accedes, not knowing enough to say one way or the other for sure. "All you can do now is hope he's at peace. If he'd been killing people then he would have to be stopped, one way or another."
[18:57] <Kotono> "Yeah, but the entire thing still sucked," Rods shrugs, "Yeah, it paid good, but it was a hard trip and the women were all bitchy after that mudfall. On the better side, at least that Temple owes us one for covering up their mess."
03[19:00] * asdgsdfasdf (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[19:01] <Alicia> "There are worse groups to be owed a favour by," Alicia nods. "Speaking of trips, how did things go for J and Serge? Have they come back from down South, yet?"
02[19:01] * tiredofthis (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
[19:02] <Kotono> "Naw. They sent a message up that they were delayed but it wasn't anything serious." Rods keeps his pace up. "They said it should net some extra gold, so I'm thinking they found a side job and managed to work it in somehow."
[19:05] <Alicia> "Good for them. Anyway, I'd better be heading home, now. See you around, Rods," she waves as she departs back to her house.
03[19:08] * asdgsdfasdf is now known as crashandburn
[19:53] <Kotono> On returning home, Alicia finds Jessica resting. The afternoon creeps on by, smoothly passing through like any other day. The constant feeling of being overlaid by a force is becoming adapable once again, though it doesn't fade entirely. Sometimes, when she moves a bit quickly or breaths sharply, she can feel it.
[19:54] <Alicia> All she can do is live with it, sadly, so Alicia tries to simply go about her business as she ordinarily would, letting another peaceful day pass her by.
[19:59] <Kotono> Come evening, Antenora returns. She sits in the front room, nodding absently to Alicia. Once she sits, "...tiresome," she murmurs. "They're so tiresome."
[20:02] <Alicia> "Tiresome as in they wore you out with youthful exuberance and energy, or tiresome as in annoying?" Alicia asks curiously as she looks up from her card game with Marie and Jessica.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Some of both," Antenora says around a yawn, "Mostly the first. I didn't mean to, but when they started asking...it was so sweet." Antenora closes her eyes, as Jessica looks up from her card hand. "I did more running than I'd done in a normal week in a few hours."
[20:05] <Alicia> "Aww," Alicia smiles as Marie wisely decides not to tease Antenora when she's actually being nice. "It sounds like you had a good day, then."
[20:06] <Kotono> "How cute," Jessica smiles. "You should spend more time with them if they start to like you. It'll bring you down to earth."
[20:07] <Kotono> Antenora cracks an eye open, gaze right at Marie. "..mmm. It was...different. I did enjoy it..." She then closes that eye. "I'm sure I could bore you with speculations about a black heart opening up from here, but I think you understand the point already."
[20:12] <Alicia> "What a strange day," Marie opines as she catches Antenora's look. "I rescue an innocent little boy from being punished for a crime he didn't commit, and he's terrified of me, while Antenora spends the day playing and having fun with sweet little children who all love her." She then lays out her random assortment of cards on the table and adds, "Full Fizzbin, by the way," to Alicia and Jessica.
[20:12] <Alicia> "Those are different cards than the last Full Fizzbin you had," the paladin comments, eyeing the hand suspiciously.
[20:12] <Alicia> "That's because this is the fourth hand - if it's a multiple of four then the numbers go up on for each suit and the suits are reversed," Marie replies, sounding offended. "It's not my fault you don't keep up with the rules."
[20:13] <Kotono> "I'd say the children are smarter than their years," Antenora quips back, looking over the card game absently. "Marie, terror of the sky and menacer of innocent children sounds right."
[20:14] <Kotono> "You are...rather lucky, Marie," Jessica murmrus, looking down at her own hand and sighing.
[20:16] <Alicia> "You're just making the rules up as you go along," Alicia tells her familiar indignantly, putting her own hand down. "This is the last time we play a game that you suggest."
[20:16] <Alicia> "Aww, I thought I could string you along for at least another half hour," Marie pouts before returning her attention to Antenora, "So, thinking about having a few mini-Anty's of your own?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "Are you kidding?" Antenora snorts, "Hell would salivate to have a chance to strike while I'm weak and Alicia and others would need to protect me. Plus a child's perfect for kidnapping or a revenge killing...or worse."
[20:18] <Kotono> Jessica sighs again at those words, this time deeply. "...well, that's incredibly grim and horrible. How about we do something that isn't going to lead to brooding?"
[20:20] <Alicia> While her familiar looks a bit abashed at Antenora's words, Alicia gathers up the cards and shuffles them. "We could play a real card game instead?" she suggests, slightly irritated at having been suckered even for a minute with 'Fizzbin'.
[20:21] <Kotono> "Right," Jessica hums, "Any ideas, sister?"
[20:21] <Kotono> Antenora smiles just a tiny bit at Marie, rising. "Good night," she says, getting up. "To a peaceful night then."
[20:23] <Alicia> "Good night, Antenora," Alicia nods to the erinyes. "How about poker?" she then adds to her sister and familiar as Marie redistributes the copper coins they were using as Fizzbin stakes equally between the three so they can start fresh.
[20:26] <Kotono> "I wonder if I was good at poker before?" Jessica muses, "Aren't rogues and assassins supposed to be daring card sharks?"
[20:29] <Alicia> "We played it sometimes when we were children. I don't think either of us were very good back then, though," Alicia admits as she deals. "Although we were better than most of the other children we played with, that's not really saying much."
[20:30] <Kotono> "..mmmm." Jessica eyes the cards, "Maybe I should learn again then, if I have any talent at it. Besides, no one expects a paladin to be a good card player, so I could teach you?"
[20:32] <Alicia> "Heh, we'll see," Alicia smiles. "Contrary to people's expectations, I don't have any compunctions against bluffing. I only ever play for fun, though, so it's nothing serious."
[20:35] <Kotono> "True, but it could be useful someday." Smiling as she waits, "Let's play then?" OOC - Want to skip along now, Alicia?
[20:35] <Alicia> OOC: please
03[20:35] * Kotono is now known as Infinite_Ko_Loop
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The next morning Alicia stops by Elle's shop. Two scrolls are obtained, purchased and held. Once gathered back at home, "You want me to come, sister?" Jessica asks.
[20:46] <Alicia> "If you want to come, that is," Alicia appends. "It shouldn't be particularly dangerous, so it might make for an interesting excursion for the four of us."
[20:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I want to," Jessica says quickly, "Just let me change and get my gear ready," So saying, she goes back to her room. She emerges in familiar elven chain and with a simple light cloak as well as gloves. "You're always rushing off with the Guard to save the day. Goign with you, even if it's something simple, would be fun."
[20:51] <Alicia> "I was hoping you'd think that - even if I'm not expecting this to be too strenuous or anything, it'll give you a chance to see a bit more of what I actually do when I vanish for a while." Gathering Marie and Antenora, she proceeds to read off the first of her scrolls to take the group to the hidden ruin-strewn valley.
[20:51] <Alicia> roll 1d100
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 82."12 [1d100=82]
[20:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Watery sunshine comes down in occasional shafts. The sky is cloudy and gray, a chilly rain falling. The air is thin, rarified. You stand in an ancient valley, the decaying, ancient ruins of a forgotten place around you. Jessica stares a moment, "It's so ...old..." she murmurs, "Like ar eal ruin you read about in a book."
[20:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora glances about, undoing her ribbon. "I'd like to fly about and get a view of the area," she says, blue eyes looking towards Alicia.
[20:55] <Alicia> "Go ahead," Alicia nods. "Come back in five minutes, we'll wait here for you," she adds, surveying the terrain herself. "Where there's undisturbed ruins there's normally hidden lore or ancient artifacts, so hopefully this will be worth all the money spent on teleport scrolls."
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There's the ruins of several houses, often just foundations and half overgrown and eroded floors. A few walls remain, the river that runs through the center moving along inexorably. Jessica starts to look around as well, "Give me some time and I'll search it all around too."
[21:00] <Alicia> Marie floats up a bit for a better view, but forgoes actually scouting around since Antenora has that covered.
[21:00] <Alicia> "No one would build a mere town in a place this remote, whatever this place was, it had to mean something," Alicia muses, looking around. "We'll search everything we can find - at worst we can easily just camp overnight and continue in the morning if there's enough here to warrant it."
[21:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora flies up, ascending high and looking about. Her wings flap as she searches, before landing several minutes later. "It's nothing but mountain around. You'd have to ahve wings to get in here or magic." To a casual look like Alicia did, nothing immediately leaps out.
[21:03] <Alicia> "Which makes me wonder just who lived here," Alicia murmurs. "Okay, lets do this methodically," she speaks up, starting to clamber towards the nearest structure, "We'll search each structure thoroughly one at a time until we've covered everything here."
[21:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Why just the structures?" Jessica asks, "If you're serious about it, I'd like to search everything. If you're going to do it, do it right."
06[21:07] * Alicia chuckles slightly. "Alright, if that's what you'd prefer it's not like we're in any rush," she agrees, slowing down so they can properly survey their surroundings as they move around. "And I suppose I would hate to miss anything."
[21:07] <Alicia> Marie keeps her own eyes alert for any magic besides that which clings to the party, floating along between Alicia and Jessica so both can benefit from her protective aura if needed.
[21:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - How do you guys wanna search, anyway? Rolling? Take 10? Take 20? Taking 20 will take quite awhile, mind.
[21:13] <Alicia> OOC: Anty and Jessica can both roll, I'll aid another for Jessica and Marie can aid for Anty
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Okay.
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+14 Antenora
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+14 Antenora and gets 28."12 [1d20=14]
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12 Jessica
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 Jessica and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[21:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 Alicia aid
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 Alicia aid and gets 10."12 [1d20=9]
[21:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 Marie aid
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 Marie aid and gets 16."12 [1d20=15]
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC 30 and 26 then.
[21:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> An hour passes. About a third of the buildings are searched, Jessica and Antenora going hard to work. They're doing all sorts of things - checking for fake walls, prying at stones, uncovering rubble and more. At this point, in ahalf worn away foundation, Jessica stops her stone checking. "I think I have something," she raises her voice, lifting a small, round stone up and then another and another. "There's definintely a hollow built
[21:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "There's definintely a hollow built into the floor here."
[21:17] <Alicia> "Oh, lets have a look?" Alicia asks, coming over to help Jessica. "Hidden basement or secret cubbyhole, do you think?"
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I'd guess a cubbyhole, unless it gets bigger fast," Jessica keeps removing stones, in about a foot by foot long and wide square indentation. As Antenora walks over, "Give me a hand, sister?"
06[21:19] * Alicia does indeed help Jessica by lifting the surrounding cobbles while Marie puts a dancing light above the pair to provide better illumination into their discovery.
[21:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There are about three or four feet of thickly layered, dense, heavy stone. At the bottom is the top of what looks to be a black box. A single keyhole is in the center, a door handle besides it.
[21:24] <Alicia> "Think you can pick that lock, sister?" Alicia asks, clearing out a few more of the surrounding rocks to provide a bit more room to work with.
[21:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I'm going to try," Jessica lies on her stomach, face downward and hands leaning down. "Hold my hair out of my face. Preferably someone who's fast enough to move if things go wrong."
06[21:27] * Alicia hunches down next to Jessica and pulls her hair back. "There's no magic at least," Marie offers as she hovers nearby.
[21:34] <Alicia> OOC: strike that
[21:34] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[21:35] <Alicia> "Wait, there's conjuration magic on the safe, it's probably trapped," Marie pipes up as she hovers nearby.
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Then if I'm going to disable it...shh. I'll need to concentrate," Jessica retorts. "Unless you have a better idea on it?"
[21:38] <Alicia> "Here, I'll dispel the trap first, that way you won't need to worry as much if you make a mistake," Alicia offers. "It'll only de-activate it for a few seconds, but that should be enough time, hopefully." At that, she casts her spell to bring down the magical aura on the safe.
[21:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[21:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The magic is cast...but the aura doesn't even flicker at that attempt.
[21:39] <Alicia> "Tch, lets try again, just a second," Alicia bites her lip. "Mystra, heed your servant's call and quell the weave over this ancient dweomer!"
[21:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4 and gets 2."12 [1d4=2]
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The magica aura is suppressed by Alicia's spell, success being had!
[21:41] <Alicia> "There, go for it," Alicia steps back as the trap is suppressed, while Marie helpfully holds back Jessica's hair.
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica springs into action, working away in concentrating silence!
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12
06[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Urgh..." Jessica breathes out, "Almost," she whispers back, still working! The aura is still depressed and supressed.
[21:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12
06[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There is a soft but rewarding CLICK that sounds! "Got it!" Jessica calls, "Son of a bitch...there's..." she mutters, before reaching for the handle and opening, sitting back up. "If I'd failed, I've have gotten a faceful of gas. Sure as anything, there's a gas pocket and squirt just inside."
[21:46] <Alicia> "Nasty stuff," Alicia winces at the thought. "What's inside, then?"
[21:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The safe is opened! The scent of incredibly musty, ancient air fills your noses! Inside the metal box you see a small pile of wrapped scrolls. They look ancient, yellowed with time. Each one is sealed with a red wax and tied with a white, silky ribbon.
[21:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora sniffs the air, "Forgotten, just like the rest of this place. AT least by the smell of it it's not something to do with her."
[21:50] <Alicia> "Scrolls are magic," Marie points out. "Want me to take a look over them?"
[21:50] <Alicia> "Not just now," Alicia shakes, "We should get them covered up as long as its raining," she proceeds to summon a donkey from her survival pouch. "Put them in its saddlebags, for now?"
[21:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica carefully takes each scroll out. There seven in total, each placed inside. After a moment, Jessica rises, not closing the safe. "As long as it's like that it shouldn't be able to give us any problems. Not that I intend to start messing with it again."
[21:51] <Alicia> "I don't think she had anything to do with this place, considering how deep and far into the caves we encountered her," Alicia nods to Antenora. "To her it's just an out of the way hiding place."
[21:52] <Alicia> "Lets keep searching, then?" Marie suggests. "Still a lot more ground for us to cover."
[21:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "That still leaves the question of what this place is, then," Antenora waves her hand in front of her face, starting to search again. OOC - Move on a bit?
[21:52] <Alicia> OOC: yep
[21:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+14
06[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21."12 [1d20=7]
[21:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Another hour and a half passes. At about the 3/4ths mark of the buildings, you are in a half walled ruin with a flat stone floor. As the two search, Antenora stops, peering down carefully. "Marie," she calls. "Come here, I'm going to need you for something."
[21:54] <Alicia> Marie flutters on over towards Antenora. "I live to serve!" she simpers brightly.
[21:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Stop moving here, all of you," Antenora calls back. "I'm going to trace my line on parts of the floor here," she peers down. "If you look carefully you'll see little dots and lines. Trace my finger's path with fairy fire."
[21:56] <Alicia> "Got it!" Marie does exactly what Antenora asks, laying a path of etherial purple fire along Antenora's path while Alicia stands still and watches from across the room.
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> JEssica does the same. Antenora goes about, drawing strange lines here and there over the floor. As Marie follows, fairy fire begins to show something. It's only half made, but it's...OOC - Make a K:A check, Alicia?
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+14
06[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+14 and gets 23."12 [1d20=9]
[21:57] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 A
06[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 A and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
[21:59] <Alicia> "A summoning circle?" Alicia raises an eyebrow. "It's different from the gnomish ones, though - whatever was summoned here, it wasn't baatezu."
[21:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I can't tell what it was for," Antenora murmurs. "But I agree. It hardly matters...it's so old and forgotten that it may as well be stone anyway."
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica approaches now, "Oh good. I worried for a moment we'd be drowning in a sea of Antenora and Marie alikes." She says it with a happy smile, however.
[22:00] <Alicia> "There's no actual magical aura to it," Marie agrees. "Still, it tells us a bit about whomever used to live here. Not as much as if we knew exactly what they summoned, mind you."
[22:01] <Alicia> "We might yet find more information somewhere here," Alicia muses, smiling briefly at Jessica's quip. "Though I get the feeling this place was cleared out long ago - so far the only thing of note we've found happened to be hidden away quite well."
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes, let's keep going," Jessica smiles, resuming the search! Another hour. The buildings are finished. Antenora and Jessica are checking about for miscellanious things, when Jessica points to thes ide of a building. Antenora kneels there, tapping her knuckles against the ground. It's on the other side of the river, far away from the escape hold. "Alicia," Antneora calls, "I think we have something here."
06[22:08] * Alicia comes over and examines the ground where Antenora is tapping, while Marie leads the donkey after her, looking around for magic at the interesting area.
[22:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the two come over, Antenora and Jessica are prying up a pile of heavy stones around it, clearing away loose dirt. You can start to see what looks to be a large wooden trapdoor hidden under. "I think we found something good here," Jessica says quickly. "See this?" she taps on the wooden door, rotted and cracking at the tap. "...old though."
[22:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[22:10] <Alicia> "Careful, there's magic on the door," Marie warns. "Though obciously not any sort of magic to keep it in one piece..."
[22:10] <Alicia> *obviously
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> On clearing away the rest of the stones, the heroes can see that there is a lock centered in the middle, over where the doors can be opened. "...Guess I'm up again," Jessica eyes it, getting her tools ready.
[22:13] <Alicia> "I'll dispel it again to stay on the safe side," Alicia offers, praying once more to her Goddess. "Let the Weave be tamed and this trap suppressed in the name of Mystra!"
[22:13] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[22:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The aura flickers, almost being surpressed...but not quite.
[22:14] <Alicia> "Hmm, the aura's stronger than the door, I'll say that. Let me try again," Alicia muses, repeating her spell.
[22:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 15."12 [1d20=3]
[22:14] <Alicia> "And third time's the charm!"
[22:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4 and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The third time does do it! The aura is supressed!
[22:15] <Alicia> "That did it. Go for it," she steps back to let Jessica work.
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica nods and quickly gets back to work, as Antenora keeps a respectful, safe distance back.
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica works on the lock! As she does, "Ah!" Jessica calls! She lifts her hand up, a rusty, nasty looking metal barb embedded into her hand. "Aaaah...."
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4 damage
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4 damage and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+4 fort
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+4 fort and gets 19."12 [1d20=15]
[22:17] <Alicia> "Tch, mechanical and magical traps?" Alicia grimaces. "Here," she heals Jessica. "If you want I can just smash the door open, it should be safe as long as the magic's weakened."
[22:17] <Alicia> OOC: 3hp lay on hands
[22:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Bits of crumbling, rusted metal are pushed from Jessica's hand, the wound mended. "Go ahead then," Jessica says.
[22:19] <Alicia> Drawing her sword which hisses as raindrops strike its flames, Alicia swings downwards to neatly bisect the door!
[22:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 -10 power attack
06[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 -10 power attack and gets 12."12 [1d20=3]
[22:19] <Alicia> roll 1d8+37+1d6 divine might, too
06[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+37+1d6 divine might, too and gets 47."12 [1d8=7][1d6=3]
[22:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The door shatters, ancient wood collapsing! Beneath it, in a shower of ancient broken wood, is a stone stairway leading into the earth. There's nothing left of the door, utterly pulverized. The metal lock collapses to the ground as well, bouncing down thes tairs.
[22:21] <Alicia> "There we go," Alicia smiles in satisfaction as she quenches the flames of her sword and stows it away. "A little light, please, Marie?" she asks her familiar who obliges by putting some dancing lights down the stairway.
[22:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The stairs begin a slow spiral downward, looking to go on for at least further than you can see.
[22:24] <Alicia> "Everyone up for some spelunking?" Alicia asks, taking the scrolls out of the donkey's saddlebag before she starts descending since she should be able to read them down there without the rain ruining the ancient parchment.
[22:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Why not?" Antenora shrugs, shaking her wings off as she starts to walk in. "It's better than being rained on."
[22:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Enthuiasm," Jessica lightly laughs, "Nicely done too, sister."
[22:26] <Alicia> "Sometimes you just can't fault the direct route," Alicia replies amiably as she heads down, Marie following just behind her to keep the lights ahead.
[22:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> AS the party descends down...Marie notices something. The stairway and area is beginning to have a cloying, cloudy, faint magical aura about it.
[22:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[22:29] <Alicia> "There's some sort of weird shifting magical aura all around us," Marie warns. "It's like it can't decide what school it wants to be..."
[22:30] <Alicia> "I could try and dispel it, if it's just a permanent spell that would kill it completely, but if it's tied to something I'd only suppress it for a few seconds at best," Alicia muses. "Lets just keep going, if it proves dangerous we can always retreat."
06[22:30] * Alicia naturally takes the lead so that any danger will be faced by her, first.
[22:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Alright," Jessica says, as the party heads down! Five minutes of walking downward into the earth! At last you come to a large room, a single, plain black door at the far end, 120 feet away. Thirty feet is a huge statue, reaching close to the ceiling. It looks to be of a troll with a greatclub, frozen in place with it's club menacingly raised.
[22:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> *thirty feeta way.
[22:34] <Alicia> "Wow, do you think trolls lived here?" Marie marvels at the statue.
[22:34] <Alicia> "It could be an animated statue that will attack us if we get close," Alicia cautions, keeping a way eye on it as she takes out the seven scrolls to have a quick look over them if they're readable. Marie also helps if they're in a foreign language.
[22:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora eyes the statue as Alicia reads the scrolls! They're in elven, so she can read them. They are each a single spell: Protection from Good, Protection from Evil, Protection from Chaos, Protection from Law, Lesser Planar Binding, Lesser Planar Binding, Eagle's Splendor Mass.
[22:39] <Alicia> "Looks like elves used to live here... and this is a a little treasure trove of scrolls gives everything an aspiring spellcaster might need to summon and bind any outsider they choose - well, any fairly weak outsider, I suppose," Alicia then stows the scrolls in her backpack for the moment and casts Shield on herself. "Everyone stay back, I'll make sure the statue is safe." She then draws her sword and approaches the giant troll.
[22:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Magic Circles, sorry. Honest DM mistake.
[22:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - How close are you getting?
[22:41] <Alicia> OOC: close enough to touch it
[22:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> At fifteen feet away, the statue shatters! A thin layer of stone is expelled from it's body, revealing a stone like troll underneath! It's moving at you with a lumbering haste, coming at Alicia swiftly! OOC - Initiative.
[22:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Sister!" Jessica calls quickly, reaching a hand out in a momentary surprise!
[22:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 A
06[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 A and gets 17."12 [1d20=12]
[22:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 M
06[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 M and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
06[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+5 Antenora and gets 15."12 [1d20=10]
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10 JEssica
06[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+10 JEssica and gets 14."12 [1d20=4]
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+1 stone troll
06[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+1 stone troll and gets 4."12 [1d20=3]
03[22:43] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Marie>Alicia>Antenora>Jessica>Stone Troll'
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Go Marie.
[22:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Aaaah, to one day walk into a ruin and not have to fight things best left undisturbed," Antenora opines, readying herself!
[22:44] <Alicia> Marie draws her bow and flies over above Alicia's head to cover her with her protective aura, loosing off a single arrow at the troll as she takes position!
[22:44] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
06[22:44] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 and gets 32."12 [1d20=12]
[22:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hit.
[22:44] <Alicia> roll 1d4+1+1d6+1d4
06[22:44] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+1+1d6+1d4 and gets 12."12 [1d4=3][1d6=4][1d4=4]
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The arrow embeds into the troll, drawing a thin line of blood from it's stony hide! However, it's huge form i sonly grazingly wounded by such an assault! OOC - Alicia.
[22:46] <Alicia> "Unclean thing before me, wither and die!" Alicia incants, a reddish beam of crackling negative energy lancing forward to strike the troll!
[22:46] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 ranged touch and gets 25."12 [1d20=10]
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hit.
[22:46] <Alicia> roll 1d4 negative levels
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4 negative levels and gets 2."12 [1d4=2]
[22:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The red beam sinks into the chest of the troll, making it's body wither! Even as this happens, Antenora is moving! A holy ferver comes over her, as,
[22:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The red beam sinks into the chest of the troll, making it's body wither! Even as this happens, Antenora is moving! A holy ferver comes over her, as, "Return to your sleep!" she calls!
[22:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+17 (-7 PA +2 charge, +1 fly, +2 FS 7/8)
06[22:49] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+17 (-7 PA +2 charge, +1 fly, +2 FS 7/8) and gets 24."12 [1d20=7]
[22:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d8+46+1d6
06[22:50] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 2d8+46+1d6 and gets 60."12 [2d8=5, 5][1d6=4]
[22:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora rushes onward, plunging her speach into the tall creature's stomach! The wound is deep, though it's trying to reform even as Antenora rips her spear out! Meanwhile, Jessica hesitates a moment, before, "Alright," she breathes out, rapier out as she runs forward, keeping down and low, a single probing strike going as she pokes at the troll's side!
[22:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+13
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
[22:51] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d6+1+4d6
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d6+1+4d6 and gets 18."12 [1d6=6][4d6=2, 2, 5, 2]
[22:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The troll has it's leg veins pierced open, little jets of blood pressurized and coming forth! Beseiged abruptly, the troll can only roar in savage fury and strike at it's tormentors with it's giant club!
[22:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+14 Antenora (-2 debuffed)
06[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+14 Antenora (-2 debuffed) and gets 15."12 [1d20=1]
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+9 Jessica (-2 debuffed)
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+9 Jessica (-2 debuffed) and gets 28."12 [1d20=19]
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 3d8+26 (-2 debuffed)
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 3d8+26 (-2 debuffed) and gets 39."12 [3d8=1, 6, 6]
[22:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+4 Antenora (-2 debuffed
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+4 Antenora (-2 debuffed and gets 14."12 [1d20=10]
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+9 bite Antenora
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+9 bite Antenora and gets 16."12 [1d20=7]
[22:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The troll's club hits up and down, shaking the roof and slamming the floor! While Antenora is able to deftly dodge the blows, Jessica is hit right in the ribs! It's such a powerful blow that it threatens to knock her down! OOC - It gets a free trip on a club hit. Resolving now.
[22:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12 str check for giant
06[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 str check for giant and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[22:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 dex check for Jessica OW.
06[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 dex check for Jessica OW. and gets 24."12 [1d20=18]
[22:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The blow leaves Jessica down, dazed and winded! She rolls a bit back and forth, coughing from thei mpact! OOC - Marie.
[22:57] <Alicia> Firing a barrage of magic missiles at the troll, Marie flies around to take up position above Jessica so that her aura will provide some support while she might hopefully present a more tempting target in order to take the pressure off.
[22:57] <Alicia> roll 5d4+5
06[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 5d4+5 and gets 16."12 [5d4=4, 1, 1, 2, 3]
[22:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The missiles embed into the troll, riddling it and rocking it's body back! Antenora glances towards Jessica, "Keep on her," she calls over to Marie! OOC - Alicia.
[22:59] <Alicia> "Jessica, back off, we'll cover you!" Alicia tells her sister, rushing over and channelling a healthy dose of spellfire into her wounded sibling.
[22:59] <Alicia> roll 10d4+10
06[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 10d4+10 and gets 36."12 [10d4=2, 1, 3, 1, 4, 3, 4, 4, 3, 1]
[23:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Already in the giant's sweeping range, Alicia approaches her! The wounds mostly vanish, Jessica's coughing ceasing, "Sorry...didn't wanna see you fight alone," she groans! Meanwhile, with Jessica healed, Antenora turns her full fury onto the creature! Her spear lashes out in a repeating dance, looking to utterly perforate him!
[23:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+20 (-2 PA +1 flying, +2 FS 6/8)
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+20 (-2 PA +1 flying, +2 FS 6/8) and gets 31."12 [1d20=11]
[23:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+13 (-2 PA +1 flying)
06[23:00] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+13 (-2 PA +1 flying) and gets 18."12 [1d20=5]
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+8 (-2 PA +1 flying)
06[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+8 (-2 PA +1 flying) and gets 18."12 [1d20=10]
[23:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+1d6+13
06[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d8+1d6+13 and gets 20."12 [1d8=4][1d6=3]
[23:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora manages to penetrate it once, but it's wounds are already mending up, as if they never were! It's still considerably hurt, but it's regenerating before your very eyes! Meanwhile, Jessica gets up, attempting to safely tumble away from the giant's smashing club!
[23:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+17 auto anyway
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+17 auto anyway and gets 32."12 [1d20=15]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Easily rolling back, Jessica retreats back and away from the battle! Just as well, for the giant's wraith rains down like hammering fury!
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+14 Antenora (-2)
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+14 Antenora (-2) and gets 23."12 [1d20=9]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+9 Marie (-2)
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+9 Marie (-2) and gets 27."12 [1d20=18]
[23:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+4 Antenora (-2)
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+4 Antenora (-2) and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+9 bite Alicia
06[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+9 bite Alicia and gets 23."12 [1d20=14]
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - AC, Marie?
[23:04] <Alicia> OOC: 24, 26 vs evil
[23:04] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 3d8+26 ow
06[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 3d8+26 ow and gets 43."12 [3d8=8, 6, 3]
[23:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12 trip check, make a dex or str check to oppose, Marie
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 trip check, make a dex or str check to oppose, Marie and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[23:05] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 can you trip flying creatures?
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 can you trip flying creatures? and gets 21."12 [1d20=14]
[23:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - I'll rule that it simply knocks Marie downward, in this case to the ground. The intent of the ability is for the troll to knock thing saround with it's honking big club an yway.
[23:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Marie is clobbered hard, sent towards the floor and smashed like a bug underneath it's huge club! However, she's not out yet, battered but not beaten! OOC - Marie.
[23:07] <Alicia> "Oww... you won't do that again!" Marie groans as she turns into an incorporeal ball of light and hovers back into the air.
[23:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Dammit," Antenora breathes out, "Alicia, help me take this damned thing down!" OOC - Alicia.
[23:08] <Alicia> "With pleasure," Alicia returns, channeling as much divine and arcane power into her blades as she unleashes a storm of burning steel against the troll!
[23:08] <Alicia> OOC: sacrificing 1 4th and 3 2nd level slots, divine might
[23:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+21 fire
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+21 fire and gets 35."12 [1d20=14]
[23:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20 holy
06[23:08] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 holy and gets 30."12 [1d20=10]
[23:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 fire
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 fire and gets 22."12 [1d20=6]
[23:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 holy
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 holy and gets 23."12 [1d20=8]
[23:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - All hit.
[23:09] <Alicia> roll 4d8+54+4d6+2d6+40d4
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 4d8+54+4d6+2d6+40d4 and gets 197."12 [4d8=3, 4, 5, 5][4d6=6, 4, 4, 5][2d6=4, ]
[23:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> In a righteous fury, Alicia tears into the troll! Her holy blade causes great damage, while her flaming blade leaves wounds that won't mend anytime soon! The troll falls back with a heavy rattle, shaking the ground with it's massive impact! It groans and twitches, but it otherwise down! OOC - It's not able to act, free action.
06[23:11] * Alicia efficiently ends things by decapitating the troll with her flaming blade.
[23:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This is some work with the troll's large body, but this indeed does finish things.
[23:12] <Alicia> "Ooooh, good job, Alicia," Marie comments woozily as she returns to corporeal form, Alicia flicking the ichor off her blade and bestowing more spellfire healing on her familiar.
[23:12] <Alicia> roll 10d4+10
06[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 10d4+10 and gets 33."12 [10d4=3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 1, 1, 4]
[23:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Haaaah..." Antenora breathes out, calming down. "That was brave of you two...but I hope you remember that neither of you is particularly durable enough to withstand that sort of pounding."
[23:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica just groans, rubbing her ribs still. "It hit like a raging barbarain. I thought it shattered my ribs with the pain I was in."
[23:14] <Alicia> "I wouldn't be surprised if it had," Alicia admits. "That was certainly no ordinary troll... I didn't expect we'd actually have to fight anything, here."
[23:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Well, between that and the traps someone takes security seriously," JEssica ventures. She looks ahead past the corpse, "There's still that door."
[23:15] <Alicia> "This is why I normally hang back and shoot at things," Marie nods. "Detecting magic is useless here, though, so you'll have to check that door for traps the old fashioned way," she tells Jessica.
[23:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica advances to the door, looking it over. There's a small keyhole, but otherwise no features. "Of course, we didn't find a key. Psh." Kneeling down, she starts to get to work.
[23:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+12
06[23:17] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
[23:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> After working for a bit, Jessica stops. "I think I can get it...but just barely. It's damned well good and locked. I have a better chance of failing than I'd like, though."
[23:19] <Alicia> "Hmm... well, there's always plan B - I dispel it then hack it open," Alicia offers, readying her sword once more.
