Adventure 7: Tell My Wife, "Hello"

[Ebiris]

Loot

Trade Goods

Rogue Stone - 3,000gp

Magic Items -300gp ID costs

1 Flaming Composite Longbow (+5) +1 - 8,000gp
1 Mace of Disruption +1 - 18,000gp
1 Mithril Breastplate of Light Fortification +2 - 13,000gp
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1 Bag (Moderate Conjuration)

Marjorie the Holy Lance (Upgraded)
Int: 13, Wis: 11, Cha: 22
Communication: Speech (Common, Sylvan)
Capabilities: Two lesser (1/day Major Image (DC 19), 1/day Magic Circle against Evil), One Major (Constant effect Daylight - automatically dispels magical darkness of 3rd level or lower)
Caster Level: 8th
Senses: 120ft Darkvision and Hearing
Alignment: Neutral Good
Weapon Traits: +2, Holy, Ghost Touch
Ego: 16

Experience

Negotiating with Nasfreiyin - 200XP
Convincing Xaos Gate Guards that Alveria is Queen of Evermeet - 800XP
Saving Peterson from the Leopard - 50XP
Acquiring Magic License - 250XP
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1 Erinyes - 800XP
1 Mercykiller Battallion - 700XP
1 Mercykiller Sergeant (Fighter 5) - 160XP
1 Stabby Elf (Rogue 5) - 160XP
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Amonet's bonus for being a level behind and destroying half the town - 1,500XP
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1 Oswald Firestarter (Wizard 10) - 800XP
1 Anarchic Bison - 50XP

[Ebiris]

