Okay, you want to get in touch with Tryll? How will you do that?
With my fantastic Sending Stone.
'Hello Tryll, this is Moore. Well, you knew that, since that's how this spell works. I have a rather urgent matter I need to discuss with you and your comrades. Can you come to Hope's Landing as soon as possible?'
No reply.
Perhaps Tryll is somewhere with interference? It's known to happen.
All right, he has time.
Wish to emulate a higher and more potent version of Divination.
'Where is Tryll?'
Peace.
Tryll is temporarily indisposed on a task at my request.
Moore jumps, as he definitely wasn't expecting that.
He nods, nonetheless. "By your will, then."
As you reframe and refocus that?
"Moore?" Xandra calls, a steady knock on the door.
"Come in!" Moore calls.
Xandra enters. She's wearing a simple white dress, the door closed behind her. "I wanted to thank you," she says, "I gained great insight from this trip."
"I don't know that thanks are needed." Moore says with a smile. "But I accept the sentiment under which you're giving them, none the less. I hope that the trip all of us take together is as insightful."
In that moment as Xandra speaks? You feel the connection with her, bright and strong. A moment of choice as...
Xandra's node bonus this time is +1 Charisma for herself or you. Your call on which.
Oh, that's just mean. :(
Both of us get a point from it. Blech.
I think Xandra would be cross with Moore if he gave it to her, so I will choose Moore to get it.
Okay then, fair enough. What's that put your Charisma at?
38, for a +14 bonus.
Oh my. Oh dear. Oh my.
Node topic updated, go read.
You feel strength rise in yourself afterwards, lingering within your body.
So noted.
Moore smiles. "I'm glad someone approves of our growth."
"It's a step forward," Xandra says, "We're moving at a good pace now, aren't we?"
Moore nods. "Yes. You know, I noticed that she did it again. When I asked her if she was stuck there until all the doors were closed, she didn't give me an answer."
Xandra sits before, "She's hiding something - I fear her situation is complicated yet, and she all but said she knows of something dark that looms before us. That this great task we are on will be one of sacrifice and pain for us, and that we may all pay the greatest price to triumph."
"Yes, I agree." Moore says. "Let me ask you something... if you can only see the truth that something else believes, what if that truth is a lie?"
"That means it wasn't a truth at all," Xandra says, "But something mistakenly believed as a truth."
"We already know the Incarnations aren't really omniscient. Or, rather, they are, except... they can only see things in... certain colors, let's say." Moore says. "So I think Sylvie's only seeing what 21 is showing her, and I think she can't pull herself away from those truths."
Moore blinks. "'Be not blinded by the light of truth.' ...Something like that, anyway."
"Infinite power doesn't come with infinite knowledge, or at least for things outside of what they are," Xandra muses, "It's almost as if they're trying to learn something a Far Realm creature showed them, but they can't force it and they're not learning it well."
"It would make sense. I mean, all this time, we're told that beings from the Far Realm are hostile to Creation. ...What if it's really the other way around?" He asks as he looks out a window. "What if the Incarnations simply couldn't accept or understand what the Far Realm had to offer? I mean... it ultimately doesn't matter right now, but..."
He takes a breath. "I think you're right. I think this is a situation where as smart as Sylvie is, she's been exposed for so long to a truth that isn't her truth, she has no choice but to see it to its conclusion. If that's the case, then the best we can do is show her Hope -- something that 21 has no understanding of."
He taps his finger on his knee. "It didn't work on that phantasm, but I... still think I understand better how to communicate in the Far Realm, now, than I did before."
"We have four more doors to work on her," Xandra says at last, "And to learn as well."
Moore nods. "Oh, yes, apparently The Master of the Illuminated Heavens has Tryll working on a task, so I don't think he'll be available for this. I suppose we'll see what happens after the other three doors, regardless. Still... I won't give up on her. I will bring her home."
"I'll be there with you," Xandra promises, "We've only begun this. I also want to see why I have these songs and how far they reach. I took that wyrmling to Bahamut's Palace, they'll tend to him. I prayed on the matter and was guided there, so I have no fears about it now."
Moore smiles. "We've both grown quite a bit since I met you in that mountainside house. You know, I've been wondering, why do you think He had said it was too early to come with me that one time? Or do you think it was all just a test of whether I was listening or not?" He asks.
"I don't know," Xandra confesses, "But often it simply isn't the right time, not yet. The answer isn't no, but the answer is to wait and accept the fullness of time."
