Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

> It's a rather frazzled Simmer that gets Muirfinn's attention. He's in the cafeteria, taking a quiet moment with his people when the pyrodryad approaches. Her hair is tousled and messed up, her clothing splotched with a clashing rainbow array of paint stains and she winces every so often, rubbing the side of her head. Loud enough to carry over the general din of the cafeteria, "Muirfinn," she begins, "Guess who wants to see you."
* Muirfinn looks up at her, a scaly eyebrow rising. "Had a run-in with Baleruk, have you?"
> "Yeah. Afina and I got dragged into dragon art time." Rubbing the side of her head with another wince, as your fellow tortles give her curious looks, "Also something about having had steam and fire and now wanting water. I'd say he needs more fire, but he wouldn't hear anything of it."
* Muirfinn snorts, standing. "I suppose I'll humor him again. We wouldn't want him to get crazier than usual and snatch up an elemental or something worse."
<Muirfinn> "I'll see about calming him down." Muirfinn says, nodding to the people around him.
> From there it's a quick trip to Baleruk's lair. The dragon stands before a massive blob of multicolored clay. It quivers erratically, briefly taking on the shape of a horse - no, a rabbit, no a flagpole, no back to a blob - and then going back to quivering. Sitting nearby atop a small pile of coins is Kascha, a big tome on her lap as she writes away. "Excellent," Baleruk greets you, "YOU HAVE COME FORTH."
<Muirfinn> "Hello, Baleruk." Muirfinn greets the dragon. "How can I help you today?"
> As the mass of clay continues to shake and shudder, "I have heard you have assumed a more tolerable form," Baleruk begins aloud, "Is this true?"
* Muirfinn looks down, patting his chest. "Is this form not tolerable?" Muirfinn looks up, amused. "Am I too turtle for you? Or not enough?"
> "I thi-" Kascha begins, to be cut off as wind gusts! Baleruk's maw opens wide as, "I HAVE HEARD FROM THE WIND AND STARS THAT YOU HAVE OBTAINED A GREATER FORM! TELL ME IF THIS IS TRUE OR IF THE SCHEME AGAINST ME AS DO THE COWARDLY PRESUMPTIVE LORDS OF DRAGONKIND!"
> Eeeping and holding her book down as pages fly freely, Kascha holds onto her book tight! "Aaaah!" She cries, smoothing the pages back after, "Oh no, I spilled ink!" She focuses on it, starting to chant simple arcane words.
* Muirfinn blinks at Baleruk as his robes are tossed about in the wind. "Oh, yes. That. It's true that I can now assume the form of a dragon, if that's what you are referring to." Muirfinn says, absently wiping off a bit of dragon spittle from the end of his beak. "Nobody here is out to get you, Baleruk. I thought that we had established that."
> "Good." Baleruk's voice drops back down to normal, "This serves me well. I have a task for you."
<Muirfinn> "How can I help?" Muirfinn asks as he resettles his robes.
> "Do you know Herak Villan on the Astral Plane?" Baleruk asks, and before waiting for an answer, "It is a trade city of shadows and silent money. It is overlooked by the gith in exchange for rich bribes. I desire something from it."
<Muirfinn> "I'm sorry to say that I've not heard of it. I'm sure that I can find it, though. What is it you need?"
> "Mazpluan of the Green Gems resides there," he continues on, "He is said to know where a great horde of treasure lies in Nidavellir. I desire this information." OOC: Make K:P here?
> Meanwhile Kascha continues to write away, focused on her book.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 34." [1d20=12]
> Muirfinn recalls that Mazpluan is a figure associated with devilry, but he can't recall any more. Nidavellir is the deepest level of Ysgard, well below ground. Not much is known of it as the action takes place on the higher layers.
* Muirfinn nods. "I'll see what I can do."
> "So BE IT," Baleruk finishes, turning back to the clay. OOC: What are you going to do now?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Well, doing anything alone is sort of stupid. I'll go on a walkabout and see who's up for an adventure.
> OOC: Okay. More coming.
> Once out, Muirfinn reaches the ground. As he settles on, "Wait!" Kascha's voice from behind, as moments later she lands besides Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn stops and turns. "Ah, Kascha. I thought you were staying with Baleruk. How can I help you?"
> "I wanted to ask if you wanted help," Kascha says, pausing to brush a bit of her hair out of her face, "I'd also like the chance to learn about Nidavellir!"
<Muirfinn> ""Oh, of course! You're always welcome to come along. I was just heading out to find a few people who wanted to join me."
> "Simmer was in an adventuresome mood! Afina was too but she said she has things to craft. The mercane are visiting," Kascha burbles on, before snapping her fingers. "What about a songstress to help, like Ebony or Vivantha?"
<Muirfinn> "Well." Muirfinn hums, tapping his beak in thought. "I think Simmer would be a good addition, and I don't believe that Vivantha has had a true opportunity to test her mettle on an Aurora adventure yet. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Kascha."
> "Sure! I'll meet you by the gate when you're ready?" Kascha offers.
* Muirfinn nods, heading off to find Vivantha.
> Vivantha's found atop Aurora's roof. She stands out of sight of the ground, clad in jewelry to decorate her body. She has her hand on a harp, as if to strum it. Sitting a little away from her is Sylvie, scribbling away at a floating parchment. The parchment faces away from Muirfinn, contents hidden. You can see a selection of colored chalk and pencils besides her. Her attention is solely on Vivantha - Muirfinn barely even gets a glance.
* Muirfinn recognizes this scene for what it is and keeps silent, smiling a bit to himself. He moves off unobtrusively to the side, far enough away that his presence won't filter into either woman's consciousness but close enough to address them should they finish.
> roll 1d20+37
* Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+37 and gets 39." [1d20=2]
> Vivantha flashes a momentary smile but otherwise stays still. It stretches on and on and on....and on and...."Okay, you can move!" Sylvie announces, putting down a bit of chalk and dusting her hands off. Immediately Vivantha relaxes, turning to Muirfinn, "Brave hero!" she greets with a smile, "How are you?"
* Muirfinn moves in to join them. "Hello, ladies. I am well. How are you?"
> "Oh, I had a few hours free before meeting some friends from home," Sylvie says casually, "I thought I'd learn to draw before then and show them."
> "
> "I'm well," Vivantha says with a warm smile, coming over to Muirfinn. "How goes the Aurora'
> OOC: Gah.
> "I'm well," Vivantha says with a warm smile, coming over to Muirfinn. "How goes the Aurora's efforts?"
<Muirfinn> "It's a slow process, as always, but we are steadily making headway against both infernal incursion and against the Father. It will be some time before we can make an attempt at killing the Father, but I believe that with enough perseverence and forethought he will fall before us. As for the devils...to take a page from their own book, it is a foregone conclusion that they will ultimately fail
<Muirfinn> and be forced to relinquish Lifasa. I do not believe that they will be able to stand against us once we are prepared."
> "Victory is the only acceptable result," Vivantha adds after that. Meanwhile Sylvie rises and stretches, before gathering up her floating parchment. "Did you want to see?" she asks, kneeling back down to gather up her supplies.
<Muirfinn> "Of course." Muirfinn says, addressing both women.
> The parchment is presented! It's a sketch of Vivantha - extremely skilled and lifelike. It looks just like her. Vivantha looks on - and then frowns slightly. "...I suppose I see why," she murmurs to herself.
<Muirfinn> "Hmm?"
> "Hmph." Sylvie smirks, "Oh. Nothing important. Just an old story. I learn fast and it rubs people wrong."
> "I cannot hold someone taking umbrage against that," The lillend continues to study the picture, "If I were an artist and someone learned the craft in hours...well, furious is a fine word for it. Skill comes with effort and skill won cheaply is hardly worth praise at all."
<Muirfinn> "This is true, and yet it is a wonderful thing. A gift, if you will. Most must apply themselves to learn and master a skill. The gods have given Sylvie the ability to master anything she applies herself to. It is of course a great responsibility. One could easily use the talent for evil purposes."
> "Jealousy is an ugly thing. Fun to watch, though." Sylvie adds with her smirk.
> "One could," Vivantha murmurs, "Gift or no, I think more humility would serve well with it. The superior have no need to prove to the inferior they're better."
* Muirfinn bobs his head. "True, but we appreciate the great sacrifice she makes for us all, humility or not. The burden she bears makes a great deal forgivable, though she is wise not to take advantage of that fact." Muirfinn pokes Sylvie in the side playfully.
> "I know what I can get away with," Sylvie admits with a little smile, "I've used it for petty ends before, though I've gained perspective since then. Other women just get jealous." That draws her smirk back out, softer than last time. "Anyway, I need to get going. Balyss is bringing a few friends to visit from Balmuria. I'd introduce you, but we already have plans."
* Muirfinn shrugs, waving her off. "Go have fun, I came for Vivantha anyway."
> As Sylvie goes off, "Oh?" Vivantha smiles, "Do you need me for something, brave hero?"
<Muirfinn> "Baleruk has made a request of me to travel to the Astral, and I thought you might like to join us. Your company is always welcome, and a skilled and beautiful songstress on our journey would be much appreciated." Muirfinn says with a smile.
> "I've love to," Vivatha says, "When shall we go?"
<Muirfinn> "Soon. I need to find Simmer and then we will meet Kascha at the gates. Can you be ready?"
> "I shall." This gets another smile before she's gone. From there, finding Simmer isn't so easy. She's not immediately around and one call to Elena later, "Simmer? She's in the fire baths up to her eyes in lava." Said ghost girl is dressed normally today, nothing remarkable there for once.
* Muirfinn sighs the long-suffering sigh of a man forced to do something he'd much rather not. "Thank you, Elena. I'll make my way there now."
> "Ahem," Coughing quickly, "Muirfinn, it's still a bath. You can't go in there when Simmer's bathing!"
<Muirfinn> "Either I'm going in there or you're gonna need to bring her out." Muirfinn points out.
> "Fine," Elena sniffs, "Fine fine, I'll go get her. She'll meet you by the portals."
<Muirfinn> "Excellent." Muirfinn turns, heading to gather his things.
> The portals are bustling. Lief darts around the Medicant Golems whilst a squad of pixies follows him. Jaela's a distance away, leaning against a wall with her arms crossed. She looks lost in thought, or perhaps waiting for someone. Lady Rosa's lingering near a portal as well, tapping a foot but otherwise unmoving. Fortunately your wait seems the quickest of all - Simmer comes on out. Steam rises off her body, the air around her hissing. "Elena said you needed me?"
<Muirfinn> "Kascha, Vivantha and I are going to the Astral to start a treasure hunt for Baleruk. Kascha said that you might like to go along. Would you like to join us?"
> "I'm i-" Simmer before before stepping aside. A trio of rather large earth elementals come out, each as big as Hanna. "Careful!" Simmer shouts after them, giving them a fiery stink eye. Quite literally, flames dancing over her eyes. "I'm good fo-ack!" Again Simmer moves back to where she was, before sidestepping again. Hanna comes out, passing by with a nod before heading to Jaela. The two begin to discuss something, smiling and chatting amid themselves. Simmer sighs before stepping well aside, "As I was..." a pause, no interruption. "As I was saying, I'm in the mood to burn something. Count me in."
* Muirfinn looks distinctly amused. "Meet us at the gates when you're ready."
> Lady Rosa glances at your group, the elementals and then mother and daughter. She ever so slightly sighs, staring at the portals as she taps her foot. "I'm ready now," she says, "I have my magical supports."
<Muirfinn> "Let's go then." He nods to Lady Rosa as he heads out.
> It gets a nod back as the duo meets up with the others. All are prepared and ready, awaiting before Aurora's grand gates. Outside you can see the air elementals and Drena, forever circling Aurora. "So who's transporting us?" Simmer speaks up, "Where exactly on the Astral are we headed?"
> "Herak Villan," Kascha supplies, "We'll be looking for Mazpluan of the Green Gems."
> roll 1d20+8 Vivantha wants to roll bardic lore
* Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+8 Vivantha wants to roll bardic lore and gets 25." [1d20=17]

* Muirfinn nods. "I'll admit to not knowing as much as I'd like about it, but we will see when we get there."
> OOC: Okay then, ready to move along? Who's managing transport here, Yuth?
<Muirfinn> OOC: I can Gate
> OOC: Okay, where are you aiming for?
<Muirfinn> OOC: The city, or near to it if at all possible. If not, Astral in general.
> Thus the party heads through Muirfinn's Gate! You float in the timeless Silver Sea, a sense of unreality unsettling you. Before you are great slabby hunks of rock, metal, tightly packed earth, baked clay, wood and a few that may be flesh. These slabs are all about before you, unconnected and yet close enough together to cast darkness across the city. There slabs are filled with tall buildings and towers, a hodge-podge of styles and various motifs. The various slabs are at different heights, some higher and some lower. 
> Kascha studies ahead quite intently, taking out her book and scribbing within. "It reminds me of Acheron's cubes. At least slightly."
<Muirfinn> "Well, finding the place is simple enough. Let's see if we can find this Mazpluan fellow."
> OOC: What spells do you have active on you, Murifinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Superior Resistance
> OOC: For reference, Kascha has Mind Blank+Superior Resistance, Simmer has Greater Mage Armor and Superior Resistance and Vivantha doesn't have any autocast spells like that.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ok
> Simmer studies the buildings and slabs are you progress on, her attention on that. Vivantha stays close, "What it reminds me of is the Infinite Stair. The placement of the slabs is similar to that at a distance, though the Stair's platforms are far more spaced out."
> "Mmm-hmm," Simmer adds in, "A few dedicated fire mages could set spreading fires. Those wood landmasses would be simple to burn. Assuming they aren't protected," she appends. As you progress on...OOC: You have true seeing from your mask, right?
<Muirfinn> "A unique view, that is certain." Muirfinn nods as they progress in toward the city. OOC: YUP.
> As you progess towards the city, Muirfinn can see scrying sensors in the air. They're spread out but fairly constant. They penetrate into the city as far as your true seeing can extend.
<Muirfinn> "There are scrying sensors everywhere above us. Someone keeps a close eye on this city." Muirfinn says lowly.
> "Or someones," Vivantha says back, just as low. Simmer shrugs slightly as you press onwards...OOC: More since you're looking for your target.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 24." [1d100=24]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 51." [1d100=51]
> The streets aren't quite empty - but they aren't far from it. People keep distant as they walk. You catch sight of humans, demihumans of various stripes, a bauriar, a shambling and stumbling blue slaad and other odd things. As you do...OOC: Do you have ranks in GI, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 26 modifier
> OOC: Roll away. The others'll aid you.
> roll 1d20+11 Vivantha aid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Vivantha aid and gets 30." [1d20=19]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+26 GI GI GI
> roll 1d20+9 Simmer aid
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+26 GI GI GI and gets 45." [1d20=19]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Simmer aid and gets 25." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+7 Kascha aid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Kascha aid and gets 17." [1d20=10]
> OOC: 51 total.
> Your quest for information leads you to a street corner. Here a humanoid in heavy brown robes stands. His face is hidden by a hood and an iron mask. It is shaped like a face, glass lenses over his eyes to hide them. His voice is a distorted grumble, "Mazpluan?" he asks, "Looking for that old 'loth dog?"
<Muirfinn> "Yes, do you know where we can find him?" Muirfinn asks politely.
> "I do not." He intones, garbled voice wobbling in pitch and timbre. "A word to the new: The wise in Herak Villan don't go around asking questions. People find out. But if you really need something - look up the Alley Sage." Pausing his walk away a moment, glancing back, "You'll find him in one of his namesake alleys, friends. I've heard it makes a nice day."
> OOC: Strike, misspliced tow lines.
> "I do not." He intones, garbled voice wobbling in pitch and timbre. "A word to the new: The wise in Herak Villan don't go around asking questions. People find out. But if you really need something - look up the Alley Sage." Pausing just a moment, "You'll find him in one of his namesake alleys, friends. I've heard it makes a nice day." OOC: Spot check real quick, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46 lol 46
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 lol 46 and gets 66." [1d20=20]
> Muirfinn catches a glint of light from the wrist of the man, where his bare hand meets the arm of his robe. Like a glint of metal reflecting light.
<Muirfinn> Curiosity getting the better of him, Muirfinn peers at the man's arm. "What's that you've got there?"
> Behind you, Vivantha tenses slightly. Kascha blink-blinks while Simmer's hands twitch, a ripple of shimmering heat around her. At this the humanoid stops, growing still for just a moment. After he replies, "....nothing, but let me show you." He leans in, and in a low whisper, "You're from Aurora? I've heard the stories and you match them. Everything important in Herak Villan, including all the trading, happens inside. The outsider is the barrier that keeps everything inside, both good and bad. In the name of the Mercy-Bringer, step with wisdom." With a flick of his wrist a dagger appears in hand. "Just some self defense," he says in a louder tone.
> *the outside
<Muirfinn> "Oh." Muirfinn leans back. "Alright then. Thank you for the advice."
> The man nods and turns away, heading off. Once he's gone Simmer untenses, "The hell was that about?"
> "That this is going to be more complicated than we hoped," Vivantha adds, "But we shall preservere."
> "If it gets too difficult, enough fire usually solves the problem," Simmer adds, "Even if it's devil problems. Sounds like Mazpluan is a yugoloth problem, which is good. They burn easier than devils."
> "The entire conversation was strange," Kascha adds, "I feel like we only know a little of what happened there."
* Muirfinn shrugs. "This city is likely to be full of odd cloak and dagger activity. I sort of expected it after seeing all the scrying sensors."
> "We
> "We'll stand out," Vivantha adds as a long finger taps her chin, "An angel, a lillend, Simmer and a tortle are a remarkable group. A disguise may be preferable, especially if that man is the norm out here."
> "I could make you all look like pyrodryads," Simmer adds, snapping her fingers, "It'll take a Wish and it'll be an illusion, but it'll be a strong illusion."
<Muirfinn> "Err...that's okay. I can take care of my own illusion."
> "So can I," Kascha says, as she shifts to a wingless, demure version of herself. Vivantha does the same, becoming humanoid and tall, a striking seven feet tall but otherwise human in apperance.
> "Fine," Simmer shrugs, "So anyway, now what?"
* Muirfinn assumes the mousy brown-haired human guise he once used to help Tannin.
<Muirfinn> "Find the Alley Sage, I suppose."
> OOC: Okay, just going to wander and look for him or what?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Checkin' alleys, bein' shady.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 4." [1d100=4]
> Perhaps fortune is with Muirfinn. You rise up and down, passing between slabs. On a slab of rusted iron and pitted barbs you come to between two rows of towers. Th ealley is so narrow the four of you have to walk single file through it. But ahead lies an ancient githyanki, skin weathered like old paper and wearing tattered old clothes. He sits on the rusty ground and stares at the wall opposite him. His eyes are clouded white, the color of clouds against the noonday sky. On his belt are several pouches, in far better shape than the rest of his clothes.
<Muirfinn> "Hello, are you the Alley Sage?" Muirfinn greets without beating around the bush.
> "When the past is the present and the past is yet to be sung, what is there to be done?" The old githyanki replies, staring ahead at the tower wall opposite him. "I once had everything in the palm of my hand, so what's to be done?"
> Simmer slowly reaches up, pinching the bridge of her nose and wincing.
> "Oh, is that a riddle?" Kascha perks up, "I say that if you had everything and lost it, that means you need to try again to get them back. But that's less of a riddle and more of philosophy."
* Muirfinn nods along, clearly pretending that everything said makes complete sense. "Interesting. Tell me more."
> "I once dreamed of a child that would enslave a world, so what's to be done?" The old gith now turns towards Muirfinn, "In frozen halls where pure winter rule, a tyrant was slain, so what's to be done?"
> Simmer buries her face into her hand and audibly sighs.
* Muirfinn tilts his head. That made sense, actually. "That is the question, is it not?"
> "Oh! That sounds like the story I've heard of Abigor's fall! I'm working on a ballad for it." Vivantha speaks up, "Doesn't it, Muirfinn?"
<Muirfinn> "It does indeed, and he speaks of the Child of Lifasa, an infernal abomination that fell shortly before I joined with the Aurora."
> "When the Gods curse you to see all and nothing, what's to be done?" The gith sighs, "Yet when not even the Lich Queen can wreak vengeance on you, what's to be done? What is the fate of the pariah?"
> "Ahem." Kascha gently clears her throat, "Are you saying you're a seer? I've heard of blind seers before, and your eyes look...well, are you blind?"
> "If the Gods curse you, curse them back by burning what they care about." Simmer says firmly, "Purify yourself in flame and ash."
<Muirfinn> "A curse...I don't understand that part, tough the second part could refer to Vul'lath."
> The Alley Sage sighs, "I speak not in allusion and mystery any more. I am a cursed seer." To Muirfinn his blind eyes stare, "You seek me for knowledge of the demonspawn Mazpluan."
<Muirfinn> "We do, but by what do you mean when you say you are cursed?"
> "Smote by the Gods, hated by the Lich-Queen. Unwilling to die and thus trapped in this realm. An outcast in the gith permitted trade cities and clusters within the Silver Sea. I have my eternal role to play in the shadows of buildings and the recesses of towers." Shaking his head back and forth, "The answer is always three. For how you seek Mazpluan, do you understand?"
> "Numerology," Simmer sighs again, before backing away, "I'll be back here when you're done."
> "Eh?" Kascha puts a hand to her mouth, "Oh! I'm afraid I don't offhand. Do either of you...?" She looks to both Muirfinn and Vivantha.
* Muirfinn shrugs. "Try me."
> "Three times has a truth of Mazpluan been presented to you," The gith continues on, "All three are truth yet it should be impossible. Mazpluan is something that must not be. He offends by existing. He is a perversion of the chains of the Nadir."
<Muirfinn> "I find most yugoloths offensive, actually." Muirfinn remarks offhandedly.
> At this Vivantha blinks, "Br-Muirfin." She stops there, "I'm sorry, but didn't the Alley Sage here call Mazpluan a demonspawn just now?"
<Muirfinn> "Eh? I thought the other man we spoke to earler referred to him as a 'loth?"
> "He did," Kascha says, "So which one is it then?"
<Muirfinn> "Why can't it be both? I can see awful breeding with horrible." Muirfinn says, looking disgusted.
> Kascha shudders visibly as well. Meanwhile the Sage speaks slowly, "Your wisdom has heights to yet reach. I bade you to sharpen your mind and wits before facing Mazpluan. He resides in the Grima Tower. But there is no entrance to the Grima Tower save in the All-Seeing Eye, the spire of the eye tyrants."
> OOC: You can make K:D here if you have ranks at all.
> OOC: Lore type abilities also apply.
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha'll try
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Kascha'll try and gets 17." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+8 Vivantha too
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Vivantha too and gets 16." [1d20=8]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22 k:d lore next
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 k:d lore next and gets 31." [1d20=9]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+4+6 looore
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+4+6 looore and gets 20." [1d20=10]
> Muirfinn recalls that eye tyrants is a term for beholders. Big nasty flying orbs with anti magic eyes and eyestalks. Altogether unpleasant and evil creatures, generally.
<Muirfinn> "Oh joy, beholders." Muirfinn says drily.
> "Oh no," Kascha says quietly, "They're terribly difficult for wizards to battle! It puts all of us at a terrible disadvantage...if we have to fight them, of course."
> "The choices are yours to make." The Alley Sage replies, "Be you a roaring dragon in the sky, a wise-word whispering friend or a rich giver of gifts."

<Muirfinn> "I'd rather avoid the beholders entirely, if at all possible."
> "I think we need a plan," Kascha says with a cute little frown, "What do you think, Muirfinn?"
> "Plan burn them all?" Simmer calls over from where she stands. "You know, enough lava and magma solves any problem."
> "Or dragons," Kascha adds with a hint of brightening and a look to Muirfinn, "But that'll surely lead to trouble."
* Muirfinn flicks a quick glance at Simmer before turning and nodding at Kascha. "Yes, I think a solid plan would be best here. Charging into something like this would quickly leave us all powerless and slaughtered."
> ""
> "So then..." Vivantha says slowly, "Do we have a plan? Besides fire or dragons. Brave hero?"
> "Hmmm." Kascha considers, "Maybe we could find a local who could work for us?"
<Muirfinn> "Not yet. We need more information on this place first. Avenues of attack, weaknesses, and whether or not we can find a way in without violence."
> "Fine." Simmer rolls her eyes and comes back on over, arms crossed just under her chest. "The devils hate us, right? How about we get them to do our work for us?"
<Muirfinn> "...go on."
> "Gathering information," Kascha concludes, giving Simmer a glance before going on. "Hm?"
> "We make sure they get a hot tip that we're doing some business with Mazpluan and the beholders. Some suitable lie about an alliance with demons or whatever," Waving a hand, "See if we can bait them into trying to get to Mazpluan and doing all the work for us?"
<Muirfinn> "Hmmm....not a bad idea, really. It would at least occupy the beholders for a time."
<Muirfinn> "Let's gather our information first, then we'll decide how to proceed."
> OOC: Okay then, are you going to be GIing?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yup
> OOC: On the streets or are you going to try to go inside towers?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ohhhhh let's try towers!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+26 GI
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+26 GI and gets 31." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+7 Kascha aid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Kascha aid and gets 10." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+9 Simmer aid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Simmer aid and gets 18." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+11 Vivantha aid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Vivantha aid and gets 16." [1d20=5]
> Thus disguised, the party takes to the towers. The first one you find that has doors is a tower of iron and wood. Coming inside, you find the insides are well lit by hanging lamps. The first floor is quite big, with no obvious stairs going up. The room is warm and on the border of being hot. The room is decorated with simple wicker furniture scattered about, often clustered around floating glass orbs. The room's inhabitants are all elves, tall and tanned. You get every eye in on you when you enter, but this passes after a moment. Smoothly one of the elves come forth and in perfect, lyrical elven, "Far from home are we, yet we greet you in our home that is an oasis."
* Muirfinn bows to the elf. "Thank you, and greetings to you. I am Muirfinn."
<Muirfinn> OOC: Fuck, disguise, scratch
<Muirfinn> OOC: Blanked out
> OOC: SUre.
* Muirfinn waves at the elf. "Hi."
> There is a moment of silence as Muirfinn gets a look, before the elf clears his throat. "Are you here to trade for firespice and the Ashes of Arai?"
> Kascha clears her throat and replies in elven, "Ah, not quite." She glances at Muirfinn before going on, "We're looking for information."
* Muirfinn nods along, switching to elven. "We're looking for information on Mazpluan."
> The elf's face tightens, jerking a thumb back, "Go to the back of the room and step on the indent on the floor. The Whitehearts sell information. This is our territory and there's a 10 gold coin fee for each person that passes through on business."
> "A toll? Really? To pass through a tower room?" Simmer drawls.
* Muirfinn shrugs and heads on by. "Who do we pay?"
> "I'll take it," he says, hand palm out.
* Muirfinn passes the man 40 gold.
> The gold is taken! Once done you're pointed to the far back of th eroom. There is indeed a simple indent on the floor. "Just stand there."
> Quietly Vivantha adds, more under her breath than anything else, "Such greed or need for coin, to charge passersby."
<Muirfinn> "It's actually quite common." Muirfinn says with a shrug. "Many of the mortal races put heavy emphasis on wealth and greed."
> "Oh yes," Kascha speaks up, "Money buys opportunities, safety and comfort. Not to mention the golden allure that captures so many."
> "A toll on the Stair is unthinkable." Vivantha murmurs back. "In the lessons I was given before joining Aurora, the devil Mammon was mentioned. He is of the same greed as that, no? Though..." Tapping one long finger on her chin, "Perhaps it is need."
<Muirfinn> OOC: There a roll for that?
> OOC: A roll for what?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Mammon thing guy man
> OOC: Oh sure, K:P.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 41." [1d20=19]
-> *Muirfinn* Mammon is the Lord of the Third. He is the archduke of greed, wealth and hoarding. Imagine a fat, bloated hellspawn that lives on the work of everyone below him, keeping all the fruits of their labors to himself. He is a noted coward and avoidant to battle, unless his greed motivates him. The Fallen hate him because he is a full blooded devil, so he has poor relations with Baazlebub and Belial. He used to have an alliance with Mephistopheles and Dispaster, but he betrayed it for profit. They hate him too. So he's basically isolated and alone, yet is eternall greedy.
<Muirfinn> "Mammon? No, he's afflicted with greed. Need is purer, more earthly. Greed is a lofty, boundless goal."
> Meanwhile Simmer goes to step on the indent, promptly vanishing from sight. Kascha eeps at that and follows, as Vivantha lingers. "Ah yes, that's what I meant. Insofar as it may not be greed but need, not that Mammon is about need. But you're right, Brave Hero." She smiles at the end of that.
<Muirfinn> "Oh. Yes, quite. After you. Ladies first, after all." Muirfinn makes a sweeping gesture.
> Thus Vivantha steps on and vanishes away!
* Muirfinn immediately follows!
> There is a sensation of flying up, a moment of vertigo. When it clears, "...and go f-f-f-fuck a fireball!" Simmer says, teeth chattering as she rubs her arms! It's quite chilly in here, like a winter night. This room is full of leather furniture all over as well, clustered around tables filled with gameboards. The people here are humans on first glance, but have solid white eyes and a slightly blue tinge to their skin. They wear warm, fur lined clothes and capes with them. They are all thin, a man approaching. "Welcome and hail. Do you seek to buy wisdom or the fruits of the Whitehearts?"
> Kascha is staring at Simmer and blushing terrifically, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She quickly turns to the man, "She just doesn't like the cold!"
> Vivantha blinks at that only a moment, staying close to Muirfinn. Her hand brushes his in the meantime.
* Muirfinn takes Vivantha's hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze while he says to Simmer, "Try not to fret. We're here on business." He pulls a wand out of his pack and taps Simmer with it in a distinctly and overtly non-threatening manner, bringing relief. "Anyone else need respite?" OOC: attune form bitchessssss
> You notice your greeter's eyes are right on you when you cast, but he makes no other action. "I'm fine," Vivantha demurs with a smile, while Kascha shakes her head. Meanwhile Simmer's shivers die down slowly, "Thanks," she says.
* Muirfinn puts the wand away. "Now that that's done, to business." He nods at the man.
> "What is your business?" he asks back.
<Muirfinn> "We seek information on Marzipan. Marziplan? Marzipluan! Yes. Him."
> "Mazpluan," Kascha delicately amends, coughing after.
<Muirfinn> "That guy." Muirfinn nods. Playing dumb is fun, but not easy!
> "Come and let us sit," You are escorted to a nearby table and chairs. Once you settle in, "I am Grinzul. Ask what you wish to know. I will tell you if we know it and the price the information commands."
* Muirfinn takes a seat. "So we're looking to talk with the guy, but the word on the street is that he fills the halls of his place with beholders and stuff. Right?"
> "It may be so," he says, "What exactly do you want to know?"
* Muirfinn leans in. "I just wanna know the best way to get to the guy."
> He leans in himself, keeping his voice low, "That's dangerous information. 10,000 gold."
* Muirfinn leans back. "Having a chat with the man is dangerous?"
> "It may be so." Is all he says in return, "Is this a deal we can make?"
> In a low voice, "I can help out if you can't afford it," Simmer says, leaning in to Muirfinn, "Fire can solve anything - and not even in the way you're thinking."
* Muirfinn ponders for a moment, then nods. "So long as your information is accurate and not a simple 'You can't.'"
> "It is," he says, "Present the money and the information will come forth. Just showing it to me will suffice."
* Muirfinn divides his money into thirds, then pushes one third to the center of the table. "Ten thousand. Roughly. Probably one or two over. Don't care to count it."
> The man's eyes glow golden for several seconds before he nods. "Mazpluan is insane. He can't decide between law, chaos or the middle between them and changes regularly. Only three things stay the same with him. He's vicious, he has an obsession with green gemstones and he hates gnomes. The middle's your in. Have a big enough emerald and he'll meet you. You don't even have to go to him. Just wander with it around Grima Tower and he'll show up."
> Kascha frowns at this but stays quiet.
<Muirfinn> "A hatred of gnomes? Weird." Muirfinn huffs. He turns to the girls. "Anyone know where to get a giant green gemstone?"
> "I may, but I don't want to give the information away for free." With a pointed glance at Grinzul, Kascha gives him a long look. Then back to Muirfinn, "Hold on a moment." She reaches out, touching Muirfinn's forehead and murmuring arcane words! An aura of light sparkles around her as she casts, before she falls back and exhales. 'Can you hear me?' she asks, heard in Muirfinn's mind.
> 'Ah!' Vivantha's voice echos in Muirfinn's mind a moment later, 'I can!' It's followed by Simmer's tone, 'I can. Telepathic Bond?'
<Muirfinn> 'Now this is an ability that we should all have. Telepathy.' Muirfinn sends.
> 'If only,' Kascha says as she smiles, while your host simply sits back and silently watches. 'I can probably get a large emerald from Seira if there's a good enough reason - and he gave me one. Back on the world Seira and I are from, there were gnomes who conducted horrific experiments. One branch tried combining creatures of law and chaos together or creatures of good and evil. There's one that Alicia and the others there adopted who is half ultroloth and half planetar. Fortunately, his better nature had won out before we freed him. This sounds like another of those experiments.'
> 'That's impossible. A fiend and a celestial couldn't breed, even if they wanted to,' Vivantha pipes up, voice full of disgust.
<Muirfinn> 'That's...rather disgusting, really.' Muirfinn makes a face
> 'It is. The experiments were...it was bad.' Kascha says quietly, 'Not as bad as the Destroyer, but it was close enough. Hugo was one of the lucky ones. Mazpluan's one of the lucky ones if he's in any way functional.'
> 'Fine. Insane fiend. Extra insane,' Simmer amends, 'So we get this gemstone, draw him out and...trade it for the information? Beat him up and make him talk? Take him home and encourage him to tell us?'
<Muirfinn> 'Is there any way we could help him become more lucid? If he's a mixture of good and evil, there may be some good he can do with his condition."
> 'If he's shifting between law and chaos, he's likely a crossbreed of a lawful and chaotic creature,' Kascha points out, 'If he's a fiend, likely a devil and a demon.' Here Kascha lightly shrugs her shoulders, Grinzul's attention on her at that. 'I don't recall that Seira or Alicia found a way. Hugo didn't need much help, he'd already won by rejecting his evil side. To be honest, if it's a choice between a devil and a demon? Perhaps a third option is better.'
<Muirfinn> 'Right, let him stay crazy. Option three. Okay, let's go get that gem, if none of you have anthing else you wish to ask?'
> 'This entire city is curious,' Vivantha says, 'But I did not bring the coin with me to buy knowledge.'
<Muirfinn> 'I can front you.' Muirfinn offers, 'It's just gold. We can always get more.'
> 'Thank you!' Vivantha breaks into a smile, turning to Grinzul, "Good sir," Smiling now and with her melodic voice unleashed, "How much would it cost for you to explain why the streets are so full of scrying?"
> "100 gold," he says, "It's common knowledge."
* Muirfinn puts more gold on the table!
> "It's the way of the controlling interests of the city to enforce what they want. The public is scried, watched and without shadow or secret. If you want to do anything without everyone important knowing and other amateur watchers as well, you have to go inside. The towers are regulated and insular, where no one knows what's happening except for the tower they're in - or even only the floor of the tower they're on."
> "That's miserable," Kascha murmurs to herself, while Vivantha frowns, "Why is it that way? Isn't Herak Villan a trade city?"
> "300 gold," Your host says with a look to Murifinn.
<Muirfinn> Gold for everyone!
> "That one's easy," Simmer speaks up, "Privacy. Endless backroom deals." Ticking off fingers, "Selling things that need that."
> The money is taken. "Not quite. If you're buying something in Herak Villan, you know what you're looking for already. The word's spread to the right parties and ensures that they know where to come for the services offered here. Whatever is for sale here is always unique and difficult to find elsewhere. Rare things from the Prime Material are common, as well as rare planar substances and materials. You can control who can buy it here. In our case, the goods of the Whiteheart are unique to our world due to the the Iron Glacier."
> Vivantha nods and bows her head, "Thank you," she says. Reaching out to rest a hand on Muirfinn's shoulder, "Thank you as well."
* Muirfinn nods as if that makes sense. Controlled economy.
> "Information brokering is...risky on account of that," Grinzul speaks up, "I trust you will be properly discreet."
<Muirfinn> "Of course."
> As agreement is murmured...OOC: Good with moving along now?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yup.
> A few spells take you back to Aurora. It doesn't take long for Kascha to return with a beautiful, clear green emerald. It's about the size of a man's fist, carried carefully with both hands.
<Muirfinn> "Alright, we've got the gem. Now we just need to get the thing's attention."

> Simmer gives the gem a look and whistles low, "That could keep Afina working for weeks if you sold it."
> Kascha merely nods, tucking it away into a pouch. "It was unusually easy to get. I can't help but think we'd normally have to go to more effort to get something like this." Still, after that she goes on, "Will you open another gate?"
<Muirfinn> "Yes, but that's not the point, right? The gem serves a greater purpose." Muirfinn says, indeed opening the gate.
> "Just as well," Simmer says as you go in, "She got another batch of orders. That slaad dungeonmaker got its hands on Ithea, Sylvie and Balyss again. Apparently it involved a molten platinum waterfall." Thus you step through, back to the outskirts of Herak Villan.
> "So we go find Grima tower and walk around, brave hero?" Vivantha asks, "Are there any preparations to be made?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, at least they had fun?" Muirfinn ventures.
> OOC: Are you just going to try and find Grima Tower and go show off the gem, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Is the location not common knowledge?
> OOC: Well, it's a city you still don't really know well. It may take a bit of lookin'.
<Muirfinn> OOC: We'll do that. All subtle-like
> OOC: Okay.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 83." [1d100=83]
> Grima Tower is a tall, skinny tower made out of what looks to be green marble? Green like grass and moldy cheese, with a vibrancy that seems to stick out in the drab city around you. It sits on a great slab of barren and rocky earth, another tower connecting to it. This one is shorter and with a circular theme, made of black obsidian with snow white highlights and occasional eye-motif decorations. Here Kascha goes into her bag, taking out the gemstone. "I'm ready," she says, looking around with a blush. She bows her head and starts to walk forward, the gem in open isght.
> Simmer withdraws a tome, opening it and scanning the pages. "Ready," she murmurs, while Vivantha clears her throat.
* Muirfinn looks relaxed. "Just be aware, everyone. Everything will be fine."
> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 and gets 30." [1d20=3]
> Thus you walk! Muirfinn can see scrying sensors in the air - and after a few floating moments? Dozens appear around Kascha as lines of blazing white appear around her! They concentrate around her head as a sound like glass shattering echos around you! "AAAAH!" Kascha calls, looking around in bewilderment. OOC: You can make spellcraft here, Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50 oh yeah
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 oh yeah and gets 55." [1d20=5]
> Kascha's Mind Blank spell was just dispelled. Quite visually and aggressively - the scrying sensors cut right through it like a hot knife through butter. That's some extremely potent magic at play, possibly of the 10th circle or higher.
* Muirfinn raises an eyebrow at that, tensing. "She's been dispelled. Her Mind Blank is gone."
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 6." [1d10=6]
> "Wh-" Simmer begins, before it stands before you. It is a figure of crumpled, dull grey. It is only the size of a well muscled human, yet all skin and bones. It wears no clothes, yet almost every inch of its body is covered with embedded greem gemstones. In each gemstone you can see green tinted tornadoes, fires, quaking earth, roaring tidal waves and other such things. Its eyes are gone in favor of each one being filled with oversized emeralds. Yet it stares right at the gem in Kascha's hands. His voice is a syllabant whisper, "Give me the beautiful thing." You swear he's whispering right into your ear, yet his mouth barely moves at all.
> OOC: You have true seeing up?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Of course!
> Muirfinn's vision allows him to see that the creature is quasi real - a powerful projection and illusion. It's quite advanced magic, likely a customized spell.
> Simmer steps back, staying in position as Vivantha also tenses. Kascha looks on, "Ah..." she begins, openly staring into those gemstone eyes.
* Muirfinn relaxes again, nodding. "It's an illusion. Very advanced and even somewhat real, but an illusion none the less. He's not really here."
> "Reality is but a dream." The whisper into your ear is sweet, a sensation of tasting honey on your tongue. "Why do you persist in this doomed life?" Yet it never stops staring at the gemstone, all the while focused on it with a raw purity of intensity. "When all hope is naught but an illusion in the brain stem? Give me the beautiful thing. Let me break the illusion."
<Muirfinn> "Indeed." Muirfinn says, stepping forward. "We wish to barter. You are in posession of a small bit of information. We would like to trade the gemstone for this information. Are you willing to bargain?"
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+39 diplomacy because I can
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+39 diplomacy because I can and gets 52." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 5." [1d10=5]
> "Hope is never an illusion," Kascha says, conviction in her words as she meets its gaze. Meanwhile the figure continues to stare as it replies, "What do you want?"
<Muirfinn> "Information on a large hoard of treasure that lies in Nidavellir."
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 6." [1d10=6]
> "Give me the beautiful thing," It insists, "I will talk."

<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+26 Sense Motive check because uhhh why not
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+26 Sense Motive check because uhhh why not and gets 30." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 3." [1d10=3]
> roll 1d20+36
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 and gets 55." [1d20=19]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Christ
> Muirfinn can't read the creature at all. Its all gemstones, malice and wrongness.
* Muirfinn sighs, turning to Kascha. "Your gemstone, your call."
> Kascha stares at the creature before locking eyes with it. Or eyes to gemstones as the case may be. "Rot in the Hells that spawned you, fiend. There's always hope - even if it's the dark, twisted greed that motivates your hope for this treasure! A creature like you deserves nothing!" Her voice rises in volume, becoming loud enough to carry and reach into the realms of a shout. "The things I've learned from a goddess of hope show that your words are nothing but foolish lies!"
> Simmer turns and stares at Kascha, eyes widening throughout all that.
* Muirfinn quietly facepalms.
> "..." Vivantha doesn't say anything at first, keeping her gaze fixiated on the fiend before you.
> "Kascha..." Simmer tries, "Ah..."
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 2." [1d10=2]
> "Is that all?" The fiend asks, "Fine, there's hope. Give me the precious thing."
> Simmer stops and stares at the fiend now, then to Muirfinn. Her face is completely confused now.
> Kascha blinks once at that, expression completely dropping into confusion. "Oh." She says, sounding rather poleaxed.
<Muirfinn> "Chaos." Muirfinn grumbles."Lack of hope would be the yugoloth in him talking. Now I'd bet on dealing with the demon side of things."
> "I think it's a fair bargain," The fiend continues, "You seek what I know. The beautiful thing is the price to be paid. Give it to me."
* Muirfinn nods after a moment. "Or maybe the devil side. Now might be the right time, Kascha."
> "Oh." Kascha repeats, "I...suppose then?" she finally says, "But you have to tell us first. You have my word as a celestial."
> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 11." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 5." [1d10=5]
> roll 1d20+36
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 and gets 55." [1d20=19]
> "But what about your word as an eladrin?" The creature asks right back, "Eladrins are commendably less bound to their word than archons or angels."
> Kascha reddens and nods slightly, "I give you my vow as a celestial and an eladrin," she says slowly.
> roll 1d10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 10." [1d10=10]
> "My answer is that you can rot!" Snapping back as a manaical grin splits its gemstone face, "SUFFER!" it calls, as a shuddering wave of black power gathers around the quasi-real illusion! OOC: Init here.
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 26." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+10 Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Simmer and gets 25." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+17 Kascha, +5 nerveskitter
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 Kascha, +5 nerveskitter and gets 29." [1d20=12]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12 god dammit chaos
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 god dammit chaos and gets 30." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26." [1d20=17]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(30)>Kascha(29)>Vivantha=Mazpluan(26)>Simmer(25)'
> OOC: Open Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> OOC: How close is gemface?
> OOC: 15ft away.
<Muirfinn> Forgoing his disguise, Muirfinn's form melts away into a swirling form of water. Reaching out, he smashes into the illusion with full force and fury!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 50." [1d20=13]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 39." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 48." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 43." [1d20=16]
> OOC: Three hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 3#4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3#4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 128." [3#4d10+5+14+2d6 = 47, 43, 38]
<Muirfinn> OOC: That's 3 CON damage if you're counting
> The fiend is swiftly plummeled, knocked back hard! It's hard to damage, gemstones hard enough to resist some of the force. Nonetheless he has cracks running up and down his body now as Kascha chants! "Begone fiend!" she cries, as a blast of pure holy power detonates around Mazpluan!
> roll 1d20+26 vs SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 vs SR and gets 27." [1d20=1]
> But the spell comes to naught, crumbling before him! OOC: Vivantha and Mazpluan are up.
> Vivantha scurries back and sings! It is a toneless song that makes Muirfinn's fists vibrate, pure sonic power racing through them! OOC: +5d6 sonic per hit to all your melee attacks. Mazpluan is up.
> Suddenly Mazpluan leaps back! The creature moves jerkily, in great spurts! It lands just a little bit away nimbly, only 5ft! But it's enough to rear its head back and emit a great greasy cloud of cloying darkness that spreads over all of you! OOC: Reflex, y'all. Note if you have evasion shenanigans.
> roll 1d20+39 Vivantha (+2 rapture of the song)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+39 Vivantha (+2 rapture of the song) and gets 55." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+29 Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 Simmer and gets 41." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+28
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 41." [1d20=13]
> OOC: That's Kascha.
> OOC: Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+28+6 evasion
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+28+6 evasion and gets 42." [1d20=8]
> roll 27*8 maximized breath, all vile damage. Vivantha havles, Simmer halves, Kascha halves, Muirfinn nulls. Adjust topic HP in #elysium
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 27*8 maximized breath, all vile damage. Vivantha havles, Simmer halves, Kascha halves, Muirfinn nulls. Adjust topic HP in #elysium and gets 216."
> roll 216/2
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 216/2 and gets 108."
> The breath rips through the party - but Muirfinnf lows around it like raindrops as the others duck and dodge! None of them avoid it entirely, but the manage to bypass the worst of the barrage! OOC: Simmer's up.
> Holding Arcanum XIII, Simmer chants! From above the sun rises into the Silver Sea, before cascading down on Mazpluan in a ball of destructive fire! OOC: Lingering Flames with the +1 die step from Arcanum XII, metamagic specialist, searing+fiery+empower spell, using maximize spell rod, applying battle spell, applying overwhelming spell, heals no HP since vile damage, apply elemental fury afterwards. Woof.
> OOC: Also Assay SR as a swift. Rusty with her routine.
> roll 1d20+35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 52." [1d20=17]
> roll ((15*8)*1.5)+45+15
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls ((15*8)*1.5)+45+15 and gets 240."
> roll 1d20+19
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 and gets 37." [1d20=18]
> A massive blast of flame slams down into the fiend, stabilizing into a ball of flame consuming him! OOC: Muirfinn, go. He's on the front edge of a Lingering Flames.
<Muirfinn> Deciding that fire is the way to go, Muirfinn shifts from water to fire, creating a flash of steam into the air as he takes a single stride toward the evil monstrosity! OOC: Groovy, 5 ft step, immune to fire.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 44." [1d20=7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 43." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 48." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 34." [1d20=7]
> OOC: Uh, she dropped searing in there. You'd still need tomaker ef.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Even with immunity to fire and 15 foot reach?
> Well yeah, you'd need to reach in to smack it. You'd be exposing yourself ot the flames is all.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Tricksy pyrodryads.
> OOC: You can blame that one on me plus Simmer beign a firebug. Mostly me since I'm rusty with her routine.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+28+6 reflex go
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+28+6 reflex go and gets 37." [1d20=3]
> OOC: Scucess.
> OOC: Unfortunately no hits, he's not flatfooted now.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yeah, sorta figured that.
> Muirfinn avoids the sphere of flames as it races in a perfect sphere! Meanwhile Kascha chants - first the power to overcome spell resistance flows into her, then pure heavenly wrath again slams down into the sphere of flames!
> roll 1d20+36 (+10 AS)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 (+10 AS) and gets 53." [1d20=17]
> roll 20d8*1.5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8*1.5 and gets 129." [20d8=2, 7, 7, 4, 3, 8, 6, 2, 5, 5, 2, 5, 1, 5, 4, 4, 8, 4, 2, 2]
> roll 1d20+19 will
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 will and gets 36." [1d20=17]
> The blast of holy power gets the fiend dead on, making his form crack apart! It winks out as the quasi-real illusion fizzles out, disrupted and destroyed! OOC: Free act.
* Muirfinn relaxes, flowing easily back into human form. "Not quite how I'd hoped it would go, but not entirely unexpected."
> "Now what?" Vivantha asks, "Our first contact was unsuccessful."
> "Perhaps we should fall back to Balmuria." Simmer says, looking about, "I'm sure we've been noticed."
> OOC: Strike.
> "Perhaps we should fall back to Aurora." Simmer says, looking about, "I'm sure we've been noticed."
> "I'm sorry!" Kascha turns and bows her head low, "I didn't meant to lose my temper like that!"
* Muirfinn nods. "We'll regroup and come up with a new plan." OOC: HAHAHAHA
> OOC: Going to Gate the party back to Aurora?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Once we're away from the tower, yeah.
> OOC: Will saves, y'all, before that.
> roll 1d20+31
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 and gets 33." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+23 Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 Simmer and gets 43." [1d20=20]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+36+6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+36+6 and gets 47." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+24 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 Kascha and gets 30." [1d20=6]
> As you fall back to cast your gate, Muirfinn feels a jerk against his body. A sensation, as if being pulled or tugged away.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50 OH SHIT SON IT'S A SPELLCRAFT ROLL
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 OH SHIT SON IT'S A SPELLCRAFT ROLL and gets 69." [1d20=19]
> Muirfinn realizes the party just resisted being teleported somewhere. It's a custom spell - not only does it try and teleport you, but it managed to bypass spell resistance and will keep trying, getting harder to resist each time. Fortunately, gating off plane should cause it to fizzle and fail.
<Muirfinn> "Time to leave, we are being forcibly teleported." Muirfinn says, abruptly stopping to form a Gate.
> With a Gate formed the party races through! Soon you're back in Aurora, regrouping in the library. Kascha sits at a table with her head bowed, the emerald in her lap. Simmer paces, ignoring the nearby Sage Vul'lath that is openly keeping one eye on her. Vivantha floats just off the ground, lying stomach down with her snake tail twitching in the air. "So. Brave hero, what's our plan now?"
* Muirfinn taps his beak, back in his natural form. "Hmmmm...well, there's always the solid plan B. Long-range bombardment. Not as heroic and diplomatic as a direct interaction, but it still could get his attention in the right place...but I'm not so sure that's actually what we want. What would be best is to find a way to lock him into a lawful state, even temporarily."
> "I know I feel fire even more strongly when I'm around powerful sources of fire. Get some sort of lodestone or focus of overwhelming law?" Simmer suggests, waving a hand as a few flickers of flame dance between her fingers. Sage Vul'lath's sour expression intensifies but he says nothing.
<Muirfinn> "Simmer, no fire in the library if you please." Muirfinn asks politely.
> "Law's not Aurora's strongest suit," Kascha murmurs, "But I have a secondary idea we could try, if Mazpluan is intractable."
> Simmer hmphs, the flames winking out, "You don't really think I'd lose control of them?"
<Muirfinn> "I'm not saying you're incapable. Merely that fire likes to burn things. Books cannot be healed, unfortunately, and heat tends to dry out pages." Muirfinn consoles, before looking at Kascha. "By all means, you have the floor."
> "Well, Nidavellir is part of Ysgard. Aurora's long enjoyed Selune's favor and her realm sits above Ysgard and shines down on it. Plus Balyss is so good at divinations..." Trailing off, "I mean, I expect we may get sent on a quest for it, but Selune may know and be willing to tell us."
<Muirfinn> "So simply cut Mazpluan out of the picture altogether?" Muirfinn nods slowly. "I find working for Selune much more palatable than dealing with an unholy abomination that may or may not decide to kill us or worse at any given moment. Any objections?"
> "I'm for it. WE can keep Mazpluan as a last resort," Vivantha speaks up.
> "Whichever," Simmer says, "Selune's been good for us and Balyss is good too."
* Muirfinn nods. "This is our new plan, then. Selune it is. Elena?"

