Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

Okay, let's begin this one OOC. Refresh me on who is going and any planning to be done or that has been done.

Just as a note Moore would go to this but it's not fair to hold it up forever. Just throwing that there, but I don't expect you to hold this up.

Slaad dungeons aren't short, either. I'd be fine with you going, but it would hold it up for a considerable length of time.

Planning is kept very simple. I'd like us to have a telepathic link between us, with the understandings devils might have intercepting bullshit and not to use it for anything truly sensitive. Then I let Morniel tell us about etiquette and our agreement with Vla'akith. I'd also like to hear from him, Gisfal, Tepen and Vul'lath (Morniel can tell us what they all think on this) on what they think the loopholes to the truce are that would allow the devils to attack us at the meeting. Finally, Gisfal and Adrien are in charge of Aurora's defenses while we're gone, and should tell us the moment something weird is happening. If at any point our telepathic link no longer works, we'll take it as a sign of an attack and leave for the Aurora.

Anything to add, guys?

Afina is purely there to provide security for when the truce inevitably is broken. Don't expect much out of her other than looking pretty until that point, and thus no preparations or additions on my end.

Cool, so noted on all of that. Waiting on Tryll to chime in.

Tryll will handle the telepathic communication. As a note, Tryll can read the minds of those around him. This could be useful for negotiations.

I do want to keep interplanar telepathy going so we know when the inevitable betrayal and attack on Aurora takes place. Tryll, can people notice when you mindread them?

I suppose if we could get epic mage armors precast it'd be helpful, but it's not strictly necessary.

Tryll cant do interplanar telepathy. Just local telepathy. It's also not a spell, its innate, so it cant be interrupted.

As for reading minds, it's the Read Thoughts psionic power. Reads as follows: "You know the surface thoughts of the mind of any creature in the area that fails a Will save. A target that succeeds on its save is not affected by this manifestation of the power, even if it leaves the area and then reenters the area before the duration expires.

Creatures of animal intelligence have simple, instinctual thoughts that you can pick up. If you read the thoughts of a creature with an Intelligence of 26 or higher (and at least 10 points higher than your own Intelligence score), you are stunned for 1 round and the power ends. This power does not let you pinpoint the location of an affected mind if you don't have line of sight to the subject."

No mention is made of a creature being able to notice it.

Generally if you pass a save against an effect you know something happened, and can make a spellcraft check for more details if it's magic. So I'd expect the epic devils to cotton on pretty fast.

Alas.

Let's link us + Tepen with interplanar telepathic link and keep Tryll's and Anty's telepathy as backup. There's no need to hit epic devils and hope they 1.

Other than Mirajane, does anyone else have True Seeing?

Tryll can cast it on himself.

Antenora does not. It's one angel ability she lacks, since she got some custom ones for her role instead.

All of you gather in Aurora's meeting room for this. Morniel clears his throat, "Before we begin, Jaela wants to know about loopholes. Are there any other questions to be answered before we go?"

"I think that's the most important one, although getting your impression of what Vla'akith wants and expects would help. I like the idea of having her in our corner, even if the actual meeting ends up a wash."

"In our opinion, Vlaakith is playing both sides against the middle," Morniel says, "She has good relations with Tiamat and to Hell through that. She's been openly interested in Aurora since the beginning, likely to find out more about Medi's works. Her end game is likely one where both groups owe her something or otherwise benefit her."

Antenora speaks up then, "So she wants to be the winner of all of this, no matter what our outcome is?"

"That's right. I would speculate that she may not even care about the negotiations as long as she achieves her goals. The better question is to ask how she'll reach that point." Morniel says.

"We owe her for setting it up, that already gives her leverage," Afina points out. "And she probably positioned it with Hell as us crawling to the negotiating table thanks to her diplomacy so she could get credit there."

"That's pretty disappointing," Jaela notes. Also, perhaps she didn't leave clear instructions originally, so it's good she's coming along now. "Onto the loopholes you can perceive, then?"

"Devious!" Calleigh replies, tiny squid wrapped around the top of her head flopping in agreement. "Unless everything falls apart, the big winner here is Vlaakith. Do we want her to win?"

"She hasn't actually won anything yet," Jaela feels obliged to point out. "If we don't get what we're going for, or if we end up killing some bigshot devils at her invitation, her standing will tank. Same as if we get betrayed while under her roof. She won't live that down, and she's an immortal. As for winning with Hell, that's pretty much an oxymoron. She can win there all she likes."

"Really? You think a lich would do something out of altruism?" Antenora asks Jaela, an eyebrow raised.

Jaela snorts at Antenora's question. "I thought she realized we were more awesome than those losers. It's such a no-brainer, too! Who out of us can you actually trust, and who will always, always betray you?"

With a curl of her lips into a smile, "If all of evil thought clearly like that, there wouldn't be evil." Antenora says.

Jaela gives a nocommittal shrug, before saying, "For the benefit of those who hadn't seen Vla'akith in action, it's worth keeping in mind that she's a beast in battle. If we end up taking out the devils, let's put in a proper effort to show her that she's better off siding with us. And speaking of potential battle...." She eyes Morniel.

"Ahem," Morniel clears his throat and begins.

"There's surprisingly little to work with there for either side. The guarantee comes from Vlaakith's hospitality, rather than any precise offer the devils made. It's an interesting angle to take, since this rests on not offending the Gith Queen."

Antenora frowns at that, "That is unusual. Normally everything's laid out and neatly so. May I see it?"

Morniel nods and produces the letter, passing out copies as well.

Quote
It's written in Infernal, with translations into Common, Celestial, Sylvan and all four elemental languages. It reads (more or less in the case of the translations) as follows:

"Asmodeus, His Dread Majesty, Lord of the Ninth, Archduke of Nessus, Keeper of Malsheem, Great Master of all Infernal, Final Judge of All, Supreme Devil of the Pit, His Most Serene Royal Highness The King of Hell, wishes to invite Aurora to a summit about the fate of Muirfinn. The summit will be held at Shir'kandor, a personal holding of Vlaakith, Queen of the Githyanki.

Representing Hell will be Duke Martinet. He will be accompanied by eight personal attendants, an imp servant, a selected gelugon Infernal Master of Contracts and Records and a single observer from the following: Lord Bel, Lord Dispater, Lord Glasya, Prince Lixer, Duke Malphas, Duke Taelfagn and Duke Gathgorian.

Aurora is invited to match those numbers as they see fit but not to exceed them.

A response may be sent to Queen Vlaakith within nine days."

"I find it extremely unlikely that 'summit' doesn't have any precedent when used by Hell."

"As did I," Morniel says, "I did research into it and found that while not widely known, Vlaakith has hosted a few summits for Hell and other parties before."

"I can barely hold onto my suspense, here," Jaela tells him, grinning. "Go on."

"The first was a tense negotiation between Raziel and Mammon, through divine proxies. The details of this I'm not allowed to share as they are private to Celestia, but the matter was settled in a way that was acceptable to all. Not satisfactory, but acceptable."

Morniel coughs after the first, "The second was between a faction of the mercane and Duke Leonar of Cania. Through means I'm not clear on, somehow the mercane managed to contractually leverage a third party arbitrator against Leonar. That ended up being Vlaakith, who ruled in favor of Leonar. The matter of dispute is lost to time, though magic suggests it was mercantile in nature. My guess would be the soul trade."

Antenora adds to that, "It's likely. Leonar is one of the leading authorities on the Dark Speech for Baator; I have found developing the Dark Speech requires souls to torment." Her voice is cool, disdainful.

"It would, wouldn't it?" Mirajane sighs a little bit, "Evil always consumes others, if not itself. Does developing the Words of Creation require anything?"

To that Morniel cuts in, "We digress. Though I would guess that it requires nothing, as it is the force of life and creation. What else does it need but itself?"

"Getting back on track, I take from this that having Vla'akith arbitrate is suboptimal but an acceptable outcome is possible and the chances of betrayal during the summit are surprisingly low?"

"Sounds like it," Calleigh chimes in. "If they've been having Vla'akith arbitrate for them for this long, they probably wouldn't want to forfeit that option. That and she'd prooooobably squash them."

"If we negate the Duke of Destiny, probably," Jaela agrees.

"There are enough powerful cards in play that violence is not a likely outcome, unless we ourselves initiate it. Duke Martinet is rather notorious for his diplomatic immunity and making appearances in places you would not expect a devil to be, all in the name of diplomacy." Morniel pauses to look at each of you, "I have no doubt this will be a war of words rather of blades, though we cannot discount the possibility of violence."

"I'm solely going to be present in case of a violent outcome," Afina says when Morniel looks at her. "Diplomacy is not my strength and we all know it."

Morniel smiles to you. "The wise prepare for the worst while praying for the best. Your reputation precedes you and will further deter violence."

"Works. Morniel, let's move on to the actual format. How did the precedents you looked into go? A relatively quick meeting? Something that takes us a few days away from the Aurora?"