[23:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "If you want to try that, feel free," Jessica says.
[23:21] <Alicia> "Okay, then," Alicia stands before the door and casts dispel magic upon it. "Mystra, hear my call and bring down the dweomer that stands before me!"
[23:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[23:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 27."12 [1d20=15]
[23:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4
06[23:21] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4 and gets 2."12 [1d4=2]
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 full attack this time
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 full attack this time and gets 14."12 [1d20=5]
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4 full attack this time
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 full attack this time and gets 14."12 [1d20=10]
[23:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The door is so affected! Marie can't really tell if anything happened, though, thanks to the shifting, clouding aura all about. OOC - And hit.
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d8+37+1d6 divine might again
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+37+1d6 divine might again and gets 47."12 [1d8=4][1d6=6]
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d8+37+1d6 divine might again
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+37+1d6 divine might again and gets 46."12 [1d8=3][1d6=6]
[23:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The first slash carves deeply into the door! Withdrawing, Alicia hacks in again! The entire thing collapses, the center ripped apart! Ancient air gushes out from here, the smell terribly old. The sharp tang of chemicals fills your noses.
[23:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Ahead, you can see a dark path, with the remnants of ancient candles in the walls.
06[23:24] * Alicia scurries back a bit to let the air equalise while Marie sends some dancing lights into the newly opened path.
[23:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Ahead and down the path is a moderately large room. A few ancient beakers and tables are about. The stence of strange chemicals linger in the air. The interior walls gleam with a strange green-blue luminence to light being reflected on them.
[23:26] <Alicia> "An alchemist's lab?" Alicia wonders aloud. "Rather well defended for one..." She waits a minute more for the air and chemicals to settle before heading inside.
[23:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Waving her hand, Jessica follows. Inside you get a better look. In jars and beakers on the scattered tables are often sealed liquids with odd body parts floating in them. The walls glow brighter as you approach.
[23:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
06[23:28] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 and gets 30."12 [1d20=14]
[23:28] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13 (+2 vs evil)
06[23:28] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 (+2 vs evil) and gets 17."12 [1d20=4]
[23:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora slows down a few seconds, seming to struggle tos tep inside. Marie, for her own efforts, can't even seem to enter! Alicia and Jessica seem to have no problems doing so, however.
[23:30] <Alicia> "Uh... I think there's some sort of forbiddence effect that blocks outsiders, here," Marie pipes up from the door. "Antenora's probably okay since she's a native one."
[23:31] <Alicia> "Try going incorporeal?" Alicia suggests to her familiar, who does just that and then tries entering again.
[23:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It felt like walking through stiff water to get in," Antenora agrees. Marie has no problems entering this time, though.
[23:32] <Alicia> Nodding in satisfaction as Marie joins them, Alicia turns her attention to the lab. "I expect any potions or oils will be long since spoiled by now... and I'm not sure I want to imagine what's in some of those jars. Still this is the best preserved area we've found, so lets look around?"
[23:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Seach check or taking 10/20?
[23:33] <Alicia> OOC: since it's a small area of obvious interest, Anty can take 20 with the rest of us aiding.
[23:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 A aid
06[23:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 A aid and gets 19."12 [1d20=18]
[23:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 M aid
06[23:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 M aid and gets 5."12 [1d20=4]
[23:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There's not a ton of searching to do. Antenora takes the lead, tuning out Marie's advice as she works with Jessica and Alicia. After a few minutes, you find a scrap of paper on the floor underneath a table. "Here," Antenora says, "I can't read it."
[23:34] <Alicia> "Let me look," Marie asks, fluttering over to take a look. Alicia also peers over Antenora' shoulder, assuming it's probably elven.
[23:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It is indeed elven. Written is: "If you've pressed in this far, you are likely competent to understand what this is. I had to abandon this laboratory due to enemies I made while binding outsiders. This room is a natural ley point - a point where the energies of the world gather. In particular, this one aids summoning and conjurations. Use it how you will and at your own risk."
06[23:38] * Alicia reads it aloud for the benefit of the others. "Not much use to me, since I hardly know any summonings... except one," she pauses for a moment to focus on Kossuth's blessing, calling forth a fire elemental into an area of the room with no flammable materials nearby.
[23:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100
06[23:39] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d100 and gets 46."12 [1d100=46]
[23:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The elemental so appears in a flourish of fire!
[23:43] <Alicia> "Looks a bit stronger," Alicia observes her handiwork. "I suppose it would be useful for longer term conjurations, like planar binding or planar ally. Not much use for simple summon spells unless there's enemies right outside, though."
[23:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Estorically interesting. Does it do us any good?" Antenora asks.
[23:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> JEssica goes to sit down a bit away from it all, "Considering how isolated it is, probably not much for those summons, yes."
06[23:43] * Alicia shakes her head as she dismisses the elemental with a wave of her hand. "Not really. I could try and bind some outsiders with those scrolls, but I'd have no way to take them back home on one teleport scroll."
[23:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ah well," Jessica smiles, "At least we found those spell scrolls, then. Did it justify the cost and trouble?"
[23:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Unless we can find a way to get creative with it?" Antenora adds in. "None come to mind considering the hassel."
[23:45] <Alicia> "If I were to sell them all then we'd turn a small profit," Alicia replies. "The day's still early and there's more to explore, if you three are up for it, though. We might find a few other secret areas like this one if we look hard enough."
[23:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Right," Jessica gets up, "Hopefully with less trolls."
[23:49] <Alicia> "If we do encounter more resistance, just stay back and let Antenora and I handle it, sister," Alicia warns. "We got you that rapier so you could defend yourself, not to go looking for trouble with."
[20:49] <Alicia> [21:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ah well," Jessica smiles, "At least we found those spell scrolls, then. Did it justify the cost and trouble?"
[20:49] <Alicia> [21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Unless we can find a way to get creative with it?" Antenora adds in. "None come to mind considering the hassel."
[20:49] <Alicia> [21:45] <Alicia> "If I were to sell them all then we'd turn a small profit," Alicia replies. "The day's still early and there's more to explore, if you three are up for it, though. We might find a few other secret areas like this one if we look hard enough."
[20:49] <Alicia> [21:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Right," Jessica gets up, "Hopefully with less trolls."
[20:49] <Alicia> [21:49] <Alicia> "If we do encounter more resistance, just stay back and let Antenora and I handle it, sister," Alicia warns. "We got you that rapier so you could defend yourself, not to go looking for trouble with."
[20:51] <Kotono> "
[20:52] <Kotono> "I will," Jessica rubs her side again, "Let's go then?"
06[20:53] * Alicia nods. "After we've finished searching the surface we can take a look around the cave system that we came out of the first time, just in case there's anything nearby of interest that we missed the first time."
[20:57] <Kotono> Thus the four head out. In the drizzling rain an hour passes. In the rocks one thing of note is found. On tipping over a small stone and feeling about a bit, Jessica starts digging. She withdraws a shard of metal from the ground. It's about a foot long, looking like a hunk of some sort of blade. It's polished to a sapphire tinted silver, unrusted. "Hey, Sister," Jessica calls. "Take a look at this."
06[20:59] * Alicia comes over to take a look. "No rust means it's probably magic or else some exotic metal, but broken blades rarely hold any magic. Let me check," she casts detect magic and gives the shard a look over.
[21:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[21:03] <Kotono> Tapping a finger against it, "It's something. Want to keep it?" Jessica asks.
[21:03] <Alicia> "Hmm, it's still got a faint but solid aura of evocation on it. Keep a hold of it, I've got some scrolls of identify so I can find out exactly what it is, later," Alicia nods, giving her sister a smile.
[21:04] <Alicia> "Maybe there's some other fragments around here, lets dig this spot some more," she adds, helping Jessica dig out the surroundings of where she found the blade while checking for any other magic auras.
[21:10] <Kotono> Antenora comes over as well, helping dig. Thus with magical aura and tools they get to work!
[21:10] <Kotono> OOC - GAh.
[21:12] <Kotono> Antenora comes over as well, helping dig. Thus with magical aura and tools they get to work! After about fifteen minutes, they've torn up the area. The stony soil is hard to dig up and soon becmoes flat, jagged rock. However, three more shards of the same purple hued metal are found. One is no bigger than a fingernail clipping, another is a rounded circle that's mostly intact, looking like the bottom of a sword's grip. The last is another lon
[21:12] <Kotono> The last is another longish shard, half a foot long and jaggedly seared on one side.
06[21:13] * Alicia lays all the shards out on a flat piece of ground like a jigsaw puzzle and tries to see if they all fit together in any reasonable manner.
[21:14] <Kotono> They form what looks to be about 25% of some sort of big sword. A longsword, a bastard sword, or a greatsword, or some variant therein. The rain falls on the purple metal, lightly splashing off and doing nothing to dim it's steady, unblinking radiance.
[21:14] <Kotono> They don't really quite fit together, but Alicia is clearly missing much of the puzzle.
[21:15] <Alicia> "Where could the other parts have gone?" Alicia wonders aloud. "Do you think someone deliberately seperated them?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Well, the edge is jagged and burnt," Jessica observes. "Was there a battle here and this was broken...or are you right and someone's just trying to bury something instead?"
[21:18] <Alicia> "Maybe it's both? If it was just sundered in battle then all the fragments would be nearby - unless the rest of it was simply disintegrated? Antenora, you've been studying metalworking lately, haven't you? Do you know what kind of ore this is?"
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21."12 [1d20=18]
[21:21] <Kotono> "No, I've never seen anything like it. The craftsmanship," Antenora kneels, running a finger gently over the metal, "is very good. I can tell it's not normal iron or mithral," A tap at her own breastplate, "And it doesn't look like adamantine."
03[21:21] * Kotono is now known as Blondezilla
[21:24] <Alicia> "I don't think it's gnomish, either, since their weapons tend to have lots of barbs and hooks... Well, lets just gather this up for now and keep looking? We might find more of it somewhere around here." Idly, Alicia glances towards the stream that runs through the valley, if it's near enough to their current location it's possible some fragments wound up in there.
[21:24] <Blondezilla> It's not too far away, maybe twenty feet.
[21:25] <Blondezilla> "Let's finish then," Jessica agrees, dusting off her clothing fromt he dirt that's gotten on to it. With the rain, a thin layer of mud is forming on her here and there, the dirty work taking a toll.
[21:27] <Alicia> "Marie, while we're looking around here, do you want to follow that stream for a bit and check for any magic along its route? It's possible something might have wound up in there and been carried further along," Alicia suggests as they resume picking through the ruins.
[21:27] <Alicia> "Okay, I'll be back in a bit," the currently incorporeal Marie chirps, going to do just that.
[21:30] <Blondezilla> Searching the rest of the barren grounds doesn't turn much of note up. However, Marie follows the stream! AS it tunnels into the mountain she can easily follow it! About one hundred feet in, she catches sight of it! A faint magical aura farther down the stream. Jutting out against a small rock is a jagged shard of purple hued metal.
[21:31] <Alicia> Marie turns corporeal, dives down into the water to snatch up the shard, then promptly turns incorporeal once more. She then continues her journey in search of more treasure!
[21:32] <Blondezilla> The shard is perhaps the size of a baby's finger, snatched up! Several hundred more feet reveal no more metal, however, just a mountains tream continuing on it's eternal path.
[21:33] <Alicia> Since it'll probably take the others a while to do their searching back at the ruins, Marie keeps going for five minutes along the subterranean stream's path before she gives up with the reasonable expectation that any metal carried this far would probably have been carried all the way to the sea by now.
[21:35] <Blondezilla> Five minutes pass and still no more metal. Thus Marie returns...
[21:44] <Alicia> Once Marie returns bearing her treasure, Alicia puts it with the rest. "Hmm... the only cave we've seen here is the one we arrived at, right?" she checks to make sure no one else has seen any and neglected to mention it.
[21:44] <Alicia> "The stream goes underground, but it's just water at least for the half mile or so I went down it," Marie pipes up.
[21:45] <Blondezilla> Antenora shakes her ehad, "That's the only one we found, besides the ley point."
06[21:45] * Alicia tries to recall if they passed any branches at all close to where they eventually came out on their first trip through said cave system.
[21:47] <Blondezilla> None that Alicia recalls. It was pretty much a flat climb up.
[21:48] <Alicia> "Hmm... I don't think there's much point exploring that cave, to be honest - any branches on it would be miles away from here..." she drums her fingers on her thigh for a moment. "Marie, do me a favour and go see if you can find the source of the stream and check if there's anything interesting there? After that I think we'll go home."
[21:49] <Alicia> "Back in a minute, then," Marie chirps breezily, zooming off to follow the stream upriver, studiously checking for magic as she goes.
[21:49] <Alicia> Meanwhile Alicia takes a moment to check if all the fragments bear the same sort of magical aura.
[21:51] <Blondezilla> The fragments all bear the same aura. OOC - Marie, how far are you willing to go?
[21:53] <Alicia> OOC: she'll come back if she's found nothing within 15 minutes, which would cover about 2 miles.
[21:56] <Blondezilla> The stream goes for about a mile and a half. At that juncture, it slopes shortly and sharply downward before emptying into an underground lake. There's no air bubbles here, just stone no top of a vast chamber of water. Several rivers empty into it near the top, and near the bottom, Marie's darkvision lets her see that there are downward snaking rivers that flow out. Giant, strange jellyfish float around the lake, glowing with a faint, ot
[21:56] <Blondezilla> Giant, strange jellyfish float around the lake, glowing with a faint, otherworldly luminence. Amid all of this, Marie can just catch a magical aura on the very bottom of the watery chamber.
[21:57] <Alicia> Marie also checks for evil, just in case they're nasty jellyfish, before she goes down to investigate whatever's at the bottom.
[21:57] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[22:00] <Blondezilla> AT the bottom you see it. It's several shards lying amid the slightly worn, sandy ground of the chamber. Metallia, purple shards, three in total. Two are small shards, but the third is about half of the blade's handle. It's made of the same metal entirely and well grooved.
[22:01] <Blondezilla> *metallic.
[22:03] <Alicia> Marie wonders just how it would get all the way down here. Positioning herself besides the fragments, she pops into her corporeal form and quickly snags them before returning to warm and fluffy incorporeality. Then, on a whim, she randomly follows one of the other rivers that lead out of the top of this chamber, just in case it leads anywhere interesting.
[22:04] <Blondezilla> OOC - How long would MArie follow?
[22:04] <Alicia> OOC: in this case no more than half a mile
[22:04] <Blondezilla> roll 1d16
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d16 and gets 12."12 [1d16=12]
[22:05] <Blondezilla> Marie follows a river for a half of a mile. It carves through stone, utterly mundane and boring.
[22:05] <Alicia> Well, so much for that, time to go back to the others where she will surely receive glorious heapings of praise and adoration for her efforts.
[22:05] <Alicia> Actually, no!
[22:06] <Alicia> She'll check out the other rivers, first.
[22:06] <Alicia> Just in case.
[22:06] <Blondezilla> OOC - All of them?
[22:06] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100
06[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 99."12 [1d100=99]
[22:06] <Alicia> OOC: in turn, yes, half a mile each
[22:09] <Blondezilla> It's on the very last tunnel that Marie gets lucky. AS she follows it, she catches sight of what looks to be a bit of a rising, a small air bubble in this stream.
[22:09] <Blondezilla> OOC - Gah.
[22:09] <Blondezilla> It's on the very last tunnel that Marie gets lucky. AS she follows it, she catches sight of what looks to be a bit of a rising, a small air bubble in this stream. It's a few feet tall and several wide, but it's notable for one thing. It's roof glitters with some sort of metal.
[22:09] <Alicia> Is it magic?
[22:10] <Blondezilla> The metal is not magic. IT does seem shiny, even if darkvision prevents full usage of color.
[22:11] <Alicia> Marie floats up to take a closer look. It could just be a random ore vein or something.
[22:11] <Alicia> She also makes use of her own natural glowiness in her incorporeal ball form to let her see in colour.
[22:12] <Blondezilla> The metal glitters an alluring golden color when it is so lit. It's a long streak of what looks to be gold.
[22:13] <Alicia> Well that's nice, but it's not like Marie has underwater mining skills, so said wealth might as well be on the moon for all the good it does her. With little else to do here, she zooms back towards the ruins at top speed.
[22:14] <Blondezilla> Thus Marie returns! On her return, "You found more of it," Jessica asks.
[22:16] <Alicia> "I did!" Marie returns to corporeal form and hands over the fragments to Alicia with a grunt. "There was some underground reservoir filled with big glowy jellyfish, and these were at the bottom. I didn't actually find the source of the river, though - there were a few other water channels leading in other directions, but I didn't find anything interesting after checking some way down each."
[22:17] <Blondezilla> "
[22:17] <Blondezilla> "How much of it does that make, then?" Antenora asks.
[22:17] <Blondezilla> "Good work," Jessica beams at Marie. "We couldn't have found those ourselves."
[22:17] <Alicia> "You did well, Marie," Alicia smiles and pats her familiar on her soaking wet head. Not that anyone else here is much drier after being out in the rain all day. "Lets see..." she takes out all the pieces found so far and attempts to assemble them wherever the joins fit.
[22:20] <Blondezilla> It looks to be about half of the weapon now. It was once a longsword. It looks like the left side of it took some sort of burning, searing attack that shattered it. Much of the blade is still missing, though.
[22:22] <Alicia> "I still don't understand how the fragments could have been scattered so widely, though," Alicia muses, rubbing her muddied and soaked brow. "Since most of it was here, I'd assume this is where it shattered, so how could fragments end up in both directions of the river?"
[22:22] <Blondezilla> "I don't know," Jessica shrugs, "That means that itw asn't scattered by accident?""
[22:23] <Blondezilla> Antenora idly wipes at her face, rainwater flickeda way. "It means we may be finding something that wasn't meant to be reassembled?"
[22:24] <Alicia> "But they didn't do *that* good a job of seperating the pieces, if we found all these parts already. Although I suppose they wouldn't have expected anyone to look in that underground lake... it's very mysterious," Marie hums as she bobs about in the air.
[22:25] <Blondezilla> "We're still missing half of it," Antenora points out. "Well..." Looking up at the rain, "Are we going to dug up all the dirt and mud to look for more, or are we going to return home now?"
[22:28] <Alicia> "I don't like mysteries," Alicia states firmly. "The other pieces have to be around here somewhere - I know it'll probably take us a long time, maybe even all of tomorrow as well, but I want to try digging for more. If we don't find anything else by nightfall we'll just go home, but if we do find something then we'll camp overnight and keep looking tomorrow, if it's alright with you three," she concludes on a more concillitory note.
[22:29] <Blondezilla> Antenora runs a hand over her face, "You know...I go through all of this, take sacred vows...and I'm now a dirt digger." With a sigh she starts to work on her breastplate, removing it. "It is dreadfully ironic at least, but whatever it is may be worth the trouble."
[22:30] <Blondezilla> Jessica snickers a little, "It's not so bad. Didn't you ever play in the mud as a...not that I suppose you did..." Jessica shakes her head, frowning, "Or if I can remember if I did. So maybe we should make up for lost time here?"
[22:31] <Blondezilla> "Har," Antenora snorts. "I just don't want to have to work in this breastplate if I don't have to. We're already soaked and dirty anyway."
[22:31] <Alicia> "At the very worst we can probably sell the fragments as historical curiousities, but legends are filled with tales of reforging lost magnificent weapons of the past - if we do find all of it, this could actually be something really special," Alicia offers with an encouraging smile.
[22:32] <Alicia> "Or it could just be a really old sword of slightly sharper than normal-ness," Marie adds cheekily.
[22:34] <Alicia> "Yes, or that, thank you Marie," Alicia deadpans as her familiar takes a bow. "Anyway, lets take a break for lunch so we can dry ourselves off and relax for twenty minutes before we get stuck in."
[22:39] <Blondezilla> "Ah Marie. Putting a good face on everything," Antenora rolls her eyes, but doesn't comment past that. OOC - SKip along?
[22:39] <Alicia> OOC: yep
[22:41] <Blondezilla> Indeed, it's dirty, muddy, backbreaking work. By evening everyone is soaked, muddy from head to toe and exhausted. However, tearing up all the loose ground you could find bore fruit! You found a tiny shard that helps, and deep under a few rocks, a long chunk of the blade. You have about 70% of the weapon now. It looks like it was once a fabolous blade...
[22:42] <Alicia> How much more of the valley remains undug?
[22:43] <Blondezilla> All the loose ground you could dig has been dug. It was hard work, but the party has gone through an unearthed everything they could.
[22:47] <Alicia> "Okay, I think that's all we can realistically find here, but that does leave the river," Alicia reasons, casting prestidigitation and cleaning the mud off herself and everyone else. "Unfortunately only one of us can really investigate that. So how about the rest of us wait just inside that cave where it's dry while Marie goes off to try and find the source again?"
[22:47] <Alicia> "Take as long as you think you need, but if you don't find anything worthwhile within an hour that's probably our cue to give up. It's still possible that what's left was simply disintegrated by whatever shattered the blade."
[22:47] <Alicia> "Alright, then, try not to miss me too much," Marie essays a smile as Alicia heals her back up to full perkiness before she flies straight up for a few hundred feet then looks over the mountaintop in the direction upstream of the river, checking if anything notable is visible on the surface from there, first of all.
[22:47] <Blondezilla> OOC - Spot check.
[22:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[22:49] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16."12 [1d20=11]
[22:49] <Blondezilla> Marie doesn't see anything notable from her aerial view.
[22:51] <Alicia> Okay, turning incorporeal she zips back down and follows the river back up to the reservoir, going full speed since she doesn't need to check for magic on ground she's already covered. Then she starts checking all the other branches leading off, willing to spend fifteen minutes on each of them after rushing to the spots she paused at last time.
[22:51] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 44."12 [1d100=44]
[22:52] <Alicia> Also, while waiting on Marie, Alicia casts Identify on the largest shard available. Since it takes an hour that should kill time while waiting on her familiar.
[22:53] <Blondezilla> It's down the ninths tream that Marie finally finds something. It's a tiny shard of purple metal. However, attached to it is a tiny, throbbing purple gemstone. It literally pulses like a living organ, in and out and in and out.
[22:53] <Alicia> Is it magic?
[22:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
[22:55] <Alicia> This could be the motherlode! Swooping down, Marie pops into corporeal form, holds her breath as she grabs up the fragment, then returns to the safety of incorporealness. Then she resumes her search pattern.
[22:58] <Blondezilla> The rest of the tunnels reveal no treasure or things of note.
[22:59] <Alicia> Then, following the breadcrumb-like trail, she goes back to the ninth tunnel where she found the gem-fragment, and keeps travelling up it, willing to spend another twenty minutes on this task before calling it quits.
[22:59] <Blondezilla> This yields no more treasure, however, the way showing no magic or shards.
[23:02] <Alicia> Zipping back at top speed and phasing through any mountain in her way, Marie returns to join the party and deposit her prize. And upon seeing how close they are to completion, and hearing just what the sword does, she makes her way downstream now, intending to follow it for at least half an hour in case she finds anything further in that direction.
[23:03] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 31."12 [1d100=31]
[23:04] <Blondezilla> The half hour is a long trip. Near the end of it, the river comes out into th eopen! A jagged canyon is here, the starlight glittering far above. The narrow walls raise hundreds of feet straight up, the river cutting a five foot wide patht through as it flows. It looks to keep going in this manner a ways, heading steadily downhill.
[23:05] <Alicia> Marie sweeps her magic detecting gaze over the banks of the river as well as beneath the water itself as she continues on in this vein for another five or so minutes before she'll get disheartened and give up.
[23:07] <Blondezilla> Nothing at all stands out to Marie in her search here.
[23:10] <Alicia> Well, she tried her best. With little else to show for her efforts, Marie returns to the party, who're all currently clean and warm and toasty as they sit around a fire Alicia has provided. "It looks like we're still missing a fifth of the blade," Alicia states mournfully as she eyes the assembled fragments. "I'm sure it would be tremendously useful, too..."
[23:10] <Alicia> "Maybe it could be reforged anyway? I mean, it was a big wasteful longsword, but I bet with what we've got you could make a neat little shortsword, easy!" the drenched eladrin offers consolingly as she parks herself on Alicia's head, dripping all over the paladin.
[23:12] <Blondezilla> Jessica snickers, "Oh Marie," she shakes he head, sending a warm smile to Alicia. "It's possible, or perhaps you could find more of the base material? I don't know about magic...but could you get it reforged or into a patch of some sort?"
[23:13] <Blondezilla> "That would still take reforging it," Antenora glances at the pieces, "There's also that gem you found. Hopefully that'll help, since I doubt it's for show."
[23:14] <Alicia> "It is possible - both ideas," Alicia admits. "We'd need to find a master smith, anyway. Maybe if I can track down that circus again..." she looks thoughtful. "Probably the gem is the most important part," she nods to Antenora in agreement.
[23:15] <Blondezilla> Idly shaking her hair dry, as the rain above finally starts to slow, "Well, if we're done here... are we going to go home or camp out here? I mean, I'd rather speculate about this inside of a warm house."
[23:15] <Blondezilla> Jessica says after a moment.
[23:16] <Alicia> "There's nothing left for us to do here," Alicia nods, picking up Marie and setting her beside the campfire as she stands up. "I'll ask Elle if she's ever heard of this sword tomorrow, it's something we can look into if we can find someone able to reforge it. Maybe some ancient dwarf who'd do it simply for the challenge and not actually charge us anything..." she trails off wistfully.
[23:17] <Blondezilla> "Maybe it'll rain gold coins tomorrow?" Antenora says with as weet smile.
[23:18] <Blondezilla> "Ask everyone? Maybe someone has someone they know?" Jessica shrugs, sending Antenora a dirty look.
[23:18] <Alicia> "Yes, yes, poke fun," Alicia grumbles good naturedly. "Hmm... on that note," she draws her own usual weapon. "Who forged you, Hell Striker?"
[23:19] <Blondezilla> 'A heavenly hand,' Hell Striker answers. 'A Planetar dedicated to fighting evil by his craftsmanship.'
[23:21] <Alicia> "A Planetar? Think he's still around? Maybe we could amalgamate this sword's powers into you?" Alicia muses hopefully. "Just the thing for stopping fiends from retreating, or closing planar gates they use to invade through."
[23:21] <Blondezilla> 'If you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with slaying fiends.'
[23:22] <Blondezilla> "It's hopeful...and..." Antenora curls up with a smile, "That's your sister talking to her sword, Jessica. Be amazed at seeing a conversation with a tool."
[23:23] <Alicia> "He thinks it's possible, so long as it doesn't interfere with slaying fiends," Alicia pats the taciturn sword genially as she slings it upon her back once more. "Okay everyone, gather round, time for us to go home so we can sleep in our own beds."
[23:23] <Alicia> "I don't have a bed," the now dry Marie pouts as she flies up onto Alicia's head.
[23:25] <Blondezilla> "Sleep with an on Alicia," Antenora shrugs. "My, you're gooda t it."
[23:26] <Alicia> "Well, I don't really sleep much anyway," the eladrin admits as Alicia takes out the teleport scroll. "Hey, you're the same, why don't we share your bed?" she grins at Antenora.
[23:27] <Alicia> roll 1d100
06[23:27] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 17."12 [1d100=17]
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:22] <Blondezilla> "It's hopeful...and..." Antenora curls up with a smile, "That's your sister talking to her sword, Jessica. Be amazed at seeing a conversation with a tool."
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:23] <Alicia> "He thinks it's possible, so long as it doesn't interfere with slaying fiends," Alicia pats the taciturn sword genially as she slings it upon her back once more. "Okay everyone, gather round, time for us to go home so we can sleep in our own beds."
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:23] <Alicia> "I don't have a bed," the now dry Marie pouts as she flies up onto Alicia's head.
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:25] <Blondezilla> "Sleep with an on Alicia," Antenora shrugs. "My, you're gooda t it."
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:26] <Alicia> "Well, I don't really sleep much anyway," the eladrin admits as Alicia takes out the teleport scroll. "Hey, you're the same, why don't we share your bed?" she grins at Antenora.
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:27] <Alicia> roll 1d100
01[20:41] <Seira> [23:27] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 17." [1d100=17]
03[20:44] * Aya is now known as Laggy
[20:46] <Nayuki> OOc - Nick Alicia?
03[20:46] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:49] <Nayuki> After a night's rest, Alicia goes to see Elle. She's yawning and manning her shop in the morning, no one there. Elle herself looks marginally bored, idly waving her hand and making a few motes of light dance around to her gestures.
[20:51] <Alicia> "Practicing your cantrips?" Alicia asks with a smile as she approaches the counter, Marie fluttering through the air after her.
[20:53] <Nayuki> "It's a slow day," Elle smothers another yawn in her hand, "Some days rich adventuers and the like just aren't in the mood to buy magecraft. Unless you're here to change that?"
[20:55] <Alicia> "Not buy per se... well, not yet anyway, but one thing at a time," Alicia takes out the bejewelled fragment of the sword they recovered yesterday and places it on the counter. "Ever heard of the Sword of the Sealed Gateway?"
[20:57] <Nayuki> "Not offhand," Elle peers the item over, murmuring a few words and making a strange gesture. "Mmm. Evocation on most of it and abjuration on the gem. What happened, broke some devil's sword?"
[21:00] <Alicia> "Not a devil's - at least I don't think so," Alicia shakes her head. "While exploring those mountain ruins we found this along with a bundle of other fragments of the sword - probably about four fifths of it, all told. Since it still bears a magic aura despite being shattered, it caught my interest. All I got from casting identify on a fragment was the name and gist, though."
[21:00] <Alicia> "So..." she straightens up, "That brings me to my next question - know anything about reforging broken magic weapons?"
[21:02] <Nayuki> "Tsk. Possible...granted, missing some of it will make it harder." Idly picking up one of the smaller fragments, "I'd need to cast Identify on it myself and do some research. Since you know it's name, that's something to work with."
[21:04] <Alicia> "Do you think finding more of the metal it's made from - I'm not quite sure what it is yet - even if unenchanted would make reforging it easier?" Alicia asks curiously. "Or as another potential idea, could its qualities be transferred to an existing weapon - such as Hell Striker here? I have to admit, I'm very interested in a weapon that can inhibit dimensional travel."
[21:07] <Nayuki> "I can try, certainly. I've never seen purple metal either, not like this." Elle idly reaches out and touches the gemstone. "That...that would be a lot harder. Let me get back to you on all of it. Well then, I'll have to call Alice, since I'm going to have something to do now."
[21:08] <Alicia> "I have an idea of how to find out about the metal, so I'll look into that later today. A few other things first, though," Alicia pockets the fragment. "Remember those wardings I gave you that book about? How much would it cost for you to make ten of them?"
[21:11] <Nayuki> "Well, getting all of those tears is going to be a hassle. The price is only 1,000 GP for ten...but why ten?" Elle asks curiously. "Backup?"
[21:15] <Alicia> "I want to spread them around a bit, in case we find anyone else she's targetting," Alicia admits. "Anyway, here," she takes out the weathered scroll she recovered from the ruins. "Found this in those same ruins - Mass Eagle's Splendour, should more than cover those wards. We can think of the difference as store credit?" she concludes with a sunny smile.
[21:15] <Nayuki> "Oh wow, that's a nice, advanced spell." Reading it over, "Fine. Alright, come back in a few days and I'll let you know."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Such a pity you can't use my tears," Marie mock sighs. "I guess now that I've felt evil magic despair I'm just too deep and complex for my no-longer innocent maidenly tears to hold any magical significance."
[21:18] <Nayuki> "It is. You'd be much easier," Elle absently says, "Until then, I'm going to get to work."
[21:20] <Alicia> "Yes, now we can't pinch you until water comes out and have anything good happen," Alicia idly pats her familiar on the head. "Thanks again, Elle, I'll talk to you later." With that she departs, heading home to collect Antenora for her next quest!
[21:24] <Nayuki> Antenora is at home, practicing. "What it is," she asks, idly starting to pick up bits of broken wood from practice dummies.
[21:26] <Alicia> "We're going to the sealed ruins," Alicia announces. "You remember those enchanted dwarf miners? I'm hoping they might know about the ore of our broken sword - they might even be able to produce it, given the strange qualities of that place. Besides that, we might actually be able to do something to... fix or solve that area, this time."
[21:29] <Nayuki> "I remember them," Antenora agrees with a slight nod. "Alright. Just the two of us?"
