Every so often, you have to wonder about your sister.
Jessica strides in, rather dirty. Her clothing is dirt and mud stained, along with a few other stains that you can't immediately identify. Her face is smudged and could use a good wash. The smell of the road lingers around her, the scent of dust, heat and sweat. She enters your suite and sits herself down, not the slightest effort of divine will to clean herself up as she rests on one of your chairs.
In comparison, Colke is pristine. His brown hair is tied back and clean, his traveling clothes likewise unblemished. He is a tall, strong man now with long hair, expression distant but not unfriendly. He sits near Jessica and rests as a scent of pine trees and fresh earth comes from him.
"We're back, sister," Jessica announces after a moment, "I hear Marie's done well while I was away?"
"Antenora seems so proud of her," Colke agrees as he settles in, "As happy as if she did it herself."
"Antenora intercepted us to tell us, privately," Jessica goes on, "It's adorable how happy Marie's successes can make her." She sits back now and takes a long breath in and out, "Though I'll merely be happy with a good soak after this latest trip out."
"Antenora's just being modest, she contributed as well," Alicia says, standing by the window and looking outwards, a high tower in Liberton giving a nice view over Sylica and its new surroundings beyond of Elysium.
"Still, a good job is a good job, even if they didn't get the goal they were looking for it's still one less dark champion roaming around, and an arrow in Mystra's quiver for the battle to come," she turns from that window to look over Jessica and Colke. "And even without asking after your success, you're certainly presenting the right image of having worked hard while you were out and about. How did it go?"
"Well, we had some considerable success," Jessica agrees, "Some danger as well, as well as learning about Colke." A glance at him, "A good trip all in all."
"Don't leave me in suspense," Alicia says, coming over to take a seat facing the pair. They're not bringing along a prisoner at least, she'd know if they had. But the margin for 'some considerable success' is fairly broad and so it's up to Jessica to explain what all happened.
"We didn't find Yarus but we know exactly where he is," Jessica begins, "Colke put the pieces together, so why don't you begin?"
Colke bows his head to Jessica at that, "Colke currently resides in the Dead Rat's Nest. A particularly unpleasant demiplane tucked away in Pazunia, it's known to be a hotbed of Talontar activity. The entire demiplane is in the form of a gigantic dead rat, the city is in the hollowed out skull. Our understanding is that he has an agreement with one of the high priests of Talona there."
"I weep no tears at a reason to inflict a bit of payback on Talona, but it does complicate matters. There's no sign that Talona's directly involved in the Shar or Adversary end of this. The relationship between Plag - the high priest in question - and Yarus seems to be entirely professional. They move in the same circles, it's hardly surprising to see this."
"So we know where he is," Colke continues, "We have to capture him to go any further, or find some other way to make him make the move we want him to."
"That's very interesting," Alicia says, since she would've expected Shar's servitors to be kept close to home in the plane of shadow. "Do you know how recent this arrangement is?"
Given her own recent troubles with Talona it might've been a recent opportunity taken to garner an extra shield against her. Although the Abyss in general is troublesome for her as Marie has so correctly pointed out.
"At least a century old, based on the age of the source," Colke reports, "That's what you said when you checked, Jessica?"
"103 years," Jessica agrees, "As I said, by all appearances it's unrelated coincidence. Or the Abyss could be moving against you, who knows how planes perceive time and reality?" A pause, "Could they even use temporal magic? Could the Keepers even stop a plane if it chose to meddle in time? That's a disturbing thought, sister."
In a dry voice, Colke speaks as he changes. She is now rather like Antenora, save for short hair. There's no reaction to the change, as if it was the most natural thing for Colke to do to herself. "Sometimes such logical speculations lead off of a cliff and far away from common sense. Wasn't that what you said yourself?"
To that Jessica laughs - a wry sound, "Yes, but please don't tell Antenora I said that. If it's true there's nothing to be done about it, so we can only work with what we have. We have enough concerns without theoretical Chronomancy added to it."
Alicia similarly does not react to Colke changing appearance. It's just a thing they do.
"It does unfortunately tie back to the Abyss running rings around us," she says. "Still... that long? And given our information we can assume - and yes I realise the problem, but it's what we have to work on, that Yarus is only recently ascended. Staying somewhere crowded like that, I'd expect the change to be noted, if Plag is no fool. More assumptions so take them for what they're worth.
"Where did the information come from, and how far did you go to verify it? Have you been inside the demiplane?" she asks, a look over Jessica's somewhat filthy appearance.
"No, the information we needed was in Ooze," Jessica sours, "It came from a lost tome, the journal of a mad marilith banished to Ooze. In her madness she speaks a great deal of truth, if only because she's lost the ability to filter reality from imagination and truth from lies. A slight bit of magical aid and she speaks only truths. She wasn't capable of lying and her journal rings true. I have no reason to suspect it's a lie."
"I concur, it was not a lie," Colke agrees, "That demon was as close to truth and harmless as one could be. We haven't been inside of the demiplane yet. We were saving that for you, in case you wanted to look into it personally."
"As I said, we owe Talona," Jessica agrees, "It would be ill tempered of me to deny you a chance at that, if you wish to take it."
"It's not as if I want to pick a fight with Talona," Alicia says. "What happened in Pandemonium was humbling, and it'd be foolish to strike at her out of hurt pride. Still, we..." she trails off and looks at the door expectantly.
Loud footsteps are heard. The door slams open, Marie leaning in and catching herself on the frame, red-faced and panting.
"You were going to go to the Abyss based on dubious testimony from an atypical demon, weren't you?!"
Jessica eyes Marie and ever so slowly nods. "Yes?" She offers. "All signs point that it is reliable."
Marie steps in and closes the door behind her. "Just like the Man of Winds was reliable?" she asks. "We're not going through this again. How many times before the lesson sinks in?"
"Marie, we can't assume the worst every time," Alicia begins, only to be cut off.
"No!" Marie wags a pointer finger at Alicia. "This is exactly the same setup! A crazy demon that only tells the truth? Really? We're doing the exact same thing right after the last time and expecting it to be different?"
Put like that she does have a point. "Still, we can't just ignore it. The stakes are too high," Alicia says.
"They are. Rather than that, how about we see if we can confirm it first, then?" Jessica suggests, "If you're concerned, Marie, do you have any ideas how we can confirm this information?"
Colke merely bows her head and doesn't argue with Marie.
"In all truth," Jessica goes on, "I did notice the similarity of the situation. The problem is that it's still entirely believable. If we're being manipulated, and let me remind you that this affair has nothing to do with the Abyss until now, it's so deftly done that's difficult to discern."
"I could go," Colke suggests, "I am much more disposable than-"
"That's a poor way to put it,' Jessica cuts in, a half frown on her face.
"Regardless, the truth of the matter is that I am." Colke continues, "If I can find proof that Yarus is there, then we can proceed."
"I'll go," Marie says, putting her foot down. "You need someone like me, someone who lives and breathes trickery, who understands chaos. If Alicia goes she'll be very sneaky, very technically proficient, and very straightforward, and this'll turn into another disaster. This is Marie's time to shine!" she jabs a thumb against her own chest.
Alicia idly wishes she could have her old obedient and sweet familiar back. But she can't deny her track record with the Abyss lately has been lacklustre.
"Alright," Alicia says. "You're the goddess of trickery here. But if you find Yarus and verify he's a deity, you call me in and then I'll be very straightforward."
"That I can do," Marie says, deflating a bit since she was fired up to make this more of a fight. "I'm glad you're being mature about this."
"Honestly, the similarity does feel like I'm being deliberately goaded, I'm not blind," Alicia says, crossing her arms and looking out the window.
"Alone, Marie?" Jessica asks, "I'd be happy to go with you rather than leave you to do it alone."
Meanwhile Colke stays out of it, but after a moment changes her mind and adds, "At the risk of complicating it, what if it's a double feint?"
"Then we can bring up entire black boards of plans and counter plans like what goes in Antenora's mind," Jessica's voice is tired at that, exasperated. "We don't know if it's a coincidence, a simple plan, a more complex one or just opportunism. With the Abyss it won't be entirely predictable. We'd hardly be the first who run into what looks to be a plan and is nothing more than chance lining up just so."
"Sure, we make a good team," Marie says to Jessica. "We'll sneak in, cause some chaos of our own, find this Yarus, and then decide what to do. Lets send our avatars actually, since if we do it right no one will know we were there so using them doesn't reveal much, and if it is a trap and we lose, we don't lose anything important."
"Let's go set it up," Jessica agrees and rises, going off with Marie.
After a moment and they're gone, "We're confused," Colke finally says, "All the stories we'-I've heard about Marie paint her differently than she's acted there."
"Few celestials rise in stature as quickly as Marielle has," Alicia says, looking over to the door. "She's adapting to great changes in herself," a tap of the side of her head, "And her position. To be an equal co-ruler of Sylica and not a supporter in the background. There's a degree of familiarity breeding contempt in her tone of course," she allows with a wry smile, "But it's also a conscious choice to assert herself, to step boldly forward."
She stands up herself now. "Do you know much about fallen celestials? There's a lamentable number of them to study up on of course. Arrogance and ambition is a common thread. Marie has always been ambitious, even as a coure she sought to challenge herself and rise higher. It's no sin, I believe her motivations have been and remain pure. And I don't believe she's truly arrogant, she's simply speaking more boldly to ensure we all understand she's an equal partner now. So that familiarity doesn't breed contempt on my end and I keep treating her as merely a servant."
"Ah. In other words, she's overcompensating a little bit?" Colke concludes from that. "To ensure that you remember what she is now?"
"That's a good way to put it," Alicia smiles approvingly. "Marie has always been a valued confidante and part of my inner circle, but her role has been much more of a passive supporter in recent years. We're all adapting to a new equilibrium."
"I understand," Colke agrees, "And of my service, Lady Alicia? Do you require my services further at the moment?"
"I think Marie and Jessica have this matter well in hand for now. I suggest you take a break, rest from your recent journey," Alicia offers a dismissal.
Okay then, what's Marie's grand plan?
I never bothered fully stating an avatar Marie so quick check...
-1 to all rolls
-1 to all stats, all odd except con so -38 hp, -1 fort save
-1 domain SLA DC
Lose immunity to fire and sonic energy, lose immunities to disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects and disintegration
That cover everything?
When it's just Marie and Jessica she asks, "What kind of demon do you want to disguise yourself as? I'm going as a balor."
She would lay down serious money that if Alicia were going she'd be a half-fiend of otherwise similar proportions to herself. No wonder G'renna instantly spotted her back in Androlynne! Well, that and the zombie fairy familiar. Marie will hear no bad words said about her acting of the part however.
That sounds right, but I'm going to check tonight since we shouldn't hit combat this afternoon. I'll correct this in the event I'm mistaken.
"Show me first? I want to see yours so I can tailor mine to it," Jessica remarks thoughtfully, "Balor and succubus is a classic combination and the change is minimal. I've had luck pretending to be a hezrou as well, but that disguise was more complicated. Maybe not a demon at all, I could make a passable elemental servant if I do it right."
"No succubi," Marie says flat out. "It's far too obvious and it's tempting fate too. Here's what I have in mind," she uses a major image to craft a representation of her preferred disguise, intending to use veil on the both of them when they actually set out.
And it's a balor alright. A hulking brutish demon with ragged leathery wings, skull pushing through the skin of its head with gleaming white bone and eyes of blue flame. The skin is red but faded to a sickly greenish hue in places, almost seeming like it's running off his frame with a sort of gelatinous quality. No effort is made to preserve modesty, and while he's at least proportionately 'gifted' there's nothing healthy looking about what's down there. Certainly looks like he'd be at home in the kind of demiplane Jessica described, as well as half a dozen other Abyssal locales Marie could name off the top of her head.
Greenrot is the top spot, if you're curious.
"It's simplest to play something you know - and it's easier to be a female than a male or something stranger yet. Good disguises are ones that are believable. A person who sees what they expect won't think to look past the surface." This gets Jessica to examine it and make a face at the end, "Well, you'll fit in," she decides, "Perhaps even be the dashing stud of the ball there."
A long moment.
"It is art, though, and you'll stand out. Did you have one in mind for me? You have a certain, uh...artistry." A moment more, "I could have gone ages without seeing a balor like that, though." A blown out sigh, "No doubt at least we're prepared for the Abyss now after seeing that horror."
"You'll see worse when we get there," Marie says with grim certainty. "But yes, it's a believable disguise because no one's going to want to look any deeper at that." She vanishes the illusion, the impression made. "For you then... Hezrou would match well but it's hard to pull off the stench by yourself, and the size difference is harder for you to overcome. I'll be cheating of course. I think a Nabassu would be good."
She forms a fresh illusion, this time of a gargoyle-like demon with facial features rather like a bat, eyes glowing a sickly yellow and with dirty grey fur that's fallen off in patches to reveal greenish pustule-ridden flesh underneath, its bat wings leathery and ragged much like the balor's. The fur at least leaves one part to the imagination at least, just a sexless nasty disease-ridden demon of gaunt but mostly humanoid proportions.
"Of course I will," Jessica agrees, "But...there's no polite way to say it, but I don't savor having to see balor dick." A long breath out, "A Nabassu? That'll do." Jessica decides, "Your magic for this is better than my disguise skills anyway."
"You and everyone else we meet, that's the beauty of it," Marie says. "Metaphorically speaking anyway. But yes, a pair of diseased greater demons tromping about there won't garner any suspicion, and no one's going to give us trouble either. We need names too. I'll be," unintelligible guttural noises accompanied by a high pitched whine that makes the teeth rattle, "How about you? You look like a," frantic clicking sounds and the faint echo of tearful cries. "I'm going for an obscure deep abyssal layer feeling with the names. You know how those are."
Jessica listens to that, smiles. "Could you go for a name with a little more..." She makes noises like clacks instead of clicks, and with a bit more of the tearful cries mixed with lamentations of pain. "Something with a little more panache, because demons are rarely subtle about their names or achievements."
"It's your name," Marie says without rancor. "Anyway, lets get our avatars prepared and send them off? We can ask Alicia to cast nondetection on them, hers are the best."
Alicia using divine familiar bullshit to give both of us:
Nondetection (CL 41), DC 56
Many Moments of Prescience (CL 38)
She'll also throw in:
Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL 39)
Energy Immunity (Fire) (CL 39)
Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL 39)
Marie will use CL 44 veil to disguise herself and Jessica, disguise check of +116 with divine insight/greater heroism used. Because of undeniable illusion anyone trying to beat it with true seeing/blindsight/etc will have to either win a rank check or win a sense motive check vs Marie's bluff of +101 (with greater heroism up).
She'll also offer:
Epic Mage Armour (CL 39), +22 armour to AC
We'll both alter reality ourselves a minimum of:
Neutralise Poison (CL 38), immunity to poison
Life's Grace (CL 38), immunity to disease, death effects, negative energy
Greater Heroism (CL 38), +4 morale attack/skills/saves, immunity to fear, +20 temp hp.
Recap on the avatar maluses:
-1 to all rolls
-1 to all stats, all odd except con so -38 hp, -1 fort save
-1 domain SLA DC
-1 natural armour
-1 divine armour
Lose immunity to fire and sonic energy, lose immunities to disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects and disintegration
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Okay, how are you going to approach this/where are you going to begin?
Plane shift from Sylica to Astral, then Astral to Pazunia near the entrance to Dead Rat's Nest. We'll march right on in and then go to the city in the head and figure things out from there.
The Astral is peaceful as the two of you appear, illusions in place.
"Do you want to bother talking much outloud while we're there?" Jessica asks as you momentarily feel the cool nothingness of the Astral Plane.
[spoiler]
Nondetection (CL 41), DC 56
Many Moments of Prescience (CL 38)
She'll also throw in:
Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL 39)
Energy Immunity (Fire) (CL 39)
Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL 39)
Marie will use CL 44 veil to disguise herself and Jessica, disguise check of +116 with divine insight/greater heroism used. Because of undeniable illusion anyone trying to beat it with true seeing/blindsight/etc will have to either win a rank check or win a sense motive check vs Marie's bluff of +101 (with greater heroism up).
She'll also offer:
Epic Mage Armour (CL 39), +22 armour to AC
Stats that lose modifier: str and all 3 mental stats. So -1 AC on top of it and some hits to SLAs and skills.
-1 to all rolls
-1 domain SLA DC
-1 natural armour
-1 divine armour
Lose immunity to fire and sonic energy, lose immunities to disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects and disintegration
Jessica
HP: 799/799
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Telepathic Block 20ft (Stops telepathy/summons) Magic Circle Against Evil 10ft (Protection from Evil), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Defensive Roll 1/1 Divine Rogue Damage Negation 2/2 (rnd) Plane Hop 1/1 Superior Invisibility 4/4 Ghost Form 4/4 Shadow Form 3/3 Retribution Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: +4 bonus to people who flank with her instead of +2. Use d8s for sneak attack against evil instead of d6s.
"Just when we need to," Marie's voice is very deep and bone-rattling, appropriate for her current visage. "Unless you want to play up some kind of verbal tic?"
"No," Jessica says, "Let's go."
Another planeshift then, taking them to Pazunia in the vicinity of the entrance to Dead Rat's Nest.
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
It's noisy here.
The blasted planes are rubble filled, and amid that rubble sits tents and ramshackle huts. Music plays and demons mingle with mortals. Warriors and strongmen, wizards and clerics of unspeakable things. Unholy champions. They mix with the refuse that is demon kind. From many tents various types of strange yet energetic music comes. Strings distorted, woodwinds too high and bass hollow as an empty egg.