> Elena's dressed up in loose flowing robes, including a hood and belt to keep them tight around the waist. "Hi," she says brightly, "Balyss is in Sylvie's room, she's getting her to preen her wings."
<Muirfinn> "Ah, right. Thank you, Elena. We will go see her shortly." Muirfinn says, standing from his seat. "Shall we go now, ladies?"
> From there getting to Sylvie's room is without incident. After a call of come in, you find Sylvie's there. Her face is focused as she sits behind Balyss, working on her wings. Her hands move around the feathers, straightening and smoothing them over with gentle touches. Balyss has her head bowed with a relaxed smile, only looking up as you enter, "Do you need one of us for something?"
* Muirfinn ponders a moment, eyeing the scene thoughtfully before clearing his throat. "Yes, hello Balyss. If you don't mind, we would like to ask a favor of you when you are free. We would like to beseech Selune to ask a favor."
> Sitting up just a little straighter at that, "What kind of favor?" All that relaxation drains away at this, "Is it officially on behalf of Aurora or personal business?"
* Muirfinn waves his hand in a settling manner. "No need to worry. It's not urgent, nor is it essential. Baleruk wants something, and we're trying to get it. Unfortunately, the 'easy' way of doing it involves an unholy abomination that fluctuates between law, chaos, and neutrality. A much more palatable and likely enjoyable alternative would be to ask Selune, who we are in a good relationship with,
* Muirfinn to guide us to our destination in return for unnamed good deeds on her behalf."
> "It's official," Kascha adds in, hanging back behind Muirfinn. "But it isn't urgent like he said. It's just...Mazpluan is unpredictable and a vile creature in any case."
> "If it's a formal request, urgent or not, there's ceremonies to be done first. Especially since we don't have the excuse of being in battle or under pressure. I'll be ready for it tomorrow. Most of the preparations don't involve you or aren't applicable since we're on Air instead of the mortal realms. But if you can manage a trip to somewhere the moon shines before the ceremony, it would be respectful."
<Muirfinn> "I see no reason why wecan't do that."
> "It can't be the mortal realms for me. I died in Balmuria a few years back," Simmer speaks up, "Ysgard has a day-night cycle and could work."
<Muirfinn> "It's right around where we want to go, as well." Muirfinn nods.
> "I was going to suggest the Lost Eastlands," Kascha frowns a little bit, "But that places it out of the question. Ysgard works."
> OOC: Okay, so any plans beyond resting+going to Ysgard for the aforementioned moonlight thing?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Kascha needs to respell and stuff, but yeah. That's it really. Being a druid has its perks.
> OOC: Will you be providing the Gates again?
<Muirfinn> OOC: I don't see anyone else volunteering
> OOC: Okay.
> OOC: Aiming for anywhere in Ysgard in particular?
<Muirfinn> OOC: It's Ysgard. I think I'll let the plane decide whether we'll have to get in a fight or not. :D
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 77." [1d100=77]
> The Gate opens up into the Ysgardian night. The air is chilly-cold and perfectly clear as you stand atop a broad mountaintop. It's big enough to place a castle here, a titanically huge mountain expanding below you. Below are also the clouds, the air thin and the sky brillantly bright with stars and the looming full moon. It is darkness overcast with the silver-white shadow of the moon.
> Vivantha looks around, "All the songs and tales of frigid Ysgard's beauties are not exaggerated," she says as she slowly walks about, taking it all in. "Yet not a battle in sight."
> Simmer grunts at the mention of the cold, rubbing her arms and shoulder with her hands.
* Muirfinn kindly grants Simmer Attune Form with his wand.
> Simmer doesn't stop shivering. "Thanks, but Ysgard doesn't agree with me." At least her shivering slows, "But never mind it, I'm used to it. All the temperatures in Aurora are too cold for me."
<Muirfinn> "This place is famous for its battles, yes, but there are areas devoid of conflict, even here."
> "What's war without peace?" Kascha looks up at the full moon.
> roll 1d20+24
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 25." [1d20=1]
* Muirfinn nods.
> "That's not an argument I'd expect out of a celestial," Vivantha turns to Kascha at that, "At least one like you. No offense."
> "When I was a mortal, my life ended in war when Princess Marianne became the Destroyer. The only thing that saved the descendants of that tragedy was war against the Destroyer." She lightly shrugs her shoulders, "Seira and Alicia slew the Destroyer - a Tarrasque, if you know what is. I've learned about war from that. War and peace need each other."
> OOC: Muirfinn, you have true seeing up?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Always!
> "You remember your mortal life?" Vivantha speaks up, not hiding the surprise in her voice. Meanwhile Muirfinn can see na invisible scrying sensor appear over Kascha.
* Muirfinn raises an eyebrow. "Kascha. You are being scried."
> "Oh!" Kascha eeps even as she reaches for her greatsword! Simmer begins to look around immediately, flames lighting up the silvery night, "Devils." she says shor-gah! Abruptly the ground begins to quake! The entire mountain is shaking! The blue glow of magical auras explode into sight, leaking into the naturally visible spectrum! OOC: Ref saves, y'all. Also anyone can make spellcraft here if you like.
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 39." [1d20=2]
> OOC: I'm sorry, strike that. I read the wrong line. I meant balance checks.
> OOC: Total of 10 for Vivantha then.
> roll 1d20+10 Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Simmer and gets 30." [1d20=20]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+24+6 reflex
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+24+6 reflex and gets 34." [1d20=4]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50 spellcraftin
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 spellcraftin and gets 56." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+8 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Kascha and gets 14." [1d20=6]
> OOC: Balance, not reflex, Yuth.
<Muirfinn> OOC Oh
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+5+1 balancin
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+5+1 balancin and gets 20." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+29 spellcraft Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 spellcraft Simmer and gets 39." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d20+44 spellcraft Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 spellcraft Kascha and gets 58." [1d20=14]
> OOC: Make a supplementary K:P check, Yuth.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 23." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Bork bork bork
> As the ground shakes, Vivantha and Kascha are tossed down and knocked prone! Simmer and Muirfinn manage to stay up, swaying with the earthquake! Meanwhile it's impossible ot miss the signs! An incredibly powerful spell is being evoked, one calling on the primal powers of the earth. Part of the mountain is being animated with the spirit of a primal earth elemental - elemental demigods, akin to how solars stand above all other celestials.
> roll 1d20+33 Kascha K:P
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 Kascha K:P and gets 51." [1d20=18]
<Muirfinn> "Not good. We need to leave. Someone's turned this mountain into a giant earth elemental. Probably not just to say hello."
> "We need to..a.aaaaah! Yes that!" Kascha calls as she bounces on the ground! But even as you say that, the far side of the mountain shudders! With a tremendous CRACK it breaks off, hovering in the air! Before you it shifts and becomes the upper body of an absolutely titanic earth elemental! It's nearly 100ft tall from waist to head, looming tall enough to cast a shadow over the party! It speaks like rocks breaking apart, loud enough to make blood trickle from your ears, "IN THE NAME OF THE PACT OF CHARRED IRON, YOU SHALL BE BROKEN!" OOC: Init here. May need to do a fighting retreat if that's your plan.
* Kotono changes topic to ''
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 16." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+10 Simmer
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Simmer and gets 12." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+12 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Kascha and gets 32." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20-1 Primal Earth Elemental
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20-1 Primal Earth Elemental and gets 2." [1d20=3]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24." [1d20=12]
> "I-i-it's able to control earth and earth magic!" Kascha blurts out, "It can mimic almost any spell related to earth, rock and stone!"
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(32, prone)>Muirfinn(24)>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2)'
> "Are we retreating?!" Kascha calls, "Or are we fighting?" OOC: Kascha will hold pending that. Go Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "Try to destroy it! We will retreat if necessary!" Muirfinn says, his form warping and growing into the great winged form of a massive silver dragon. Muirfinn lets loose a massive blast of frigid ice and snow into its face with a titanic wintery roar! OOC: Go go dragon form, power of frozen eyeballs! Insert breath weapon. DC 29 which he'll likely autopass. still. 70 foot cone.
> roll 1d20+17 crappy ref since crappy dex
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 crappy ref since crappy dex and gets 19." [1d20=2]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Nuoh my gawd
<Muirfinn> roll 21d6 cold damage
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 21d6 cold damage and gets 71." [21d6=2, 5, 5, 6, 1, 1, 2, 5, 1, 4, 3, 4, 2, 6, 2, 4, 5, 6, 2, 4, 1]
> The blast of cold coats the elemental's face in great hanging icicles! Its entire face is iced over, but the massive creature isn't even slowed down by it! Instead...OOC: Kascha will take her held turn then.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24)>Kascha(prone)>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2)'
> Kascha manages to sit up, focused on on rising but on an elaborate arcane pattern in the air! "Zeroum and Negative! Open the gate to the maximum and come forth!" At the same time a pale energy surrounds Kascha, as she points at the elemental! OOC: Assay SR+Empowered Maximized enervation.
> roll 1d20+36 vs SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 vs SR and gets 55." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+28 vs touch AC
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 vs touch AC and gets 42." [1d20=14]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24)>Kascha(prone)>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -6 negative levels)'
> The beam hits the elemental in the shoulder! It barely seems to have an effect at first, but the corscucating black beam causes chunks of the elemental to wither down to dust, blowing away in the wind! Meanwhile Vivantha slowly rises to her feat, beginning to sing! "Brave Hero, do not let this defeat you!" Her song rouses Muirfinn, stirring his blood and passions! OOC: Song of Heroics on Muirfinn and herself, +4 morale to saves and +4 dodge bonus to AC. Simmer's up.
> Simmer manages to fall back quickly, a corona of flames surrounding her! She points at the creature and calls, "Surprise!" From below its waist is a suddenly burst of ruddy red firelight! OOC: Simmer's surprise with maximise spell from the rod and fiery spell attached. Metamagic specialist used. Battle spell applied. Using Assay SR as her swift.
> roll 1d20+33
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 47." [1d20=14]
> roll (20*6)+60+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls (20*6)+60+20 and gets 200."
> roll 1d20+42
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 and gets 52." [1d20=10]
> The elemental sags forward, but is able to stay up! Great torrents of steam rise up from them, obscuring the creature as suddenly Muirfinn feels a terrific pain deep in his bones! OOC: Do you have SR?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Is that a joke? I'm the only dragon out there without it!
> OOC: Fort.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 and gets 54." [1d20=4]
> roll 35d6 halve this
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 35d6 halve this and gets 127."]
> Suddenly stone spikes erupt out from Muirfinn's draconic body in all directions! Blood gushes out from the wounds that pepper his form, as the spikes dig into the ground below! Muirfinn is pinned down, unable to move1 OOC: You're treated as being pinned and spikes extend 10ft from you in all directions. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#pinned It's possible on your t urn to try and get out, break the spikes or whatever. But the elemental isn't done yet.
> As Muirfinn's draconic form erupts in stone and pain, the oversized fists of the elemental slam down! One fist goes for Kascha and the other goes for Vivantha!
> roll 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Vivantha and gets 59." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Kascha and gets 49." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Vivantha crit threat
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 (-8 levels) Vivantha crit threat and gets 56." [1d20=14]
> roll 8d10+60 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d10+60 Vivantha and gets 86." [8d10=6, 5, 1, 1, 4, 2, 2, 5]
> roll 4d10+30 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d10+30 Kascha and gets 50." [4d10=7, 1, 9, 3]
> OOC: -10 from Kascha's damage due to DR.
> The first fist hits Vivantha hard, pushing her hard into the ground! It leaves a crater in its wake, Vivantha knocked prone and bloodied! One arm is at an unnatural angle, surely broken! Kascha is also hit, bu tonly partially! She's sent rolling back in a heap, bruised but not out! OOC: Ow. Muirfinn. Alsodon't you have to roll for your breath weapon's recharge time?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4 recharge
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d4 recharge and gets 3." [1d4=3]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -6 negative levels)'
<Muirfinn> OOC: Thanks for reminding me
> OOC: Incidentally it should've been -6 and not -8, but oh well.
> OOC: Didn't matter.
<Muirfinn> OOC: What is DC to break spikes? And will shapeshifting drop them?
> Kascha groans lightly but is already rolling with it, "We need defenses!
>  OOC: Gah.
> Kascha groans lightly but is already rolling with it, "We need defenses!" Meanwhile Vivantha cries out in pain, her song stumbling!
<Muirfinn> OOC: What is DC to break spikes? And will shapeshifting drop them?
> OOC: Quick K:A check then.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 34." [1d20=12]
> The spikes shouldn't be too hard to break, Muirfinn thinks. Shapeshifting...you aren't sure how that and the spell will interact. In theory the spikes should just change size, but it's possible they'd fall away or interfere with the shapeshifting. It's a corner case with an obscure spell.
<Muirfinn> Ever the scholar, there is no time like the present to learn! Muirfinn shifts out of draconic form and into his natural form! OOC: More coming depending on what happens!
> OOC: Make a fortitude save.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+6 plus 4 is Vivantha's song is lingering which I think it does
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+6 plus 4 is Vivantha's song is lingering which I think it does and gets 52." [1d20=12]
> You get a painful jolt, but you transform back to normal without incident. The spikes change with you, becoming the right size. However, since the tears they ripped into the ground are far larger than the spikes now, you're free! OOC: You're treated as entangled thanks to having spikes jutting out in every direction, but you're not pinned any more. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#entangled
> OOC: Anyway, rest of your turn is up. Go.
* Muirfinn waves a hand, invoking an inherent spell! OOC: Casting Acid Fog as an SLA, centered on the elemental's head. No save, no SR. Creates solid fog. It will likely buy us a small amount of time. We now have total concealment.
<Muirfinn> OOC: 20x20x20 sphere of solid fog.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Also, rolling concentration
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+33
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+33 and gets 38." [1d20=5]

> A foggy mass of sickening green fog cloaks the face of the primal elemental! It sizzles and pops against its stony face, the fumes hiding the party from sight! OOC: Is that all for you this round?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yup
> Kascha stays kneeling, wincing as she manages to get up to one knee. "We need to hit it harder!" Kascha calls, hands drawing patterns of black and pallid grey in the air. "Again, be withered!" she calls, a beam of black un-energy arcing out towards the elemental!
> roll 1d20+36 SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 SR and gets 44." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20 vs touch AC of a collossal creature with low dex, only misses on a 1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 vs touch AC of a collossal creature with low dex, only misses on a 1 and gets 14." [1d20=14]
> OOC: Empowered enervation.
> roll 1d4*1.5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4*1.5 and gets 1.5." [1d4=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels)'
> As the beam hits it, the titanic creature only seems mildly phased, no visible damage! A moment later a whirling circle of blowing leaves and gusty wind appears to the side of the mammoth rock monster! A greater air elemental appears, a battlecry like a hurricane wind as it tears into your foe! OOC: Quickened summon greater elemental.
* Nephrite (Nephrite@65.33.115.172) has joined #dunes
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels)'
> roll 1d20+23
> roll 1d20+23
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 40." [1d20=17]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 28." [1d20=5]
> But the blows do nothing, not rattling a single pebble on the creature! OOC: Vivantha.
> Vivantha begins to sing - two songs together with a powerful refrain! The first promises victory and bravery, singing the praises of Kascha and Simmer! The second sings of places beyond, singing of returning to whence you came! OOC: Song of Solitude for the second song.
> roll 1d20 will do all the math if it's low enough to be a possible fail
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 will do all the math if it's low enough to be a possible fail and gets 9." [1d20=9]
> But the creature remains there! OOC: Simmer.
> "Okay, no more holding back! BURN!" Simmer shouts, gathering the energies of Fire into her! A burst of fire appears around the elemental's midsection! OOC: Fiery/empowered/maximized Lingering Flames+battle spell+overwhelming spell+4d6 with mystic fire gauntlets.
> roll 15*6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15*6 and gets 90."
> roll 135+45+15+4d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 135+45+15+4d6 and gets 208." [4d6=6, 1, 3, 3]
> roll 1d20+35 (-7 levels)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 (-7 levels) and gets 37." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+37 SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 SR and gets 52." [1d20=15]
> OOC: Strike, wrong save.
> OOC: 10+2=12 on the ref save.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels, dazed 1 round)'
> The flames explode on its middle as Simmer's gauntlets flare aflame! Its face is covered in acid fog and blind, its midsection melting away and parts of its body crumbling to dust! It rocks back, momentarily aback! "Got it!" Simmer cries, "Now, get it! It's vulnerable!" OOC: Elemental's dazed. Go Muirfinn.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels)'
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels, acid fog, lingering flames)'
> "Not talking so much now, are you?" Simmer's grin matches her light tone, "How about we make a pact of charred earth instead of charred iron?" She calls out in Ignan, "Melt, rock! It's the only worthwhile thing for Earth to do!"
<Muirfinn> Brandishing the leaf of Yggdrasil, Muirfinn channels the power of nature through it, calling on the earth and trees! Above the elemental, a massive conglomeration of trees, dirt, and rocks appear, raining wodn on the massive erathen monstrosity! OOC: Woo Deadfall. Reflex DC 28 or fall prone. No SR.
<Muirfinn> roll 20d6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 20d6 and gets 71." [20d6=4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 5, 1, 3, 2, 5, 5, 1, 2, 4, 4, 4, 1, 4, 2, 4]
> roll 1d20+10 ref
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 ref and gets 12." [1d20=2]
> OOC: Roll the acid damage from acid fog too.
<Muirfinn> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=5, 5]
> The the rain of wood and dirt knocks the elemental low! It leans down now, leaning against the rest of the mountain! It's off balance and prone, shaking and stumbling! Not a further word comes from it now! OOC: Prone.  Only so 'prone' it can get due to acid fog+being absolutely gigantic, but. That it, Muirfinn?
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels, prone, acid fog, lingering flames)'
> OOC: That it, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Standard action, so not much I can do.Go ahead.
> Kascha continues to cast, "Shadow lords of entropy, strike down!" she cries, firing another enervation forth! She rises after, falling back behind Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20 touch AC
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch AC and gets 7." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+36 SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 SR and gets 40." [1d20=4]
> But the spell fizzles against the titanic creature! Meanwhile the air elemental hits and hits some more!
> roll 1d20 its 1 fishing
> roll 1d20 its 1 fishing
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 its 1 fishing and gets 8." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 its 1 fishing and gets 1." [1d20=1]
> OOC: Er, 20.
> As it flails hatefully but ineffectively, Vivantha keeps her song up - and again attempts to call on the powers of banishment!
> roll 1d20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 14." [1d20=14]
> But again nothing happens! OOC: Lingering flames and them Simmer.
> roll 1d20+10
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 23." [1d20=13]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels, prone, acid fog, lingering flames, dazed 1)'
> The flames continue to melt great big chunks of the elemental's middle! Streams of magma as big as Hanna and twice as wide pour down the creature's front, leaving sizzling and charred trails in its wake! As Simmer grins white flames cascade around her, the stone beneath her starting to melt! She just points and grins - too big, too many teeth - as a small orb of fire flies out! It strikes the creature in the chest, exploding into a fireball! OOC: Delayed blast fireball+empower+battle spell+metamagic specialist.
> roll 1d20+37 SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 SR and gets 54." [1d20=17]
> roll (20d6*1.5)+60
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls (20d6*1.5)+60 and gets 163.5." [20d6=5, 2, 3, 1, 4, 3, 2, 6, 4, 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 5, 2, 5, 6]
> roll 1d20+10 ref
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 ref and gets 13." [1d20=3]
> A burst of fire erupts around its chest, sending stone and lignering rubble from above cascading around you as fiery shrapnel! Much of its front is gone now, melting or charred to stony ash! Chunks of bubbling, frozen over face-stone crumble out of the acid fog in th emeantime! OOC: Muirfinn, go.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(24, 2 rounds)>Kascha(prone)=Greater Air Elemental>Vivantha(16, prone)>Simmer(12)>Primal Earth Elemental(2, -7 negative levels, prone, acid fog, lingering flames)'
<Muirfinn> roll 2d6 acid
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d6 acid and gets 4." [2d6=1, 3]
* Muirfinn points at the elemental, intoning a sharp word as three sharpened logs fly from his hand, streaking out to strike at the thing's pitted and crumbling chest! OOC: Splinterbolt!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh and gets 38." [1d20=11]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh and gets 43." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 ranged touchhhhhhhh and gets 39." [1d20=12]
> OOC: Hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 3#4d6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3#4d6 and gets 46." [3#4d6 = 16, 14, 16]
<Muirfinn> OOC: And done
> The shots fly true, burrowing into the creature's ruined chest! They punch straight through, moonlight peeking through the new holes as cracks run all along its chest! For the space of ab reath it is little more than cobwebbing cracks, before the entire chest begins to fall apart! It is an earthshaking cascade of rock! AS it falls apart a brown wave of energy erupts out and vanishes into the sky above! In the aftermath are lesser earthquakes and moonlight, now visible once more. OOC: Free act.
> Vivantha immediately holds her broken arm, chanting words of soothing magic!
> roll 3d8+15
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 26." [3d8=2, 4, 5]
> Simmer goes on over with that too large grin, kneeling besides a boiling pool of magma. She gathers some up on one finger and licks it down. "See that? You're the inferior element."
> Kascha dusts herself off, "We should fall back to Aurora before our peeing tom can do that again."
* Muirfinn immediately casts Heal on Kascha and Vivantha!
> Wounds are mended and bodies righted! Simmer goes over and gathers up a slab of red hot stone, a shard of the elemental's broken body. She comes on back, "Stone inhabited by a primal earth elemental? Afina should be able to make something good with it. Give it to Jaela or Hanna and have them sanctify it and it'll be great if we ever have to face Yan-C-Bin."
* Muirfinn nods at Simmer. "Good call. As it is, let's try to stay. I'll try to dispel any new sensors. We need to do this properly, after all."
> Simmer nods. Meanwhile Kascha frowns, "Isn't that a bad idea? We're inviting the chance of another attack. At the least let's go somewhere else on Ysgard."
<Muirfinn> "Very well. We can move while staying on the plane. Does anyone have a place they have in mind?"
> "I do," Kascha says quietly, "I'll teleport us there."
* Muirfinn nods, picking absently at the spikes protruding from his body. "I'll take care of these when we get somewhere safe."
> A quick teleportation later and the party is in a narrow, rocky valley. The moonlight falls here as well, a small stream and the ruins of burnt trees all around you. As Simmer lights up in a smile, Vivantha comes and taps the side of one spike, "They're not going away?"
<Muirfinn> "I'm hoping a simple Regenerate will remove them and restore my bones to their previous condition. This is...mildly painful now and extremely disorienting."
> Vivantha steps back, "Good luck, brave hero," she says with a warm smile.
<Muirfinn> "If not...well, I'm sure I'll find a way." Muirfinn says, pulling a simple staff from his back and releasing the spell held inside. OOC: Regenerate on meeeeeeeeeeeee
> There is a sharp moment of agonizing pain as the spikes slide back into Muirfinn's body! No blood is shed as his form recovers, the pain fading after a few heart-grinding moments.
* Muirfinn shivers a bit, patting hemself down. "I thought that might work. An unpleasant spell, that. I've never seen its like."
> "I've heard of it," Kascha speaks up, "It's called Stone Skewers." She goes to sit on a mostly intact log, brushing away a bit of charred ash. "A person's skeleton has trace amounts of Earth in it and the spell causes those traces to multiply many times over. It forms them into spikes - which alone is usually lethal, but the spell's designed to have the spikes trap the victim if they're close to the ground, a wall ora nything they could get stuck in. Not to mention anyone nearby."
<Muirfinn> "A vicious spell." Muirfinn says with a shake of his head.
> "It might be possible for a druid like you to use, if your magic is sufficiently skilled." Tapping one long finger against her lips as she hmmms a few moments, "Baleruk mentioned it. It's of the 10th circle and beyond the grasp of most, but your spellcraft is extremely advanced."
<Muirfinn> "It's possible, yes. We'll see after we get some down time. I'll look into it." Muirfinn says.
> OOC: What are y'all gonna do now? Moon stuff, I presume?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Moon stuff, yeah. Hopefully we can do this without being interrupted, though I'll have a Greater Dispel readied just in case.
> OOC: Make a will save?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+6 and gets 40." [1d20=2]
> Fortunately, the rest of the ritual goes without incident. Thus you travel back to Aurora and rest...OOC: Go ahead and reset/update your spells. HP is restored for all, resources refreshed. Lemme know when you're done and I'll move us along.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Might be a while, just a heads up
> OOC: Sure, I need to shower'n'stuff anyway.
> OOC: Back in 15.
> From there the four enter the small chapel of Selune. Balyss is there, clad in silver armor and robes. "Blessed be those who enter the House of the Moon," she intones in a voice. Far behind her, past the altar, one can momentarily see the flickering images of others - like a bit of moonlight in the night, Muirfinn unable to quite make them out. They echo the words of Balyss.
<Muirfinn> "You have our thanks for these blessings." Muirfinn says, bowing respectfully. "And our thanks for this service."
> Balyss approaches, taking Muirfinn's hands into her own. "Selune turns away none that are wise enough to listen to her words. Those who seek the guidance of the moon will always find their way here." Behind her it is echoed and appended with, "The path will always be revealed in the light of the moon."
<Muirfinn> "We appreciate it." He adds, grasping her hands in turn.
> Darkness falls in the church! The phrase, "The path will always be revealed in the light of the moon," is repeated over and over, as before you a silver-lit path to the altar appears. Balyss steps aside now, "I will guide you in spirit. Approach the altar and kneel to hear the words of the Moonmaiden."
* Muirfinn does so, moving carefully up to the altar and kneeling.
> The world around you seems to vanish, save for the full moon above. It shines in the sky, surrounded by twinkling stars. As if all the night sky was a dress and the stars were small diamonds surrounding one great, ethereal pearl. From the moon a single silver teardrop falls, cascading to the ground. It does not break apart, instead it smoothly flows upward into the shape of a young girl. She holds a bouquet of white flowers in her arms, clad in a white dress with pale gray skin and white hair. Her voice comes from her - and from each of your sides and behind you. "Speak of your wish. Offer your wish."
<Muirfinn> "We seek a great hoard of treasure hidden in Nidavellir. One of our own has need of it, and it would greatly enhance our campaign against the forces of the Nine Hells. In return, we offer our services to you for present or future deeds in your name." Muirfinn says. "Can you help us?"
> In the light of the moon, the full moon slowly becomes a waning moon. The young woman before you is tall and lithe, in the full flower of new womanhood. "New life and new power. The Abyssal scion Athux took leave of his dark father, the Demon Prince Graz'zt. The realm of Greenrot has become his realm to rule. He is newborn to his power and his dark father is wroth with him."
<Muirfinn> "You wish him slain then? The son of Graz'zt?"
> "He is weak. Vulnerable. Isolated." The woman is middle aged, the lines of time and history showing on her face. The moon above is now slipping into the new moon, darkness overtaking you. The only light is the woman, so radiant as she speaks from all around you. "He may still yet be slain by mortals under the right circumstances, for his dark father has greatly attacked his cosmic power."
* Muirfinn nods. "What are these conditions and where can we find him? We will gladly slay him."
> Slowly the moon rises again. It is a waxing moon now, an old woman before you. Yet she does not sag with age, her posture straight as before. "The last lord of Greenrot was slain at the end of a journey by the Crimson Guard. The deities Alicia and Seira participated in this. You must repeat this journey and confront Athux at his base of power. The repetition of this journey shall net you the power of law. The nascent energies left behind by the Crimson Guard shall grant you the power of righteousness. A blade of holy cold iron wielded by a maiden pure in body can destroy Athux for all time if that path is repeated."
* Muirfinn nods at the woman. "Consider it done."
> The moon is so bright once more. The young child stands before you, "Go. Prepare and begin the journey. Balyss will tell you more." Around you the world becomes a silvery haze, before you see the altar once more. Natural light has returned, Balyss approaching and offering a hand up.
* Muirfinn takes the hand, standing. "That went well."
> "Selune smiled on your request. I've been informed of more information. First of all," Starting to walk towards the door out, "Are you familiar with Graz'zt or Athux at all?"
<Muirfinn> "I know a bit of the father, but not the son."
> "Graz'zt is the demon lord of tyrants," A pause here, "Baator doesn't have a monopoly on it," she adds ruefully, "As well as the Demon Prince of seduction. Athux is a chip of the block as far as that part goes, and also takes after his mother. There's a book in the library about him, one of those lost lore of the Abyss ones from the bookshop. His mother was a powerful mortal blackguard and he follows the same path. He's a seducer, a murderer and a petty tyrant of whims. According to what I've been able to find, the Crimson Guard slew the last lord of Greenrot and Athux pounced on the lordship. Gurlan used to rule it, but wasn't much of a lord. However, the layer was obscure enough that it hardly mattered. Athux's more ambitious, but he jumped ship from his father's court to do that. Daddy didn't approve.""
<Muirfinn> "I can imagine so." Muirfinn says wryly. "How did the Crimson Guard deal with the last lord?"
> "They killed him." A light shrug, "You could ask Kascha or Ebony more about it. He wasn't a divinity or cosmic lord from what I gather from my instructions from above. Athux isn't so limited, but Graz'zt is doing his best to impede him."
* Muirfinn nods. "We'll need to move on this fast, then."
> "Selune didn't send a sense of immediate urgency," Balyss pauses at the door out, "But to stop a moment, you'll need to assemble a team to go. Moreover, you'll need a pure maiden to wield a holy, cold iron blade to kill him. I can offer you my moonfire blasting sword if you want to borrow it. It's not holy, but if you have the wealth to change that, it would serve you well. Before you ask," Coughing into her hand, "I don't qualify. Some sects of Lunatics and general Selunites take vows of chastity, but I didn't."
<Muirfinn> "I am certain that we can find someone. You have my thanks for the blade. With any luck, we'll use it to slay the beast and further the causes of Selune." Muirfinn says.
> "Good luck. Get whom you'll take together, find your holy maiden and meet me in the library. I'll give you the rest of the information Selune promised then." Balyss says, "I'll leave the blade with Afina, so if you want it you cans wing by, have her improve it and pick it up before you go."
* Muirfinn nods, heading out. "Thanks again."
> OOC: What's your plan now, tortle?
<Muirfinn> OOC: RESEARCH!
<Muirfinn> OOC: And you know, find a virgin and stuff
> OOC: Which one do you wanna tackle first?
<Muirfinn> "Preferably one that knows how to swing a sword
<Muirfinn> OOC *
<Muirfinn> OOC: Let's go ask KAscha and Ebony what they remember of the path the Crimson Guard took, since we have to do it all the same way.
> By a stroke of relative fortune, you find the two together. They're at Winddance, sipping cups of something warm and steaming. A chocolate cake is between them, the two nibbling and talking quietly together. Not so quietly that you can't hear as you approach, "...know. It's powerful but there's enough elemental scions that could, and more than a few are willing to sell the service." Ebony says.
> "Mmm, mmm," Kascha sighs after a bite of her cake, a gentle smile creasing her face. "Oh no, I was hoping you'd have a different answer." Despite that she's fully upbeat, "But I knew you'd probably have the same."
> "It's no great surprise," Ebony agrees, and raising her voice just slightly, "Kascha tells me you battled a primal spirit of the Elemental Plane of Earth. Congratulations on your victory, it's an impressive one."
<Muirfinn> "We were well prepared for it. We made a good team on that." He nods to Kascha. "Thanks."
> "Join us," Ebony gestures to an empty chair, "Cake?"
> "Thank you!" Kascha smiles again at that, "I'm sooo sorry about losing myself with Mazpluan!"
* Muirfinn sits. "I don't have chocolate often, I may as well. Thanks." He waves off Kascha's apologies. "No need. He is a creature of madness. I'd have been more concerned if you hadn't reacted at all."
> As a slice is made and plate slid over to Muirfinn, "Sorry anyway." Bowing her head briefly, "I've been asking about the primal elemental we battled and who could have summoned it. Unfortunately, auguries have shown nothing but an impediment against them. Summoning a primal elemental is rare but not impossible, and some of the more socialable - relatively - elementals even barter or sell their services to other powerful entities."
> "It's not Baator's style," Ebony adds, her fork playing with a bit of cake without actually spearing it. "But I can't rule out a change of strategy, and they'd have the resources to stop divinations. We also can't confirm it's them, and they aren't the only enemy Aurora has."
> The background din of Winddance is quiet. Several of the tables are filled. A few away are Adrian and Misalea, sitting close and sharing some pudding. They're laughing with each other, all smiles. Cresea watches over it all, windy form gently buffeting the entire restaurant with a cool breeze.
<Muirfinn> "Keep in mind that it could also be Mazpluan. He demonstrated some strong skill with spellwork."
> "Entirely possible," Ebony says, "In other words, we can't conclude much of anything from this."
> "I passed it onto Morniel, and he'll pass it onto the generals," Kascha adds, "Ithea's been on Earth before and she might know someone or have some insights."
<Muirfinn> "Yes, that's where she found me."
<Muirfinn> "And you, if I recall correctly.
<Muirfinn> "
* Merc-zzz is now known as Merc
> "Mmm." Kascha murmurs. There's a pause to eat - the cake is extremely good, all sweetness and chocolate without being cloying. "How did the petition to Selune go?"
<Muirfinn> "Well enough. She wants us to kill the son of Graz'zt in Greenrot. She said you might have some knowledge of that."
> "Athux," Ebony says quietly, putting down her fork with a fragile, metallic clatter. "I do."
> "So do I," Kascha says, "I've heard the stories firsthand."
<Muirfinn> "By all means," Muirfinn holds out one arm while another shovels a bite into his mouth with a fork. "share if you can."
> "You want to know about him?" Ebony inquires. "I did some research into him for Sylica. While not precisely a foe, he's still had interactions with the Goddesses. How much do you know already?"
<Muirfinn> "Relatively little. He's the son of Graz'zt, has led his armies a few times, and reently took over Greenrot. His father is of course not pleased with this, likely because he can't keep Athux directly under his thumb anymore. I know the Crimson Guard slew the last lord of Greenrot, but I don't know how they got there."
> "Athux lead Graz'zt's dark armies more than a few times," Ebony remarks, "He made his bones leading Abyssal forces in the Blood War and also against the forces of Orcus and Demogorgon. He's a violator of any being that catches his eye." With a hint of scorn in her voice, "But you must remember that he's an accomplished general and a powerful blackguard. It runs in the family, his mother was a precocious hellion to the forces of the Abyss. But as far as Graz'zt goes, he's angry at that and for Athux not handing the realm over to him. If he intends to kill Athux or firmly make him a vassal isn't clear. Athux has a relatively small army of abyssal ragtags and defectors from his father's court, as well as his own...entertainments." The word is said flatly, "Vile perversions as only the darkest feelings of the Abyss could create. He's pressured by his father, as well as Demogorgon and Orcus. Further, a few Baatorian harrassment parties have attacked him. The devils never do forget an enemy."
<Muirfinn> "So he's on his guard, then?"
> "Only a fool wouldn't be in the Abyss." Ebony says, pausing to eat a little bit of cake. After that moment of quiet, "But moreso than the norm. If he gets too weak, he's an appealing target to every greater demon who craves true Abyssal power. But right now it looks like he has enough prestige to keep his army topped off, but there's no great margin for error. As near as we can tell, figuring forces in the Abyss is impossible to do past generalities."
> "I've seen demons split into multiple demons or demons just vanish," Kascha adds, a hint of uneasiness in her voice. "It drove a mortal insane to see and it still makes my skin crawl."
* Muirfinn nods. "It sounds like we will need to coordinate with an attack already in progress, or be very subtle. While we are strong, fighting an army of demons is not on my list of things to do this week."
> "Obyrith's work," Ebony appends, pausing a moment to push back her hood.
> "Subtletly will serve well. An assassin's party rather than a full war party," Ebony says, "A distraction wouldn't hurt. Alicia was able to contract a white slaad to make a distraction as they advanced on The Green Castle."
<Muirfinn> "Doesn't Ithea know that one slaad? The one with the dungeon?"
> Kascha quickly shakes her head, "Don't bring him up. Trust me. Really don't."
<Muirfinn> "Bad?"
> Ebony has a ghost of a smile on her face at that, "Do consider a distraction if it fits your plans. Moreover, a recent book in Aurora's library provided insight on how to slay Athux. He fears holy, cold iron weapons wielded by a pure maiden. A thing that completely opposed what he is."
> "Bad." Kascha says, waving her hands, "No no no, don't ask Ithea about that. Trust me."
* Muirfinn nods. "Selune said much the same. We just need to find a pure girl that can reliably use a sword."
<Muirfinn> "I'll take your word for it." He says to Kascha.
> "Mmm." Ebony considers, "I must recuse myself, for I fail on both counts. I recall my mortal life and am thus not free of that particular connotation of it. I suspect Kascha is in the same position."
> Kascha turns very red and swiftly looks down, as if her plate is the most interesting thing in Creation.
* Muirfinn nods along. "As expected. War and passion tend to run well together. I suspect it takes great dedication fo remain pure."
> "The body wants what the body wants. Let alone when the heart and soul join in." Ebony again has a ghost of a smile, "If I may ask, how are you going to find your pure maiden?"
<Muirfinn> "I honestly haven't the foggiest."
> As Kascha continues to mimic being as red as a ruby, Ebony chuckles, "Of course you don't. Mmmm. Misaela's obvious disqualified, as is Hanna. Hmmm. This isn't a question for a man to go around asking the ladies. Perhaps...mmm. I have a few ideas. Enjoy your cake and rest a time." Ebony rises, "Allow me. There's really no good way I can think of you directly accomplishing this goal, save if you wish to wallow in embarrassment and scandal."
* Muirfinn adopts an innocent look. "But Ebony, I'm not embarassed to ask at all."
> "You aren't, but they will be." Ebony says, but with a sardonic smile as her wings flare out, "If you insist, go ask them yourself. While you're at it, kindly ask Kascha to cast Stoneskin on you before you go."
* Muirfinn snorts. "You go right ahead. I appreciate you volunteering."
> A bit of peaceful time of cake and light conversation with Kascha passes. Soon enough Ebony returns, pausing only to fetch some tea before joining you again. "I've found two possibilities," she says.
<Muirfinn> "Yes?"
> "Vivantha qualifies. I'm not sure if it's due to her metamorphosis or not, but she said she is. The other is Mirajane, Jaela's adopted daughter. That has...difficulties." Pausing on that, "Familial disagreements about her going forth into glorious battle against evil. I'm not privy to most of it, but it may not be a wise idea to invite her."
<Muirfinn> "Yes, I recall that when I spoke with her, Jaela was somewhat upset." Muirfinn muses, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Very well. I'd prefer to involve Vivantha anyway."

> "So you and Vivantha," Kascha says, "Who else is going?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, you are of course invited, Kascha. As for our fourth, I was thinking perhaps someone with personal knowledge and experience with the Abyss. I was thinking either the Master or Canderella. Your thoughts?"
> "Oh!" Kascha smiles slightly, "Of course!"
> Ebony considers, pausing to sip at her tea. She closes her eyes after, steam rising up to her face. "I've been them both fight, Canderella more than the Master. The Master is a better warrior, but Canderella makes up for that with her native knowledge. Also, she's been working on something I appreciate greatly and I'm certain the both of you two would as well. She's found a way to channel her personal force of will into her spells and those who listen to her voice. It greatly augments the ability of your spells to overcome resistance to magic."
<Muirfinn> "Ah, I see. That could be most useful." Muirfinn nods. "How has it worked out?"
> "The effect is at least greater than Assay Spell Resistance," Ebony says, again sipping her tea, "I presume you're familiar with that incantation? How much so is difficult to ascertain."
* Muirfinn nods. "I am leaning toward Canderella. Her knowledge of the Abyss would be invaluable."
> "Mmm. Elena, where is Ebony?" Ebony asks aloud. Elena promptly appears and points right at Ebony before vanishing. That causes her to stop and stare a moment, entirely off balance. "Eh?"
> "Huh? Why'd you ask where you were?" Kascha asks, glancing over at Muirfinn with concern. "Ah, are you feeling alright?"
<Muirfinn> "Me? I'm perfectly fine. You two are acting odd." Muirfinn  leans back, peering at the two women warily.
> "I asked where Canderella was," Ebony says, looking between the two in confusion.
> "No, you asked where Ebony was." Kascha says, "Right, Muirfinn?"
<Muirfinn> "Yes. Ebony asked where Ebony was."
> "Ah." Clearing her throat, "My apologies. Elena," With a bit more snappiness to her words, "Where is Canderella?"
> Elena appears again, clearing her throat, "AHEM! Canderella's at the memorial. She's having a conversation with Hanna - as far as they ever converse."
> Ebony raises a single eyebrow but nods, "There you go."
* Muirfinn nods, standing. "Enjoy the rest of your cake, ladies. I suppose I'll need to go intervene before one strangles the other."
> By the time you get to the memorial, there's no sign of Hanna. Canderella's there, sitting near the wall. 27 rests its head on her lap, as she idly pets its head. The image of a rather large trollish, demonic figure is currently being projected.
* Muirfinn eyes the image as he approaches, recognizing it. "That's Willim, correct? One of the original group that found this place?"
> "Yes." Tapping the wall so that the image winks away, "I've heard stories, but..." At this moment 27 stirs, sitting up and looking at Muirfinn. It just stares at him for several long seconds before, "There will be repetition in more than one way, and in something you may not immediately suspect. But it's not your battle, even if you can win it."
* Muirfinn nods slowly at the weird little slaad before turning to Canderella. "All lives lost in this crusade are a tragedy. We can only hope to make their sacrifices count for something greater."
> Not even missing a beat at that, "Mmm-hmm. So are you here to reflect on the fallen?"
> 27 stares long at Muirfinn again, before going up to his foot and starting to gnaw on it.
* Muirfinn ignores the creature for right now. Chok's teeth are sharper anyway. "No. I am here to ask for your aid. I am mounting a strike on the Abyss, to slay Athux the son of Graz'zt in Greenrot. I thought I would ask if you cared to come along. Your knowledge of the Abyss would be invaluable to us."
> "Oh!" Starting to smile, "A trip back home! But it's never as fun anymore." Shaking her head with a hint of sadness, "I'll come along. Who else is participating?"
<Muirfinn> "Myself, Kascha, and Vivantha. An unlikely team, but I am hoping that it will be effective. One more will round us out, but she has not yet been found."
> "Would that be little me or a fifth?" Canderella's sorrows are already gone, as 27 just stares up at you. He stares and stares and stares and stares.
<Muirfinn> "A fifth. We need a virgin, a pure maiden. Preferably one that knows how to swing a sword."
<Muirfinn> OOC: STriiiike. Strikey strike strike
<Muirfinn> "Myself, Kascha, and Vivantha. An unlikely team, but I am hoping that it will be effective." Muirfinn says. "Is this satisfactory?"
> "Mmmm. On one condition," Canderella finally says, with a heartstopping smile as she slowly leans into Muirfinn. "If we're going to slay a demon lord, I want to eat cake on his corpse. Get Ebony to provide us a few cakes and store them in a bag of holding."
<Muirfinn> Chaos. Muirfinn sighs. "If it will make you happy, Canderella, and if we have the time. I do not know if we will be able to evade all of his forces."
> "Come now. Who can say they slew a demon lord and had their cake, too?" With a beautiful smile she reaches out and pats Muirfinn's cheek. "I'm in."
* Muirfinn nods. "We'll meet at the gates soon, then. Please be ready."
> OOC: Now what then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Now it's time for a staring contest between me and the slaad.
> 27 continues to stare at Muirfinn. Canderella saunters off to the portal and yet 27 continues to stare.
* Muirfinn placidly returns the stare with his clear blue eyes, sapphire orbs full of flowing waters and endless seas.
> Still the strange slaad herald stares at Muirfinn. It stares at him long, before uttering...words? It's like you can see the words coming out of its mouth, and they flex and vibrate and twist in the air. Words you don't know nor can you know. But Muirfinn's world is utterly consumed with animalistic terror. It fills his senses like the pain of being impaled. Utter agony. A terror as something important is ripped apart. The claws. The claws rip in, rip into your beautiful ************ bleeding and hurting running terror fear terror fear fear fear fear terror fear fear fear-Muirfinn kneels. His mind races as he returns to himself. If nothing else, 27's gone now, as a sense of confusion is peppered by one salient question: What the hell just happened?"
* Muirfinn staggers, holding his head. He gives it a good shake as if trying to clear it and peer around himself for a moment before centering himself. He has things to do, and he moves on.
> OOC: Were you going to get everyone together and talk to Balyss now or something else?
<Muirfinn> LEt's do that, yeah. Preferably before I have any more bright ideas.
<Muirfinn> OOC: *
> Muirfinn, Canderella (after Elena retrieves her from the gate), Kascha, Vivantha and Balyss. The five of you meet in the library. All of you are sitting comfortably as Balyss goes over what you know so far. "...so that's as far as I got with Muirfinn." A moment's pause, "First of all, let me detail the journey you need to make. You'll be starting in the city of Balmuria. I can transport all of you there myself. Sylvie could too if you'd rather she does it. I'd recommend saving your spells for the Abyss. Balmuria's friendly and just a starting point, so there's not a lot to worry about there....except the Mythal." Snapping her fingers, "Canderella, I don't think it should apply to you. But if it does, just go to the Western Reaches and teleport from there. It's still technically a part of Balmuria and should hopefully be good enough. If you can get into the city, go to Whimisical Sweets. I have a friend there that will let you use it as a gating point. You'll need to transport yourselves from there to the Silver Sea. I can come along and transport all of you as well if you'd like to save another spell."
> "A Mythal?" That gets Canderella's full attention, "Impressive for a mortal city to have something like that."
> "A goddess did it. Two." Kascha adds quietly, "So the Astral Plane is next? We've all been there before more than once. We know what's coming for that part."
* Muirfinn nods, waiting as Balyss tells her directions.
> "Right." Balyss continues, "You'll be headed to Dysani, a githzerai city on the Astral. The githyanki take steps against it, but the githzerai have been persistent and endured. I'm not up on local politics there enough to know the details. It's not imporant anyway. The city's known for being full of controlled color pools. It's a hub for travelers and you'll be looking for a pool to the Infinite Staircase." A nod to Vivantha, "I'm sure you'll make this next part eays. You'll need to find an encampment known as the Planeswalkers Guild and then travel to a door that leads to Greenrot."
> "I've been there!" Vivantha speaks up, "Yes, I can request assistance once we enter the Stair. We'll have an escort to chase away any problems and give us early warning if we're heading towards trouble."
<Muirfinn> "From there, I assume that Canderella will be able to safely guide us to Athux's lair." Muirfinn says, nodding in gratitude at Vivantha.
> "About that," Canderella and Balyss say at the same time. Balyss quickly clears her throat, "Remember, Greenrot's changed since Athux has been in charge. It's not longer a land of disease and boiling planes of cysts." She makes an EW face after that, "Lovely images."
> "It was as bad as it sounds," Kascha chimes in quietly.
> "I can still find the way, it's in my blood," Canderella adds, "But we should expect surprises. More than usual for the Abyss, and previous knowledge is even more useless than usual."
* Muirfinn nods. "We are still better off."
> "Athux favors certain types of servants," Balyss continues, "Succubi blackguards, dark paladins. They may look like sluts pretending to be warriors, but they have deadly trick-GAH!" Balyss shudders as a shock of electricity runs through her! She sits on her seat, hair wild from the shock. Canderella lightly clears her throat, "I've pretended to be a warrior lately. Really now."
> "Can we stay on topic?" Vivantha speaks up, "This is important!"
> Kascha mutters something - something about succubi and it doesn't sound kind. But it's only half heard at best.
<Muirfinn> "Let's keep opinions to ourselves, shall we ladies?" Muirfinn says, hoping to redirect them back on course.
> "But they have deadly tricks," With a glare at Canderella, "Succubi that specialize in enchantments are common as well. They lead around hordes of hezrou - they're generally subservient to the succubi by order of Athux - all dolled up. I don't pretend to understand the reasoning there, but he seems to draw hezrou but dislike them. No matter." WAving it aside, "He needs help enough to where a lot of ragtag greater demons have thrown in. As long as they help the fight he's largely let them do as they please. I've heard reports of Nalfeshnee and Balors."
> Canderella returns that glare, "There's likely some reason for it. Athux is a good general from all reports."
* Muirfinn sighs very quietly. Why can't everyone just get along?
> "Moving on." Balyss breaks the stare down and clears her throat again. Meanwhile Vivantha sighs as well as Balyss continues. "Secondly, I've left my sword with Afina. It's there if any of you want to have it enhanced to take with you."

* Muirfinn nods. "We will go see her if there is anything we need. Anything else?"
> "Yes. Thirdly," Going on, "I've foreseen danger. This will not be an easy trip for you. Walk carefully, walk safely and walk with wisdom," Balyss looks to each of you, "Be prepared for anything."
> "Prepare for everything and nothing," Canderella says, "You can't predict chaos like the Abyss, only be prepared to endure what it throws at you."
> "I'm more worried about the Astral Plane," Kascha adds in, "I just hope we don't have another ambush or more trouble."
<Muirfinn> "When are we ever out and not assaulted by dangerous foes?" Muirfinn asks. "We shall endure."
> "Well then," Balyss stands, "May Selune guide your path." OOC: Any prep to do before going?
<Muirfinn> OOC: I honestly have no opinion on the blade. Whatever Vivantha wants since she'll be using it? Holy enchant maybe?
> OOC: Works for her. The 25k question: Do you have actually have th emoney to upgrade it?
<Muirfinn> I don't!
<Muirfinn> OOC Tag.
> OOC: Balyss will put holy up. She has a shitload of cash, I'll figure it out later. Ready to move on then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Onward to ab yssal nonsense
> Balyss joins you just outside of Aurora. A glass platform floats in the air here, Kascha doing a doubletake at it but not commenting further. Balyss steps out onto it, "I'll take us to Balmuria. Join hands with me," She offers her hands out.
* Muirfinn does so!
> Vivantha takes one hand, squeezing Muirfinn's as Kascha takes Balyss' other. Canderella completes the circle and thus you transport! You appear on a bright, sunny day. The grass is green and the air has a salty sea tang. A road is nearby, leading to the border city of Balmuria. Balyss pauses long enough to fiddle with a ring she wears. For a moment a shaft of moonlight illuminates her, as if against the backdrop of night. She then appears as a human version of herself, facial features slightly different but still notably her. "C'mon, we're not far. It's not too long a walk."
> Canderella takes a long breath of air, wrinkling her nose after. "The Primes always smell strange," she opines.
> As she goes, Canderella shifts into a non winged, non demonic version of herself. Kascha holds a moment and incants a similar spell, doing the same.
> "They're invigorating. They smell so alive through the doors of the Stair." She likewise changes in the meantime.
* Muirfinn sniffs at the air. "It smells like earth and humans. Vaguely." Muirfinn says as his scales go all weird and puttylike and oh god he's a shapeless mass and SO MANY EYES and then he's a nondescript human.
> Canderella pauses at that, a coy smile showing on her face, "My, have you seen a Ocalanthalan before?"
<Muirfinn> "A what?"
> "A band of Fallen that are said to have come from a holy place. They have a thousand eyes and were created so they could see as much of the holiness to better understand it," Canderella continues lightly, "They're known as Thousand-Eye demons in their Fallen state."
<Muirfinn> "Oh. Well, in that case, I'd have to say no." Muirfinn says. "Why do you ask?"
> "You momentarily resembled one." Sighing with a fond smile, "I remember the good times Ocayza and I had. The Ocalanthalan are so -good- at driving mortals insane. You can let one walk through a city square, and in a day the entire city will have fallen to madness and anarchy."
<Muirfinn> "That's...lovely. And also terrifying." Muirfinn helpfully points out.
> "I know." Another sigh as the others hurry on, seeming to ignore the conversation. "It's just not the same anymore. I'd probably end up trying to stop it instead of enjoying the fun."
<Muirfinn> "That is a very good thing." Muirfinn says. "Otherwise, we would be obligated to stop you."
> "Yes yes," Canderella waves it off, and thus you pass into Balmuria. Passing through the Mythal is without incident, Canderella not bursting into flame. Balyss sighs in relief but doesn't comment, as you come on Whimsical Sweets. The outside is as Muirfinn saw last time, Balyss taking a steeling breath before heading inside.
> "Candy?" Vivantha smiles and hurriedly follows. Kascha is more relaxed, following happily.
* Muirfinn taps his nose thoughtfully. "Why does this remind me of something...?"
> "Hm?" Canderella pauses outside, "Have you been here before?"
<Muirfinn> "I do not believe so." Muirfinn looks around.
> "Oh w-" BOOOOOOM! Balyss, Kascha, Vivantha and a blonde come flying out of Whimsical Sweets, a great gush of cherry red fired spewing out after! The scent of sugar and cherries fills the air, powerfully strong! The ladies land in a heap, the blonde thrashing atop, "Woah...like..."
* Muirfinn blinks once. "...that is a great deal of candy."
> "I hear that a lot," Canderella says with a chuckle. From amid the pile you hear groans and whimpers! Meanwhile a rather fat half-elf emerges, dressed in...grapes? His outfit has dozens of large grape-like balls attached to it, making him look like a plump cluster of grapes. "Ah, alas and ill tidings! I'm afraid I added too much cherry bomb to this recent concoction, but fear not, for pain is only temporary and we have in our good compay Balyss once more; nonetheless, I marvel that we'll all smell as fair, pleasing and nostalgic as cherries on a warm summer's night."
> "Shut...up...Josa..." Balyss groans from beneath several hapless victims, "Selune's sake...just...shut...up!"
<Muirfinn> "...Josa...of course! The candy elf!" Muirfinn's face dawns into a satisfied smile. "Now I remember."
> "Like," Rubbing the side of her head, Yuria slowly getting up. She dusts off her cherry-charred clothes, "Next time add less cherry acid too."
> "You know him?" Canderella glances over, "Is he a pet jester?"
> Next up is Kascha, coughing and wiping her eyes clear. "Ooooow...!"
<Muirfinn> "I've heard of him." Muirfinn nods. "But I've met Yuria over there."
* Muirfinn clears his throat, speaking up. "Is everyone alright?"
> From that Vivantha is next, rolling off and landing on her butt. Her voice sounds dazed, "All I can smell is cherries," she groans, "So many cherries!"
> Balyss is lying face down at the bottom of the pile, neatly impressed into the street. Her leg twitches up a few times before planting back down. "Why me, Selune?" she can be heard groaning, "Wasn't that slaad dungeon enough suffering for my sins? Have I displeased you?"
* Muirfinn pulls a blue-tinted glass pitcher from his pack, muttering under his breath as pure, clear water flows out of it. "Anyone wish to rinse?"
> Josa merely coughs into his hand, "Ah, I believe we've met when Sylvie came back to us!" Josa perks up, "Excellent salutations and fond reunions, Muirfinn! To what can our fair city and hearthstone of home, hospitality and hope offer you this day that the places far and wide beyond cannot, for I fear our shop may pale in comparison to the many wondrous tales and fables of what lies beyond others have brought back in recent times."
> Vivatha holds a hand up. "Me," Kascha chimes in quickly.
> Balyss finally rolls over, her entire front scuffed up. There's only a hint of a split lip, and that seals itself within moments, as if it was never there. "Going inside," she gestures vaguely, "Need a place to teleport from. Symbolic. Selune said so," Rubbing her forehead, "Just let them in, Josa."
<Muirfinn> "Well, we can cross cherries off the list, for starters." Muirfinn says, pouring the water over the girls. "Probably forever."
> Water is followed by a duo of cleansing cantrips, drying them off and replacing the overwhelming scent of cherries. At least somewhat, anyway. Yuria stumbles back in, shaking her head.
> "Ah, I see, I see! Who are we to question the word of the Goddess of the fair Lunatics and those who put their lives into the endless crucible of prophecy and meaning hidden in meanings wrapped in enigma and fantasy?" Stepping aside from the door, "Please, enter!"
> Balyss gets up as well, heading inside, "C'mon. Upstairs everyone."
<Muirfinn> Muttering another word of command, the water ceases to flow from the pitcher and is subsequently put away. Muirfinn clasps hands with Josa as he enters. "It is indeed good to see you again. Tell me, how is business? Is that spriteful little pixie still keeping you on your toes?"
> Hands are shaken as the rest of the party hurries upstairs, "Ah, Silver is taking a sabbatical this warm day, for the piers call to her with an uncanny and persistent looming; I fear that the tides of the sea elves and the strange allure of the unknown and unknowable fey of the deep depthts call to her with a siren song as incomprehensible to us as freedom is to those of Baator, as alienated as the chaos frogs of the slaad are to logical deduction and as miserable as a warm fire is to the frozen bitch of winter and her lackey Bitch Queen of the ever-stormy seas; yet nonetheless I am certain she will return for her spirit ever so clings to around as moss wicks to rocks and trees."
> Yuria hops onto a counter and pulls a brush out, working on her blonde hair, "Like, she wanted to welcome ships into Balmuria after one story." Working on her hair, "Or something, I didn't really pay attention."
<Muirfinn> "Either that or she's throwing rocks at them." Muirfinn says.
> "Entirely a possibility," Josa confesses, "I would offer you more hospitality, but it seems that fair Balyss has her own objectives today and seeks not respite nor rest until they are fully accomplished."
<Muirfinn> "Yes, we are unfortunately not here on holiday." Muirfinn says as they rejoin the group. "We are headied into danger, it seems. As always ."
> "Such is the role of those who seek fortune, fame and festivities in our lines of work," Josa confesses, "Go, we shall talk another time."
* Muirfinn nods, turning to Balyss. "What is our next step?"
> Balyss is already well upstairs. In fact, as you tarry, "Muirfinn, come on!" Balyss calls back down.
* Muirfinn pokes Balyss in the arm. "I'm right here."
> "Oh good," Balyss says agreeably. She sits in a chair upstairs. Kascha and Canderella are reading from a cork bulletin board, and overheard is, "...AND it includes finding the lost sword too?" Canderella adds with a note of disbelief. Vivantha is waiting, standing besides Balyss.
<Muirfinn> "That doesn't sound good."
> "Right," Standing up, "Quick review. I'm going to open a Gate to the Astral. From there all of you are on your own. Travel to Dyrani, find a portal to the Infinite Stair, find the door that leads to Greenrot, track down Athux and defeat him in combat so Vivantha can finish him with the Sword of the Moon. Any last questions?"
> "It's not important," Canderella turns around. "No questions." Kascha likewise shakes her head.
<Muirfinn> "Sounds like a plan." Muirfinn nods.
> "Good luck. May the Moonmaiden watch over you and guide your path." She goes to each, anointing each of your foreheads with a dab of holy water, "In the name of Selune, may the ravenous chaos and eternal evil of the Abyss be held at bay. Lady Selune, so we pray. Amen."
<Muirfinn> "Alright, everyone set? No last minute emergencies?"
> "The Dragon Princess will protect us," Kascha adds in after that, "We need only banish fear and carry hope in our hearts."
> "I'm fine," Canderella chuckles, shaking her head with a decidedly amused smile.
> "I'm ready," Vivantha says, "I am the strength of my people. I will always be ready."
<Muirfinn> "Alright. Whenever you're ready, Balyss."
> Balyss kneels. She bows her head and incants in Celestial, "Guardian of the moon and mistress of the phases of truth! Answer my call! As your blood fell and created life, let your light shine and create the way forward! Answer my call! In the name of Selune, I ask for the abayance of this reality into another! Answer my call!" Before you a twisting silver portal of glowing moonlight appears! Beyond it you see the endless, eternal, timeless reaches of the Silver Sea! A faint breeze blows from the portal, a scentless air that washes away the smells of candy and replaces it with a scent of absolute nothingness.
<Muirfinn> "Well, that's that then. Shall we, ladies?"
> "We shall," Kascha says, going through! Vivantha follows silently, Canderella lingering a moment. "You know," She opines, "This feels like getting dressed up and made up to go into your own house." Nonetheless she steps through.
* Muirfinn follows in the last. "Consider it an exceptionally violent homecoming."
> It is like stepping into a frozen moment, replayed over and over. The Silver Sea of the Astral Plane is silent. A breeze blows but otherwise all is still. That peculiar sense of timelessness overtakes Muirfinn, dulling the passage of everything into a sense of the same. Behind you Balyss and Josa can be seen. "In the name of Selune, triumph!" she calls, before the portal winks out behind you.
> "Ahead," Canderella speaks up, "Keep the idea of heading to Dyrani in your minds and fly forward."
* Muirfinn does so, keeping pace with the girls. "Anyone here know of the place?"
> "No," Kascha says, "But I've heard stories. It's best if we're forthright and are willing to pay the nominal fee. I'm more concerned with coming across trouble on the way."
<Muirfinn> "We will deal with it, if we do."
> OOC: Ready to skip along?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yah
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 27." [1d100=27]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 30." [1d100=30]
> You fly. A timeless flight that is impossible to measure as you sail through the endless expanses. But suddenly- OOC: Muirfinn, what spells do you have up and what immunities do you have?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune to drowning in water. Immune to mind-affecting. True Seeing. Immune to disease and water effects. I have one spell up, Superior Resistance.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Also, immune to poison
> roll 1d20+31
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 and gets 36." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+40
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 and gets 53." [1d20=13]
> "Hmph." As Vivantha frowns and shakes her head, Canderella draws to a pause, "Something just attempted to mentally influence me," she announces, an open note of pique.
> "Myself as well," Vivantha looks about, "Brave hero, are you alright?"
> "I have mental protections cast," Kascha says, "I didn't feel a thing."
<Muirfinn> "I'm fine. I took a potion from Medi's quarters that makes me immune to mental influences." Muirfinn looks about, casting Detect Magic!
> There's faint magic all over. OOC: Make spellcraft.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 and gets 69." [1d20=19]
> It's cloaked enchantment magic. It's not overly powerful, but a lesser student of the arts would have missed it. Someone was trying to dig into your minds for information. You can follow the traces of magic - it's coming from somewhere far above you. As much as directions matter here, anyway.
<Muirfinn> "It's coming from above us. Far above us." Muirfinn says. "The question is, should we attempt to trace it or continue on?"
> "It's a distraction," Kascha speaks quietly, "Best to forge ahead."
> "But what if it follows?" Canderella counters, "
> OOC: Gah.
> "But what if it follows?" Canderella counters, "I say we go and instruct it in proper manners. Perhaps it will even survive its chastisement."
> "This isn't grounds to kill it," Vivantha speaks up, "But something is clearly awry. Brave hero, the story is yours."
* Muirfinn ponders. "This is the Astral. Information is very valuable here. It could be that someone simply noticed us and lacks the manners to simply inquire. As for confronting them, they are not close. Of that I am certain. We also have no guarantee that they will be there when we arrive. That said, I'd like to know if it's something that will come and bother us in the future. If you ladies are
* Muirfinn up for it, we can go examine our perpetrator. Be aware, though, that it will detract from our time to do what we are here to do."
> "Then I bow to your wisdom," Vivantha says, as Canderella merely flies upwards.
> Kascha nods, "Alright then, if I'm outvoted," she says, "Then at least let's make it swift."
* Muirfinn snorts. "Hopefully this won't take too long." He surges upward, following the magic!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 61." [1d100=61]
> You don't need to fly far. Above you is a figure, head hanging down as if in silent supplication. A six pointed pentagram of metal has been nailed into its chest, rills of dried blood decorating his its chest. It looks vaguely masculine but has no obvious sexual characteristics, nor any clothes at all. It is perhaps six feet tall and muscular, but not overly so. Its eyes are closed and its arms hang slack.
* Muirfinn frowns. "Why is it that no matter where we go, we see awful things?"
> OOC: You can make K:P here.
> OOC: The girls will take ten as appropriate.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 36." [1d20=14]
> Muirfinn can identify that symbol as a six pointed pentagram. It is an object of vile power connected to the Abyss.
> Kascha stares up with a frown and a soft gasp, color paling. Canderella looks unphased, calling in Abyssal, "Victim, who owns your worthless soul?" In Muirfinn's mind Canderella is heard, 'That pentagram is an Abyssal symbol.'
> Vivantha draws her borrowed blade, brandishing it as she stares up. Rills of beautiful silver fire play along the blade, a soft, barely heard humming as the sword vibrates.
<Muirfinn> 'Yes, it is.' Muirfinn responds, watching the proceedings.
> The figure's eyes stir. Still closed, a single tear comes from each. It looks up - oh so slowly looks up and opens its eyes! Within are mouths, nothing but open maws demanding food! From those mouths twin voices whimper, "...hungry...won't you...help me eat?" The voice is piteous yet begins to rise in tone, rising manically. "Help me...help me to the feasts! It's so clear!" As it speaks, its stomach spreads open! A new mouth forms, devouring flesh around it and growing bigger! "It's His will that we eat and eat well! Join me and we shall feast, Muirfinn and it will be good and it will forever be good!"
> "The Father." Kascha's voice becomes steel, holy-white power forming around her hands and head like luminent halos. "Muirfinn, let us put this poor soul to rest."
<Muirfinn> "This beast. Again. He plagues me so. Do not touch it. Destroy it from afar." Muirfinn says.
> OOC: Let's roll init here, you know it's hostile.
> roll 1d20+4 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Canderella and gets 6." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha (+2 to everyone's init), 8 for Canderella.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha (+2 to everyone's init), 8 for Canderella. and gets 23." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Kascha and gets 15." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 27." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+11 Thrall
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Thrall and gets 26." [1d20=15]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(27)>Thrall(26)>Vivantha(23)>Kascha(15)>Canderella(8)'
> OOC: Open Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn points at the creature, sharpened saplings springing from his fingertip and streaking for his foe. OOC: Splinterbolt because why not
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+25 ranged touch
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+25 ranged touch
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+25 ranged touch and gets 32." [1d20=7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+25 ranged touch and gets 32." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+25 ranged touch
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+25 ranged touch and gets 30." [1d20=5]
> OOC: All hit. Damage.
<Muirfinn> roll 3#4d6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3#4d6 and gets 41." [3#4d6 = 15, 12, 14]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Alas, no crits
> The bolts all fly true, two to his chest and one to his shoulder! Yet where they strike, gaping maws open! The wooden bolts are noisily devoured, swallowed whole without drawing a drop of blood! The thrall laughs, mouths starting to sprout all over it! "Oh let it be blessed! Let our coming meal be BLESSED! LET US FEAST TOGETHER FOREVER AND EVER! AS I SAY IT IS GOOD, AMEN!" It's voice rises to screaming insanity, as it flies down towards Muirfinn, mouths slavering as bloody tongues loll out!
> roll 1d20+23 AC?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 AC? and gets 34." [1d20=11]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yeah, waaay higher than that
> But Muirfinn nimbly evades, his monk training letting him dodge like a swaying willow! Vivantha quickly darts away, only 5ft as she stands and begins to chant! It is a song of discordant noises and clanging sound, becoming an absolute din that engulfs the creature's head...yet as it approaches, its entire head becomes a cluster of mouths! Bile and blood trickle from them as they bite into the air, musical notes becoming visible as they are devoured! Vivantha stands in shock, uttering, "It...it...ate sound?!"
<Muirfinn> "The Father is corruptive on a level you would not believe. His blasphemies are enough to change the very nature of the world. Do not be surprised by anything he or his followers do." Muirfinn says with narrowed eyes.
> "That's impossible!" Kascha blurts out, already weaving spells as she flies back! Her wings flare out as a glowing white magic circle appears beneath her feet! "Weave shatter! Mystra's gifts, return to the bloodstream of the Goddess!" Raw purple energy appears around the thrall, but mouths dart otu from its body! The purple radiance is consumed whole! "It ate my dispel too!" Kascha says, "We need a plan!"
<Muirfinn> "Can any of you cast divine magic?"
> "Then-" Canderella dances nimbly, a gliding jump-step like a ballerina! Storm slashes out, going right for the pentagram nailed into his chest!
> roll 1d20+24
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 38." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d10+5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+5 and gets 15." [1d10=10]
> Canderella's blade slices into the pentagram! It mades a shallow cut into it, no mouths coming to stop her, "Aim for the Malcanthet-damned pentagram! At the least it's a demonic focus!" OOC: Go Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> Heedless of his own warnings, Muirfinn takes the form of wind, elemental shape coming in to severely occupy the thing's attention as he batters the pentagram around it!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 53." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 45." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 35." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 45." [1d20=18]
> OOC: Sundering, I presume?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yesh?
> OOC: All hit. Roll damage.
<Muirfinn> roll 4#4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4#4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 204." [4#4d10+5+14+2d6 = 58, 50, 53, 43]
> Slam after slam hits home! The pentagram shatters into bits, the creature's body eaten asunder! It instantly becomes a mass of slavering mouths once the pentagram is broken, "I am the blessed one!" It howls in a thousand identical voices, "I am one of the Blessed Children! AMEN!" With a terrible fury the creature leaps onto Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20=
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20= and gets Error: Numeric values only." [1d20=5]
> OOC: Gah.
> OOC: Total of 55. What's your CMD?
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(27)>Father's Blessed Child(26)>Vivantha(23)>Kascha(15)>Canderella(8)'
<Muirfinn> OOC: 61
> But Muirfinn is a hair too fast, leaping back in the emptiness! At this Vivantha continues to sing, gathering her energy into a sonic blast at the Blessed Child! "Now!" Canderella calls in the meanwhile!
> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 33." [1d20=12]
> roll 20d8 can't fail SR with Canderella's SR beating booster in play
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8 can't fail SR with Canderella's SR beating booster in play and gets 67." [20d8=2, 1, 5, 4, 7, 3, 5, 1, 4, 2, 1, 5, 1, 1, 7, 6, 2, 2, 2, 6]
> This time the soundburst hits the Blessed Child dead on! Teeth explode and lips split under the sonic assault! A moment later a blast of pure holy power comes from Kascha!
> roll 10d8 can't fail SR
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d8 can't fail SR and gets 54." [10d8=8, 3, 6, 6, 1, 7, 8, 3, 7, 5]
> roll 1d20+17
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 23." [1d20=6]
> The blast is enough to leave the creature wobbling in the air, dazed and stunned! Canderella just holds a moment as...OOC: Go Mujirfinn.
* Muirfinn punches it in the face!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 54." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 41." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 50." [1d20=18]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 41." [1d20=14]

