Okay, let's start this one with a quick run down of post battle todos to sort out the attack, any immediate responses and general followup. This is for things on your end, obviously more things are likely going to happen as well.
Running down the list in order...
Isolate greater demon corpses from the horde.
Banish lesser demon corpses.
Collect and identify/distribute/destroy booty from the horde.
Incapacitate and imprison greater demons when they resurrect.
Interrogate greater demons and that elf via mind probe/mind theatre.
Make knowledge checks on Violet to consider reprisals.
First two can pass largely off screen if all goes well. Anything you'd like to add/anyone particular assigned to those tasks?
Marie will identify magical stuff that gives the rank and file trouble.
Jessica and Syala will make sure the greater demons get knocked out before they can cause more trouble when they resurrect.
Naeys will help with the mind probes/theatres.
Alicia will make the knowledge checks for Violet stuff.
Go ahead and make the Knowledge checks now.
[17:47] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+86 buffed knowledge check on Violet
[17:47] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 91 > [d20=5]
Specifically I'm interested in operations and bases she has outside of the Abyss.
Violet is a Radiant Sister of Malcanthet. She is typical of that kind and a noted spellcaster, a natural sorcerer said to dabble in dark, secret arts. Granted that's normal for a demon, but there's always been murmurs about Violet. She's known to be close to Malcanthet in particular, perhaps favored or simply noticed.
She mostly works under Malcanthet's banner and thus her operations fall under her. However, there are rare rumors of something to do with Hades. You'd have to investigate it more - too much of her lore blends into Malcanthet's general doings.
Personality wise, she's typical there, but a bit more intellectual. She's smart and known for being smart. Not just cunning, but legitimately bright.
That's fine, we'll what mind probes dig up next.
edit: Oh, when I hit the spellcraft DC to identify the caster of that spell on the elf it also would've been enough to know the caster level too. What was it?
35.
You meet with Naeys late that night. His face is drawn and pale, "Ambrosia, if you may," he asks, "Delving into the mind of demons is always a burden." He sits down in your office, resting with eyes half closed for several moments, "And our elf is...a problem."
Alicia goes to the drinks cabinet in her study, taking out a teadrop shaped bottle and pouring out two small glasses of ambrosia, going to hand one to Naeys and keeping the bottle handy. "I'm sorry that it's necessary, but thank you. Lets start with the elf, then?" she invites, sitting down across from him.
Naeys drinks deep of his ambrosia, placing it down after. "As perplexing as it is to ponder, the elf is innocent." He begins with that. "Whatever memories he had before what happened to him are gone, likely the result of the Styx or powerful magic. I suspect, but cannot prove, that they may have been taken and stored away."
"What did happen to him that he is able to recall, then?" Alicia asks. "Where does it start for him?"
"He recalls the attack, but dimly. A side effect of the magic he was under. Other than that, language skills and certain innate potentials, he's a blank slate." Naeys admits. "Likely a perfectly disposable weapon."
"Like Jessica was to start with..." Alicia murmurs. "Does he remember being empowered by Violet?"
"No," A shake of his head, "No memories of Violet at all. If we hadn't gotten that information from the spell, we'd have been completely stymied."
"So what motivated him to come here and attack as he did?" Alicia asks. "He must have gotten orders or had his mind twisted towards the goal somehow."
"An unnatural compulsion, likely some aspect of the arts performed on him," Naeys says, then quieter, "What I suspect - and fear - is something of the most profane arts there are. The arts of soul mutilation and destruction. Rarely known, even rarer used, the most vile of magic. Even fiends rarely use it, for souls have great value to them. It is the worst situation I can imagine for this, but I would not put it past a powerful fiend."
"Do we know anything at all? Anyone he met or worked in concert with, any signal he was waiting on to commence his attack?" Alicia asks, unable to hide her frustration at how thoroughly this has dead-ended.
Makes it rather clear he wasn't even expected to succeed, so what else happened that they missed?
"Nothing. It was through and competent." Naeys says, "I very much want to ask Violet a great many hard questions now."
"Well, where there's a soul there's a history. I'll make enquiries with the Seldarine if he matches any of theirs or any have recently fallen afoul of the Styx," Alicia says, refusing to be put off. "What's left of him now, does he have any motivation or desires?"
"Nothing. A few tendencies as I mentioned. He had some inclination to swordsmanship, hunting and horsemanship. Hardly unusual in an elf and it may be a sign of a natural woodsman." Is the answer you get.
"We'll keep him confined somewhere comfortable for now then, in case Violet's hidden other surprises we've missed. Hopefully I'll know more after meeting with the Seldarine," Alicia says. "Did you get anything of use from the other demons we've captured?"
"Most only knew this from word of mouth, a crusade and that's all it took. Demons," A word of profound disgust, Naeys taking the ambrosia bottle and refilling. He has a long sip, a deep scowl lessened by the drink. "A few know Violet provided a few key bits of support to this effort. One other knew Cherry, another Radiant Sister, was involved. A relatively weaker one all told, at least."
"Not much, demons can be as good at operational security as anyone when they care," Alicia says, drinking her own ambrosia. "Thank you, Naeys. Take some time to rest your mind, you deserve it after this."
"I will." Naeys doesn't rise, but instead, "There is one more matter, more for my curiosity. What do you think the goal of this was, really? All of this?"
"I'm sorry to disillusion you Naeys, not even I know," Alicia admits, much as it pains her. "The horde was never a real danger to Sylica. That elf was likely intended to kill Jessica's family and cause us grief. But I'm certain there was more and it eludes me."
"Well, Antenora will be busy with that in her free time," Naeys has a ghost of a smile on his face, getting up. "I wish her well in that venture."
"Rest well, Naeys," Alicia lets him take the ambrosia bottle with him as she sees him off. She'll oversee the rest of the after action details before sending her avatar to Arvandor to see if anyone there can help with her mystery elf killer.
List the rest of your after action goals?
Isolate greater demon corpses from the horde.
Banish lesser demon corpses.
Collect and identify/distribute/destroy booty from the horde.
Incapacitate and imprison greater demons when they resurrect.
Interrogate greater demons and that elf via mind probe/mind theatre.
Make knowledge checks on Violet to consider reprisals.
Talk to Mazef when he recovers.
Mazel, Eb. Mazel.
Go ahead and describe where and how you're keeping him and we'll roll into that.
While the hope is that Mazel will be sane and peaceful and grateful when he wakes up, one can never be too sure. So for now he's somewhere remote but pleasant, a few healers on hand to watch over him with a lantern archon ready to go fetch Marie if he stirs, since she'll probably have the most luck talking to him.
The place in question is a cavern, lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls and phosphorescent fungi in the corners to give it an eerie and dream-like atmosphere. It's big, spacious enough for a titan, an underground lake nearby with a waterfall emptying into it, providing a beach of black sand for Mazel to lay on.
I would like to join Marie in this. I feel drawn to this, for reasons I cannot say why.
I'm sure she'd appreciate the support.
Soon enough Mazel begins to stir on the beach and...
Go ahead.
The healers and observer watching Mazel retreat at his stirring, having cared for him while he was unconscious both with healing magic and passing lukewarm nutritious broth over his lips to help recover his emaciated figure. But an unpredictable woken titan is above their pay grade.
In their place arrive Marie and Antenora, the tulani a slender woman of average height with long vibrant purple hair framing her perfectly proportioned face, broken up by the pointed tips of her ears pushing through her tresses on the sides of her head. She wears an ostentatious frilly dress of light blue embroidered with gold thread detailing arcane diagrams of the sort you'd expect to find in a spellbook, its skirt long enough that it would trail on the ground if she wasn't hovering a few inches above.
She's quiet, waiting for Mazel to gather his wits and take in his surroundings before she says anything.
In contrast, Antenora is gold and opal blue. Her eyes are radiant with opal blue light, the entire color reflecting and refracting around her, suffusing her. She wears golden armor and carries no weapon with her. She stays at Marie's side and waits as well.
Ever so slowly Mazel stirs a little, goes still for several seconds and then stirs a little more. On and on this cycle goes until at last his eyes crack open, taking in what is above him.
He'll see a vaulted cavern roof, studded with white crystals shedding a cool glow and short stubby stalactites. It's high up, the cave easily big enough for a titan to stand in and raise his hands above his head. The sound of water pouring down nearby from a gap in the rocks and emptying out into an underground lake in a dull roar is ever present, muted sounds of water lapping against the smooth black sand of the 'beach' he lays on.
His senses are probably good enough that he can hear Marie and Antenora's breathing, thirty feet away from where he lays.
Mazel slowly, ever so slowly, turns his head. He looks about and finally rolls over onto his stomach, rising to his knees. His movements are careful as he stops when he sees both Antenora and Marie.
His gaze is on Marie more, "...Queen...?" he asks, voice thick, eyes unfocused.
Wow, that's incredibly flattering! Marie's pale cheeks redden but she shakes her head. "I'm no queen. My name is Marielle, proxy of Alicia. This is Antenora. Welcome to Sylica, Mazel."
Antenora smiles widely at that, "We banished the spirits residing on your back."
'You are a Queen, my love. A Queen of my heart.' Antenora sends to Marie.
Meanwhile Mazel slowly shakes his head, "Who..." he manages, "They're gone?"
Marie briefly smiles at Antenora but then returns her focus to Mazel. "How much do you remember? You were part of an abyssal horde rampaging on Ysgard. I broke the curse on you, a curse that said you bore all the evils of a world on your back according to legends."
"I remember voices. I remember being a thousand thousand of thousands voices screaming about hate and how the world was injust." Mazel replies, head bowed as he breathes long, slow and deep. "I remember the fury of man that leads man to kill his fellow man. I remember the jealousy that poisons relationships. I remember the coldness that deadens hearts."
"They're gone now," Marie says. "Do you remember the fury of man that leads him to right injustice? Do you remember the passion that forges relationships? Do you remember the reason that lets one look at the world objectively?" She runs through a series of concepts that contrast or reflect the examples he gave as they occur to her. "A world has many evils, but there's so much more."
"No." A shake of his head, "All I remember is the darkest parts, the hateful parts."
"Not from before, though?" Marie asks him. That had been more of a prod and a bit of gentle encouragement, of course she doesn't expect that evils of the world to have given him anything like that. "Your life before you were cursed like that?"
"I remember," he says, simply. "I remember. Queen help me, I remember."
"Would you like to go to Arborea?" Marie asks kindly. "Queen Morwel thinks well of us. We can take you to the Court of Stars if you feel you need her presence or word to redeem yourself. I don't know what you've done while you laboured under that curse, but we believe it's never to late to change and do better. Antenora herself was once a servant of Hell."
Antenora comes forth, standing next to him. Even like this he looms over her kneeling, and she offers a hand. "There's a place for you there, a place for you here." The two are silent, locked eyes and perhaps communicating with telepathy. The titan hangs his head, "So much, so many...and it was my fault."
"Then make your atonement your fault as well," Antenora agrees, reaching out and taking his hand in her own, her own dwarfed by his. "I can't force you to do it, no one can, but I can be here for you."
"The point is not to give up, to keep faith that you can do better, that you can make things better," Marie floats closer after Antenora. "I saw your pain on the battlefield, and I hoped that I could make it better, give you a chance to be more than just a mindless weapon of terror."
Gimme Diplo here, Marie. Antenora will roll as well, you said the right things in the right ways.
[17:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51 Marie diplo
[17:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+50
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d20=20]
That's thematic.
Mazel reaches out and takes Antenora's hand, head bowed. He says nothing, but your keen ears pick up the softest noise, of tears splashing on the black sands below.
Poor guy's been through a lot. "Things are going to get better, Mazel. That's a promise," she says.
"There's much to be done - and first is rest. You've been through unthinkable hardships and seen the face of nightmares," Antenora says, "A rest is first, then we'll begin the rest that lies ahead. All will be easier once you have had time to rest in body, mind and spirit."
"Alright," Mazel says, "Guide me, my ladies, for I am lost."
"Lets take you somewhere to rest then," Marie says. "This is nice as caves go but it's still a cave. Antenora do you have a nice spot on your mountain?"
"I do," Antenora agrees and...
Okay, this will largely sort itself out in a moment. I'm going to do loot over the weekend, just heads up.
"Alicia." It's late at night, Alicia going over everything and preparing for the coming day's continued demon purges. Latha's voice as she enters after a moment, "Am I able to get away for an afternoon?"
"We can spare you," Alicia looks up from a scroll listing off everyone who earned commendations during the battle. "Although you should take someone else along for safety. Where are you going?"
"I wish to meet the last group of our chosen and move towards that," Latha says.
"You mean Tryll?" she asks. "I'd say to see if Ebony's free at Aurora and take her, though she had a bad time at their last meeting..." she clucks her tongue. "Oh, nevermind actually. Of course you want to speak of matters Ebony isn't privy to. I think you should invite Jessica along, just in case."
"I will do so," Latha says, coming in. "If she's willing to leave her family right now. I fear she may not be."
"Ask Syala if she can spare her avatar then?" she asks. "I'm sending mine to Arvandor to try and learn more about that elf who attacked her earlier."
"I will then," Latha says, "No progress yet? Troubling, but Naeys explained to me the method of attack. I fear what it may mean."
"Violet is a powerfully skilled sorcerer... that Malcanthet has servants who's arcane talent eclipses my own is humbling," Alicia admits with a twisted smile. "Still, far from the first foe we've beaten who surpassed us in that manner."
Latha's own look is solemn until she smiles ever so slightly as well, "I prefer to consider it motivation, or as Syala would put it, motivation to introduce my mace to her head."
"It's good motivation," Alicia agrees with a nod. "We'll surpass her - with all the necessary introductions, and surely move onto greater foes beyond. We're forced to be somewhat reactive right now, to take care of all the souls entrusted to us and not have our support base crumble from being stretched too far. But we can't ever be complacent."
"Never," Latha agrees, "Call me if my aid can help you in this, Alicia."
"I will, it's just tying off loose ends right now. Make sure you stay safe while looking for Tryll though," she asks. "Come back soon."
Okay, stone next. Who is going to to take it to the Astral?
Alicia will go with Emmaline so as to give her something to do.
Cool, how are you getting there?
Alicia will cast gate from Sylica and walk through. Just aiming for empty astral, nowhere in particular.
The stone is being carried, not put into her portable hole in case of bad interactions.
Alicia carries the stone through.
Ow.
The portal is like solid stone while you hold it, ungiving. A discharge of energy travels up your hand and arm where the stone is. If you were a mortal, that may have been painful or even lethal.
We would've brought the stone and all other loot back to Sylica by teleporting. Did anything occur during that?
That would've revealed it earlier, yes. You can play off that instead if you like.
Okay, it would take a day or so to fly it from the valley to Sylica's border at minimum so strike the previous...
Alicia and Emmaline teleport to the valley where a guard detachment has been monitoring the area and also watching over the mysterious portal stone. "Marie tried to teleport it back to Sylica earlier and got a bad headache for her troubles, so we'll try a gate from here to the astral plane and see how that works," she says after dismissing the guards.
Unfortunately she just gets a jolt in her arm. "A different transitive plane, then?"
Another gate is opened, this one to the ethereal plane before she tries again.
No good.
Emmaline studies the stone after, "May I?"
"If you have an idea..." she hands it to Emmaline while also thinking to herself where the closest natural portal to any other plane is from here.
There's one to Arborea not too far away.
Emmaline studies the stone carefully, "Is the stone itself extradimensional?" she asks, "It may be like putting a certain things into a bag of holding, they don't mix."
"Hmm... it's trying to open a portal somewhere but failing, isn't it? Hold it next to my gate," Alicia gestures at the gate she's still maintaining, the mists of the ethereal visible through it. "If it does another pulse before my spell ends, it might change the destination to somewhere else, or make the gate permanent."
Thus it is held - and when it pulses, you see it. The magic latches onto the portal, flying out of Emmaline's hand and into the ground just before the portal, sinking in. You find your own concentration is torn away from the spell, yet it maintains without it.
"Ahh, we might be onto something now. Wait," Alicia asks Emmaline.
If it's just maintaining concentration the gate will still vanish just after three minutes from when she cast it. If the gate persists after that, then they've got something really exciting here.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d100=43]
Sure enough, the gate endures past its chosen time.
"It should have ended by now," Alicia says. "This may be a way to easily make permanent gates, or at least ones that last as long as we need them to. Just one at a time, though?"
She squats down and grabs the stone in both hands, fingers sinking into the dirt as she gets a grip and then pulls it up.
"What a useful thing," Emmaline says, kneeling next to you as you pull it up. The moment you do, the gate vanishes. "Is this how the demons did it, and this stone ended up left behind?"
"Unless we know what they did on the other side we can assume so," Alicia says, hefting the stone out of the ground. "Though that does leave the question of how they got it to Ysgard. Perhaps it can be teleported when inactive? Do you have much skill with using magic items outside those linked to your own arcane magic?"
I'm asking if she has ranks in Use Magic Device basically.
"I do," Emmaline says, "What is your will, Alicia?"
"Simply see if you can turn it off and on again," Alicia hands it back to Emmaline.
Emmaline holds the stone, focused on it.
> roll 1d20+50
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=5]
Emmaline focuses a time, a longer time and a longer time yet and...
> roll 1d100 vs ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d100=77]
"It's done," Emmaline says, "But I fear the stone is damaged. It feels wrong."
"Do you mean damaged from what you just did or that it was already broken?" Alicia clarifies. Would be unfortunate to have broken it right after figuring out what it can do, but easy come easy go.
"I believe it was damaged before. Alicia," Emmaline offers her hand out, "I would like to study it with you."
"Yes. If you can deactivate it again I should be able to teleport us back to Sylica then we can experiment and try some divinations to learn more of its secrets," Alicia agrees, it making for an interesting project. Taking Emmaline's hand she waits until it's dormant before they teleport back to Liberton.
Done.
You return back without incident and...
Okay, how are you planning on studying the stone?
Use Analyze Dweomer and Legend Lore on it to see if either of those reveal any new insights. Then try Divination (the spell) with a question of 'How can the portal stone be repaired?'
Loot post. Go ahead and refer there for details and then reply here and there as needed.
Soon Alicia and Emmaline are in a magical workshop, various rare reagents and expensive supplies at hand. "I see now what's required - it would be difficult to repair for most, but with a fine hand and magical augmentation I think we can do it."
Emmaline can aid another on these checks.
[19:48] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51 (greater heroism buff) arcana, DC 50
[19:48] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 69 > [d20=18]
[19:48] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+86 (greater heroism, divine insight, guidance of the avatar buffs) planes, DC 80
[19:48] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d20=4]
Aides are automatic so 71 and 92.
Hours of work. Hours of precise, hard work. It is not an easy task, it is not a light task. Yet in the end, the stone stands restored, repaired. "It's done," Emmaline says in a voice of satisfaction, "Saved from destruction and oblivion."
"Whatever its origins, it'll be used productively for years to come now," Alicia says, smiling at Emmaline. It might just be a magic rock, but they'll take their thematic victories where they can.
Loot.
Emmaline smiles back - deeply, warmly. "I...thank you, Alicia. This is sweeter than all my services to Shar, no matter how she lied to me."
"There's a sweetness in seeing the fruits of your labour, isn't there? In toil amounting to something tangible, something real," Alicia affirms. "Thank you as well Emmaline, you keep up well and are a pleasure to work with."
That's sorted out then, next move?
Avatar will visit Arvandor to see if any elf gods have worshippers that recently got Styxed.
I presume a divine 'knock' will be used. If not say so and I'll revise.
On your knocking, you feel attention turn towards you. Felt without being seen, perhaps being considered as you stand a step away from Arvandor.
You may enter.
The voice and will of the Elf Father, sent in return to your knocking.
A polite approach was taken, yes.
On the boundary between 'open' Arborea and the direct purview of the Seldarine, Alicia's avatar steps across on hearing a positive response to her broadcasting her presence. From one forest to another.
I thank you, Elf Father. I come directly in hopes you or yours may be able to solve a mystery in the wake of a recent attack on Sylica.
Then come. We await you.
Ahead is a forest stream, a simple footbridge over it manifesting in a moment. It is a bridge of the finest wood - your keen eyes lets you see it is tiny branches woven together by the hundreds if not thousands, rising from the ground like tiny trees.
Better to talk in person than like this, she agrees. Walking towards the stream at a steady pace, she slides her hand over the guardrail of the bridge as she climbs over it, appreciating the inherent artistry in weaving natural materials so.
Yet as you cross the bridge, night falls. Darkness falls as the bridge stretches on, farther and farther onward. For a moment all is darkness, all is the night.
The light of the moon shines down, illuminating the bridge ahead with silvery rays. From one of those rays she emerges - a tall elf with skin gray and pale, head bowed deeply as she emerges. She is clad in a gown worthy of a highborn wedding, made of the moonrays and glimmering reflections of the sun's light. A veil hides her face as she stands there and a bouquet of white flowers are in her hands.
A whispering.
A flickering.
Images. Of battles seen from far away and above. Battles seen. A battle against a dragon in the icy reaches before titanic mountains that claw at the sky. Your battle. Seira's battle Demedais's battle.
As you remember that, the figure approaches and presents you the bouquet.
Is this Sehanine Moonbow? Just to check since namechecking someone wrongly would be a bad faux pas.
You can't fail the K:R check. It is unless someone's doing an excellent imitation of her.
Girded in armour and carrying a weapon over her back as she usually does, Alicia is a figure of martial promise though there's no threat in her as she meets the gray elf. "Well met, Sehanine Moonbow," she greets, reaching to take the bouquet. "I remember that battle well, our first journey to the edge of the known world, before Seira even named those mountains."
The flowers smell lovely, bringing to mind memories of the full moon over Kelara. A moment of memories, memories far and memories wide. Memories of watching down from far below.
A flicker.
Far below, a woman mourns. Her tears are shed and she heads east.
A flicker.
Battle. So much battle.
A flicker.
She will be magnificent, Sehanine. Watch her from above.
A flicker.
Sehanine Moonbow drifts away from you, dissolving into moonlight, leaving behind the bouquet in your hands and nothing else.
Ahh, nostalgia. Dreams of battle... she remembers being an ignorant youth, dreaming that she'd be a great duelist, a sword master, fighting for honour and glory.
Finding peace for a time, forgetting battle... only to have it returned to her in her idleness. Losing herself in battle to push aside the dreams of what she'd lost.
Eventually finding peace, moving on with her life and finding other reasons to fight, ever escalating. Battle hasn't changed, but she has.
She smells the flowers a moment longer before continuing on.
Across the footbridge you go and into the light of day.
Here amid the forest sits a grand table, of a dark, deep and rich wood that is so polished it shines like metal. Here countless thousands and thousands of elves sit and feast, the table stretching past the miles you can see in either direction. It is a scene of celebration and plenty, no sign of winter or trouble here. Yet dead ahead is the center of the table, where three figures sit.
The Elf Father is a beautiful male elf, so beautiful as to verge on appearing feminine. His long, blonde hair is magnificent and he drinks from a chalice of wood and jewels. Sitting at one side is Sehanine Moonbow, head still bowed in faraway thought. At this other side is Amaryl, gracefully eating a dish of berries of and glazed meats, smiling away as she laughs at something you just missed Corellon say.
"Friends of wood and the forest," Corellon rises, raising his jeweled goblet up, "As we greeted our friend and sister Amaryl Gaial, let us greet a brave warrior who has saved elven lives and fought the darkness that lurks in the heart of the night. Welcome, Alicia Reynes!"
A cheer goes up from the elves, a wave that never seems to end.
It's only her avatar, but still she stands tall and projects her presence and surety to the elves welcoming her, wanting to give everyone a good impression that justifies those kind words.
"I thank you, friends of wood and forest," she says, voice carrying over the assemblage and heard beyond the cheer. "Ever am I glad to be among those of elven blood to lend you my strength and share in your joys."
From there she walks towards the feasting table and its centre where the divine sit, still holding the bouquet of flowers she was given. "Your hospitality is appreciated, Corellon," she bows her head respectfully to the host, before smiling at the woman on one side that she hasn't already seen today. "And it's good to see you here, Amaryl. You're looking well."
Amid the cheers back Amaryl stands, "Come and join us, it's good to see you. We're just talking about the war," she says.
Corellon lets the cheers go before sitting as well, a chair appearing next to Amaryl.
Floating over, Alicia sits down next to Amaryl. "All goes well?" she asks, inquiring after that before she gets to her own business.
"All is well," Amaryl confirms, putting down her fork. "Is all well in Sylica?"
"Sehanine sensed turmoil there," Corellon speaks up here, "Yet if you are here, all is well or you come for aid."
"A demon horde marched on us from Ysgard, it was defeated without incident," she says in a reassuring tone, looking down the table at the three elven deities. "However during the battle a single agent snuck into Sylica and attacked my sister. He was a warrior of great skill to be able to wound her, though only a single blow was struck before I felled him. And that is where the mystery arises," she begins to explain her reason for being here. "His native talents were bolstered immeasurably by the spellwork of Violet, one of Malcanthet's Radiant Sisters. Given a solitary compulsion of sneaking into Sylica and attacking Jessica's family, he has no memory and few inclinations of his own. A victim of the River Styx, we believe. With no clues as to the man's identity or history, we're left with the most simple basics for discerning his past: He is an elf."
Corellon listens to this all, "And thus," he concludes, "You come here to trade on that one fact?"
"That..." Amaryl begins, "What vile magic is that?"
"It's precious little I know," Alicia says. "But should you or yours have lost a worshipper to the Styx recently it could allow him to be returned to his home or kin. I do not blame the man, he had no choice in what he was used for."
"Do you know when he was affected?" Corellon asks next, Sehanine Moonbow silent.
"That sounds horrible," Amaryl murmurs, quiet as she listens, while others feast around you, celebrating.
"One moment and I'll ascertain that, or at least when he was most recently affected..." the avatar replies.
Back in Sylica the real Alicia quickly checks with Naeys how long ago the mystery elf's memories actually started.
"Most recently," Naeys answers here, "Not long before the attack, but it could be far from the first exposure."
"His memories don't go back more than a day," the avatar says after that brief pause. "Though it's possible he's been repeatedly exposed and it's been some time since he first fell into the clutches of demons. More likely than not all things considered."
"Bring me a hair or a drop of his blood," Corellon says, "That will be sufficient, if he can not be brought directly here."
"No need," Sehanine whispers, and a flicker.
Screams.
A flicker.
The moonlight illuminates the battle. Hard, lean, foul men assaulting a camping family near roadside. Screams.
A flicker.
Blood. Death. Loss. A child is crying in the tent, one of the men raising a heavy club up. "Shut up!"
Then a jovial voice calls, "Oh, there's no need for that."
He's tall, bald and with a face that is not human. Not elven. Too sharp, too lean for his bloated, corpulent form. The face of a starving man, stretched too tightly against his cheekbones. He comes forward and over the child's cry he can be heard, "He's worth more money alive. An elf child - there are markets that will pay piles gold for him."
As the hard man steps aside, the jovial man comes forward and takes the child's hand. In a ripple of magic, they are gone.
A flicker.
Corellon's expression is dark, while Amaryl's expression is pinched. "Who is that?"
A flicker.
A bloated, fat thing - too fat, too large, festering and rotting, flesh the color of bloodied pus. It screams as it burns, as a voice calls, "Melyga! In the name of Chauntea, I condemn you to oblivion." The voice is strong, a man's voice, naturally carrying. "No more will you befoul the harvests of life." Heavenly fire strikes down, a pure flame strike that burns away the demon and leaves only the blasted and cracked grounds of a foul, dark place behind.
A flicker, reality returning.
Alicia is ashen when watching what Sehanine shows her. The... what that man nearly did to the baby, it reminds her all too well of how she found her own son all those years ago.
It takes her a long time to speak afterwards. "No life to go back to, then... whatever childhood he had was the creation of a disposable tool," she concludes grimly.
Corellon's expression is grave, "Tell me more about this, Alicia. What has been done to one of my brothers?" He puts down his cup, a soft flow of liquid from it from a thousand cracks once he lets go of it.
"Reducing life to a commodity...just as bad as the efreet," Amaryl whispers.
"He's a blank slate, little skills of his own - some tendency for swordplay, riding, woodcraft. Stereotypically elven but there must have been some training at some point for it to imprint past the amnesia," Alicia begins. "His amnesia is most easily explained by the Styx, but it's possible magic was used to remove and store his memories. Something done between missions to build up experience without risking exposure if he's captured? Or..." she frowns at a disquieting possibility. "Those memories could be shared with other blank slate assassins."
"The Radiant Sisters offend me," Corellon declares, "I shall not tolerate this wickedness and crimes against my brothers and sisters."
"Violet is powerful, but not massively moreso than I," Alicia says, glad for the potential support. "I don't know of any of her holdings outside of Shendilvari - our attacker had no knowledge of any base to return to or place to be picked up afterwards."
"That sounds all the more like that poor elf was meant to be disposable." Amaryl shakes her head, "Like an arrow and Violet is the bow."
"We are all contributing to the Liberation War," Corellon says, "But we cannot allow this to go unchallenged and unavenged, for it may be the most profane arts at work here."
"This calls for something more subtle than an army. Invading the Abyss is folly, but I agree Violet must be censured. We will be investigating more of her in the coming days," Alicia says, grateful but not expecting anything like the sort of resources that are going into full scale war with the efreet. "But I apologise, you were celebrating and I darkened the hour with these ill tidings."
