A day of rest follows, Jaela spending it mostly with family, save for some downtime for prayer and reflection on the Triune. The next day dawns - the day of her visit to her brother.
Go ahead and set yourself up to find Canderella if you're going to try and invite her along in spite of Hanna.
"Joking aside, Mom," Jaela tells Hanna as they catch a moment of privacy, "I made a good faith promise to introduce her way back and I don't go back on my word. No minds in the gutter and no jokes. She just happens to be a succubus but this promise would have been as likely and as valid for a slime elemental."
"Same difference," Hanna bats back, the two of you in a quiet hallway in the officer's quarters. "Why not introduce her another time? It doesn't need to be this time."
"I want him to see what the Crusade is about, since it's so key to who I am. I could drag Vul'lath along but then no one is happy. If so, why not kill two birds with one stone?"
Hanna takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, "That means you just have to bring Canderella as an example of our Crusade?"
"We're inclusive and some of our biggest allies are unconventional. I could invite Baleruk instead if you like?"
Make a diplo check here, Jaela.
[23:01] <Corwin> roll 1d20+55
[23:01] <Kobot> Corwin rolled 1d20+55 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{69}
That total when dealing with a succubus. I see.
Hanna holds a hand up, "Baleruk? Really. Sure, invite him and see if there's a smiting in the waiting."
"Great! Just wait here, I'll be right back!"
And she flies to Baleruk's lair.
You find Baleruk as normal. For whatever definition of normal a giant rainbow dragon has, anyway. In this case, he's splattering paint onto a canvas with his fail, each swing making a bigger mess.
"Baleruk!" Jaela yells in greeting, to better get his attention. "I've got a brother I never met and I'm heading out with Mom to meet him! I'm here to invite you along!"
Baleruk turns to you, coming in close so he's eye to face with you. He's splattered all over with paint, a rainbow of colors all over his face. "What makes your brother WORTHY OF SEEING THE RAINBOW?"
"What a silly question, he's my brother isn't he?" Jaela scoffs. "Come on, we're spending way too much time indoors as it is. We should get out once in a while without the need to fight something!"
Baleruk scoffs right back - a burst of air that knocks you back a step. "Very well, I will DEIGN TO grace him with my august presence."
Grinning, Jaela heads back out to meet up with Hanna, waving Baleruk over.
"HANNA!" Baleruk booms, landing before the planetar, "YOUR SLAAD INFORMED ME THIS DAY WOULD COME!"
"What?" Hanna says, deadpan.
"Aww, you warmed up to the annoying thing?"
"I DEIGN TO FOLLOW YOU TO YOUR FAMILY. LEAD ME ON!" Baleruk bellows, heading out through the gates.
Hanna watches him go and follows, "All creatures deserve love, but I have not warmed up to him, no. 27 does what he wishes."
"Oh, I'm sure he's not the only creature here you don't have love for," Jaela teases with a grin. "And speaking of the annoying thing that told my friends and family I was dead in the worst misleading way, why don't you actually do something about it? The way it looks is like you're secretly happy, you know."
Hanna walks with you slowly, "Being annoying isn't grounds to kill something. Nothing I do otherwise deters 27."
"I would never advocate killing one of our allies," Jaela says matter of factly, giving her mother a long look. "It goes without saying we don't stab them in the back or otherwise betray them. No, I'm just saying that if you consider this an actual problem you're facing and not some strange comedy you could take measures. Instead of doing what never works, by which I mean complaining to Ithea or kicking it away, why don't you ask around for solutions you didn't think of? Examine the portal network with Elena? Use magic to explicitly seal off dimensional travel and moving through the walls, ceiling and floor of your room? Petition your sponsors at the Court for entirely fresh ideas? Celestia is close enough to an antithesis to the frogs, so you could always pick the brains of their contingent, too. But don't act like the choice is simply between two options of killing it or suffering comically for everyone's continued amusement."
"I have," Hanna sighs a little bit, "No one has any idea how 27 does what he does. The slaad can work in ways that are incomprehensible to anything else, and he's tied to a slaad lord. As annoying as it is, better that this focus is on me and relatively harmless, rather in a more malicious form. I will endure, and perhaps Ithea will find a way to get her slaad to calm down."
"Okay, just let me know when you're over this martyr thing so I can help you out. Not gonna force you," Jaela responds, heading out to catch up to Baleruk.
"Jaela, if you can get 27 to stop what he's doing, I'll even make nice with Canderella," Hanna says, stopping before going out.
"Okay."
"Okay? Just okay?" Hanna asks back. "Will you?"
"I'll look into it because you actually asked," Jaela elaborates. "Not right now, obviously, and not promising results up front. No need to consider some form of payment, either, it's actually insulting to Candy so I was trying to gloss over it."
Hanna lets it go at that, the three heading out. "We're going to Arborea," Hanna announces, giving Baleruk a look, "Best behavior."
Baleruk leans down and glares at her, Hanna not batting an eyelash. "Best behavior," she repeats.
"She means we use our indoor voice," Jaela helpfully translates for her.
Oh, you both get dragon glares before Baleruk says, "Very well." In a relatively not too loud voice, before Hanna shifts you all over.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=92 ]{92}
> roll 1d100 subtables
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 subtables --> [ 1d100=99 ]{99}
You appear in the forest, in a huge clearing big enough for all of you, even Baleruk. Sunshine streams down. "This isn't where I aimed for," Hanna remarks.