> Blow after blow after blow rains down on the creature! Its skull is crushed, split apart under Muirfinn's assault! The mouths stop for a painstaking, terrible moment before twisting inward, devouring themselves whole! Within moments nothing is left behind, the abomination destroyed! OOC: Free act.
> "Quaint," Canderella dusts her hands off, "Really though, anything more than three or four mouths is a waste."
* Muirfinn grimaces. "This is just what I needed today. Don't be surprised if he shows up again. I think he knows I mean to slay him."
> Kascha closes her eyes and then sighs, slumping forward. "Muirfinn, I do wonder why we're so cursed to always encountered the terrible and macabre."
> "More reason to keep going," Vivantha speaks up, "The Infinite Stair will be safer."
<Muirfinn> "We seem to have the unique gift of attracting the attention of living atrocities." Muirfinn says to Kascha, heading back down.
> "The better for it, because we are not hapless victims that pass into the night." Vivantha adds as she follows. "We can face the darkness and emerge triumphant with the dawn."
<Muirfinn> "The trick is to keep being successful. Failure is rather permanent." Muirfinn replies.
> "You know," Canderella picks up conversationally, taking up the rear, "Not every Hell or fiendish realm is dark. Malcanthet's is full of light, as are some hosted by fiends of burning agony or particularly wistful Fallen. The worst fiends are the ones that can walk in broad daylight with a smile."
> "Mmm." Kascha bows her head, "Even in Seira's service it's like that. We have those who serve her but fall fighting evil. It amazes me we make it so far - it's so easy to die. But that's why hope's so important."
> "The point stands," Vivantha says with a little bit of heat, "Cease being so contrary!"
<Muirfinn> "Daylight and night aren't meant to display or conceal evil. That is entirely up to the perpetrator of deeds.. good or ill. What matters is intent and result."
> Smiling with a hint of ice, Canderella doesn't even glance at Vivantha. "You should know better is all. You wouldn't want to let down your brave hero, would you?"
> Kascha looks between the two and then scurries closer to Muirfinn. "AHEM. Light and dark are merely states of light, not the greater totem of radiance and purity. Muirfinn's correct, and they can be used against type."
> Response to Kascha? None whatsoever. Instead Vivantha sharply glares at Canderella, "You're a fool if you think I would! Now cease speaking of things that do not concern you!"
<Muirfinn> "Enough." Muirfinn says. "We can debate philospohy at another time."
> Canderella merely smiles and says nothing more. Vivantha follows suit, and as silence falls, "Let's continue on to Dyrani," Kascha says, clearing her throat. "Right Muirfinn?"
* Muirfinn nods. "LEt us be quick about this tack and done with it. I would rather spend as little time in the Abyss as possible."
<Muirfinn> OOC: WOW
* Muirfinn nods. "Let us be quick about this task and done with it. I would rather spend as little time in the Abyss as possible."
> OOC: Ready to continue on?
<Muirfinn> OOC: GO GO GO GO GO
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 82." [1d100=82]
> Thus you fly along. As the not-time does not pass, suddenly Vivantha stops. Her face is filled with a red blush, shouting, "STOP THAT!"
> "Eh?" Kascha pauses, "Beg pardon?"
* Muirfinn turns, a very flat look on his face.
> Canderella turns, a perplexed frown, "Now what's wrong?"
> "I-" Vivantha starts and blushes instead of going on. She takes a breath, "Nothing. I was...thinking out loud."
<Muirfinn> "...I see." Muirfinn says, contemplating his own sanity at bringing the succubus as he turns back to the way ahead.
> Thus the party goes on! It is mercifully free of any other problems until...At last! On the endless silver horizon you see great hunks of land. As if someone ripped a mountain from the earth and broke it into dozens of smaller hunks. This floating mass of stones is held together by heavy chains interweaving through the stony mass. Sitting atop this is a large island of bridges and buildings, all made of stone. Above, chains rise from the tallest buildings, connecting far above to further, smaller islands. These island hold one building each, undecorated. While you could easily fly into the city, there is nonetheless a large stone archway gate.
> "Finally," Canderella looks on, "We're almost to the next phase."
<Muirfinn> "Looks like we are here." Muirfinn says, flying for the archway. If there are bridges, there is likely local gravity.
> Vivantha merely smiles coolly, Canderella suddenly looking far less amused. She smiles, but it's as fake as a tortle with hair.
> Approaching the stone archway, you see several yellow skinned humanoids standing there. All but one are wearing light metal armor and have weapons. One wears only a loose robe, a little back from all of them. They all look over the party, "Welcome to Dyrani. As long as you don't start any fights or make any problems there, you're welcome in."
> "Oh good." Kascha smiles, "A respite from meaningless fighting would be a wonderful change of pace!" Cheerfully saying so, "Thank you for hospitality!"
* Muirfinn nods, eyeing the other two women briefly. "I am certain that we will not start any fights. We are allowed to defend ourselves though, yes?"
> Canderella and Vivantha are currently eyeing each other. Their eyes are narrowed and you can almost feel electricity - no check that, you can. Canderella's eyes crackle with it, fading after a moment. They both turn away, Vivantha speaking up, "Thank you," she adds.
> "Yes," The gith says shortly. "Use non-lethal means if you must."
* Muirfinn bobs his head. "We can easily agree to that, yes?"
> The robed one takes a step forward, "As long as you respect our laws, you are welcome. Even the greatest wars, from the Blood War to those of good and evil, are stilled here. Remember that."
* Muirfinn nods. "We will."
> OOC: What's your plan from here?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ask around, find the colorpool for the Infinite Stair and move on. We're not here for a day trip and shopping.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 60." [1d100=60]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 62." [1d100=62]
> OOC: Make GI?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+26
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+26 and gets 40." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20 Vivantha aiding, will look up scores if it's like a 1 since they all have good charisma.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Vivantha aiding, will look up scores if it's like a 1 since they all have good charisma. and gets 19." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20 Canderella aiding she can't fail
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Canderella aiding she can't fail and gets 10." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d20 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Kascha and gets 8." [1d20=8]
> You wander about the city. As you do, you get a view of the area. Segments of rock are clustered with buildings and squares, bridges and paths over thick chains to connect them if you don't care to fly. Many different areas are on slightly different layers, rising up and down as you travel. You find a festhall, near a vast marketplace. Inside the smell of cooked meat and food gushes out. Kascha sniff-sniffs, "Ooooh. It must be for travelers who need to eat and drink before leaving the Astral. We can probably get information in there."
> Vivantha is smiling slightly, Canderella frowning. Then she smiles, "My, my. Muirfinn, you have a scholarly bend. I have a question about language." She flies closer in as well, sniffing the air.
* Muirfinn nods idly. "Go ahead, Canderella. Ask your question."
> "Is there a word for 'whore' in Celestial?" Sweetly smiling, "Vivantha's showing a marvelous command of several languages, but she's struggling when she lapses into her native tongue."
> Vivantha reddens all over again, "Silence," she yelps, hands balling up and her arms going straight down. "You liar!" she says, the word as much a curse as a true profanity.
<Muirfinn> "Unlikely." Muirfinn says drily. "Please stop bickering, the both of you. I need you both sharp for this, and distracting each other with this will benefit none of us. Least of all yourselves. It is unbecoming."
> Kascha sighs ever so softly, "Grow up," she finally says, heading in and past all this. "You have the fate of many in your hands and power that can change the fate of nations, and you're quibbling like babies. Seira above, I'll be inside with the adults."
> "Well," Canderella tosses her hair, brushing it aside with one hand, "I was just trying to help. Vivantha needs it."
> "I will be a sharp as a blade," Vivantha says, "Canderella's childish outbursts are not distracting me. I can't blame the old for envying the young. It's only mortal." Going on with a serene smile now, "Come, brave hero. I will give you my all."
> Canderella's eye twitches at that, as she mouths, 'Old? OLD?' "Ah, excuse me then for trying to live up to one of your heavenly virtues. Helping the helpless and lost is a virtue, isn't it? Besides, I am already more than sharp. We will triumph with power to spare."
* Muirfinn spals a scaly hand against his beakish face, resting it there and closing his eyes with a sigh. He heads inside without a word.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Slaps, not spals. JEsus.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Holy hopping christ on a habenero
> Within is a typical enough restaurant. It takes advantage of the lack of gravity and chains, several tables in midair. Nonetheless a bit of work gets you chatting with a waitress after you've sat down. She looks half-elven except for a slightly red tinge to her skin. "Hello," she inclines her head with a smile, "Menus, water or anything?"
<Muirfinn> "Water, if you please, and a menu."
> "Something sweet," Canderella says, "I'm not picky."
> "I'll say," Vivantha murmurs, just al ittle too audibly. "Nothing, thank you."
> "Milk with sugar and a bowl of almonds," Kascha says, "Also, we're new. Do you know a good guide to color pools?"
> Canderella slooowly blows a breath out of her nose, but doesn't reply that time. At least not that Muirfinn can hear.
> "I'll can manage everything but the almonds. I don't think we carry that kind of nut here. Almonds, almonds..." Smiling nonetheless, "I'll ask in back if anyone's heard of them. As for a guide, I can get you one. Do you have a destination in mind?"
<Muirfinn> "The Infinite Stair."

> "Right. I'll see if I can rustle one up," The waitress says, before floating off.
> Kascha sits back in her chair, slowly breathing in and out. She half closes her eyes. Meanwhile Canderella and Vivantha seem to look anywhere but each other. It's Canderella that breaks the silence, "The gith there were unusually friendly. Gith, either type of them anyway, aren't known for being the most social or agreeable sorts."
<Muirfinn> "This place seems friendly enough." Muirfinn says after she is gone. "A welcome respite tfrom previous experiences."
> "They're quite accepting, brave hero," Vivantha says. Yet a moment later she bites down on her lip, eyes narrowing as they go from Muirfinn to Canderella.
> "If I had time to kill, I'd poke around," The former succubus glances the way the waitress went, "Even if it's really none of our concern."
* Muirfinn nods along. "If all gith were this cosmopolitan, they'd have a much more appealing reputation."
<Muirfinn> "We can always come back another time." Muirfinn points out. "We've managed to find it once."
> "Mmm." Canderella murmurs, but conversation dies off for a bit. The waitress comes back with your requests soon, savef or almonds. Canderella gets some sort of confectionary liquid, like runny caramel, served in a tall glass. "Here, here, here and here," she passes them out, "Sorry. No almonds, they don't exist on our source world," she says with an apologetic smile. "So you're interested in the Infinite Stair?"
<Muirfinn> "Indeed. Do you know where we can find a color pool?"
> As two predictable women shoot each other stink eyes, Kascha smiles and ignores them. "We are. A color pool's fine if you know where one is."
> "Well, you'd best find the En'drai," she stumbles over it a little bit, "That's what my source said. The fee's 100 gold a head. You'll want to look for a simple stone building with a dome. There will be githzerai guards lingering around."
> Sipping her milk, "Thank you," she replies, silently ignoring a little lightning bolt that shoots out of Canderella's eyes at Vivantha. Vivantha ignores it as it hits her nose, the two locked in a glare. The waitress gives them a look, but doesn't look anything but mildly amused.
<Muirfinn> "Simple enough." Muirfinn says, sipping his drink.
> "Sure thing," she says, "It's not the most popular destination, have to say," she goes on, "Who wants to go to a transitive plane when you're already on one?"
<Muirfinn> "You'd be surprised."
> "That's us, full of surprises." Canderella says cheerfully, "You wouldn't imagine the things my friend gets up to."
> "Ahahahhaha." Laughing nervously and quickly interjecting, "But enough stories about us," Kascha cuts in. "It's really nothing. Thank you again!"
* Muirfinn eyes Kascha warily, mildly alarmed by her severely suspicious outburst.
> Vivantha nearly stares a hole in Canderella's head, fists balling up. The waitress smiles back, "Oh well," she says, "I can see these two lovebirds are cloying the table atmosphere up. No need to make excuses for them."
> "What?" Both Vivantha and Canderella say it completely deadpan, turning to STARE DEATH at the waitress. She smiles back innocently, "I'm a telepath. I've been hearing your entire conversation."
> "Then," Sputtering, "Why do you say that?! It's patently untrue!" Vivantha yelps.
<Muirfinn> "Ah, yes. Their honeymoon has been...tumultous." Muirfinn says, calmly siezing the line.
> "You bitch," Canderella virtually growls that out, falling into Abyssal, "You conniving little sneakbitch!"
> "Hasn't it?" The waitress smiles back, and without missing a beat to Muirfinn, "I hope you have a safe trip. With these two, I'll make an offering for your safety."
* Muirfinn heaves a quiet sigh, nodding. "Perhaps it will help."
> Vivantha's jaw clenches, whilst Canderella continues to stare death at her. The waitress goes off, Vivantha huffing, "The absolute gall of her, listening on private conversations and flouting it!"
> "If she'd found me a few millenia ago, I'd teach her and this entire building manners," Canderella continues to stare at the waitresses back.
<Muirfinn> "Please do not attack the locals. We will likely have to fight absolutely everyone here, and I'd rather avoid that." Muirfinn says drily. "Calm down, the both of you."
> "It's a terrible invasion of privacy." Vivantha nods along, turning, "I wouldn't dream of attacking her, I'm just upset at her manners."
> "Likewise," Canderella finally exhales, posture loosening. She unclenches her hands, "Fucking telepaths." She smiles a tiny bit, a twisted little thing, "That's a play out of a manipulator's handbook. Insult two enemies and make them both hate you at the same time. It's terribly cliche, but it works sometimes."
> "Hmph," Vivantha murmurs, looking away.
> "Muirfinn, we should leave her a tip." Kascha adds, still cheerful. "A big one."
<Muirfinn> "I rather like it here. Everyone has been so pleasant." Muirfinn says.
> Canderella sits back, taking a long sip of her strange drink. Pucking her lips after and putting it down, "They are friendly for gith and gith associates, like I said."
* Muirfinn nodnods.
> "Right." Finishing off her milk, "How about we get going then?"
* Muirfinn swills his cup around, water sloshing. "I'm ready when everyone else is. I figured we could all use a drink and a moment of peace, is all."
> "...yes, we could," Vivantha says, and she sounds tired when she goes on. "Kascha and Muirfinn both scolding us should have been enough. When a random stranger has to take us to task, it's a humiliation."
* Muirfinn waits for Canderella to have her own revelation. Or go insane. Chaos.
> Canderella shrugs. "I've had worse. If you're not doing something to annoy or anger a demonic comrade, you're failing to be a demon." Taking another sip of her drink, "I can't prove it, but I have an itching suspicion we should be moving on. A restaurant with a telepath is a damned waitress is probably lousy with them. Great way to glean all sorts of information. She wanted to to know too, so we either annoyed her enough to let the information spread or to make a point."
Session Time: Sun Apr 21 00:00:00 2013
> "Uh oh..." Kascha blushes, "I'm glad I cast divination wards on myself now."
> *wanted us to know. God that entire line is a trainwreck of mistakes.
> "I apologize," Vivantha says to Canderella first, then to Kascha and Muirfinn, "I also apologizing not taking your words to heart sooner, brave hero. My own anger and petty hubris lead me to ignoring what was obvious."
<Muirfinn> OOC: BAHAHAHA
* Muirfinn nods sagely. "Well, no sense dwelling on it. Let's carry on, shall we?"
> "Well, now that we're done with unproductive bitching, you should," Raising her voice into a deeper rendition of Vivantha's own words, "Hang on the arm of your brave hero." She finishes her drink and rises, "Bitter, sour and sweet together. Not a winning combination.
> "
> Vivantha blushes, Canderella laughing after, "Nevermind. Let's just go."
* Muirfinn snorts. "Sounds like our beer, somewhat."
* Muirfinn stands. "Let's."
> From there finding the En'drai isn't difficult. You find En'drai to be a domed building, simple in design. It takes up much of the rock it's on, a few githzerai guards standing outside the entrance.
* Muirfinn heads inside!
> As you head inside, a pair of githzerai guards intercept you. "Hold," one says, "You seek the service of the portals?"
> "Mmm-hmm," Canderella drawls.
> "Which portal do you seek?" The question is asked, giving the party a look.
<Muirfinn> "We wanna go to the moon."
<Muirfinn> OOC: Scratch
<Muirfinn> "We seek the Infinite Stair."
> "This way." The party is taken inside, through cramped halls and passages, eventually to a simple room with a chair facing several other plain stone chairs. On this chair sits a robed githzerai, expression drooping and serene. "Ah. You seek the Infinite Stair?"
* Muirfinn nods.
> "There is not, strictly speaking, a portal to the Infinite Stair," The gith says, voice reflecting his age. His words come slow, "There is a door. It is 100 gold per head, or 400 gold for all of you. Pay and you'll be on your way."
<Muirfinn> Before Vivantha can protest, because it's likely coming, Muirfinn quickly shells out 400 gold.
> "I-" Vivantha is outsped! The gold is taken and the party is lead along. You are lead deeper within. You walk along halls and passages, until coming to a dusty, quiet door. It's like any other here, but here your guards stop. "When you pass through this door, you will leave the Astral and come to the Infinite Staircase."
* Muirfinn nods, ushering the girls through pre-protest. "Many thanks!"
> "Mmm-hmm," Canderella says, "If we were mortals, we'd be tired and famished on coming out. Fortun-ack!" Thus you are herded through! You appear on a landing in the Infinite Staircase. You have been here before...all about is blackness, in the distance you think you can see rising stairs. Stairs lead up and down from here, a large sign by one rising upwards into the blackness. "I am home," Vivantha says, "Hold just a moment."
* Muirfinn nods, making sure they haven't walked into another combat situation. He peers around.
> Vivantha raises her face up and sings! It's a single long note, echoing in the emptiness! Meanwhile...OOC: Spot.
> Canderella goes and sits on the edge of the platfor, legs dangling off. Kascha merely looks about in the meanwhile.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
<Muirfinn> OOC: HATBORT
-castleheck.tx.us.lunarnet.org:@#dunes- Kotono invited Hatbot into the channel.
* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-72-182-99-123.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
> OOC: Go for it.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 and gets 58." [1d20=12]
> With his keen eyes, Muirfinn can see it first. From above, ahead, behind and below, they come. Lillends rush to the platform, dozens in moments hovering above the party. "My friend Muirfinn speaks with my authority here," she says, "Muirfinn, speak your will and they will obey."
* Muirfinn blinks slowly. "...my what!?"
* Muirfinn shakes himself. "Right. Hello." He greets the incoming lillend..
> "You lead us," Vivantha murmurs quietly, "So I defer to you in this. Express our quest and they will guide us."
<Muirfinn> "Right then. We're looking for the door to Greenrot. We have a demon lord to kill, unfortunately."

> The lillend sing as one, "We shall guide your path to Greenrot!" Before you appear floating stuffed chairs, "Sit and allow our magic to take you along. "
> Canderella smirks slightly and sits in one, "Mmmmmmmm..." she sighs as she sinks into it. "Very good. Very nice. Oh, is this Elysian silk? I know that softness anywhere!"
<Muirfinn> "I'm sure that we can do that." Muirfinn says, grabbing a seat.
> The seat is comfortable and soft. It supports you while letting you sink deep into its cushions. You feel as if you sit in the epitome of a comfortable chair. Vivantha follows, as Kascha makes a little eep, "My, these are nice! Thank you!"
> As you sit, the chairs begin to fly towards, to a stair going up! You ascend up them, comfortable as the chairs glide over them. The lillend fly in a loose circle around the party in all directions.
<Muirfinn> "You'd think that the way to the Abyss would be in a downward direction." Muirfinn muses.
> "Directions here aren't determined by mortal or ethical patterns. There is a pattern, but..." Vivantha hesitates, "It's best that I know speak of it."
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Merc
<Muirfinn> OOC: Explain the last part of that.
> "Mmm-hmm," Canderella closes her eyes and snuggles in, a low, throaty murmur of pure approval. "Patterns, power, secrecy, and more power yet."
> *not speak of it.
* Muirfinn bobbles his head from side to side, in thought. "This place has a power of its own, of that I am certain."
> "I think so too," Kascha adds, "I wonder why it exists. It seems unneeded with the Astral Plane. Why is there another transitive plane like this?"
<Muirfinn> "Fewer people know if it, and it is somewhat safer."
> Vivantha is quite silent here, as Canderella murmurs, "It's not as easy as a spell or an astral flight. People who use it tend to be more in the know."
> "Oh yes, we'll be passing one of those guilds on the way," Kascha speaks up, "Speaking of them. I wonder if the Infinite Stair isn't a natural plane but some sort of constructed plane like a demiplane?"
<Muirfinn> "I rather imagine it as an artery, hidden deep in the planes, yet connecting them all. They may have originated from this place." Muirfinn postulates.
<Muirfinn> "If it were a demiplane, it would need some sort of intelligence to continuously connect it to expanding and collapsing planes
<Muirfinn> "
> "There could well be an intelligence behind it," Kascha speaks up, "Just one that we don't know of, or one that we know but don't know of their role in it. Deities have lots of secrets."
* Muirfinn nods.
> "I think Muirfinn is implying the Infinite Staircase is sentient." Canderella sits up enough to peer back to Muirfinn as you fly up, "Like it's a living organism."
<Muirfinn> "Or part of a greater whole, yes."
> "There's a theory about that, that Creation is a living organism. I don't think it's correct," Kascha goes on, "Based on a few things the Guardian of 21 implied and my own research. Well, at least as far as we understand them. It's more akin to a series of interconnected rooms with both overriding rules and room specific rules."
* Muirfinn shrugs. "It would not surprise me if it were all alive. I have seen stranger."
> "That metaphor's painfully awkward," Canderella opines, "But I've seen stranger too."
> "Well....oh!" Kascha suddenly perks up, "Maybe we'll find out one day. If I do, I'll make sure to tell you, Muirfinn. If you do, promise to tell me?"
<Muirfinn> "Why not? Provided we don't all die awful deaths to unbeleivable cosmic horrors from the Nine Hells or the Abyss, I suspect we will all be around forever anyhow." Muirfinn says matter-of-factly.
> "Of course," Canderella waves a hand as she settles back in, sighing in contentment, "Mortality is such a quaint notion. Anyone who can make it as far as we have should be able to toss it aside like an ill-fitting tunic."
> "Forever's a long time," Kascha sits back and looks ahead, not really looking at anything at all. Her expression is full of ruminations, "Even now, decades after being reborn, my mortal life still makes that seem silly."
<Muirfinn> "Mortality, I have found, changes your outlook on life. Tell me, Canderella, what would you do if you found that you only had a scant forty years left to live, and while you lived these years, you would become old and frail. How would you live that life?"
> "I'd find a way to become immortal once more," Canderella answers immediately, "It's not that hard if you have power and know whom to call on. An aging mortal vessel is naught but binds for the soul, ropes of dust and dirt."
* Muirfinn shakes his head. "What if that were not an option?"
> "Not that hard," Kascha laughs, a strange little sound that's somehow uncertain. With a wry smile, "You speak of a desire almost every mortal ever born feels and few obtain as they wish."
> "There's always another option. I'd strive for that until my time ran out. At worst, I'd train my spirit and will to be able to retain my sense of self after death." Canderella chuckles at the last, "Mortals do desire it. It's an easy weakness to exploit."
> "That can be done?" Vivantha speaks up, "I've heard of it spontaneously happening, but it's the exception rather than the rule."
> "I've seen it. Of course, any of us would have huge advantages in that situation. A mere mortal could train but would almost certainly fail." Canderella's voice grows slower and lazy, "Mmmmm. Mortals aren't meant to do anything but live, die and be reborn. Their basic natures conspire against it, while our natures embrace it instead."
<Muirfinn> "In turn, we are not reborn when we die. We simply...cease."
> "If we are slain at our wellspring of power. As we grow mightier, the odds of that become far more remote." Canderella smirks, "I have no intentions of dying in the realm of Talos."
<Muirfinn> "Nor do I on Water, or any of us in our own realms." Muirfinn says. "Yet it happens on occasion."
> "That's...not quite true," Kascha speaks up, "You'll become part of the realm you're connected to. It's not quite awareness as we define it here, but it's not a true cessation. I was part of Arborea for millenia, it's...." Kascha finally just goes on, "Different. Wonderful but different."
<Muirfinn> "Oh yes, some of us may reform eventually. Others are reformed by the gods they serve. Others are not."
> "Mmm. When the time comes, you may not want to. I can't speak for other realms, but in Arborea? I was unique, a completed treasure at peace with everything around me. I was finished. There's a sense of peaceful and satisified finality that I can't describe adequately. Even if it's possible to reform, I doubt many will choose to do so. I only did because Seira intervened to me."
> "Oh!" Vivantha suddenly stirs, "I'm afraid to announce we've cheated a little bit, going far faster than a normal traveler. Halt." Vivantha commands, the chairs stopping. "Brave hero, ahead is Planeswalker's Guild. It would be best if we go through it on foot - going through with such means as we do now would attract a great deal of attention."
* Muirfinn shrugs. "I have no incredible love for Water. It is my home plane, and where I will eventually end. Whether that will be by choice or not, who knows? In the end, only I will know."
* Muirfinn nods, stepping carefully from the chair. "That seems reasonable."
> Kascha gets up as well, followed by the others. As you get off, you can see a platform above you - perhaps ten minutes of walking. Muffled and distant sounds carry from it, nothing distinct.
> Chairs and lillend rise up and above, out of sight and away.
* Muirfinn heads for the stairs. "Shall we?"
> With that, the party advances up! As you climb, you see this is a vast foyer, stairs connecting to it at all angles. Every inch of space is taken up by tents of all shapes and colors and materials. About you see creatures of all types and colors and sizes and clothing, a storm of them. A wooden sign just past the entrance reads, "Planeswalker's Guild - come on in!" Near the sign, a black skinned human man and a Mercane shout at each other, pointing fingers at each other. Back and forth they go, "Red!" "Blue!" Red" "Blue!" Other people pay them little mind, sidestepping past them.
> "How lively," Canderella glances around, "Are we going straight through, or do we have time to dally with the local culture?"
<Muirfinn> "Purple." Muirfinn turns and says to the arguing couple as they pass.
> The man turns, lightly muscular and athletic. He has a short trimmed goatee, going up to stroke it. "Purple?! That's just absurd, man!"
> The mercane turns with a dry look, "Not so fast. Purple could be an interesting adaptation of the idea."
* Muirfinn doesn't even slow down!
> The others follow as you plunge in. Vivantha smiles, "I can direct us the way we need to go at any time," she says, "Though this is a hub of information and oddities."
* Muirfinn nods. "So I can see. What was that fellow arguing with the mercane back there?"
<Muirfinn> OOC: As in what the hell was he
> "Gaspar," Vivantha cracks a smile, "He and the mercane - Alvaris - are a staple over there. They've been having the same argument for decades now."
<Muirfinn> "Seems a bit...drawn out."
> "That sounds more like a comedy routine than an argument," Canderella wrinkles her nose, "I'm sure they'd have settled it by now otherwise."
> "They get paid to repeat it," Vivantha says, "I hear they're..." She curls two fingers together, "Close."
* Muirfinn shrugs, looking about. "Whatever floats their goat."
> Around you are various tents and people of all sorts. A lantern archon sits atop a grey ogre, who walks next to a tired looking old man with a cane. A tent has a sign with a crystal ball and the text READINGS OF THE SOUL. Another tent is much larger, symbols of weapons and armor above it. Sitting on the nearby edge of the landing is a flaxen haired maiden, wearing a clingy cutoff chain mail shirt and short chainmail skirt, joind by a horned helmet. Next to her is a woman with the same features and blonde hair, save that she is clad in heavy full plate armor, only her head bare.
* Muirfinn blinks at the women and eyes the lantern archon and ogre with a smile. "I could get used to a place like this."
<Muirfinn> "It rather reminds me of an idea I had for the Aurora."
> "Oh?" Kascha slips by a rather short humanoid with a long white beard, smiling at it before turning her attention to Muirfinn.
> "Hmmm..." Canderella glances back, "I'll be back in a few," she says, starting to slip away.
<Muirfinn> "Have you heard of the concept of a Worldmeet Glade?"
> "We'll never get to Greenrot if we stop to sightsee everywhere," Vivantha says, childingly. She waggles a finger at the ex-succubus, her free hand on her hip. "You could lose days here."
> "Oh! Oh my, yes, that! Whatever happened to that? I thought it was going to be made, but it never quite happened."
> OOC: Gah.
> "Oh! Oh my, yes, that! Whatever happened to that? I thought it was going to be made, but it never quite happened." Kascha says, eyes sliding over to Vivantha a moment.
* Muirfinn shrugs. "I am ultimately not in charge of what is and what is not constructed on the Aurora, nor am I given free reign over how its funds are spent."
> "I could talk to Ithea about it," Kascha says, "She has money and authority. I thought it was a good idea."
* Muirfinn snorts, watching the two as they go. "You may as well. Afina is mostly wrapped up in her smithing, and I believe Jaela is the one who ultimately blocked the idea."
> "Really? Why'd she do that?" Kascha hms, glancing over her shoulder. "...This is still better than petty bickering."
<Muirfinn> "I do not believe that she trusts me."
> "...really?" Kascha turns in curiosity, "Why'd that?" As you talk a catfolk pushes past you - clad in black with white fur, a small wolf trotting along with it. Right after it is a smalle arth elemental, also following. "Watch out!" The elemental says, a deep, rumbling bass as it stomps past the two of you, "Coming through"!
> *Why's
* Muirfinn smoothly dodges the elemental, rumbling a greeting at it in Terram as it passes. "I would gather her reaction to my presence near Mirajane would be an indicator of it, though I do not quite understand the why of it."
> "Oh, about the - oh." Kascha shakes her head, "But let's at least go somewhere quieter if we're going to talk, or at least track down Canderella before she gets to trouble."
<Muirfinn> "If anyone can keep her out of trouble, it's Vivantha." Muirfinn says. "Even if it's only be starting another argument."
> "I can hope," Kascha says with a slight sigh, "Seira help us."
> OOC: What are you going to do now, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Probably go to  bed. I'm tiredddddd
> OOC: Okay, I'll start next session with that question then.

<Muirfinn> OOC: I suppose we should find a pub nearby or something.
> OOC: Make a GI check then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Or, if we wanted to be responsible, we could go after the girls. I suppose.
> OOC: Well, up to you.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+26 let's all go to the taaaavern, let's all go to the taaaavern, let's all go to the taaaavern, and have ourselves a drink.
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+26 let's all go to the taaaavern, let's all go to the taaaavern, let's all go to the taaaavern, and have ourselves a drink. and gets 27." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20 Kascha aids
<Muirfinn> OOC: ONE
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Kascha aids and gets 2." [1d20=2]
> OOC: Lemme check if she even mamkes 10. Wow.
> OOC: Nope!
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ohh boy!
> You wander a little bit. Soon enough you come to a tent with a floating image of a frothy mug hovering above it. Within you find the thick brown tent is dim, low enough that you need to walk hunched over. A small bar about two feet off the ground is here, enough space for perhaps four or five people to sit. Behind it is a strange little creature - like a dwarf, but with rosier cheeks and not quite so squad and muscular. It chuckles and pats its stomach as you enter, "Ho there!" Behind it is a single barrel and a few mugs atop it.
* Muirfinn blinks watery-blue eyes, turning to Kascha. He says nothing, letting a brief flat look speak for itself. He turns to the barkeeper, nodding. "Hello."
> "Oh!" Kascha puts a hand to her mouth, staring a moment before quickly and politely averting her gaze. "Hello there!"
> "You're just in time to try a new brew," he says jovially, "Have you ever sat down and enjoyed some fine mushrooms and some fine beer, then realized how well they go together? It's only natural that this new batch will be amazing!"
* Muirfinn perks. "Mushrooms, you say?"
> "Exactly!" He pours two mugs and places them on the bar. Kascha sits in the meanwhile, brushing her bangs away from her eyes. "It's the finest in mushrooms aged in the beer!"
* Muirfinn leans back, frowning. "Ah...beer. No, I think I'll pass."
> "Oh, don't be a wet sod!" The fellow smiles, "Come and try a mug! It won't kill you and you might just like it!"
<Muirfinn> "My kind do not react well to alcohol." Muirfinn says.
> "Oh, too bad!" With a gentle smile, "Dear girl, you should try some then!"
* Muirfinn nudges Kascha. "Yes, really."
> Kascha starts to say something but stops, "Well..." she blushes as a mug is placed into her hands! "Well...if you say so..." she says, taking a drink!
> roll 1d20+24
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 30." [1d20=6]
> She drains a bit of it before putting it down, blinking and going, "Woaaaaaaah!" Her eyes widen to the maximum, pupils shrinking.
<Muirfinn> "...yes, I do believe I made a wise choice in declining." Muirfinn states. "Are you alright?"
> "Strong, isn't it?" Laughing and going to pat Kascha's back, "Just give it a moment."
> "I been affected," she says slowly, "What in Seira's name is in this?"
> "The finest color-seeing oracle mushrooms and the strongest cave beer I could make," he says proudly, "I estimate that with our secret techniques, it's more alcoholic than pure grain liquor and with that special mushroom kick!"
<Muirfinn> "It is...hallucinogenic?"
> "Oh yes, and fast acting!" Patting his stomach with both hands, "It absorbs into the body as it goes down your throat and into your stomach."
> "Oh. So that's why I'm seeing caterpillers," Kascha says, staring ahead at the barrel. "Like," Licking her lips a few times, "Red and blue caterpillers. Squiggly caterpillers."
* Muirfinn holds up a hand, index ginger extended. "How many fingers do you see?"
<Muirfinn> OOC: Finger. Not ginger. WOW.
> Kascha stares ahead, "I see...three, seven, twenty one, twenty seven," she says one after another, voice getting drifty. Hr clothing and gear fall in a pile around her as she takes on the form of a glowing globe of light! Eldritch energies dance over her as her voice is still heard despite having no mouth, "There's so many caterpillars!"
* Muirfinn sighs, eyeing the man balefully. "You could at least have warned us."
> "I did! I told you it was mushrooms and beer," He chortles, "Oh, and it's 10 gold for the drink."
> Meanwhile Kascha starts to fly off and away, towards the door, "I can taste the colors!" she cries, "I can taste them!"
* Muirfinn gathers up her things, making sure everything Kascha dropped makes it into his pack. "I hardly find this amusing. I've heard of mushroom-based wines and beers. Some of them can be good, or so they say. From what I have heard, none of them cause spontaneous discorporation or hallucinations in the divine. Two gold."
> "Ah, come friend," Gesturing wide, "That's exactly why it deserves better payment! It's a breakthrough in brewery! Eight gold."
<Muirfinn> "While it might be a 'breakthrough,' it is by no means sporting or polite to spring such a thing on the unwary. Four gold. For your trouble, and components." Muirfinn says, keeping an eye on Kascha.
> Kascha's done a wonderful job of flying right on out of the tent while you dicker. "My friend, four gold would bankrupt me! This is all in fun and discovery! Six gold between friends, no?"
<Muirfinn> "If a difference of two gold would bankrupt you, perhaps you should offer consideration for your clientele and a wider selection of non-psychotropic vices." Muirfinn places five gold coins on the bar. "My final offer. I wish you a good and very prosperous day, sir." With that, Muirfinn hurries off after Kascha!
> The tent street is aflutter! Kascha is a ways away now, swooping along! Her laughter fills the air, "Watch out! Everyone watch out!" she calls, "The caterpillars are coming! The caterpillars are coming!"
* Muirfinn shakes his head, following after.
> Thus you follow after Kascha! You push past the strange creatures and through two streets of tents! You find her stopping - now in her angelic form. She falls onto the rear, all eyes on her. "I can see time," she says in an awed little voice.
<Muirfinn> In spite of himself, Muirfinn says, "And?"
> The naked eladrin looks up with a smile, "I...I...I don't know!" she says before falling back on hre back, wings pressed into the ground beneath her. An elf comes forward, honey blonde hair and graceful. He drapes a green cloak over her, "M'lady, please cover yourself," he murmurs.
> "Boo!" A few people call, "Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!"
* Muirfinn nods. "As it should be." He pulls Kascha away from the jeering onlookers. "Let's get you settled, then. Hopefully this nonsense will wear off soon."
> "I have a tent that's not far from here," The elf says, "Yupai Yupaiwood," he offers.
> "What if I want to take it off," Kascha pouts, "I can see time crawling up my body right now!"
<Muirfinn> "Kascha, if you were in your right mind now, you'd be red down to your toes and squawking about things that are proper. Trust me. Keep the cloak on."
> "Please, m'lady," Yupai adds, expressive blue eyes that meet hers. "Peace now."
* Muirfinn nods in gratitude at the elf.
> "Mmm...but the caterpillars," Kascha whimpers, the elf smiling and gently putting a finger to her lips. Looking over to Muirfinn, "May I?"
<Muirfinn> "Depends on what you want." Muirfinn says. "Keep the cloak on and try not to fly off."
<Muirfinn> OOC: Wait
<Muirfinn> OOC: I misread that
* Muirfinn raises an eyebrow at the elf. "May you what?"
> "Take her back to my tent," he says, "You as well, of course. Somewhere out of the eye of others."
* Muirfinn nods slowly. "I ask that you kindly do not try anything. I do not wish to fight here. Again." He takes Kascha's arm. "Lead the way."
> You are lead a few streets down, Kascha carried by him. She just stares off, eyes all pupils now. His tent is purple and as big as a cabin or so, having a bed, table and other such things. Kascha is taken in and laid on the bed, staring off for now. He tucks her in under the blankets nad turns to Muirfinn, "What deviltry befell her?"
<Muirfinn> "Mushroom beer."
> "That's an incredible beer," Shaking his head, "How much did she drink?"
<Muirfinn> "About a gulp of it." Muirfinn shakes his head. "That gnome is likely to kill people with that."
> Sighing quietly, "Gnome? I'll need to bring this up. This is out of line." Yupai rubs his forehead slowly, "Let alone to a creature without an eladrin's fortitude."
* Muirfinn nods. "You see my concerns then."
> "The poor woman." Sighing slightly again, ""How bothersome. Fortunately, it seems to have overwhelmed her now." Turning back and checking her over, "She's breathing fine. She's not mortal so she should kick it off swiftly."
* Muirfinn sighs, taking a seat. "If you don't mind our intruding, I will stay here with her until she is lucid."
> "It can't be helped," he says, taking a seat after. "There's not much law and order around here, but really, this is going a little too far."
<Muirfinn> "It's rather surprising that there isn't a group that keeps law here. Most settlements have them."
> "It's fairly informal here. The lillend don't interfere as long as things don't get too out of hand, and most people just pass through." Yupai says. He glances over at Kascha, who is now staring at the both of you. "Finnegan?" she asks, voice sounding oh so far away. "Why's the the moon and sun dancing together?"
* Muirfinn eyes Kascha as he says, "Yes, I gathered that they wanted to avoid the place unless necessary. I got the feeling that it would cause a ruckus if you saw more than one or two here."
> "Might. People leave each other alone." Your new friend also eyes Kascha, who doesn't reply and just staaares. "If she doesn't recover in due time, there are usually a few clerics to be found around here."
<Muirfinn> "We'll see how it goes."
> OOC: Skip ahead a little bit?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yeap
> About an hour passes. Kascha's asleep now, while you pass time chatting with your new friend. It's then that the tent flap is thrown open. Canderella comes in, followed by Vivantha, followed by several men carrying great armfuls of clothing, jewelry and other such things. Canderella has a pleased smirk on her face, "Ah! There you are! Just put them down here, boys." Waving a hand towards her followers with barely a glance at them. Meanwhile Vivantha looks a little off-put, a frown threatening to form every so often.
* Muirfinn stands. "Hello, ladies. How was your shopping trip?"
> "Productive," The men put the various things down and file out. Vivantha looks at her, "It was...informative to see a succubus working her charms on the menfolk, brave hero."
> "I'm sorry, but..." Yupai clears his throat, "A succubus traveling with alillend and an eladrin? What madness is this?"
* Muirfinn nods, a small smile at the corners of his lips. "Nice to know she's not destructively evil, isn't it? Either way," Muirfinn waves an arm at Kascha,s prone form. "you two missed the fun."
<Muirfinn> "Talos, Yupai."
> "That story's true?" Yupai's eyes widen, as meanwhile Canderella curties, "Too bad, but I made my own fun."
<Muirfinn> "Probably not as much fun as Kascha discovering hallucinogenic drugs." Muirfinn points out.

> Vivantha goes over to Kascha, checking her over with one hand held to her chest. At the meantime Canderella gestures, "You're welcome to anything there. It's things lesser women need." Going to take a seat, "So will be staying much longer?"
<Muirfinn> "Until I can be certain that Kascha can maintain her modesty, yes." Muirfinn nods.
> That gets a crack of a smile from Canderella but nothing else. About an hour and a half passes until Kascha rises. She sits up, blanket clinging to her to preserve modesty. "Ohhhhh..." One hand holds her head, "My head throbs!"
* Muirfinn conjures water!
> OOC: Like on her or in a cup or what?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Well, a cup would be preferable.
> "Shh," Vivantha murmurs a few soothing words as Muirfinn conjures water.
> "Mmmgh...I can barely remember anything." Slowly rubbing her forehead, "Why am I here? For that matter," Reddening as she pulls the blanket tighter, "Why aren't I dressed?!"
> Yupai clears his throat, "Madam, you were afflicted by gnome's brew. Fortunately, you're safe and nothing wrong happened. Your garments are over here."
<Muirfinn> "You discorporated in the tent, leaving your clothes behind and ranting about seeing time." Muirfinn says. "I followed you and Yupai threw a cloak around you when you became physical again."
> "Oh." Kascha says in a small little voice, as Yupai rises. "It's a pleasure to meet you, but if you excuse me, I'll step out while you dress." Yupai does just that.
> Vivantha goes and takes the water from Muirfinn and hands it to Kascha. She drains it dry, "Thank you. Could you go, Muirfinn?"
* Muirfinn pats Kascha on the head, following Yupai out. "Just let me know when everything is settled."
> Yupai waits outside, looking out at the stairry, empty sky above. His arms are crossed, "Say. How is it traveling with a lillend? I've heard that those in their favor use the Infinite Stair almost as fast as teleportation and far more enjoyably."
<Muirfinn> "Comfortable, to say the least." Muirfinn says.
> Nodding along as he watches, "I-" There's a pause as Kascha lets out a rather loud EEEEP!
* Muirfinn turns. "Everything alright in there?"
> "Just fine!" Canderella's voice is all sweetness and honey.
* Muirfinn nods.
> There's a oud THUMP and then Vivantha calls, "Everything's good," she says.
<Muirfinn> "It's been an interesting journey." Muirfinn says to Yupai, heading back in.
> You find the girls ready to go. Kascha curties to Yupai, "Thank you for watching over me."
> He cracks a smile, "Sure. I hope the rest of your journey is safer."
<Muirfinn> "You have our thanks for your hospitality." Muirfinn bows.
> OOC: Good to skip along a bit then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Rock and roll!
> From there the party heads out and to the stairs. Soon the lillend carry you along again, taking you to a plain door. A few satiny pink pillows lie about the door, but otherwise it is unremarkable and the landing is plain. The lillends that took you here chorus, "We will watch this door. Should you need aid, return and we will help you."
* Muirfinn nods. "Hopefully this will not be a situation where we are too overly matched to be forced to retreat to the door."
> "Let us go forward in triumph!" Vivantha declares, heading for the door.
> "This is a realm at war," Canderella follows, "We must be ready for every and anything here."
* Muirfinn nods. "Are we ready?"
> "I am," Kascha draws her greatsword, holding it with one hand.
> "Yes," Canderella and Vivantha say almost at the same time.
<Muirfinn> "Alright then. Let's proceed."
> Thus the door is opened, the party passing through! There is a sensation of plummeting. It feels as if you are plummeting, yet you do not fall. Instead you stand in a hallway. It is of fine marble and may have once been some sort of beautiful palace. Yet everything is smeared with blood. Bodies of all types lie about - the upper body of a dwarf is nearby, next to the ruins of several devilish looking kobolds. A pile of ashes and armor is also nearby, everything there charred. Pinned into the wall next to it is a small red dragon's head, eyes gouged out.
> "We missed the entertainment," Canderella wrinkles her nose, "Step lively, now. There may be left over party favors around."
<Muirfinn> "Well." Muirfinn says. "Looks like quite the fight here."
> "IT doesn't look like a regular army's forces, but the Abyss doesn't encourage them," Kascha says, stepping over the messes. There's a path ahead down the hall. There's various doors dotting the hall as well, some open, some closed and a fair few torn off and gone.
> "Less talking, more moving," Canderella says tersely, "Demons have good ears. Sitting and yapping is rarely a wise option."
* Muirfinn nods, staying quiet and hurrying along.
> You hurry along. The hall leads to a grand entry room. Here beautiful stairs are stained and broken. The entrance lobby is full of bodies, skeletons and the corpses of what look to be a good dozen red giants. Most of the front wall is gone, revealing a devastated landscape that may have once been a garden. The sky is a roiling pink-red, the sweet smell of perfume mixing with the charnal scents of the battlefield. Past the ruined garden you can see a forest of crucifixes, surely thousands of them. Each has a being crucified onto it, not a single empty one from what you can tell from here.
* Muirfinn grimaces. "Which way, Canderella?"
> "Out," Canderella says, flying down. AS the others follow, "We may be able to find out who won from those crucifixes. Demons like to leave calling cards."
> Vivantha looks rather pale, but she does follow.
* Muirfinn nods, face set. "Let's go." Muirfinn says, turing into a bird to follow.
> Kascha's face slips into a stony and resolute grimace. "If it's the forces of another demon lord, that means we may have to sneak by their armies or otherwise get through."
> Thus you go out, flying over the ruined garden. On reaching the forest of crucifixes, you see it stretches ahead and to either side farther than you can see. Creatures of all types are crucified, including demons. Canderella dips down, flying go the edge and going to inspect a crucifix.
* Muirfinn lands on her shoulder, giving the crucifix a very bird-like stare.
> The poor creature here was a humanoid creature with gills and a white beard. It is most dead, stripped nude and body brutalized in unspeakable ways. Painted on his torn open rib cage is a crude sigil of a fingerless hand. Six stumps are there instead of five. OOC: You can make K:P off of that if you please.
> roll 1d20+30 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 Canderella and gets 38." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+33 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 Kascha and gets 40." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 23." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+8 Bardic Knowledge for Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Bardic Knowledge for Vivantha and gets 22." [1d20=14]
> Muirfinn can't quite figure it out. However, Canderella and Kascha exchange a glance. "I'd say because the fingers were cut off?" The eladrin ventures, Canderella smiling faintly.
> "The symbolism's simple," Canderella goes on, "Graz'zt is known for having six fingers. Six stumps on a hand is a fairly direct allusion to Graz'zt. I'd guess this was one of his armies, or at least the defenders thought so."
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 59." [1d100=59]
> OOC: Listen check, y'all.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+31
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+31 and gets 36." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+27 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 Kascha and gets 36." [1d20=9]
> OOC: That was Vivantha, excuse me. Other two will take 10.
> Muirfinn can hear a groaning ahead. It's faint as anything, but it is audible. "H...H..."
* Muirfinn cocks his head, trying to hear.
> Vivantha turns at the same time, peering ahead. You can hear it again from ahead, "H...H..." A ways ahead you can see one cross in particular. Crucified there is a massive green troll. It's head is burnt and blood-spackled, eyes on the party. It's lips ever so slowly move, blood leaking from them. It wears naught, iron spikes all over its body, barely leaving any green flesh unpierced.
* Muirfinn eyes the troll. "It is not dead, and will likely recover." he squarks. "What is he saying?"
> "Oh, how fortunate," Canderella begins to fly there, "He's still alive! If he's sane, I can interrogate it with telepathy."
> "It won't, actually," Kascha speaks up, "Trolls can starve to death or dehydrate. It's one of the few things that can kill one off for good besides fire or acid."
<Muirfinn> "Well, provided it can get down, yes."
> "He's crying for help," Canderella rubs her forehead, "He's started screaming in the mind the moment I initiated a telepathic channel. I can't even get it to listen to a word edgewise."
> "Trolls are violent brutes. One in Graz'zt's army had to have been a special kind of brute. The sort that would take advantage of innocent maidens after waylaying them." She shudders with her whole body.
> "Curiosier yet, Graz'zt hates ugliness," Canderella glances back, "Not that it's stopped the hordes of the Abyss before." Reaching him and hovering before him, "Or he was caught in the battle or he was an ally that the defenders didn't like."
<Muirfinn> "Shall we help it? It could be of use, and even a troll can be kept in line."
> "I saw we interrogate it and send it to Ysgard. It probably doesn't deserve it," Kascha stares at it, "But no one deserves to die alone and scared." Her voice doesn't waver at that, flying forward. She draws her greatsword, "I'll cut it down if there's no objections."
> Canderella just shrugs. "It probably won't talk without torture or helping it."
* Muirfinn ruffles his feathers. "None here."
> *say we interrogate it
> "Why Ysgard?" Vivantha speaks up at that, a little frown of puzzlement on her face. "You're right, it doesn't deserve it."
<Muirfinn> "Ultimately, on Ysgard, it can't permanently hurt anyone."
> "Look at it," Kascha gestures with her blade, which shimmers with little eddies of air, crackles of fire, blobs of water and sharp stones. "It has reached the absolute nadir it could imagine. Killing it would be a mercy, but that would just feed the Abyss. In Ysgard, it can't do any permanent damage and it'll have a chance to reflect on what it's done."
> The troll opens it's mouth, managing ot whisper-rasp, "H..elp!"
> "Oh, if yo uthink this is a nadir, you're still painfully naive." Canderella reaches out to pat the troll's cheek, a smile like bladed silk. "This isn't bad work, but it's far from personalized torment. It's only an atrocity of war. Good for bulk, bad for quality."
<Muirfinn> "Possibly atone. Probably not, but Ysgard effectively neutralizes it, Nobody is likely to provide passage off-plane for it. And didn't the Aurora already have a demonic troll on it's side at one time?"
> Kascha makes a gagging sound, looking away. "Thank you for that," she sighs, "The point is..." Kascha slices out! She cuts off most of the troll's backflesh and the iron spikes holding him in place! It falls to the ground in a heap, Kascha kneeling before it. "Water, Muirfinn?" She begins to remove the spikes with her hands, grunting as she rips out as much flesh as iron.
> "I suppose," Vivantha says, staying back.
> "It did," Kascha says as she works, tossing aside spike after spike. The creature soundlessly gasps with each one, the wounds sluggishly closing as the troll's regeneration works. "Trolls aren't beyond saving, even one with demon's blood."
* Muirfinn alights from Canderella's shoulder, landing and morphing back into his natural form. Pulling the decanter from his pack, he speaks a soft word and a stream of purest water flows from the top, arcing down over the troll's mouth. "Nothing is beyond salvation, so long as it is willing to make the sacrifices necessary."
> The troll opens its mouth wide! It gulps down water, chokes, coughs it up and drinks again. "Besides, better to fail in Ysgard than to die here and feed this realm," Kascha says. Meanwhile Canderella speaks up, "His name is Grrrsomething. It's trollish."
<Muirfinn> "I'm afraid my trollish is somewhat rusty. Perhaps telepathy is the best choice."
> "As you wish," Canderella smiles and kneels down next to it. As it drinks yet more water, "It's claiming it wasn't a member of Graz'zt's army. It's hard to read bluffs with telepathy," she adds, "Grr was a Blood War conscript that ended up entangled in the battle. Graz'zt's forces blundered. From the sounds of it, they ran into a well led force. It may have been Athux's main forces, but who's to know for sure. Trolls aren't known for brilliant insights and cunning thought."
* Muirfinn nods. "Anything else? Where's it from?"
> "The forests. It fell into a portal one day and one thing lead to another." Canderella wavers a hand up and down, "It's not an uncommon story. The Abyss gets a lot of unexpected guests."
* Muirfinn nods. "If there is nothing else from him, I can open a gate."
> "Do it," Canderella says.
* Muirfinn opens a Gate under the troll, letting it fall into Ysgard.
> It does just that, gone and away. Once done Vivantha takes to the air, silently flying on.
* Muirfinn allows the portal to close, packing away the decanter and taking wing again. "Shall we?"

> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 80." [1d100=80]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 90." [1d100=90]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 81." [1d100=81]
> The party flies on. Ahead the forest of the crucified stretches further. A forest without trees, rivers without water. The crucified and blood replace them instead, stretching to the horizon. After a few minutes of this flight, Vivantha glances down and in a small voice, "How many?" she asks, her voice brimming with nausea.
> "I'd guess at least ten thousand," Canderella says, looking ahead through squinted eyes. "It could easily be more depending on how far it stretches to our sides." With a chuckle as she flies on, "This isn't so big by Blood War standards. Million demon armies are the minimum fielded by any demon warlord remotely serious about competing. I've heard that there are parts of Pazunia with mass graves bigger than continents from the worlds of mortals."
<Muirfinn> "Too many." Muirfinn warbles next to her. "There is nothing we can do for all of them. I can only open one more gate, and freeing a significant number would no doubt attract attention. As much as it pains me to say so, nothing would ultimately come of such an action. No matter how needlessly heroic it might be. An army of wounded, exhausted troops would only be slaughtered by more demons, or
<Muirfinn> merely re-affixed to those crosses. Along with ourselves. After we have dealt with Athux, and if situations permit, we can come in here with an army and choose the living from the slain."
> "The vast majority here are only getting what they deserve," Canderella interjects after that, "Don't forget this is an army of demons, not innocent lambs and mortals." Sweeping her arm out as you fly, the scent of rotting meat and death growing heavier as you continue ahead, "Besides, I'm sure a fair few were slain by their comrades. Demon armies routinely fight amid themselves. They aren't disciplined like Hell's forces are."
> "They have numbers and little else," Kascha adds, keeping her eyes ahead.
<Muirfinn> "The senseless, violent chaos of it all is disgusting. Madness for the sake of destruction, and destruction for the sake of madness. It is not a means to an end, just a means. No goal involved."
> "There is no why." Canderella nods slightly as she flies, a dry smile coming to her face. "It's a quote attributed to more demons than I can count. There is no why, no causes, no justification. There is only the Abyss and endless atrocities. The destruction isn't a goal, a means, an end or anything. It simply is."
<Muirfinn> "It is offensive."
> "It's hideous!" Vivantha pointedly looks up at the boiling horizon, "Chaos is freedom, not this!"
> "Hmph." With a teasing smile, the former succubus continues on. "Then you owe Baator thanks. If they didn't perform so accursedly well at their side of the Blood War, the rest of Creation would surely be overran."
<Muirfinn> "Unfortunate but true." Muirfinn glides. "The necessity of the Nine Hells is not lost on me."
> As you fly, there is a shudder. Not in yourself or in another. It is as if the realm itself shudders. Everything flickers, darkens and shakes. Light only returns halfway, cob-web cracks running along everything.
> "That's a short step from advocating what Hell does," Kascha says, "If need be, the Heavens could take Baator's place. Mechanus would join with us to contain the Abyss. We'd-" She pauses as she looks about quickly.
> "Eh?" Vivantha stops in the air, "What's happening?"
* Muirfinn twitches his gull's beak. "The realm shudders and shifts. Is it under attack?"
> OOC: K:P here, y'all.
> roll 1d20+36 Canderella (+6 bonus for being a former native)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 Canderella (+6 bonus for being a former native) and gets 50." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+33 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 Kascha and gets 49." [1d20=16]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 39." [1d20=17]
> Muirfinn knows this. This part of the Abyss is slipping out of the control of the layer's lord - likely caused by Athux's tenous grip on it and divine power. The previous shape of the realm is trying to reassert itself. Brace, this is likely going to be extremely violent and dangerous until it passes.
<Muirfinn> "Brace yourselves! The plane is shifting!" Muirfinn prepares to take evasive action!
> Muirfinn does just that! Just in time as the others follow suit, as everything around you shatters like glass! OOC: Ref saves, y'all. +3 bonus.
> roll 1d20+38 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 Canderella and gets 47." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+28 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Kascha and gets 45." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 44." [1d20=7]
> OOC: Did not include the +3 to any of their rolls. Dur.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+25+6+3
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+25+6+3 and gets 39." [1d20=5]
> roll 10d6 Canderella half, Kascha half, Vivantha half, Muirfinn half. Add them to topic HP in #elysium.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 Canderella half, Kascha half, Vivantha half, Muirfinn half. Add them to topic HP in #elysium. and gets 40." [10d6=6, 1, 6, 4, 5, 4, 1, 2, 5, 6]
> Reality becomes bleak nothingless as it becomes a storm of shards! It slices into all of you, scores of minor but endurable wounds. Before you is now hot, fetid hills. Hills of flesh that throb, full of crucifixes. They slowly emerge out as white putrescence seeps from the holes. The smell that hits you is nigh overwhelming! As you reel from that? The shards of the former reality swirl in front of you! It forms a titanic creatures of jagged, broken reality! It is in the shape of a balor, burning with the bonfire of everything that was! The blade in its hand is large enough to run one of you through five times over, made of rusted, ancient iron that crackles with lightning. In it's other hand is a gigantic spine, cracked like a whip!  The dislodged crucifixes fly up to it's neck, forming a necklace of them! The figures on it stare ahead, wide eyes and gazing at the party with contempt, hate and horror! OOC: First of all, Fort saves, y'all. This is a sickened/nauseaed effect if any of you are immune.
> roll 1d20+36 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 Vivantha and gets 37." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+40 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 Canderella and gets 46." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+24
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 35." [1d20=11]
> OOC: Kascha there.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+33+6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+33+6 and gets 58." [1d20=19]
> The figure is 100ft away. It stomps down, the hills beneath it cracking like sundered skulls. Amid a sea of foulness it stands, screaming in a voice of maniac rage, "THE END COMES! THE END COMES! THE END COMES!" Then before you can react further, the creature advances onto you! OOC: Kascha and VIvantha are nauseated one round and sickened until the end of the combat. Muirfinn and Canderella are merely sickened until the end of the combat. Init.
> OOC: Remember +2 from Vivantha.
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 22." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+4 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Canderella and gets 15." [1d20=11]
> OOC: +2 to hers for 17.
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Kascha and gets 16." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+11 giant shard-balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 giant shard-balor and gets 27." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+6 the damned
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 the damned and gets 15." [1d20=9]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24." [1d20=12]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Shard-Balor(27)>Muirfinn(24)>Vivantha(22, nauseated 1)>Kascha(16, nauseated 1)>Canderella=The Damned(15)'
> The massive balor of shards raises its blade high! It swings it down as if to bisect reality before you, and it does just that! A wave of tearing reality surges towards the party, as if to cleave them apart! OOC: Ref, y'all.
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 40." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+38 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 Canderella and gets 54." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+28 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Kascha and gets 29." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+25+6
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+25+6 and gets 48." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Imp evasion
> roll 15d12 Vivantha half, Canderella half, Kascha full, Muirfinn none
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15d12 Vivantha half, Canderella half, Kascha full, Muirfinn none and gets 128." [15d12=7, 12, 9, 12, 7, 12, 2, 12, 10, 7, 3, 4, 11, 8, 12]
> The blast of shards rips through the devastated party! Reality shreds all of you, save for Muirfinn who weaves amid it with a liquid serenity! OOC: Ow. Muirfinn, go.
* Muirfinn banks to the side, peeling off from the group a short way before morphing into the form of a massive silvery dragon, the air around him chilling and condensating as he exhales a mighty blast of frosty air!
<Muirfinn> roll 21d6 cold damage ref dc 29 go
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 21d6 cold damage ref dc 29 go and gets 73." [21d6=2, 3, 6, 5, 5, 3, 3, 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 3, 3, 3, 6, 1, 6, 1, 2]
> roll 1d20+19
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 and gets 24." [1d20=5]
> The blast of cold breath hits the shard-balor right on! The flames around it burn ice-blue as torrents of water pour off it and steam rises up! As the demon screams in fury, Vivantha is busy emptying out her stomach the hard way! So is Kascha, doubled over and being miserably ill! OOC: CAnderella and the damned are up.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4 breath cooldown
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d4 breath cooldown and gets 4." [1d4=4]
> Canderella gestures, roaring in fury, "Oh yeah?" she retorts, as a giant fist of pure electricity appears above! Thunderclaps shatter everything into a din of pure fury as the fist strikes at the necklace of the damned!
> roll 1d20 this is ranged touch so just going to see if it 1/20s
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 this is ranged touch so just going to see if it 1/20s and gets 12." [1d20=12]
> roll 25d8
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 25d8 and gets 110." [25d8=7, 5, 5, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 1, 5, 5, 6, 3, 2, 5, 7, 6, 1, 8, 4, 5, 3, 6, 8, 5]
> Hit dead on, the necklace of the damned cracks apart! It rains down, but not before it sounds an unholy paean! Dark energies surge into the shard-balor, boiling beneath its jagged flesh! OOC: Shard balor is up.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Shard-Balor(27)>Muirfinn(24)>Vivantha(22)>Kascha(16)>Canderella'
> With deadly speed the balor pursues Muirfinn! It makes all the realm shake terribly with each loping step! It is within range in seconds, one massive swing angled down at him!
> roll 1d20+49 (-10 PA, +2 charge, +6 dark supplication) AC?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+49 (-10 PA, +2 charge, +6 dark supplication) AC? and gets 53." [1d20=4]
<Muirfinn> OOC: 63
> But Muirfinn wheels in the air! His draconic body swoops lower, going underneath the legs of the creature as its swing only hits raw air! OOC: Go.
> "Rally your magic!" Canderella bellows, "Hit it right where Muirfinn did! Now!"
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+40 Bite
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+40 Bite and gets 55." [1d20=15]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Tail slap ASSUMING I DID ALL THAT MATH RIGHT HERE
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Claw and gets 52." [1d20=17]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Claw and gets 38." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Wing and gets 41." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Wing and gets 54." [1d20=19]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Tail slap ASSUMING I DID ALL THAT MATH RIGHT HERE and gets 39." [1d20=4]
* Muirfinn attacks as he sails under the legs of the beast!
> OOC: All hit. AC it isn't.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+24 Bite
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 2d8+12 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 2d8+12 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+36 Tail slap
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+24 Bite and gets 46." [4d8=1, 8, 5, 8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw and gets 29." [4d6=3, 6, 1, 4][2d6=1, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw and gets 26." [4d6=2, 3, 1, 1][2d6=2, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d8+12 Wing and gets 18." [2d8=4, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d8+12 Wing and gets 23." [2d8=5, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+36 Tail slap and gets 53." [4d6=5, 5, 4, 3]
> OOC: What do your attacks count as to bypass DR?
<Merc> ooc: they count as tortle, ninja, teenage, and mutant!
<Muirfinn> OOC: Normal attacks count as magic, claws count as holy/magic/silver/Merc-slaying
> The flying dragon takes to the air, ripping into the legs of the giant balor! Shards are torn away as Muirfinn savages it, swooping up as its wings tear apart great lines into its back! AS this happens...OOC: Vivantha.
> Vivantha begins to sing! The rousing song fills the air, your weapons vibrating with sonic energy! OOC: +5d6 sonic to all attacks. Kascha.
> Kascha whirls back, pale-faced as she chants! Bands of light appear around her, before breaking apart as a powerful burst of holy energy slams into the demon!
> OOC: No SR check needed due to her boosters to that+Canderella.
> roll 20d8
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8 and gets 96." [20d8=7, 1, 8, 3, 7, 6, 2, 6, 8, 3, 1, 8, 5, 3, 6, 1, 1, 5, 8, 7]
> roll 1d20+19 will
> roll 1d4 blidn
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 blidn and gets 2." [1d4=2]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Shard-Balor(27, blind 2)>Muirfinn(24)>Vivantha(22)>Kascha(16)>Canderella'
> The blast gets the balor in the leg, causing it to fall to one knee! It's momentarily downed as Canderella swoops in! With it blind it can't see her dive in for a slash!
> roll 1d20+27 (+2 charge)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 (+2 charge) and gets 44." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d10+5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+5 and gets 7." [1d10=2]
> Canderella hacks at the demon, perhaps scratching it mildly. Perhaps. Meanwhile it whirls about, swinging wildly for Muirfinn!
> roll 6#1d100 going to see how many even have a chance to hit him first needs 51 or higher
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6#1d100 going to see how many even have a chance to hit him first needs 51 or higher and gets 328." [6#1d100 = 89, 54, 78, 36, 51, 20]
> roll 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 1 and gets 52." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 2
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 2 and gets 48." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 3
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) sword 3 and gets 51." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) whip 1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) whip 1 and gets 66." [1d20=19]
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: HE GOT MEH
<Muirfinn> OOC: 1 hit
> roll 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) whip 1 crit check then
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (-10 PA, +6 dark supplication) whip 1 crit check then and gets 57." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d8+22+2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+22+2d6 and gets 37." [1d8=8][2d6=6, 1]
> The thrashing demon whirls about! While most are dodged cleanly, a slash of its spine-white gets Muirfinn's scaly side! He's sent wobbling in the air, knocked off balance! OOC: Go.
* Muirfinn spins into the wobble, wings retracting as he uses the momentum to come around and hit the monstrosity again!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+40 Bite
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+35 Tail slap
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+40 Bite and gets 42." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Claw and gets 53." [1d20=18]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Claw and gets 43." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Wing and gets 47." [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Wing and gets 48." [1d20=13]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+35 Tail slap and gets 44." [1d20=9]
> OOC: Congratulations, this hurts.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Everything again?
> OOC: Yep.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Alas, poor balor-thing.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+24 Bite
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw
<Muirfinn> roll 2d8+12 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 2d8+12 Wing
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+36 Tail slap
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+24 Bite and gets 42." [4d8=6, 4, 3, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw and gets 33." [4d6=4, 6, 2, 3][2d6=4, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+12+2d6 plus 1 CON damage Claw and gets 33." [4d6=2, 1, 4, 3][2d6=5, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d8+12 Wing and gets 24." [2d8=6, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d8+12 Wing and gets 21." [2d8=4, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+36 Tail slap and gets 52." [4d6=2, 2, 6, 6]
> Under this devastating assault, Muirfinn rises up its side! He tears its arms apart, before going into the head! With one dragon-sized bite he rips its head open, plunging through the brain-matter! The creature stumbles and breaks apart - and slowly the realm reassembles itself. While jagged and cracked, it is once again the sea of crucifixes. OOC: Free act.
* Muirfinn gives a mighty draconic HOARK and spits out the disgusting material.
<Muirfinn> Shaking his head, Muirfinn rumbles, "Well, that most likely wasn't ignored by the natives."

<Muirfinn> "I can supply that." Muirfinn says, shifting down to his natural form and brandishing a wand! OOC: Wand of Cure Criticals!
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Canderella and gets 41." [4d8=6, 8, 8, 2]
> OOC: Roll your heals as the party makes haste away.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Canderella and gets 36." [4d8=8, 1, 7, 3]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Canderella and gets 40." [4d8=6, 7, 3, 7]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Canderella and gets 37." [4d8=2, 6, 5, 7]
<Muirfinn> OOC: That should put her at full?
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 28." [4d8=5, 2, 3, 1]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 35." [4d8=5, 2, 4, 7]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 44." [4d8=8, 6, 6, 7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 40." [4d8=8, 5, 4, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 33." [4d8=8, 6, 1, 1]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 Vivantha and gets 39." [4d8=7, 6, 6, 3]
> OOC: I don't think she needed that much healing.
> Kascha's the mained one.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ah dammit I keep forgetting how powerful this thing is
<Muirfinn> OOC: Move three of those to Kascha, the last three
> OOC: Okay.
> OOC: That all for them?
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 K
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 K
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17 K
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 K and gets 34." [4d8=1, 7, 7, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 K and gets 33." [4d8=4, 5, 4, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 K and gets 39." [4d8=6, 6, 7, 3]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Baha. My fingers are itchy. Scratch that last one and put the second one on me
> OOC: Okay.
> OOC: Update HP in #thecauldron when you're done and note how many more wand charges yo uhave.
> The party flees as they heal up! You go further into the sea of crucifixes, no sign of immediate pursuit! Vivantha looks back, "I don't see anything," she says, "Brave hero, I think we're safe for the moment."
> "Unless there's something we can't see," Canderella says lightly, hurrying along. "Let's just keep going. Even if something comes to raise trouble, at least we'll be closer to our goal before they do."
<Muirfinn> "Yes, let's make haste. Even if we were not followed, I'd like to be off the plane as soon as possible. The Abyss suits me ill."
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 85." [1d100=85]
> Hours pass. Hours of hurrying through this grand field of the dead and tormented. At last it ends! Parting ahead are sweet green fields, pockmarked by craters. A dirt road leads further along, tinted a faint, fleshy pink color.
* Muirfinn grimaces at the landscape's erritic nature. "Which way?"
> "Ahead," Canderella says, "The roat could be a trap, it could be innocent." She shrugs here, very lightly. "As innocent as anything is here. Sooner or later we're going to come onto an army, I reckon."
* Muirfinn sighs. "Yes I suppose we might."
> KAscha seconds that sigh as she leads you along. After a brief bit of travel, you come on a large, thatched house. It's multiple stories with a sign hanging over the door. On a glance, it resembles nothing more than an inn from any typical mortal world.
<Muirfinn> "That's probably not an inn."
> Canderella flies up to the sigh and chuckles, "Oh, it has beds, but you won't be sleeping here. Remember, Athux comes from Graz'zt's court."
> Kascha reddens and looks away. Vivantha wrinkles her nose with unhidden disdain, "We have no purpose in such a place, unless it's to lay low the succubi inside."
<Muirfinn> "We've not the time, ladies. The Abyss and its denizens are endless. While it is a noble calling to try to rid the planes of their filth and corruption, it's ultimately futile."
> "It may not be succubi. Despite our reputation, sex is a tool, not an obsession." With a dark smirk as she glances in, "There might be a succubus running it and trying to manipulate the clientele. It could be slaves, willing servants of depravity or even magic fueled illusions."
* Merc (~k@c-98-194-92-5.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
> "Onward," Kascha takes to the air again, flying past on Muirfinn's words.
> "Aren't succubi lesser demons?" Vivantha asks as she flies along, Canderella following.
> "Newborns aren't see as too much better than a bar-lgura other weaker demons, but they aren't really lesser demons. An able succubus is a superb manipulator. We don't have the obvious physical might other demons have, but we don't need it so much. More experienced succubi can obtain higher rank, even if it is as some demon general's concubine. All the better to whisper things into his ear and manipulate the man on the throne."
> *seen
> *or other. Sigh.
<Muirfinn> OOC: SNRRRK
> "So they're more like devils?" Vivantha smiles ever so primly at that, turning her gaze ahead.
> Canderella's eyes widen and a peevish look passes her face. Her fists ball up, "We are nothing like devils!" she retorts heatedly, "We merely use different methods than most other demons. A proper succubus let loose in a mortal kingdom can do more destruction than a rampaging balor and have no one ever be the wiser. After all, she won't be the one who does it. She'll just make suggestions at the right times."
> "Mmm. Wisdom?" Vivantha murmurs thoughtfully. "Brave hero, what do you think?"
<Muirfinn> "Enough." Muirfinn says. "Do not let the destructive nature of this plane influence you. And you," Muirfinn pokes Canderella in the sternum, "are no more demon than devil. You have moved beyond that. While your form and natural talents may be reminiscent of your former self, you are no longer cut from the same base cloth. You are something else. Remember that."
> "Yes, yes," Canderella smiles despite that, "But still, I know how demons work."
> "Let's keep going. We can talk wisdom later," Kascha calls back, "Let's not give chance and chaos an opening by dallying."
> OOC: Ready to continue along?
<Muirfinn> "Now THAT is wisdom."
<Muirfinn> OOC: YEAH!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
> roll 1d100
<Muirfinn> OOC: ROCK AND ROLL
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 20." [1d100=20]
<Muirfinn> OOC: LET'S DO THIS SHIT
> Another hour or so. Then...ahead. So far ahead. The horizon becomes dark. Not with the falling of night, but instead with a great mass far ahead. It's too far ahead to see much else about it.
<Muirfinn> "What is that?" Muirfinn asks.
> "Good question," Kascha says, "But I'm worried it may be some sort of demonic force."
> "That could be an army, yes. A proper Abyssal horde can block out the sun."
> OOC: Gah.
> "That could be an army, yes. A proper Abyssal horde can block out the sun." Canderella points ahead, "I don't suppose any of us have far-sight or any way to take a peek?"
<Muirfinn> "No."
> "I can teleport far above under the cover of invisibility and get a view. I'm sur ea few demons will see me, but with proper precautions I shouldn't be in any danger." Kascha speaks up.
<Muirfinn> "Mmmmmmmmmm that would still give us away."
> "Would it?" Kascha says, "If they're an army, surely they'd be anticipating the enemy spying on them," she replies, "As long as I don't look like an eladrin, there's no danger."
<Muirfinn> "Well that's true." Muirfin says, nodding slowly.
> "Demon forces have plenty of irregulars," Canderella says, "I don't see why it wouldn't work, in theory. Assuming there isn't magic stopping teleportation.
> "
> "OOC: Gah.
> "Demon forces have plenty of irregulars," Canderella says, "I don't see why it wouldn't work, in theory. Assuming there isn't magic stopping teleportation." Tapping her lips thoughtfully, "By standards this realm's relatively cracked open and with minimal defenses. An attacking army's relatively light on the sort of defenses protected realms employ."
* Muirfinn nods. "It's your choice."
> "It's better than going in blind." Kascha smiles, before vanishing from normal sight. Her features change, becoming that of a normal humanoid. A moment later and she's gone!
> Vivantha exhales, "I hope she's alright."
> Canderella nods, "Assuming she doesn't run into a trap, she should be strong enough to fend of whatever aerial forces are nearby her. Unless Pazuzu's gotten involved and that's his army."
<Muirfinn> "She has a bad habit of getting herself killed around me. I hope she is more careful." Muirfinn grumbles.
> "She'll be fine." Canderella looks up, towards the sky. "If she were an archon I'd be more concerned, but at least as an eladrin she isn't totally anathemic to the plane."
> "Does it matter much?" Vivantha asks, likewise looking up to the sky.
<Muirfinn> "Didn't the eladrin have some sort of excursion into the Abyss some years back in a disagreement with Pale Night?"
> "Of course it does. An eladrin and a demon would never agree on how chaos works, but they're still both of chaos." Moving her bangs away from her eyes before looking back ahead, "It's still less offensive to the Abyss."
> "Mmm-hmm," Canderella goes on, "The lost children of Androlynne. Short version is that long ago Pale Night stole away an entire generation of eladrin children. The eladrin waged war on Androlynne to get them back but it was futile. Eventually, a small mortal band successfully defeated them. It included Seira, Kascha's goddess. Last I heard, Androlynne's under command of Zquujaj, Knight of the Pale Mother. It underwent some turnover after the eladrin children were finally freed.""
<Muirfinn> \"I see."
> "Apparently Pale Night is taking out her frustrations with losing the eladrin children as toys by sponsoring someone capalbe of defeating Bel." Going on from that, "It's really heartwarming. A tale of an obyrith horror as ancient as Creation down on her luck making a sudden rally like that is the stuff of fairy tails to power hungry demons the Abyss over. Sure, Zquujaj was eventually forced off Avernus, but he came out of it alive and drowning in prestige. If he can hold it together and defeat whomever takes a shot at him, he might make good on defeating Bel."
<Muirfinn> "And wouldn't THAT make things weirder everywhere." Muirfinn sighs.

> As you walk, moments later Kascha reappears! "We have a problem," she announces.
<Muirfinn> "Of course we do," Muirfinn says patiently. "We are in the Abyss."
> "It's a given. How big a problem?" Vivantha goes on.
> "There's a huge army of the undead ahead. They're flying the banner of Orcus." Kascha answers, "That bad."
<Muirfinn> "Orcus? That's not good. It could be used to our advantage, though. Are they marching?"
> Muttering an unkind word under her breath, "Fairly bad, then." Canderella gazes ahead at the horizon, "What are they doing?"
> "They're defending. They're being attacked from the front and right flank," Kascha replies, "Athux's own forces are attacking head on while the forces of Demogorgon are attacking the flank. The other two armies are fighting too, but only sporadically."
<Muirfinn> "That sounds like an excellent thing to completely avoid. Can we get around them?"
> "I think so, but we may run into a rear guard action if we go that way," Pointing to the left, "There's some rear guard elements in play. Going to the right isn't realistic - Demogorgon's own forces are badly sprawled in that direction. Worse, they're fighting each other as much as anything else, so it resembles a warzone. "
> "We can deal with the undead rear guards," Canderella says after a little bit of thought. "Especially if they're mostly mindless undead."
* Muirfinn palms his face. "Let's take that option, yes."
> "Or..." Vivantha smiles a little bit, "Under the circumstances, do you think anyone's going to pick a fight with a dragon skirting the edge of the combat? If they're fighting, they're probably too busy to seriously pursue a powerful creature like that."
> "I saw a lot of oversized skeletons," Kascha says, reddening a little bit, "Creatures that I think were vampires as well, but they aren't affected by the sunlight here so I'm not sure. Bony gargoyle like things as well. I didn't get close enough for a look, so I'm not sure what they are. They're traveling in lots of small groups covering as much ground as possible. The air elements aren't that heavy, mostly dread wraiths and horrors with bone wings added."
<Muirfinn> "Or they'll all freak out and surge toward me." Muirfinn points out. "Remember that they are demons and undead. You are thinking in terms of creatures with self-preservation instincts."
<Muirfinn> "Still, either way, it could be an excellent distraction."
> "As long as we have teleportation in play, we're fine," Kascha hms slightly, "I didn't run into any anti-teleportation measures. The battlefield's too fluid for it and the armies are too large."
<Muirfinn> "Well, if no-one has any objections?"
> "I'm for it," Canderella says, and starting to smile, "It has style, too. Muirfinn, your dragon form is large enough for us all to ride?"
<Muirfinn> "Of course."
> Suddenly Vivantha turns rather red, Canderella chuckling. "Then let's do that," she says. "You'll let us all ride you?"
> "Oh, please don't start!" Kascha sighs, starting her own imitation of an apple with her cheeks. Despite that she smiles a little bit, "Considering Athux's parentage, let's not encourage the Abyss here to try something we'd rather not have happen."
> "I'm just lightening the mood," Canderella replies airily, tossing her hair back.
* Muirfinn looks at Canderella, then at Vivantha, then finally a very very very slightly strained look is laid upon Kascha. "Alright then." Muirfinn takes a few long steps away, his body becoming long and muscular as he keeps as los as he can to the ground. The rsult is a very large draconic shape that appears to be imitating a very large picnic blanket. "All aboard. As it were."
> Thus the girls get on! Once Muirfinn has his riders, "I'll direct you," Kascha takes the front position, pointing to the left, "That way."
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 18." [1d100=18]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 8." [1d100=8]
> OOC: For reference, make a spot check, Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 and gets 59." [1d20=13]
* Muirfinn takes off, silvery wings glittering as he takes to the skies and follows Kascha's direction.
> You fly on for a few hours, Kascha guiding you. On occasion she teleports off and ahead, flying down to remeet you. You see a few scouting groups of bony creatures with bone wings and a few gargolye like creatures, but none of them try their luck. At this point something catches Muirfin's eyes - he can see a vast darkness on the horizon, like hundreds of thousands of ants far ahead and below. His superior draconic vision lets him make out details - vast, loose formations of skeletons and other horrific things, nightmares marching to battle against other nightmares. A tremendous battle stretches on at the very edge of his vision, where countless thousands of horros gleefully clash into a chaotic war.
* Muirfinn frowns, pointing it out to Kascha with a nod of his head.
> "That's the edge of it," Canderella glances over that way, "Keep it just in the edge of your vision." Holding a hand over her eyes and squinting, "They're probably too busy to notice us."
> "How long will the battle last?" Vivantha speaks up at that, looking that way as well. Below you the ground is a haze of craters and beautiful plains, a sharp contrast with each other. A few scattered houses are seen as well, but nothing more than that.
<Muirfinn> "Probably years." Muirfinn rumbles.
> "As long as it takes. It may be hours, it may be centuries," Canderella wavers her hand, "It's impossible to predict."
> As you talk, Muirfinn can spy something! It's thousands of feet away, but he can make it out! A great horde of gargoyle like creatures, flying in your general direction. It must be close to half a hundred of them.
<Muirfinn> "Incoming." Muirfinn says, keeping steady.
> Kascha holds on tight as she turns, "Fight or evade?" she asks aloud. "Can you outrun them, Muirfinn?"
<Muirfinn> "Evading would be difficult. They are ahead of us and heading toward us. Outrunning them would likely be just as difficult. I will try, but I cannot make promises."
> OOC: What your speed and maneuverability?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 250 clumsy. I'm obnoxiously big and not a yellow dragon
> At the speed you're going at, it's not long until they become closer! They're coming right at you! OOC: Anyone can make K:P here, more after I resolve those.
> roll 1d20+33
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 36." [1d20=3]
> OOC: Kascha.
> roll 1d20+30 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 Canderella and gets 38." [1d20=8]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 34." [1d20=12]
> The creatures before you are Nabassu. They are demons that have a gaze of life draining and can cast spells like enervation and energy drain. They're horrible creatures that can make a bond with another creature, resulting the creature taking equal damage to any the nabassu takes. Most of them are juvenile ones and no great threat, though several mature ones are sprinkled in.
> "Nabassu," Canderella raises her voice, "We'd best avoid a fight or our life energy will wither away! You know what a succubus can do with her kiss? They do that just by being close to you!"
<Muirfinn> "Hold on tightly, then!" Muirfinn says, his body straightening and his wings flapping with all the force he can muster as he pushes himself into incredible speeds! OOC: Whee run action!
> OOC: Make a dex check.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+5 waaaah
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+5 waaaah and gets 10." [1d20=5]
> OOC: What exact maneuver are you trying here?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Go faster.
> Muirfinn blazes ahead - but the demons are fast enough to brace! As you plow past, a volley of coruscating beams strike at the party! OOC: More.
> roll 1d20+20 touch AC Muirfinn?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 touch AC Muirfinn? and gets 38." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+20 touch AC Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 touch AC Canderella and gets 24." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+20 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Vivantha and gets 40." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+20 crit threat Vivantha
<Muirfinn> OOC: More'n that
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 crit threat Vivantha and gets 25." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+20 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Kascha and gets 23." [1d20=3]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh wait
<Muirfinn> OOC: No, my touch AC is 27
> OOC: Muirfinn hit, Canderella miss, Kascha miss, Vivantha normal hit. More.
> roll 2d4 negative levels Muirfinn, note if immune. Otherwise deduct spells and add penalties as normal for negative levels. I can link you in the OOC room if you need it.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4 negative levels Muirfinn, note if immune. Otherwise deduct spells and add penalties as normal for negative levels. I can link you in the OOC room if you need it. and gets 5." [2d4=4, 1]
> roll 2d4 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4 Vivantha and gets 5." [2d4=4, 1]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh these assholes.
> Several nabassu impact as Muirfinn barrels through! The party holds on tight as the beams fly! One strikes Muirfinn in the wing, withering him tremendously! As you break through a stray beam hits Vivantha in the back, making her cry out in lyrical agony as you fly past them! In moments the horde is well behind you and fading, your speed leaving them in the dust! OOC: Act.
<Muirfinn> "Is everyone alright!?" Muirfinn asks, not letting up on the speed until the creatures are far out of sight.
> "Talos's balls!" Canderella swears viciously, wiping a bit of blood from a bit lip. "Eyes in each direction, they can teleport if they want another shot at us!"
> "I'm fine!" Kascha calls, sword away as her hands are at the ready. Runes of magic float around her, forming little concentric, ever shifting rings as she softly chants.
> "I'm alive. Weakened but I endure," Vivantha adds, slumping forward.
* Muirfinn twitches his withered wing, slowing to only double his cruising speed and banking a bit. "I'm veering off course a bit so that they can't simply guess where we are. KAscha, how soon until we can set down?"
> "I can ward three of us short term against that," Kascha shouts over the wind, "It'll last a little under half an hour!" Calling back a moment later, " A few hours if we want to clear it all, through we can touch down if we need it."
<Muirfinn> "I am fine for now, though dealing with that again is not something I relish. If you can restore Vivantha and myself, it would be much appreciated."
> "I can't restore without a wish, only prevent." Kascha says.
<Muirfinn> "Prevention will have to do then."
> Spells are quickly woven! Everyone but Canderella is girded in Life's Grace, warding them from the ravages of undead! OOC: Life's Grace on all three of you, save Canderella. Grants immunity to leve drain and a bunch of ther things. More coming.
> As you fly along, they appear again! 500ft ahead, the entire swarm, ready to strike! Just as Kascha hurredily finishes her third round of chants, "Incoming!" Canderella calls! OOC: Ball's in your court here, there's a horde of nabassu ahead of you.
* Muirfinn surges forward again, icy breath leading the way while he passes!
> OOC: What's your run speed?
<Muirfinn> roll 21d6 cold damage, ref DC 21. Run speed is 1000ft
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 21d6 cold damage, ref DC 21. Run speed is 1000ft and gets 80." [21d6=6, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 2, 4, 5, 4, 6, 3]
<Muirfinn> ooc No it's not
> OOC: Okay, both sides are prepared for a collison this time. Roll init, everyone. Let's sort it out that way since it's happening so damned fast.
<Muirfinn> OOC: yes it is
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha also remember +2 to everyone's init from her.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha also remember +2 to everyone's init from her. and gets 22." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Kascha and gets 22." [1d20=8]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 21." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+6 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Canderella and gets 17." [1d20=11]
<Muirfinn> OOC: +2, -5 if NLs affect it
> OOC: It doesn't.
> OOC: So 23 for you.
> roll 1d20+8 Nabassu
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Nabassu and gets 16." [1d20=8]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(23)>Vivantha=Kascha(22)>Canderella(17)>Nabassu Horde(16)'
> roll 1d20+12 evasion
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 evasion and gets 32." [1d20=20]
> OOC: Er, no evasion. Excuse me.
> OOC: Still, half damage from the cold blast.
<Muirfinn> OOC: I can accept dealing 40 damage to all of them.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4+1 cooldown
> Muirfinn bulls through, blowing freezing ice everywhere! The demons are half frozen, scattering out of the way well this time! As this happens..OOC: Canderella need a save.
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d4+1 cooldown and gets 3." [1d4=2]
> roll 1d20 no matter the save she only fails this on a 1 sinc echa to saves shenanigans
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 no matter the save she only fails this on a 1 sinc echa to saves shenanigans and gets 13." [1d20=13]
> You blow past them, feeling an aura of absolute coldness and darkness as you go past! Vivantha holds for the moment as Kascha gestures back! In her wake a spray of rainbow light goes, engulfing the nabassu!
> roll 1d20+26 plus whatever Canderella's aura gives, she auto passes this with +cha to SR check
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 plus whatever Canderella's aura gives, she auto passes this with +cha to SR check and gets 45." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d8
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8 and gets 2." [1d8=2]
> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23." [1d20=11]
> Bursts of green acid light hit them, several of the nabassu screaming from acid burns! As you zip past, Canderella braces! But in seconds they're left behind again, not immediately following from teleport! OOC: Free act.
> "Faster!" Kascha urges tensely, "Maneuver too! They may have enough in them for another go around!"
<Muirfinn> "Going as fast as I can here!" Muirfinn says, his voice strained.
<Muirfinn> "Maneuvering WILL slow us down! Choose one or the other!"
> "Both!" Canderella snaps, voice an inspiring current of lightning. Literally, as Muirfinn gets a bit of a shock. "You're going to move faster and you're going to do it NOW!" she demands!
> Vivantha settles for just holding on tight!
<Muirfinn> "Don't blame me if we all die! Now HOLD ON!" Muirfinn says, clapping his wings down with great strength as he abruptly shifts their direction 45 dregrees to the left.
> The girls do just that! You swerve to the left as the demons appear ahead again - but this time you manage to avoid them and zoom right away from them! Canderella's looking back, "Correct towards the right next time, they're looking like they're about to teleport again!" she shouts! Her hair whips in the wind, standing on Muirfinn's back. Despite it she seems perfectly balances, pointing to the right. "Now!"
* Muirfinn banks sharply to the right, his tail cracking like a whip behind him!
> OOC: Dex check this time.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+5-5
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+5-5 and gets 19." [1d20=19]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Good time for a 19
> This time Muirfinn moves much smoother, banking well! The demons appear to your left, but you're already out of their path! But it gives Kascha the perfect opening! "Gate of the Four Winds, open with fury!" Canderella chants! Next to appears a giant air elemental, zipping off like a crossbow bolt at the demons! You barely get a glance at it as you zip past and away, the demons suddenly having a big distraction! "That'll tie them up for a bit," Kascha calls back, "It'll buy us some time! Now!" Seven circle appear around her, "Weave of Mystra! In the name of Kascha, servant of Seira, I command you to hide us from the eyes of just and injust alike!" There's a powerful ripple of magic as suddenly the party is invisible! She sags down, "Fly, we should be all but unseen. Swoop down a bit so we won't run into them and be quiet!"
* Muirfinn carefully extends his wings, gliding silently on as his speed slowly bleeds off.
> 'They're behind us, looking confused,' Canderella reports in your mind seconds later. 'Now they're above us and spreading out a bit, but they look like they have no idea. Skirt the ground, maybe 50 feet or so above it. They can probably manage true seeing, but it's limited by distance and not useful in this sort of scale.'
* Muirfinn does so, angling away from the group of demons.
> Soon enough you're flying on, no sign of the demons above. You pass a few groups of skeletons, but they don't seem to notice you. "Alright," Canderella speaks aloud, "Ascend at least 200ft up if not higher so nothing land-bound can spy us. Kascha, how long will this invisibility last?"
> Exhaling slowly, looking rather peaked, "About a half hour. Less if we break it. I'd prefer not, I need time to recover after casting a wish."
> Vivantha strokes Muirfinn's back, "You did well, brave hero," she sings, "WE bloodied and confused them."
* Muirfinn gives a few flaps of his wings, bringing them up to roughly 200 feet up and traveling at a standard cruising speed of 250 feet. OOC: the urge to make an in-flight movie joke is strong
<Muirfinn> "Indeed. That was good spellwork as well, girls."
> OOC: Content with moving on a bit now that th eimmediate danger is past?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yes please
> A few more hours of flight pass. The ground below becomes barren and devastated, but at last Kascha speaks up. "We should be past," she announces, "We can land now or keep aireborn if you want."
* Muirfinn swoops down to land carefully, tucking his injured wing to the side. "All ashore for now, if you please."
> Everyone finally gets off. There's stretches and moments of relaxation. The ground is bone dry beneath you, more like sand than dirt. Everything is cracked, broken and ruined. Canderella kneels and picks up a handful of sand, letting it fall from her hand. "Hmph. Athux is hard pressed his is realm is showing these signs of wear. I'd say the opportunity is ripe if he's this weak."
> "If we can just get in and kill him without facing legions of demons, we can do it," Kascha affirms, I think we have to be getting fairly close, too."
* Muirfinn retakes his form, the shell on his back bearing the withering that had shown on his wing. He grumbles about negative energy, peering over his shoulder at the damage.
> His shell is rather withered and brittle. He feels a general lethargy in his entire body.
* Muirfinn sighs. "Well. Nothing to be done about it now. It will fade in time. Gods help us if we actually have to spend more than 24 hours here, though."
* Natsuki (~Kallen@ppp59-167-140-198.static.internode.on.net) Quit (Quit: )
> OOC: Okay, what sort of marching order do you want here?
* Natsuki (~Kallen@ppp59-167-140-198.static.internode.on.net) has joined #dunes
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh good lord, that's a serious question. Uhm. I'll go first, I suppose. The girls can line up as they like behind me?
> OOC: Okay. Then Muirfinn/Canderella/Kascha/Vivantha. Moving on.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 35." [1d100=35]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 86." [1d100=86]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 24." [1d100=24]
> You wander a few more hours. Soon the broken ground becomes rolling grassy greens once more, a path leading you along. Cresting yet another hill, you can see it on the far horizon! A great castle of black and purple, surrounded by great gardens outside. It is stunningly beautiful, like a sunrise having come to play.
<Muirfinn> "That what we're looking for?" Muirfinn points.
> "I think so," Canderella smiles just a little bit, "Now we have to figure out how to get inside and do the deed."
<Muirfinn> "Well. We could always go with the tried and true method and knock the place over."
> "I like it!" Canderella says, "It does fit the Abyss well. So how do you propose we knock over what is surely a superiorly fortified fortress of a new demon lord?" Turning with an innocent smile to Canderella, "I'm all ears!"
> *to muirfinn
> "She has a point. If we're going to try force, we're going to want overwhelming force. It's surely built for the worst," Kascha speaks up, wringing her hands.
<Muirfinn> "I was thinking earth elementals. Lots and lots of earth elementals."
> "How many can you summon?" Kascha inquires right back.
* Muirfinn ponders a moment.
<Muirfinn> OOC: THAT'S ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD QUESTION! LET'S FIND OUT!
<Muirfinn> "Three elder elementals, up to fifteen greater elementals, seven huge elementals, and more smaller ones, plus I can summon an elemental swarm. The swarm would grant us several large elementals.over the course of half an hour." Muirfinn says. "I could do better, but negative energy has diminished me."
> "How long would we have them?" Canderella says, "I'm sure we could do something interesting with them."
<Muirfinn> "The majority of them, not long. Probably long enough to knock over at least half the building though. The elemental swarm ones would last significantly longer. A few hours or so."

> "Could we use them to burrow under?" Vivantha speaks up, snapping her fingers. It's a sharp sound that draws attention to her. "Our goal isn't to bust in as long as we get in and kill Athux. We don't have to make a giant spectacle if we don't need to, right?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, I suppose we could at that." Muirfinn nods.
<Muirfinn> "Though thoqqua would be better for that. Faster.
<Muirfinn> "
> "The question is that if we can keep one long enough to do the burrowing," Kascha remarks, "As well as keeping the tunnel stable." Biting her lip as she looks on at the castle, "The problem with following burrowing creatures is that the tunnels are very unstable. They usually fill back in shortly after the creature passes, if not immediately."
<Muirfinn> "Well, thoqqua tend to leave stronger tunnels, if simply because they use heat to burrow. The earth and stone around them are melted into a solid tube."
> "That helps if we don't go too deep," Kascha says, "If we'r edeep enough, the pressure and weight of the dirt above will overwhelm it. So we can't burrow too deep safely."
> "Why not do it ourselves? Kascha, can't you manage another wish to do that?" Canderella asks, "I know it can be done for a single person with a mid-circle spell." She smiles slightly, "Either way, the lack of sentries around is a good sign, as well as a lack of something coming to kill us. Athux's forces are likely stretched thin with Orcus and Demogorgon invading."
> "I'd rather not unless we don't have a choice. I'll be weakened for any battle within if I do." Shaking her head, "I'd like to save that last wish for an emergency."
<Muirfinn> "Well no, I don't want to dig oto deep. Gods above know what's actually underneath this place."
> "Probably cysts," Canderella pipes up with a dull smile. She looks faintly ill as she looks down, "Remember when the previous form of Greenrot recurred? We don't really want to tunnel into a giant abscess of poisonous abyss-matter."
> "How long can you summon a Thoqqua, brave hero?" Vivantha asks curiously.
<Muirfinn> "I can summon a great deal of them for short bursts of time, but they are fast. I suspect we will only need four or so."
> "How about we get to the gardens and burrow from there?" Kascha says, looking ahead. She squints as she peers at the horizon, "If they're pressed, the gardens are probably nearly empty."
* Muirfinn nods. "A good plan. If we can't get there, I can always summon more."
> OOC: Ready to move along then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Let's see what horrors await us in the garden.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 62." [1d100=62]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 57." [1d100=57]
> OOC: Spot checks, y'all. Note if you can see invisible.
> roll 1d20+29 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 Kascha and gets 33." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+27 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 Vivantha and gets 47." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+35 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 Canderella and gets 44." [1d20=9]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46 true seeing and all that it entails
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 true seeing and all that it entails and gets 52." [1d20=6]
> You walk ahead. The hills are pleasant as you head to the garden. But are you're about to crest one, you spot something above. It's far above, a good 40ft above the ground. An invisible scrying sensor, visible to your enchanted eyes!
* Muirfinn points! "Scrying sensor!" Dispel magic incoming!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+20 GDM
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+20 GDM and gets 30." [1d20=10]
> To your magic, the scrying sensor winks out of existence entirely!
<Muirfinn> "Ha! Let's move on."
> Canderella nods as you head further in. It's not far from there to the edge of a large, sprawling garden. A white trellis archway with roses leads into it. Within you can see a fountain of clear water, an obscenely nude statue of a woman decorating the middle. Past that various footpaths lead into thick greenery.
> Kascha pointedly does not look at the statue, but instead around.
* Muirfinn ignores the statue entirely, his eyes glancing at it and then moving on, as though it's not something so odd. He looks around, instead. "This close enough?"
> "You always have to wonder if that's a petrified person or a real statue," Canderella speaks up, contemplative. "Malcanthet's realm is known for it, though it's hardly the only one that uses formerly living creatures as art." She studies it casually, "Just. Let's get to the other end of the garden first."
<Muirfinn> "That's a somewhat unpleasant thought." Muirfinn says, examining the statue with more interest now. OOC True Seeing reveal anything here?
> OOC: LInk me? Also sec.
> Muirfinn can see the figure of a screaming, thrashing woman above it. Tears pour down her face as she silently howls in agony.
<Muirfinn> "...yeah, this is definitely one of those cases." Muirfinn says. "This statue is alive."
<Muirfinn> "And I didn't think to prepare a Stone to Flesh spell."
> "I'll keep watch ahead," Kascha calls, going to do just that. Vivantha comes over, as does Canderella. "It's no surprise." Tapping her lip with a finger, "It doesn't mean it's an innocent. It's also used to punish servants and thralls that displease their masters. Constantly tormenting a thrall can become boring and bothersome rather than a joy. Besides, after you break their mind and spirit, that empty-eyed look just isn't the same. The point is don't assume this is some innocent maiden. It could be anything but, or even a trap."
* Muirfinn frowns. "Perhaps. Nothing is what it seems in the Abyss. Still...I find it difficult to leave her this way."
> "We should do something," Vivantha agrees, "We can't leave an innocent suffering."
> Canderella glances at her with a slight sigh, "Save your power. It's more important to defeat Athux. Listen to me - you can't right every wrong in the Abyss. Many of them shouldn't be righted regardless. We're in a realm where the worst in Creation come to suffer and commit atrocities. We can do good by killing Athux. Trying to solve every other problem in our way is a waste of time and valuable resources."
<Muirfinn> "I'm not disagreeing with you, Canderella. Merely making a statement. If time permits, I will return and do what I can after our deed is accomplished. No doubt that killing Athux will throw this realm into even greater chaos."
> "Good. Then let's go." Canderella turns and heads for Kascha.
* Muirfinn looks at Vivantha, taking her hand as he leads her away. "She's very likely correct, you know. The many we find here are damned, and have earned their place here in some form or another. It does not mean that we cannot try, but trying to help everyone will only result in a great many difficulties and perhaps our deaths. We can return another day and see what, if anything, can be done."
> "I know she is." Vivantha answers and looks into Muirfinn's eyes. Her own eyes are sad - a deep sadness you can lose yourself in. "This realm is horrific, all the moreso because the surface is fair.
> OOC: Gah.
> "I know she is." Vivantha answers and looks into Muirfinn's eyes. Her own eyes are sad - a deep sadness you can lose yourself in. "This realm is horrific, all the moreso because the surface is fair. Canderella has been telling me that all the while with telepathy. Yet I find it hard to forsake those in suffering. Is it not strange, brave hero? I'll take a life for a good reason and slay demon and devil alike. But to see them suffering, I wish to help them."
<Muirfinn> "Of course you do. It's what makes you a good person. Sometimes the right thing to do, though, is to save your energy for the greater enemy. It is difficult, yes, but right."
> "I suppose," Vivantha says, "We'll just have to be strong."
* Muirfinn nods.
> OOC: Going to go join the others now?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yup
> From here you go to the other end of the garden. The others wait, waiting on Muirfinn to summon his monsters.
* Muirfinn ponders for a moment, then summons!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d4+1 and gets 5." [1d4=4]
> On summoning, five of the snake-fire creatures instantly appear! They writhe out of the ground, hissing hot and ready to serve!
<Muirfinn> "Craft us a tunnel into the palace before you. Two abreast on two abreast, with one on top." Muirfinn says in Terran.
> The snakes spring into action! They dig into the groudn, burrowing ahead and down! The earth sizzles as they dig in, a path slowly being revealed ahead!
> "Hurry now," Canderella picks up the pace, heading down the tunnel.
* Muirfinn heads in as well. "There should be room for us all to stand with little difficulty.
<Muirfinn> "
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 46." [1d100=46]
> OOC: How long do they stay?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 22 rounds
> They dig and dig and te party follows! Soon there is a soft crash! They break through into a well lit basement room! It's large and empty, save for a few bits of nice looking furniture. A door leads out of the room.
<Muirfinn> "Well," Muirfinn says as he steps into the room. "That went remarkably well."
> "No burrowing defenses?" This makes Canderella snicker as she comes in. "I suppose the rumors aren't true after all."
<Muirfinn> "Rumors?"
> "Rumors are that he bent over and thought of nice things while Graz'zt made him a woman, so to speak." With a dry chortle, "In other words, he doesn't think to guard his unprotected rear."
> Kascha grimaces at that, "Must you?" She sighs, going to the door. "I don't hear anything on the other side." OOC: She took ten on her listen check.
* Muirfinn looks at Canderella strangely for a moment, then looks at Kascha. "Let's proceed then.
<Muirfinn> "
> The door leads into another room. It's essentially the same as the last. The furniture's in the same place but it's otherwise unchanged. Another door on the far side leads further along.
> *changed around but otherwise. Gah.
> "He must have big plans for down here," Kascha observes with a wrinkle of her nose.
> "Dream big and figure out how to live up to it," Canderella adds with a slight smile. "Even if his dreams are no good."
<Muirfinn> "This all seems rather innocuous dor a demon lord."
<Muirfinn> OOC: For
> Sauntering over to a soft couch and patting the back rest, "It's probably meant to be luxurious. Some demons like that sort of thing and it fits what we've seen of Athux."
<Muirfinn> "For who, though? Himself?"
> "His slaves, his harem, his favored servants," Shrugging as she heads ot the next door, "For the ambiance. Even if it's a palace of sin and torment, the right apperance is important."
> KAscha goes to the next door in the meanwhile, "Let's just keep going," she adds quietly.
* Muirfinn shakes his head. "Let's just move on. Demons."
> The next door opens - leading to a room similar ot the last. The furniture's slightly different, but it's otherwise the same.
<Muirfinn> "I am detecting a pattern here."
> "Really big plans," Vivantha says quietly, "As am I. I fear what plans these basements are meant to have."
> Canderella frowns faintly but goes to the next door without comment.
<Muirfinn> "The level of repetiton here is a bit more insidious than that. I think we might be in a maze." Muirfinn says, opening the next door.
> The next door is again much the same. "Or a trap," Canderella says softly, "I wonder now if his back was more guarded than we realized."
<Muirfinn> "Indeed."
> "This could be bad. Really bad." Kascha looks around warily, "I've seen some of the things a planar lord or deity can do with space and distance in their realm."
> "So what do we do now?" Vivantha speaks up, "Press on or something else?"
<Muirfinn> Hmmmm." Muirfinn ponders. "Well, he's likely using the morphic nature of the plane itself here. Not an actual spell. We'd know if it was. The only thing we CAN do is either play the game, or break the rules."
> "The question is how do we do that?" Kascha says, "If this is properly set up, teleportation or gating won't work. I have a friend who knows a lot about Cania - one of Mephisto's defenses is a mountain pass that loops on itself. Once you're in the loop, you found out that the astral connetions are severed, so there's no teleporting out."
<Muirfinn> "Well, my favorite is the tried and true method of rule breaking. When in doubt, knock down everything." Muirfinn says.
> "We could just go back and try another route," Canderella adds, "If the tunnels are still intact."
> "I trust your choice, brave hero," Vivantha adds after, voice lilting upwards.
<Muirfinn> "If the tunnels are still there. If the way back leads us back to the tunnels." Muirfinn helpfully points out.