"There is truth to that," Corellon admits, "For there are always dark tidings from below to sully happiness, if one cannot look away. Join us in this feast."
"I would be happy to," she says with a smile, reaching over to help herself to some of the delicacies on offer. Her avatar can certainly be spared for a time.
As far as the elf in question goes, Alicia makes the decision to send him to Balmuria where some of her followers can help him build a new identity and life. The mythal should keep him safe from demons and the decent elven population in the city will give him a chance to reconnect with his heritage.
Cool, elf side of it is easy enough to sort out.
As you feast and enjoy the festivities, listening to beautiful music? Amaryl turns to you, "Is Malcanthet still upset about G'renna and other things you've done, Alicia?"
"I think she's mostly upset about Jade," Alicia says with a little smile. "Our bad blood stretches back further, but killing a proxy and stealing her spark was a vast escalation on my part. But the cause and the victim were both deserving so I don't regret it."
A sip of wine before Amaryl continues, "Yes, she did deserve it, but it means another war. Malcanthet is likely to strike while we're occupied, or even spitefully aid the efreet. Well, she needs to be stopped regardless of that. I remember..." Giving you an understanding look, "I doubt she easily lets go of those she almost had."
"The sort of over-arching war with the efreet is the exception and not the norm," Alicia points out. "Even when Pale Night held the children of Androlynne conflict was local and confined. I don't mean to minimise that or the potential threat of Malcanthet, only you shouldn't see every danger in the same terms. The trouble she causes is likely to be far more insidious."
At this Corellon looks over, "Alicia is right. This sort of war is rare because it involves great sacrifice and risk."
Amaryl bows her head at that, "I know that. I..." A pause here, looking back up, "I just grow weary of barbarity after barbarity. Some nights, when I am alone, I weep over those I know I cannot help, or that I will never know that need help. Of the sins and the horrors I cannot stop. Sometimes I fear this gift and ascension is too much. Brother, how do you endure?"
To this Corellon Latherian gestures in one direction and then the other, both sides of the table in sweeping gestures. "With the knowledge that every success I have shall stay here forever more, free and content. When my heart grows heavy with the sorrows of Creation, the smiling faces of my brothers and sisters sustains me. When you are not strong enough, allow the joy of those you were strong for to be your strength."
"Well said," Alicia raises a glass to Corellon. "The injustices of Creation are not so well hidden that you need the insight of a God to see them. Be glad instead that grow in power to right them, that your legend and status inspires yet more to act for you cannot be everywhere at once," she encourages Amaryl.
"To be grateful for what I can change instead of what I cannot," Amaryl says, raising her glass as well. "That is wise. I will engrave that wisdom into my heart."
Corellon drinks after that, the festivities continuing.
Anything else to do here?
We're clear for the moment.
Marie as Honey Belle continues her investigations for Sharran activity in Pallanth.
If we get any leads on Violet's activities outside of Shendilvari we'll possibly go smash something.
Otherwise (and barring being forced into the efreet war) it's waiting till the Daun expedition is nearly ready and Red Knight's visit to inspect them.
Back in Sylica after a recent report from Naeys about trouble stalking Antenora, she and Alicia are on one of the crags of the Opal Mountain trying to get to the bottom of it.
"I detest vague divinations, especially considering the sort of deadly lives we lead," Alicia says to her friend. "But if it's something above the norm then it's not to be discounted. I'm not a specialist but as a goddess I can make up for it in volume..."
Plan is to alter reality spam a spell based on Augury and get the Weal or Woe results for Antenora if she were to stay in Sylica or visit X plane, where I'll go down the list of every outer, inner, and transitive plane.
"Of course, Alicia," Antenora says, "There is no shame in this." She gives Alicia a small smile.
Ethereal? Nothing.
Deep Ethereal? Weal and Woe.
Astral? Weal and Woe.
Fire? Woe.
Earth? Weal.
Water? Nothing.
Air? Weal.
Going a chunk at a time here, go ahead and react to the first batch.
"Only fire stands out as particularly dangerous from the inner and transitive planes, though that could just be collateral from the ongoing war... or direct action from Eblis or another," Alicia says after the first few. "Outer planes next, this will take longer."
Celestia? Weal.
Elysium? Weal.
The Beastlands? Weal.
Arborea: Weal.
Arcadia? Weal and Woe.
Ysgard: Weal.
Mechanus: Woe.
Limbo: Woe.
Baator: Woe.
The Abyss: Woe.
Acheron: Woe.
Pandemonium: Woe.
Gehenna: Woe.
Carceri: Weal.
Hades: Woe.
"The outer planes are about as expected - interestingly something good is predicted for Carceri, and both Mechanus and Limbo give a negative outlook," Alicia says. "One more just for staying at home then..." The prime is of course off limits, and she can't expect a divination to give anything for Beyond.
Same for Sylica, in case it differs from Ysgard.
Sylica: Weal and Woe.
"Curious," Antenora admits openly, "Be it prevailing conditions or something hidden well enough or hidden in plain sight on Fire."
"Mechanus and Carceri seem the biggest outliers," Alicia says. "Arcadia also possesses some element of risk but also a corresponding reward. Only Water and the Ethereal promise to be uneventful but it's a given with your stature that events will occur around you." She looks at Antenora. "In all honesty, the Carceri result has me extremely curious. I'm going to ask Naeys to look into that more deeply. Trouble on Mechanus for you could easily be the result of diabolical scheming, but anything good coming from you visiting Carceri... it's out of place. Perhaps none of your enemies are willing to follow you there?"
"Curiosity killed the cat, as they say," With a slight smile, "But is worth indulging in. I agree, Alicia, let's investigate Carceri."
"Don't use that phrase around Syala," she smiles. "Come, lets go visit Naeys and we can compare what I've found with his divinations and see if he can do anything more specialised for Carceri."
You find Naeys easily and...
Go ahead and set up what spells you want cast.
"After your warning I did some divinations of my own - simple ones en masse, really," Alicia begins. "And while it didn't narrow down where the threat to Antenora is coming from, a curiosity arose when the magic suggested she'd benefit from visiting Carceri within the week. Firstly, are you aware of any recent changes in Carceri, and do you know any divination spells that might be of use in better identifying this opportunity?"
Here Naeys frowns, "Carceri? That is a curiosity. There are spells that can be cast for that."
"I'm wondering if perhaps a potential ally has been recently imprisoned there - or is in a prison that's about to fail," Alicia says. "But it's only a guess brought about by the novelty of the result."
"Only a guess, but not a bad one," Naeys agrees, "Or...something seeks to imprison Antenora and is strong enough to muddy the results," he says, "Less likely, but it is Carceri."
"Hence why I'd like a more thorough analysis rather than just sending her there blind," Alicia agrees.
Antenora sits in Naeys's workshop, a place of study and books, a single desk here kept spotlessly clean. She listens as Naeys goes on, "Only a fool goes into Carceri blind, no matter how provoked."
A slight nod to that as Naeys considers, "In such a situation, I would begin with a wish to mimic a commune spell, so that Mystra's will may guide me in this matter. Were we to seek that, you have far more direct a channel to her, there is no point in my casting that spell. Were that commune fruitless or I needed more information, I would turn to more specialized magic. Sulnor's Show Fate is my personal standard, though the spell has limitations."
"Yes, commune is a bit superfluous for us," Alicia says dryly. Really it's the sort of spell she'd refuse to cast on principle - as a goddess she's the one that spell is supposed to go to, not come from!
"Do you have Sulnor's Show Fate prepared or can you manage it tomorrow?"
"I have it prepared," Naeys says, going to a cabinet and returning with a silver mirror. It is polished bright and dotted withdiamonds all along the outer rim of it, a circular mirror glowing with radiance. "This spell shows the coming week for the creature, the most probably future not including creatures warded by powerful magic against divinations or any actions that may arise as a result of this spell. Sulnor's Show Fate is powerful but understand its limits - it may well fail. Now Antenora, I need you to make the following vow, so that the spell will travel properly: I vow that as of this moment I plan to leave tomorrow to head to Carceri, though this may change."
Antenora raises an eyebrow.
"The spell travels the most probably future. A paladin making a vow to go somewhere is almost certainly the most probable future, even with a clause in it to escape that vow. The spell is powerful but guidance works the best." Naeys explains.
"The clause is fair," Alicia says, getting up to have a better angle for looking in the mirror.
"Then I vow that as of this moment I plan to head to Carceri, though I may change this," Antenora vows, and thus the spell is cast. It is not a quick spell, for Naeys circles Antenora and chants, tapping her forehead every pass.
"Odzamran fvue pafvu. Odo fvue ooanoan, Erathaol. Sv raasi tomofaow. Saanir Mystra dooain. Niis tomofaow, niis i lasdi dooain. Naeys, Naeys, Naeys."
Each circle Naeys chants these words, a steady voice imploring. He casts and casts until at last the mirror flashes bright and Naeys stops, silent.
Alicia is quiet and patiently waits through the chanting so she can see how the spell plays out.
Naeys is silent a few more moments, "Her trip to Carceri is victorious, slaying many fiends and liberating the unjustly imprisoned. It is a triumphant effort in every sense of the word."
"Which means," Antenora says, "It's someone strong enough to be under a mind blank all the time."
At that Naeys look on with the slightest smile, "Your sense of trickery does you well. It seems too good to be true, so readily available and alluring."
"It's rather pat," Alicia agrees. "All things considered I think you ought to exercise your escape clause on that vow. Still, it's clear now that we're being manipulated in an extremely thorough way to send you there. That can't have been easy to set up nor been ongoing indefinitely to await this chance."
"I agree." Antenora takes a long breath out, "The greater question is: Is it Malcanthet's work? Could this somehow be the point of her entire attack, to somehow drive me to head to Carceri? Of course, it does make sense, after all a proper plot's thrust is disguised in many ways, but it's unusually coherent for a demon. I'd expect to see it from a pit fiend, not a succubus queen. But what if that's part of the plan, to make it look like it isn't her while it really is her?"
"I'm not sure there's any link between that attack and Naeys' recent divinations," Alicia says with a slow shake of her head. "Though demons are perfectly capable of making coherent plans, we've no shortage of other enemies who'd have reason to imprison you there. None hail from Carceri so it could quite reasonably be any of them, though fooling divinations to such a great extent is no mean feat."
"Maybe so," Antenora admits, "Is there any way we can narrow this down?"
"Any divinations are liable to be suspect in this, so not with magic," Alicia says. "Honestly we've reached the limit of my tolerance for this - whatever trap is predicated on these recent divinations that pointed me at Carceri, which were only spurred by divinations claiming misfortune in your near future. As none of them can be taken as trustworthy, I think it best that we simply do as we would be doing if they weren't a factor."
Antenora hms, "That may be best," she finally says, "Then in the meantime, we're to prepare for Daun?"
"And keep a sharp eye on Seira's war," Alicia adds. "It's only a matter of time before escalation forces our hand."
In that case, Red Knight next. Any prep for that?
I'll get Strength of Light to give me an overview of how the training went and their equipment/boats/readiness so I won't be surprised by anything when we have our guest visit.
"In short," Strength of Light reports, "The soldiers are well drilled, prepared and equipped. What they need now is experience, though they aren't particularly green overall. Some things only war can teach an army."
"We'll start them off by supporting Sulia's own forces so they can work together and get more of a feel for the world and their enemy," Alicia says, the two of them on a balcony overlooking a parade ground where they'll be organised to drill and show off for Red Knight tomorrow, a harbour visible beyond it giving access to the sea for aquatic maneuvers. "What about transport then, how are our ships looking?" Swimming and water breathing magic are all well and good, but they'll need mighty boats to serve as mobile fortresses when they take their fight to the aboleths in the deep ocean.
"We're building them as fast as we can," Strength of Light says, "Designs aren't a problem, the Empress contributed much of the her own knowledge there. Still, we're relatively short on shipbuilders and establishing them from the ground up. In time it'll be better and faster."
"Do we have any fully built that are good enough to show off to Red Knight when she gets here, then?" Alicia asks.
"A handful," Strength of Light says, "Magic helps speed up shipbuilding greatly. Several others we can use in a support role as long as she doesn't come aboard and inside them."
She'll know, but it's fine. "So long as at least one's good enough for her to come aboard and give a good impression I'm happy," she says. "We'll have a parade on land for her to see the whole assembly then our best company can embark on the best ship with her to give her a tour and show some of their combat and sailing drills," she goes over what's to be expected for the review.
"It will be done well," Strength of Light agrees, as...
Any more prep for this?
Nah I guess we're good.
In that case do your set up and I'll start the scene once you have everything just so for it.
Red Knight is told the time and place to teleport to, along with any retinue she cares to bring. Alicia will be there personally to meet her out of respect, along with Strength of Light as general of her armies. Syala, Antenora, and Jessica are free to attend or not as they prefer.
It's near the parade ground she's prepared, in one of Sylica's new towns. The brigade that fought with Alicia and Latha against the recent demonic incursion is also present as an honour guard and to give Red Knight a chance to inspect freshly blooded troops before they go to the parade ground after walking down the wide street flanked by the homes, shops, and other establishments that have sprung up in this recently developed town, everything built of solid stone covered in white stucco to lend a smoother look to the construction and reflect the bright sunshine that Latha so often gifts them with.
And thus everyone is ready, prepared for this moment. You wait and wait...and then...
It is a simple 'knock'. No words, just intent felt by Alicia.
This is of course expected and so Alicia sends forth, Welcome.
Why, may I enter?
You detect a note of amusement in the Red Knight's message.
My invitation wasn't lost I'm sure.
At your side stands Syala, as well as Antenora and Jessica. The four of you are ready as the Red Knight enters. She rides a red stallion, armored in plate barding. Following her are rows of perfectly marching warriors in red armor and carrying great halberds with swords at their side. A hundred even you believe, carrying the Red Knight's banners.
'The horse is remarkably intelligent,' Antenora observes in your mind as the Red Knight approaches. 'Smart as a well learned wizard.'
"Alicia, Syala, Jessica, Antenora," The Red Knight greets, coming close.
'Why settle for a common horse when you are a goddess?' Alicia returns to Antenora, giving their guest a nod in greeting. She didn't expect an entourage like this but they can make room for it. "Red Knight, we're honoured to welcome you to Sylica," she says as her own honour guard smartly salutes and divides itself to flank either side of the road for them to walk down the middle, three hundred and twenty divided between robed arcanists, heavily armoured warriors, and lightly armoured skirmishers, all looking their best to impress and freshly rested from the battle against the demon horde.
"I accept your greetings," The Red Knight replies, "I see the fortunes of war favor you."
"It was a good battle, our first test now that we no longer have the chokepoint of the Felic Gate to shelter behind," Alicia says, gesturing ahead and starting to lead the way to their parade route, some of her honour guard going ahead to lead the procession while others wait to bring up the rear. "All who rose to our defence acquitted themselves well."
Your soldiers all fall in line, moving with crisp precision. Antenora follows you with Syala and Jessica, the five of you falling in step.
"A blessing to a demiplane," The Red Knight says, "They make superb fortresses."
"Likely another reason why they're so valuable," Antenora speaks up here, "We would have been forced into a much more difficult position had Sylica been freely assailable in those early days."
"I had assumed that if all else failed and Hell or another realm sought to crush us in those days, we would have petitioned Mystra for aid as a last resort," Here Syala admits that freely, "Her avatar taking the field would end all but the most suicidal attack."
"The political situation favours us," Alicia agrees. "I'm glad we haven't had to rely on that and stood on our own, but even knowing it's an option has certainly deterred some." It's the same thinking behind her staying out of Seira's war; the threat could fall anywhere, but once they do intervene they become a known quantity that can be planned around.
"Politics are merely an extension of war," The Red Knight concurs, as you advance ahead towards your forces. "You fought well without unsheathing your sword."
"You speak of the other war occurring right now," Alicia says. "Yes, I'm unsure how much longer that will last but we're doing what we can to support our allies in every way we can. Either way, the force you'll be inspecting today are prepared for a far less fiery battlefield."
"Daun," The Red Knight concurs, following as you reach them. "Let me see them, Alicia."
Go ahead and play this up as much or as little as you like.
Soon they reach the parade ground, a place set up for Red Knight's own honour guard to stand before their own viewing platform, her horse taken care of by a squad of groomsmen. Then they all get to watch the soldiers prepared for Daun march and drill, lining themselves up for inspection afterwards while Red Knight is led to tour one of their galleons, before she has the chance to watch a mock boarding action and battle to round things off.
Strength of Light does good work, the drills going well. As you watch, the Red Knight overlooking them?
They're good.
Thank you.
They could be better. I would offer an advisor attached to this force, to aid them in strategic and tactical decisions.
As you did with Jarem for Alyssa?
Yes. You have less need of it, but there is always need for wise council.
There are many circumstances where Alicia would refuse such an offer out of hand, because as nice as Red Knight is, she doesn't trust her discretion. But against the forces of Demogorgon she knows Red Knight doesn't have any interests on the opposite side, so there's no conflict of interest like there would be against Hell.
If you have a skilled candidate in mind, we would find them a place and pay heed to their suggestions.
I do. Her name is Drulal, a valkyrie warrior seasoned in Ysgard as well as with experience in the Blood War, albeit unwillingly for the Blood War.
I'd like to meet her first.
Meanwhile as the Red Knight works Antenora keeps her gaze on the inspection and performances, the mock boarding action going on smoothly.
In that case I'll accept Jessica's judgement on the matter.
Be good for her sister to take some responsibility for the big decisions, even if this is fairly minor in the grand scheme of things it'll get her more used to having the final say where it counts.
Take 10 for 72 with divine insight for knowledge: planes (or religion) on Drulal regardless though.
Drulal is a valkyrie who serves the Red Knight. Hardly unremarkable, as many of Ysgard's warrior maidens fall in with her due to shared interests, no matter their disagreements with law and chaos. She's noted for steadily advancing over the many years, never truly reaching a dead end but managing improvement over the long eons. She's smart, pragmatic and has a loathing of fiends of any kind. She spent a few centuries in the Blood War after a catastrophic loss to yugoloths, and according to the stories, was treated as a prize of war by the 'oths before she ultimately served as a military advisor.
What being a 'prize of war' is for the 'loths isn't really constant or clear, but it begins at things best not thought about and only gets worse from there.
That's certainly unfortunate and nothing to be held against her, so Alicia has no warnings to impart Jessica. Hopefully they'll have a productive meeting.
She will be here soon.
From there the rest of the inspection goes well. Your forces acquit themselves well - they look ready, at least to your eye. As ready as they can be without hands on experience.
Once done, the Red Knight approaches and offers you her hand. "You'll do well with a few strong minds directing your efforts," she declares.
"We hope they'll be enough to tilt the scales on Daun," she says, clasping Red Knight's hand and shaking it. "So before you return to Warrior's Rest would you join us for dinner? There's a fine sampling of seafood available from our new seas," she says, a banquet prepared to complete their duties as hosts.
"Gladly," Is the answer you get.
Soon enough the five of you are enjoying just such a meal. Amid the general discussion of the banquet and the back and forth, "She's here," The Red Knight says, "She's near your bakery, Jessica."
"I sensed that," Jessica closes her eyes a few moments, "Excuse me, sister." Then she's gone, Antenora raising her glass to her.
"So," Syala says, "I hear you got your start on this stage by slaying a Demon Lord. Balum, the Demon Lord of the Hordes?"
Nodding to Jessica as she departs, Alicia listens attentively to what promises to be an interesting story about slaying a demon lord. That's something she hasn't managed herself after all.
A warm chuckle, "Oh, that was the final moves of a long act. I'd quarreled with some of his minions on my way to ascension," The Red Knight explains, Antenora pausing her meal to listen. "He had tread on many toes trying to get me, all as I planned. So when I launched a crusade against him, I found many volunteers eager to see him taken down."
After a sip of fresh tea, Syala adds, "Something like Aurora did?"
With a rich, amused smile, "It's a page from the same book," The Red Knight concurs. "I had every confidence I could outsmart him and was willing to test my might against his. My one limitation was getting a strong enough force to march on his hordes. One that would do no less than speak of the newly risen Red Knight and speak her praises in the aftermath of victory."
"Of course Aurora ended up making unnecessary enemies of its own," Alicia points to that particular crusade's own missteps. Understandable but still present. "It's hard not to tread on toes when you make big steps."
"Of course. I spent a lot of it keeping the devils and archons from coming to blows," The Red Knight smiles at that, "All the fancy words aside, they argued like fishmongers going for every last coin over each other."
"Yet you won," Antenora speaks up here, "Was it worth dealing with them?"
"I had praise coming from the halls of Celestia and the pits of Baator at once," Is the answer you get. "It did much to establish who I was and the tone I'd take. A few of the archons and devils who served there still serve their side's interests in Warrior's Rest. They've gotten quite good at dealing with their opposites. I can avoid a great deal of ethical drama by working discreetly through them rather than normal channels."
"I make it a point of frequently rotating out anyone I have dealing with fiends in peaceful context," Alicia says. "Because while it's true familiarity can help in getting one up on the opposite number, too often it leads to a level of comfort that breeds greater risks."
It was a lesson learned swiftly from those she had guarding G'Renna early on that applies quite well in other diplomatic situations with silver-tongued fiends.
"Friendship can be a weapon in the war between right and wrong," Antenora adds, "Like anything else."
Here the Red Knight chuckles, "I find it worth the...extra curricular activities this can provoke," she says. "Sometimes those results are the most rewarding of all."
To that Antenora nods slightly, a silent admission of the point made.
"Do you really see merit in devils and fiends?" Syala inquires, "It never ends well, exceptions aside."
"Those exceptions are wondrous," Alicia says. "But the sad fact is traffic goes in the other direction far more readily."
"I view that as the weakness of the good," The Red Knight opines, "Yet, I view the ability to forgive and heal the strength of the good."
"Let one forgive readily, so that one will be forgiven in their own time," Antenora muses aloud, "Paraphrased from Cerulean Joy's liturgies, in turn derived from the Words of Sealtiel. The horror is not that even the righteous can fall, the miracle is that even the lowest can be forgiven if they are sincere."
"It may be a weakness of an individual, but it has no bearing on the moral concept itself," Alicia returns. "The greatest horror of Evil is that it traps the minds of those mired in it, rendering them incapable of seeing another way. That is what I'd call weakness. That those who profess themselves Good can open their minds to concepts that bring ruin to themselves and others is tragedy, but a price that must be paid if Good is to have any meaning at all."
"A question then, one Inevitables in my service favor." The Red Knight says, as Antenora perks up ever so slightly. "Free will leads to evil and even to angels falling. Therefore, is free will evil and is the elimination of free will good?"
Syala merely speaks up here, "Bullshit. A golem has no free will and those can massacre by the thousands and yet be free of moral culpability."
"Of course not, I never said Evil lacked free will, I said it lacked imagination," Alicia says after nodding with Syala's answer. "You could as well say breathing air leads to evil and even to angels falling. Free will simply is. It is, much like yourself, morally neutral."
"Yet the Inevitable would say it leads to evil," The Red Knight retorts.
Here Antenora exhales, "Then the Inevitable needs to be rebuild and told to cease with idiocy," she declares, "Do you disagree?"
As Syala smiles at that, the Red Knight laughs. Soon Syala is laughing with her as the former adds, "The argument is tedious, even when I understand the point being made."
While Alicia enjoys a good moral debate, that didn't really qualify. "It's an argument used to throw the other side off balance rather than to make a serious point," she says, deeming it more than just tedious. "The conversational equivalent of a feint."
"I've listened for hours as it is debated," The Red Knight says, "But the Inevitables are so often fond of the argument, no matter how others may dismiss it."
"Then it must be defeated, and we have defeated it," Antenora speaks up, "What do you think of it?"
Here the Red Knight ponders, "Well meaning, but be it a feint, a philosophical provocation or foolishness, it only highlights a point rather than making one. A casting of Faerie Fire in verbal form. It reminds me that order can be taken too far."
"I find it hard to believe anyone is sincerely opposed to the concept of free will. Certainly a great many want to reduce the free will of those under them, but they'd never sacrifice their own," Alicia says. "It's no different than Shar espousing the merits of suicide yet changing the subject when asked to go first."
That draws out a real smile from the Red Knight, "Do as I say, not as I do." she agrees.
"Hypocrisy is the blade of the smallest bully to the greatest tyrant," Antenora adds in, "The fruit of pride that whispers that we are better, that we deserve more than others. I occasionally ponder such things, I worry that in a palace of opal and on a throne of gold that I will forget that. That I will forget those who suffer with nothing and demand sacrifice merely to help them."
Here it's the Red Knight reaches forward, clasping Antenora's shoulder. "Someone worried of that is not the sort for that failing."
"I pray you are right." Antenora's reply is given.
"Of course she is," Syala's smiling warmly now, "What do you think I'm here for? A few thumps upside the head will drive sense right back in there."
"Then I will be." With a growing smile as well, Antenora returns to her meal.
"Much harder to forget them though, when we can hear their prayers is it not?" Alicia asks, looking over at Antenora. "A mortal ruler, even an angelic champion, can all too easily sequester herself from those she is meant to protect. Yet for us even the humblest have a direct line to our ears," she taps one of her own earlobes, sitting back again.
"Yes. It is a blessing. Mostly." Here Antenora clears her throat. "I've already had a few that invoked my name when they were with lovers. Does it ever get less awkward?"
Syala's smiling, "You get used to it. That's part of life too."
"Or a benefit, depending on who you ask," The Red Knight thirds, "Ah, speaking of love. Syala, do you still have access to the Tree of Idun?"
"I do," Syala agrees.
"I would like an apple from it," Is the Red Knight's reply.
"Alright, as long as it's not for evil means," Syala agrees, "Now, I'm going to go check on Jessica," she says, as...
Anything else to do here?
Nope, think we're done.
To refresh, you're waiting on war and/or Daun?
Plus Honey Belle's investigations for Sharran activity in Pallanth, and seeing if anything bad happens to Antenora.
Okay, give me a Diplo check for Honey Belle.
Reminder of her protocol for this, she's taking 10 pretty consistently. (numbers updated for her higher level since last time)
Step 1: Gather information about the best rich people taverns and hangouts. She uses the epic 'rouse suspicion' ability to be pretty obvious about this, giving her a +20 bonus to her check. She takes 10 for 81.
Step 1a: Gather information about Sharran activity concurrently with the previous action. She uses the epic 'avoid suspicion' ability to fly completely under the radar while doing this, taking a -20 penalty to her check. She takes 10 for 41.
Step 2: Spend several evenings performing at places highlighted to her in step 1. She sings and dances while intentionally limiting her abilities - she could hit DC 61 by taking 10 but she'll aim to hit DC 25 for a memorable performance.
Step 2a: Gather information about Sharran activity while performing at these places. Again she'll take a -20 penalty to her check to avoid rousing suspicion, but she'll also get Alicia to buff her with heroism for 5 hours ahead of each evening, letting her hit DC 45.
Step 3: Explore town during mornings after performances looking for any evidence of Sharran activity - symbols, omens, superstitions. She'll take 10 for 58 on perception and 10 for 58 on knowledge: religion as far as spotting physical signs, and 10 for 58 on sense motive for spotting suspicious people.
Step 4: Move to next town either by using Seira's teleport network (preferred if available), or joining up with a caravan. If none are available she'll gather information to find reliable adventurers/bodyguards and take 10 for 58 and hire said guards with a portion of her proceeds from performing to escort her to the next town.
It happens to be little more than a village. Elsoir is in the central region of Pallanth, rather sleepy all told. Marie's just spending the night and passing through as she works. But it's at the bar that she catches wind of something, a muttering in the drinking crowd.
"Curse those Sharrans."
The charming blonde human girl collects her drink from the bartender with a smile and a tip, weaving through the crowd towards the sound of that complaint. "Seems everywhere I go it's always the same song with the same name being cursed," she says casually, commiserating smile on her lips as she invites the speaker to share what they've gotten bothered over.
The speaker is an elf, of course. Tall and of fair features, lithe to the point of being feminine and pretty to match. His (you think) long black hair cascades down to his back. He sips a bit of wine and gives you a look. He's wearing well cut and well made clothes, though you don't spy a weapon on him.
"Honey Belle?" The elf asks, giving you a look over his wine. "I didn't mean to be overheard."
"You need good ears as well as a good voice to make it as a singer," Marie says as she smiles back at the elf. "Also hearing that name's usually a cue to get out of town and call the Crimson Guard where I come from."
A giggle from the elf, "Wisdom straight from the whispered groves of Arvandor."
"Isn't it?" Marie agrees, arching a brow. "So should I skip the encore and book it on the next caravan out of here?"
Lowering his voice, "Well, not here...but oh, I shouldn't say." he says, demurring.
"Why not?" Marie asks. "Are you being threatened, or protecting someone's reputation?"
"Oh, I sold someone the information and they asked me to keep it quiet. ...but it is Sharrans..." he muses, "Well..."
"Someone who's going to... take care of business?" Marie asks as she continues doing her best to extract blood from the proverbial stone.
"Hmm..." Smiling a bit, "That doesn't sound like something an innocent songstress does," he says, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
"I never said I was innocent," Marie banters back. "A girl has to know how to defend herself on the road when she looks an easy target for bandits and robbers. But also know when things are too dangerous and it's better to run away."