In one hut great rows of food can be seen, mortal and demon alike gorging on food from the mundane to the rich to the horrid. All eat and all consume, no consideration for anything but that.
In another you glimpse women and men mating, or at times women and women, men and men or even stranger combinations - and stranger yet when the demons become involved.
In another you can't see, but pained screams come, from dozens of mouths and never seeming to stop due to that.
Banners of riotous color hang everywhere, symbols of blood and merriment splattered on them.
Can she see the entrance to the demiplane from here?
Take 10 for 82 on planes so she'd actually recognise said demiplane entrance.
Also she has duelist's friend up. This automatically gives her the name, race, and a DC 48 knowledge check on everyone she can see. Obviously I don't care about every random here but I'd appreciate a call out if any of them have a connection to Shar or Yarus or Plag, or else are sufficiently warded as to block the spell from telling her anything at all.
In that case, toss in Perception since it'll matter to the results.
Take 10 for 92.
It's far ahead but yes. A portal in a muddy sinkhole, tents all around it.
A few are notable here. A strutting half fiend in a nobleman's finery catches your eye. His name is Drowl, faintly fish-like features and the dead black eyes of a fish. Your knowledge tells you that he's said to be related to the Lord of the Fifth in some way, though no one's really clear how. A noted hedonist, it's said that many he enjoys himself with don't survive the experience. What makes him notable is that you recall dimly that there's speculation he does so through disease.
Another is warded against you - a 'fellow' balor, a massive thing that stomps about in armor and growls low as fire flickers around it.
A third is warded - a woman in shadows, barely glimpsed but impossible to miss with your eyes. The sort of beautiful that snares the eye, stunning and yet only glimpsed amid shadows, moving amid them with unnatural grace, only occasionally glimpsed.
No hot leads really, but she wouldn't expect to find much before they even get to the city in the rat's skull. The beautiful woman hiding in the shadows is of vague interest and so Marie will keep an eye on what she's doing as she flies above the camp with lazy flaps of her ragged balor wings. Does she look like a human or a succubus or what?
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Getting a glimpse, she looks like a woman clad in purple and red, which matches her hair of red and purple swirls.
Well, curious but not exactly a big lead so Marie will leave her to it. Their goal is inside the demiplane after all, so after casting a baleful flame-eyed glare over the proceedings she'll fly over to the portal with Jessica and inside.
Give me a quick d100.
[18:04] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[18:04] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=55 ]{55}
You reach the portal without incident. No one's directly around it, though the tents around it look busy on a glance.
Well surely no one in those tents wants to tangle with a balor and a mature nabassu, so unintelligible guttural noises accompanied by a high pitched whine that makes the teeth rattle and frantic clacking sounds and the faint echo of tearful cries mixed with pained lamentations are sure to pass through unmolested!
Take 10 for 71 on intimidate for being generally fearsome.
You approach. As you do, a whisper voice in your minds. 'Any who enter must make an offering into the muds around the portal, by decree of Talona herself. So it will be until an offering that completely pleases Talona is made.'
Why is Talona always making life difficult for them? Why is she such an awful busy-body?
Marie lands near the portal, turns her big skull-faced balor head, and then horks.
She horks loud. She horks long.
The resulting mess is a huge puddle of lime green vomit that bubbles and churns, soundlessly screaming faces struggling to break the surface before being dragged back under, tiny infant-like arms stretching from the edges and flailing at anyone or anything nearby before slipping back under. It smells awful too, worse than death, worse than a hezrou's stink or a cloudkill spell. The sort of smell that gets down the back of the throat with its foulness and strangles your lungs. Gods help anyone who tastes it.
Persistent image which will last 44 minutes. Because of undeniable illusion it appears real to all senses unless one beats Marie in a rank check or sense motive vs Marie's bluff of...
[19:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+100
[19:17] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+100 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{110}
"There's my offering. Eat it, you maggots!" she growls at everyone around and outside the tents surrounding the portal.
[19:22] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+75 intimidate, divine insight
[19:22] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+75 intimidate, divine insight --> [ 1d20=4 ]{79}
There's no response to it - no chastisement from that unseen voice, no smite from above (below?) and no immediate reprisal. The portal awaits you, perhaps whatever guards it cowed by such a powerful display?
But is anyone eating it?!
No, no one is eating it.
Cowards!
Or wait no, they're standing up to her. So that's brave.
Still cowardly to not eat the vomit though.
"I said eat it!" she bellows, marching over to the nearest... whatever, and grabbing at them with intent of tossing them into the vomit!
[17:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 cmb
[17:26] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+52 cmb --> [ 1d20=1 ]{53}
The peril of using an avatar.Unfortunately she misses. Perhaps they're too slimy for her to get a grip on? Or has she met her match in the form of this random abyssal denizen?
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
You do remember no one was directly around the portal, right? Which is why I was confused by your last post.
To quote: You reach the portal without incident. No one's directly around it, though the tents around it look busy on a glance.
Are you trying to get someone from a tent then?
I assumed there were people spilling out or around the tents.
Which makes the whole posturing display rather pointless, oh well!
Marie flaps over towards the portal now.
Any magic on the portal beyond just being a portal?
Not that you detect, it seems to just be a portal.
As she approaches, Marie uses further magic to discern what they're going into.
Miracle SLA for analyze portal spell to get the details.
Round 1: Any special properties (like if it strips you)
Round 2: View of what's on the other side.
She lands in front of the portal on round 2
The portal indeed strips away your possessions unless it can verify you're a follower of Talona. Mind blank would stop the determination but not the loss of possessions.
The other side is a simple entryway above a pool of blackened fluids, flesh the ground and floor.
Is there a way to stop the loss of possessions?
You think a wish or miracle could, sure, but it might be noticed if anyone's paying attention.
Someone surely is paying attention.
However, we do have the appearance of naked demons (see, she wasn't being gratuitous she was planning ahead) so if we can fool the portal it at least won't look out of place to anyone looking at us on the other side.
So is it a case that the magic of the miracle will be detected, or is it a check on what's seen arriving?
Can bluff or use magic device help spoof it in a less obvious fashion?
UMD could, sure.
Just spoof it into thinking you like Talona otherwise it'll steal your things, she messages Jessica. Not like it matters too much as their avatar belongings can't really be stolen, but she still wants to benefit from Fantasia for this mission.
Marie then steps through the portal!
[16:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+60 use magic device
[16:44] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+60 use magic device --> [ 1d20=5 ]{65}
> roll 1d20+54 Jessica
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+54 Jessica --> [ 1d20=6 ]{60}
You come through and sure enough, you manage to keep your possessions. It's exactly what you saw, walls of dead flesh around you, the scent of rot everywhere.
Marie uses miracle to emulate Find the Path pointing her to the head of Dead Rat's Nest.
Wonder which part of the rat they're inside now?
CL check, someone's laid down wards. Probably not that surprising in a demiplane with lots of cleric types.
[17:14] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38
[17:14] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{52}
You can feel pulled ahead, the path revealed to you.
Flapping big leathery wings, Marie starts flying in the direction pulled, amidst the nasty rotting surroundings.
Jessica follows. As you do, your keen vision lets you notice something. Occasionally bits of flesh open up, sets of eyes glimpsed beyond. Subtle, always at the edge of you vision, but demonic eyes watch you as you go forward.
Detect thoughts used, and greater arcane sight is already up.
Are those eyes a spell, or a creature(s) with intelligence scores?
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 CL if required
[18:09] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 CL if required --> [ 1d20=17 ]{55}
> roll 1d20+11
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
Creatures. Intelligence scores of 12 to 20 or so, generally.
"I see you," she growls in Abyssal, stopping and making eye contact with one of them. "Little things crawling in the skin..."
DC 27 will to get surface thoughts.
'Look at me, let me rip you limb from limb.' Charming.
Jessica growls low, "Give me a reason."
Miracle to emulate righteous might. No visible change to size since she's wearing the form of a large creature, this just helps make it all fit.Marie does the ripping around here! A giant angry fist reaches into the wall to grab at the eye she's reading the thoughts of, ripping it free!
[18:58] <@Ebiris> roll d20+54 cmb
[18:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled d20+54 cmb --> [ 1d20=12 ]{66}
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), righteous might (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 86, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs, +4 str, +2 con
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
There's a horrible wet sound as you do just that, one eye torn away as a loud, discordant scream is heard. The scream of a dozen things at once, none agreeing on the sound. It cries out in massive pain, the other eye shut as it ducks out of sight. Even in hand the eye watches you, a malicious and horrid thing that oozes green.
She promptly tosses that eye back down the way they came towards the portal, a fastball special!
Message delivered, she then resumes flying along the path to the rat's skull.
Indeed, no more resistance. You follow the fleshy path, which leads onwards and upwards. Yet after a bit you reach a little node, where about half a dozen paths go in various directions. Good thing you have a spell telling you what direction you should go. As you do?
There's presences here, one just tried to make mental contact with me.
Anything interesting?
Marie stops here and looks around as if considering the various paths. But also seeing if she can discern that presence herself.
Detect thoughts and greater arcane sight are still up.
Also Duelist's Friend sees anything hidden and tells me their name/species, and the result of a DC 48 knowledge check. Should've remembered that with the eyes too.
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), righteous might (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 86, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs, +4 str, +2 con
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
An eternity of terror, no hope, succumb to disease and suffering. About what you'd expect. Nothing specific to us.
You can sense minds around you - the same ones as before. It's all demon names - lesser demons generally, if unusually intelligent ones for those types. Nothing noteworthy on a glance.
You'd think demons would know not to bother with this kind of routine against other demons.
Especially a balor and elder nabassu who are pretty plainly diseased already. She picked these form specifically for intimidation and local kudos.
With an audible scoff, she flies in the direction Find the Path points her in.
You go onward. Through another cluster of passages and then another. A fourth cluster has a carved out pit. Here the reek of disease is thick as a pool of pus has accumulated. In it manes thrash and rut, a slow submission to liquefaction. On these wretches great boils grow and fester, and in some of the ruptured ones you can see newborn manes fester within, in various forms of diseased growth.
Outside of the pool over a dozen nalfeshnee loom over, chain whips in hand with wicked thorns of iron on those whips. Each one has a blindfold and a dual head - for each head has a face on the back that matches the front face. Both sets of eyes are blindfolded, and both mouths drool pus that splashes into the pool.
The manes grunt but are mostly silent - and when one screams, the chain whips come down on that one, without mercy. "Guilty! Murder! Falsehoods! Poison! Torture!"
One reverse face leers at the two of you, "Look on at what those who recanted service to Talona face and tremble in joy."
Your spell directs you ahead and onward, past this atrocity.
"I'll tremble when I'm squeezing out a shit down your neck," Marie replies, dripping abyssal contempt as she flies past the nalfeshnee and the manes.
Mocking laughter is your answer, but none move against you. Jessica hisses and snaps as she goes, but follows.
Onward. Up a throat and path of shivering flesh. The drip of rot. An opening.
Here, in a vast empty chasm of flesh and bone, a city grows. A city like a cyst grown through healthy flesh, organic stone from the fleshy ground. Buildings are crammed together here with no rhyme or reason, a view from above as your path comes in from above it. A crammed, festering boil of a city, smashed together.
"Here we are. We'll find it here," Marie growls aloud in Abyssal.
Lets just explore a bit and look around, I've got some strong divinations going that might find us clues without giving away anything ourselves.
They'll go wander the city a bit, seemingly two demons searching for something for their own nefarious purposes. But Duelist's Friend can alert her if she spots anyone meaningfully associated with Yarus or Shar or Plag. Or is sufficiently warded to bypass her divinations.
Okay, before I begin, gimme a d100 as well as a Perception check.
[18:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[18:38] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=47 ]{47}
[18:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+82 perception
[18:38] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+82 perception --> [ 1d20=1 ]{83}
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), righteous might (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 86, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs, +4 str, +2 con
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
> roll 1d20+55 Jessica perception
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+55 Jessica perception --> [ 1d20=17 ]{72}
You descend into the city. Here demons and Talona's faithful go about. Man are thin, battered and diseased. Coughs and the reke of disease dominates this place. Roads of old bone and stone, buildigns that lean forward to shadow the streets. Often the buildings touch and join together, like conjoined twins. Here you begin your search and you quickly find someone of note. Someone powerfully warded - wearing a heavy gray cloak and hood, face hidden. No one seems to pay him or her any mind, body distinctly indistinct, details washed away beneath that cloak.
Jessica often looks like that when she's going around sneaking places! So what's this person doing? Standing on the street? Walking somewhere? Looking out a window?
She's slipping between buildings at street level, one alley to another. She moves well, carefully and stealthily.
Pointing her out to Jessica, Marie elects to follow this mystery person herself. With surprising stealth for a balor.
[19:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+87 stealth, size penalty and greater heroism cancel out
[19:43] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+87 stealth, size penalty and greater heroism cancel out --> [ 1d20=10 ]{97}
She has darkstalker.
> roll 1d20+93 Jessica
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+93 Jessica --> [ 1d20=17 ]{110}
Jessica has darkstalker as well.
Jessica follows, the two of you nigh undetectable. The person glides down the alley, stops there and taps a wall once. A hand goes through it - the illusion shatters before your eyes and an archway in is seen. The hooded person goes right on in and through.
It's not bad, but Marie's illusions are better. Nigh undetectable, the huge naked balor and grimy nalfeshnee follow through the arch.
In you go. A small antechamber, where a steel door awaits. The cloak is removed, put aside. Beneath is is a nude woman, back to you and with short black hair. Human from what you can tell from the back, though shoulder nubs suggest wings and possibly some inhuman heritage. A few scars adorn her body, though she's in good shape.
Wonderful, we dressed appropriately for whatever this is. How...fortunate?
The steel door is closed but the woman kneels before it. "Master," she whispers, "I have come to do your bidding."
A voice, rasping and choking, replies from the door itself. "Reveal your true form."
Brace, Marie.
The woman's flesh shimmers. It becomes yellowed and pallid, open wounds in place of her scars that slowly leak blood. Skeletal wings grow out of her back, the wing tips with bone hands growing from them that reach out and grasp at the empty air. Growths of bone expand elsewhere, covering her in a sort of biological bone armor, going to cover everything below her neck.
You can also grasp her information from Duelist's Friend now. Her name is Ulsha. She is a half fiend that has become a unique fiend and is a known servant of Ryxis, who in turns serves Loviatar. She's an assassin of some skill, as well as a trained bare handed fighter with a dash of magical skill mixed in. She's mostly used against daemons who draw Loviatar's wrath, and it's said she has a knack at slaying such creatures.
I told you this would work.
Still, interesting but not precisely relevant to them. It could be however, if Ulsha or Ryxis have information of their own about this city and its inhabitants, they might have come across something pertaining to Yarus. She's not just going to ask them nicely, however.
Miracle to emulate Probe Thoughts. DC 44 fort negates (it's fort? Really? Would've thought will)
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 SR
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 SR --> [ 1d20=2 ]{40}
Jessica doesn't respond to that.
> roll 1d20+25
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{32}
Go ahead and start your questions.
Who is your target?
She's an assassin, she surely has someone she's here to kill! Although possibly she's waiting for instructions. Still, it's an obvious question to lead in with and build some context.
None at the moment, she's between targets.
"Good," The door states as it slowly swings open, showing a mist choked and foul interior, putrid gasses within. "Enter."
What can she sense in that interior with blindsight and tremorsense, by the way?
Who is Yarus?
Just see if she recognises the name at all.
Several smaller creatures, skittering along the walls. Clinging to it. One larger creature within, on some sort of seat or throne.
Yarus is a demon sometimes seen in this place, though she has not met him personally.
That's enough for Marie, this isn't a meaningful source of knowledge for her to take advantage of. The boss inside could be but that would require more aggressive measures to interrogate and while no one would blink at a balor tearing a place up, she doesn't want to jump straight to that.
We've got enough here, she doesn't know anything relevant.
Sneaking away, she'll resume her exploration of the city relying on Duelist's Friend to provide her with enough quick biographical info of everyone she sees to figure out connections that might draw them closer to Yarus.
Really it should be called Snoop's Friend.
Did you get anything useful from them?
Nothing meaningful, she works for Loviatar but she's heard of a demon - not daemon - called Yarus who's sometimes seen here, she's never seen him.
A problem for another day.
d100 and Perception again.
[19:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[19:52] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=6 ]{6}
[19:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+82 perception
[19:52] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+82 perception --> [ 1d20=18 ]{100}
[spoiler]
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 38), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), righteous might (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 86, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs, +4 str, +2 con
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
[/spoiler[
You wander a little time until a particular dretch catches your eye. Its name is Shannath, but one part sticks out. The basic information of him mentions that he serves Yarus.
Marie avoids staring directly at the dretch as she pauses and sweeps her gaze around, being all scary and imposing as balors tend to be. When you're not a legendary heroine who chews greater demons up for breakfast anyway.
What's he doing and what's he thinking about?
DC 27 on detect thoughts for surface thoughts.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=42 ]{42}
He's currently imaging how he'll brutally beat a succubus and then do all sorts of things to be best undescribed. Seems to have one in mind too. Black hair, haughty face, a sneer.
You're suddenly glad you can't get ill or be mentally disturbed by horrors.
Marie is made of stern stuff, she's seen some shit!
Does make her rather want to turn this dretch into a smear on the wall, but she'll hold herself back for the mission, and probe that cesspit of a mind more deeply.
