Safe and secure? Check. Your own rooms? Check. No danger now? Also check. For Tryll and Calleigh, life is unusually good. A pleasant afternoon is passing when Elena appears, "Hi," she says without preamble, "You were curious about psionic items?"
Calleigh makes a noise much like a slide whistle played with far too much force. "Elena! HI! Yes! Hello! Yes, we are! Hi!"
"Well, we can't make them." Elena says, "None of our major smiths have any talent in psionics at all. Your best bet is to go recruiting. Dana has no talent at creating those things, even though she's a talented psionic."
"Ohhhh good idea! Where should we go? To Arborea or Gehenna or Limbo or Celestia or Fire or Water or Lightning or PLANT or A PRIME!?"
"That's up to you, but Elder Magi Tepen said he'd be happy to give you some suggestions," Elena says, "He's in the library. Bye!" She then vanishes, gone.
Tryll and Calleigh zip off toward the library, causing no small amount of commotion.
You hurry to the library. It's quiet here as always, save for the occasional dry turning of a page or hushed murmur. Looking about, you can see Elder Magi Tepen here along with Sage Vul'lath. The two are deep in quiet discussion over something or another, a book open between them. You can also see Moonlight, a book open before her. A book she uses as a pillow, quietly napping. Canderella's also here, deep in some thick book that occasionally crackles with lightning, as if a thunder bolt in material form.
Calleigh zig-zags with a thin zipping noise, rapidly and erratically approaching Tepen.
As you get closer, Sage Vul'lath looks up. His lips turn down in a thin frown, glaring disapprovingly at Calleigh. Elder Magi Tepen doesn't react, instead seemingly absorbed. He says, "But if we substitute another name, such as Zaaman Rul, then will it be possible to invert the third symbol into a septagram?"
Roll to see what the heck they're talking about?
K:A.
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 >12 [d20=9]
It looks to be an arcane ritual. A septagram is a seven pointed star, sometimes used by righteous spellcasters when a pentagram would be called for and disdained. In this case, part of the septagram apparently involves engraving names of power, with Zaaman Rul being one of those names.
Calleigh nods thoughtfully. "Yeah, using a septagram with Zaaman Rul will help you balance out the magical doohickey so the stack doesn't overload causing a cascading failure."
After a moment, "Might wanna add some more whammie to it though. Raziel?"
Elder Magi Tepen turns, "Oh, Calleigh and Tryll," he greets, smiling slightly. "We'll come back to this," he says to the gith, who departs silently. "I heard you're interested in psionics?"
"You don't want help with that? Sounds fun! And explody?"
Tepen clears his throat and then says, "The point is for it not to explode. But onto the matter at hand, you were asking about mind magic?"
"Noooo, mind magic and psionics are different!" Calleigh protests.
"But yeah, Tryll has been up in tentacles about getting a supply of stuff to help him do his thing. Got a lead?"
"I have a ...did you say up in tentacles?" Elder Magi Tepen stops, "Did I hear that right?"
I got through Tepen's unflappable façade! WOOP!
"Well yeah. He's got no arms." Calleigh looks at Tepen funny. "You're not one of those people who can see him all the time, huh?"
"I am not." Elder Magi Tepen says slowly, "I see. Regardless, psionic items are far less common than ones made from magic, as I'm sure you know. Pistis Sophia is one of the most powerful psionics in Creation, but her doctrine rejects material goods. Solania is largely a dead end for you on account of that. Another strong one is Levistus, Lord of the Fifth, who even if he supports such items, is not an option for you."
Now Tepen leans forward, "I fear your best shot is to go to Brightwater. I have heard a name of a powerful celestial with powerful psionics. Her name is Debonah; I do not know if she creates those items herself, but she may well know others that do. Should that fail or be unappealing, you may be able to find leas in Solania, if you are persistent."
"Oh boy, Brightwater again! We just left there! Nice place. Lots of art critics though. Do you know how hard it is to get your stuff into a gallery there? Lemme tell you, it's not easy. Lots of talk about 'relevancy' and 'post-modernism' and 'minimalism' and 'too much color!' Bleh. Stuffy."
In case it wasn't clear, onward to Brightwater! Let's find someone to send us there!
Going by your lonesome or bringing anyone? Up to you, just need to know.
Snyone who wants a trip to Brightwater is welcome! I'll check in on Rosa too.
Rosa's found in her quarters. She's wearing an old slip of white silk, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and hiding most of her. She opens the door like that, "Calleigh?" she asks softly.
Calleigh's smile shines like a small sun. "Hi! Feeling better?"
"Some," She answers, stepping aside after a moment, "Come in." You can see things are neat in here, her table with a pot of tea and a picked over lunch of sandwiches and fruit.
Calleigh flits in, door closing itself handily behind her. "We tried to help with the thing that devil guy did. Elixir. Tryll went in your brain. Soul. Thing. We tried! Couldn't do much, but it's devils. All their rules and rigidness and the tyranny and not liking strawberries makes them unhappy and they do unhappy things and make others unhappy and that's sad! But I'm glad you're feeling better. Oooh fruit!"
Rosa seems unconcerned by the noise, going back to sit and wrapping her blanket tightly around her. "Help yourself," she offers. It's apples and pears, with a few grapes in the side.
A grape launches itself off the table, nearly beaning Calleigh in the face while she peers at Rosa. She snatches the grape out of the air and tears into it, burbling cheerily around the small fruit. "You missed the big fight though. We went out there and stomped on all the demons and some devils came and Jaela was gonna attack them but they had a white flag so she didn't and instead she scared them off with a mean look! Then Moore put up a BIG BANNER behind us of an aurora and we flew in and helped a celestial crack open a mountain and then there was a lot of noise and reality kind of threw up everywhere and there was a sun made of poison and then there was a SWORD! And then a bunch of gods showed up and threatened the oinoloth making the poison sun and he ran away like a...thing that runs away all the time? Coward! YEAH! Then we came back here. And I think Afina fought alongside some big name angels and stuff! This place is SO NEAT! I'm so glad we came here!"
"I see," Rosa murmurs, quietly. Her eyes are unfocused by the end of it and she blinks back to awareness after. "I hear that all the officers made it back safely and that losses were acceptable."
"Well yeah, some people died. It'sa war. Bad things happen. But! I hear they're trying to resurrect a bunch of the ones who died, so it might not even be that bad!" She gives Rosa a look. "You're not all better. What's wrong?"
"I'm tired," Rosa says, "So tired. I feel so empty now after everything. All my tears are gone, my fears exposed and my dreams barren after nightmares. As If I am a cup in the hand of the Lady of the Lake, tipped over and emptied. What does any of it matter now? What does it matter if I tell you or not? What does it matter if I go out and fight or stay in here and sleep?"
Calleigh zips over and glomps the side of Rosa's face, much like a large, adorable lamprey or remora. "Of course it matters! Even if it doesn't matter to you, it matters to others! It matters to me! You were nice to me, and that makes you important! You can't just give in! That's what Undead McDevilface wants! You gotta fight, even if it's for no other reason than to spit in his face!"
Rosa twitches once Calleigh glomps onto her. But it dissolves as she goes on and quietly echos, "McDevilface?"
"I can't remember his name, so he gets a stupid name. Because he's a stupid jerk!"
The elf slumps back, closing her eyes. "McDevilface," she repeats, sounding tired. "McDevilface." Again she says it, this time her shoulders shaking. Laughter follows, a soft sound that slowly grows.
Calleigh will take victory where it's found! Even small ones, cause she's small too. "I bet his mom was a slaad. That'd make any devil grumpy. And explain the weird thing with undeads. Slaad McDevilface?"
Rosa laughs, losing herself in it. In time she calms, chuckling and wiping her eyes clean. "Thank you," she says, smiling now.
"Yay no sadness! Wanna go to Brightwater? We're gonna go shopping!"
"...shopping?" Rosa echos, "As in shopping?" She blinks slowly, as if she just saw a purple elephant charging a zombie ogre.
"Shopping shopping!" Calleigh crows.
Rosa twitches again, going to slowly rub her face. She's still smiling, "Just like that, go shopping?"
"Retail therapy is the leading scientific cure for infernal encounters." Calleigh quotes. "Tryll says so. And he's mega smart! He's a reliable source probably!"
"What...?" Rosa cocks her head to the side, "Retail the...nevermind." The elf shakes her head, "Very well, I'll go."
"Yay! Should we bring others?"
Rosa considers this, "Who else?"
"Well, we should bring at least one other girl so we have a diverse eye for fashion and such."
Rosa laughs a little bit again, slowly and lightly. "I suppose we must, yes."
Calleigh detaches herself from the side of Rosa's head and flies to the door. "Come on! Let's go draft someone!"
Rosa gets properly dressed and together, then the three go out.