[15:20] <Ebiris> Continuing their hike into the mountains, the party says goodbye to Thogg only a short time after meeting him, thankfully without encountering any Githyanki. Indeed, the rest of the trip is blessedly free of impediment, only some minor rain and hailstones on the last leg of the journey before they reach the portal, but not a sign of monsters or bandits or Githyanki. (more)
[15:22] <Ebiris> Finally, the group reach the location designated by Cassandra. It looks like a building used to stand here, but now little more than the foundations and an outline of collapsed bricks mark the structure nestled into a difficult to reach plateau on the mountains... all that seems to be left is a short stairway towards the middle of the former building, visible from a distance, with a large stone ring set vertically atop the stairs.
[15:26] * Gourash looks around as they approach, climbing up the short stairway and glancing at the ring of stone.  "So how we open portal?"
[15:26] * Alveria scratches her head. "I think we're supposed to take the key to it, and then it'll open for a short while. We might need to link hands or something," she offers.
[15:28] <Ebiris> As soon as Gourash steps onto the stairs, a thrumming noise is heard from the stone circle, before the air inside it begins to mist over. After a second, the mist clears, but instead of simply seeing the mountains and ruins beyond, the group can now see what appears to be a natural cavern with worked stone pillars scattered throughout, luminescent fungus growing out of the cracks and providing dim illumination on the other side.
[15:29] <Alveria> "See? There we go," remarks Alveria, starting to head over to the portal herself.
[15:29] <Eagan> "Simple enough.."
[15:30] * Amonet heads there as well.
[15:30] * Gourash nods, taking a look back while the others headed up, scanning the land behind them reflexively for any signs of trouble. "Let go then.  Simple."
[15:30] * Keylin stays with the rest of the group, staying silent as her eyes continue to dart around looking for possible sources of trouble
[15:31] * Eagan slings his Morningstar up and rests it on his shoulder, whistling to himself as he goes.
[15:33] <Ebiris> Stepping through the portal is a familiar experience for most of the party, not dissimilar from the one that led to near Marjorie's old home. There is a brief sensation of weightlessness, before stepping out onto the other side.
[15:33] <Ebiris> For all that you're now allegedly on another plane of existence, it sure doesn't feel any different than a cave anywhere on Faerun - the ground is solid beneath your feet, the air's a little damp, but not unpleasant.
[15:33] <Ebiris> Looking about, you see a stone circle behind you just like the one you travelled through, and six stone pillars are set before it, three on each side. The cave seems to stretch on a short ways past you're arrival point before curving to the right.
[15:35] * Gourash heads  through taking up the rear for the moment, though quickly moving back to the front as soon as they're through.
[15:35] * Alveria sighs, stretching out tired limbs. "Everyone alright after that? I never get used to that..."
[15:35] * Eagan takes a position after Gourash.
[15:35] <Amonet> "It was rather fun, actually!"
[15:35] <Gourash> "This chaos?" Gourash wondered, eying the cave.
[15:36] <Ebiris> "I am well," Puk'lor affirms, stepping off the stairwell and briefly looking around at the unadorned and cracked pillars. "Someone built this, but probably a long time ago. I doubt the original inhabitants are still present."
[15:37] <Alveria> "Cassandra would have warned us if there was serious danger here," remarks Alveria. "So if anyone tries to stop us, they're a new development... anyhow, let's go."
[15:37] * Gourash nods and strides forward down the cave, following it around the curve.
[15:37] <Alveria> "Oh, and we're not in Limbo yet," she adds. "We're in the Outlands- we're heading to another portal that will take us to Limbo, where we can hopefully get teleported straight to our real destination. Luck be with us, we won't need to set foot in Limbo proper."
[15:38] <Amonet> "Ah, now you've jinxed us all!" Amonet exclaims.
[15:39] <Keylin> "I dunno, I think we got jinxed some time ago. Just look at our luck recently?" Keylin jokes, though not with a lot of humor, still remembering the helpless feeling of being a rat.
[15:39] <Ebiris> With Gourash taking the lead, the party makes their way around the curve ahead - while the walls and ceiling are rough and unworked, the floor appears to have been artifically flattened, making it easy to traverse - in fact, there appear to be rough stairs here and there when the surface begins to incline upwards. (more)
[15:39] <Alveria> "There's no such thing as jinxes," pouts Alveria. "Just think of all the bad stuff that's happened to us WITHOUT any karmic reason!"
[15:40] <Eagan> "Indeed. I feel the Lady of Luck is too amused by our hardships to lend us much of a hand.."
[15:40] <Gourash> "Gourash think we more than unlucky.  Gourash think it bad luck to talk of bad luck," He shrugged.
[15:40] <Ebiris> Even without the illumination shed by Marjorie, the strange mushrooms growing out of the damp surfaces shed their own eerie glow, letting the party see well enough. The passage twists and turns a few times more before opening out into a larger chamber. (more)
[15:42] <Ebiris> Here there appears to be a deep pond of purple-blackish water on one side, with another passage ahead which begins to curve upwards more steeply. Also, looking up, the party can see a ledge high above, opposite from the body of water.
[15:42] * Alveria peers at the ledge- is it just a ledge, or does it look like it goes somewhere?
[15:43] * Gourash sniffs a bit as he glances into the water for a moment, curious as to its purple-blackish hue.
[15:44] <Ebiris> Alveria can't see much past the lip, but considering the curvature of the ceiling above, it does look like it extends a decent ways. As far as Gourash can see, the water colouration appears to be partly from the glowing fungus, and partly from some cloudy dark stuff permeating the water and rendering it opaque. There's no way to see how deep it goes.
[15:44] <Ebiris> OOC: listen checks
[15:45] <Alveria> roll 1d20+3 ears!
[15:45] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+3 ears! and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[15:45] <Eagan> roll d20+7
[15:45] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls d20+7 and gets 12." [d20=5]
[15:45] <Gourash> roll 1d20+11
[15:45] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+11 and gets 28." [1d20=17]
[15:46] -> *Gourash* You can hear a faint crackling noise from above, past that ledge on your right. Sounds like a small fire?
[15:46] <Amonet> roll 1d20+5
[15:46] <Keylin> roll 1d20+12
[15:46] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[15:46] * Hatbot --> "Keylin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[15:49] * Gourash quirks his head and gestures to the ledge, speaking softly. "Gourash hear people up there...maybe small campfire.  Hard to tell."
[15:49] <Alveria> "Shall we pay a visit?" questions Alveria. "They might be keeping watch or something."
[15:50] <Gourash> "Might be only route out," Gourash suggested, noting the direction of the continuing path.
[15:50] <Eagan> "It'd be rude not to greet our hosts.."
[15:50] <Amonet> "Want to take the first flight with me, Alveria?"
[15:51] <Alveria> "Actually, no. If they're of the immediately-hostile variety, I can support you from down here," responds Alveria, shrugging. "Or just fly up myself."
[15:51] <Alveria> "So you could take Eagan or Gourash."
[15:52] * Amonet is ready to take whomever wishes up.
[15:53] <Eagan> "Take Gourash. I stay behind so we have some backup magic."
[15:54] * Amonet takes Gourash up!
[15:59] * Gourash shakes his head. "Can't fight well floating about on stick," Gourash shrugged. "Take Keylin.  She can shoot if they're trouble while you escape quickly."
[15:59] <Alveria> "On second thoughts, alright, let's go," continues Alveria, doing a 180 spin (physically) and getting on the broom.
[15:59] <Amonet> Glowing with divine power, Amonet flies them up!
[16:05] <Ebiris> Spiralling upwards, Amonet and Alveria find themselves before a large open space with three passages seen coming off of it - one on the left angling downwards, one straight ahead that curves sharply left, and one to the right that seems inclined upwards. About sixty feet away between the middle and right passages is a small campfire with three blue-skinned goblins sat at it.
[16:05] <Ebiris> One of them spots the glowing duo and cries out some alarmed gibberish, prompting the three to spring to their feet and look over in surprise.
[16:05] -> *Keylin* You can hear yelling in Goblinoid from above. The gist seems to be, "Intruders! They must have come for the mistress - we need to sound the alarm!" "How the hell did they come from that direction, though?!" "We're doomed!"
[16:06] * Amonet smiles at the goblins brilliantly, giving them a happy wave and keeping Marjorie sheathed. "Hello!" she says in Common. "We mean you no harm!"
[16:07] <Amonet> roll 1d20+13 'cause Alvie asked~
[16:07] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+13 'cause Alvie asked~ and gets 22." [1d20=9]
[16:08] <Ebiris> The goblins look petrified and yell some more gibberish before running off, two to the right and one down the middle passage!
[16:08] -> *Keylin* "What's she saying?" "It's casting a spell! Run!" "Get the mistress, she'll know what to do!" is what you hear after Amonet's greeting.
[16:08] <Alveria> "Er... that's not good, is it?" mumbles Alveria. "Maybe we should, uh, go."
[16:09] <Amonet> "Maybe in their culture, how I greeted them is a horrible insult to their mothers?" Amonet frets, taking the broom back to the ground.
[16:09] <Alveria> "Don't be silly! Goblins don't care about their mothers," replies Alveria, tutting.
[16:10] <Eagan> "Do goblins even know who their mothers are?"
[16:10] <Ebiris> "I presume it did not go well?" Puk'lor deadpans.
[16:11] <Gourash> "Goblin ambush to come?" Gourash stood.  "We head up as group now."
[16:11] * Gourash surmised from the jokes on goblins.
[16:11] <Amonet> "There were blue goblins. They ran away."
[16:12] <Alveria> "This'll be one for the biographies," remarks Alveria.
[16:12] <Gourash> "Blue goblin must need hiding badly," Gourash started up the path.
[16:12] * Alveria trails after the doughty warrior. "Well, hey, if they don't bother us, we won't bother- oh, crap! Too late."
[16:13] <Keylin> "Should we stick around here? They already think we're going to stir up trouble," Keylin asks.
[16:13] <Alveria> "This is the only way to go!"
[16:13] <Gourash> "Gourash no like waiting for arrow hail from above."
[16:13] <Eagan> "Who's taking point with Gourash?"
[16:15] <Keylin> "I should, I suppose. I'm probably most likely to spot an ambush, and there's a pretty good chance we'll be walking into one if we keep moving down this path." Keylin frowns as she looks ahead. "Not the kind of situation I want to walk into, really."
[16:15] <Eagan> "I'll be right behind you, then."
[16:16] * Amonet is all too happy to walk besides Alveria, intent on guarding her if the need comes.
[16:16] * Alveria is just a barrel of fun.
[16:16] <Ebiris> And so the party heads up the passageway, which twists and turns a few times before coming to a split, one path branching off perpendicular to the one you're on. The new branch seems to level off more, while the one you're on continues angling upwards.
[16:17] <Alveria> "We should go away from where the goblins are," proposes Alveria.
[16:17] <Gourash> "Up it is?" Gourash suggested.
[16:18] <Amonet> "They were above us."
[16:19] * Keylin bends down near the path splits, checking to see if she can find which path is most likely to be headed to the goblins based on tracks and whatnot. "Hmmm..."
[16:19] <Ebiris> OOC: survival check
[16:19] <Keylin> roll 1d20+3
[16:19] * Hatbot --> "Keylin rolls 1d20+3 and gets 4." [1d20=1]
[16:19] <Keylin> ooc: figures
[16:19] <Ebiris> Keylin can't really tell the difference.
[16:20] <Keylin> "I can't tell the difference between the paths," Keylin says dissapointed before looking at Gourash and Amnet. "Think either of you can tell which path is more worn from travel?"
[16:20] * Gourash checks as well.
[16:20] <Ebiris> OOC: survival check
[16:21] <Gourash> roll 1d20+11
[16:21] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22." [1d20=11]
[16:22] <Ebiris> Gourash isn't entirely sure, since neither path appears especially well travelled, but there are rough stairs continuing upwards, while the level path appears a bit rougher and less worn than rest of the cavern floor back the way you came.
[16:23] <Gourash> "Gourash think this new," He pointed down the path.  "These old," He pointed up the stairs.  "Also, goblins that way," He nodded, demonstrating admirable command of linguistics.
[16:23] <Gourash> *pointing to the level path.
[16:23] <Alveria> "Ah. Well, we should probably go up the old path, then, if it's been around for ages, it's probably been leading to the surface for ages," considers Alveria, shrugging.
[16:24] * Gourash nods in agreement, already starting to walk up. "Leave little goblins be."
[16:24] <Keylin> "Works for me."
[16:26] <Ebiris> The path continues to wind on and upwards for a few more minutes before it emerges onto the area Alveria and Amonet saw earlier. The little campfire continues to burn between the middle passage and the one opposite where the party emerged from, some debris and deritrus scattered from the goblin's hasty departure. No sign of the goblins themselves, however.
[16:27] <Alveria> OOC: Sorry, what directions can we go from here, again?
[16:27] <Eagan> "I can't help but feeling like we're about to face up to a few dozen goblins soon.."
[16:27] <Ebiris> OOC: Left (the middle passage from when you were on the broom) and straight ahead (right from when you were on the broom)
[16:27] <Gourash> "Gourash guess wrong," He frowned, looking over the paths.
[16:28] <Keylin> "Shall we turn around then?" Keylin asks, as she pulls out her bow and arrow, deciding to have them at hand.
[16:28] <Alveria> "Can anyone speak goblin?"
[16:30] <Keylin> "I can, though I primarily used it to insult them rather than try to make diplomatic moves," Keylin mentions.
[16:30] <Alveria> "Curb your natural impulse if we meet them again?" queries Alveria. "We want to go up, so I think we should keep going this way."
[16:31] * Gourash nods. "Not exploring like dungeon, we want exit," He agreed.
[16:32] * Keylin sighs, but nods. "Well, if I can curb my impulse to leave Gourash full of holes because he's got orc blood, I'm sure I can resist insulting a few goblins," the scout mutters under her breath.
[16:32] <Gourash> "Gourash appreciate Keylin's desire to retain head attached to puny neck," He grinned toothily.
[16:33] <Alveria> "The purple dragons themselves would admire our comraderie," deadpans Alveria, starting to head onward.
[16:34] <Ebiris> "I feel the same way about elves sometimes," Marjorie agrees supportively. "But Miss Alveria hates Dark Elves too, so it just shows you can't make generalisations."
[16:35] * Keylin nods. "True enough. Gourash is just a big teddy bear compared to those monsters back home."
[16:35] <Alveria> "Don't COMPARE me with those freaks!"
[16:36] <Ebiris> "Sorry, but it's the ears! I bet I'd still have nightmares, if I ever slept!" the intelligent weapon whimpers in reply.
[16:36] * Gourash blinks at line, harumphing.
[16:37] * Keylin chuckles.