"Well, I think it worked out anyway." Moore says.
He then blinks once. "You know, I've been considering something, but I don't know if it's appropriate. What does your intuition tell you about asking Medi for help? He's clearly transcended himself somehow, and he seems like the type who'd be able to figure something out about helping Sylvie."
Full disclosure, my phone autocorrected that to 'clearly transgendered',
That's not even that hard with epic level magic in play, if you really wanted to do that.
"Can we get him to help?" Xandra asks, "He doesn't seem to want to be helpful."
"I wonder if Elena can leave Aurora..." Moore says. "Well, if nothing else, I don't think there's any harm in asking him. Our goals are the same, although it seems clear he doesn't know anything about Io's involvement... which is rather surprising."
"If, and we have to remember we aren't sure what he knows here," Xandra points out, "This may be our task, if we like it or not."
"I don't intend to tell him. Still... if anyone would know about overcoming the impossible, it would be him." Moore says.
Either way I'm good to reconvene if we want to or do whatever depending on scheduling.
Seira has a bit more to clear. Got any quickies you want to get done?
He can start on the book Erathaol left him.
Sure. Paste me what he gave you on it? I'm having a notes failure.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104359.msg1161913.html#msg1161913
But let me do something else since I forgot about it.
Moore is going to go outside of Hopes Landing and whack the orb from Magamia on the rocks, per what the spell told him to do.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104359.msg1162536.html#msg1162536
If you need a reference to what I'm talking about. And I said rocks but I mean mountain.
Okay, you have the orb in hand, ready to dash it against the side of the mountain. Up to you when and how you do it.
The spell said break, so... he will hit it as hard as he can on the mountainside!
CRACK! The orb shatters and it erupts - goods and coins, gems and treasure, scrolls, weapons, furniture, a chimney, trees, everything and more. So many things roll down the side of the mountain to the ground, a great heap of things indeed.
Does that really count as 'using' it...?
It's not much of a bag of holding then, is it?
Can I tell if any souls were released?
Not that you noticed, at least.
A question for later, he thinks.
This can be a weekend thing, but he will sort through all the stuff here.
Sure.
Soon enough as that's being seen to?
"Moore," Grias comes in as you oversee the sorting, "You have a guest from the Cauldron."
"Lady Sanzha, I presume." Moore says. "Can you have some people sort through this stuff for me? I'll identify anything magical once I get back."
He goes to meet them!
Will be a bit for an eye compress.
Toss a reply here so I know to post.
noted.
It is Lady Sanzha, who walks aside with you before, "You can teach the Words?"
"Yes." Moore says. "It does require a little bit of making the impossible a reality, though." Moore says as he withdraws his flute from his bags to let her analyze it. "It's a little bit of training, a little bit of luck, and a lot of willpower."
He smiles after that. "But as someone who held the title of Padisha, I shouldn't doubt willpower will be an issue."
for reference
Horizon's Flute
This plain flute pushes back the seemingly impossible and makes them a little more possible. When played by a bard who succeeds on a DC 40 Perform (Wind Instruments) check, it grants a single listener the following benefit. When a creature who hears this makes a skill check, a natural result of 20 automatically succeeds, so long as a sufficiently high skill check can succeed. While it doesn't allow the truly impossible, anything just short of that can theoretically be done with this. You can't take 20 on a skill when under the effects of horizon's flute.
Each usage of this ability counts as a daily use of bardic music.
Horizon's Flute is a minor artifact.
"I also know the risks of such ventures," Sanzha says after studying the flute. "I want a healer on hand in case this goes awry."
"We have someone who can take care of that." Moore says.
Still, there's something about her rather frosty demeanor...
"If you have any further concerns I can address, I would be happy to do so." He adds.
Lady Sanzha's expression is utterly neutral, before she says, "How dangerous is this, in truth?"
"It can be threatening to your existence if you go too far." Moore says. "But realistically, the first steps aren't dangerous. Especially not here, within these walls and under the light from Celestia."
"Then let's go somewhere and begin," Sanzha agrees.
Moore nods and will invite Jetina over to monitor them. Xandra too if she wishes.
Moore will help out however he can with boosters for her.
Boost away, please.
She will get a +8 boost to Con, Int, Wis and Cha... uhh I'm not sure what else would be good, but that will cover the basic attributes. On top of that Moore will have his charisma aura for +20 for those.
Did you have those up for Alyssa?
No, he didn't have Inspire Excellence at the time. I think he had the aura, but I think all of her stuff were wisdom or int checks.