"They aren't quick," Morniel says, "We may be gone a few days. This is less of an arbitration and more of a negotiation-"

Mirajane cuts in, "There's a difference between them? Oh sorry," she says a moment later, "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"No harm done," Morniel clears his throat, "An arbitrator has a third party meditate a dispute. A negotiation is between two sides directly. It's possible Vlaakith may be invoked in that role, but for now she's solely the hostess."

"I can't shake the feeling, probably from the wording, that this is less a negotiation and more like a high stakes gamble, something you'd be more likely to find in Brightwater. Is that just me?"

"It is unusual," Antenora concurs, "Aurora has vexed Hell enough that perhaps they wish a different tack? Bel's efforts have been lacking and the Lord of the Ninth's name was invoked on the invitation. This may be his doing."

Jaela frowns. "I guess we'll see it when we see it. Anything else we need to know before we leave, Morniel?"

"Yes," Morniel says, "We will be greeted by Vlaakith's local master of ceremonies. There's going to be a fair deal of diplomatic ceremony. Full introductions with pomp and circumstance. If you have any titles you wish to be acknowledged and announced under your name, be sure to tell him."

"It may seem unimportant, but devils instinctively understand and seek markers of social standing. It's about social order. I'm still highly sensitive to them and notice them automatically." Antenora includes that with a wave of her hand, "They don't care about our titles, but what they say and represent about us says something to them."

"General of Aurora, Champion of the Triune? That sort of thing?" Jaela confirms. "I think you can probably handle that for us fairly well."

Afina at least knows her own titles, minor as they may be. Should she make one up though? "I noticed Asmodeus had a lot of titles listed in the invitation," she says. "What's to stop us from just making up our own grandiose sobriquets?"

"Yes. Noble, religious and military titles are all valid," Morniel says. "Afina? Tryll? Do either of you have titles to add?"

After that Morniel clears his throat. "In theory nothing, but most titles are recognized or bestowed by an authority. Asmodeus rules Hell, his authority gives him whatever titles he desires. Your noble rank from Queen Ilsenine is another one given by a lawful authority. So on and so forth. In the case of kings and supreme rulers, it becomes rather...ah..."

"Masturbatory," Antenora says curtly, "We're all adults and Alicia help me but that's the best word for it."

"I was going to say indulgent, but that captures it rather vividly." Morniel concedes.

"General of Aurora, Baroness of Alfheimr," Afina gives her two solitary titles. "If I had to make one up for myself I'd want to refer to my uniquely prismatic state, though I could ask Baleruk to bestow one on me."

'We were favored students of Renbuu, once upon a time. Not sure if it still applies. Can't think of anything else that wouldn't be...indulgent.'

"Those will do," Morniel says.

Ready to move along now, y'all?

Yes, let's.

Sure

Yep

Quick run down of the full party so I have it all straight?

Afina, Antenora, Calleigh+Tryll, Jaela, Mirajane, Morniel.

We'll be linked with interplanar telepathic bond together and with Vul'lath, in case he has interesting insights into the gith and to keep in touch with Aurora.

Done.

Shir'kandor is a slab of land that floats in the Astral Plane. It several acres big, forested land surrounding a large country manor. As you approach, a detachment of githyanki troops approach with a white flag of truce.

"Aurora," they call, "We come on command of the Queen of the Gith."

Afina is wearing her white and silver ensemble with a feathered white capelet over her shoulders, the colourless yet avant garde cut of her outfit able to pick up and highlight the odd refractions of prismatic colour the flash from her skin and hair as she moves. She flies along to Jaela's left and a little behind, allowing her to take the lead on things. She's just here for security after all.

"I'm Jaela of Aurora," she introduces herself at that. "You already know Morniel, but this is the rest of our delegation. Afina, Antenora, Calleigh, Tryll and my daughter Mirajane. I believe we are expected?"

Jaela has come wearing voluminous red robes held together with a golden sash, her hair gathered into a raised ponytail with the band that usually covers one of her eyes on a mission. Her gauntlets have morphed to fit her chosen dress, which was tailored to allow for proper mobility and with openings for her wings, and a bit of apparent vanity is responsible for how she bends the light around her to make clothing and hair alike to sparkle.

Calleigh is wearing a bright pink and purple dress in popular Brightwater style. Tryll is Tryll, and thusly both invisible and naked.

Calleigh waves cheerfully at the gith. "Hiiiiii!"

"You are," The gith who receives you is clad in full armor and helmet, only his eyes visible. "Follow us. Do not wander, the grounds are magically protected. Speak up if you need to stop or if there's a problem."

"Are we the first to arrive?" Jaela asks, stepping assuredly after them.

"No, the Duke and his contingent arrived a half hour ago," The gith says, "There will be two hours to freshen up and prepare before we begin."

"Dang, they beat us here!" Calleigh complains.

Jaela nods, content to be shown to their rooms and wait for now.

Your room are nearly a dozen palatial suites linked by a few common rooms. Everything is well carved rustic stone and wood paneling, rich without being overwhelming. What's overwheming are the gold accents and gemstones used in the curtains to refract the light of the Astral to something more pleasing.

Chance to do anything, otherwise just say so and we'll skip along.

Calleigh flits about the room, examining every inch of everything.

Unless there's anything of note, Tryll & Calleigh will idle.

Jaela plans to spend the time in quiet meditation.

Let's skip along.

[19:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+10 heroes feast temp hp
[19:55] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 15 > [d8=5]

Afina doesn't have much to do, though she casts see invisibility and greater heroism while they're in their quarters while keeping an eye out for eavesdroppers and assassins.

A few hours pass in rest. It is disturbed by a gith in formal robes and wearing a steel mask. He enters and bows to you all sweepingly, "Honored guests," he says, "I am Man'kel and I serve at Her Majesty's pleasure. I am to escort you and relay your introductions to the master of ceremonies. Please inform me of all your titles and in what order you will enter."

Jaela will surely know the best order of entry, but Afina can provide her titles for herself. "I am Afina Devilsbane, general of Aurora, baroness of Alfheimr," she supplies. She doesn't really want to be introduced as Baleruk's first disciple, and no one else has given her any good titles she can use.

Antenora passes over a slip of paper, while Mirajane merely says, "Mirajane of Aurora will do. Mother, you never had a last name, did you?"

"Not really, no. I figure that one day I'll kill someone important enough my enemies will give me one," Jaela tells Mirajane, before she responds to Man'kel, "Jaela, general of Aurora, champion of the Triune. I'll lead us in, the rest will go by ranks, so Afina, Morniel, Mirajane, Calleigh and Tryll. Antenora brings up the rear."

There is no need to keep things complicated, and besides, this way everyone can see the reaction of the devils to Antenora.

"Calleigh and Tryll, reporting in!" Comes Calleigh's muffled cry, half-buried in a drawer full of linens.

Antenora watches Calleigh a moment, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"Very well, sirs and ma'ams," Man'kel bows again, "Are you ready then?"

"Let's go," Jaela affirms.

You are escorted into richness. The manor is decorated well, but you hardly have time to look as you're escorted through. Into a small antechamber, Man'kel stopping here. "Are you ready, General Jaela?"

Jaela raises an eyebrow. Are there really people who have second thoughts after coming this far? "Certainly," she responds, her hair sparkling.

You are escorted in. It is a large room with no windows, circular in shape and with a domed roof. The outer wall has a carved pillar every 5ft or so, save for the entrance you come through and one directly opposite it, where a single pillar is skipped. Each pillar is carved with various images of natives of the Astral and with the githyanki being dominant in them all.

There is precisely 30ft of space between those and the center of the room, which is dominated by a raised dais, ten steps leading up to it. On this dais are two long tables opposing each other, 15ft of space between them. Within this space is a black circle with with yellow words ringing it. You can't read them from here.

The table near you is one of solid mithral painted white with golden whorls painted on the legs and top. In the center of the table is a circle with a bright sunburst of gold within. Surrounding the circle are the following words in Celestial, wrapping around it: For Lifasa, our hearts are limitless.

The table opposite you is made of pitch-black stone with accents of red. Engraved in the table in front of the center chair is a small red pentagram within a large, black inverted triangle surrounded by a red circle. Words surround this circle as well, ones you can't read from here.

On the far entrance stand the devils. Duke Martinet stands amid them. He is a tall, classical devil perhaps 6 feet tall. He is handsome in a way that draws the eye and keeps it on him, his body lithe and athletic. His entire body is fire red, including his barbed tail, long horns that curve up from his head and the huge wings furled at his back. He wears red and black clothes of the finest quality, fit for a mortal emperor, and covered in various diabolic symbols. The unholy symbol of Asmodeus is prominent amid them.

A single imp hovers directly over and behind Martinet, silent and waiting.

Behind Martinet are 8 pit fiends, each rigid in posture and wearing livery of the same colors Martinet wears. They are impassive, silent.

"Stand here," Man'kel whispers to you, "We will begin the introductions shortly."