> "If," Kascha says grimly, sighing and closing her eyes. She shakes her head back and forth, "I'd bet they aren't. No wonder his flank wasn't defended seriously."
> "I have faith in the Moonmaiden," Vivantha speaks up, "I do not believe she would send us on a futile quest, so there has to be a way out. Considering anything else slides into defeat."
> "If not, our best bet may be a dragon's temper tantrum," Canderella adds helpfully, "How big can your dragon form get, Muirfinn?" OOC: Also curious OOC here.
<Muirfinn> "Perhaps a magic circle against chaos? If we can manage it, it might just collapse the trap we're in."
<Muirfinn> OOC: Colossal size. Real damn big.
> "I couldn't without that wish," Kascha shakes her head slowly, "Chaos is a part of my nature - of all of our natures, save yours."
> OOC: You can't reach that size in here, but you could squeeze in huge and push into gargantuan.
<Muirfinn> "As large as a full-grown red dragon." Muirfinn says, looking about. "I don't believe I'd fit though. It'd have to be smaller, a bit."
> "I can protect the rest of us from cave-in," Kascha speaks up, "If all else goes wrong."
> "It seems our best option," Canderella says, "Do you agree, Muirfinn?"
<Muirfinn> "I have no problem with it. I believe I'd better go with something more destructive than ice, though. Perhaps a gold's fire?
<Muirfinn> "
> "Everyone, gather around," Kascha calls, "Except you, Muirfinn." As the girls cluster she waves her hand. There's no incantation, just suddenly a curving circle of force around the party. It leaves only a little gap above it, with Kascha spreading her wings out to cover the other two.
* Muirfinn nods, stepping away to the other side of the room. His form flows, green scales turning a bright, burnished gold with wings sweeping out from his back. His neck elongates sinuously and horns sprout from his head as his face morphs into that of a gold dragon. His tail lashes idly behind him as he grumbles, "...fire." before heaving in a great breath of air. He lets it loose all at once,
* Muirfinn air becoming a raging firestorm inferno that fills the room as he blasts it out of his gullet.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
> OOC: Where exactly are you aiming and how large are you growing?
<Muirfinn> OOC: With the amount of fire I'm putting out, it might not matter. Also, Huge
<Muirfinn> OOC: For completion's sake, say a random wall.
> Fire erupts out all around! A torrent of flame engulfs the room! IT's all on fire, everything's burning around you! The wall of force keeps it away form the girls, at least. Everything is indeed on fire - so now what? OOC: ACt. The stone's charred, the furniture's on fire and flammable things are doing the burn thing.
> OOC: Okay.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Walls burning? Melting? Screaming obscenities?
> OOC: The walls are burning a bit. They're stone so they don't burn easy. It more melts when it get shot enough.
* Muirfinn waits a moment, letting his breath recharge, then breathes again! More fire!
<Muirfinn> OOC: I have a plan after this.
> More fire gushes out! Everything is ablaze! The walls are starting to show signs of melting, the stone relenting under the massive heat!
* Muirfinn lashes out with his powerful tail, smashing it against the wall! OOC: What exactly would I roll for this?
> OOC: Just a damage roll should be fine.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d6+36
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d6+36 and gets 52." [4d6=6, 1, 4, 5]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Wait
<Muirfinn> OOC: That's colossal damage
<Muirfinn> roll 2d6+36
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d6+36 and gets 43." [2d6=3, 4]
> Muirfinn's tail hits the burning wall! It shudders but stays up as the burning continues! The air is becoming foul with smoke and nastier things yet, as below Kascha and company hide from the fire!
* Muirfinn smashes into it again!
<Muirfinn> roll 2d6+36
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2d6+36 and gets 43." [2d6=4, 3]

> Another hit! The wall shudders again, leaning forward from the blow but not quite giving out yet! The smoke is getting thicker, as a few burning bits of stone fall, raining down on Kascha's wings!
> roll 3d6 fire damage, her DR covers the bludgeoning damage. Fire's the one element she doesn't have any innate resistance to
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6 fire damage, her DR covers the bludgeoning damage. Fire's the one element she doesn't have any innate resistance to and gets 10." [3d6=2, 6, 2]
* Muirfinn opts against breathing again, and instead shifts into the icy form of a silver dragon, Immediately he breathes a dense cloud of ice and frost against the burning wall!
> roll 1d20+1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 6." [1d20=5]
> The cold hits the already battered wall! It shudders and collapses as cold meets hot! In the aftermath you see something ahead! It's another room, identical to this one except for a few changes in furniture placement. Also it's not on fire. Steam and smoke meet clean air in the meanwhile, making it a little easier to breathe. Yet as you look, the room appears indistinct, vague and altogether slightly off. Almost slightly transparent.
* Muirfinn happily fills THAT room with cold too!
> Ice gushes into that room! A sheen of ice coats everything, as meanwhile a bit more fiery rubble falls from below on Kascha and her outspread wings!
> roll 3d6 fire damage, make sure to update her HP in #thecauldron.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6 fire damage, make sure to update her HP in #thecauldron. and gets 10." [3d6=6, 3, 1]
<Muirfinn> "You girls alright over there?" Muirfinn turns his head to look at them.
> "We're fine!" Kascha calls back, her wings smashed and burnt in a few places. "Any luck?"
* Muirfinn uses his breath to extinguish the remaining fires, then says, "Come have a look at this next room."
> Cold air meets hot ceiling! An already crumbling ceiling, one that shudders before collapsing down in great chunks! OOC: Uh oh. Roll ref.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30 evasion
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+30 evasion and gets 44." [1d20=14]
> roll 10d6+20d6 Muirfinn none and I'll let you know what the other stake since this is a bit complicated
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6+20d6 Muirfinn none and I'll let you know what the other stake since this is a bit complicated and gets 117." [10d6=5, 3, 5, 6, 5, 3, 1, 6, 5, 1][20d6=5, 3, 6, 3, 5, 3, 5, 4, 5, 3, 6, 1, 2, 3, 5, 2, 6, 6, 1, 3]
> OOC: 107 to Kascha, 53 to Vivantha and 42 to Canderella. More coming.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ohh Jesus
> Muirfinn darts back, a move far too fast for any true dragon! He leaps into the empty room, avoiding the collapse! Everything in the room is now covered in burned-charred-frozen rubble! Above sunshine spills down from 30ft above! Atop that and 80ft away from Muirfinn is a creature hidden in a white robe. It's huge, towering over the chasm! At each side is a hezrou, the huge and foul demons familiar to Muirfinn! The voice of the robed one echos in a tone that sounds of crackling fires, "Slaughter the intruders!" OOC: Init. Just you for now since the others are covered in rubble and doing ??? things.
> roll 1d20+6 Hezrou 1
> roll 1d20+6 Hezrou 2
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Hezrou 1 and gets 14." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Hezrou 2 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+17 (+5 nerveskitter) whtie robe
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 (+5 nerveskitter) whtie robe and gets 27." [1d20=10]
* Kotono changes topic to 'White Robe(27)>Hezrou 1(14)>Hezrou 2(13)'
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26." [1d20=14]
* Kotono changes topic to 'White Robe(27)>Muirfinn(26)>Hezrou 1(14)>Hezrou 2(13)'
> The white robes creature holds out a hand! It is a hand flayed of flesh, the muscles and veins visible! They throb with white light as arcane patterns trace within the veins! From his palm comes a violet ray of light!
> roll 1d20+33 touch AC, Muirfinn?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 touch AC, Muirfinn? and gets 35." [1d20=2]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Touch 27
> OOC: Are you immune to mind affecting or compulsion?
> OOC: Also, any SR?
<Muirfinn> OOC: YUP
> OOC: To which?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Mind affecting
> The beam hits Muirfinn, yet nothing happens! The creature's other hand comes out! From it comes more light, forming into an eye that grows into the creature's other palm! From it a single tear falls out! It catches the light as it falls, growing and shifting into a teardrop arrow! It flies right at Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+33 AC?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 AC? and gets 53." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+33 AC? crit?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 AC? crit? and gets 35." [1d20=2]
<Muirfinn> OOC: AC 63
> OOC: Are you immune to bleeding effects by any chance?
<Muirfinn> OOC: I can be in one round!
> OOC: I mean at the moment.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh, no
> roll 20d6 and more after the flavor text coming, DR does not apply.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6 and more after the flavor text coming, DR does not apply. and gets 69." [20d6=6, 3, 1, 1, 6, 2, 2, 2, 6, 3, 4, 1, 2, 5, 6, 1, 1, 5, 6, 6]
> The arrow flies true, piercing through Muirfinn's chest! It leaves a bloody wound, yet it not all that bleeds! Tears of blood begin to fall from Muirfinn's eyes! His very eyes begin to tint red and burn terribly as well! OOC: 5 bleed damage a round plus this can't be good for you eyes. Go Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn stumbles in the act of launching through the hole, but catches himself and does just that! He flies up through the hole into the air with a great clap of wings, arcing down into a streaking charge as his form shifts, scales becoming heavy stone as the bleeding halts. He smashes into the white robed hezrou at roughly 57 miles an hour with all 24 tons of his new weight! OOC: Hi. I don't
* Muirfinn have bones or an internal structure anymore. If he can't avoid this, he's probably paste. Not sure how to roll it though.
> OOC: Okay. So you flew up and out, became an earth elemental and are trying to fall on the baddies?
<Muirfinn> OOC: It's more that I charged as a dragon, then immediately shifted into elemental form. So I'm sort of charging bull rushing flying...thing.
> OOC: Okay, make a CMB check then.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34 I can do that.
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34 I can do that. and gets 44." [1d20=10]
> Muirfinn shifts in mid-flight, becoming a giant lump of earth! He manages it successfully, slamming into the creature hard! It's sent flying back, able to partially dodge! It still lands hard, the sound of cracking bones sharp in the air! Around you is a massive interior courtyard, a picturesque save for the demons around you. There's lots of plants, benches, that sorta thing. Like an open air garden. But Muirfinn barely has a chance to observe it, as the two hezrou turn on him! OOC: Are you immune to poison?
<Muirfinn> OOC: YUP
> OOC: They're going to go full PA and hitting you. They're buffed but they're smart enough to know a dragon's likely defenses. Just gonna roll 1d20s and see if they hit and 20s by fishing.
> roll 3#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3#1d20  and gets 60." [3#1d20 = 20, 20, 20]
> OOC: Are you fucking serious?!
* Muirfinn (~Desktop@ip72-201-113-118.ph.ph.cox.net) Quit (Quit: <censored> THE BULLSHIT)
* Muirfinn (Desktop@ip72-201-113-118.ph.ph.cox.net) has joined #dunes
<Muirfinn> ooc:
<Muirfinn> I CALL HAX
> roll 8d4+60+2d8+44+2d8+44
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d4+60+2d8+44+2d8+44  and gets 180." [8d4=2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3][2d8=6, 5][2d8=6, 1]
> OOC: Immune to crits? I'll reroll then.
> roll 4d4+30+1d8+22+1d8+22
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d4+30+1d8+22+1d8+22 and gets 86." [4d4=1, 1, 2, 1][1d8=1][1d8=6]
> roll 3#1d20 roll the second hezrou's attacks. Hope it isn't a repeat
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3#1d20 roll the second hezrou's attacks. Hope it isn't a repeat and gets 18." [3#1d20 = 4, 11, 3]
> One of the hezrou leaps onto his scales! Somehow his claws cut in like they aren't there, rending his side apart! While the other flails pointlessly on Muirfinn, the effective hezrou tears in! Earth rips apart like cloth as the claws of the hezrou glow! Suddenly the creature screams, consumed with fire! It's propelled away from you, landing 50ft away in a massive column of flame! Abyssal fury screams throughout the Abyss, enough to make the sky crack! THe fire flows into the hezrou - and in moments, a balor stands before you! It roars with the fury of a thousand suns! OOC: Congratulations, you just spontaneously caused the hezrou to promote. White robe is up.
* Kotono changes topic to 'White Robe(27)>Muirfinn(26)>Balor(14)>Hezrou 2(13)'
> The robed creature manages to rise slowly, hood pushed back. The creature beneath is a hezrou, yet all its flesh is flayed away. It stares at Muirfinn with utter hatred, gaze only breaking to stare at the newly born balor! It gazes between Muirfinn and the balor, before simply vanishing away! OOC: It fled. Go Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> OOC: So what all is left? A hezrou and a balor?
> OOC: Yes.
<Muirfinn> OOC: I assmue the hezrou is still in melee range?
> OOC: Yes.
* Muirfinn straightens up, leans to the side and swings around, giving the hezrou a baleful, "Now you done fucked up, son." look. Then he unceremoniously smashes it into the ground.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 41." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 40." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 44." [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 37." [1d20=10]
> OOC: All hit.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 51." [4d10=1, 10, 9, 4][2d6=2, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 50." [4d10=1, 10, 4, 8][2d6=5, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 45." [4d10=6, 9, 1, 6][2d6=1, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 55." [4d10=9, 1, 9, 9][2d6=6, 2]

<Muirifinn> OOC: I though Witey booked it?
> OOC: It has, I just haven't fully updated init yet.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(26)>Balor(14)'
<Muirifinn> OOC: I see!
> The newborn balor before you throbs with power! Its face slowly twists, becoming human-ish. It has a beauty that's profanely alluring, going past handsome into an almost feminine ideal of beauty. It raises its thunderous blade above its head before charging Muirfinn head on! OOC: Reach, Muirfinn?
<Muirifinn> OOC: FIFTEEN MILES
<Muirifinn> OOC: FEET
<Muirifinn> OOC: I meant feet
> roll 1d20+58 (-20 PA, +8 ???, +10 ???, +2 charge, +6 ???) AC?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+58 (-20 PA, +8 ???, +10 ???, +2 charge, +6 ???) AC? and gets 62." [1d20=4]
<Muirifinn> OOC: Alas, 57
> roll 2d6+93+2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+93+2d6  and gets 103." [2d6=1, 2][2d6=4, 3]
> OOC: Any DR?
<Muirifinn> OOC: Great question! No!
> The demon charges right into Muirfinn, tearing into his chest! Blood and bone are torn wide asunder, the balor's blade literally screaming in the same rage as the balor! You can feel raw, pure and undiluted fury, as if the creature before you represents pure battle-rage! Meanwhile below, you can hear the rumbling of stone and a thunderclap! A geyser of stone debris rise up from below, raining down around the duo! The howling of winds is heard, a terrific storm of power! OOC: Adding those three into init since they managed to storm away the collapse around them.
> roll 1d20+12 kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 kascha and gets 14." [1d20=2]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(26)>Balor=Kascha(14)'
> roll 1d20+6 Canderella forgot the +2 for Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Canderella forgot the +2 for Vivantha and gets 8." [1d20=2]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(26)>Kascha(16)>Balor(14)>Canderella(8)'
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 15." [1d20=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(26)>Kascha(16)>Vivantha(15)>Balor(14)>Canderella(8)'
> OOC: Go.
<Muirifinn> "A bit of healing would not be remiss!" Muirfinn says, stumbling back from the blow, his stone form nearly sliced in twain!
<Muirifinn> OOC: Do they act now, or next turn?
> OOC: This round, but it's a new round and you're up.
> OOC: Sec.
<Muirifinn> OOC: Aw shit
<Muirifinn> OOC: What's Pretty Soldier Sailor Balor's reach?
> 15ft.
* Muirifinn scrabbles away from the balor, staying out of its reach. Once he is 40 feet away and closer to the girls, he shifts back to his natural form. A quick mumbled word and his form heals, horrible rents in scale and shell healing over! OOC: Moved 40 feet, used Heal SLA
> Muirfinn's wounds slowly mend! It is as if his wounds want to stay torn open. The pain lingers even as the damages relucantly reverse, like a lingering curse! Meanwhile Kascha flies up out of the collapsed hole, gesturing at the balor, "Song of unlife, whisper in his ear! Hear my name and if I am willing to cast aside the bonds of life, your power may come forth! Repeat in a prism four times and appear!" From her finger a beam of coruscating black energy fires towards the balor!
> roll 1d20 she has so many mods just seeing if I need to calc the SR ones first
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 she has so many mods just seeing if I need to calc the SR ones first and gets 4." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20 touch AC, really only going to miss this on a 1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch AC, really only going to miss this on a 1 and gets 8." [1d20=8]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn(26)>Kascha(16)>Vivantha(15)>Balor(14, -6 levels)>Canderella(8)'
> The beam hits the demon in the chest! It seems to make the entire demon wither, as if part of its very essence has been torn away! Even its screams are lessened! Then Vivantha is at Muirfinn's side, having flown up untouched. Her words are not words, but instead a gentle song of life and restoration to heal his wounds!
> roll 3d8+15 healing Muirfinn since ow
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 healing Muirfinn since ow and gets 34." [3d8=4, 7, 8]
> Muirfinn's wounds are again relucant to heal! But they do, as the balor raises its blade to the heavens! Dark clouds spread out like grease across clean water, darkening the sky! In seconds thunder and lightning is booming down! In the skies above is a dance of lightning bolts, gathering together into one massive bolt above Muirfinn! Then at last the creature utters a word - a single word. "Hammer!" With that utterance the lighting bolt slams down towards Muirfinn like a the wrath of the Gods! OOC: Ref, Muirfinn.
<Muirifinn> roll 1d20+30
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 1d20+30 and gets 31." [1d20=1]
<Muirifinn> OOC: Oh come on hat
> OOC: Any elec res?
> roll 30d6 be happy that you got healed since this is full damage. Electricity damage fi you have any resistance.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 30d6 be happy that you got healed since this is full damage. Electricity damage fi you have any resistance. and gets 113." [30d6=4, 3, 3, 6, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 6, 6, 5, 5, 6, 5, 2, 4, 6, 6, 5, 1, 4, 2, 4, 2]
> The lightning bolt pounds Muirfinn down again and again and again! It slams him like a hammer, trying to drive the life out from him! Yet he stands each and every blow, shaking but alive! Then, "Really? Storms? Idiot." Canderella is heard with an exasperated huff. "Go beat up your overstuffed master," she says as she flies up! The lightning storm above shudders and condenses in an instant, becoming a large storm elemental just before the balor! It wastes no time in immediately attacking him!
> roll 1d20+11 fishin'
> roll 1d20+11 fishin'
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 fishin' and gets 15." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 fishin' and gets 21." [1d20=10]
> The storm elemental flails at the balor, keeping it mildly distracted as...OOC: Muirfinn, go.
* Muirifinn swiftly and smoothly pulls his staff from the quiver strapped to the side of his shell. He raises if with both hands and brings it down onto the earth point first with a thundering retort. The struck earth reverberates like a gong, groaning as it lurches upward. Up, up, and up it goes, crashing and roaring as it takes the shape of a massive earth elemental, easily the size of a two story
* Muirifinn house. It blocks the way between Muirfinn and the balor, rumbling ominously as it's deceptively swift limbs come in from either side of the balor, seeking to pound it into a very flat vertical balor pancake. OOC: I forgot I had this! Earth Elemental Monolith! Line of sight = BLOCKED. Elemental going NOW!
<Muirifinn> roll 1d20+42+2 slam attack
<Muirifinn> roll 1d20+42+2 slam attack
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 1d20+42+2 slam attack and gets 58." [1d20=14]
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 1d20+42+2 slam attack and gets 51." [1d20=7]
> OOC: Two hits.
<Muirifinn> roll 6d8+18 slam
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 6d8+18 slam and gets 53." [6d8=4, 6, 7, 8, 3, 7]
<Muirifinn> roll 6d8+18 slam
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 6d8+18 slam and gets 52." [6d8=3, 8, 8, 7, 2, 6]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn=Earth Monolith(26)>Kascha(16)>Vivantha(15)>Balor(14, -6 levels)>Canderella(8)'
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn=Earth Monolith(26)>Kascha(16)>Vivantha(15)>Balor(14, -6 levels)>Canderella=Storm Elemental(8)'
> Caught between a storm and a mountain, the balor is plummeled without mercy! It's beaten and hit around, pinballed between the two as mountainous blow after blow hammers it! OOC: Ow. Kascha's up.
> Kascha's vest glows! Arcane symbols flow from the balor, becoming back runes that press into Kascha's head and vanish within! "Got it!" She calls, "Again I cast aside the bonds of life! I throw the gates of the Negative open and demand that you come forth with power!" Again a coruscating black beam fires from her hand, right at the demon! OOC: Swift action pearl of power ability from vest, firing another max+empowered enervation.
> roll 1d20 touch AC so only misses on a 1, really.
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch AC so only misses on a 1, really. and gets 9." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20 SR only fails on a 1 thanks to bonuses+Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 SR only fails on a 1 thanks to bonuses+Canderella and gets 18." [1d20=18]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Muirfinn=Earth Monolith(26)>Kascha(16)>Vivantha(15)>Balor(14, -12 levels)>Canderella=Storm Elemental(8)'
> The balor's flames begin to sputter out! It's failing and withering terribly! As this happens...OOC: Vivantha'll hold since the balor looks tied up with the summons and will pop powers if needed. Balor's up.
> Seeming on the verge of collapsing into itself, the balor raises its blade up - and points it at its chest! With a scream it plunges it in, then the world disintegrates into a massive explosion of power! OOC: Ref saves, y'all.
> roll 1d20+28 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Kascha and gets 34." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 57." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+38 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 Canderella and gets 52." [1d20=14]
<Muirifinn> roll 1d20+30
* Hatbot --> "Muirifinn rolls 1d20+30 and gets 47." [1d20=17]
> OOC: Evasion? Also fix the typo in your nick.
* Muirifinn is now known as Muirfinn
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ooops. Yes Evasion
> OOC: Roll for the summons too.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+10 monolithy
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+10 monolithy and gets 29." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20 elemental, looking it up real quick
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 elemental, looking it up real quick and gets 9." [1d20=9]
> OOC: 50 damage to the three girls. None to Muirfinn. 100 to the summons. Storm elemental's pulped.
<Muirfinn> OOC: How's Balorface?
> OOC: He blew up, how do you think? More coming.
> Light and pain. When it passes, you can see again. No sign of the balor. Around you is a ruined garden. It was once beautiful and picturesque, but now it is ruined. Here and there - on the ground and in the air, throbbing red crack-lines leak pus. The entire realm seems to shudder in protest of this terrible happening. The light in the sky has gone dim and taken on a pale green cast. The air is hot, too hot. Far too hot. You feel as if you burn with fever. Everything here is unreal, impossible. A fever dream given reality. The angles before you are too sharp and too much. Geometry seems in open revolt as your flesh sizzles and your inner core boils. Yet ahead of you is your goal - the great palace-castle of Athux! The beautiful gates have been blown off, revealing the way within. OOC: Fort saves all. This is a disease effect, so don't roll if you're immune.
> roll 1d20+24 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 Kascha and gets 40." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+36 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 Vivantha and gets 50." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+40 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 Canderella and gets 46." [1d20=6]
> OOC: Pretty sure you're immune, Muirfinn. Speak up and roll if you aren't when you get back.
> Kascha falls to one knee, burnt terribly. Her face is covered in hanging burnt flesh, as if her face was a poster slowly falling away from a wall. She whimpers, trying to rise but falling back to her knees.
> Canderella laughs. It's a wincing sort of laugh, yet her face has a smile. A smile that's too large for anything, "Heh, heh, heh...nostalgic! The realm's splitting up like last time. Step lively now, we need to finish giving Athux a very bad day."
> "Oh, and before he teleports reinforcements back, military losses be damned," she adds in a charming sing-song. "Demons of all shapes and sizes, ready to rip us apart or die trying."
> Vivantha flies over to Muirfinn, "Brave hero, are you well? She's right, we must have haste now."
* Muirfinn shakes his head. "I'm fine, or will be. See to Kascha." Muirfinn gently urges her toward Kascha, exchanging staff for want and rapidly healing himself
<Muirfinn> OOC: Wand. not want.
> OOC: What are you casting? One a round because action time matters here, so don't spam a bunch at once.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Cure Critical
> OOC: Roll it.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 and gets 35." [4d8=3, 4, 4, 7]
> Meanwhile, Vivantha goes over and heals Kascha! At the same time her own wounds heal, calling on arcane power and then calling it back! OOC: CSW plus 45 hp from consuming a 9th level spell then vesting it right back. So 45+incoming roll healing for Kascha.
> roll 3d8+15
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 27." [3d8=8, 3, 1]
> Wounds heal slowly, grudgingly! The wounds weep pus as they heal, which soaks into the ground like water into a thirsty desert. Kascha is able to rise now, "W-we have to keep going." Coughing tiredly, "We just have to find and beat Athux." OOC: Next round, take actions, Muirfinn. Be it going ahead or more healing.
* Muirfinn heals himself again, starting to head forward. "We'll let the elemental lead the way. It's big and can buy us a bit of time if things go sour. We don't have the luxury of stealth anymore."
<Muirfinn> roll 4d8+17
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d8+17 and gets 36." [4d8=8, 2, 4, 5]
> Vivantha does the same, healing Kascha once more. OOC: Other's actions coming.
> roll 3d8+15 Kascha healing
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 Kascha healing and gets 29." [3d8=5, 4, 5]
> Meanwhile Kascha draws on more spellpower, consuming it for healing as she follows! OOC: 40 HP back in addition to that CSW.
> Meanwhile Canderella hurries along, fishing out a wand and tapping her leg with it as she makes haste!
> roll 1d20 UMD, only fails on a 1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 UMD, only fails on a 1 and gets 11." [1d20=11]
> roll 3d8+5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+5 and gets 25." [3d8=5, 7, 8]
> OOC: Canderella heals 25 from that.
> The party heads on! But there's a problem - the gates aren't big enough to admit a giant earth monolith.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Are the gates built into the ground?
> OOC: They're built into the palace, yeah.
<Muirfinn> OOC: What's the palace made out of?
> OOC: Looks like stone, plaster and fancy things. It's almost certainly magical since it's the domain of a Demon Lord, even a fledgling one.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Okay!
<Muirfinn> The earth elemental does not slow down, gliding through the stone of the gates as though it were a fish in water and easily bypassing that barrier!
> As the party passes in, they find that ahead is...distortion. You can see glimpses of a palace, but it's flickering. It constantly changes. But stepping ahead is hard - painfully hard.  You can feel a terrible malice and limitless hunger ahead! It pushes against all of you like a physical force, as if to prevent further entry! Under its command, the air grows solid and pushes back. The stone of the floor tilt downward and away to make you return whence you came. The air grows hot as an inferno and demands you retreat. The steady drip-drip-drip of pus falling from cracks echos within it, a discordant sound that feels ill at ease with everything else here. "Ugh!" Kascha puts her arms up.
> Canderella gruns - a beautiful, alluring sound in spite of barely being a vocalization at all - and calls, "Can you feel that? Athux's power is directly opposing us! He's close and desperate! His power is stretched too far as it is!"
> *grunts
<Muirfinn> "You know," Muirfinn says calmly as he braces himself against the floor. "I'm really beginning to dislike the Abyss."
> "Less talking!" Canderella snaps, "Power! The power to unravel magic and command reality itself! Anything like that, if you have any scraps of it, now's the time!"
* Muirfinn simply raises the Leaf of Yggdrasil and intones a forceful word. Power flows from him to combat the energy pushing them back! OOC: Greater Dispel
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35." [1d20=15]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Also, could you please tell me how many rounds have passed since the Balor died?
> OOC: This willb e round 5.
> Before you the castle shudders terrifically! With a nightmare-born sound of tearing stone and shattering porcelin, the distortion ahead of you breaks apart! At the same time, so does much of the palace! Great cracks run through it, continuing through the air! You stand in a ballroom. A beautiful place if not torn asunder, the floor slippery with pus and growing cysts all over. It's hotter than a fever here, everything off. You can barely concentrate on anything, like a walking nightmare. Yet it's overlayered with a desire to see it all as transcendantly beautiful. It is as if your worst nightmare was clad in heavenly glory. Ahead of you - 50ft ahead, perhaps? Yes, you think that's right. 50ft ahead are five figures. Four women stand before a single balor. (More)
> The first woman is blonde and fair skinned. She wears naught, her body devastatingly beautiful. Yet before your enchanted eyes she seems sick. She is covered in sores. Her entire body weeps vile things. Her postures sags forward, as if she carries some great burden. The smirk on her face does war with the image of a look of horror. Her body thrums with jagged lines of green energy in place of veins. "My..." she says in a voice of seductive sweetness, yet you can just barely hear the same woman sobbing beneath it, "How rude! Guests come to pay homage, not take up arms against the Lord of Greenrot!" The second is brown haired and with tanned skin of the same shade. Her ears and figure point to elven heritage of some sort or another. She looks on with madness, yet over her you see the image of a child curled up into a fetal ball, rocking back and forth in fear. "No Elsa, they've come to offer blood. So much sweet, sweet blood!" The third is a black haired woman of angelic features, with black wings that constantly shed bloody feathers. Your feverish vision flickers - images of hate, of pain, of lonliness, of despair, of rejection. She says something - Muirfinn can't make it out. All he can see is the figure before her screaming as she is wrapped in chains and tossed below, seeming to fall forever. Dreaming, drifting. So hot. There's a fourth...something with a sword. A woman with a sword. A succubus of beauty so perfect that it momentarily pierces the encroaching delierum. (More)
> Something she says snaps Muirfinn from that burning reverie. His attention focuses back as she speaks, "That's right." Her blade is held, and you see no sorrow on her. Only the image of a smile too wide, too happy, too much. It twists up into a V, turning her face into an exaggerated horror. Pointing the blade at Muirfinn, "Offer your spirits!" Any further wooziness si shattered as the balor cracks his burning whip, "Suffer! Your punishment for rebellion against the rightful Lord of Greenrot is eternal misery! You will be slain, reincarnated, reviled, scorned, murdered and again reincarnated, forever and ever. You will beg for mercy and it will never be granted! That is your judgment!" With another crack of his whip, the monsters advance! OOC: Init.

<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Roll for elemental?
> OOC: Sure.
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Kascha and gets 31." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 21." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+2 elemental
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+2 elemental and gets 20." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+6 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Canderella and gets 25." [1d20=19]
<Muirfinn> OOC: -2, not +
> OOC: So 18 for the elemental?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 16
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Elemental(16)'
> roll 1d20+8 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 blonde and gets 14." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+11 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 brunette and gets 15." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+10 fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 fallen and gets 18." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+16 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 succubus and gets 18." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+11 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 balor and gets 25." [1d20=14]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14)'
> Kascha stumbles back as much as moves. Her speed is slow, shaking her head. "Let's end this," she whispers, "Three times I call on Queen Morwel to open the heavenly gate! Let seven rays come down and shine on impurity! Shine seven times!" From above seven rays of glorious light cascade down, before exploding on the balor and the succubi!
> roll 1d20+42 (+16 Canderella)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 (+16 Canderella) and gets 58." [1d20=16]
> roll 20d8 and a line of Will saves incoming
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8 and a line of Will saves incoming and gets 78." [20d8=4, 5, 4, 5, 1, 4, 2, 1, 6, 3, 7, 2, 5, 6, 4, 3, 7, 2, 5, 2]
> OOC: DC is 27.
> roll 1d20+18 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 blonde and gets 37." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+30 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 brunette and gets 33." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+21 fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 fallen and gets 23." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+44 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 succubus and gets 64." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+19 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 balor and gets 30." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d4 blind rounds for fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 blind rounds for fallen and gets 4." [1d4=4]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 4)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14)'
> The blast of holy power rocks the already cracking reality! For a moment the fever-dream state fades. For a moment you can see the fiends recoiling from holy powers! The eyes of the fallen angel burst into holy fire, causing her to weep tears of blood as she claws at her face! But it only lasts a moment as...OOC: Canderella and Balor are up.
> Canderella flies forward 35ft, just outside the reach of the balor. "Hi," she beckons, that single word unleashing a hellish blast of sonic energies! OOC: Saccing a 9th elvel charge for 9d4+possible stun sonic burst.
> roll 9d4
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 9d4 and gets 22." [9d4=3, 3, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3, 3, 1]
> roll 1d20+21 blonde vs DC 35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 blonde vs DC 35 and gets 22." [1d20=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 4)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> roll 1d20+28 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 brunette and gets 32." [1d20=4]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 4)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15 stunned 1)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> roll 1d20+23 fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 fallen and gets 28." [1d20=5]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 4 stunned 1)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15 stunned 1)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> roll 1d20+43 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 succubus and gets 48." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 and gets 37." [1d20=15]
> The blast of sound leaves three of the women reeling! Only th esuccubus stays up - as well as the balor! It steps in and unleashes a storm of whipping fury at the nearby Canderella!
> roll 1d20+35
> roll 1d20+35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 47." [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 50." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+30
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 and gets 32." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+25
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 41." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 27." [1d20=7]
> But Canderella dodges each and every one of the blows, when suddenly...
> roll 1d20+35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 44." [1d20=9]
> A blast of pure force slams into Canderella, but she holds her position! OOC: Vivantha.
> Vivantha begins to sing! Her song is half-lost to Muirfinn. It sounds like a lullaby more than anything, bringing hazy memories of a mother's touch - a mother who Muirfinn doesn't even know. But the feeling of a mother tucking you into bed when you're ill is there. It's like a cool cloth on your head, banishing the pain! OOC: +5d6 sonic to attacks. She's staying back otherwise. Muirfinn, go.
> "Hah!" Canderella dodges, seemingly hazy despite being close. Her words grow solid amid Canderella's song, more real than the feverish unreality that presses against you. "Your realm's breaking apart and Athux is hiding behind you like a little bitch!" Spitting out blood before wiping her mouth clean, "How does it feel to serve a coward, oh mighty balor?"
* Muirfinn raises his hight hand, snapping his fingers with a sharp 'Click!' as time grinds to a screeching halt! OOC: Time Stop!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d4+1 and gets 4." [1d4=3]
* Muirfinn casts a series of spells in rapid succession! OOC: Owl's Insight, Sheltered Vitality, Halo of Sand (Wand), and finishing it up with a full-round Death Hail centered in the middle of the bad guys!
> OOC: Link me to death hail?
<Muirfinn> As time resumes, for Muirfinn, black hail falls from the ceiling, striking the group of opposing demonic entities! With that, he takes a fiery elemental form with a grim face!
> Time stops! Even as Muirfinn casts, he can notice that the pus continues to drip-drip-drip. Not even speed stops that. When time resumes...
> roll 1d20+21 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 blonde and gets 23." [1d20=2]
> OOC: Also note DC?
> roll 1d20+28 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 brunette and gets 46." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+23 fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 fallen and gets 35." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+43 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 succubus and gets 54." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+22 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 balor and gets 38." [1d20=16]
> OOC: Also pretty sure at least the blonde failed, so roll damage as you look up DC.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d2 Strength and Con damage to all within radius. It's set up to contain them all. DC 31 fort halves
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d2 Strength and Con damage to all within radius. It's set up to contain them all. DC 31 fort halves and gets 1." [1d2=1]
> The rain falls! It's a dreadful rain of black death, slamming the blonde hardest of all! It slams on the ground, causing it to crack open! More red cracks spread everywhere! It is as if the realm is weeping infected tears at the hail! Meanwhile the fallen can do naught but recover! OOC: Succubus is up.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 3)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15 stunned 1)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> The succubus leaps into the air, flying 30ft up. She beckons at Canderella, "Come here, cow!" she whispers, voice filled with...something. Your vision flickers a moment amid Canderella's song. A warrior in hand, holding sword to his chest. Staring up at her and trying to turn away, yet-guh! The vision breaks, as...
> roll 1d20+40
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 and gets 52." [1d20=12]
> But Canderella does not move. She tosses her hair with one hand as she dodges another whip-crack, "I've seen far better," she says, "Is this what skills pass for a whore of Athux? Muirfinn, ignore the succubus. She's barely worth notice or killing." OOC: Elemental's up. Go.
> "Ugh..." Kascha's voice is heard, "I'm burning up." She uses her blade to support herself as bands of magic flow around her. "Air's tainted. Realm's poisoning everything." She coughs, bloody phlegm splattering on the ground from it. "Have to keep focusing!"
* Muirfinn barks a command in Terran, and the elemental glides forward without hesitation into the melee, charging down the balor like an angry avalanche!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+42+2+2 charge + bull rush
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+42+2+2 charge + bull rush and gets 55." [1d20=9]
> OOC: That be a hit
> .
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+49+2+2 bull rush CMB
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+49+2+2 bull rush CMB and gets 54." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> roll 6d8+18 slam attack
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 6d8+18 slam attack and gets 48." [6d8=5, 2, 4, 8, 7, 4]
> OOC: Don't forget the 5d6 sonic.
<Muirfinn> roll 5d6 sonic I DID forget!
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 5d6 sonic I DID forget! and gets 14." [5d6=4, 1, 5, 1, 3]
> WHAM! The demon's head on! With Vivantha's song echoing in his ears, Muirfinn can see the elemental crash into the balor! The balor is sent sprawling back in a heap, hit hard enough to make a crater where it lands! Then...OOC: The last two are stunned this round. Kascha's up.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>Fallen(blind 3)=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14)'
> Coughing again and again - Kascha coughs so much. Her mouth trickles blood down her chin, which is red as raw meat. Nonetheless she chants, "Now! I am known to you and have entered into the covenant! Take the seven rays and split them open! Take the gate and tear it asunder! More! Open the gates for more!" Another blast of light from above comes, but this one is even more than before, absolutely radiant! OOC: Empowered Righteous Smite+last vest use to recoup.
> roll 1d20+42 SR auto pass
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 SR auto pass and gets 59." [1d20=17]
> roll 20d8*1.5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d8*1.5 and gets 129." [20d8=6, 4, 3, 7, 5, 5, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 2, 4, 5, 5, 3, 8]
> OOC: DC is 27.
> roll 1d20+18 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 blonde and gets 27." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+30 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 brunette and gets 35." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+21 fallen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 fallen and gets 29." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+44 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 succubus and gets 56." [1d20=12]
>  roll 1d20+19 balor
> roll 1d20+19 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 balor and gets 39." [1d20=20]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14)'
> The blast of power leaves the foes even more devasted, reeling back under the onslaught! It's too much for the fallen, who simply begins to crumble like sand! Yet as she does, she screams! She is pulled backwards, vanishing out of sight with a scream! OOC: Canderella+Balor are up.
> "A duel?" Snorting as the balor doesn't answer her, "Why not? I suppose I can entertain you before oblivion! Except...swords are boring, don't you think?" That last word is said with terrible emphasis as a massive burst of sound explodes out around her! OOC: Also gets the elemental since it's so close. TAkes the damage but is immune to stunning.
> roll 9d4
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 9d4 and gets 21." [9d4=2, 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 1]
> OOC: DC 35.
> roll 1d20+21 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 blonde and gets 22." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+28
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 38." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d20+43 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 succubus and gets 60." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+29 elemental
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+29 elemental and gets 46." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+22 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 balor and gets 36." [1d20=14]
<Muirfinn> The elemental shrugs it off, losing minor flakes of stone and ignoring the damage.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella=Balor(25)>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> The blast of energy hits them again, driving them back further! Suddenly the balor leaps up, its whip becoming alive! IT becomes a writhing serpent, striking down at Canderella!
> roll 1d20+43 (+8 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 (+8 ???) and gets 51." [1d20=8]
> But Canderella dodges even that! She seems to be in two or three places at once, always dodging and always in the right spot to defend! Amid the fever-haze Muirfinn can hear the balor screaming in impotent fury! OOC: Vivantha's up.
> Vivantha continues to sing and otherwise holds! OOC: Muirfinn.
> OOC: Also, death hail.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d2 strength and con damage, DC 31 fort
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d2 strength and con damage, DC 31 fort and gets 2." [1d2=2]
> roll 1d20+21 blonde
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+29 elemental
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+29 elemental and gets 31." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 blonde and gets 27." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+28 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 brunette and gets 46." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+43 succubus isn't fair
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 succubus isn't fair and gets 58." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+22 balor
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 balor and gets 30." [1d20=8]
> More rain falls, slamming the evil before you! It's causing them to shuddern and look more wracked, th erealm starting to shake all over like a fever chill! OOC: Go.
<Muirfinn> While the elemental and Canderella keep the group occupied, Muirfinn moves over to Kascha. Holding the Leaf of Yggdrasil in one hand, he places the other on her shoulder and intones a word of healing. OOC: Energized Heal! Blammo!
<Muirfinn> OOC: Also, out of shapeshift form since rules.
> Kascha's wounds heal! She straightens up, "Thank you," she manages, "But it won't last! The realm's in terrible flux! I think Athux is losing control and raw Abyssal energies are running amok. We just have to finish this and get out! I'll be fine long enough to finish this, so focus on that!" OOC: Okay.  Succubus.
> "You..." The succubus glares down in hate, before diving down not at Canderella - but towards Muirfinn! Somehow she's able to get past the elemental without even provoking an attack, dive-bombing for the tortle!
> roll 1d20+30 touch CA?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 touch CA? and gets 43." [1d20=13]
<Muirfinn> OOC: 36, oh that is some bullshit
> OOC: 6 negative levels. Are you warded?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ability damage and drain, but not NLs. I guess that was a poor choice.
> OOC: Guessed wrong.
> The creature reaches out, hand going smoothly into Muirfinn's chest! It doesn't tear anything open, yet she comes out with a fistful of glowing white radiance! It suffuses her body, dancing around her! "Lay still now!" OOC: Le OW. Elemental.
* Steph (~Kallen@ppp59-167-140-198.static.internode.on.net) Quit (Quit: )
<Muirfinn> The elemental continues to follow its last command, pounding on the balor and reminding it helpfully that it is still there.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+42+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+42+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+42+2 and gets 57." [1d20=13]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+42+2 and gets 64." [1d20=20]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+42+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+42+2 and gets 64." [1d20=20]
<Muirfinn> OOC: oh
> OOC: It's gonna be paste. It be dead.
<Muirfinn> OOC: MY
<Muirfinn> OOC: UHGAWD
> OOC: Roll damage and make it official.
<Muirfinn> roll 6d8+18+2 normal slam
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 6d8+18+2 normal slam and gets 47." [6d8=3, 5, 3, 4, 5, 7]
<Muirfinn> roll 2#6d8+18+2 slam crit
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2#6d8+18+2 slam crit and gets 92." [2#6d8+18+2 = 47, 45]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)>Blonde(14 stunned 1)'
> SLam and SLAM! Under that the balor is crushed into paste - before becoming a massive explosion of light! OOC: Ref, y'all. Including the baddies since it doesn't smart target.
> roll 1d20+20 blonde
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 blonde and gets 24." [1d20=4]
* Natsuki (Natsuki@ppp59-167-140-198.static.internode.on.net) has joined #dunes
> roll 1d20+27 brunette
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 brunette and gets 38." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+48 succubus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+48 succubus and gets 50." [1d20=2]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)>Elemental(16)>Brunette(15)'
> roll 1d20+28 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Kascha and gets 46." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 44." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+38 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 Canderella and gets 56." [1d20=18]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30-11 muirfinn BAWWWWWWW
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+30-11 muirfinn BAWWWWWWW and gets 30." [1d20=11]
> OOC: 50 damage each to the girls, Muirfinn none. Remember to note evasion.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+10 elemental
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+10 elemental and gets 19." [1d20=9]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh yeah
> OOC: 100 to the elemental.
> The blast isn't as bad as the last one. The party is scorched and dazed, but the blonde is simply gone in the wake of it! As you recover from this, fever-chills shaking you like a leaf, the brunette shimmers and dashes ahead, grinning as she charges the elemental! OOC: Provokes an AoO from Mr. Elemental.
<Muirfinn> OOC: alas, only one
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+42+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+42+2 and gets 47." [1d20=3]
> OOC: Whiff.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ah well
> roll 1d20+54 (+4 reckless charge, +6 rage, +4 smite) AC for the elemental?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 (+4 reckless charge, +6 rage, +4 smite) AC for the elemental? and gets 68." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+54 (+4 reckless charge, +6 rage, +4 smite) AC for the elemental?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 (+4 reckless charge, +6 rage, +4 smite) AC for the elemental? and gets 62." [1d20=8]
<Muirfinn> OOC: AC is a muscular 25.
> roll 2d4+126+6d6 and 1 vile
> roll 2d4+126+6d6 and 1 vile
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4+126+6d6 and 1 vile and gets 156." [2d4=3, 1][6d6=6, 6, 3, 4, 3, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4+126+6d6 and 1 vile and gets 151." [2d4=2, 4][6d6=3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 5]
<Muirfinn> OOC: That's that!
> With a raw fury the brunette leaps into the elemental! It plunges into its chest and digs with both hands! Hands become claws as it rips in, burrowing through its chest, down and out through where its groin should be! The entire elemental crumbles and fades away, sent back to whence it came! OOC: Now you see why it was a good thing she was stunned a round. Kascha.
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)>Brunette(15)'
> Through the fever-dream Kascha hangs back, calling on arcane forces! The words are lost to you this time as you shudder with chill, yet five darts of force fly and grow larger in the air, before slamming into the brunette!
> roll (5d4*1.5)+5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls (5d4*1.5)+5 and gets 23." [5d4=1, 2, 2, 3, 4]
> A moment later Kascha quickly traces patterns in the air, flaming rays flying out at the brunette! Again her words are lost, Muirfinn nearly doubling over with chills!
> roll 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high and gets 9." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high
> roll 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high and gets 6." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 all touch ACs and her touch AC isn't -that- high and gets 18." [1d20=18]
> roll 12d6*1.5
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 12d6*1.5 and gets 69." [12d6=5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 3, 4, 3, 6]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kascha(31)>Canderella>Vivantha(21)>Muirfinn(19)>=Succubus(18)'
> Three rays pierce the chest of the demoness, who shudders and falls back - and is suddenly sucked back and away, screaming as she vanishes!  OOC: Canderella's up.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Do I actually have a disease?
> OOC: K:P or Heal here, whichever is higher.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22 K:P
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 K:P and gets 42." [1d20=20]
> This isn't a disease - it's just a reaction to pure Abyssal energies running unchecked. Your body is naturally recoiling from it and intepreting it along the lines of what the energy represents. Based on what you see, this is the energy of Greenrot's previous configuration bursting out. Athus is losing control. Unfortunately, there's really no cure expect getting the hell out of here or becoming a demon.
> Meanwhile Canderella takes to the air, charging the last surviving demon!
> roll 1d20+27 (+2 charge)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 (+2 charge) and gets 43." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d10+5+5d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+5+5d6 and gets 29." [1d10=6][5d6=6, 1, 1, 6, 4]
> With a blade vibrating with sonic energy, she pierces the neck of the succubus! She screams as her body is pulled back! There is a moment of silence before you hear a man's roar of frusturation, as suddenly you are buffeted by a wave of tremendous force! But it peters out as you shiver so terribly - ahead. Ahead is a door. A door that's opening, like a sickbed dream that's just in reach.
> OOC: Free act.
> "C'mon now, don't give in," Canderella's voice sounds absolutely unhinged, giggles following, "Oh, don't want to spend too much time here or you'll start to like it!" She pulls out her wand and touches it to her arm as she walks towards the gate.
> roll 3d8+5 healing to her
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+5 healing to her and gets 23." [3d8=7, 3, 8]
* Muirfinn sighs, though not quite with relief. "Kascha, you said you had a Wish left? I could use it, if you're able. All this negative energy has me feeling incredibly weak."
> Vivantha flies, "It's like...dying..." Vivantha rubs her arms and looks pale as can be. Her voice sounds underwater, like she's choking on phlegm. But she doesn't cough, instead wheezing out words of power!
> roll 3d8+15
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 29." [3d8=7, 4, 3]
> "R-right," Kascha comes forward, reaching out to touch Muirfinn's shoulder! "Open the final gate of the Weave!" she croaks out, "Lady of Mysteries, you know me! By the name of Kascha restore Muirfinn!" Energy is restored to Murifinn's body! OOC: Negative levels gone.
* Muirfinn slaps himself across the face with a Death Ward. "We ready to end this?" he asks the group, heading forward and feeling MUCH better. Doggedly he slogs through the soupy reality that is Greenrot as it goes to war with itself. "I can still grant force-based armor and a Death Ward to one more person."
> Canderella shakes her head as she goes on. "Me," Kascha speaks up as she begins to go, "The Death Ward." She shakes her head tiredly, "Seira, give us strength for the battle ahead."
<Muirfinn> Thus Death Ward is granted! "We are on the side of righteousness. Our victory is all but assured. We only need to apply ourselves in the porper direction." Muirfinn says comfortingly.
> As you walk ahead, reality seems to give up again. You walk in void for a mere moment, stepping ahead. Now you are in a cozy room. 10ft ahead of you are two hulking, horned demonic figures clad in full plate armor. They each carry fullblades, hefting them at the ready! 20ft behind them, standing before a bed of pillows, is a humanoid figure. He has black skin and a cocky smirk, wearing fine chain armor. A blade is in hand. Around the room are transparent images, each one of hideous warfare. Yet his attention is dead ahead, smirk slowly fading into a look of anger. "Assassins making it this far? No. I refuse to believe it." His voice is coiled sensuality, like deep, smooth silk rubbing against your ears. "Before I kill you, answer me one thing - who sent you? Tell me," Flashing a smile, "And I'll let your souls go free after death."
> "Oh, you know," Canderella declares, tossing her hair back again, "Look at the power I wield. If that doesn't tell you, you're a fool as well as a poor host. No introduction? No grand welcoming? I would think the son of Graz'zt would treat ladies better than this."