Probe thoughts via miracle emulation, DC 44 will negates
[16:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 SR
[16:52] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 SR --> [ 1d20=11 ]{49}
First question: Who is Yarus?
Yarus is his master, though he serves indirectly through another servant since there's a chain of command.
He might've rolled a 20 on that save! I'd have just tried again but still.
Next question: Who delivers Yarus's will to you?
Oh wow, I'm an idiot. Let me roll it real quick.
> roll 1d20+6
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{16}
A creature named Mymtha. A leering, sneering succubus with black hair who looks rather familiar.
Funny how that works.
Where can Mymtha be found?
Mymtha can be found in Scarlain Keep, usually in the Blue Room.
What do you do for Mymtha?
Whatever needs to be done. Odd tasks, fetching things, minor assassinations (rare due to the fact it's a mere dretch, even if a stronger and smarter one than the norm, it thinks) patrolling, being a watchman, torturing captives. Anything that needs to be done.
Marie's flaming balor eyes glare viciously at a passing emaciated vrock as if it had done her some grave wrong, her presence merely looming and looking scary for the moment as she digs into the humble dretch's mind.
How strong is Yarus?
The vrock screeches but passes, no challenge to you.
Super strong. Incredibly strong. Unearthly strong. That's about as far as this dretch knows.
Nothing she can really pin on divinity then. She'll probably get more from that succubus.
Where is Scarlain Keep?
Scarlain Keep is deeper within, down Ardent Street. It's a little keep pitted by battle damage on the outside.
I've got a lead now. Some succubus in Scarlain Keep works for Yarus.
Striding off now, the big diseased looking balor continues working through the city in a circuitous route towards that keep. Of course keeping an eye out for anyone else connected to Yarus or Shar or Plag that Duelist's Friend points out.
Give me a d100 to set up next time's approach.
[20:09] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[20:09] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=6 ]{6}
It's not far. It's hardly hidden. In an alley but not hiding. A shadow, a greater shadow. A twisted thing with a face that blurs between shapes and images. You know this creature. One of Shar's Faces of Loss, a powerful, enhanced shadow.
It stands alone in the alley, as if waiting for something. Before it, hidden but visible to Marie's eyes, is a pitch black chest.
Is it paying any attention to the diseased balor and nalfeshnee?
[13:23] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+57 sense motive
[13:23] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+57 sense motive --> [ 1d20=15 ]{72}
And what's its name? And what does she know about it?
I'll use Marie's own knowledge (religion) roll rather than the check granted by duelist's friend since it's higher and this is relevant to her interests.
[13:24] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+57 knowledge religion
[13:24] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+57 knowledge religion --> [ 1d20=19 ]{76}
It is not.
It is named Valiss. One of many such horrors, it follows Shar's will completely. It is known for a simple but cruel mind, one that exults in every action that spreads loss. It never acts without a purpose and is vastly patient, so long as what it waits for serves its purposes. It is suspected to have killed thousands of mortals, ones that rose as shadows to suffer and choke the life out of the living.
It's a relatively skilled combatant as well as an evolved undead. It strikes the enemy's most vulnerable places to deal harm as well as sap their strength.
What about the chest? Anything noteworthy about it? Symbols? Magic?
Nothing. The chest is an absolute void to your senses. It's like nothing is there at all.
Marie passes by the alley with just a single baleful glance, continuing down a couple of streets. Then she stops with Jessica under an awning, creates an illusory copy overlaying herself with persistent image, turns herself invisible with greater invisibility and doubles back over the buildings so she can look down into the alley that shadow was in.
Rank check or sense motive vs DC of...
[17:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+100 bluff
[17:35] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+100 bluff --> [ 1d20=17 ]{117}
117, to tell the illusion is an illusion.
[17:36] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91+20 stealth with invis bonus
[17:36] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91+20 stealth with invis bonus --> [ 1d20=7 ]{118}
To be clear, what's your exact plan here with the illusory copy?
It just mills around with Jessica looking scary and demonic. Maybe we're having an intense telepathic conversation, maybe we're waiting for someone, but the only thing clear is that we're loitering.
You return to the alley. Nothing's changed there that you can see.
And I just realised detect thoughts is mind affecting so won't work on undead. Boo. Control Undead is out because necromancy is a banned school for her, but she can manage Command Undead via miracle emulation.
DC 44 will or basically charmed.
> roll 1d20+26 he's not weak at least
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+26 he's not weak at least --> [ 1d20=4 ]{30}
That would be a success.
You feel the magic settle in, not resisted strongly enough to be thrown off.
Marie then makes her voice sound from just behind the shadow.
Miracle to emulate Ventriloquism.
"Whoooo are you waaaaiting fooorrr?"
It's a sort of spooky sounding breathy and drawn out voice, speaking in abyssal. Not like her normal voice or her scary bombastic balor voice!
In a cold whisper it replies, "The one who can open this. He will come. Until then, I will wait and let others try, who will fail and be absorbed."
"Whaaat isssss inssssiiiide?"
"A soul," He says slowly, "A soul of great power to be bestowed."
"Iiiii willll waaaatch..."
Except she doesn't, she doubles back over to regroup with Jessica. It's interesting but she's not going to ask the shadow directly about Yarus since that could tip their hand.
Once you're back?
Alright, what was that about?
She replaces her illusory copy, ends her invisibility and then ends the illusion.
It's watching over the chest, people try and open it and get eaten by the shadow, but there's someone out there who can open it that the shadow's waiting for. I didn't probe about Yarus directly since I'm not good at necromancy so I wouldn't be able to cover up the questions without doing something aggressive like sealing it away. Just remember it's there but we have a better lead with the succubus minion.
Then we continue towards our original goal.
A bit more scowling at passing demons before they continue on towards Scarlain Keep.
Give me a Fortitude save as you go.
[20:23] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+55+30 many moments of prescience popped
[20:23] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+55+30 many moments of prescience popped --> [ 1d20=20 ]{105}
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 40), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), righteous might (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 86, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs, +4 str, +2 con
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Many Moments of Prescience: 4/5
As you travel there, a strange wave of miasma comes over you. In moments you shrug it off, barely even fazed by it. You've taken worse, but it was strangely powerful and tenacious. Like a disease that won't stop until you applied yourself against it.
Can I detect magic? Tell what it was? Identify the spellcaster?
Is anyone else affected?
Give me Spellcraft and K:A then. More answers after that.
She'll pop an improvisation here.
[17:14] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91 spellcraft, divine insight, improvisation
[17:14] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91 spellcraft, divine insight, improvisation --> [ 1d20=14 ]{105}
[17:14] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+76 arcana, improvisation
[17:14] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+76 arcana, improvisation --> [ 1d20=17 ]{93}
It wasn't a spell. A ripple of the demiplane's nature. You were just the unlucky sap targeted. You don't think it was intentional from the magic. Like being in the wrong place to be splashed when a lake's waters surge. No one else was affected.
That's not the kind of luck she's supposed to be a goddess of!
Can she tell if there's a pattern to this magic? A schedule it runs on, parameters it uses for its targets?
Nothing, it's truly random. It happens every 12 hours or so, but you could see how you could speed it up - just provide it more energy.
Well, hopefully they won't be here long enough for it to go again and possibly get Jessica. Onwards!
Scarlain Keep is a pitted, damaged keep. Small but tight, fenced in by iron spikes and with dark windows. Its towers twist and reach out, but no other building quite comes close enough to touch them. There's only one entry gate, and here a pair of dretch stand guard, and behind them is a strange, oozy thing in the shape of a human in armor and with a mace. Green ooze that drips down and joins the bottom, where it slowly oozes upwards to higher in the body, only to drip down from its top.
There it is. We're looking for the succubus Mymtha inside, apparently she likes the Blue Room but she might be elsewhere. Could sneak in and look for her, or put on a show to get in openly demanding her presence, depending how we want to play it. Stealth is probably safer, but trickier too.
I could go in if you want to stay outside? Stealth is my strongest suit, but you'd be better suited at a distraction or the direct approach. I favor stealth, both for my talents and the possibility that Talona could personally meddle, unlikely as it is.
It's not just getting in, it's getting the information out of Mymtha without tipping our hand. But yes, lets both sneak in, we'll find the succubus and go through her mind without anyone being the wiser. First lets find a spot to hide nearby though.
Trudging along the misbegotten streets and past the keep, they proceed to lose themselves in the alleyways to find a good out of the way spot for a balor and nalfeshnee to hang out undisturbed.
Not too hard so long as you don't mind a few corpses, anyway. It's a dark, bleak alley with a few dead humans littered about like trash. They're rotted and full of disease even now, flies all around them.
And just in case anyone's watching, Marie creates an illusory door on one of the walls along with illusory copies of herself and Jessica's demonic disguises. They both turn invisible while their doubles walk through that door, which shimmers and vanishes afterwards. The perfect crime!
Then they'll double back and examine Scarlain Keep from the outside as unseen spectres rather than obvious demons. Look for possible entrances, magical defences, all that kind of thing.
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 40), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Many Moments of Prescience: 4/5
Perception.
[19:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+82
[19:43] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+82 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{99}
You begin to search. Dark windows that magic lets you know are sealed with force walls, as well as a layer of invisible lead. You can discern the invisibility at least. Only one door in and out that you see, the main entrance. You'd have to sneak into the yard proper and explore it to see the sides and back.
Barring any defences over the fence, they'll fly over it into the yard to have a look around, yes.
You fly right over. Looking carefully, you see one semi obvious hidden door on the side leading in. There's also a far better hidden basement access on the rear.
Anything interesting seen through any windows on a glance? Also she has a skim over the surface thoughts of the guards.
Detect thoughts DC 27.
CL check on detect thoughts. They be warded.
No, the windows are dark and show little inside.
[16:51] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 CL
[16:51] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 CL --> [ 1d20=14 ]{52}
[spoiler]
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 40), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), detect thoughts (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 60ft, duelist's friend, detect thoughts 60ft, perception +82
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Many Moments of Prescience: 4/5
[spoiler]
One dretch daydreams about stalking and hunting men, pulling them down, tearing off their clo - well, that's enough of that.
The second dretch considers, in a dim sort of self reflection, of why this guard duty always makes it feel nostalgic.
The oozy creature chants a mental mantra, again and again. "I am my weapon. My weapon will kill. I will kill."
Nothing terribly interesting.
Can you get us in the side door unseen?
Easily. It's a trap almost certainly, but I can get us in. I checked it while you were doing the rest. I'm fairly certain that it's a secret that's meant to be found and funnel the less skilled into a no win trap. If I were them, the basement access would be the 'right' answer and lead to an even nastier trap.
If they're smart, there's really only one way in and that's the front door.
Well, she'll bow to Jessica's expertise. Still, she'd think servant doors exist in the Abyss too.
In that case lets wait near the front door, we can slip in when someone's coming or going.
In that case, d100.
[17:47] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[17:47] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=57 ]{57}
As the two of you wait?
It's times like this that I miss Roald the most. When I wait between action, when I can only focus on the goal and try not to focus on the horror that looms around me.
Do you often think of Antenora when you're apart, Marie?
What's Jessica even talking about? Marie is having a spirited debate with Antenora about law and chaos right this second back in Sylica.
What's your real body doing? I'm having to fight with Antenora about the layout of a path through a forest between Sylica and Elysium. She wants it to come out at a vantage with a good view over Sylica but that's in the middle of nowhere, I want it to come out right into one of the border towns. We'd make two paths but then Syala gets annoyed at cutting down so many trees for it.
Needless to say, she's mentally quite occupied beyond present abyssal horrors.
I-
The conversation is interrupted when a figure approaches the guards. A tall, stomping thing, clad in armor and bandages, not a hint of flesh seen. It's about ten feet tall and broad, like a small giant.
Anything from Duelist's Friend on this guy? Name and DC 48 knowledge check result.
His name is Medlyn. A Talontar that did good in a Prime and was promoted. Notable for having blood that carries hundreds of diseases, or so it is said. His mere breath could kill a dragon.
Marie watches to see what he does then! And if he goes inside they'll be able to slip in hot on his heels.
The guards part for him, Medlyn heading right inside. Now's your chance!
Now's our chance, just be careful not to bump each other.
Marie slips in easily before the door closes behind him!
[19:19] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91 escape artist for fitting through gaps
[19:19] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91 escape artist for fitting through gaps --> [ 1d20=10 ]{101}
> roll 1d20+63 Jessica
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+63 Jessica --> [ 1d20=10 ]{73}
Both of you smoothly slip in. The first room is a large mud room. Only it smells worse and all sorts of unpleasant materials are caked into the floor. The armored figure does not pause, heading in further.
Marie follows, airborne and stealthy! She doesn't bother trying to mindread Medlyn, he's serious enough that there's a risk of tipping him off by the attempt.
[19:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91+20 stealth with invis bonus
[19:41] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91+20 stealth with invis bonus --> [ 1d20=3 ]{114}
Jessica just takes 10 on stealth.
The two of you are nigh impossible to detect as Medlyn strides ahead. He rests his palm on the door for several moments and it swings open, letting him head on through.
And another sneaky slip to get through this door with him undetected too!
[16:50] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91 escape artist again
[16:50] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91 escape artist again --> [ 1d20=9 ]{100}
Jessica takes 10.
It's tight, the door closes fast, but both of you are fast enough. Here is an entry way with a grand staircase and several shadowed ways. From the walls shadows come, from the shadows dim light casts on them. Not a one moves against him as he heads up the stairs.
As in shadows the monster type? Duelist's Friend give anything pertinent on them?
Normal shadows and nothing interesting - they're pretty basic.
For now they'll follow Medyln. He might well be meeting with Mymtha after all.
Up, through a shadowed hall and into a room tinted blue. From paint as well as several blue gemstones set into the walls. A deep and rich blue. Medlyn looks around the well kept room - save for chains that hang from the ceiling. He glances up, scowling before he goes and sits.
"Don't waste my time, demon," he says aloud, voice sure.
From the air a void chuckles, "So sorry," A woman's voice that drips with contempt, "But I will be there shortly."
Can Marie see anything hidden here? What's the source of that voice, a spell?
Duelist's friend and greater arcane sight help with such things.
Indeed, a simple voice projection spell. Nothing too fancy there. Nothing's hidden in this room that you can see otherwise.
Well, this seems like a blue room alright, so Marie finds an out of the way spot to wait.
That might be the succubus we're looking for. Just be patient.
Hopefully. Shouldn't be long, power plays or not. Beings of this power are dangerous enough that rudeness is folly.
Hopefully the succubus isn't too powerful, it'll be hard to get information out of her peacefully if so.
Non-peacefully is fine too though, Marie can work with that if she has to.
The succubus struts in - beautiful. Lush, ripe, full. To the point of near absurdity - she's lucky she doesn't have to worry about back pain, you can tell that much. All she wears is some body paint, strutting in like she owns the room.
Medlyn watches, a distinctly unimpressed posture. "It's done."
"Excellent!" The succubus laughs, all warmth and pleasure and subtle, hidden hate. A layer of contempt that poisons the beautiful sound. "All dead?"
"Dead." Is Medlyn's agreement. "Souls captured and offered."
The succubus struts over, her dark hair like a black curtain down her back. "You have my gratitude," she comes close but doesn't touch him. "Now that will cover some of you-URK!"
Medlyn's hand shoots out, grabbing the demon by the throat. "Our debt is settled in full." His voice is heavy and final. "Save your games for the cattle."
With eyes that glow with baleful red light, "I'll see your soul scream for this!" The succubus snarls, gasping it out as her throat is pressed harder.
"And risk Talona's disfavor?" Cold contempt as she is let go, "Our business is concluded, Mymtha."
Oh dear, hopefully he doesn't try and kill her. Marie needs her for information!
Any magic on the succubus? Duelist's friend confirm it's Mymtha?
Duelist's friend confirms it. The succubus has a lot of magic. Nondetection (not strong enough to stop you), dark beauty (custom +charisma spell, looks like), death ward and Mymtha's seal (stops diseases and poison, custom spell).
Cool. Watching how the rest of the meeting plays out.
"Go," Mymtha spits, massaging her neck as Medlyn turns and walks right out. Once gone Mymtha sinks to her knees, a fist to the ground. Again. Again. Hot tears leak from her eyes, vile green tears that leave steaming tracks down her cheeks.
"I hate him," A bare whispers. "I hate him. I hate him. I hate him." A mantra, clung to. "Why does he hate me?" A strangled whisper, rawer. "We could rule this entire city together."
What about Plag and Yarus? Seems like there's problems in the way of that!
Anyway she'll probably be able to resist it but just in case maybe she can detect some juicy surface thoughts?
[17:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 CL to get by the nondetection
[17:38] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 CL to get by the nondetection --> [ 1d20=13 ]{51}
DC 27 will.
> roll 1d20+18
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{22}
In this state she doesn't resist you coherently.
Right now her thoughts are a jumble of anger and scorned hurt, all thinking about Medlyn.
That's no good, she's interested in Yarus! Marie strikes while the iron is hot however with a more invasive mind-reading scheme!
Probe Thoughts, DC 44 will negates
[18:15] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 CL vs nondetection
[18:15] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+38 CL vs nondetection --> [ 1d20=12 ]{50}
[18:15] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+40 CL vs SR
[18:15] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+40 CL vs SR --> [ 1d20=20 ]{60}
Who is Yarus?
> roll 1d20+18
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{26}
Her master, owner and lover. As much as she hates the last part.
I'm in her head, just be patient and we can be out of here with no one the wiser.