From - you aren't sure where. He simply walks out from the side, as if this is only natural. He is a gith of middle years, walking with a sure and strong step. He wears light armor and carries a jeweled wand in hand. His voice carries across the chamber with commanding ease. "I am honored to present the Lord of all Githyanki, our eternal Queen and the ruler of the Astral Plane, Queen Vlaakith." He kneels, followed by Man'kel.

Just beyond the left side of the dais and 15ft up a throne appears in the air. A flash of light follows and there sits Queen Vlaakith. She is much as you saw her on the Astral Plane, power palpable in the air from her presence.

"My servant, begin the introductions."

Afina remains behind and to the left of Jaela, her eyes unwavering from the devils even after Queen Vlaakith makes her entrance.

Duke Martinet momentarily meets Afina's gaze. 'Greetings, my friend,' The devil's voice oozes in your mind. It's refined, that of a king declaring the law. 'I've heard much about you.'

Meanwhile the master of ceremonies rises and clears his throat. Man'kel does the same, his voice loud enough to carry across the room. "May I introduce Jaela, General of Aurora and Champion of the Triune!"

In Jaela's mind is Man'kel's voice, 'Please take a chair now, Jaela.'

'Address all your points to general Jaela,' Afina responds curtly to the telepathic intrusion. 'She is leading our negotiations.'

Calleigh flies in the air behind Jaela and opposite Afina, grinning irrepressibly at the assemblage. Tryll is manifested as a small cloud if mist around her.

Jaela confidently strides towards the table, showing off a hint of leg. She smoothly drops into a curtsie for their hostess, before taking her seat.

Queen Vlaakith meets your eyes with her empty gaze, green fire glimpsed within.

"Next is Afina Devilsbane, General of Aurora and Baroness of Alfheimr." Man'kel declares.

Now that you're up, you can read the writing in the center circle and on the devil's table. The center circle reads in Draconic: To all, understanding and wisdom.

The devil's circle reads, All hear the voice of Hell.

Afina mimics Jaela, walking over and pausing at the same spot to tug on the sides of her long narrow skirt in a curtsey before she flutters up into the chair sized for her proportions.

Next come Morniel and then Mirajane's introductions, both much the same. They go on, bow to Vlaakith and join you.

"Next is Calleigh and Tryll," Man'kel calls, inviting them over.

In the meantime, Jaela hears Martinet's voice in her mind. 'Greetings, my friend. Your deeds have reached far and wide.  I anticipate getting to know you over the negotiations.'

Jaela nods slightly to indicate receipt of message, not committing to a response just yet. If the devils are actually desperate about something, she can wait them out.

Calleigh curtseys to Vlaakith. Tryll, lacking a waist or any sort of bowing/curtseying apparatus, allows Calleigh to do so for him.

"Finally, Antenora, the Opal Angel of Redemption."

Antenora's presence gets Martinet's eyes right on her. Her smirks ever so slightly as Antenora bows slightly to Vlaakith and takes her seat.

"This is all the members representing the Aurora," Man'kel calls.

"Aurora looks prosperous," Queen Vlaakith interjects, voice soft and faintly raspy.

"We've been enjoying a streak of victories," Jaela agrees pleasantly, smiling across the table.

The Queen inclines her head to you in reply to that. "Antenora Reynes," she addresses her next, "What is Sylica's position in this, and do you have any ties to the Cauldron in this affair?"

Antenora coughs into her hand, clearing her throat before replying. "I am here as a person, rather than as a representative of Sylica. While the Cauldron and Sylica both support Aurora, we are not taking a direct stance in these negotiations at this time. They instead stand in solidarity with Aurora."

Vlaakith takes that in and her burning green gaze travels to Afina. "You have ties to the Cauldron. This confirms they have no direct bearing in this negotiation?"

"This is a matter between Lifasa and Baator," Afina confirms her understanding of the situation, her eyes never leaving the devil contingent.

"We have many friends," Jaela adds to that, "and wish to make more still, but this is indeed a more private affair."

Hellfire-filled gazes meet Afina's.

"So it will be," Vlaakith says, as Man'kel hurries over to the other side. "First, I introduce Baronet Zquji, an observer for Duke Gathgorian."

The devil that emerges from behind the 8 pit fiends is a cornugon. He is a typical one, forged in hellfire and battle. He wears a military uniform bedeckoned with medals and awards, a saber at his hip and a helmet obscuring his face. He takes a seat on the far right end of the table.

Morniel turns his attention to them, and through the link, 'If you know of any devil introduced, say so. The knowledge may be useful.'

'Related to Zquujaj?' Jaela wonders at Morniel's prompting.

Morniel takes 10.

'No, zqu is a rarely used but valid Infernal syllable. It's an uncommon name, nothing more than that.' Morniel replies.

'Worth bringing it up if he gets uppity. Besides, we have a score to settle with his boss.'

I intend to test my K:P knowledge once they're all introduced.

"Next is Knight Temtral, representing Duke Taelfagn."

With these words another devil emerges. This oneis clad in the loose robes of a wizard, a pit fiend that walks with an unnatural, eerie grace. His blank white eyes look over all of you, then he goes and sits.

"Next is Colonel Derkel, representing Duke Malphas."

The colonel is a thin, severe looking humanoid-ish devil, only a blue cast to his skin and small horns marking him as one of Baator's own. He has a thin mustache and a scowl, he wears a well made and pristine breastplate with an open face helmet.

"Next is High Necrolyte Halles, representing Prince Lixer."

This is a withered, ancient-looking pit fiend. He looks so thin as to be about to break apart, black robes hanging from his body like a funeral pyre. You can see every bone in his face, skin so tight that it highlights his skull.

"Next is Lady Kaessa, Mistress of the Brachina, representing Lord Glasya."

Kaessa is a brachina with lavender skin, an impossibly beautiful figure, long brown hair and regal features. Shadows cling to her face, giving her a darkly seductive look. She moves with a grace that draws attention to her purple eyes, which all of you find bewitching to stare into. She wears a black dress that clings tightly to her figure, tantalizing.

"Next is Baron Sanfir, Reserve General of the 18th Iron Legion, representing Lord Dispater."

Baron Sanfir is a pit fiend that's a bit on the short side and rather fat, coming over to his seat as he rubs his greasy hands on the sides of his fine iron-gray doublet. He looks over all of you as he gets comfortable.

We'll do them in two chunks for the sake of pacing. Go ahead and if anyone wants to react or make rolls here, og ahead.

I'll take 10 on planes for 52 on all relevant personalities

Afina watches each devil as they're introduced, her expression severe and seeming to give none of them any greater or lesser regard.

Jaela smirks at Lixer's representative, though Glasya's proxy gives her pause. Is it a good thing or a bad one that she chose to decorate herself with light, given the devil's use of shadows for the same purpose?

And then she gets to wondering about how an outsider could be anything less than perfect. Aren't they, herself including, the ideal version of the self coming from the soul? That might explain why fiends are ugly, but then you have the surface-deep pretty ones which seems to go against the whole thing.

Taking 10 for K:P 60 on all of them.

Afina knows the following, as does Jaela.

Knight Temtral is a veteran soldier of the Blood War. A former captain (and thus a technical superior to Gathgorian before), he has hitched his wagon to Gathgorian's. He's known for his brutality and through nature, refusing to allow a single demon to escape his soldiers. He was once called to a Prime where he greatly wounded it and lead five kingdoms into ruin before being banished by a solar sent by Lliira. He came close to plunging an entire continent into a war with weapons that would have had the fallen in that conflict rise as hungry undead and was on the brink of victory. Even then, it took centuries for those kingdoms to recover.

Colonel Derkel is a weapons researcher for Duke Malphas. His military rank is official but understood to be honorary based on the Duke's authority rather than the Dark Ministry. He is mainly known (and pursued by the Heavens) for his involvement in the slave trade. He buys slaves not suitable for the Blood War and uses them for weapons testing, sacrifices or simply to torment with his various creations. He's a sadist in that regard who enjoys crushing mortals beneath his great inventions. More relevantly to Afina, he's also a golemcrafter, though he doesn't innovate as much as provide more golems for Malphas and the Blood War.

High Necrolyte Halles is relatively little known. A fairly recent and fast riser in the ranks, he transferred from duty in Mammon's personal guard to Prince Lixer's service. He keeps to himself but seems to have an understanding with Lixer. The reasons why aren't clear and Halles keeps his interests mostly to himself. He's a powerful necromancer and more than capable of defending himself and serving the Prince of Undeath.

Lady Kaessa is an enigmatic figure. A devil that rose to power in Sammael's court in ancient times, she vanished shortly before Sammael was banished from Hell. She vanished for time uncountable, until she emerged with the title Mistress of the Brachina. She is the commander of the brachina as a whole as well as friendly with Glasya. She's a poisoner of great skill and a seductress who can keep up with Glasya herself. Her touch is a venom that has damned countless souls and slain many more.

Baron Sanfir is an old noble from Dispater's court. He's had his position for longer than any of you can be sure of. He's a smart, steady and conservative sort. He enjoys all the fine things and like and heads a subcommittee on fey studies for Dispater. What he does to the fey he captures as a part of that is best not thought about.