Anyone in mind, Calleigh?
Much as we all like Simmer, her suggestions will all involve fire. Let's see if we can't get someone a bit more mortal fashion-savvy. Misalea, Hanna, or Mirima? Ebony? Actually, who's free right now?
Mirima is not free, she's off with Jaela and Ellese. Misalea, Hanna and Ebony are all free.
I will grab the first of the three I find then! If they don't wanna go, we will move on!
> roll 1d3
<Penuche> Space_Cat invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d3=1]
Misalea is found in the courtyard. She's walking into the entry hall when Calleigh and Rosa approach her from inside the hall. "Oh, hello," she smiles momentarily to them as she passes.
Calleigh zips up, rapidly circling and orbiting Misalea's head at speeds well above what could be considered prudent or even polite to physics. "Hi hi hi we're going to Brightwater we're going SHOPPING and I need an extra opinion and you're pretty and I'm Calleigh and this is Rosa and Tryll is here too and DO YOU WANNA GO!?"
Misalea closes her eyes, letting Calleigh zip around her. "That sounds good. Let me just go get some coins." She ducks and slips away, hurrying to Elrisa's Tower. She soon emerges and is ready to go, "Though won't we have to arrive sopping wet because of Water?"
"Prestidigitiation!"
Okay, is Tryll able to manage the transport or do y'all need to ask someone to? This is mostly for my own reference.
Asking!
You get one more guest: Elder Magi Tepen, who decides to come and attend to his own business while all of you shop. Soon enough you appear in Brightwater - before you the golden city shines. Streets of gold and buildings of great wealth rise up, a great press of people hurrying about as they indulge in commerce. The sun is high in the sky, shining down on everything with comfortable warmth.
"I'll be back here in 4 hours," Elder Magi Tepen says, "If you will be longer than that, please come here and tell me so I don't have to wait."
"Oh boy oh boy oh boy shopping!" Calleigh squeals, darting back and forth like a hyperactive dragonfly, "Come on let's go go go!"
"Yes, let's," Misalea smiles, taking Rosa's hand and leading her along.
What's your plan here, Calleigh?
We'll wander about and do some clothes and accessories shopping for the girls, then move on to other things.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Space_Cat invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d100=84]
The neat thing about Brightwater? It even has clothes sized for a courre. A few hours of shopping and chatting pass, the three lost in it all. Time just slips by, right now the three in a tailor's shop. He's just finished taking Rosa's measurements, "Yes, yes, how about scarlet?" The tall, slender man suggests, scribbling on a bit of parchment with a quill. "You'd look wonderful in scarlet, and how about matching dresses for your two friends? I'm thinking ribbons, lots of decorative ribbons. Volume as well, a big gown bottom that flares out. Hmm, maybe some rubies can be mixed in the ribbon on the back, to give it flair from behind."
"Ribbons! I love ribbons! So many colors of ribbons! Oh! Maybe a dress made of ribbons!? But not the big bottom bit! I like my clothes tight! Shows off my figure. So they say. Whatever that means. But rubies! And emeralds and sapphires and garnets and amethysts and opals and topaz and jade and beryl and jet and and and!"
"Yes, yes," Misalea nods along with Calleigh, "We need tight-fitting clothes. We're warriors, not princesses. Something that lets us move as we need to." She studies a bit of red fabric on display, considering.
Rosa smiles, "Yes, unless it's a dress for out of battle. I find the idea charming, you should listen to him."
"Tight, eh?" The tailor mutters, scribbling more notes. "A simple skirt bottom or even pants, though that's such a scandalous waste on ladies like you. Though the elven figure does reward tight fits." He considers, making more and more notes. "Just where did you get that idea for a gaudy rainbow gem dress, dear? That doesn't suit you at all. You're so tiny, you shouldn't over decorate your form. With so little space to work with, you need to make what you wear count, rather than do too much."
Rosa peers at Calleigh and considers, "She'd look good in one piece that makes a statement. How about -"
As Rosa goes on, you hear a voice being cleared behind you. "Ahem," Elder Magi Tepen says.
Calleigh nods at Rosa. "Yeah, okay, you have a point. Something for running around Aurora for? Flying around? I don't run. Wiiiiiings!"
She stops and turns to the tailor, "Gaudy!? Colors are everything! If I wanna look like a rainbow topiary, I can! And I can pull it off!"
Calleigh turns and points at Tepen. "HE NEEDS A DRESS TOO! Make him one of the big butt ones!"
Misalea takes one look at Tepen and bursts into laughter. Rosa turns and blushes slightly, "Ah, Elder Magi. I'm sorry, did we lose track of time?"
Elder Magi Tepen closes his eyes for a few moments and exhales long and slow, "I do not need a dress, nor am I planning on spending any time in a form that would require one. I presume all of you will be a time longer?"
"Oh, I don't know," the tailor says, "Those robes, you probably have the hips for a good gown," he remarks, "But your face is all wrong, much too masculine. You archmages are all the same like that. So slender and lithe, but the faces never work."
"Ah yes, I believe another fact of being an archmage is coming to me," Tepen snaps his fingers, "Tell me, have you ever designed clothes for a frog? You may need to momentarily."
"Will it be a rainbow frog?" Calleigh asks excitedly. "Rainbow dress for a rainbow frog!"
"Perhaps so," Tepen agrees easily, considering. "Renbuu has been useful to our Crusade."
The tailor holds his hands up and laughts nervously. "Now friends, there's no need for that. Now that I have your measurements, I'll send your dresses along when they're done."
Rosa nods, "Thank you, good sir," she says, heading out rather quickly.
"Yay dresses!" Calleigh follows Rosa out. "Come on, Tepen! You need a hat!"
"No thank you," Tepen says, "Now then, do you all have any more business to do?"
Rosa shakes her head, as does Misalea.
Ball's in your court since you had things to do here, Calleigh and Tryll.
"We gotta find a guy who does psionics crafting! Crystals and stuff! That's why Tryll wanted to come."
"Ah yes, you did mention that," Elder Magi Tepen says, "I'll be at the Lucky Wind tavern down on Interest Lane."
Rosa asks once he's gone, "Do you need our help, Calleigh?
"Sure! We're looking for a celestial named Debonah!"
"Then let's go find her," Rosa says, most firmly.
How are you going to look for her?
GI?
<Plushie_Ithea> DarthSquiddius roll for Plushie_Ithea < 41 >12 [d20=7]
Sure. Misalea and Rosa will aid.
> roll 1d20+31 Rosa aids
<Plushie_Ithea> Space_Cat roll for Plushie_Ithea < 47 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+10 Misalea aids
<Plushie_Ithea> Space_Cat roll for Plushie_Ithea < 17 > [d20=7]
Total of 45.
You wander about Brightwater, hearing the news and all you can. Things you find out are...
- Debonah? I heard of her. Or him? I can't recall! Tall fellow, one of those big angels. Really overwhelming to look at.
- You're looking for an angel? You're on the right plane for it. But if you ask me, who cares? Did you hear about that portal that opened up in the middle of the street? Waukeen's Gold Guard came along and dealt with them. That's much more interesting than another angel.
- Oooooh, that Debonah! I know her, I know her. She's one of the three Guardians of Love who serve Sune. You can find her in the Heartfire Quarter of Sune, try the Whispering Wind. It's a massage parlor there.
Uhh. Can we check into that portal thing too? That sounds important.
If you like, certainly. Do you?
More GI?
<Plushie_Ithea> DarthSquiddius roll for Plushie_Ithea < 51 >12 [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+31 Rosa aids
<Plushie_Ithea> Space_Cat roll for Plushie_Ithea < 33 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+10 Misalea aids
<Plushie_Ithea> Space_Cat roll for Plushie_Ithea < 27 > [d20=17]
Total of 55.
You find out the following information.
- I saw it. Some cat creature was talking to thin air, a portal opened and then the Gold Guard appeared. When I could see again, they were gone. So was the portal.
- I heard from a friend that the portal was opened up by a strange, dirty mage. He was taken away by the Gold Guard, and you'd best believe it. No one fights the Gold Guard.
- I know that person! The cat person, I've seen her here. Her name is Ithea and she's from Aurora, the famous devil killers.
Oh it's Ithea. Nothing too important then. Time to go visit Sune's place, the Whispering Wind!
Moving on.
Poor Ithea.
Unfortunately, as all of you finish up, "What do you mean, it's not important?!" Misalea puts a hand on her hip, glaring at Calleigh. You're standing just inside a lively tavern, finishing up with your last contact. "She's part of Aurora and a friend of ours. If she's been arrested or worse, we have to do something to help!"