[16:38] <Alveria> "Dark elves are like an entirely different species! It's like Githyanki to Githzerai," mutters Alveria.
[16:39] <Ebiris> "I guess so," Marjorie agrees thoughtfully. "But still, aside from the skin and the eyes, you look identical!"
[16:39] <Alveria> "And the hair!"
[16:39] * Eagan yawns.
[16:39] <Ebiris> "Except less provocatively dressed, I suppose. But Miss Cassandra had hair like one of them!"
[16:39] <Eagan> "So.. Up? Goblins?"
[16:40] <Alveria> "Yes, up, up. Maybe we'll run into some drow, and I can show you how different I am from them," mutters Alveria. "For starters, they have spell resis- it's not frigging fair, I tells you."
[16:44] * Gourash walks along beside keylin as they begin their way on the upward path.
[16:46] <Ebiris> And so the group continues upwards, finding the path ahead angling upwards and opening out into a wider chamber... a wider chamber with wooden barricades set up, and over a dozen bow-wielding goblins crouched behind them and peeking over, with more on ledges on either side.
[16:46] <Ebiris> But in the middle, set apart from all the goblins, stands a woman. She dresses in simple and unflattering travelling clothes, sturdy brown pants and leather boots, and a rough grey tunic. Yet despite her plain attire, it still seems to sit on her with more grace than the most decadant noble's dress. Crystal blue eyes set above high cheekbones, a pert little nose, and pouty red lips make up her face, surrounded by waves of cascading honey-blonde hair.
[16:46] <Ebiris> And from her back jut a pair of pink skin-toned leather batwings, flexing idly as she looks down the passage towards the approaching party. "Please, set aside your weapons!" she calls, still perhaps eighty or so feet away. "We do not wish to fight you!"
[16:47] <Ebiris> waves of cascading honey-blonde hair.
[16:47] <Alveria> "Er, ok! We just want to go to the surface," offers Alveria, blinking. "Nope, no intention of fighting."
[16:48] <Eagan> "Well.. This is charmingly odd.."
[16:48] <Ebiris> Her face lights up in relief. "Wonderful! I had feared you were sent by that cursed devil... but how did you get into these caverns, then?"
[16:48] * Gourash blinks and quirks his head at the odd sight.  "Devil?  We from other plane."
[16:48] <Alveria> "We plane-shifted through the portal," affirms Alveria.
[16:50] <Ebiris> "Portal? You mean that gate in the old ruins? I had always wondered what that was... Tell me, how did you activate it?" she asks, focusing on Alveria.
[16:50] <Ebiris> OOC: Will save, Alvie
[16:50] <Alveria> OOC: lol deflected
[16:50] <Alveria> OOC: Wait, how far away are they from us?
[16:51] <Ebiris> OOC: Actually, wait, you're out of range for that. Nevermind.
[16:51] <Alveria> OOC: 'kay.
[16:51] <Ebiris> OOC: you're 80ft or so if you stopped
[16:51] <Alveria> OOC: What's the range on her stare/charm/?
[16:51] <Amonet> "May we pass now?" Amonet asks, smiling sweely.
[16:52] <Ebiris> OOC: Charm Monster has a range of 55ft if she's a regular succubus
[16:52] <Alveria> OOC: 'kay
[16:53] <Alveria> "Oh, it was active when I got to it," replies Alveria, cheerily. "Would you like us to escort you out? I think I can figure out how to open it again."
[16:55] <Ebiris> "I was merely curious, though it would be nice to know. You are travellers from the Prime, yes? Well... except for the Gith, I suppose. What brings you to this little corner of the Outlands?" she asks, her voice lilting musically as she banters, not seeming to have any of the harshness that shouting over this distance would usually engender.
[16:56] <Alveria> "Planehopping, it's all the rage," replies Alveria, tapping her foot. "You know, money, glory, gold, honour, all that rot."
[16:56] <Eagan> "Glory here."
[16:56] * Eagan raises his hand.
[16:57] <Amonet> "We are going with our friend," Amonet adds, nodding at Puk'Lor.
[16:58] <Ebiris> The winged woman nods understandingly. "Hunting Mind Flayers or something like that? If you're looking for adventure and profit, however, perhaps I could be so bold as to offer a small suggestion?" she asks, bearing a perfect set of pearly white teeth as she smiles.
[16:59] <Amonet> "What suggestion would that be?" Amonet asks cautiously.
[16:59] <Gourash> "Gourash listening.  Gourash welcome financial offer to deal with trouble," Gourash suggested.
[17:03] <Ebiris> "We are near the Portal Town of Xaos - it is a place that usually borders closely with Limbo, and I myself resided there. Unfortunately, a hateful embodiment of Law and Evil has recently arrived and forced me to flee for my life."
[17:03] <Ebiris> "Even now, she and her fascist followers are imposing their own brutal ethics upon the populace - half those poor fools actually believe she's an angel of justice, and the other half don't care. If you were to deal with her, I would be extremely grateful..." she trails off, looking over the group with a warm smile.
[17:04] <Alveria> "So.. an erinyes?" queries Alveria, suddenly coughing.
[17:05] <Ebiris> "The quintessential fallen angel, indeed," The succubus nods. "Ah, forgive me, in all the excitement of meeting, I forgot to even introduce myself - you can call me Nasfreiyin," she curtsies elegantly. The goblins just appear to be looking on in confusion at the whole thing, though a few have set down their weapons.
[17:06] * Amonet gives the goblins a wave.
[17:06] * Alveria snickers. Snorts. And then bursts out into full gut-busting laughter, clunching her stomach in slight, but hilarious, pain.
[17:06] <Ebiris> One of the goblins hesitantly waves back, before being whapped on the back of his head by his neighbour.
[17:07] * Keylin raises an eyebrow and looks at Alveria strangely before giving a questioning look to the others as if asking 'What the -hell- is she on about this time?'
[17:07] <Ebiris> "What's so funny?" Marjorie whispers. "Aside from the nice demon lady asking us to kill another demon for her, I guess."
[17:07] * Gourash considers, not showing any  real disapproval to the job, outside of his  original 'pay us for it' notion.
[17:07] <Alveria> "Ah.. ah.. sorry, um, no, it just.. struck me as funny," mumbles Alveria, straightening up. "Er. Where is this hateful creature?" she asks, obviously having trouble keeping a straight face. "As my muscular companion says, if the price is right..."
[17:08] * Amonet tilts her head. "I suppose if there is a bad demon around who is hurting everyone, we should go stop it...."
[17:08] <Ebiris> Nasfreiyin looks a bit put out at Alveria's mirth. "It's no laughing matter! At this rate, Xaos could slip completely to the side of order and tyranny unless she's stopped!"
[17:09] <Ebiris> "That could hamper our search for the portal," Puk'lor murmurs, though seeming to lack any strong feelings one way or the other.
[17:11] <Gourash> "Gourash understand trouble.  Gourash more mercenary...  willing to deal with problem, if profit involved."
[17:13] <Ebiris> "I could reward you with secret arcane lore," Nasfreiyin offers, voice sibilant and tempting, "Or precious gems. Besides that, I know for a fact that Shayeera has a Mace of Disruption she took from a slain angel - there would be profit galore for killing her even if I were to give you nothing."
[17:14] * Gourash eyes others. "Gems sound good," speaking softly so that they could somewhat privately negociate.
[17:15] <Alveria> "Arcane lore sounds better," argues Alveria.
[17:16] <Gourash> "Both?" Gourash replied with a note of greed, "We wipe out angel but good in exchange?"
[17:16] <Alveria> "Sounds good. Can't trust the demon, of course, but hey, public service either way, right?"
[17:18] <Alveria> "Guys? We doing this?"
[17:19] <Keylin> "Well, lets hash out the payment first, and wether we get paid now, paid later, or paid half now and half on completion. These things matter, you know," Keylin answers wisely.
[17:19] <Ebiris> "I have no preference, but we would do well to avoid getting overly entangled in local politics. We are only passing through," Puk'lor offers.
[17:20] * Gourash nods, his place clear, turning after the others chime in back towards the succubus.  "We make deal, wipe out angel and allies of such but good for gems and lore.  Paid on completion.  Deal?"
[17:20] <Ebiris> "I don't really care. She's probably just as bad as the one she wants us to off," comes Marjorie's apathetic vote.
[17:21] <Alveria> "I'm sure there's a good succubus out there somewhere!"
[17:21] <Alveria> "A ta'narri hooker with a heart of gold..."
[17:21] * Keylin smacks forehead. "You know, Gourash, it's usually better to let the person in need of service set the price and then you saying if it's good enough or not. When you set a price on your own, it may often tend to be lower than what they'd offer."
[17:21] <Ebiris> "I can hear you, you know!" Nasfreiyin's peeved voice echoes down the corridor.
[17:22] * Keylin sighs.
[17:23] * Gourash eyes Keylin and growls.  "We know...  What say you?"
[17:24] <Alveria> "But I could totally use that arcane lore right now- hey, what arcane lore are you offering, anyway? It better not be magic missile, I know that one."
[17:26] <Ebiris> "Secret rituals and invocations, stolen from Lolth's Black Library itself," Nasfreiyin replies smugly, puffing up her not inconsiderable chest. "I assure you, you won't know this magic."
[17:26] <Ebiris> "There better not be any spiders involved!" Marjorie all but shrieks unhappily.
[17:27] <Alveria> "We can just sell it if there are," affirms Alveria, filing away this information for some horrible practical joke in the future. "Ok, fine, tell us about Xaos, where we should go and all that. Intel, intel!"
[17:27] * Gourash laughs.  "Mage want lore now, gems later.  You stay quiet...what you think of deal?  And yes...Tell us about troublemaker."
[17:29] <Amonet> "And, umm, exactly what evil deeds is this fallen angel committing?" Amonet pipes up.
[17:29] <Ebiris> The succubus glares at Gourash with hooded eyes. "Puh-lease, I grew up in the Abyss - you think I don't expect you to betray me? You won't get a thing until that Baatezu is dead."
[17:31] * Gourash shrugs.  "Fine.  If you take that deal, I suggest you uphold your end after too.  Might get messy if not.  Gourash not steal, that ruin reputation," He replied.
[17:32] <Keylin> "Technically, aren't we stealing when we loot the dead bodies of our enemies?" Keylin asks rhetorically.
[17:33] <Alveria> "Don't be silly. When you attack us, you're basically giving us your stuff."
[17:34] <Ebiris> "Smart boy," she purrs, before turning her attention to Amonet.
[17:35] <Ebiris> "She enforces her insane laws upon the city, inflicting harsh and vicious punishments upon anyone who breaks her perverse definition of the Law - the people's freedom of creativity and expression is being crushed under her heel, and she's got a band of sadistic Mercykillers backing her up, imposing summary sentencing and execution on the streets to any who oppose her!" she passionately declares, wings spreading out behind her as she builds up a good head of steam in her ranting.
[17:35] <Ebiris> she builds up a good head of steam in her ranting.
[17:35] <Gourash> "Mercykillers?" Gourash asked,, not recognizing it.
[17:36] <Amonet> "And if she were deposed for her crimes, you intend on leading the poor, oppressed people?" Amonet seeks to clarify.
[17:38] <Ebiris> "A faction that believes in justice and retribution at the expense of all else - and they believe that mercy itself is a crime. Blind zealots, the lot of them," she informs Gourash, before tutting softly to Amonet, starting to slowly walk closer.
[17:38] <Ebiris> "I'm no shining beacon of leadership like Shayeera is. I simply wish to see freedom reign, once more... but alas, I am one who guides, not one who fights," she lamets, flexing her dainty and oh so perfect fingers.
[17:39] <Alveria> "Stay where you are," adds Alveria, peering at the succubus.
[17:40] <Ebiris> "I won't bite," she promises, grinning at Alveria but nonetheless halting her langruous advance.
[17:41] <Alveria> "Amonet, look at it this way," responds Alveria. "Either we go up there, balk in horror at the atrocities that are doubtlessly being commited, and blow them up."
[17:41] <Alveria> "OR!"
[17:42] <Alveria> "We nod and smile to the pretty lady, go up there, nod sagely at the atrocities that are being commited, blow them up, come back, and get cool stuff that we can re-invest into more ways to blow bad people up."
[17:42] <Amonet> "What if she tries to trick us, or harm the poor people we're saving?"
[17:43] <Alveria> "Well, then we blow her up, too."
[17:44] * Amonet blinks. "Well, I suppose, then, as long as we punish the evildoers and help people along the way."
[17:44] <Alveria> "I'm sure we'll reach a suitable compromise," indicates Alveria, winking at the succubus.
[17:44] <Ebiris> "Believe it or not, I've actually got no interest in sending any of Xaos' souls to the Abyss," Nasfreiyin informs the group. "I'm not exactly a... traditionally minded, example of my type."
[17:45] <Alveria> "Yeah, well, neither am I, in fact- wait, what?"
[17:51] <Ebiris> "It's a long and sordid story, which I think one of you is too young to hear," she glances at Amonet apologetically, "Suffice to say I had a change in perspective, and a parting of ways with the Abyss. I do not serve Lolth or any other agent of evil - hence why I now wish to protect my new home from this diabolical incursion."
[17:51] * Amonet pouts despite herself.
[17:52] <Alveria> "Can you tell us any more information about what's waiting for us up there? Like, the kind of laws she's got running?"
[17:53] * Gourash laughs.  "Does it really matter?  We're deposing her.  Then we meet  back here," Gourash shrugged.
[17:54] <Alveria> "Of course! We'll need to follow them until we think of how best to get rid of her."
[17:54] <Ebiris> "Oh, the usual banal rules of petty tyrants," she waves her dainty hand negligently. "Keep off the grass, no swearing, no grafitting, covet not thy neighbour's ass... Stupid laws that no one would follow if not for a jumped up Baatezu with a big stick."
[17:55] <Alveria> "Er... yes! Terrible. How do we get there?"
[17:57] * Gourash blinks at this. "Is not the best way via beheading?"
[17:58] <Alveria> "The entire town is in her pocket. You're not claiming a town without some significant force, so just running in will probably get us all killed."
[17:59] <Ebiris> "When you come out of this cavern, turn about seventy degrees to your right, then head that way for about four miles, then you'll reach Xaos - don't go anywhere else, since you'll become hopelessly lost in the Outlands unless you know where you're going," she warns. "See if you can get some support from the townspeople - I bet if someone showed them that the Mercykillers can be stood up to, they'd rally to your aid."
[18:01] <Amonet> "Well, we have the information we need, don't we, Alveria?" Amonet asks.
[18:02] <Alveria> "Looks like. Shall we?"
[18:02] * Amonet nods.
[18:02] * Keylin nods as well.
[18:03] <Ebiris> Puk'lor nods.
[18:04] <Ebiris> "You're making me dizzy..." Nasfreiyin complains. "Anyway, I'll be in touch - just keep following this passage straight ahead to get out, the goblins won't bother you," she assures, before vanishing.
[18:05] <Alveria> "Wait.. waaaaaait, you can't just teleport away like that!" complains Alveria. "Oh, man! Come on, let's go."
[18:05] * Amonet nods at the goblins as she proceeds outside, passing them by.
[18:06] <Ebiris> Some of the goblins nod back, none of them seeming especially beliggerent as the party proceeds onwards, finding the way out to be relatively simple, before they finally emerge to the surface...