"It is where you are needed," A man's voice, light and pleasant on the ears, is heard from your side. An elf with long black hair and a bow and arrow on his back. He's dresses simply otherwise, save for a holy symbol of the Elf Father around his neck. "Slaad-ling," His gaze travels to Baleruk, "I am Sylvalar, proxy of Corellon Larethian. Your presence has not escaped his attention and he will not tolerate you treating his children as Chourst did. So long as you respect the natives of this realm and their works, you may travel freely and without animosity."
Sometimes the random encounter dice means you get noticed. A quasi-power has that happen sometimes.
"Hey there, Sylvalar! I'm Jaela, and these are Hanna and Baleruk. A pleasure!"
"Well met, servant of the Triune," Sylvalar returns the greeting, though his focus stays on Baleruk.
"What did Chourst do?" Baleruk asks, quietly, his gaze burning a hole into Sylvalar. From the focus he's putting into it, you almost wonder if that might become literal.
"We've met," Hanna declares, and in a low voice to you, "He serves as Corellon Larethian's majordomo; all of Arvandor is his stewardship, as it is Larethian's house."
"It's a family meeting with some friends, not an invasion," Jaela says with a grin. Did he just accuse a slaad of conformity with another slaad? How does that even work? Better just move past it. "Could you please point us in the right direction, you think? Mom seems to have lost her bearings."
"Attacked innocents under the Elf Father's protection," Sylvalar replies coolly, "As long as you do not do that or other churlish actions, we will have no problem."
Baleruk growls low, "Then we will have no problem."
"Good. Jaela, head to the east." Sylvalar says - and is gone a moment later. "Don't make us come back, Baleruk."
"Well, that was delightfully heavy-handed!" Jaela claps her hands. "Let's fly east and enjoy ourselves. No need to teleport ahead blindly."
Above or below the canopy?
Above unless Baleruk can fit below.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=98 ]{98}
> roll 1d100 subtables Jaela's on a roll
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 subtables Jaela's on a roll --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
You fly on. It's warm and sunny above the trees, as you lose yourself in the sensations of being home. You feel like you belong, like you've been away far too long. A sense of serenity fills you as you fly, distracting until Hanna and Baleruk intrude.
"It does not matter how she did it, she did it. That is enough," Baleruk declares, flying side by side with Hanna, the angel level with his head.
"Be that as it may - oh look, eagles," she points, far ahead a flock of them flying along. Golden and glimmering, touched by the ream. "What's he up to this time?" Hanna murmurs, "They're all above his house."
"Sorry, who did what now?"
"Your brother," Hanna says, pointing ahead to the flock of eagles. "His house is down there."
Jaela picks up speed, heading for the house!
As you approach, the eagles break and fly away. Below is a clearing, where a simple log cabin sits. A figure chops wood - elven on a glance, but extremely muscled. His bare chest glistens with sweat as he chops another log in half. He has red hair, lighter than your shade but not by much. He's tall, no wings or anything like that. Hanna stops and turns to you, quietly smiling, "Go introduce yourself," she says in a whisper.
Jaela floats down, wings at her sides. "Hey there," she calls out to him. "When did you spot I was coming? Just curious."
"When I saw the shadow of a dragon," Your brother replies, splitting another log. "I see Mother's up there, so I'm guessing you're Jaela?" He wipes his brow with the back of his arm, "Do you really breathe fire that melts devils or is that just bardtalk?" He smiles just a little bit, tossing his axe aside. "Good to meet you." He comes forward, pulling you into a hug - urk! He really is strong, as you're suddenly being bear-hugged tightly.
Halfway between laughing and sputtering, Jaela pats at his arm. "Air! Not that I need it, but...."
He squeezes tighter before letting you go. "Yeah. So do you really breathe fire?"
"No, my breath is minty fresh! But I can melt devils with my aura, so maybe that? Plus I've got this spell that summons a burning crown of justice, it's pretty flamey."
"Good enough for me." He picks you up and carries you on inside like you weigh nothing, "C'mon, sister. You know how I greet my siblings? Booze." He kicks his door open, "I'm resting up from a few centuries of crusading, and that means it's time to have some fun."
"Yeah, I expected this," Jaela agrees. "Got any family of your own?"
"Yeah, Mother," He calls up, waving her down. "Had a wife, but she was mortal. Lost track after great grand children. What about you, found a special guy yet?"
"It's complicated," Jaela says with a snort. "I did rid myself of my mortality recently, but I'm still not thinking in terms of centuries. Oh! And I brought along a friend! Mom's pretty discriminating about my company but she couldn't complain about Baleruk."
"Yeah, it took me a few centuries and some time here." Your brother agrees as Mother and Baleruk at last land. Baleruk looks around, "Hail, blood of Jaela. I AM THE MIGHTY RAINBOW BALERUK, WHO SHALL BE THE GREATEST DRAGON DEITY OF ALL!"
"Mother," Your brother gives her a level look, "Didn't I ask you not to bring your boyfriends over?"
Jaela can't help it, she laughs! "I'm actually fine if you two decide to date," she tells Hanna, "Baleruk's the most fabulous person I've ever met!"