"But...It's Brightwater. I'm sure she's fine. The guards here are pretty good, and it's Waukeen's kids besides. She's probably got a lot of clout, too. If she opened a portal in the middle of a street, they probably detained her, maybe fined her, and then sent her on her way. Not supposed to do that, you know. Causes all kinda trouble. She's probably not even there anymore. We can stop over there on the way if you want. I'm sure it's fine. And if not WE CAN DO A JAILBREAK!"
Make a diplo check here, I suppose, it feels relevant.
<Plushie_Ithea> DarthSquiddius roll for Plushie_Ithea < 49 >12 [d20=11]
Less a charm roll and more a why does everyone hate tiny Calleigh roll
They don't hate Calleigh. However, Aurora sticks together.
"Ithea's capable of taking care of herself," Rosa concurs, "If she doesn't come back, we'll know where to find her."
Misalea bites down on her lip, considering it. "I suppose," she finally says.
"Yeah, and if we take too long we'll never get Tepen into a dress." Calleigh nods very seriously. "Let's go!"
Moving on unless anyone want's to pipe in otherwise.
> roll 1d100+1 Tryll
<Plushie_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Ithea < 74 > [d100=73]
The trip to the Heartfire Quarter is unremarkable. It is a place of estates, rolling paths, parks and secluded corners. Everything seems warmer here, pleasant. Roses grow all about, great bushes of them decorating buildings. The Whispering Wind is a secluded manor home a bit off the beaten path, surrounded by rose bush mazes and delicate, wrought iron fences. The air is thick with the scent of flowers, the sunlight warming you down to your bones. In the distance you can see wild horses running free and the hint of a beach on the horizon.
"Yay! It's so pretty here!" Calleigh flits around the roses before flying through the gates.
Rosa follows, sniffing a few roses as she goes. Misalea's slower about it, looking about and studying it. "I really like this," she remarks, as you head to the door. It opens as you approach, revealing a room with some tables, chairs and a single woman sitting there. The back wall is full of doors, 10 in total. The woman has golden skin and metallic hair, watching the fire crackle. "Hm? Hi." Rather pretty as well, "Do you have an appointment."
"Aww, we need an appointment?"
"No, but it guarantees you that you'll get a room any given day. We're quite popular," she remarks, studying her nails.
"Oh! Okay! Is Debonah busy?"
"Yes, that. We're looking for Debonah," Rosa comes forward, "If you'd tell us, we would be grateful."
The woman takes a lock of her hair around her finger, twirling it around her finger. "Debonah? She's getting a massage in room 5."
"Oh!"
Are the doors numbered?
Yes. There's one with a nice, big 5 over it.
"Thanks!" Calleigh cheerily flies over to the 5 door and stops abruptly, looking briefly consternated. Then she knocks on the door.
"Ah!" The woman quickly looks up as you knock, "You can't just go in there!"
As Misalea turns and starts to say something, a loud voice from within calls, "Alright, alright, what is it?"
"I was polite! I knocked!" Calleigh says to the receptionist who up until now did not appear to care. "Here to talk to Debonah!" Calleigh chirps at the door.
The receptionist huffs and glowers at the three. Misalea smiles at her and blushes, looking embarrassed.
Meanwhile, the voice calls, "Who wants to see her?"
"Uhhhhmmmmm...Misalea and Rosa and Calleigh and Tryll from the Aurora?" A beat. She looks at Rosa and Misalea. "Are we official yet?"
"Yes," Rosa says, then knocks herself and says, "We need a few moments of Debonah's time, please. We apologize for the intrusion."
There's a few moments of pause before a voice calls, "Come in."
"Yay official!" It's nice to know we won't get kicked out at random." Calleigh nods, giving the closed door a very tiny mighty shove in an attempt to open it.
To your surprise, it works. The door opens smoothly. The air here smells sweet, like vanilla and sugar. It brings to mind cookies, the scent coming from an incense burner in one corner. The room's rather large. There's an inset tub in another corner, steam lightly rising from it. It's big enough to sit a half dozen, the entire thing shod in rosy and smooth stone. Several couches sit against the left side wall, along with a rack with several robes hanging from it. A bookshelf near it provides reading material.
On the other wall are several long, raised benches. Massage tables, you realize. A smiling firre eladrin, eyes fire and expression easy, is massaging an angel on the table. The firre has red hair matching its stereotypical temperament, wearing sleeveless robes that leave her arms bare. The angel lying on the bed has six wings that are flared straight up, her supine form at least seven or eight feet tall. She has long hair with a silver-white streak in the back. She lies on her stomach, watching the party enter with casual interest. She has presence, but not the feel solars you have met before have. More...relaxed, somehow. Calm. She doesn't seem concerned about her lack of dress, though her wings and the fact she's laying on her stomach keep her more or less decent.
"Well, what do you want?" she asks, "You've come a ways out here to find me, not two days after I make it back to Brightwater."
Reminder that she can probably see Tryll. Also, if she's a resident of Brightwater, she has probably at the very least heard of him. He's hard to miss and the pair did live on the streets of Brightwater for like 200 years.
"Hi! I'm Calleigh!" Calleigh courres. "This is Tryll!" A friendly mostly-invisible tentacle wave. "And Rosa!" Calleigh gestures grandly at Rosa. "And Misalea!" Another gesture. "We're from the Aurora and we need your help to punch devils in the FACE!" Calleigh looks triumphant.
Oh yes, this is certainly true. She may or may not be slow playing this.
"Hello," Misalea waves as well, smiling nicely.
Rosa goes for a robe and takes it on over, "Ah, would you like this?" she offers.
Debonah seems unconcerned, "Not yet." Her gaze fixes onto Tryll, "Enough with the courre. This smacks of your work, so speak directly."
Because it's polite, Tryll will broadcast to the room! "Yes! Hello! You are Debonah! Celestial! Solar? And not swinging a giant scythe! Capital! We were referred to you. We're seeking someone skilled in psionics for the crusade! Archmage Tepen referred us. Delightful fellow. Can't see me, though. Was concerned that I had tentacles. Hm. Probably should rectify that at some point." He trails off in thought before snapping back into focus at a noise from Calleigh. "Yes! Psionics! Can you craft crystals?"
Debonah listens to all of this with calm composure, her masseuse still working on her back. "Be more specific. Psionics in general or crafting crystals?" Debonah says. "Both are rare and one is rarer than the other."
"Ah, yes of course. Apologies! I am referring to the crafting of crystals and related items with the express purpose and indeed the creation of items designed to aid in the use of psionics."
"I've never had the talent," Debonah admits, "For a long time, I made do without. Fortunately, skilled creators do exist."
"Ah. Alas, as have I. By and large, at least. I was hoping to find someone who can craft dorjes or cognizance crystals. Or even power stones. Or really anything. I am lacking the skill myself, and my unique disposition makes it rather challenging to learn now. Do you know anyone in specific who would be skilled in this?"
Calleigh looks bored, and has managed to edge away in order to examine the massage oils.
Lots of oils. All sorts of scents and types for Calleigh to study.
As Misalea and Rosa watch, "I do," Debonah relaxes, massaged all the while. "I know one who can do everything you could imagine. He's decided himself to it and excels. He also values his privacy." The solar looks at Tryll, "I do not give out his information on a whim. Tell me why I should."
"Well, to be quite honest, we're not just looking to contract him. We're hoping to recruit. In a word, we are currently facing Lixer, one of Asmodeus' get. We recently freed a solar by the name of Cresiel from his thrall in Gehenna, and it came to my attention that I needed to expand my capabilities in order to better acquit myself to aid my companions. I choose to go with what I know, psionics."
A crash.
"The mess in the Astral with the rift just confirmed that I am frustratingly hamstrung at inopportune times. As to why you should, our cause is righteous and just. The Aurora fights to free the enslaved Prime of Lifasa. Not much more you can do to go beyond that, at least as any kind of mortal."
Something in all of that seems to get Debonah's attention. Her gaze becomes intent, studying Tryll. "Very well," she says, "A question first. What does freeing that solar have to do with increasing your capabilities?"
"Ah. When we came across Cresiel, he had been...something. Hm. The yugoloths or the devils or the liches had done something to him that was causing his blood to turn black and his skull to strain against his skin as though trying to escape. A series of imps were using his blood to craft strange angular runes. I was forced to make direct and forceful changes to reality in order to release him from his torment. The act of doing so causes a certain stress which causes manifestations to fail with alarming regularity."
Calleigh is covered head to toe in an oil smelling of rolled oats and honey, a small jar broken on a shelf.
"For you, I would suppose it is less troublesome as even without your psionics, you are still a solar and thus mighty. I am incorporeal. At best, I can cause minor disruption and hope for my manifestation to work. With dorjes, I can at least remain able during combat via telekinesis."
In the background, the masseuse stops and chases after Calleigh, shouting about wasting expensive oils.