[21:29] <Alicia> "Plus Marie," Alicia indicates her familiar. "We might have to fight those mechanical spider things, and she'd be able to actually scout down the small tunnels if necessary."
[21:32] <Nayuki> "Joyous," Antenora cracks her neck, "I'll be ready soon then. We'll take the front or are you going to cast water breathing?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "I can't cast that, so front it is," Alicia confirms, waiting on Antenora while Marie whines.
[21:33] <Alicia> "I feel so unappreciated," the little eladrin pouts at the departing erinyes' back.
03[21:34] * Seira is now known as Jeanne
[21:34] <Nayuki> "You're appreciated because you aren't in a stewpot yet," Antenora calls back as she heads inside.
[21:36] <Alicia> "There, there," Alicia pats Marie's head consolingly, somewhat used to just tuning out their inane repartee by now..
[21:39] <Nayuki> You enter the ruins! Despite a rocking, flying good time with a certain elevator platform, the trio reaches Ajan without incident. He looks down on them as they enter, "...Hmph. Only the three of you? Has woe befallen Seira and Demedais?" His voice is strong, echoing about the chamber. Sparks fly from his nostrils for a mere moment.
[21:41] <Alicia> "No, we're not actually going to try and take down one of the seals - we haven't found any more resorts yet," Alicia looks up at the enormous dragon, almost used to his presence by now, even if Marie does hide behind her. "We have some unfinished business with Chief N'Rust and his miners that we were hoping to sort out."
[21:43] <Nayuki> "Go on then." Ajan settles back down, "Then the time has not come for the fourth seal to be dissolved."
[21:45] <Alicia> "Just before we do, I don't suppose you've ever heard of a weapon called the Sword of the Sealed Gateway?" Alicia asks hopefully. Not that she has any idea where the sword came from or anything, but hey, ancient dragons are bound to know lots of bits and pieces.
[21:48] <Nayuki> "An ancient sword before the wars," Ajan answers. "It has nothing to do with the battles against the God King. I do know some of it's history."
[21:50] <Alicia> "Would you mind sharing what wisdom you hold of its history and powers?" Alicia asks respectfully. "I have found its shattered remnants, and while it may not have been used in past battles with the God King, that's not to say it couldn't prove useful in future battles."
[21:51] <Nayuki> "I see. I am not adverse to aiding you." Ajan leans forward, his head coming closer to Seira. His head casts the thre einto shadows, Antenora looking up at him. "I would request a service of you in exchange for what I know."
[21:52] <Nayuki> *Alicia
[21:53] <Alicia> "What service would you ask?" Alicia asks carefully, trying her hardest not to back away from the terrifyingly huge wyrmhead.
[21:56] <Nayuki> "When the time comes, speak well for my release as well," Ajan says simply. "Aid in my release from this millenia long duty."
[21:58] <Alicia> "If we do defeat Daa-vid then your duty would be obsolete - do you believe that the Gods would seek to keep you here even with nothing to guard?" Alicia asks, somewhat surprised. It seems entirely pointless to her, unless his duty is also a punishment.
[22:01] <Nayuki> Ajan's own look is unrelenting to Alicia, so close. "I have had millenia to ponder. I will not take any risks on this matter."
[22:04] <Alicia> "Such a fate would be a cruel one," Alicia admits, forcing herself to meet the ancient dragon's stare without flinching. "On principle alone I would be compelled to seek redress, but before I commit my word to such a course I must know - what would you do with your freedom, Ajan?"
[22:09] <Nayuki> Is it a dragonic smile? Alicia can't be sure, but the scaly flesh around Ajan's mouth slightly curls up. Alicia can seen dozens of white teeths, sparks crackling between them. "My fate is uncertain when the resolution at last occurs. I seek to avoid that...and to live again beyond these walls. I seek to fly in the open air, to find a suitable nest. I desire the life long denied to me by this duty. I mean your kingdoms no harm, for they are bu
[22:09] <Nayuki> I mean your kingdoms no harm, for they are but a fleeting things before my eyes."
[22:13] <Alicia> "You would not seek to demand tribute from those weaker than yourself?" Alicia asks guardedly as Marie peeks over her shoulder. "I know I sound presumptous, as you've always been forthright with us in the past, Ajan, but I don't know just how much of your behaviour is compelled by your duty here."
[22:17] <Nayuki> Ajan snorts, a wreath of flame flickering up towards the ceiling. Heat buffets Alicia, nearly knocking her back. "Had I wanted nothing but tribute, I would not be here. Mortals have nothing to give me that would interest me as tribute."
06[22:20] * Alicia does step back at that, causing her familiar to emit a startled squeak as she's likewise knocked in that direction. "I meant no offence," she hastily affirms. "But you have satisfied my concerns. When the time comes after Daa-vid's final defeat, I will speak up on behalf of your freedom," she promises.
[22:22] <Nayuki> "Good." Ajan is silent another moment, "The Sword of the Sealed Gate was created by Azanin, an elven wizard who specialized in ley points and portal magic. His work was well known for a short time, before his laboratory was destroyed and he vanished. I remember that the sword was said to damage gates and bind planar creatures to prevent escape."
06[22:24] * Alicia can't help but feel a little piqued at how worthless this information is to her. Well, except one part, if she can get clarification... "So it only binds planar creatures? So if for example it was used on a human wizard, they would still be able to teleport or plane shift away without impediment?"
[22:28] <Nayuki> "I do not know. The sword is made of a rare metal that is said to have strong properties related to that. Linthrum was rare even when Azanin created the Sword of the Sealed Gate. I would speculate that it may, but..." A slight widening of his draconic smile, "I assume that you lack the sword itself and are researching some relevant legend or tale you heard?"
[22:29] <Alicia> "It would be more accurate to say that I lack a fifth of the sword," Alicia replies with a slight smile of her own. "I was actually intending to ask the dwarves about the ore used in its make - Linthrum, you called it?"
[22:31] <Nayuki> "Aaah." Ajan snorts again at that, "Linthrum, yes. It glows purple. You seek to restore it then?"
[22:32] <Alicia> "Yes. Considering how many fiends I have to fight, it seems like it could be a very useful weapon - though I hope its effects aren't restricted solely to outsiders. I suppose I won't know the full details until it can be reforged," Alicia finishes with a shrug.
[22:34] <Nayuki> "Linthrum was rare even in the past. I wish you well and good fortune in finding more." Ajan settles back at that, his head withdrawing.
[22:35] <Alicia> "Thank you, Ajan, you've been most helpful," Alicia nods respectfully in turn, now heading off towards the dwarven mineshaft.
[22:37] <Nayuki> Once you're in the portal room and out of likely earshot, "...Mph. Even if I can't be burned, that dragon's presence is strong." Antenora murmurs.
[22:38] <Alicia> "Remember what he said about that other erinyes who wandered in here?" Alicia murmurs back. "I'm not sure elemental resistance means a lot to a dragon like that."
[22:43] <Nayuki> "..." Antenora shivers all over, glancing nervously back. "Let's just go."
06[22:45] * Alicia nods and continues onwards to their destination.
[22:49] <Nayuki> The teleportation and walk is without incident. You arrive at the mineshaft, walking downward. As you do, the sounds of mining can be heard. The walls glitter with a silver metal, being mined by a group of dark haired, well working dwarves. A few carts are full of ore, pickaxes and shovels going and going and going.
[22:51] <Alicia> "I could try and dispel the enchantment on them, but I'd rather leave that as a last resort - I get the feeling we're meant to find a solution to this situation and just dispelling any spell in our way is considered cheating," Alicia notes quietly to her companions, recalling her attempt at dispelling those chests in the storm. Raising her voice to the dwarves as she approaches, she calls out, "Hello there!"
[21:20] <Alicia> [20:49] <Nayuki> The teleportation and walk is without incident. You arrive at the mineshaft, walking downward. As you do, the sounds of mining can be heard. The walls glitter with a silver metal, being mined by a group of dark haired, well working dwarves. A few carts are full of ore, pickaxes and shovels going and going and going.
[21:20] <Alicia> [20:51] <Alicia> "I could try and dispel the enchantment on them, but I'd rather leave that as a last resort - I get the feeling we're meant to find a solution to this situation and just dispelling any spell in our way is considered cheating," Alicia notes quietly to her companions, recalling her attempt at dispelling those chests in the storm. Raising her voice to the dwarves as she approaches, she calls out, "Hello there!"
[21:26] <Kotono> "Ah?" The dwarves slow a bit, a few looking at the appraoching woman. "A human? What the hell are humans doing down here?"
[21:27] <Alicia> "Don't you remember me?" Alicia asks, naturally assuming that they don't but going through the motions. "I visited before. You sold some mithral to one of my friends." As she speaks she looks around for chief N'Rust.
[21:32] <Kotono> The dwarf blinks slowly, "Oh yeah, I 'member you now. You came with the warrior who traded for mithril. Nice to see ya again!" He turns, taking a pickaxe and tearing a little more ore out of the wall. "That I do remember!" N'Rust is in the back, helping a cart of metal be filled
[21:32] <Kotono> .
[21:35] <Alicia> Well, that's nice, shows they aren't completely brain-dead. "Good. I actually had a question about metal that I was hoping one of you could answer." Approaching closer to the gathering, she takes out one of the bigger shards of the Sword of the Sealed Gate and holds it up, "Are any of you familiar with Linthrum?"
[21:42] <Kotono> "Bless my beard!" One sputters, the dwarves gathering around. They stare at the metal, "Lintrum! I'd give my beard to mine that!"
[21:43] <Alicia> "So none of you have ever mined it before?" Alicia asks as they all gather round. "Do any of you even know where it might be mined?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "Aaah, Linthrum..." N'rust strokes his beard, "That would be amazing if we did, for we'd be richer than kings! I know a cousin who knew someone that found a little and he's living the high life now!"
[21:53] <Alicia> "Where did he find it?" Alicia asks curiously, though she half suspects the directions will be meaningless to her own frame of reference.
[22:00] <Kotono> "Oh, in a tunnel well underneath Lake Bural. Lucky man..." With a sigh there, "He hit the motherload with just a little of it."
[22:01] <Alicia> "A pity you haven't found any here," Alicia notes innocently. "I mean, you've already found gold, mithral, adamantine... it looks like this is quite a productive vein you've stumbled upon. No telling what else you could find, right?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "We'll keep working and wandering and find the good stuff," N'rust spits on his hands, "Get back to work, men! We got us some silver to mine!"
[22:04] <Alicia> "By the way," Alicia speaks up before they do, "Whatever happened to Grundrum?"
[22:08] <Kotono> "Ah, Grundrum's back thataway," Waving his hand deeper down the shaft, "He should be back soon, eh?"
[22:08] <Alicia> "He's been gone for an awful long time, hasn't he?" Alicia observes. "Do you want me to bring him back?"
[22:10] <Kotono> "Aw, sure, drag 'em back. Man's probably drunk again, he holds his ale like an elf!" With a laughing snort, "Thanks."
[22:11] <Alicia> "No problem," Alicia dismisses the dwarves and starts heading down the mine tunnel, gesturing for Marie and Antenora to follow her, her familiar sending out some dancing lights ahead to light their way.
[22:23] <Kotono> "I'd forgotten mostly about them," Antenora says once they're out of earshot. "What's your running theory?"
[22:25] <Alicia> "Bringing Grundrum's corpse to them might inspire some reaction, though like Seira said, it might not be a positive one. Before we reach where it lies, however, I want to check that pit below the metal bridge - there might be something we missed there, something that could explain those strange metal spiders and why the dwarves can't see them," Alicia reasons as they walk (or fly) along.
[22:28] <Kotono> It takes twenty minutes of walking or so before the slope changes. Things level out briefly but with a good reason. Ahead is a chasm with a full metal bridge over it.
06[22:29] * Alicia picks up a stray pebble as she walks along, then upon reaching the middle of the bridge she casts light upon it and drops it down the chasm. Even as it falls she belatedly glances at Antenora, "Of course, I could have just asked you what's at the bottom, couldn't I?" she mutters embarrasedly.
[22:32] <Kotono> "Alicia peers down, as does Antenora. The rock plummets about one hundred feet before revealing a bottom, bouncing there. Down there is a solid bottom, small metallic shapes moving down there. There's a whole lot of real estate down there, but you'd have to descend to get any sort of coherent look.
[22:32] <Kotono> Antenora snorts lightly. "Common sense is the rarest sense of all."
[22:34] <Alicia> "Well, it doesn't hurt to see for myself," she takes a moment to cast another spell. "Lady of Mysteries, grant me wings of magic..." she murmurs before taking off. "Come on, lets fly down for a closer look - try to keep away from the sides, though, in case any climb up the walls to get at us."
[22:38] <Kotono> Antenora follows! The two fly down now, descending carefully! At fifty feet down, you can see below well enough. The ground is lousy with small, metallic crabs! The sound of a heavy CHOMP CHOMP can be heard as their claws crunch together! They scurry about about! Below, you can see that the bottom has open spaces, a vast wide open place here, more than you can easily see.
[22:40] <Alicia> Marie sends out some dancing lights to their maximum range of over two hundred feet in both directions to see how far the chasm extends on either side.
[22:42] <Kotono> It extneds to the...!!! With that added light, you can see it. It's a back wall at first glimpse, but no. It's made entirely of gleaming metal. It's huge. It's a tall cone set into the wall, ascending upwards to a fine point. AT the base are vast tunnels were many crabs come in and out. These tunnels are more than tall enough for a human to pass through.
[22:43] <Alicia> "Well, I think that bears investigation," Alicia comments, flying towards the cone for a closer look.
[22:44] <Kotono> "...ugh." Antenora murmurs under her breath, checking her spear. As you approach, you see that the cone is several hundred feet wide, metallic crabs all over.
06[22:47] * Alicia floats closer to the ground, carefully watching the nearest mechacrustaceans for any sign of them registering to her presence.
[22:49] <Kotono> Clic klak? Clika cak! The sound of rustling metal claws is a steady din as Alicia descends down! AT thirty feet, the crabs stop moving a moment, all of them turning up to look at Alicia!
[22:51] <Alicia> "I suspect we'd have to fight our way in, and there's an awful lot of them..." Alicia murmurs. "Marie, how about you take a quick look inside just to make sure it's worth our while?" she suggests to her familiar.
[22:51] <Alicia> "Sure thing!" the eladrin replies brightly, turning incorporeal and zooming up to the peak of the cone from where she descends inwards to take a look inside.
[22:51] <Kotono> OOC - Marie will need to go to #terror.
06[22:53] * Alicia floats upwards a few feet to a level where the crabs weren't reacting to her previously.
[22:55] <Kotono> The crabs hustle away from Alicia. They are starting to go to the walls, climbing up them. Climbing up and up and up and up and up, not just a few, but many of them! Antenora eyes them, "I think I rather dislike this..."
[22:56] <Alicia> How far apart are the walls?
[22:57] <Kotono> The walls are sixty feet apart.
06[22:59] * Alicia positions herself equally between the two walls and starts to fly up a bit herself. "Just keep your distance from the walls and stay a bit higher than they climb," she suggests to the erinyes. "If they somehow do manage to leap at us, fly straight up and away - I'll deal with them myself and you won't want to be too close for that," she adds grimly.
[23:01] <Kotono> Antenora merely flies back up, "They remind me of...vermin. Bugs." Antenora confesses, "Which is fine until a swarm of them crawl over you to try and rip you limb from limb."
[23:02] <Alicia> "Exactly. There's far too many to reasonably fight with sword or spear," Alicia agrees. "Just trying would be pointless."
[23:04] <Kotono> "Yes...and something I'd rather forget. Imagine spending a few years of eternity being tormented by acidic ants crawling into you." Antenora flies up a little more, as the crabs match it. There's twenty more feet until you get back to the bridge.
[23:06] <Alicia> "That ever happen to you?" Alicia asks with a wince, deciding to give up on flying upwards and instead move horizontally away from the crabs, off to the other side of the bridge.
[23:07] <Kotono> "No. I wasn't that unlucky," Antenora answers evenly back. "I don't intend to find out what it's like."
[23:09] <Alicia> "Lets not," Alicia agrees, starting to get tempted to do something about the crabs but resolving to just continue maintaining distance for the moment.
[20:39] <Alicia> [21:04] <Kotono> "Yes...and something I'd rather forget. Imagine spending a few years of eternity being tormented by acidic ants crawling into you." Antenora flies up a little more, as the crabs match it. There's twenty more feet until you get back to the bridge.
[20:39] <Alicia> [21:06] <Alicia> "That ever happen to you?" Alicia asks with a wince, deciding to give up on flying upwards and instead move horizontally away from the crabs, off to the other side of the bridge.
[20:39] <Alicia> [21:07] <Kotono> "No. I wasn't that unlucky," Antenora answers evenly back. "I don't intend to find out what it's like."
[20:39] <Alicia> [21:09] <Alicia> "Lets not," Alicia agrees, starting to get tempted to do something about the crabs but resolving to just continue maintaining distance for the moment.
[20:44] <Kotono> Thus the crabs continue to climb up! They're ascending past and to the bridge, climbing up towards the ceiling.
[20:46] <Alicia> OOC: are they moving laterally at all in our direction?
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: No, they're staying to the wall.
[20:54] <Alicia> Keeping her distance, Alicia watches the movement of the crabs in case any actually start moving in her direction once they reach the ceiling.
[20:57] <Kotono> The crabs start to climb the ceiling, dutifully assembling and creeping towards Alicia's position!
[20:59] <Alicia> "Heh," Alicia looks upwards, "They're planning to drop down onto us. Clever," she can't help but be slightly impressed by their lack of self preservation.
[20:59] <Alicia> "Okay, I think they rely on short ranged blindsight and some sort of hivemind, so if we fly back down and away to the side they shouldn't be able to tell where to drop to catch us, so long as there aren't any on the walls to act as spotters - the chasm is just the right width for their purposes."
[20:59] <Alicia> Putting action to words she flies quickly away from them horizontally, and then drops downwards once a decent distance has been gained, scanning the sides of the chasm to make sure there aren't any clinging to the walls nearby.
[21:09] <Kotono> Antenora listens, her lips curling up in a smile. "Pack mind, yes. No real sense of self preservation then for single members?" Antenora follows Alicia, the crabs pausing! They slow at this, not seeming to immediately react...
[21:10] <Alicia> Descending further, Alicia likely won't be able to see the crabs for much longer even with the light given off by her flaming blade, so has to rely on Antenora. "They still motionless?" she asks.
[21:18] <Kotono> "They are," Antenora answers quietly.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Lets wait for Marie to come back. At worst we've lured away a sizable contingent of them which should make it easier to penetrate the tower if we have to," Alicia reasons, keeping an eye out for her cheery little familiar.
[21:20] <Kotono> It's not long until Marie retunrs, the bundle of light and joy she is.
[21:23] <Alicia> After the eladrin relays her findings, Alicia nods. "Okay, that design you saw could be key to this - lets go have a look and see if anyone else can make sense of it." The news that the crabs themselves are magical also means she can probably just try dispelling them directly... in fact, she does that now. "Marie, can you send up a light over there, first?" she asks, pointing to where they left the big cluster of ceiling-clinging crab
[21:23] <Alicia> Marie, of course, complies without complaint.
[21:24] <Kotono> The light illuminates that the ceiling has about two dozen crabs clinging to it, ready and willing to fall!
06[21:25] * Alicia helps them on their way, hopefully. "Mother of all Magic, heed my call and tear away the animating dweomer of these machines!" she incants, releasing a burst of dispelling magic over the cluster!
[21:25] <Alicia> OOC: 2 dozen dispel checks?
[21:26] <Kotono> OOC - For simplicity, just make a single on.e
[21:27] <Kotono> OOC - It's bending the rules a bit, but it's a lot easier than two dozen dispels.
[21:27] <Alicia> OOC: it's gonna suck if I fail
[21:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{20}
[21:28] <Kotono> Clack! Click! PLUMMET! At that magic, the crabs stop! For a moment they are simply there, before they plummet en masse towards the ground! OOC - Ref save due to a wave of falling metal crabs, both ofyou.
[21:28] <Alicia> OOC: wait, what? We moved away horizontally to not be directly beneath them.
[21:28] <Kotono> OOC: Oh dur, disregard then.
[21:29] <Kotono> Clack! Click! PLUMMET! At that magic, the crabs stop! For a moment they are simply there, before they plummet en masse towards the ground! The crabs dent and crack on falling, still, unmoving metal scuptures littering the floor below!
[21:29] <Alicia> "Well, this makes things vastly more simple, wouldn't you say?" Alicia grins to her two companions.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Good. It beats a few thousand gold of fireball scrolls," Antenora grins back.
[21:33] <Alicia> "Come on, lets head for the cone. Stick close and stab any that wander in range, but leave any big clusters for me to dispel," she suggests, casting shield upon herself before she swoops down towards the cone, Marie leading the way to whichever tunnel leads to the magic design chamber.
[21:44] <Kotono> The two descend down! The cone is big enough to enter, but there are crabs lingering at the outside, four of them! Further, you can glimpse more inside...
[21:46] <Alicia> "Hit and run," Alicia suggests, "If they do start to converge once we attack we can lure them all into one group so I can dispel them all at once." At that she dives down to attack one of the crabs adjacent to the tunnel entrance, intending to proceed up the tunnel immediately afterwards.
[21:47] <Kotono> OOC - Let's do initiative to see if they're flatfooted, sure.
[21:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 A
[21:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0A --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{12}
[21:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 M
[21:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0M --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
[21:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
[21:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0Antenora --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{18}
[21:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 craaaaaaabs
[21:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0craaaaaaabs --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{27}
03[21:48] * Kotono changes topic to 'CRABS>Antenora>Marie>Alicia'
[21:52] <Kotono> The crabs clickerclack as Alicia flies closer! Meanwhile, Antenora approaches, using her reach to attempt to skewer one as she flies into the tunnel as well!
[21:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+1 fly, +2 charge, -5 PA)
[21:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0(+1 fly, +2 charge, -5 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{35}
[21:53] <Kotono> roll 2d8+38
[21:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d8+38 --> 6,0[ 2d8=6 ]4,0{44}
[21:54] <Kotono> As a holy ferver begins to burn in Antenora, she spears one of the crabs! It's tossed off her spear, impaled and broken! OOC - Marie.
[21:55] <Alicia> Marie flies thirty feet straight up the tunnel to act as a spotter since the crabs seem unable to detect her while she's incorporeal.
[21:55] <Kotono> Thus Marie flies! OOC - Alicia.
[21:56] <Alicia> Following after Antenora, Alicia descends down and slashes her flaming blade through the remaining crab nearest to the tunnel entrance!
[21:56] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17 charging -4 pa
[21:56] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+17 1,0charging -4 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{21}
[21:56] <Alicia> OOC: +1 flying
[21:57] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[21:58] <Alicia> roll 1d8+19+1d6
[21:58] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+19+1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d8=3 1d6=3 ]4,0{25}
[22:00] <Kotono> The crab is stabbed, burnt metal stinking up the place! It stops moving ont hat wounding, slaughtered! There are three more immediately close as the party flies into the tunnel with many more ahead! The tunnel's about ten feet tall, giving clearance for some flying, and about ten wide. It goes onward for the immediate aheadedness, nothing unusual seen so far.
[22:01] <Alicia> "This way!" Marie urges the other two, leading them on to the large central chamber as Alicia flies after her familiar, ignoring the three crabs in the tunnel since she has plenty of clearance over them.
[20:54] <Alicia> [20:00] <Kotono> The crab is stabbed, burnt metal stinking up the place! It stops moving ont hat wounding, slaughtered! There are three more immediately close as the party flies into the tunnel with many more ahead! The tunnel's about ten feet tall, giving clearance for some flying, and about ten wide. It goes onward for the immediate aheadedness, nothing unusual seen so far.
[20:54] <Alicia> [20:01] <Alicia> "This way!" Marie urges the other two, leading them on to the large central chamber as Alicia flies after her familiar, ignoring the three crabs in the tunnel since she has plenty of clearance over them.
[20:58] <Kotono> The three fly down the tunnel! Racing along in the clearance, the crabs snap futilely at them as they advance! However, after a few rounds of moving, they can see two things! The first is that it slopes upward just a bit, leading into some large chamber! The second is that a large number of crabs are stacking up ahead - forming a defensive wall of sorts, crab over crab over crab over crab! It's four feet tall and you're about 75 feet away now
[20:58] <Kotono> It's four feet tall and you're about 75 feet away now, as more crabs climb up and assemble! OOC - Go ahead and act. I'll call for another initiative if you get into a combat situation.
[21:00] <Alicia> OOC: how many crabs are there ahead?
[21:02] <Kotono> OOC - Several dozen and more behind and around them, crawling up the wall to make it taller. Lots, basically.
[21:03] <Alicia> "Cover our rear," Alicia tells Antenora as she draws short about sixty feet from the metallic wall. "I'm going to let them bunch up a bit more ahead of us before clearing a path."
[21:05] <Kotono> Antenora turns, stopping and hovering! As the party waits..more craps form! Five feet up! Five and a half! Meanwhile, a few crabs are approaching Antenora from behind and on the ceiling! "How long are you going to wait? I'm about to get crabbed," Antenora calls back.
[21:07] <Alicia> A solid five foot mass of crabs sounds absolutely ideal to her. "Wait no more," Alicia reassures the erinyes as she directs her palm forward to unleash a devastating blaze of incandescent spellfire that roars up the confined tunnel and straight through the thickly packed mass of crabs!
[21:07] <Alicia> roll 10d8 DC 22 reflex half
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 10d8 DC 22 reflex half and gets 45."12 [10d8=7, 1, 5, 6, 8, 1, 7, 2, 3, 5]
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 14#1d20+6
06[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 14#1d20+6 and gets 242."12 [14#1d20+6 = 11, 10, 23, 18, 26, 19, 17, 13, 23, 8, 14, 23, 22, 15]
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 14#1d20+6
06[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 14#1d20+6 and gets 218."12 [14#1d20+6 = 11, 19, 11, 11, 22, 9, 25, 21, 16, 13, 7, 12, 16, 25]
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 14#1d20+6
06[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 14#1d20+6 and gets 224."12 [14#1d20+6 = 7, 22, 24, 9, 16, 17, 25, 15, 22, 21, 10, 10, 10, 16]
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 14#1d20+6
06[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 14#1d20+6 and gets 224."12 [14#1d20+6 = 16, 17, 24, 24, 15, 8, 10, 18, 7, 11, 23, 9, 22, 20]
[21:16] <Kotono> Boooosh! As Alicia fires, a flaming jet of spellfire burns through the crab wall! Many of them are melted and crumble into half dissolved slag! Many more are badly burnt and mangled, the wall collasping into ruin! As the spellfire races down the hall, Antenora is meanlile defending herself from crabs! They come raining down, Antenora trusting up at one of the six that fall at her!
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (-2 PA)
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 (-2 PA) and gets 24."12 [1d20=7]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d8+13
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+13 and gets 15."12 [1d8=2]
[21:16] <Kotono> One crab has it's side pierced, but the rest recklessly fall at Antenora, claws snapping and slashing!
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 27."12 [1d20=13]
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 15."12 [1d20=1]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 15."12 [1d20=1]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
06[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 20."12 [1d20=6]
[21:18] <Kotono> Click CLANG! Antenora dodges all but one, which comes down hard on her new breastplate! It skids off even as it futilely claws at it, metal scraping against metal in vain! OOC - Let's do initative here. There's a pile of melted and nearly dead/dead crabs in front of yo uand some in the back and more coming.
[21:18] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 A
06[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 A and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[21:18] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 M
06[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 M and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
06[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Antenora and gets 23."12 [1d20=18]
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Crabs have hive initiative. Scary.
06[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Crabs have hive initiative. Scary. and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
03[21:20] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marie>CRABS>Antenora>Alicia'
[21:21] <Alicia> Marie zooms up past all the scrapped crabs and into the large chamber beyond to take in the situation there.
[21:24] <Kotono> Ahead, Marie finds herself in the same room as she was before. The center diagram is still there, as are a bunch of crabs. Most are mobilizing, heading to the path that Alicia and Antenora are in. Several dozen on dozens more, all preparing.
[21:25] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the crabs about react! The survivors and the fallers are all dented up, but they're crawling onto the walls and ceiling again! Meanwhile, Antenora glances back, "Still holding here," she asks tightly, eyeing the crabs and waiting a moment...
[21:26] <Alicia> "No, push on, hopefully whatever's up there will let us end this," Alicia tells the erinyes.
[21:27] <Kotono> "Right!" With that, Antenora flies ahead! As she does, she takes a flyby swipe at one of the half melted, still strugging crabs!
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (+1 fly, -2 PA)
06[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (+1 fly, -2 PA) and gets 30."12 [1d20=12]
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d8+13
06[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+13 and gets 17."12 [1d8=4]
[21:28] <Kotono> That's enough to finish that one, spellfire melted body collasping entirely! OOC - Alicia!
06[21:28] * Alicia flies right after Antenora, up into the main chamber past the melted wall of metal!
[21:30] <Kotono> Soaring past the defeated crabs, Alicia and Antenora can see ahead! They're just into the vast chamber with a near sea of crabs cominga t them from all directions, covering almost ever square inch ahead! However, past the swarm, the two can see a complex magical diagram on the floor...
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC - MArie.
[21:30] <Alicia> Marie just floats around, letting the big and heavily armed people deal with the actual combat.
[21:33] <Kotono> The crabs are clustering on the ceiling and on the walls, seeming to gather and prepare for something! OOC - Antenora's up.
[21:33] <Kotono> "See that?" Antenora peers ahead, looking at the diagram, "Now what, Alicia?"
06[21:34] * Alicia floats up to take a look at the diagram first, preparing to cast dispel magic if all else fails.
[21:34] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
06[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21."12 [1d20=7]
[21:41] <Alicia> "Okay, I don't really know what it means," Alicia admits, "But it seems to be controlling these crabs so that's enough for me to try dispelling it." Putting action to words, she gestures towards the design while incanting her spell. "Let the controlling weave go still, and return these metallic sentinels to stillness!"
[21:41] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 targetted dispel on diagram
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 targetted dispel on diagram and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
[21:43] <Kotono> The diagram shudders all over! So do the walls! So do the crabs! Everything shakes, rattles and rolls about like coins tossed about by a greedy merchant! Then...it is silent. The crabs fall to the ground, unmoving. The hive shudders and shakes - cracks start to form rapidly on the walls, a groaning of stone sounding!
[21:45] <Alicia> "Okay, time to leave!" Alicia turns and takes off down the tunnel and back out of the cone before it falls on their heads! Marie follows, though at a more relaxed and sedate pace since it's not like falling masonry can hurt her.
[21:45] <Kotono> Antenora follows like the wind, sending a nasty glance at the slowering moving Marie! But the two flee...OOC - What's your move with Fly, Alicia?
[21:46] <Alicia> OOC: 60
[21:47] <Kotono> The two race out at full speed! Antenora's a bit faster, escaping as the cone groans! Alicia's right behind her, as it groans again! As the two get out, stones start to fall just behind them! However, their speed is more than enough! While the cone collapses in a din of noise behind them, the two women are not caught in a raining deathstorm of broken stone!
[21:48] <Alicia> "That was exciting!" Marie chirps as she emerges from the ruin, finally switching back to corporeal form.
[21:49] <Alicia> "I expected a bit more, to be honest..." Alicia admits. "Still, I'm not sure what connection this had to those dwarves."
[21:52] <Kotono> "Nor do I," Antenora says, pointedly not looking at Marie. "I didn't get a very good look at that arcane symbol, though. Did you?"
[21:53] <Alicia> "Just enough of a look to know I couldn't decipher it," Alicia replies as Marie idly sweeps around for any still active magical auras, floating around the collapsed cone. "I decided it best to just end things rather than spend time analyzing it while surrounded by hundreds of hostile animated metal crabs."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Funny that," Antenora's lips twitch up. "If it didn't do anything for the dwarves, perhaps we can try to free them directly now?"
[21:55] <Alicia> "There's no active magic left," Marie reports as she rejoins them.
[21:56] <Alicia> "Possible. It did seem to have something to do with controlling, and while I assumed it controlled the crabs, it might also be controlling the dwarves - which could explain their strange behaviour," Alicia replies. "Lets go collect Grudrum's body then head back to the miners?"
[21:57] <Kotono> Antenora looks to Marie, "Aren't you the least bit bothered that you should've been crushed by tons of rock by all rights?" she asks, even as she starts to fly upward to the bridge.