Hanna gives you an unamused look, but your brother cuts in, "Sorry Mom," he says, smiling along as he carries you inside. Baleruk stomps along, "I will stay out here," he declares, not commenting further.
Once inside, "You're in a good mood," Hanna observes.
"I got a Sending from Valora," He says, putting you down on a surprisingly nice couch. Despite the outside, the inside is richly and comfortably decorated. Mmm, soft. "They finished breaking the prophecy. Nasfaro fell and Blackspire burned. It's over."
"Finally," Hanna exhales, "Your messages sounded so concerned, especially after you were banished. I know, there's nothing worse than not being able to help after so long in a conflict."
"Hey, hey, what's that all about? Banishment? Did you get killed on some Prime?"
"Nah," He says, going to take a seat next to you. Hanna pulls up a sturdy, large wood chair and takes a seat nearby. "Short version is that one of the Nasfarian magi - wizards from Nasfero, a city-state dominated by Cyric's chosen - found some way to banish me like I had. I'm still not sure how he did it, maybe an artifact or he channeled Cyric directly. There was this prophecy there that Nasfero would conquer the entire continent it was on, institute a new empire and all of that. I got sent to help mortals break it. Had a lot of adventures, made friends and fought evil until I got banished."
"You did enough," Hanna says, "You fought until you couldn't fight them anymore."
"We won. That means I did enough," he agrees, "If the plans haven't been changed, Nasfero is going to be salted and enspelled so that no life will grow there for 7 generations. Just as well, because Auril's also a problem there, as well as Shar and Malar. All of the evil deities have a stake there, though those are the worst offenders in that stretch of the woods."
"Nice! I wish I were the kind of threat someone would invent a spell just for little old me to keep me out," Jaela says, laughing. "You know, now that we've met and all, next time that shit happens gimme a Sending and I'll show up to slap those bitches down. Fighting evil's a family business, right?"
"Sure, though I like to keep it sporting," Your brother says, "If the three of us show up, we'll barely get warmed up before they're all smited." He grins and reaches over, ruffling your hair.
"I think it's fair if they banish you! If you're not allowed to call in family then, when are you?" Jaela asks with a snort. "So hey, hobbies! Got any beyond chopping wood and smiting evil?"
"Meditation, hiking," he starts listing them off, "Dreaming, reading, painting, writing, whatever catches my fancy." He sits back, "Life's too long to only have a few interests."
"Oh?" Jaela perks up. "Write anything I might've seen? I'm kinda trying to get my feet wet there myself."
"Oh, hold on, I have a few books." He goes off, looking around.
"Like him?" Hanna asks quietly.
Jaela gives Hanna a thumbs up.
He comes back over, carrying a book. "Try this," he says. "It's about a prime world I once visited."
Jaela takes a look!
It's a written account of a Prime world. It's a travel diary, outlining things from his perspective. The writing's solid, and you find yourself being drawn in.
Jaela finds herself comparing the prose to the Gwinnan travel logs as she reads.
It's different. The style, word choice and general flow aren't the same. Gwinnan has a lot of verbal tics your brother doesn't. He focuses more on his perceptions and opinions, with less naked exposition of the facts.
As you read, Hanna and your brother go over and start cooking - something in a big cast iron pan. Smells good - eggs and bacon for sure, as well as something sweet.
"Mm, I've read more than my share of travel logs," Jaela voices, done with the account. "Yours compares favorably with them. You wanted to convey the feeling of being there through anecdotes rather than relay facts and statistics about a given area, I take it?"
Hanna brings you over a plate while your brother cleans the pan. Looks like bacon and egg scramble with maple syrup.
"Yeah," he says, "It's not a boring study book, it's what it's like to be there. Some real feeling, yeah?"
"Yeah, I get you! That's what I like to write, myself!" Jaela is all too happy to agree, before raising her voice. "Hey, Baleruk, buddy! Hungry? We've got food!"
The door opens, Baleruk's eye dominating the view. "There were deer nearby." is all he says, before the door shuts.
Jaela laughs. "Did you eat one? A few? All the deer?"
"ALL THE DEER!" Baleruk roars, the entire house shaking.
Hanna merely stands her ground, "Are there any leftovers," she asks calmly.
"If there are, bring them in. Venison will make a good dinner." Your brother adds.
"BRING THE LEFTOVERS IN!" Jaela helpfully relays.
Baleruk gives all three of you a glare before the door slams shut.
"I don't know why he's so moody," Jaela admits. "It must be your fault, Mom. First you don't let me bring Candy, then you lecture Baleruk who's so fabulous and radiant. Why would you do this? Do you hate fun?"
"Yeah, Mother. Do you have fun?" Your brother asks with a grin.
Hanna hmphs and smiles back at the two of you, "I have been known to smite it when it gets out of line, just like unruly children."
"Fun-smiter!" Jaela snorts, starting on her bacon and eggs. Glancing at her brother, she asks, "How about your fighting style? What're the basic tenets? Do you have students? How do you actually get students?"
It's good with a sweet taste as well. Maple syrup, alright. "My bare hands. I used to use a greataxe," He pauses to nod to Hanna and she returns it, "But I had a series of battles with a group of demon cultists who kept sundering my weapon. I got tired of it and couldn't get my hands on an aurorum weapon, so I taught myself to fight with my fist-slams. It's not as powerful per hit as a greataxe, but I've learned to get a lot of strikes in. Really though, I can use any weapon well enough to fight with."