This doesn't phase Rosa, who comes forward and bows deeply, "Ma'am," she addresses her, "If our magic or psionics sputter and fail when we need them, Lifasa may never be freed. The devils will be able to complete the corruption of all of the captive souls and an entire world will become another jewel on the Lord of the Ninth's crown. We ask because we desperately need to the strength to succeed."
Debonah considers this, but not for long. "You cause is just," she finally says, and sighing slightly, "Though your timing is unfortunate, but needs must as they must." She doesn't blink as her masseuse chases Calleigh right in front of her, only pausing for them to pass. "You seek Hamogan, the Red Mind. He resides in the Beastlands, in deep seclusion from the rest of Creation. Seek him in Brux, the second layer of the Beastlands. He resides atop the Falcon's Cliffs, be wary of the raptors there, for the birds are fierce hunters. You'll know you've found him when you see the forest trees atop it form into a fortress."
Was sorta hoping the name drop for Cresiel might spark some sort of recognition, but alas.
Calleigh zips left and right, sending drops of oil flying in every direction as she tries to evade the masseuse. She shouts something about Asmodeus being a jerk as she dodges between Debonah's wings fitfully, before attempting to hide on another shelf full of oils.
"I don't suppose you would care to join us? There would be many a chance to smash infernal and diabolical evils as well as preserve the beauty of the planes."
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 >12 [d20=13]
Diplo-recruitment check?
Debonah considers that briefly. As she does, there's a loud crash behind you. The masseuse ran right into the shelf chasing Calleigh, the two now laying amid a mess of wood and oils. The solar merely glances that way before turning back to Tryll. "It is not my choice to make," she admits, "I serve Sune and her commands."
Calleigh climbs on top of the masseuse's head and shouts, "Just ask her then! Sune is all about eep." And she lunges off the woman's head and onto her back, attempting to shake the oil off her wings as she goes.
"Well, that is one way of doing things." Exasperation from Tryll.
Debonah says one word, full of commanding terror. "Stop." Right at Calleigh.
She's attempting to intimidate and she has ranks + high Charisma. We can do to the rolling if you like.
Rude. She'd have done it if you just told her to. But since she decided to go there, let's roll it out.
Protip: This will end poorly for Debonah no matter what.
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=2]
Quite possibly, Yuth. Debonah can't fail to beat that roll, so Calleigh's intimidated.
"Very well, I will ask Sune. But my sisters and I oversee love in Creation. All of it, from the simplest affection of goblins to the greatest romances of the planes. If we do not work to see love continues and spread, it can begin to weaken in Creation. I honor your crusade's noble goals, but it is not the only important task in Creation." She stands, uncaring of her undressed state. A simple gesture brings the robe Rosa brought over to her, expanding to cover her body.
Debonah's gaze is still on Tryll the entire while, "But I would like to know how you knew to drop Cresiel's name to me, yet not mention that he is my nephew."
Shockingly, when you frighten what amounts to a child...
Calleigh freezes, a look of terror crossing her face. She sniffles, the look of terror collapsing into a great frown as she lets out a husky wail and starts to cry.
Tryll gives Debonah a tremendously unimpressed tri-lobed look. "I rescind my offer." Calleigh rises into the air, hanging by her dress as she sobs. "I did not know Cresiel was related to you. I simply thought you may know him. Any further questions can be tendered with Cresiel himself upon the Aurora at your convenience, which can currently be found on Water. Good day." With Calleigh in tow, he exits the room.
Debonah winces visibly as Calleigh begins to cry, "Wait, both of you" she says softly in Celestial, "I apologize, Calleigh. I meant to stop you, I did not mean to traumatize you so."
A word, and the oil covering Calleigh vanishes. Her sniffling form is then placed into Rosa's hands with a private message. "I am physically incapable of hugs."
He faces Debonah again, facial tentacles waving at her in mostly-invisible admonishment. "So your reaction is to intimidate an embodiment of childlike innocence and joy? You expected that to work?"
Rosa gently coos to Calleigh, hugging her as much as she can with the size difference. She otherwise stays well out of this, as does Misalea.
"I had hoped to quiet her, but my rebuke was sharper than intended. My apologies, I seldom deal with children," Debonah admits, and then with some contrition, "The sphere of love I deal with is men loving men. Children are not a natural result of those relationships."
Assuming you meant "quiet her?"
"Irrelevant. You are a paragon of virtue and love by design. No one should have to tell you how to treat a child. Or a courre. Certainly not me." A moment of silence. "That said, Calleigh. Do you accept her apology?"
Scrubbing at puffy eyes with the back of her hand, Calleigh sniffles and nods. "Uh huh."
Yes, a typo slipped through. Thanks for catching it. Also you botched your italics.
Debonah approaches Calleigh, smiling. "I'm sorry." She reaches out with a finger, gently patting Calleigh's tiny head. "Just let this pass and forget it. It's nothing to blight your endless summer days with."
Then she heads to Tryll and speaks quietly, "I would have an answer to my question. Cresiel is family and you imply much, including that he fell under the sway of the Pale Prince of Undeath." She offers her hand, "Let us take a walk together, away from the others, and talk."
Calleigh nods at the solar, face smearing streakiness as she rubs at an eye. "'sokay. I'm okay." More sniffles. "Just surprised me. Won' happen again."
Tryll eyes her hand with an eye, the other two on her face. Then he stretches out an ethereal tentacle and wraps it around her hand. As he does so, Calleigh perks up and grins, frowns very clearly forgotten. She clambers up Rosa's sleeve to sit on her shoulder and starts yammering about vanilla and sugary snacks.
Presuming she has some sort of ghost touch ability?
It seems so. She's also a solar, and for them things are less a question of what they can do and more a question of what they can't do.
The two walk out like this, back out and away from the manor altogether. They walk in the rose mazes around the building, Debonah only speaking up then. "Tell me what trouble Cresiel got himself into."
"I could show you, if you're able to see into my mind."
Debonah considers this briefly, calmness coming to her features again. "Tempting, but words are enough."
"Very well. Probably for the best, really. Unpleasant." Tryll settles in. "As near as I can tell, the assault was planned before our arrival. You are familiar with us as citizens of Brightwater. We were referred by the Silverbrow Consortium to Aurora, who I understand lost two illustrious members shortly before we arrived. Might have been the catalyst that set off the assault, really. Hm. Never asked."
Tryll trails off a moment. "We were divided into three groups, sent to assault some of Lixer's holdings. My group was detached to Gehenna, specifically the layer of Krangath. Rumor had it that Lixer had struck a bargain with the Adversary. We infiltrated Hopelorn, a city controlled by a cabal of liches. Our intent was to go in, sabotage or destroy a research lab, and abscond with any resources we could use and reasonably carry. In the process of infiltration, we discovered Cresiel being used for some sort of research. It was very clear he was not a willing party. We slew his wardens and I resuscitated him."
"He aided us in our assault on the lab. Unfortunately, a rift I opened into Limbo, intended to interrupt and confuse devil casting, caused a very energetic reaction with other portals in the area, and the resulting explosion destroyed the lab, the city of Hopelorn, and if we are extremely fortunate also the entire layer of Krangath. I have not checked since the rift was formed, as we very recently just finished closing it. It wound up breaching into the astral and, well, I'm sure you've heard."
Debonah stays calm throughout it, though her eye brow rises a few times during the story. "No, I have not heard. I was buried in a task until a few days ago, one that's kept me from current news. I haven't even touched in with my sisters yet," she says, "There is a breach of Gehenna in the Astral now?" Her voice hardens.
"I'm surprised. Greater celestials and even gods personally mobilized. It's been closed."
"Sune did not call on me," Debonah says, slowly shaking her head before stopping to sniff a rose. She brings it up, thorns failing to pierce her skin, and takes a deep smell. "But I am glad it is done. Cresiel is well?"
Just post again when your post is in order, Yuth.
"Don't know is Sune got the memo, as it were. I believe a few gods were present. One was draconic, Likely Bahamut. One for certain was Selune. The Triune were present, as well as what was likely Oghma. Or possibly Mystra? Hm. They were manifestations, though not fully anthropomorphic. One took the form of a book. Thus the assumption. Greater celestial presences included Domiel and Raziel, and Lathander sent reinforcements directly. These are all groups that have had relations with the Aurora staff in the past, however rocky."
"In regards to Cresiel, it seems so. I haven't spoken with him since Hopelorn. I tend not to speak at all. Done more talking in the last week than I have in two years. Hm. The price of spending time among the powerful, I suppose."
"Events have passed me by," Debonah remarks, "I will speak to Sune, much has happened. Villisa as well, because I do not believe she knows what happened to Cresiel."
"His mother, I presume?"
"His only one," Debonah smiles, a quirky little twist of her lips. "My sister, yes."
"He appears to be settled upon the Aurora, if you wish to visit him."