<Muirfinn> "Enough posturing." Muirfinn says. "Let's just get this done. You canot hide behind your cannon fodder any longer, Athux."
> "Indeed. It is time." Vivantha speaks - but her voice is doubled. Another voice echos with hers as she draws the Sword of the Moon. From it pale moonlight comes forth! It banishes the fever-dream sensations, returning reality to a stark, bleeding-realistic edge. There is a series of hazy images in the air, just visible. You can glimpse your journey and the journey of others, going through the Astral, Dyrani, the Infinite Staircase and finally Greenrot. The others are radiant figures, joining into the moonlight. "In the name of chaos I spite you, demon, and cast you to the fate of law. In the name of all that is holy, I condemn you to oblivion."
> At this Athux hisses like a wounded animal, throwing his arms up over his face. He steps back and in a shaky voice, "The...the hell is this?! Ha...ha...hahahhahahaha! Whore of Talos and maiden of Selune!" Wincing in the light and nonetheless holding at the ready, "You're just as jealous as Father is! You're terrified of me!" He stands firm and snarls back, "Fine! I accept your spite and will choke you on it!" At his words, four ghostly maidens surround him. They whirl around him - the four you just fought. "This is my realm! No one can defeat me here! Not either of you, not the angel and not even the dog of water!" OOC: Init.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12 muirfinn
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 muirfinn and gets 23." [1d20=11]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20-2 elemental
* Merc (~k@c-98-194-92-5.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: )
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20-2 elemental and gets 7." [1d20=9]
> OOC: Your elemental got toasted, remember?
> roll 1d20+6 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+6 Canderella and gets 7." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 15." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+14 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+14 Kascha and gets 20." [1d20=6]
<Muirfinn> OOC: I do now!
> roll 1d20+6 Guard 1
> roll 1d20+6 Guard 2
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+6 Guard 1 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+6 Guard 2 and gets 19." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d20+23 Athux
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+23 Athux and gets 42." [1d20=19]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42)>Muirfinn=Guard 1(23)>Kascha(20)>Guard 2(19)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Athux gathers in power! It makes the realm shake, more cracks appearing! Pus weeps out all over, ruining the beauty of the room. You can see hands reaching out from the bigger cracks, the distorted head of manes occasionally poking out. The four ghosts around him gather faster, surrounding Athux like armor! At the same time, a buffet of raw power slams into the party! OOC: Ref saves, y'all.
> roll 1d20+38 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+38 Canderella and gets 43." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha and gets 43." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+28 Kascha
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 Kascha and gets 30." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+30 and gets 38." [1d20=8]
> OOC: Evasion?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Evasion
> roll 10d12 halve this all
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 10d12 halve this all and gets 58." [10d12=9, 6, 4, 5, 3, 12, 11, 4, 1, 3]
> The blast of power is titanic! The realm itself shudders! Yet when it comes close, the moonlight shines brighter! In it you can see images of battle, of goddess facing against a raging balor! It seems to weaken the blast, far less of it hitting you than it should! Athux stares and snarls wordlessly, "Bastards!" OOC: Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "I'm a reptile, actually. Clearly not a dog." Muirfinn says, body ebbing and flowing into form of purest water. His head just barely sloshes against the ceiling as he surges forward to confront the rightmost of the two guards.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+2 plus more if there's still residual bardsong?
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+2 plus more if there's still residual bardsong? and gets 46." [1d20=7]
> OOC: It's gone for now, she'll set it back up on your turn.
> OOC: Hit, d100.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 49." [1d100=49]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Also, True Seeing still in effect if displacement
> OOC: Okay, you're off the hook then. Hit.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 2d6 vs evil, also 1 Con damage.
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 2d6 vs evil, also 1 Con damage. and gets 47." [4d10=9, 4, 4, 2][2d6=3, 6]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Counts as silver/good/magic
> Muirfinn comes in and slams down! But the figure shimmers like a heat haze, not that it fools Muirfinn! He htis it hard, the figure standing firm despite the abuse! It takes it and stays up, turning its wrath onto Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+51 (+8 smite good, +3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+51 (+8 smite good, +3 ???) and gets 64." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d20+46 (+8 smite good, +3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+46 (+8 smite good, +3 ???) and gets 52." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+33 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+33 (+3 ???) and gets 39." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+28 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 (+3 ???) and gets 40." [1d20=12]
> OOC: AC Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 66
> But Muirfinn's defenses are enough to hold them at bay! The blades flash out as Kashca steps forward, "Seira, guide my magic," she whispers as moonlight illuminates her face. "Once again, open the seven gates and tear them asunder in my name!"
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 32." [1d100=32]
> But the magic doesn't come, Kascha stumbling forward! She manages to rasp out a single arcane syllable after!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 77." [1d100=77]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42)>Muirfinn=Guard 1(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Guard 2(19)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> But a moment later, eight other Kascha images dance around her! Meanwhile the second guard continues to protect Athux! Then Vivantha begins to sing! Her song is uplifting and powerful, sending your weapons to vibrating with sonic power! Yet her song also sings of life, protecting the party! OOC: 5d6 sonic to attacks plus immunity to poison/disease. Go go go combine songs. Canderella.
> Canderella confidently strides forward despite her wounds. She approaches the second guard even as she drips blood from her wounds, staining the crumbling floor, "Well then, here I am, son of Graz'zt. Oh high and mighty demon lord, smite me down for my insolence!" Her face is a cruel smirk, "Pah! Don't worry, this time you won't have to hide in Daddy's pants when you fail." Almost as an afterthought she attacks the second guard, getting right in his face!
> roll 1d20+23 (-2 fighting defensively)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+23 (-2 fighting defensively) and gets 41." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 8." [1d100=8]
> Her blade lashes out, but hits the demon and at the same time misses, doing no harm! Athux snarls in cold fury, before he barks a word of power! You don't know what it is, but the meaning is clear, "BOW!" OOC: Will saves. Mind-affecting, note if you're immune.
> roll 1d20+40 Kascha
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+40 Kascha and gets 54." [1d20=14]
> OOC: Canderella, excuse me.
> roll 1d20+31 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+31 Vivantha and gets 50." [1d20=19]
> OOC: Kascha's warded.
* Muirfinn very overtly ignores Athux, making a waving motion at him as though he were nothing. OOC: Immune
> But Kascha ignores it, an interlocked band of arcane runes flaring to life around her head! Meanwhile Canderella just laughs, as Vivantha continues to sing, unbowed! "Fine! Fine!" Hissing against the light and images of holy triumph before him, "I'll do this the right way! I'll decorate Greenrot with your hearts!" He points his blade out at Canderella! OOC: Muirfinn.
> 'Muirfinn,' Canderella's voice is calm, 'I'll keep him tied up. Make sure Vivantha stays up. If she falls, all of this was meaningless. I have nothing to fear from his unholy smites, anyway.'
<Muirfinn> 'Of course.' Muirfinn's watery fists lash out like miniature tidal waves, pummeling the demonic guard with all the force of a perfect storm at sea!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 42." [1d20=5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 44." [1d20=7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 46." [1d20=14]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 42." [1d20=15]
> OOC: Hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 59." [4d10=5, 5, 6, 1][2d6=3, 4][5d6=1, 2, 3, 6, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 71." [4d10=9, 8, 6, 3][2d6=6, 6][5d6=1, 6, 2, 3, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 61." [4d10=2, 8, 3, 3][2d6=5, 4][5d6=2, 6, 3, 3, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 58." [4d10=9, 5, 4, 2][2d6=5, 3][5d6=2, 1, 5, 2, 1]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Total of 5 Con damage so far
> The demon takes the assault with stolid vigor, silent as it concentrates! It takes terrible wounds but holds its position! It seems to ignore the crushed ribs and torn arms that it now sports! It simply rears back and makes one massive blow at Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) and gets 73." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) crit?
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) crit? and gets 72." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune.
> OOC: Off the hook for the crit then.
> roll 2d8+79
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 2d8+79 and gets 88." [2d8=1, 8]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ow, shit
> His blow rips through Muirfinn! Pure unholy power tears into him, devastating his aquatic form! He's still up, but his eyes sting and his body quakes in the aftermath of the attack! OOC: Kascha.
* Topic is 'Athux(42)>Muirfinn=Guard 1(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Guard 2(19)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
* Set by Koaway on Wed Jun 19 22:44:34
> Kascha flies to the side, going around Muirfinn and hugging the wall! She utters a single quick word...
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 60." [1d100=60]
> Suddenly she is far more radiant than before! She is breath-takingly beautiful as her words echo, "The fourth circle opens into the heavenly realm of truth! In the light of the Lady of the Lake, unseal the charnal fires!" OOC: Inner Beauty+free daily quicken for it. Athux is in range of the stun but he's immune.  +4 sacred dex/cha to Kascha. More depending if she makes her check for the twinned greater fireburst
> .
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 64." [1d100=64]
> Suddenly two great bursts of flame surround her, the edges licking at Athux!
> roll 1d20+55 yep, deities have absurdly good saves
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 yep, deities have absurdly good saves and gets 71." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+55 yep, deities have absurdly good saves
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 yep, deities have absurdly good saves and gets 62." [1d20=7]
> roll 15d8
> roll 15d8
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 15d8 and gets 64." [15d8=5, 3, 3, 3, 4, 2, 5, 1, 5, 8, 2, 8, 4, 4, 7]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 15d8 and gets 65." [15d8=7, 7, 8, 1, 5, 8, 7, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 5, 3, 2]
<Muirfinn> "Well, Athux," Muirfinn says, the make-up of his watery body surging in to reinforce the damage done, leaving him somewaht diminished in mass, but not strength. "it's nice to know that not all of your minions are completely worthless. At least these will provide me a challenge before I come over there and smear your ugly face all over the floor!" Though unused to taunting, Muirfinn is
<Muirfinn> nonetheless poignant in his words.
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde)>Muirfinn=Guard 1(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Guard 2(19)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Athux opens to retort, but suddenly he suddenly turns to the flames! The beautiful blonde spirit around him flies into the flames, shielding him! She shrieks - a horrible sound of dissolution as her very soul is cast to the flames before you! Kascha stares on at the woman's screams as her essence is consumed! "You're next!" He snarls to Muirfinn! OOC: Okay, Guard 2 is up.
> Meanwhile, Canderella and the second guard fence back and forth!
> roll 1d20+43 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+43 (+3 ???) and gets 61." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+38 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+38 (+3 ???) and gets 45." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+33 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+33 (+3 ???) and gets 44." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+28 (+3 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 (+3 ???) and gets 41." [1d20=13]
> But Canderella is a dynamo! She dodges, whirls and seems to be in four places at once! Each blow is avoided! OOC: Vivantha.
> As Vivantha maintains the songs, she comes forward to Canderella! She touches her shoulder, still singing of power and energy! OOC: Song of life refrain, heals her equal to her perofrm check as a swift action.
> roll 1d20+34 Healing to Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+34 Healing to Canderella and gets 35." [1d20=1]
> Then her song picks up, singing of the greatness of your battle! Muirfinn and Canderella feel their spirits soar! OOC: 5 rounds and counting on sonic boost. +4 to saves and AC, you two. Canderella's up.
> "Really?" Canderella continues to laugh, ignoring the guard as she lobs a blast of pure eldritch power at Athux!
> roll 1d20+24 touch AC
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+24 touch AC and gets 39." [1d20=15]
> Yet Athux dodges it cleanly, even as Canderella continues to absentlymindedly fence with the demon before her! Then Athux moves. He's fast - fast as Abigor, maybe faster! He's on Canderella in a split second, unholy blade going for her heart!
> roll 1d20+59
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+59 and gets 69." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d8+29 all vile
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+29 all vile and gets 37." [1d8=8]
> The blow is too fast to follow. It impales Canderella through the chest, only missing her heart by an inch! Before you can even blink she's been kicked back, landing on one knee! You can see her heart in the wound, crackling with stormy electricity! "That...it?" Yet Athux isn't looking at her now. He's staring at Vivantha, snarling as the two lock eyes! OOC: Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn punches the guard repeatedly in the face whils he says conversationally, "So Athux, is all this anger of yours due to the rumors that your mother was secretly the ugliest erinyes that your father could get his hands on? I mean, I'd believe the rumors. Are they true? I mean, you're uglier than a box of those naked mole rat things."
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 55." [1d20=18]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 48." [1d20=11]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 42." [1d20=10]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 33." [1d20=6]
> OOC: Three hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 73." [4d10=6, 9, 6, 8][2d6=4, 4][5d6=3, 4, 4, 2, 4]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 51." [4d10=1, 9, 2, 2][2d6=1, 1][5d6=3, 4, 5, 1, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 61." [4d10=1, 3, 5, 2][2d6=5, 5][5d6=3, 2, 6, 4, 6]
> At the same time, the guard rears up and repeat shis last trick, looking to bisect Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) and gets 64." [1d20=9]
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 70
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Guard 2(19)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
<Muirfinn> "Well look at that, he just dropped dead. Would you mind putting a veil or or something? It's killing your guards!"
> But Muirfinn is able to block it, bringing up an arm to deflect the blade away! At this the demon stumbles back and falls, breaking down into pus and opening up another crack beneath it! The realm shudders again, yet more tears appearing! Athux tears his attention from Vivantha to Muirfinn, "In due time," he suddenly smirks! "You can't hurt me, and your defenses are greatly overestimated. Just wait a moment while I finish her off."OOC: Kashca.
<Muirfinn> "We'll have all died of old age by that point."
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 43." [1d100=43]
> Kascha begins to chant, but falls to one knee! She coughs, her spell ruined! OOC: Guard 2.
> The second guard strides forward suddenly, going towards Muirfinn with one overwhelming strike!
> roll 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) and gets 75." [1d20=20]
> roll 2d8+79 at least you're crit immune
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 2d8+79 at least you're crit immune and gets 87." [2d8=4, 4]
> Muirfinn gets run through! If not for his altered body, his heart would be pierced! Yet instead it's just a horrible wound, water spilling out from his aquatic form! OOC: Le owwies. Vivantha.
> Vivantha retreats back behind Muirfinn as she continues to sing, touching his shoulder! She brandishes the Sword of the Moon, Athux momentarily shielding his face again! OOC: 4 rounds on sonic boost left.
> roll 1d20+34 healing to Muirfinn don't miss this
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+34 healing to Muirfinn don't miss this and gets 47." [1d20=13]
> OOC: 47 hit points healed to Muirfinn.
> In a bare whisper, "Brave hero, she's offering herself up. She told me not to..." she breathes into his ear, all while hiding back! OOC: Canderella.
<Muirfinn> "I know." Muirfinn says, setting himself to keep the path to Vivantha blocked.
> Staggering and bleeding profusely, Canderella limps for Athux, "Heh..heh...should be used to this. Stick it in a girl and she's not satisified, eh?" Spitting up blood as she raises Storm up to strike, "C'mon, show us how much better you are bent over and taking instead, bitch!"
> roll 1d20 she only hits on a one, fighting defensively
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 she only hits on a one, fighting defensively and gets 13." [1d20=13]
> OOC: On a twenty, but.
> You can't even see Athux's blade flash out, yet it dances all over Canderlela!
> roll 1d20+59
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+59 and gets 67." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+54
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+54 and gets 62." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+49
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+49 and gets 61." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+44
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+44 and gets 45." [1d20=1]
> Yet somehow Canderella holds him off! She staggers back several times from impacts that don't even faze Athux! She's panting for air and her wrists are broken, bones sticking out in all directions, like they're pulverized! The skin around her arms and shoulders peels away, weeping black ichor! "Heh...c'mon, big boy. C'mon! I know women with bigger dicks than you!" She wobbles terribly, but somehow holds on! OOC: Fighting defensively+songbuff kept her from death. Barely. Muirfinn.
> "Silence, whore," Athux declares, "I'll correct your screaming soul in just a few moments. Hold on for me, baby!"
<Muirfinn> "You act," Muirfinn says, casually slapping the second guard around. "as though you don't know what's about to happen. Perhaps you are in denial. I understand that people cursed with looks as poor as your own would be well versed in the practice."
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 43." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 47." [1d20=10]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 40." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 31." [1d20=4]
> OOC: Three hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 61." [4d10=1, 9, 6, 2][2d6=1, 2][5d6=4, 2, 5, 4, 6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 61." [4d10=5, 2, 3, 5][2d6=5, 1][5d6=1, 4, 6, 6, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 58." [4d10=2, 4, 6, 2][2d6=3, 3][5d6=6, 3, 3, 4, 3]
> The guard endures the plummeling, managing to stay up! It gets smashed and mained, but endures silently! "Perhaps I'll make you one of those. No vocal cords, nothing but blind obdience," Athux calls as Muirfinn strikes! OOC: Okay. Kascha's up.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 100." [1d100=100]
<Muirfinn> "They called you ugly too? You know, if a lot of people say it, it's probably true."
> "Dragon Princess, I offer the third token!" Kascha kneels, her face twisting into that of a dragon! Acid burbles in her mouth! OOC: Dragon Breath.  OOC: Guard 2.
> The second guard again repeats, unable to do anything but attack Muirfinn with the power of evil!
> roll 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 (+8 smite good, +3 ???, +4 ???) and gets 64." [1d20=9]
> But Muirfinn manages to sidestep him this time, blade whizzing through the air in a slice that would cut him apart at the waist! OOC: Ow. Vivantha. 3 rounds on sonics.
> Vivantha continues to sing and heal Muirfinn! She manages to whisper, "Just wound him enough so I can hurt him with the Sword of the Moon," she whispers!
> roll 1d20+35 Murifinn healing
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+35 Murifinn healing and gets 55." [1d20=20]
> Muirfinn's wounds continue to mend, song healing better than a week of bedrest! OOC: Canderella.
> Canderella stays in position, putting it all into her defense as she holds firm! OOC: Total defense, +4 dodge to AC. AC 70.

> "C'mon...give it to me, baby," Canderella drawls, coughing and nearly doubling over! Then as a blur...
> roll 1d20+59
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+59 and gets 79." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+59 ow
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+59 ow and gets 64." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d20+54
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+54 and gets 57." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+49
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+49 and gets 56." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+44
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+44 and gets 55." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d8+29 all vile
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+29 all vile and gets 35." [1d8=6]
> The blow rips into Canderella! Her innards are torn open, ribs exposed! You can see her organs - as much masses of lightning and writhing, shapeless chaos as anything else. It's all breaking down, breaking down into black acid. It eats away the other intact parts of her. Her spine is crumbling. Her wings are drooping, starting to peel away from her back. She coughs, spitting out several teeth that dissolve into black acid. Yet you can't even -see- Athux strike! "Maybe I'll promote you after awhile, you're persistent." Athux says, turning his attention to Muirfinn,
> OOC: Gah.
> The blow rips into Canderella! Her innards are torn open, ribs exposed! You can see her organs - as much masses of lightning and writhing, shapeless chaos as anything else. It's all breaking down, breaking down into black acid. It eats away the other intact parts of her. Her spine is crumbling. Her wings are drooping, starting to peel away from her back. She coughs, spitting out several teeth that dissolve into black acid. Yet you can't even -see- Athux strike! "Maybe I'll promote you after awhile, you're persistent." Athux says, turning his attention to Muirfinn, "Enough, I grow weary of you." He raises his blade to Muirfinn and Canderella, "Time to finish this." OOC: Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "Oh no, I am afraid. Whaver shall I do." Muirfinn deadpans while his mind races. Keeping the banter up is more difficult than he remembers! He punches the guard in the chest a few times for good measure. "If you knew what was good for you, you'd slink off and wait for us to finish so you could pick up the pieces after we go."
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 43." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 46." [1d20=9]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 38." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 34." [1d20=7]
> OOC: Two hits.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 70." [4d10=8, 6, 9, 1][2d6=5, 1][5d6=5, 2, 3, 6, 5]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 56." [4d10=5, 3, 6, 9][2d6=1, 2][5d6=1, 3, 1, 4, 2]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Under that assault, the demon collapses! It falls into a crack! The floor is now nothing more than roiling boils, save for where Athux stands! The entire realm is constantly shaking now, the moonlight dancing wildly, "All of this!" Athux gestures with one hand, "It isn't enough! All this history, all this power, and you're still not strong enough!" he laughs, throwing his head back as he shakes with mirth. "They were right to be terrified and jealous of me! Come! Here I am! Find out how futile your entire gambit was! Talos! Selune! Seira! Mother Ocean! Watch as I show you what the price of opposing me is!" OOC: Kascha.
> Kascha rears back, spitting out a line of acid at Athux's face!
> roll 1d20+55 ref
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 ref and gets 69." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d4+1
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d4+1 and gets 2." [1d4=1]
> roll 10d6 acid damage
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 10d6 acid damage and gets 42." [10d6=4, 6, 3, 4, 3, 6, 2, 4, 5, 5]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rpimds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Acid flies out, but the brunette concubine appears before it! The acid hits her, the very soul of the woman screaming as it dissolves in the mess! It fades and leaves Athux unwounded! OOC: Vivantha.
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde brunette)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Muirfinn is healed again as Vivantha stays back, "Hurry!" she bids Muirfinn! OOC: 2 rounds o sonics.
> roll 1d20+34 Muirfinn healing
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+34 Muirfinn healing and gets 54." [1d20=20]
> Muirfinn heals, his wounds mending up once more! Canderella just wobbles, "Fuck...you..." she rasps, defending herself! OOC: Athux is up.
> Athux simply ignores Canderella, even her desperate strike as he turns his back on her and walks away!
> roll 1d20 needs a 20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 needs a 20 and gets 17." [1d20=17]
> He marches right to Muirfinn, gesturing to him as he walks in! OOC: He's flagrantly provoking the AoO. You can take it if you please.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 55." [4d10=3, 3, 10, 2][2d6=1, 4][5d6=2, 4, 1, 5, 1]
> OOC: Wroooooong roll.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Wait
<Muirfinn> OOC: That's wrong roll there
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 51." [1d20=14]
> But Athux sidesteps the blow, so fast that you only see the afterimage as he strikes at Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+61 (+12 smite good, -10 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+61 (+12 smite good, -10 PA) and gets 67." [1d20=6]
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 70
> Muirfinn -screams-! The dodging doesn't feel like a dodge. It feels like a dozen blades impaling him all over, worse pain than the guard's massive blows! Yet he dodges, even as he sees a dozen ways in which he failed! Somehow he moved fast enough, the phantom pains fading in the light of the moon! "All it takes is one blow," he whispers, voice silky and seductive as Muirfinn dodges. "And you're mine forever!" OOC: Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "Enough banter. Let's get down to the brass tacks, shall we?" Muirfinn says, raising both fists properly.
> "Here I am!" Athux laughs, spreading his arms!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 57." [1d20=20]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 40." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 36." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 44." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 51." [1d20=14]
> OOC: One normal hit.
<Muirfinn> OOC: This guy is horseshit
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 71." [4d10=2, 9, 10, 4][2d6=1, 5][5d6=4, 5, 2, 6, 4]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -blonde brunette fallen)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Muirfinn swings! His fist goes right for Athux's skull! Yet the image of the fallen angel appears, stopping the fist! Muirfinn can feel her very essence tearing apart as she howls in lamenting agony! Somehow, Athux grins even more, "Do you see? You're facing not just Athux anymore! I am every shred of fear, respect and homage given! Every being that's submitted to me is within me! I have risen above any level which you could reach!" OOC: Kascha.
<Muirfinn> "Then I'll just have to keep hitting you until I make you feel it." Muirfinn says grimly.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 26." [1d100=26]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
> Kascha stumbles, another spell fizzling! But she rights herself, starting ot chant, "Weave...you know me...open...open the gate! Speed of the zephyr, bless us! Give us what we need!" Suddenly Muirfinn is much faster! OOC: Haste. +1 to a bunch of stuff, including full attack. Vivantha.
> Vivantha continues to sing and to heal Muirfinn, hanging back with the Sword of the Moon at the ready!
> roll 1d20+34 tortle healing!
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+34 tortle healing! and gets 53." [1d20=19]
> OOC: At least she's busting her hump keeping you up.
> Canderella stays, a thundercrash behind her even as she crumbles! Above her a moonbow forms, three motes of lightning coming! But they burst with sound, "Three...thunders!" Canderella wheezes, sending the bolts off!
> roll 1d20+24
> roll 1d20+24
> roll 1d20+24
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+24 and gets 30." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+24 and gets 37." [1d20=13]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+24 and gets 41." [1d20=17]
> roll 10d6 at least he can't SR these half lightning/half sonic and more
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 10d6 at least he can't SR these half lightning/half sonic and more and gets 39." [10d6=5, 6, 3, 6, 6, 4, 2, 2, 4, 1]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -all 4 down)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> The bolt flies - and the face of the succubus appears! It is torn apart by the blast, screaming as it fades away! Athux isn't even phased after she leaves, attention all on Muirfinn!  "You're mine!"
> roll 1d20+61 (+12 smite good, -10 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+61 (+12 smite good, -10 PA) and gets 63." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+44 (-10 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+44 (-10 PA) and gets 50." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+39 (-10 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+39 (-10 PA) and gets 58." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+33 (-10 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+33 (-10 PA) and gets 41." [1d20=8]
> OOC: +1 to that, doesn't matter.
> But somehow Muirfinn dodges! The moonlight comes stronger, seeming to momentarily shake Athux! Somehow the vile blade misses, Athux snarling! "You think you can last long? Fine," his smirk returns, "Two blows then!" OOC: Muirfinn.
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -all 4 down)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 2 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7 dazed 1)'
* Muirfinn quirks his head. "Perhaps."
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 48." [1d20=10]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 50." [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 46." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+1 and gets 35." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27+1 and gets 35." [1d20=7]
> Yet each and every blow is dodged. Sidestep after sidestep happens, avoiding the blows! Athux chuckles, "Too slow!" he says, a blur of movement and dexterity! With haste you can see him move, but he's still damnably fast! He reminds you of Afina's speed! OOC: Kascha.
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -all 4 down)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7 dazed 1)'
> Kascha falls to a knee, yet fires a jet of acid at Athux!
> roll 1d20+55
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 and gets 56." [1d20=1]
> roll 10d6
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 10d6 and gets 25." [10d6=1, 3, 3, 2, 6, 1, 1, 6, 1, 1]
> The acid flies - and somehow catches Athux off guard! It lands on his arm, hissing and sizzling! It barely does any visible damage at all, but it's enough to get his attention! "Don't think I've forgottne about you, bitch!" OOC: Vivantha.
> roll 1d4+1
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d4+1 and gets 4." [1d4=3]
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -all 4 down)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 4 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7 dazed 1)'
> "His defenses!" Vivantha whispers, sidestepping! Her song ceases, and instead she SCREAMS loud enough to shred the cracks and pus as she sends all of that at Athux!
> roll 1d20+55 fort
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+55 fort and gets 75." [1d20=20]
> roll 10d6
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 10d6 and gets 31." [10d6=1, 4, 1, 5, 2, 2, 6, 1, 3, 6]
> OOC: last round of sonics, 5 rounds on the AC/Saves buff.
> The potent shout buffets Athux! He looks mildly perterbed by it, but not much more! Meanwhile Canderella recovers herself! OOC: Athux is up.
* Koaway changes topic to 'Athux(42 -all 4 down)>Muirfinn(23)>Kascha(20 8 images 4 rounds)>Vivantha(15)>Canderella(7)'
> Like a dance of seductive death, Athux strikes Muirfinn all over!
> roll 1d20+71 (+12 smite good)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+71 (+12 smite good) and gets 73." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+54
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+54 and gets 61." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+49
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+49 and gets 65." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+44
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+44 and gets 55." [1d20=11]
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 70 for 5 more rounds
> roll 1d8+29+66+4d6 all vile
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+29+66+4d6 all vile and gets 115." [1d8=6][4d6=2, 2, 5, 5]
> Agony. Agony unlike Muirfinn has ever known. The blow rips into his body, mind and spirit, sundering all three! He stumbles back in mind-breaking pain, only staying up by the dregs of his will and toughness! The wound is a deep slash across his chest, causing black necrosis to spread all through his body! OOC: Le ouch. Muirfinn, go.
<Muirfinn> OOC: That sonofabitch
> 'His sword! Dammit, do something about his sword!' Canderella sends, 'You can't outslug him if he's turning you into kebabs!'
* Muirfinn snarls, limbs seeming to flail in every direction, but all landing upon the sword!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt and gets 52." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt and gets 42." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt and gets 52." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt and gets 39." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+34+1 sunder attempt and gets 47." [1d20=12]
> OOC: How much more on the sunders?
<Muirfinn> OOC: +3.
> OOC: Two hits on the sword then, strike the last bit.

<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 65." [4d10=5, 9, 3, 6][2d6=1, 4][5d6=5, 6, 2, 1, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6 holy+sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 66." [4d10=1, 8, 10, 10][2d6=2, 3][5d6=5, 1, 1, 3, 3]
> Athux's blade vibrates and shakes with the blows! Cracks run up and down it, silver moonlight shining within! "Wh-" Athux begins, before the blade explodes from the vibrations! He's knocked back momentarily, staring in a moment of absolute shock! As Kascha fails in the meanwhile...OOC: Vivantha.
* Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
> Vivantha's eyes widen as she picks up her song of life and heroism again, targeting herself and Muirfinn! "Brave hero! Now!" she cries! OOC: +4 bonuses extended, sonic boosts are gone. Canderella.
> "See?" Canderella croaks, sniggering as she says something else - but her tongue falls out, the flesh of her face melting away like warm butter. You can see her jawbone moving and making gasping noises! Yet she rises on unsteady feet. She approaches, one middle finger extended as the other hand takes Storm and thrusts ti right at his skull!
> roll 1d20 needs a 20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 needs a 20 and gets 1." [1d20=1]
> But the blow isn't even noticed by Athux, who stares at the hand that held his blade. "I can hardly...that blade costs more than a mortal kingdom! You don't shatter a weapon like that! It doesn't happen! It doesn't fucking happen!" he snarls! His hand twists into claws, as he goes for Muirfinn's throat!
> roll 1d20+62 (+12 smite good not a happy camper now)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+62 (+12 smite good not a happy camper now) and gets 68." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+62 (+12 smite good not a happy camper now)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+62 (+12 smite good not a happy camper now) and gets 68." [1d20=6]
> Yet both claws miss! Muirfinn is able to dodge, body straining! He feels terrifically ill, the pus in the air heating things up! But yet everything stays clear in the moonlight! OOC: Muirfinn, go.
<Muirfinn> "And yet it did." Muirfinn says, trading blows with the upstart demon prince.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 52." [1d20=14]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 41." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 40." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+1 and gets 49." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27+1 and gets 29." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Th...go fuck yourself Hatbot
> The two trade blows back and forth, but neither can manage to land a decisive hit! Kascha rises, wiping away blood from her mouth, "Seira," she breathes, going to flank Athux with Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20 needs a 20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 needs a 20 and gets 6." [1d20=6]
> Yet the battle degenerates into desperate blows and slashes! Blood flows freely ,both sides reaching the limit! As this whirls, Vivantha takes his last side, "Selune, guide me," she whispers, ending her song. "Guide us, Gods of Light! Guide us as we need it the most!" Then the Sword of the Moon strikes out at Athux!
> roll 1d20 also needs a 20, but he's surrounded now at least and swordless
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 also needs a 20, but he's surrounded now at least and swordless and gets 18." [1d20=18]
> The group exchange blows, pushing him back further! He's surrounded as Canderella laughs! It's a choking sound, her dress falling away as her skin peels away, "Until...the last bit of my spite, you bastard," she breathes, organs and bones on display as much as flesh, "For the glory of Talos!
> roll 5#1d20 20 fishing, also sonic boost is gone now
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 20 fishing, also sonic boost is gone now and gets 47." [5#1d20 = 20, 6, 4, 9, 8]
> roll 1d20 crit?
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 crit? and gets 7." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d10+5
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d10+5 and gets 13." [1d10=8]
> A blow hits Athux's back, perhaps making the slightest bruise there! Athux tries to draw in power - but only moonlight comes! "Dammit, this is my realm? Why won't you die?!" he snaps, "START DYING, DAMN YOU!" His voice becomes a wild shout, his eyes glazing with pure hate and a huge, demented grin!
> roll 1d20+62 (+12 smite good) Muirfinn
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+62 (+12 smite good) Muirfinn and gets 66." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+50 Canderella
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+50 Canderella and gets 51." [1d20=1]
> But his blows are again stopped! His flailing is powerful but contained, held in check for mere moments! OOC: Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "I will some day. Perhaps. But not today." Muirfinn is calm now, almost placid. The surface of his body moving in ripples as murky clouds of black corruption flow through him.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 42." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 44." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 49." [1d20=11]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+1 and gets 47." [1d20=14]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27+1  and gets 34." [1d20=6]
> OOC: Did you include +2 flanking? Alsod oesn't matter since Hateboto.
<Muirfinn> OOC: No
> Back and forth, back an dforth! The two fight like wild animals, but neither cna get a lead in! Kascha meanwhile grimly holds the line! OOC: +2 fighting defensively.
> roll 5#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 and gets 45." [5#1d20 = 20, 2, 3, 13, 7]
> roll 1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 and gets 18." [1d20=18]
> roll 2d6+7
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 2d6+7 and gets 15." [2d6=4, 4]
> Another blow lashes Athux! Perhaps it does some passing harm, for the elements hiss on the blade as it scraps across his side! Meanwhile Vivantha screams with lyrical beauty, the Sword of the Moon again seeking him!
> roll 5#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 and gets 68." [5#1d20 = 4, 19, 18, 12, 15]
> But she can't manage to land the blow at all! "Give up!" Vivantha demands! OOC: 3 rounds on AC/Saves buff, Muirfinn.
> Canderella says nothing else. She can't. All she can do is swing like a demended, dying puppet!
> roll 5#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 and gets 35." [5#1d20 = 7, 8, 8, 6, 6]
> But her blows are completely in vain!
> Athux whirls on Canderella, "Just one of you DIE!" he demands, "JUST DIE!"
> roll 1d20+50
> roll 1d20+50
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+50 and gets 61." [1d20=11]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+50 and gets 58." [1d20=8]
> But Canderella's defenses are superb even now! Athux's face twists with fury, "Why can't I kill you?! WHY?!" Tears of frusturating start to leak from his eyes! OOC: Muirfinn.
> After a moment Athux screams in pure, impotent rage, "I'LL SHOVE YOU DOWN TALOS'S THROAT, YOU STUPID WHORE!" At the same time, Canderella's skull twists into a grin.
* Muirfinn punches Athux in his now unprotected kidneys!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 39." [1d20=1]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 41." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 45." [1d20=7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+1 and gets 39." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27+1 and gets 39." [1d20=11]
> OOC: Pure Hatebottin'.
> Back an dforth the dance goes, still unable to land a blow! Kascha merely grunts, swinging again and again!
> roll 5#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 and gets 57." [5#1d20 = 19, 16, 4, 14, 4]
> But she can't land either! Vivantha holds up the Sword of the Moon, now radiant, "It's because you meddled in a game you weren't wanted in," she says, a hint of another voice with hers, "The future I see has no place for another demon. Begone!" Then the blade thrusts out, going for his chest!
> roll 5#1d20
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 5#1d20 and gets 71." [5#1d20 = 12, 6, 20, 18, 15]
> roll 1d20 crit?
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20 crit? and gets 5." [1d20=5]
> roll 1d8+11+10d6
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+11+10d6 and gets 48." [1d8=6][10d6=5, 1, 3, 4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 1, 6]
> The blow penetrates his chest! The blade sends shimmering moonlight all through his body, causing his skin to crack open! Blood is followed out by moonlight, his entire form ravaged! He goes from beautiful to sickly, to to potent to shuddering! "These people didn't give in," Vivantha intones, "They didn't succumb to the pain inside of them, whelp!" Meanwhile Canderella just chuckles, swinging again and again!
> roll 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste) and gets 34." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste) and gets 48." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste) crit?
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+28 (+2 flank, +1 haste) crit? and gets 34." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+23
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+23 and gets 39." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+18 and gets 25." [1d20=7]
> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+13 and gets 26." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d10+5+2d10+10
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d10+5+2d10+10 and gets 28." [1d10=8][2d10=1, 4]
> Canderella's blows rip into his skin like it's, well, skin! Not hard, fiendish resistance or divine energy! More of it is torn away in the glowing moonlight that suffuses him! Now Athux whirls on Vivantha, his face stained with tears and a mask of boiling hatred and rage! He bellows wordlessly, claws going for her!
> roll 1d20+40 (-10 moonlight)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+40 (-10 moonlight) and gets 53." [1d20=13]
> roll 1d20+40 (-10 moonlight)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+40 (-10 moonlight) and gets 50." [1d20=10]
> roll 1d6+6
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9." [1d6=3]
> The blow scraps across her throat, drawing a few lines of blood - a wound a hound or wolf may give, not a mighty deity! OOC: Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "I'm sorry, did we give you permission to touch the pretty girls? I don't recall that." Muirfinn hammers down on Athux's head, like a hammer on a nail!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32+1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27+1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 47." [1d20=9]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 41." [1d20=3]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37+1 and gets 45." [1d20=7]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32+1 and gets 48." [1d20=15]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27+1 and gets 41." [1d20=13]
> OOC: All hit.
> OOC: Dont' bothe rwith the con damage, he's immune.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 51." [4d10=9, 3, 2, 9][2d6=4, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 41." [4d10=2, 8, 4, 1][2d6=3, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 60." [4d10=9, 8, 9, 5][2d6=5, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 43." [4d10=4, 2, 6, 7][2d6=4, 1]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 50." [4d10=8, 5, 7, 5][2d6=3, 3]
<Muirfinn> OOC: It's just a c/p, ignore it :D
> Blow after blow plummets Athux! He stumbles back, pushing back Vivantha! But she manages to correct, letting him get plummeled again! One arm hangs broken, his face smashed up good! But he's still up as...OOC: Kascha will hold on Vivantha.
> "Farewell, demon!" Vivantha calls, striking out!
> roll 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste)
> roll 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste)
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste) and gets 47." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste) and gets 50." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste) crit?
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+31 (+2 flank, +1 haste) crit? and gets 37." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+26
> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+26 and gets 38." [1d20=12]
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+21 and gets 23." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d20+16 and gets 27." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d8+11+10d6+2d8+22+10d6+1d8+11+1d8+11+10d6+10d6
* Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+11+10d6+2d8+22+10d6+1d8+11+1d8+11+10d6+10d6 and gets 219." [1d8=8][10d6=3, 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 6, 2, 6, 2][2d8=1, 3][10d6=6, 6, 4, 2, 6, 6, 4, 1, 2, 4][1d8=2][1d8=8][10d6=2, 4, 6, 1, 5, 6, 3, 2, 4, 1][10d6=2, 3, 3, 4, 1, 5, 1, 1, 5, 6]
> The Sword of the Moon plunges into Athux! Beams of moonlight and moonfire erupt all over him, a blast of concussive force pushing the party back! The blade sinks into him, vanishing within! Athux falls to the ground, convulsing! As he shakes the realm shakes with him, the same cracks on the realm now appearing on him! His words are hopelessly garbled as he shakes one last time, and in a burst of moonfire, his body dissipates! For a split second the realm is silent, before a massive earthquake tosses all of you down! The realm itself is shaking, splitting apart! Cracks spread all over like wildfire, spreading out and around! OOC: Free act. All that's left of him is his chain armor - no sign of the Sword of the Moon.
> "MUIRFINN! WE NEED TO ESCAPE!" Kascha screams, bouncing about. Canderella just shakes with laughter, entire body on the verge of total and literal collapse!
> Vivantha simply collapses, going limp.
* Muirfinn opens a Gate flush woth the floor and heaves Vivantha's form into his arms. Quickly he runs over and picks up Canderella as well. "INSIDE NOW!" OOC: Gate to Ysgard ho!
> OOC: For the resurrective property or for Aurora? It's on Air in case you forgot.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Option A
> In a tizzy Muirfinn manages to open the gate, plunging in! The gate itself seems to shudder terribly as you pass between realms! Muirfinn knows pain, shaking terribly as darkness and a thump overtakes him! OOC: You escaped! We'll begin when you awaken next time.

> Darkness. Muirfinn knows nothing but the embrace of oblivion. He has the faintest stirrings of pain, of voices far away. But they slip out of reach in moments, oblivion returning. Like this he drifts in a sea of unknowing. Very slowly a little more awareness returns to these odd not-awarenesses. Finally, the darkness breaks. Awareness returns to Muirfinn. Thirst. He's so thirsty. His mouth is painfully dry. His entire body throbs. The very thought of moving causes ripples of protest to issue from the animalistic part of his mind. But the awareness isn't going away this time, nor is the pain.
* Muirfinn opens one azure eye and peers around.
> A stab of pain follows this. It's so bright. His mind reels from it, a raspy groan escaping from his parched mouth. "Hold on," A woman's voice, familiar. Hanna? It sounds like Hanna's voice. "He's stirring again."
* Muirfinn carefully raises an index finger toward the sky and croaks a single word. "Water." Abruptly the air above him fills with 42 gallons of water, which all at once succumbs to gravity, falling on his face and chest with a titanic splash. OOC: Create water! Drinky time!
> OOC: Is that a spell or an SLA?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Spell!
> Muirfinn calls on the water - but his mind is empty. On checking them, he realizes his mind is completely empty of magic! "Here," Hanna's voice, a hand under his head. "Open your mouth. Be calm, you're going to be alright. I'll explain after you drink."
* Muirfinn complies!
> Cool water comes down his throat. It's a slow trickle, picking up as he swallows. "We had to purge out the corruption in your body. You lost most of your body mass; you're on the mend now. You've been out about a week." The water is wonderful - you feel a bit better after you finish it.
<Muirfinn> A week! Ludicrous! Muirfinn coughs. "Where am I?"
> "Aurora." Hanna answers, "Adrian, turn the lights away," she says, voice a little farther away. "Kascha's been awake for a few days now and Canderella's still asleep. Intentionally, she got the worst of it and...well, there's a complication that's slowing down her recovery. Nothing we can't overcome."
* Ko-CidisKointraining is now known as Kotono
<Muirfinn> "And Vivantha?" Muirfinn asks, blinking both eyes as he looks around. Pain is no stranger to him. He will soldier through.
> The pain is far less. You're in the medical wing. Hanna's sitting next to you - filling out some small chair meant for someone far smaller than a planetar - and using magic to fill the glass with more water. Adrian's stnading at the foot of your bed, arms crossed. "Glad to have you back," he says.
> "She's fine. She was shielded from the worst of the corruption or it was purged out of her. She's-" Hanna begins before half smiling, "Apparently she had contact with Selune during your battle with Athux. She's spent most of the week in a prophetic estascy. It's winding down last time I talked to Balyss."
* Muirfinn snorts, levering himself up into a full sitting position and shaking his head like a dog. "Hello Adrian. Good to see you as well."
> More water is offered as you manage to position. Your body still aches and feels weak. Hell, you feel exhausted and you just woke up. "Likewise. When Mistfall dragged you all back, I wasn't sure how'd you do. Turns out that Abyssal corruption is less tenacious than Abigor's. Hanna has the magical details if you want them."
> "It's not too complicated. In short, Athux wasn't as old or as spiritually potent as Abigor was. His corruption couldn't latch in as tenaciously and we knew what to expect this time." Hanna explains, "You're going to be on best rest for most of the next few days, in between treatments. Most of your body mass is back, but you've still lost some weight. You'll want to eat up and rest up."
<Muirfinn> "Well that's good to know, at least. He couldn't really swing a blade worth a damn either. We were mostly okay once I had his attention."
> "Kascha already gave a report on the battle," Adrian rolls his eyes, "I don't expect dry understatement from someone with water elemental blood."
> "
> "Balyss says to come by when all of you are up to it," Hanna adds, "Speaking of, the Abyssal energies are clinging ot Canderella much harder. Her body and spirit carried them for so long that they have an easier time of clinging back on. She's mostly recovered physically, but we're still proverbially wringing the corruption out."
* Muirfinn nods. "Take your time and do it carefully. We're no longer under a crunch for time."
> "Speaking of," Adrian goes on, "That armor you brought back's sealed off. Not only is it unholy armor, the corruption saturated it. Elder Magi Tepen and Vul'lath worked on it for awhile. The massive flux of energy from Athux dying put it over the edge. It's becoming an artifact of pure evil, death and seduction. We can seal it, but it's already impossible to simply destroy."
* Muirfinn frowns. "We will have to find a way."
> "21," Adrian says laconically. "That's our plan, but we're waiting to consult with all of you first."
> Hanna glance sbehind her at that and sighs, "Hold on. Ithea's pet has been clinging to me again." With a distinct note of exasperation she goes off, "Get off of that! How did you even get back in here?"
* Muirfinn nods at Adrian. "We're lucky we have that. It is very effective at what it is intended to do."
> As you can hear a crashing noise to the side, Adrian nods, "Damn right. You'll be getting well-wishers." Nodding once more, "Rest up."
* Muirfinn nods, ignoring Hanna for now. It's good to be back. He lies back and makes himself comfortable.
> OOC: Okay, what's your plans now as you recover? Anyone you want to talk to or get anything done while you're at home?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Loaf around until I'm good to get out of bed, go see the girls, and meander until we're ready for phase 2.
> Within a day Muirfinn feels like getting up. Just as well, because Kascha awaits. She looks a bit tired but otherwise normal. "Are you feeling better?"
<Muirfinn> "I'm not one to rest on my laurels. I've been ready to move since I woke up. Lying around makes me feel restless. I am feeling better though, yes."
> Kascha laughs, a hand going to her mouth. "Good to hear it. Going to visit Vivantha or Canderella?"
<Muirfinn> "I think I'll start with Vivantha." Muirfinn says, heaving himself out of the bed with more energy and acrobaticism than he ought to have. "Then move on to Canderella. You did well back there."
> "Thank you," This draws a deep sigh, "I thought we were dead and damned. I saw in his eyes that he was right, when he was going on about how we got so far and didn't have the power to finish it. " Heading towards the portalss in the meantime, "I'm still not sure how we managed it. I fear if we'd fought that battle ten times we'd have lost it nine. Without a doubt the Gods watched over our battle."
<Muirfinn> "I'm glad I could help. One less son of the Abyss." Muirfinn says, keeping pace beside her.
> A trip to Cressea's eatery follows. Here you find Vivantha sharing a cake with Simmer. You can overhear them as you approach, "...Third cycle of the moon will lead to the orange path." Vivantha says.
<Muirfinn> "Hello." Muirfinn greets, nodding at the two ladies. "Some sort of prophecy?"
> "Yeah, Balyss is right," Simmer says, eating a bit of cake with her fingers. It sizzles and chars in that grasp before she pops it into her mouth.
> "Oh, Muirfinn!" Vivantha smiles widely, rising. She comes over and embraces him, "I'm sorry I wasn't there! I've not been myself."
> Kascha smiles and sits down, getting herself some cake. She hides a smile by taking a bite of food, shooting Simmer a look. The pyrodryad returns it with a slight smile of her own, going for more cake instead of commenting.
* Muirfinn returns the embrace with only faint awkwardness. He's getting better at this! "Quite alright. I'm hardier than what little he was able to do to me, anyway. So tell me, what have you learned from your experience?"
> "Oh! It's so strange. The battle against Athux is branded into my mind. If I close my eyes, I can see it all as if I was there again." She sighs slightly before slipping away, returning to sit. "My understanding is that it's a side effect of Selune's influence on me during the battle. According to Balyss, I'll always be able to recall it like that."
* Muirfinn nods. "An unfortunate side effect. I'd not want to remember that place if I could."
> "It's not so bad. I remember Selune's presence with me. It's comforting. After, I was waken by seer's vision. I saw strange things and ranted for days." She reddens slightly, "That's another effect of the level of contact. Oddly, Balyss says most of them won't have anything to do with Aurora. This sort of prophecy tends to be aimd at later generations to find." With a bemused look, "She's telling me about how scholars will look to the Vivanthan Oracles for guidance."
> "Oh yes," Kascha begins, taking a bite of the cake. She promptly gags, turning bright red as she doubles over hacking!
* Muirfinn chuckles for a moment, then eyes Kascha. "I thought you liked cake."
> "Oh by the way. It's a pepper cake. It's a recipe from Fire," Simmer says with a serene smile, taking a little more.
> Kascha coughs and pounds on her chest, "It's like eating dragonfire!"
> "That's because they only grow in lava flows heated by dragonfire," Simmer says, the underlying 'duh' in her tone clear.
> "I like cake that isn't burning hot," Kascha appends, "Please warn me next time!" she adds, clearing her throat.
> Vivantha clears her throat, "Brave hero," Interjecting, "Have you seen Canderella yet?"
* Muirfinn raises an eyebrow at the byplay, then turns to Vivantha. "Not yet."
> "You should," Vivantha says, the mood around the table quieting.
> "She wasn't in a good place when she was brought back here," Simmer adds.
<Muirfinn> "I had planned to. I just figured I would next. Care to join me?"
> "Yes." Vivantha rises, smiling. She offers her hand out, tentatively.
* Muirfinn takes her hand, nodding to the other two. "We'll see you two around."
> The two ladies are smiling as they wave you off. Like this you head to see Canderella. She's in a tucked away corner of the medical wing, surrounded by curtains. Hanna's there, going to move the curtains without comment. On a bed Canderella sits. She is nude and uncovered. Her body is covered with various sigils. Before your eyes they move and change, constantly in flux across her. Around the bed are seven glass jars, wide and tall as a human. They are mostly full of black fluid. They each connect via silk string to a point on her body - one one her forehead, two on her chest, one on her midsection, two on her knees and two on her feet. Physically she looks untouched, a pristinely beautiful woman made somehow radiant with the symbols on her body. Yet she is asleep, little droplets of darkness going up the silken strings and into the glass jars.
> Sitting on a chair nearby is Ebony. Her hood is back, her gaze steady as she looks to Muirfinn. "You're up." she states. "How are you?"
<Muirfinn> "I've been worse." Muirfinn nods at Canderella. "And certainly not as poorly off as she is."
> "Her physical injuries have passed," Ebony says softly, turning her gaze back to the succubus. "She was nothing more than bone, organs and will when she returned to us. Nonetheless, she's healed. It's the evil of the Abyss that is still being treated. I'm hopeful she'll awaken today."
* Muirfinn nods, looking over at the jars. "She took quite a bit of heat off of us. It kept Vivantha, Kascha and I alive long enough so that we could surround him. A remarkably selfless thing to do for a succubus."
> "I'd like to know why she did that," Ebony confesses, "It's...not in her character to do that." She hesitates just a moment, reaching out to brush back a bit of errant hair from her face.
<Muirfinn> "Chaos can swing both ways, I suppose. I somehow doubt she'd just come out and tell us. Perhaps I'm wrong though." Muirfinn smiles thinly.
> "Mmmm. Perhaps I'll coax an answer out of her," Ebony murmurs.

> "Is there anything we can do?" Vivantha asks, "Barring allowing events to transpire?"
<Muirfinn> "It would be difficult to say. The corruption is chaotic, as is her nature. If she were an erinyes, it would be a simpler matter."
> That causes Ebony to chuckle, but she doesn't elaborate on it. Instead, "All we can do is wait. Patience is a virtue. If you'd like to wait, there's some chairs on the other side of the far curtain."
* Muirfinn glances momentarily at Vivantha. "I see no harm in spending some time here. It's the least we could do."
> This draws a mere nod, Vivantha going and coming back with chairs. They aren't the softest ones ever made nor the nicest, but they do the job. As the trio settles in, "It's a miracle she made it back," Ebony says softly, "Thank you for bringing her back alive."
<Muirfinn> "I thought she might not survive the trip. That's why I opened the portal to Ysgard and not Air."
> "You were correct," Ebony says, "Mistfall - the Shard of Selune that ensured your safe return - expended most of his healing magic keeping her alive. Not healing, but merely alive and stable."
> "I'm amazed she didn't die," Vivantha adds, "She went well beyond what a mortal creature could dream to endure. I attribute that mad endurance to that of a balor, not a succubus."
<Muirfinn> "Hmm." Muirfinn taps his beak thoughtfully. "Would it not have been more merciful to end her suffering then and let the magic of Ysgard bring her back in the morning, hale and whole?"
> "He was worried about the corruption. Besides, Selune had given him his instructions." Ebony says, "So that was that."
* Muirfinn nods. "So it is."
> From here time slips by. Several hours of light conversation. In time Vivantha drifts asleep, head resting against Muirfinn's shoulder. She lies there, her weight not even felt. He can feel the warmth of her cheek, yet she seems absolutely weightless.
* Muirfinn glances at her again, briefly, not shifting in the slightest. "How are you fitting in here now, Ebony?"
> Ebony's voice is barely a whisper as she replies, "Well. I've made friends here and there. Canderella is the most obvious," A glance at the slumbering succubus as darkness continues to be leeched from her body, "I've spent time with all the generals as well as Balyss. I alread knew Kascha before joining. Passing the time at Creasea's is good when I have no other duties." A soft chuckle follows, "In my last mortal days before joining Aurora, I simply spent the time learning how to cook. It may be trite to say, but I truly never imagined how satisfying simple things could be. In my youth, I would have scorned a baker or considered them as nothing more than a witless pawn."
> Up and down, up and down. Vivantha's breathing is slow as she rests.
* Muirfinn is motionless except for his head, his reptilian physiology allowing him to remain completely still as he nods. His voice is low but not rumbly, "The crafting of food is a fine tradition and an honorable skill. Not everyone can feed a family well. That Creasea does so with such artful precision speaks highly of his skill."
> "He's exceptiona," Ebony begins, 'Nothing is the same.' Canderella's voice, 'You can not tell the difference between what I see and what you see. Or was it all just a lie from the beginning? Let it all disappear with the dawn!'
* Muirfinn blinks.
> "Canderella?" Ebony rises out of her chair, speaking louder.
* Muirfinn gently jostles Vivantha.
> 'Let's go out and continue my dreams,' Canderella's voice continues, picking up its pace. Her words become frantic, tumbling one after another. 'The whole world pulses in delusion. The burning won't stop. Everything's breaking apart into sixty-six pieces of the broken pieces from that day before. The only answer is that there isn't an answer. There was only the egg, but the egg is wrong. The egg is in chains. The chains will fall into sixty six pieces but they won't collapse.'
> "Brave hero?" Vivantha's voice is groggy, blinking, "Canderella?" she speaks aloud, quickly wiping away the sleep from her eyes.
> 'I'm hungry but I won't eat because I've seen worse. Do you understand?' Giggles, like a child laughing at finger puppets, 'There's so much more and there's never a reason why. There can't be a reason why, and that's the reason. Meaning destroys the meaningless.'
* Muirfinn shakes his head, standing once Vivantha straightens. "Chaos and more chaos. She's not yet well."
> "Be ready, just in case," Ebony says, wings spreading out as motes of shining light surround her.
> 'Creak, creak, my entire mind is screaming. I shouldn't be here. I don't want to die. I shouldn't be here. Let it all fade away in a meaningless dream!' Suddenly Canderella arches her back up, screaming at the top of her lungs! Her eyes fly open, her body thrashing terribly! The lines connecting to her body explode into ruin and lightning, a gush of lightning erupting from Canderella's mouth as she screams.
* Muirfinn wind elementals, moving forward to hold her down!
> OOC: Does that grant resistance/immunity to elec?
<Muirfinn> OOC: YUP
> Just in time does Muirfinn get there, as everything explodes into a titanic windstorm! His airy form allows him to stay in place as it sends everyone and everything flying! Massive bursts of lightning explode out moments later, arching through where people were and now aren't. But this doesn't bother Muirfinn as well! Canderella screams and thrashes, the storm moving with her!
* Muirfinn holds on, pressing her down against the rapidly charring bed! "Ebony! Do something!"
> Ebony is currently lying in a heap on the far side of the room! But before anything else happens, the storm ceases. Canderella goes quiet, panting on the bed. Amid her panting, "Muirfinn?"
* Muirfinn blinksblinks at her, azure orbs flickering as they float in a mass of thick, swirling air. "...hello."
> Canderella flops back, "I'm exhausted," she says, eyes drifting shut. "...feel like I had a nightmare."
<Muirfinn> "Well you did your best to zap the inside of this room with it." Muirfinn says, shifting back into his natural form. "Gave us quite a scare."
> No answer - Canderella slips right back into slumber. A moment later Elena is at your side, "Is everything alright in here?!" she blurts, giving Muirfinn a quick once over before dashing to the others.
<Muirfinn> "Well, Canderella...exploded." Muirfinn says, eyeing her before heading over to check on the girls.
> Vivantha's up, helping Ebony rise. Everything's a mess, save for the glass tubes. They are unbroken despite the impact, the corruption within safe.
> "Is she alright," Ebony dusts herself off, "Is she awake, for that matter?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, no. She was for a moment, but that has passed. She appeared to become coherent, though."
> "That's a good sign," Ebony says, "Elena, could you watch over her for now? WE shouldn't stay in case that happens again."
> "Right," Elena says, going on over.
* Muirfinn nods. "Let us know how things go, please."
> From there you head out through the portals. Waiting in the entry hall is Balyss. She's dressed in her normal armor, half drowsing as she leans against the wall. In one motion she gets up once you appear, "Muirfinn," she says, "There you are."
<Muirfinn> "Looking for me?"
> "Yeah," she says, "C'mon with me."
* Muirfinn shrugs a bit to himself and follows after her.
> You're lead into the memorial. It's quite peaceful here, save for Misalea meditating before Elrisa's marker. Going to the opposite side of the room, "I got a gift for you today," she says, taking out a rolled up set of scrolls.
<Muirfinn> "A gift? Truly? No one ever gives me gifts anymore." Muirfinn chuckles.
> "It's a scroll of greater planeshift and a map to what you're looking for. IT also came with a divine warning," Balyss says, "A sundered creature also seeks the treasure. Be wary."
* Muirfinn sighs. "It's never easy. Not once can we just show up and take what we seek unhindered. It's like...like some malicious presence is constantly setting obstacles in our path."
> "It never is." Balyss says with a wistful smile, "But that's part of the adventure. Anyway, when you've rested up enough to go, form a group and go."
* Muirfinn nods.
<Muirfinn> "You have my thanks,."
> "Who you take is up to you," Balyss says, "If you want my help, you can have it. Think about it - I'm certain you don't have to rush. Call it a whisper from above."
<Muirfinn> "I will. I had planned on giving it some thought while everyone recovered."
> "Good luck," Balyss says, "Oh, and by the way," she starts to go and stops, "The Sword of the Moon will return, but not right away. It's out of our hands right now, but I'm assured it survived."
<Muirfinn> "I had hoped it wasn't left behind in the Abyss."
> "My understanding is that it was taken into Athux in his death throes," Balyss says, "But Selune says it will return, so it will return."
<Muirfinn> "I wasn't really paying attention at the time. Reality was in the process of melting and the layer was reverting to its previous form in a most pleasant fashion. Quite distracting."
> "Selune was watching," Balyss says, as if that explains it all. "Good luck. If you choose me, let me know." OOC: Okay, do you have any inklings on a party?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Nope!
<Muirfinn> OOC: I'd given it 0 thoughts.
> OOC: Okay. Tell you what. Think that over a bit, figure out what you want and how you want to approach what's ahead. We'll begin with assembling your party next time, say?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ok!
> OOC: Just let me know ahead of time if you choose someone still not levelled.
<Muirfinn> Can do!