What is Yarus?
Yarus is divine and gifted by Shar, the Lady of Loss.
Good confirmation that it's their guy!
Where is Yarus?
As the succubus gathers herself in her rage and despair?
Yarus is in Abysm, treating with Demogorgon.
Marie will stealthily follow her of course, continuing to ferret out secrets from her brain.
Yarus is in Abysm, meeting with Demogorgon. So he's not keeping that low a profile.
What does he want from Demogorgon?
Wonderful. Normal swamps and jungle are miserable enough.
Meanwhile you get an answer: She doesn't know for sure, but she suspects it has something to do with a spawn of Demogorgon. She noticed a book he had in his possession about that subject.
When are you expecting Yarus back?
She expects Yarus back within a day.
Where does Yarus reside when in Dead Rat's Nest?
Yarus has several rooms here and lair in the underground. She also suspects he has a third location, but she hasn't figured out where it is.
Meanwhile as she gets up to go, the succubus pauses. She looks about, a momentary frown before she exhales. "I'll be eaten and worst if I don't get it together," she tells herself in disgust.
Marie would tell her to hang in there but she seems like a terrible person so her being out of it and failing at her responsibilities can only be a good thing. She'll just stealthily follow along with her, continuing to probe her mind.
Who is Yarus's strongest servant?
AS she walks out you get an answer.
As far as she's concerned, it has to be Yull.
Who is Yull?
And her own knowledge check for additional context if any, take 10 for 67 on arcana/dungeoneering/planes/religion/nature as appropriate.
This has come up before.
https://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104448.msg1191357.html#msg1191357 In that post, so refresher.
Where is Yull?
Could Marie add to her tally of proxies?
With Yarus.
Yarus has one of Shar's proxies with him, the sorcerer Yull.
She keeps Jessica updated on her findings while continuing to drag out more.
Who is Yarus's greatest enemy?
More reason to hit him hard and before he can build up.
The back doors lead to a dark hall, plain enough. As you walk through it, the walls occasionally twitching?
Yarus's greatest enemy is herself, because she will be the one to overthrow him when the time is right.
Marie is developing a plan on that note. But she'll keep ferreting out info while following through twitching halls, more stealthy than any shadow.
How do you plan on defeating him?
In truth, she simply isn't sure yet. She isn't that far along and the power gap is still far too big. She needs allies.
Well Marie didn't really have high hopes there anyway.
How does Yarus come and go from Dead Rat's Nest?
As far as she's aware, by the main entrance, though often in disguise.
What are his favoured disguises?
He doesn't seem to have one. He constantly changes them, she's never seen the same one once. However, she notes he prefers the guise of Unseelie Fey and Astral Stalkers, even if a particular disguise varies.
Who else is travelling with him to Abysm?
Yull.
OOC I need to point out an inconsistency since she earlier said that Yull was with him.
DM error, fixed. Apologies, thanks for that.
Does Yull have a favoured disguise?
That of a larger than average hezrou with a buzzard's head and claws like greatswords.
How does Yarus fight when in battle?
She's only seen him face unworthies, who he crushes under the weight of brute force or simple supernatural powers. He likes a special, unholy blight like spell that far nastier and leaves enemies deathly ill.
I think I've gotten everything useful out of her. Yarus is with Yull in Abysm, when he comes back he has to enter the demiplane the same way we did, although he'll be in disguise. I know how he and Yull like to disguise themselves. Alicia might be able to wait in position and attack him when he teleports over but before he makes it through the portal. She hasn't ever seen him fight seriously so there's little information we can use tactically.
May as well ask just to see if it fits together.
Does Yarus have a relationship with Talona?
Yes, they are conspiring together and perhaps lovers of a sort, she knows not but suspects.
Well, good thing she checked that!
Oh, bad news. He's friendly with Talona - they might even be lovers. So she'll probably intervene. I'm going to pursue this a bit more.
What are Yarus and Talona conspiring to do together?
She isn't sure, but it has something to do with mortals - perhaps a mortal world or in a more general sense. They're also talking about Orcus, she knows that much.
He's got the whole Abyss wrapped around his little finger!
What was that thing that Talona was looking for in Pandemonium that gave Alicia so much trouble?
What is Karendis?
She does not know.
Okay so if it's related to Yarus it's not important for him at least. May as well ask about a few other things, she's a pretty good mine of information.
What actions has Yarus taken against Seira?
He covets and has interest in Seira's friend Kascha. He merely wants to destroy Seira, but he wants more from Kascha. However, he has shown no sign that he will tip his hand and move on that until the time is right.
So she doesn't know about that false identity gambit he used to contact Seira then. Well, she'll cover her other bases.
What actions has Yarus taken against Alicia?
One thing - she overheard him when she shouldn't, and he mentioned a godslaying poison for Alicia. She isn't even sure who he was talking to.
Well if it's poison it's probably Talona! Still, poison on Alicia? She's the least likely person to ever succumb to that.
What actions has Yarus taken against Moore?
As for now, none, but he has discussed him. However, he believes that the Hebdomad will interfere proactively due to his position on Celestia, and views him as a longer term enemy.
Lucky Moore!
What actions has Yarus taken against Alyssa Songsteel?
Quiet study of her rise and plans to kill her as well as Emily Aryn. Unfortunately his efforts have been temporarily slowed due to Lunatics dispatching his agent there. He isn't sure if it was dumb luck or Selune protecting a deity who resides within the Gates of the Moon. With what he said of the Lunatics, it's likely the latter.
Well, that covers all their bases. Nothing urgent to worry about.
Back to Abyssal politicking, lets see if he's connected to Alicia's persistent thorn in the side down here.
What is Yarus's relationship with Malcanthet?
As far as she knows, nothing.
Okay, now what about those other new deities Shar has cooked up?
What is Yarus's relationship with Chylas?
Chylas visited - briefly. She wasn't privy to most of it, but believes they do not like each other.
Not much to go on there. Maybe they can learn about the third mysterious member though, or at least get a name.
Has Yarus spoken of or met with a Gloom?
Not that she's aware of, but there is one creature that might be one. Sneaky like one, beyond deadly too. It saw her once and looked at her, and she was terrified by it. It wore shadows to hide itself and moved with unthinkable swiftness.
Honestly that could apply to so many of Shar's high tier servants, and still lacking in a name it doesn't help Marie.
Still...
What did Yarus discuss with this creature?
A possible reprisal against Balyss, one of Selune's servants. She isn't sure why they were irritated with her, but they were.
Well, Balyss did take part in the attack on the plane of shadow they did a while ago. And might even have been involved in that lunatic thing surrounding Alyssa that came up a moment ago.
What was the nature of this reprisal to be?
Her kidnapping, murder and her soul being imprisoned or worse.
Nothing concrete she can pass along a warning about, really.
She really is running out of questions now so she'll talk next moves with Jessica.
Since we know Yarus lives here, lets just stick around. Alicia can get a squad to go to Pazunia and watch the portal for Yarus and Yull coming back and smack him, and then if he comes in here we'll know she missed him.
Then let's prepare for that. We'll need to stay well aware and alert, so this won't be trivial.
And so while Marie and Jessica stay stealthy and hidden around Mymtha to observe any further developments.
Back in Sylica, the real Marie and Jessica are with Alicia and Syala.
"... and that's what we've learned," Marie concludes, the four of them standing around a table in one of Liberton's meeting rooms.
"This is a good opportunity," Alicia agrees. "Assuming we don't see interference from Pazuzu or Talona or the like."
"Very good, there's almost no chance it's a trap." Syala agrees, "So can we close the noose on them? A pitched divine battle on Pazunia may well get demon lords to meddle. That time with Kina-Ja got enough attention, and she wasn't even divine."
And important OOC question. If Alicia sets foot on Pazunia, do all the local demon lords instantly know? How does sensing deities on planes like that work?
In theory no, no one rules Pazunia directly. Of course it's entirely possible they're paying attention and might catch something, or that with what you know about the Abyss now, it may intervene if it's truly that wrathful towards you.
Of course it also may not be constant even if it is.
"Show me the terrain around the portal to the demiplane?" Alicia asks Marie.
Obligingly it appears over the table, an illusory display showing the blasted field of rubble stretching around the collection of tents and huts. "It's not a perfect recreation but you get the gist?" Marie asks, since she's going by memory and she didn't pay that close attention. Nonetheless as an illusionist she has an eye for detail.
"Yes," Alicia nods. "If we were four miles out, we can hide amidst that rubble with one of Marie's illusions warding us. That's far enough that I can still clearly see and hear what's going on around the portal, and Marie and I could make it there within a single time stop the moment I see those disguises we were given. Marie can throw up her teleport block and we can engage them while any other support we bring can teleport to the edge of the teleport block's radius to follow us."
Marie obligingly changes the scale of the illusion and marks the 1900 foot radius of her teleport block spell with a red glow.
"That's a good plan. Normal measures against time stop won't stop that, either," Syala smiles tightly.
Jessica's more thoughtful, "It seems good. This should work, sister, if all goes right."
"We'll have to spend a day or possibly two in the Abyss just waiting mind you, that's not a small opportunity cost for us," Alicia says. "And I'd feel more comfortable if there was something distracting Talona at the same time. I don't want her showing up to bail him out."
"What about that knife she was excited about?" Marie asks. "If we could find that, then tie her up in some nonsense negotiations for it?"
"Hard to find and arrange, especially in the time we have though," Alicia says, frowning in thought. She doesn't think any of their other fiendish trophies would be of much interest to Talona either.
"It's a good idea, but it's not practical," Syala agrees, "Better to do this right than to try and do it all in a rush. It would be helpful, but it's not essential."
"Unless we have a good idea where the knife is?" Jessica turns to Marie, curious.
Marie shakes her head. "We know she was looking for it in Pandemonium but it's possible she's already gone back and found it since the time you fought her there."
"We don't have anything we can realistically use, so we'll just proceed as is," Alicia says, pointing at the illusion. "When we strike, Marie and I get in first, you two teleport to the edge of her teleport block, stay hidden and in reserve. If someone else shows up or if Yarus manages to make a run for it, you can pounce. Otherwise? Just kill or get rid of Yull - he'd be a prize but I don't want us to lose out on Yarus by trying for him. Our priority is to disable and capture Yarus. Killing him and denying him the Abyss to work on would be a paltry victory, we need to remove him from contention entirely."
"Syala," Jessica begins, "You know Antenora would be better at this sort of first-"
"I know." Syala agrees without rancor, "But no way I'm giving up a chance to smash this bastard's face in. Let's hope the strongest anti divinations we have can stop them from foreseeing an ambush, and we crush them like the bugs that they are."
"Anyway," Jessica goes on for that, "I'm fine with that. You two make a good pair."
"It's important we all stay in shape!" Marie says cheerfully.
"And I'm quite good at blocking divinations. Now lets prepare and go. They could return any moment and I'd rather not miss this," Alicia says, starting to brush up on their long duration wards before they set off.
Alicia using divine familiar bullshit to give all of us:
Nondetection (CL 41), DC 56
Many Moments of Prescience (CL 40)
Everyone also has:
Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL 41)
Energy Immunity (Fire) (CL 41)
Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL 41)
This is mass energy immunity, she cast it earlier on Marie and Jessica's avatars and could've gotten everyone else who was around, so that saves a few slots.
Marie tosses in:
Epic Mage Armour (CL 39), +22 armour to AC
Everyone should alter reality the following:
Greater Heroism (CL 38), +4 morale attack/skills/saves, immunity to fear, +20 temp hp.
Freedom of movement (CL 38), freedom of movement, +15 CMD vs grapples
[spoiler]
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/9/14/9/9/8/8/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Any sort of disguise or invisibility?
Once their protections are all cast, they'll plane-shift themselves to the astral plane, Marie will cast greater invisibility on everyone and they'll plane-shift themselves to within 4 miles of the Dead Rat's Nest demiplane portal entrance where they can set up a blind to watch the place.
Also it doesn't matter too much because they're friends, but does Clearsight automatically beat Undeniable Illusion or does Alicia need to win a rank check against Marie first?
Paste me the text of Undeniable real quick?
UNDENIABLE ILLUSION
Prerequisite: Illusion Domain, Bluff 30 ranks
Benefit: Marie's illusions deceive the senses and confound magical detection, appearing as entirely real to all forms of inspection. Unless the observer succeeds on either an opposed rank check or a sense motive against a bluff check made by Marie which adds the level of the illusion spell used to her result, they will be unable to see through the illusion regardless of the means used.
I'm going to mull this one over, it's a tough question because it's a matter of how two SDAs that are both very good should interact.
In the meantime I'm going to point out that even if Alicia needs it, Marie could just choose to fail the roll so Alicia sees past it anyway. It allows me to sidestep the issue and give it the time it needs without slowing this down further.
I was purely asking to set a precedent in case they interact with hostile deities with similar abilities but okay! Do they make it safely to Pazunia?
Fair enough, I just want to mull it over the weekend. Ask me Tuesday.
You arrive in the wasteland of Pazunia. Nothing immediately explodes around you, perhaps a small blessing there.
Making sure they all have a good line of sight towards the portal unimpeded by any of the huts or tents, and that no one's nearby to notice what they're doing, Marie creates an illusory chunk of rock big enough to encompass the four of them. Letting invisibility fade, Alicia takes her vantage within and keeps an eye on the area around the portal.
Marie uses persistent image for the rock which she'll refresh every half hour, her bluff check for undeniable illusion is +101.
Alicia can use her craft (landscaping) skill to help Marie make sure the rock fits in with the terrain so people don't notice, take 10 for 71
It's not too hard. It's not quite private but it's hardly public, either. A small semi respite in the Abyss, a few moments together as you all prepare.
Perception checks, all.
[20:04] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+88 Alicia
[20:04] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+88 Alicia --> [ 1d20=2 ]{90}
[20:04] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+83 Marie
[20:04] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+83 Marie --> [ 1d20=2 ]{85}
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/9/14/9/9/8/8/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
> roll 1d20+70 Jessica
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+70 Jessica --> [ 1d20=16 ]{86}
> roll 1d20+77 Syala
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+77 Syala --> [ 1d20=1 ]{78}
All of you settle in.
An hour passes without anything truly notable.
Then you see it. A band of chained men and women, in rags and arms bound behind them. They walk head down, lead along by a handful of hezrou. They're beaten and bloodied, but despite that every mortal is alive. A variety, from humans and elves, to dwarves and goblins, to more exotic speciments. There's even a minotaur. They're being lead right into the festivities.
Alicia has see magic. Any magic on them or the hezrou?
Also any scrying sensors around?
None, though the chains are magic. Enchanted to be tougher to break and instill despair in those they bind.
No scrying sensors.
How tough do the demons present look? Like are there any balors? Mariliths? Molydeus? Recognisable high level unique fiends?
It's just a handful of hezrou. None of them look distinguished.
I mean in the camp in general not just the new arrivals.
The entire camp? I want to be sure before I do a buncha typing.
Yes. To be abundantly clear on my requirements, can Alicia see anything that might be an epic creature within her field of view? Thus:
Any 'greater' demons that have a minimum hit dice of 16+
Any recognisable beings a trivial knowledge check on her part identifies as being 'epic'.
Any creature under the effect of a 10th level or higher spell as seen by her See Magic ability.
Also how far are the hezrou from the camp? If they're miles out then my requirements don't really matter as much and can be discarded because the camp's occupants won't matter for what's to come.
It's a bit over a mile out, say a mile and a third.
Within that range are no epic demons stand out, though the camp would be a different story if you want to go there. Let me know.
No signs of epic magic here, either.
How far are they from us? Are they on the opposite side of the camp (which we're 4 miles away from) or between us and it or off to the sides?
Mostly in the middle and the far side, but a pair of balors is on the closer side.
Sorry, I meant the procession of hezrou and prisoners, where are they?
They're fairly close and passing by your area right now.
Well, they're close enough that everyone can clearly see them, not just Alicia with her far sharper eyes.
"See those hezrou and their prisoners? They're not going to make it to the camp," Alicia murmurs. "Marie, I'll give you a distraction to handle the demons, you break their chains and banish them to their home planes? We can't be seen ourselves."
"I can do that," Marie says quietly, looking towards the hezrou. "What kind of distraction?"
Alicia's knowledge is high enough to know about the Wandering Giver posted in Characters and Monsters, right?
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/9/14/9/9/8/8/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Sure.
"Make this look like the Wandering Giver," Alicia instructs, casting Summon Monster X to call forth a celestial dire polar bear, making it her familiar, and casting a quickened nondetection on it. "Syala, you do power of the huntress? Jessica get neutralise poison."
Celestial Dire Polar Bear Familiar HP: 400/400
Active Spells: SMX (CL 40), Veil (CL 44), Nondetection (CL 41), Power of the Huntress (CL 38), Neutralise Poison (CL 38)
Defences: AC 43, CMD 66, spell resistance 43, improved evasion, damage reduction 10/magic, resistance to acid/cold/electricity 10, nondetection (DC 56), immunity to poison
Saves: Fort +30, Ref +15, Will +20
Attack: 2 claws, +55 (2d6+19), and bite, +50 (3d8+10)
Init: +11As the huge white bear hunches within their hideout, Marie obligingly glamers it to look like a horrendously maimed succubus of far smaller proportions.