"Thank you," Debonah says. She leads you along in the maze, back towards the manor now, You soon arrive back, finding Misalea, Calleigh and Rosa in the waiting room. The courre's still held by Rosa, while Misaela and the receptionist are having a quiet conversation together.
As they approach, Calleigh waves. "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
Debonah smiles and inclines her head, then pauses in thought. "Calleigh," she comes forward, patting her shoulder, "Come here."
Calleigh launches herself from Rosa's grip, flying in a joyful loopy manner not unlike a butterfly. She half lands and half crashes onto Debonah's shoulder, cackling. "When can we go get sweets?!"
"Soon you can go,' Debonah smiles, "But I'd like to offer a small gift as an apology."
"Presents! I love presents! Is it candy!?"
"Something more practical," The solar says, as a loud snap of psionic energy bursts from her head. A shimmering field of force appears around Calleigh, protecting her. A moment later she touches Calleigh's forehead with her fingertip, a flare of golden light wrapping around both of them.
"Force screen, analogous to the shield spell. This will protect you and won't go away."
Force screen with permanent duration on Calleigh. It can be displled, but the CL is 35. Grants a +4 shield bonus to armor class.
Did she just break the Permanency rules? Or did she use some sort of augmentation I'm not aware of? Cause I'm not seeing that or a related feat.
That's a pretty salient question, feel free to ask her.
There is a lack of movement, yet Debonah can clearly feel Tryll looking at her with scrutiny. Privately, "Did you just casually violate the limitations of permanency, or did you use an augmentation I'm not aware of? I know I've never seen that done before."
Debonah smiles ever so slightly, "There is more in Creation than dreamed of," she says, "Limits are to be surpassed or bypassed."
"We should talk more on this. I encourage you to seek us out on the Aurora, if only for a visit."
Meanwhile, Calleigh has taken off and is gleefully bouncing off of walls, objects, and people, using the force screen as a protective skin.
"Another time," Debonah says.
Is this part of the objective about complete for you, Tryll?
Looks like it.
Calleigh cheers, "Let's stop at the candy shop before we go find Tepen!"
What's your next step then?
Tryll promised Calleigh a stop at her favorite candy shop on the way to Tepen. Then back to the Aurora. Deal with Tortles? Then head to the Beastlands.
Candy store's offscreen stuff. How do you want to deal with the tortles?
Not sure. Lemme sleep on it. In bed.
Okay. Remember your italics and I didn't really need a status update, I knew you went to bed already. >_>
My pending remains unchanged, as I forgot to add it. We're still working on item 1, step 4: The Beastlands Preparation.
Now seeking anyone who wants to go!
You looking for anyone or just hoping to nab some volunteers?"
Seeing if anyone wants to swap out, really. This was intended as a shopping trip, not a foray into the Great Unknown which may result in life or death combat. So column B mostly. Expecting Misalea to drop out, Rosa too sorta as she's still in recovery.
Misalea'll swap out for pragmatic and personal reasons, Rosa'll stay with you reflection.
Checking for volunteers requires asking people. Elena's naturally the easiest way, even if she's dressed up like a fairy princess today. Down to glittering pixie wings and an absurdly fancy dress, a folded up fan held in one hand as she giggles. "Oh ho, off on adventure?" she says, "I asked around for you. Moonlight's interested if you need muscle. Sylvie wouldn't mind going since Ithea doesn't need her right now. Dana's interested too."
Do bear in mind NPC limits when forging your party. That's four options with Rosa, though you could also IC pursue someone if you really want them.
Remind me of NPC limits?
3, barring special situations. This isn't one.
Rosa, Dana (even though she really hamstrings my ability to post at work), and Moonlight. Let's see how the new girl works.
Why's that, Yuth? About Dana, I mean.
The language, really. Have to phone post.
Wanna just swap her for Sylvie and avoid the slowdown?
Okay.
Getting a group together isn't too hard. Rosa's already there and you get Sylvie and Moonlight to meet you by the gates. Moonlight's leaning on the wall nearby, while Sylvie sits near her and reads a small book. As you approach, Sylvie leaps to her feet in one fast, smooth motion, book put away at the same time.
"We're heading out to the Beastlands? What's the plan here?" Sylvie inquires.
"We need to go to the Beastlands in uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh BRUCKS? Brux! With an x! Makes it sound more dangerous! It's the second layer!" Calleigh pauses. "Oh, there's a place called the Falcon's Cliffs. That's where he is. You think it has falcons? We're looking for a fortress made out of trees! Wait, what? Really? Why not just call it a fort? Anyway. It's Ham-o-gan. He's got a red brain. Wait! No! The Red Mind! Yeah! I remembered! And Tryll didn't help me at all!" Clearly Calleigh is the master of remembering things and is not being constantly fed information by her mostly-invisible, certainly incorporeal, and all-around sensible friend Tryll.
Moonlight rolls her eyes, "Right, right," she says, "So a red mind in a tree fort? That sounds fun!"
Calleigh cheers, taking Moonlight's response as enthusiasm. "Yeah!"
"Yeah!" Moonlight shouts right back, "That's it, yeah! Show me some energy, Calleigh!"
Always one for yelling, "YEAH! GET EXCITED!"
"YEAAAAAH!" Moonlight grabs Calleigh and plants her atop her head, "Now hold on, we're going to go get things done on Brux!" She leaps into the water, swimming right ahead.
Rosa watches all of this without a single change of expression, only murmuring, "I see."
Sylvie gently shakes her head, "What about transportation?"
"Who knows!" Calleigh says.
Sylvie just rolls her eyes, "Right, then good thing I'm here. I can get us to the Beastlands, but we'll need to find our way to Brux and then teleport to the Falcon's Cliffs. Second of all, there are plenty of animals here. Especially predators, so don't think the cute and fuzzy lion won't make you a snack."
Calleigh gives Sylvie big sad eyes. "But the kitties are so fuzzy!"
"If you really want to be eaten, it's your business," Sylvie retorts. "Go bug Ithea if you want a nice, cuddly kitten."
"Maybe you just don't know how to talk to lions." Calleigh hedges.
"No, I just don't fancy becoming a lion's dinner," Sylvie says, "But if that's what you want to do with your life, good luck."
"Yeah, but I can fly and lions can't. Usually."
"Usually," Sylvie emphasizes, "Don't push your luck in the Beastlands, the animals there are strong and capable."
"Okay! Are we ready?"
"Ready," Rosa says, joined by the other two.
Sylvie goes out and gestures, taking Rosa's hand with her left and Moonlight's with her right.
Calleigh remains seated on Moonlight's head, thin mist surrounding her.
That's about as good as it gets for Tryll. He's occupying the same space as Calleigh and Moonlight.
Okay then, ready to move along?
Rock n' roll!
Sylvie does drag you to Sage Vul'lath before you go, getting a round of mind blank cast on everyone.
Mind blank, CL 22, if you need it. If not say so.
From there you're off and away. You appear in a forest clearing, bright sunlight beaming down from the break in the trees. Thick forest is everywhere you look, wilderness untamed by man or beast. The air is fresh, a stiff breeze blowing.
[spoiler]
Rosa
HP: 251/251
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL22)
Bonuses: -
Negative Conditions: -
Resources Used: -
Moonlight
HP: 396/396
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL22)
Bonuses: -
Negative Conditions: -
Resources Used: -
Sylvie
HP: 290/290
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL22), Deeper Darkvision(CL22), Greater Mighty Wallop(CL22), Endure Elements(CL22), Overland Flight(CL22),
Bonuses: -
Negative Conditions: -
Resources Used: -
Calleigh inhales deeply (tiny-ly?) from atop Moonlight's head. "It smells like...Beastlands!"
Tryll
HP: 183
AC: 45
Touch AC: 28
Flatfooted AC: 39
Active Effects: Inertial Armor (CL 27, Extended), Mind Blank (CL 22)
Passive Effects: Incorporeal, Hide Mind
PP: 317
Calleigh
HP: 91
AC: 47
Touch AC: 25
Flatfooted AC: 36
Active Effects: Inertial Armor (CL 27, Extended), Mind Blank (CL 22)
Passive Effects: Magic Circle Against Evil, Tongues, Incorporeal, Improved Evasion
Psicrystal
HP: 91
AC: 31
Touch AC: 14
Flatfooted AC: 29
Active Effects: Inertial Armor (CL 27, Extended), Mind Blank (CL 22)
Passive Effects: Unanimated (currently being used by Calleigh as a staff, gains no bonuses to initiative. No strength or dexterity score)
Psi-like ability (Ectoplasmic Shambler): Ready
You can hear the far away burble of a stream, smell the scent of pines and leaves. "Oh yes, this place can be fun. Especially if you find the elder animals. You see," Moonlight pipes up, "There's no Hebdomad or Court of Stars, the angels handle it here quietly. But there's a lot of powerful animal exemplars that do the same, and they're always a lot of fun. But also really dangerous."