> OOC: Okay, who are you going to go grab first?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Well, I see Muirfinn spending more and more time with Vivantha, so it's no surprise that she'd be first.
> Vivantha's not hard to track down. She's perched on the roof of Aurora, watching the armies do practice battles and formation. Adrian and Ithea lead one side while Afina and Jeala another. On a glance it's a stalemate right now, though it looks like a defensive exercise anyway. "Brave hero," Vivantha greets warmly, "Are you feeling to your full strength again?" From below the clunk of wood on wood mixes with grunts and the occasional otherworldly sound of magic being invoked.
<Muirfinn> "Hello, Vivantha." Muirfinn sats, joining her. "I'm feeling better, yes. I'm feeling the urge to move on to the next stage in our quest, and thought that you might like to join me."
> "I would be honored," she says, turning to him with a smile. "If all truth is to be told, I feel that I'm suited for this. The horrors we faced are tempered by the touch of the divine."
<Muirfinn> "Yes, you were quite the little swordswoman there at the end, too." Muirfinn cracks a smile at her. "Hopefully the rest of this will be filled with fewer chaotic horrors."
> "The wisdom of the lillends will guide us," Offering her hand to him, "Who will accompany us?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, obviously not Canderella. She's still convalescing in the infirmary. While I have no problem bringing Kascha again, something tells me to take a different route. I've chosen to bring Hanna as our muscle. She needs to get out more and I think if I don't take her, she may drive Jaela mad. As for our magical firepower, well, I thought we'd bring Ellese. I think she's had plenty of time with
<Muirfinn> Tepen and I think she's earned her chance. I'd also like to see what she can do in a real combat situation. If we're to depend on her in the future, we need to see how she can handle working in a team."
<Muirfinn> OOC: My masterpiece is now complete. Carry on.
> "I worry about Ellese," Vivantha admits, "But she does deserve a chance. Shall we go find them?"
<Muirfinn> "As do I. She needs more socialization, and I think that an excursion would do her some good." Muirfinn says, nodding and offering his arm.
> His arm is taken as...OOC: Which one next?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Hanna!
> A quick search doesn't find Hanna, so this brings Elena out. She's garbed in full armor and helmet when she appears before you. "Hanna? She's tucked away in a corner of the library. She's been reading old books of prophecy all day."
<Muirfinn> "Hmm, that's odd. Well, thank you Elena. We'll go there presently." Muirfinn exits portal, stage right.
> A quick trip to the library finds it quiet. Dana's asleep on a chair with a book open in her lap. Elder Magi Tepen, Vul'lath and Sylvie are at a table, arguing about something in a language Muirfinn doesn't immediately know. Hanna's curled up in a far corner, a soft chair curled up into. She's reading, her wings wrapped around her like a blanket. She doesn't even glance up as you approach.
* Muirfinn stands next to her, clearing his throat in a weird, somewhat unpleasant reptilian way.
> This causes Hanna to mark her page with a book mark and close the book. She puts it aside before replying, "Yes, Muirfinn?"
<Muirfinn> "How are things?"
> Hanna waves a hand lightly, "Well enough now that all of you are over the worst of it," she remarks, "Most of the healing staff put their lives on hold for the week you were out."
<Muirfinn> "We appreciate it. It was quite the battle, with Canderella taking the majority of the worst Athux could deal out. Thankfully I was able to draw his attention away from her when I did."
> "I thank you again," Vivantha says, her voice a lyrical chorus of appreciation. It echos in the library like a heavenly call, making it all a little brighter.
> "You're welcome," she replies, "I'm not complaining, your timing was just less than fortunate for me."
<Muirfinn> "What are you up to? Researching prophecies? Elena mentioned as much. Did our arrival interrupt your studies?"
> "I'm about done for now. I need to refocus anyway," Standing and stretching, a kink-pop filled rain of sound follows. She stretches her wings out before they take their customary position tucked behind her. "So what do you need?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, I was just thinking that you'd like to join us on an excursion to the deepest parts of Ysgard, in search of a treasure for Baleruk." OOC: I think I'm remembering that right?
> OOC: More or less.
> "That dragon's sending you off again?" Hanna shakes her head, "Is this connected to that trip after Mazpluan?"
<Muirfinn> "Indeed. Want to come along? It could be fun! Probably more fun than going to the Abyss."
> "Getting out of here would do me some good," Hanna admits, "When do we leave?"
<Muirfinn> "As soon as we collect the fourth member of our crew, unless either of you have preparations to make?"
> "I need to fetch my bag of holding and talk to Jaela before I go," Hanna shakes her head, "But neither should take too long."
<Muirfinn> "Excellent. Meet us at the gates in an hour or so then?"
> "I will." Hanna then goes off, Elena appearing right behind you. "Ellese is in her room," she adds helpfully.
<Muirfinn> "Thanks, Elena." Chuckling to himself. "We'll go there now."
> Ellese opens her door without incident, dressed simply. Her room is bright - full of warm colors and paintings of the natural world. Of Lifasa as it should still be. She stands aside and lets you in without incident.
<Muirfinn> "Hello, Ellese." Muirfinn says, stepping in.
> "
> "Hello," she greets blandly back, licking her lips after. "How are you today?"
<Muirfinn> "Quite well, actually. Yourself?"
> "I'm having a good day," she goes to sit on her bed. "Some days are better than others. I'm not remembering as much today. It isn't so bad."
> Vivantha hangs back, a gentle smile on her face all the while.
* Muirfinn nods. "That's very good to hear. I'm glad that you're doing well today. I'd like to ask you if you would like to come with us to Ysgard. We have a bit of a task in front of us and I thoguht you might like to get out of the castle a bit."
> In one instant Ellese tenses up. She closes her eyes and breathes out slowly. Again and a third time, her tension receding back. "So it's time?" she asks, "I don't know if I'm ready..." That degenerates into a pained laugh, "I don't know if I'll ever be ready. But I have to try."
<Muirfinn> "It's a request. Hardly an order. I'm not in any kind of position to make those of you. If you are not ready, then it is as you say. I'll not force you to do something you do not wish to do. If you do choose to join us, know that we're seeking a treasure for Baleruk. All that glitters tends to attract admirers, so we will likely have to bargain or fight our way to it."
> This draws another few breaths. "I want to go. I need to know." she says, "I need to know if there's hope for me. The nightmare magic's screaming to be used." Her voice trails away again into softness, only semi audible. "I can see what my polluted magic wants me to do. I have to know if I control my magic or if my magic controls me."
* Muirfinn nods. "How soon can you be ready?"
> She goes to her closet and comes back out wearing a simple belt in addition to her normal clothes. "Now," she says succinctly.
Session Time: Fri Jul 05 00:00:00 2013
* Muirfinn nods. "We're to meet Hanna at the gates in an hour or so. Please, join us."
> With that, all are gathered! Soon the group meets before the gates. The practice war is still going on, the din of it loud as everyone gets together. The expanse of Air is before you, as Hanna cracks her knuckles. "So where in Ysgard are we going, exactly?"
> Ellese hangs back a moment, keeping to herself.
* Muirfinn consults the map!
> The map opens! It is a beautifully painted thing, literally alive with color. You see it starts in a simple chamber marked START HERE. From there the path follows long an dwinding passages decorated with steaming pools, quartz-lined walls and other such things. It goes on quite a ways, eventually coming to a long downward passage, a forest (odd since it's underground) and finally a vast set of chambers.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Does it provide an actual location? Or am I looking for a physical START HERE sign?
> OOC: It doesn't provide a location - yet as you look at it, you feel a strange confidence that you can make it to it. A certainty that has no business being there.
* Muirfinn looks up from the map to Hanna, one scaly eyebrow raised in bemusement. "Believe me when I tell you that I do not know. We're just going to go there."
> Hanna shrugs. "It's the work of a Goddess. I have full confidence it'll succeed."
> "We fulfilled our end of the bargain," Vivantha adds, "It should work."
* Muirfinn sighs very quietly. Gods and their silliness. "Right. Are we prepared?"
> This draws a chorus of, "Yes," from the ladies.
<Muirfinn> "Alright, let's be off." Muirfinn strolls through the gates!
> Thus you are out in Air! OOC: I should also remind you that it came with a scroll of greater planeshift.
* Muirfinn unrolls the scroll of Greater Planeshift so thoughtfully provided with the map and, once everyone is gathered 'round, reads the words.
> The world around the party shifts! It's not like normal. It's only like a moment's blink. You stand in blackrock caverns. The rock is a rich, deep and glossy black. All about are little ponds of steaming hot water, filling the air with misty warmth. Oooooh. It's warm here. So wonderfully warm. Ahead in the cavern is put a single path leading on.
> Hanna stretches and looks around, "This is rather pleasant. I've been to parts of Nidavellir before, but this is a remarkably fine section."
* Muirfinn leans on the rock, absorbing some of the heat. "This is much more pleasant than I'd expected. Such fine weather."
> Vivantha does much the same next to Muirfinn. "If only the sun was here and out. It would be wondrous to nap on these rocks." This draws a smile, "Occasionally, my sisters and I would sneak into a door to the mortal worlds and find such places."
* Muirfinn snorts. "I can understand why. Though I am a creature of water, I am also a reptile. Warmth is always welcome. So long as it is not actually on fire."
> "Yes, but we can go to somewhere better known and less lost to history for leisure. Let's make good time before we run into problems." Hanna says, hefting her axe over her shoulder as she begins to walk. "By the way, I brought my staves with me if you run low on healing magic."
<Muirfinn> "Ah, thank you. That could prove most fortuitous." Muirfinn says, straightening and moving along.
> OOC: What sort of marching order are we looking at here?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Squishies in the middle, I'll take the rear and Hanna can take front. In a pinch I can reach over them anyway.
> OOC: Okay.
> OOC: Also, are you doing anything for light? The entire party has darkvision 60ft if not.
<Muirfinn> OOC: I have low-light. Worst case scenario, I can sit on someone's shoulder as a bird.
> OOC: You're an outsider, aren't you?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yup
> OOC: Outsiders get darkvision 60ft as a racial thing.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Well then we're good.
<Muirfinn> OOC: SALLY FORTH
> Thus you go down the winding, steamy passage. You follow it for perhaps a minute or two. It gets narrow in a few places, but nothing impassible. At this point you come to a juncture - the path continues on ahead and there's also a branch that goes to the right. The branch to the right has hanging stalagtites lined with some sort of dark metal. They sag heavily but do not quite fall from the ceiling. "Which way?" Hanna asks, "Could you pass me the map?"
* Muirfinn passes the map up to Hanna. "By all means."
> "Ahead," Hanna announces, glancing towards the stalagtites, "I've never seen those streaked with metal before," she observes, "But Nidavellir is full of metal. I've heard it's lousy with portals to Earth."
<Muirfinn> "Earth's not so bad a place. Probably."
> "Kascha would be scribbing down notes already," Vivantha announces lightly.
<Muirfinn> "Without a doubt." Muirfinn chuckles. "She'd want to stop and study them."
> "There's worse places to be," Hanna agrees, leading on and leaving the metal stalagtites behind. The path meanders on for a bit more, sloping up. Ahead the way is blocked by a steaming pool. Past it the path continues on with a few branching paths. Checking the map as she absently begins to fly just above the ground, "We go straight on and take the last right," she says, eyes ont he map as she glides over the pool.
> Ellese continues to follow, simply splashing through the warm water.
* Muirfinn wades in behind Vivantha, no stranger to water.
> roll 1d20+25
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{37}
> The water is terrifically warm. It sends heat all through Muirfinn's CLANG! Suddenly Hanna's holding her axe one handed, deflecting a spear from above. It happens in a split second, the spear, sent careening into the wall!
> "This is so ni-" Vivantha stops cold at Hanna's defensive sweep, "A trap?!"
* Muirfinn blinks, scales warping briefly into water and back again out of reflex. "A trap? Here?"
> Hanna's eyes dart around, axe held at the ready. "Apparently so. From the looks of it, it meant to impale me and have a chance of leaving me face down in the water to drown." She slowly lowers her axe, "That spear went right for me, too." She flies over to it, plucking it out of the water. "It's solid adamantine."
<Muirfinn> "Could be useful in the future. Pass it here."
> "I have a bag of holding too," Hanna says, passing the spear over.
* Muirfinn shrugs. "I have a quiver. It'll do for this. Keep your in case we run into something a bit larger. Your bag is much less restricted than mine."
> OOC: Loot post.
> "Right," Hanna readies her axe, holding the map with one hand. She frowns as it rolls back up, "Ellese," she says, "Keep the map open, I need both hands free to react."
> "Alright,
> OOC: Gah.
> "Alright," Ellese opens the map up, "The last passage on the right," she announces. "Like you said."
> As you go down towards that - passing unremarkable branches that don't have anything interesting as far as darkvision goes - Hanna speaks up, "Plus that's solid adamantine. It's likely local work or was taken from locals. That or our trapper's rich beyond reason."
* Muirfinn nods. "Adamantine is rare for certain. Making a spear out of it completely seems...wasteful."
> You reach the last branch on the right and begin to go down. As you do...OOC: Everyone make spot checks for reference later.
> roll 1d20+5 Ellese
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 Ellese --> [ 1d20=13 ]{18}
> roll 1d20+33 Hanna
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 Hanna --> [ 1d20=3 ]{36}
> roll 1d20+27 Vivantha
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+27 Vivantha --> [ 1d20=2 ]{29}
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+ --> error: malformed expression
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+ --> error: malformed expression
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+46 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{55}

> Thus you head down the next passage. It's not far down it that Muirfinn can see a ripple in the air ahead of Hanna. Likewise Hanna pauses, an arm extended out to block the way forward.
<Muirfinn> "I see it as well. Do you know what it is?"
> "I'm not sure," Hanna pauses a moment to inspect it.
> roll 1d20+29
> "Trouble and more trouble," Vivantha murmurs, "It seems the predicted opposition exists."
* Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-96-9-49.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
> roll 1d20+29
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+29 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{46}
> "It's a nasty one," Hanna scowls at it, "It tries to teleport you in several directions at once, causing physical trauma from it."
* Muirfinn frowns. "That's hardly friendly. Who wants first crack at dispellig it?"
> "Fairly obvious," Ellese speaks up, "Obvious traps meant to be found have at least one more layer of meaning or purpose."
> With a slight shake of her head, "I can try a basic dispel, but it may not be strong enough." Hanna focuses her powers, the ripples wobbling like a stormfront is passing through!
> roll 1d20+10
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{20}
> But nothing further happens.
> "No good. But still, it wasn't hard to notice. From what I've experienced with traps, any good trap can't be seen unless you're trained to find them." Hanna goes on, gesturing with her axe. "It may be nothing more than a stall or a resource drain for anyone deft enough to notice it."
<Muirfinn> "Hmm. Is there a way around it?"
> On a glance, it doesn't cover the entire passage. It would take some good wiggling to get by without touching it, though.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Passage made of stone?
> OOC: Yes, the same black stone as most everything else so far.
* Muirfinn pulls a wad of clay from his pack, mumbling a bit as he reshapes it into a wide square. A moment later, the walls warp and expand! OOC: Stone Shape, making tha passageway bigger to allow easier passage.
> OOC: LInk me?
> A hunk of the wall moves aside into a square, providing easy passage ahead! Hannag oes through followed by Ellese. As they go Vivantha smiles, "Well done," she murmurs as she goes on. "That was most skillful."
<Muirfinn> "That was the first time I've ever had cause to use it." Muirfinn admits as he follows along behind Vivantha. "I'm glad I had it prepared, though."
> Hanna smiles a little bit at this, "I feel that way about some of my own spells. The spellcaster's dilemma is deciding on spells you'll use most days or keeping spells you'll only use rarely. Yet those rare spells can save lives."
> "A g-" Ellese suddenly clears her throat, "That is what scrolls are for."
* Muirfinn nods. "Scrolls are a habit I've yet to develop. It's a personal problem."
> As you go along you pass by a little recess filled with water. It would make a good natural spring if one were interested in bathing. As you go past it, "We go ahead, ignoring the next few side passages, and keep going down the long passage," Ellese announces as you walk on.
> Here Vivantha lingers a moment, kneeling and stirring a finger in the water. She flicks it clean and then rises, "I wonder if there are native creatures to the waters here?"
<Muirfinn> "Possibly small fishes, lizards, and insects. The lightless areas of the worlds tend to accumulate mosses and fungi that do not need sunlight. After all, myconids are not uncommon in subterranean caverns."
> Hanna's answer goes unspoken - for as sh eopens her lips she stops. "Everyone follow me until you see it," she says.
* Muirfinn blinks. "Alright."
> Thus you go a little ahead. When Ellese reaches where Hanna was...(More)
> roll 1d20+32
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{47}
> With a howl Ellese rears back, holding her face with her hands. A feral growl rips from her throat as she turns away, "No further!"
* Muirfinn blinks again, peering about. OOC: My spot check was huge! I have true seeing!
> OOC: True seeing doesn't penetrate mundane darkness. You're just not in range of it with darkvision yet.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Blast!
> OOC: Or wait, it does. I read past it. More coming then.
> OOC: I suck.
> Peering ahead, Muirfinn suddenly sees it. It is a whirling web of crude metal blades, knitted together into a barrier. Like a mockery of a blade barrier, spinning in impossible angles. Your stomach lurches as you gaze at it! OOC: Will.
> OOC: Mind-affecting.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune!
<Muirfinn> "It's...some sort of weird blade barrier. Moving in odd ways, though." Muirfinn says.
> Vivantha advances far enough to see it, "It's strange. Metal doesn't move like that..." she trails off, looking faintly queasy. "It's like watching caramel being spun and swirled."
> OOC: You can make K:A here if you wish.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+22 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{41}
> roll 1d20+27 Vivantha
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+27 Vivantha --> [ 1d20=20 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+28 Ellese
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+28 Ellese --> [ 1d20=6 ]{34}
> This isn't really a blade barrier. It's pure chaos magic that's using metal to stay manifested. It speaks of great power and absolutely no subtlety. Whomever did this wanted to be seen or just didn't care. It's like casting a fireball over the heads of your enemies as way of greeting.
> Ellese turns away, rubbing her eyes. They're half melted, yet they're quickly oozing back into proper place.
<Muirfinn> "Alright there, Ellese?"
> "Y-yes," she says, her eyes fully regenerating in moments.
<Muirfinn> "Good good." Muirfinn says, turning to peer at the seething chaos once more. "It's not metal, not really. It's chaos, wild magic and raw chaos, imitating a blade barrier. It's...extremely unsubtle."
<Muirfinn> "Yet likely intentional. Whoever did this doesn't care if we know it's here, and likely has a sizeable amount of power."
> "There are angles and lines at play here we don't comprehend yet," Hanna marches forward to just before the barrier, inspecting it closer. "Did you ever think to ask Baleruk why he was so interested in this treasure in the first place and why right now?"
> "I don't follow," Vivantha says, "How does this follow to questioning Baleruk?"
* Muirfinn raises a curious scaly eyeridge in response. "You really think asking Baleruk to provide a logical explaination or details for something is a wise use of time?"
> "This treasure's been lost for ages if I understand right? But somehow we're coming on it at the same time as some other expidition? That sounds like the making of a bard's tall tale, not reality." Hanna says, "We're looking at wild, powerful chaos magic right here. It could be the locals, but I rather doubt it."
> At this Hanna sighs and slumps slightly, "A waste of time," she agrees, "I've served as an instrument of divine will many times. This feels like a certain type - when you have to do something but the whys and what's going on isn't explained for whatever reason."
<Muirfinn> "I'd only be half surprised if Baleruk was the true initiator of this design. Something like this, it seems...more subtle, yes. It wouldn't surprise me if, at one time, he was fed this information."
> "But to the problem at hand," Vivantha speaks up, "How do we get past the barrier?"
<Muirfinn> "We could try to dispel it." Muirfinn says. "That could possibly cause it to explode, though."
> "That's probably simplest," Hanna steps back, "By all means."
* Muirfinn dispels!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+20
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{29}
> The whirling blades of chaos shudder once before explodin ginto a rainbow of colors! They gush out in a rain of color before dissipating entirely, the way ahead clear.
<Muirfinn> "A much more preferable explosion than what I was expecting." Muirfinn says. "Shall we?"

> With that Muirfinn and company move on. Ahead you come to find the walls lined with big deposits of clear quartz. Some are clear enough to see through. Some hide more rock behind them and yet others you can see boiling  pools of water, sealed away behind quartz and black stone. Ahead the path continues on, with additional branches to the left and the right. The left leads down and into some sort of large room. With true seeing, Muirfinn can see it's full of hunks of something metallic just lying there. The path straight ahead goes on further than he can see. The path to the right continues on, with more clear quartz replacing blackstone.
> "Which way, Ellese?" Hanna asks, on alert as she glances down each hall.
> "Ahead," Ellese replies after a moment, "Straight ahead."
<Muirfinn> "Looks like something came through here." Muirfinn says, peering at the metal. OOC: Does it appear shaped or forged or worked? Or is it just lumps of ore?
> OOC: It looks like plain lumps of ore.
<Muirfinn> "Whatever it was didn't have enough sense to do anything with the ore though."
> "It could be," Hanna says, "There places in here where metals simply lie, waiting to be taken and forged." She glances down that way, "It may not have been anything."
* Muirfinn shrugs. "I'm not well versed in the nature of metals."
> "It's not natural as the Prime reckons it," Hanna says as you advance on, "I don't know that much myself, but raw ores usually have to be mined out."
<Muirfinn> "That's what I'd thought!"
> roll 1d20+33
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 and gets 49." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+28
> roll 1d20+28
> roll 1d20+28
> roll 1d20+28
> roll 1d20+28
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 30." [1d20=2]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 34." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 42." [1d20=14]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 32." [1d20=4]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 and gets 47." [1d20=19]
> It happens at once. Hanna whips her axe up and calls, "Stay b-" with the rest lost to a metallic slithering. Spears of metal launch at Hanna from the sides and ahead! Yet Hanna brings her axe up and stops two of them cold, wings flaring out to deflect the others. There's a moment of silence after that, Hanna utterly tense as she peers ahead, "Stay back. It's another trap." she says plainly, finishing.
> "Again?" Vivantha stops cold, watching and waiting.
<Muirfinn> "I'd say so." Muirfinn says. "Well done on deflecting them."
* Muirfinn pulls a rod from his quiver, focusing on it and casting a spell. OOC: Extended Detect Magic, 44 min
> "Catching an angel off-guard's about impossible," Hanna says with an agreeable smile, as Muirfinn peers ahead. OOC: Make a general spellcraft check?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+ Spellcraft whee
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+ Spellcraft whee and gets Error: Check syntax." [1d20=9]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+50 Numlock whee
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+50 Numlock whee and gets 57." [1d20=7]
> There's lots of magic. There's a general enchantment that should interfere with scrying, teleportation and other such things. A typical sealed zone, albeit coming directly from the stones. There's heaps of latent earth magic and a few traces of water and fire magic as well. Tapping into those could power spells easily if a caster took some time to attune themselves to the energies and knew how. They could keep certain things going, such as traps.
<Muirfinn> "I think the ambient magic from the stones is powering these traps." Muirfinn says, gathering the deflected spears. "There are large amounts of raw earth magic here, as well as anti-scrying and teleportation enchantments. It's a sealed zone."
> "Nothing to be done. When the seals are in place, the murders begin," Ellese sing-songs, before stopping and rubbing her temple. Her face twists into a wince, "I'm sorry. Bad thoughts. Dog thoughts."
<Muirfinn> "It's apt though." Muirfinn says, nodding. "Anyone who controls this area can manipulate those inside at their leisure."
<Muirfinn> "With enough earth, water, and fire magic as is here, an attuned individual could be very dangerous. We should proceed with caution."
> With that the party moves on. Down this passage - and ahead. It goes on for a little ways, Hanna simply stopping abruptly, raising her hand up. She says not a word, but after a moment you hear a grinding noise. It's just outside your vision limit, sounds like. It has a voice like grinding stones, "Hungry..." it rasps, "Feed...me...?"
<Muirfinn> "Here we go." Muirfinn says very lowly.
> Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. The creature that emerges into sight, 100ft away from Hanna and 120ft from Muirfinn, is bones. A collection of bones knitted together with vein-threads. It is in a vaguely humanoid shape, like bundles of bones carelessly tied together by a bored child. Within the 'center' you can see dozens of beating hearts, all the vein-threads connecting to them. "Hungry...feed....me...!" It rasps. It doesn't have a mouth but it speaks. Bones on its headless 'top' grind out words, making you involuntarily wince as you see it. OOC: Init here, bad guy is sighted. Sec.
> roll 1d20+12 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Hanna and gets 32." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+7 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Ellese and gets 24." [1d20=17]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12 M
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 M and gets 29." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+14 also +2 to those above due to Vivantha's aura
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 also +2 to those above due to Vivantha's aura and gets 32." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+4 bone-creature
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 bone-creature and gets 24." [1d20=20]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* Kotono changes topic to 'Hanna(34)>Vivantha(32)>Muirfinn(31)>Ellese(26)>Bone Creature(24)'
> "I can hold it back if it charges," Hanna announces. OOC: She's holding a sec to give y'all a chance to act first. Vivantha's up.
> Vivantha falls back and begins to sing, a song of great sonic power! Sonic energy surrounds the party, strengthening their blows! At the same time great energy fills Muirfinn and Hanna! OOC: +5d6 to melee attacks and +4 AC/Saves to Muirfinn and Hanna. Muirfinn go.
* Muirfinn intones a fiery word of magic, flames rising up on Hanna's axe! OOC: Fires of Purity, will link in a moment
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+21 SR check, applies each time the target strikes an enemy
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+21 SR check, applies each time the target strikes an enemy and gets 22." [1d20=1]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Good lord, I hope this thing doesn't have SR
> OOC: Your prayer is...rejeeeeeeeeected.
* Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
> Holy fires encase Hanna's weapon, turning it abright with flames! Ellese meanwhile holds her head, twisting farther back than should be possible. Her head touches the ground behind her, her body in a tight U shape. She then suddenly springs back, a huge orb of acid erupting from her mouth! With it she shouts a spiteful word, a terrible word! The orb of acid flies right the monster! OOC: Freezing sphere with energy sub(acid) and energy admixture(acid).
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 39." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+11 reflex
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 reflex and gets 15." [1d20=4]
> roll 30d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 30d6 and gets 104." [30d6=2, 2, 3, 6, 1, 1, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 5, 4, 5, 5, 3, 2, 6, 4, 2, 1, 5, 2, 5]
> The orb of acid explodes over the bone-creature, sizzling deep into it! Bones turn black as its voice stops! A moment later Hanna is flying ahead like a shot, aiming to finish it in one dramatic strike!
* Kotono changes topic to 'Vivantha(32)>Muirfinn(31)>Ellese(26)>Hanna>Bone Creature(24)'
> roll 1d20+38 (+2 charge, +9 smite evil, -9 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 (+2 charge, +9 smite evil, -9 PA) and gets 44." [1d20=6]
> roll 3d6+49+5d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+49+5d6 and gets 66." [3d6=1, 6, 1][5d6=2, 1, 1, 3, 2]
> With the creature already acid-sizzling, Hanna's axe rips right through it! Bones splinter apart as the creature's innert hearts are cleaved! No blood comes - instead, the entire thing simply falls apart. OOC: Free act.
> "Far less than I was expecting," Hanna pokes it with a toe, "At least the outer defenses are not overwhelming."
<Muirfinn> "Indeed." Muirfinn says, eyeing the pile of bones distastefully. "Hopefully they don't get more horrific." OOC: Anything in the pile of value?
> OOC: Spot.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 and gets 58." [1d20=12]
> There's a glint of something odd amid the pile of bones. You'd have to go digging to find out more.
<Muirfinn> "Hmm." Muirfinn says, pushing the pile arond and geting into it. "Something here."
> Within the bones is a small engraved metal plate. It's covered with odd symbols...OOC: K:A here.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 29." [1d20=7]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Not my best skill
> The symbols have something to do with life and death, as well as abjurations. This is certainly magical, even if there is no obvious magical aura.
<Muirfinn> "Anyone know what this is?" Muirfinn says, pulling the tablet free of the pile.
> roll 1d20+27 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 Vivantha and gets 44." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+28 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Ellese and gets 34." [1d20=6]
> "I do," Vivantha sings, "It appears as a ward against life energy and other forces, if I understand the symbols right."
<Muirfinn> "Well...that's useful, if you're undead."
> "It would explain how the living dead survived here," Hanna agrees, hefting her axe over her shoulder. "Want me to put it in the bag for later?"
<Muirfinn> "Sure." Muirfinn hands it over.
> "Let's keep going," Hanna says after, heading down past the skeletal remnants.
> Ellese breaths slower and slower in the battle's wake. She shakes her head and then licks her lips. "I did good?" she asks.
<Muirfinn> "Of course. You expected differently?"
<Muirfinn> "...of course you did. You're still adjusting. My apologies. Yes, you did very will." Muirfinn says, palming his face.
> "You did well," Vivantha seconds, "Your acid dispatched the creature swiftly."
> Slowly, ever so slowly, Ellese smiles. "T-then let's keep going," she says, "We aren't there yet."
<Muirfinn> "Right. After you, ladies."
> Further ahead is a series of 5 to 20ft drops. The path becomes choppy and full of these holes. But to a party that can fly, this is barely even worth mentioning. The first few are empty, but the third is full of bubbling water. The water has a golden sheen to it, like liquid wealth.
<Muirfinn> "That's probably not what it looks like." Muirfinn chirps as he flies over it.
> Hanna glances down as she does, "It actually might be," she admits, "If there's just the right mix of pure water and pyrite, you'll get tiny flakes that mix in."
<Muirfinn> "True, but it's certainly not actual gold. That would be far too convenient. It's probably a trap. Might be an ooze."
> "It's pretty," Vivantha opines as she follows. Ahead is another gap and another. Simple hops do for them. The next is lined with jagged quartz crystals, like it's full of tiny clear teeth. Ahead the path drops sharply again, going further down yet. "I think we've reached the second part," Ellese speaks up, "A long downward path that eventually leads to a subterrain forest."
* Muirfinn nods, alighting on Vivantha's shoulder for now. His seagullish form settles in as he replies chirpily, "Well, hopefully things go as well as they have. Last thing I want is another fiasco like we had with that maze in Greenrot." Muirfinn ruffles oily feathers.

> Vivantha reaches up, stroking Muirfinn's backfeathers. "We don't have a Abyssal lordling opposing us this time," she declares, "We will triumph."
> You hop past another few little gaps, and ahead is a bigger one. It's 40ft wide, full of grey, bubbling liquid. It looks like nothing more than boiling iron, fi it didn't turn red when melted. No heat comes from it.
<Muirfinn> An obvious trap! Muirfinn looks with his should still be active Detect Magic!
> "How curious," Hanna pauses a moment, flying over. There's no magic to it, Hanna adding, "Nothing my vision sees either, and lies crumble before it."
> "Could it be water with an unusual contaminant?" Vivantha opines, "Perhaps some types of water in this realm are just that color."
<Muirfinn> "Perhaps."
> Flying over goes without incident. There's several more gaps, and ahead? There's another golden pool. It's maybe 20ft long or so, but halfway down it, an invisible wall of force blocks the way. Muirfin's augmented eyes can see it, Hanna stopping as well. "Wall of force," she announces, "Right over the middle of the golden pool."
<Muirfinn> "Who wants to try their hand at dispelling this time?"
> "We need something stronger," Vivantha speaks up, "A normal dispel magic won't work. Disintegration does, as does a magic disjunction."
<Muirfinn> "I can do neither of those, unfortunately."
> "I can manage it by beseeching Lady Gwynharwyf," Hanna says, "I heard you had Kascha use a Wish so you're familiar with what that sort of magic entails." Her gaze slips to Muirfinn, "I can fight without magic far better than Kascha, at least." A hint of a smile comes, "She always looks so lost when she draws her sword."
* Muirfinn snorts in a remarkably unpleasant birdlike manner, shaking his head.
> "It does seem the only option, unless you can manipulate the earth again." Vivantha considers, "I assume that pool is trapped or otherwise hazardous. The wall's position to send someone flying over into it."
<Muirfinn> "I cannot."
> "Then that's that." Hanna kneels, placing her axe head-down before her. She bows her head against the handle, closing her eyes. What she chant is pure Celestial, causing the walls to gleam with heavenly light from above. Hanna rises, surrounded by light! Her hand points out, a thin green ray coming from it! It hits the invisible wall, instantly destroying it!
> Ellese whimpers and looks away, averting her eyes. They're tightly closed shut until several seconds past, her gaze looking on with trembling.
<Muirfinn> "Ellese? Are you alright?"
> Hanna rises slowly, stretching her arms and rubbing them, before doing the same to her legs.
> "I'm fine," she says quietly, voice strained. "My magic and holy power are not wholly compatible."
> "At all compatible," Hanna appends, "Come, talk about it later."
* Muirfinn nods birdily.
> Across you go! You go down - the passage slopes sharper and you go over more, longer pools. Perhaps 10 minutes of this without incident, until at last Hanna speaks up, "Whomever did this isn't setting as many traps now. It doesn't make any sense. This is a good tunnel's a good location for traps and delays."
> "Maybe they're marshalling forces closer to them?" Ellese says, "Outer scouts in concentric rings with a core of strength."
<Muirfinn> "Or our tormentor is completely insane. Remember, it's using spears made entirely of adamantine, bone monstrosities, and raw chaos stuff."
> "Great,
> OOC: Gah.
> "Great," Hanna shakes her head as you fly on. Down, down, down down and down you go. The pools thin out a little bit and you come to the bottom - and here you come to a dead end! The wall ends simply, a smooth and natural terminus point. Hanna stops about 100ft away, "Is that supposed to be there?" she asks back to Ellese.
> "No," Ellese shakes her head, "Nothing about a dead end wall. We're on the right path."
> "Which means we've found our next obsticle," Hanna cracks her knuckles, "I don't see anything special. Do you?" she says, asking Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "When in doubt, I can always hit it with extraordinary force."
> "My axe is adamantine," Hanna says, "I can give it a good try."
> Ellese looks away briefly, but says nothing.
<Muirfinn> "You're in the lead, feel free. You're more likely to get through with that."
> With a nod, Hanna raises her axe and charges, bringing it down in a tremendous blow on the wall!
> roll 3d6+61
* Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-96-9-49.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
> roll 3d6+61
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6+61 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{68}
> Hanna cuts deeply into the wall! It opens up a gouge, but there's a lot more stone left and it doesn't break through.
> Hanna leans in to inspect her handiwork, "The wall's at least a foot thick and probably more." Blowing a bit of rockdust away, "It could take hours or days to hack through this traditionally."
> "Brave hero," Vivantha speaks up, "Could summoning or becoming an earth elemental be the answer? Can't they glide through rock like water?"
* Muirfinn flaps his wings, lifting off of Vivantha and taking natural form beside her. "They can. Unfortunately, they pass through it like water, leaving no trace behind. We could use the thoqquas again though. They could melt a hole through to the other side
<Muirfinn> ."
> "They're so useful," Vivantha's smile rises, "Please."
> Hanna smirks a little bit, hefting her axe up behind her.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d4+1
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d4+1 --> [ 1d4=4 ]{5}
<Muirfinn> With the wave of a hand and a brief chant in Terran, five smallish worms with burning heads appear! With a word from Muirfinn, they begin rapidly tunnelling through the rock, melting it away like a knife through butter!
> With this, the party quickly goes through the created tunnel. The rock wall is an amazing 10 feet thick! When you reach the other side - gah! Ahead is a forest. An underground forest. The roof is covered in glowing pyrite and quartz, a golden luster over everything. The trees here are twisted, gem-like fruits (or fruit-like gems?) hanging from them. Apples like rubies, pears like citrines, trees with tiny grapes like amethysts. The forest ahead is thick, but a wide, long path has been cleared away.
<Muirfinn> "I'm starting to think more and more that this place is owned by a madman."
> "It's simply an alien realm to us. It's the home of creature that may never see the sun," Hanna says with a slight shake of her head, "Will we follow the path made for us?"
> "It's..." Vivantha stops and stares, staring ever so long and hard at everything here.
<Muirfinn> "Well it's certainly different." Muirfinn says equably.
> With eyes that grow wider and wider by the moment, "Oh Muirfinn, it's magical," she breathes, "Imagine, a forest of gems and light!"
<Muirfinn> OOC: How high are them apples?
> OOC: Varies, from about 5ft to 50ft up.
* Muirfinn reaches out and grabs a low-hanging apple, yanking it from the tree.
> The apple rings like a bell, liquid sloshing inside. You find that it's semi-transparent and hollow, but full of liquid within. As the liquid sloshes, the tinkling of bells is heard.
* Muirfinn peers at it, tapping its surface with a pointy claw.
> The surface is rather britte, like softened glass. It smells fruity - not like an apple, more like cherries.
> "Hm?" Hanna glances over at the apple, "Hungry?"
<Muirfinn> "Curious." Muirfinn says, peeling the top off and casting Detect Poison.
> OOC: Make a Wisdom or Craft(Alchemy) check if you have any ranks in that.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+10
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{15}
> OOC: I presume that was wisdom?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Correct!
> The liquid within the apple is indeed poisonous.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Magical?
> OOC: Faintly.
* Muirfinn sniffs at it. "I think it might be poisonous." He prompts that by drinking a bit of it.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune btw
> It's heavy. Heavy like drinking liquid stone, yet entirely sweet. It reminds Muirfinn of cherry and pineapple juices mixed together. A mere sip makes him tremendously full, stomach sagging and bulging with the weight of it.
> "How is it?" Hanna says, a hint of amusement in her voice, "I suppose you won't die even if you drink poison."
> "Eeeh!" Vivantha suddenly turns extremely red, "What are you DOING?!" she blurts out.
<Muirfinn> "Being brave." Muirfinn says, winking very slyly at Vivantha. To Hanna he says, "Odd. It's incredibly filling. Fills the stomach like I just ate an entire meal. Very sweet. Not unpleasant to the taste, but..." He gestures at his stomach. "Clearly not conducive to productive eating. It's toxic, yes. Slightly magical." Muirfinn smacks the lips of his beak together. "Ah, pardon me. This won't do."
<Muirfinn> Muirfinn toddles a few steps off, makes an unpleasant horking sound and regurgitates a good chunk og the fluid.
> Ellese begins panting, staring at Muirfinn as he does so.
> Hanna looks away, before coming over and pointedly turning Ellese away from Muirfinn.
> Vivantha just looks entirely pale, covering her mouth with both hands.
* Muirfinn wipes his beak with a cloth. "Ah, pardon me. Those results were unexpected."
> "I think that's enough playing with the scenery," Hanna says, "How about we get moving?"
* Muirfinn nods. "So. Don't eat the fruit."
<Muirfinn> "Unless you're immune to poison like me and don't mind having an uncomfortably full stomach."
> Vivantha doesn't say anything - she just hurries along. Meanwhile Hanna guides Ellese by the shoulders, whispering into her ear while the elf sorceress bows her head.
<Muirfinn> "Nobody ever likes my jokes."
> Thus the party plunges into the forest. It's quiet - no animals make noise. Just your footsteps as you follow the path in. But soon in you notice something - a wide and obvious trail of blood advancing ahead. It's about six inches wide and stretches farther than you can see.
* Muirfinn bends down to examine it.
> Hanna silently kneels before it, "Obvious," she mutters, "It's a lot of blood too." It's reddish blood - bright red, despite being dry it hasn't lost any color.  OOC: You can make an K:P check here if you wish.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+22 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{26}
> roll 1d20+29 Hanna
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+29 Hanna --> [ 1d20=13 ]{42}
> Hanna touches the blood with one finger, gathering up a few dried flakes. She sniffs it, her color quickly becoming pallid. Cleansing her finger with a slight bit of magic and wiping it clean, "Evil-tainted."
> "Worse," Ellese kneels, scraping off a good chunk and licking it off her hand. "Demon-tainted. Demon and pain. So much pain. Pain and hate flow like water."
* Muirfinn straightens, frowning. "At least it's injured."
> "Ellese!" Hanna's voice is sharp, a stinging rebuke in tone, "Don't do that!"
> "Sorrow too," Ellese adds, "The demon is horribly sad. As much as it wants to destroy everything, it just wants to lament."
> Ellese doesn't even react to Hanna, going on from that. "I know the taste of sorrow," she adds, "There is a bitter sorrow in this blood. It's nostalgic."
<Muirfinn> "Oh boy, not another devil demon yugoloth fusion."
> "Great," Hanna drawls slowly, rubbing her temple, "We have a depressed demon ahead of us. Maybe it'll recite bad bardsong and whine about the world being meaningless before it tries to kill us."
> "I doubt such are that common, are they?" Vivantha says, hanging a little back, one hand to her chest.
> "I mean those odd hybrids," she adds, "I can't imagine a sad demon. They seem so joyously hateful."
> "It can be joyous in oblivion," Hanna says shortly, "Be it a hybrid, a demon or whatever else." Standing back up, "It's odd for a demon to be sorrowful, but it's not unheard of. Most that I've dealt with do tend more towards malicious glee than despair."
<Muirfinn> "Either way, we should probably kill it."
> "Devils hate demons. I hate demons," Ellese also stands, "But I hate devils even more, so I hate demons less because of it." Here she shrugs, "Devils are worse."
> "It doesn't matter," Hanna says firmly, sparing a glance at Ellese, "To argue over who is worse is to lose sight of the fact that all fthe fiends have to be stopped. " Taking to the path ahead, "Let's start anew with the one that left this trail, if it's still breathing."
<Muirfinn> "Quite so. Evil is evil. Denoting chaos or order is only to divide them. They must all be purged, in the end."

> Deeper in the party goes. You follow the path of blood, winding through the bejeweled trees. You walk for a time, Vivantha at your side. Then from your other side a voice says, "Walking along the path of a warrior, under the fruit of a strong arm." A dwarf-sized creature now silently walks with you, clad head to toe in heavy full plate armor.
> Hanna turns back at that, axe in hand but not hefted for battle. Ellese keeps going, only looking up from the map once she sees Hanna stopping.
<Muirfinn> "Quite so." Muirfinn says, strolling on while keeping a quiet eye on the dwarf./
<Muirfinn> OOC: Whee unnecessary slashes
> "Hm?" Vivantha turns, "Did you say something?"
> Hanna shrugs and keeps walking, Ellese doing the same.
> "The creature that's ahead of you is powerful but wrapped in pain," The figure goes on, "Perhaps at one time her dreams would have fit here, and perhaps they will again, but right now they do not." The creature has a strong voice, reminding you of a commander's barking tones. It's vaguely masculine.
<Muirfinn> "This place seems designed to cause pain. Pits, spear traps, poison fruit."
> "The traps are not the doing of this place. The creature laid more here, but they have failed. This is a place of glorious dreams and battle, not a thieves' lair." The dwarf-sized creature's words are tinged with indignation, gesturing ahead with one hand, "The fruit is poisonous because it is the dreams of warriors from across everything. Glory in battle is seeded by pain, tragedy and death."
> "Who are you talking to?" Vivantha peers ahead, reaching up to place a hand on Muirfinn's head, "Do you feel unwell?"
<Muirfinn> Muirfinn turns to her, looking at her with concern. "You don't see the dwarf in full plate?
<Muirfinn> "
> "No. No I do not," This gets the lillend to peer around, "I do not."
<Muirfinn> "Anyone else?"
> "I do," Hanna adds in, while Ellese just shakes her head and focuses on the map.
> "It's not important," The armored creature goes on, "There will be battles ahead. For you they will be but a trifle."
<Muirfinn> "Oh good. It wasn't the apple." Muirfinn nods. "Don't worry, Vivantha. If hanna can see it too, there must be a reason. I'd like to hear what it has to say."
<Muirfinn> "My apologies," Muirfinn says to the dwarf. "Do go on."
> "But be wary of the creature ahead. I had to restrain my eyes, but I detected she lives with grevious wounds." The creature continues as you walk on further, "She constantly spoke aloud, speaking of taking revenge on the cat's whore and then the cat."
<Muirfinn> "Cat? Could be Sharess..."
> "She's the Mother of Cats," Hanna adds as Vivantha just watches on in complete puzzlement. "If not her, then one of her servants would be my first guess."
> "Be forewarned. For as long as her dreams do not fit here, she will find no solace." The dwarf steps back so much at once, becoming a dot in the distance behind you.
<Muirfinn> "Well, that was a kind warning. The demon we are trailing is a female, who does not belong. She hunts 'the cat's whore and the cat.' Also reviled is the creature who lairs here. The traps it has set are unwanted.
<Muirfinn> "
> "Troublesome, but it's nice that the locals are on our side for once," Hanna opines as she continues through the forest.
<Muirfinn> 11th level makes you immune to criticals at all times???
<Muirfinn> OOC: OOPS
> OOC: MEant to PM Neph, eh?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yes.
* Muirfinn nods, keeping an eye ahead on the blood trail.
> The trail goes on - and the path widens. 30ft ahead there's a flash. Murmurs - dozens of indistinct noises echo about. Words like bravery, glory, bloodshed and war stand out in particular. Ahead, a rain of gem-like fruits fall! Each one shatters on hitting the ground, forming a warrior! The races, build and weapons vary, but in a moment there are dozens standing before you. The voices grow louder, prayers of valor. They slowly synch into one single prayer, "Grant us bravery ahead, we who are about to cast our spite into the maw of war!"
<Muirfinn> "A group of warriors down here?":
<Muirfinn> OOC: I'm just batting a thousand with my fumblefingers tonight
> "More than that," Hanna says, standing tall and with her axe in both hands ahead of her, "Those fruits are the dreams of warriors? Then these are the concentrated hopes and prayers of warriors ready for battle." Slowly a smile comes to Hanna's face, "Let's give them what they're asking for."
* Muirfinn nods. "Let's. Ellese, how much farther do we have to go after this until we reach our destination?"

> Before Ellese can reply, the small army of warriors advances onto the party! OOC: Init here, y'all.
> roll 1d20+12 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Hanna and gets 30." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+9 Ellese (+2 to Hanna's rule due to Vivantha's aura)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Ellese (+2 to Hanna's rule due to Vivantha's aura) and gets 28." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 32." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+10 Army
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Army and gets 21." [1d20=11]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12 oh my
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 oh my and gets 26." [1d20=14]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Hanna=Vivantha(32)>Ellese(28)>Muirfinn(26)>Army(21)'
> With a beastly roar, Hanna's body bursts into muscles! She charges into thet teeth of the enemy, axe lashing out!
> roll 1d20+36 (+2 charge, +5 rage, -7 PA)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 (+2 charge, +5 rage, -7 PA) and gets 47." [1d20=11]
> roll 3d6+42
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+42 and gets 58." [3d6=4, 6, 6]
> Hanna's assault is furious, cleaving through the front four warriors like they're littlie more than tissue paper! Blood sprays in every direction as they collapse, sundered apart! At the same time Vivantha hangs back, beginning to sing a rousing battlesong! It makes your blood boil and your weapons vibrate with sonic energy! OOC: Lillend inspiration, +5d6 sonic per melee hit. Ellese is up.
* Nephrite (~rscuderii@65.33.116.127) Quit (Quit: BRB)
> Ellese doubles over, holding her stomach! One hand goes out, an orb of fire twisting into a sphere of snarling acid! She holds it in hand before throwing it at the soldiers, where it promptly blossoms into a massive acidball!
> roll 1d20+15 ref
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 ref and gets 32." [1d20=17]
> roll 20d6 acid
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6 acid and gets 72." [20d6=6, 6, 2, 4, 5, 4, 1, 6, 2, 5, 3, 1, 4, 1, 4, 4, 6, 1, 1, 6]
> Several soldiers are immolated in acid, dissolved down to the bones! But more remain, en-masse rushing the party as suddenly melee is joined! OOC: Muirfinn, you're medium sized right now?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yes.
> OOC: This provokes AoOs from Hanna and Vivantha. They'll take 'em.
> roll 1d20+34 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+34 Hanna and gets 48." [1d20=14]
> roll 3d6+42+5d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+42+5d6 and gets 72." [3d6=3, 5, 4][5d6=5, 4, 3, 2, 4]
> roll 1d20+25
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25  and gets 41." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d8+6+5d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6+5d6 and gets 23." [1d8=1][5d6=2, 1, 6, 1, 6]
> roll 1d20+26 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 Hanna and gets 34." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+26 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 Ellese and gets 30." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+26 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 Vivantha and gets 30." [1d20=4]
> roll 1d20+26 Muirfin AC?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 Muirfin AC? and gets 32." [1d20=6]
<Muirfinn> OOC: base is 43
> roll 5d6+45 Ellese nonlethal doesn't beat her regen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d6+45 Ellese nonlethal doesn't beat her regen and gets 64." [5d6=6, 3, 6, 1, 3]
> The army crashes against the four heroes like a tidal wave, yet they stand firm! A sweep of Hanna's axe slays all that approach her, while Vivantha nimbly ducks and footsweeps her attackers down. Muirfinn merely dodges, while Ellese doesn't even do that! Blow after blow shreds her body, yet not a single one draws blood. Skin is torn loose, yet it knits back together before your very eyes! OOC:Muirfinn, go. I also skipped your turn. Whoops. I suck. Go.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Oh noes.
> OOC: This encounter doesn't look to be a serious threat, but still. My bad.
<Muirfinn> Eyes flicking briefly to Ellese before determining her to be fine, Muirfinn's form balloons out. He becomes translucent and is govered in froth and seafoam. Big watery arms swing down onto the warriors that charged them! OOC: No big. I saw you do it and I was like, let's see what happens.
> OOC: Right, make your attacks. WAter elemental form?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yes. Sec. My sheet with premade attacks appears to be missing. Will have to type it out.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 56." [1d20=19]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 47." [1d20=10]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32 and gets 40." [1d20=8]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27 and gets 37." [1d20=10]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Found it!
> OOC: All hit.
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 51." [4d10=8, 1, 9, 8][2d6=2, 4]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 45." [4d10=7, 1, 8, 1][2d6=5, 4]
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 50." [4d10=10, 6, 2, 7][2d6=2, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 47." [4d10=5, 4, 10, 1][2d6=5, 3]
> The army, already decimated by the superhumanly skilled assault, is putty before Muirfinn. He smashes head after head in, crumpling up Ysgardian soldiers by the dozen! In the aftermath of the short battle the soldiers vanish, vanquished! OOC: Free act. That's what happens when you run into a CL 13 or so encounter.
* Muirfinn takes a moment before spinning down and back into his natural form. "Enthusiastic, I'll give them that."
> "A challenge for those unworthy of advancing further," Hanna cleans her axe off before resuming her walk ahead.
* Muirfinn nods.
> Ellese takes the map back out, "We aren't far now," she pipes up. "Ahead are chambers where our goal lies."
> "We're close then, brave hero," Vivantha follows at Muirfinn's side, "I fear our greatest challenge left is merely this sundered creature." Looking down at the wide trail of blood you follow, "I fear for whatever it is, for it to bleed such and still pose a threat to us."
<Muirfinn>  "Alright. I feel that perhaps I should start doling out protective spells so that we can do this right. Would anyone like a shield of sand or protection from negative energy?"
> "I'd like both," Hanna says, "Let me cast Fortunate Fate on all of us."
> "I'm fine," Ellese says. Her face twists with a sickly smile, "That sort of thing won't kill me."
> "Please," Vivantha says, "Anything to help."
* Muirfinn nods, tapping Hanna with his wand. "Vivantha?"
> OOC: Note bonuses in thecauldron.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Blarg double
* Muirfinn also taps Vivantha, then himself. This is followed by Death Wards for Hanna & Vivantha, and Owl's Insight on himself.
> So prepared, the party goes ahead! You soon reach the end of the forest. Here, a slate of pure black basalt has been carved hollow, an archway within. Once great doors sat here, but they have been wrenched ajar and scarred. The blood trail goes on and the scent of foul carrion fills the air. Ahead, within, you can hear pounding.
<Muirfinn> "Sounds like that's our demon."
> Hanna nods silently, creeping back. In a bare whisper, "What's our strategy to deal with it?"
<Muirfinn> "Well, we could attempt to draw it out, or fight it in there."
> "I favor overwhelming force. We can slay it before it reacts," Hanna crosses her arms, while Meanwhile Vivantha says, "I say we at least spy on it first, to discern if it cna detect us and see what we're facing."
* Muirfinn waves his hands in the air, spealing a brief word in terran. A single small earth elemental appears out of the ground.
<Muirfinn> "We have an excellent spy here. It can glide through the walls, spy for us, then report back safely."
> "Good," Hanna says, readying her axe, "Have it go." OOC: Go ahead and give it instructions then send it along?
* Muirfinn turns to the elemental, speaking in Terran. "Go, spy on the demon below for us. Use the earth and stone as cover and protection while you do so, then report back to me."
<Muirfinn> Off it goes!
> OOC: What bonuses do your s ummons get?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ashbound: +3 luck bonus to attack, all summons are extended
> roll 1d20 Will
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Will and gets 5." [1d20=5]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Augment summons: +4 to Str/Dex
<Muirfinn> OOC: err, Con
> The summon goes in. There's a few moments of silence before a scream. A scream like the earth shuddering, the elemental coming back out! It races ahead and past you, half in and half hout of the rock. A look of utter horror is on its face, cracks running up and down it as it screams and stretches its mouth much too far.
> "...Gwynharwyf's blade," Hanna bites off, squaring her shoulders, hefting her axe and looking ahead. "There goes surprise."
> Ellese starts to smile, a smile that transforms her face into something beautiful. "That's real fear," she mutters, "The demons are ahead. The real demons. The chaos that must not be named."
<Muirfinn> "Right. So, fear aura? That's good to know about."
> Before anything else can be said? The doors ahead groan as they push open further! Ahead of you is...OOC: More
> .
> The creature before you looks to be a marilith, yet is it scarred all over. Its tail is split in twain, strings shiny with fresh blood connecting the two halves together. As she slithers forward her tail splits apart and bleeds, only to be pulled back together by the strings. Instead of the six arms of a proper marilith, you see six things gruesomely tied and soldered to her body. An ashen white humanoid arm with bloody red fingernails is the first. The second is a too large brown arm bulging with veins, a terrific carrion reek coming from it. The third arm is a rusty thing of metal ending in a claw, resembling the works of Mechanus. The fourth is a tanned and toned arm of a human or similar creature, bearing a jagged, curved blade. Yet where it connects to the marilith's body, the flesh of the snake-demon constantly smoulders and smokes. The fifth arm is naught but a blade, as big as a giant's greatsword. It is opposite the last arm, a brown wing of wood and feathers, creaking as it flaps in the air. Its face is a mask of miserable agony, staring ahead with with snarling hatred. "Servants of the whore?" In spite of it all her voice is a thrilling thing, that of a commander addressing his army before war. OOC: Make Will saves all. Mind-affecting.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune!
> roll 1d20+31 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 Vivantha and gets 46." [1d20=15]
> OOC: +4 resistance from Hanna's aura to hers for 50.
> roll 1d20+38 (+4 Hanna, +2 class ability)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+38 (+4 Hanna, +2 class ability) and gets 49." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+40 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 Hanna and gets 54." [1d20=14]
> The visage ahead of you turns your stomach. Horror bubbles up like acid into your throat, eroding your self-control. In spite of your protections the thing before you is wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! Only years of self-control and iron will prevents Muirfinn from doubling over in abject sickness, holding complete panic at bay. OOC: Act.
> OOC: Ya'll can make K:P here checks as you please.
> roll 1d20+28 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Ellese and gets 45." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+29 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 Hanna and gets 38." [1d20=9]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 30." [1d20=8]
> Memories of a book come to mind, a book purchased at Aurora. The creature before you is Kina-ja, a powerful Abyssal general that challenged the goddess Sharess. It is said her body was ruined and her army obliterated by the angry goddess in the aftermath, yet she escaped. See here: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,101729.msg1040195/topicseen.html#msg1040195
> "Rejoice, demon!" Hanna shouts, face pale yet her expression a tight mask of fury. "Today we finish what Sharess started!"
> Vivantha averts her eyes, tears coming from them. Her hand shakes as she shields her face with one hand, the other held out, as if to hold the marilith at bay.
> Ellese smiles. It's a soft smile, really rather sad. "I understand," Is all she says, "We'll end your suffering. It'll hurt, but everything worthwhile hurts."
<Muirfinn> "Oh, I remember this one. There's a book about her. Kina-ja." Muirfinn taps his beak. "Well, this will make for a fine story."
> "You won't stop me! Not here, not now! Not when I'm this close!" Her blade-arm slashes out, cutting ten feet into the door nearby. It's neatly cut through, the stone sliced as easily as paper. Slowly the mutilated demon slithers forward, "Let me send you back to the Sharess to warm the way for Syala!" OOC: Init here. The crazy demon is rather homicidal, as demons tend to be. She's 40ft away.
> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 28." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+9 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Ellese and gets 12." [1d20=3]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 21." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+14 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Hanna and gets 25." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+13 Kina-ja
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 Kina-ja and gets 23." [1d20=10]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Vivantha(28)>Hanna(25)>Kina-ja(23)>Muirfinn(21)>Ellese(12)'
> "Don't underestimate this one," Hanna calls, ready to pounce ahead. "No holding back!"
> Vivantha merely nods, taking to song! Suddenly a lively melody of victory and endurance fills the air, filling your weapons with sonic energy! At the same time a tale of heroism fills you to the brim! OOC: +5d6 on all weapon attacks, +4 dodge AC and +4 bonus to saves for Hanna and Muirfinn. Hanna's up.
> Hanna surges ahead, but doesn't fall into a rage! Instead she rushes the demon, yet the demon is faster! As Hanna closes in, the demon's scimitar slashes out for the angel's flesh!
> roll 1d20+54
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 and gets 58." [1d20=4]
> OOC: What does Death Ward stop?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Negative energy. energy drain. Negative levels. All death effects.
> roll 2d6+21+3d6 lethal damage to Hanna, stopped negative levels
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+21+3d6 lethal damage to Hanna, stopped negative levels and gets 32." [2d6=4, 1][3d6=1, 3, 2]
> OOC: -6 for her DR/-.
> roll 1d20+47 (+2 charge, +9 smite evil)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+47 (+2 charge, +9 smite evil) and gets 64." [1d20=17]
> roll 3d6+31
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+31 and gets 42." [3d6=4, 4, 3]
> The two exchange blows as Hanna races in! Hanna gets a slash on her side, the death ward flaring with light around her! Holy patterns suffuse Hanna, pushing the blackness of the scimitar away! At the same time Hanna's axe bites into the demon's side, but only penetrates slightly! It does draw blood, but the demon proves resilient! "You," Kina-ja croaks, "Suffer!"  A storm of attacks is unleashed on Hanna, all of her mismatched arms flailing wildly at the angel!
> roll 1d20+54 scimitar
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 scimitar and gets 70." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+54 scimitar crit?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 scimitar crit? and gets 69." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+49
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+49 and gets 50." [1d20=1]
> roll 1d20+44
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 and gets 64." [1d20=20]
> roll 1d20+44 ow
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 ow and gets 50." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+39
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+39 and gets 57." [1d20=18]
> roll 1d20+39
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+39 and gets 47." [1d20=8]
> roll 1d20+44 melee touch
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 melee touch and gets 53." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+48 Hezrou arm
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+48 Hezrou arm and gets 59." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+48 Mechanus arm
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+48 Mechanus arm and gets 65." [1d20=17]
> roll 1d20+48 blade arm
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+48 blade arm and gets 67." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+48 blade arm crit?
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+48 blade arm crit? and gets 50." [1d20=2]
> roll 4d6+42+3d6+2d6+21+3d6+2d6+21+3d6+4d4+15+3d8+15+6d6+15-36 all lethal, DR/- factored in at the end
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d6+42+3d6+2d6+21+3d6+2d6+21+3d6+4d4+15+3d8+15+6d6+15-36 all lethal, DR/- factored in at the end and gets 173." [4d6=3, 5, 1, 2][3d6=4, 4, 1][2d6=1, 1][3d6=1, 2, 1][2d6=3, 2][3d6=1, 4, 6][4d4=3, 2, 4, 1][3d8=4, 6, 2][6d6=4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 1]
> OOC: 173+26 is the damage she's taken counting the AoO. Also needs to make Fort against disease.
> roll 1d20+35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 45." [1d20=10]
> The scimitar slashes, landing three vicious blows through Hanna's guard! She's sliced open and bloodied, leaving her open for the ashen white arm! It touches her - but the death ward flares to life, the arm recoiling away! The blade, wing and hezrou's arm all slam into her, knocking Hanna back! She's wounded all over but still up, spitting out blood as she coughs out, "Support! I need support!" OOC: Muirfin.
* Muirfinn abandons his initial plans due to poor timing, lurching forward in earthen shape into Kina-ja's flank! OOC: Not charging. 15 foot reach removes the need.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37 and gets 43." [1d20=6]
> Now the marilith's guard is up! Her hezrou arm comes around, catching Muirfin's fist in its own! It's strong, stronger than the might behind a balor's blade! Ellese merely smiles, looking on fondly at the demon as...
> roll 1d20+35
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 44." [1d20=9]
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 29." [1d20=9]
> A painful miasma surrounds Kina-ja - but it crumbles before her! For now Vivantha continues to sing as Hanna withdraws back safely! OOC: Withdraw action, she can't take another round of that abuse. Kina-ja's up.
> The demoness turns to Muirfinn, blade against earthen body as she strikes, "She'll turn on you too!" Kina-ja screams, going after the tortle!
> roll 1d20+49 (-5 CE) scimitar
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+49 (-5 CE) scimitar and gets 60." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+44 (-5 CE) scimitar
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 (-5 CE) scimitar and gets 46." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+39 (-5 CE) scimitar
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+39 (-5 CE) scimitar and gets 51." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+34 (-5 CE) scimitar
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+34 (-5 CE) scimitar and gets 40." [1d20=6]
> roll 1d20+40 vampire arm
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 vampire arm and gets 54." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+44 hezrou
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 hezrou and gets 63." [1d20=19]
> roll 1d20+44 mechanus
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+44 mechanus and gets 55." [1d20=11]
> OOC: -1 to all of those, miscounted.
> roll 1d20+43 blade
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 blade and gets 54." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+43 wing
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 wing and gets 55." [1d20=12]
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 66, touch 35
> roll 17d6 negative energy damage
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 17d6 negative energy damage and gets 54." [17d6=1, 2, 2, 5, 1, 4, 4, 3, 4, 5, 2, 5, 4, 1, 1, 4, 6]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck
> The two dance back and forth, a whirlwind of battle! It's like facing six opponents at once, each one skilled and craving your blood! The scimitar is sidestepped, the giant blade parried. A duck avoids the wingbash, but the vampire's grasp is too fast! It gets Muirfinn's hand, life-force directly sucked out! It leaves him feeling weaker, Kina-ja's wounds sealing! OOC: Go Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> "That won't do." Muirfinn says, gem eyes narrowing.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
-> [Hatbot] PING
* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-72-182-99-123.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout)
* Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-96-9-49.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
> OOC: Roll.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+37 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{51}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+37 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{41}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+32 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{42}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+27 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{35}
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ah jaysus
> It's no good. With her defenses up, it's like trying to shoot an arrow through an army without hitting a body. Her defenses are just too active, parrying all of Muirfinn's strikes! Meanwhile Ellese walks around the battle, standing behind Muirfinn. She reaches out and touches his back, abberant energy flowing into him! "Be stronger," she whispers as...OOC: Aberrate turns your type into aberration and grants you a +5 bonus to natural armor. See #elysium. Go ahead and describe what that does for your apperance.
> OOC: Vivantha's up.
* Muirfinn lets out an earthen groan as his back splits, fungal stalks rising in weird effigies of fruiting mushrooms, covered in unblinking, crystalline spinning eyes. The stone folds over itself, peeling from his back to form additional armor over his chest.
> "What?" Kina-ja seems momentarily off guard as Vivantha continues to sing. Then Hanna braces, "Muirfinn, get Ellese and Vivantha and cover them!" she calls! OOC: She's holding for something, she has an diea. Meanwhile Kina-ja is up.
> With ample confusion and sheer hatred, Kina-ja continues her assault on Muirfinn!
> roll 1d20+64 (+20 unstoppable, -10 PA)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+64 (+20 unstoppable, -10 PA) --> [ 1d20=13 ]{77}
> roll 1d20+39 (-10 PA)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+39 (-10 PA) --> [ 1d20=6 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+34 (-10 PA)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 (-10 PA) --> [ 1d20=11 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+29 (-10 PA)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+29 (-10 PA) --> [ 1d20=18 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+34 vampire arm
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 vampire arm --> [ 1d20=6 ]{40}
> roll 1d20+38 hezrou
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 hezrou --> [ 1d20=11 ]{49}
> roll 1d20+38 mechanus
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 mechanus --> [ 1d20=18 ]{56}
> roll 1d20+38 blade
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 blade --> [ 1d20=4 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+38 wing
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 wing --> [ 1d20=16 ]{54}
> OOC: AC?
<Muirfinn> OOC: 71, touch 35
> roll 2d6+31+3d6 and 1 negative level
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d6+31+3d6 and 1 negative level --> [ 2d6=7 3d6=12 ]{50}
> roll 17d6 vampiric draining
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 17d6 vampiric draining --> [ 17d6=72 ]{72}
> The demon's first slash is so mighty as to cleave through Muirfinn's guard! It can't be stopped, biting in deep! The rest are parried as pain and weakness war in him! The vampire arm sneaks in a touch as the earthen Muirfinn stumbles back, trying to dodge and parry the rest! OOC: Ow. Muirfinn.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32-1
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27-1
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+37-1 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{39}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+37-1 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{38}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+32-1 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{40}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+27-1 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{46}
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27-1 confirm lol?
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+27-1 confirm lol? --> [ 1d20=3 ]{29}
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 4d10+5+14+2d6 holy damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver --> [ 4d10=29 2d6=9 ]{57}
> Back and forth the two titans of battle go! Muirfinn gets wounded upa gain as he slugs back and forth, but manages to smack the demoness in the face! It only dazes her a moment, but blood trickles out of her nose, glowing with the holy power of his strike! Ellese falls back into the doorway, as she calls out a tongue-twisting word of power! Black tentacles appear beneath Kina-ja ,grappling her!
> roll 1d20+28
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{43}
> They flail at the demon, but mostly bounce off her broken body! Nonetheless they seem to be mildly impedeing her movement! OOC: Vivantha's up, maintaining her spells. Hanna's up.
> "Triune damn it!" Hanna flies closer, before calling on words of power to knit broken bodies! Your wounds heal in a flash, restoring lost vigor! OOC: MAss heal, +200 HP healing.
<Muirfinn> "That doesn't sound good!" Muirfinn says, weaving amongst the marilith's flailing arms
<Muirfinn> .
> Smiling terribly, Kina-ja utters a single word of profound blasphemy that echos about! OOC: Will saves, y'all. -2 mod.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+36+4-1-2
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+36+4-1-2 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{46}
> roll 1d20+33 (+4 Hanna, -2 penalty) Vivnatha
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 (+4 Hanna, -2 penalty) Vivnatha --> [ 1d20=19 ]{52}
> OOC: Ellese is immune.
> roll 1d20+38 Hanna
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 Hanna --> [ 1d20=20 ]{58}
> But the word of blasphemy is resisted by all, withstood by pure will! OOC: Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn brings powerful earthen arms together around Kina-ja, attempting to pull her into a grapple!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34-1 CMB/CMD check
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+34-1 CMB/CMD check
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+34-1 CMB/CMD check --> [ 1d20=15 ]{48}
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+34-1 CMB/CMD check --> [ 1d20=19 ]{52}
<Muirfinn> OOC: Last one is -5
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+24-1 CMB/CMD check
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+24-1 CMB/CMD check --> [ 1d20=1 ]{24}
> Muirfinn and Kina-ja grapple back and forth! They wrestle but Muirfinn can't quite establish a hole! "Fuck!" Hanna bites off, "Vivantha, get in there! Now!" she calls, as Ellese retreats inside and out of sight! Vivantha breaks into a run, ceasing her song as she sprints inside!  Then, "Judge the wicked by the earth's rage!" Hanna lands, slamming her axe into the ground, "Bury the wicked!" The whole ground shakes, a powerful earthquake ripping through! There's several moments where all that happens is shaking, then a rumbling from above! The ceiling is collapsing - right toward the two heroes and marilith! (More)
> roll 30d6
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 30d6 --> [ 30d6=110 ]{110}
> Having countless tons of rock crush Muirfinn is a new sensations. His earth elemental form is uniquely suited to handling it and it's still painful as anything, squeeze-trapped in the ground. No sign of Kina-ja ahead - between the earthquake and collapse you lost sight of her. Of course, the only thing around was more falling rock...OOC: Act.
* Muirfinn makes a grumbling noise, attempting to heave himself free of the rock.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+14-1 strength check
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+14-1 strength check --> [ 1d20=2 ]{15}
<Muirfinn> OOC: oof
> No go on the first try. Too much rock, even for an earth elemental.
<Muirfinn> "Can't glide...noooooo that would be too convenient."
* Muirfinn braces himself and heaves again!
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+14-1 strength check
<Kobot> Muirfinn rolled 1d20+14-1 strength check --> [ 1d20=13 ]{26}
> This time the stone responds. With the power of earth he's able to clear some away and climb up. A few minutes of slow, steady upward progress happens until Muirfinn finds light! "Brave hero!" Vivantha's voice is heard from above.
<Muirfinn> "I'm alright. Where's the marilith?"
> "Buried," Vivantha says, looking down before backing up. "Thank goodness you're alive!"
> The lillend sniffles, face showing signs of tears.
* Muirfinn looks at her. "It'll take a great deal more than rocks to kill me, Vivantha. Besides. This is Ysgard. Somewhat." Muirfinn heaves a stone and tosses it aside. "That said, I doubt the demon is dead either. She will eventually make her way from here. I feel somewhat responsible for that." Muirifnn says as his form fades somewhat. His form shrinks, but is still rocky, covered in fungus and
* Muirfinn eyes. He looks at himself looking at himself looking at himself looking at himself before turning away. He raises his hands, green motes rising from the earth to suffuse him and his companions. "Shall we dig her out or leave her here?"
<Muirfinn> OOC: +4 to Strength, Contitution, & Dexterity
> Hanna's nearby, a look of relief on her face. "Sorry about that," she says, "But I wasn't confident about our chances if we played fair."
> Energy suffuses the party, Ellese hanging back a little bit. "That feels good," she adds, "What spell is it?"
* Muirfinn nods. "She was far quicker than expected, and that vampiric arm was vicious."
* Muirfinn nods to Ellese, "It is called Aura of Vitality. It fills you with the liveliness of nature for a time."
> "I-" Hanna begins, but suddenly the entire pile of rocks shudders - and starts to sink! You're on a rather large pile of rocks as you get out, ahead and below is the entrance to the chambers you sought.
* Muirfinn shifts forms again, riding the sinking pile down as a fellow rock! "She must have dug down! Let's get her!"
> "I see why she challenged a goddess," Hanna admits, "Even maimed her strength is fearsome." Hanna flies, slowly sinking down as the pile sinks! Down adn down it goes and you're falling! You fall as the heat rises, a red-gold cast overtaking everything! The rocks are floating in a sea of magma, the heat here tremendous! You're perhaps 15ft above the magma level and your fallen platform of stones is perhaps a 60ft in diameter hill. 30ft away and 10ft down is Kina-ja. Her body is torn and battered, her scimitar nowhere to be seen. Her wing-arm is grotesquely broken, hanging at a sharp angle with bone shards sticking out. She glares up with utter hatred, weakened but not out! OOC: There's heat damage each round at the start of your turn so be aware of it. Init here.