> roll 1d20+12 Sanzha
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=18]
It is like a glacial lake. Lady Sanzha sits and is still. Her eyes are closed, she does not breathe. There is not the barest hint of movement as you play your music, Jetina and Xandra at the ready. It is a long stretch of this, Jetina holding firm before, "Anything yet?"
"Progress," Sanzha announces. "Be silent. Quiet waters run deep. Noisy waters run shallow."
Moore gives an apologetic look to Jetina as he continues playing.
Jetina sighs silently, but holds her position.
> roll 1d20+12 Sanzha
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=18]
Another hour. Patience, music, time.
"Progress," Sanzha reports in a soft tone, "I need yet more."
Xandra merely nods slightly, while Jetina blows out a breath, "Well, we're here in case it goes wrong."
"We're here to support you." Moore says with a nod.
> roll 1d20+12 Sanzha
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=11]
Barely ten minutes before Sanzha rises this time, "It's different," she says, a grimace, "A bit of healing, Jetina."
As Jetina does that she goes on, "The arts of the madalani have a similar, perilous nature. A misstep can be harmful or fatal."
Moore nods as he keeps playing.
"A break, Moore," Sanzha speaks up. With a little smile she goes on, "You've worked hard, take a moment's rest."
Moore drops his arm and smiles a little bit himself.
"Of course." He nods after that. "Have you had any breakthroughs?"
"No, but I have made progress," Lady Sanzha declares, looking out towards the ocean. "How have others done with this?"
"I learned them over time." Moore says. "I had... quite a few jaunts across Celestia to do so. Alyssa seemed to get a bit lucky and had a breakthrough. I think if you keep at it, the same thing will happen for you, but it's my understanding you have a little bit of a power similar to that of the divine, so it may be different for you."
A lazy glance at you, "Indeed. Alyssa may be strong, but she is a drizzle compared to the deluge of the ages. Only age and time can properly season the waters." Lady Sanzha has a slight, sardonic smile on her face.
"Do you mind if I ask you what your personal favorite title was during your reign?" Moore asks.
With the same smile, "Sanzha. Anyone who earned the right to call me that was worth listening to."
Moore laughs a bit at that. "I still don't like it when people just call me 'Duke,' so I completely understand your perspective. Hopefully one day I'll earn the same right."
"It sounds lonely." Jetina speaks up here.
Sanzha doesn't even look her way, but does say, "Rulership is loneliness broken up by festive orgies of attention and power." Lady Sanzha extends her hand out, a few droplets of water running along and across her fingers. "All the noble marid dream of taking the throne of the Padisha - even the men, most would spend eternity as a woman for the power and divinity that throne gives, if it came to such a thing."
"They're right, of course." Sanzha goes on, "It's worth it, but it takes a long time to make it worth it. There's much to learn."
Moore smiles a little bit. "I know someone in that same sort of position." He says quietly.
"Still, I'm glad that you found people like Lady Seira and Lady Amaryl, I know that they truly care about their cause and, by extension, you." He clears his throat after that. "Actually, do you mind if I ask how you found yourself as part of The Cauldron?"
"It took me a long time to think that - until recently," Lady Sanzha says, rather thoughtfully. "But time and distance bring crystal clear waters." A dance of water over her hand, droplets swirling. "I don't mind, but it is a bit of a story."
Moore smiles. "I'm glad to hear that you've overcome something like that."
He gestures with the flute for a moment. "I leave that up to you. Nonetheless, I'm glad to hear it any time you wish to share. We can also continue with your progress, if you'd like to get back to it. You seemed like you were in a bit of a ... flow, if you will."
"You have obtained progress," Xandra speaks up here, "Will you continue?"
At this Sanzha merely says, "Yes, in a moment's time. Seira performed another of her endless acts of heroism and...oh, it is a story that deserves a proper telling."
Moore laughs a bit. "I can already picture it, I admit."
"It wasn't quite what you imagine, my liberation was almost incidental in a sense," Lady Sanzha admits, "But so many acts of heroism begin like that."
Moore nods. "If you'd like to share the story, I can get some refreshments for us."
"Ice water," Lady Sanzha says as she rests, "Something sweet as well."
Moore will go and have Grias prepare something!
While doing that, he's also going to write a quick letter outlining what happened in Ysgard with Magamia and the reported orders from Nasir and have entrust someone to deliver it to Romiel.
I forgot I never IC let anyone know about the Ysgard stuff except Seira, so consider this my doing so.