[22:00] <Alicia> "By all rights? You sound so lawful!" Marie teases as she flies cheerily around Antenora. "While you might have super-hard - but very nicely complexioned I must say - skin to protect you from harm, I have to rely on avoiding physical peril. Being incorporeal's about the best defence there is so long as magic isn't involved."
[22:02] <Kotono> Turning her blue eyes towards Marie, "You know, you think death would at least dim your bubbly cheer a little. Or at least the threat of it." But Antenora shakes her head, "I suppose the heavens know how to corrupt just as devoutly dedicated paragons as the Hells."
[22:04] <Alicia> "How do you know I wasn't some horrible crotchety old lady before I died?" Marie asks. "Maybe this carefree form is a reward for good service!"
[22:04] <Alicia> "It certainly beats being a lemure," Alicia agrees as they alight on the bridge and start heading onwards down the tunnel.
[22:05] <Kotono> "I can't argue that," Antenora says as thetwo head down the tunnel towards where Grundrum rests. "Though..." With a momentary look at Marie, "Alicia, could you alter Marie's form to a lemure with your magic?"
[22:07] <Alicia> "Funnily enough, I could," Alicia admits. "Or a lantern archon, or a dretch, or an imp... but not an erinyes, sadly."
[22:07] <Alicia> "I'd hate you forever if you did!" Marie fires back, before turning back to Antenora, "Oh! That reminds me, when we went off to visit that crazy wizard, I got turned into an astral deva! You should have seen it, I looked great!" she gushes.
[22:08] <Kotono> Smiling gently, "That's nice, Marie. However, I'd rather be pragmatic. You'dmake a lovely, deceptive looking lemure if there was ever a reason to need some sneaking stealth and slip a fake one in is all."
[22:11] <Alicia> "Wouldn't an imp be better so I could at least fly?" Marie asks plaintively. "Maybe. It's something to bear in mind if we have to infiltrate any parts of Hell again," Alicia reasons, eyeing her familiar speculatively.
[22:12] <Kotono> "Exactly," Antenora smiles sweetly, "Mmm. Marie, we should test that when we get back and see how you look as an imp."
[22:13] <Alicia> Marie starts to grumble before an idea forms, causing a grin to split her face. "Hey, could you turn Antenora into a coure like me, Alicia?" she asks hopefully.
[22:14] <Kotono> Antenora stops there, "Why yes," she smiles easily, "After all, I would so like to look like a celestial one day," she says. "Perhaps like an angel in particular, or an archon. However, an eladrin...not so much. You just look like a tiny baby elf."
[22:16] <Kotono> After a moment, "You know...is Alter Self fine enough to allow you to also add half blooded situations? A half eladrin, half celestial dragon..." Antenora starts to idly eye Marie back. "You could be matching twins with Seira."
[22:18] <Alicia> "Too tiny, actually," Alicia puts in. "I'm afraid that transformation is beyond the limits of my magic. A Lantern Archon or a Protectar are probably the only celestials I could turn Antenora into at the moment. Aasimar, too, but not 'unique' hybrids."
[22:18] <Alicia> "Tiny I'll give you, but baby?" Marie replies indignantly to Antenora, smoothing out her dress to accentuate her figure. "I may be small, but I'm perfectly formed!"
03[22:20] * KillerMaidKohakubot is now known as Drowbot
[22:21] <Kotono> Antenora merely chuckles, flying along now. "You do. It's easy to think of you as Alicia's baby, thinking on it." With a strange little look, "...that's a profoundly strange thought."
[22:24] <Alicia> "I'd like a less cheeky baby," Alicia snorts, the overall conversation just too offbeat to stir any maudlin reminiscing in her.
[22:24] <Alicia> "I'm only nine years younger than she is," Marie points out. "And I'm probably way older if you count my mortal life, unless I died tragically young."
[22:24] <Kotono> "That's true, just..." Antenora chuckles. "It's probably nothing, but I wondered if Mystra has a very strange sense of humor and justice there."
06[22:29] * Alicia doesn't respond to that, and her familiar picks up on her changing mood and decides to move the conversation quickly along. "Anyway, I'm just one type of eladrin. You wouldn't call a ghaele or a tulani a baby, that's for sure," she tells Antenora after throwing a worried glance back at Alicia.
[22:31] <Kotono> Antenora doesn't answer right away, her own mood seeming to shift. "Mmmm..." she says, but instead keeps going ahead. OOC - Want to skip ahead now?
[22:32] <Alicia> OOC: sure
[22:35] <Kotono> Getting Grundrum's body is without incident. Thus the group returns, a summoned tent used as a burial shroud. On approaching where the dwarves are, Alicia finds most of them slumped over. Ancient mining tools lie about, rusted and old. However, one still stands. Chief N'Rust is there, waiting with his gaze boring into Alicia as she approaches.
[22:36] <Alicia> "Chief N'Rust," Alicia nods sombrely to the dwarf. "I've brought Grundrum back."
[22:38] <Kotono> N'Rust smiles tiredly. "I see. So...you're the ones we've been waiting for these long years? You broke the enchantment...and you even did the honor of bringing our fallen comrade to us.""
[22:39] <Alicia> "I am glad to see that the spell is broken," Alicia gently sets the wrapped body down between her and N'Rust. "What happened to all of you? And what will happen to you, now?"
[22:41] <Kotono> "We volunteered to serve," he answers, "We died defending our mines and our temple against onrushing gnomes in the war. We gave ourselves to the last man to stop them...and we were offered this. A chance to live in the future in exchange for lifetimes of blinded service."
[22:44] <Alicia> "That was it? Left here to mine the same ore again and again until someone came to break the enchantment?" Alicia asks, having thought there would surely be more to it than that as she glances at the slumped over dwarves to check they're still breathing.
[22:47] <Kotono> "No." Smiling, "Gond has a gift for you...well, besides the crabs. One of Gond's stranger works. But... Do you remember when you saw the mines change metals? The magic here can produce almost any sort of material. It was designed so that there is a charge left now. I can mine any one metal you want. However...the more potent or expensive it is, the less I can get. Choose wisely."
02[22:48] * Sierra_ReallyDeadPleaseHelp (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-222-138.washdc.east.verizon.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:48] <Alicia> "Oh my..." Alicia shakes her head, smiling ruefully, "I never expected such a boon. This is probably the most potent and expensive metal I know of, but even a few pounds would be enough - Linthrum, please."
[22:52] <Kotono> Antenora stares a moment, "Of all the..." she murmurs. "Did you pray to Tymora instead of Mystra this morning, Alicia?"
[22:53] <Alicia> "I had no idea things would turn out like this," Alicia swears honestly.
[22:54] <Kotono> "Lintrum...it will be hard. Very hard. The stuff's rare and expensive even in it's heydey," N'Rust warns, but he turns to the wall. Quietly, "Lord Gond...Let your gift come. Lintrum for the heroes that will strike down the God King..." After that prayer, he winds back and swings his pickaxe hard against thew all! The wall itself shimmers, before several nuggets rain down. These nuggets are small, but each one glows purple! Again N'Rust swings
[22:55] <Kotono> These nuggets are small, but each one glows purple! Again N'Rust swings, and again and again and again and again! More purple nuggets fall! (More)
[22:56] <Kotono> By the time he's done, N'Rust has dislodged several small nuggets. He gathers them up, a heaping double handful with some to spare. "This should be a few pounds of the stuff. Enough to get a good barrelful of gold if you want it."
[22:58] <Alicia> "I've got a sword to reforge... though finding someone skilled enough to do so will be my next challenge," Alicia replies, opening her backpack for the ore to be deposited into. "What now, N'Rust? Will you go to Gond, or will you live in this world so far removed in time from your own?"
[23:01] <Kotono> "We've been given a chance to live. We won't waste it." N'Rust says with conviction. "Gond said there would be much crafting and mining for us to do when we were freed. But...the world is unfamiliar to us, you're right. Where is a good place to do these things?"
[23:01] <Kotono> Antenora hangs back, glancing at N'Rust on occasion, but keeping her peace.
[23:03] <Alicia> "I can take you to Balmuria, it is a growing human city on the coast not far from these ruins - it has a temple to Gond as well, which would surely welcome you," Alicia volunteers. "If you would rather be among your own people, I know there are dwarves not too far away underground, but don't know the way directly. I could surely find a guide, however."
[23:04] <Kotono> "Once the rest of us awaken, could you take us there? To that human city? WE can see from there." N'rust asks.
Session Close: Fri Jul 11 23:04:17 2008
Session Start: Fri Jul 11 16:14:00 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[16:14] * Disconnected
Session Close: Fri Jul 11 16:14:00 2008
Session Start: Fri Jul 11 23:04:17 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[23:04] * Disconnected
02[23:04] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[23:04] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[23:04] * Topic is 'Marie>CRABS>Antenora>Alicia'
03[23:04] * Set by Kotono on Fri Jul 11 21:20:50
03[23:05] * Drowbot (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[23:05] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.129.129) has joined #dunes
03[23:05] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5443296f.lns5-c7.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[23:05] * betamax.dejatoons.net sets mode: +vao Hatbot Alicia Alicia
[23:06] <Kotono> "Once the rest of us awaken, could you take us there? To that human city? WE can see from there." N'rust asks.
[23:06] <Alicia> "I'd be more than happy to," Alicia nods. "How long do you think they'll sleep for?"
[23:06] <Kotono> "Not long," N'Rust says, "Just give them a little time."
06[23:08] * Alicia nods and settles in to wait. "In the meantime then, if you have any questions about how the world has changed, the three of us would be happy to answer," she offers, wanting to help the dwarves acclimatise as best as possible.
[23:12] <Kotono> Within an hour the dwarves have risen! From there the now large party heads out of the silent mines! Back to the portal and out! On seeing the dwarves following the three, Ajan stares at them...but says nothing.
[23:14] <Alicia> If Ajan isn't feeling talkative Alicia simply nods to him in passing, heading back out of the ruins with all the usual precautions - using a rope to keep everyone together through the enchanted twisty passage, and making sure everyone sits down and holds on tight for the elevator ride.
02[23:15] * tiredofthis (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[23:40] <Kotono> The trip goes without incident. Into the sunshine the dwarves go! Their spirits are high, looking out at the afternoon sunshine. A few start to sing in dwarven, filling the air merrily.
[23:43] <Alicia> After listening to a few verses to get the hang of it, Marie cheerfully joins in with the singing.
[23:43] <Alicia> "At least the sun and sky should be the same as you remember?" Alicia observes pleasantly to N'Rust, tuning out the tuneful gibberish.
[17:03] <Alicia> [21:40] <Kotono> The trip goes without incident. Into the sunshine the dwarves go! Their spirits are high, looking out at the afternoon sunshine. A few start to sing in dwarven, filling the air merrily.
[17:03] <Alicia> [21:43] <Alicia> After listening to a few verses to get the hang of it, Marie cheerfully joins in with the singing.
[17:03] <Alicia> [21:43] <Alicia> "At least the sun and sky should be the same as you remember?" Alicia observes pleasantly to N'Rust, tuning out the tuneful gibberish.
03[17:03] * Euphy is now known as Jeanne
[17:05] <Kotono> "It is." N'Rust looks to the skies as you walk, "I've always prefered a cave wall over my head, but...this is fine too. It's been too long." With a lusty sigh, "Aaah. Your flying fairy can't carry a tune, though." He frowns, "Those songs aren't meant to be sung by a cheery sounding woman!"
[17:08] <Alicia> "She tries hard, though," Alicia gives Marie an indulgent smile. "Anyway, once we get to Balmuria do you want to go straight to the temple of Gond, or want me to show you around, first? We could even stop at an inn for something to eat and drink, if you'd like."
[17:16] <Kotono> "Aaah..." Stretching out, "You're generous, aren't you? But we don't need to be babied, just drop us off at Gond's temple. We'll figure out the rest," With a big grin from there, "You're the big heroes. I'm sure you have more important things than to babysit old dwarves."
[17:20] <Alicia> "I just want to make sure you settle in easily, it's honestly no trouble," Alicia returns. "But of course if you prefer to to find your on way, that's perfectly fine as well."
[17:21] <Kotono> "Aaah, we'll settle in fine. There's not a city that can stop us now! C'mon," he says as they travel towards Balmuria.
[17:22] <Alicia> OOC: might as well skip along, then. I'll be sure to point out the temple of Mystra and my house on the way up to the temple of Gond and invite them to stop by whenever they like
[17:31] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. What's on your agenda now that you have the Linthrum?
[17:34] <Alicia> OOC: find the most competent smith I can and see if I can talk him/her into reforging the sword in exchange for whatever linthrum is left over.
[17:35] <Alicia> OOC: at worst i can try to planar bind an advanced azer with skill focus (craft weaponsmithing), but lets see if we can find a non-outsider first.
[17:40] <Kotono> OOC: Basically go on a smith hunt, eh?
[17:40] <Alicia> OOC: yes, within Balmuria at first, but if no one there is good enough I'll start looking further afield.
[17:43] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and make a gather info check for the Baronies? +15 competence bonus since you have a ton of challens and pull within the Baronies.
[17:43] <Kotono> *channels
[17:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+27
06[17:43] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+27 and gets 36."12 [1d20=9]
[17:47] <Kotono> After a few days of inquiries, the best blacksmith in the Baronies seems to be man living outside of Armasea city. Elle mentions that she often orders base weapons from him, and other searches tend to point him out as being exceptional.
[17:50] <Alicia> This all sounds very promising, so Alicia borrows a pegasus from the garrison before she and Marie fly on over to Armasea to put in her request!
[17:51] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[17:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 92."12 [1d100=92]
[17:54] <Kotono> The trip to Armasea is without incident. Alicia's destination is a large, smoky stone building a few miles from Armasea city. It stands by itself, smoke coming out from a large chimney in it's back. It's undecorated, but the sharp tang of molten metal fills the air outside.
[17:55] <Alicia> Leaving her pegasus and Marie outside, Alicia heads towards the front door. If it's open or there's any sort of sign indicating people should head right in, she does so, otherwise she knocks and waits.
[17:56] <Kotono> There's no sign. On knocking there is a pause, before, "Yeah, c'mon in," someone calls. "Door's not locked."
06[17:58] * Alicia opens the door and steps foot inside, taking a moment to look around before focusing on the blacksmith.
[18:01] <Kotono> As Alicia enters, she is buffered by heat! Inside are several forges, blazing hot! In this vast room hang cooling and cooled arms, armor and shields in the front half. In the back half are the forges, where the crafter works. He is a big man - six and a half feet tall, flame scarred and wearing a leather apron over his clothes. He wields a hammer as he pounds on a shield, forcing it into place. "So what do you want? " He speaks over the din
[18:01] <Kotono> "So what do you want? " He speaks over the din of his hammer.
[18:03] <Alicia> "Are you Mercer?" Alicia asks as she looks up at the smith approvingly - he certainly looks the part. "My name is Alicia Reynes - I have heard of your skill in Balmuria, and if your reputation is accurate then I have a proposition for you."
[18:08] <Kotono> He hammers a few more times, before scowling and shrugging, leaving the shield half finished. He puts his hammer down carefully, approaching. "Crimson Guard's Alicia Reynes? I guess you'd need quality for your job," he agrees with a slight look of pride.
06[18:10] * Alicia nods. "Ever hear of linthrum?" she asks, briefly studying the weapons on display to get an idea of their quality. She may not be a smith but she's certainly a warrior, so should have an eye for this sort of thing.
[18:13] <Kotono> They look well enough made to Alicia's eye. As she does, "Linthrum...?...Linthrum...."
[18:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[18:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 25."12 [1d20=13]
[18:13] <Kotono> Abruptly he snaps a finger, "Yeah, I read about it somewhere. It's a wizard's metal that glows purple."
[18:15] <Alicia> #Setting her sack on a convenient flat surface, Alicia loosens the drawstring and pulls it open, revealing the myriad fragments of the Sword of the Sealed Gate, along with all the chunks of lithrum she's acquired. "I'd never even heard of it until I found this, that's how rare it is," Alicia agrees, briefly spreading the fragments around so Mercer can see them all.
[18:17] <Kotono> There's a low whistle in Mercer's throat as he kneels down, picking up pieces and staring at them, tapping them, holding them. "I've only heard about it once and I study anything metal. This is really something...and you came to me to fix the sword?"
[18:19] <Alicia> "From all I've heard, you're the best smith in the United Baronies," Alicia admits. "The sharp fragments are probably four fifths of a longsword, and the nuggets make up the difference with plenty to spare. If you can reforge this blade, whatever linthrum is left is yours," she offers.
[18:22] <Kotono> There's a silence as Mercer looks it over, "I'd say it's closer to a greatsword...but ther'es enough material to do either." STopping there a moment as he glances at Alicia, "Also, agreed. I've never gotten to craft Linthrum!" His eyes shine as he looks down on it, "Not even mithril or adamantine is interesting any more, but this..."
[18:25] <Alicia> "I'd prefer a longsword," Alicia admits. "Make sure you use all of the jagged segments, since they still hold the bladeenchantment -
[18:25] <Alicia> OOC: strike that
[18:25] <Alicia> "I'd prefer a longsword," Alicia admits. "Make sure you use all of the jagged segments, since they still hold the blade's original enchantment - the nuggets can be used to make up any difference missing."
[18:30] <Kotono> "Alright." A short, curt nod there. "I don't know how long this is gonna take, so you may want to come back in a few days."
[18:32] <Alicia> "That's fine, I'll stay in Armasea and come back in three days," Alicia agrees. "This is an important weapon, so I want it done right, after all. Until then, Mercer," she gives him a nod and departs.
[18:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06[18:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 31."12 [1d20=11]
[18:36] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[18:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 17."12 [1d100=17]
[18:37] <Kotono> Three days pass. On the fourth day Alicia returns. Mercer is waiting for her. "It's done," he says as she enters.
[18:38] <Alicia> "Excellent," Alicia takes a moment to cast detect magic. "Let me see?" she asks.
[18:41] <Kotono> Thus, Mercer produces it! The longsword is well crafted, glittering purple!
[18:43] <Alicia> "Strong magic, looks like it's complete alright," Alicia smiles warmly, taking the blade and performing a few practice swings to see how it handles.
03[18:46] * tiredofthis is now known as killotron-sleep
[18:56] <Kotono> The blade swings exceptionally well. It feels light in her hand, leaving a slight trail of purple behind it. "It was hard to craft, but I think I got it right."
[18:58] <Alicia> "Oh, yes, it handles wonderfully," Alicia praises his craftsmanship as she makes a few more slashes and thrusts. "Now that it's complete I should be able to properly identify all of its capabilities as well - I'll do that now, since it's only fair that you find out exactly what you had a hand in recreating," she goes on, taking out a scroll of identify and using it to analyse the blade.
[19:09] <Alicia> "As I suspected," Alicia announces after completing her spell. "It can prevent creatures from teleporting if struck, and seal planar gateways - more than that, it also banishes any summoned creatures who come to close. Oh, this shall come in very handy," she smiles happily. "I don't suppose you have a spear sheath lying around that I could use, by the way?"
[19:10] <Kotono> "Over there," Gesturing to all the rack sof weapons, "Just take one, there should be one around there."
06[19:13] * Alicia goes and finds one that fits before she attaches it to her belt, thinking one of those magic haversacks might be useful if she's going to be carrying around mutliple large weapons, now. "You have my sincerest thanks, Mercer. I hope you can put the remaining linthrum to just as good a use."
[19:14] <Kotono> "I'm thinking about making a dagger or trying an alloy," he nods, "I wnat to see how the metal stands up as is."
[19:15] <Alicia> "Good luck, then. If I ever have any other difficult smithing jobs, I'll know where to come," Alicia gives him a smile before she goes outside to join her familiar and pegasus, taking off back to Balmuria.
[19:36] <Kotono> Thus Alicia returns home and rests. A morning or two later, Alicia is drilling troops. As she watches them go through the paces, Commander Oberuth approaches. He hangs back in the garrison practice yard, but gestures for Alicia to come forth.
06[19:38] * Alicia leaves Marie in charge of the men as she goes to talk to the Commander, offering him a salute. "Sir?"
[19:39] <Kotono> Commander OBeruth can't help but eye Marie with a bit of an amused look, before shaking it off. "There's two points of interest today," he begins, "Can Marie keep them practicing?"
[19:41] <Alicia> "She has a modicum of my own skill at arms, and the men know that she speaks for me," Alicia glances back to where Marie is fluttering amidst the soldiers, offering encouragement and pointers. "Besides which, sometimes a change of approach helps keep them attentive."
[19:46] <Kotono> "Alright." Oberuth turns away, heading into the garrison. "She'll do, we have matters. Word came back from Malmuth about Pallan, first of all."
[19:46] <Alicia> "Anything new?" Alicia asks, following Obureth.
[19:48] <Kotono> "Pallan's spirit or whatever that spell conjures," A pause until you're inside, past guards lugging a tied stack of halberds along, "Said that he saw a thousand screaming faces."
[19:49] <Alicia> "That sounds cheery," Alicia replies, repressing a light shudder.
03[19:51] * Haruka is now known as Sierra_OHGODTHELIGHTTHELIGHT
[19:51] <Kotono> "Queen Tant wishes you good hunting, incidentally." Oberuth walks along, stepping past some soldiers working on fixing a broken window. "I get the impression she disapproved of this creature's actions."
[19:53] <Alicia> "I honestly can't imagine anyone who does approve - even devils have reason to fear it," Alicia shakes her head. "Still, I'd like to think the new Queen is an improvement on her predecessor, so I'll accept her good wishes."
[19:59] <Kotono> "Alright, stick that under and think about it." A pause as they enter into the meeting room, going to sit. Once seated, "There's a more mundane problem. We're receiving reports that a small farming village in the heartland of the Baronies has has unusual occurances happen in it lately."
[19:59] <Alicia> "What sort of occurances?" Alicia asks as she takes a seat.
[20:01] <Kotono> "Travellers have reports of howling sounds, long nights...people dissapearing, nights not ending...and murders. We've heard nothing, but only a few travellers that made it out and send word to us."
[20:02] <Alicia> "That... does sound quite alarming, if true," Alicia admits. "Do you want me to go investigate?"
[20:04] <Kotono> "It might be nothing, but...like hell if we're going to sit on it and ignore it. I just got the message this morning. If something's up to no good here, we should nip it out here and now. I want you to gather ane ffective team and go investigate this. The village name is Erenholm."
[20:06] <Alicia> "Agreed," Alicia nods, getting up and going over to examine the map on the wall. "Where about is Erenholm?"
Session Close: Sat Jul 12 20:13:58 2008
Session Start: Sat Jul 12 20:13:58 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[20:13] * Disconnected
02[20:15] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[20:15] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[20:15] * Topic is 'Marie>CRABS>Antenora>Alicia'
03[20:15] * Set by Kotono on Fri Jul 11 21:20:50
03[20:15] * CC is now known as Seira
03[20:15] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[20:16] <Alicia> "If people are disappearing and being murdered then we should hurry, so I'll take the pegasi if there's no objections," Alicia asks as she turns back towards the Commander. "It cuts down the numbers I can take, I don't think a large group is entirely necessary."
[20:18] <Kotono> "Who are you taking then," Oberuth listens and agrees to that.
[20:19] <Alicia> "There's a few new members of the Crimson Guard, isn't there?" Alicia asks, starting to smile. "I've heard of them but haven't met any - this should be a good chance to put them through their paces. Two of them, at least. What do I have to work with?"
02[20:19] * Jeanne (~corwin@bzq-79-183-184-216.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[20:20] * Seira is now known as Jeanne
[20:23] <Kotono> "Daril, Morund and Xavier. Take anyone you want, I'll pull them off what they're doing if need be." Oberuth says.
[20:24] <Alicia> "Where do each of their skills lie?" Alicia asks, since she can only take two after all.
[20:36] <Kotono> OOC - Strike the last few lines and just go ahead and reline your intent, Alicia?
[20:36] <Alicia> OOC: works
[20:38] <Alicia> "Hmm... how about Donald and Pollyanna?" Alicia suggests, wanting to see how well those two are doing since going off on that quest with Rods. She can leave Antenora to keep an eye on things on the home front and look after her sister.
[20:38] <Alicia> OOC: wait, no, strike that
[20:39] <Alicia> "I'll bring along Antenora and... how about Pollyanna, if she's up for it?" Alicia suggests. Marie can hold down the fort for them back in Balmuria.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Alright. Be careful and get going," Oberuth agrees. "I'll have some g uards close to your house, just in case."
[20:45] <Alicia> "I'll be leaving Marie behind to keep an eye on my sister as well, but I do appreciate it," Alicia smiles as she goes to gather her troops.
[20:50] <Kotono> Thus the three gather at the stables. Antenora and Pollyanna are ready, even as the pegasi cast look, horsey looks t Antenora. "How serious do you think this is," Polyanna asks, stroking a pegasus' head.
[20:52] <Alicia> "Well, if we take everything said at face value - very serious," Alicia admits thoughtfully as she leads her chosen mount out of the stable. "Murders and disappearances are one thing, but nights not ending? That's something powerfully supernatural. It could just be exaggeration, mind you, but I think we should go in expecting trouble."
[20:58] <Kotono> "I'd buy both of you a round of drinks if that's true," Antenora says quietly. "I don't find it terribly likely, however."
[21:00] <Alicia> "Perhaps, but it would behoove us to be careful," Alicia returns as she mounts her steed, waiting on the others before taking off and flying towards Erenholm.
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 80."12 [1d100=80]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 20."12 [1d100=20]
[21:16] <Kotono> The flight passes easily enough, the day fading into it's dying embers as Alicia and company come close. Erenholm is a small cluster of af ew dozen buildings and houses, with a web of farms surrounding it for miles in any direction.
06[21:18] * Alicia takes the horses down at the centre of the town, keeping an eye out for any sign of evil as she lands.
[21:27] <Kotono> As you land, you see that the town is quiet. Very quiet - no people are coming and going. No evil is immediately obvious, just an empty town at sunset.
06[21:28] * Alicia looks around for any sort of public house or inn, or failing that just the largest building.
[21:29] <Kotono> AS the rest land, Pollyanna looks about, "So empty..."
[21:30] <Kotono> There's an inn a few buildings down. The Chess Duel is the name of the place.
[21:32] <Alicia> OOC: are any lights on?
[21:35] <Kotono> There aren't nay lights on at all. The sunset provides ample light to see with, at least for now.
[21:37] <Alicia> "Feels abandoned," Alicia agrees, leading the pegasi on foot towards the inn. "Antenora, wait here with the horses for a moment, Pollyanna come with me," she instructs as she tries the door.
[21:38] <Kotono> Pollyanna approaches as Antenora stays with the horses. The pegasi squirm and stomp a bit as you go. The inn's door is locked. Meanwhile, the sun continues to set, red light lingering but not forever.
06[21:40] * Alicia pauses at the locked door, glancing back at the riled up winged horses. "Antenora, can you ask the pegasi what's wrong? Can they sense something?" she asks, wondering if this is one of those 'animals instinctively picking up wrongness' things, even if pegasi are quite a bit more than mere animals.
[21:44] <Kotono> Antenora is silent a few moments, before one of the pegasi leans forward to her hand. She sighs and strokes it's ears slowly, and as she blushes, "They said it's not quite right here. It's creepy like a tomb."
[21:45] <Alicia> "There's definitely an uneasy feeling in the air," Alicia admits, before addressing the pegasi directly. "Bear with it, you three - we'll protect you," she reassures them before knocking firmly on the inn's door.
[21:47] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles a little to the pegasi as well, idly reaching back to check her arrow quiver. "I don't really like this much either." Knock, knock, knock, knock, but no answer. The sun continues to slip into the horizon, red light coming closer to it's fade into night.
[21:49] <Alicia> "Okay, I'm going to force the door," Alicia warns the other two, bracing herself against the handle then shoving her weight against it.
[21:50] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
06[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 and gets 8."12 [1d20=2]
[21:50] <Kotono> The door does not budge. It's an old sturdy thing, not giving to Alicia's effort.
06[21:50] * Alicia backs off briefly before heaving herself at the door for another effort.
[21:50] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
06[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 and gets 21."12 [1d20=15]
[21:55] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
06[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 and gets 5."12 [1d20=4]
[21:55] <Kotono> CRACK! This time the old door gives way, lurching a bit forward! It creaks as it opens, revealing the entrance into a small taproom. However, the room is empty and dark. Only a few bits of fading sunset light come in from the windows.
06[21:57] * Alicia picks up a splinter of wood and casts light upon it, looking around as she steps fully inside. "Hello? Anyone here?" she calls.
[21:58] <Kotono> Pollyanna follows in. Inside there is a few dozen tables, a bar, and in the back, a stairway going up. No answer, no noise. The light of Alicia's spell seems faintly feeble somehow, illuminating without banishing the creeping dusk.
[22:00] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia eyes the fitful glow briefly, casting detect magic now to see if there's anything interfering with her light spell.
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC - Make a caster level check?
[22:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
[22:10] <Alicia> roll 1d20+19
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+19 and gets 22."12 [1d20=3]
[22:12] <Alicia> "Urgh..." Alicia reels for a moment, leaning on the doorframe. She takes a moment to compose herself, wiping the back of her hand over her mouth as she straightens up and attempts to discern the nature of the magic aura. "There's something foul in the air," she pronounces.
[22:13] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 16."12 [1d20=9]
[22:14] <Kotono> Pollyanna wrinkles her nose, readying her bow and arrow. "It's also getting dark outside. This feels unfavorable."
[22:15] <Alicia> Glancing back out the door, "Antenora, this darkness isn't interfering with your vision, is it?" she checks.
[22:16] <Kotono> "Not at all," Antenora answers, still sighing and petting nervous pegasi.
[22:17] <Alicia> "Good," the paladin nods. "Keep an eye out while Pollyanna and I search this inn - yell if you see anything at all." Turning to Pollyanna, "Stick close, I've got a bad feeling about this," she tells the younger woman, intending to carry out a quick room to room search for any bodies or anything else unusual.
[22:20] <Kotono> OOC - Make a search check? Polly has a better search than yours, so do you want to aide her?
[22:20] <Alicia> OOC: that'd be best
[22:20] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 aid
06[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 aid and gets 12."12 [1d20=11]
[22:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
06[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 19."12 [1d20=9]
[22:22] <Kotono> It takes a few minutes to search...but the inn is empty. There's fresh food and water still here, but no signs of people at all. Meanwhile, the sun has sunk into the horizon by the time the search has finished.
06[22:24] * Alicia heads back out to rejoin Antenora and the horses. "Nothing. Alive or dead," she confirms. Recalling her flight over the town, she tries to think of where the biggest buildings were, and if she saw anything that looked like a temple, as those would be logical places to search next.
[22:25] <Kotono> Antenora shakes her head, "Nothing at all? I wonder if they're already dead?" A gloomy thought, Antenora shaking her head. There's several important buildings here - no temples, but a few nice houses, a few big shops and a town meeting hall.
[22:26] <Alicia> "Then where are the bodies? Or signs of struggle?" Alicia asks. "Come on, lets try the town hall next - in a crisis surely people would gather there," she reasons, setting off to try and open its doors.
[22:27] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check.
[22:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
06[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 and gets 5."12 [1d20=4]
[22:27] <Kotono> As you walk towards it, Pollyanna shivers all over. She rubs her arms as you approach, "Is it getting chilly out here?"
[22:29] <Alicia> "Not for me..." Alicia gives Pollyanna a worried look. "Though the air feels foul, it's still warm enough as far as I can feel." Concerned, she looks to see if any new magic is affecting the archer.
[22:34] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[22:38] <Alicia> "There's some sort of magic affecting you, Pollyanna," Alicia tells her. "Hold on while I try to dispel it." At that she incants her spell, "Mother of all Magic, lay bare the plagued threads of the weave before me!"
[22:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 targetted dispel on Polly
06[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 targetted dispel on Polly and gets 17."12 [1d20=5]
[22:41] <Kotono> The magic does not break. If anything, the darkness around it grows stronger! (More)
[22:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[22:42] <Kotono> Polllyanna bows her head down. "....he doesn't love me...?" she murmurs, cocking her head strangely.
[22:43] <Alicia> "What?" Alicia blinks at that. "Oh, blast, it didn't take - stay with us, Pollyanna," she urges, trying once more.
[22:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
[22:44] <Kotono> With that, the darkness retreats! The magic around Pollyanna shatters! She looks abruptly, shivering ceasing. "What was that?"