"What a dick move!" Jaela complains. "I've got my own solution to it, in the form of lots and lots of spears." She scratches at her chin, balancing the plate haphazardly on her knee. "We've got a pretty good guy back at the Aurora who's all about unarmed fighting. Goes by the Master, and he kinda earns the title, too. How about this for a subtle invite to come visit with us when we head back?"
Your brother eats easily, fast but with good manners. He puts his serving away quick and then the plate aside, "Sure, but let me see how good you are first." He says, standing up and cracking his knuckles. "Up for a spar? Mother's no good, she's been stuck awhile."
Hanna smiles at that, "Oh really? Then why not spar with me first and I'll show you how stuck I am." Hanna cracks her knuckles in just the same way as he does.
"A three way fight is fine with me unless you guys want teams. Then I'm on the team with Baleruk. Rules?"
"Nonlethal, to knockout or submission," Your brother says, leading you outside. Baleruk stands just behind the cabin, looming over things as you come out. "No spells, though techniques and supernatural abilities are fine."
Jaela snorts. "My style merges beatdown of devils with magic, armor and spears. I guess if I'm at half strength it's a suitable handicap. Unless you expect me to drop my active magic boosters, then I'd be at like a third. Either way--" Looking up at the dragon, she says, "Like you heard my brother and mom want a nonlethal, nonmagical beatdown by the best girl. Wanna team up with me and show them the true meaning of pain?"
"Agreed." Baleruk rumbles, then his head darts for your brother!
Well that kicked it off. Init.
20:43 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+13
20:43 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{17}
> roll 1d20+12 Hanna
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 Hanna --> [ 1d20=12 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+5 Baleruk
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 Baleruk --> [ 1d20=3 ]{8}
> roll 1d20+8 brother
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 brother --> [ 1d20=16 ]{24}
Init is Hanna = Brother > Jaela > Baleruk.
Before you can react - oh CRAP AXE TO THE FACE, FLAT SIDE FIRST.
Hanna's going Mighty Rage for +8 str/con, +4 Will and -2 AC.
> roll 1d20+39 (+4 rage, -4 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+39 (+4 rage, -4 PA) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{48}
AC Jaela? Axe is merciful so it's not lethal damage.
Armor Class: 57 touch/59 vs incorporeal/65 normal/44 flat-footed; 20% miss chance.
Jaela reacts on pure instinct, dodging Hanna's strike by an inch. Meanwhile your brother turns on Baleruk, taking a big swing as he takes to the air to close in.
> roll 1d20+35
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{54}
> roll 1d20+35 crit?
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+35 crit? --> [ 1d20=13 ]{48}
> roll 4d8+24 nonlethal
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 4d8+24 nonlethal --> [ 4d8=14 ]{38}
WHAM! Baleruk takes it right on the snout, making his head stop cold. For a moment Baleruk seems stunned, perhaps at the sheer gall your brother shows.
Go Jaela.
Quick update. I'd normally edit posts for this, but I'll do it here. I misread Jaela's AC, so that is actually a hit, pending miss chance.
> roll 1d100 vs 20
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 vs 20 --> [ 1d100=43 ]{43}
> roll 3d6+31+1d6 nonlethal
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 3d6+31+1d6 nonlethal --> [ 3d6=9 1d6=4 ]{44}
Unfortunately, as Jaela turns to act, she lets her guard down. An axe to the head follows, the flat of it smashing right into her face. OW! Stars are seen as she struggles to recover from it.
Go.
Jaela spits the blood accumulating in her mouth to the ground, laughing. "What a fucking cheap shot," she says mockingly, a flip of her wings raising her above her mother as she hovers there for a moment, observing things. Baleruk is in the same boat, so that's nice!
"Gae Trocaire!" she calls out, and her trusted spear of mercy comes at her command. Lowering its tip at her mother, she doesn't hesitate in striking back while leaving herself open to any and all retaliations!
21:21 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+41+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei
21:21 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d20+41+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei --> [ 1d20=6 ]{48}
21:21 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=19]
21:21 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+36+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei
21:21 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d20+36+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei --> [ 1d20=16 ]{53}
21:21 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=9]
21:21 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+31+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei
21:21 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=15]
21:21 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d20+31+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei --> [ 1d20=19 ]{51}
21:21 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+26+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei
21:21 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=20]
21:21 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d20+26+5-4 KD, PA, divine might, nonlethal, Rei --> [ 1d20=19 ]{46}
+1 to all
21:24 <Tohsaka> roll 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #1, Rei
21:24 <Tohsaka> roll 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #1, Rei
21:24 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #1, Rei --> [ 1d8=6 1d6=1 ]{57}
21:24 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #1, Rei --> [ 1d8=8 1d6=6 ]{64}
21:24 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 59 > [d8=6][d6=3]
21:24 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 63 > [d8=7][d6=6]
21:24 <Tohsaka> roll 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #3, Rei
21:24 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 61 > [d8=6][d6=5]
21:24 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #3, Rei --> [ 1d8=1 1d6=3 ]{54}
21:24 <Tohsaka> roll 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #4, Rei
21:24 <Serith> Tohsaka roll for Serith < 61 > [d8=6][d6=5]
21:24 <Rei-chan> Tohsaka rolled : 1d8+31+1d6+5+14 #4, Rei --> [ 1d8=6 1d6=2 ]{58}
57+64+54+58-15x4 (dr) = 173 damage after DR
I'm in gambit
Hanna grins as you smack her around, blows staggering her as you jab her hard. Each blow knocks her good, but she takes them all and stays up, wounds already healing. Spitting out blood herself, "Not bad, Jaela!"