"Hmm." Smiling even more, "Oh, alright. They're east - well east, and heading east towards Chillander's frozen realm," Is the answer you get. "I'm staying well to the west now."
"Hmm, I was planning on working my way up there after reaching the Citadel of Light," Marie admits. "I heard about the new country beyond the mountains at the end of the world and wanted to see it. All my songs would be new to them, and I could pick up new ones from them in turn."
"I'd be careful. I heard a powerful Sharran is the one going east," Is the answer you get.
"I might extend my stay in the Citadel, thinking on it. Where did you hear this anyway?" she asks.
"Oh, some heroes who owed me a favor," The male(?) elf says. "I shouldn't tell who it was, they told me in confidence."
Given that she's an eladrin who was once an elf and has epic perception, I think Marie should be able to clock an elf's gender instantly without any dubiety.
"Heroes, huh? Well I hope they're heroic enough to do something about it. There was this Shar worshipping nymph causing all sorts of trouble near Balmuria a few years ago, really don't want to see something like that happening here."
Marie's pretty sure it's a female elf who just acts manly and doesn't do a good job at it.
"Be careful, that sounds terrible," The elf says, "I'll stay here where it's safe."
"I will," she says, having a drink of her neglected wine and then glancing at it and the elf's drink. "Also let me buy you another drink to say thanks for sharing."
You get a wineglass raised to you in thanks for that.
Anything else to do here?
I'm good. Marie will use the Seira teleport network to get to Elandra's Rest and continue her investigations from there.
As Marie goes to do that?
My love. Naeys has found omens that warn of dark tidings and fates surrounding me. While they are not around you, be aware and be cautious. For I know nothing would wound me as much as something happening to you.
Marie prays back that she's being careful and chasing down a lead pointing her to Northeastern Pallanth.
Then good hunting and be well. I look forward to hearing your stories of this, Marie. All of your tawdry, chaotic stories.
Marie prays that she hopes her journey will be worth some good stories!
Done and done. You head to Elandra's Rest and...
Refresh me on the standard procedure you pasted yesterday?
Step 1: Gather information about the best rich people taverns and hangouts. She uses the epic 'rouse suspicion' ability to be pretty obvious about this, giving her a +20 bonus to her check. She takes 10 for 81.
Step 1a: Gather information about Sharran activity concurrently with the previous action. She uses the epic 'avoid suspicion' ability to fly completely under the radar while doing this, taking a -20 penalty to her check. She takes 10 for 41.
Step 2: Spend several evenings performing at places highlighted to her in step 1. She sings and dances while intentionally limiting her abilities - she could hit DC 61 by taking 10 but she'll aim to hit DC 25 for a memorable performance.
Step 2a: Gather information about Sharran activity while performing at these places. Again she'll take a -20 penalty to her check to avoid rousing suspicion, but she'll also get Alicia to buff her with heroism for 5 hours ahead of each evening, letting her hit DC 45.
Step 3: Explore town during mornings after performances looking for any evidence of Sharran activity - symbols, omens, superstitions. She'll take 10 for 58 on perception and 10 for 58 on knowledge: religion as far as spotting physical signs, and 10 for 58 on sense motive for spotting suspicious people.
Step 4: Move to next town either by using Seira's teleport network (preferred if available), or joining up with a caravan. If none are available she'll gather information to find reliable adventurers/bodyguards and take 10 for 58 and hire said guards with a portion of her proceeds from performing to escort her to the next town.
Give me a Will save.
[19:24] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51 Marie has nondetection (DC 48) and mind blank up as a matter of course
[19:24] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+51 Marie has nondetection (DC 48) and mind blank up as a matter of course --> [ 1d20=17 ]{68}
You begin to listen around. One evening you have a drink after a song, as...
"Sharrans?" You hear a voice whisper, your supernaturally potent hearing letting you pick it up.
Marie looks to see who's talking and listens in while enjoying a relaxing drink between sets!
Glancing back, you see an elf in the corner murmuring to someone, hidden by angles and the elf's body.
She moves a little bit along the bar, a murmured, "Excuse me," as she navigates around another couple of elves to grab a bar towel which she uses to wipe the bottom of her glass as if it had a spill or overflow. That also gives her a better vantage to see the elf in question's conversational partner while she eavesdrops on them.
The figure there is a human. A human man, fairly unremarkable - plain, boring, bland features. Brown hair, utterly unremarkable. He nods slightly to the elf and says, "Sharrans. It'll be time soon."
Marie keeps right on listening!
Actually she also reads their minds, may as well put a bit more effort in.
Detect thoughts SLA on elf, 3 rounds for it to go anywhere. DC 27 will.
> roll 1d20+4 elf
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+14 human
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=14]
The elf has thoughts and is moderately intelligent. (Int 13.)
"Soon," The elf seconds, nodding slightly. "Tonight?"
"Tomorrow," the human says.
What's happening tomorrow? It should be running through his surface thoughts while they talk about it!
He thinks of a house: Seldyn Manor. Of storming it, of seeing it burn to the ground.
Is it a nest full of Sharrans? Marie keeps tabs on his inner monologue while he and his friend conspire, innocently drinking her wine and taking in the ambience otherwise.
"Finally," The elf exhales, "All in time, but this time has been longer than others." He thinks of that fire, thinking soon they'll finally have evidence.
"The Sharrans have run amok too long," The human agrees, smiling faintly. "You've done good work here. We don't forget our friends."
Marie isn't about to interrupt them or anything, she keeps on eavesdropping.
Also sense motiving, take 10 for 58 in case either one of them's bullshitting the other.
They both seem on the level.
"I want to be more," The elf murmurs back.
"Under Selune's gaze, you will be," The human answers, a smile crossing his face. "The light of the moon shows the way forward."
Marie continues listening in to what's said and what's thought!
Unless someone pulls a knife she's not going to interfere so we can just cover the entire conversation, summarised as necessary, rather than her having to check in and say 'still listening!' every other line.
There's not much more to it - a few murmured reassurances and the elf departs, leaving the man be. Not a lot more is gotten from the conversation.
The human seems to be the more active participant, so Marie plans on following him when he leaves, making strategic use of her ability to turn invisible when no one's looking so she can tail him unseen.
She'll take 10 for 57 (77 with invis) on stealth.
He slips through the streets with a casual ease, soon coming to an inn and going to a room within.
Once he goes into that inn room Marie teleports outside so she can peek in through the window and listen in to anything that occurs within. All still invisible and sneaky of course!
The man fetches a basin of water and strips off, then cleans himself with a rag. Beneath that clothing he's all sleek muscle, not the slightest hint of fat on him. An adventurer's body, no two ways about it. As he cleans himself, he occasionally pauses and murmurs, "Under the light of the moon, I am cleansed," before continuing.
Seems like a Selunite alright. Marie continues her not at all creepy observation until he goes to sleep!
Take 10 for knowledge: religion to see if he's on the up and up with his devotions.
Total for the K:R check?
Whoops! 58.
He seems on the level.
Notably, the bathing ritual is usually only used when bathing under the moonlight and for certain cleansing rituals related to that. Some sects do use it like this and it's not a heresy, merely an unusual variant. You recall Selune has some presences here, but it's not something usually taught by this world's clergy - they all tend to be mainline except the Lunatics.
It's not enough to seem suspicious to Marie - he could well be doing this in private to avoid being seen by any Sharrans in town.
Once he's asleep and assuming nothing else happens, she'll go find Seldyn manor!
Seldyn Manor is a pleasant elven manor. Beautifully built amid the pine trees, it stands beautiful and remote. The woodwork is remarkable, polished a deep, nutty brown and rich even in the cloak of night. No lights are on here - just quiet silence, as nights tend to be.
Marie has a fly around the exterior, invisible but attentive.
Take 10 for 58 on perception, she has see invis, blessed sight, and greater arcane sight up (take 10 for 58 on any relevant spellcraft checks).
The outsdie's pretty normal - albeit any doors and windows in are warded with alarm spells. You also notice the windows are set just so - there's no gaps in the vision overall, no places near the building that you can't be seen until you reach the trees.
Good thing Marie's invisible! After her perimeter check she flies away and teleports herself to Honey Belle's inn room, where she can strip off all her clothes and leave them safe. Now able to go incorporeal without dropping anything, she does just that, casting sensual blessing for good measure to boost her sleuthing abilities before she teleports back in her invisible tiny incorporeal globe form. Like this she floats right through one of the windows without triggering its alarm and starts casing the interior of the manor.
The interior of the manor is quiet on a glance. First floor? Nothing interesting. Pretty and rich, but nothing that screams evil. Upper floors? About the same. There's sleeping people here - servants and those who live here both on a glance, in case you care to investigate that more.
If not for the secret passage you find in a quiet corner of the first floor, you'd think it was entirely unremarkable. A false wall or some such, n magic protecting you from going through and finding a passage to what looks to be a basement.
She has a casual look over those sleeping to see if they show up as evil to her blessed sight. Also are they humans then, or elves?
After that she checks out the secret passage, going slow to check for wards or traps that might detect even a tiny invisible incorporeal intruder.
Elves. Three of the elves radiate evil - one faint, two strong.
Good to know. Marie carries on with her infiltration!
The basement stairs lead to an unfinished basement - bare earth, a chamber pitch dark. You can see it, feel it - desecrated grounds.
Here is nothing but a cavern and darkness, as well as stairs leading deeper down into the ground.
Is there a way around the descrated area to get to those further stairs without passing through it?
Not really, it looks like. It covers the entire room and the stairs aren't near the walls.
The perils of being flush with divine power.
Though if not for that divine power she couldn't even be on the prime at all, so easy come easy go!
Since she doesn't need to sleep or be anywhere else, she'll go watch the trancing elves and just keep an eye on the place until something happens.
Give me a d100.
[18:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[18:38] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d100=32]
Trancing doesn't take too much longer - one of the evil elves is the one to rise. No lights are made, no candles lit. He wears a loin cloth and heads downstairs, yawning as he does.
Marie will follow him around at least so far as it doesn't take her into desecrated territory.
Turns out that's exactly where he's going, into it and to the stairs within there.
Not much she can do about that so she'll choose to linger here outside the desecrated area to monitor who all comes and goes from it.
The elf returns about 10 minutes or so later, going back upstairs as before.
She'll keep following him around then!
He promptly goes outside and heads towards the back - just a bit away, towards a small stream. A rather chilly stream, as you'd expect for the weather around here.
Marie keeps on following, she's not got anything better to do.
Off goes the loin cloth and a rather unremarkable washing up follows.
You seem to have people getting naked around you a lot today. How odd. As you ponder that, the elf puts the loincloth back on and heads inside, getting himself a glass of wine and sitting back in a formal sitting room for now, simply enjoying the quiet of night and a good drink, perhaps.
She sees all sorts of things in her line of work.
She should meet up with Ebony some time and compare notes, the rumours say she has a similar problem.
Anyway, he's the only person active in the mansion so Marie will stick to him, unseen but all-seeing!
He drinks for perhaps 10 more minutes, taking it in. He then goes upstairs and dresses in a plain elven tunic and breeches, then comes downtstairs again. He waits just outside a side door - and soon enough a figure approaches. He is tall - broad, big, muscled. A cloak covers his form, but the sheer size of him suggests a massive warrior at the least. His pace is strong and powerful, approaching as the elf kneels, head bowed in submission.
What sort of magic and evil does this fellow have on him?
[20:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+33 CL on blessed sight if needed
[20:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=20]
[20:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+33 CL on greater arcane sight if needed
[20:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=4]
Taking 10 for 58 on relevant spellcrafts.
Magic can't be detected on him, but he radiates overwhelming evil.
Must have nondetection up then, a man of fine taste!
Marie sneakily watches and listens to what then transpires. Could this be the elusive Dragodan?
"Is it ready?" The cloaked man's voice is surprisingly soft spoken.
"Yes, honored shadow," Is the answer, "Come with me."
Probably going to go into that desecrated area which limits her ability to eavesdrop, but she does have extremely good hearing for a little while thanks to sensual blessing so she might still hear conversation all the way down those stairs if she lingers at the edge.
Either way, she'll follow them as long as it's safe.
Unfortunately, neither is terribly communicative. They walk down in silence to the desecrated basement and deeper in, leaving Marie behind.
Marie strains her incorporeal ears nonetheless from where she is!
That's an obvious call for a Perception check, yes.
[16:50] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73
[16:50] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=8]
The voices are faraway, but with your ears it's not too hard to hear.
"It's been prepared, Lord Dragodan," The elf says, "Soon."
Marie prays to Alicia to let her know she's located Dragodan, and things are put in motion elsewhere.
Keep listening for now, but I want him captured. Exercise your best judgement, Marie.
With the word from on high given, Marie keeps on eavesdropping!
"Then continue," Dragodan says shortly, "Before the Crimson Guard or those that control them interfere again."
"I have seen no sign of them here," The elf replies, "Surely-"
"Then you haven't looked hard enough," Dragodan cuts him off, "The enemy is contemptible, disgusting and foolhardy, but they are not weak nor are they incompetent."
Two out of five? That's a pretty harsh appraisal! She didn't recognise any of the conspirators earlier from the Crimson Guard expedition in the desert but she's sure there are others so the human could be a member she supposes.
"But Alici-"
"Do not say that name." Dragodan cuts in shortly. "Nor the other's."
"Those two are gone from the guard. The Prophet watches the Well of Souls and not us." The elf continues, voice more timid, gentler. "Are those that remain that dangerous, shadow?"
"Yes." A simple confirmation, "You would be nothing but a fly for Eudard to swat or Abagail to enchant, or for Oberuth to slaughter."
That's some proper respect at least.
It's a shame Whimsical Sweets aren't on this case actually. Marie always got a kick out of hearing about Sharrans thwarted by a group with that name.
"...It is distasteful," the elf finally says, "That heathens like that are so strong."
"We will crush them, but they will spitefully deny you glory, honor and your rest as long as they can." Dragodan goes on, "Like Alestrel, they want you to hurt longer, to suffer more."
The elf is silent at that, not a sound from him.
"They will hurt you, make you suffer. The outlets you found - they'll take away Maline, tear all this down, tear apart the dungeons. All those outlets will be gone if they get their way." Dragodan says, "Will you fail Shar like that?"
"Never," The elf's voice is quick, fervent. "I will never fail her!"
"Then you'll go far yet," Dragodan says, and after a few moments, "There is news of other enemies. The Lady of Loss believes agents tied to the Aurora may take action against Sharrans. Duke Moore of Celestia and Tryll of Aurora in particular, aided by various officers of the Aurora."
Interesting to name drop those two in particular. Sounds like Shar might be onto the whole Io conspiracy.
Marie is also fully on board with taking away the outlets of sadistic creeps who maintain dungeons in their houses!
"I understand, shadow," Is the answer from the elf.
"Many seek to hurt you before the end," Dragodan says, "But only Shar will save you. Never forget that."
There's no conversation after that, only silence.
Unless she hears anyone saying the words to a teleport or shadow walk spell, Marie is content to wait until they return.
After about 20 minutes, the elf returns, going up without slowing down. No sign of Dragodan with him.
Oh no, did he teleport away without her hearing? Alicia's gonna be so mad!
Making an invisible frowny face, she follows the elf long enough to read his surface thoughts.
Detect thoughts, DC 27.
> roll 1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=20]
No good, his thoughts are a closed book to you.
Oh she really let everyone down on this!
Maybe Dragodan's still down there and just wanted privacy for some creepy Shar stuff? At least she's actually seen his face and heard his voice so that's some kind of progress, but oh she just knows Alicia's going to be disappointed if he snuck away from under her nose.
Hoping for the best, she elects to go back and hold position outside the desecrated area. She knows there's going to be an attack on this place tomorrow night so she can observe and make sure that goes smoothly even if Dragodan doesn't show up again.
Thus hours pass - and roughly around dawn, the elf returns. He carries a tray of food, going on downstairs without comment.
Marie has nothing to say to him either!
Unfortunately sensual blessing has long since worn off, so her hearing isn't as good...
[18:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+48 perception
[18:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=17]
Yet you can still hear, distantly, "Breakfast, shadow."
Dragodan grunts before saying, "Good. Leave me."
Moments later the elf returns up the stairs and leaves.
Marie has another shot at reading the elf's mind, following him long enough to get it done in case she gets lucky on bypassing his defences.
Detect thoughts again, DC 27 will.
> roll 1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=8]
The elf is thinking of two things as he passes - of getting breakfast and then using the bathroom. Turns out he has to go. Who knew? Then his thoughts move to thoughts of a reward, of peace at last.
Dragodan isn't leaving that much of an impression on his thoughts but then he has been here all night.
Oh well, back to her vigil outside the desecrated area! Good thing her nondetection spell has an unreasonably long duration on it.
How much longer does it have, roughly?
It lasts 66 hours per casting, assuming she casts it every two days then she has anything from 18 to 42 hours left.
Hours pass. Hours without incident before Dragodan emerges, coming up the stairs and out, heading upstairs.
Praying to Alicia to let her know the chase is back on, Marie follows him. She won't attack unless Alicia tells her to or Dragodan looks about to teleport away, but she sticks close until then so she can gather more useful information even if he gets away or has some sort of thing that makes his head melt into black goo if he's captured and interrogated.
Why is that a thing that happens often enough that she has to prepare for that specific eventuality?
As Marie ponders the odd quirks of her chosen life, she follows Dragodan.
Dragodan heads upstairs, to a private room where he goes to the window. It's a cloudy and cold day, snow flurries falling. He's silent for a time, looking out the window and lost in his own thoughts.
"What's to find here?" He murmurs after some silence, said more under his breath than anything else. "Lady of Loss, I will never understand why they resist you."
Stunning lack of imagination there.
Would actually be really dramatic to reveal herself and say something pithy before knocking him out, but it wouldn't be wise so Marie just continues to hover around and observe him like some kind of guardian angel.
"So many oppose you out of foolishness," Dragodan goes on, then shakes his head and goes silent. He watches the snowflakes for a time before, "Shadow," a new voice calls, "It's ready."
Dragodan turns and heads downstairs, not a word said.
Is that the elf who's been catering to Dragodan or someone else?
Either way, Marie follows so long as she doesn't end up in a desecrated area.
Someone else - a female elf, clad in a servant's clothes. Dragodan heads right back into the desecrated area and back downstairs without further comment. The elf goes with him.
Marie reads the elf girl's thoughts from up until she collects Dragodan to when she goes down the stairs.
DC 27 will on detect thoughts.
> roll 1d20+1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=11]
She's thinking that the ritual is ready and that she hopes Father's prepared.
Marie monitors her thoughts all the way until she passes beyond range in case she thinks of any particulars about this ritual and what father has to be prepared for.
Then it's just a case of eavesdropping from a distance!
[17:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+48 perception
[17:00] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 57 > [d20=9]
Soon enough...
"Are you ready?" Dragodan asks.
"I am ready to die," The elf replies.
"Then you shall rise as a true servant of Shar," Dragodan intones, "You shall reave all Creation towards the final moment and eternal oblivion."
Well, it's pretty much self inflicted and you could easily say they deserve what they get, but what kind of eladrin would she be to stand by and let someone be ritually sacrificed and turned into an undead monster no matter how much they happen to be into it?
Popping out of her tiny incorporeal ball form into her substantial elfin one, albeit still invisible, her voice may then be heard by those downstairs with ears sharp enough to match her own as she calls on Mystra to strip the blessings of the weave from all around her.
Antimagic zone cast, 330 foot radius centred on Marie herself. As she has DvR 0 she's unaffected.
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33)
Defences: AC 83 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 56), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties:
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/10/8/9/8/9/7/8/8/7/7/4
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm, time stop
> roll 1d20+68
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d20=4]
"Treachery," Dragodan's voice is heard even as you enspell the Weave, to block it out and bring mundane reality back.
Not having to fear the desecrated area telling Shar of her presence now, Marie flies down the stairs to see their evil ritual chamber for herself and start laying down the law!
Antenora would be so proud of her.
Also she blocks the stairs behind her with a wall of force.
SLA used.
Thus you block the stairs and race down. Below is a chamber with several elves, including the elf you have watched for several hours. He kneels before an altar to Shar. All the room is mundane - save for Dragodan, an onyx decorated sword sword in his hand. He is before the kneeling elf and turns, a haze of purple around him. His entire body is tinted black, color gone from it.
"Who challenges me?" Dragodan says, "For I am of the shadows." He pushes his hood back. His face is pockmarked, perhaps handsome beneath it all. His blade shifts before your eyes, becoming a serrated longsword.
Can I tell if he has divine rank or is doing something worse like using some sort of evil shadowy substitute for the weave?
K:P.
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+48 planes
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=1]
It is his own power. You believe Dragodan is a proxy of Shar, just as you are a proxy of Alicia.
She feels really dumb for not noticing that earlier. It definitely should've been mentioned to Alicia.
Should've led with the teleport block too since there's literally nothing except perhaps his desire to fight her that's keeping him from teleporting away, so... time stop!
[18:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4+1 time stop SLA
[18:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=3]
Does he have stowaway?
He does not. Go for it.
She'd wanted to save this in case an avatar of Shar dropped in to reinforce him, but needs must. Marie first of all denies all teleportation within a huge area, then bolsters herself a little before creating a projected image to take the heat for her since it worked so well with the demons.
Round 1: Extended Jaela's teleport block, 3300 foot radius of no teleportation/summoning.
Round 2: Extended repelling shield.
Round 3: Seira's arcane thesis.
Round 4: Project image.
Marie herself is positioned in the far left corner from the stairs up against the ceiling. Her projected image is standing 10 feet away from Dragodan.
Also her projected image (like her invisible self) is unfortunately naked.Thus after her quick time stop, a bold and beautiful tulani takes pride of place in the dingy ritual chamber, giving a vivacious toss of her long purple hair as she stands there for all to see... and everything to be seen.
Incorporeality, you are a blessing and a curse.
"Whether you say her name or not it doesn't matter, the servants of Alicia have ears everywhere," she declares via her projected image, standing tall and proud. Then things get a bit hectic.
[18:54] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+11+5 init, nerveskitter
[18:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=2]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/9/10/9/8/9/8/8/7/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm, time stop
Quick check: What things do you have up like mind blank and nondetection?
Mind blank and nondetection are both up. DC 48 on the latter.
> roll 1d20+18 Dragodan
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+3 assorted magic blocked elves
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d20=5]
Init is Dragodan (32) > Marie (18) > Elves (8)
Dragodar takes 10 on K:P.
"Marie." Dragodan rumbles, "All ears and no clothes," he growls low, before uttering a dreadful word, nothing but pure menace and power.
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=11]
SR?
48
Yet the spell rolls off Marie, her protections holding against Dragodan's power. There's a flash of darkness from it as...
Go.
"Oh there's a lot more than ears going on here," Marie says as a veritable storm of magic missiles erupts from the hand of her projected image, spiralling off in all directions before unerringly converging to pound all over Dragodan!
Quickened/twinned/entangling/fell drain/repeat magic missile
[19:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 magic missile SR, (+50 for vs CL of shield style effects)
[19:42] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d20=11]
[19:42] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[19:42] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d4=3,3,3,3,1,4,4,3,1,4,4,1,1,3,1,4]
[19:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[19:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]As those all hit she walks closer and reaches up to pat Dragodan's pockmarked cheek, filling him with an urge to dance!
[19:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+44 melee touch for irresistible dance
[19:45] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=9]
[19:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+45 SR for irresistible dance
[19:45] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=14]
[19:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunuty to mind-affecting, stuck dancing if she wins
[19:45] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=18]
[19:56] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4+1 irresistible dance duration
[19:56] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d4=2]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/8/10/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
> roll 1d20 vs 6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20 vs 18
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=7]
Missiles and dances strike, leading Dragodan momentarily caught up in, moving and capering about. As the elves all stare, one runs forward with a dagger, stabbing the illusory Marie as...
Go.
Marie utterly ignores the stabbing elves, all her attention on Dragodan as she continues to show off her mastery of magic missiles on his capering form!
[20:16] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 repeat magic missile SR from last round
[20:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=2]
[20:16] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[20:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d4=1,3,3,3,1,4,3,4,2,2,4,2,3,2,4,3]
[20:16] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[20:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=7]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 quickened magic missiles for this round SR
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=6]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d4=1,4,3,4,2,2,4,1,2,4,3,4,2,4,3,3]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=14]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 regular magic missiles for this round SR
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=6]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 73 > [d4=2,4,3,1,4,4,4,1,1,1,2,4,2,2,4,2]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]
Also entangled by them, not that it hugely matters right now.So many missiles! Has anyone ever seen so many magic missiles all in one place at once? Marie thinks they haven't!
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/6/10/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
> roll 1d20
> roll 1d20
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=11]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=10]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=19]
More missiles pummel the Sharran, slamming him hard in your sneak attack. The light of your missles flies about the room, battering everything as they strike Dragodan. Yet as this happens he rises, before suddenly...
Do you have spell stowaway for time stop?
Yes! Also doesn't he have 2 more rounds of dancing before he can do anything?
I'm getting terrible about checking my notes in between sessions for some reason. Strike his action.
Dragodan prances about, moving thanks to your magic as the elves cower back and...
Go.
Even without Marie doing anything, more magic missiles continue to batter Dragodan's capering form thanks to Marie's mastery of metamagics!
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[16:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 repeat magic missile SR
[16:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d20=16]
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[16:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d4=1,2,3,1,3,3,3,1,4,1,3,2,1,1,1,4]
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[16:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d20=3]She might actually kill him at this rate so Marie the invisible version floats over and bashes him with her magical eladrin sword just to help him fall down from unconsciousness before he falls down from death.
[17:05] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+65 quickened true strike, nonlethal, ignores shield/armour bonuses to AC, he should be flat-footed since she's invisible, -4 AC from dancing anyway
[17:05] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d20=13]
[17:05] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+21+2d6 nonlethal
[17:05] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d8=5][d6=5,4]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/6/9/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
> roll 1d20
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=7]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=17]
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! Missiles strike, a colorful show all around you as you manage to bash him upside the head. It staggers Dragodan more as he continues to dance, momentarily in your clutches as...
Go. How many more rounds of dancing?
Just one more.Humming to herself, Marie smacks Dragodan a bunch more with her sword, a brief respite in the magic missile swarm!
Inspire courage used on self as a free action. Not maintaining it beyond this round.
[17:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51 nonlethal, ignores shield/armour bonuses to AC, he should be flat-footed since she's invisible, -4 AC from dancing anyway
[17:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=14]
[17:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+46 nonlethal, ignores shield/armour bonuses to AC, he should be flat-footed since she's invisible, -4 AC from dancing anyway
[17:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=5]
[17:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+61 quickened true strike nonlethal, ignores shield/armour bonuses to AC, he should be flat-footed since she's invisible, -4 AC from dancing anyway
[17:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=1]
[17:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+36 nonlethal, ignores shield/armour bonuses to AC, he should be flat-footed since she's invisible, -4 AC from dancing anyway
[17:32] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=6]
[17:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+27+2d6 nonlethal
[17:32] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d8=8][d6=5,2]
[17:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+27+2d6 nonlethal
[17:32] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d8=3][d6=4,5]
[17:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+27+2d6 nonlethal
[17:32] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d8=4][d6=6,4]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/5/9/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
Strike, strike, strike. Dragodan prances and moves along with the beat, hit but not taken down. He's battered for sure but standing tall - no weak foe this as he finally roars, dancing coming to a stop and...
Go.
Marie herself flies off to another corner of the room, while her projected image resumes the magic missile barrage with insouciant grin on her face. "You have some good moves, Dragodan, you should've stuck to dancing!"
[17:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 magic missile SR
[17:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=1]
[17:43] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[17:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d4=2,3,4,4,3,2,2,4,1,2,3,1,1,1,2,1]
[17:44] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[17:44] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=12]
[17:44] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 magic missile SR
[17:44] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=1]
[17:44] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[17:44] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d4=4,3,3,1,3,2,2,4,3,1,1,2,1,1,1,1]
[17:44] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[17:44] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=10]
All the metamagics, he's entangled too.
[spoiler]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/4/9/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
[/spoiler[
> roll 1d20
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=10]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=10]
Reroll on the second rank check since tied.
[18:06] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 reroll rank check
[18:06] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=19]
Okay then.
Missile after missile hits Dragodan, slamming him down this time. He only slowly rises, a compulsive cough of blood. "For this, you bleed," he says, as his armor glows and...
> roll 1d4+1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d4=1]
Speed. Pure, overwhelming speed as...
Round one of the shared timestop. Go, Marie.
Couple technical questions first.
The magic missiles cast last round had repeat spell on them. Do they go off again now, or after the time stop ends?
Is Marie's projected image frozen during the time stop or does it work normally the same as Marie does?
They'd be outside of the time stop, so they're not involved here.
It would be frozen in time as well.
With her projected image frozen in time, Dragodan surely thinks he's got everything under control.
That's why the invisible Marie waits just a second before throwing all the magic missiles at him!
Intent is to disrupt any spellcasting he does and just the fun shock value.
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 magic missile SR
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 69 > [d20=17]
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d4=3,3,1,3,4,2,1,2,4,3,2,4,1,1,2,2]
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=18]
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 magic missile SR
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=13]
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 16d4+32
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d4=4,3,3,3,1,1,2,1,1,3,3,4,2,4,1,2]
[18:26] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20 opposed rank check to beat divine immunity to negative levels, 2 negative levels taken if she wins
[18:26] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=18]
All the metamagics, he's entangled too.