"I'm sure there very nice and just want to cuddle! I met a bear once!"
"Oh?" Rosa asks, "Bears don't cuddle. Bear hugs are meant to squeeze the life and air out of their prey."
Make a Listen check, all.
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=19]
This one was! He was on Arborea and he was nice and let me nap on his back!
> roll 1d20+33 Rosa
<Penuche> Koaway invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+32 Moonlight
<Penuche> Koaway invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=19]
Sylvie can't make the DC here without blowing inspiration and she's not inclined to here, so no roll.
As you chatter, you hear stomping in the forest around you. Fairly close too and from many different directions.
"I hear the sounds of new friends!" Calleigh sing-songs.
Sylvie drops into a ready stance as meanwhile Moonlight whistles, "Sure, you keep on thinking that," she says, as they emerge in a ring around the clearing and thus the party. Bears that are too big to be bears, with horned ridges and walking on two feet. They loom over all of you and growl lowly, about eight of them in total.
Sylvie takes 10 on the relevant Knowledge check. It's K:N if any of you want to make your own, Calleigh.
"Dire bears," Sylvie cracks her knuckles, "Probably celestial ones, though they don't terribly look it."
requesting roll of 1d20+26 and 1d20+18 for K:N to figure out which of them is in charge.
[19:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 yuth rollan
[19:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=9]
[19:34] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+18 more yuth rollan
[19:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=13]
The biggest one to your right. This one's a little bigger and looks like the leader. You think. Thing is, bears don't make big packs like this. Odd to see a large number of them working together, but as celestial creatures, they're likely smarter than average.
"Hi mister and missus bears!" Calleigh waves.
Charm, Psionic
Target: Lead bear
Metapsionics: Twinned
Augmentation: Affects humanoids, animals, fey, giants, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, aberrations, dragons, elementals, outsiders. One day/level.
Cost: 17
DC: 26
If there's SR involved, I roll 1d20+26 for CL check. Please roll saves separately as it is two spells.
Yes SR, so could someone roll for Yuth?
[20:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 yuth rollan
[20:42] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=13]
[20:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 yuth rollan
[20:42] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=2]
Assumed two rolls needed for a twinned power
Probably.
> roll 1d20+9 Will
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+9 Will
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=15]
Go ahead and act, Tryll.
Tryll broadcasts to the group for everyone else's benefit. 'The lead bear is charmed.'
Indeed, the lead bear stops growling, dropping onto four legs. But the other seven don't seem phased at all.
"Great, now can anyone calm the rest of them down?" Sylvie asks.
Calleigh is lying on her stomach. On Moonlight's head. Like an elaborate and multicolored hat. "Nobody knows how to talk to animals? Maybe they're hungry! Or we're in their territory! Oh! We could catch them some fish!"
Rosa has her shield ready, simply meeting her gaze with one of the menacing bears.
> roll 1d20+31
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+17
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=4]
Her unrelenting gaze makes that bear step back, further breaking up the circle. Rosa slowly speaks in Celestial, "We are not your enemy and we are not prey. Leave and you won't be harmed."
The lead bear brings its hands together in a loud, meaty clap. The other bears turn to him and watch the lead bear as he retreats, and then the others follow suit.
Free act. Charming one and then a bit of intimidation worked out.
"See? Bears! And no eating or violence!"
"A newborn miracle," Sylvie drawls, looking about. "We need to find a portal to Brux. Most of the passages are where branches from two trees meet and the sky above looks like sunset instead of day."
Rosa puts aside her weapon but keeps her shield out, "How common are they?"
"Oh, they're not hard to find," Moonlight pipes up, "But a good deal of luck's involved. If you're unlucky, it can take some time."
"Oh, I'm really lucky!"
"Then let's go!" Moonlight takes the way, stomping on ahead into the forest.
Okay, Survival check. If Tryll or Calleigh has a good score they can take the lead, otherwise you can ask someone else to. As you're traveling in untamed forestland, the going isn't easy.
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=16]
That's Calleigh's best! Tryll is completely untrained. And you know, they can both fly and go incorporeal. Terrain's never bothered them.
The others aren't so lucky, hence rolling.
> roll 1d20+32 Moonlight has training and is familiar, so she'll lead the way
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20 Sylvie aids and wis+int is over 10 so she autopasses
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+6 Rosa
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d100+1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d100=87]
> roll 1d100+1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d100=4]
You've gone on about a half hour. It's tough going with no sign of a portal yet. The natural world is abundant here - including thorns, but Moonlight guides you around them. As you're going through a bit of a clearing...
Spot check, all. Note if you have blindsight or other alternative sensing methods and their distance.
<Penuche> DarthSquiddius invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=15]
No extra abilities.
> roll 1d20+32 Moonlight
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+33 Rosa
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=5]
Sylvie's not going to blow inspiration here so not going to bother rolling for her, she can't quite beat Moonlight's score.
Hm? As you go along, you here a rustling in the trees above you.
A silent note from Tryll, 'In the trees, above us.'
Moonlight nods, already looking up. As the party does, you see it above. About 50ft up, a large, lumpy red, frog-like creature. Sylvie takes one look at it and sighs, "Slaad." she says, massaging the bridge of her nose.
"Quite right," The creature replies, dressed in animal furs and carrying a spear with a stone head. It speaks in a civilized, easy voice, opting for Common. "I applaud you for making it this far, creatures that are probably a food!" He bows, balancing on a narrow branch that shouldn't be able to support his bulk. Yet it does as he continues, "I bear glad tidings and a message for you, not combat nor consumption." He licks his lips, "Though the scents around you are a good appetizer. Yes, you should eat more mint, Miss," he says to Moonlight, "It would complement your scent and add a fresh tang to the earthy flavors. Your vintage would rise in value greatly over previous vintages."
"Uuuuuuhm..." Calleigh hedges, "What?"
"You...are you saying I..." Moonlight sputters, as Rosa merely readies her weapon.
The red slaad stays where he is, a wolf's gray fur covering his shoulders and head in the form of a cloak. "Yes, a gentle white wine or perhaps a honeyed mead from Elysium," the slaad says, "Roasted beef with duck." He licks his lips, a long, snakelike tongue darting out to do it. "When I am a purple slaad, I will have such a feast! To become one, I must converse with you, meat entities dripping with warm gravy inside of you. Mmmmmm..." The slaad again licks his lips, then again and again. "I must know first, do you ever snack on yourselves?"
"This is weird! Even for slaad, this is weird! And I have known some slaad!"
"We don't," Sylvie says, not even missing a beat. As Moonlight continues to sputter and Rosa's eyes narrow, sword out, Sylvie just says, "How about I sing you a song about it?"
"A song about food? Finally, art imitates food! Yes, by all means, sing me this magical song of consumption, because art should produce food. I think art would taste like clouds and sugar, mmmmmmm. Sugarcane. Such a tropical treat."
Sylvie then begins to sing.
> roll 1d20+54 (+22 factotum)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 69 > [d20=15]
It is a lively, beautiful song. Her singing voice is excellent and more, an upbeat song about a slaad who keeps on eating. The slaad claps along with it, soon jumping down. He lands before you without even a jolt, seemingly unharmed by it. He drops his spear and claps along until the end, when Sylvie adds, "And then the slaad ate too much and died, because good and reasonable adventurers were sick of his shit," Her voice is sugar sweet, hands clapped together, "So how about that message before I remind you that we're both good and reasonable?"
> roll 1d20+42 (+22 inspiration) intimidation
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+15
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d100 slaad response
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d100=34]
The slaad's eyes widen as Sylvie just smiles at him, wider and wider. There's only the barest hint of bright white teeth, "I bet your boss told you we're dangerous, or you can surmise it if he's interested in us," she says, as sugary and sweet as can be. "So you were saying?"
"My Master is holding an art expo!" The slaad eeps, "He wants Aurora to send art for it!" He shrinks back, "Please don't make me sugar cane or into a sugar cane fairy! I don't want to be a pixie! Pixes have tiny mouths and only roast poorly over open flames!"
"Wait! You!" Calleigh points at the slaad from behind a lock of Moonlight's hair. "Who's your boss!?"
"Aaaah! Courre not good for eating!" The slaad whimpers, "Renbuu!" He hurries away from the others.
"Tell your boss he still owes me twenty gold!" Calleigh shouts after the fleeing frogman.
"Oh," The slaad stops and casually rips his own head off. It's not like it's even a thing, the slaad's body tossing it at you before it continues running off. "All debts are paid in gold or food, usually food!" The head pronounces, before falling apart into twenty golden coins.
"What." Rosa says, completely flat.
"What." Moonlight echos, just as flat.
Loot post.