Meanwhile, Baleruk ROARS and goes for your brother, mouth first.
> roll 1d20+36 Baleruk
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+36 Baleruk --> [ 1d20=15 ]{51}
> OOC: -4 for nonlethal
> roll 2d8+14
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d8+14 --> [ 2d8=6 ]{20}
It ends up something of a headbutt, knocking him back to the ground and making him see stars. "Heh, not bad," Your brother says, readying another swing. But Mom's faster, axe coming for your face again.
> roll 1d20+43
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+43 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{63}
> roll 1d20+38 crit?
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+38 crit? --> [ 1d20=1 ]{39}
> OOC: +5 to that but a natural 1 so whatever.
> roll 1d20+38
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+33
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{50}
> roll 1d20+28
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{32}
> roll 1d100 vs 20 Miss chance
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 vs 20 Miss chance --> [ 1d100=99 ]{99}
> roll 3d6+27+1d6
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 3d6+27+1d6 --> [ 3d6=9 1d6=6 ]{42}
Axe, meet head. Head, meet axe. Again. You see stars all over again, nose trickling blood as Hanna takes the worst that you have and keeps going. Fortunately, you block the rest of her strikes after, rolling with it and shaking your head clear.
Meanwhile...
> roll 1d20+35
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{38}
> roll 1d20+35
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{41}
> roll 1d20+30
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+30 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{31}
> roll 1d20+30
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+30 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{35}
> roll 1d20+25
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+25
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{36}
> roll 1d20+20
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{34}
> roll 1d20+20
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{38}
Your brother leaps up and jabs at Baleruk's head over half a dozen times, but can't manage a single, solid blow. "Damn dragons," he says, "Head harder than steel!"
Go.
"Now that's skill!" Jaela comments, this time in admiration. She doesn't prevent it from striking back, although perhaps it does hold her hand a bit to allow for a longer bout....
Still in gambit. Fast healing 3, so healing 6 (this round and previous) while damage is: 44-20+42-20-6 = 40 nonlethal
[21:53] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 1
[21:53] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 2
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 1 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{56}
[21:53] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 3
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 2 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{47}
[21:53] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 4
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 3 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{48}
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+41+5 Rei, nonlethal gambit 4 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{47}
[21:54] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks! forgot the +1 for the gambits again.
[21:54] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+41+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks! forgot the +1 for the gambits again. --> [ 1d20=13 ]{60}
[21:54] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+36+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks!
[21:54] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+36+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks! --> [ 1d20=2 ]{44}
[21:54] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+31+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks!
[21:54] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+31+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks! --> [ 1d20=3 ]{40}
[21:54] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+26+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks!
[21:54] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d20+26+5+1 Rei, nonlethal attacks! --> [ 1d20=1 ]{33}
[21:57] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #1
[21:58] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #1 --> [ 1d8=6 1d6=3 ]{59}
[21:58] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #2
[21:58] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #2 --> [ 1d8=1 1d6=5 ]{56}
[21:58] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #3
[21:58] <Rei-chan> Jaela rolled : 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #3 --> [ 1d8=3 1d6=6 ]{59}
Fresh damage to Hanna: 59+56+59 = 174 nonlethal. Gae Trocaire bypasses her DR for this round and 9 after it.
Just remembered she has 2 kinds of DR. It bypasses the conventional 15/evil+epic one, dunno how it'd work with the other.
How does your weapon bypass DR?
Transmuting weapon
It doesn't bypass DR/-, so that applies. There's no way to bypass it, so it can't morph into something that doesn't exist.
Also from houserules, this isn't relevant here but worth mentioning.
18: Transmuting beats typical damage reduction descriptors (adamantine, cold iron, silver, good, evil, lawful, chaotic) without difficulty. Unique damage reduction, such as possessed by an abomination, is not bypassed by a transmuting weapon.
So what's the total damage then?
174-7x3 = 153 from this round
Init is Hanna = Brother > Jaela > Baleruk.
Jaela batters Hanna ruthlessly, beating her around and knocking her back. Blow after blow hits her, but it only makes her rage harder. She's still up despite a broken nose and eyes swelling shut. Meanwhile Baleruk glares down at your brother, before he unleashes his full fury on him.
> roll 1d20+32 bite -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 bite -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=15 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+32 claw 1 -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 claw 1 -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=20 ]{52}
> roll 1d20+32 claw 1 -4 nonlethal crit?