"You think you can hide from me with a time stop? It won't work!" Marie crows before she relocates to the opposite corner, covered by the horrifying endless barrage of glowing purple magical orbs careening around the room and splashing over him, draining vitality and smothering him with sticky force to impede his movements!
[spoiler]
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/2/9/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
[/spoiler[
If he doesn't cast, does that change your calculus at all?
Not really, she still wants to hit him. Disrupting a spell is just a fun bonus.
Dragodan staggers, falls to a knee. The blasts are too much, driving him down and out. He collapses and goes still, blood leaking from his mouth. You did it!
Oh, what a rough fight for him. Free act.
Uh oh, more magic missiles are coming though! Marie has to counterspell the repeat magic missiles before they kill him off!
No check, but she has to expend spell slots and use a standard/swift to counter the repeat spells from last round, and then do the same again after time stop ends because there was another pair queued up.
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), greater invisibility (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48), invisible
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/0/8/9/8/9/8/8/6/8/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
Magic is broken as the elves stare in fear, the illusory Marine untouched. It's stabbed again to no effect as...you've done it. You've won.
The real Marie appears standing over Dragodan, similarly naked, and gives the elves a dirty look. "You should pick your friends with more care," she says icily, trying to channel some of the attitude Alicia and Antenora throw around at times like this.
Gaze, DC 41 or panicked...
[19:00] <@Ebiris> roll 2d10
[19:00] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d10=6,1]
7 rounds.
---
Meanwhile Alicia has a brief contact with Selune.
I believe one of yours in Elandra's Rest was planning on attacking Seldyn Manor today? You should prod him to move on that now, I'm afraid we've stirred the rat's nest.
> roll 1d20 they're 20 fishing and we all know it
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d20=4]
The elves cower before you, fleeing to the back of the room and staying there.
Meanwhile...
'Thank you,' Selune's voice, simple and unaugmented, is heard in Alicia's mind.
The wall of force will keep them hemmed in for a while anyway. She could probably kill them, or take them to Sylica, but better their misdeeds are exposed here in Pallanth - maybe they'll even learn something from this experience?
Instead she focuses on Dragodan, a giant hand of force scooping him up and hovering him over her shoulder.
Praying to Alicia that she'd like to go now and she's about to lower teleport block, she hopes for some really good timing so she doesn't have any avatars drop in to surprise her.
A second later her prayers are answered as Alicia opens a gate from Sylica, and Marie rushes through with her prize, a fortified courtyard waiting for her with Alicia, Syala, Antenora, and Jessica all on station given the nature of her cargo.
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), extended antimagic zone (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 79, spell resistance 46, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +10 CL for SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/0/8/9/8/9/8/8/6/7/8/7/7/2
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
And thus Marie escapes - no avatar, at least this time. Antenora smiles widely on seeing her, "Well done, Marie!"
Not on the prime, but even in Sylica they can't guarantee safety so Alicia is extremely tense and has already forewarned Mystra that she may require urgent assistance should Shar move directly to recover her proxy.
But still, credit where it's due. "Excellently done," she agrees, giving her familiar a smile as she closes the gate. "Jessica, strip him of everything he has first," a plain white smock has been provided to allow him some modesty afterwards but she won't let him keep a single thing on his person that he came here with. Jessica of course has the most experience with a rogue's trickery and knows all the good hiding spots so she'll ensure nothing is left.
The plan is to do that, then have Naeys use his mind theatre magic to find out everything Dragodan knows about current Sharran operations primarily on their native prime but also across the planes. They can use that to coordinate strikes with allies to quickly roll up as much as they can, while Dragodan himself can be put permanently on ice via an Imprisonment spell here in Sylica.
Thus it is done. No sign of an avatar, nothing.
Yet when Naeys casts his spell, he jerks his hand away from Dragodan.
"All I see is darkness," he reports, "With a door that beckons me without words, that invites me within."
"That invitation will absolutely not be taken," Alicia says firmly, focusing on the proxy of Shar before them. "Marie, cast that Sunite spell. Everyone who doesn't want to fancy Marie please get sixty feet of clearance."
Marie casts Beauty Triumphant, DC 42 will or fall helplessly in love with her.
Alicia autopasses her save on a 1.
Thankfully Marie has gotten her own clothes on by now but she's no less lovely for it. Alicia then casts enervation over and over on Dragodan to substantially weaken him before he gets healed to wakefulness. A teleport block is placed over the area as a further precaution and he's restrained with enchanted adamantine manacles binding his hands and feet.
I can do 13 maximised enervations. I'll stop after 5 have hit (for 20 negative levels in total) but I'll roll 13 SR/rank checks just to see if I actually manage to get as many as I'd like. Can't miss the ranged touch attack at least. Casting Seira's Arcane Thesis for the SR boost too.
[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 13#1d20+45 SR for maximised enervations
[20:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 60, 63, 51, 54, 61, 65, 46, 55, 54, 55, 50, 48, 60 >
[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 13#1d20+2+4 rank checks to beat immunity to negative levels
[20:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 8, 16, 20, 23, 17, 25, 9, 13, 21, 16, 18, 15, 8 >
To reiterate, I'll stop doing these after I land 5 of them.
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=20]
> roll 12#d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13, 6, 18, 12, 11, 9, 12, 8, 8, 7, 18, 13 >
1 fails. 2 gets through. 3 and 4 get through. 5 gets through. 6 gets through. Okay.
Dragodan is weakened, blasted with as Marie casts and...
> roll 1d20+27 unarmored/dispelled
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d20=14]
Dragodan stares rapidly at Marie, lost in her.
Antenora stays at the ready, whilst Syala stands arms crossed, hammer floating besides her.
"Dragodan... isn't this a much nicer place for a meeting of minds?" Marie asks with an enthralling smile.
It's not bad if you like looming fortress walls on all sides and the sun seeming to scorch down from directly overhead, minimising any potential shadows and making everything look a bit bleached out.
"Tell me please, what were you doing in Elandra's Rest?"
Dragodan looks up at Marie, spellbound.
"I was to reward all those at the Selwyn Manor," He answers back. "I should have rewarded you instead."
"Yes well, don't worry about that," Marie says, feeling a little bit queasy at the looks she's getting but still staying professional. "What had they done to earn a reward and how were you rewarding them?"
"They have expanded Shar's power in Elandra's Rest and the surrounding areas," Is the answer you get, "In the cold places, where none but the bravest travel."
"And their reward?" Marie prods. This could take a while.
"Rebirth as shadows, powerful shadows," Dragodan says, "Shadows that will reave the life from so many. That will put so many to rest and bring about victory that much quicker." His words are earnest, full of conviction. "Too many people have to be forced to submit to Shar. It's disgraceful."
Good thing she stopped that! "Don't say that. Who else on that prime has done good enough work that you're planning on rewarding them?"
"No one right now," Dragodan says, "Efforts in the west were lost." With a scowl, "Your friends in the Guard are annoying, Marie."
Antenora smiles at that.
"I'll make sure to pass that on," Marie says reassuringly. "Do you have any new potentials you're working on? The ones in the desert had come very far in a short amount of time."
"No, only the ones in the desert that were crushed," Dragodan agrees, "The ones here were going to be the start of something stronger."
[16:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52+30+15 Alicia senses motives, moment of prescience/divine insight
[16:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 102 > [d20=5]
To see if he's being straight with us.
He seems to be on the level so far.
"What about on other primes then, someone like you must be kept busy training up new disciples and overseeing plots, right?" Marie asks, no interruption from Alicia.
Here Dragodan smiles. "That's in the Caverns, dear Marie. Lovely you may be, but you won't find that told as a lover's whisper, for I can't."
"Yes, I know the type," Marie says, just glad his brain hasn't dribbled out of his ears as a black sludge that then attacks them. "So tell me something I don't know. How often do you meet up with others of the Shadow Twelve?"
"When I return to the Plane of Shadow," Dragodan says, "We meet there."
"Who are the other eleven, then?" she asks.
Even if they're all proxies Shar can still fit in a bunch more at that, so unfair!
Here Dragodan hesitates, "Should I speak of that to you, my love?" he asks, "You don't know, and not knowing would benefit Shar."
"I'd like to know," Marie says, feeling her last meal wanting to force its way back up her throat at the term of endearment from him. "Please don't leave me in suspense."
Diplo check here, Marie.
Normally this spell wouldn't work like this, but this is hardly a normal person or situation.
[18:05] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+55 diplo
[18:05] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=10]
Yet something in Dragodan's gaze softens, lost in admiring you. "Well...it's okay if it's you, my love," he says. "You deserve to know."
Antenora's expression is growing tighter, she quietly steps aside a bit, out of Dragodan's possible line of sight.
Jessica watches, staying out of it and keeping an eye on Dragodan.
"Then lets hear it, tell me about your colleagues," Marie prods.
"Zylvelyn," Dragodan begins, "The Empty Gale. She is fast as lightning, trained by Shar how to fight with two weapons. She is a storm of weapons that lays anyone low." His gaze turns to Alicia at that, "She surely exceeds even you."
Given how Dragodan fancied his chances against Marie, Alicia is inclined to take that with a pinch of salt. "One to watch out for then," she says mildly.
"What's she up to then?" Marie asks.
"That lies within the Cavern," Dragodan replies, "I can't tell you, I'm sorry, my love."
"Nevermind, just tell me what you can about the rest," Marie says, moving things along.
"The next is Ryn," Going right on from that, "A powerful sorcerer. So is Yull, though one is also one who despoils and the other is clad in steel and adamantine." Dragodan says.
"Mmhmm. Go on?" Marie asks. Since they're not getting any actionable information this is mostly just trivia unfortunately, but they may as well try and obtain some benefit.
"Vetch is the Avenger, a grim blade that cleaves through those who defy Shar. He gets stronger the more his enemy has opposed her." Dragodan goes on, "He's also a powerful jack of all trades beyond that - he once served Selune before he saw the Lady of Loss's dark wisdom."
AT that Syala smiles. 'Oh good, we have reason to go talk to Selune again.'
"Asani is a tormentor, a mutilator and a dark warrior," Going right on from that, "Magic and fingers both rip apart impure bodies and bring all to final rest. There mere sight of her crushes resistance."
"So does that mean Asani has no interest in creating undead?" Marie asks, because final rest usually isn't on the cards when Sharrans can still wring some use out of you.
"Yes," Is the answer, "Not all are worthy to rise as shadows to serve the Lady of Loss. Some must go straight to oblivion."
If not for the fact she obviously has a torture fetish that'd be worthy of respect!
Sadly she is making up for it by being extra horrible elsewhere. "So that's six, halfway through the list if we count you," she prods him to go on.
"There is Sartay, a spirit caller who is served as a Princess of the Shadows, for she has a droplet of Shar's blood as her own." Dragodan says, "Not even you can oppose all the spirits which serve her, nor her skill at arms."
"Really? So what do you bring to the dozen and how do you stack up amongst them?" Marie asks to better contextualise all this hype.
"I am a warrior, a champion. I am average," Dragodan says, "There are others who have grown stronger recently at Shar's direction. " Now his gaze turns fearlessly to Alicia, "You must be stopped. We will stop you."
That's quite flattering to hear. Usually it goes the other way around! Alicia just looks back at him with a faint smile on her lips but doesn't say anything.
"Seven," Marie speaks up. "The next?"
"Danne, a swordsman and scytheman who wields both at once," Dragodan goes on, "A furious blade who scythes and slashes through any foe with arcane fires. The Prince of Shadows, a supreme shadow above even a greater shadow and with powers unstoppable by any of the living. All who face him are doomed to perish and become a shadow under his command - and he commands hundreds of thousands of shadows. Morllar, unholy champion and enforcer of Shar's will and master of the Null Blade."
"What's the Null Blade?" Marie asks. "Is it like the Blade of Endings?" If it gets special mention it must be a big deal after all.
"It is a bone from Shar's own body," Dragodan speaks in quiet reverence, "It is the shadows and oblivion and it will overcome any it wounds."
Okay that's a big deal alright. Do not get hit by that ever, but stealing it would be a tremendous coup.
Also the Prince of Shadows needs to die as well, sounds like one for Latha really.
"And the last two?" she asks.
"One recently was defeated and the last is here," Dragodan says.
"Who was defeated and who is here? Not counting yourself to whom both apply," Marie says. "Because counting yourself I've heard ten."
Just in case I'm missing something, here's the list
1 Dragodan
2 Zylvelyn
3 Ryn
4 Yull
5 Vetch
6 Asani
7 Sartay
8 Danne
9 Prince of Shadows
10 Morllar
Oh dur, I think we were counting differently. Revising his line.
"One recently was defeated and I am here," Dragodan says. "The last is Penae, dark speaker of Shar. She commands the Dark Speech with Shar's own insight."
"Thank you, that's educational," Marie says, glad he wasn't after all hinting they have one of them undercover in Sylica. "Do you know anything about the recent attack Shar sent at Sylica with the cloud of shadows?"
"It lies within the Cavern," Dragodan says. "I cannot tell you, my beloved."
"Okay." Marie pauses and looks at Alicia, who shakes her head, walking over and handing her a wrapped scroll of pristine white parchment bound with a blue thread. She unwraps it and approaches Dragodan. "Please hold still and allow me to cast this spell on you, you won't be harmed," she promises.
She's casting Imprisonment from a scroll.
Dragodan moves to speak, but sees something in you. Pauses, hesitates - and the spell is cast.
And thus Shar's proxy is sealed far beneath Sylica, suspended hopefully for all time and forever cut off from his divine source - and vice versa.
"It's done," Alicia says, approaching her former familiar and current proxy. "You may not realise it now Marielle, but you've struck a blow against Shar that one day I think all of Creation will have cause to thank you for."
"Well," Marie ends her Beauty Triumphant spell and gives Alicia a small smile, "That does help a bit but I still feel like I need one of Antenora's famous lava baths to scrub the feel of his eyes off of me."
"Go have fun with Antenora then, you've earned it," Alicia claps her shoulder. "Syala," she turns to her wife, "I think this calls for your greatest dungeon yet, but we should ask for some outside help on fortifying this spot besides. I'll ask Mystra, you ask Selune, and... Jessica, why don't you ask Lathander as well? A nice easy diplomatic mission for you to dip your toes in."
Antenora comes and hugs Marie after, simply holding her tight.
At the same time Syala smiles faintly, "I think we can manage that. Though - the question of this Cavern and what Naeys remains. Why did Shar let her proxy go without sending an avatar? It would have been within her ability."
"The cavern was absolutely a trap," Alicia says. "We need better magic for stripping the thoughts out of people we capture for scenarios like this, she must have thought the temptation of learning his secrets would be too much and... well, I don't know but whatever would have resulted wouldn't have been worth it," she concludes.
"Could she send an avatar though, really?" Marie asks as she leans against Antenora. "I know we get special treatment on that prime because we lived there, but until the last seal gets broken it's still restricted to a degree, isn't it? I was careful anyway, though."
"Hm." Syala shakes her head, "I always forget how special your world is. Never mind about the avatar, that's a fair point."
Meanwhile Antenora holds Marie as Jessica nods and departs, planting a kiss atop Marie's head. "I have no doubt it's a poisoned dagger of some variety. The only question is how she plans to stab us with it in the future."
"She can afford to be patient but she will want him back, or at least his spark," Alicia pats her foot on the ground. "We need to prepare ourselves to defend this prize for the long haul. I'm going to stay here myself while my avatar visits Dweomerheart to enlist help."
"Come on then Antenora, lets go have a bath?" Marie asks, giving Jessica a smile as she goes. "May as well celebrate the end of Honey Belle's adventures. There will be no encore."
Antenora and Marie slip away, leaving you and Syala here alone. Once they're gone, "I need to punch something, I've begun to think like Antenora. I'm seeing plans instead of a victory." She makes a face at that, "A win is a win, no matter how the other side tries to manipulate it."
"Just because we didn't get the absolute most we could have gotten here is no reason to diminish what we have accomplished. How many others have captured one of Shar's proxies?" Alicia asks, unwilling to have this victory tainted.
"Marie really does deserve a reward for this," Syala muses quietly, "Something to signify her deed her. You're right, this is far from a trivial victory."
"It's another thing I'm going to ask Mystra about, she deserves to be recognised," Alicia agrees. "Any ideas?"
"What can we give her that she doesn't have?" Syal asks, rhetorically. "She never expected to get Antenora and yet there they are. She's gained the rank she's always wanted and power aside."
"She always was sad that those nice robes of the plainswalker she had got destroyed when we fought the Tarrasque. I'll ask Empress Sulia to make her a new set worthy of her stature," Alicia decides as inspiration strikes.
---
Meanwhile Avatarlicia arrives in Dweomerheart at the Sylican embassy and asks Mystra if she can spare some time for her.
That's easy enough - being a favored ally of Mystra has some benefits. She sits on a throne in a library, sitting back and locked in thought. Around her flow thousands, thousands and thousands yet strings of multicolored light, all connecting to her on one end and stretching on and on until they're out of sight on the other.
Fireball.
Magic Missile.
Levitate.
Instant Summons.
Rope Trick.
Cure Serious Wounds.
Camouflage.
Danay's Deception.
Spells by the trillions pulse and flow outward from Mystra, the barest glance revealing the Weave to you. Here Mystra sits, radiant with a power that dwarfs almost any other in Creation.
Even as a goddess keeping track of all those spells is beyond Alicia's means, but she still manages to take some of it in and smiles on seeing so many magic missiles.
"Mystra, our Marielle has done us proud once again," she says as she stands before Mystra's throne. "She has captured one of the Shadow Twelve, a proxy holder of Shar's divinity no less. I'm here to ask for your help in securing where he's being held against any attempts to retrieve or kill him, for all time if necessary."
"Truly?" Mystra rises at that, a vast aegis of spells rising with her, flowing around her and yet fading out of sight. "Marielle's grown farther than even I anticipated."
"I've had her hunting Dragodan ever since that incident with Taldeer," Alicia explains. "She found him yesterday and was able to observe him for some time before she committed to an attack when he was about to turn some Sharrans into greater shadows to better serve their twisted cause. It was a flawless victory," she says that with pride for her former familiar and her now obvious competence.
Smiling at that, Mystra is at your side. "Take us there and I will see to it," she concurs. "No Sharran proxy shall go crawling back to her."
Taking Mystra's hand, Alicia opens a gate to the edge of the dimensionally warded zone where the real Alicia and Syala watch over the spot Dragodan was imprisoned in the middle of a small a sunbleached fortress.
"The area ahead is warded from teleportation as the bare minimum, but I can show you the spell I developed to shorten the journey," the avatar says, gesturing ahead as she shortens the distance for them, the view ahead looking deformed and swollen as though funhouse mirror. Then a single step takes Alicia's avatar across thousands of feet to stand on the upper walls looking down at where Alicia and Syala are.
"I'll take over from here," Alicia herself says, as if she actually needs to explain herself to an avatar, waving up to Mystra when she comes through while the avatar leaves the area to assume other duties looking after Sylica.
"Space compression is a worthy spell," Mystra says as you come forth. Once there she merely overlooks things with barely a glance. "Yes, he can be restrained more," she agrees.
"We're reaching out to Selune and Lathander as well. No shadows will find purchase here," Alicia says. "Sylica strives to stand on its own feet, but this is one time when we can't let our pride stand in the way. I don't want Dragodan ever getting out."
"He is cursed," Mystra says, "He will not escape. Not now." You don't feel any magic, yet you see your imprisonment spell warping, changing in ways you've never seen before.
Alicia smiles and bows her head in gratitude. "Marielle's efforts will never be called in vain. Thank you."
Syala does the same, "Thank you. I will have Sharess and Brightwater add to this as well. Dragodan is done, now and forever."
"Good. Now to Marielle. Take me to her, Alicia. I wish to speak with her." Mystra concurs.
Alicia's avatar reappears to escort Mystra from the protected area via space compressed steps and then teleports them to where Marie and Antenora are.
That place in particular being a volcano dominating one of Sylica's new islands, both of them inside the caldera with Marie sitting on a lake of lava which she's far too light to actually sink into no matter how liquid it may be. Obviously Alicia's avatar had cast an energy immunity spell on her earlier, and just as obviously she's naked. "Ah! Mystra!" she jerks on spotting her august company, hopping into the air amidst a thick heat haze from the lake of molten red rock.
Antenora's there as well, likewise unclad and clearing her throat. She is up to her stomach or so in lava, slowly sinking in. How she does it is a question for another time, as Mystra says, "Marielle," she says, a simple cloth robe appearing on the lava besides her, one that doesn't burn in the slightest despite the heat.
Antenora is a lot more muscular than Marie, she's clearly putting some effort in! As Alicia's avatar departs, Marie herself quickly throws on that robe and floats over, bowing in front of the goddess of magic.
Antenora blinks and is out of the lava like that, a similar robe clothing her now.
Mystra floats above the lava, radiant in power. The lava begins to tint blue and purple, lines of white extending deeper and deeper into it, spreading outward. "You have exceeded even my greatest hopes for you in capturing one of Shar's proxies," she declares. From the lava a throne rises, of sizzling black volcanic glass. Mystra sits down on it, spellfire flashing within, burning within the throne. "I had hopes for you, yet you were ultimately meant to enable another to rise this high. That you have done so as well is a testament to your spirit."
"I've been helping Alicia for years, but you can't help catch a little bit of reflected competence too, can you?" Marie asks, straightening up to stand before the throne. "I paid attention, and I've used the power you and her entrusted me with so I wouldn't let Antenora and everyone else down."
"I can say you have not let me down," Mystra agrees, "It is no longer my place to reward you directly," she goes on, as before her hand they swirl - !!!! Marie's lost Plainswalker Robes reform above Mystra, increasing in size after. "Let me instead restore something that was lost to the Destroyer."
"Oh! Thank you, I'll treasure them even better than last time!" Marie promises, reaching out for the lovely red silk robes.
Do you still have the stats for them?
Alicia still has her set.
Robes of the Plainswalker: +2 armour bonus to AC
Also if you're gonna post loot what about Dragodan's items?
Ah crud, I forgot something this weekend. I will after session. Thanks.
Antenora smiles at that as Marie gets her robes back, "Do so," Mystra agrees, "Improve them as well."
"I'll ask Latha when she gets back!" Marie promises, head bobbing up and down.
Then Mystra smiles and reaches out, a gentle hand on your shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Marielle."
As a coure she was always a hard worker but one who chased after more responsibility and more recognition. Some might have considered her naked ambition to be unseemly, possibly even suspicious, but all she ever wanted was to help Mystra and make her proud! So hearing that, she starts to sniffle and reaches up to dash away a beautiful tear from her eye, "Th-thank you. That's all I ever wanted!" she gets out, beaming in happiness.
With a warm and genuine smile, "Go forth with my blessings and my pride for you," Mystra commands. "And this as well." With a flex of magic, suddenly the lava Marie stands on feels less solid, like she could slip right into it if she wants to. A rich, warm laugh follows before Mystra is gone, leaving Marie with Antenora once more.
Now that Mystra's gone she can't quite keep up her dignity any longer so she whirls around and tightly hugs Antenora, all happy tears!
Antenora embraces her back, just as tightly. No words for now, just holding Marie.
Finally she says, "You've done well, Marie. You've done well."
"Yeah..." she says, voice muffled into Antenora's shoulder before she leans back. "Also you know I've got an absolutely huge target painted on me now, right?"
"Which is why if we ever get a divine seed of our own, you're going to use at least part of it," Antenora concludes. With a sad smile, "No one will buy you're an innocent little familiar now, Marie. If you have the chance, I think you need to step on stage with the rest of us."
"I think I'll stay quiet in Sylica for a little while," she decides. "Can at least stave off whatever misfortune you had divined about you."
"I'll be here, too," Antenora says, promising as...
Okay, next move for Alicia in this?
See how Syala/Jessica got on with enlisting help from Selune and Lathander to augment the defences on Dragodan, help Syala build her baddest dungeon ever.
Otherwise our guys should be going to Daun around now, but Alicia isn't directly participating in that.
It's not too long until you hear a whispered, feminine voice in your mind. 'Tell me what you need for this, Alicia. No mercy will come from the night sky for Dragodan, so long as the moon endures.'
"I want light to shine here day or night, under cover or not, so that none can hide their approach to this forbidden zone," Alicia answers, conveying her voice back to Selune and giving her permission to manifest her will on Sylica however she likes in this area.
'Lathander and I will see to it,' Selune agrees. 'You are not one to petition my aid lightly. You believe Shar will try and free him.'
"Yes, even if just to kill him and free up that spark once more. As long as he is held here, she has one less potential agent to carry her divine will. No one would allow such weakness to stand, least of all Shar," Alicia agrees.
'Then we will do so,' Selune concurs, 'Light shall shine on this place, day or night, and no shadow shall find birth here.'
That just leaves it up to her and Syala to build a dungeon around it and fill it with guardians, though the real expectation is that any guardians will only be there to slow a real attempt down long enough for Alicia or Syala to intervene directly.
Any particular dungeon motif you favor here?
This is far more Syala's wheelhouse than Alicia's so letting her take the lead. In tribute to Marie, lets go with something that incorporates lots of force effects.
Syala hovers in the air, lost in thought. Shapes form and fade all around her - cubes of force, mazes of force. Force walls, tunnels of force, passages linked by specially established teleportation fields. "We won't stop Shar by direct force, we probably won't even hurt her," Syala concedes, "But done right we can slow her down. Doubly so that even if she gets here undetected, destroying the maze or damaging it will get my attention and tip her hand. That's my real goal here - either she takes the time to play it fairly and it gives us time to react, or she tips her hands and gives us an alarm."
Alicia nods as she helps Syala, taking her intentions and adding her own power and spin to things as they're created. Meanwhile her avatar enlists various patient outsiders with the mindset for this sort of long haul guard duty and the skills/strength to have a meaningful chance of detecting and defeating most intruders. A wall of bewildering fog is created to surround the area at the edge of where it's dimensionally warded as well, so any casual wanderers will get turned around from it.
"It's all about buying time for the hammer to drop," Alicia agrees as they work.
"I like the fog," Syala says, "I hadn't gotten to doing something like that yet."
"Just something to filter out troublemakers that aren't even worth the effort or happen on it by chance, it won't keep out anyone determined," Alicia says. "The area controlled by the Magus of Time in Pallanth had something similar around the edges. Do you notice how much easier this is now since we used the Icon of Sensation, though?"
"I did," Syala says, "Are you surprised?" She gives you a crooked little half smile.
"Not surprised, just pleased," she shakes her head. "We should get Antenora and Jessica to use it. Marie and Latha as well."
Smiling even more at that, "Things are more fun when we share them, aren't they?" Syala says, drifting over to you.
"It's an anatomically correct statue we stole from a succubus," Alicia says dryly. "So not too fun."
"Spoilsport," Syala puts an arm around your shoulder, "Still though, a triumph is a triumph. Today we won. Let's savor it."
"Lets," Alicia agrees, leaning against Syala as their dungeon takes shape.
Okay, set up for Thursday: Next moves?
Lets use the icon of sensation to make Marie, Antenora, and Jessica into anarchs.
Assuming that passes without incident and barring any war interrupts, we'll send our army off to Daun and then Alicia will visit Sulia and ask her to upgrade Marie's plainswalker robes as a favour.
"Me?" Antenora says when you bring it up to all of them. "A master of Limbo?" The look Antenora gives you says it all, one eyebrow raised and arms crossed.
"Odd, I thought you'd be all over a chance to bring your own order to chaos," Alicia says. "But it synergises surprisingly well with divine realm control and will help you with Sylica as well. Or any other outer plane you decide to force your will on in opposition to its owner's."
"It sounds fun, I know a spell that lets me do things like that but I don't get to use it much," Marie says.
"...One could look at it that way," Antenora finally says, "Very well, I trust your judgment, Alicia."
Thus they go off to the hidden cave where Alicia has placed the icon, its sense intensifying effects reduced down to their minimum radius and intensity. Bringing Marie, Antenora, and Jessica before it, she uses its power to make the three of them into anarchs.
Done and done. It's easy enough now, the power of the icon flowing outward.
"Thank you, sister. Shall we visit Limbo and test it?" Jessica asks.
As she looks at the icon she remembers Baleruk's words and the prospect that it could be awakened to full sapience, wondering what sort of being it would be...
But not today.
"Lets take a short trip then, yes," she agrees. "Do the rest of you want to come?"
"I'll stay here with Antenora," Marie speaks up, hugging Antenora's side. "This has been trying enough for her without going that far."
Antenora smiles but says, "Nonsense. I will see this through until the end, and I would be a fool to pass up training that may benefit us all in the future."
"Come on then, our avatars will look after things in Sylica while we absent ourselves," Alicia first teleports them away from the icon's hiding spot before she opens a gate to Limbo. Their target being close to the fortress they attacked Jade at, near enough to at least see it if it's still there.
Simple enough. When you return, there's no sign of the fortress - only a great expanse of burning trees and floating hunks of water, drizzling rain down on them. The steam that rises curls into squirrels, which frolic amid the trees.
So what's the Anarch ability for me to add to Marie's sheet? Since she can't use the version Alicia has.
for reference:
Anarch (Ex): You are now talented at controlling limbo. You may treat an area of up to one mile per divine rank as if being your divine realm for the sake of controlling it and creating things there.