[22:46] <Alicia> "You complained of being cold then mumbled something, it's not important," Alicia replies, deciding not to dredge up any fears Pollyanna may have about her love life while they're in a potentially life threatening situation. "Just keep it together, okay?" she asks, going to try the door of the town hall.
[22:47] <Kotono> "Uh, I will," Pollyanna rubs the side of her head, blinking a few times. OOC - Make a spot check again?
[22:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
06[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 and gets 16."12 [1d20=15]
[22:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[22:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31."12 [1d20=13]
[22:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[22:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
[22:50] <Kotono> "...Alicia!" Antenora raises her voice as she goes for the city hall.
[22:50] <Alicia> "Hm?" Alicia stops, glancing at the erinyes.
[22:51] <Kotono> Antenora points to the sky. A sky that is black as the soul of a pit fiend, save for one thing pointed out by her. It's very faint - but you see a black disc in the sky, outlined by a thin ring of dark purple. It's like a wretched disc-moon in th esky, hanging like an executioner's mask in place of a real moon.
06[22:53] * Alicia feels a tremor up her spine as she gazes on that hateful symbol in the sky. "Shar..." she hisses, wracking her brain to recall what specifically her symbol in the sky could portend, though it's obviously nothing good.
[22:53] <Kotono> OOC - K:R check.
[22:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 and gets 23."12 [1d20=15]
[22:59] <Alicia> "This..." Alicia pauses a moment as to how to best phrase this delicately, "Is very bad," she finally concludes. "A cursed night has begun, a night of grief, loss, despair, and nihilism. We're all going to have to keep our wits about us if we're going to get through this - if you start to feel strange, speak up about it, don't let it fester, okay?"
[23:00] <Kotono> Antenora approaches at that, "In other words, we've come right into a trap, haven't we?"
[23:01] <Alicia> "It's more like walking into an erupting volcano than walking into a trap, if you take my meaning," Alicia returns. "I'm almost tempted to hole up somewhere and ride it out, but I think that would make things worse - we have to keep our minds occupied and focus on our jobs, so lets try to find out what happened to the people here."
[20:56] <Alicia> [20:59] <Alicia> "This..." Alicia pauses a moment as to how to best phrase this delicately, "Is very bad," she finally concludes. "A cursed night has begun, a night of grief, loss, despair, and nihilism. We're all going to have to keep our wits about us if we're going to get through this - if you start to feel strange, speak up about it, don't let it fester, okay?"
[20:56] <Alicia> [21:00] <Kotono> Antenora approaches at that, "In other words, we've come right into a trap, haven't we?"
[20:56] <Alicia> [21:01] <Alicia> "It's more like walking into an erupting volcano than walking into a trap, if you take my meaning," Alicia returns. "I'm almost tempted to hole up somewhere and ride it out, but I think that would make things worse - we have to keep our minds occupied and focus on our jobs, so lets try to find out what happened to the people here."
03[20:57] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af0134d.wfd96.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:57] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[20:58] <OblivionKo> Pollyanna glances about, then up to the black disc in the sky. "Then let's keep going?" she prods.
[21:00] <Alicia> "Okay, same again - Pollyanna and I will quickly sweep the building, Antenora you stay here with the pegasi and yell if you see or hear anything at all, okay?" Alicia confirms with the others before attempting to open the door to the town hall.
[21:01] <OblivionKo> Antenora positions with the pegasi as the two go to the town hall door! The door is thick and heavy...and very locked. The door is faintly cold to the touch.
06[21:02] * Alicia braces herself and tries to force the lock.
[21:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[21:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{15}
[21:02] <OblivionKo> The door shudders and wrenches, but doesn't quite give to Alicia's forceful rush!
[21:02] <OblivionKo> In the distance, far away, a distant howl can be heard.
06[21:03] * Alicia pauses, motioning for everyone to be silent as she waits to hear if anything comes after the howl.
[21:04] <OblivionKo> OOC: Listen checks around the board.
[21:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[21:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{21}
[21:04] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+18
[21:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{22}
[21:05] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+1 huh, she doesn't have listen?
[21:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0huh, she doesn't have listen? --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{9}
[21:11] <Alicia> "The reports did mention howling... sounds pretty far away at least, for the moment," Alicia muses. "Lets not worry about it till that changes," she suggests, heaving herself at the door once again.
[21:11] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[21:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{11}
[21:14] <OblivionKo> The door buckles again...but once again Alicia fails completely.
[21:14] <OblivionKo> "Yeah..." Pollyanna glances backwards a few times, the howling a distant, faint tugging at your ears.
06[21:15] * Alicia sighs. "Sturdy old thing..." she mutters, stepping back and giving the door a good solid kick.
[21:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{11}
[21:16] <OblivionKo> The door buckles but does not give to Alicia's attempts. It just seems to not be giving despite her best effort. "Maybe there's a window on the sideS?" Pollyanna suggests.
[21:18] <Alicia> "On one hand I don't really want to wreck the door entirely," Alicia admits, "On the other, what if something happens out here while we're inside? We'd want to be able to get back out in a hurry, not waste time climbing out a window. I'm going to have to hack it apart, I'm afraid." Putting action to words, she draws her sword and cleaves mightily into the vexing portal!
[21:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 -10 pa
[21:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0-10 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{21}
[21:19] <Alicia> roll 1d8+21
[21:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+21 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{27}
[21:19] <Alicia> OOC: +31, so 37
[21:22] <OblivionKo> The door is sliced through! The door buckles, shudders and then collapses down the line Alicia cut! Inside, over the broken door, you can see a large town hall. It's about one hundred feet long, with several wooden chairs littered about. There are doors on the far side and on both walls. It's utterly empty - no sign of life at all. Just a gust of chilly air, making your bones ache.
06[21:25] * Alicia pulls her blindfold down, deciding it'll be more useful to have perfect if limited range 'vision' within the close confines of a building during this scenario. "Since Shar is known for shadows and illusions, this should help," she explains for the benefit of the others,
[21:25] <Alicia> "But I can't perceive anything more than thirty feet away, so the rest of you will still need to stay sharp. Come on, lets quickly look the place over, Pollyanna," she hands the archer her magically glowing splinter of wood before stepping inside to search the building.
[21:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 aid
[21:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0aid --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{8}
[21:27] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+8
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{28}
[21:31] <OblivionKo> Thus the two search the building! As Pollyanna goes to open one of the side doors...
[21:31] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+5
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{23}
[21:32] <OblivionKo> The side door opens into a small room. However, in this room, Alicia's blindsense can see a tiny, purple, writhing creature. It's only the size of Marie or so, like a bug larvae floating in the air.
[21:33] <Alicia> "Do you see that?" Alicia asks Pollyanna, pointing to the creature. "Something floating in the air," she adds, giving its rough distance and height.
[21:34] <OblivionKo> "I..." Pollyanna stares, "That's horrible!" she says, "BUt...no..no." SHe catches herself, "It's not really there..."
[21:35] <Alicia> This is actually somewhat annoying, so Alicia lifts her blindfold back up her head so she can properly see whatever it is. And whether it's evil/magical.
[21:35] <OblivionKo> OOC - Will save.
[21:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
[21:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{34}
[21:36] <OblivionKo> Alicia sees nothing at all. It's just an empty closet, but Pollyanna's face is a mix of restrained fear and wonder.
06[21:37] * Alicia blinks. "I can't even see it..." she pulls the blindfold back down to confirm the creature's presence. "What does it look like, Pollyanna?"
[21:41] <OblivionKo> The creature is still there, yes.
[21:41] <OblivionKo> "
[21:41] <OblivionKo> "I saw...I'm not sure. I saw...something horrible," Licking her lips again, "Kondrux...his lair..."
06[21:42] * Alicia reaches forward to grab the floating evil magical object.
[21:42] <OblivionKo> On reaching forward, the object seems to react as well! OOC - For the sake of sorting, roll initiative?
[21:43] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+4
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{19}
[21:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{15}
[21:43] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+7 Polly if needed
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0Polly if needed --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{22}
03[21:43] * OblivionKo changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Bug larvae?>Alicia'
[21:44] <OblivionKo> As Pollyanna isn't aware of it...she does nothing! As Alicia reaches forward to touch it, the larvae seems to react! A purple beam fires out from it right at Alicia!
[21:44] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+5 touch AC?
[21:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0touch AC? --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{12}
[21:44] <Alicia> OOC: 15
[21:44] <OblivionKo> The purple beam whizzes by Alicia's hand, only arching through the dark town hall!
06[21:45] * Alicia proceeds with her plan of grabbing the whatever it is rather than just smiting it even though it's proved its hostility. If it has any reasoning capabilities perhaps she can interrogate it.
[21:46] <Alicia> OOC: if it has natural attacks or a melee weapon it can AoO me to stop the grapple
[21:46] <OblivionKo> OOC - I'll treat it as a grapple attempt. It has no AoO capacity on you, so go ahead and roll grapple.
[21:46] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 touch attack
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 1,0touch attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{28}
[21:46] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 grapple check
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 1,0grapple check --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{32}
[21:46] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+4
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{24}
[21:52] <OblivionKo> Alicia is easily able to grasp the tiny larvae in her hand! It feels too soft, like rotten fruit, and very very cold. It's like holding squishy ice. But it is so held, Alicia's grasp on it solid! OOC - Go ahead and act.
[21:53] <Alicia> "What are you?" Alicia asks the larval thing as she holds it up.
[21:54] <OblivionKo> There is no reply from the larvae like creature. It only struggles in Alicia's vicelike grasp.
[21:55] <Alicia> "Lets see if Antenora can communicate telepathically with it?" Alicia suggests to Pollyanna as she heads back outside of the hall with her squirming passenger.
[21:57] <OblivionKo> Pollyanna follows curiously, as you head outside! However, as you do, you find something is wrong! Outside, you find that only two pegasi remain! They fly nervously over the ground, with no signs of the third or Antenora.
[21:58] <Alicia> "What in the..." Alicia uses her free hand to lift up her blindfold. "Where did Antenora and the other go?" she asks, looking around for any signs of struggle. Surely the erinyes would have called out or issued a telepathic message - and she certainly wouldn't wander off on her own without saying anything.
[21:59] <OblivionKo> There is no sign of the two at all. The harsh black disc in the sky seems to throb. Pollyanna looks about, "I...where did they go?" she asks. "Antenora?" she calls.
[22:01] <Alicia> "You two, get down here," Alicia calls to the pegasi, tossing the larval creature back through the open door and to the side so it won't be able to shoot beams at anyone outside unless it moves.
[22:02] <OblivionKo> The two pegasus skittishly come back down, landing well away from where they were before.
[22:02] <OblivionKo> Meanwhile, the larval creature is tossed to the side, hidden away by Alicia's throw.
[22:03] <Alicia> "Come on," Alicia gestures for Pollyanna to follow as she goes to mount up on one of the horses. "Take us to wherever the other two went!" she orders.
[22:03] <OblivionKo> The two mount! The two pegasi seem hesitant, but they fly over where they were standing before and look straight down.
06[22:05] * Alicia frowns at that, dismounting and walking to the front of her horse, a hand against its snout as she meets its equine eyes. "Nod your head for yes, shake it for no. Were they pulled down into the ground?" she asks calmly.
[22:05] <OblivionKo> The pegasus nods it's head.
[22:05] <OblivionKo> OOC - Alicia, make a listen check.
[22:06] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{22}
[22:06] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+1
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{21}
[22:09] <Alicia> "... shit..." Alicia utters an uncharacteristic curse. "Pollyanna, stay mounted, all of you take to the air - we've got more trouble coming before we can start to figure out where those two were taken," she commands briskly, drawing her sword. 'Hell Striker, keep me updated on everything you can sense in the area,' she adds to said weapon.
[22:11] <OblivionKo> The riderless pegasi and Pollyanna take to the air, Alicia left alone on the ground! 'I shall,' Hell Striker promises, 'I don't sense anything currently.' Meanwhile, the howling grows stronger, louder! Canine howls, full of baying hunger.
[22:13] <Alicia> Reaching into her survival pouch, Alicia tosses a small object to the street about twenty feet from the town hall which manifests into a blazing campfire to provide some illumination in addition to that shed by her sword as it likewise ignites.
[22:13] <Alicia> "If something happens to me, I want you three to head straight back to Balmuria," she adds, focusing on the spot where Antenora and the pegasus apparently vanished to see if any residual magic traces will provide clues as to what happened.
[22:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft on lingering magic
[22:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0spellcraft on lingering magic --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{16}
[22:15] <OblivionKo> "Are you sure," Pollyanna calls down, even as she readies her bow while riding her horse. "I don't want to ride back and report thet wo of you were lost!"
[22:16] <Alicia> "It'll be worse if none of us report back," Alicia replies sternly, casting shield upon herself as she readies for combat. "We've stumbled into something horrible here, Pollyanna."
[22:18] <OblivionKo> "Like hell if I'm going to leave you," Pollyanna retorts, as the howling...begins to fade, slowing. "Come on, we're going to find Antenora and all go home in one piece."
[22:20] <Alicia> "Tch, now it's just messing with our heads," Alicia grimaces as the howling retreats. "Obviously I won't be able to stop you if I'm already indisposed, just don't do anything rash." She considers for a moment, "We're going to have to search this place thoroughly for any clues, but I don't want to split up again and pegasi don't fit inside buildings easily. Any ideas?"
06[22:22] * Alicia abruptly spins and levels her blade at... something, behind her!
[22:23] <OblivionKo> It's coming at her like a black shadow, onrushing at Alicia! It barely doesn't catch her flatfooted, her reaction giving her time to defend!
[22:23] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+14
[22:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{28}
[22:23] <OblivionKo> OOC - AC?
[22:23] <Alicia> OOC: 33
[22:25] <OblivionKo> A claw glances off Alicia's armor, right over her heart! The blow is narrowly stopped! The creature runs past her with incredible speed, ending ten feet to her side and in a crouch. It's like a humanoid of shadow, with a maw like a hungry wolf's! As it's claw hits, the howling resumes again, a fever pitch!
[22:25] <OblivionKo> "I won't, but...aaah!" Pollyanna gawks for just a moment as the creature whizzes by Alicia, missing a critical blow against her! "Damnit!" OOC - Initiative here.
[22:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
[22:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{9}
[22:25] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+10
[22:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{17}
[22:26] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+7 Polly
[22:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0Polly --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{16}
03[22:26] * OblivionKo changes topic to 'Shadow-wolf thing>Polly>Alicia'
[22:26] <OblivionKo> Alicia sees that the creature is moving past her again at light speed, another ripping claw delivered at her via a speedy, rippling runby!
[22:26] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+14
[22:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{18}
[22:28] <OblivionKo> However, this time it glances off the top-tip of her armor, claws just whizzing past and failing to scratch her toughened neck's skin! It ends up twenty feet away from her, at the edge of a gap between two buildings! The light the fire casts prevents any serious shadow cover, leaving the creature visible! Meanwhile, Pollyanna threads arrows and fires!
[22:28] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+11
[22:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{25}
[22:28] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+11
[22:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{31}
[22:28] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+11 crit check
[22:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{16}
[22:28] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+6
[22:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{19}
[22:30] <OblivionKo> roll 5d8+20+3d6
[22:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 5d8+20+3d6 --> 6,0[ 5d8=26 3d6=9 ]4,0{55}
[22:30] <OblivionKo> The creature's form, while fast, seems to offer no resistance to the arrows at all! They rip through it with a furious vengence, leaving several holes in it's shadowy body as they pass through! OOC - Alicia.
06[22:30] * Alicia readies her sword and waits for the beast to come at her again...
[22:31] <Alicia> OOC: readied action to hit when it approaches
[22:31] <OblivionKo> The beast is indeed unfazed, running at Alicia full bore, even as it's been arrowed and penetrated thrice! OOC - Go Alicia.
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 -3 power attack
[22:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0-3 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{27}
[22:31] <OblivionKo> OOC - Hit.
[22:32] <Alicia> roll 1d8+16+2d6 (assuming evil)
[22:32] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+16+2d6 1,0(assuming evil) --> 6,0[ 1d8=1 2d6=5 ]4,0{22}
[22:32] <OblivionKo> Alicia's blade cleaves through the shadowy beast! She finds it's form offers nor esistance at all! It's body splits in two from her heavy blow, fading away into nothingness! The howling ceases, a dead silence enveloping the town...
06[22:33] * Alicia pulls down her blindfold for a moment, waiting...
[22:35] <OblivionKo> The creature is still there. IT is a humanoid with a wolf's head, entirely solid. A cloak of shadows is over it's body, ripped and ruined. But nonetheless, it's there and readying another strike, backing up!
[22:37] <Alicia> OOC: can I act?
[22:39] <OblivionKo> OOC: Go ahead. It's 20 feet away from you now.
[22:39] <Alicia> "Burn!" Alicia commands as she gestures at the creature, causing a stream of molten fire to issue forth in its direction!
[22:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch
[22:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{18}
[22:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch
[22:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{34}
[22:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch
[22:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{21}
[22:41] <OblivionKo> OOC - All hit.
[22:41] <Alicia> roll 12d6
[22:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 12d6 --> 6,0[ 12d6=38 ]4,0{38}
[22:42] <OblivionKo> The creature's body is stricken by flaming ray after flaming ray! It shudders as he collapses, becoming entirely visible! What lies before you is a young man, burnt and destroyed. "...Alicia?" Pollyanna calls as Alicia fires, though a moment later she stares down.
[22:44] <Alicia> "What the... some sort of shadow werewolf?" Alicia pulls up her blindfold, walking over to examine the corpse.
[22:50] <OblivionKo> Alicia approaches. It looks like a young man, perhaps in his early twenties. He is unclad now, only a few scraps of cloth clinging to his body. Pollyanna descends down a little bit, "I don't know. Any ideas?"
[22:53] <Alicia> "Shapechangers normally revert to their true form on death," Alicia reasons. "Aside from the shadows, it looked like what you'd expect a werewolf to look like... I don't really know what it has to do with Shar. Or that thing we found back in the closet, for that matter."
[22:54] <OblivionKo> "Shar's the Goddess of Loss? I don't know either, but I do know it's nicely distracted us." Pollyanna observes.
[22:57] <Alicia> "Among other things," Alicia nods slowly, frowning at the lack of any identifiable markings or belongings on the corpse. "Okay, we need to search all the buildings."
[22:57] <Alicia> "I don't like the idea of splitting up, but we really have no choice - if you and the pegasi stay airborne it should at least keep you safe from whatever got Antenora and the other one, and I'll use the Message cantrip to stay in contact," she explains, all business as she focuses on the job at hand.
[23:08] <OblivionKo> "Alright," Pollyanna answers after that.
06[23:10] * Alicia proceeds to cast Message, linking herself with Pollyanna and the two pegasi. "I'll hear anything even if you whisper, and likewise for you, but don't hesitate to yell anyway if there's trouble," she explains, going to the first building on the left of the town hall, pulling down her blindfold, and kicking in the door.
[23:10] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[23:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{15}
[23:29] <OblivionKo> The next building is a shop. It's door buckles and gives way easily. Inside you can see dozens and dozens of trinkets and salable items, but not a single breath of humanity.
06[23:29] * Alicia is hardly here to rob the place, and simply performs a cursory inspection of all the rooms for anything out of the ordinary before she moves on.
[23:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 search
[23:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0search --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{18}
06[23:32] * Alicia decides to keep a running commentary of everything she sees/does while searching. None of it's useful information, but it hopefully gives the others something to focus on, and if she suddenly goes silent they'll know immediately that there's a problem.
[23:37] <OblivionKo> Alicia searches the shop! As she does...OOC - Make a will savE?
[23:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
[23:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{39}
[23:38] <OblivionKo> In a corner of the shop, Alicia finds a trap door. It's not all that well hidden, new and still with some signs of being recently installed.
06[23:39] * Alicia opens the trap door and climbs down to take a look, still recounting what's happening for the benefit of Pollyanna and the two Pegasi.
[23:43] <OblivionKo> "Careful," Pollyanna warns as you descend. A stairway is down there, leading inward. The first ten feet of it are rough and broken, the walls clearly having been worked. But past that, it gives to a natural hollow cave. You go down thirty feet in complete darkness, save fo ryour little shard of light. You come down into a smallish cavern, with paths to the north, south, east and west. But asyou do...A wordless scream of utter agony is hea
[23:43] <OblivionKo> But asyou do...A wordless scream of utter agony is heard. BUt it's voice is unmistakable in it's tone; Antenora's. It echos over and over, a slowly fading din of torment.
[23:44] <Alicia> Alicia cannot see and does not require any light with her blindfold on. "Some sort of natural stone... like a cavern. There's paths in all four directions farth- That was Antenora!" she abruptly cuts herself off, trying to place which direction the scream came from.
[23:44] <OblivionKo> OOC - Listen check.
[23:45] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[23:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{19}
[23:49] <Alicia> "Coming from the east, I'm going to check it out," Alicia tells the others before pulling back her blindfold so she can see farther ahead as she starts to run down that tunnel, igniting Hell Striker's blade to provide light.
[23:50] <OblivionKo> Thus Alicia restores her vision and races onward! She runs ahead down the cavern's winding path to find...OOC - Make a wills ave?
[23:51] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
[23:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{38}
[23:52] <OblivionKo> Antenora lies on the ground. She cries out one last time, a puddle of blood around her. "Ali..ci...a...." she reaches forward weakly, before her last bit of energy fails and falls face first down. However...despite a thrill of terrifying fear...it isn't right. Something about it seems off to Alicia.
[23:54] <Alicia> "This... isn't right. It's an illusion," Alicia states shakily, fervently hoping that's the case as she checks for magic and evil where 'Antenora' lays.
[23:55] <OblivionKo> Antenora's blood pools out, a bit of it trickling towards Alicia and her boot.
[23:56] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
[23:56] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0spellcraft --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
06[23:57] * Alicia stares at Antenora's collapsed form for a moment longer as she registers the scene before she pulls down her blindfold too perceive it in a different manner. 'Hell Striker, what are you seeing?' she asks the sword.
[23:58] <OblivionKo> Alicia sees nothing at all. Just empty air. 'Nothing,' Hell Striker answers.
Session Time: Wed Jul 16 00:00:00 2008
[00:00] <Alicia> "Just an illusion," Alicia tells Pollyanna and the others. "Be very careful if you see anything that looks like Antenora - the pegasi should be able to tell if it's really her by detecting her moral nature, since illusions have none." Now with nothing to distract her, she examines the rest of the cavern she's found herself in.
[00:03] <OblivionKo> It continues to go to the east for a good ways longer and starts sloping downward.
[00:03] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+16
[00:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{28}
[00:03] <OblivionKo> Otherwise, there's not much of note in the cavern here barring the illusion.
[00:04] <Alicia> "The cavern slopes downwards. I might fall out of contact depending on how deep this goes, but I'm going to check it out," Alicia tells the others as she continues following this path at a more cautious pace, now.
[00:05] <OblivionKo> "Right," Pollyanna calls, as she descends! The path goes about sixty feet downward and sloping before Alicia comse on anything. It's a body, of a middle aged man. H e's been impaled and is still warm and quite bloody.
[00:07] <Alicia> "Found a body..." Alicia pulls up her blindfold to look upon the cadaver with her eyes. "This one's real... and fresh," she examines it for any identifying characteristics,
[00:07] <OblivionKo> It's a middle aged man. He had a gray beard and gray hair. His torso has been run through by a pole armed type weapon. He leans against the wall, as if a force barrelled into him head on and did this damage.
06[00:08] * Alicia starts walking back, calling for Pollyanna every twenty feet until she gets a reply, since she wants to pass this along.
[00:09] <OblivionKo> Twenty feet up is neough. On speaking, you find Pollyanna's breathing is a bit sharper. "I ran into something up here," she says as soon as Alicia makes contact. "It's dead now."
[00:11] <Alicia> "What was it?" Alicia asks. "I just found a corpse down here, looked like it had been gored or stabbed..." she shivers as a thought starts to bubble up, "Pollyanna, did whatever you just killed turn into a human?"
[00:12] <OblivionKo> "Yeah. It was a winged...thing, and it turned into an old woman when it hit the ground." Pollyanna answers back tersely.
[00:14] <Alicia> "Pollyanna, I think... I think we've been killing the villagers," Alicia explains her awful suspicion. "I'm not certain, but I think something's changed them... I don't know if it's controlling them or if they've gone mad, but I don't think these shapechanging monsters just appeared in a coincidentally abandoned village."
[00:16] <OblivionKo> There's a momentary pause from Pollyanna there. She's quiet, "Then we have to bring the cause of it toj ustice," she says back quietly, "We can't let this sort of thing stand. It's making a mockery of us."
[00:17] <Alicia> "I know... I think the body I just found might have been killed by Antenora. Just... just try to avoid any more that appear and defend yourself only if you absolutely have to, okay? I'm going to try to find Antenora before any more lives are lost." At that she takes off on a brisk jog down the tunnel, calling out loudly, "Antenora!"
[00:20] <OblivionKo> roll 1d20+16
[00:20] <Rei-chan> 6,0OblivionKo rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{30}
Session Close: Wed Jul 16 00:31:40 2008
Session Start: Tue Jul 15 06:22:38 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[06:22] * Disconnected
Session Close: Tue Jul 15 06:22:38 2008
Session Start: Wed Jul 16 00:31:40 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[00:31] * Disconnected
02[00:32] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[00:32] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[00:32] * Topic is 'Shadow-wolf thing>Polly>Alicia'
03[00:32] * Set by OblivionKo on Tue Jul 15 22:26:20
03[00:32] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Corwin
[00:32] <OblivionKo> "Tsh." With a shake of her head, "You can't see here, can you? I didn't kill a one of these in here." Antenora steps away a little bit. Behind her, you can just see what looks to be some sort of black disc, hewn and rising out of the floor. Around it, you can see a rusty red color on the floor.
[00:34] <Alicia> "At least one of us is innocent, then," Alicia replies shamefacedly. "As much as that word can ever apply to the likes of us." Shaking her head to clear such thoughts, she tries to focus on the now - there'll be time for recriminations later. "What happened to the pegasus that disappeared with you?"
[00:36] <OblivionKo> "You wish," Antenora says quietly, "It got sucked away from me. The earth opened up and swallowed us, closing above us so there wasn't any escape. It's like it was alive and I got deposited straight down, while the pegasus was taken...that way," Antenora needs a moment, before pointing...to the northwest. You think. "All that's here is an dozen sacrifices, from the looks of it."
[00:37] <Alicia> "Lets try to find it, but first..." Alicia gingerly approaches the black disc, looking over it with the aid of Hell Striker's flames. "This is an altar, isn't it?"
[00:38] <OblivionKo> "Yeah," Antenora answers, the black disc of Shar about four feet tall. It's made of the purest black stone Alicia's ever seen, like smooth, reflectionless glass. It's like a blank, all consuming eye of nothing.
[00:38] <OblivionKo> You notice that trails of blood seem to have trickled towards it, staining everything around it a rusty red.
[00:40] <Alicia> "You might want to stand back," Alicia warns the erinyes, clenching her fists as she glares viciously at the monument to Mystra's twisted 'mother', flickers of silvery light battling the darkness around her hands as arcane power swells.
[00:41] <OblivionKo> Antenora does just that. "Please," she says quietly. The disc stares back...it seems to. Alicia feels a simple emptiness tugging lightly at her. A hopelessness. Deep within, Alicia can feel familiar pangs of rage trying to stir.
[00:43] <Alicia> Standing right over the altar, Alicia holds her free hand over it as spellfire wells forth. "Foul Nightsister, by all the planes I swear I will make you pay for this," she growls before unleashing a blinding nova of spellfire straight down into the altar!
[00:43] <Alicia> roll 15d8
[00:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 15d8 --> 6,0[ 15d8=66 ]4,0{66}
[00:45] <OblivionKo> The altar swells! The spellfire flows through it, but instead of passing through? It seems to spread into the altar, glowing! With a beam of light that penetrates from floor to ceiling, the altar shatters, sending flying stone all over! Only a fine rubble of stone remains..and oddly, amid it, a bloodied doll. Like a child's doll, it's face and body stained red.
[00:47] <OblivionKo> As the rubble finishes flying, the shadowy darkness leaves. With the light of Hell Striker, one can see a fairly wide cavern. Here a dozen bodies lie, stacked in a circle around the circular disc's remnants. Blood from them seems to have flowed towards the disc. Young, old, male, female...the dozen here are of all types.
[00:47] <Alicia> "Still not enough," Alicia murmurs, scooping up the doll as she senses it could be important, wiping at the blood coating it with a finger. Until she can turn her earlier words into more than a gesture, it'll never be enough. "Come on, lets find that pegasus," she tells Antenora, starting towards the Northeast.
[00:48] <Alicia> Northwest*
[00:50] <OblivionKo> Thus the two return back the way they came. As they walk out of the cavern, "Do you know what sort of ritual that was, by any chance?" Antenora asks.
[00:52] <Alicia> "You mean what I just did? No," Alicia shakes her head. "All I wanted to do was destroy that blasphemous altar... perhaps there's more to spellfire that I don't yet know about."
[00:52] <OblivionKo> "No, I meant the sacrifice," Antenora says it with distaste, "It might give us an insight into what's going on here, beyond what we know."
[00:53] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 religion
[00:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0religion --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{15}
[00:56] <Alicia> "I don't, no," Alicia replies. "Shar's clergy sacrifice at the drop of a hat, but this seems more like her acting directly rather than any priests, considering what's in the sky. I don't know if there's any deeper meaning beyond bloodshed and pain."
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:51] <OblivionKo> Thus the two return back the way they came. As they walk out of the cavern, "Do you know what sort of ritual that was, by any chance?" Antenora asks.
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:52] <Alicia> "You mean what I just did? No," Alicia shakes her head. "All I wanted to do was destroy that blasphemous altar... perhaps there's more to spellfire that I don't yet know about."
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:53] <OblivionKo> "No, I meant the sacrifice," Antenora says it with distaste, "It might give us an insight into what's going on here, beyond what we know."
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 religion
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0religion --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{15}
[20:42] <Alicia> [22:56] <Alicia> "I don't, no," Alicia replies. "Shar's clergy sacrifice at the drop of a hat, but this seems more like her acting directly rather than any priests, considering what's in the sky. I don't know if there's any deeper meaning beyond bloodshed and pain."
[20:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the two begin to walk back, "I'd like to know if there is. I suppose it could be hatred and killing for it's own sake, but..." Antenora clicks her tongue softly.
[20:46] <Alicia> "It could be that the blood sacrifice was required in exchange for the transformation of others into those shadow creatures," Alicia admits to one possibility as they walk along the pathway, approaching where she last had contact with Pollyanna. "I've got Pollyanna on a message spell, she should be about to come into range," she explains on another note before trying to talk to the archer. "Pollyanna? Can you hear me?"
[20:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Alicia?" Pollyanna asks back. "I can hear you."
[20:49] <Alicia> "I've found Antenora, we're looking for the other pegasus, now. Anything happening on your end?" Alicia asks, deciding not to bother Pollyanna with news of the bloody mass sacrifice just yet.
[20:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It's quiet since I shot down that creature," Pollyanna reports back. "Just horribly oppressive and gloomy."
[20:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d3
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d3 and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[20:52] <Alicia> "Stay sharp, hopefully we'll be able to find our missing horse and come back soon," Alicia tells her, though inwardly she wonders exactly how they'll get a horse out of here.
[20:52] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
06[20:53] * Alicia presses on, heading up the north passage once she reaches the junction where she first came down into these caverns.
[20:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I will," Pollyanna answers. "Careful down there."
[20:54] <Alicia> "Back at you," Alicia responds grimly.
[20:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party returns to the juncture. There are three other passages, to the north, the west and to the south.
[20:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+18
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+18 and gets 22."12 [1d20=4]
[20:56] <Alicia> Northwest could be either North or West, but Alicia decides to take things sequentially and therefore goes North.
[20:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As you just start to turn, Antenora's head jerks to the side. Her body whirls, spear brandished! For a moment she's like that, before she slowly exhales.
[20:57] <Alicia> "You alright?" Alicia asks, glancing to the left and pulling down her blindfold.
[20:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia doesn't see anything unusual. Antenora slowly relaxes, "I thought I saw...nothing. I saw nothing." Antenora shakes her head slowly.
[21:00] <Alicia> "Feels like we're being toyed with, doesn't it?" Alicia muses unhappily as they continue on down this pathway, keeping her blindfold on for now.