[18:36] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+102 bluff for Marie's veil
[18:36] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+102 bluff for Marie's veil --> [ 1d20=3 ]{105}
Sense motive needs to beat that to see past her illusion."Jessica, teleport ahead of them unseen, put up a fog cloud or dust storm between the hezrou and the camp. Marie, you teleport the bear into the edge of the cloud so she can emerge and attack the hezrou, wait for a good chance to free the prisoners. Syala and I will stay here in case our quarry has horrendous timing," Alicia explains while spells are cast on the bear.
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Spells are woven as desired.
"It's ready," Syala reports as Jessica nods and takes that. "Everyone ready?"
"Go," Marie says, taking charge of the operation while Alicia continues watching the portal for Yarus and Yull's known disguise forms. Or anyone that looks suspicious to her.
Marie turns herself invisible and puts a hand on the back of the bear, waiting for Jessica to start the dust-storm before teleporting them both into position for the Wandering Giver's horrifying visage to emerge out of the dust/fog.
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
It happens - fog and dust, an illusory figure. The hezrou stare a moment before one steps back, a vile curse in Abyssal. Another growls low as...
Intimidate, +20 circumstance bonus.
From the bear?
Well, it does have Alicia's skills...
[19:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+41+20
[19:35] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+41+20 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{72}
They can't equal or beat the check so no point rolling it.
The demons break. There's no other word for it. One turns and flees and that breaks the dam, the hezrou getting one look at that and turning tail. Off they flee, leaving the slaves behind.
The bear disguised as a demon walks after the hezrou with a pitiless stride. Meanwhile Marie, invisible, sneaks over to the captives. As the bear passes them, she first creates an illusion of the dust cloud surrounding herself and all the mortals, obscuring them from sight and simply seeming as if the storm follows the giver.
Persistent image SLA for that.
Thus hidden, she hits the group with a disjunction to suppress those chains on them. "Shhh, I'm getting you out of here," she whispers, loud enough to carry for their ears only, for all that she's unseen.
Disjunction SLA
[19:50] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+31 disjunction
[19:50] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+31 disjunction --> [ 1d20=8 ]{39}
Not high enough to hit her own illusion.
A few look about, openly dazed as the magic of the chains is disrupted. "Who...what...?" A few murmur.
"Shhh, just relax and stay close together," Marie whispers.
Miracle SLA to emulate a chain metal melt or something like that to destroy the chains since they're currently non-magical and thus eligible targets (it causes the metal to turn liquid without heating up for a round).
After the metal melts away, chains now littering the abyssal surface as globs of molten metal, she casts banishment over the group, sending each person back to their native plane! Maybe not exactly home, but it's a lot better than where they are right now!
Miracle to emulate it anyway. She can get 76 hd worth of creatures per casting. DC 45 will negates if they want to resist for whatever reason.
They do not. Like this as demons flee, you banish them all to whence they came. It's done smoothly, perhaps no one the wiser.
Just for completeness, Marie catches up with the bear and creates another illusory dust-storm between it and the hezrou. Sending word to Alicia, she dismisses the summon, Marie dismisses her illusions, and then returns back to their hideout to resume waiting for their actual quarry.
"Nicely done everyone," Alicia murmurs afterwards.
Jessica smiles faintly, "Another day in the Abyss."
Syala chuckles lowly, "The legend of that twisted thing grows. I doubt we're the first ones to pull that particular trick."
"It's surprisingly convenient," Marie agrees. "Maybe it doesn't even exist in reality and it's a trick every time?"
"It wouldn't be the first legend to grow from nothing," Syala reflects on that, "I have a few Rapture versions of stories like that for a less oppressive time."
"Later," Alicia agrees quietly. "Don't want to let anything slip by here."
Give me Perception again, +2 bonus now.
Take 10 for 100.
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Another hour passes. Another. Two total, no sign of anything remarkable. A few minor demons of little note and nothing else.
> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=22 ]{22}
As the hours slip by and you await the two?
Alicia.
You never told me Antenora was such a drama queen. Violet's told me all about the speeches Antenora gave her.
Well they're likely to be here all day. Maybe two.
Still, Marie and Jessica have their avatars hiding out with Mymtha in Dead Rat's Nest, they'll know if they missed him.
And oh, look there's Malcanthet.
She's not even going to reply to that one, they're not on 'casual speaking' terms.
Ah, don't be shy. Lovely G'renna reminded me of some of the fruits you sampled in your first visit to my realm. No wonder you chose someone like Syala. So...violent.
What can I say? I enjoy learning more about you.
She must be terribly bored.
Well, Alicia's busy and not here for idle chit-chat.
Fate of Creation hangs in the balance.
Or perhaps those two have you oh so busy right now? Or perhaps you and your sister are keeping each other...occupied?
As you endure Malcanthet, you see something. About a mile further away from your position a portal opens. A covered wagon, quite large, comes through. It is drawn by a pair of nightmares, and a hooded and robed figure drives.
Can she identify where the portal came from?
Any interesting magic on or in the wagon?
The portal came from Salt.
There's but one in the wagon - the entrance to an extra dimensional space, which holds quite a bit of space, you can tell.
Probably irrelevant. Alicia keeps her attention on the portal to Dead Rat's Nest. Yarus is most likely to teleport to its proximity so he can quickly walk through, or so she assumes.
A moment later - the portal rips open anew. A moment of screams before a raw blast of glass-like black sand comes out. Before your eyes the rider, the wagon and the nightmares are all ripped apart. Like razor blades, with chunks torn away withering into salt. Barrages and bursts also strike at once, sapping everything from what they touch, reducing them to dry dust.
In a mere instant the wagon and its rider is no more, only broken ruins as with a shudder, the extradimensional space collapses, a mighty BANG as the portal shuts at the same time.
'What?' Syala sends to you.
I think that was Tor Salinus. Lets not mention this to Seira.
He's still remarkably deadly. Nice trick. Is she ever going to go after that lizard?
I doubt it, since he never leaves Salt there's not enough impetus to turn her grudge into action.
Meanwhile at least Malcanthet stopped, as you settle in and...
Perception again.
Take 10 for 98
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Not five minutes later, you suddenly note several scrying sensors over where the wagon was, well over half a dozen of them.
Alicia gives them a look over, checking to see who's responsible.
Using divine insight, take 10 for 87 to discover caster.
There are four casters: Balie, Ggzay, Mn and Pasi.
Knowledge to identify them? Take 10 for 72 on arcana/planes/religion where relevant.
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
All four are part of the Bloodwine Cabal, a group of pan-fiendish fiends who focus on wealth and greed. It's a very small club because only a few mix the talent to join, the desire to run away from where they were before and the ability to cooperate with the other side. All that's known is that they once had the patronage of the previous Oinoloth.
Baile is a succubus, Ggzay a hamatula, Mn a powerful daemon descended half fiend and Pasi a cornugon.
Alicia connects the dots thusly. The greedy fiends had an expedition to Salt to acquire vast wealth, with a big investment in magic for the carriage with space and the nightmares and such, and so got some kind of alert when it got blown up and so they're scrying to see what happened.
This is all fine and of no consequence to her own mission here, so she lets it be.
Indeed, the scrying sensors look about and soon fade.
However, a minute later, another creature appears. A gray skinned and sallow humanoid, strong and masculine. He wears chain armor and carries a sword in hand, along with a spell component belt. His expression is stormy as he takes it all in and gestures, words of magic spoken. Greater arcane sight, you know the spell well.
Knowledge on him? Take 10 for 72 on arcana/planes/religion where relevant.
Alicia gives him a look over on his arrival. They're well past the range of arcane sight so he's not going to be spotting them any time soon.
That's Mn, who you just learned about. He looks competent - he holds himself well, but he's also visibly angry.
Must have been a big investment down the drain. And they actually got out of Salt, they were almost in the clear!
Not so much her problem though, he can have fun investigating that.
A few moments of examination before long and loud, a scream that carries.
"FUUUUUUCK!" Mn kicks at the ground and swears, sending bits of ruined debris into the air. "FUCK FUCK FUCK! THAT WAS HALF A MILLION GOLD COINS, YOU DRACONIC ASSHOLE! I WILL FUCKING SKIN YOU ALIVE AND EAT YOUR ENTRAILS RAW!"
Marie glances back that way herself. "You wonder how many people have made that promise?" she asks, a quiet whisper.
"And yet," Alicia agrees with a sage nod.
And yet Tor Salinus still breathes. Not even Seira has wreaked her vengeance on him. I almost admire his tenacity in being such a monstrous asshole and yet still being alive. It takes a special sort to do what he does.
He's as much natural disaster as anything else. A hazard of Salt like the flames of Fire. It moderates the response... and he is strong enough to deal with everyone that's tried all the same.
Amid this Mn stops. Kneels. Some wood is brushed away and a little, fiendish rat emerges.
"So you survived," Your divine hearing picks up Mn's voice, "What in the name of all 666 torments happened?!"
Little squeaks that you can understand thanks to your nature, Syala's gaze going that way. "H...he was fast, and...he had a new trick. We didn't know!" The little rodent whimpers. "The sand became his mouth and claws whenever our spellcasters tried to cast a spell. Instead of magic, they lost body parts or were cut apart. We didn't manage a single spell! Everyone who tried died!"
Mn's expression is one of tight fury, "That lying asshole," he growls, "I'll kill him and then I'll fucking kill Tor Salinus! Of course that new Mercane asshole lied to me!" With a snap and a growl both half fiend and vermin vanish, gone.
Oh, Alicia never even noticed the rat survived! She frowns and resolves to be a bit more focused. Admittedly she's looking for someone bigger than a rat, but still it's an oversight. She was sure nothing survived that and she never saw a rat to begin with or anyone transform into one.
Mention that next time we see Seira. I doubt she's going to take action any time soon but if she ever does she ought to know about that.
I will. We'll have to remember to do that.
With that you settle back in and...
Perception, +1 bonus.
Take 10 for 99.
Alicia HP: 801+20/801
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40)
Defences: AC 94, CMD 110, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 85, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
A few hours pass. Nothing too interesting occurs here as you await.
Until in the far distance, you begin to see it. A vast whirlwind, a tornado. A tall one, heading along the path, miles away yet but tearing apart anything that comes within it. No clouds support it, it simply happens across the wastelands.
Is it approaching the camp or their own hideout?
The camp and the portal.
She'll keep an eye on it and if anything's hiding inside of it or if it's magically generated, once it's close enough for her to see such things.
And if anyone in the camp notices it and reacts.
You begin to hear roars and reactions in the camp as it comes close enough.
There is indeed magic in it. Hidden deep within is a little extradimensional space. Something's in there. The tornado itself is also generated by magic, something within that space as well.
She tries to discern who's generating the tornado in that case.
Divine insight backed spellcraft for discover caster, DC 85, take 10 for 87.
Yull.
Is this what they call refuge in audacity?
Look lively, that tornado isn't random weather. It's a spell cast by none other than Yull.
Is he travelling with Yarus or presenting a distraction for him? Neither really make sense for slipping in and out of Dead Rat's Nest.
Indeed, as the camp goes into uproar, Alicia tries to figure out of they're all uniquely startled or if there's a tenor of expectation or resignation like this is a somewhat regular event.
Take 10 for 73 on sense motive.
It doesn't fit. It's a distraction or something else.
They look alarmed - not in the routine way, either. You get a feeling this is new.
I don't feel like this is part of their usual travel routine. Something might have tipped them off. Just sit tight for now.
Either they'll have to get out of that dimensional pocket to go through the portal, or else someone else is going to move in while the tornado is gathering attention. Either way, Alicia isn't going to challenge or interfere with it for now.
Still, they can prepare for battle now, shorter duration spell-likes used. No spells though. She doesn't know how far out Yarus can easily hear at, so no audible spellcasting.
Alicia pops greater visage of the deity on herself.
Recitation on the group. CL 38. +3 luck AC, attack, saves.
Freedom of movement on the group. CL 38.
Marie turns invisible (greater invisibility) and uses project image.
[19:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+103 bluff
[19:52] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+103 bluff --> [ 1d20=18 ]{121}
Sense motive has to beat that to see through the project image (or win a rank check)
Alicia HP: 877+20/877
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38)
Defences: AC 101, CMD 121, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), greater invisibility (CL 44)
Defences: AC 87, CMD 91, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
I'll do prep and this may run until tomorrow, so let me ask you now: Any spells you want the other two to cast as I set up their prep?
I don't think so, SLAs aren't that meaningful and I don't think either of them have any eye-catching ones. Actual spells have to wait until shit goes down.
You prepare, you go - and as demons spill forth from the camp? When it's about half a mile or so from your location, winds whipping? Slowly the tornado begins to turn away, twisting off in the general direction it came.
A great horde of demons, led by a snarling marilith, screams, "Do not let it escape! Whoever attacks us chokes and dies!" Hundreds of demons, rabble and worse, all pursuing this tornado with fevered intensity.
That's not even an attack, it didn't bother them at all!
Is that marilith trying to trick the other demons?
Divine insight sense motive, take 10 for 88.
Yes, it is. Not that it's that hard to rile up demons to go fight something, but you can tell, it's pure manipulation.
He must not want anyone around when he goes through the portal.
Of course that just means there'll be less demons to get in the way of the fight so it suits Alicia's purposes too. She keeps her attention focused close to the portal, watching now for anyone intending to go through. Even if the appearance doesn't fit the profile Marie gave, the timing means anyone now could be the one.
Perception now, -6 profane penalty.
She's paying extremely close attention now which means recasting divine insight/improvisation repeatedly.
Take 10 for 126.
Alicia HP: 877+20/877
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38)
Defences: AC 101, CMD 121, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), greater invisibility (CL 44)
Defences: AC 87, CMD 91, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
It's subtle.
A shadow, really. Nothing more than a faint shadow on the ground.
But it glides just off the path, a speeding blur that even your eyes only barely catch. The moment you latch on your divine vision can see it. A figure wrapped in shadows, running nearly impossibly fast, as the demons go, nothing but you and yours between him and the camp.
Where'd he come from? The tornado? Any magic on him?
In the general direction. Very sneaky - you just now managed to spot him. For the latter, rank check.
[17:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[17:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{19}
Don't know if there's a strata bonus involved. Add that after if needed, she's a lesser deity.
> roll 1d20+1
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{11}
Not needed.
He's covered in a wealth of magic. A camouflage spell, a nondetection spell you're able to bypass, a spell called shade walker. Also greater heroism and improvisation.
I've got him, and he's coming our way. Everyone get ready.
Assuming he keeps running in a straight line, how close will he get to our hideout?
Also what does shade walker do?
It lets him move only as a shadow on the ground.
About 120ft or so.
Does it provide any defences or immunities or stuff like Violet's water spell?
Alicia HP: 877+20/877
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38)
Defences: AC 101, CMD 121, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/10/9/8/14/9/9/8/7/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 760+20/760
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), greater invisibility (CL 44)
Defences: AC 87, CMD 91, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/8/8/7/4/6/7/5/4
Which spell so I can look it up?
I don't know the name offhand. Does it matter though? I'm asking about this spell.
For reference Violet's one made her invincible to everything except dessication damage.
Oooooooooh. I misread your post. No, nothing like that.
Everyone waits, tense as the shadow races across Pazunia closer and closer to their position.
The plan doesn't change much. Marie and I will engage him, you two stay in hiding and deal with any help that comes for him.
Then, when it's 400 feet away from them?
Now!
Alicia casts time stop. Maybe he'll hear it, but it's entirely too late now.
Maximised time stop, 5 rounds. Marie shares spells so she joins in.
Round 1: Alicia casts Seira's Arcane Thesis. So does Marie. Marie sings Inspire Courage.
Round 2: Alicia casts brilliant aura, Marie casts superior invisibility. Marie sings Inspire Heroics.
Round 3: Alicia casts keen edge. Marie casts Jaela's teleport block. Marie sings Inspire Greatness.
Round 4: Both move out 200 feet to position directly in Yarus's path. Alicia casts repelling shield. Marie casts sonorous hum.
Round 5: Marie moves 100 feet off to the side while leaving her projected image next to Alicia. Alicia casts spell turning. Marie casts Purr of Sharess (maintained by sonorous hum).Thus Yarus's blitz across Pazunia is interrupted. Alicia standing there boldly before him, sword in hand. Marie floating a few feet away in the air above the blasted landscape.
"Surrender, Yarus! There's no escape!"
Oh, and just to make sure no one else butts in? Alicia's divine aura is making it extremely clear to anyone who gets within 600 feet that they ought to be elsewhere.
DC 34 will negates on the aura, fright
[19:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6+4 rank check to hit him with the aura
[19:41] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+6+4 rank check to hit him with the aura --> [ 1d20=12 ]{22}
Alicia HP: 1027+20/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/8/9/8/6/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
> roll 1d20+1
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{5}
> roll 1d20+57
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+57 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{77}
The figure stops. The shadow stops its advance.
There's no words, but a sense of surprise then amusement.
'And before your blade can come down on me, word can go out to every demon prince and lord who wishes to gain glory that Alicia Reynes is right here, in the Abyss. Now unless you fancy your head as Demogorgon's newest trophy, stand aside and bother me no more. Or the Pale Mother, who surely wants revenge for Androlynne.'
Initiative then. Alicia has supreme init, DvR 6.
[16:39] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+17 nerveskitter, Marie
[16:39] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+17 nerveskitter, Marie --> [ 1d20=5 ]{22}
Alicia HP: 1027+20/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/8/9/8/6/2/7/4/7/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/9/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
Go ahead and open in that case then. I'll sort out init as needed afterwards.
Alicia elects to test that theory, not wasting time on further words. Space twists, bringing her close to that shadow, and her blade comes down on it. Repeatedly.