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 claw 1 -4 nonlethal crit? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{40}
> roll 1d20+32 claw 2 -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 claw 2 -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=8 ]{40}
> roll 1d20+27 claw 1 -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+27 claw 1 -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=11 ]{38}
> roll 1d20+27 claw 2 -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+27 claw 2 -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=6 ]{33}
> roll 1d20+32 wings -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 wings -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=13 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+32 wings -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 wings -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=15 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+32 tail -4 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 tail -4 nonlethal --> [ 1d20=11 ]{43}
> roll 2d8+14+2d6+7+2d6+7+1d8+7+1d8+7+2d6+21
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d8+14+2d6+7+2d6+7+1d8+7+1d8+7+2d6+21 --> [ 2d8=10 2d6=3 2d6=10 1d8=2 1d8=7 2d6=3 ]{98}
Your brother's knocked around by Baleruk, smacked by claw backhands, tail thumped and headbutted to the ground. He gets up with a groan, rubbing the side of his head. But you don't have time for anything more, as suddenly AXE TO THE FACE.
> roll 1d20+43
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+43 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{49}
> roll 1d20+38
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{55}
> roll 1d20+33
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{53}
> roll 1d20+33 crit?
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 crit? --> [ 1d20=15 ]{48}
> roll 1d20+28
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{41}
> roll 1d100 vs 20
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 vs 20 --> [ 1d100=74 ]{74}
> roll 3d6+27+1d6
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6+27+1d6 --> [ 3d6=13 1d6=6 ]{46}
Jaela tastes blood as the flat of Hanna's axe again hits her in the face. The warm, wet sensation running down her mouth and chin tells her that her nose gave up the ghost, and the pain in her jaw suggests it's broken. Between all this, you largely miss you brother teeing off on Baleruk, leaping to his feet and trading blows with him.
> roll 1d20+35
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{41}
> roll 1d20+35
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{55}
> roll 1d20+35 crit?
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+35 crit? --> [ 1d20=13 ]{48}
> roll 1d20+30
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+30 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+30
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+30 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+25
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+25
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+20
> roll 1d20+20
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{34}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{32}
> roll 8d8+48 nonlethal
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 8d8+48 nonlethal --> [ 8d8=28 ]{76}
> roll 4d8+24
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d8+24 --> [ 4d8=23 ]{47}
He manages to leap up, holding on to Baleruk's head. He pummels it and then climbs atop, before leaping up and slamming his foot into the top of Baleruk's skull. It sends him crashing into the roof of his house, timbers breaking under Baleruk's jaw. Amid this as they continue to brawl...
Go.
Enough is enough, Jaela decides. Her mother can't win, and the situation reminds her uncomfortably of her own while faced with ridiculously powerful foes. A Duke of Hell, an evil Archomental... she could hurt them, and withstand their attacks for a while. But the outcome won't be in doubt.
[21:09] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 1
[21:09] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 1 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{59}
[21:09] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 2
[21:09] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 2 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{54}
[21:09] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 3
[21:09] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 3 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{49}
[21:09] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 4
[21:09] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 4 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{67}
[21:10] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #1
[21:10] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #2
[21:10] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #1 --> [ 1d8=7 1d6=3 ]{60}
[21:10] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #2 --> [ 1d8=3 1d6=5 ]{58}
[21:10] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #3
[21:10] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #3 --> [ 1d8=5 1d6=3 ]{58}
[21:10] <@Jaela> roll 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #4
[21:10] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d8+31+5+14+1d6 nonlethal #4 --> [ 1d8=5 1d6=3 ]{58}
[21:10] <@Jaela> roll 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 4 crit confirm
[21:10] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 1d20+41+5+1 Kobot, nonlethal gambit 4 crit confirm --> [ 1d20=2 ]{49}
[21:11] <@Jaela> roll 3d8+93+15+42+1d6 replaces last damage roll, nonlethal
[21:11] <Kobot> Jaela rolled 3d8+93+15+42+1d6 replaces last damage roll, nonlethal --> [ 3d8=11 1d6=5 ]{166}
Damage this round: 60+58+58+166-7x4dr = 342 - 28 = 314 nonlethal
Damage to me, total: 40 + (46-20dr) - 3fast healing = 63 nonlethal
You beat Hanna down ruthlessly, her weakened guard enough for your blows to hit home. By the last of them she's already falling over, rage relenting as she falls to the ground. She's out cold.
Gambit counters were enough. Go.
Jaela catches her mother and lays her out on the ground comfortably before making her way to the other duel. She stops a comfortable ten feet away from her brother, close enough to be a tempting target as well as a distraction should she wish it. It is up to Baleruk whether he makes use of her presence, however, and she doesn't intend to intervene in such matters uninvited.
Moving into a flanking position.
Baleruk thrusts up with your brother still on him - and then he calls, "Enough, I yield," he says easily, hopping off Baleruk and landing on the ground, "One month of repairs is enough, thanks."
Free act, he knows when the odds don't bear it out.
Jaela nods, returning Gae Trocaire back into storage before calling upon a healing spell powerful enough to cure most afflictions!
Mass Heal, might even be enough to wake Hanna.
Hanna begins to stir but needs a few, groaning.
Baleruk sits up on his hind legs and ROARS, loud enough to make your eardrums throb. "VICTORY!"
"Yeah, wouldn't have used my house as a weapon if I'd realized Mom was going down that hard. You're awful strong, since she's gotten leagues better. I only saw a bit and I could tell." Your brother remarks, "Where'd you get so much might from?"