> roll 1d20+14 Vivantha
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Vivantha and gets 17." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+9 Ellese (+2 Vivantha's aura)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Ellese (+2 Vivantha's aura) and gets 21." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+14 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Hanna and gets 16." [1d20=2]
> roll 1d20+13 Kina-ja
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 Kina-ja and gets 32." [1d20=19]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+12 and gets 13." [1d20=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kina-ja(32)>Ellese(21)>Vivantha(17)>Hanna(16)>MuirfinnMiko(13)'
> Kina-ja slowly slithers 10ft ahead and 5ft up, over the difficult and broken terrain! The heat of lava slams into all of you like a mace-blow, only your superhuman natures keeping you from bursting aflame. The demon's pain-filled face twists into a snarl, a wordless cry as suddenly...
> roll 1d20+35 vs Hanna's SRD
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 vs Hanna's SRD and gets 46." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+40 (+4 vs evil)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+40 (+4 vs evil) and gets 52." [1d20=12]
> OOC: I'm sorry, no save. Wrong category.
> roll 1d20+42 vs 47
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 vs 47 and gets 61." [1d20=19]
> Suddenly Hanna is sent flying, tumbling end over end as if struck with tremendous force! She flips end over end before splashing down into the lava!
> roll 20d6-10 fire damage -10 is from resistance
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6-10 fire damage -10 is from resistance and gets 71." [20d6=1, 3, 6, 4, 6, 6, 2, 5, 3, 4, 2, 6, 6, 3, 5, 2, 5, 5, 4, 3]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kina-ja(32)>Ellese(21)>Vivantha(17)>Hanna(16 lava)>MuirfinnMiko(13)'
> A garbled scream emerges from the lava, Hanna sinking into the burning stone! OOC: Ow. Ellese.
> Ellese steps slightly back, stumbling for balance on the pile of rocks! She gestures a hand and utters a strange, symmetrical word of power! Suddenly a pea-green fog envelopes the marilith, sizzling and popping with acid! OOC: Acid Fog+5ft step, ending just before the party. Vivantha.
> "Hanna!" Vivantha calls, stepping back safely and taking to the air. She begins to sing of heroism and power, sonic energy and pure power surrounding the party! OOC: Sonic+5d6 on attacks and +4 dodge AC/save bonus to Muirfinn and Vivantha. Hanna's up.
> roll 20d6 Hanna ow
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d6 Hanna ow and gets 69." [20d6=1, 6, 3, 4, 3, 4, 2, 2, 6, 6, 2, 2, 6, 1, 4, 2, 3, 4, 2, 6]
> OOC: -10 to that.
> With a ripple, Hanna erupts out of the magma! Her axe is melting before your eyes, rills of cherry-red metal leaking like rain. Hanna's entire body is burnt red, charred black or simply burnt to the bone. Ruined wings nonetheless hold her aloft as she screams in Celestial, "LADY GWYNHARWYF!"
> roll 1d20+28 concentration
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 concentration and gets 30." [1d20=2]
> But ablaze and burning, Hanna's spell fizzles into energy! OOC: Go Muirfinn.
> roll 1d3 rounds of further 10d6 fire damage from lava
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 rounds of further 10d6 fire damage from lava and gets 1." [1d3=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kina-ja(32)>Ellese(21)>Vivantha(17)>Hanna(16 lava 10d6 1)>MuirfinnMiko(13)'
<Muirfinn> OOC: What is the distance to the marilith?
> OOC: She's 20ft away and in the middle of some acid fog.
* Muirfinn raises his hand, bringing it down sharply as pitch black hail rains from the ceiling, quickly encircling the fog. OOC: Death hail. No SR! Fort 31 for half damage
<Muirfinn> roll 1d2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
<Muirfinn> OOC: That's strength & con damage yo
> roll 1d20+29
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 and gets 30." [1d20=1]
* Kotono changes topic to 'Kina-ja(32 -2 str/con)>Ellese(21)>Vivantha(17)>Hanna(16 lava 10d6 1)>MuirfinnMiko(13)'
> Ice plunges into the acid fog, smoking as it vanishes into the depths! It does little to tame the heat coming from below, as the pile of rocks beneath you shudders, sinking deeper in! The platform is now only 50ft in diameter! Then...
> OOC: What's the CL on your spell?
> roll 1d20+20 vs acid fog
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 vs acid fog and gets 34." [1d20=14]
> roll 1d20+20 vs death hale
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 vs death hale and gets 38." [1d20=18]
<Muirfinn> OOC: 21
> The acid and hail vanish away with a soft pop, revealing Kina-ja! She slithers forward another 5ft, stumbling and coming to within 15ft Muirfin! "Not this time!" She snaps, a crazed leer coming over her face, "You'll be the ones given to the cats!" Her entire body writhes at this, like bubbles pressing against the surface of her skin from within! OOC: Ellese.
<Muirfinn> "We'll have to do it the old fashioned way then!" Muirfinn retorts.
> Ellese just stays where she is, "Acid of fog..." she breathes, as another set of acid fog appears over the marilith, once again cloaking her in corrosive vapors! "It hurts, doesn't it? The waking nightmares," she stares ahead into the fog, muttering to herself as the rocks beneath you continue to sink into the lava! OOC: Vivantha.
> Vivantha ceases her singing, going to grab Ellese and pull her up! "Brave hero, we're battling on borrowed time here!" OOC: 5 rounds on her buffs. Hanna's up.
> roll 10d6-10 fire damage to Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6-10 fire damage to Hanna and gets 24." [10d6=6, 5, 3, 3, 2, 3, 6, 2, 1, 3]
> At this point, Hanna's gear and clothes are naught but ash burnt into her skin. She hardly seems to notice as...
> roll 1d20+31 (+2 aura)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+31 (+2 aura) and gets 45." [1d20=14]
> A wave of healing magic overtakes the party! Hanna's body is restored, the burnt flesh knitting back to solidity! OOC: +200 hit points to all plus status curing if you have any negative statuses heal cures. Muirfinn.
* Muirfinn shifts into a fire elemental. "If you need to retreat, do so! Don't fear for me! This!" Punch. "Is!" Smash. "YSGARD!" Headbutt.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27-1+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37-1+2 and gets 43." [1d20=5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37-1+2 and gets 53." [1d20=15]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32-1+2 and gets 48." [1d20=15]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27-1+2 and gets 32." [1d20=4]
> OOC: Going into the acid fog?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Good Grod.
<Muirfinn> OOC: 15 foiot reach
> OOC: Okay. d100 on each since she has concealment thanks to solid fog and true seeing explicity fails against fog. Says so in it.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 61." [1d100=61]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 100." [1d100=100]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 71." [1d100=71]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 81." [1d100=81]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 64." [1d100=64]
> OOC: Two hits.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Ignore extra one
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6+2-1 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6+2-1 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6+2-1 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 74." [4d10=5, 4, 9, 3][2d6=5, 6][5d6=5, 5, 6, 1, 5]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6+2-1 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 60." [4d10=5, 6, 4, 5][2d6=2, 1][5d6=5, 5, 4, 1, 2]
> OOC: Any acid res?
<Muirfinn> OOC: NOPE
> roll 2d6 acid from going into das fog
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 acid from going into das fog and gets 5." [2d6=2, 3]
> Muirfinn's fiery limb is minorly quenched by the acid vapors as he slams and slams! He manages to catch the marilith on the side, slamming her hard! Meanwhile the rocks sink again, now your platform only 40ft in diameter! The lava's right behind Kina-ja! Then...
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 29." [1d20=9]
> But nothing happens! The demon slithers forward 5ft...OOC: This provokes an AoO if you don't mind another acid-bath on your arm.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37-1+2 and gets 40." [1d20=2]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 25." [1d100=25]
> But Muirfinn's slam is lost the fog! Meanwhile Ellese and Vivantha hold back (4 rounds on her buffs) while Hanna flies to Muirfinn's side! Waves of pure exhaustion flow out from her, basking over Kina-ja!
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 23." [1d20=3]
> But nothing happens! From the fog you hear, "Not this time!" A defiant cry as..OOC: Muirfinn, go.
* Muirfinn peers into the fog, laying into the marilith! OOC: We both forgot about True Seeing.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+37-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+32-1+2
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+27-1+2
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37-1+2 and gets 48." [1d20=10]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+37-1+2 and gets 44." [1d20=6]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+32-1+2 and gets 49." [1d20=16]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+27-1+2 and gets 32." [1d20=4]
> > OOC: Okay. d100 on each since she has concealment thanks to solid fog and true seeing explicity fails against fog. Says so in it.
<Muirfinn> OOC:  Blah
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 91." [1d100=91]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 87." [1d100=87]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d100 and gets 28." [1d100=28]
> OOC: Two htis.
> OOC: Damage?
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6-1+2 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
<Muirfinn> roll 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6-1+2 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6-1+2 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 65." [4d10=8, 3, 2, 7][2d6=2, 6][5d6=4, 4, 5, 2, 2]
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 4d10+5+14+2d6+5d6-1+2 holy damage + sonic damage, plus 1 Con damage each hit. Counts as magic/good/bludgeoning/silver and gets 82." [4d10=10, 1, 9, 10][2d6=6, 5][5d6=3, 6, 6, 3, 3]
> Muirfinn strikes into the fog! The marilith stumbles back, as again more stones sink down! It's only 30ft in diameter now, Kina-ja at the very bleeding edge! Her broken tail dangles an inch above magma as she screams! A scream of pure, unearthly annoyance. "No...no..nonononononononono! Why can't I make my vision a reality?! Why do you still dog me, Sharess?!" Her voice becomes little more than an animal's baying, as abruptly she pulls a piercing from her body. There is a sick, meaty sound. All around Kina-ja reality itself is cut! For a moment blue arcane fire gushes from things, before a massive burst rocks everything here! OOC: Reflex saves, y'all.
> roll 1d20+37 Vivantha (also counts as Ellese's sinces he's in no position to dodge)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+37 Vivantha (also counts as Ellese's sinces he's in no position to dodge) and gets 50." [1d20=13]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30-1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+30-1 and gets 35." [1d20=6]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Evasion
> roll 1d20+33 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+33 Hanna  and gets 40." [1d20=7]
> OOC: Evasion isn't relevant here.
> A scream. A scream not in Kina-ja's voice, but in a genderless voice. It's a pure expression of pain that competes with the marilith's howl. Before you is a black gash, Kina-ja and several rocks falling into it! OOC: K:P here real quick, y'all.
> roll 1d20+29 Hanna
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 Hanna and gets 41." [1d20=12]
> roll 1d20+28 Ellese
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 Ellese and gets 46." [1d20=18]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+22
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+22 and gets 34." [1d20=12]
> This is not good. Kina-ja somehow cut directly into the fabric of Ysgard, slicing out a hole. It opened a psudeo-portal to...somewhere. From the looks of it nowhere good at all. This will be a bleeding wound that will not heal and could destabilize this area of Ysgard if not reversed. You're also at risk of being sucked into it, wheverever it goes, though a bit of a retreat should take you out of range. Whatever she did is fearsomely potent magic, almost certainly beyond the nine mortal circles. OOC: Free act for the moment, since Kina-ja bailed.
* Muirfinn reverts to his natural form, blasting at the rip with a dispelling spell! OOC: GDM
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+20 and gets 22." [1d20=2]
<Muirfinn> OOC: FUCK
> The dispel magic seems to do nothing, as Ellese calls, "Back! Back!" Her voice is high-pitched, "Nightmares are there!" She lapses into screaming, Vivantha frantically flapping back. Lava is sucked in, the orange glow it provides fading as it comes closer to the darkness. Hanna flies back as well for the moment, pointing at it as a thin green line comes from her finger towards the portal!
> roll 1d20 touch AC first of all
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch AC first of all and gets 11." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 31." [1d20=11]
> The beam hits the portal but nothing happens! Meanwhile the rocks below Muirfinn sink deeper, only 20ft of them left! He's right by the edge of the lava now, close to taking a bath in the burning liquid! Meanwhile the portal continues to pull! OOC: Ref, Muirfin.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+28-1
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+28-1 and gets 35." [1d20=8]
> Muirfin holds his balance, resisting the pull! "Muirfinn, get away from that!" Hanna calls, "You don't want to go where that goes!"
> OOC: Act.
* Muirfinn quickly steps back and away, moving back to Hanna and beyond. "An excellent point." OOC: Moving 300 feet away.
> OOC: Can you fly in your natural form?
> OOC: Since, y'know, in a collapsing and sinking pile of rocks in the middle of a lava sea right now.
<Muirfinn> OOC: I can be a gold dragon!
> OOC: By all means be so.
> OOC: Just do so IC real quick.
* Muirfinn shifts into the form of a gold dragon, wings flapping to take him away from the rent in reality.
> The party falls well back of the rip. Hanna covers her bosom with her folded arms, looking piqued more than anything else. It lapses into a sigh, "My options are limited with everything I brought with me lost to that lava," she says tiredly, "If you have spare clothing on you, I'd be grateful."
> Vivantha flies over and gives Hanna cover, "What was that? I thought you couldn't make portals here."
* Muirfinn shrugs, peering at the non-portal. "I have no idea."
> "It's a tear in Ysgard. That's horrible magic," Hanna says, staring ahead at it. "I'm afraid we may not be able to seal it ourselves as it stands. Muirfinn, did you bring a bag of holding with you? If not, we need to retreat to Aurora and come back prepared. If not, falling back may be best anyway so we can return and fix this with the proper tools and people."
<Muirfinn> "I have my pack. It's similar to a bag of holding."
<Muirfinn> "But not as good."
> "Let's at least fly back up?" Hanna says, "In case that rip expands and blocks us down here." She sighs again, "That spear and plate we picked up were in my bag of holding. They weren't destroyed with the bag, but they're floating somewhere in the Astral along with everything else in it. Retreiving them might be possible with the right divinations, but it's also not the most pressing matter."
> "Please," Vivantha adds, shifting Ellese in her arms, "Holding up someone and flying this long is a strain."
<Muirfinn> "I can carry her." Muirfinn points out.
> Ellese is quickly deposited on Muirfinn's draconic back. "Thank you, brave hero," Vivantha momentarily smiles, darting back to provide Hanna cover.
> "Don't bother," Hanna pats Vivantha on her shoulder, "There's more important things to do than my modesty. I can try another dimensional anchor, but I'm not hopeful after the first one didn't achieve anything. I can't manage to call on Lady Gwynharwyf's direct intervention right now, either."
> Ellese crawls to Muirfinn's neck, leaning forward to be close to his ear. She whispers, "The nightmares are in there. The ones you don't remember but wake up screaming from. The ones you can't remember because it makes you realize that everything's ad ream and I'm still chained up and waiting for Master like a good dog," Her breath quickens, "Do something so I won't wake up, please!"
* Muirfinn narrows his eyes. "Relax, Ellese. You're already awake. But whether that's a portal to the plane of nightmares of a gate to the far realm, it still needs to be closed. Go ahead and try again, Hanna."
> Hanna flies closer, still staying back. She concentrates and points to it, a green ray coming forth!
> roll 1d20 touch AC again
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 touch AC again and gets 16." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 31." [1d20=11]
> But again nothing happens. Hanna quickly retreats back, "Nothing," she repeats, "Id on't think a dimensional anchor is strong enough. Perhaps a dimensional lock might help, otherwise I'd look into a wish spell or a miracle."
> This draws a whimper from Ellese, hugging Muirfinn's neck.
> "If it was the Far Realm, we'd have company." Hanna says with a hint of steel in her voice, "Trust me on that."
* Muirfinn grumbles. "We'll have to come back then. I;m not prepared for this."
> OOC: Going to fall back then?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Looks like it. Alas, cheating wench.
> OOC: Do you have anything poor Hanna can wear?
<Muirfinn> OOC: She can have my robe when I'm not Trogdor anymore.
> OOC: Okay. More.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 37." [1d100=37]
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 84." [1d100=84]
> The trip back up is mercifully boring. With the opposition already cleared yo ureach your entry point with just a long walk back. The party's subdued. Hanna's lost in her own thoughts, a scowl on her face more often than not. Ellese is quiet, keeping near Vivantha, who murmurs soothing words to her. As you reach the point, "The question is," Hanna speaks up, "Who's best suited to closing this sort of rip?"

<Muirfinn> "Well, that is the question, isn't it? Moreover, HOW is a better question. Let's ask our resident arcane experts."
> "That'll do," Hanna agrees as the other two stay quiet, "Nothing seemed to be coming out of it. Truth be told, I'm not sure if that's good or bad."
<Muirfinn> "LEt's chalk it up as good and hope it stays that way until we get back.
<Muirfinn> "
> From there, a simple Gate spell back brings the party from deep in Nidavellr to Air. Vivantha gently detaches from the party, wanting to go help Ellese for a bit. This leaves Hanna and Muirfinn to track down the experts. You find two of them in the library. Elder Magi Tepen and Sylvie are sitting opposite each other, a table full of papers and books between them. As you approach you can hear, "...megafauna or not," Sylvie shakes her head, arms crossed beneath her chest. "Besides, routinely culling megafauna has undisputable benefits in materials. Those who participate in the cullings gain directly useful training in relating to the elimination of megafauna, creating another valuable resource. The work they do would have to be well compensated, further adding to the wealthy classes and spurring along economic development." Meanwhile, a little bit away, Dana lies slumped in a chair. A book covers her face but doesn't quite drown out her light snores.
> "That's the problem," Elder Magi Tepen waggles a finger, "How many are lost from the recurring struggles against the megafauna? What happens when mistakes are made? The price in life isn't worth the benefits. Elimination of megafauna is preferable when possible. Not only are there less deaths, but there is greater stability without giant creatures rampaging about the countryside."
<Muirfinn> "Unless you can turn them to your side." Muirfinn helpfully interjects.
> "That's out of bounds," Sylvie interjects, "We're arguing in theory."
* Muirfinn shrugs. "We have a practical question for you."
> "Muirfinn, I heard you lead another group out today," Elder Magi Tepen speaks up at this, "Was it successful?"
> "By all means," Sylvie sits back, "You already interrupted us anyway, though I don't think either of us was going to win that one."
<Muirfinn> "We were fighting Kina-ja, a marilith of legend, earlier today. Instead of dying like any sensible being, she ripped a hole into...somewhere. I'm unsure where. Some great dark beyond. We were unable to close the rift."
> "Arguments over acceptable losses and deaths are seldom conclusive," Tepen concludes with a faint smile, "Since ultimately you get bogged down in arguing over what acceptable losses are and all the permutations relating to it. Go on." After that he listens, "Tell us more about it."
> "That's the one from one of the Lost Lore of the Abyss tomes," Sylvie perks up, "She went after Sharess and got the bad end of it?"
> "That's the one," Hanna slowly rubs her temples, "I hate to say it, but the legends are accurate. She's a damned powerful warrior. I'd hate to see her at her full health instead of looking like a mishmash of fleshcraft."
<Muirfinn> "I should say so. She looks like she'd been lost a vicious fight with a meat grinder, and quite mad to boot. " Muirfinn says to Sylvie. To Tepen, "Well, Beyond its attempts to pull us in at range, there's not much to tell. None of us were willing to get close to it."
> roll 1d20+35 Tepen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 Tepen and gets 38." [1d20=3]
> roll 1d20+72 Sylvie (+20 cunning knowledge)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+72 Sylvie (+20 cunning knowledge) and gets 89." [1d20=17]
> A low whistle comes from Sylvie, "That rings a bell. Was the area dimensionalled sealed, anchored and otherwise opaque to teleportation magic?"
<Muirfinn> "Indeed."
> "This will take some background," Sylvie says, "You know how teleportation works? In short, you touch the Astral and use it to instantaneous move to another location." Gesturing in the air, as if creating diagrams unseen, "The art of teleportation is rather uncertain unless you throw enough power at it to prevent any chance of failure. It's why plane shift and teleport are imprecise and prone to mishaps. Now it's said every once in a million that something goes catastrophically wrong with a teleport. You don't just end up off target, you end up somehow passing into somewhere wholly different. Lore on it is extremely sketchy but from my own experiences, I'm fairly certain it's the Far Realm. In essence, your teleport went so wrong that you slipped out of Creation altogether." Pausing to clear her throat, "Pardon. I've heard that a few mad wizards," Here she stops and shrugs, "Mad wizards can mean anything from just that to insane demons to devoted cultists, but I digress. Do you follow me so far?"
<Muirfinn> Frowning, Muirfinn nods. "I am."
> "I am," Hanna confirms, while Tepen nods.
> "The point is that someone took that and got inspired. They found a way to replicate that punching without even touching the Astral. Don't ask me how. I'd need to see the spell to even begin to guess, since it violates several rules of dimensional travel. The spell causes a localized event identical to that failed mishap. It's extremely traumatic to where ever you cast it and causes a rift. I presume that it's more controlled that just opening up a quick portal to the Far Realm and has some measure of control. Since it doesn't rely on traditional teleportation mechanics, it bypasses most forms of dimensional lockdown. It's a good escape tactic from what I understand. All this assumes the spell exists, since you can never be sure with lore, but this might be confirmation of it."
<Muirfinn> "Well, if she's in the Far Realm, I'm fine with leaving her there. We just need to close the portal."
> "If she has, the natives likely finished with her already," Sylvie shrugs, "I'd be more concerned about one opening. Opening a portal to the Far Realm on an Outer Plane gets the attention of every deity on it. The nature of the Far Realm is inherently incompatible with Creation and causes effects that are impossible to ignore. Logic and everything we understand breaks down before it."
* Muirfinn nods. "We can likely expect Ysgardian company when we return then."
> A full shudder passes through Sylvie, stopping her for a few seconds before she continues, "I'd like to go see it. The last time I went to the Far Realm, I ended up temporarily seeing time in a non-linear fashion. I'd rather try and stop it than risk it happening to someone else."
> "As would I," Elder Magi Tepen speaks up, "Sage Vul'lath as well. The three of us together should be sufficient if it can be closed within the nine circles."
* Muirfinn nods. "Prepare accordingly, we'll leave tomorrow. We need to recover."
> "Good luck," Hanna says, "I'm going to go see about getting some divinations done. I might be able to salvage my bag's contents if I'm lucky."
> OOC: Ready to skip along now?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yessir!
> The night passes without interruption. The next morning Muirfinn finds the trio awaiting him. They're chatting amid themselves, breaking it off as Muirfinn meets up with them. "Oh," Elder Magi Tepen greets you, "Good morning. Hanna passed by recently and wanted to let you know she had some success with her divination efforts. She's going with Balyss and Ithea to attempt to salvage her things."
* Muirfinn nods. "Hopefully she can get everything back. Shall we go then?" OOC: Assuming
<Muirfinn> OOC: Gah
<Muirfinn> OOC: Assuming Vivantha and Ellese are still doing their thing?
> OOC: Yes.
> OOC: Going to open a Gate+travel back?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yes please
> The trip back is without incident. You go past the halls and the springs, getting a fair few looks from Sylvie and Tepen. The former speaks up as you hop past a small hot spring, "There's a beauty to this all," she says, "It's quite exotic."
> Sage Vul'lath keeps his peace, focusing on maintaning a good pace instead of chattering.
> "I'm not partial to caverns, but this does manage to be alluring," Elder Magi Tepen agrees, glancing over to Muirfinn, "How does it strike you?"
<Muirfinn> "Oh yes. The natural beauty of it was not lost on us. Unfortunately, we had a few run ins with," Muirifnn pulls a solid adamantine spear from his quiver. "these, a bone monstrosity, a completely expected horde of Ysgardian warriors, and the marilith."
> "Troublesome," Sylvie murmurs, hopping over another spring, turning to walk backwards and chat as you go on. The conversation meanders along with your path, the forest offering no resistance this time. You soon come to the previous battleground, a hole in the floor where the collapse from above plummeted. It's rocky going to go over it and there's a gaping hole in the ceiling.
<Muirfinn> "Please allow me to go first. If there is still lave, I may be able to deal with it."
> "Of course," Sage Vul'lath says, "But we have means of flight prepared as a matter of course."
* Muirfinn nods, heading in as his form elongates into that of a wrymling gold dragon.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Still medium sized!
<Muirfinn> OOC: They're fuckin big.
> Muirfinn goes down. The rip is still down there, the heat from the lava below slamming into him. Oh yes, there's still a huge sea of lava below. That hasn't magically vanished or anything. The bottom of the portal dips into the lava, but a crust of semi-solid stone has formed around it.
* Muirfinn peers about, looking for anything that may heve decided to journey through.
> OOC: Spot.
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+46
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+46 and gets 65." [1d20=19]
> Nothing awry is about. Just the bubbles and burbles of the lava sea below you.
<Muirfinn> OOC: Assuming True Seeing reveals nothing.
> OOC: Yes.
* Muirfinn waves the other three down, shouting, "Looks good!"
> The three come down on the wings of magic, "That's it?" Elder Magi Tepen asks. The trio stays back and away from the suction, "Do mind if we take a look?"
<Muirfinn> "Just do not get to oclose."
> Sage Vul'lath squints and puts a hand over his eyes, "No color," he murmurs, "It's not a black color pool, it's a lack of color altogether."
<Muirfinn> OOC: Blah, close
> "I think so too," Sylvie banters back, staying away but studying it from afar. She mutters a few arcane words and traces patterns in the air, her eyes glowing blue once she's done. Vul'lath and Tepen follow suit, the latter the first one to speak. "Do you notice that?" Tepen frowns as he squints to peer ahead, "The immutability?"
> "Yes," Sage Vul'lath nods ever so slightly, "It's not undergoing entropic degredation, or is going on such a small scale that it's inperceptable."
> "Theory time, but if it's a violation of the rules, perhaps it doesn't naturally heal because it can't? The plane can't heal the wound because it's outside of what it can process?" Sylvie hmms to herself, "Maybe?"
> "I don't think so," Tepen glances at Sylvie, "Planes naturally re-assert what they are to themselves. It takes a lot to change that, such as divine will."
<Muirfinn> "While powerful, I doubt Kina-ja was divine."
> "Agreed," Sage Vul'lath rumbles low in his chest, before frowning with a sour look. "It could be that this manner of rift is simply anti-entropic, has been buoyed with permanency magic or otherwise enhanced. I don't think it's immediatly relevant to solving it."
> Sylvie sighs, "Unfortunately. I was hoping ot get more, but studying it is like studying a blank slate. There's just not much there. I'm fairly confident nothing could come through, it looks one way. Past that?" The blonde shrugs her shoulders. "We'll run a gamut of dimensional magic, a wish and even 21 if you want."
* Muirfinn nods. "If it changes, I'll do my best to keep anything that manages to claw its way through away from you."
> "We'll start with a dimensional lock," Elder Magi Tepen cracks his knuckles, "I doubt it will work with what we know, but it's a good place to start." With this, Sage Vul'lath casts! "Ten of salt and seven of iron, offered to the circle of the eighth! Bar the open path to the towers of paradise!" Elder Magi Tepen chants, as inter-locked magic circles appear benath the tear! A shimmering green sphere surrounds it...
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 32." [1d20=12]
> But nothing happens! The green sphere fizzles out. "As I expected," Elder Magi Tepen says, "I'll try a Wish next. Muirfinn, would you be beneath me in case I fall?"
> "You know," Sylvie glances at Elder Magi Tepen, "Where did you learn that particular chant?"
> "It's the one common on Lifasa," He remarks, "The eighth circle of magic, not Baator. I've come to finely appreciate the ease it could be mistaken for otherwise, considering the second verse of the chant."
* Muirfinn nods along. "I've heard similar chants from back then."
> After a small nod to Muirfinn, "Now," Elder Magi Tepen bows his head, beginning to whisper. What he chants is unheard, but a magic circle appears above and beneath him! They interlink with strands of silver energy, whirling all around the archmage! Suddenly he raises his voice, "Now close!" he bellows!
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 32." [1d20=12]
> But nothing happens! The green sphere fizzles out. "As I expected," Elder Magi Tepen says, "I'll try a Wish next. Muirfinn, would you be beneath me in case I fall?"
> "You know," Sylvie glances at Elder Magi Tepen, "Where did you learn that particular chant?"
> "It's the one common on Lifasa," He remarks, "The eighth circle of magic, not Baator. I've come to finely appreciate the ease it could be mistaken for otherwise, considering the second verse of the chant."
* Muirfinn nods along. "I've heard similar chants from back then."
> After a small nod to Muirfinn, "Now," Elder Magi Tepen bows his head, beginning to whisper. What he chants is unheard, but a magic circle appears above and beneath him! They interlink with strands of silver energy, whirling all around the archmage! Suddenly he raises his voice, "Now close!" he bellows!
> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 39." [1d20=19]
> There is a hideous tearing sound from the rift! Bleeding purple lines appear all over it, throbbing like infected boils! They bulge out further and further, before the portal tears itself apart! It shatters into black essence, dissolving when it hits the lava below!
* Muirfinn shifts beneath the lava, making sure it's gone.
> Going into the lava, your draconic body unburnt by even the hottest touch, you can detect no traces of it.
> "It worked," Sage Vul'lath says, "Interesting. I had not expected it to so easily."
* Muirfinn surfaces. "Looks like it's gone!"
> "Good. Now isn't there a treasure hoard nearby," Sylvie stretches and rights herself in the air, "From what I heard, isn't what's ahead the entire point of your efforts lately?"
<Muirfinn> "Indeed it is. Hanna had her bag of holding, which was supposed to assist us in the transport of our find. Let's go see it anyway."
> "I have one," Sylvie pipes up, "It'll do." Going up, you go to where Kina-ja was before. Inside is more black basalt, veined with golden pyrite. The far wall has a large, circular door set into it, deeply carved into. It looks like something tried to bash and slice nito it, but to no avail.
> "Must be more to it," Sylvie pipes up, "Some sort of seal if she went to that much trouble to bash through?"
<Muirfinn> "Well thankfully she wasn't able to get in." Muirfinn says, picking at the marks with a golden claw.
> They're rather big. From the looks of it, her scimitar did some of them. When you get close enough to look closely, you can see an intact keyhole in the center.
<Muirfinn> "Oh, here we are. A keyhole. Well. I lack a key." Muirfinn grumbles.
> "You...don't have a key." Sage Vul'lath says, staring at Muirfinn, before gently facepalming with one hand. "You came all this way and didn't bring a key."
> "Do you have any  magic to work earth or stone?" Elder Magi Tepen ignores that in the meanwhile, "It may work. The stone wasn't warded to be indestructable at least."
<Muirfinn> "Now Vul'lath, that would have made things FAR too easy." Muirfinn responds with a draconic grin. He nods at Tepen, shifting back. "Now that you mention it, yes. Allow me a moment." Muirfinn chants, holding the Leaf of Yggdrasil aloft and crushing a stone in his hand. With that, the earth rises up around him, encircling his legs in an unrestricting embrace. He points at the stone. "You shall be
<Muirfinn> as mud!" OOC: Undermaster. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
> OOC: Stone to mud?
<Muirfinn> OOC Xmute Rock to Mud
> The wall before you becomes mud! For a moment it maintains its shape, before tumbling down in a tsunami of mud at the party! OOC: Ref saves, y'all. It's a mudslide!
> roll 1d20+18 Tepen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 Tepen and gets 24." [1d20=6]
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+30 lawl
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+30 lawl and gets 45." [1d20=15]
> roll 1d20+41 (+14 cunning insight) Sylvie evasion
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+41 (+14 cunning insight) Sylvie evasion and gets 57." [1d20=16]
> roll 1d20+17 Vul'lath
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 Vul'lath and gets 23." [1d20=6]
> OOC: Evasion, Muirfinn?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yep
> Muirfinn is fast, shifting into his baby dragon form and doging UP! Sylvie leaps up and hangs from his neck, avoiding the mudflow with him! The two gentlemen are not so fast, swept back by a tide of mud! They're taken out to the door but not past it, drenched in mud and flat on their backs!
> OOC: Gah.
> Muirfinn is fast, shifting into his baby dragon form and doging UP! Sylvie leaps up and hangs from his neck, avoiding the mudflow with him! The two gentlemen are not so fast, swept back by a tide of mud! They're taken out to the door but not past it, drenched in mud and flat on their backs! Beyond the wall of mud you see a gap followed by a narrow hall, leading to a lit room. It's well lit and you can see a metal figure standing within.
* Muirfinn gently pulls the men from the mud after he touches back down. "Everyone alright?"
> Elder Magi Tepen mouths simple arcane words, the mud around himself and then Vul'lath vanishing away. Said Sage stands and dusts himself off, "Let us not speak of this again." he says.
* Muirfinn snorts.
> Dropping off as Muirfinn descends, Sylvie follows along. "Sorry," she says, "Didn't react fast enough to get anyone else out of the way."
<Muirfinn> "And I didn't think that it would happen so fast. My apologies."
> "Let's go on," Sylvie suggests, "We're probably almost there."
* Muirfinn walks in, talons clicking on the stone.

> You head into the next room, your allies close behind. The next room is rather like the last, only fairly smaller. The back wall is another set door, but standing before it is a man of metal. It waits without moving and speaks once the party has entered the room. "What lies absolute and will never break?" It asks, a toneless, dry voice coming from the creature.
<Muirfinn> "Hmmm..." Muirfinn turns to confer lowly with the others. "The fitst thing that comes to mind is 'the truth.' What do you think?"
> "It sounds good," Sylvie says, "Though riddles are always a bit of a guessing game."
> Sage Vul'lath frowns, "Let us be on guard in case failure is harshly punished."
* Muirfinn turns to the figure. "The truth!"
> There is no immediate reply. For a few moments there is silence before the golem speaks again, "You may pass. No harm will come to you," The golem steps aside, the door ahead creaking ajar.
> Sylvie whispers low, "He's lying," she adds quickly.
> "Hmph," Sage Vul'lath mutters that but nothing else, staring ahead for the moment.
* Muirfinn glances at Sylvie. "Golems can lie?"
> "Apparently." Sylvie retorts quickly, "It's probably just acting off a command older than we are."
> Elder Magi Tepen nods to the golem, keeping his voice low, "Be that as it may, we still have to deal with the current problem."
<Muirfinn> "Golem! Will you attempt to harm us if we attempt to pass through that door?"
> There is no reply to that question.
<Muirfinn> "Well, let's find out." Muirfinn says, skirting warily around the golem.
> OOC: Advancing ahead?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Attempting to!
> The party advances on! The door opens to a long hall with another circular door set into the wall on the other side. Yet once the party gets in, the door behind you slams shut!
> "Expected," Sylvie wrinkles her nose, dropping into a tense battle stance, fists at the ready. "So now what?" she quickly glances around.
> "Trouble," Sage Vul'lath intones, "Doubtless some inferior attempt to send us to our deaths."
* Muirfinn looks around. "I am curious as to what they will send against us now."
> OOC: You have true seeing, right?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Yessir!
> Muirfinn can see invisible gasses seeping from the walls, rapidly spreading out the entire chamber.
<Muirfinn> "We're being gassed." Muirfinn says. Don't know what it is, but it's coming from the walls. Ideas?"
<Muirfinn> "We're being gassed." Muirfinn says. "Don't know what it is, but it's coming from the walls. Ideas?"
> "Gas!" Sylvie cries, "I see it too."
> "Can you open the door ahead or behind us?" Elder Magi Tepen asks quickly.
<Muirfinn> "I can certainly try!" Muirfinn says, shifting back and brandishing a wand! OOC: Crumble!
<Muirfinn> roll 10d8 damage to that wall go
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 10d8 damage to that wall go and gets 44." [10d8=5, 3, 4, 2, 2, 7, 3, 4, 6, 8]
> The door the way you came and the wall around it crumble into hunks of stone! Fresh air races in, even as the gas begins to effect the party! OOC: Fort saves, y'all. +4 bonus since it's being diluted even as you save.
> OOC: This is a poison effect.
> roll 1d20+35 Sylvie
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 Sylvie and gets 40." [1d20=5]
<Muirfinn> OOC: Immune!
> OOC: +4 to hers.
> roll 1d20+19 Tepen
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 Tepen and gets 30." [1d20=11]
> roll 1d20+19 Vul'lath
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 Vul'lath and gets 36." [1d20=17]
> OOC: And Tepen's immune to ability damage/drain anyway.
> The party resists the gas as it tapers off. It soon disperses out, around the golem who watches impassively.
* Muirfinn points the wand at the inward wall as well!
> After a few coughs, "Damn," Sylvie waves a hand in front of her face, "I don't even smell anything, do you? Scentless, invisible gas? Sneaky."
> Sage Vul'lath looks untroubled, "A fair gambit," he agrees, "One I will make my own, I think. Knockout gas is highly underrated."
<Muirfinn> roll 10d8 MOAR WALLZ
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 10d8 MOAR WALLZ and gets 41." [10d8=6, 8, 1, 8, 2, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6]
> OOC: Same wall or the one ahead?
<Muirfinn> OOC: One ahead
> The wall ahead crumbles! Ahead you can see it - the glitter of gold! A vast chamber is ahead! Sitting in the center is a four post bed, grand and with gauzy curtains hanging from it. On it and all around are piles of coins. A set of armor rests against one wall, while boxes and chests are all over. A string of pearls sits atop one chest, catching Muirfinn's eye. There's a section with several paintings and tapestries hanging, and in one corner is a pile of weapons. Treasures of all types just sit ahead, awaiting!
<Muirfinn> "Ah." Muirifnn places his wand away. "There we are."
> "Finally," Sylvie says, "Congratulations." Ahead you can see so much, an entire vast chamber of treasure! OOC: Loot post.
> "Quite a hoard," Elder Magi Tepen slowly walks to the treasure room but not in. "Mm, Baleruk sent you to fetch this, as I recall?"
<Muirfinn> "Oh yes. He did." Muirfinn says, stepping into the chamber. "I imagine he
<Muirfinn> OOC: Fuck
<Muirfinn> "Oh yes. He did." Muirfinn says, stepping into the chamber. "I imagine he'll be pleased to see all of this. Granted, he didn't precisely say WHAT he wanted out of it all."
> "He's a dragon. I imagine he wants all of it. That's what dragons do," Sylvie advances in after Muirfinn steps in. She veers towards a stack of books, "It would be a shame to let these go unread and tossed in his hoard, though," she murmurs, taking the top one and glancing at the cover.
> Sage Vul'lath goes about, settling in before a small stack of...cheese wheels? He kneels before one and sniffs, "Hm." Shaking his head, he meanders over to the paintings and takes a look.
> Elder Magi Tepen goes and picks up a silver ankh necklace, holding it to examine, "This strikes me as no more as the shiny and valuable things from a lifetime of hoarding," he remarks.
> "Dragons," Sylvie puts the book down, "It's in some archaic language I don't know," she announces, "It looks like some warped variant of Common, so it's likely from one of the mortal worlds."
> Going to sit on the bed, Elder Magi Tepen speaks. No sound happens - which causes him to frown, pushing aside the curtains and then saying, "I think there's sorcery about this bed. That aside, I've seen several local flavors of Common in Aurora's library. Is that one particularly onerous?"
> "It has some forms from the tongues of the chaotic planes, along with grammar rules from Elven. It's a mess," Sylvie sighs, "Along with a bunch of unique words." Slowly she rubs her temple, "A comprehend language spell should deal with it. I'd just like to know how that mixing came about in the first place."
* Muirfinn lifts a book, turns it sideways, and snorts. "Tepen, this one should please you."
> "Oh yes," Sage Vul'lath speaks up, a hint of amusement momentarily on his face, "Save the cheese for Afina. I hear Balyss is trying to put weight onto her."
> "What book is it?" Elder Magi Tepen comes up, as Sylvie follows. She glances over at Vul'lath, "You heard about that? I didn't think Balyss was spreading that around."
* Muirfinn tosses the book of women to Tepen.
> "She consulted with me about pixie biology," Sage Vul'lath replies, "As well as the biology, what loosely exists for them, of creatures from Fire." His face slips back into sourness.
> Tepen takes it and flips it open, looking down with a bit of amusement before closing it. "Ahem. This isn't suitable for mixed company." he says, giving the book back to Muirfinn.
> "It's not like I don't see my own every time I look down," Sylvie adds in with an eyeroll, "If there's one thing that's constant in Creation, it's that men are obsessed with viewing the female body."
> "Nevertheless," Elder Magi Tepen clears his throat, coughing into his hand. "The follies and folibles of our biological urges are best put aside." Looking about with a sweep of the Staff of Vithos, "It's going to take several trips, even with bags of holding."
* Muirfinn sets the book aside with a shrug. He lifts a wad of silk, holding it up and letting it unfurl. He turns it left and right. "...Canderella." He sets it aside. "Not all men."
* Muirfinn picks up a blackened skull. "...I think this belongs to an ultroloth?"
> "She's a succubus," Sylvie crosses her arms, looking rather unamused, "Fine, all straight men." Sylvie comes over, "It looks like it." Her expression furrows, "Doubtless useful in various vile rituals or to make a Darkskull."
> "It would make a powerful Darkskull," Sage Vul'lath says from his study of the paintings, "Getting the skull of an ultroloth requires more than slaying one, since the bodies of outsiders usually dissolve on death."
<Muirfinn> "I'm straight." Muirfinn says idly.
* Muirfinn tosses the skull to Vul'lath. "Yours if you want it."
> Elder Magi Tepen wanders off, soon coming to a stop. Before him is a vast emerald, sitting on the ground. It's gigantic, resembling a large ball more than a gemstone. "Mystra's Weave," Tepen breathes, "This is worth...!"
> Vul'lath catches it and puts it down, "I have little use for a darkskull. Knowing Aurora's bend, it will likely be destroyed."
* Muirfinn looks at Tepen. "What is...Great Mothers ghost." Muirfinn says, staring at the massive emerald.
> Sylvie walks up to it, taps it with her knuckles and stares. "Fuck." she says quietly, "That's glass or magically colored quartz, I bet."
> roll 1d20+30
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 and gets 42." [1d20=12]
<Muirfinn> "No way, I've seen emeralds before in the sea."
<Muirfinn> "That's got to be real."
> Sage Vul'lath comes over and gives it a look, peering in so his nose presses against it. After several moments of this, "I won't be certain without the proper tools, but it appears to be real emerald. It's as real as you or I."
> This gets Sylvie to go plop against a wall, "Intellectually I know I'm wearing more than what it likely costs in magical equipment," she says after a few moments, "But it's like getting gold marks before the novelty of being rich wears off."
> "Marks?" Sage Vul'lath asks as he studies the gem some more, rubbing the back of his hand against it.
> "Gold coins. It's the local where I'm from," Sylvie explains quickly, "It's just damned impressive to see something like this."
> "Still," Elder Magi Tepen speaks up now, "We'll be at this for days. Let's begin this rather than studying our own windfall?"
* Muirfinn nods. "Let's." With that, he sets up a small ritual. OOC: Casting Elemental Swarm for extra hands.
> OOC: Okay, gathering and bringing loot back is going to be a bunch of drudgework, but nothing that needs to be covered IC. It'll take some days since there's just so much and you have to walk well over an hour to reach the hoard and then to the escape point. Going to visit Baleruk before you bring it back, anything else notable or just going to focus on getting the loot back?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Assemble the loot first, then deal with the dragon.
> OOC: Going to go alone or bring anyone with you?
<Muirfinn> OOC: Let's bring Kascha and Vivantha.
> With that, the three go to visit Baleruk. He sits on his hoard, simply waiting this time. Nothing is awry, nothing's going on. But when you arrive, "At last, you have succeeded!" He announces, as much a question as a proclaimation.
> Kascha follows, her book tucked under her arm. Vivantha is at Muirfinn's side.
<Muirfinn> "Indeed we have." Muirfinn responds placidly, pulling a scroll out of his pack. "We have taken the time to put together an itemized list."
> "Excellent. You will give IT TO ME!" Baleruk's voice rises, "I have heard the sun and stars WHISPER about it!"
> Kascha stays respectfully quiet, nodding along in the right places.
* Muirfinn walks over and hands it to Baleruk.
> The list is taken, and seemingly read in a glance. "EXCELLENT!" Baleruk bellows, "Bring me the treasures immediately!"
> As the dragon-god looms over you, peering down after reading the list in an instant, "Courage," Vivantha murmurs under her breath, a hand going to rest on Muirfinn's arm.
<Muirfinn> "Well," With a not to Vivantha, "You do recall how the rules of Aurora work, correct?"
<Muirfinn> OOC: Nod
> Baleruk's head comes down, one giant eye level with Muirfinn's head. The eye narrows as it swirls a rainbow of colors. It is as if an entire mountain of menacing dragon is glaring at him and only him! "Yes?" Baleruk asks, quite calmly.
> "Eeeek!" Kascha hops back, dropping her book as she does. She quickly darts forward and gets it, going back in a tizzy of wings and stumbling feet.
<Muirfinn> "Excellent." Muirfinn smiles, replying with equal calm. "As you may recall, there were several people involved in this venture. All of them risked life, limb, and in a few cases permanent transportation to the Far Realm. They all deserve an equal and well-earned share of this haul. It is quite vast. I understand a dragon's perogative. Remember in the past that we have given you great boons.
<Muirfinn> Including this great emerald cavern you reside in." OOC: MORE
* Muirfinn leans over and points at the scroll held in the dragon's claw. "Now, Kascha, Vivantha, Canderella, Ellese, Hanna, Elder Magi Tepen, Sage Vul'lath, Sylvie, and myself all have as much of a right to this haul as yourself does. The only question is: How shall we divide it to the satisfaction of all involved."
> OOC: Make a diplomacy check, Muirfin?
<Muirfinn> roll 1d20+39
* Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+39 and gets 53." [1d20=14]
> That unblinking rainbow eye stares at Muirfinn the entire time. It is like a physical force, raw and oppressive against him. It's like standing against an entire raging ocean! The two stay eye-locked for a time with Baleruk finally breaking it by saying, "You DARE?" Baleruk thunders, the entire lair shaking like a leaf! This earthquake lasts long enough to send gold coins cllittering-clattering to the ground before it ceases. Suddenly he's calm again, "What is your counter-offer then?"
<Muirfinn> Knowing full well that he is likely the only being that could possible outwrestle Baleruk on the Aurora, Muirfinn remains eerily calm. "It's not a measure of disrespect. Remember that, Baleruk. We have always got on what I thougth was quite well. I'd hardly throw that friendship away for a stack of gold. Know that I believe that instead everyone should get their fair share. Everyone. Including
<Muirfinn> you."
<Muirfinn> "After all, without your knowledge, we'd still be empty-handed."
> More silence until, "Very well," Baleruk finally says, "It is what I agreed to before. Have you a total for the treasure yet?"
<Muirfinn> "Of course. It's on the other side of the list."
<Muirfinn> OOC: I'm assuming that we've valued everything.
> OOC: Yes. That's where you come in. Congratulations, you get to add everything up!
<Muirfinn> OOC: Hurray!
> OOC: We'll pause here since it's all adding things up then figuring out who's going to get what.

---Part 1 of the Coda, complete!---

---Level up!---

---See you in 057, Coda part 2!---