"WHA-you know, I'm not even mad." Calleigh stuffs the coins into her tiny bag of holding.
"You made a profit from encountering a slaad," Sylvie dusts her hands off, "You're fortunate today."
"Right? And getting Renbuu to pay up is like...uh. Something difficult. Yeah!" Calleigh nods. "Hopefully no more slaads will want to eat us."
"Hopefully," Rosa mutters, shaking her head as the party goes on.
> roll 1d100+3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d100=34]
> roll 1d100+5
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d100=85]
> roll 1d100+5 sub tables
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d100=55]
You wander for a few more hours. There's a brief break for lunch, which is merely bread and dried meat. Thereafter you forge on. The thick forest thins a little ahead, and you can see what might be the hints of a clearing. "There's something ahead," Moonlight calls back, "It might just be another arrival point, since plane shifters appear in those clearings like we did."
"Oh! Oh! Tryll can go check it out if you're worried about an ambush or something!"
"Makes sense," Sylvie says, while Moonlight nods and steps back.
Go ahead, Tryll.
The mist around Calleigh and Moonlight's head drifts down, sinking into the ground. Tryll moves ahead of the group, using the terrain and the earth as concealment.
Tryll advances ahead. You see in the clearing are...skeletons. Skeletons bleached white by the sunlight. Skeletons of some sort of canine creature, though bigger than a normal dog or wolf would be. They aren't moving and so no signs of being the undead. Just dozens and dozens of the skeletons fill the clearing.
Tryll searches for a reason the skeletons are here!
A reasonable intention, but how are you doing that? Searching about physically? If so, make a Search check. Otherwise, detail what you're doing.
Tryll searches about with Detect Psionics, examining the bones, the area, and such with invisible eyeballs poking minutely out of the ground in strategic locations.
Search check.
Tryll doesn't detect any psionics or magic.
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=5]
Nothing unusual here. Just lots of canine skeletons, which makes it quite unusual, actually.
Tryll heads back, relaying the information to the others. 'Bones. Canine. Whole skeletons, really. Bit of a bother, can't find why they're there. Wasn't able to find a reason.'
'I've heard of things like that. Animal graveyards, where animals go to die. Which doesn't make a lot of sense here, but..." Moonlight trails off and shrugs, "It seems harmless enough. Shall we continue on?"
Calleigh points, "Yay!" Meanwhile, Tryll assumes his position around Calleigh.
'I'll be watching.'
Activating Read Thoughts PLA, 60 foot cone in front of Tryll to help avoid ambushes. He'll be sweeping it back and forth. Renewed as it expires, it's at will.
Certainly.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 6 > [d100=6]
> roll 1d100+5
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 51 > [d100=46]
> roll 1d100+7
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 83 > [d100=76]
> roll 1d100+7 subtables
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 58 > [d100=51]
You wander to dinnertime, a pause to eat. Sylvie fixes up a soup with a crust of cheese on top of it, fairly simple but hearty fare. It fills you up and then the party progresses onward. It's not long past that when you come to two trees, deeply intertwined. Above the branches red light spills, sunset seen above them.
"Finally," Moonlight says, "That'll take us to Brux."
"Well let's go then!"
The party steps through the branch arch. You stand in a forest in sunset, everything painted red or orange. It's cooler here, a hint of fog in the air and with a crisp, fall-like smell to it all. Your breath lightly mists in the air as you can see the forest continues on.
"Well, part one down," Moonlight says, "Now the teleporting, right?"
"We can teleport! It's quick and only mildly uncomfortable!"
Who is doing the teleporting?
Tryll with Greater Psionics Teleport.
Okay, declare where precisely you're aiming and we'll get this going.
We are going directly to the tree castle's entrance.
Woosh! One teleportation later and you stand before a vast fortress. A fortress of trees, woven together to form a towering fort atop a cliff. It expands despite the geometric impossibility of it, far bigger than it should be for being before cliff.
There's just one problem. There's Tryll and Calleigh, as well as the psicrystal. Your companions are gone. A moment later a deep voice murmurs in Calleigh's mind, 'Your companions are safe, courre.' The same echos in Tryll's mind a moment later. 'But you have come to my domain, where my mind reigns supreme. They are not awakened as you are, they would not understand.' The voice is a man's, sonorous. It's hard to focus on anything but his voice, making you want to close your eyes and just listen.
"They could try though!" Calleigh counters. "Where are you? Are you a tree!?"
'If I am a tree, then what it all this? Why have you come here and what are your intentions?'
"Debonah gave us your name and where to find you so we could recruit you to join the Aurora crew and you'd get to make BRAIN POWER stuff REALLY CHEAPLY with us so we can punch all the devils! Plus there are discounts on magical items and elementals everywhere and a HUGE RAINBOW DRAGON and also a small rainbow dragon and an eagle dragon? Dragon eagle? And talking turtles! And maybe rainbow werebears if we can convince Selune it's a good idea. Balyss doesn't think so but I'll bet we can do it! Maybe she can team up with Renbuu. Wait! I'm getting side-tracked!" A tiny yet deep inhalation of breath, "I'm Calleigh! This is Tryll! Wanna come see the Planes with us? Meet interesting people? Eat candy? Cause explosions!?"
Before your eyes, the trees split apart, revealing a path within. 'Enter,' Both of them hear him in their minds, 'Walk the path of the mind together. If you are able to reach the end, we will discuss it in person.'
Tryll and Calleigh zip forward together!
Walls of tree trunks, a canopy of branches. Ahead of you a ghostly, semi-visible wall of what looks to be blue goo rises up, blocking your way.
I'm assuming that's easily recognized as ectoplasm, that one thing that all psionic characters know of and don't usually have to roll for?
Yes. Basic K:Psi tells you it's a wall of ectoplasm power.
Calleigh turns into a tiny ball of light! Both Calleigh and Tryll sink into the ground, phasing through the earth to go under the wall!
This is uneventful and easy, the two soon on the other side of the wall.
Calleigh keeps an eye out for shinies!
Tryll keeps an eye on Calleigh, an eye out for mischief, and a third eye in reserve.
Spot check, you two.
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+24 Tryll
<Kobot> DarthSquiddius rolled 1d20+24 Tryll --> [ 1d20=2 ]{26}
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+15 Calleigh
<Kobot> DarthSquiddius rolled 1d20+15 Calleigh --> [ 1d20=8 ]{23}
The two walk along, coming to...
What is described next depends on your protections. Are either of you immune to mind-affecting?
We both still have Mind Blank.
You come to nothing at all, walking further. You soon come to a door of carved wood, swirls and whirls all about it.
Does it have a handle?"
Yes.
Psi-like Ability Telekinetic Force manifested.
Tryll pulls on the handle!
On making contact with the handle (with his mind, as it is), Tryll feels a pull against his. A presence threatening to overwhelm his mind, slamming against his like a boulder from above.
Tryll resists!
How? Just marshaling your will power?
Well, let's examine the force arrayed against me. Not physical, but psychic? Is it an encompassing force, or from a specific direction. Can I guide my mind around it?
It's psychic, yes. It's powerful and encompassing. You aren't sure, it's coming on fast.
Let's see what happens if we attempt to brain power it away! Resisting it with my mind. Roll?
Will save, yes.
<Kobot> DarthSquiddius rolled 1d20+27 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{46}
Pow.
Tryll's mind is much stronger, trivially repulsing the presence from him. The door opens, revealing a simple room. There's a fire pit in the middle, where a small fire burns. Kneeling before it is a man, misshapen and ancient. He isn't wearing anything except an old, tattered pair of pants. He has a massive white beard and long, dirty hair framing wide green eyes.
He stares at the two as they enter, silent.
Tryll manifests True Seeing, suspecting trickery!
The figure before you is but a phantasm, a semi-real illusion controlled by afar. It looks at you and laughs, mouth empty of teeth save for a few stumps. "It's been an age since I met one of your kind," the old man declares, "So quick in your mind and secure in your power, with that damnably fast perception. We're just wasting time here, aren't we?"
"Courreses aren't that uncommon!" Calleigh replies helpfully.
Calleigh gets a little more laughter out of him from that, "Yes, but courres don't wield such mind magic, do you?"
"Well no, but I don't either!"
"Yes, yes, but let us get to business. I am a projection of Hamogan, the Red Mind. Debonah sent you this way?" he asks.
"Yep! We went and found her in Brightwater and she was at a massage parlor and she talked to Tryll and the massage person chased me around and there was oil EVERYWHERE and then Debonah was REALLY SCARY and then I got candy!"
The old man cackles, "Ah, that sounds like a fun time. Why do you need my attention?"