[21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "...yes." Antenora agrees, "Have you ever personally offended Shar, by the by?"
[21:06] <Alicia> "Not as far as I know..." Alicia replies slowly. "There was once a small cult of hers in Kelara that I helped eliminate. There wasn't even a real cleric among them, though, just a bunch of violent and misguided fools. I wouldn't call that a personal offense, but then I'm not an evil goddess. From what I hear, they're surprisingly petty."
[21:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yeah..." Antenora smiles a moment in the darkness, "Yes, you're right. Evil's very petty at heart. What evil can stand someone doing good?"
[21:14] <Alicia> "Well, to be fair, it's not like I'm very accepting of people doing evil, and I don't consider myself petty. I suppose it's all about scale... anyway," she shakes her head, "I don't think this is anything personally focused on any of us - the village was doomed before we got here."
[21:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Then let's finish what was started," Antenora agrees, starting to head northward as well. OOC - Move along a bit?
[21:16] <Alicia> OOC: sure
[21:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The northern path descends lightly as well. After one hundred feet of going down...
[21:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20
06[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20 and gets 7."12 [1d20=7]
[21:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Ack, forgot the mod. Still, +18 is 25.
[21:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The downward passage slopes for awhile longer, but you can begin to see an opening ahead! However, as you do, Antenora stops again, gaze turning backwards!
[21:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
06[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28."12 [1d20=12]
[21:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Antenora breaths out sharply, but then detenses again. "Nothing..." she murmurs.
[21:29] <Alicia> "Don't worry about it too much, Antenora. Better to stay on guard needlessly than drop it before something really does appear," Alicia reassures the erinyes, taking a moment to lift up her blindfold so she can properly see ahead towards the opening. She also checks the bloody doll she's carried from that ruined altar for any evil or magic it might possess.
[21:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Mph." Antenora murmurs something. Ahead, Alicai can see a larger cavern. This one stretches quite a ways and veers generally north-northwestward.
[21:35] <Alicia> "Goes farther than I can see in the dark... see anything?" Alicia asks as they enter the widening cavern.
[21:37] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It winds on slowly. It looks natural enough. There's a wall, but it's far enough away to where I can't get a good look yet," Antenora replies.
[21:40] <Alicia> "Well, lets keep following it, since it seems to be veering a bit to the west hopefully we'll find our missing pegasus," Alicia declares as she presses on.
[21:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+18
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+18 and gets 32."12 [1d20=14]
[21:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 27."12 [1d20=11]
[21:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> AS you walk halfway, Antenora speaks. "There's a small archway in the wall. It's to the west," she answers, before she swiftly turns to the side. This time she doesn't hide her growl, "Dammit...Jebel!"
[21:43] <Alicia> "Jebel?" Alicia looks in the direction Antenora looked. "There's no way he could be here..."
[21:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I know that," Antenora exhales out again, as you see nothing at all. "It's still bothering me."
[21:45] <Alicia> "I wonder why it's focusing on you so much... I don't suppose you've had any dealings with Shar in the past, have you?" Alicia asks, starting towards the archway.
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Not in particular. She's not aligned completely with Hell...th eonly time I can recall is when it came up with your sister." Antenora replies.
[21:54] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia murmurs, not sure what to make of it and therefore letting it drop as they press onwards.
[21:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d3
06[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d3 and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[21:57] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
06[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 and gets 34."12 [1d20=14]
[21:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the two advance to the archway! As they do, they can see another shadowy area of illumination, blanketing everything in darkness! But in it, even if Alicia can't see it...she can hear it. The sound of the pegasus, crying out in pain! The sharp slicing sound of a razor...
[21:59] <Alicia> "It could be an illusion, but that's hardly something we can ignore," Alicia tells Antenora, pulling down her blindfold and starting to run towards the sound.
[22:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I can see...fourty feet in!" Antenora calls, "It's like a ghoul and it's cutting up the pegasus!" With that, Antenora begins to hurry along! OOC - Let's roll initiative here.
[22:01] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10."12 [1d20=5]
[22:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+5
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17."12 [1d20=12]
[22:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+3 and gets 6."12 [1d20=3]
03[22:02] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Antenora>Alicia>Ghoul?'
[22:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Antenora is quickest of the three, already flying like a dart! She attacks carefully, using the side of her spear to lash at the creature as she closes in!
[22:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+18 (-4 nonlethal, -2 PA +1 fly, +2 charge, +2 FS 7/8)
06[22:03] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+18 (-4 nonlethal, -2 PA +1 fly, +2 charge, +2 FS 7/8) and gets 28."12 [1d20=10]
[22:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d8+26+1d6
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 2d8+26+1d6 and gets 36."12 [2d8=4, 1][1d6=5]
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Clang! The sound of the spearhead hitting wrongsides echos, Antenora's furious glow glowing white! OOC - Alicia. You'll be able to see it as you advance with your 30 ft blindsight.
[22:07] <Alicia> Since she can't charge something she can't see there's no way for Alicia to realistically attack the enemy, at least immediately. But, on the off chance it is an altered townsperson or an illusion, she might still be able to do something. "Mother of all magic, heed my call! Break apart the corrupt taint in the weave before!" As soon as she's cast the spell, she advances forward to perceive the results.
[22:07] <Alicia> OOC: 20ft radius area dispel centred 40 feet dead ahead.
[22:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay, make your dispel check.
[22:09] <Alicia> OOC: just one?
[22:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[22:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Make one more.
[22:10] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31."12 [1d20=19]
[22:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia can see it for a scant moment! It is like a ghoul, but with long fingernails like straight razors! The pegasus is chained to the floor, bloodied and tormented! The ghoul has just been knocked back a bit by Antenora's blow...before it shivers, shudders and melts away. What lies in it's place is a slightly rotund woman with apron and dress, eyes closed.
[22:15] <Alicia> For the moment Alicia is more concerned with the brutalised pegasus and quickly moves to heal it as best she can.
[22:15] <Alicia> OOC: 15hp lay on hands
[22:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The wounds mend most of the way from the healing. It's pained cries slow and cease. Antenora approaches it as well, and after a slights igh, pats it's head. "It says thank you."
[22:18] <Alicia> "Just wish we'd gotten here sooner," Alicia likewise gives the pegasi an affectionate pat on the flank before she attempts to remove the chains binding it.
[22:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The chains are lightly tied ot the ground. It shouldn't be difficult to sever them with a swordblow, however. They don't look to be anything but iron.
[22:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The pegasus lightly neighs at the words Alicia says. Meanwhile, Antenora knees down next to the downed woman. "She's out," she reports after a moment.
06[22:20] * Alicia proceeds to do just that, before she reignites Hell Striker (not having wanted to use a flaming blade so close to the horse) and lifts up her blindfold in the hopes she can actually see anything right now.
[22:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> You can see dimly in the darkness. While the darkness lingers...this far in you can see something else. A black disk like the last, rising up out of the ground. It's like a malignant eye, staring ahead at the three woman and pegasus. Meanwhile the pegasus flaps it's wings, using that to help it get back up.
06[22:24] * Alicia approaches the disk, since the unconscious woman should keep for the moment. Setting the doll aside for a moment, she holds her hand above the disk and repeats what she did earlier. "Be cleansed, filthy edifice to a depraved goddess," she intones as spellfire is channeled downwards straight into the disc.
[22:24] <Alicia> roll 10d8 if it actually matters
06[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 10d8 if it actually matters and gets 48."12 [10d8=5, 7, 5, 7, 3, 7, 3, 3, 5, 3]
[22:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The spellfire lances into the eye! The altar glows brightly, a beam of light from the heavens striking it from floor to ceiling! The altar swells and shatters, sending broken stone all over! Amid the broken stone lies one thing...a small, bloodstained golden ring.
06[22:28] * Alicia picks up the ring and then approaches the pegasus. "My hands are getting a bit full, so can you hold onto these for now? I think they're important... somehow," she asks, placing the doll and ring into one of the horse's saddlepouches. She then examines the downed woman for any magic or evil still upon her.
[22:30] <Alicia> "I think she's safe for the moment. I'm going to try and wake her up, hopefully we'll get some answers now," Alicia goes on, taking out her wand of healing and using a couple of charges on her.
[22:30] <Alicia> roll 2d8+2
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d8+2 and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 6]
[22:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The woman groans. After a bit of that her eyes open, foggy. "Joseph...? What time is it...?" she asks for a moment, before she blinks. "..eh? The hell?"
06[22:32] * Alicia crouches down beside the woman, setting her burning sword to the side to continue shedding light. "My name is Captain Alicia Reynes, of Balmuria's Crimson Guard. Do you know where you are?" she asks, tone gentle but at the same time commanding and hopefully reassuring.
[22:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I...that damned..." she shakes he rhead. "That damned Eylissa...something. Eylissa and Magur. Something about a town meeting today?" Reaching up to rub at her shoulder, "WAit, you're the Crimson Guard?"
[22:34] <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia offers her a hand to help her up. "Who are Eylissa and Magur?"
[22:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The hell...why are we in the caves...?" Dazedly getting up. "I...Magur's a farmer...an ex farmer now, I guess. Eylissa's been with him lately..." Slowly, "Since the accident."
[22:37] <Alicia> "Tell me about this meeting," Alicia presses. "Where was it held? Do you remember what was discussed? What happened?"
[22:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Slow down..." Holding up a hand, "It's fuzzy. Magur..he said something about tonight being special. Since those weird feelings and waves started, he hasn't been quite himself. Eylissa was with him and just as into it as he was."
[22:40] <Alicia> "Take your time," Alicia allows the woman a chance to compose herself, producing a waterflask from her survival pouch and handing it to her. "What's your name, anyway?"
[22:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> She drinks from it, "Maggy."
[22:43] <Alicia> "Okay, Maggy. I think Elyssia and Magur are responsible for what's happened here. What's the absolute last thing you remember before waking up just now?" Alicia asks, not wanting to traumatise the poor woman by telling her all of what's occured so soon.
[22:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It was Magur. He said that...something about that it was time to honor her." Maggy answers after a bit, thinking. "To offer to her."
[22:47] <Alicia> "Her being Shar," Alicia finally concludes. "That brings some sense to it..." Though why did some people get changed and others were slaughtered? Was there any rhyme or reason to it? "What was your relationship with Elyssia and Magur, Maggy?"
[22:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I got along well with Elyssia...I say before, since she'd not been too friendly since the accident." Answering that, "We used to have lunch together and sew when our husbands were teaching our children how to farm."
[22:50] <Alicia> "You mentioned an accident before. What happened?" It's probably unimportant exactly what happened aside from the fact that a loss was suffered, but every bit of background helps.
[22:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It was in the barn. Elyssia was on on second floor, while her husband and son were below moving hay. I'm not sure what happened still, bu t the entire floor collapsed. Eylissa got a broken leg...but her son and husband were crushed under the wood."
06[22:56] * Alicia feels her heart clench with a pang of empathy for the woman she hasn't met, her suffering seeming an echo of Alicia's own. But she tempers such with a reminder of the bloody sacrifice, and the innocents that she and her friends have been forced to put to the sword. Regardless of how she's suffered, Elyssia must be brought to justice. "Thank you," she breathes out at last.
[22:56] <Alicia> "You've been very helpful... oh, another thing, sorry. You seem to know about these caverns - can you tell me about the layout, what's down here?"
[22:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "There have always been some caves underneath town. We used to use them to store things before we built a lot of new buildings over the past few years. They're roughly shaped like an cross, with the southern part being the biggest."
[22:58] <Alicia> "We're in the Northwest right now - the entrance was a trapdoor in a shop by the town hall that opened above the four-way junction. If we go Southwest from here will it loop back to the junction or does it go somewhere else?" Alicia asks.
[22:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It should loop. If you go that way it connects to our town well," she getures to the southwest.
[23:01] <Alicia> "Is there any exit that's large enough for a horse to fit through?" Alicia asks hopefully, glancing at the pegasus.
[23:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The horse...Holy Chauntea it has wings?!" MAggy sputters at that, finally seeming to pay attention to it.
[23:02] <Alicia> "Pegasus. The ground opened up to swallow it earlier, which could make getting back out a problem," Alicia admits.
[23:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "T-Try the well!" The woman gawks at the pegasus, who snorts loudly.
[23:05] <Alicia> "Okay, if that's the only thing for it," Alicia nods. "You're going to have to stick with us for now, since it's not safe to be on your own here. A lot of people have already died, and those that haven't... well, they've been changed into monsters," the paladin finally concludes, not really being able to avoid or sugarcoat it any longer. She doesn't want Maggy's first clue to come by stumbling over a corpse.
[20:37] <Alicia> [20:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It should loop. If you go that way it connects to our town well," she getures to the southwest.
[20:37] <Alicia> [21:01] <Alicia> "Is there any exit that's large enough for a horse to fit through?" Alicia asks hopefully, glancing at the pegasus.
[20:37] <Alicia> [21:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The horse...Holy Chauntea it has wings?!" MAggy sputters at that, finally seeming to pay attention to it.
[20:37] <Alicia> [21:02] <Alicia> "Pegasus. The ground opened up to swallow it earlier, which could make getting back out a problem," Alicia admits.
[20:37] <Alicia> [21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "T-Try the well!" The woman gawks at the pegasus, who snorts loudly.
[20:37] <Alicia> [21:05] <Alicia> "Okay, if that's the only thing for it," Alicia nods. "You're going to have to stick with us for now, since it's not safe to be on your own here. A lot of people have already died, and those that haven't... well, they've been changed into monsters," the paladin finally concludes, not really being able to avoid or sugarcoat it any longer. She doesn't want Maggy's first clue to come by stumbling over a corpse.
[20:39] <Kotono> The woman's gawk grows larger. "What? What...what are you talking about?"
[20:42] <Alicia> "I'm sorry," Alicia puts a hand on Maggy's shoulder in hopes of offering some form of comfort or reassurance, "But we've found a number of mutilated bodies in these caves already. And we've been attacked by... well, monsters, that turned back into people when we killed them. You were the same just before now, but I was able to dispel whatever was affecting you."
[20:43] <Kotono> Maggy crumples to the ground, a weak sob escaping her lips. "What...no...no!" Trying to fight back tears, "This...this has to be a nightmare then...isn't it?"
[20:44] <Kotono> "...Sorry," Antenora murmurs, barely heard as it's said under her breath.
[20:45] <Alicia> "It's real, I'm afraid," Alicia replies regretfully, crouching down along with Maggy's fallen form. "I don't know what else is in these caves, so I had to tell you before you saw it for yourself..."
[20:47] <Kotono> Maggy doesn't respond. She simply starts to sob instead, sobbing with her shoulders heaving and body quaking.
06[20:48] * Alicia gives her a minute to compose herself. They can afford that much.
[20:49] <Kotono> Maggy sobs for a few minutes before her tears run their course. She looks up, pallid faced and drained.
06[20:50] * Alicia offers her a hand as she stands up. "Do you think you can walk? We're not out of the woods, yet."
[20:51] <Kotono> Maggy nods. Her head stays down, gaze away and towards the floor.
[20:57] <Alicia> "Come on, then," Alicia picks up Hell Striker, "Lets get moving. You said the well was this way?" she asks, starting along the continuing path to the Southwest.
[20:59] <Kotono> Maggy shuffles along with the party! To the southwest you find a long, narrowish patht hat soon connects to a large underground spring. It's quite deep, deeper than you can see. However, it's open faced, with a rope and a 15 ft wide tunnel to the above seen. A bucket hangs at th eend of the rope.
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 18."12 [1d20=13]
[21:01] <Alicia> "That's a big well... Pollyanna, can you hear me?" Alicia tries, hoping this opening will provide a route for her message spell to get through.
[21:02] <Kotono> 'I'm here,' Pollyanna replies after a few moments, "How's it going down there?"
[21:04] <Alicia> "We've found the pegasus and a survivor - I was able to dispel the transformation on her," Alicia lowers her voice, only mouthing the next part. "I'm going to send Antenora up first with the survivor, could you put the two bodies inside that shop I found the trapdoor in? I don't want her to see them just yet."
[21:05] <Kotono> "Right," Pollyanna calls back. "I'll let you know when."
06[21:07] * Alicia stalls for time while Pollyanna does that by taking out the doll and ring from the pegasus's saddlebags. "We've got someone up on the surface who can look after you from here, but before you head up, can you tell me if you recognise either of these?"
[21:08] <Alicia> *she asks Maggy
[21:15] <Kotono> Maggy looks up and sniffles. "...that was...Elyissa's husband's wedding ring...and her child's doll..." Looking on at the bloodied things with blankness, Maggy doesn't say anything else.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Sacrificed to Shar... what a waste," Alicia shakes her head silently. Casting prestidigitation, she cleans both before pocketing the ring and putting the doll inside her backpack. Maybe they'll help her reason with Elyissa? She's not sure she wants to, all things considered.
[21:18] <Alicia> In other circumstances she might question what sort of boy plays with dolls, but it's really not the time or place.
[21:22] <Kotono> "Done," Pollyanna replies back. "Send her up."
[21:23] <Alicia> "Okay, Antenora, can you fly Maggy up and take her to Pollyanna? She'll be by the town square where you were pulled under," Alicia asks the erinyes. "Come back with everyone towards the well and I'll send the pegasus up once you do? I'd rather not have anyone left alone, right now."
[21:26] <Kotono> "Agreed," Antenora says, and takes Maggy and does just that! Despite a bit of grunting at her weight, the woman is flown out by Antenora! A few moments later, "Okay," Antenora calls back down. "Send the pegasus up!"
[21:26] <Kotono> roll 1d3
06[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 and gets 1."12 [1d3=1]
[21:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
06[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 and gets 25."12 [1d20=5]
06[21:29] * Alicia glances to the East, assuming that song could only be coming from the unexplored South passage. "I don't think you'd be able to fly up that normally, so I'll cast a spell to make it easier," she tells the horse, casting Fly on it. "Don't flap your wings, just think about where you want to go - in this case straight up that shaft."
[21:31] <Kotono> After a few false start flaps, the pegasus ascends up the well! Once it's up and out, "Now what?" Pollyanna asks through the Message.
[21:34] <Alicia> "There's only one unexplored passage - to the South. If Antenora comes back down, we'll head that way. I think it'll lead us to the people responsible for all this," Alicia replies through the same spell, not seeing any need to raise her voice when Pollyanna can just pass it on to Antenora.
[21:35] <Kotono> There's a bit of a shuffle, then Antenora descends down. "Ready then?" she asks quietly.
[21:36] <Alicia> "Lets go," Alicia nods, heading along the passage to the East. "I thought I heard singing while you were gone... some sort of hopeless dirge."
[21:39] <Kotono> "I think the proper retort is 'I'll shove that dirge so far up that they'll feel hopeless,'" Antenora starts walking quickly, pace quite brisk.
06[21:41] * Alicia matches pace with Antenora, expecting this path should lead them back to the junction where they can take the final Southerly path.
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d3
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 and gets 3."12 [1d3=3]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 8."12 [1d20=3]
[21:42] <Kotono> Thus the two return to the center junction! The only path left is the southern one, awaiting...
06[21:43] * Alicia naturally heads down it, sword at the ready.
[21:47] <Kotono> The path sharply descends downward! However, it's not a slope, but freshly carved stairs leading deeper in. As you begin to descend, you can faintly hear it. It is a song. A song of perfect despair, a song that makes your heart wrench in agony. As you hear it losses come back to your mind unbidden - broken loved ones lying on the floor. Empty funerals, rainy days of nothing but an empty household. Antenora slows a moment, her lips twisting in
[21:47] <Kotono> Antenora slows a moment, her lips twisting into a grimace.
[21:48] <Alicia> "Our nameless friend would feel right at home, here, wouldn't she?" Alicia asks, focusing on her anger at the senseless loss of life that this village has seen to beat away the encroaching despair.
[21:50] <Kotono> "...you know..." Antenora pauses on that a moment, "... I do wonder if that ties back to Shar, then?" She takes a breath, eyes narrowing even as she advances on.
[21:52] <Alicia> "It is possible, but there are other sources of great despair in the planes as well. Is not the primary battleground of the Blood War known as one of them?" Alicia snorts. "Maybe she's a Night Hag. Prime Hags masquerade as comely mortals on occassion, so would an extraplanar one choose the form of a beautiful outsider as her ruse?""
[21:54] <Kotono> "We may be onto something...but I'm not sure this is the time," Antenora smiles grimly, "I keep wanting to curl up into a ball and cry. Let's do something about that before we end up doing just that."
[21:55] <Alicia> "It's times like this that I find focusing on rage and anger to be very helpful," Alicia returns, her expression hard as she falls silent and picks up her pace.
[21:57] <Kotono> Thus the path downward continues! After about one hundred feet down, it ends in a small, carved out hallway. Here the walls have regular disks carved into them, disks painted black with violet rims. The hall is ten feet wide, unlit and dark. However, from sixty feet ahead...they shamble to you. Three of them - three people, rotting and cursed. They reach out hungrily, shambling towards the pair with no regards for stealth! OOC - Initiative.
[21:57] <Kotono> regards for stealth! OOC - Initiative.
[21:57] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 11."12 [1d20=6]
[21:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[21:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20-2
06[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20-2 and gets 18."12 [1d20=20]
03[21:59] * Kotono changes topic to 'Ghouls?>Antenora>Alicia, man, you're mikoing today.'
[22:00] <Kotono> The ghouls shamble forward, coming close to the two, within attacking range! Howeve,r none of them can seem to effective manage that after their long, shambling gait! "...Alicia," Antenora readies her spear, "Stun them or...?"
[22:00] <Alicia> "Brace yourself and strike to incapacitate only, but let me try dispelling them first," Alicia requests.
[22:00] <Kotono> Antenora readies her spear on defense, defending herself! OOC - Alicia.
[22:02] <Alicia> "Weave of magic, heed my call! Shake off this foul dweomer and set free these victims of your Mother's greatest foe!" Alicia incants as she attempts to unravel the spell afflicting these 'ghouls'.
[22:02] <Alicia> OOC: area dispel centred on them. 3 checks?
[22:02] <Kotono> OOC - Go for it.
[22:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29."12 [1d20=17]
[22:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29."12 [1d20=17]
[22:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
[22:03] <Kotono> The magic ripples apart! The three cease their movement, instead falling! Three young children fall to the ground, two boy san done girl. They're down and out, unmoving and no threat at all! OOC - Free action.
06[22:04] * Alicia relaxes, letting her blade's flames dim as she sheathes it and pulls down her blindfold. "Come on, lets carry them back up to the surface before we proceed - we can't leave them down here in case another 'monster' stumbles on them," she tells Antenora, going to carefully put a child over each of her shoulders.
[22:06] <Kotono> Antenora grabs the last, grunting low. "Let's hurry. This hateful arrogance of Shar's followers grates on me. Using these children as fodder?"
[22:07] <Alicia> "Disgusting, isn't it?" Alicia agrees, not sharing her horrible suspicion about just what that 'larva' she found in the town hall really is, and feeling very glad that she didn't slay it.
[22:09] <Kotono> Taking the children up isn't opposed at all, oddly. No attacks, no screams of rage. Just taking them back out. On coming to the surface, you find Pollyanna riding the horse in a circuit of the town. She's got her bow drawn, arrows readied. Riding with the pegasus is Maggy, dimly clinging to her back. Alicia nearly gets a flaming arrow fired at her, Pollyanna's bow and arrow aimed right at her!
[22:10] <Alicia> Well, that's not surprising since they'd likely cleared everything in that direction. "Woah!" Alicia can't quite hold up her hands since they're full. "It's only us - we've got three survivors here."
[22:11] <Kotono> Pollyanna's shoulders rock in a sigh, spurring her horse down. "Good," she says quickly. "Need me to watch over them? I managed to stop another image, but..." Shaking her head, "I don't feel right. I can't stop looking over my shoulder." After that, Pollyanna does just that.
[22:12] <Alicia> "I think we were close to the Sharrans when we encountered these three," Alicia goes to set the children down close to the fire. "We couldn't leave them down there while proceeding in case something else found them first."
[22:13] <Kotono> Antenora follows suit, "Watch them carefully. The source of this doesn't give a damn about killing them."
[22:15] <Kotono> With a slight, weak smile, "I will. Good luck down there, Alicia."
[22:17] <Alicia> "You too," Alicia replies grimly. "If any more transformed villagers show up..." she looks meaningfully at the children laid out by the fire, "Use your judgement." At that she returns to the shop and heads underground to resume their journy South.
02[22:18] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af202bf.tcl108.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit
03[22:19] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af202bf.tcl108.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[22:19] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
03[22:19] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[22:19] <Kotono> THus the two come into the range of the song again! This empty song makes your hearts ache and your spirits want to sink into hopeless ennui! But the two heroes resist, heading deeper in! A little past the point of resistance, they come to the end of the hall! Here thick curtains block the way forward, faint trickles of thick fog creeping out from under it. The song is getting louder.
06[22:21] * Alicia lifts up the blindfold so she can see, using the flames of her sword for light. Approaching the curtains, she cuts them aside with a flaming slash before standing as a hopefully imposing sillouete framed by the doorway as she takes in whatever scene lies before her.
[22:22] <Kotono> Alicia sees...fog. A thick bank of fog obscures all that is ahead. She can just see 5 feet ahead, seeing nothing but...more fog. Yep, it's very foggy. The foggy mists prevent Alicia from seeing much of anything ahead.
[22:22] <Alicia> Dammit. On comes the blindfold once again.
[22:24] <Kotono> Thirty feet ahead, waiting, you can see them. They are two - horrible, quill bearing large...hounds? They're bony and gaunt, yet lick at themselves at their ample quills with abandon.
[22:25] <Alicia> Could be howlers. Could be unfortunate townsfolk. Since they might be just as hampered by the fog as she is, Alicia takes advantage of this opportunity and attempts to dispel magic, targetting a spot fifteen feet past the 'hounds' in a wide burst to hopefully catch them as well as any others she can't see just yet. "In the name of Mystra, let this Sharran affront be dispelled!" she calls out loud and clear to advertise her presence.
[22:26] <Alicia> OOC: area dispel. How many checks?
[22:28] <Kotono> OOC - Three. Tell me which are the hounds and which is the uncalled one.
[22:28] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 hound
06[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 hound and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
[22:28] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 hound
06[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 hound and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[22:28] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 unknown
06[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 unknown and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[22:29] <Kotono> OOC - Roll the first one again.
[22:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19."12 [1d20=7]
[22:29] <Kotono> One of the hounds vanishes away! At that, however...OOC - I'm going to call initaitive here now that you've taken an action.
[22:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 12."12 [1d20=7]
[22:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Antenora and gets 23."12 [1d20=18]
[22:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 howler
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 howler and gets 11."12 [1d20=4]
[22:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 ????
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 ???? and gets 20."12 [1d20=13]
[22:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 5."12 [1d20=3]
03[22:31] * Kotono changes topic to 'Antenora>????1?Alicia>Howler>????2'
[22:31] <Kotono> 'Alicia,' Antenora asks in clipped, ready tones, staring ahead at the fog.
[22:32] <Alicia> 'If you can't see then just brace yourself, there were two howlers thirty feet in, I just got rid of one. Summoned, not transformed, so don't hold back if the remaining one comes into range.'
[22:33] <Kotono> Antenora thus braces! Meanwhile...nothing seems to immediately happen...OOC - Alicia.
[22:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 28."12 [1d20=10]
06[22:35] * Alicia casts true strike and then moves diagonally in forty feet, off to the side of the Howler through the space formerly occupied by its double at least fifteen feet away, hopefully too far for it to detect her while letting her 'see' who else is here.
[22:38] <Kotono> Alicia can see! At the edge of her vision is the most horrible thing...a disk of Shar. Bound to it is a woman with a darkened cloth over her eyes. However...she is held to the disk. She has been pinned there with spikes through her shoulders and knees. She raises her head to sing, a song of complete lonliness and isolation, of pure agony. Next to her is a man, a plain looking man wearing a sleeveless tunic and with muscled arms. He stays low,
[22:38] <Kotono> Next to her is a man, a plain looking man wearing a sleeveless tunic and with muscled arms. He stays low, graceful movements. His head is shaved bald. A simple rope belt is tied around his waist.
[22:39] <Kotono> "Beautiful...it is Alicia Reynes..." The man's face is dark, expressionless. "My Lady, accept this sacrifice tonight, on your most holy vision night!"
06[22:40] * Alicia doesn't reply, not wanting to advertise her presence in case that howler is unable to see through the fog unlike the man.
03[22:40] * Kotono changes topic to 'Antenora>Man>Alicia>Howler>Woman'
[22:41] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the Howler holds it's position! However, the w3oman continues to sing! The horrible song washes over Alicia, making her spirit quake! It is an empty song, singling of broken times and filled graves. OOC - Will save.
[22:41] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20 and gets 25."12 [1d20=5]
[22:42] <Kotono> As the song hits Alicia, filling her heart with horrible feelings, 'Alicia,' Antenora asks again.
[22:44] <Alicia> 'Unh... what?' Alicia's mental voice sounds a bit distracted. 'Gods, can't you feel that... no, it's better if you don't.' With an immense effort she focuses herself. 'Move thirty feet forward and you should be close enough to see the howler. Try to keep it busy for me.'
[22:46] <Kotono> Antenora advances through the fog! She breaks through, a holy ferver overtaking her as she looks about, coming close to the howler! Meanwhile, the man stays low, chanting! In sonorous words he stands still, a corcucating ray coming forth from him!
[22:46] <Kotono> Antenora advances through the fog! She breaks through, a holy ferver overtaking her as she looks about, coming close to the howler! Meanwhile, the man stays low, chanting! In sonorous words he stands still, a corcucating ray coming forth from him at Alicia!
[22:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 touch AC, Alicia?
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 touch AC, Alicia? and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
[22:46] <Alicia> OOC: 13 thanks to despair
[22:46] <Kotono> roll 1d6
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 3."12 [1d6=3]
[22:47] <Kotono> roll 3*1.5
06[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3*1.5 and gets 4.5."12
[22:47] <Alicia> OOC: hay!
[22:47] <Alicia> OOC: spellfire
[22:47] <Alicia> OOC: I'll absorb it
[22:47] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[22:48] <Kotono> The ray fires forth! The sickly ray strikes Alicia, but smoothly flows into her body instead, doing no harm! OOC - Alicia.
[22:48] <Kotono> "What?" He asks, before looking coldly at Alicia. "You deny the power of the Black Lady?!"
[22:49] <Kotono> "Oh....Great Shar..." The woman nailed to the disc groans aloud, as her hopeless song continues to echo!
[22:50] <Alicia> Gripping Hell Striker tightly, Alicia feels holy rage fill her, chasing away the despair. "Idiot! Shar's power quails before the Mother of all Magic!" Alicia retorts as she rushes forward to attack. While she feels a strong urge to kill him, there's a cold fury inside that demands she bring these two back to Balmuria so that the entire United Baronies can see them pay for their immense crimes.
[22:51] <Alicia> Positioning herself so that he's trapped between her and the disc with nowhere to easily slip away, she cracks him in the side of the head with the flat of Hell Striker.
[22:51] <Alicia> roll 1d20+24 -10 pa -4 nonlethal, divine might
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+24 -10 pa -4 nonlethal, divine might and gets 38."12 [1d20=14]
[22:51] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[22:51] <Alicia> roll 1d8+40+2d6
06[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+40+2d6 and gets 50."12 [1d8=1][2d6=5, 4]
[22:52] <Kotono> SLAM! The overwhelming blow rocks the man hard, making him wobble! His head swells up almost instantly from the b low, the clang of it echoing underneath the song! Meanwhile, the howler seems content to pounce on Antenora!
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
06[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 16."12 [1d20=6]
[22:53] <Kotono> However, Antenora fends it off with a few swipes of her spear, keeping it and it's sharp quills at bay! As the man stumbles from the blow, "Eylissa, smite this fool in the name of Shar!" he calls to her! To that, her song becomes faster paced, singing of the despair of a mother left alone and cold!
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch AC?
06[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 touch AC? and gets 13."12 [1d20=5]
[22:54] <Alicia> OOC: 13. If it's a spell or spell-like I'll absorb it.
[22:54] <Kotono> OOC: It's an SU.