"Lost our home world to Abigor, made some bad choices and worse enemies, killed Abigor and even more enemies. It's been a rush of bullshit training and ridiculously hard battles to get to this point," Jaela responds, before jerking her head towards the ruins of his house. "Want me to get that for you? Wouldn't want to presume, maybe you like fixing this up by hand."
"I'd normally do it by hand," Your brother admits as Hanna slowly sits up, "Under the circumstances that would make me a poor host, so go ahead."
Jaela closes her eyes, praying to the Triune to restore her brother's dwelling!
And then she adjusts her headband and grins at Baleruk. "Not bad, eh? We should go somewhere together more often!"
Miracle
Your brother stares at you, "You just called for divine intervention for my roof." He says, flatly.
"That is true."
"Divine intervention isn't used like-" Your brother begin, but Hanna raises herself up with a groan.
"Let it go. I agree with you, but the Triune apparently gives Jaela the latitude." Her injuries are healing before your eyes, broken facebones shifting back into place and nose readjusting itself.
He watches his roof reassemble itself, "Y'know, you throw that around like a proxy and not just a servant. Something you're planning on telling us?"
"I've had the magical epiphany much earlier than the one about immortality," Jaela decides to educate him. "See, high power magic like this follows the path of least resistance. The Triune is aware of my request, of course, in a similar way she's aware when I'm casting Mending. If the Miracle can accomplish my desire by finding a reasonably suitable spell and supercharging it, that's what happens. So I reason my request took Make Whole and poured all the extra power into it to get it to go beyond its original limits. People often misunderstand because this same spell can also ask for direct divine intervention. I try not to do that too often, though, because I don't want to bug the Triune with things I can handle on my own."
"Anyway," After that your brother rolls his neck, "How long are you and Mother staying?"
"A while. There's nothing pressing and if they call me back I'm just a spell away from Aurora. Which you should visit, by the way."
"You really want me to join up?" Your brother asks, "You're about as subtle as Mother."
Jaela laughs. "Well yeah, of course I do! The Crusade's my life, and it's not like I had family in said life before so the more, the merrier. And you're family, so I'm not gonna manipulate you into joining. Then best be direct about it, I figure? Though seriously, even if you're not up to it you can just visit. We don't lock the gates after!"
"She's less subtle than I am," Hanna corrects, "I've seen balors more subtle than Jaela." Rubbing her neck as her jaw finishes shifting back to where it should be, "You aren't in the middle of something here, are you?"
"Nothing I can't put off. I'm resting more than anything else, didn't feel right to start a new crusade with that other business still going," Your brother admits. "Give me a couple days and I'll drop in. There's, ah, a nymph and..." He coughs, looking away.
"I understand." Hanna says with a smile, "If you can find a nymph's sweeter side, few things are as alluring."
"I've been buttering her up, getting past the haughtiness, so just leaving would set me back to where I was." Your brother says, "Give me a few days to settle that the right way and I'll be along."
Jaela ponders telling him that they have a succubus, but it's best to let them meet normally without her mother saying something here. She'll just have to look forward to it!
"Sounds like a lot of work. I've met nymphs. Haughty's an understatement."
"You really have to work at it. Being in Arborea helps as well, since even nymphs give celestials here the benefit of the doubt - at first, if you don't blow it." Your brother says, "Nymphs of the Prime are usually less likely to do that." He crosses his arms and rolls his neck, "Hey Jaela, have you made me an Uncle yet?"
"Kinda sorta. I adopted an adorable little girl! And due to celestial bullshit she grew up in like months." Jaela makes a face. "Where's the fun in that? Oh! But she's still adorable!"
"What's her name?" Your brother asks, "Does she take after you at all?" A pause, "Why would that make her grow up fast? This really begs more details."
"You're gonna meet her! But sure, her name's Mirajane and she does actually take after me! The growth thing is because of her origin. I guess. She's unique so it's not like there's something to go on. Mirajane's a seer, too, which is actually crazy useful for everyone. I feel better about her having a nice and safe power like that."
"Oh yeah. One of my sons was called to being a paladin. I never stopped worrying about him." Your brother admits, "A daughter was a natural with the Weave and chose much safer professions. I could worry about her far less."
"I still freaked out when her first idea of going out to fight was to aim for some immortal fucked up demon cannibal. Seriously? That's what you're getting your feet wet on? And people kept on enabling her!"
"That is something that needs killing, though," Hanna points out, "The Father's menace is growing."
"Hah, I like that. She has spirit and ambition," Your brother laughs, patting your shoulder, "She's going for the gold rather than warming up on goblins and rats."
"Too much spirit," Jaela grumbles. "I keep on telling her it's okay to wait a bit and figure out who she wants to be. I don't care if bullshit magic is involved, you're supposed to take your time deciding your future unless, oh I don't know you're all alone and your world gets taken over by Hell."
"Or the menace of a cannibal demon is growing," Your brother says, "Jaela, I know it's an old sop that they grow up too fast, but your daughter really grew up too fast. Now you can sit back, be an old maid and watch her go crusade while your knit." He's grinning by the end of it. "It doesn't get easier, and if she's as willful as you look to be, I doubt she'll easily take no for an answer."
"I'm worried she's taking shortcuts with her powers. Precog doesn't actually give you necessary skills, it lets you bluff out others that you do."