"Well, the Aurora has a bunch of magic stuff and crafters and Afina and then there's the mercane and that guy who looks like a dwarf but he's on fire all the time and he does...slimes? Golems? Elementals? I forget. But! We don't have anyone who can craft psionic stuff! And we kinda need it. Stuff went weird with the devils and the yugoloths and the liches and the rift and there was a BIG EXPLOSION and yeah. We need your help!" Calleigh gesticulates wildly as she tells the story. "You'd get a nice set of rooms, all the food you want, elementals to play with, what we're told are incredible crafting facilities, and access to the library. Medium's library. Wait, no, that's not it. Uhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm...wait! It's the Aurora now, but it used to be called something different. Uh. Mendicant! No! Some real big deal sorcerer wizard guy from way back who scared the bazookas out of everyone cause he was so powerful. Medi! Yeah! That guy. Anyway. We have all sorts of stuff. Fire dryads and ghost girls and really angry princesses and a solar and a planetar and I think there used to be a vampire and a demon guy but they died and then there's the talking turtles and did I mention the elementals and OH YEAH we have BALERUK! He's a big dragon! You should join up! We can kick evil in the teeth together!"
"Ah." The old man just slowly rubs his temple, 'I see, I see. I think this'll be quicker for everyone if I read your mind. May I?"
"Hmmm...okay!"
Calleigh feels a presence around her, slowly boring into her mind.
You're allowed a Will save to resist if you want.
Calleigh does not resist, confident that any hostile action will be answered swiftly by Tryll.
It only takes a few moments, "Medicant," The Red Mind says aloud, "I thought it but a myth. You need my help to forge psionic items for you, that's the right of it?"
"As long as you're not an evil guy or a devil or something. Or a slaad that likes to eat people. We're gonna have to talk to Renbuu about that, seriously. That was weird even for slaad. Slaadi? Slaads? Whatever. Medicant! That's what they called it. I fell asleep in a book about it."
"I am not any of those," The Red Mind says, "But I must ask you about one of your friends first. She awes and terrifies me, for her mind is not alone."
"Okay!"
"The blonde woman. Her name is Sylvie?" The old man asks, "I have never sensed anything like that."
"Ohhhh, yeah! Her! She's...nice I guess! The thing with the power though, you'd have to ask her. I dunno." Calleigh shrugs.
"Does your friend?" Hamogan presses.
"Probably! You can ask if you join up! Wanna join up!?"
"I meant your other friend. Your master," Hamogan sighs a little bit, "Calleigh, I read your mind."
How big is this room?
"Ohhhhh you mean Tryll! Can you see him?"
Fairly big, about the size of a comfortable living room.
"No, but I read your mind. I know he's there," The old man says. "Does he know?"
"Ooooooohhhhhhh." Calleigh says, experiencing epiphany. "I don't think so. You can ask him yourself though! How are you with big not at all scary squid monsters? Tentacles? No problems? Great! Don't freak out!"
Calleigh waves her stick like a magic wand. "Shazam!" and Calleigh's half of the room is filled with titanic ghostly squidface as Tryll manifests.
'Hello!'
"Yes, yes, I see why you were mistaken for an aboleth," The Red Mind remarks, "That must be dreadfully annoying."
'Yes! People seem to react much more positively to Calleigh's appearance, and the vast majority who can see me tend not to immediately smite with a courre in the way. Yes. Hello! I am Tryll! You are Hamogan the Red Mind! Delightful to meet you. I seem to be conversing directly with my peers quite often of late. Terribly distressing. The price one pays for having powerful friends, I suppose.'
"Is it so surprising? A courre couldn't produce the clarity and power of mind you have. I had deduced your existence on that, Calleigh's mind only confirmed it." The old man says, starting not to look so old. He has teeth now, beard shortening and becoming neater. "The weak and foolish may assume, but those with power are as likely to not."
'Well, yes. My existence is not necessarily a secret. Merely that my appearance is...upsetting to humanoids. Also, Calleigh is amused by the thought of our enemies believing that she can use my abilities.'
"Yes. To the point at hand, do you know of Sylvie? When I used my most intensive analysis of her while rerouting the teleport, I found a mind like none other. Dreadfully quick, an aberration but one that is not unknown. The presence with her is not known and is awe inspiring and starkly terrifying." The old man's hair stars turning gray, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.
'Ah, yes. She's rather very bright, isn't she? Smart girl, really. I've had regrettably few conversations with the woman, so I don't know much of her. I imagine she'd likely be amenable to speak with you, given time. Whatever power she has isn't something I've been informed of, so your best course of action is likely to engage her. It's not caught my fancy.'
"Well then, enough of the preliminaries then." The old man is not old at all anymore, clad in simple if well made clothes and a middle aged man with black hair. "You want me to join Aurora?"
'That was the general idea, yes.'
Calleigh is beginning to look around.
It's a nice room but nothing too fancy. Just a sitting room. "Do what you will," Hamogan says, "This room is disposable, so long as you don't disrupt us." Then back to Tryll he says, "It seems a noble cause."
'You are aware of their plight?'
Ever so slowly, the Red Mind says, "I read Calleigh's mind."
'There's more to it than what she knows. I don't burden her with it. Simply put: it gets worse. A large portion of the occupants of the renamed Aurora are from Lifasa, and some of their stories are harrowing. For expediency's sake, I'll not go over them here. If you wish to know, you may learn from their sources. Many stories are not mine to tell. I digress. I will not conceal the dangers of our mission. What began with the actions of a Duke of Hell has expanded into a concerted effort from more than one of the Nine. With Lixer's involvement, I'd wager that Asmodeus has a stake in the game as well as Bel. I can say that we are as close to direct divine support as we are likely to get. More than one god has intervened as directly as they can in recent times. Our path is long and shrouded in uncertainty, but we are mighty. I cannot promise safety, but I can assure fulfillment. We are here because you are highly recommended by Debonah, a solar. A being whose judgement is nigh-infallible. Will you aid us, and add your strength to our own?' No gesticulating from Tryll as he speaks, no expression changes. Simple placid floating and calm voice.
Meanwhile, Calleigh is examining everything.
Calleigh finds the room's nice enough. Nothing too breakable or valuable, though. It's almost like a guest room than anything else.
"Not for power, not to give up what I have, not for any of that. It is because it is the right thing to do?" The Red Mind asks, drumming his fingers. "You sound like Debonah now. He'll move the world to make something right. He has before." This draws a sigh out of the middle aged man, "I'd hoped to finish a planestone this century, but there's always next century."
'You'd be surprised. I'd wager you'll find someone able to help you craft it faster.'
"Then the only question is where is Aurora?" The Red Mind asks.
Serith: Yuthirin roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=10]
Rolling for Sense Motive because I'm not stupid.
Trying to determine if he bears ill will.
He seems fairly straightforward and isn't hiding anything.
'Water, currently. Apparently the leaders like to move to different locations every once in a while.'
"Then I will be there within a week's time," he says, "Would you like to return to your friends now?"
"We could help you pack! I'm a good helper!" Calleigh calls from...somewhere.
"No need," The image vanishes, and the way you came opens back up. "Your friends are outside."
"Okie-dokie!" Calleigh falls out of the ceiling as Tryll's form disperses into mist. They fly out together, Calleigh waving, "Bye Mister Hamogan! See you soon!"
The trip back out is uneventful. You fin-oooof! Moonlight grabs Calleigh by both hands, "Oh good, you're safe!" She exhales, then holds her up to eye level, "What happened, we were worried sick and trying to get around, but that stupid teleportation diversion got us."
Sylvie's standing nearby, arms crossed. Rosa's not far from her, the two quietly discussing.
"Hand hugs!" Calleigh cheers, throwing her hands in the air, "It was good! He wanted to talk and he was weird but nice and not mean at all! He let me run around and explore while he talked to Tryll and he read my mind with my permission so now he knows everything about everyone! But not really because I don't know a whole lot and don't really pay attention but he was an old guy who got younger and then older and he sorta whined about planar stones? and then he talked about how great Sylvie is and I THINK HE HAS A CRUSH ON SYLVIE OH MY GOSH and we told him that if he wanted to meet her he should totally come to the Aurora and he's gonna join us in a week! Probably! Hi!"
"Really?" Sylvie looks over, "Is he cute?"
Moonlight nods, "Well then, let's get back to Aurora and wait for him."
"He might be! I couldn't tell! Let's go!"
From there it's a few bits of magic before you return to Aurora, wet but intact. Home again, at least for now.
Next up on your pending stuff, Yuth?
Honestly a bunch of OOC stuff, then the need for a cash infusion.
What's the OOC stuff?
Tryll's racial history and stuff like that, and designing a PrC for him.
Okay, take a bit of time and work on that. I'll poke you about it tonight.
Ok.
This topic is locked for the moment. Your next thread will touch on psionic item options coming up first thing.
You ready to pick back up?
Let's roll.
New thread going up momentarily.