Sure. Anything else along those lines or ready to go back?
Nope, we can handle the loot stuff at a later time.
...whoops. Yes.
Once everyone gets taken care of, "Do you know the full story of the Cauldron?" Lady Sanzha asks once you're all settled in.
"Only what I've heard here and there." Moore says. "This would be a good opportunity to have a more complete understanding."
"I've heard a little - something about Imix?" Jetina sits, while Xandra stays standing. "I heard that during the war, anyway."
"Imix was up to trouble," Is the answer, "The Cauldron wasn't Seira's originally. She took it long after it was put aside and forgotten, in part because of what I did at the end of my tenure as the Padisha."
"Oh, that explains a lot with the Abolition War, then." Moore says with a nod. "..Ah, a forgotten demiplane. There always seems to be another one or two of them you hear about."
"The owners tend to die one day or leave them behind," Sanzha agrees, "Creation is old enough that they've stacked up, and beings powerful enough to have one are often powerful enough to hide if they want to, or otherwise endure history."
"They are useful," Xandra says, "One day our own would not be remiss as a resource."
"One day." Moore says with a nod. "But you mentioned this coincided with your previous role?"
"Yes, it also involves Eblis," A rather unkind smile on her face, "In very short, Imix created the Cauldron. I took exception to that and stole it from him, sealed it with two keys. I chose to give them to opposites, so that it would be all the harder for the keys to be reunited. One I gave to Queen Morwel, the other I gave to Eblis. Matters with that went...poorly."
"Interesting. So I'm guessing through Seira's adventures that must've reunited them somehow." Moore says.
"In time," Lady Sanzha says, "I had ultimately been sealed away, and in that I was freed." A slight frown on her face, "Eblis got better than he deserved."
Moore smiles a little bit. "I don't presume to be the one to absolve Eblis of the sins he committed over the last millennia... but I have a weak spot in my heart for redemption." A turn to look out towards the peak of Celestia. "Having hope for all things necessitates that you believe in that sort of thing, to an extent."
"I can save my opinion until we meet again," Lady Sanzha agrees, a rather...sharp and unkind smile to say the least.
"All opinions are welcome here." Moore promises her.
"Oh no, you misunderstand. I'm saving it for him," Is Sanhza's answer.
Jetina shivers a little bit at that, "Vengeance, is it?"
"I think he'll have a lot of people who want that same thing." Moore says. "I'm... not sure how that will eventually be handled, to be honest."
"They'll have to get in line," Lady Sanzha says, "Don't you think?"
Moore nods. "Yes, I imagine so. It's... a bit of an historic moment. I wonder if you'll simply be approached at some point, to be honest, or... receive some sort of communication about the matter."
A small shake of his head. "I wouldn't imagine that'd be for some time, though."
"I can wait," Lady Sanzha says coolly, "I've grown very skilled at waiting."
"I imagine so." Moore says. "What do you think of the current Padisha? For whatever my opinion matters, she's seemed like..."
He looks as if he is considering his words for a moment. "It seems clear that there's an aspect of acting, at least from my perspective. Like she's playing the part of Padisha, but has her own goals and motivations in mind. I don't think that's very different from most leaders, really... but I feel like due to the nature of some of the denizens of Water, perhaps the role has to be a bit more... caged?"
A slow nibble of her treat before Lady Sanzha says, "She's a lovely actress, don't you think?"
"That bad, huh?" He asks. "I heard about a soiree some months ago that General Afina from Aurora attended, where she was asked to personally kill a devil at a reception. Things like that..." Moore shakes his head. "I couldn't do it -- that sort of thing. I wear my heart on my sleeve too much."
Another nibble, "It was just a devil," Sanzha says, offhandedly. "Do you care about one that much when it doesn't have a sword in hand?"
At that Jetina frowns, "There's a difference between killing an enemy and killing a prisoner. A large difference, one of morality and honor. It's wrong to kill a defenseless opponent, unless they've been dutifully sentenced to death by the law."
"The Padisha is the law." Sanzha's retort, "Thank you for agreeing with the Padisha's actions."
"...That wasn't..." Jetina frowns deeply.
Moore smiles a little and looks over at Jetina. "It's a rather common tactic to make a spectacle out of something like that in order to be a show of force as well as a reminder to those to sit up straight, as it were."