[22:54] <Alicia> OOC: then I'll suffer
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 6d6 sonic
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d6 sonic and gets 20."12 [6d6=4, 3, 1, 1, 6, 5]
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d4 wis damage
06[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 wis damage and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
[22:55] <Kotono> A powerful voice bursts around Alicia! The very words of loss seem to strike at her back, bringing pain to her body! Meanwhile, Antenora turns her full fury on the howler that attacked her! "You okay, Alicia," she calls as she does!
[22:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (-8 PA +1 fly, +6 smite, +2 FS 7/8)
06[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (-8 PA +1 fly, +6 smite, +2 FS 7/8) and gets 26."12 [1d20=6]
[22:56] <Kotono> roll 1d8+25+2d6+1d6
06[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+25+2d6+1d6 and gets 44."12 [1d8=6][2d6=6, 6][1d6=1]
[22:57] <Alicia> "Rrrrg... fine," Alicia replies as she shakes on her feet, mind reeling. "You think I'm impressed?" she demands of the pair. "That your loss is unique? That your pain justifies this? I'll see you both pay!"
[22:58] <Kotono> Spearing the beast, it shudders and collapses, fading away back to whence it came! Yet as this happens, "You have nothing! Your loss begins here! You have no hope, no future beyond the cold floor here that I will personally send you to!" With that, Magur sends a potent combination of overwhelming barehanded strikes at Alicia!
[22:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
06[22:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 35."12 [1d20=14]
[22:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
06[22:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 23."12 [1d20=2]
[22:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21
06[22:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 34."12 [1d20=13]
[22:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
06[22:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 22."12 [1d20=6]
[22:58] <Kotono> OOC - AC?
[22:59] <Alicia> OOC: 32
[22:59] <Alicia> OOC: 30, sorry, raging
[22:59] <Kotono> roll 8d6+18
06[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d6+18 and gets 39."12 [8d6=1, 4, 3, 2, 4, 4, 1, 2]
[23:01] <Kotono> The raining blows clang off Alicia's armor, leaving deep, painful bruises! But despite this Alicia has taken worse, only mildly injured by his impressive martial arts!
[23:01] <Kotono> OOC - Alicia.
03[23:02] * Kotono changes topic to 'Antenora>Man>Alicia>Woman'
[23:02] <Alicia> Since he seems quite competent in melee it'd probably be just as well to give him room and let him cast spells, Alicia decides. Tumbling backwards away from the pair, she then fires a beam of incandescent spellfire partially fueled by the Sharran's own spell, targetting the altar but quite naturally hitting both of the two people between her and it.
[23:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
[23:02] <Alicia> roll 8d8 DC 22 spellfire
06[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 8d8 DC 22 spellfire and gets 35."12 [8d8=1, 1, 7, 8, 1, 7, 4, 6]
[23:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 man, the woman's pinned to the altara nd can'td odge.
06[23:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 man, the woman's pinned to the altara nd can'td odge. and gets 24."12 [1d20=13]
[23:04] <Kotono> Elyissa screams as the spellfire penetrates through her stomach! The altar glows a baleful white, before vaporizing in a pillar of purified light! Alicia feels a fierce joy fill her body even through the rage! The woman lies amid the rubble, bleeding, penetrated and broken! OOC - Antenora.
[23:04] <Kotono> Antenora approaches, flying above and sending one tenative strike, as Alicia feels her injuries mend! (FS 6/8, +10 HP Alicia.)
[23:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 (+2 charge, +1 fly, -6 PA)
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 (+2 charge, +1 fly, -6 PA) and gets 34."12 [1d20=18]
[23:05] <Kotono> roll 1d7 MI
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d7 MI and gets 1."12 [1d7=1]
[23:05] <Kotono> roll 2d8+46
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+46 and gets 52."12 [2d8=3, 3]
[23:06] <Kotono> With no restraint, Antenora impales the man! He lets out a rasping breath as he collapses, bleeding considerably and unconcious! After that...silence overtakes the place. A quiet silence, no sing nor any defiant words left! OOC - Free action.
06[23:07] * Alicia approaches both fallen Sharrans, checking to make sure neither is in any immediate danger of dying.
[23:07] <Kotono> The woman is dying. Her breath is slowing, her body broken, pinned and spellfired. The man is considerably wounded but not in any immediate danger.
[23:09] <Kotono> Antenora flies above the broken man, looking down at him. For a moment she raises her spear but then puts it down, descending to the ground. "I was almost hoping for more resistance.."
[23:10] <Alicia> "It would probably be kinder to let you die here," Alicia reflects, tone melancholy as she lifts up her blindfold to truly look upon the woman. "I doubt you'll see your husband and son in Shar's realm, but perhaps better to just fade away here and never have to live with what you've done."
[23:10] <Alicia> Crouching down beside her, she takes out her wand and waves it over Elyissa's broken form. "I'm not that kind, though."
[23:10] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
06[23:10] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+1 and gets 6."12 [1d8=5]
[23:10] <Kotono> Alicia's breathing steadies someone. She's still greviously wounded...but she's alive.
[23:11] <Alicia> Has the fog lifted any?
[23:12] <Kotono> The fog behind you still lingers.
[23:12] <Kotono> "Do you think you'll do anything to get through to her...or do anything but execute her?" Antenora asks curiously. The room is moderately big, dominated by what was once a disc to Shar. The walls have the same black and purple disks as the hall, but otherwise it is unremarkable.
[23:16] <Alicia> Oh well. Alicia busies herself with removing any bindings still on the woman, ready to heal her again if removing the spikes does more potentially lethal damage. "I honestly don't know. We'll see once they wake up, but quite frankly execution is almost certainly going to be their fate unless something remarkable happens."
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:10] <Alicia> "It would probably be kinder to let you die here," Alicia reflects, tone melancholy as she lifts up her blindfold to truly look upon the woman. "I doubt you'll see your husband and son in Shar's realm, but perhaps better to just fade away here and never have to live with what you've done."
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:10] <Alicia> Crouching down beside her, she takes out her wand and waves it over Elyissa's broken form. "I'm not that kind, though."
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:10] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:10] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+1 and gets 6."12 [1d8=5]
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:11] <Kotono> Alicia's breathing steadies someone. She's still greviously wounded...but she's alive.
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:11] <Alicia> Has the fog lifted any?
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:12] <Kotono> The fog behind you still lingers.
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:12] <Kotono> "Do you think you'll do anything to get through to her...or do anything but execute her?" Antenora asks curiously. The room is moderately big, dominated by what was once a disc to Shar. The walls have the same black and purple disks as the hall, but otherwise it is unremarkable.
[16:54] <Alicia> [21:16] <Alicia> Oh well. Alicia busies herself with removing any bindings still on the woman, ready to heal her again if removing the spikes does more potentially lethal damage. "I honestly don't know. We'll see once they wake up, but quite frankly execution is almost certainly going to be their fate unless something remarkable happens."
03[16:55] * Kokokokokoko is now known as Kotono
03[16:55] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
[16:56] <Kotono> Antenora looks down at them amoment, before turning away. "Yes...still, let's finish this. Are we goign to search them or other locations here or do anything else now?"
03[16:57] * Seira is now known as Jeanne
06[16:58] * Alicia first checks if there are any notable items left over from the shattered altar and then examines both fallen Sharrans for any magic, whether on themselves or their belongings.
[17:01] <Kotono> The shattered altar has something amid it. It's a small golden ring, a bit dented but unsullied. In an inscription written on the inside, Alicia sees, 'Love you forever, Elyissa'. While Elyissa herself bears no magical items, the belt Magur wears is magical. Further, he has a single scroll tucked into his clothing that is also magic.
06[17:03] * Alicia spends a moment stamping on all the Magurs until she's removed his mirror images, then removes the belt and scroll. "These are magical. Hold onto them, will you?" she asks Antenora, also pocketing Elyissa's ring alongside her husband's. "Lets bring these two up to the surface first. We've still got a lot of village still to search."
[17:08] <Kotono> Antenora takes them. "Right." Thus, Antenora bows over and picks up Magur, grunting. "I'll bind them up good as well, just in case one of them heals fast or manages to wake up."
[17:09] <Alicia> "Hopefully we can find some manacles or chains if this village had a constable," Alicia pulls down her blindfold so she can see without light then stows her sword and picks up Elyissa. "Magur is probably strong enough to break a rope quite easily."
[17:10] <Kotono> "He hit that hard?" Antenora asks as she starts to head back towards the stairs. "It looked more like quantity than quality to me, but I was distracted."
[17:12] <Alicia> "He was hitting me with his *fists*," Alicia feels this point has to be emphasised. "Even leaving aside the fact he can cast at least third circle magic. There is no way in hell I'm buying that he's a simple farmer."
[17:14] <Kotono> "Mmmm. You think Shar's been up to something here then?" Antenora queries back.
[17:18] <Kotono> "Besides the obvious," Antenora appends after a few seconds.
[17:19] <Alicia> "I doubt that. I know the Gods can do much, but elevating an unskilled commoner to such a level that he can compete with me in both physical combat and magic? It makes the blessings we've received in preparation to fight Daa-vid seem paltry in comparison." Alicia shakes her head as they traverse the caves.
[17:19] <Alicia> "Perhaps Elyissa's powers were a temporary empowerment for this night, but Magur has to have earned his prowess the same way everyone else does. Which makes me wonder why no one's ever heard of him - he's one of the most powerful men in the United Baronies. People that strong invariably have reputations."
[17:21] <Kotono> Antenora bites her lip as she lugs up the stairs, hauling Magur over her shoulder. After a soft grunt getting over a few stairs, "Yes, that is true. Perhaps he's a sleeper agent from afar then who's integrated in? But..." Thinking, "It would have have been for some time and those seals were all broken recently, weren't they?"
[17:23] <Alicia> "It's also possible he's from another realm, like the servant of Kossuth sent to aid Mihail," Alicia admits as she carefully ascends up through the trapdoor without dropping her burden. "We can ask him when he wakes up, but hopefully that won't be for some time. There's more work ahead of us, first."
[17:23] <Kotono> Once outside, Antenora drops her load like a bundle of rotten potatoes. She kneels and begins to tie him up, even as Pollyanna begins to descent. IN the night sky, the silvery crescent moon shines amid a sea of stars.
06[17:25] * Alicia manages a wan smile as she sees Selune shining brightly in the sky. "It looks like this night of horror is over... but we still need to gather any more survivors, and then tend to the bodies," she comments while setting Elyissa down besides Magur so Antenora can tie up them both. "We've captured the two responsible - anything to report on your end, Pollyanna?"
[17:26] <Kotono> "That black disk vanished." Pollyanna's smile is relaxed, "I feel much better now. There hasn't been anything since it did. It's just a peaceful night now."
[17:28] <Alicia> "Good," Alicia nods grimly. "Things are probably safe enough now. First things first, we need to locate any more survivors, if there are any. I... have an idea where one might be. Wait here for a second," she asks, heading into the town hall and looking to where she left the larval creature next to the doorway inside.
[17:29] <Kotono> Lying next to the doorway is a baby. It's unclad, asleep quietly. His face is soft, innocent.
06[17:31] * Alicia shakes her head slowly. "So close, little one..." she murmurs, gently picking up and cradling the infant as she steps back outside. "Maggy," she asks the oldest survivor, wanting to give her something to focus on, "Can you look after this child for the moment? Pollyanna and I can search all the other buildings while Antenora guards everyone here."
[17:32] <Kotono> Maggy lingers in the shadow of a building, coming forward at her name. Her blank face shows a few signs of reconginition, coming over to the baby. "Little Alexander..." she murmurs, cradling him. "You're safe..."
[17:35] <Alicia> Although almost certainly orphaned... just like those three, Alicia glances at the other three children laid out by the fire. "Okay, lets split up - Pollyanna, you take the North, I'll take the South. Just do a quick room to room search of every building to find any survivors or... others. Bring any survivors back here."
[17:37] <Kotono> OOC - Taking 10/20 or rolling?
[17:38] <Alicia> OOC: just take 10. I'm looking for people, not hidden treasure.
02[17:38] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.129.129) Quit (Client exited)
03[17:39] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-54479783.wfd84b.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[17:39] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[17:42] <Kotono> Alicia has some luck! In an outlying building, she finds a man asleep in his own bed. A dog sleeps at the foot of it, the former snoring softly. The man still wears his day's clothes, dirtied. He didn't even seem to slip under the covers, having laid down and fallen right asleep.
06[17:43] * Alicia tries to wake him up with a gentle shake on the off chance that he's sleeping and not comatose.
[17:44] <Kotono> He stirs lightly, but mostly just snores louder.
[17:44] <Kotono> As Alicia does that, she hears a canine yawn. The dog at the foot of the bed gets up, casting an eye at Alicia. A soft growl escapes it's throat as it stares at her.
[17:45] <Alicia> "Nice doggy..." Alicia backs away uncomfortably from the animal, hoping it'll settle down if she doesn't make any sudden or obviously hostile movements.
[17:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[17:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{21}
[17:48] <Kotono> The dog eyes Alicia...and it's growling slows and then stops. It trots up to her, sitting on it's haunches. The dog looks up at her, eyeing meeting her own as it starts to pant.
[17:49] <Alicia> "Good dog..." Alicia pats it hesitantly on the head once before she goes to pick up its owner. "Come on, lets go for a walk?" she tries to pitch her voice in that oddly high manner people do when talking to their pets.
[17:51] <Kotono> The dog pants a little more and starts to follow Alicia. As she goes to pick up the man, he mutters something. It's incoherent, but the stirring is enough to make him dimly open his eyes. "Claire...need more sleep..." he murmurs. "Trip was fine, go 'way."
[17:52] <Alicia> "I'm not Claire," Alicia replies as she gently sets the man onto his feet, though still bracing her shoulder under his for support until he wakes up fully.
[18:30] <Kotono> "Claire...?" The man repeats, before his eyes open into a state of semi vision. "...An armored angel...?" he asks groggily.
[18:32] <Alicia> "Flatterer," Alicia manages as much a smile as she can under the circumstances. "But I'm as human as you are. My name's Alicia - what's yours?" she asks, adopting a more informal approach until he's fully roused.
[18:33] <Kotono> He blinks again, going to rub his eyes and stand up on his own. "Darryl," he answers, and then, "Then..w.hat the hell are you doing in my house?"
[18:36] <Alicia> "My full name is Alicia Reynes. Perhaps you've heard of me?" Alicia asks now that he seems more coherent. "I came here to investigate reports of strange occurances at Erenholm... what's the last thing you remember before waking up?" she tries.
[18:37] <Kotono> "Holy fuck!" He says at that, straightening up. "The Crimson Guard?!" He gawks for amoment, "Um...you came all the way from Balmuria? Wow. I got home a little before sunset and went right ot bed. I'd been out the last several days on a trip."
[18:39] <Alicia> "Then it sounds like you missed what happened..." Alicia sighs softly. "Darryl, you might want to sit down. What I'm about to say won't be easy to hear."
[18:40] <Kotono> Darryl stands, "It can't be bad...can't it?" hea sks, looking at Alicia's face. "...what happened?"
[18:41] <Alicia> "Do you know Magur and Elyissa?" Alicia asks first as she builds slowly and inexorably to the terrible news.
[18:45] <Kotono> "Yeah, Elyissa...did she..." Darryl draws a finger across her throat. "She's been really down since her family died."
[18:47] <Alicia> "It's far worse than that I'm afraid," Alicia shakes her head. "Her and Magur, they... they butchered almost everyone in the village. We've found only a handful of survivors, including yourself." Left unsaid but far too obvious is that Claire is almost certainly among the dead.
[18:54] <Kotono> "What?" Darryl croaks out, staring. "...what? No...no. No way. Wait, Magur?"
[18:55] <Alicia> "He seemed to be the one mostly behind this, although Elyissa retains her share of culpability," Alicia nods grimly.
[18:57] <Kotono> "That...son of a bitch," Darryl's fists clench tightly, "Where is he?"
[19:01] <Alicia> "Unconscious and tied up in the town square where we've been gathering survivors." Alicia fixes Darryl with a firm look. "Don't get any ideas, Darryl - believe me, I was tempted to cut his head off myself when I brought him in, but that's not enough for his crimes. I'm taking him back to Balmuria so that everyone can see exactly what happens to murderous scum like him."
[19:04] <Kotono> Darryl takes a breath...and then goes to march out. "I'm going to go...see him," he says quietly, grimly.
[19:06] <Alicia> "I'll escort you there," Alicia tells him as she walks alongside. "Things look to be safe now, but I'm not taking any chances."
[19:12] <Kotono> The two head to the center of town. Pollyanna returns with nothing but a cat cradled in her arms. Her gaze is downward, a slight shake of her head as she meets Alicia again.
[19:13] <Alicia> "I've found Darryl here, but there's a few buildings I still haven't checked. I'll be back after I give them a look," Alicia tells the others before she goes to continue her search where she left off.
[19:17] <Kotono> The rest of the buildings are...empty. Quiet. Abandoned. No signs of life at all, regretably.
06[19:18] * Alicia returns to her crew and the tiny handful of survivors...
[19:21] <Kotono> So they are gathered under the moonlight. Darryl stands over the unaware Magur, with Antenora keeping a careful watch on him from a few feet away. Maggy blankly coddles and soothes the poor baby, and the saved children sleep still. Pollyanna comes over to Alicia, and with her eyes on the survivors, "Now what?"
[19:24] <Alicia> "This village is dead," Alicia states finally. "Two adults and four children... we're going to have to take everyone back to Balmuria. But before that, we should bury the bodies, and then we'll have to gather supplies for the journey - it'll take a lot longer on foot than it did to fly here."
[19:28] <Kotono> A silghtly long nod from Pollyanna, "Yes. Let's get some rest and try that by noon tomorrow or so?"
[19:34] <Alicia> "Alright, we'll use the inn. Get everyone set up inside - I saw some manacles in one of the buildings, so i'll go get them for our prisoners," Alicia nods, going to do just that. Antenora can guard the prisoners in the common room of the inn while everyone else sleeps in the bedrooms, then either Alicia or Pollyanna can guard them in the morning while the erinyes gets her two hours sleep.
[19:41] <Kotono> The beginning of the next day is a sunny one. In the full light of Lathander's glory the dead are laid to rest, prayers murmured and fresh earth poured over them bodies. Thereafter Alicia heads to the house now being used to hold the prisoners. They're very securely bound in manacles and rope, Pollyanna nods and leaves Alicia to them. Elyissa still looks to be out, but Magur is awake. His wounds are healing steadily enough.
[19:42] <Alicia> "He didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Alicia asks Pollyanna before she leaves upon seeing that Magur is awake. Quite a testament to his resilience considering the beating he took last night.
[19:51] <Kotono> "Not a bit. He hasn't said a thing," Pollyanna answers. "G'luck with him."
[19:53] <Alicia> "Anything to say for yourself, then?" Alicia asks as she pulls a chair out from one of the nearby tables and parks herself upon it facing the conscious prisoner.
[19:56] <Kotono> Magur turns his gaze away from Alicia, not uttering a sound.
[19:58] <Alicia> "Fine. I didn't particularly care to hear anything you had to say, anyway," Alicia spears him with a glare before she settles in to wait for either Pollyanna or Antenora to return from foraging so she can get one of them to look after Magur while she talks to Elyissa.
[20:06] <Kotono> An hour passes. During it, Magur says nothing to Alicia. He strains agains tthe manacles a few times, but otherwise...nothing. He seems to have no interest in talking to Alicia. Eventually..."We're ready," Pollyanna pokes back in, "The survivors are so dazed that they're barely arguing. Thankfully."
03[20:06] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as Sierra_OHGODTHELIGHTTHELIGHT
[20:08] <Alicia> The very first time Magur strains his manacles, Alicia very firmly tells him not to do it again.
[20:08] <Alicia> OOC: does he do it again?
[20:12] <Kotono> Magur just lies still in that case, keeping to himself.
[20:13] <Alicia> "Good," Alicia nods to Pollyanna. "Can you watch Magur for a few minutes while I see if Elyissa is more talkative?" she asks, going to pick up the still comatose woman.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Sure," Pollyanna settles in, bow kept ready.
06[20:17] * Alicia takes Elyissa into one of the adjacent rooms, closes the door behind her, then uses her wand of healing on the woman.
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=8 ]4,0{9}
[20:22] <Kotono> Her wounds mend further. Elyissa stirs a little at this but doesn't immediately waken.
[20:22] <Alicia> Frowning a bit, Alicia puts away the wand and then puts a hand on the woman's forehead, channeling healing spellfire into her.
[20:22] <Alicia> roll 4d4+4
[20:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 4d4+4 --> 6,0[ 4d4=12 ]4,0{16}
[20:34] <Kotono> That does the trick. Elyissa stirs and awakens, eyes hazy as shel ooks up at Alicia.
[20:35] <Alicia> "I only really have one question that matters," Alicia begins, looking at Elyissa with a mixture of disgust and pity. "Did Shar offer to bring them back to you?"
[20:38] <Kotono> After a moment her eyes narrow to Alicia, a look of quiet agony. "No..." Her agony manifests as a twisted, broken look. "Just to make everyone else like me."
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC - Strike.
[20:38] <Kotono> After a moment her eyes narrow to Alicia, a look of quiet agony. "No..." Her agony manifests as a twisted, broken look. "Just to make everyone else to suffer like me."
06[20:44] * Alicia pauses for a moment as she digests that. It would've been an uncharacteristic offer for Shar, certainly, but it would have brought some fleeting sense to this massacre. "These are yours. For whatever they might mean to you," she finally states, putting the doll and two rings down on the floor between them.
[20:48] <Kotono> "So?" With a wide eyed, dead look, "They're just memories now. I have nothing." Closing her eyes and looking away, "Don't pretend like you have anything, either. Even if you think you do...you'll lose it soon enough."
06[20:53] * Alicia slaps her right across her impudent face. "My husband and son were murdered nearly seven years ago," she hisses, leaning in close. "Not a day goes by when I don't feel their loss. Don't talk as if you have some deep understanding of suffering - you're just an ignorant tool for the likes of Magur and your dark mistress."
[20:57] <Kotono> With a ragged, dead look back at Alicia, "Then you know loss and you know that you can't keep anything. Why resist it?" Her face is red where Alicia smacked it, blazing crimson. "Go listen to Magur a little, he'll make you understand."
[20:59] <Alicia> "He hasn't been very talkative," Alicia replies contemptously. "And soon he won't ever talk ever again. Have anything to say in your own defence before I take you both back to Balmuria?"
[21:14] <Kotono> To that, Elyissa spits at Alicia. It misses, a futile gesture that does little.
[21:17] <Alicia> "Tch," Alicia scowls at the gesture, hauling Elyissa none too gently to her feet. "Come on, we're leaving."
[21:23] <Kotono> OOC - Do you wanna skip along now, if you're going to start travelling?
[21:24] <Alicia> OOC: Sure. While travelling we'll let the children ride the pegasi and keep the two mass murderers away from everyone else. Guard shifts will be taken at night between myself, Anty, and Polly to watch over the prisoners and watch for any random devil/wildlife attacks.
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=34 ]4,0{34}
[21:26] <Kotono> The travel back is long,b u t it happens without incident. The two killers are kept very well bound and secured, the caravan reaching Balmuria. While the survivors are still coping...the group has nonetheless reached the western gate of the city. Over the morning cloudiness and warmth, Alicia can see the city buzzing...
06[21:31] * Alicia goes to present herself at the gate, the plan for now being to leave the children under the care of Mystra's church while taking the adults to the garrison so they can give any statements as required while she provides her report and the prisoners are secured.
[21:36] <Kotono> Thus everyone is busy. Alicia's lot is to go report to Commander Oberuth, who breaks away from training with Abagail and the new members of the guard to come talk to her. Once inside, "I was starting to wonder," he asks off the cuff, "What caused the massive delay on return? More extensive problems than anticipated?"
06[21:39] * Alicia of course makes sure Antenora is guarding the two prisoners - especially Magur - while she's talking to Obureth. "We were too late," she admits bluntly. "Of the entire village, there are only six survivors," she indicates Maggy and Darryl, "These two and four children that I've made wards of the church for now. Not counting the two responsible..."
[21:44] <Kotono> "...ugh." Shaking his head at that, "What the hell happened then? WAs it the devils again?"
[21:46] <Alicia> "Sharran cultists," Alicia replies. "They murdered most of the townsfolk as part of some horrific ritual, and turned the survivors into monsters - we didn't even realise until after we'd killed several defending ourselves and they turned back into humans." Alicia's expression turns sick, "There were children used like that..."
[21:47] <Kotono> "....." Oberuth quietly rubs his temple at that, "Bastards. We'll take care of the children and survivors, yes, but...what about the roots behind this?"
[21:50] <Alicia> "There are two prisoners, Magur and Elyissa. Elyissa is somewhat inconsequential, though guilty all the same - she suffered a personal tragedy and turned to Shar out of despair."
[21:50] <Alicia> "Magur is vastly more dangerous - he was able to fight toe to toe against me in melee while unarmed, and is a respectably powerful spellcaster, perhaps even on par with myself. I'm going to have to insist that he be guarded by at least one of our strongest warriors right up until his execution."
[21:52] <Kotono> "If it's that big a concern, I'll see to it that the trial's damned quick," Obruth agrees very quietly. "Is there anything useful to be gotten from them? Interrogation?
[21:52] <Kotono> "
06[21:55] * Alicia shakes her head. "Neither's been very talkative. From all I can tell it was an insane ritual of devotion to their monstrous goddess. It might be worth getting information from Magur about any other Sharrans he knows of - people as skilled and powerful as him don't just appear out of nowhere."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Mmm." Oberuth considers a few moments, quiet. He shakes his head then, "I'll give them a go at it myself. I've done interrogations before in the war. Alicia, see to it that the survivors are treated right. If they need lodging, charge it to the city."
[22:01] <Alicia> "Magur had a magical belt of some sort. I'm going to get it identified and sell it to Elle, then split the money between the survivors - in trust for the children. It's the fairest way," Alicia explains sadly. "Erenholm is dead as a community, but this should let them rebuild their lives elsewhere."
[22:03] <Kotono> "That'll do well enough. Is there anything else?" Oberuth asks.
[22:04] <Alicia> "At the moment, no," Alicia shakes her head. "I'll come back after I've spoken with Elle, hopefully by then you'll have finished with Magur."
[22:10] <Kotono> "Excuse me then," Oberuth smiles ever so thinly, departing away from Alicia. OOC - Loot topic coming.
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[22:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{14}
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[22:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{20}
[22:31] <Alicia> The next morning, after having heard about the uncoopoerative Sharran prisoner from Alicia, Marie sneaks out of the house before dawn and flies over to the garrison, sneaking inside the dungeon with all the skill and stealth of a fairy ninja as she searches for the Sharran monk's cell.
[22:32] <Alicia> OOC: taking 10 for 34 on hide
[22:32] <Kotono> This goes well enough. A sleepy looking Pollyanna is staying right in front of his cell, keeping a good watch on the bound, gagged and held prisoner.
[22:34] <Alicia> Pollyanna should be receptive to what she has planned, Marie hopes. "Psst, Pollyanna," the eladrin whispers from the shadows out of direct line of sight of Magur's cell.
[22:36] <Kotono> "Hm?" Pollyanna smothers a yawn and glances. "Marie? What is it? Don't tell me you're my relief?"
[22:38] <Alicia> That... actually could work out quite well. "Yeah, sure, I can do that," Marie nods her little head up and down as Pollyanna's question causes her to impulsively shift her plan on the fly.
02[22:40] * NeremWorld (~Ari@pool-96-226-75-200.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[22:49] <Kotono> OOC - Bluff check?
[22:50] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[22:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{27}
[22:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 moot
[22:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0moot --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{16}
[22:53] <Kotono> "Really? Good," Smiling and starting to walk away, "Just knock 'em back out if he tries to escape."
[22:55] <Alicia> "What do I do when it's breakfast time?" Marie asks, pleased that Pollyanna is so trusting. It's not a bad thing, since she'll certainly watch over the creep just as well as anyone else here could. "Letting him loose seems bad, so do I have to hand feed him?"
[22:57] <Kotono> "That's what I did, not that he wanted to eat much," Walking away now, "Good luck! Oh yes, watch out, he bites."
[22:58] <Alicia> "Eww..." Marie winces, comparing her tiny little hands with the size of a normal human's mouth. "Should've gotten Alicia to turn me into something big... when will breakfast get here, anyway?"
[23:09] <Kotono> "Should be any time," Pollyanna calls back, before turning the corner and going out of sight.
[23:10] <Alicia> Marie settles in to wait, keeping an eye on the prisoner from the same place Pollyanna was standing.
[23:11] <Kotono> IT takes a mere five minutes. A guard comes by with a small tray of food and water, looking at Marie oddly. "....You know..." he says as he holds the tray, "What do you want me to do with this, um..."
[23:13] <Alicia> "You don't have to call me sir, silly!" Marie giggles as she chooses to interpret his hesitation in the most flattering manner. "Anyway, just put it down on that table. I'll take it to the prisoner."
[23:14] <Kotono> The soldier does that, scratching his head. He doesn't press the matter, just wandering off bemused.
[23:16] <Alicia> Marie alights on the table, hopefully out of sight of the prisoner on the floor of his cell by virtue of height and distance, and quickly takes out the pouch of refined indigo mushroom powder and dumping its contents in the water, giving the mug a quick jostle to help it dissolve.
[23:17] <Kotono> The powder sinks into the water! It's thick but dissolves in, a strong, musky, mushroom scent briefly smelled. But then it passes, the water so prepared.
[23:18] <Alicia> Carefully picking up the tray, Marie turns incorporeal which makes it vanish, then flies through the cell door and reverts to corporeal form as she sets it on the floor. "Wakey wakey," she carols. "It's breakfast time!"
[23:21] <Kotono> On entering, you see Magur blankly, coldly stare at Marie. He doesn't say a word, however.
[23:22] <Alicia> Of course, he's gagged! Marie flies up to remedy that, untying the gag and setting it aside before she goes to pick up some of whatever the meal is in a spoon then fly up again level with his head, checking to see if he seems cooperative before she actually approaches.
[23:25] <Kotono> Magur stares nastily at the fairy, before smiling and chomping his teeth at her.
[23:28] <Alicia> Marie smiles back, sets the spoon back on the plate, then flies up a bit into the air above him. Drawing her bow, she smoothly nocks an arrow and fires it straight down between his feet, causing a miniature thunderclap to reverbate through the cell while a sharp tang of ozone fills their noses from the crackling projectile. Waiting a second for that to sink in, she floats back down to eye level. "Have I made my point?" she asks sweetly.
[23:31] <Kotono> OOC- Make an intimidation check, scary pixie?
[23:32] <Kotono> OOC - Er, Eladrin. I'm feeling fey today or something.
[23:32] <Kotono> OOC - Anyway, I'll give you a +3 for that little stunt. Owwie.
[23:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 -8 penalty for being tiny and not very scary looking
[23:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0-8 penalty for being tiny and not very scary looking --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{24}
[23:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[23:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{16}
[23:38] <Kotono> After a long pause, Magur opens his mouth and glares at Marie.
[23:39] <Alicia> "Good, lets all get through this as painlessly as possible," Marie beams her approval, picking up the arrow and tossing it out through the cell bars before she gathers up a spoonful of food and commences feeding Magur.
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:25] <Kotono> Magur stares nastily at the fairy, before smiling and chomping his teeth at her.
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:28] <Alicia> Marie smiles back, sets the spoon back on the plate, then flies up a bit into the air above him. Drawing her bow, she smoothly nocks an arrow and fires it straight down between his feet, causing a miniature thunderclap to reverbate through the cell while a sharp tang of ozone fills their noses from the crackling projectile. Waiting a second for that to sink in, she floats back down to eye level. "Have I made my point?" she
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:32] <Kotono> OOC- Make an intimidation check, scary pixie?
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:32] <Kotono> OOC - Er, Eladrin. I'm feeling fey today or something.
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:32] <Kotono> OOC - Anyway, I'll give you a +3 for that little stunt. Owwie.
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 -8 penalty for being tiny and not very scary looking
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0-8 penalty for being tiny and not very scary looking --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{24}
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{16}
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:38] <Kotono> After a long pause, Magur opens his mouth and glares at Marie.
[20:13] <Alicia> [21:39] <Alicia> "Good, lets all get through this as painlessly as possible," Marie beams her approval, picking up the arrow and tossing it out through the cell bars before she gathers up a spoonful of food and commences feeding Magur.
03[20:13] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-544485aa.lns5-c10.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:13] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[20:14] <Kotono> OOC: Are you feeding the food first or the mushroomed water?