Jaela runs dispassionate mental commentary on the devils as they are introduced, as per Morniel's earlier request.

'So hey wait a sec,' Calleigh pitches in, 'so only the Duke himself showed up? Everyone else sent representatives? Huh. Think they're up to something?'

'They're showing how ridiculously strong they are, and that they don't need to show up in person. It's just posturing.'

'That's not strength, it's just arrogance! Why would you send a proxy who could screw it up when you could just come yourself and make sure it's done right! Unless you're planning something. Maybe they're not here because they're planning something?'

Antenora's mental laugh is dry and brief, 'Hell IS arrogance, Calleigh. What seems foolish and meaningless to us means everything to Hell. Also, as someone who is Alicia's right hand, the amount of work a power has to do is incalculable. Delegation is essential.' She adds the second part as an afterthought, reflective.

'And all that aside, don't forget you're dealing with devils,' Jaela adds with a mental shrug. 'If one of their lords just up and left for a few days, his or her most trusted advisors would spend that time wisely stabbing them in the back.'

"Next is General Albade, representing Bel."

A towering, growing pit fiend, this devil wears full armor save for the emblem of a broken blade hanging from his neck. His body bulges with muscles and he stomps forward as if attacking the ground itself.

"Next is Contract Master Fulfro, Infernal Master of Contracts."

The gelugon that advances forward is a typical specimen of their race. He wears a black cloak and blue clothing of fine make, worthy for a prosperous merchant. His bug-like eyes study Aurora as he takes his seat, never once leaving all of you.

"Now...joined by his pet imp Damian and 8 attendants, is Duke Martinet, the Constable of Nessus."

Martinet strides forward and takes the center chair, his eight attendants standing silently behind him. His pet imp floats above his head, before coming to rest on Martinet's shoulder.

Chance for K:P before this kicks off.

Taking 10 for 52 on my part again.

<Kobot> Yu rolled 1d20+27 KP --> [ 1d20=19 ]{46}

General Albade is a front line commander in the Blood War. Unlike most generals, he prefers to lead from the front rather than the rear. This is all so he can find more demons to personally slay and ensure he gets the utmost out of his troops. He is a capable marshal and is also an infernal paladin of tyranny. Like many long time soldiers in the Blood War, he last lost sight of most other things in favor of the destruction of chaos.

Contract Master Fulfro is an Infernal Master of Contracts. It is a position only given to gelugons and pit fiends, as they oversee contracts, soul pacts, bindings and so forth. They are masters of the law. As such, it is not uncommon for one to be given extra-judicial powers to enforce Hell's rules when contracts have been fouled up or knowingly done incorrectly. A devil that makes such an error seldom survives those attentions.  As for Fulfro, little is known of him.

Martinet is a Duke of Nessus. He serves as Asmodeus's voice and is in fact an unholy cleric of Asmodeus. He is noted as being loathed by all the other Lords of the Nine, Archdukes and Dukes for his arrogant, smug nature. He is the corrupt, self serving face of Hell's propaganda and diplomacy. He has the power to ignore planar effects and abilities that target his alignment through diplomatic immunity. How that works isn't clear, save for that it is the will of Asmodeus.

Feel free to kick off, I guess? Not sure what to do with that info right this moment.

We're waiting on Jaela here, to be honest.

Oh right, Corwin's on a different time schedule. I keep forgetting. Sorry.

It's just unfair that diplomatic immunity works that way, Jaela muses, nevermind that it's only for the devils. Still, she doesn't let her personal feelings get in the way of filling the others in on her insights into the devils facing them.

My K:P result of 60 presumably hits what Eb got?

Yes. You also get an additional tidbit.

Jaela also knows the following:

The darkest of whispers claim that Martinet can directly contact Asmodeus, which allows the Lord of the Ninth to send an aspect to Martinet if he desires. This is unconfirmed.

"Let us begin," Martinet says, smiling with pearly white teeth and fangs. "I trust we're all eager to get to the meat of this discussion."

"Oh yes, I imagine you're eager, aren't you?" Damian says from his perch on Martinet's shoulder.

"We have Muirfinn of Aurora," Martinet sits back, hands steepled together and smirking, "You want him back. Let's discuss what we'd like in exchange for him. We'll return him in exchange for the book that binds the demon-spawn known as The Father."

General Albade growls low in his throat at the mention of The Father, like the rumbling of a great infernal volcano. Lady Kaessa's expression of beautiful poise sours, as if she just smelled something unpleasant.

"A small price to pay, isn't it?" Damian asks.

"What's the matter, they don't feed you in Hell?" Jaela asks, projecting genuine curiosity.

Knight Temtral speaks, his voice an otherworldly rasp that tickles your ears. "Do not discount the horror of The Father."

"Ahem," Martinet coughs into his hand and smiles, "We may disagree on many points, but we agree that a creature like The Father has no place in Creation."

"Oh yes," Jaela finds herself agreeing. "He's the worst. Do you mind sharing your plan for dealing with him?"

Even as she diverts a mental thread to listening to their response, Jaela thinks to her group, 'Thoughts on their offer?'

'I'd almost think it's too good to be true,' Afina answers, keeping her face blank. 'On the face of things I'd accept it without a second thought.'

'Hell has no love for chaos. Nonetheless, I doubt they only gain a victory over chaos from it.' Antenora sends to you, 'There are deeper motives and reasons to obtain The Father.'

Morniel is silent throughout, and...

> roll 1d20+58 Morniel Sense Motive
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+58 Morniel Sense Motive --> [ 1d20=6 ]{64}

'Albade knows something, though I am not sure what.' Morniel says, 'He is not wholly pleased.'

"Oh, we have him covered." A flash of white teeth as Martinet smiles. "I assure you the nitty-gritty of his situation with us isn't needed."

"You don't want to hear what we do with prisoners, do you?" Damian adds, gazing at Jaela.

"I have a very vivid imagination," Jaela assures Damian, her own gaze resting upon Albade. "Though I imagined it would be more of an execution. It's only proper for the likes of him, wouldn't you agree?"

Baron Sanfir interjects with a thick, choked laugh, like he has a cold. "Oh oh, isn't that some gumption?"

Colonel Derkel leans forward a little, "Why don't you tell me what your imagination says, Jaela," His voice is rather rough, but there's something commanding about it. You find yourself wanting to obey automatically, without thinking.

It takes a great deal of willpower to throw off the suggestion, especially as it came so unexpectedly, and Jaela pauses as if in thought.

Returning her attention to Martinet while snubbing the colonel, she muses, "Getting back to the meat of the situation, as you so aptly described it, I can only imagine that the end goal is extermination. After all, I can hardly imagine the present company being afraid of some demon, even one as powerful as the Father."

Lady Kaessa smiles coldly as the Colonel's expression becomes closed off at being ignored.

"I wouldn't say you're wrong," Martinet agrees, "I think these terms for Muirfinn are good ones. What is Aurora's position?"

"They're good terms, don't you think?" Damian says, "A golden opportunity, don't you see?"

'Mirajane?' Jaela thinks to her daughter, humming noncommittally. This is a situation where she can't appear too eager, or they'll murder her while discussing the actual details. 'What does your intuition tell you? Is it a trap?'

'It is extremely unlikely that Hell wishes the Father destroyed at this time. More likely they think they can control him or manipulate him in some way. It would be safer to send his prison to Chronias, even with the difficulty of finding a way there. This would likely either ensure the Father's destruction or ultimate redemption, whatever Chronias chooses to do. I do not recommend acceding to this deal without further detail.' Tryll sends to the group.

'There's more than they're telling us, I'm sure of it. Antenora's right, it's not just to destroy The Father. I keep coming back to one point - Asmodeus will have The Father. What will he do with him? Is that worth Muirfinn's soul?' Mirajane says.

Morniel adds to that, 'We cannot live in fear of what evil will do. We must save the righteous when we can.'

'Yes,' Antenora agrees, 'But do not discount Hell's machinations. Do not discount his machinations. I can't tell Aurora what to do here, only you can decide if this risk is worth Muirfinn's soul.'

"Okay, here's the deal. Aurora is amenable to this exchange in principle, but has two conditions before we proceed to the finer details. The first is that Muirfinn is delivered here to be a guest of our gracious hostess, if she is not opposed to the notion," she says, nodding in Vla'akith's direction, "to be released into our care once proceedings conclude amiably. The other condition is that you go into how the might of Hell will crush the Father, though I wonder why I'd even need to bring this up at all." Jaela quirks her lips into a smile. "After all, isn't the phrase 'To all, understanding and wisdom' at the very center of these negotiations?"

"Some understand much clearer than others," Antenora quips, smiling. That comments gets her less than friendly gazes from a few.

"I see the deserter remembers how to talk," General Albade rumbles, wisps of black smoke coming out from his mouth as he does.

"Talk? I prefer to sing," Antenora replies coolly, "Would you care to hear the song I sing to welcome the righteous to Sylica? You would find it enlightening, slave."