Free action to link my square with the one in front of him with space compression, five foot step, full attack.
[16:53] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:53] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=20 ]{124}
[16:53] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:53] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=17 ]{121}
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=14 ]{118}
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=20 ]{124}
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+99 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+99 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=8 ]{107}
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+99 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+99 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch --> [ 1d20=3 ]{102}
[16:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+94+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up
[16:54] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+94+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up --> [ 1d20=9 ]{133}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+94+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+94+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up --> [ 1d20=13 ]{137}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+89+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+89+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up --> [ 1d20=1 ]{120}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+89+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+89+30 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch | Many Moments of Prescience used if he's still up --> [ 1d20=11 ]{130}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check --> [ 1d20=5 ]{109}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check --> [ 1d20=7 ]{111}
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check
[16:55] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+104 nonlethal, blinding speed, 15th level arcane strike, channelled maximised/vivacious/enhanced vampiric touch crit check --> [ 1d20=4 ]{108}
+2 on all of those, forgot evil outsider bane.
[16:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6+4 rank check to inflict negative levels
[16:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+6+4 rank check to inflict negative levels --> [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
[16:57] <@Ebiris> roll 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 124/109 critted
[16:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 124/109 critted --> [ 2d8=16 2d6=8 6d6=20 15d4=43 ]{533}
[16:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't
[16:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't --> [ 1d8=8 2d6=6 3d6=10 15d4=38 ]{285}
[16:57] <@Ebiris> roll 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 121/111 critted
[16:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 121/111 critted --> [ 2d8=7 2d6=8 6d6=22 15d4=40 ]{523}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=9 3d6=10 15d4=38 ]{283}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=7 3d6=12 15d4=31 ]{276}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 124/108 critted
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 2d8+86+2d6+6d6+15d4+360 and 2 negative levels if 124/108 critted --> [ 2d8=8 2d6=11 6d6=22 15d4=37 ]{524}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level if it didn't --> [ 1d8=1 2d6=10 3d6=5 15d4=39 ]{278}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=5 2d6=7 3d6=12 15d4=35 ]{282}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=1 2d6=11 3d6=11 15d4=39 ]{285}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=6 2d6=6 3d6=8 15d4=41 ]{284}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=4 3d6=10 15d4=34 ]{274}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=2 2d6=8 3d6=12 15d4=37 ]{282}
[16:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level
[16:58] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d8+43+2d6+3d6+15d4+180 and 1 negative level --> [ 1d8=4 2d6=9 3d6=15 15d4=41 ]{292}
2 swift actions remain, let me know if many moments of prescience got used up. Also let me know if crits confirmed since that impacts my temp hp.
She has Clearsight to deal with any sort of miss chance.
Alicia HP: 1027+20/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/8/9/8/6/2/7/4/7/3
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/5
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
Total success. Pain incoming. Give me a total on damage?
Obviously she'll stop when he goes down, particularly to save on those many moments of prescience.
But adding it all up comes to 3,555 and 13 negative levels.
Alicia HP: 1027+360/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/8/9/8/6/2/7/4/7/3
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/4
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
You used one moment.
In an absolute riot of blades and fury, the flat of Bonds crushes back the shadowed Yarus. A thump as he hits the ground, not moving now, merely lying there. An assault so rapid and furious that not even he can endure it.
Anything else this turn?
She wonders if he managed to call anyone while stalling and how many words he could have gotten out.
A sudden surge of telekinetic force launches him over towards where Syala and Jessica still hide under Marie's illusion. They can leave swiftly now.
Quickened Telekinesis violent thrust to launch him over there, she can send him 400 feet so it's in range. Assuming he weighs under 375lbs.
Last swift held for immediates. Done.
Alicia HP: 1027+360/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/7/9/8/6/2/7/4/7/3
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/4
MMoP: 4/5
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
Give me Perception right away.
Take 10 for 113, divine insight.
Got him. Jessica swiftly gathers him up as...
Escape now, sister?
All together, once Marie and I get back over there.
Are we still in init or can we do that?
You're welcome to go do that.
As her projected image hovers there, the invisible Marie herself hurries straight back to the illusory hideout.
Alicia does so as well, a twist of space bringing her straight back to Jessica and Syala. "Ready?" she asks, making sure they have a firm grip on Yarus. "Go, through there," she points as she twists space more, a spot next to them connecting with a spot about 4000 feet away, well clear of Marie's teleport block and on the other side of the camp around the Dead Rat's Nest portal. She casts a quickened gate spell on the other side of that space, directly back to Sylica.
Going!
Unseen, Marie reports her transit as she hurries through first, Alicia making sure Jessica and Syala follow with Yarus before she goes through last.
Alicia HP: 1027+360/1027
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 39), sensual blessing (CL 40), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 41), energy immunity (fire) (CL 41), energy immunity (acid) (CL 41), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 40), greater foresight (CL 40), greater visage of the deity (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 40), brilliant aura (CL 40), keen edge (CL 38), repelling shield (CL 41), spell turning (CL 39)
Defences: AC 120, CMD 149, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, imprisonment, banishment, and fear), nondetection (DC 56), freedom of movement
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +7 insight AC/ref, +1 natural armour, +4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, +6 competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+90 hd
Perceptions: tremorsense/blindsight/scent 6 miles, see magic, clearsight 60 feet, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/9/9/8/14/7/9/8/6/1/7/4/7/3
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/23/11/7/16/4
MMoP: 4/5
Marie HP: 892+20/892
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 41), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), sensual blessing (CL 38), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38), duelist's friend (CL 38), recitation (CL 38), freedom of movement (CL 38), superior invisibility (CL 44), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 38), Jaela's teleport block (CL 38), purr of Sharess (CL 38)
Defences: AC 97, CMD 118, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, sonic negative), status immunity ((petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, fear, death effects and disintegration), nondetection DC 56, freedom of movement, invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, +25 competence perception, +3 luck AC/attack/saves, +10 CL vs SR, +5 spell DCs, +16 morale attack/damage, +10 morale saves/AC, + competence attack, +4 competence fort, +6d10+72 hd
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, tremorsense/blindsight/scent 1 mile, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/7/8/7/8/6/4/6/7/5/4
As Alicia prepares to go, she catches something out of the corner of her eye. A blur, a shadow in the distance perhaps, something coming closer.
How far away? The others are all through? What magic on it?
It is about 100ft away roughly, the others are all through and there's no magic on it.
Alicia steps through, crossing thousands of feet and then planar boundaries in a single step, after which she dismisses the gate, leaving all four of them plus their new guest in Sylica, a quiet grassy hill greeting them.
Out of interest, are avatar Marie and Jessica seeing anything interesting around Mymtha back in the demiplane right now?
Mymtha is relatively quiet, pouring over documents at the moment.
Jessica takes a breath out, "It worked," she declares, a note of happiness in her voice.
"Smooth and clean," Alicia says, getting a look down at their quarry. What does he even look like beyond 'a shadow'?
Also, important question. What happens if you kill a deity who doesn't have a divine realm? Is there any way to determine a deity's divine realm if it's not public knowledge?
Once you get past that, he's armored and covered. Good smooth armor that sucks in the light around it to show nothing. It's heavy and a thin cloak covers the rest of him.
In that rare case - divine realms generally follow in one way or another, or a deity is already innately tied to a plane such as an Archomental or planar lord - they'd count whatever Outer Plane or divine realm they'd be fated for if they died as a mortal.
"We'd have to go to Shadow to kill him I think," Alicia speculates as Marie becomes visible and starts briskly stripping Yarus of his belongings. "Too much risk of interference even for a quick execution, so we'll have to hold him prisoner. This calls for extra support."
Mystra, can you come here? We've caught one of Shar's beneficiaries of the Godsrush.
Oh Alicia, you keep giving me the most wonderful gifts.
"Mystra's on her way," Alicia says, smiling at the reply. "No sense leaving things to chance, especially when she's right next door."
"Good," Marie says aloud, adding more privately. Jessica and I will keep our avatars down there a while longer to see if a response gets stirred up.
Marie didn't exactly do much in the fight, but she was important for all the prep so does that get Syala's node goal?
Yes. One moment please.
"Good work," Syala agrees, looking over at Marie with a fond smile. "Look at our Marie, Alicia. Look at how far she's come."
"I didn't even have to go big to handle him, Marie's bardic song and magic are both powerful," Alicia agrees.
"Mmhmm. You might've done the smashing but this was all because Jessica and I ferreted out the knowledge we needed and crafted the perfect ambush to get him on our terms," Marie looks up from where she's stripping her fellow demigod with a smile of her own. "That's the kind of Competition I like."
Jessica looks down at the defeated warrior - beneath he is weathered, marks of disease glimpsed as you remove more and more. "That's one I like too, Marie," she says, as Syala watches in approval and - !
A surge. A connection with Syala, stronger than before.
Node update, go read. This one involves a choice of who gets the bonus so let me know.
Syala should get it, help her hitting and stunning game.
Alicia smiles at Syala and nods in mutual recognition, but she doesn't relax yet. In case Yarus has fast healing or regeneration and recovers, she keeps a close eye on him until Mystra gets here.
Done.
In mere moments Mystra appears, a flare of silver fire as she arrives. She looks down at Yarus and smiles tightly, "Very well done, Alicia. You as well, Marie, you had a role in this?"
"We all did," Jessica says, "But Marie had a large role." With a look over at her, "She did fine work."
"How often can a bunch of deities hang out on the Abyss for hours without anyone noticing?" Marie asks. "So many people discount the power of illusions."
Well, it like enchantment is a school of magic a great deal of effort goes into defeating, Alicia thinks but doesn't say. "I'd like to just kill him and remove him from contention, but if he has a realm on Shadow then Shar would be able to interfere in the attempt. So we'll have to keep him prisoner, and I'm not sure I can do that myself. Not to mention he surely has information we could use."
"You know exactly why, Marielle," Mystra says primly, "And you've shown why the few truly superior illusionists are deadly as any other mighty foe, and perhaps more because few know their tricks and instead rely on defenses that are overcome."
Afterwards Mystra nods, "First and foremost, it will be a lure. Both for Shar's forces and any who wish to gain favor or something from her, or those who believe Yarus would grant them a fortune for his freedom. Let alone any power Yarus may have and his own struggles, which could be troublesome as well."
"That I was already afraid of," Syala says, "I'm surprised Shar hasn't tried something forceful with Dragodan yet. It's only a matter of time before she does."
"We know Yarus is very close with Talona, and he was just coming back from some kind of deal with Demogorgon when we caught him," Marie says.
Alicia smiles slightly but doesn't say anything, just appreciating the memory of how Yarus tried to threaten her with Demogorgon when he was caught.
"Well then, we'll have to make sure he's secured extra well," Mystra says firmly, "Talona is miserable anyway and Demogorgon is worse."
"There's also the other two members of his clique, but hopefully he can help make them a bit less mysterious," Alicia says, out of her reminiscing. "Do we want to just pull what we can out of his mind and then seal him away, or keep him conscious and confined for interrogation?" She could probably do the former herself, if perhaps a bit shaky and at risk of him being rescued, but for the former she'd definitely want Mystra's help, not trusting she could put up any kind of warding he couldn't just dispel given time.
"WE don't let him wake up," Syala speaks up, "No. Not this monster. Not for the chance he can do more harm."
"I don't like it," Jessica says, "But no, Syala may be right. Even if his mind may well be dangerous."
"Probably for the best. In that case lets not just loiter here - out in the open is better than in the dark in terms of thematics, but it still feels insecure," Alicia says, reaching down to hoist Yarus up by the back of the neck. "I know a spot we can use."
A moment later all six of them are in a subterranean grotto in Sylica, like the inside of a huge geode with glowing crystal formations all around, and indeed they're standing upon one of them, flat and glassy.
It is done. Once you are all there, Mystra kneels and checks him. "Go ahead, Alicia," she offers, as at the same time.
Industrious as always, Alicia.
High praise coming from you. Although he called out to the Abyss for protection, not to the Shadows.
"Let me know if you have questions to ask," she says aloud, attempting to probe Yarus's mind.
Probe Thoughts via limited wish.
[19:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+56 SR
[19:11] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+56 SR --> [ 1d20=8 ]{64}
I don't think he gets a save when unconscious? If he does it's DC 40 and he has 13 negative levels right now.
You have one chance to return Yarus: Now.
Is that spell mind-affecting?
Oh yeah good point.
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6+4 rank check
[19:28] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+6+4 rank check --> [ 1d20=16 ]{26}
You feel the spell press through Yarus's defenses, enough to settle on him.
That's not how this works and you know it, Shar. What's he worth to you? What would you give up to avoid this loss?
And because she's an industrious multi-tasker, she asks Yarus's mind.
How did you become a god?
Ao granted my appeal for divinity after Shar instructed me how to do it.
Your dear sister's life. I grow weary of her impertinence.
No godseed? Or perhaps there was...
How did you rise beyond quasi-deity status?
She's standing right in front of me, Shar. And we're protected against that trick you used against Mystra if you think that will work. Take this seriously or you'll never see Yarus again.
Raw Charisma check here.
[02:14] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+24
[02:14] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+24 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{37}
There is but a moment before you get your answer.
What do you want?
What about an answer from Yarus? Multi-tasking here!
"Shar is willing to bargain for Yarus's fate," she says aloud for Mystra and the others.
It would have to be something grand indeed to be worth a God, wouldn't it? How many souls have you stolen to keep from their deserved fate, like you would have my family?
Lord Ao granted it to him on his ascension as he saw fit.
In a tone of sudden bitterness, of anger glimpsed: A higher number of them than you can count.
Yes. And believe me, I can count very high indeed. But a God, especially one so favoured by Ao carries a high price to match.
"What's she offering?" Marie asks, tense now and looking between Yarus and Alicia.
"It's what I'm demanding," Alicia shakes her head. "All the souls she's stolen. All of them."
But she can ask questions of Yarus while she has him too!
Who murdered Snowwind?
Chlyas.
"A noble goal," Mystra declares as magic flows around her, strange and eldritch patterns as she prepares.
There is a moment, no immediate reply to that.
Confirmation. Kossuth and the Queen of Air and Darkness will be pleased.
Which other deities serve Shar?
"I don't like giving him up, but if we do that's a good price," Marie says.
Meanwhile Alicia presses Shar herself now.
That number may be higher than I can count, but I can count the number of deities in Creation. A child can count that high. The scales balance.
Oh you foolish little whelp. You think I left anything of them to be saved?
Meanwhile the answer comes.
Chlyas. Demogorgon fancies that he does not, but her grip on him grows tighter. Mask. Soon, the Infinite Shadow.
Hmm. Not that Gloom that Morwel mentioned? Curious.
Have you ever seen a Godseed?
Alicia's expression tightens as she and Shar barter back and forth.
I don't care, Shar. I don't care if they're a part of your infinite shadow. I don't care if you ground their souls into mortar for your palace's brickwork. I don't care if they're the best singers in your choir of the damned. I only care that you should never have touched them, and finally I have a chance to do something about it.
No.
Meanwhile? Laughter. Cruel, mocking. Like the slices of Shar's short swords, no less a weapon. Every word after is spat out, full of hateful contempt.
You think to dictate terms to me, Alicia? Has your arrogance finally made you stupid?
What hold does Shar have on Demogorgon?
"Negotiations aren't going well," she adds for her tense audience.
Yes I'm dictating terms, because I have something you want. I realise it's so rare anyone gets to do so to you that it must be astounding. I'm not asking you to kill yourself or go against your nature. I'm not asking you to give up every prisoner you hold, only those you claimed at the moment of death when they should have gone elsewhere based on their nature or faith. All you have to do is let go. It should come naturally.
Raw Charisma check again, +1 bonus.
[17:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+25
[17:29] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{34}
The ones that remain.
Meanwhile, you get answer answer.
Demogorgon wishes to destroy. He believes he can resist Shar and still destroy, that he will not be overcome.
"Be strong, Alicia," Syala says, coming to your side, a silent support.
What is Shar giving Demogorgon to help him?
"Might be some give in her, she wants him badly," she says aloud, getting what information she can in the meantime.
If there's anything at all left of them. Yes not even you can return someone from oblivion, but I know you like your trophies and warnings.
Free him immediately and you can have what little remains.
Power, information and support. Also useful against Orcus, Graz'zt and other demons he routinely wars against.
OOC a sec, but so I can have Alicia talk without sounding stupid. When trapped souls are released, do they go to the Well of Souls as if they'd just died?
Generally yes. Exceptions are if they're on the plane they'd go to anyway or if something unusual would influence it.
Like if mortal Alicia had died she'd go to the Well unless she died in Dweomerheart, in which case she'd already be home.
Helm, the Well of Souls may be seeing an imminent surge of new arrivals from those Shar has unjustly taken. Can you please let me know if that happens?
"We have an agreement in principle," she says aloud, getting more out of Yarus while he's here.
What is Shar's plan for defeating Mystra?
If I trusted your word I'd have demanded you stop stealing souls in the future as well. As soon as Helm tells me of the long delayed arrivals in the Well of Souls, I'll put Yarus right back where I found him.
You will instead send into Shadow.
He isn't aware of the details, but he knows one thing - from a stray comment, it will begin on Shadow.
Shadow is acceptable, I'm sure anywhere's fine.
What is Shar's plan for defeating Alicia?
"She wants me to send him to Shadow. I'm waiting to know from Helm if those souls are being released... of course there's no way to verify she's being honest and not keeping some back, but the numbers will have to be substantial all the same," she says aloud for the benefit of Mystra and the others.