A pause here. "I don't disagree with you over your sentiment. It fits with the narrative that the Padisha's court has set, I think." He turns back to Sanzha. "It's not entirely different than what I imagine a lot of fey courts do, really, if they caught an Unseelie in their midst. Hm... If the opportunity ever presented itself, could you see yourself back on that throne again? Ah, if that's too personal a question..."
"Why Moore," Lady Sanzha's smile is cool, "If you seek to get to know me that well, I believe you'll make your darling little Ilsenine jealous. How is she, by the way? I'd have thought she'd be your lovely wife here."
Moore smiles at that. "She has her duties to Lifasa like I have mine here. We spend time with each other when we can. I try to visit her and not cause too much scandal when I visit. It would be nice to not feel like I'm the only pixie on the entire Mountain, I admit, were she to be here."
"Then get her to come here, hang your duty." Ilsenine finishes her food and rises, "You only live once."
I see royalty takes many forms.
"I understand your sentiment, but you know that last part isn't exactly true." He says with a broad grin.
"I suppose," Lady Sanzha remarks, "That your love for her is like a stagnant pond. Perhaps pretty from a distance, but it changes the world none at all."
At this Xandra steps forward, "Watch yourself, my lady," she warns, "Do not speak harsh words here."
"Xandra, it's fine." Moore says with a bright smile. "She doesn't mean it to be insulting to me." He turns back to Sanzha. "Your words are accepted as they are meant to be, Lady Sanzha. I thank you for speaking them."
Even she's a romantic, huh?
Moore wonders if she's secretly friends with Villisa.
A simple look back, "Regardless, I do believe I've studied enough. I'll return another day soon, after incorporating what I've learned thus far."
"Please, feel free at any time. You are always welcome here." Moore says with a smile.
Okay, anything to do before tomorrow?
You still owe me a loot post. Other than that, nothing of note.
Okay, I am whipped towards that.
/me whimpers.
For real, that's a todo and otherwise we're good here. Get any self prep ready ahead of time for otmorrow.
I am going to assume we'll get the same spells from Seira again when we go. We'll also hit up the Blessing stone again for Epic Mage Armor, mind blank and Afina's perfect vision.
Since he knows there'll be combat, or the likelihood is high, he will pre-do the following songs:
Inspire Courage, Heroics, Greatness:
Attack: +31
Weapon damage: +22
AC: +12 (12 dodge)
Saving throws: +12 (12 morale)
Inspire Excellence - Constitution, for everyone to get +8 competence to Constitution, along with the temporary HP from Greatness, which is
[22:27] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d10=2,3,10,6,2,8,3,6]
(this is just the temp HP, I didn't factor in the con bonus to anything)
Moore: 104
Cresiel: 128
Xandra: 122
Kaja: 104
Jetina: 96
Dropping this spoiler block here for my reference for later.
Active Spells: Superior Resistance (CL 31), True Seeing (CL10), Bibliotecha Arcana (CL31), Mind Blank (CL15), True Seeing (CL35), Glorious Rally (CL35), Celestial Valor (CL35), Ghost Touch Armor (CL35), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL35), Recitation (CL35), Foresight (CL35), Visions of the Future (CL35), Superior Vigor (CL35), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL35), Detect Scrying (CL35), Greater Arcane Sight (CL35), Freedom of Movement (CL35), Pass Without Trace (CL35), Greater Anticipate Teleport (CL35), Surge of Hope (CL35), Voice of the Dragon (CL35), Nondetection (CL35), Mass Death Ward (CL35), Heroes Feast (CL35), Resistance to Energy (All Five) (CL35), Fortunate Fate (CL35), Spell Turning (CL35)
HP: 516+104 (652)
AC: 64 (94), 48 (64) touch, 54 flatfooted 20% miss chance, SR 48, 30 resist all to elements
39/39 Bardic music uses 3/3 Refrain
Inspire Courage/Greatness/Destined Strike buffed attack, with dex bonus and BAB +66
Damage bonus: 25
Spells:
Bard
0th - 4/4 (DC 22)
1st - 8/8
2nd - 7/7
3rd - 5/7
4th - 7/7
5th - 7/7
6th - 6/6
7th - 6/6
8th - 6/6
9th - 5/5
10th - 4/4
11th 1/1
Favored Soul:
0th - 5/5
1st - 9/9
2nd - 9/9
3rd - 9/9
4th - 9/9
5th - 8/8
6th - 8/8
7th - 8/8
8th - 7/8
9th - 8/8
10th - 3/3
Okay, when I get y'all going in the 21 topic, cross post this for me.
Locking.