"Enough," Kaessa interjects, voice a captivating thing that stops all the conversations cold and draws eyes to her. So beautiful...it's hard not to admire and worship her in sheer awe, yet Afina feels her stomach turn. Jaela can feel her bile rise and Tryll feels the phantom pains of heartburn, bringing back ancient memories. Even as her words are sweet things that say, "I invite you to come and sing before Lady Glasya. You would be an honored guest in her court, Antenora. You need only recant and vow loyalty to her."

"Peace," Mirajane says, gaze burning bright white. "Your words are poisonous as your touch, Lady Kaessa. Be silent."

Afina doesn't engage in any pointless banter. Let them say and think what they will, if she's forced to involve herself then negotiations have failed in the starkest terms. For now she simply remains quiet, poised for any such eventuality.

"Are we gonna fight now?" Calleigh asks, "Is this gonna be a fight? 'Cause that would probably be dumb."

"Isn't it nice? Every proper conversation needs to have some back and forth banter," Jaela says sweetly, biting back bile. "Are you accepting Aurora's conditions so that we may proceed, Duke?" she directs towards Martinet.

"Yes. Peace, friends. We don't want to fight." Martinet smiles, "Let us stop this digression."

"Yes, you don't want to fight, do you?" Damian adds, waving a tiny pitchfork about.

"If we're done with that, let's get back to it. Your first term is to have Muirfinn here. Is there any objection to that, Queen Vlaakith?"

"It is...acceptable." Queen Vlaakith finally speaks up, having watched the proceedings silently.

"Your Majesty has our gratitude for being so accommodating," Jaela voices.

"Your gratitude is accepted," Queen Vlaakith says.

"To the second point, I am willing to divulge certain details of that," Martinet says, "But I propose we settle that after Muirfinn is brought here. I move for an hour's recess for arrangements to be made."

Jaela decides to show some flexibility by agreeing, albeit with visible reluctance.

"Then we have an hour's recess."

All of you are escorted back to your quarters, where refreshments await.

A chance for y'all to talk, rest, do anything or just skip along as you please.

"Once we resume, I want someone to go and check in on Muirfinn," Jaela says once they're alone. "That it is in fact Muirfinn, that his soul's there, that the devils haven't infected him or turned him into a bomb and the like. Mirajane and Tryll, I think you're the best choice for this. Any objections?"

"It's only sensible," Mirajane agrees, "I wouldn't put it past Hell to do so."

"I'm certain the devils have their own telepathic bond, just as we do. The reactions and the ways they synchronize are too precise for anything else. We're only hearing half of their conversations, just as they're only hearing half of ours. Assuming they don't have a way to hear ours."

"Even if they do, an offer this far from what I expected can only mean they want this. Perhaps even need this. Let's figure out why." She nods at Antenora and Morniel. "Keep letting us know when they think the devils are lying, directly or by omission. We've got a shot at driving at the truth eventually."

'We can do this.' Tryll says, 'And if there is corruption, I can excise it.'

"Good," Antenora says, "We may yet get to the bottom of this. I only hope it's really Muirfinn and not a fake."

Jaela nods, resolving to another lengthy wait.

Let's skip ahead!

Afina has no idea how she'd tell a fake apart from the real, so just trusts Tryll and Mirajane know their stuff. She doesn't have much to add to the conversation anyway.

Good to move along.

An hour passes. You all reconvene and Queen Vlaakith snaps her bony fingers. In between the two tables a glowing portal appears and through it Muirfinn appears. He is clad in a simple brown robe and unmoving, as if deeply asleep.

"His mind and psyche have been submerged in mindless nightmares for months, awareness disintegrated by the vile touch of a powerful evil." Vlaakith says it slowly as Muirfinn gently settled onto the ground. "He will not awaken without outside intervention by the one who did this."

"The Lord of the Ninth is responsible for Muirfinn's state," Martinet says smoothly, "It will be lifted on the successful conclusion of our negotiations."

For the first time here Afina shows some emotion, a flicker of distaste passing across her face.

Also when the immortal soul-devouring lich queen calls something vile, you know it's bad.

Tryll takes a look at Muirfinn's mind!

How are you doing it and what information does it provide?

'Mirajane? Independent confirmation would be good.'

We'll start with Detect Psionics, which does what it says on the box. Follow that up with Read Thoughts (which may or may not be wise, and will likely be immediately aborted. It'll give me a frame of reference for what I'm dealing with though), and then if I have the time and the stability for it, Psychic Chirurgery.

Read Thoughts gives me access to his surface thoughts.

Psychic Chirurgery is as follows

QuoteYou can remove any compulsions and charms affecting the subject. In fact, you can remove any instantaneous or permanent effect caused by a psychic power with psychic chirurgery. Unlike with aura alteration, these effects end or are negated as soon as this power is manifested, with no need for another saving throw.

You can remove all negative levels affecting the subject, regardless of how it lost those levels, restoring it to the highest level it had previously attained. Also, you can restore levels lost to energy drain or a similar effect if the level drain occurred within a number of hours equal to your manifester level.

You can also remove all psionic effects penalizing the subject's ability scores, heal all ability damage, and remove any ability drain affecting the subject. Psychic chirurgery negates all forms of insanity, confusion, the effect of such powers as microcosm, and so on, but it does not restore levels or Constitution points lost due to death.

'I think so," Mirajane says.

'Yes, his soul's there,' Antenora sends. 'I can tell that much.'

We'll start with Detect Psionics. Make Psicraft.

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 11 + 40, total 51[/blockquote]

There's supernatural power around Muirfinn, but you can't understand it. It's unlike anything you've ever seen before. The sheer evil of it is obvious even to a mere magic detection, the taint of vile energy that suggests that Muirfinn has been touched by vile ability damage.

You read Muirfinn's thoughts. He has none. His mind is perfectly unmoving, still and stagnant.

You aren't sure psychic chiurgery will work, but you're welcome to try if you want.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

It simply doesn't work. It's like there's damage but it can't move it.

Have any ranks in K:R?

Yep. Twenty seven of them.

It's vile ability damage. You might be able to manage normal vile ability damage with it - you've never had reason to try and even if not, doing it on holy ground would take care of that problem anyway - but whatever Asmodeus did is beyond that as much as a solar is beyond a mere child.

'Asmodeus has done...something. To his mind. I'm not sure what. It's not your bog-standard vile damage. It's currently beyond me to remove, and as such we have no idea if Muirfinn is still in there, or if the soul has been wiped clean of personality. I might be able to do more if I had a few years of time to pick at it, but for now I simply lack the ability to remove or pry at this corruption. As it is, his mind is blank. Present, yes, but completely still. He's not even asleep, just...not there.' Tryll says to the group.

'A monument to the Lord of the Ninth's power,' Antenora thinks grimly. 'We will have to force them to cooperate with his recovery, this must be brought up.'

'I agree,' Mirajane says, 'This is meaningless if they've wiped him clean and if they think we'll accept that, they're foolish.'

'It would make the difference between saving his immortal soul or leaving it to be tortured by one of the worst things in the universe, personally,' Jaela mentally chides. 'That said, of course we'll insist on recovery.'

'Then let's do that,' Morniel says, 'Do you need aid in doing so, Jaela?'

'Just support me when the opportunity presents itself.'

"Well?" Martinet speaks up, smiling and showing teeth. "Is everything in order?"

"We can move on to the second condition," Jaela allows, inclining her head.

"We can," Martinet agrees, "We possess the means to destroy The Father. Powerful he may be, but no chaos spawn can withstand Hell's full attention."

"And where do you plan to hold the stage for his execution?" Jaela asks curiously, even as she sends a telepathic request for information to her friends.

'Assuming as part of our exchange we demand in writing a promise that the Father won't be released on any populated Prime or outer plane, would it be legally binding? And if so, would the devils care about that?'

"Oh, it'll be a private execution." Martinet says, "We have a lovely spot in Nessus picked out for it. If you ever come by, I'll be glad to show you."

"Wouldn't you like to see?" Damian adds.

'Depends on the contract,' Antenora says, 'Devils are good with loopholes.'

'Can you and Morniel write one that would be too much of a pain for devils to break in a big way? And if not, can you bring a better lawyer to the table? We're still under our quota, so we could use loopholes of our own. Bottom line, if they say they're killing the Father and they're not doing it on any world where innocents will be harmed or the planar balance will be tipped in their favor, I'm fine with passing on the honors myself.'

Jaela hums. "Maybe one day," she says noncommittally. "I'm stepping up my combat training in anticipation of the day."

"We'll eagerly await your visit," Martinet smiles.

Lady Kaessa's eyes narrow as she watches Jaela, though she makes no comment.

'We could, but I'm a gifted amateur rather than anything else.' Antenora admits. 'Morniel?'

'It would be best to bring in a ringer,' Morniel agrees, 'I can have one within a few hours if needed.'

Jaela smiles innocently at Kaessa, telling Martinet, "Let's proceed, then. I believe you brought a contract along, in the hopes we would be amenable? Pass your initial draft to us and we'll go over it properly. Four... no, five hours would do better, I believe."