[20:15] <Alicia> OOC: food first, he can wash it down with water afterwards.
[20:15] <Kotono> Magur eats the food in bath graces, but he does eat it. All that's left is the water now..
[20:18] <Alicia> Marie has to remember that little trick with the arrow for the next time Antenora makes some 'amusing' threatening comments to her, it seems to work wonders. Floating down to pick up the mug, she flies back up towards the monk's head. "Want this in little sips or big gulps?" she asks, offering him the choice since he can't drink himself.
[20:19] <Kotono> Magur doesn't say a word, just staring daggers at Marie.
[20:19] <Alicia> "Fine, I'll stop when you start to choke," Marie shrugs apathetically, floating closer and tipping the mug against his lips.
[20:20] <Kotono> Thus the water flows down Magur's throat...!
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20-4
[20:20] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20-4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{10}
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 con
[20:20] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0con --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{20}
[20:21] <Kotono> "mguh..." The water is drank! Magur's eyes half shut after, his gaze becoming glassy. He's awake, however.
[20:22] <Alicia> Marie smiles as she sets the mug down on the tray. "Now, you want to honestly answer all my questions, don't you?" she asks smugly as she flies back up.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Uh..huh..." Magur smiles a little, nodding and drooling a bit.
[20:24] <Alicia> "Good boy," Marie nods triumphantly. "Who trained you to fight and use magic like you do, Magur?" she starts, deciding to first of all get details of as many other Sharrans as she can.
[20:25] <Kotono> "...The Prince...prince...Prince Albert Kesse..." his words are staggered, slow, drawled out.
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 knowledge nobility, who the hell is he
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0knowledge nobility, who the hell is he --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{16}
[20:29] <Alicia> "You mean the Prince *of* Kesse?" Marie asks. "That's pretty far away... were you in Kesse when he trained you?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Prince came to me..." Smiling and licking his lips, "Shar...hahahahahahahahahahahahaaaa." This seems to amuse him, empty laughter coming. "She wanted a perfect, empty soul here...She told me that secret herself...Slipped away into the night too..."
[20:31] <Alicia> "And how long ago was this?" Marie asks curiously.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Year...less? More? Who cares?" Giggling oddly at that, "Tiiimme...everything's strange now..."
[20:35] <Alicia> "Focus - answer my questions honestly to the best of your knowledge, please," Marie tells him firmly. "How long ago did you first meet Prince Albert, and how long did he spend training you?"
[20:37] <Kotono> "Year," He repeats at last, slowly. "Year."
[20:38] <Alicia> "He spent a whole year training you? In Erenholm?" Marie clarifies, wondering how a prince could get away from his royal duties for so long. Especially adding in travel time... unless he could teleport. But a year ago would have been before any of the seals were opened when such magic was all but unheard of...
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:29] <Alicia> "You mean the Prince *of* Kesse?" Marie asks. "That's pretty far away... were you in Kesse when he trained you?"
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:31] <Kotono> "Prince came to me..." Smiling and licking his lips, "Shar...hahahahahahahahahahahahaaaa." This seems to amuse him, empty laughter coming. "She wanted a perfect, empty soul here...She told me that secret herself...Slipped away into the night too..."
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:32] <Alicia> "And how long ago was this?" Marie asks curiously.
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:34] <Kotono> "Year...less? More? Who cares?" Giggling oddly at that, "Tiiimme...everything's strange now..."
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:35] <Alicia> "Focus - answer my questions honestly to the best of your knowledge, please," Marie tells him firmly. "How long ago did you first meet Prince Albert, and how long did he spend training you?"
[21:00] <Alicia> [18:37] <Kotono> "Year," He repeats at last, slowly. "Year."
[21:01] <Alicia> [18:39] <Alicia> "He spent a whole year training you? In Erenholm?" Marie clarifies, wondering how a prince could get away from his royal duties for so long. Especially adding in travel time... unless he could teleport. But a year ago would have been before any of the seals were opened when such magic was all but unheard of...
03[21:01] * Alicia sets mode: +v Combat_Maid_Bot
[21:02] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Came like the shadows..." Smiling easily to that, and then laughing as he drools, "Secret walker..."
[21:03] <Alicia> "Where did he train you?" Marie presses, assuming the prince was probably using some conveyance through the plane of shadow. It fits, anyway.
[21:06] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Here and there...home and away...shadows." Licking his lips now, "Shadows."
[21:07] <Alicia> "Okay," Marie nods. "Since Shar came to you, did you meet any of her other servants besides Prince Albert?"
[21:11] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Oh, Elyissa...so pretty. She was so gorgeous when she cried..." With a momentary, wistful smile, "Shar must think she's a good servant now. She gave everything to her. She wanted to go see Kesse herself, you see, because Prince Albert is there." He starts to frown then, "A foolish hope, but...she was so pretty when she cried. I let her keep that hope, so that she could lose it over and over again."
[21:12] <Alicia> Marie frowns, intending to come back to the subject of Elyissa later on. "Were there any others beside her and Albert?"
[21:15] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Oh yes...they bled out and worshipped Shar," Leering at Marie with bloodshot eyes, "They had nothing left but to beg. Oh, they worshipped her..." He laughs then, "I wish I knew...more of us would have been nice. But you don't reveal the secrets even to other members of the clergy..." Smiling faintly there and faraway, "It's a shame. I bet Prince Albert has a lovely cult of his own. If you were there...he's take you and peel your wi
[21:15] <Kokokokokokokoko> If you were there...he's take you and peel your wings off for Shar, so that you could never fly again. Wouldn't that be amazing?"
[21:20] <Alicia> "Yes, I'm sure I'd be crippled by the loss and turn into a depraved murderous lunatic. Having to walk places has that effect on me," Marie deadpans, starting to feel annoyed at having wasted her insanity mushroom powder. Well, knowing about Prince Albert will have to satisfy Alicia. "How strong is Prince Albert, anyway? Stronger than you?"
[21:22] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Very strong...very strong. He is the master." Smiling as he cocks his head to the side, "He was even stronger than The Walker, I think. Isn't that lovely? The worst they have...it didn't compare to Shar. Heheheheheheheheheheh."
[21:23] <Alicia> "The Walker? What's that?" Marie asks, wondering if he means a Nightwalker like that shadow creature they found in the Nalfeshnee's ossuary.
[21:25] <Kokokokokokokoko> "The Walker. The cloaked man who isn't a man. He visited not long ago...heheheheheh." Smiling grotesquely now, "He's not from this world. He comes from a dark place...very dark. He is doing a favor for a Devil Lord...a Duke of Hell...for Shar. They shared a competing interest, you see. Both of them..." He licks his lips, "Want to make her lose everything."
[21:26] <Alicia> "Who is 'her'?" Marie asks, though she has a sad suspicion who he means. Alicia's certainly lucky she has people like Marie in her corner, considering the enemies she accumulates with frightening regularity.
[21:30] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Her...the bitch that put me here..." With a sweetly tired smile, "Agares...It's so beautiful." Starting to smile, "He himself is losing everything from his words. Yet he still wants to take his revenge and take everything from her... Isn't it a beautiful secret that The Walker showed me?" He turns pensive at that, however, "But...I never learned his secret." With a slight scowl there, "Surely Shar would have liked to have learned T
[21:30] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Surely Shar would have liked to have learned The Walker's secret...but I never even saw his face. He was always hooded, protected, distant."
[21:31] <Alicia> Hmm, this opens up quite a few follow up questions. But first to go back to something said just previously, "But Prince Albert defeated the Walker?"
[21:32] <Kokokokokokokoko> "He could...the Walker didn't seem that strong..." Licking his lips, "He was more interested in pithy words...and that damned spicy bread. Fool." With a snort there, "Shar's servants are superior."
[21:35] <Alicia> Spicy bread? Sounds like that devil Alicia and Antenora were tracking a while ago... "So Agares and Shar both want to make Alicia lose everything - but you said they're competing, does this mean they're enemies? Or would they work together?" It would be nice if Shar played by the same rules Mystra is, and sent a servant on Marie's power level to carry out this plan.
[21:35] <Alicia> Still, if she can shoot down a titanic bone-forged abyssal siege engine, she can surely deal with anything the Nightsister has to offer.
[21:36] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Hahahahahaha...my belt. It was the favor." Mournfully looking down, "I suppose it's only fitting that I lost it then....bah." Growling low in his throat, "I'll get my revenge on her for that."
[21:39] <Alicia> "No, you really won't," Marie shakes her head sollemnly, knowing the fate this man has in store. "So, you were there when the Walker and Albert were discussing Alicia, is that right? Did either of them ever say what they planned to do to her?"
02[21:40] * Kokokokokokokoko (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
02[21:40] * Combat_Maid_Bot (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[22:06] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[22:06] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[22:07] <Alicia> [19:35] <Alicia> Still, if she can shoot down a titanic bone-forged abyssal siege engine, she can surely deal with anything the Nightsister has to offer.
[22:07] <Alicia> [19:37] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Hahahahahaha...my belt. It was the favor." Mournfully looking down, "I suppose it's only fitting that I lost it then....bah." Growling low in his throat, "I'll get my revenge on her for that."
[22:07] <Alicia> [19:39] <Alicia> "No, you really won't," Marie shakes her head sollemnly, knowing the fate this man has in store. "So, you were there when the Walker and Albert were discussing Alicia, is that right? Did either of them ever say what they planned to do to her?"
[22:09] <Anastasia> "Agares...He wants revenge so bad, to break her soul on the flaming peaks of Avernus..." Letting a laugh rock through his body, making his eyes water heavily, "It's so deliciously personal."
[22:11] <Alicia> "How does he plan to get revenge, though? Is the Walker helping him?" Marie presses, wanting specifics.
[22:13] <Anastasia> "
[22:14] <Anastasia> "The Walker...yeah, he seems to be," After a moment there, "Trying to make sure she dies. A thousand infections, boiling just below the surface. One will get her, sooner or later..."
[22:17] <Alicia> That's the problem with devils, Marie thinks. No imagination. Hey, lets just have lots of guys running around being evil while Alicia kills them all one by one - maybe one will get lucky and kill her instead! Ugh. Even a modron could do better than that. "Yes, well," she sighs in irritation, "Did they mention any specifics about these infections?"
[22:21] <Anastasia> "The Walker...said he's going west..." LIcking his lips at that, "Said something big might be happening there..."
[22:23] <Alicia> "West of the Baronies or West of Kesse?" Marie clarifies, since he did say earlier that he was 'here and there'.
[22:24] <Anastasia> "West-west from Erenholm..." Smiling at that, "I think."
[22:26] <Alicia> Could be the Fiefdoms - Antenora did say that the devil they were tracking made reference to something there, so thinks Marie. "Okay, that's enough about the walker. What about Shar's plans for Alicia? Is Prince Albert involved with them?"
[22:27] <Anastasia> "Oh yes...he was the messenger to help with it. This lovely home she's building around herself while clinging to Mystra...pfh." With a wet, flabbering sound and his tongue lolling out, "Horrible. It must be lost. It must be destroyed. Too much influence."
[22:29] <Alicia> "And how was he planning on doing that?" Marie asks. It would certainly be nice if Albert came here, since Alicia would have to spend a fortune on teleport scrolls if she were to go to Kesse to give the man the royal butt-kicking he clearly deserves.
[22:31] <Anastasia> "Lure her in...the sacrifices can't be ignored forever. Lure in the guard...and crush them." With a growing, tired frown, "She's stronger than I thought."
[22:33] <Alicia> Marie's jaw drops in horror at that part. "You mean... all those sacrifices, everything you did in Erenholm... it was done specifically to lure Alicia to you?" she clarifies, shocked.
[22:37] <Anastasia> "...wasn't is so beautiful, too? Shar smiled at the display, I'm sure." Looking up at Marie with a curious, malicious smirk, "Like a moth to the flame. Elyissa...she was so beautiful, too. It was going to be a beautiful death for her...a gorgeous loss." Suddenly Magur's smile becomes entirely hateful, boring into Marie. "All of those villagers gave their lives to a worthy cause. They lost ev erything to advance The Lady of Loss. What more
[22:37] <Anastasia> They lost ev erything to advance The Lady of Loss. What more could they wish for?"
[22:39] <Alicia> Marie just shakes her head at the vast gulf in comprehension between the two of them. There's no reasoning with this sort of insanity. "Nevermind that. Did Albert say anything about having other agents to perform sacrifices near Balmuria or were you the only one?"
02[22:46] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[23:28] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[23:28] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[23:31] <Alicia> [20:37] <Anastasia> "...wasn't is so beautiful, too? Shar smiled at the display, I'm sure." Looking up at Marie with a curious, malicious smirk, "Like a moth to the flame. Elyissa...she was so beautiful, too. It was going to be a beautiful death for her...a gorgeous loss." Suddenly Magur's smile becomes entirely hateful, boring into Marie. "All of those villagers gave their lives to a worthy cause. They lost ev erything to advance The Lady of
[23:31] <Alicia> [20:37] <Anastasia> They lost ev erything to advance The Lady of Loss. What more could they wish for?"
[23:31] <Alicia> [20:39] <Alicia> Marie just shakes her head at the vast gulf in comprehension between the two of them. There's no reasoning with this sort of insanity. "Nevermind that. Did Albert say anything about having other agents to perform sacrifices near Balmuria or were you the only one?"
[23:31] <Anastasia> "Nothing 'bout that." He answers after a moment.
[23:32] <Alicia> "Mmmm..." Marie thinks for a moment, but considers it worth a shot. "You mentioned servants of Shar earlier. Do you know about any servants of allies of her that appear as short human-looking women with large black-feathered wings?"
[23:33] <Anastasia> "Sounds like an angel," Snorting at that, "Hahahahaha. Missing a friend, ar eyou?"
[23:35] <Alicia> Marie doesn't dignify that with a response. "I think we're done," she takes a half step away before pausing, "Oh, yes. One last thing. Did you have anything to do with the deaths of Elyissa's husband and son?"
[23:36] <Anastasia> "Haaaaah. That would've been amusing, wouldn't it? I wish I did. Far as I know, it was just bad luck...or just a little bit of loss."
[23:37] <Alicia> "It wouldn't have surprised me, I've heard of your kind doing things like that before," Marie admits as she replaces the gag and then picks up the food tray, turning incorporeal to exit the cell and then stand guard until whomever was actually supposed to relieve Pollyanna shows up.
[23:38] <Anastasia> On exiting out, Marie finds Commander Oberuth leaning against the opposite wall as the cell. His arms are crossed, gaze on Marie once she exits out.
[23:39] <Alicia> "Oh..." Marie blushes guiltily. "Good morning Commander... how are you, today?" she asks, trying to act casual.
[23:40] <Anastasia> "I'm fine. I slept well and I'm up with the dawn. Not that this is unusual. It is unusual to run into someone who said a little eladrin is taking over guard duty," Looking Marie in the face, "So what game are you up to?"
[23:42] <Alicia> Marie glances back towards the cell. "I thought I could ask him a few questions since I heard he wasn't very talkative to anyone else. He's been very informative to me, though," she turns back to Obureth with a guileless smile. "The effect lasts an hour, so I'm told, so if you have any questions of your own, now would be a great time."
[23:44] <Anastasia> "Uh huh." With a long look at Marie, "Not that I personally object, as I'm going to do my damnest to make him ride rope soon, but I see that Alicia's not here with you."
[23:44] <Anastasia> "However, what I do object to is to you completely trouncing our order and going off on some plan without likely telling anyone."
[23:48] <Alicia> "Um... sorry?" Marie hazards. "It's just, well, I don't think Alicia would approve. She has an oath against using poison. Something about it being dishonourable and indiscriminate - it's all very admirable, but this stuff hardly counts as real poison even if it does come from mushrooms. I didn't hurt him or anything!" she then blurts out all at once.
[20:21] <Alicia> [21:42] <Alicia> Marie glances back towards the cell. "I thought I could ask him a few questions since I heard he wasn't very talkative to anyone else. He's been very informative to me, though," she turns back to Obureth with a guileless smile. "The effect lasts an hour, so I'm told, so if you have any questions of your own, now would be a great time."
[20:21] <Alicia> [21:44] <Anastasia> "Uh huh." With a long look at Marie, "Not that I personally object, as I'm going to do my damnest to make him ride rope soon, but I see that Alicia's not here with you."
[20:21] <Alicia> [21:44] <Anastasia> "However, what I do object to is to you completely trouncing our order and going off on some plan without likely telling anyone."
[20:21] <Alicia> [21:48] <Alicia> "Um... sorry?" Marie hazards. "It's just, well, I don't think Alicia would approve. She has an oath against using poison. Something about it being dishonourable and indiscriminate - it's all very admirable, but this stuff hardly counts as real poison even if it does come from mushrooms. I didn't hurt him or anything!" she then blurts out all at once.
03[20:21] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.129.129) has joined #dunes
03[20:21] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:24] <Kotono> "Poison?" Keeping a steely gaze on Marie as she speaks, "Let's see now. Do you think that Alicia would approve of what you did? Obviously not, if you're hiding it from her."
[20:28] <Alicia> "It's not real poison just because it comes from mushrooms and shows up as poison when she casts a spell to detect it - if I'd been able to do this with magic no one would even blink," Marie counters. "I'm doing this for Alicia's own good. Much as I like her, she's got a horrible habit of utterly dismissing people she thinks are beneath her - it bit her in the rear with Christopher, and it would've bitten her here as well."
[20:28] <Alicia> "If she'd actually taken the time to interrogate him herself, which I bet she could've done without having to resort to insanity mushroom powder, I wouldn't have had to do anything."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Interesting. You're doing it for Alicia's own good? I had the impression she was the master. But..." Oberuth's voice levens, becoming less accusing. "That's ultimately between you and her. Why didn't you inform me or a commanding officer before your attempt?"
[20:36] <Alicia> "Um..." Marie blinks as she ponders that question, several seconds of silence stretching out, before... "It just never occured to me?"
[20:38] <Kotono> "Then listen. I give the Guard a certain degree of latitude because they've proven themselves very well. You, however? You're an incarnatino of wild chaos. Even if you're good hearted, you're still as wild as a demon. I want at least a semblence of order around here, so the next time you think of anything like this, come to me before you go and attempt anything. Clear?"
[20:42] <Alicia> In the interests of expediency, Marie decides to just act suitably chastened instead of arguing. "Alright. Next time I plan on doing something like this I'll run it by you if it's possible."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Good. As long as you abide by the spirit of what I said," He raises an eyebrow at Marie, "We won't have problems. Get outta here."
[20:45] <Alicia> "Okay! Remember what I said, though - if there's anything you want to ask the guy, now's the perfect time," Marie nods as she takes to the air and then zooms away up the stairs to head home.
[20:52] <Kotono> ---
[20:55] <Kotono> Meeting with Rods and J is simple enough. Alicia finds them at a bar in the evening, a table to themselves as they chatter away. Alicia, as the members of the Guard tend to, gets a lot of looks as she approacehs them. After sitting down and the slight noise quieting, "So what's the matter," Rods backs, leaning back heavily in his seat, as J watches Alicia neutrally.
[20:58] <Alicia> "Nice to see you both, too," Alicia smiles in faint amusement at the welcome or lack thereof. Regarding J first of all, "I see you're back from your journey South, J, but I don't see Serge. Is he okay?"
[21:00] <Kotono> J's face clouds, "Yeah, he's fine. He's just taking a few days to rest up. It's a long story," Going to her small shot glass and draining it, "So yeah, he's fine."
[21:01] <Kotono> "Nice to see you. Don't mind J, she's just...you know. Crabby. Disagreeable. Bitchy." Shrugging his big shoulders absently, "So is it a social call and wae're lucky, or...?"
[21:02] <Kotono> J takes her empty shot glass and makes to throw it at Rods head, though all that's really tossed is a nasty look.
[21:03] <Alicia> "I can't imagine why," Alicia deadpans at Rods' description. "Anyway, I admit I do have an ulterior motive, but I wouldn't mind just swapping a few tales while we're here. First of all, though," she settles in her seat, leaning on the table towards the pair, "Have either of you heard the news about Erenholm?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "I did," Rods speaks up, grinning back at J, who settles to giving him a gesture that means all sorts of unpleasant things. "Something about a massacre, wasn't it? Bad business...and you got to clean it up, I guess?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "I haven't," J settles down at that, waving a wench over and demanding another drink. Once that's done, "I'm still out of the local loop again."
[21:07] <Alicia> "I'll summarise for you," Alicia offers to J, "Erenholm's a small village a few days to the interior of the Baronies. A pair of lunatic worshippers of Shar slaughtered almost the entire town as part of some sick ritual - the two have been imprisoned and should be tried shortly, thankfully. Thing is, one of the cultists mentioned the name of another Shar worshipper during his interrogation - the one who trained him."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Shar?" J raises an eyebrow, "Isn't that the whore that's all about loss, or am I getting mixed up with Malar?"
[21:08] <Kotono> "If you want us to go and kill someone like that, sure, as long as the price is right," Starting to grin bigger at that, "This axe could use some more breaking in."
[21:11] <Alicia> "Malar's a nature deity, more like an evil counterpart of Silvanus or Meilikki," Alicia provides. "Shar's the sister of Selune and the darkness to her light. Anyway, I thought of you two because of where you said you were from - apparently, the one who taught our prisoner everything about being a murderous scumbag was Prince Albert of Kesse."
[21:12] <Kotono> PFFBTTT! Rods breaks into a bit of coughing at that, needing to pound his chest! J's eyes narrow levelly at that, "That's one helluva interesting thing to say. So you came to us because we're from the area?"
[21:13] <Kotono> "Okay, lemme retractw hat I just said," Rods manages, taking a few deep breaths in after his coughing. "You're saying that Prince Albert worships Shar and is some sort of teacher to crazed mass murderers? We're on the same page here, right?"
[21:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 belated knowledge nobility, what does Alicia know about Albert that Marie doesn't?
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 belated knowledge nobility, what does Alicia know about Albert that Marie doesn't? and gets 11."12 [1d20=5]
[21:16] <Alicia> "I don't know the first thing about Prince Albert - even if Kelara is nearer to Kesse than here, there's still a huge jungle in the way," Alicia admits. "All I have is the name - there's no way the prisoner was lying about this. Prince Albert trained him how to use magic and fight bare-handed, and is a fellow worshipper of Shar. This is all I know."
[21:18] <Kotono> "Son of a bitch." Rubbing his forehead, "Well shit. Shit on a stick. Hell, guess it's time for a quick Kesse royalty lesson then, J?" Rods looks to her.
[21:23] <Kotono> J waits a moment, her new drink coming. She guns it down in one gulp, putting the shot glass aside. "Yeah, I'll give you the quick and dirty. King Denegran runs Kesse in theory...but he's old, really old. Remember that warlord we had to go smack down that ended up with us getting teleported way too fucking far? The King's not doing so well and his grip on power's shaky. Stuff like that's the natural reaction, nature abhors a vaccum and so on.
[21:23] <Kotono> Stuff like that's the natural reaction, nature abhors a vaccum and so on."
06[21:24] * Alicia nods, taking a sip of her own drink and quietly listening to the explanation.
[21:24] <Kotono> "Anyway, the point is that the King's old and feeble. However, he wasn't always so old and certainly not so feeble. He has two wives and both of them gave him several children. Five boys and three girls in total, the old man was pretty good at knocking 'em up." After a momentary pause to glance at Rods, he takes over.
[21:26] <Kotono> "Albert's the son of his first wife, but the youngest child for them. He's not really in line for the throne or much of anything, unless Prince Kort up and dies, and Princesses Giselle and Armanda don't feel like challenging for power. Once you get past Prince Kort - who is going to be such a wallflower of a king, I bet, but here not here again - it's pretty much a bunch of rich royals with nothing overly much to do."
[21:27] <Kotono> *here nor there
[21:27] <Kotono> "Yeah," J takes over again smoothly, a slight hiccup coming from her mouth. "Prince Kort puts on a good show and all when he remmebers he has a spine. But the rest kinda slip through the cracks unless you have to get outta the way of their procession."
[21:29] <Alicia> "Hmm... so as far as you know, Albert is just an idle wastrel in the background, then?" Alicia asks, tapping her fingers on the table as she digests that. "No reputation for magical or martial prowess? Not seen as especially kind or cruel?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Pretty much. Oh, there's talk that he's the one that knocked up the Dutchess' daughter or that he'sg oing to go to the Kossuthites to train or that...well, rumors," J makes a face, "Nothing concrete. He's a rich asshole, but he's not done anything to particularly sour the people...that we've heard of, anyway."
[21:33] <Kotono> "About that," Rods speaks up then. "Wasn't Serge going on about that one bit back after the job with the giant boulders?"
[21:34] <Alicia> "I suppose it fits in a way - Shar's followers are good at keeping secrets. The instigator of the Erenholm massacre was just a simple farmer as far as his neighbours knew, despite being able to use third circle arcane magic and fight toe to toe with me in melee." She pauses at Rods' interjection, "What's that? Do you think Serge knows more about him?"
[21:34] <Kotono> J frowns then, tapping her forehead a few times. "...I think so? Shit, I can't remember, it's been too long. Hell, if it matters...Rods, go wake Serge up and bug 'im."
[21:35] <Kotono> "He might. I'm remembering something. Lemme go kick him in the ass and see if he remembers," Getting up, "I'll be back." Grinning now, "Serge could use a kick in the ass. He's still acting all mopey. He must think you're the cutest thing the side of a pair of succubus lovers."
[21:36] <Kotono> J snorts and then sighs deeply, "Subtle, Rods. Real fucking subtle. How many times do I have to tell you about that?"
06[21:36] * Alicia blinks at that phrasing. "Er..." she shakes her head, actually blushing a little. "I'll just pretend I never heard that part."
[21:37] <Kotono> Laughing, Rods departs away. Once he's gone, "...yeah, sorry. He won't pass up a chance to needle Serge."
[21:39] <Alicia> "I didn't know he was interested," Alicia admits awkwardly, briefly contemplating her mug before just taking a swig. "Mmm... anyway. How did your last job go? Better than Rods', I hope."
[21:40] <Kotono> J raises an eyebrow to that, but doesn't pursue it. Instead, "Long but rewarding. It was boring as hell, honestly. Not the worst kind of job."
[21:42] <Alicia> "Boring is good," Alicia nods with a slight smile. "I miss boring."
[21:43] <Kotono> "I keep hearing 'Crimson Guard heroes this' and 'Legendary warriors of supreme skill that'. Not finding it to your liking?"
[21:45] <Alicia> "If there's trouble then I'm certainly happy to deal with it," Alicia explains, before shrugging, "I just wish there was a bit less trouble. It seems like no matter how much I improve my skills, there's always something more horrifying and powerful around the corner."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Mmm." Taking a lean back, "You mean you're dealing with things worse than gelugons now?"
[21:54] <Alicia> "I'd say so. Right now there are fiends moving against me that don't even fit into neat categories like 'ice devil'," Alicia nods. "Honestly, it's been a while since gelugons were the worst I could face."
[21:55] <Kotono> "No shit?" Cocking her head at Alicia, "It makes me wonder: Why the hell you, anyway? What's so special about the Crimson Guard? Did Mystra piss in a devil's drink or something?"
[21:58] <Alicia> "Well, for the devils, you remember what I told you about that invasion in the desert we stopped?" Alicia offers, not really wanting to advertise certain other dealings she's had with the baatezu. "But as for Shar and one other I don't even have a name for, I don't really know why they've made it so personal."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Ah, who can tell? I hear outsiders follow reasonings and base passions most of us will never understand until after we fill up a grave." Gesturing for another drink in the meanwhile, "What about the rest of the Guard? I have to admit, from what I have heard, that Balmuria's like a magnet for these things. I hear more stories here in the past year and change than I heard in Kesse in ten years, at least about the abnormal."
[22:03] <Alicia> "I don't think you've met her since she's been gone since before you first got here, but my immediate superior is half elf, half human, and half dragon," Alicia replies simply. After a second for that to sink in she adds, "No, I don't know how it works, either."
[22:03] <Kotono> "...." J doesn't reply, "So...you knwo what? I heard a little about Seira, but..." Waiting for her drink to arrive, J slams this one right down too. "It's like your the playground for the Gods. BAstards."
[22:07] <Alicia> "The Gods might play some role in influencing things, but the ones actually causing all the trouble - and cleaning it up - are mortals and the odd outsider," Alicia reasons, knowing J has somewhat unrealistic expectations of the divine. "Shar didn't murder the people of Erenholm, it was done by two humans."
[22:09] <Kotono> "Mph." Crossing her arms, "Yes, yes and people got to pray to nothing as they were murdered." Rolling her eyes, "Still...Blah. I'm not in the mood for that." Leaning back in her chair and half closing her eyes, which are bloodshot, "How about I call you the Divine Cleanup Crew instead?"
[22:14] <Alicia> "It's not entirely inaccurate," Alicia concedes. "Are you alright, by the way? Your eyes look a little bloody."
[22:20] <Kotono> "Oh, I'm just trying my damnest to get wasted tonight," Waving a hand aside, "Don't worry about it.
[22:20] <Kotono> "
[22:20] <Kotono> As Alicia talks, she can spy Rods returning. He's smothering a smile, coming back to sit. "Alright, I got it outta him. He still didn't feel like coming down, though."
06[22:20] * Alicia shrugs in response to J's statement, if that's what she wants to do. Turning to Rod as he arrives, she gestures him to continue. "Go on, then."
[22:20] <Kotono> "Several years back, Serge got an interesting story when we were staying in a roadside village. A local serving girl was pregnant and Serge struck up a conversation. You know, asking and congratulating and all that sweet stuff. I don't think he was getting on or naything. But anyway, the girl acted funny and Serge managed to get her to talk. She insinuated pretty heavily that Prince Albert was the father and that she'd been violated. Of cours
[22:20] <Kotono> She insinuated pretty heavily that Prince Albert was the father and that she'd been violated. Of course, Serge said he never heard anything else about it or anything but one girl's word, but..." A shrug. "Take it for what it's worth...but if he is an insane murder teacher, I guess rape's not that far removed."
[22:20] <Alicia> "No..." Alicia's expression turns grim. "I suppose it's not. It rounds out my mental picture of the man, anyway..."
Session Close: Thu Jul 24 22:22:21 2008
Session Start: Thu Jul 24 19:39:43 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[19:39] * Disconnected
Session Close: Thu Jul 24 19:39:43 2008
Session Start: Thu Jul 24 19:39:47 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[19:39] * Disconnected
Session Close: Thu Jul 24 19:39:47 2008
Session Start: Thu Jul 24 22:22:21 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[22:22] * Disconnected
02[22:23] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[22:23] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[22:23] * Topic is 'Demara > Ogre > Drow Warrior 3 > Drow Priestess'
03[22:23] * Set by Ebiris on Sun Jul 20 20:15:26
[22:24] <Alicia> protege*
[22:33] <Kotono> "True enough," Rods agrees. "So...what are you gonna do about it then? You aren't gonna march to Kesse and try and fight him...are you?"
[22:33] <Alicia> "It's not entirely unlikely that he'll come here, based on what the prisoner told my familiar," Alicia admits. "He seems to have some way of quickly moving between here and there through the plane of shadow."
[22:36] <Kotono> "Mmmph," J muses on that, "If it's here, you'll have homefield. But if you try and go to Kesse, you'll end up fighting a helluva lot unless you assassinate Prince Albert all sneaky."
[22:41] <Alicia> "At worst he couldn't be worse than Ferdi," Alicia states grimly. "He sponsored the slaughter of over a dozen citizens of the United Baronies - this can't go unanswered." Relaxing a bit and shaking her head afterwards, she concedes, "But Kesse is very far away, and since I've never been there I couldn't teleport either."
[22:41] <Kotono> "Yeah. We're going back that way eventually, but...fuck." Rods shakes his head, "I don't really WANT to trudge through the fucking jungle. It's a shitty, shitty, shitty thing to have to do. Dangerous too."
Session Close: Thu Jul 24 22:41:07 2008
Session Start: Thu Jul 24 22:41:07 2008
Session Ident: #dunes
02[22:41] * Disconnected
02[22:48] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[22:49] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[22:49] * Topic is 'Demara > Ogre > Drow Warrior 3 > Drow Priestess'
03[22:49] * Set by Ebiris on Sun Jul 20 20:15:26
[22:49] <Kotono> "You too," Rods then departs, leaving Alicia as well. OOC - Okay, is there anything else before we pause?
[22:49] <Alicia> OOC: I'm good