[Ebiris]

[17:50] <Ebiris> Exiting out from the cave, the party gets their first true look at the Outlands. The first thing of note is that it's very foggy - visibility is effectively reduced to about fifty feet or so from the thick mist blanketing your surroundings. From what is visible, you appear to be in a forest of oversized fungus - gigantic mushrooms the size of trees are strewn all about in myriad shades and shapes, their stalks cracked and rigid almost like tree-bark. (more)
[17:51] <Ebiris> rigid almost like tree-bark. (more)
[17:51] <Ebiris> Setting up camp just outside the cavern with their dwindling supplies and two remaining tents, most of the group gets some much delayed shut-eye, while Alveria and Puk'lor take first watch, the latter having questions she wants answered...
[17:53] * Alveria holds her head, like she's struggling and trying very, very hard to keep it screwed on. Or, perhaps, think of something to say. "We need to talk, you and I," she manages. "I don't know how, but your sword keeps screwing up my head, and it's got to stop."
[17:54] <Ebiris> Puk'lor has elected to perch himself on a rather jagged and uncomfortable looking rock, legs crossed beneath him. "I agreed that I would refrain from using the Karach for the remainder of our journey," he replies placidly. "Is it still troubling you?"
[17:54] * Ko-shopping is now known as Ko-Odinsphere
[17:57] <Alveria> "Of course it troubles me," replies Alveria. "If there's one thing the past few months have taught me, it's that you can't afford to *not* use whatever you got, and you can't afford to leave some unknown weakness floating around, either."
[18:00] <Ebiris> "Once we reach the Shrak'tkor you will be relieved of this weakness. Have patience and soon this will be resolved," Puk'lor reassures blandly, his eyes slitting half-closed - he almost looks like he's meditating, perched atop that awkwardly sharp looking boulder.
[18:03] <Alveria> "You said yourself that this hadn't happened before," retorts Alveria, wringing her hands. "Never mind that whenever the Githyanki show up again, they'll probably bring the strongest possible dudes they can... hmph. Can I see the sword, at least?"
[18:06] <Ebiris> Puk'lor wordlessly reaches into the folds of his robes and holds up the flat grey blade. Its edge looks rather dull, and not at all imposing, with no crossguard and a leather wrapped hilt that appears to have tiny Gith writing scrawled all over it.
[18:08] * Alveria squints at the writing, tilting her head to try and read it.
[18:10] <Ebiris> It's hard to read with Puk'lor's hand in the way, though he does obligingly move his grip, now holding the blade flat before Alveria. "The writings on the hilt describe the Pronouncement of Two Skies, when the children of Gith and the followers of Zerthimmon were forever split into two peoples," he explains.
[18:12] <Alveria> "I guess all of these have a history," remarks the elf. "Well. Do that thing that you do with it, then," she pronounces, straightening up. "If I can rip holes through the planes and fling out the elements, I can *damn well* mentally overpower a frigging sword."
[18:15] <Ebiris> He nods slowly. "As it is now, the blade lacks focus - it is no more, and perhaps less, than a weapon made of steel. Now, I shall impose my will on it to provide a..." he cracks a rare smile, "I believe an enchantment that would be suitable for you." Closing his eyes a moment, the blade shifts, layers of metal seeming to peel themselves back, curling and then melting back into the centre of the blade which begins to glow a dull red, as if it were fresh from the forge.
[18:15] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[18:15] <Ebiris> glow a dull red, as if it were fresh from the forge.
[18:15] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5 god, I'm like a fighter!
[18:15] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 god, I'm like a fighter! and gets 18." [1d20=13]
[18:17] <Ebiris> As the Karach changes form, Alveria feels something within her respond, almost being swept along by the changes Puk'lor wroughts in his weapon... It feels like a fire starting to burn, suffusing her body with warmth and an inescapable sense of power.
[18:18] <Alveria> "H-hold on," mumbles Alveria, stretching out a hand. "Keep it like that for a moment."
[18:19] <Ebiris> Puk'lor wordlessly nods, a heat haze now clearly visible around the weapon he holds, though it seems to bother him none.
[18:19] <Alveria> Briefly taking off her newly-acquired amulet, she quickly incants a spell that's all-too suitable for her, targeting some unfortunate mushroom-stalk with a scorching ray!
[18:20] <Ebiris> OOC: make your wild mage caster check
[18:20] <Alveria> roll 1d6+5
[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d6+5 and gets 9." [1d6=4]
[18:20] <Alveria> OOC: That would be two rays, normally.
[18:21] <Ebiris> OOC: no need to roll to hit, so just roll damage for the two rays
[18:21] <Alveria> roll 8d6 you're next, princess!
[18:21] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 8d6 you're next, princess! and gets 30." [8d6=3, 1, 3, 6, 4, 4, 4, 5]
[18:21] <Ebiris> roll 2d6
[18:21] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=3, 5]
[18:23] <Ebiris> Firing off a pair of blazing bolts of fire, Alveria feels as if her spell is slightly more powerful than normal, each ray carrying more energy than they normally would - it's hard to be certain, since her magic is unpredictable by nature. What is certain is that she just blasted a hole through half of that oversized mushroom, causing it to creak and then topple over, no longer able to support its weight.
[18:23] <Ebiris> "Hey, people are trying to sleep here!" Marjorie hisses quietly from where Amonet is slumbering. "Not me, but other people!"
[18:25] <Alveria> "That's really interesting, Marjoire," replies Alveria, nodding to herself. "Puk'lor, can you try shifting it back and forth between that.. uh, function? I think I just figured something out."
[18:26] <Ebiris> "Of course," Puk'lor murmurs, the blade's glow starting dim and fade as it returns to its previous form...
[18:26] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[18:26] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21." [1d20=16]
[18:27] <Ebiris> Alveria doesn't feel any different. Whatever power was just inflammed within her, it's not going out.
[18:28] <Alveria> "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
[18:28] <Alveria> "I just.. felt something!"
[18:28] <Alveria> "There was a great disturbance... uh... wait... where am I?"
[18:28] <Ebiris> "If there's a neutral grey centre to the universe, you're at it," Puk'lor deadpans in reply.
[18:30] <Alveria> "Hmm. Well, I figured out what's really going on, now," states Alveria, cheerfully. "Whenever you try to change the sword, the same kind of change can potentially take place in the enchantment I've got. It kinda spills over to my spells. Rays were.. hmm, I think an inch wider than normal?"
[18:33] <Ebiris> "I see... if we had time for you to master this, it could be very useful - being able to tailor my weapon to any situation makes it far more useful than a weapon that ordinarily would carry a more powerful enchantment. Do you wish to continue experimenting?" he asks.
[18:35] <Alveria> "Yesssssss, but I think the problem is trying to figure out what spells would, well, *fit*," responds Alveria, pursing her lips. "Let's wait a few minutes first. I want to see if this feeling goes away by itself or not."
[18:36] <Ebiris> Puk'lor nods, the seconds ticking away...
[18:36] <Ebiris> OOC: wis check
[18:36] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 yeesh
[18:36] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d20+1 yeesh --> [ 1d20=17 ]{18}
[18:38] <Ebiris> After the first minute Alveria starts to feel the power start to fade, but her mind reflexively keeps hold of it, adding fuel from somewhere to keep it going.
[18:40] <Alveria> "Uhuh. Maybe with more practice," she stresses, unwilling to let this feeling go until she *absolutely has to*.
[18:40] <Ebiris> OOC: wis check again
[18:40] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 yeesh
[18:40] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d20+1 yeesh --> [ 1d20=5 ]{6}
[18:41] <Ebiris> Another minute passes before the feeling painlessly fades away, slipping from Alveria's grasp. Unlike what happened back after killing the Spinagon, however, it feels natural and doesn't appear to have diminished her in any other way.
[18:42] <Alveria> "Try and light it up like that again!"
[18:43] <Ebiris> Once again the Karach seems to crack and melt before solidifying as a red hot and deadly sharp blade.
[18:43] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[18:43] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[18:43] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{24}
[18:44] <Ebiris> And once again, with no conscious thought on Alveria's part, a mirroring flame seems to ignite within her, instinctively promising power...
[13:22] <Alveria> "I wonder if it does things to other spells, too," mutters Alveria, sketching a line in the air and summoning up a shield. For her own protection.
[13:25] <Ebiris> Rather than a briefly visible plane of force springing into being with the spell, Alveria is instead wreathed in orange-red flames for an instant as she casts her spell - said flames vanish immediately, however, so it's hard to tell if it was merely a cosmetic change to the spell or if there's some deeper effect that isn't immediately apparent.
[13:25] <Ebiris> They didn't hurt her or cause any discomfort, at any rate.
[13:26] * Alveria looks at the ground! There's stuff on it, it might be, uh, burning.
[13:26] <Ebiris> The ground doesn't appear the least bit charred or set on fire by the spell.
[13:27] * Alveria ponders this for a moment, and casts Detect Magic, giving her a bit of insight; she compares how the Shield spell *should* appear to how it actually *does*.
[13:27] <Ebiris> OOC: spellcraft
[13:28] <Alveria> roll 1d20+19
[13:28] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+19 and gets 29." [1d20=10]
[13:31] <Ebiris> As she casts her spell, Alveria's vision mists over briefly, flames seeming to wash over her eyes... the sensation passes quickly, and she's able to see normally after a second, perceiving the flows of magic. The shield spell looks entirely normal, no difference at all to how it normally appears.
[13:32] <Alveria> "..hmm. So, what else can you do with it?" she questions, peering at the sword.
[13:35] <Ebiris> "My preferred tactic is to replicate a Bane enchantment tailored to whatever I'm fighting," Puk'lor replies. "I find it to be more efficient than anything else, unless I am fighting several different types of creatures at once - it takes too long to change on the fly during a battle." As she looks at the weapon, Alveria can see a moderately powerful magical aura emanating from it.
[13:36] <Alveria> "You could try the-" Alveria coughs for a moment "-*axiomatic* enchantment for most of the things we run into, I bet... wait, does that even work?"
[13:38] <Ebiris> Puk'lor slowly shakes his head. "While I am trained in battling chaotic creatures with my unarmed techniques, I have not mastered the Karach to such a degree - only the most simple of enhancements are the ones I can adopt."
[13:41] <Alveria> "Well, I think I've got it figured out, in any case," she replies, sighing. "Whatever enchantment you're pulling with that thing will probably do exactly the same thing to my spells. So.. it'll help me hurt things. Bane enchantments are probably the way to go, then... hmm. Can you change it to a shocking weapon?"
[13:41] <Ebiris> Puk'lor wordlessly nods, the orange glow of his weapon beginning to fade away...
[13:41] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[13:42] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[13:42] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[13:43] <Ebiris> At the same time, Alveria feels the flames within her extinguish themselves abruptly. It's not as bad as back after the Spinagon fight, but she gets the feeling that it could have been more unsettling and disorienting had she been less prepared.
[13:44] <Alveria> "Do it again," she grunts, holding her head for a moment. "-or, heck, an acidic enchantment. Just cycle through the elements until it works, yeah."
[13:45] <Ebiris> "I have not yet adopted the shocking trait," Puk'lor replies. "It takes time to change..." As he speaks, a series of rings begin to emerge from the blunt side of the blade, intermittently sparking with blue electricity before the weapon begins to thrum and is coated in a coruscating field of trapped lightning.
[13:45] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[13:46] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[13:46] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[13:47] <Ebiris> Alveria can almost swear she smells a tang of ozone in her nose, while her hairs prick up at the tingling sensation of electricity building within her, a crackling potential that only she can hear...
[13:48] * Alveria continues in her quest for power, this time deciding to fry another innocent tree (with the aforementioned scorching ray) and thusly observing the effects!
[13:48] <Ebiris> OOC: wild mage caster check, first
[13:48] <Alveria> roll 1d6+5 as always
[13:48] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d6+5 as always and gets 9." [1d6=4]
[13:48] <Alveria> OOC: Zappage
[13:49] <Alveria> OOC: er, 2 rays
[13:49] <Ebiris> OOC: again no need to hit, so just roll damage
[13:50] <Alveria> roll 8d6 how much HP does a tree have, anyway?
[13:50] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 8d6 how much HP does a tree have, anyway? and gets 31." [8d6=3, 3, 5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 2]
[13:50] <Ebiris> OOC: actually they're mushrooms, and trees have quite a lot. But they're flammable
[13:50] <Ebiris> roll 2d6
[13:50] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d6 and gets 11." [2d6=5, 6]
[13:52] <Ebiris> Two beams of orange-red flame lance out from Alveria's fingertips, yet unlike normal, these fiery rays are wreathed in narrow bands of crackling blue electricity! They strike an oversized mushroom with a searing crack, coring through most of its shaft and causing it to slowly keel over, the massive head of the mushroom just missing Gourash!
[13:52] <Ebiris> "If that doesn't wake anyone else up I guess I won't bother complaining..." Marjorie's irritated muttering is heard from by Amonet's sleeping form.
[13:53] <Alveria> "Yeah. Pretty much as I thought," murmurs Alveria. "Well, there's not much time left before I'll need to turn in. Can you start just cycling through different enchantments? I want to get used to this."
[13:54] <Ebiris> OOC: rather than going through all of it, just make an int check for reference?
[13:55] <Alveria> OOC: Hurray! A chance to use my enormous brain!
[13:56] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[13:56] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 and gets 6." [1d20=1]
[13:56] <Alveria> OOC: Law of comical irony strikes again.
[13:56] <Alveria> OOC: I guess I've been daring it too much...
[13:58] <Ebiris> Puk'lor goes through several enhancements with his weapon, some of which are imprinted onto Alveria, yet more often she winds up with nothing more than a headache.
[13:58] <Ebiris> It's going to take a while to figure out the mimicking of what his weapon does, and she couldn't even begin to speculate on what'd be involved in mastering this strange power herself instead of relying on copying Puk'lor. But all too soon it's time for Keylin to take over watch and Alveria to sleep, leaving these mysteries for another day...