Limbo's reclaimed it then. She wonders whatever happened to that golem Marie suborned.
"Well, feel free to exercise yourselves to your heart's content," Alicia invites everyone as a gesture with her hand causes the chaotic mass ahead of them to reshape itself into a vast vertical checker board pattern of alternating squares water and fire, steam wafting off the edges.
"I can't believe you made something so boring..." Marie mutters as she looks at the simple, even, and regular pattern before them.
"... it was just an example," Alicia retorts, just a little bit stung by that as she closes her fist and the great checker board pattern collapses into a sphere and solidifies as dark brown rock, a coating of white snow adorning the top half of it and seeming to drip downwards over the rest.
Gimme a d100 for Marie? How strong an anarch you are varies as well, remember. Someone like the slaad is the extreme end of talent. Ithea and Moore are powerful but much more modest talents compared to him, and there's smaller and larger talents than those two.
[17:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[17:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d100=100]
Well. Uh. Okay. Gimme a second d100, we're going to the big table for her now.
[17:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[17:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d100=3]
Precise Anarch (Ex)
Marie is a natural talent at controlling small parts of Limbo with perfect precision. She can control up to 200ft around herself as an anarch, but without any need for a roll.
"That looks like a pudding!" Marie declares when she sees Alicia's next creation. "Alright let me try now..." she closes her eyes and concentrates, Limbo altering to her will.
A tree then appears, and yet it's a tree with no roots instead being mirrored on the bottom with branches and a leafy canopy stretching both up and down. It grows and grows, boughs growing heavy and collapsing down towards the centre as a profusion of leaves continues to grow until it's a great big leafy ball.
"Hmm..." she looks at what Alicia's made and then at her own creation. "Too many spheres," she declares as her tree catches fire.
Perception, Alicia.
Since Antenora and Jessica have DvR0, they're on a different track here and don't roll.
Meanwhile Antenora focuses - on a steel ball. It appears before her and constantly shifts between a dozen shapes and forms. Yet Antenora moves not a muscle as she works.
Jessica peers ahead thoughtfully, "Sister..." she murmurs, before it appears. A familiar house from Balmuria forms, Jessica's face locked in silent effort.
[18:16] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73 she would've cast sensual blessing before leaving Sylica
[18:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d20=5]
"Very good, Jessica. It looks just like I remember it," Alicia says as she watches Jessica's efforts.
As Marie's tree burns, the whole thing suddenly turns into stone, skeletal branches, delicate leaves, even the flames themselves all become perfectly detailed rock as if it were petrified in an instant.
Jessica is absorbed in this, while Antenora is absorbed in her ball. It's perhaps why Alicia is the one to see it. Creeping through the chaos all around you, 2000ft away and closing impossibly fast. A four legged thing, furless and with scales overlapping like steel armor. It's big as ten Hannas on their hands and knees, dozens of thick, bulging sacs on its back. It has the face of a man, mouth permanently open wide. From this mouth the head of a balor emerges, drooling and with its own maw open wide, as if ready to bite.
Its legs are that of a spider. Fleshy, danging strips coming from its stomach. The very sight of it sickens Alicia, a sense of wrongness to the thing. A sense of horror. Thing thing should not exist.
This nightmare should not exist.
Thanks to Alicia's superior vision, she is also able to notice something. In the crease of its neck, usually hidden by plating but occasionally just visible, is a symbol. A pair of red lips with a single drop of blood slowly falling from them.
"That's what I get for returning to the scene of the crime," Alicia smiles as she raises her blade. "Look sharp ladies, we have company!"
Alicia autowins init.
[18:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+11+5 nerveskitter Marie init
[18:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=8]
"What is it?" Antenora says sharply, spear in hand instantly as Jessica readies her rapier.
> roll 1d20+11 Antenora
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+24 Jessica
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+42 horror
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d20=8]
Init is Alicia (Supreme Init) > Horror (50) > Jessica (35) > Antenora (31) > Marie (24)
Open Alicia.
Malcanthet wouldn't have sent this thing if she didn't think it had decent odds, so Alicia takes the challenge seriously and immediately stops time so she can add more defensive spells to her repertoire.
[18:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4+1 quickened time stop
[18:58] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=3]"That bad?" Marie asks, already floating over and casting her epic mage armour on Alicia.
"It's over there, some giant unique demon," Alicia points it out as she channels more power into her blade. "It looks explosive, lets kill it before it can get close."
4 rounds of time stop for them to play with.
Alicia
Round 1: Keen edge on sword, swift to compress space between us and horror.
Round 2: Full round spent altering Limbo as her divine realm to create a sphere of water centred on the horror, 2000 feet wide so it ends just next to us.
The area gains the Water dominant and Major Positive Dominant traits. And the Enhanced Magic trait to maximise spells with the water descriptor.
Its gravity trait becomes Heavy Gravity and Objective Directional Gravity pulled towards the centre of the sphere, where the horror currently is.
Astral links are severed within 2 miles. This does not affect Alicia or her magic.
Round 3: 2x quickened summon monster X and one summon monster X to summon 9 elder water elementals around the horror (all spells maximised from new planar traits)
Round 4: Recitation on her and Marie. Swift to remove the compressed space.
Marie
Round 1: Epic mage armour on Alicia
Round 2: Crushing hand cast near horror via compressed space.
Round 3: Crushing hand cast near horror via compressed space.
Round 4: Seira's arcane thesis on self.When time resumes the party is now faced with a titanic orb of glowing white water, the demon now trapped with a horde of elementals and grasping hands made of force, gravity pulling it towards the centre of the orb and hampering its displayed mobility, all of them striving to keep it held there without injuring it even as the positive energy suffusing the area pours into the creature, until it can take no more and explodes!
DC 15 fort or blinded while in the water, +5 HP gained per round, temp hp if at max, once temp HP reaches twice max then DC 20 fort per round or explode. The gravity gives a -2 penalty to swim checks and weights are doubled so far as sinking goes. If it has to breathe then usual drowning rules also apply.
[19:42] <@Ebiris> roll 2#1d20+65 crushing hand grapple CMB
[19:42] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 66, 73 >
The elementals are pretty much just blocking space rather than attacking.
[19:44] <@Ebiris> roll 9#1d20+19 DC 15 fort or blinded for elementals
[19:44] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 30, 30, 21, 21, 39, 29, 36, 21, 20 >"Just wait a little bit now, please," Alicia says, a smile tugging at her lips. "I decided to try being creative for once."
Alicia: 651/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33)
Defences: AC 75, CMD 85, spell resistance 48, 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, and fear), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour, +3 luck attack/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +73
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/4/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 82, spell resistance 48, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +3 luck attack/saves, +10 SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/0/8/9/8/9/8/8/6/6/8/6/7/1
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
Summoned elder water elementals (9/9)
HP: 228+5/228
Defences: AC 23/23, CMB 47, damage reduction 10/-
Crushing hands (2/2)
+65 CMB
HP: 627/627
AC: 20
Hoooo boy, major positive dominant? Here we go. Also can't be blinded so that's not a factor.
It works. It works surprisingly well as Antenora turns and watches, shielding her eyes with one hand. The creature is pulled towards the center, unable to escape such an assault. It's fast but held by the gravity, held back as the sacs on its back swelling. They burst, emitting a sickly green goop. Within them are infantile versions of this same thing, each one connecting to the mother via steel bone-cords. They rapidly begin to grow, sacs on their own backs swelling, as they stay connected to their mother.
Jessica stays at the ready, the bright sphere of light holding it as she says, "Well, is it dealt with, sister?"
"Ah... perhaps not," Alicia says, looking somewhat embarrassed.
The water changes hue from a pearlescent white hue to a grimy dark one.
Spending a full round to change it to major negative dominant now. DC 25 fort or gain a negative level.
[20:12] <@Ebiris> roll 9#1d20+19 DC 25 fort or negative level for elementals
[20:12] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 22, 20, 29, 29, 35, 38, 29, 26, 21 >
Alicia: 651/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33)
Defences: AC 75, CMD 85, spell resistance 48, 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, and fear), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour, +3 luck attack/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +73
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/4/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 82, spell resistance 48, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +3 luck attack/saves, +10 SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/0/8/9/8/9/8/8/6/6/8/6/7/1
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
Summoned elder water elementals (6/9)
HP: 228+5/228
Defences: AC 23/23, CMB 47, damage reduction 10/-
HP: 223+5/223 (3/9) 1 negative level
Defences: AC 23/23, CMB 46, damage reduction 10/-
Crushing hands (2/2)
+65 CMB
HP: 627/627
AC: 20
> roll 1d20+41
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=17]
The baby horrors rapidly begin to shrivel away under this. However, the actual horror doesn't seem bothered. You have it held there smoothly, unable to attack, but nor is it immediately withering.
Antenora stands at the ready, "Merely say the word, Alicia."
"This definitely isn't the most efficient way to fight, but it's secure for now so we can play it out a bit more," Alicia says, watching it.
"I've got an idea, watch!" Marie says brightly before she creates a huge metal spike in the water ahead of her - which promptly sinks down towards the centre under the effect of the heavy gravity within until it punctures into the horror... or prangs off of it more likely one might assume.
We'll call this a ranged attack roll with a +4 circumstance bonus due to the gravity.
[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+51
[20:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=8]
It's still grappled too, and the hands can start doing damage as well.
[20:36] <@Ebiris> roll 2#2d6+12 crushing hand grapple damages
[20:36] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 17, 20 >
I'm not bothering with the elementals anymore, they'll be dead soon anyway and they can't really do anything so dismissing them.
Alicia: 651/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33)
Defences: AC 75, CMD 85, spell resistance 48, 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, and fear), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour, +3 luck attack/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +73
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/4/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
Marie: 627/627
Active spells: Extended superior resistance (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), Seira's arcane thesis (CL 33)
Defences: AC 94 (touch 36, vs incorporeal 67), CMD 82, spell resistance 48, energy immunity (electricity), energy resistance 10 (acid, cold), status immunity (petrification, polymorph, form-altering, energy drain, ability drain, ability damage, mind-affecting) protective aura, nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +11 shield, +3 luck attack/saves, +10 SR checks, +5 spell DCs
Perceptions: Darkvision 60, blessed sight 120, see invisibility, perception +48
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/0/8/9/8/9/8/8/6/6/8/6/7/1
Limited SLAs available: heal, meteor swarm
Crushing hands (2/2)
+65 CMB
HP: 627/627
AC: 20
In this case, hit. Damage. We'll call it a ranged attack with a base of 6d10 damage, it's a pretty big spike.
[20:47] <@Ebiris> roll 6d10
[20:47] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d10=6,2,1,4,2,6]
CLANG The spike hits the body of the beast, a loud resonation of metal on metal. The impact staggers it as you bombard it with negative energy and the hands squeeze it. It's healing fast, though not fast enough to outpace that.
"Why don't you change the water into holy water?" Marie suggests to Alicia since that wasn't the satisfying impalement she was hoping for.
"I suppose I may as well, since I've started this I may as well see it to the end," she proceeds to alter the water to her new blessed specifications.
This works - the holy water is sizzling against it as the hands squeeze, slowly wearing it down. It merely looks like a question of when and not if now.
"This is boring," Marie announces after a moment.
"I know, Marie. Lets not do this again," Alicia says with a sigh, patiently waiting.
"You'd think being able to reshape the environment to such a precise degree over such a huge area would be a lot more exciting and dynamic, but it's not," Marie adds.
"I know, Marie," Alicia says patiently.
"Where are the lava geysers, the razor sharp hailstorms to flay skin off the bones, the tombs of rock crushing and imprisoning all who oppose us?"
"It's because most outsiders are highly resistant or even immune to base elements," Alicia says wearily.
"I don't like it," the eladrin concludes.
Antenora smiles, "Well, I found this rather enjoyable. I'm surprised you don't - I think what you really dislike is Alicia's methods of doing it, Marie."
Jessica merely stays on watch, but does add, "A slow victory is worth it if it's a safe victory."
"It feels like squashing a bug," Marie says. "Not even swatting a fly that's buzzing around and annoying you, but like stepping on a snail. It can't do anything to stop you but now your foot's all gross."
"And it really does take a long time," Alicia says. "If there were reinforcements or other factors to consider... well, it's not getting out anyway so we could safely ignore it, but still... Prefer my victories quick and clean at the end of a blade."
"It is effective, though." Antenora muses aloud.
It seems you aren't as courageous as others believe, Alicia.
"If it was a better swimmer, though..." Alicia murmurs. She doesn't even react to Malcanthet's baiting, so pathetic and petty it is.
And thus the horror is slowly ground down. In the end, it simply crumbles away into nothing, leaving behind nought afterwards.
Watching, "When one imagines power and facing down nightmares, you imagine great bravery, great heroism, death defying battles." Antenora remarks, "Not watching and waiting, as a clerk counts coins."
"Yes," Alicia gestures and the entire ball of holy negative energy charged high gravity water stretches out like taffy before it bursts into hundreds of house sized droplets that go spinning off into Limbo, the usual planar traits returning and the astral links being rejoined.
"I expected something to attack us if we came here, that's why I chose it. I thought it would make for a useful demonstration," she says, as much for Malcanthet as for her friends.
"Even if it's more versatile, it's hard for that sort of thing to catch up with aeons of spell development for immediate deadliness," Marie concludes as she creates a ball of fire over her palm and hurls it off into the distance where it explodes, an improvised fireball.
Antenora focuses a moment, a throne of polished opal appearing. She sits back on it and closes her eyes, resting. "Then logical to use it and also make a point to Malcanthet."
"Not to mention foil her plans and out Compete her a little bit," Jessica smiles at that, "Good work, sister."
Alicia inclines her head towards Jessica as Marie sends a ball of fire and a ball of frigid ice at each other to create a steam explosion a safe distance from everyone.
"Anyway, want to experiment more or shall we return?" she asks.
"Let's return before Malcanthet does something even more foolish," Jessica says with a bright smile.
Or commits more than we can easily handle, but I don't think she will, no matter how irritated she is. That's not her nature from all I've heard about her.
Don't forget she had Chourst able to drop in within moments when we last came here.
Alicia opens a gate to Sylica then, and the group all files through to go home.
Thus you return, another small victory a feather in your cap.
As Alicia does, she hears a particular prayer. It's Wil (Ox) from Lifasa. 'I dreamed it's going to be cold in the mountains today.' A simple prayer, no request, simply speaking.
That's... nice.
Hope he bundles up nice and warm if he's going for a hike!
She has a look over Lifasa using the sum totality of all the other prayers she's been hearing and Ebony's reports from when she visits there with Aurora and general divine awareness of her portfolio just to get an idea of what's going on in general and if Auril's done anything actionable for her to take note of.
It's still going well there - from reports about Auril, you understand she's establishing churches and orders, often in the mountains and in colder places. She's active as anyone else is there - by all reports it's primarily an establishment phase still, but that's starting to wind on more and more.
You can imagine the clash of cold steel on cold steel, distant but present now, echoing in the back of your mind. You can almost feel the cold air, taste the snowflakes in the air.
There's nothing specific to warn Ox of then, and she won't insult his intelligence simply by telling him to be prepared against cold. He knows what he's up against.
Thus you return and...
Any immediate next moves?
See our guys off to Daun then I'll visit Sulia to say that's done and ask her to upgrade Marie's restored robes.
As you do and prepare?
Alicia. The efreet, Imix and likely more attempt to wipe Zaaman Rul from Fire as we speak. They have launched many secondary attacks to occupy our attention and limit our abilities to reinforce. Be aware that you could potentially be attacked, if they are reaching that far.
In that case she'll remain in Sylica for a little while just in case, and puts her response force onto high readiness. It doesn't stop the deployment to Daun though.
We've had no difficulties as yet, but we remain neutral for now. Should we be drawn in you'll certainly hear of it.
Be vigilant and be protected by the light of Chronias, Alicia.
Stay strong, Barachiel.
I think it's him from the divine text thread, if I'm wrong assume Alicia said the right name!
You are correct. Say so OOC if you need confirmation on someone.
Are you going to do anything in response or let anyone know of this?
In that case she'll remain in Sylica for a little while just in case, and puts her response force onto high readiness. It doesn't stop the deployment to Daun though.
As said above, so those tasked with defending Sylica and attacking other stuff if we join the war are made aware.
Thus you wait - a time of tension, a time of waiting.
We need to talk, Alicia.
We do? What do we need to talk about, Malcanthet?
Your sister has risen as well. How? WHY?
I don't recall ever taking you into my confidence, I certainly wouldn't start now. It's enough for you to know that a great realignment is coming, and Sylica waxes with it.
Mmm, this is some nice tea!
Give me a Diplomacy check here, just for reference, to see how strong your words were.
[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 diplo
[20:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=10]
I gave you a chance to make a smart choice. It seems you are bent on your own destruction. There will be a day you lament this choice, and it is not far in the future.
Yet at the same time, you feel a sense of triumph. Malcanthet's rage comes through loud and clear, transparent as glass.
A shame she doesn't have the freedom to really take a proper swing at Malcanthet what with needing to be ready for this efreet business, but she's confident their defences will hold against anything Malcanthet sends their way.
Really good tea, though.
Gimme a quick d100, would you?
[17:03] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[17:03] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d100=56]
The odd tension of waiting for possibly lethal combat contrasts with these moments of peace on Sylica.
As you wait, a knock on the door. Antenora enters, holding her hand out. The air twists faintly, ever so slowly becoming a hazy, indistinct apple. "We should inform Seira,' Antenora says, "Anarch powers seem to make this process far easier, and would well aid Kascha." Lowering her hand, the apple fades away. "It also implies things about the natural ability to be an anarch and the exact properties of Limbo."
"She's busy right now," Alicia says, lowering her teacup onto its saucer as she sits back and looks at Antenora. "But yes when she has time it's a short process, and I've noticed how it's improved my control over Sylica as well."
Antenora takes a seat and focuses again, an identical teacup appearing ghostly and indistinct in her hand. As she does, "Yes, when she's no longer occupied - or we're not technically at peace, for as little or as long as it lasts."
"We can expect even more trouble from Malcanthet soon, she contacted me a few minutes ago and was quite threatening," Alicia says, though she doesn't sound concerned. "I'll want to use the icon on Latha when she's back too, and I'll call Ebony back for a visit for it soon as well. No sense letting it go to waste."
Finally Antenora's cup vanishes, "Could you?" she asks and after that's done she has a sip of tea. "No sense wasting it. But before we make dozens of anarchs, an examination of the underlying cosmological issues is warranted. In particular - law is set and rigid in its planes and organization. There is a limited number of planar lords and those close to them. There is a hierarchy that is not lightly dismissed. Chaos? It is far more varied and often infinite. The Abyss and Limbo - we know of slaad lords but none can say what alien things live deep there that none know of. A realm when any could possibly rise to that power. I think it is no coincidence that Limbo and anarchs occur."
"The Abyss as well has its infinite variety of terrible layers," Alicia says, easily providing Antenora with some tea. Proper tea from a kettle, not something magicked up in an instant that is. "Though Pandemonium, Ysgard, and Arborea are more conceptually coherent."
"Pandemonium is also a hell hole amid hell holes. No one wants to be there but the mad," Antenora sips the tea again, putting it down after. "It isn't fully consistent, but I've given up getting consistency out of chaos."
"I've heard Marie make the argument that Chaos is fundamentally a force of creation and Law is fundamentally a force of stagnation, and yet there's a slaad lord of entropy," Alicia points out, her tone mild and not particularly worked up. "Yet I distrust Mechanus all the more for its Prophecy of Primus handing victory to Shar - it should be a warning and a call to arms, and yet it often gets deployed as a call to hopelessness and futility that perfectly fits Shar's own dogma."
Antenora frowns, and quietly, "It makes little sense. Why did Primus do such a thing?"
"Makes one question just who's side he's on, doesn't it?" Alicia asks, a small nod of her head. "No one says anything thoughtlessly, not at this level of existence. He disclosed the prophecy because it served his interests."
Quietly, as much a whisper, "Alicia, can such a being give up, accept nothingness?" Antenora asks. "Have things degenerated to the point where Primus has surrendered to despair?"
"Is not an empty void where nothing changes a perfect representation of static unchanging order?" Alicia asks in turn, trading question for question since she has no answers. "Is despair the right term to use for such a being?"
"In that moment I understand, because my own sorrow at such a thought resonates deep," Antenora exhales a slow, gentle sigh. "What a perversion of what order should be, if you are right."
"... of course," Alicia speaks up a moment later. "That's only a surface reading. You and I both know that even if Creation were to be rendered away to nothing... there would not be true Nothing. All the infinity of Beyond would remain, with all its multitudes of weird and strange beings and concepts never even noticing that Creation was there or gone. So... where does that leave us?"
"It reminds me of creating in the Beyond," Is Antenora's eventual reply. "The ability to Create in Limbo is more restrained, restrained to Creation's limits, but still there. In time One needs neither to create."
"Io told us of his own attempt, remember?" she prods. "I wish I'd asked more, but I could feel his sorrow. Whatever wonders he created, whatever attempt at a perfect Creation forged from a blank slate... naught remains but his own memories of it, of that I'm sure."
"I know." Antenora admits, "But Io could journey farther, and maybe one day over come that. I believe this Creation mirrors and hints at what is Beyond in its way - including the ability to ascend higher. It's merely....it's just that....I was serious when I said that if all else fails, I will endure beyond Creation and not rest until I can give your soul a new realm to reside in."
Looking into your eyes, "I'm terrified of having to fulfill that promise and being along for so long. When I think of Primus accepting oblivious and justifying it, I feel the existential dread deep in my bones. My mind eternally returns to Eblis."
"One is the loneliest number..." Alicia says softly. "That's what I said to him, and I could tell it stung. In any case I'm glad Io came back to this Creation instead of trying again with another fresh start elsewhere. We can use the help."
"So am I." Antenora agrees. "Do you think it's worth visiting him again, that we can make any headway there?"
"Do you have anything new to say that we didn't last time?" Alicia asks. "I don't think belabouring any points will make a difference to him, but the right surprise would."
A pause.
"Jessica," she finally says. "Showing him that we won't be alone."
"Hmmm..." Alicia hums. "I'm not sure. She's not One, and Eblis doesn't much care for deities otherwise. It might prompt more questions as to the how and I wouldn't be able to put him off as easily as I did Malcanthet just now, especially not if we're initiating with her front and centre."
Antneora hmms, "Perhaps I should contact him directly and see if we can even talk. If any part of him can be reached and pulled back from the chasm he's hurled himself into, then it's my duty to do so."
"It can't hurt, you're his equal and opposite in many ways so perhaps," Alicia nods, putting her tea aside. "Just promise you won't go visit him without backup, preferably myself or Syala at the least."
"I agree," Antenora says, "Is there a way to make our communications audible to you, Alicia?"
"Just will that I hear what you say, though you'll have to relay what Eblis says, or allow me a surface scan of your thoughts," Alicia answers. Can't force Eblis to include her but it's easy enough for her to get it from Antenora's perspective.
"You're welcome to scan my thoughts," Antenora says, "I'll lower my own defenses for you."
"Very well, here I go," Alicia does so.
Alter reality for detect thoughts.
Right now, Antenora's thinking that if you can understand this, tell her so.
"It worked, I'm in," Alicia says neutrally, resisting the urge to say something like 'Don't think about Marie' that will of course make her do just that.
Eblis, we should talk.
What is it you want?
Perhaps it is the transmission, perhaps something else, but Eblis's voice is quieter. It's far from the overwhelming scream that it was before.
Something to ask Antenora about afterwards perhaps.
It could just be he's only that loud 'in person' too.
I want to help you.
Then put aside your foolishness and join me.
That wouldn't make you any happier, Eblis.
A pause, no response.
You defended those you care about from Seira's assault. You didn't want to feel the sorrow of losing them, to become even more sorrowful.
I grow weary of this yet again.
Then put aside your overweening pride, fallen. It hurt me so much to do, to face what I did and I at least had the excuse that I never knew better. Someone weak and alone could only hide and rage in his tower.
Silence, stone cold silence at that.
I suspect you grow weary of this because another is making this exact point to you. You've been in the presence of Good, Eblis. Does Good give up on anyone if there's still a chance? No matter how sullen, angry, miserable and hateful they are? No matter how much they cling to what they know is wrong? Tell me, will all those excuses provide anything if you end up alone in the Beyond? Will you curl into a ball and hide there, raging at what no longer exists?
She's making good points. "What use is his Answer if it leaves him so dissatisfied?" Alicia asks aloud, working through some thoughts to help Antenora formulate her own arguments. "I heard it said that 21 is the battle for a soul, and that was a tool the Incarnations made to study Good and Evil. There's no objective True Answer handed down from above, only what we choose and make manifest, what our own souls cleave to."
Antenora flashes you a smile at that, but focuses on her task.
What is it? Do you fancy yourself a vessel, a cistern to carry water beyond this Creation? Something to protect those you care about, those wives and children you're willing to protect? Something so you won't be so alone?
Silence.
It terrifies me.
I worry that I may have to do the same thing, Eblis. That I will be alone, that I may alone be the only thing that could save the souls of those I care for from the Beyond and oblivion. I am a paladin, surrounded by courage and my own will - and such a thing yet inspires dread in me.
We both understand why, we have both seen the Beyond. We have both faced it.
Silence.
So it comes down to two things: Our fear and our love.
We are afraid of the Beyond and what it promises should the worst come to pass.
We love and are loved, so that we would wish to save those we love.
Next to that, what is our rage and what is our pride?
Antenora's doing a lot of talking but is he even listening? That's why Alicia prefers to meet up in person for serious discussions, you can never really tell if your words are getting through.
I'm so tired.
Why?
Silence. A stretch of it, almost too long before a reply.
I've always known Father will never lie. The last thing he told me when I left was that all my rebellion would be meaningless.
I've never been able to forget those words.
"And yet the road back is still there, has always been there. He knows this, he can't not," Alicia gives her commentary, present as a sounding board should Antenora desire but not interrupting the delicate conversation.
Antenora pauses at this, a soft sigh. "What we know and what we do are too often different things. How many indecisive hearts lament for all time because they knew but did not act in their mortal lives? Pride, greed, hate, lust and so many more sins all rob the will to do what we know is right."
"I suppose you're correct," Alicia nods her head. "It's just how many times can you say to someone 'there's another way' without it getting repetitive?"
With a grim smile here, "As many time as it takes to get past someone's problems. I specialize in defeating foes in a single strike, but I am not loathe to face a battle of endurance."
Then go home. You know your Father will take you in with open arms and joy.
Silence.
Eblis, how many times to someone can you say 'there's another way' without it being redundant? You know the truth.
I can't.
You won't.
YOU KNOW NOTHING, ERINYES!
The roar of Eblis's voice is like a volcano's eruption, the voice of it making Antenora grimace and your own mind recoil. You can feel the flames burning around you, in spite of the air being cool and pleasant.
As Antenora grapples with that, "Alicia..." she breathes.
"Felt that one myself," Alicia says mildly.
If I may?
She asserts her own divine will to join the conversation, not waiting for permission either way.
What do you want Eblis? And are you going to get it, existing as you do now?
Silence, burning hate. You feel it like a bonfire before you.
RENYES! I WANT TO DES...
A stop. A pause again.
Do you? You said you're tired, Eblis. Aren't you tired of destroying and hating?
She eases back her divine presence since Antenora's on the right track and her interruption served its purpose. She doesn't want to brow-beat him with the two of them.
Talk to your Father. You know he'll answer you. Talk to me. I'll answer you. I'm only here because of everyone around me, Eblis. They're why I became One, not my own skill or perfection.
A long silence after, until Antenora breathes out and rests back, head lolling against the back of her chair. "If it were easy," she finally says, "Someone else would have taken the role I seek to champion a long time ago."
"Perhaps," Alicia says. "But it's undeniable that you're uniquely qualified for it beyond anyone else."
Looking up with a smile, weary but triumphant, "Yes, and one can't expect to fight through eons of misery and hate in a handful of conversations. I'd still count that conversation as a triumph."
"You get a feel for points-scoring in divine conversations," Alicia smiles a little, recalling her one with Malcanthet earlier. "Everything's a Competition."
Gently running a hand over her hair, "Then I believe I'm 1 and 0." Antenora says. "How angry is Malcanthet?"
"Furious, as much at yours and Jessica's ascension than anything we did to Jade," Alicia answers. "So we can expect lots more trouble from that flank. We'll just have to parry it as best we're able, I can't afford to be caught making a big push on her if Seira needs us suddenly and she's in far greater danger from the efreet and their allies."
"You're right," Antenora admits, "Hopefully she isn't going to fire a second arrow at us soon."
Alicia, a scout has found what they believe may be an efreet in Ysgard, within about 30 miles of the border.
"Ah... speak of the genie," Alicia frowns slightly, focusing on Syala.
It's not confirmed? Anything of interest in that area?
Their border spans a huge area after all, and Ysgard has lots of exciting things in it.
Water, mostly. Odd for an efreet but hardly impossible. We're looking into it now.
Keep me posted.
When one can teleport 30 miles is little different from 300 after all, and she doesn't make it her policy to assert Sylica over the rest of Ysgard.
It's not long before Syala sends back.
Whomever it was abruptly plane shifted out. No warning and it was an innate ability, not a proper spell.
Never actually confirmed it was an efreet after all, then?
No such luck. Suspicious but nothing definitive. I'd like to know if they spotted something and fell back or if it was some other arbitrary reason.