"Well then," Your brother scratches his chin, "I'll have to train with her to see, then. I think I can straighten that out. Can her seer powers penetrating protections against scrying? How potent are they and how far into the future does she see?"
"It varies," Jaela muses, deciding to form her light gauntlet over her right hand. If they're talking about training tips, her brother might well have some insight if this ends into another explosive failure. "She's not infallible, and I'm pretty sure she sees less than she lets you believe. And in some cases it's not very useful. If you know an attack is coming, but you know only a moment in advance and don't have the speed or agility to dodge, does it really help? It would once you've trained your precog power and your body, but until then...."
"Yeah, I fought an weird who could do that once," Your brother says, "Brutal opponent, I had to retreat. She knew everything I was going to do and countered it. Sounds like she needs more training, regardless."
Jaela closes her fist and tries to form a gauntlet dagger from the light. "Training's great. And also... I dunno, not humility but a sense of needing to rely on others? Even I don't travel on my own away from the Aurora, because you need to make a misstep just once and it could be all over for you. I'm not sure she's got that understanding, because her power is bullshit and it takes some quasi deity level to outright block it. But like we talked it doesn't need to be blocked to put her at a serious disadvantage."
"I'd say give her a scare, set up a situation where she fails and thinks it's bad, then show it's a trial. One, you usually anger whomever you do it to and two, a seer will see right through it." Your brother says, "Especially if she has all-seeing eyes like Mother."
"She does," Hanna chimes in, "She's perceptive. She's wise beyond her years, but occasionally makes mistakes born of inexperience."
"That's fucking easy because her years are zero point seven." Jaela glances at her mother. "Give or take, I think? I'm so terrible with dates. I don't know about a sneaky test. Maybe make it upfront. If she fails it despite foreknowledge, it'd be more effective."
Jaela tries to shape the short blade of light into a push dagger, and then attempts to copy the design by forming one in her other hand without any of the preparations.
Make a Charisma check.
22:54 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+14
22:54 <PlushieIthea> Tohsaka roll for PlushieIthea < 27 > [d20=13]
You manage to do so - slowly and with some effort. Woof.
Hanna and your brother both watch you as you succeed, "Good work," Hanna praises.
"I'm training it up!" Jaela says proudly. "It doesn't look like much but I saw how it could go in the right hands, and since Lathander's guys were nice about showing me a few hints it won't do to waste that. What can I try to cut through with them around here?"
"Trees," Your brother gestures, "Trees for miles and miles."
"Trees it is!" she agrees, approaching the nearest one and bringing her hands upon it from both sides!
It cuts - slowly but it cuts. You feel like it's there, but not all the way.
Perhaps she doesn't have more light? Jaela tries to push more radiance into her blades!
Charisma again.
23:11 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+14
23:11 <PlushieIthea> Tohsaka roll for PlushieIthea < 31 > [d20=17]
It's hard. You practice awhile - more radiance works but it's not really optimal. More brute forcing it as you play with the light you've been granted. Your family watches as you hack away at trees, Hanna finally speaking up, "How far along are you with that?"
"Not very, apparently," Jaela responds, stepping back to reconsider. She has two ideas, and one of them is easily tested. She tries to see if she can't add variance to the light. Rather than a simple white radiance, Jaela tries to break the light into its components in the seven colors of the rainbow. Perhaps the prismatic approach would work, as it often trumps most regular single-color spells in their specialties. "I can call it up at will now, and without external magical aid. And I'm fairly sure I could use it as an emergency swimsuit. But not beyond that. Got any hints, any of you?"
Your brother snorts at that, "I laugh at that, but that sort of thing can be surprisingly useful. I hate those portals that strip you of everything so much and doubly so wizards that make hideaways that force you to go through them."
Hanna nods sagely, "We've all been there. As awkward as the end result is, it is a strong tactical choice. A knight without sword and armor is far weaker, let alone one carrying powerfully enchanted swords and armor."
"I'm not really worried about that since I'm ridiculously strong, but it's a good point," Jaela agrees. "Since I'm a knight everything at my disposal should be a spear to strike my foes or a shield to protect my allies or the innocents. It's just a matter of figuring out how to do it."
Do prismatic push daggers work?
Charisma check.
20:28 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+14
20:28 <PlushieIthea> Tohsaka roll for PlushieIthea < 29 > [d20=15]
It's harder - you get manage a few colors but not the rainbow and it's tougher to focus. Hanna watches, "Practice is the answer, I think. How about we start practicing this every day?" Hanna suggests, "I can put you through the paces with it."
"Yeah, that works. Hey, Baleruk, which color do you think works best for cutting down trees?"
"GREEN!" Baleruk roars, "LET THEM BE CUT APART BY THE IRONY!"
Do you wanna continue this further or are you good to move along now?
Jaela tries to focus shifting the entire spectrum to green!
Just this one last time, and then I'm good.
Charisma.
20:49 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+14
20:49 <PlushieIthea> Tohsaka roll for PlushieIthea < 27 > [d20=13]
You manage mostly green. Not quite all the way, but you get the large majority of it. Sort of like slowly working a muscle, building up strength, you feel like.
"Will take some work," Jaela says the obvious, before trying to use it on the trees!
I think I'm good
From here the rest of your visit passes and the two of you return to Aurora...
Over into Afina's thread, this one's getting the lock.