[Ebiris]

[15:13] <Ebiris> As morning comes for the party, the group finally feels refreshed after several days nonstop slogging through forest and hills and caves, traversing the very planes themselves in their quest to escape the vile Githyanki. Breaking camp, the group find themselves just outside the goblin occupied cave that welcomed them to the Outlands, surrounded by a forest of grossly overgrown mushrooms. It's still rather foggy, but visibility isn't too bad.
[15:13] <Ebiris> As morning comes for the party, the group finally feels refreshed after several days nonstop slogging through forest and hills and caves, traversing the very planes themselves in their quest to escape the vile Githyanki. Breaking camp, the group find themselves just outside the goblin occupied cave that welcomed them to the Outlands, surrounded by a forest of grossly overgrown mushrooms. It's still rather foggy, but visibility isn't too bad.
[15:14] <Ebiris> bad.
[15:16] * Alveria marches forward, stone-faced and actually at the front of the pack, for a change.
[15:18] * Gourash blinks, walking behind her, wondering what oddity had taken their mage's senses today.
[15:18] <Gourash> "So, we're scouting the town?" Gourash commented.
[15:18] <Alveria> "Mmm."
[15:19] <Alveria> "Go in, have a look around, then decide what to do. That's the plan."
[15:21] <Amonet> "Yes," Amonet agrees. "While she seemed nice, she was still a demon and we can't take her words blindly as truth."
[15:22] <Ebiris> It takes perhaps an hour or so of walking in the direction indicated by Nasfreiyin before the party leaves the fungal forest behind, around the same time as the fog lifts, finding themselves on softly rolling plain with a large town visible in the distance, surrounded by partially constructed walls and featuring a ramshackle assortment of buildings in clashing architectural styles.
[15:22] <Ebiris> Outside the town are fields of crops, some looking much like you'd see back home, others growing more unusual plants that aren't readily identifiable. To the Northeast past the town is a steep mountain range, while far far to the West is an impossibly tall spire jutting out from the Earth and dominating the sky -
[15:22] <Ebiris> yet despite being claimed as 'infinitely tall', a definite top is visible, surrounded by a large free-floating ring.
[15:23] * Eagan lets out a low whistle...
[15:23] <Eagan> "Never seen anythin' like that before..."
[15:23] * Gourash looks up, considering the mountain almost appreciatively.
[15:23] <Alveria> "That's the second-biggest mountain I've ever seen!"
[15:23] <Eagan> "... Hope we don't have to climb that thing.."
[15:24] <Ebiris> "Which one was... actually, no, I'm not even going to ask," Marjorie sighs.
[15:26] <Alveria> "Onward, I suppose," states Alveria, and in a swirl of red fabric, she continues towards the city that tries to be everything at once.
[15:26] <Gourash> "It'd be a good climb," Gourash declared, heading onward towards the city.
[15:27] <Ebiris> Continuing onwards, the group finds a path between the fields that leads towards a gateway into the town. As they get closer, chain gangs are seen working on the construction of the walls surrounding Xaos, while a trio of men in spiked splint mail and wearing face-concealing helmets guard the gate itself, two armed with greataxes and one with a longspear.
[15:28] <Eagan> "What a plesant start to our stay.."
[15:29] <Alveria> "Guards at the city gates! You don't see THAT in the material plane."
[15:30] <Eagan> "I meant the blatent display of chain gangs in an attempt to intimidate visitors."
[15:31] * Gourash blinks.
[15:31] <Alveria> "Better than heads on pikes!"
[15:31] <Gourash> "Making too much noise.  Let's just get to a bar, or somethin," Gourash suggested as they approached.
[15:33] <Ebiris> And so the party bravely march up to the gate! And are promptly accosted by one of the armoured guards. "Halt, travellers!" he booms, holding up a gauntleted hand. "What business brings you to Xaos?"
[15:34] * Amonet glances at Alveria, content to let her speak.
[15:35] <Alveria> "We want to replenish our supplies, and use a portal here," she replies, forthrightly.
[15:37] <Ebiris> "Portal? Fucking Chaos-scum, why would you even want to go to Limbo?" the guard asks coarsely. "Good luck finding it, anyway - we're whipping this orderforsaken town into shape right proper, so it's barely connected to Limbo at all, now." Sighing in an exaggerated and put-upon manner, he goes on, "I take it that means you don't have travel permits?"
[15:38] <Gourash> "Travel permits?" Gourash glanced at Puk'lor to see if he recognized the term.
[15:38] <Ebiris> Puk'lor does not appear to show any recognition.
[15:39] * Alveria rolls up her sleeves for a moment, but nothing falls out. "Er. No! Can we get some?"
[15:40] <Ebiris> "Of course you don't," the guard sighs. "Stupid me for even asking... Bloody hell, Peterson, can you go get the travel permit forms for these yoinks to fill in?" he asks, glancing over to the spear-wielding guard, who snaps off a salute in reply.
[15:40] <Ebiris> "Sir, yes sir! Getting the travel permit requisition 12C forms, sir!" and hurries into the gatehouse.
[15:41] * Gourash groaned, grumbling under his breath about beaucrats.
[15:41] * Eagan raises an eyebrow..
[15:41] <Eagan> "My, he's.. motivated.."
[15:41] <Alveria> "Are you sure it's not the 12D forms?" queries Alveria, frowning.
[15:41] <Ebiris> OOC: make a bluff check for laughs if you want, Alvie
[15:42] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 aww
[15:42] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+1 aww and gets 16." [1d20=15]
[15:43] <Ebiris> Sadly you can't see the guard's expression, but he does turn towards the departing Peterson. "It's 12D you moron! Powers-cursed retard... what'do we have to work with here? Of course you need to be motivated in the face of all this bloody anarchy!"
[15:43] <Ebiris> "Sorry, sir, getting the 12D forms, sir!" Peterson replies, sounding cowed as he goes inside.
[15:44] * Gourash eyes Alveria with a 'how would you know' look.
[15:44] * Alveria gives Gourash a whimsical smile.
[15:45] <Ebiris> roll 1d100
[15:45] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 and gets 42." [1d100=42]
[15:48] <Ebiris> After a few minutes, Peterson returns. His armour looks a bit blacker than when he left, almost sooty... He is carrying a sheaf of papers which he presents to the party, however. "Forms 12D - hope you have something to write with," he says as he hands the pile to Alveria.
[15:48] * Alveria inspects the papers. "Why, yes! I was prepared, we've had these paperwork troubles before," she responds, cheerily.
[15:49] <Ebiris> Looking at the first page, it appears Alveria has been handed a flying license application form.
[15:51] <Alveria> "Ah! Good job!" she replies, nodding. "I needed the flying licence. Can you get the travel forms, too?"
[15:52] <Amonet> "Would you like help with filling these forms out?" Amonet asks, coming closer.
[15:52] <Ebiris> Peterson shakes slightly. "But, I thought that was..." A look from his faceless superior cows him, however, and he trudges back into the guardhouse like a condemmned man. "Getting travel permit requisition forms 12 *mumble*, sir..."
[15:53] <Alveria> "Oh, please. There's one for each of us, anyhow. Gourash! Would you like to help?"
[15:55] <Ebiris> The forms are rather complicated. They start off simply enough, asking for name, age, species, weight, inside leg measurement... then it starts getting into essay questions. "Tell us why you think you deserve the privelege of flying in Xaos." "Give one sentence that best sums up your personality." "Detail three incidents in which you have flown under adverse circumstances and how you overcame them." It just goes on and on...
[15:57] * Gourash looks at the forms, the weird letters being jibber jabber...and rather than admit his problem proceesd to scribble at random on each page.
[15:57] <Alveria> "Excuse me! Excuse me! Is my weight *really *necessary?"
[15:57] <Keylin> "That's probably so if you fall, you don't squash a fat lady."
[15:57] <Ebiris> "I should bleedin' well think so!" the lead guard puffs up indignantly. "What if you were to fall on someone?"
[15:58] <Ebiris> roll 1d100
[15:58] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 and gets 78." [1d100=78]
[15:58] <Amonet> "What about the measurements, Sir?" Amonet asks quietly.
[15:59] <Keylin> "What -do- they need our measurements for?" Keylin asks, not knowing what that'd be useful for.
[15:59] <Ebiris> "Look, if you don't like how we do things 'round here, then you can bloody well piss off over to Bedlam for all I care - nobody's forcing you to fill these in!" the lead guard booms, while his companion nod sagely.
[15:59] <Ebiris> "If you've got nothing to hide then you've got nothing to fear."
[15:59] <Alveria> "I've also got a question. I mean, is this flying for *low* or *high* altitudes? If we don't go below the walls, is that alright?"
[16:00] <Amonet> "I think if you go above the walls, it's the same as traveling. But you might need a visa," Amonet muses out loud.
[16:01] * Eagan looks over Alveria's shoulder to the paper..
[16:01] <Ebiris> "Is it alright?!" the guard repeats in an incredulous high pitched voice. "It bloody well says it's for flying so that means any flying! Primus on a Platter, is it really that hard?"
[16:01] <Ebiris> After a few moments Peterson comes out of the guardhouse, some blood visibly leaking through his noticably dented and scratched armour as he limps towards the party. "Forms 12C travel permits..." he gasps, handing them over to Alveria.
[16:01] <Keylin> "Well, your forms are being so specific about some things, how are we to know?" Keylin asks.
[16:01] <Eagan> "Hey, this weight.. Is it laden or not? What about the airspeed?"
[16:01] <Alveria> "-hey, what happened to you? In Xaos, does the red tape cut you?"
[16:02] * Gourash holds up his papers. "Done!" He smiled toothily.
[16:02] <Ebiris> "Nevermind, I just need to rest my legs for a bit..." Peterson moans, going to lean on the side of the gate.
[16:03] <Eagan> "I mean, it's going to change if I'm carrying things.. Like a coconut or something."
[16:03] * Eagan turns to Alveria.
[16:03] <Ebiris> "Well, at least someone here knows how to fill in his forms without all these namby pamby questions! Give it here," the guard reaches over to take Gourash's forms. "Right, this'll have to go to city hall, but if you filled it in correctly you'll get your permit within two days."
[16:03] * Gourash hands the papers over to Peterson to file.
[16:03] * Gourash or to the guard!~
[16:03] <Eagan> "I do have a lovely bunch of cocunts, you know. Been saving them for a special day."
[16:03] * Gourash nods.
[16:03] <Alveria> "Wait, we need to get in now," replies Alveria, stonily. "Aren't there EXPRESS travel forms?"
[16:04] * Gourash grins toothily at being done with the strange jibberjabber paperwork.
[16:05] <Ebiris> "Express travel forms?!" the guard repeats furiously. "Who're you, the Queen of bloody Evermeet? What, think you're too good to wait in line with everyone else? I tell you, it's people like you that think they can bend the rules that put this town in the worthless state it was in!" he rants, waving his arms around wildly and leaning over Alveria.
[16:05] <Eagan> "What would you do if she *were* the Queen of Evermeet, though?"
[16:06] <Alveria> "Hush, Eagan! We're not supposed to speak of this!"
[16:06] <Eagan> "But, M'Lady.. The problems they're causing are beneath you!"
[16:06] <Ebiris> "Well, that's different, 'innit?" he looks over at Eagan. "They get diplomatic passes, that sort of stuff, don't they? Got to make dispensation for VIPs, but you can't just let any jumped up passerby in just because they're in a hurry, can you?"
[16:08] * Alveria puts a finger in her mouth, chewing on the nail rather nervously. "But.. but we're supposed to be discreet!"
[16:09] <Eagan> "Indeed! By the gods, man! How could you expect such royalty to travel in the open?! Can you even imagine how many people would want to strike at her?"
[16:09] * Gourash eyes Alvie...and the guards.  "Gourash wonder if he can walk in now."
[16:10] <Ebiris> OOC: Eagan or Alvie can make a bluff check and the other one can aid another
[16:10] <Alveria> OOC: What's your charisma?
[16:10] <Eagan> OOC: 12.
[16:11] <Alveria> OOC: Same mod as mine, I'll aid, since you came up with it. Hey, can everyone else pitch in, somehow? =p
[16:11] <Eagan> roll d20+1
[16:11] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls d20+1 and gets 20." [d20=19]
[16:11] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 bwahaha!
[16:11] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+1 bwahaha! and gets 8." [1d20=7]
[16:13] <Ebiris> "We-well... I dunno! You'd think there'd be some sort of warning... nobody ever tells us anything 'round here!" the guard backs off a little, seeming to have fallen for it. "Peterson - go get the diplomatic travel visas!" he barks, eliciting a tortured groan from the other guard who nonetheless trails back into the guardhouse, leaking blood.
[16:13] <Ebiris> roll 1d100
[16:13] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 and gets 1." [1d100=1]
[16:13] <Amonet> "If the trek into the guardhouse is that dangerous, I would like to offer my assistance," Amonet volunteers.
[16:14] <Eagan> "I mean, think, man! If the Queen of Evermeet had to stand around and fill out the *full* forms, how long would it take?! Every second longer could be the start of another attack!"
[16:14] <Ebiris> OOC: diplomacy check, Amonet
[16:14] <Amonet> roll 1d20+13
[16:14] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+13 and gets 26." [1d20=13]
[16:15] <Keylin> "I do hope this even won't cause trouble, my queen. We'll protect you if someone attempts to assasinate you," Keylin offers with a serious expression, though if you look closely you can tell her lips are twitching just slightly, probably from amusement.
[16:15] <Keylin> ooc: this event*
[16:15] <Ebiris> "That's a restricted area... but I guess Peterson could use the help," he nods. "Go on in, just follow the blood and you'll find him."
[16:15] * Amonet follows the blood with trepidation.
[16:16] <Alveria> "As you always have done before. I am, as always, honoured."
[16:16] <Eagan> "And the assassins! Imagine how many could get into this town! Every second we're here, it could spell disaster! Would you really want to be a guard in the town that let the Queen of Evermeet die because of mere *paperwork?*"
[16:16] <Ebiris> Entering the guardhouse, Amonet can see a table with some chairs around it, and several cupboards and weapon racks. There's an open door with stairs leading downwards, a trail of blood leading that way. The sign on the door reads "Beware of the leopard."
[16:17] <Alveria> "Hush, Eagan! The assassins are lowborn scum! They will never be able to fill out the forms correctly!"
[16:18] <Amonet> Marjorie at the ready, Amonet looks out for leopards as she proceeds onwards.
[16:18] <Ebiris> The stairs spiral downwards, and as Amonet descends she can hear feline growling and tearing sounds coupled with pained cries coming from below.
[16:19] <Eagan> "M'Lady, you can never underestimate them. I mean, the guards here are of mind to delay you with mere paperwork! They could easily be tricked into letting such people in, also!"
[16:19] * Amonet picks up her speed!
[16:19] <Alveria> "Eagan, you speak too loudly. We'll discuss this further within the walls- we'll be in there shortly."
[16:19] <Eagan> "Very well, M'Lady.."
[16:20] * Eagan sighs, but glares at the guard.
[16:20] <Ebiris> OOC: Amonet into #evil
[16:20] <Ebiris> "Don't look at me - I don't make the rules!" the guard replies huffily.
[16:20] <Alveria> "Who does?"
[16:22] <Ebiris> "The mayor does, of course. Got to have a proper chain of command, don'cha know? Why, when we showed up there were no rules, or if there were, they were made by different people and nobody knew what they were! Right proper mess, I tells you..." he shakes his head sadly.
[16:22] <Alveria> "Who holds the office at present?" queries Alveria, looking clueless.
[16:22] * Gourash nods.
[16:24] <Ebiris> "Why, none other than our very own angel of retribution, Shayeera," the guard replies, puffing himself up proudly. "She's got the right ideas about how to whip these sorry anarchists into shape!"
[16:25] <Alveria> "Good heavens! A creature of order and good?" replies Alveria, holding a hand to her mouth. "Certainly, there is nothing more auspicious!"
[16:25] <Eagan> "Indeed. Torm be praised."
[16:25] * Eagan nods gravely.
[16:25] <Ebiris> That elicits a dark snicker from the guard. "Yeah, something like that..."
[16:28] <Alveria> "Can you tell us about how you've restored order to this place?"
[16:28] <Eagan> "Which diety, by the by, does this town pay homage to?"
[16:30] <Ebiris> "There's no state religion here," the guard tells Eagan. "We had to lock up those troublemakers from the churches of Cyric and Sune, though. Constantly rabble-rousing, they were..."
[16:31] <Alveria> "Those damned.. uh... hedonisitic killers!"