Have someone investigate the area and see if they turn anything up? It could be someone looking for staging points for an assault into Sylica.
I'll let you know.
"Syala says a scout spotted what might have been an efreet in Ysgard near Sylica. Plane shifted out before they could confirm. Might be nothing or it might have been someone scouting for a staging point," Alicia tells Antenora. "We might be pre-emptively attacked even before we can throw our hat in the ring after all."
While her avatar is ensuring forces are at readiness, she thinks if such an attack were to foolishly set foot on Ysgard she'd just drown them. What was a chore for that abomination of Malcanthet's will work just fine for a hostile army.
Smiling, "I would love a good fight right now. Do you have a battle plan," Antenora asks.
"What we just did in Limbo I can do just as well in Ysgard. Practice against demon hordes is all well and good but if the efreet think to make a sneak attack against us then they'll be treated to a harsh lesson," Alicia answers, pausing to refresh her and Antenora's tea. "After they're all slain we can have our army march through to secure the bodies so that when they're resurrected they can be easily captured."
Antenora drinks before giving you a look, "I suppose we're all...maturing into our roles. Why draw your sword when you can strike with the wrath of an angry deity?"
"It's not something I'd make a habit out of because fighting on Ysgard makes for good practice, I just feel like being excessive if we're attacked without formal declaration," Alicia says. "It's an advantage we have to being on an outer plane, one that Seira and the Efreet both lack in the astral and elemental plane of fire, and that sort of harsh reminder of the consequences should make most others think twice before coming at us with an army. Of course it's little help against elite squads and assassins."
A nod at that, short and curt. "Assuming it is the efreet and not some catspaw."
Going to do anything but wait and see if they attack?
Or if we need to strike out due to escalation in the wider war, yeah.
An hour passes. Nothing yet. Antenora paces lightly but otherwise waits, along with Jessica.
We've found a portal opening in Ysgard, in a mountain region about 2 miles from the border, hidden. We're looking into it now, because it wasn't here a month ago.
Alicia has a look herself with her divine senses!
It is in a cleft in the mountain, barely a cave. Pine trees ring it, a layer of snow on the ground. Here a swirling blue portal can be seen.
Alter reality to use Analyze Portal on it.
Tells me if it needs a key/command word.
Special circumstances required to use it, if any.
Whether it's one way or two way.
Glimpse of area on other side (60 ft cone).
I'll make a planes check on what I see of the other end to identify its plane, taking 10 for 58.
The portal does not need a key or command word.
The portal can only be used by those who wear a pendant of a falcon.
It's a two way portal.
On the far side you see a room with a dozen figures robed in red, hoods up and beards glimpsed. They're tall - over 8ft tall easily and standing in a candlelit room. Thousands of candles, all floating in the air with nothing to support them. On the floor are vast, complex arcane diagrams.
Alicia then swaps from viewing this far side location through the analyze portal effect to divine remote viewing which gives her a more complete view of what's going on.
Quick buff of greater heroism for better skill checks. Taking 10 for 61 on spellcraft and arcana/planes/religion to see what I can identify about everyone over there and what they're doing.
They're clearly doing magic so it's related to my portfolio.
It's trivial to tell they're preparing a spell to channel energy out the portal from some other location, once properly prepared and primed. Looking closer you can all see they're humanoids - humans and that ilk, though you do notice someone with oddly perfect features, symmetrical. An axani, possibly. There's no signs of religious iconography besides one of the casters, a human who has a symbol of a lit candle above an eye on his robe, above his heart. The holy symbol of Deneir in particular.
Odd. She's never had any real dealings with Deneir, but she goes to the source in that case. Mystra's never had anything bad to say about him after all.
Deneir, Are any of yours working on a ritual to channel energy from Ysgard? They're using a portal rather close to Sylica and one of the mages working on it carries your symbol.
Alicia Reynes. One is, though on his own initiative and not as a matter of faith.
Should I be concerned?
They have found precisely the right lore over the past months, as well as the final piece yesterday, in circumstances that challenge the notion of it all being a coincidence.
I respect the spirit of invention and discovery they possess. If you must move against them, please do not punish them too harshly.
That's not particularly helpful but she has a feeling Deneir prefers to be obtuse.
So she speaks to Syala. A large group of mages on the other side is attempting some sort of ritual to siphon energy from Ysgard. Send someone diplomatic carrying a pendant in the shape of a falcon through the portal to question them on their plans, we'll see what that reveals.
Can I tell how close their ritual is to fruition and get a better idea of what it'll do to our side of the portal?
Sure. On a glance you have about 35 minutes before it's done.
I know just the person. Someone who can be violent if need be as well, in case they are fully hostile.
Who do you have in mind? Also make sure they go through within the next twenty minutes, we don't have a great deal of time.
In that case I'll use an avatar, he'll need too much wind up time to risk it. Would you care to join me and make a point, dear?
I'm concerned this is bait, and an avatar is too heavy-handed for my liking. They seem like scholars who're perhaps being manipulated as a catspaw. Sending a deva should be more than sufficient.
Also can I get a better idea of what this ritual will do to our side of the portal?
Spew out lots of energy. Glancing closer, you can see it's by and large negative energy and acid.
Alright, I'll trust you on this.
Over what sort of area?
We're both watching, we can step in if things do get out of hand but lets try a soft touch at first.
A small area at first, but rapidly expanding by mile after mile.
In case that changes anything. If not, say so and I'll move along.
Move along, a nice deva will be told the consequences of this experiment for Ysgard and be sent through the portal to ask them nicely to stop, and retreat if they prove obstinate.
The deva chosen is Maliel, short but of fair skin, muscled and wearing light armor. He strides to the gate and through.
In that instant you see all the wizards turn on him, spells uttered before -
"Peace! Peace!" Maliel says, holding his hands out, no weapon there. "I come in peace."
> roll 1d20+30 (+10 he got himself boosted before going, he ain't no fool)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=16]
All the wizards pause long enough for one to step forward - the one with the symbol of Denier on his robe. "What do you want?" His voice is soft spoken, no force behind it.
"To ask you to cease what you are doing," Maliel says, a brush back of his green hair. He smiles with a charm that borders on the supernatural, "One of my two masters, Alicia Reynes, has dominion over magic. We would be happy to enlighten you in the ways of magic in exchange for cooperation."
Well she'd delegate that down a bit of course but it is possible, so Alicia has no qualms with Maliel's conduct so far.
Those wizards were pretty quick to be ready for battle with a celestial who came through their portal to Ysgard though. Smart sense considering typical Ysgard greetings, or natural hostility towards natives?
"Why, though?" Another asks, "Why stop us doing this?"
"You're too close to us at a bad time," Maliel admits with an easy smile, "So we'd rather offer you something better and solve this amiably."
Another steps forward, hood pushed back. A tall, white haired man with a white beard, close cropped. His eyes are a frosty sort of blue, intent on Maliel. "Better friendship than umbrage, celestial?"
"Exactly so," Maliel says, coming forward and offering his hand out to the old man. "Part of Alicia's divine portfolio is magic. She has every wish to see it prosper. So if we must ask you to stop, we will more than make up for it."
> roll 1d20+30 (+10 he got himself boosted before going, he ain't no fool)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=12]
The old man considers a time before taking Maliel's hand. "I am Devvan Orcsbane." As the two shake hands, he commands, "Cease the ritual."
Good job Maliel. Now he just needs to find out what they were hoping to accomplish and they can work out something equitable.
"So," Maliel asks after that, "What was the purpose of this? I hadn't had time to study what you were doing before I got my orders."
"The transference of energy into a positively aspected plane would naturally create a backlash, which could be harnessed. As it is Ysgard, there's no danger of anything but temporary setbacks for anyone caught in it." Devvan replies as the ritual is stopped.
That works for most of Ysgard but Sylica lacks that handy resurrection feature so the choice of putting the portal on their proverbial doorstep is indeed suspicious, something she hopes Maliel grasps as well.
Maliel pauses a moment, "Do you know you were close to the border of Sylica? While Ysgard is safe, Sylica does not have the same resurrection that Ysgard has."
Here Devvan Orcsbane pauses a moment, "I thought Sylica was a demiplane."
Here Maliel smiles, "We've recently expanded and grown. Ah, I see. You had no idea, did you?"
"I did not," The old wizard agrees, "That was not our intent."
Poor show not doing your research like that, or warning people on the other side. What's that stereotype for wizards, high intelligence low wisdom? Feels apt here, Alicia thinks to herself as she monitors the situation.
It seems to be winding down as...
Plausibly deniable, possibly a genuine coincidence and possibly catastrophic.
Cowards.
According to Deneir the lore they needed for this ritual was 'found' recently so tracking the benefactor would be tricky. We have so many enemies after all. Lucky we caught this in time.
The worst of it is that it really could be someone unrelated to the efreet. It could even be Malcanthet.
Alicia, this is Zaaman Rul. You're aware of what's going on?
Or Shar, or Lixer, or Glasya, and that's just off the top of my head, she sends to Syala.
Then to Zaaman Rul? I have heard from Barachiel that you are being attacked by Imix and that the efreet have struck many other targets to occupy Seira and Celestia.
That is true. I have a boon to ask of you: Should the battle go poorly, would you rise to my realm's aid, so that the last bastion of righteousness on Fire is not extinguished?
No one's actually asked her to join the war yet! But she'll hardly turn down a request made in that spirit.
We have been preparing to intervene so that the threat of our response would keep others from joining the war. Should you ask it I will join the current battle with all my strength.
Given it's a war, her divine perception should be able to see into Zaaman Rul's realm unless he or Imix block her, so she'll be able to see what's going on there herself. It may not be a battle an army can meaningfully contribute to, in which case her response will focus on her own presence, possibly Syala's and or Antenora's too. Not Marie, she's done enough today and needs to rest and be kept in reserve.
An emissary must also be prepared to visit the City of Brass and deliver her declaration of war should it come to that, so her avatar drafts one up so they're prepared to go at little notice.
Thus she also summons Antenora and Syala to her so they can prepare, while Syala's avatar ensures their rapid response army is ready to deploy onto the hostile climate of Fire should it be needed.
Have you read Seira's thread enough to be aware of what's going on in Zaaman Rul's realm in a general sense? He won't oppose you looking for obvious reasons.
Yeah, I know what's up.
Thank you, Alicia. You have my gratitude. It is because of brave souls like you that Fire yet has a chance to be purified.
Fight well and prevail, I will be there should the worst happen.
And so preparations are under way, hopefully not required but if they are she intends for it to be decisive.
Antenora and Syala are at your side as requested.
It's a matter of patience, really. Of waiting. Anticipation fills the room as you wait.
"Now...we wait," Syala breathes out, and with a sharp smile, "Oh, I'm hoping we can be the hammer that crushes Imix and the Grand Sultan against us."
"Feeling nervous," Alicia confesses as the three stand together, girded for battle and with her attention on Zaaman Rul's realm. "Picked an awkward day for it but at least I didn't exert myself much with Dragodan or when we went to Limbo. Still, Imix is a greater foe than any I've ever faced on the battlefield."
"And she's far worse than even Imix," Antenora breathes out. She reaches out, takes your hand. "We're with you, Alicia."
Alicia squeezes Antenora's hand back. "I don't think he'll back down just from us taking the field, so if we do go in we go in hard and hope we blindside him. He's the only threat that matters on the battlefield."
"The Sultan could be there, or other powerful warriors," Antenora says, "But Imix may well come forth alone, should the situation demand it or his pride urge him on." She squeezes your hand as well before, "This is just another step forward."
Syala comes forth, a hand on Alicia's shoulder and the other on Antenora's. "One of many."
"Zaaman Rul will need a lot more than just us for reinforcements if it escalates to that degree. No sign of the Sultan yet at least, it seems more like Imix taking an opportunity while the efreet run interference with their attacks elsewhere," Alicia says based on what she's heard and what she's monitoring of the battlefield.
You feel the battle, focusing on it. It is indeed a force of Imix's, a great horde. And yet more are felt - efreet joining the forces, along with minions - creatures of fire, creatures of hate, creatures of evil. It looms like a boil ready to burst, swollen and painful.
"There's numbers but no notable champions I think. Seira should be capable against this much," she adds as she monitors things.
"Or they aren't there yet," Antenora surmises. "Imix and the Sultan can both teleport in Fire no matter what we do. It would be trivial for them to come forth with powerful allies at any time. We're on the disadvantage there, as far as that goes."
Alicia just smiles. "Not directly onto the battlefield though. I taught Lixer the folly of being too eager when we attacked Avernus."
Antenora smiles back.
Just waiting to be called on, then?
Or given the all clear!
Going to pause you for a little bit in that case.
Be ready on my word. The battle is being joined now. As soon as we identify a worthwhile flank and target, we will request your aid and send the location.
I thought you would only ask my aid if the battle went poorly? So long as you have things in hand I wouldn't want to be your first resort.
She's happy to help if needed, but if they ask for her the moment a battle starts it undercuts the whole 'threat in reserve' posture Sylica has been maintaining up until now.
I'm sorry, I was looking at the wrong notes there and had a brain fart. Strike the last two posts, new line instead.
The battle is joined now. The efreet and Imix's minions attack us in great numbers. We may yet call on you, be ready.
Fear not, I am watching.
Just a quick question since this is preparing for tomorrow: Any spell prep or the like?
Marie can give the three of us an epic mage armour for +22 armour to AC.
Alicia will have her own personal buffs I'll worry about when I make her spoiler block.
Sure thing. You may want to have that ready for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, you're aware of one factor - Latha has returned.
Latha is then invited to come to where Alicia, Antenora, and Syala are so she can be brought up to date on recent events and she can tell them about her own journey. She can spare enough attention for that while monitoring the battle on Fire.
Latha arrives, "I met Tryll and his node, and helped them meet with Io," Latha announces, "Is all well? You seem girded for war."
"It's been an eventful day," Alicia returns. "First of all Marie was successful in her hunt, she battled Shar's proxy Dragodan in Elandra's Rest and captured him. We've secured him in Sylica with help from Mystra, Lathander, and Selune to ensure Shar can't ever recover his spark. Meanwhile Imix is attacking Zaaman Rul on Fire - Seira has gone to aid him but we've been asked to help if the situation turns dire, so we're preparing to step in as a last resort, which will officially enter us into the war."
It's not like she's trying to brag or anything, it's just been that sort of day! "Did you find what you hoped for?"
Spammable alter reality/SLA spells for everyone
Recitation (CL 33): +3 luck attack/saves
Greater heroism (CL 33): +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +20 temp hp
Spell turning (CL 33): 1d4+6 spell levels reflected
Ghost touch weapon (CL 33): Weapon gains ghost touch property
Vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33): +10 insight to perception, immunity to blindness/dazzled
Freedom of movement (CL 33): +15 CMD vs grapple, move freely despite impediments
Alicia: 651+20/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33)
Defences: AC 84, CMD 89 (104 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
"A remarkable day," Latha confesses, "I've found what I hoped for. In meeting all of the other nodes, I feel I've learned more and know how to drive us forward," Latha begins. It's that moment you feel it - a connection with Latha, blossoming and expanding out.
Node update. That was one long goal, sometimes the simple ones just go on and on.
"Ah, someone else approves," she says, smiling briefly. "So what were they like, anyway? I know Tryll contributed to the latter part of the Lifasa Crusade and since then Ebony had a bad time when she enlisted him and Dana to help Benyen in Dana's homeland."
Doing Latha's block in case she ends up coming along. If not I'll remove it once that's decided.
Syala will offer mass energy immunities as needed, if desired. Any you want, Alicia?
Latha will offer to drop a celestial valor regardless of if she goes or not.
Antenora will drop Opal Protection just before you go, which provides the following:
Opal Protection
Abjuration/Enchantment (Compulsion) [Good, Mind-Affecting]
Level: Pal 8
Targets: Allies in a 40ft radius burst
This spell is identical to divine protection, except as noted here. Allies gain a +3 morale bonus to armor class and saves. They are treating as being under a mind blank spell, but only against spells with the evil descriptor or by spells cast by evil outsiders.
[spoiler]
Antenora
HP: 768+20/768
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+3 (+3 morale), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Holy Fury 36/36 (enc) Divine Retribution 1/1 Smite Evil 7/7 Channel Energy 17/17 Lay On Hands 448/448 Remove Disease 9/9 (week), Spiritual Connection 3/3 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Opal Protection
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?)
Notes: Can always inflict nonlethal with attacks, spells, SLAs and abilities.
Smite Notes: +2 damage/paladin level on a charging smite. Each point of favored PA on charge is worth 9 points of damage, post charge multiplier (15 on crit).
Typical Charging Smite Baseline: 3d8+480 plus +4/+4d6 vs fiends plus 2d6 holy plus 2d6 axiomatic 19-20 x3 (base charging smite bonus damage is 64+64=128, includes favored enemy bonus)
Remember everything triples and x5 on a crit when adding things. Remember charge is now +4, not +2.
Latha
HP: 538+20/538
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Holy Light 30ft (7d6 damage vs evil/round) Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Channel Energy 12/12 Sun Devotion 4/4
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Level + 7 (39) extra damage per hit vs undead during sun devotion.
Channel Energy: Multiply by 1.5 due to empower turning.
Syala
HP: 640+20/640
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+21 (+3 morale, +18 armor), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Rage 7/7 Divine Blast 14/14 Family Domain 2/2 Wrath Domain 2/2 Add Twin 7/7 (non epic only)
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?)
Notes: Automatically converts vile damage to normal damage.
Latha will stay in case Sylica gets attacked but we'll take the celestial valor from her before we go.
Syala can drop a mass energy immunity (fire). Alicia and Anty naturally immune but Syala needs it for herself.
Alicia: 651+20/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
"They were overwhelmed with information," Latha confesses, "Dana is a known quantity from Aurora. Miranda seemed quiet, a quiet of being overwhelmed by the group more, as I get the impression all of them are strong personalities. Tryll seems thoughtful, though he disagreed with how the divine seed was used."
[spoiler]
Pending celestial valor, do that next post.
Antenora
HP: 768+20/768
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+3 (+3 morale), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Holy Fury 36/36 (enc) Divine Retribution 1/1 Smite Evil 7/7 Channel Energy 17/17 Lay On Hands 448/448 Remove Disease 9/9 (week), Spiritual Connection 3/3 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Opal Protection
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?)
Notes: Can always inflict nonlethal with attacks, spells, SLAs and abilities.
Smite Notes: +2 damage/paladin level on a charging smite. Each point of favored PA on charge is worth 9 points of damage, post charge multiplier (15 on crit).
Typical Charging Smite Baseline: 3d8+480 plus +4/+4d6 vs fiends plus 2d6 holy plus 2d6 axiomatic 19-20 x3 (base charging smite bonus damage is 64+64=128, includes favored enemy bonus)
Remember everything triples and x5 on a crit when adding things. Remember charge is now +4, not +2.
Syala
HP: 640+20/640
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+21 (+3 morale, +18 armor), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Rage 7/7 Divine Blast 14/14 Family Domain 2/2 Wrath Domain 2/2 Add Twin 7/7 (non epic only)
Spells Used: 1 10th level,
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?), Energy Immunity (Fire)
Notes: Automatically converts vile damage to normal damage.
"I don't understand Zaphkiel's reasoning for picking who he picked without telling them why or what for," Alicia mutters. "What was Tryll's problem with the seed?" She hopes Latha's not disappointed herself at being passed over for Jessica.
"Nor do I," Antenora confesses, "I believe I understand why Moore was chosen, and Alyssa seems to be Io's doing for his own reasons. Tryll I don't know at all yet."
Here Latha shakes his head, "In short, he disagreed with the other two nodes not being considered, as they're the newest and without divinity at all."
"Ironic with the consideration that he showed to Ebony regarding the treasure they found after excising that cult in Langersun," Alicia says dryly. "But it gets to the root of a problem I have with the node business - Seira and I have been carrying this burden ourselves for two decades and we both have plenty of trusted allies we've shed blood with and would have liked to bring into things. All the others have to mark them is that they were chosen by a higher power for opaque reasons, like the 'Chosen One' out of a storybook. I wouldn't hand godhood out as a gift to a stranger just because he came with a good recommendation."
"I suppose it's the nature of Io's interference," Latha suggests, "Io seems to cooperate but have his own ideas and criteria."
"We're better with them than not," Syala says, "I'll take this, warts and all, to having no additional allies."
"I'll feel more comfortable once I see them putting in the legwork and getting some good victories against Shar," Alicia says, shaking her head. "Results are what matters here."
"Speaking of," Latha says, "Tryll is chasing down heart rubies for Sune. While not a direct action against Shar, he's in the right direction."
"Good, I heard about that theft," Syala says as you wait, smiling, "It almost made me want to go hunting, but it's really Sune's choice on how to handle it. "
"What are those and who stole them?" Alicia asks since Syala seems invested in it.
"Hold on," Syala says, "A cat's purring in my ear." She cracks a smile, focusing.
Alicia nods, falling silent. "The battle's just starting for real now, it looks like," she adds to Antenora and Latha.
"I can...almost feel it," Antenora says, "Flames, fear and battle." Her eyes close, "Be careful, Seira."
It's beginning everywhere - primal elementals lead, slamming into lines with magic. Meteors rain down on a few key points, whilst great armies gather in the distance, preparing to march. At places burning fire and magma elementals erupt from the ground, flaming red basilisks scurrying out with them - that's new.
"I can feel Seira's resolve and worry. I can feel Zaaman's Rul's courage and tension." Antenora continues to speak.
"Yes, Seira's at the forefront, she'll take the brunt of it," Alicia nods, creating an illusion of the battlefield between all of them to show those lacking her acute divine preception.
"They're closing in now," Latha watches, "Be strong, Seira."
Syala goes to study it, "Stop that spell," she murmurs, watching Seira's battle.
"I think she was hoping to start by clearing out a horde of individually weak soldiers, not face four primal elementals. If that's the first round it's only going to get worse," Alicia comments, refreshing some of their augments while they watch, feeling she might be required after all.
"Do they know about Seira's magic and ability to expand a spell?" Antenora inquires, "They act like they do - they aren't committing to fighting her head on with numbers, but with distance and powerful champions instead."
"Even if not specifically that, there's always the risk of things like Marie's barrage or those contagious firebursts when facing a solitary powerful individual - the fact that Seira's out there with no allied support should be all the warning an enemy commander needs to know that she intends to wreak wide scale devastation," Alicia says as they watch.
"Logical," Antenora says, approval evident in her voice.
"Marie's not here to hear you speak like that," Syala says absently, focusing on the unfolding battle.
This gets Antenora to clear her throat and faintly blush.
"Anyway, you were going to say something about those rubies, Syala?" Alicia asks while they all watch.
"They're rubies dear to Sune and have some power, too," Syala explains, "From what I understand, Tryll got involved and they're begun to be recovered." A glance to the battle, a focus on it before she goes on. "Debonah, one of Sune's elite servants, has also been involved. But to get to details? They're gems that hold memories of love and romance. They're spiritual balms and can restore broken romances, as well as other powers. They're artifacts, so at least they can't be lightly destroyed, but being large rubies alone makes them valued."
"Who stole them, do you know?" Alicia asks.
"I'm not clear on that, but it looks like they got sold or traded off, or taken away," Syala admits in the meantime. "Next time we're over there, ask Sune to see them. They're fun to play with."
Meanwhile Antenora watches, "Reinforcements are here," she says, "Good."
Yet across it you see more forces committing by the moment, more forces flooding in. A torrent of them, more seemingly coming, more and more and more. Imix's elementals and forces, brigades of fire giants, great flights of efreet, more mercenaries, more more and more yet. The numbers are escalating - as you also notice a flight of pyroclastic dragons coming into the field from afar, flying towards it. Legions of azer march forward as well, joined by flaming worgs and bound pyrohydras, lead by efreet, fire elementals and spirits - spirits of flame and hate, outsiders who serve Imix.
"Still no sign of Imix himself. He wants them worn down a bit before he takes the field," Alicia comments, refocusing on the battle at hand.
"Logical again," Antenora says, "When you're a monster who sees minions as disposable tools, why not use them to weaken the enemy?" She scowls at the growing armies, "He probably realizes that it will come down to him versus Zaaman Rul if he gets his way, and he has every reason to want to be fresh."
"The army's coming in now - they waited till Seira got some support to handle the primals so now she won't be as free with her wide area spells. These are simple and logical tactics but it doesn't make them less effective," she elaborates her view on what's going on.
"Imix is passionate, volatile," Latha reasons aloud, "This doesn't feel like how he's attack Zaaman Rul. Has someone else taken command over him?"
"The only persons I could think of is Eblis or the Grand Sultan, but it possible Imix is relying on a general," Antenora remarks. "Though I don't think Eblis will be there, not for this, not now."
"I've never really crossed paths with him so I couldn't say, but these are basic tactics," Alicia says. "Being passionate doesn't make one a fool, and Imix surely wants to win."
It's then you see it - feel it, really. In a rain of dust and ash they appear - a squadron of corrupted, vile fire elementals. 777 you suspect, knowing without seeing. They appear on the southern border, simply taking position. They are lead by a fallen solar, radiant with flame and power. His six wings are burnt black, elegant and beautiful armor of a pale, delicate red worn. He is sans a helmet, his pale white hair contrasting eyes of burning lava.
Yet they make no move to advance or retreat - simply watching from a distance, observing the southern flank, where great armies of efreet and elementals clash with Zaaman Rul's own elemental defenders, as the battle unfolds before your eyes.
Taking 10 for 66 on planes with divine insight to ID the fallen solar.Alicia: 651+20/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/8/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
The solar is Dustfire, a fallen who serves Eblis. A sadist, he enjoys burning mortals and reducing them to ash. A natural fire mage of great power and skill. While not one of the Sundered Suns, he is nonetheless a servant of Eblis.
"Not one of Eblis's get but still a follower of his - Dustfire," Alicia says, pointing to this new battalion's leader. "Seems to just be observing, but I suspect he'll move to counter if we appear."
"...almost like a challenge," Antenora murmurs, gaze intent on the fallen solar.
"Or simply a reserve, we've made our posture clear that we're planning on intervening if another party joins the war. I hadn't expected Zaaman Rul to directly call for aid... though yes it's possible someone else did anticipate that," Alicia hums. If she fights a solar she'll do better than the last time though. Especially since it's a fallen one.
"Maybe, but I don't think so." Antenora says, "I may be reading too much into it, but this reserve feels meaningful."
"Time will tell," is all Alicia can say to that.
Ah, you can see it. The pyroclastic dragons are heading right Seira's way now, diverting towards her.
"They'll keep her tangled up with the primal elementals and those dragons and give the bulk of the army a chance to move past her and properly engage Zaaman Rul's forces. Once the defenders are tangled up it'll be a lot harder for Seira to wipe out the opposition ranks," Alicia commentates on the action should anyone be interested in her perspective.
"I agree - I don't think Seira's magic is selective, is it? Though if it can be, they'll get a nasty surprise," Syala remarks.
Antenora meanwhile keeps her focus on Dustfire's forces, silent.
Latha goes to her, "You can't save them by glaring a hole into their illusory heads," she murmurs to Antenora, who shakes her head. No reply, at least not a verbal reply.
"I'm not sure but her deployment suggests it isn't," Alicia answers Syala.
"It'll be tight," Syala murmurs as the dragons advance. You can see the battle is raging, more reinforcements coming. A vast tribe of goblins, each burning with fire, comes within and hurries on, along with wolves of flame. With them stalk great bezekira, like hunters going forth to take prey.
You can notice that the western side is being assailed particularly hard right now, though it's holding for the moment.
Unless they're called for there's not much to do except watch really, and little to say that anyone here can't plainly see.
Will you interfere, Alicia Reynes?
As you watch, the voice of Imix crackles and hisses within your mind.
If my help is asked for it will be given. Will that dissuade you?
It will not.
Will my wrath dissuade you?
No. But I suggest you focus on the enemy in front of you before worrying whether they need call for reinforcements.
"Imix is expecting us, so Eblis's detachment can be considered in that light," she says aloud for Antenora to ponder over.
Then welcome to the inferno, Alicia Reynes.
"No surprise, we're tightly tied to Seira, no matter what position we take," Syala says, while Antenora just nods, lost in thought.
There's nothing more that need be said, only to watch the battle and see if they are in fact called upon.
It's then that you see it. The eastern side suddenly buckles, starting to react and retreat within. Dao. Dao lined with flames, cloaks of fire surrounding them as they surge up. At the same time the foes there press hard, the line starting to be pushed, even with the natural defenses - and with them partially subverted.
At the same time you notice it. A great vanguard of fire elemental monoliths appears and rapidly advances. They are lead but by one - a towering balor of pure flame, marching onward with a determined sneer. He carries a blade that looks to be thousands of blades at once, all of them alight with unholy fire. Even in mere representation, you can feel the sheer hatred coming from this enemy.
K:P here.
[20:53] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+66 planes with divine insight
[20:53] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=9]
Obscure.
The figure before you is Buliyn, a balor who died in the service of the dao perhaps 20,000 years ago. He was noted for his blade Omarnos, said to be many blades forced together through chaos and blood sacrifice. Not weak, yet purely a mercenary who stayed out of greater planar politics. No demon lord had a claim on his loyalty, and in fact he spent precious little time in the Abyss.
It's worth noting he was an absolute berserker in battle, uncaring. Much like those of Torm you once battled, he will fight on until his rage leaves him entirely.