"I wonder if she's got any gnomes there?" Marie muses, thinking of empty Bytopia.
'It has begun.' Helm's voice, plain and to the point.
Meanwhile?
To make her kill herself. She wants to see the hope in Alicia's eyes die and watch her do it herself. Each and every time she strikes at Alicia is wonderful, because it's building towards that. She is going to destroy everything Alicia holds dear until she finally breaks, so that all that's left behind is the weeping, heartbroken wife seen when Hans and Felix died. She anticipates the moment when Alicia gives up, when she lets oblivion take her willingly, utterly defeated for all time.
Not much of a concrete plan she can react to, is there?
"She's holding up her end, do you have everything you need?" Alicia asks Mystra now, of course going to hold up hers.
Why did Shar choose you?
"More than enough," Mystra nods slightly, "Go."
I accepted her truth that the end is almost here, and agreed to serve her for power until the end. There is nothing else but power and destruction.
Alicia's quick about it.
Quickened gate opens to the plane of shadow, the same place where she arrived when taking part in that attack with Selune recently.
Quickened violent thrust telekinesis sends Yarus skidding out and away.
Gate closes with a moment's thought.
Swift, swift, standard in order there. Just in case anything exciting were to happen.
I deeply doubt you did, but in case you felt generous: You didn't give him his gear back, did you?
Oh no, Marie's holding onto that. I expect a loot post shortly.
Yes ma'am, please don't hurt me like the pixie terrors. Whimper.
It's done. The gate is swiftly closed and Mystra watches him go. "Well, what did you learn?" she asks, right to the point.
"Plenty I hope," Syala says, "And I hope Shar paid more for him than she should."
"Yet far from enough," Jessica blows out a breath, "But Shar's debts are beyond reckoning."
"I didn't have time to ask everything," Alicia shakes her head. "I know that Chylas was the one who wore my face to murder Snowwind. Yarus ascended in the traditional manner, he's never seen a Godseed. The other deities who serve Shar are Chylas, Mask, and perhaps unwittingly Demogorgon. No word on that Gloom Queen Morwel mentioned, but apparently she plans to have the Infinite Shadow ascend as well," she starts running down the highlights she was able to discern. "Nothing concrete about Shar's specific plans against us."
"Spread the word about this," Marie speaks up. "A lot of people are going to be seeing souls they thought lost arriving in their midst. Maybe even Talona's lost some," she smiles slightly. "Turn Yarus into the key to Shar's treasury. Everyone will want to capture him and see what they can wring out of her that way."
"In other words," Jessica surmises, "He has to stay on Shadow now for his own safety. He's too valuable otherwise."
Mystra throws her head back and laughs, long, loud and happy. "What a lovely notion, Marielle."
"Still, Mask," Mystra points out, "I had one of Celestia's diplomats make guarded inquiries about him recently. There may be something more to that as well."
"Good idea Marie," Alicia nods in her own show of approval. "As for Mask? He's been living in her backyard, it's not really surprising he's been suborned," she admits. "And he knows there's something planned against Mystra that starts on Shadow. Lines up with Red Knight's intuition but he had no specifics."
"It may as much be to keep Mystra away from Shadow as anything else," Jessica points out here, "If Mystra's willing to push herself to the limits of what she can do, she'd be a serious problem for Shar. She knows we tend to sniff out things like this, too."
"It might be so," Mystra merely smiles, "But this time, it doesn't matter. There will be a reckoning, no matter what she does."
"All the same, I'm going to trust Red Knight's intuition," Alicia says. "But now I need to pass around some word..." she looks over the items Marie stripped off of Yarus. "Put them all in secure storage for now."
First she'll reach out to, surprisingly enough, Malcanthet.
I didn't have to much to say earlier because I was actually busy in the Abyss at the time, but now I'm out you might be interested in what transpired there.
Oooooh? You have my most rapt attention, Alicia.
Have you heard of Yarus? A daemon that recently ascended under Shar's tutelage. He's been cosying up with Talona and Demogorgon, and I captured him on Pazunia. He's important to Shar like few are, and she paid dearly for his return. He also believes that Demogorgon is fully within Shar's grasp as her pawn. I'm sure you can make good use of all this information.
I can make sublime use of this knowledge, dear Alicia. Aah, you take such good care of me. I can get used to such considerations as you've given me lately.
I know at least you don't like Shar, I'll take advantage of that.
"Well I've just told Malcanthet, which should stir up some extra chaos in the Abyss," Alicia says as they all mill around in the crystal grotto.
"Why not tell Zquujaj, too?" Marie asks with a faint scoff. "Actually it's interesting he mentioned calling Pale Night for help earlier, but she never came up when you were going through his head?"
"That means it was probably a bluff," Mystra stays as you all linger here, "Nothing but empty threats with a big name."
"It might be," Syala agrees, "It's not like we could confirm it."
"I think it was just using a convenient name I had a past history with," Alicia agrees. "Now I need to tell the Queen of Air and Darkness what I've learned."
I've discovered who killed Snowwind. It was a leshay named Chylas who has ascended to divinity as a servant of Shar.
Then his screams will soon be heard in the winter winds, forevermore.
"She's taking it well," Alicia reports. "Kossuth wanted to know as well, since the initial trail led to Imix. Lets put some more heat under him."
Kossuth, I've learned who courted the Queen of Air and Darkness's ire with a false facade leading first to me and then to Imix. It was Chylas, a leshay servant of Shar who has ascended to divinity.
"Oh, Chylas is going to have a bad day," Syala's smiling, "What a pity."
"Bad and worse," Mystra agrees as Alicia works.
Another that meddles in Fire?
Perhaps so. I captured another of Shar's servant deities, Yarus, and was able to obtain this information before Shar bargained for his release. I know little more of Chylas beyond his culpability in this matter.
I will mark his name.
"There, I've informed Kossuth. I think we're done for now," Alicia says.
"We'll keep monitoring things in Dead Rat's Nest in case he or Yull show up back there," Marie says. "I doubt they'd be so foolish but you never know."
"In the meantime," Syala goes over, "Was any of his treasure worthwhile, Alicia?"
"The ring and cloak are too tainted to ever be useful," Alicia goes over her findings there. "The anklet is interesting, it transmutes water into other liquids when you walk over it. The boots are well made and offer an impressive boost to speed, and the armour's extremely good for any spellcaster. You know I dislike the association of using things we find from foes like him, but they are useful if we look past that."
"You never used to be like that," Marie points out. "Is it because these days you're a lot more likely to run into someone again while wearing their old gear?"
"It does feel embarrassing," Alicia admits, cheeks turning slightly pink. "Less like a trophy and more like attending a ball wearing someone's old dress."
Mystra laughs. It's a warm and wonderful sound, "Belay your embarrassment, Alicia. You would be far from the first to use that anklet. It has a long history as does everything else but the armor."
"Somehow I feel like this isn't my problem," Syala banters as she comes over, "We can always gift it out."
"If I swap my armour I'd rather Latha make me something anyway," Alicia says. "But yes we can gift it out. Honestly, the boots are like my own ones but a straight upgrade so there is some sense in trading up."
"I don't think I need any of it, but Jessica why don't you take the anklet? It's just begging for creative use, and it'll help deal with any Styx water you come across," Marie suggests.
That gets Jessica to smile slightly. "That's a good use for it, Marie. Who do you have in mind for the rest of it, sister?"
"The unholy items we'll just keep stowed away securely," Alicia says. "As for the armour, hold onto it for now, it might make a good gift for someone."
"In the meantime," Syala declares, "I think we can call today a complete victory, can't you?"
"We can, but it's not quite over yet," Jessica says, "We're still watching in case anything happens there, too."
"I'm content with it," Alicia says.
Can she feel what's going on with those liberated souls through portfolio sense with her liberation domain?
"But Jessica's right. Keep an eye on things in Dead Rat's Nest. I doubt Yarus will risk going back but Yull might show up there or something might happen that's worth knowing about or interfering with."
Yes. The ones intact enough to are going as they should. No interference, fortunately. Some linger - fragments, too damaged to do much by themselves.
"We will, sister,' Jessica says, as...
Okay, what's your plan on that end of it, Marie?
Avatars Marie and Jessica will maintain their super-stealth surveillance of Mymtha for at least the next 24 hours to see what happens down there.
Sure. Anything you're looking for in particular or just generally keeping an eye on her?
See if Yull shows up or she gets any messages to go do something. She'll keep up a miracle'd detect thoughts to monitor her surface thoughts throughout. She's +40 vs her nondetection and the DC is 44 will which I'm pretty sure she can't win without a 20.
Honestly, right now she's mostly busy dealing with mundane things. Several hours of this passes until she pauses. You don't hear anything, but her thoughts reflect that she's hearing a shocking sending.
Does detect thoughts provide the contents of that sending as she hears it or the reply she composes to it?
Yes, soon enough. She is to come to Shadow with several others and bring several things from this place with them.
Evacuating, hm? Well Marie debates whether to interfere or let it pass, for the moment at least she can observe and see what Yarus deems important to bring from here over to Shadow.
Mostly books and raw treasure - coins, gemstones, wealth. That sort of thing, by and large.
Nothing too exciting but all the same they'd probably want to deny it to Yarus wouldn't they? She and Jessica will monitor the packing process and see how it's all being transported out of here, no rush on action so long as they're in the demiplane.
It's being loaded into large chests which are promptly shrunk down after to tiny size and carried by the succubus.
She's carting all of Yarus's most important possessions back to Shadow for him. I think we should liberate them before she gets off the demiplane.
Of course she keeps an eye and an ear open for what's going on elsewhere around here, in case someone else is doing something even more important with this as a handy diversion.
Sense motive check to basically see if she catches that vibe anywhere.
[18:49] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+57 sense motive
[18:49] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+57 sense motive --> [ 1d20=12 ]{69}
You do. You get a distinct feeling this isn't all or the most important thing by paying attention.
Although this might be a diversion, it's mostly mundane valuables. Split up and look around, see if we can figure out where the real action is?
Between seeing the general vibe of what's going on as well as detecting specific interesting magic, they can hopefully figure out what Mymtha's meant to be distracting them from.
Perception here.
Sensual Blessing has surely worn off by now sadly, so she'll pop a miracle'd improvisation to buff her checks here.
[19:37] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+77 improvisation
[19:37] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+77 improvisation --> [ 1d20=17 ]{94}
It's subtle, but you notice something. Behind the now empty bookshelves are little hidden cubbies, and if you pay attention, once the demons have moved on from that room, a little babau comes and opens those cubbies right up.
Well what is that sneaky babau trying to grab? The ever so more sneaky Marie peers over his shoulder to examine it.
Within are bunches of neatly sorted glass vials. Each has a clear liquid solution within, one after another taken out and carefully put into a bag. Dozens of them.
They indeed radiate magic to answer the obvious question. Each one is a powerful, enchanted disease of massive lethality and potency.
Well. Marie is going to keep a close eye on this little babau and his wondrous bag!
Found a stockpile of nasty diseases they're trying to sneak out. Getting these is probably better than any of the other wealth they're evacuating.
Who are you sending to, Jessica?
Yes, assume unless stated any communication here is just between her and Jessica.
I agree. Let's strike, intercept them and escape. If things go utterly wrong and we can't, we destroy the vials.
Lets not be too violent. I can lift it off of the courier without him even noticing. Lets just tail him out of here and can do it when he reaches the portal.
I'm hardly Syala, there's little wrong with the elimination of a demon complicit in such matters.
But I'll trust your initiative here.
What do you think will happen to that demon when he gets to shadow without his cargo? But the point is to leave no trace we were here. Sneaky and silent.
They'll know someone took it when it arrives anyway. I don't count on our enemies being dumb.
But as you will, get it so we can escape.
Marie will stick like that babau like glue then, wherever he goes he'll have a pair of stealthy divine avatars right behind him! Actually just for fun she'll probably lift his bag when he's still in the city, possibly a more crowded spot so if they do notice the theft there will be an army of suspects.
[17:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91 sleight of hand
[17:38] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91 sleight of hand --> [ 1d20=15 ]{106}
She'll re-activate greater invis as soon as she lifts it so it can be made invisible as one of her possessions.
Soon enough they head out - and in a busy square it's easy as can be. You lift it right away, invisible in a moment as you have it. Got it!
Got it, lets go over to that alley on our right, third down.
Flush with newly liberated... death plagues, Marie and Jessica find a quieter spot in the city. There she forms an illusory door out of an alley-wall that two familiar figures emerge from, the balor and nalfeshnee they'd used as their disguises. Placing themselves over those illusions their invisibility ends and their veiled appearances take over, a smooth process done even though she specifically chose a spot no one was around to see.
No one she's aware of anyway. It's best to be careful and adhere to good practice.
Now these two nasty demons can walk out of the city and through the demiplane to leave the same way they entered, just another pair of abyssal horrors among so many.
Give me a d100 real quick.
[18:20] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[18:20] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=49 ]{49}
It's smooth on the way out. No trouble as you reach the portal out, no sign of immediate disaster.
That is, until you peer ahead. An old, weathered hag stands before the portal. Clad in rotted black robes that do distressingly little to hide her body, a bone thin and scarred visage. She has several wounds all over her body, shimmering with what looks to be leaky green pus. She leans heavily on a staff made of the spine of some vast creature, which still twitches on occasion.
Is she anyone recognisable? Take 10 for 67 on planes or religion as appropriate.
Also belated but Marie would've popped project image on the way and gone invisible as is her habit so her (veiled) image is walking along separately from her invisible real self nearby.
It appears to be an avatar of Talona. But you don't sense the divine from her, no sense of her presence to you at all.
Well hopefully they're masking their divinity to a similar degree, it's a regular avatar jamboree around here!
Or it could be an illusion of course. Just like hers! Speaking of...
For Undeniable Illusion so that the veil on Jessica beats exotic senses and her projected image does the same...
[19:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 rank check for veil
[19:21] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20 rank check for veil --> [ 1d20=1 ]{1}
[19:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 rank check for project image
[19:21] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20 rank check for project image --> [ 1d20=17 ]{17}
If it's not a deity (or loses the rank check) then it has to beat Marie's bluff result of...
[19:22] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+101 bluff check for veil
[19:22] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+101 bluff check for veil --> [ 1d20=10 ]{111}
[19:22] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+102 bluff check for project image
[19:22] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+102 bluff check for project image --> [ 1d20=20 ]{122}
Also they have nondetection up from Alicia, DC 56 CL to beat for true seeing or other divinations.
Does Marie get anything on arcane sight off of her?
[19:24] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+39 CL for greater arcane sight
[19:24] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+39 CL for greater arcane sight --> [ 1d20=4 ]{43}
Nothing. There's either no magic or she's tightly warded beyond your power.
It often happens after all, she goes everywhere with nondetection spells too!
With Marie safely away from her projected image - 40 feet away precisely, it and she come to a stop to regard the old crone, glowing green eyes staring out of the skull-face of her fake balor visage.
"Goddess," she growls through the balor's mouth in abyssal, wary but with enough of a front as well like a demon not used to encountering anything above it in the pecking order.
Marie HP: 722+20/722
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 40), bibliotheca arcana (CL 38), extended nondetection (CL 41), greater heroism (CL 38), epic mage armour (CL 38), veil (CL 44), divine insight (CL 38), energy immunity (electricity) (CL 39), energy immunity (fire) (CL 39), energy immunity (acid) (CL 39), neutralise poison (CL 38), life's grace (CL 38)
Defences: AC 82, CMD 84, spell resistance 53, energy immunity (electricity, fire, acid, negative), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting, disease, poison, death effects), nondetection DC 56
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale attack/skills/saves, +15 insight knowledge, -1 natural armour, -1 divine armour, -1 all rolls, -1 fort, -1 domain SLA DCs
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight 120ft, perception +57
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/8/6/7/4/4
Many Moments of Prescience: 4/5
You get a cold gaze before in a old voice, "Demon."
There's a further tense moment before the balor glances at the nabassu shadowing it. "Don't just stand there, we're done with this place," she growls, sticking to abyssal and tromping forward to go around Talona to the portal, giving her a respectful berth.
The real Marie is already right by the portal, having snuck ahead during that pause, and she's checking to make sure it's parameters haven't changed since last time.
[20:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+91 stealth
[20:00] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+91 stealth --> [ 1d20=19 ]{110}
The avatar raises but one hand, "Advance and die," It warns, solemnly.
The portal's parameters have not changed, save for one thing. Anyone who goes through is known to Talona.
They stop at that, obviously.
"Or...? Are we imprisoned here now, or are you looking for something? Someone?" she asks in growly abyssal.
So is there any way to leave a demiplane other than via its set portal? What happens if you get hit with dismissal or banishment while in a demiplane?
Generally fails, exceptions exist. Death would work if you don't care about the avatar.
What about other ways? I gave dismissal/banishment as an example but do other means exist?
Anyway, that was just an aside, what does Talona say in reply if anything?
"You may leave when you tell me that you have not opposed my will here," Is her answer.
Not a lot of other ways for a typical demiplane. Part of the strengthens and weaknesses of them.
She lets out a bit of a growl before saying through her image, "I haven't done anything against your creed here."
[17:09] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+95 bluff
[17:09] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+95 bluff --> [ 1d20=15 ]{110}
Sense Motive result hidden as by the rules.
You get a long look before the figure steps aside, "Go," she growls.
My own sense motive to see if she's doing the fake out before attacking when my guard is down!