[16:34] * Gourash eyes, stepping past the guards if they let him.  "We fill out all the forms to go in now?"
[16:35] <Ebiris> The guards promptly level axes at Gourash. "You don't have your permits yet, sonny," the apparent leader barks.
[16:36] * Gourash frowns.  "So we don't travel or fly, right?"
-------------
[16:21] <Ebiris> Down the stairs Amonet goes, finding herself in a small and poorly lit room filled with filing cabinets and stacks of papers set onto shelves around all the walls... and right in the middle lies Peterson, desperately trying to fend off a vicious looking leopard that's got him pinned and is currently attempting to claw and bite him to death!
[16:22] <Amonet> "Leave that person alone!" Amonet commands, gesturing at the beast with her glowing lance.
[16:23] <Ebiris> The leopard hisses and looks up at Amonet, its face almost jet black except for its eyes that glow like hot coals. Flexing its claws one last time into Peterson's armour, it disengages its pin and backs off slightly, tail swishing angrily as it eyes Amonet.
[16:23] <Ebiris> "Oh, thank you..." Peterson groans as he gets up. "That thing'll be the death of me one of these days, I swear..."
[16:24] * Amonet approaches Peterson slowly, not taking her eyes off the leopard. "I can see why," she tells him. "Are you too hurt to walk?"
[16:25] <Ebiris> "Ugh... I'll manage," the guard replies, slowly picking himself up with the help of his spear. "Just keep an eye on it while I get these forms, will you?"
[16:26] * Amonet nods. "I will mend your wounds once we leave," she promises the guard. "Is that allowed, here, without filling out papers for a permit?"
[16:27] <Ebiris> "Aye, you'll need a license to practice magic in the city," he nods weakly. "I'll get those forms, too..."
[16:27] <Ebiris> As you talk, the leopard paces around the edges of the room, watching Amonet but not coming any closer.
[16:27] <Amonet> "It seems every aspect of life requires a license," Amonet not quite complaints. "Is enforcement impossible without the... what did my friend call it? Red tape?"
[16:28] * Amonet watches the leopard in turn, warding it off with Marjorie.
[16:29] <Ebiris> "Got to keep order somehow, otherwise you'd have anarchists just running around doing as they please. Nope, got to have rules! Discipline! Harsh and unforgiving violence!" Peterson rattles off, sounding pained but sincere as he gathers up the forms. "Keep an eye on the leopard, he only attacks if you turn your back," he warns, starting to head back up the stairs. "See, even leopards have their rules."
[16:30] <Amonet> "Did you collect the forms that allows us to defend ourselves within city limits?" Amonet asks as the man begins to leave.
[16:32] <Ebiris> "There's no forms for that - that's a very strict rule, no violence of any sort within the city. Unless you're a Mercykiller, hehe..." Peterson chuckles grimly, leading Amonet back up out of the guardhouse.
[16:33] <Amonet> "Are you a Mercykiller, then?" she inquires, following without turning her back on the beast.
[16:34] <Ebiris> The leopard does not pursue. "Of course! Shayeera recruited a bunch of us to come clean up this cess-pool! It's been rough at times, but it's honest and lawful work! You wouldn't believe the state of this sorry place when we got here..."
[16:36] <Amonet> "I see...." Amonet picks up her pace once the leopard is out of sight. "And what became of the previous leader?"
-------------
[16:36] <Ebiris> "Executed for high treason. Almost too good for him, I say," Peterson snorts as he and Amonet return.
[16:37] <Gourash> "We can wait inside though for them to process," Gourash suggested.
[16:37] <Ebiris> "Oh, we've got a slow one here, don't we?" the two guards glance at each other. "Listen, boyo - No enter city without permit - comprehend?"
[16:39] <Amonet> "If I might ask," Amonet says hesitantly, "why is there a fiendish leopard in the room with the mountains of forms?"
[16:40] <Gourash> "Well, why didn't you give us that form?"
[16:40] * Gourash growls. "You trying to make us break the rules by not telling us that?"
[16:41] <Ebiris> "Well because the law says so!" the mostly silent up till now guard replies to Amonet, not taking his gaze off Gourash while Peterson hands some more forms to Alveria and then goes to sit against the wall with a pained sigh.
[16:41] <Ebiris> "I already told you - you'll get your permit in two days if you filled out the form correctly - I dunno how they do things in ooga booga orc land, but here we have laws, and you better get used to it right quick!" the leader lectures Gourash.
[16:42] * Amonet begins to fill out the numerous forms, starting with the use of magic.
[16:42] * Alveria starts filling in the forms, making sure to include all kinds of weird details. "He's with me, wouldn't that mean he can come in when I do?" she queries.
[16:43] <Gourash> "Gourash that that was travel form," He responded confused.
[16:43] <Ebiris> The magic usage form is even worse than the flying license one, asking for heavy details on where you learned magic, what spells you know, your opinions on the usage of certain spells, and on and on. The diplomatic visa one is surprisingly straightforward, however, merely asking for personal details along with contact details for the nearest representative of your government and the purpose of the visit.
[16:43] <Eagan> "Showing such disrespect for M'Lady's personal guardsmen! You tred dangeroud ground, my good man.."
[16:44] <Ebiris> "If he's with your party, Highness, then of course you can bring your pet into the city," the guard scathingly replies to Alveria.
[16:44] <Amonet> "Are we using your visa?" Amonet asks Alveria before filling it out.
[16:45] <Alveria> "Well, er, naturally!" replies Alveria, coughing. "Make out the contact details to one, um, Yulestra Calhadre. Yes. He lives in a tree."
[16:45] * Keylin fills out any appropriate forms for herself to get in with Alveria, though is generous with what her weight is and her figure, fudging them just a bit.
[16:46] * Gourash growls, not squishing them....yet.
[16:46] * Eagan fills out his forms as well...
[16:46] * Amonet looks at Alveria dubiously, but does as she is told, filling out the form.
[16:46] <Ebiris> OOC: int check for Alvie, since she's the one filling in the main form
[16:47] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5 this should totally be knowledge: arcana
[16:47] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 this should totally be knowledge: arcana and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[16:48] <Ebiris> In short order, Alveria hands the visa application to the leader, although Peterson tells Amonet that she needs to hand the magic license into city hall. "Let's see, yes... yes... hmm..." the other guard mutters as he begins to peruse Alveria's form.
[16:48] <Ebiris> OOC: will save, Alvie
[16:49] <Alveria> OOC: whyyyyy
[16:49] <Alveria> roll 1d20+5
[16:49] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[16:49] <Amonet> "So I'm not allowed to help the poor, bleeding guard before that?" she asks, frowning.
[16:49] <Ebiris> OOC: you passed, so you feel a faint ping of some hostile effect that was attempted on you but failed
[16:49] <Ebiris> "It's worse than it looks, really!" Peterson insists bravely.
[16:50] * Alveria twitches a little.
[16:50] <Amonet> "If you're certain...." Amonet trails off, her face showing displeasure.
[16:52] <Alveria> roll 1d20+19
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+19 and gets 24." [1d20=5]
[16:52] <Ebiris> "Yes... wait... oh, no!" the guard shakes his head, looking over at Alveria unhappily. "Look, it clearly says that you're to list three main exports of your country, and you've put in four! And I don't think Love even counts, unless you elves have some sort of prostitution racket going on. You're going to have to fill these in again!"
[16:53] <Alveria> "No, read it again," replies Alveria, crossly. "'Gemlove' is actually a name for a product of ours. It's one word!"
[16:54] <Ebiris> OOC: bluff check
[16:54] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 the time of failure is nigh!
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+1 the time of failure is nigh! and gets 20." [1d20=19]
[16:55] <Ebiris> "Well why've you... no, wait, I suppose that could be the dot on the eye on the next line... Okay, everything looks to be in order, here." He then leans against the wall and scribbles on the bottom of the last page, before tearing a strip off and handing it to Alveria. "Here's your visa, your Highness. Make sure you don't lose it."
[16:56] <Alveria> "Thankyou!" she replies, cheerfully, and she starts to head on inside.
[16:56] * Amonet doesn't waste time in following, keeping close to Alveria.
[16:58] <Alveria> "Let's find a place to stay. And talk. Yes, talking. Much talking to be done."
[16:58] <Ebiris> "I'm hating this place already," Marjorie mutters as the party finalyl enters the town itself, finding themselves on a wide street with tall wooden houses on either side, and scattered merchant stalls along the sides of the road... there's not really that many, considering the space available, however, with lots of empty spots, or simply vacant stalls.
[16:58] <Gourash> "Too much silly paperwork," He agreed with Marjorie, looking around the town and watching more how the merchants seemed to act as they walked by, whether frightened or boldly hawking.
[16:58] <Amonet> "I understand the value of laws, but this... this is evil. And sadism." Amonet shakes her head.
[16:59] <Alveria> "Reform is clearly in order."
[16:59] <Ebiris> The merchants do seem rather subdued, mostly seeming to passively wait for their customers rather than advertising - and there's not a single street performer in evidence. On the plus side, there's no litter at all!
[17:00] * Gourash nods. "So we're decided?" He cut to the point.
[17:01] <Alveria> "Let's spread chaos. That should solve our problems," decides Alveria. "Devil-bitches power is based on law, not evil. So we can't just counter with good. At least.. uh.. I think so... we should free the Sunites, anyway," Her voice is quite low, and conspirational.
[17:02] * Gourash blinks and proposes his well considered and clearly workable solution. "We could oppose it by head cutting.  Head cutting solves  many problems with leaders."
[17:03] <Alveria> "Works better when they can't fly, teleport, and don't have a legion of warriors with them."
[17:03] * Amonet looks conflicted at the prospect. "I don't think her power literally comes from her wicked laws. Though I am loathe to agree with Gourash, why not go straight for the source of all evil, here?"
[17:03] <Ebiris> "She'll probably want to cut your heads once you start freeing prisoners and stuff like that," Marjorie notes.
[17:03] <Alveria> "What, you seriously can't propose to just front up to her office and throw down, right?"
[17:03] <Ebiris> "Yes, we'd need to book an appointment, wouldn't we?" Marjorie sighs.
[17:04] <Gourash> "Why not?  We're diplo..diplo...  We're noble people coming to give  thanks for all the law and stuff."
[17:04] <Amonet> "With the proper spells prepared, and after gaining that appointment, we might succeed."
[17:04] <Gourash> "Very busy, very important.  She has to see us," Gourash waved a finger.  "Then we let her know how she's doing."
[17:04] <Alveria> "And then all her friends will kill us! There are most likely more of them than us!"
[17:04] <Alveria> "We should free the Suneites first, then at least we'll have help!"
[17:05] <Gourash> "This way we might have to deal with guards...that way we must deal with guards.  This way better.  We can hurry to the prison and release them afterwards."
[17:05] <Amonet> "And if it gives her chance to prepare? Or to call those many followers she has over to her side in advance?"
[17:05] <Gourash> "Well, if we want...they're not paying," He shrugged.
[17:05] <Alveria> "I don't think you understand how easy it is for her to get away," replies Alveria, teeth grating. "There's not even a guarantee our spells will work on her!"
[17:06] <Amonet> "If it fails, we can make an assault on the prison as she runs away?" Amonet proposes. "Then, we would have support, and we would have lost the element of surprise already against her."
[17:07] <Gourash> "If she able to get away from ambush...she be able to get away from prepared foreshadowed assault with her guards giving her notice."
[17:07] <Gourash> "Worse, we have no safe place in town."
[17:08] <Ebiris> "Maybe there's some sort of law we can use to trick her or something? Aren't Devils always supposed to get undone by loopholes in stories?" Marjorie suggests brightly.
[17:09] <Gourash> "Gourash no lawyer," He replied pensivelly.
[17:09] <Alveria> "Hah! She's deserve that. But I refuse to just walk in there and try to start shit. Let's at least get a look at her forces first."
[17:09] <Gourash> "Gourash okay with scouting...while we get appointment."
[17:09] <Amonet> "I don't know if I could do it, myself," Amonet admits. "It would be breaking a minor rule, really, and for a very good cause... but that way a slippery slope lies, doesn't it?"
[17:09] <Alveria> "A slippery slope to what?" asks Alveria, cluelessly.
[17:10] <Amonet> "Breaking the code I swore to live by is bound to have reprecussions, bad ones," Amonet elaborates. "Horus-Re would not look kindly to this."
[17:11] * Gourash blinks. "Code?  What break?"
[17:11] * Amonet sighs. "Never mind."
[17:12] <Ebiris> "It's like the opposite of your code, Gourash," Marjorie pipes up, sounding like she's repressing a snicker.
[17:12] <Alveria> "Anyway, we have time. Once we tip our hand, it's over," notes Alveria. "So before we commit to something, we should get as much info as possible. From Torm, too, Eagan."
[17:12] <Amonet> "Why not make a plea to the gods for an answer?" Amonet voices. "They may be able to suggest the best course of action." As Alveria speaks, Amonet nods at her.
[17:13] * Eagan nods.
[17:13] * Alveria starts looking for an inn!
[17:13] <Eagan> "I will ask for his advice, but it shall take time for me to prepare.. By tomorrow, I will be able to give you his answer.."
[17:14] * Gourash whaps the spear.
[17:15] * Gourash joins Alveria in the looking for an inn.  "Fine."
[17:15] <Ebiris> It takes some doing, passing by several inns which appear to have been boarded up and closed, but soon enough the party finds lodgings at the Sickened Slaad, where the elderly Githzerai proprietress offers to put them up for free on account of Puk'lor's presence, seeming rather awed to be in the presence of a Zerth.
[17:15] <Alveria> "So, Puk'lor," remarks Alveria. "Any suggestions?"
[17:17] <Ebiris> "From what I have heard, this town could use some discipline," the monk replies, steepling his fingers as the party gather round a secluded table in the mostly quiet inn, the other patrons seeming to be keeping to themselves. "But these laws are far from enlightened. We should see if there is any resistance within the town that could aid us - I find it hard to believe its spirit could have been broken so quickly."
[17:18] <Alveria> "You couldn't sweet-talk the niec proprietress about that, could you?" asks Amonet, blinking widely.
[17:18] <Gourash> "Weak people bend quickly under steel," Gourash replied.
[17:22] <Ebiris> "I will try," Puk'lor offers, going away to do just that!
[17:22] <Ebiris> roll 1d20
[17:22] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20 and gets 19." [1d20=19]
[17:27] <Ebiris> Shortly thereafter, he returns and sits down. "The problem appears that those most inclined to resist this new order are the same ones to whom forming an 'organised' resistance is anathema. She thinks the Sunites and the Cyric worshippers may have had a chance together, but they fought each other too much and were picked off seperately."
[17:27] <Ebiris> "She has heard that the blacksmith and the alchemist are working on something in secret together, and are known to despise the new order, but has no details."
[17:32] <Amonet> "Are there any procedures on meeting with the ruler? If one wishes to become a... Mercykiller, perhaps, or has important information about the resistance to share?"
[17:33] <Gourash> "We should ask the blacksmith and the alchemist...secretlike."
[17:33] <Ebiris> "The Mercykiller garrison would probably be the place to start for the latter. No doubt there's a firm buearocracy in place at the town hall to deal with any requests for the mayor," Puk'lor surmises.
[17:34] <Amonet> "If we were to get to the one in charge, there is magic which can make him more disposed towards us, forwarding our case that much faster. Should we try that?"
[17:35] <Alveria> "Maybe you can go and do that. I'll go and speak with the blacksmith and the alchemist."
[17:37] * Amonet winces. "My magic is not sufficient for this task."
[17:38] <Alveria> "I don't DO enchantments, so I can't do it," replies Alveria. "Besides, you're a better speaker than me..."
[17:39] <Gourash> "It is a dangerous idea.  Who knows what spells are on the leadership anyway already."
[17:40] <Amonet> "I can try to talk to them, I suppose..." Amonet allows. "Would anyone care to join me?"