"Watch that balor, he'll fight on well past what should be mortal wounds so long as he's berserk," Alicia says, pointing it out. "Buliyn, an obscure mercenary. The Dao must have been keeping him under wraps for some time."
"Curious," Antenora says, watching the southern battle. The line's buckling more and more, "I don't like the looks of that, Alicia. Whatever defenses Zaaman Rul has, the Dao had a counter."
"Doesn't look like they were prepared for a subterranean attack," Alicia agrees grimly. "This is escalating more and more, and not in Zaaman Rul's favour. Unless Seira goes above and beyond I think we're almost certainly going to be called upon."
As if summoned.
Alicia. Are you aware of what's happening on the southern battleline?
I need some clarification here.
As far as I know, south is where Dustfire and the 777 elementals are, and they're not fighting.
Antenora mentioned watching a battle at the south and says the Dao are countering stuff, but an earlier post says the Dao surged up on the eastern front.
I'm entirely unclear where the balor and his monoliths are.
Huh.
Let me...huh.
Okay. At some point I got them mixed in my head and never note checked. The dao and problems are on the eastern front. Dustfire remains to the south. Whoops.
I recognise Dustfire, I suspect he's there as a deterrent against reinforcements.
Yet he does not attack, but we cannot ignore it.
What is worse is that the eastern line threatens to fall. My friend, I find myself forced to call on your aid.
So be it. Our army will arrive soon at the back line and move to reinforce. I will arrive more presently.
"It's time, cast your last spells. Our avatars will remain here, support them if we're attacked Latha," Alicia gives everyone time to do those last minute spells before she opens a gate to the battlefield behind the crumbling eastern flank and flies through.
Elsewhere on Sylica her avatar both dispatches her emissaries to Celestia, the Cauldron, and Brass to announce Sylica's entry into the war, while the army she'd prepared in readiness for this moment is carried forth through gates of their own to the battlefield further behind where Alicia is arriving, so that they have a chance to form up before engaging in battle.
Alicia: 651+20/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/15/8/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
Refresh me on all the spells in play here, while I dig up the spoiler block and make sure we're ready to go.
[spoiler]
Pending celestial valor, do that next post.
Antenora
HP: 768+20/768
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+3 (+3 morale), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Holy Fury 36/36 (enc) Divine Retribution 1/1 Smite Evil 7/7 Channel Energy 17/17 Lay On Hands 448/448 Remove Disease 9/9 (week), Spiritual Connection 3/3 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Opal Protection
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?)
Notes: Can always inflict nonlethal with attacks, spells, SLAs and abilities.
Smite Notes: +2 damage/paladin level on a charging smite. Each point of favored PA on charge is worth 9 points of damage, post charge multiplier (15 on crit).
Typical Charging Smite Baseline: 3d8+480 plus +4/+4d6 vs fiends plus 2d6 holy plus 2d6 axiomatic 19-20 x3 (base charging smite bonus damage is 64+64=128, includes favored enemy bonus)
Remember everything triples and x5 on a crit when adding things. Remember charge is now +4, not +2.
Syala
HP: 640+20/640
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+0 AC+21 (+3 morale, +18 armor), Saves+7 (+3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Rage 7/7 Divine Blast 14/14 Family Domain 2/2 Wrath Domain 2/2 Add Twin 7/7 (non epic only)
Spells Used: 1 10th level,
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?), Energy Immunity (Fire)
Notes: Automatically converts vile damage to normal damage.
[/quote]
Opal protection from Anty
Celestial valor from Latha
Following from Alicia:
Recitation (CL 33): +3 luck attack/saves
Greater heroism (CL 33): +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +20 temp hp
Spell turning (CL 33): 1d4+6 spell levels reflected
Ghost touch weapon (CL 33): Weapon gains ghost touch property
Vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33): +10 insight to perception, immunity to blindness/dazzled
Freedom of movement (CL 33): +15 CMD vs grapple, move freely despite impediments
Okay, spoiler block's up to date. We ready to go? Just making sure's all in order for a new week.
[spoiler]
Antenora
HP: 768+20/768
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+11 (+4 sacred, +3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+4 (+4 sacred) AC+7 (+4 sacred, +3 morale), Saves+11 (+4 sacred, +3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0 +2d6 holy weapons
Resources: Holy Fury 36/36 (enc) Divine Retribution 1/1 Smite Evil 7/7 Channel Energy 17/17 Lay On Hands 448/448 Remove Disease 9/9 (week), Spiritual Connection 3/3 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Opal Protection
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?), Celestial Valor (CL33)
Notes: Can always inflict nonlethal with attacks, spells, SLAs and abilities.
Smite Notes: +2 damage/paladin level on a charging smite. Each point of favored PA on charge is worth 9 points of damage, post charge multiplier (15 on crit).
Typical Charging Smite Baseline: 3d8+480 plus +4/+4d6 vs fiends plus 2d6 holy plus 2d6 axiomatic 19-20 x3 (base charging smite bonus damage is 64+64=128, includes favored enemy bonus)
Remember everything triples and x5 on a crit when adding things. Remember charge is now +4, not +2.
Syala
HP: 640+20/640
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+11 (+4 sacred, +3 luck, +4 morale), Damage+4 (+4 sacr3e) AC+25 (+4 sacred, +3 morale, +18 armor), Saves+11 (+4 sacred, +3 luck, +4 morale), Skills+4 (+14 perception)(+4 morale), Checks+0 +2d6 holy weapons.
Resources: Rage 7/7 Divine Blast 14/14 Family Domain 2/2 Wrath Domain 2/2 Add Twin 7/7 (non epic only)
Spells Used: 1 10th level,
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Recitation (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Opal Protection (CL33), Epic Mage Armor (CL?), Energy Immunity (Fire)
Notes: Automatically converts vile damage to normal damage.
Yes, lets go.
Fire.
It's so hot.
Flames burn around all of you as you appear within. Fire and fury indeed, everything ablaze around you. You are beyond such things as are your allies as...
Go ahead and set up, mostly a flavor post and I'll start getting into the nitty gritty of this next post.
Zaaman Rul's crumbling eastern line stands ahead as Alicia steps through the gate, while another six hundred feet behind her the Sylican expeditionary army begins to emerge through its own portals and form up into ranks, taking the chance to sort their formation out rather than being immediately thrust into combat as soon as they emerge - the shock and awe of such an arrival is more than offset by the disorganisation and risk of the enemy dispelling gates before everyone gets through.
Syala and Antenora appear just after Alicia, as she swells to colossal size to loom over the battlefield, making herself a target perhaps but also a banner for allies to rally with. "And so Sylica joins the Abolition War. Rally, champions of fire, and kindle the spark of good into an ever-burning blaze!" her divinely empowered voice is heard across the battlefield, making this official.
Alicia: 915+20/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/8/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7/6
The forces ahead of you are many - the forces of fire's evil, of flaming elementals, horrid beasts and looming fire giants. Many gazes turn to you as Antenora merely raises her spear at one side, shining opal blue bright. Syala is at your other side, hefting her hammer as she adds.
Today we will see Zaaman Rul's fire grow!
Repent now or be quenched now and forever!
Give me a Diplo check here since you're making such a giant impression and trying to get attention on you rather than the portal?
[18:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+56 diplo
[18:11] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+54 Antenora
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+53 Syala
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 73 > [d20=20]
Your voices echo about the battlefield, attention turning to you.
Moments of burning hate, moments of attention on the three of you. Precious moments as troops swarm through before
More, just need a quick question of if you're interdicting portals by any means/spells and in what radius?
I have greater anticipate teleportation up, 165 foot radius gives 3 round warning of anyone arriving.
Thanks.
Your words are called, those precious seconds stretching out. Soldiers hurry out fast as they can as...
"Behind us." You see it at the same time. 2000ft away, portals of screaming fire and jagged magma stones form, spewing forth elementals and flaming will o' the wisps, gorging them in a direct challenge to you.
Ahead are enemies. Behind are enemies. What you do here is up to you. Looking for both your actions and general army strategy, feel free to ask for any clarifications.
"Syala, Antenora, you two clear our rear flank? I'll stiffen up the line ahead," Alicia asks as she flies forward to attack those dao and their forces so that Zaaman Rul's forces can retreat in better order to form up with the Sylican lines. Syala and Antenora will buy time for her army to sort itself out at which point they'll see how the two flanks look and decide their best course from there.
Priority right now is to relieve friendly forces and get her own army deployed in fighting shape. Once all the Sylica forces are through she'll tell Zaaman Rul so that he can sever the astral links and put a stop to any more of these flanking maneuvers.
Or he could just sever them right where those hostile portals are while leaving a safe gap for Sylica, up to him!
Thus you charge ahead, going to engage as a mountain made human. At the same time you see the portals fight, indicted - flames of all kinds erupting from them, yet many remain. At the same time dao, dao and flames and worse turning to face you amid the chaos, as you stride forward as...
Let's roll init and start sorting this out first of all.
Supreme init, Alicia wins unless there's another supreme init having god hiding here.
Nope, and since you're not fighting with Syala or Antenora - they're off doing what you asked them - go ahead and act.
Wanting to keep her powerful magic and best tricks in reserve for Imix or anyone else on that level to yet be surprised by, Alicia uses a lightning leap to crackle over and above the defenders so as to get into the midst of the dao and their minions before her sword slashes out all around her with pin-point precision to slash and skewer everyone she deems unworthy within range, powerful winds kicked up and steel flashing amidst the glow of Fire.
Using the lightning leap for movement rather than hitting anyone.
Whirlwind attack with a channeled maximised vampiric touch.
[19:39] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+74 whirlwind attack, colossal reach
[19:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 87 > [d20=13]
[19:39] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+39 vampiric touch SR
[19:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=1]
[19:40] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+6d6 and 1 negative level, assuming all are evil
[19:41] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d6=3,3,6,1,1,1,3,3,4,4,6,4]
[19:41] <@Ebiris> roll 2d6 damage for evil outsiders
[19:41] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d6=6,4]
60 damage for anyone that failed SR on the vampiric touch.
Alicia: 915+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/7/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/10/7/6
Thus you land in - and the dao part around you, defenders relieved in that instant. Your blade scythes through man, clearing a space around you.
Cries of alarm, cries of fury. What follows is frantic - fireballs and power, raw flames thrown at you like an inferno.
Are you immune to fire right now?
Yes, via divinity and spell.
Yet the flames are meaningless to you, merely the reaction of soldiers seeing a new enemy. Yet as the flames engulf you, that is not all. Stones rain down, a barrage of them, hard and sharp. They come down all around, dozens of little eruptions of them forming a true rain of them on you.
Ref save.
[20:25] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+60 ref
[20:25] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=14]
> roll 20d8 DR applies
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d8=4,2,5,6,8,3,7,6,6,1,1,4,3,1,3,5,5,5,3,4]
So halved and DR applies. Let me know how much damage gets through?
The rain of stones lands hard around you - and you see you've brought the broken line a moment, more portals opening. Reinforcements are advancing at your effort, attempting to flank the vanguard against you. You can see Syala and Antenora leading the attack south in the meantime as...
Next move will depend on how damage you took, if any, so waiting on that. Have some description in the meantime.
26 damage taken, didn't get through my temp hp.
Alicia: 915+34/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/7/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/10/7/6
You can see it - more and more turning to you, the defenders getting the chance they need. Yet you can also feel the earth quivering beneath you, the flaming ground shaking every moment. You can feel it, becoming more hollow by the moment.
Yet as you seen unhurt, more and more focus on you, some falling back, a few dropping arm sand running, thrills of panic erupting out as...
Go.
Meanwhile words boom across the battlefield.
Let it be known far and wide! The brave and gallant Imix responded to my challenge of facing me after I crushed his army by shooting at me from extreme range. Sadly, it wasn't very effective, but at least his words are very strong! Truly, a bonfire of boundless courage burns within Imix's noble soul! A shame that Imix considers those serving him as sacrifices, but I suppose they've chosen their fate by following such a worthy leader?
Then a few moments later?
Let it be heard that a coward mewls from her hiding place, unable to do anything but talk. A few tinders are thrown and she thinks herself powerful, when she is nothing but a victim of her own arrogance.
Forward, today is the day we burn them all.
Does arcane sight or 2 mile tremorsense help me pinpoint the source of that shaking/excavating?
It's below and you're pretty sure it's lower than you can sense - deep, deep in the burning ground.
Well it sounds like Seira and Imix are having fun at least. Unfortunately Alicia's presented with a problem she can't easily solve here, though it should be easy for Zaaman Rul since it's his divine realm.
She lets him know. Something deeper than two miles underground below me is hollowing out your realm, Zaaman Rul.
Hopefully he can fix that as Alicia takes a bit more time to kill dao and their friends since they haven't gone away, another crackle of lightning as she crosses the battlefield to find a tighter formation she can decimate.
Quickened lightning leap then whirlwind attack.
[18:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 lightning leap SR
[18:11] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=9]
[18:11] <@Ebiris> roll 15d6 lightning leap damage
[18:11] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d6=1,5,5,6,5,1,3,1,4,4,6,4,3,2,5]
DC 30 ref half.
[18:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+50 whirlwind attack, -24pa
[18:12] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d20=13]
[18:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+39 vampiric touch SR
[18:12] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=15]
[18:13] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+97+6d6 and 1 negative level assuming all are evil
[18:13] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 142 > [d6=1,1,6,1,6,6,6,6,1,1,6,4]
[18:13] <@Ebiris> roll 2d6 damage for evil outsiders
[18:13] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d6=4,3]
And 60 damage for anyone that failed SR on the vampiric touch.
Alicia: 915+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/6/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/10/8/6
Thank you, I am aware. I had extensive defenses below, but whatever this is cut through them. Dao trickery, above and beyond what even I expected, and the Sultan of the Efreet and I are locked in a battle of divine wills over it.
Seira baits and tries to engage Imix. Can you go below after you secure this position and try and find the Sultan? A mere distraction may well be enough for me to take control of this situation, otherwise our position becomes increasingly perilous. Our entire strategy is imperiled should the Sultan be left unchecked.
> roll 1d20+20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=6]
Your slice clears another small cluster of the battlefield. As dao are cut down, as surely as Seira's magic or Imix's strikes, you...
Go ahead and reply real quick while I work out the bad guy's turn in response to this.
Very well, I will descend after clearing the immediate threat.
"Stones, stones!" The dao call, even as they're beginning to be pushed back, the assault stopped cold by you taking the field. Behind you, you note Antenora and Syala in the thick of it now, leading your forces as you stride ahead.
Not that this stops an even greater rain of stones, desperately trying to drown you in rock, trying to do something, anything against you - at least those who aren't falling back, seeing an unwinnable battle.
They at least try. Ref.
[18:48] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+60 ref
[18:48] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=5]
Alicia: 915+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/6/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/10/8/6
> roll 30d8
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 156 > [d8=4,6,3,4,7,8,6,4,6,8,8,7,6,4,8,3,6,6,5,5,3,5,7,7,7,4,1,5,2,1]
Halve this and DR applies.
The rain of stones is heavier and heavier - yet only so many can pelt you, a barrage as others try and hold - but with a giant in their midst, you can see the attack has simply stalled.
You also feel a louder, stronger vibration, something rushing up to the surface.
Go.
3 damage actually got through!
Does my 2 mile tremorsense tell me anything more about what's coming up? Size/shape/exepcted time of arrival?
Alicia: 912/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/6/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/10/8/6
It's big and moving fast - in two rounds, you think. It's shaped like a great worm, but with odd, long ridges, almost horn like, all over it. It also constantly drips something from all over its body.
She has a moment so another lightning leap carries Alicia to more of the dao, her feet not touching the ground now so the worm won't be able to identify her location via tremorsense.
It may figure it out from all the dao who fall to the ground in chunky giblets however. Hopefully the snake will be more interesting to fight, this is just like reaping wheat.
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 lightning leap SR
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=17]
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 15d6 lightning leap damage
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d6=1,6,1,1,4,5,2,4,6,2,1,6,4,5,3]
DC 30 ref half on that.
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+50 whirlwind attack, -24pa
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=9]
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+39 vampiric touch SR
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=5]
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+97+6d6 and 1 negative level assuming all are evil
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 133 > [d6=4,3,1,5,3,5,1,1,5,2,2,4]
[19:28] <@Ebiris> roll 2d6 damage for evil outsiders
[19:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d6=6,6]
Alicia: 912+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/6
Indeed it is - and as you scythe them, the genies take the hint. They begin to flee into the ground, fleeing rapidly, breaking off.
For the moment at least you've held the line as cheers go up, even as the ground itself begins to shake and...
You have a round, use it as you wish.
"Rally with my soldiers and rebuild the defensive line!" Alicia calls to the elementals as she summons up some help of her own.
Swift for quickened Summon Monster X for 1d3 elder earth elementals
Swift to designate one of them as my familiar.
Standard to have my new familiar hold the charge on a black ice touch spell
[19:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d3 elder earth elementals
[19:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d3=3]
[19:43] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 damage for being on fire
[19:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d10=6,5,4]Three elementals appear at her command, barely bothered by the extreme heat especially as one of them is blessed by her. "Go and intercept the worm below!" she commands, the three mutely earth gliding downwards on a straight path to intercept the ascending worm!
Elementals 2 & 3: 213/228 hp, AC 22, attack +27/+27 (2d10+11 19-20/x2), DR 10/-, +1 attack/damage when it and foe are touching ground
Elemental 1: 442/457 hp, AC 39, attack +42/+42 (2d10+11 19-20/x2), DR 10/-, +1 attack/damage when it and foe are touching ground, 2/day limited wish, improved evasion, spell resistance 38, deliver touch spells, holding a black ice touch (SR +35, 15d6 cold and 1d4 negative levels)
Alicia: 912+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
Quick question, did that change their movement speed on them at all?
Nope, speed 30.
Down they go. Down, down, down and down. As they do, the heat suddenly rises even hotter around them an abruptly - !
Gimme Fort saves by them.
[18:03] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 familiar elemental fort
[18:03] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=16]
[18:04] <@Ebiris> roll 2#1d20+19 other two fort
[18:04] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 34, 37 >
> roll 20d10
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 109 > [d10=5,4,10,10,3,4,2,2,4,10,4,1,5,10,3,10,10,5,5,2]
The elementals race down, melting, burning. Everything becomes an inferno closer - but they break through and see it. A vast open maw, the worm rising up mouth first, a dreadful thing of burning magma within. It's coming up at them as...
Are they attacking?
Yes.The elementals glide down relentlessly, two slamming that maw with huge rocky fists, the other delivering a touch of ice!
[18:39] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+28 elemental 2
[18:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=11]
[18:39] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+28 elemental 3
[18:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=16]
[18:39] <@Ebiris> roll 2d10+12 elemental 2
[18:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d10=3,4]
[18:39] <@Ebiris> roll 2d10+12 elemental 3
[18:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d10=9,8]
[18:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+43 elemental 1 melee touch
[18:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=13]
[18:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 SR if needed
[18:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=11]
[18:40] <@Ebiris> roll 15d6 cold damage
[18:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d6=2,1,6,1,4,4,2,6,1,1,4,3,1,4,1]
[18:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4 negative levels
[18:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d4=1]
Alicia: 912+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
The touches and slams hit it as the worm surges up, coming in for them, maw consuming as the ice touch makes it recoil, but it's going too fast to stop.
> roll 1d20+74 (+15 favored enemy, +3 recitation, +4 ???, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 91 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+74 (+15 favored enemy, +3 recitation, +4 ???, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed) crit
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=1]
> roll 8d8+70+3d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 124 > [d8=4,3,6,8,8,2,2,7][d6=4,5,5]
Do any survive?
[19:18] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 fire planar damage
[19:18] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d10=2,2,7]
Elementals 2 & 3: 78/228 hp, AC 22, attack +27/+27 (2d10+11 19-20/x2), DR 10/-, +1 attack/damage when it and foe are touching ground
Elemental 1: 307/457 hp, AC 39, attack +42/+42 (2d10+11 19-20/x2), DR 10/-, +1 attack/damage when it and foe are touching ground, 2/day limited wish, improved evasion, spell resistance 38, deliver touch spells
It hit all three? They're all still kicking either way.
Alicia: 912+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
It's a big ass maw.
> roll 1d20+78 (+15 favored enemy, +3 recitation, +4 ???, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed) CMB obigatory
<Penuche> Space_Cat invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=2]
Assuming this gets them with improved grab shenanigans. If not feel free to correct me.
That bite swallows the elementals whole as it rises up, bursting out - a great lava worm of stone and metal spines, a great section of the ground collapsing as it comes up within Alicia's reach, already surging for her as the elementals are inside of its burning depths, being swallowed down and baked alive.
Init for everyone, let's codify that into this. Include the elementals, they're still alive if in there. Since you have supreme init go ahead and go, we'll hash it out from there.
Those were some big ass elementals!
And yes, CMD is beaten, elementals are eaten.
Any knowledge for identifying this goober? Take 10 for 61 on planes/nature/arcana.
[17:29] <Ebiris> roll 3#1d20-1 elemental init
[17:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 12, 15, 14 >
Gimme K:P.
[17:56] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+51
[17:56] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=15]
It looks like someone took something like a purple worm, set it on fire, added metal and made it grow far larger than it ever should be. It doesn't ring any bells, so odds are it's some wizard or another's pet project, or perhaps the work of someone like Imix.
Based on what you can see, the strategy would be simple: Don't get swallowed, don't get set on fire and don't get bit.
Fortunately Alicia is as big as they get, so this little worm isn't about to swallow her!
Also she's about to make it an ex-worm, her blades carving it up as soon as it erupts into range!
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+79 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=1]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+79 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 99 > [d20=20]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+79 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 87 > [d20=8]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+79 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 94 > [d20=15]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+74 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=2]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+74 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d20=14]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+69 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d20=13]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+69 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=11]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+64 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=11]
[18:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+64 channelled black ice touch, 6th level arcane strike, blinding speed
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d20=6]
[18:29] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+79 crit check
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d20=6]
[18:29] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+39 SR for black ice touch
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 57 > [d20=18]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 163 > [d6=5,4,5,4,5,4,6,6,5,1,5,4][d4=4,2,3,1,2,2][d6=6,4,5,5,3,3,6,1,4,1,5,5,4,2,2]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 151 > [d6=4,3,4,4,5,4,6,2,1,4,6,3][d4=1,2,1,2,1,2][d6=4,4,6,5,6,2,3,2,4,6,5,4,1,2,3]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 150 > [d6=4,4,1,3,5,5,6,3,3,5,4,5][d4=1,1,1,2,2,1][d6=1,3,6,3,1,4,1,6,5,6,3,6,3,5,2]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 149 > [d6=1,5,6,6,5,3,3,6,2,6,1,4][d4=1,2,4,3,2,4][d6=5,2,3,1,4,6,3,1,1,1,2,6,3,6,2]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 153 > [d6=5,1,3,5,1,2,4,4,2,5,2,2][d4=1,3,1,1,3,4][d6=5,6,1,2,5,5,2,6,6,4,5,1,6,6,5]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 150 > [d6=4,3,4,3,4,5,2,1,3,2,4,1][d4=2,4,1,2,1,4][d6=5,4,2,4,3,4,5,4,5,5,2,2,6,6,4]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 145 > [d6=3,5,6,3,3,3,3,2,5,4,1,3][d4=4,2,4,1,4,2][d6=6,1,4,3,4,3,3,3,3,3,1,3,4,3,4]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 140 > [d6=3,5,1,5,2,4,4,2,1,1,1,6][d4=2,1,2,2,1,2][d6=2,3,1,5,2,5,5,3,6,5,6,2,5,2,4]
[18:30] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 153 > [d6=2,6,6,3,1,4,4,2,5,1,1,6][d4=1,2,2,1,2,4][d6=5,5,5,1,2,5,4,3,5,5,5,4,4,3,5]
[18:31] <Ebiris> roll 12d6+78+6d6+6d4+30d6 and 2 negative levels if 85 was a crit
[18:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 268 > [12d6=46][d6=25][d4=18][30d6=101]
[18:31] <Ebiris> roll 6d6+39+6d6+6d4+15d6 and 1 negative level if it wasn't
[18:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 148 > [d6=2,4,3,1,2,3,1,1,4,5,2,5][d4=4,1,3,2,2,1][d6=6,6,4,4,5,5,5,1,5,3,6,4,5,1,3]
[18:31] <Ebiris> roll 9#1d4 black ice negative levels forgot to add them
[18:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 4, 1, 4, 4, 4, 1, 4, 1, 1 >
[18:31] <Ebiris> roll 2d4 negative levels if 85 was a crit
[18:31] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d4=1,2]
[18:32] <Ebiris> roll 1d4 negative levels if it wasn't
[18:32] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d4=1]
2 swift actions left if it still lives.
Alicia: 912+60/915
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 95, CMD 122 (139 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +32 str, -4 dex, +16 con, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/13/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/4
The worm is fast, mighty and massive - but ultimately it is still checked and decapitated. Swing after swing of black ice severs the worm's maw in half, lava pouring out from it, leaving to slump over and bleed burning blood out all over the ground.
Free act.
The earth elementals tumble free as well, though Alicia dismisses them as no longer required. She glances back towards the Sylica lines as she shrinks to a more managable size and reaches out to Syala and Antenora. Zaaman Rul fears something undermines his realm from below, possibly the Sultan himself. I'm going to serve a distraction, you two hold the line here.
How's that tunnel made by the worm look in terms of navigability?
Alicia: 649+60/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/13/5/7/7/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/4
We're doing alright here, go on.
You can see that Antenora and Syala are holding the line - as Dustfire is leading his soldiers around and from the south, towards that battle.
And the tunnel?
The tunnel's dug out and looks passable enough, sure.
Alicia casts time stop!
[18:57] <Ebiris> roll 1d4+1
[18:57] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=3]And with time frozen she can move freely without giving away her trump card, condensing space down that tunnel and descending at speed to rival that horribly fast worm's ascent!
Using space compression to cover 6800 feet per turn via using a swift to go to max range, moving through and then using another swift to go to max range again. That's 27200 feet or just over five miles. Hopefully gets me far enough to find the culprit!
Alicia: 649+60/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/13/5/7/6/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/4
Assuming it isn't a straight shot and there's varying paths, do you have any means of discerning which direction to go in?
I assumed it was a straight shot because the worm wasn't backtracking. I have 2 miles worth of divine perception to sense stuff within and am probably smart enough to be able to gauge the right direction for the epicentre of those quakes from what I felt above ground?
Down you go. Down and down and down. Down to a vast cavern of lava waterfalls, going through it. Here you see them - hundreds of Dao, holding a defensive line and position all over this vast cavern. Farther below sits a vast pedestal where a glowing purple rock sits, the size of Hanna or so. There is one figure in armor there, a hand on it that you see - the Grand Sultan, his focus completely on it.
How many rounds did that take?
Alicia: 649+60/651
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33)
Defences: AC 91, CMD 100 (117 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/13/5/7/6/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/4
3.
Made it with time to spare! Bypassing the dao entirely she positions herself a safe two hundred feet from the Sultan and swells to colossal size once more in readiness for battle, her presence unmistakable now as her time stop ends.
Moving and casting greater visage of the deity in my last round."Grand Sultan, I would ask you to desist and depart," she says, looking across at him. He's certainly a foe well beyond the likes of Lixer or Glasya, but even so she's fresh and has some deadly tricks of her own up her sleeve and it shows in her confidence here.
[19:59] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 arcane sight CL if needed
[19:59] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=3]
Also looking to see what magic's around on him and that crystal.
Alicia: 981+60/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/3/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
A moment of silence at your intrusion, the Grand Sultan turning his gaze to you. He wears a helmet, hiding his burning face completely, yet not seeming to impede him. Yet you feel his presence, overwhelming and potent, like a bonfire ablaze. Yet you endure as you see the rock.
A rock to destroy earth, a rock to undo it and any defenses around it. A strange thing of nothing and consumption...but it doesn't quite feel like Shar, either.
"Alicia Reynes," he greets, "Not unexpected, but not anticipated like this," His hand is on the stone, "Just as I am here. Leave this place - you know you can't stand a chance against me yet, not as you are now. Do not make the same mistakes Seira made and refuse my generosity."
It's the real thing and not an avatar, huh? Of course an avatar wouldn't be able to contest Zaaman Rul's realm so easily. "Perhaps not... and yet in battle nothing is certain," she responds to his summation of her odds against him. "Nor did I expect to be called to war at this time, yet you tip the scales too deeply in the battle between father and son and so I am called. Leave, take your rock and these dao, and I will not stand in your way. That is my own generosity."
Give me Diplo, just for the record here.
[20:52] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+58 diplo
[20:52] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 64 > [d20=6]
The Grand Sultan of the efreet shakes his head, "I will not. Will you end your story here, Alicia Reynes?"
"So be it," she raises her sword in salute, every muscle tensing as she prepares to do battle with a foe far greater than any she's faced before, nor one she much expected to cross blades with when rating her chances amongst the great powers of Creation.
Does he also have supreme initiative?
Go ahead and roll init in this case, yes.
Doesn't the higher divine rank automatically win, so he goes then I go then the regular guys roll init?
It does, so okay.
> roll 1d20+15 ????
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+2 ????
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+11 ????