[17:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+57 sense motive
[17:21] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+57 sense motive --> [ 1d20=16 ]{73}
You don't get that vibe from her at all.
Marie's balor image gives Jessica's nabassu disguise a gruff nod before trudging around towards the portal at a wide berth from Talona.
So the bit about the portal telling Talona who goes through, is that just that she knows every time it gets used, or is it a divination that tells her the name of who goes through? Would nondetection stop that part? Can they bluff/UMD it like they did to fake being followers to come through originally?
Nondetection would stop it but it would require a check against it to fail. You could try to UMD it, sure.
Step through together and bluff it like we did on the way in, she's keeping a close eye on it now.
Marie synchronises her position with the illusory balor and steps through at the same time as Jessica does.
[17:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+75 UMD, divine insight
[17:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+75 UMD, divine insight --> [ 1d20=9 ]{84}
Their nondetection is at DC 56 courtesy of Alicia.
Noted.
You step right on through. You come across the other side without any sign of trouble, back amid the tents around the portal area.
The unseen Marie promptly takes hold of Jessica's hand and plane shifts them to the astral plane!
You made it. You escape to the Astral Plane, both avatars free. Whew.
Another plane shift from here takes them back to Sylica before Marie ends the veil and becomes visible. Looks like they're up on the Opal Mountain somewhere.
"Well she might not know it but I think we won that competition. Now, what are we to do with all of these exotic diseases?" she muses aloud, magically cleansing her and Jessica of all their stains and smells accumulated on a trip to such an unpleasant locale. "Fancy a trip to Celestia?"
"That's an interesting place to take them," Jessica deadpans before she takes a deep breath, "Mertion?"
Marie shakes her head. "Hope's Landing. I haven't actually met Jetina but she's a goddess of healing isn't she? This could be a good opportunity for her to study and overcome the competition."
"That's a good thought," Jessica says, "Shall we go?"
"Lets tag in our real selves since we shouldn't travel openly with avatars," Marie says.
At that the real Marie appears, presumably with Jessica in tow, and avatar Marie hands over the bag containing all of those virulent diseases. "Lets go!"
Thus the real Marie and Jessica will plane shift over to Lunia while their avatars go back into hiding.
Hope's Landing is bright. Ever so bright as you approach the inner fortress. It has expanded, grown further under Moore's guidance. You are escorted in, to be met at the gates by a...lantern archon?
"Hello there!" Grias calls, "You're here to see Jetina?"
Marie was very recently a coure so of course she feels camaraderie with those on the bottom rung of the celestial ladder! "That's right, we have a present for her," she says, none of the formalities of a deity coming to call given the short notice here.
You're taken in. Jetina awaits you just inside - an avatar. "Hi," she greets warmly, "Moore and I are off doing something else right now, but you needed me?" She leads you inside and dismisses Grias, and once in a private room and with a bit of divine will for privacy. "Is it important?"
"It's not fate of Creation important, no," Marie shakes her head and places the bag of holding down on the table before them. "Also we've never met - hello! I'm Marielle but my friends call me Marie. I wasn't exactly chosen from on high for any of this, but even Incarnations respect the bond between mage and familiar so I got in on the ground floor with Alicia."
Introduction done she reaches into the bag and starts taking out the vials. "And these are some of the nastiest plagues we just found cooked up by one of Shar's own servant deities; Yarus. Probably with help from Talona, he was living in her back yard."
"You've grown from being a familiar," Jetina observes as she gets comfortable, watching you. "But so did Pepo, didn't he?" A murmur to herself.
Instead Jetina's attention turns to the vials, a soft gasp from her, "Those are horrid!" she exclaims, "They're like liquid disease, death and suffering!"
"Ordinarily I'd just say disintegrate and be done with," Marie admits, waggling her fingers over the collection of hopefully well secured vials. "But we all have to Compete and make our mark as deities, don't we? So if you can use these to develop cures it'll help cement your dominion over healing. Or at least give you a good insight into the opposition."
That gets an intense smile from Jetina as she studies them, "Cures, would they?" she says, more to herself. "You've brought me work, but the best kind of work."
"The best kind," Jessica agrees, "Keep at it and keep going, Jetina."
"We've got to work to prosper," Marie says with a cheerful nod. "So we'll let you get on with it. Give us a call if you think we can help more with these or any other problems you come across."
"I will," Jetina turns with a wide smile to you, "Thank you! I owe you one."
"Every sick person you heal pays it back for me," Marie reassures with a matching smile, stepping back from the table full of awful diseases now under appropriate stewardship. "Take care of yourself, Jetina. C'mon Jessica, lets go home."
Okay, that was an adventure alright. To set up for next week, any immediate moves to deal with all of this?
Don't really have any immediate follow up nor any existing hooks I can recall, so not really.
Spread around what we learned to the other nodes, but that can be done by NPCs offscreen. If others read the thread they can be certain they know IC all the stuff we got out of Yarus.
I guess we're still preparing for Mystra's big attack on Shadow.
Alrighty, I'll get things moving on your end for Tuesday then.
Just to refresh myself before I do a bunch of movement on this front, is there any more IC preparation you need to touch on that you can do yourself?
Not unless Mystra has any more requests or any exciting hooks drop into our laps.
Cool.
Preparations.
Latha's forges ring with activity as weapons to battle the undead are made. The Opal Mountain shines bright as holy warriors train there, as the shadows teem with unseen protectors. The forests and nature lands bustle and the cities? The cities have a great many visitors from Dweomerheart, which surges with more and more servants coming by the hour.
At the moment Alicia faces off against Antenora. Practice. Not truly needed with how you are now, but pleasant. A familiar rhythm with Antenora, spear against sword. Almost recreation in a way, physical ache, fatigue and sweat from such things optional for you.
As you train, from nowhere Syala steps forth. She watches a few moments until both you and Antenora draw back, then, "I ran into a few of Tryll's group," Syala says once attention turns to her. "They may be available to help with this - Tryll's deep in studies about One and the Far Realm right now."
"Which ones? I know Dana from Aurora," Antenora turns, practice spear flying aside, to a weapon rack nearby.
At least Ebony's not around, Alicia thinks as she places her own weapon back on the rack and gives Syala her attention. "Where'd you run into them? I don't really know much of their activities."
"Dweomerheart, they're going to swing down here while they're the area." Syala comes over, "Miranda's a valkyrie archer, I'll give her some tests to see how good she is, but I've never seen a bad valkyrie archer. Jayne's a paladin of Sulia who is..." Syala scratches the side of her head, "Not sure how she's a phoenix in human form, but the energy's right. They're looking to train and improve while Tryll's busy with that so they'd be a good fit for anything we or even Mystra could use capable mortal agents for."
"Oh. Sulia's mentioned a phoenix before," Alicia says, memory jogged. "She sounded embarrassed."
"She, ah, believes she's a bird." Syala coughs into her hand. "And acts like it."
Antenora's silent until then, at which point she says, "Oh. That does sound familiar. Is she capable?"
"I have no doubt. She has the powers of a phoenix and is a master paladin," Syala answers, "She may not be a match for you, but she'd be damn near impossible to kill."
"I wish I could be so embarrassed to have such powerful followers, even with a few odd quirks," Alicia says wryly. "If they're looking for work though. Hmm... anything needing someone that strong I'd usually handle myself or with an avatar."
"I have a few things," Antenora says, while Syala shakes her head.
"If you're interested I'll have my avatar bring them around. We should meet them considering they're in this with us." Syala points out, "And see if they need aid or guidance."
"Yes, it'll be nice to see Hell Striker again," Alicia agrees.
"It has been some time," Antenora's expression brightens. "Strange how that sword seems so tangled in the wave of fate now."
"Benyen's been good to it," Alicia says as they all go prepare to see Syala's new friends, meeting them in a gazebo in one of Liberton's gardens, drinks and snacks provided for an informal setting.
This is all nicely set up. Antenora joins you while Syala's avatar brings them over.
Dana you know. She walks with a strut, coming right on over. She looks as she did in Aurora as she calls, "Shit, you really have gotten too big for your skirt," Dana says to Antenora.
"And yet your cocky confidence remains," Antenora responds to her, "It's good to see you well."
Miranda is next, a bow and arrow slung over her back. Her icy armor softly emits cool mist as she sits and takes a drink, "Thank you," she greets.
Benyen is third, Hell Strike with him. He sits next to Dana and goes on, "Goddess," he bows his head deeply to you, "Hell Striker's doing better than ever!"
Fourth is Jayne. She walks along, dressed in a simple pair of torn off pants that reach half way to her knees and a tunic that likewise shows her stomach. She glances about, her gaze lingering on Alicia's fore head a few moments.
"Welcome, all of you," Alicia says in greeting to them and smiling at Benyen in particular. "I'm glad it's still giving the good fight. May I?" she holds her hand out towards him.
Benyen draws Hell Striker and presents it to you. "It probably misses you, though it would never say it. It's not very talkative."
"No, never was with me either. Just quiet satisfaction at fighting evil," she agrees, taking the sword from Benyen and lifting it over the table to hold at her side just to share in each other's nostalgic presence for a moment.
"So what have the four of you been doing? Syala said you were here for training or seeking out new challenges?"
You feel a presence, a simple shared togetherness with a fond part of your past.
"That's exactly what we're doing," Miranda says, "Tryll prepares to become One, but it is not an easy process."
"Also getting used to each other some more," Dana jerks a thumb at Jayne, "Including birdbrain over there."
Jayne bows her head, "Friends of Empress Sulia," she greets you warmly, "Including you with such a lovely head."
"I'm often told it's one of my better features. Well met Jayne. And Miranda," she properly greets the ones she hasn't seen before.
"But that's basically fucking it," Dana goes right on, "We're seeking challenges to get our shit together. Got any?"
I have enough trouble having quest hooks of my own!
"Antenora, you had something you needed help with, didn't you?"
That was just a conversational opener, yes.
"I have something," Antenora agrees, "A diabolical outpost-"
"Sounds fuckin' good!" Dana interrupts, as eyes turn to her.
"Did you just interrupt her," Miranda says in a slow, mortified voice. "She's a goddess! You don't do that! I'm so sorry!" She turns and bows to Antenora.
Jayne tweets away - beautiful birdsong - before she says, "It does sound good. Devils need to be kicked, pecked and beaten up. Tell us more!"
Antenora meets Dana's gaze and Dana shuts up, but adds under her breath, "Spear bitches are always the most fearsome."
"A diabolical outpost," Antenora begins again, "A reasonable challenge and not one I've had time, resources or energy to examine. It's located in Vacuum but does not appear related to Aurora's previous activities there. I have word that the devils there may be servants of the Third Hell. Expect malebranche to be the main offensive threat, well trained ones. Mammon's used those sorts before. It's probably overseen by a noble of some kind, but I haven't figured out which one yet. At worst a Duke of Hell, though if so there may be something more dangerous there than circumstances suggest."
Jayne raises her hand. After a moment Antenora responds, "Yes?"
"After we take care of them, can we take their things back for my nest?" Jayne asks, intently.
"I...if you win and vanquish the evil through right of arms, do what you will with the things there," Antenora says after a second to digest that.
"She has one, too," Benyen says, "Right on top of the cabin we're living in."
Jayne tweets at that, seemingly content.
Miranda looks simply mortified, facepalming with both hands.
Syala smiles and stays well out of it.
I like to think that at our strangest we were more dignified when we faced the divine.
I remember giving Sharess a few tummy scratches back in the day.
"I thought phoenixes nested in bonfires," Alicia muses, handing Hell Striker back over to Benyen so as not to monopolise the sword too long. "But yes, do as you will with what you win through strength of arms. So long as everyone gets their fair share, that's how it works."
Please, Sharess shows her tummy to every cute paladin she meets.
"Bonfires melt things," Jayne says, as of explaining it all. "Though your head would look good with a bonfire..." A trail off, an intent gaze.
Dana glances over, "Aaanyfuckingway, we'll get it done. Got any more information?"
Antenora produces several pages of parchment, bound into a small sheaf. She passes it to them, "Study the information at your leisure."
"I've never really been fond of self-immolation magic, but some people swear by it," Alicia says blandly in response to Jayne's scrutiny. "But good luck on vacuum, it can be hard to get a good fire going there without magic."
"Thanks," Benyen rises as they get up to go.
"A lively bunch, aren't they?" Syala says once they're gone.
As you chat about that? Mystra's will, a simple bit of intent, a desire to meet you.
"I see where Sulia was coming from," Alicia says, sending Mystra back permission to come here and visit since they're already set up for guests.
"I admire her dedication to the avian arts," Antenora cracks a slight smile at this, "She'll make someone very happy one day. Someone with wings and feathers and maybe a beak. I jest of course, but I fear that her lot is not an easy one with her mind being as it is. Yet if she is happy, let us celebrate it with humor rather than focus on the struggles."
"That's a windy way to say you think it's funny," Syala points out, waggling a finger at Antenora. "I can understand Sulia's concerns as well now."
Mystra steps out from nowhere, coming to sit and join you. "Ladies," she greets, "My preparations grow complete."
"Is it time then?" Alicia asks, attention on Mystra and serious. "Or is there more we can help with to prepare?"
"Yes, and the first is council." Mystra sits, "As friends."
"As friends," Antenora echos, "What do you need?"
"No matter how justified or righteous my cause, do you believe in this I commit any follies?" Mystra turns to each of you, "Have you come to believe I err in this at all? I must ask this question now, for only a fool does not seek wise council, especially once the heat of indignation has cooled to embers."
"Let me answer your question with a question," Alicia returns. "Why are you doing this, Mystra?"
"Shar has gone too far. It's time to stop her evil - permanently." Mystra says without hesitation.
"Because she struck at you personally and she's never done that before?" Alicia asks, keeping her tone neutral. "All her previous evils weren't far enough to merit this kind of response?"
Mystra meets your gaze, "We are not meant to move lightly, Alicia, and our battles are not without great risk. Were I to die, the disaster to creation is unthinkable."
"And that disaster still looms present today," Alicia says. "So what's changed in your heart? Why now and not before?" Mystra knows far more than she does, so acting as a sounding board and feeling out her reasons to explore them feels like the best bet here.
Mystra merely says, "We both know that our time may grow short. Signs and omens come, and the Prophecy speaks. Shall we sit back and meekly accept what will happen, or is it time to strike?"
"I agree," Alicia says. "But it's important to look at your feelings here to see if you're acting in haste or error. Fundamentally I believe we have to act and neutralise the threat she poses. And now, with her being weakened by the Arbiter's judgement, is the best time to do so. Whatever tricks or defences she has, we have to prove ourselves strong enough to surpass. The only other choice is death at a time of her choosing."
"I still don't know if we can win," Antenora says, "But if we can maintain a bridgehead with Aurora, then we can try and try and try again." She speaks frankly, "Endurance will win the day, I pray, even if a first charge may not."
"And that," Mystra says back to you, "Is no choice at all."
"So there you have it," Alicia concludes. "We've reached the point of decision, where the fate of Creation hangs in the balance, and our tomorrows are numbered unless we act. We can all feel it - she can feel it most of all. The time is nigh for her to prove Primus's awful equations, and we must be the factor he neglected to account for."
"What of you then, Alicia?" Mystra continues, her impossible, burning gaze on you, "What of your role in this to come. Are you content?"
"I'm only a small part in it," she says. "I know in a straightforward confrontation with her I'll lose every time. And that does bother me. I'd like to defeat her with my own strength... but I know my part is important nonetheless. I'm making a difference. And I'm happy with that."
Mystra slowly smiles. "When you say wise things like that, so much wiser than I was at you rage, I'm so proud of you."
"Makes you want to hug her to your chest and tell her good Alicia, good Alicia, doesn't it?" Syala calls.
"I might be young in terms of gods and immortals, but ask any human," Alicia smiles and taps a hand over her heart, "There's plenty of hard-won life experience here."
"If I may be to die soon, then..." Mystra comes forward and hugs you, pressing you to her chest. "Good Alicia. Well earned life experience indeed."
Syala laughs, a rich and plentiful sound.
Antenora smiles as well, "And yet I feel I'd be the dog if we were to take animal totems, not Alicia."
Alicia wraps her arms around Mystra to hug her back. "Don't die," she says firmly. "We're doing this for all our tomorrows."
"You too. Don't die, Alicia." In a softer voice, "I'm tired saying goodbye to friends over the ages."
Alicia nods and lets go of Mystra. "So. Are our hearts all renewed with confidence in our cause? Are our minds clear about the necessity and the risks?" she looks to Syala and Antenora as well. "Not everyone is so comforted before battle, we should take it as our blessing."
"Yes," Mystra agrees.
"We're ready," Antenora goes to Alicia, "I won't die here. All of this is just the beginning."
Syala does the same, "Then, we'll triumph: Together."
"Just tell us when and we'll be there," Alicia concludes after that.
"Just a few days now," Mystra says, "If you have anything to do before this effort begins..." An obvious opening, half a question and half a chance.
"We'll be ready," Alicia promises.
Yeah I don't think I have any outstanding hooks I can deal with there so... yep.
Okay then, let's start the nitty gritty. Obviously you're going to be spelled up and prepared. What spells do you have in mind for this for everyone?
DM notetaking time.
Paused before the start of the Shadow Offensive. Needs to get things rolling and do preparations. This will likely come with a small side thing to warm up over the first day or so when we get back.
No one need sheet work.
Nodes are good, none are ready to clear.
When we do resume, it'll be with new topics as I recenter and focus, so I'm going to lock this one.