[Ebiris]

Please can you all post here what you each plan on doing before taking on the Law?

I'll try and get a scene with everyone during the coming week, or if necessary handle it via post on the board.

[Carthrat]

Alveria is off to find the blacksmith! Or the alchemist.

[Dracos]

Da forgetting.  Sorry.

Anyhow, Gourash is going to hang around the bars, possibly drinking, mainly listening.

Dracos

[Corwin]

City hall, like we discussed~

[Merc]

I remember OOC chatter of me possibly going to rescue Sunenites. I can do that, or have Keylin getting stinking drunk or finding what amounts to the best 'sniping' spot in the city with a longbow or something else altogether. I'm not picky really.

[Dracos]

Saturday morning might be good *shrugs sleepily*

Dracos

[Ebiris]

[14:58] <Ebiris> As Amonet and Alveria go off on their own errands, and the male party members prop up the bar, Keylin heads out to investigate the prison complex where Xaos' undesirables are currently incarcarated. The streets are twisting and rather easy to get lost in for part of the way, but she soon finds a rather easily navigable area before reaching the prison - most of the houses around it have been demolished, making it simple to locate. (more)
[15:00] <Ebiris> Ahead she can see the prison, surrounded by a fifteen foot high stone wall with sharp jagged protrusions dotting the top. Two thirty foot high guard towers are also seen, one at the Southwest corner and one at the Northeast corner of the complex - the prison itself is a squat and blocky two storey structure, and the only entrance to the complex is via a thick iron gate. (more)
[15:01] <Ebiris> Said gate is open at the moment with three Mercykillers escorting a gang of defiant looking prisoners all chained together out of the complex.
[15:03] * Keylin looks around, trying to get a good view for shadows or cover to use to sneak in with minimal interraction with anyone.
[15:06] <Ebiris> While the buildings have been demolished around the front of the prison, there's still a fair amount of rubble littering the area which could provide some cover. The gate itself is somewhat to the North of the West-facing wall, putting it a decent distance from either guard tower. A few taller buildings are also seen on the far side of the prison, seeming quite close to the walls.
[15:06] <Ebiris> Moving between them would probably provide some cover, if there are navigable alleys, there.
[15:21] <Keylin> 'This would be so much easier if it was in the forest,' Keylin grumbles in her head, her green outfit probably likely to stand out if she's not careful. Tapping her chin, she decides to check if she'll be able to use those tall buildings for cover, and hunts for alleyways she can use.
[15:23] <Ebiris> Working her way around to the other side of the prison complex, Keylin finds that most of the buildings are almost propped up against the prison wall, and a few have overhanging roofs that appear to obscure line of sight from the Northeast guard tower. Between that and the shadows, she's pretty sure she could move around here without being seen unless someone was sharing the same alleys.
[15:27] * Keylin looks around to see if anyone will spot her going into those alleys. Hopefully no one's around to spot her and she can get moving, she doubts anyone would inhabit those alleys in this city. So she hopes anyhow.
[15:27] <Ebiris> OOC: spot check
[15:27] <Keylin> roll 1d20+13
[15:27] <Reiko-chan> Keylin rolled : 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{28}
[15:28] <Keylin> OOC: Hey, it's Reiko! No evil hatbot!
[15:29] <Ebiris> Aside from a mangy looking cat that's sleeping against a filthy windowsill (Keylin can't really see inside between the grime and the darkness), Keylin appears to have the immediate area to herself. The alleys themselves twist and turn so much that there's no straight line to the main street, meaning she won't be seen by any passersby, either.
[15:34] * Keylin takes a deep breath and gets moving, trying to keep noise to a minimum.
[15:34] <Ebiris> OOC: moving where?
[15:36] <Keylin> ooc: deeper into the alleys and closer towards the prison.
[15:37] <Ebiris> OOC: move silently check
[15:38] <Keylin> roll 1d20+14
[15:38] <Reiko-chan> Keylin rolled : 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{30}
[15:40] <Ebiris> Slipping unnoticed into the alleys, Keylin works her way through the winding passages until she reaches the prison wall itself. There's little more than five feet between it and a lot of the buildings, and while the wall itself is smooth, the neighbouring houses are anything but, featuring numerous loose brickwork, drainage pipes, and windowsills (who'd want a window with this view?).
[15:43] <Keylin> 'Hmmm,' Keylin ponders as she taps her chin again, thinking deeply. 'Now what would be the easiest way?'
[15:45] * Keylin looks up to see how high it is to climb to a window or the roof. Preferably an open window if someone actually god forbid has their window open.
[15:48] <Ebiris> Most of the windows appear to be painted shut. A bit further along the wall there is a fairly squat wooden hut type building just under ten feet tall, sandwiched between two far taller structures. A bit more to the south, there's another building about thirty feet tall or so, with an open window facing the prison, its shutters fluttering in the breeze.
[15:51] * Keylin looks for entrances to the wooden house or the building with the fluttering window, still trying to stay unsuspicious.
[15:54] <Ebiris> Navigating the alleys, Keylin finds a doorway into the wooden house by circling around to the side farthest from the prison, obscured by a series of hanging beaded rope. Hazy smoke emanates from within. As to the other building, she finds it opens onto the main street (it's probably the biggest building around here), with a small stairway leading up to a double door with a few potted flowers around. It's a lot cleaner on this side, too.
[15:58] * Keylin goes look at the entrance to the wooden house first, looking for explanation of what a building so different from others is in this city. It'd seem just a little unorderly or something, right?
[15:58] <Ebiris> OOC: listen check
[16:00] <Keylin> roll 1d20+13
[16:00] <Reiko-chan> Keylin rolled : 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
[16:01] <Ebiris> To be fair, most of the buildings have wildly different architectural styles and construction types. As she approaches the entrance (it has no windows), Keylin can hear murmured conversation from within, punctuated by high pitched laughter. Sounds like... they're debating whether an unarmed human could defeat a gorilla in a fight.
[16:05] * Keylin shakes her head at the topic and decides to go towards the other building.
[16:05] <Ebiris> OOC: rear or front?
[16:10] <Keylin> ooc: for fun, let's say front.
[16:12] <Ebiris> Back onto the main street Keylin goes! There are a few people walking here and there, but none pay her any particular mind. A pair of Mercykillers in their distinctive spiky armour and face covering helmets are seen further down the street and heading this way, everyone giving them a wide berth as they pass.
[16:16] * Keylin avoids the pair as well! Keylin continues to head towards the entrance of that building, curious as to what it houses.
[16:18] <Ebiris> Given the lack of signage and the fact that the door is closed, it's probably a private dwelling. One of the windows on the ground floor is open, a cooling pie seen on the windowsill and a kitchen within.
[16:23] * Keylin gives a small mental sigh and continues walking around the area, looking at everything and taking it in. Hopefully she'll get a different idea on how to get inside, or maybe it might be best to just group think with the rest of her companions.
[16:26] <Ebiris> The buildings against the East wall of the prison don't look that difficult to climb up - admittedly it'd be a big jump, but one could gain entry to the prison that way. Getting out again would be a trick, however. As she searches around and observes, Keylin does see that the main gates to the prison are opened every hour, with a chain gang either entering or leaving along with their guards.
[16:26] <Ebiris> Besides that... well, a lot of the ground isn't paved, so if someone had a spade and a lot of patience?
[16:30] <Keylin> Keylin decides to leave and talk with the rest. Getting in through the east side doesn't look that difficult to her, and gettng out shouldn't be too difficult if she hides herself amongst the prison break outs. But it might be best to talk with the others, see if anyone else wants to come, perhaps with their broom if they're not certian of the jump, or stick around in case something goes horribly wrong.

[Ebiris]