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+6 Dao
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=14]
Grand Sultan of the Efreet (Supreme Init) > Alicia (Supreme Init) > Hulking Efreet (28) > Dao (20) ????3 (17) > ????2 (14)
The Grand Sultan takes the purple stone in hand, which instantly shrinks to fit. "You are not yet worthy to face me," he declares, gliding back in the air, "Attend me!"
From his armor they emerge - tiny things that grow in moments.
The first is a looming giant of an efreet, carrying a hefty war mace with both hands. He is 30ft away and ready to strike, wearing armor of interlocking obsidian plates. Spikes rise from the armor, radiating a semi visible force all around him. He looks in open interest, "Never had prey big as this," he says, licking his lips. "I'll watch you burn until there's nothing left but a charred stump." He stays in the open air without difficulty, the glitter of a ruby ring on his hand catching your eye. It shines with all the light of Fire itself, or close to it, to your eyes.
The second is a big, sleek black creature of pure muscle. An Astral Stalker, utterly ripped and bulging with muscle. Dozens of runed piercings cover his body, his expression nothing but a blank mask. He takes you in, settling in the air 60ft from you. He has no visible weapon, though his claws are bigger than greatswords and surely sharper, occasionally crackling with purple electricity.
The last is a growling wolf, carved of black, dull diamond. It has ten heads framing a massive body, each ready to snarl and snap at you, to devour you down. Each tongue is long enough to trail below its body, dripping a sizzling red fluid. It's 90ft away from you and ready to pounce, muscles thick and heavy.
Go ahead and gimme K:P, K:P and K:A.
[17:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 planes
[17:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d20=11]
[17:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 arcana
[17:40] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=7]
[17:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 planes #2
[17:41] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=6]
Grand Sultan of the Efreet (Supreme Init) > Alicia (Supreme Init) > Zamar Nazari (28) > Dao (20) > Almas Al'aswad (17) > Slayed (14)
The hulking efreet is Zamar Nazari. A minor if respected noble, a brute who rarely stays in the City of Brass but obeys the Sultan when called on. He wishes to fight, kill and destroy at all times. Notable for burning his foes to char and eating what's left. He's old - millions of years if you're a day old - and powerful. He mostly satisfies his desires for violence in various planar skirmishes, or the Blood War when nothing else is available. As powerful as he is, the various Grand Sultans usually regard him as useful enough to protect him from political scheming. Watch out for his blows, they'll leave you reeling like Syala's. He also gets stronger as his blood is shed, and as he injures his opponents.
The Astral Stalker is Slayed, an outcast from his own kind. He's strong enough to survive his foes trying to kill him and he excels as a fixer for hire. About 2000 years ago he allegedly took a job for the Grand Sultan and vanished - so you suppose that answers the question that poses, at least partially. He's workmanlike, killing and moving on. He has no respect for his opponents, only wishing to end their lives as efficiently as possible. Whatever you do, don't let him get on you with your claws, he's an incredibly deadly precision warrior like Jessica.
The last is the Almas Al'aswad, said to have been made by Kassim the Honored Flame. It's said that he once found a giant diamond deep in the burning reaches of Fire, one that no flame could melt. It is said that he spend an age slowly chipping it down, until at last it became a massive hunting hound with a dozen heads and endless hunger, given life by the endless centuries Kassim worked on it. It is further said in legend that the beast was canny and sought to escape, and in time slipped Kassim a potion that ad him sleep for 99 years, during which the beast escaped and gained his freedom. What became of it varies tale to tale, but it's been seen participating in battles on occasion in Fire, usually on a different side each time.
Anyway, exposition done for now, it's your go.
The Grand Sultan is now 200ft away, watching as...
Go.
Alicia looks over those formidable defenders, any of which would be a deadly fight on its own but not a one of them interests her right now. "Worthiness is an empty word on the battlefield," she declares as her sword swings out... and space
twists, the 200 feet as nothing between her and the Sultan, her blade emerging directly in front of the Sultan's chest and slashing at him, a quick reversal before he takes another strike from its back end as Alicia executes a familiar dance, putting her all into defeating this mighty foe before any of his bodyguards can interfere!
[18:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+119 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, many moments of prescience
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 135 > [d20=16]
[18:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+119 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, many moments of prescience
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 129 > [d20=10]
[18:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+119 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, many moments of prescience
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 124 > [d20=5]
[18:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+119 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, many moments of prescience
[18:28] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 120 > [d20=1]
[18:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+130 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, quickened many moments of prescience cast here for four more uses, smite evil
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 139 > [d20=9]
[18:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+130 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, moments of prescience, smite evil
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 138 > [d20=8]
[18:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+109 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, moments of prescience
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 123 > [d20=14]
[18:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+109 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp, moments of prescience
[18:29] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 126 > [d20=17]
[18:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+74 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d20=14]
[18:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+74 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp
[18:30] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d20=10]
[18:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+109 crit check for the 126
[18:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 113 > [d20=4]
Add +2 to all of those attack rolls if it makes a difference, never added evil outsider bane's bonus.
[18:33] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 924 > [d6=3,1,4,2,3,3,6,6,5,1,6][d4=3,2,3,3,4,4,1,4,3,1,3,4,4,4]
[18:33] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 910 > [d6=5,2,1,1,5,3,4,6,6,3,1][d4=4,4,1,4,1,4,1,1,2,2,2,2,1,3]
[18:33] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:33] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 909 > [d6=2,2,2,6,1,2,5,1,2,5,4][d4=3,2,1,4,1,3,4,1,3,3,4,1,3,3]
[18:33] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 920 > [d6=6,4,5,2,4,2,5,5,3,2,5][d4=2,3,1,2,4,4,2,4,1,4,1,3,2,3]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 910 > [d6=5,5,5,3,2,5,2,3,3,1,1][d4=3,2,1,1,2,2,3,1,2,3,3,3,4,4]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 903 > [d6=4,4,3,4,2,6,2,2,2,5,3][d4=3,3,1,1,1,1,2,3,3,1,2,2,1,1]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 913 > [d6=6,6,4,1,5,5,5,1,2,2,5][d4=1,1,2,1,3,4,2,1,3,3,3,3,2,1]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 911 > [d6=4,1,4,4,5,4,1,6,2,5,2][d4=4,2,2,3,2,4,3,1,2,3,1,2,2,1]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 913 > [d6=5,4,4,5,3,4,3,3,5,5,3][d4=1,2,2,3,2,2,1,2,1,2,2,2,3,3]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 12d6+98+6d6+2d6+14d4+1584 if 113 was a crit
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 1781 > [d6=6,2,1,3,4,2,2,4,4,2,1,5,1,5,2,2,1,6,5,1][d4=4,3,4,2,3,1,4,2,3,3,3,4,3,1]
[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+2d6+14d4+792 if 113 was not a crit
[18:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 913 > [d6=5,2,6,2,3,5,6,4,1,6,1][d4=1,3,2,2,1,3,2,4,2,2,2,2,3,2]
After the full attack I'll use a free action to drop my permanent emanation and clear the compressed space so he can't retaliate.
[18:38] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2 rank check to see if I can inflict negative levels on him
[18:38] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=7]
Pretty sure he can't fail that. 1 negative level per hit (2 on a crit) if he does though.
Alicia: 981+60/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/3/5/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
> roll 1d100
> roll 1d100
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d100=7]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d100=29]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d100=24]
> roll 1d100 need a fourth since evil outsider bane
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d100=70]
The Sultan is like attacking the concept of repulsion. Air ripples around him, making it harder and harder to swing with each inch your blade passes. He somehow seems to know at the same time, moving in perfect tandem to avoid your blade. Some sort of insight or natural skill, you know not, but he moves flawlessly. His armor is like hacking through layers of thick diamond, his flesh like yards of adamantine.
Many of your blows aren't enough like this, not even now. Yet some are - only for the armor to resonate, a burst of heat before your blade slips away, turning deadly blows into narrow misses.
"Trickery!" The Grand Sultan says, dodging your blade by an inch. He starts to move and that's your one moment. You manage to swing right back, slashing across his chest. It's a deep cut, finally getting him - but even as he bleeds, he isn't going down. Not quite, perhaps.
He can't fail the roll so no point, yeah. That it for your turn?
All actions expended, yes.
Grand Sultan of the Efreet (Supreme Init) > Alicia (Supreme Init) > Zamar Nazari (28) > Dao (20) > Almas Al'aswad (17) > Slayed (14)
Zamar views this battle, the carnage from it and your space compression magic. He rears back - and hurls his hammer, right at you, spinning end over end as...
> roll 1d20+93 (+3 ???, +1 ???, +10 pride of the fire giant, +20 true strike)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 107 > [d20=14]
> roll 8d8+95+5d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 137 > [d8=5,6,5,2,1,5,1,6][d6=1,1,3,3,3]
Beats your DR. Ow.
Fort save vs stunning, note if immune.
[17:20] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+81 mettle
[17:20] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d20=9]
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/3/5/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
Pain. The war mace hits home with the force of a raging tarrasque, sending you staggering back even with the size difference. Moments later it's back in his hand as he licks his lips, eyeing you all the while.
The dao are falling back carefully, not daring to interfere in such a thing. Perhaps wise, perhaps terrified, perhaps both.
Amid it all, Almas Al'aswad snarls and snaps before bounding forward, heads all lunging out to bite your massive form as...
It does provoke an AoO he's willing to risk for the charge.
Saving the AoO for Slayed, come at me bro.
> roll 10#1d20+62 (+5 ???, +3 hunter's chase, +4 ???, +1 ???, +5 ???, +1 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66, 69, 78, 70, 67, 75, 69, 76, 79, 66 >
A savage array of mauling bites follows, the black hound going for you. Yet your mage armor holds, parrying blocking the assault for the moment, even as your chest aches from the mace-blow to you.
Amid all this you see Slayed coming forward, seeming to glide side to side without covering the distance - speed, speed you can begin to follow as...
He's going for the go stab Alicia game, too. AoO?
She'd been waiting for this and with a faint smile one of her sword-blades whips out over the crystalline monster's head to eviscerate the foolish astral stalker!
[16:59] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+93 blinding speed, 14th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious/maximised flux grasp
[16:59] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 101 > [d20=8]
[16:59] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+59+3d6+2d6+14d4+792 and 1 negative level
[16:59] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 926 > [d6=6,6,1,1,3,3,1,6,5,5,1][d4=1,2,3,4,1,3,4,2,4,1,2,4,2,4]
If he's still alive, DC 38 fort save or -10 penalty to both armour and natural armour.
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/3/5/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
Grand Sultan of the Efreet (Supreme Init) > Alicia (Supreme Init) > Zamar Nazari (28) > Dao (20) > Almas Al'aswad (17)
Slayed is simply cut in half - he begins to heal rapidly, but it's not enough. His body falls in two pieces and is gone, runed piercings raining down as he vanishes. It's one heavy, decisive blow that bisects him.
One down.
"I underestimated you," The Grand Sultan declares as he holds his chest, the wound sealing over in a instant. A bodysheathe of flame surrounds him, motes of burning stone within it. A moment later he fades from view entirely as...
Do you have true seeing or the like active?
No, but I have epic perception and blindsight/scent/tremorsense.
[17:23] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+83 perception
[17:23] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d20=2]
Huh.
It's like...three of them now once he's invisible, the faint distortions noticed.
One is right where he was. One is 120ft to the left, amid several dao. The third is 10ft behind the first, and is then gone entirely.
Go.
[17:36] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+52 spellcraft
[17:36] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=14]
Can I figure out what he did there specifically to help with narrowing down which is real or if they're all real or semi-real?
It's not hard to identify Superior Invisibility, you know that spell when you see it.
The other spell is...strange. Unusual, the structure of it's different. It creates two clones of shadow and illusion and they can be positioned freely, while allowing the caster to move normally and take any other actions. It also momentarily blurs the caster, so that it's hard to tell if one left behind is the caster or if another that appeared is. Combined with being unseen and any of them could be it.
It doesn't cover why one of them vanished, though. Some form of teleportation, escape or further cloaking beyond even your sharp eyes.
"Tch," Alicia clucks her tongue. "We're all making errors today. Deadly ones for some," she elects to deal with the distractions first since they're both in range and should fall easily, her sword sweeping out at the brutish efreet first since he's proven able to harm her, before she'll dispose of the construct.
Attacks against Zamar get a +2 bonus to attack and damage, and the channelled vivacious flux grasp has its damage doubled. I'll roll the flux grasp damage last along with the +2d6+2 bane damage separately for convenience since I don't know when in the string the attacks switch over.
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+88 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 99 > [d20=11]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+88 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 91 > [d20=3]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+88 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 98 > [d20=10]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+88 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 93 > [d20=5]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+83 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d20=7]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+83 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d20=2]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+78 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d20=6]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+78 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=3]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d20=9]
[18:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73 blinding speed, 13th level arcane strike, channelled vivacious flux grasp
[18:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=3]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 111 > [d6=3,6,1,1,4,6,3,6,1][d4=1,3,2,4,2,1,4,2,3,2,1,1,1,4]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 110 > [d6=1,4,1,3,5,3,1,1,5][d4=4,4,4,1,2,2,1,4,3,3,3,1,4,1]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 114 > [d6=5,2,4,6,6,2,3,6,2][d4=1,2,3,2,2,1,3,1,2,3,1,2,3,3]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 123 > [d6=4,5,5,3,3,1,2,4,3][d4=4,4,4,4,4,3,4,4,2,3,1,2,3,2]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 132 > [d6=5,5,4,6,6,6,1,5,6][d4=3,3,3,3,4,2,2,2,3,2,2,3,4,3]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 118 > [d6=2,2,4,2,3,5,5,6,5][d4=3,1,3,1,3,3,2,3,2,4,1,4,3,2]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 118 > [d6=6,5,2,4,3,6,2,5,3][d4=1,1,4,1,4,2,2,1,3,3,2,3,3,3]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 111 > [d6=1,2,4,2,4,6,4,3,5][d4=2,3,4,3,3,4,1,2,1,1,1,3,2,1]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 118 > [d6=1,4,3,5,3,6,5,6,6][d4=3,3,4,1,1,1,1,4,1,3,1,2,3,2]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 6d6+49+3d6+14d4
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 124 > [d6=4,4,5,4,2,2,5,3,4][d4=1,4,1,4,4,4,3,1,4,2,4,2,4,4]
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 10#33d12 flux grasp, doubled vs evil outsiders
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 209, 209, 187, 227, 181, 201, 199, 191, 215, 237 >
[18:09] <@Ebiris> roll 10#2d6+2 evil outsider bane damage where it applies
[18:09] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 4, 12, 12, 12, 13, 10, 5, 9, 12, 6 >
DC 38 fort or -10 penalty to armour/natural armour if necessary, affects objects.
2 swifts left to use depending on how things look now.
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/3/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
Does Flux Grasp require SR?
It does not.
Zamar is a worthy foe - two blows don't fell him nor do three. It takes five before you finally slice his head off, his body falling away in a plume of flames - only to regather with healing, but another slash finishes that.
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=19]
Yet attacking Almas Al'aswad is almost futile. You barely chip his body, the acid only sizzling against him, leaving no marring at all. It's also repairing - it's one of the hardest things you've ever struck, taking your blows with surprising ability.
The dao begin to spread and flee, retreating from this battle as in the meantime, Almas bites and savages you, hungry for flesh.
Grand Sultan of the Efreet (Supreme Init) > Alicia (Supreme Init) > Dao (20) > Almas Al'aswad (17),
> roll 10#1d20+62 (+5 ???, +3 hunter's chase, +4 ???, +1 ???, +5 ???, +1 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68, 73, 81, 68, 79, 79, 71, 80, 75, 68 >
Yet all of that? Ultimately nothing. He can no more hurt yo as you can hurt it, it seems. Amid this duel, you catch sight of the shimmering distortions going in different directions as...
Go.
I had two swifts unused, also the flux grasp did divine damage because it was vivacious in case that changes Almas Al'aswad's survivability.
It did not, no. Whatever's going on, this diamond body seems almost impossible to harm directly.
Swift action spent on casting quickened True Vulnerability after my first attack on Almas bounced off
[18:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 SR for true vulnerability
[18:41] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=20]
DC 36 will
One swift left.
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/2/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=11]
No joy. Second one is a go.
Maybe sonic damage? Either way Alicia elects not to stand still and slug it out, pinching space between her flank and the far edge of the cavern to get as far as she can from the sultan's copies and Almas Al'asawad, stepping through and then dropping the spatial compression again.
Free to activate permanent emanation, swift to compress, free to 5 foot step through, free to drop permanent emanation.
Done.
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/2/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
You are not about 435ft from the black hound, as it growls and snaps, chasing you, closing 160ft of that distance, now only 275ft away.
You can't really see the faint disturbances from here, but the dao are fleeing fast and hard as...
It's stopped and I'm taking control, then preparing to face Imix.
Thank you, Alicia.
She can't spare attention for godspeech now, but that suggests the sultan has fled at least. Whether those duplicates will present a lingering problem remains to be seen...
My turn?
Go.
She'll see now if sonic damage does better... With a rapid spell, a group of huge storm elementals appear around the crystal hound, a barrage of thunder and lightning ensuing!
[19:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d3 greater storm elementals
[19:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d3=2]
[19:55] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 fire damage for them
[19:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d10=2,4,6]
[19:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d3 greater storm elementals
[19:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d3=2]
[19:55] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 fire damage for them
[19:55] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d10=2,4,6]
[19:56] <@Ebiris> roll 2#10d6 sonic DC 26 fort half
[19:56] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 39, 29 >
[20:07] <@Ebiris> roll 2#21d6 lightning DC 26 ref half
[20:07] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 67, 75 >
Standard and one more swift left, seeing how this plays out.
Elemental 1: 208/220, AC 22
Elemental 2: 208/220, AC 22
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/8/5
> roll 1d20+34
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=3]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 47 > [d20=13]
The sonic hits true - dozens of tiny little cracks momentarily form all over the black hound, chinks in its armor. They're already beginning to heal as...
Continue.
"There's the chink in your armour," Alicia says in satisfaction, flying closer but using an elemental for cover before she shouts at the crystalline construct!
Quickened and maximised shouts. I have an elemental between me and him so he can't charge me.
[20:16] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 maximised shout SR
[20:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=1]
[20:16] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+35 quickened shout SR
[20:16] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=5]
[20:17] <@Ebiris> roll 15d6
[20:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d6=2,1,3,2,1,1,1,6,4,3,5,1,2,2,4]
And 90 for the maximised one. DC 24 fort half.
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/5/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/4
> roll 1d20+34
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=1]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=2]
With a whimpering noise the black hound cracks all over, reeling. It's healing, frantically licking at the cracks all over it. They're mostly gone but...
Go, dao are still getting out and no sign of the Sultan.
Alicia now dispels any active magic on Almas Al'Aswad before she and her elementals continue the merciless sonic assault!
[20:34] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 fire damage
[20:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d10=10,2,9]
Superb dispelling, how many checks?
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/4/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/4
Elemental 1: 187/220, AC 22
Elemental 2: 187/220, AC 22
16.
[20:38] <@Ebiris> roll 16#1d20+35 superb dispelling
[20:38] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 45, 46, 40, 49, 40, 44, 47, 41, 42, 50, 45, 39, 48, 48, 51, 47 >
Also he's deaf for 12 rounds since he failed his save vs the maximised shout last turn.
[20:38] <@Ebiris> roll 2#10d6 sonic DC 26 fort half
[20:38] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 27, 33 >
[20:38] <@Ebiris> roll 2#21d6 lightning DC 26 ref half
[20:38] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 74, 61 >
[20:39] <@Ebiris> roll 2#15d6 quickened shouts DC 24 fort half
[20:39] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 47, 45 >
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/4/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/2
Elemental 1: 187/220, AC 22
Elemental 2: 187/220, AC 22
> roll 1d20+15
> roll 1d20+15
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=10]
Whimpers and whimpers as the black hound is battered, before, "S-stop!" it manages to cry out, "Stop the noises!" It speaks in Ignan, hissing and crackling in every word.
Since my lore check said he'd fought on multiple sides, has he ever fought on Zaaman Rul's side in the past?So there can be no chance of him mishearing, Alicia exerts her godly will to Almas Al'Aswad. "Surrender, then." The elementals are simply ordered to hold in Auran, which they grumpily do while slowly burning.
[20:43] <@Ebiris> roll 3d10 fire
[20:43] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d10=10,8,4]
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/4/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/2
Elemental 1: 165/220, AC 22
Elemental 2: 165/220, AC 22
What was your total on that check?
59 assuming he was the arcana check.
You believe he has.
The black hound whimpers and curls in the air, paws protecting its face, hiding it.
Free act, he ain't fighting back.
Are the astral links in place here and can I see any dimensional blocking with arcane sight?
Whatever barrier was here is gone now.
Alicia opens a Gate to Sylica where her and Syala's avatars are waiting to take Almas Al'Aswad into custody, the two elementals going through as well to help keep an eye on him and stay out of the fire. "Through there, behave and you'll be treated fairly."
Alicia: 904/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/5/7/4/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/2
Elemental 1: 165/220, AC 22
Elemental 2: 165/220, AC 22
The black hound hurries through, fleeing you and whimpering all the while.
Now with the dao fled she basically has the run of the place. A pinch of space takes her down near where the Slayed and Zamar Nazari fell with a single step where she unfurls her portable hole and summons up a group of fire elementals to grab their dropped belongings to drop in the hole before she folds it and then starts ascending back to the surface via judicious use of compressed space.
[17:27] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4+1 small fire elementals
[17:27] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d4=2]
Using my SMV (fire elementals only) SLA
Done and done. As you begin to ascend back?
We're holding well here. How'd your end of it?
She's back at normal size to get up that tunnel easily but ascending fast as she spares a bit of focus in replying to Syala.
Your avatar should have just met the prisoner I sent over. I drove off the Grand Sultan and his Dao allies, it looks like it's down to the battle against Imix now.
Dustfire's withdrawing. They weren't too committed to the attack, it felt like a token effort. Antenora briefly talked to him, she says he seems unhappy about it but obeys Eblis.
Good, be on the surface momentarily.
And it only takes her a few more seconds to reach there with judicious spatial compression, no longer having to hide that special ability now the cat's out of the bag.
For now, the line has held. The efreet attack has been stopped, pushed back to ranged skirmishes on a glance. Your forces have helped everything hold, now helping with the general defense and recovery.
Invigorating. They've ceased their press on this section of the line, at least for now. How was it below?
Flying over to regroup with Antenora and Syala, Alicia looks over the battlefield to see where they can best put themselves to use, the battle with Imix out of their hands now unless their friends lose. "A qualified success. I drove off the Grand Sultan but wasn't able to manage anything decisive. The attendants he summoned to keep me busy are all dead or captured. I understand Zamar Nazari has a long history of protecting various sultans that just ended - disgusting cannibal, I'm glad for that. The Slayed wasn't much, and Almas Al'Aswad surrendered rather than face sonic destruction. Gated him over to Sylica until I figure out what to do with him. The Grand Sultan and Dao fled while I handled those three. How was it up here, anyone notable appear besides Dustfire?"
"Assuming the Sultan doesn't bring himb ack or there isn't a clone," Syala says idly, "So in light of him potentially returning, did you destroy or take his possessions to set him back?"
As Syala looks over the battlefield, Antenora points. Right now the line has held, only a few projectiles traded between the sides. "Just Dustfire. He was confused, unhappy. He didn't say it in so many words, but I got the impression he was unhappy with Eblis and doesn't understand what he's doing, but is too terrified of him to resist."
"Had enough time to scoop it up before I came back here, we can sort it all later though," Alicia nods. "Slayed wasn't much but Zamar took a lot of punishment to go down so I think he was the real thing." She casts her own superior godly vision around, looking to see if there's any threats or problems to worry about.
No - this area is momentarily clear, the enemy forced back and recovering well away from the lines, regrouping and remustering with new forces.
"I'm not clear on this," Antenora admits, "Could Zamar's soul fly into a prepared clone or similar situation, or could the Sultan have set as much up? As I recall, wasn't one of the Crimson Guard's enemies found to have been preparing his own clone?"
"The mechanics of the Clone spell rely on the dichotomy between flesh and soul in mortals - when the body expires the soul is released and travels to the Well of Souls, unless a Clone spell is prepared in which case it gravitates towards that inert flesh and animates it," Alicia says in a somewhat dry tone like she's giving a lecture. "The situation where a soul creates its own body in the case of an outsider is different, as when slain on their home plane their essence disintegrates into the stuff of their home - there is no coherent soul anywhere in Creation to be called on or manipulated. It's possible Kossuth or perhaps even the Grand Sultan may be able to bring him back in that case, it's the purview of great powers or extremely potent magic."
"Well, that's an easy solution," Syala says, "If we see signs of the Sultan doing that, we'll need to start employing soul trapping."
Antenora nods, taking in the lesson.
"Difficult to manage on the fly in a pitched battle, but yes that or simply capturing prisoners alive is always a good way to be sure you'll have control over their final disposition," Alicia agrees easily.
Meanwhile...
Going to do anything immediately?
Holding defensively for now to see how things play out with Imix.
Sure thing, let me pause you.
Give me Perception?
Alicia is once more huge and looming over the battlefield, providing a visible banner for allies to be buoyed by and rally to if they need, though none dare approach her blades for now.
[20:05] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+83 perception
[20:05] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 86 > [d20=3]
Alicia: 981/981
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 33), extended mind blank (CL 33), extended nondetection (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 33), epic mage armour (CL 33), recitation (CL 33), greater heroism (CL 33), repelling shield (CL 33), spell turning (CL 33), dance of the unicorn (CL 33), foresight (CL 33), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 33), opal protection (CL 33), celestial valor (CL 33), greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), greater visage of the deity (CL 33)
Defences: AC 99, CMD 125 (142 vs grapple), spell resistance 48, 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, and fear, dazzled & blinded), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +25 competence perception, doubled crit range, +10 armour AC, +3 luck attack/saves, +9 shield AC, +4 attack/saves/skills, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 morale armour, +4 sacred attack/damage/ac/saves, +36 str, -2 dex, +20 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha, +14 natural armour AC, -8 size attack/AC
Perceptions: Darkvision, tremorsense, blindsight 2 miles, scent, arcane sight, perception +83
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/14/9/9/14/5/7/6/7/4/1/3/2
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/9/7/2
Suddenly there's a flash of golden light from the north - and then several red-gold shards pepper the ground around the general area.
"That's Seira... Syala keep an eye out?" Alicia asks, pinching space towards one of those shards so she can give it a look over.
The blast of light that follows is even greater, a massive wave of it. Fortunately your divine eyes can withstand such a thing - a tremendous explosion of goldenfire, you'd reckon.
"What did she do this time?" Antenora murmurs, peering in that direction.
You get the closest shard and pick it up. It's glowing red, the gold slowly fading from it. It looks to be a little fragment of metal, tingling with magic. Part of an artifact, you can tell that on a look, something to do with protection and fire.
"Shattered an artifact it looks like," Alicia says, attempting to view Seira's location where this apocalyptic battle is taking place.
Divine remote viewing used unless it's blocked by Imix since he's nearby.
It is being blocked, yes.
"Can't see the battle from here though. Feels like everyone's pausing to see what happens now," she looks over the remaining hostiles still in the theatre but doesn't press the attack just yet, staying on the defensive and keeping herself free of entanglements so if she is suddenly called elsewhere she'll be able to respond with the quickness.
Syala meanwhile flexes her will, gathering the shards nearby. "What curious things," she says aloud, peering at one.
"Something to do with protection and fire. Couldn't say more than that, hopefully Seira can tell us after all this is over," Alicia says, peering into the distance with her sharpened eyes. She might be able to make out flashes of spellfire or huge sized combatants at this distance after all, even if she can't get a divine close up view.
Let me pause you again for the moment.
You see it - the soldiers beginning to retreat away, no longer mustering, but falling back altogether.
"Stand down, hold fast!" Alicia orders the Sylican forces not to impetuously pursue and allow the enemy to retreat.
"I think I'd know if a God had died this close," she says more quietly to Syala and Antenora, shrinking to normal size. "They drove Imix off it seems like."
Antenora exhales, "Such a small thing to get brought into this for..." yet as she gazes out, "Without any doubt, we all Competed and won today. Today, good burns brighter in Fire."
"Mmm. I'm not sure why the Grand Sultan didn't fight me properly," Alicia admits. "There's vanity yes, but after I struck him he should have been disabused of that and sought to end my threat rather than retreat. Very cautious of him. In any case, we're part of this war now, we'll have to coordinate fully with our allies in the days to come and do our part to bring victory."
"I wonder about that as well," Syala agrees, "I know he has a good taste for violence, no efreet who makes it that far can't."
"It may have simply been balancing the odds and not finding the risk worthwhile, not on this battlefield. The worry is if he has a chance in the future he might attack me all out before I can respond. It doesn't matter for now though, just something to bear in mind."
As you hear the words of Seira and Zaaman Rul?
See Seira's thread since I know you're following it.
"Victory," Antenora smiles, "Another step forward to ending this war."
"Plenty more fighting ahead," Syala's smiling as well, "But today is our day."
"Glad to start our participation here off on a win. We'll join them when they return from the front line and then we can all catch up and plan our next move before returning home," Alicia says, watching while Zaaman Rul crows victory at the border of his realm.
Okay, making a new topic and locking this one. You'll be on Seira's board next since it calls for a combination topic.