Martinet snaps his fingers, "Very well, you can read it," he says, one of his attendants coming over and laying a contract before you. It's written on fine parchment and several dozen pages long.

"Shall we reconvene in five hours, then?" Jaela proposes.

"Agreed," Martinet says, and all of you go back.

Once back again, Morniel immediately says, "Let me get to this, we have little time to waste."

"Do you need help with transport?" Afina asks, since she can cast gate.

"When you go back," Jaela tells Morniel, "stop by Aurora with your friend. Tie yourselves in telepathically with Tepen and Vul'lath, and tap Sylvie if she's available. Our goals are to figure out what conditions they snuck in that we don't want to live with, reasonably tight restrictions on the Father's use and the best deal we can get for Muirfinn's recovery. Making sure he's not a security risk afterwards is probably a lost cause, so that's a lesser priority."

"No, thank you. I've taken measures ahead of time," Morniel smiles warmly to your offer, a feeling of peace and love passing over you. "One of the throne and tome has many resources to draw on."

Meanwhile Mirajane sits down in a chair, "Tryll, was it as bad as you said? His mind's just blank?"

"I'd believe it. Asmodeus claims power over the Styx, as do many other planar lords. That's well within the Styx's ability, if not Asmodeus's sorcery." Antenora goes to stand by a window, looking out at the forest. "It is seldom needed or known, but Asmodeus is a formidable spell caster. Even if his powers proved insufficient, he would  doubtless have a spell that did the same."

'The average mind is busy, a constant low buzz of activity. Surface thoughts are quick and fleeting, and encompass a number of different things. All living creatures have surface thoughts, even when asleep. Muirfinn has none. Either his mind is fully and completely suppressed, or he is gone. I cannot tell the difference without more time and invasive procedures.'

"Troubling," Antenora murmurs, eyes closed. "If things go sour, do you believe you could retrieve Muirfinn from this state? Hypothetically."

"I want to send him off to Ilmater's realm," Jaela admits. "If you could accompany him, Tryll, that would be ideal. Once we're sure he's not a danger to others, Vivantha would be more than happy to help or take over entirely."

'I'm honestly not sure. If the power suppressing him indeed comes from Asmodeus, then it's on the level of at least quasi-divinity. Likely higher. Given enough time I'm certain I could pry it away, but the timeline is likely unacceptable to you. Years. Tens, maybe hundreds. I've not seen its like before, so I'm giving a very vague estimate. It may be easier to simply slay him and set his soul free. If that would work. I know he is a worshipper of some god connected to Water. Judging by the things I have heard, he is some sort of elemental being? Perhaps he would reform on Water, hale and whole. Or perhaps not. Perhaps he would return to Baator. Too many variables to determine a proper path without more research, I'm afraid.' Tryll replies. 

To Jaela, 'I will do as you need me to. I see no reason why we cannot use this idea, though it may be wise to also consider his own god's influence over his soul.'

"Unfortunate but a good answer," Antenora admits, "It further discourages anything but agreeing with them, doesn't it?"

"I'm mostly thinking of how Ilmater helped Tepen with his devil-caused soul issues, so that's probably a precedent. And I'd do it myself, but that's not in the cards."

Frowning a bit, she tells Antenora, "Sadly, we can't strike deep at Nessus and bring him back another way. It'd take years, to borrow Tryll's words, if not decades or longer, to have a shot at that sort of power."

'Why not request verification that his mind still exists intact under the power's effect?' Tryll adds.

"That's probably too subjective to get a clear answer. Let's face it, his mind's messed up. Along the lines of Ellese, if not worse. And where would the difference be between trauma and giving in a bit under torture?"

"Even then, they may well lie to our faces," Antenora says blandly, "They are devils, lies come as easily as breathing to them."

'Just a thought.'

Jaela nods in agreement, deciding to give the contract provided by the devils a read. Once Morniel returns with his experts, they can show her how much subtext she's missing and adjust accordingly.

Have any skills related this, Jaela?

I have all the knowledges, a smidgen of sense motive and a single rank in profession: writer!

Make a raw Int check. +2 bonus for Knowledge and +1 for the writing rank.

[21:25] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+8+2+2+1 good hope, knowledges, writer
[21:25] <Kobot> Annerose rolled 1d20+8+2+2+1 good hope, knowledges, writer --> [ 1d20=6 ]{19}

It's an intensely interconnected document, parts referring and building on one another. You're soon lost, though you can grasp that the basics of it seem right, but there's virtual miles of unknowns based on your reading.

Though she tries not to show it, Jaela can't help her disappointment. Still, she settles in to wait for Morniel's return.

Morniel's soon back with another angel. An astral deva, clad in simple and unremarkable clothes. The only notable thing he wears is a golden pendant with the holy symbol of Erathaol on it.

"Aurora, I am a Lawgiver. May I see the fiendish contract?" His voice is smooth, kind, enthralling. You feel like you could listen to him all day.

"Here you go," Jaela says, passing the papers over. "I'm Jaela. Thanks for coming to help us on such short notice."

He takes them and pauses to shake your hand, "No thanks are needed. Now what are your priorities for the counter contract?"

Since she's discussed this earlier, Jaela says, "First, let's figure out what conditions they snuck in that we don't want to live with and deal with them. Next, equally important, we need to ensure reasonably tight restrictions on the Father's use and the best deal we can get for Muirfinn's recovery. Lastly, some way of making sure he's not a security risk afterwards or some sort of sleeper agent. I take it Morniel explained the matters at stake to you, as well as the dangers of the Father?"

"Alright, it'll be a matter of balancing and making a proper offer," Lawgiver remarks, "What of those are your highest priorities?"

"I listed them in descending importance. Above all, we have to make sure we're not signing away the keys to the Aurora and all of that. If some obscure detail nulls the whole thing, the rest isn't important anymore. The next two are of equal importance, like I said, but if you need to pick aim for what comes easier. So long as we do acceptable on both we're good. The last is more of a wishlist, but if you manage to swing that I know a lillend that'd be really grateful."

Jaela frowns. "One thing to keep in mind is that while Muirfinn's important to us, where it comes to Hell they have to value an ancient nigh-unkillable demon that depopulated a Prime more than a single hero opposing them that they've already defeated and damaged."

Lawgiver merely murmurs agreement as he reads the contract, "What worries me is that Hell rarely ransoms back prisoners of Muirfinn's magnitude, let alone ones touched by the Lord of the Ninth. Do you know what about The Father motivates them so?"

"He was spawned by Demogorgon and Pale Night, looks like? The same Pale Night that acquired that unruly pit fiend, Zguujaj or whichever? There's also that major victory against her some years back, and some weird rumors about her. Maybe Hell smells blood in the water, maybe they're afraid of what she's planning, but I figure it could be linked to that." Jaela shrugs. "Or they might want to make some crazy golem from the Father's messed up soul. Or maybe he's a target of opportunity. For all we know, he's target ten thousand and seven on their list of enemies to execute if they get the chance, and the chance is Aurora gaining his prison recently."

From there Lawgiver works. After a few hours he has a draft ready. "The contract had some nasty catches," Lawgiver sits and sips a glass of fresh berry juice, "No time limit on The Father's demise, the means obscured though I understand that's probably not a point they'll budge on, Aurora being liable for any complications, arbitration of any points being done in Hell and more. Mostly well hidden but nothing to compromise the underlying deal. They want The Father enough not to aim directly for your souls, though Aurora itself could have been at stake if arbitration went wrong. I've removed that entirely, any arbitration in our proposal will be done through the offices of Primus himself."

A pause to sip more juice and then smile, "With the names involved in this contract, Primus himself may hear any arbitration. Primus is all about the letter of the law, so I've cleaned up the counter proposal to be extremely clear and have no wiggle room that can surprise Aurora. The original contract's no good, too self justifying. I don't know who wrote it, but they're talented."

"So the main goal's been achieved," Jaela muses. "Can we push on both time limit and means, only to concede on the latter to secure the former?" That should get the Father dead on a timely schedule, which is good enough. "Also, what about Muirfinn? We want him back, body, mind and soul, as recovered to the point he was taken as possible and with no lingering strings attached. That means annulling anything and everything he might've signed over while in their possession, the works."

"That's in there. As for the rest, depends on negotiations over the contract language. I will serve as an advisor, who will be the main diplomat for the contract language negotiations?"

"Morniel will take the lead," Jaela says without a second thought. "I'll assist. Any last minute suggestions, from either here or back on Aurora?"

Afina wordlessly shakes her head, deferring to the experts in this arena.

After a short delay Tepen says back, 'We'll defer to the experts,' he says.

"We're good!" Calleigh replies. "Wait, are they gonna return his stuff too? I bet he had stuff with him when they kidnapped him!"

Okay, ready to move along then?

"One thing you might press them on," Jaela tells Morniel and the Lawgiver. "It's so obvious it was left unsaid, but better have it voiced after all. Muirfinn was the one on Aurora who was chasing after rumors and information about Father, and the one in charge of his destruction. Whatever Hell knows about the Father, the most relevant information surely came from him. As part of it, they would know that we either have the means to destroy him, or are pretty close to them right now. So if they try to dawdle, we can be at our most condescending while suggesting their means or courage fall far behind our own. Just a thought."

Let's move on, yes.

Most of the nitty-gritty will be covered by Diplomacy checks rather than 20 pages of posts of arguing over semantics IC. I'd like Diplo checks from Jaela and Morniel. Yuth and Eb, you're welcome to roll as well to help out. If you do, however, that means you're involving yourself and will be tied up in that. There will be other things happening while the hashing out of the contract happens.

Afina will continue playing bodyguard.

Oh the benefits of having a familiar.

Tryll chooses to assist where he can in negotiations, while Calleigh keeps a lookout with Afina.

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+39 : 5 + 39, total 44[/blockquote]

[20:40] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+56+21 diplo
[20:40] <Kobot> Annerose rolled 1d20+56+21 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{87}

Jaela will also use Moment of Prescience on Morniel (she has two prepared). It's a +21 insight to his roll.

<Annerose> roll 1d20+56+21 diplo
<Kobot> Annerose rolled 1d20+56+21 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{87}
> roll 1d20+98 (+21 moment of insight) Morniel
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+98 (+21 moment of insight) Morniel --> [ 1d20=16 ]{114}

> roll 1d20+85 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ???) Kaessa
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+85 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ???) Kaessa --> [ 1d20=15 ]{100}
> roll 1d20+100 (+5 ???, +20 ???) Martinet
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+100 (+5 ???, +20 ???) Martinet --> [ 1d20=14 ]{114}

Thus the sides settle into negotiate. An hour passes with little progress, both sides locked in what's essentially diplomatic combat. The word play, sheer will, bickering and horse trading is so complicated that it's hard to follow, with constant references, clarifications, counterpoints and arguing over minutiae.

All of this leaves Afina and Calleigh a bit on the bored side. Damian flies over to them, "Ladies, are you in awe of my master's skills yet? You are, aren't you?"

"Remain on your side of the room, lest your presence be taken for affront," Afina says, one hand drifting to the hilt of Hywelbane.

She's not that bored, an assassin's job is great bouts of tedium broken up by short sharp bursts of violence after all. Though her tolerance for enduring said tedium has worn down a bit as she's grown more capable of mowing through opposition that would've required more careful consideration in the past.

Calleigh's flighty attention turns to the imp, eyes wide and curious.

"Surely you wouldn't take my presence as an offense?" The imp asks, putting his hands on his chest as if wounded. "Do you wish to wound me?"

"I will not ask again," Afina says warningly, not even looking at the imp as she keeps her eyes on the greater devils. She can track him well enough with blindsense.

'I can make him go away without violence!' Calleigh sends.

Damian gives you a look but retreats without further comment, going back to his master.

Afina and Calleigh both hear a dry chuckle. 'Cold as death,' The voice is emotionless and makes both of you shiver. High Necrolyte Halles looks your way and then adds, 'I approve. Reject others save for your purpose. If your purpose was the correct one, I would welcome you to undeath with open arms.'

Afina's hand moves away from her sword now that the imp has been seen off. 'Better than you have offered,' she responds curtly to the necrolyte. 'I am not here to bandy words, cease your distraction attempts.'

'Neither of us are involved in the current negotiating,' Halles replies coolly, 'You know that in the end you will fail. Hell is limitless and unstoppable, while you are merely one creature. Muirfinn's fate will seem like an unfathomable mercy compared to what Prince Lixer will do to you. Kneel, submit and repent of your mistakes. Is your defiance now worth trading your eternity away?'

Next time they go on one of these they should bring a telepathy scrambler. The relief of not having to listen to these 'subtle' attempts will more than offset the inconvenience of having to talk aloud for their own plotting. Plus it'd put the other party in the same boat.

'I am not interested.'

She could say more but what's the point? She doesn't want to waste her breath (figurative as it may be in this case) on devils who'll just needle and pick over every point.

This at least gets Halles to stop. From here...

> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=67 ]{67}

Several more hours pass. You're maybe halfway through at most when Vlaakith speaks up, "I suggest a break for rest," she says. "We will resume in 12 hours."

Jaela and Tryll are both drained. It was like being in constant combat, arguing over words and meaning. Morniel took the lead against Martinet while Tryll and Jaela sparred with Lady Kaessa, though all sides interacted. Just constant mental warfare, leaving you with a headache and deeply fatigued.

Tryll's appearance, for those who can see it, is ever placid. Calleigh looks grumpy.

"A welcome suggestion, Your Majesty," Jaela agrees, falling back on protocol while too drained to think creatively anymore.

"It is well appreciated," Martinet agrees, to which both sides go and are lead back. Once you're back in your quarters, Morniel sits down heavily, "This part never gets easy, only less draining and you learn to deal with it."

Mirajane goes and some food that's been left out for all of you, making plates for Jaela and Morniel and grabs some drinks on the way. "I got the impression that Morniel and Martinet were fairly matched, and you and Tryll had the advantage against Kaessa. What do you think, mother?"

"The necrolyte made a telepathic recruitment pitch, don't even know why he bothered, but that was the only thing I observed beyond the imp being an annoyance," Afina says, much more mentally at ease than those who took part in the negotiations. She joins Mirajane in appropriating a snack in deference to Vlaakith's hospitality.

"As things are going, we'll lose," Jaela says tiredly, freshening herself up as much as she can with a spell. She can hardly afford weakness at this point. "You need to pitch in and assist Morniel. If you take some of the heat off him, I'm confident he'll come through for us. Don't you agree, Morniel?"

"Yes," Morniel says, "More importantly, I don't doubt Hell will come back stronger for round 2. If we rest on our laurels, we'll pay for it."

"I'll help," Antenora says, "I spent some time verbally fencing with Albade, though neither of us were going to budge the other at all."

"I'll be sure I have enough spells to keep us in the game," Jaela says, pausing to ask Afina, "How about going all in? Between ourselves we can call upon the equivalent of a Miracle four times. If we time this right, we can use it in batches ahead of time and provide a boost for the coming negotiations."

"What specifically do you want from me?" Afina asks curiously. She can't cast miracles, and even if she could the hit it would inflict on her magic could prove fatal if things turn sour.

"Moment of Prescience gives us enough of a boost over the day of negotiations to stay in the game," Jaela elaborates. "Using a Wish to ask for a similar bolstering effect a couple of hours before we're ready to go back in should retain our combat readiness while build up on that."

I'm pretty much proposing Wishing for a different-typed bonus, or an untyped one.

"That's fine, but I can only cast limited wish," Afina replies. "It couldn't provide any sort of effect with a long enough duration for me to retain the full use of my magic if I cast hours before the event like you say. And as our security for this endeavour I wouldn't risk it even in advance - any attack wouldn't come on a timetable of our own convenience."

To be clear, are you using wish or miracle here?

I've used the regular Moment of Prescience earlier. Now, I'm exploring the possibility of using Moment of Prescience and in addition to that using Wish/Miracle/the psionic variant to get a similar but different bonus for next time.

I know that, but which of those are you trying to use with it? A wish, a miracle, reality revision or something else? It matters a bit since they all work a touch differently.

All of them, one spell to benefit each negotiator. Ideally, I want to cover as many of us as possible. If some work better than others, the best option goes to Morniel since he's the lead negotiator.

As in a copy of Moment of Prescience but with merely a different bonus type? No. Just too cheesy for my tastes.

Before we go any further, what sort of bonus type are you looking for here?

As in something extra, pretty much. The devils have a few different bonuses in their rolls, I was hoping we could gain some extra boost with a spell. But if no, then no.

I'll just memorize 5 Moment of Prescience next time with the karma bead and angel cakes~

Well, the thing is you have lots of different bonus types and some are easier to get with spells than others. Some spells like that already exist like Voice of the Dragon, so that's a thing as well. Narrowing it down lets us figure out if anything's easy there.

Sure, let's emulate Voice of the Dragon. Limited Wish can catch that, too. Between it and the Moments of Prescience we'll be as prepared as we can be.

There will be more in the next post, but for now everyone who is going to participate should make a Diplomacy check.

[12:16] <Yu> roll 1d20+25+10-1 diplo
[12:16] <Kobot> Yu rolled 1d20+25+10-1 diplo --> [ 1d20=10 ]{44}
[12:16] <Yu> roll 44+39
[12:16] <Kobot> Yu rolled 44+39 --> {83}
[12:16] <Yu> forgot to add my skill bonus >_>

21:33 <Tohsaka> roll 1d20+56+26+10
21:33 <Kobot> Tohsaka rolled 1d20+56+26+10 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{104}

I'll extend +26 insight from my boosted Moment of Prescience to any who need it, and keep a couple in reserve (memorizing 5 of them). Voice of the Dragon is emulated with relevant spells/psionics, I think we can all manage that and stagger it so that we're not all magicless during the same hour.

Quick note, Moment of Prescience caps at +25, so note that unless you have something to get around it.

> roll 1d20+23+25+10 Antenora Diplomacy
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+23+25+10 Antenora Diplomacy --> [ 1d20=8 ]{66}
> roll 1d20+113 (+25 moment of prescience, +10 voice of the dragon) Morniel
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+113 (+25 moment of prescience, +10 voice of the dragon) Morniel --> [ 1d20=20 ]{133}
> roll 1d20+112 (+5 ???, +20 ???, +3 ???, +9 ???)
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+112 (+5 ???, +20 ???, +3 ???, +9 ???) --> [ 1d20=19 ]{131}
> roll 1d20+101 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ????, +9 ???, +7 ???) Kaessa
<Kobot> Ko-NitoriisLanzarote rolled 1d20+101 (+5 ????, +1 ???, +18 ????, +9 ???, +7 ???) Kaessa --> [ 1d20=10 ]{111}

Hell of a time for Morniel to pull out a natural 20. Mirajane's flat using aid another here.

Soon you've all rested and are back at it. It's more knockout, drag down war. Negotiations stretch on for hours of verbal fencing. Every word is an attack or defense, carefully weighted and used to the utmost. It's like being in a constant battle with your mind, having to exercise it like never before.

Jaela has her hands full keeping Kaessa in check. Only her dogged persistence and the aid of Antenora and Tryll keep you in check. Several times you almost find yourself agreeing to things you never would otherwise, tricked into it through winding words and verbal barbs.

This leaves Morniel and Martinet to do battle by themselves. It is a duel of words where the language switches from Celestial to Infernal freely, then to other languages to make points. Some you know, some you don't, the arguments invariably drifting back to Celestial and Infernal.  They are tremendously complicated but slowly, ever so slowly, Morniel gets his way. It helps that Mirajane chimes in every so often. Not commonly, but always to useful effect.

At last, everyone tired and beaten after more hours of this than you can count, "Then we have an agreement," he says.

Kaessa sits back coolly, not a single hair out of place or look of pique. She merely yields to Duke Martinet, who says, "We do," he smiles, "On that matter, at least."

"In that case, I'm sending for the book," Jaela says, maintaining her pleasant demeanor. "Restore Muirfinn, and once the book changes hands we'll leave with him."

Any immediately relevant details to the agreement?

Do me a quick favor and note your priorities again, I seem to have misplaced the paste I did of them.

As stated, these were listed in order of descending importance.

Thank you. I think we can all agree notetaking failures are annoying.

1. Lawgiver and Morniel are fairly certain all the sneaky clauses and tricks are out.
2. The Father's use is reasonably restrained. No unleashing him on Primes or the like.
3. An agreement to restore Muirfinn to as he was before, barring gear, which is 'lost beyond recovery'.

"Once we see the book, Muirfinn will be restored," Martinet says pleasantly.

"That won't be a problem, will it?" Damian adds. "Surely it's no problem to bring the book here?"

Re: 2, so is killing the Father in a timely matter by mortal standards?

"At this point, is there really a need for petty stubbornness?" Jaela asks. "It would take a while to retrieve the book, and we would not think of turning on Her Majesty so Muirfinn will remain out of our reach. Restoring him presently allows our healers to examine the damage and prepare our specialists back home. It does not, in fact, cost you a single thing. Unless, that is, you insult us by saying that we are going to break this agreement as soon as it has been signed?"

Within 9 months, yes. Best they could manage.

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't bend on this point," Martinet says, "I'm under orders that things must proceed in this precise way. If you wish to appeal this decision," Martinet smiles, "Seek the Serpent Throne and the Lord of the Ninth."

"Don't be petty, who was I kidding," Jaela says brightly. "Please wait, then." She stands up, bowing at Queen Vla'akith. "By your leave, Your Majesty?"

Telepathically, she tells her companions, "We'll leave together now. Does anyone have confidence that they can escape notice by devil forces of such a tier and would like to stay behind as I plane shift us to Aurora?"

'I wouldn't be willing to stake my life on it,' Afina replies dubiously.

'We had all best go,' Morniel says, 'This is likely a play for last minute concessions, nothing more. Let us get The Father and finish this.'

'Probably not. Also, why the transportation risk? Why not simply bring the Aurora here?' Tryll asks.

"Currently impossible, or we would've done just that," Jaela responds telepathically to Tryll. "For what it's worth I think Morniel's right. Let's get this over with and give them a petty victory over my apparent pride."

Let's plane shift there, tell everyone to go to high alert and plane shift back with the Father book and Priest.

Easily enough done. When you reach the book with The Father in it, sealed away...

Describe how you're taking it.

Mind Blank, check. Moment of Prescience, check. Foresight, check. A bit of a boost in the form of Good Hope, check. Not hungry or prone to poisonings after grabbing a pastry from the mess hall, final check.

Jaela picks the book up and heads for the gates!

Nonetheless, Jaela feels a faint hunger by the time you reach the gates. Low grade, contained, but still there. The book's growing warm in your hands.

"Book's awakening," Jaela says curtly. "Stop me if it gets me. Someone else open the gate, too."

Afina obligingly casts a Gate spell for them to return to Vlaakith's desmense, watching Jaela out of the corner of her eye for anything untoward.

Calleigh sits on Jaela's shoulder. "Magic circle against evil, yay! I'll help keep that pesky abomination against creation out of your head!"

Calleigh does seem to help a bit, and when you reach the Astral, the sensations pass altogether. Whew.

"Feels like it passed," Jaela reports. "Let's get Muirfinn and go."

Your trip back is uneventful.

Martinet eyes the book briefly, "Ah, that is it," He says, as all the other devils grimace in disgust. Martinet's smile doesn't flicker, "Place the book at our table," he says, rising and going over to Muirfinn. "I will begin the process of awakening him."

Jaela places the book down, staying right by it afterwards. "How long is this process?"

Afina reclaims her seat as Jaela delivers the book. If the devils think she can't do anything in the case of tricks just because she's not right on top of Jaela they'll be disappointed.

"Brief, though his recovery make take a few hours," Martinet says, standing over Muirfinn.

Jaela nods, relying on Priest, Mirajane and Tryll to keep a close eye over the medical proceedings.

There's simply a flash of red power followed by a moment of pitch darkness.

When it clears, Martinet is sitting once more. "He will recover," he says, running his fingers along the book with The Father within.

"He will," Priest agrees after examining him briefly, "His mind is returning."

Jaela nods again, and curtsies to Vla'akith. "It's been a pleasure," she says, ready to leave at their dismissal.

"Dismissed," Vlaakith says, "Aurora's forces will leave first and with my personal guarantee of safety."

Plans now, y'all?

I want to ask Tryll and Priest to take Muirfinn to Ilmater's realm and vet him. After a day passes, we can send Vivantha over there.

Since Muirfinn is an ex-PC, it'd probably be less awkward if he weren't around as an NPC. Plus, I want to make sure Asmodeus didn't hardwire some bullshit into him after all, so I don't want him to return until the integration is done with and Aurora is mobile again at the very least.

I don't really want him around much as an NPC for the same reasons.

However, I do want a chance for Yuth to speak up and add his two cents in. A chance to at least get some closure with him would be nice if nothing else, though I await Yuth's opinion and comments here.

Oooookay.

So. Muirfinn would want to stay on with the Aurora. He was doing good work before everything happened. As the player, I'd say keep him on, he's useful. As part of a group, it risks the dreaded RP circle-jerk. So he's gotta go.

Who knows, maybe he'll retire into the tortle community on Aurora after he's properly vetted. Maybe train some druids. A sort of non-interactive NPC. Background-type stuff.

Thoughts?

That's fine with me, I'm okay with your choices any which way. If nothing else he could be a good backup if you want to move off Tryll or something happens to him.

Also, do you wanna do any closure RP with Muirfinn?

Relegating Muirfinn to an inoffensive background role works, sure.

That or a risky position in Lifasa's resistance!

No need for further RP, I already got my closure.

Okay then. Plans now, y'all? This is probably the end of this topic, so gimme your next todos.

I'll give Vivantha the results in person, see how the GoldenSpear works and then I want to sit down with Antenora and Afina and discuss Benfal. If that doesn't work out, timewise, I'll ask Vul'lath if he wants to take a trip to the Terminal Archive.

I was assuming we'd be headed for the House of Suffering And Fun Things.

If not (if that's what you meant by RP closure), then Tryll wants to work on finding the remaining irrigo.

Afina is down for strategising re: Benfal. Failing that she'll go on a chilled out adventure with Bubbles.

Okay, quick check. Jaela, were you going to Ilmater's realm or were you sending others to do it?

Asking Tryll&Calleigh and Priest to go there. I'm persona non grata in that realm so I need to work mysteriously through proxies. I intend to ask Vivantha to go there as well.

Okay, for the sake of streamlining a minor thing, do you mind if someone else asks Vivantha? It's not like she's going to say no.

No

Locking this topic and starting new ones.

Congratulations, you saved Muirfinn's soul. I hope it was worth the price.