[19:10] <Ebiris> Leaving the rest of the party behind at the Sickened Slaad, Amonet seeks to get to the sordid heart of Xoas' new government! It's only a short walk from the inn before she reaches the town square (more of an irregular trapezoid, really). The few people milling about seem little different than she might see back on the Prime, mostly humanoid and hurrying about their business,
[19:10] <Ebiris> trying to ignore the grisly spectacle of a starting to decompose corpse hanging from the prominently displayed gallows. A large wooden platform also bears two people in stocks, one a bruised but still handsome man in expensive noble's garments, and the other an overweight middle aged woman with wild grey hair and crazed staring eyes. She seems to be ranting at the visibly uncomfortable man sharing her predicament.
[19:10] <Ebiris> There's also a strange dome of iron bars crossed against each other, bearing spikes facing inwards, with crusty drying bloodstains littering the interior. A yellow box-like creature with six limbs walks around outside said dome, making clicking and whirring noises to itself.
[19:10] <Ebiris> The city hall itself is a mismatched citadel of rusty green metal and wooden timbers, several precarious balconies jutting out and only held up by the most rickety wooden supports. A huge double door marks the entrance, although it appears to be rusted shut - a smaller human sized door is inset on it, however, and lies open.
[19:13] * Amonet walks through the human-sized door, papers in hand.
[19:19] <Ebiris> Entering the rickety fortress, Amonet finds herself in a large hallway, two sets of stairs leading up on either side to the rear of the hall, with five doors - two on each side, and one on the rear wall. The exposed wooden floorboards are freshly varnished, still smelling faintly, and a line of white paint bisects the hallway from one end to the other about twenty feet in.
[19:19] <Ebiris> Further on is a kiosk manned by a sweet looking old human lady, a small sign set next to her station, with a meshed wire all around said kiosk except for a small slot in front of the woman, perhaps large enough to fit a book through. She looks up at Amonet's arrival and smiles pleasantly, her grey hair in a severe bun and wearing an oddly loud pink knitted sweater adorned with sharp blue zigzags.
[19:20] * Amonet approaches the woman, glancing at the sign briefly.
[19:21] <Ebiris> OOC: spot check
[19:22] <Amonet> roll 1d20+5
[19:22] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[19:23] <Ebiris> It's rather small, but Amonet can read it well enough almost as soon as she sets foot inside the door. The sign says "Wait at the white line until you are called."
[19:23] * Amonet stops at the white line, and looks expectantly at the lady in the kiosk.
[19:24] <Ebiris> The old woman smiles approvingly as Amonet stops... and that's about all she does. She looks right at Amonet, not seeming to have anything else at all to occupy her attention...
[19:25] * Amonet decides to try waiting for a while. She can certainly spare a few minutes.
[19:25] <Ebiris> If Amonet were of a mind to count, she'd find she waited exactly sixty seconds before the old woman speaks. "Next," she calls out in officious boredom.
[19:26] * Amonet approaches, giving the woman a hesitant smile, and shows her the papers she had filled out. "I was told to come here," she offers by way of explanation.
[19:27] <Ebiris> "Let's see..." the old woman picks up a pair of spectacles and puts them on, giving her a somewhat alarming bug-like appearance with how big her eyes now look. "Pass them through and I'll have a look?" she offers, gesturing at the slot in the mesh cage surrounding her desk.
[19:29] * Amonet places them and waits briefly. Just as the woman picks them up to do just that, however, Amonet speaks again. "Excuse me, Ma'am, but I'm new in town, and there are so many laws in place. Is there a handy rulebook you offer visitors, perhaps?"
[19:32] <Ebiris> "Where would the fun be in that?" she chuckles merrily as she begins to look over Amonet's paperwork.
[19:32] <Ebiris> "It's common sense, really. Like this - you want a magic license, don't you? Can't have just anyone running around casting magic - it'd be like the old days when they had mage duels in the streets, and if you opened your window at the wrong time you'd get turned into a newt! Happened to my friend Agnes once, I swear on the grave," she nods sollemnly.
[19:33] * Amonet nods, as this does sound reasonable. "But, forgive me for saying so, yet I don't see the common sense in having a wild beast guard those very papers from the people who own them, and a fiendish one at that."
[19:34] <Ebiris> She gives Amonet a condescending smile. "Well, dearie, that's why people like me and you don't make the laws, isn't it? Got to leave it to the..." she waves a finger in the air a moment, as if grasping for the right terminology. "The big picture thinkers! Yes, that's it."
[19:36] <Amonet> "Then you do see why I need to know more, don't you?" Amonet exclaims, though she calms down quickly. "I... I mean, what if I were to bump into someone else by accident, and end up in the stockade?"
[19:38] <Ebiris> That elicits a sympathetic nod from her. "Yes, I understand that, I suppose..." she leans forward and speaks in a harsh conspiratorial whisper, "That's why I haven't left here in two weeks - I'm safe here in my cage!" Straightening up and resuming her previous demeanour as if nothing had happened, "I suppose the hall of records might have those details, dearie, but let's see about this magic license first, shall we?"
[19:41] * Amonet nods, letting the woman get back to her job. "Two weeks?" she muses as she waits. "Is that the date the more recent rules were set, if I might ask?"
[19:42] <Ebiris> "A little bit before that," she nods, humming cheerily as she scribbles on a piece of paper and slides it through the gap towards Amonet and begins sorting through the magic license application form.
[19:43] * Amonet takes the proffered piece of paper, going over it.
[19:44] <Ebiris> Written in a shaky scrawl, it reads: IT'S NOT SAFE TO ASK QUESTIONS
[19:45] * Amonet frowns, but waits in silence, now.
[19:47] <Ebiris> After a few minutes she proceeds to stamp the last page of Amonet's application twice, tearing off half the page and sliding it back through the gap. "This all looks to be in order, dearie," she smiles nicely. "Now you'll want to see the Magister for your examination before you're fully certified."
[19:47] <Amonet> "And where can I find the Magister?"
[19:49] <Ebiris> "Climb up those stairs on the right, go down the hallway straight ahead, and it's the third door on the right," she replies cheerily, pointing in said direction. "Good luck!" Lowering her voice and covering her mouth, "I hope you don't end up like the last one..." she mutters almost inaudibly.
[19:50] <Amonet> "One last thing," Amonet says, adopting a somewhat queasy look, then. "What did the people being punished outside do, so I would not make the same mistake? For all I know, there could be very serious laws about how to walk up to and address the Magister...."
[19:51] <Ebiris> She cocks her head slightly. "So many people get punished here, it's hard to know which ones unless you narrow it down, dearie." She then abruptly looks upwards, almost panicked, "Of course, I'm sure they deserved it!" she adds quickly, making a warding gesture over her chest and shivering.
[19:53] <Amonet> "Of course," Amonet says blandly, and bows to the woman, before proceeding.
[19:54] <Ebiris> Up the stairs Amonet goes! She passes by several excitingly labelled doors, such as 'Department of Agriculture', 'Ministry of Love' (quiet but almost hysterical sobbing is heard as she passes that door), 'Registry of Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Transfigurations', and 'Employee Lounge' before she finally reaches 'Office of the Magister Arcana'.
[19:55] * Amonet knocks on the door, and waits for an answer.
[19:56] <Ebiris> "WHO DARES DISTURB MY MEDITATIONS?!" a booming male voice is heard from within.
[19:58] <Amonet> "It is the law that I come see you now," Amonet responds, her voice crisp. "But if your meditation takes precedence over it, Sir, I'll just leave."
[19:59] <Ebiris> "IF YOU ARE NOT AFRAID, THEN ENTER... AND BE JUDGED!" comes the loud reply. You can't help but note that the sobbing from the Ministry of Love is getting a bit more vocal at all this noise.
[20:00] * Amonet enters at that point, confident in her skills, the righteousness of her cause and the divine lance of killing bad people she possesses.
[20:05] <Ebiris> Inside Amonet finds herself in a room dominated by a massive wooden desk - it encompasses nearly three quarters of the room, although is itself strangely barren. Behind said desk, with a window to his back sits the presumed Magister - he sits oddly on his chair, with his feet on the 'seat' while he himself perches on the backrest.
[20:05] <Ebiris> He's surprisingly muscled for a wizard, looking like he could benchpress several Gourashes - said muscles are easy enough to see since he's barechested, wearing only a pair of black pants and no shoes. Every inch of skin also appears to be covered in tiny tattooed writing - looks like Infernal or Abyssal.
[20:05] <Ebiris> "SO, A SEEKER HAS COME TO TEST HERSELF?" he announces at Amonet's arrival, gazing at her with wild staring eyes.
[20:06] <Amonet> "Is the test dangerous or painful?" she asks, fretting. "I would not want to hurt you overly, Sir."
[20:10] <Ebiris> "AHHH, FOOLISH SEEKER," he intones, giving Amonet a scornful look, "LIFE IS PAIN! MAGIC IS DANGER! WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THIS, YOU WILL TRULY BE READY!" he pauses, idly flexing his overdeveloped biceps, "SO IT FALLS TO ME TO PERHAPS INSTIL SOME MEASURE OF WISDOM IN YOUR SOFT AND MALLEABLE FORM! TO REND YOUR MIND WITH DARK SECRETS YOU PERHAPS SUSPECTED IN YOUR WORST NIGHTMARES, BUT NEVER DARED FACE... UNTIL THIS FATEFUL DAY!"
[20:12] <Amonet> "When I understand this, will I have to shout everything, too?" she asks curiously.
[20:12] <Ebiris> "NAY, FOR YOUR VOICE WILL BE TOO HOARSE FROM SCREAMING IN DARKEST TORMENT!" he replies, before throwing back his head and howling with laughter. "COME CLOSER, WHELP, SO I MAY TEST YOU!" he invites, beckoning Amonet towards him.
[20:13] * Amonet stares at him dubiously. "Alright, but I warned you." She steps closer!
[20:15] <Ebiris> He leans a bit closer in his odd perch atop the seat, seeming amused at Amonet's lack of fear. "YOU ARE BRAVE... OR FOOLISH. TIME WILL TELL," he comments, cupping his chin in one meaty hand. "NOW WE SHALL SEE IF YOUR BRAVADO IS TRULY JUSTIFIED, AS WE BEGIN... THE TEST OF WISDOM!"
[20:16] <Amonet> "I'll try not to embarrass myself, then," she tells him honestly. "Please reciprocate, Mister!"
[20:16] <Ebiris> He stares at Amonet for a long unblinking moment, before suddenly barking out, "WHAT IS SO FRAGILE THAT WHEN YOU SAY ITS NAME YOU BREAK IT?"
[20:17] <Amonet> "Silence?" she suggests. "Speaking of that, can you please speak more quietly? I am right here, after all."
[20:20] <Ebiris> "YOU HAVE ANSWERED WELL, SEEKER!" he booms out, slapping a hand on his thigh, "BUT SAVE YOUR REQUESTS, FOR THIS IS JUST THE WAY I TALK! NOW WE SHALL SEE IF IT WAS LUCK, OR IF A BRAIN TRULY RATTLES AROUND IN THAT PRETTY SKULL OF YOURS!"
[20:21] <Amonet> "Thank you for the compliment," she tells him. "I think."
[20:21] <Ebiris> "WHAT IS IT THAT YOU CAN KEEP AFTER GIVING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE?" he suddenly demands, leaning forward and causing his chair to wobble slightly before he quickly resumes his previous posture and avoids toppling over.
[20:23] <Amonet> "I would think there are many such things, but if I had to choose, I would go with my 'heart'," Amonet responds thoughtfully. "And I have a question of my own. My weapon is an extention of my body. Do you agree with that statement?"
[20:25] <Ebiris> "I SHOULD RIP YOUR HEART OUT AND TEST THE VERACITY OF THAT STATEMENT!" he roars, leaping up onto the desk and towering over Amonet. "AS FOR YOUR QUESTION, A WEAPON IS A TOOL OF ONE WHO IS TOO WEAK TO MASTER TRUE ARCANE POWER, FOR A SPELLCASTER'S TRUEST WEAPON COMES IN WORDS OF POWER AND ELABORATE GESTURES! A WEAPON IS A CRUTCH OF THE WEAK!"
[20:26] <Amonet> "But violence is forbidden and if you tried to do that the Mercykillers will come for you," Amonet points out.
[20:28] <Ebiris> "AH, BUT IF YOU WERE TO GIVE ME YOUR HEART, IT WOULD MERELY BE A BUSINESS TRANSACTION BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING AD..." he pauses and peers at Amonet oddly for a long moment. "HOW OLD ARE YOU, ANYWAY?"
[20:30] <Amonet> "Why do you need to know this?" she asks guardedly. "Was asking for my measurements, a signed picture and a how quickly I can get drunk if a friendly guard keeps serving me ale on the application forms not enough?"
[20:33] <Ebiris> "NEVERMIND!" he booms out, sweeping his arm dramatically as if to discard the topic before he begins pacing the table. "YOUR ANSWER TO THE SECOND TEST OF WISDOM HAS FAILED TO APPEASE ME. I WILL PERMIT ONE CHANCE TO APPEAL YOUR FAILURE, HOWEVER, FOR I AM NOT AN UNREASONABLE MAGISTER OF THE ARCANE!"
[20:35] <Amonet> "Love is the dominating emotion of the heart, so how about that?" Amonet suggests, relaxing somewhat. "I certainly keep it within mine even after sharing it with others, and the question did refer to me, specifically, if you look at it."
[20:39] <Ebiris> "THE HEART IS MERELY AN ORGAN FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD - EMOTION IS CENTRED IN THE BRAIN. BUT I DIGRESS, IT IS TOO LATE FOR SUCH FEEBLE JUSTIFICATIONS TO SWAY ME," he shakes his head. "THERE IS ONLY ONE CHANCE FOR YOUR APPEAL, NOW. FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS!" he barks, one hand diving into his pants!
[20:42] <Amonet> "You will die a thousand deaths," Amonet declares, Marjorie's bindings released in a flash as she jumps back. "Unclench your hand and slowly remove it from your pants if you want to keep it."
[20:44] <Ebiris> He pulls out his hand, now holding a pair of small bone carved dice. "FOOLISH SEEKER, THINK YOUR IMMATURE CHARMS COULD TEMPT THE MAGISTER OF THE ARCANE? YOU NEED TO PUT ON SOME POUNDS BEFORE I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONTEMPLATE THAT!"
[20:46] * Amonet eyes him guardedly, neither coming closer or sheathing her lance. "Now I just know you're insulting me and my looks!" she tells him peevishly. "Fine, I have seen your...." She closes her eyes briefly, a headache coming fast. "Never mind," she says through gritted teeth. "Do I get my license now, please?"
[20:47] <Ebiris> "NOT YET!" he declares, kneeling down on the desk. "WATCH CLOSELY, SEEKER, AND SEE YOUR DESTINY UNFOLD, FOR YOUR NEXT WORDS WILL DETERMINE YOUR FATE. HIGHER?" he then rolls the two dice across the table towards Amonet...
[20:47] <Ebiris> roll 2d20
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d20 and gets 27." [2d20=10, 17]
[20:47] <Ebiris> "OR LOWER?" he concludes as they come up showing twenty seven.
[20:48] * Amonet blinks. "The odds would suggest lower," she says at last, sighing.
[20:49] <Ebiris> "THE ODDS? THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF AN ORDERED MIND... LET US SEE IF THE UNIVERSE FAVOURS LAW OR CHAOS THIS FATEFUL DAY!" he concludes, scooping up the dice and rolling them again!
[20:49] <Ebiris> roll 2d20
[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d20 and gets 34." [2d20=18, 16]
[20:49] * Amonet cleaves through one of the die with her lance as soon as it lands.
[20:49] <Ebiris> OOC: attack roll, I guess
[20:50] <Amonet> roll 1d20+12
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28." [1d20=16]
[20:50] <Ebiris> OOC: damage?
[20:51] <Amonet> roll 1d8+8 have a second attack I'll try if this doesn't do the trick!
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d8+8 have a second attack I'll try if this doesn't do the trick! and gets 12." [1d8=4]
[20:52] <Ebiris> Stabbing out, Marjorie catches the die just so to crush it to ivory shards, eliciting a loud crack of protest from the wood of the desk as it splinters beneath the ruined die!
[20:52] <Ebiris> OOC: make an intimidate check
[20:55] <Amonet> "Now, I have been asked some very embarrassing and downright humiliating questions, made to stand and wait in lines when no other people at all were present, forced to listen to you yell all the time despite this office being really small and cramped and you just pulled those evil things out of your pants. I am at the very end of my patience. Only the insistence that violence against other people would inconvenience me during my visit is
[20:55] <Amonet>  staying my hand right now. ARE WE CLEAR?"
[20:55] <Amonet> roll 1d20+6
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[20:58] <Ebiris> The Magister of the Arcane swallows audibly, looking down at the solitary remaining die. "Right... eighteen. Looks like you guessed correctly, seeker," he replies meekly. Scurrying back towards his chair with the big desk between him and Amonet, he reaches into one of the drawers and takes out a wooden block and a spongy inkpad. "Just slide over your license form and I'll stamp it for you?"
[20:59] * Amonet slams the form on the ruined desk, sliding it over. "Please and thank you," she grates out.
[21:00] <Ebiris> He quickly stamps the form and slides it back. "You... you may go," he makes a weak shooing gesture, half hiding behind his chair after sending the license document back towards Amonet.
[21:01] * Amonet starts to do that, before stopping. "The people outside, in the stocks," she asks the Magister. "What crime have they committed?"
[21:02] <Ebiris> "Incitement to riot or treason... or both, I think," he replies, backing nervously towards the window.
[21:03] * Amonet nods curtly, and leaves the room.
[21:03] <Ebiris> "That was cool!" Marjorie gasps approvingly as soon as you're out. "Well, not the first part where he was being all rude and stupid, but the part where you totally showed him! Did you see how scared he looked?"
[21:05] <Amonet> "I can't say I enjoy making people afraid, but he was asking for a lesson," Amonet responds, sheathing Marjorie once more. "And I should have passed that stupid test, anyway. If he favors law over chaos, a chaotic test that gives a chaotic result is strange and wrong." She shakes her head, then. "How about we visit the Ministry of Love before we leave here?"
[21:06] <Ebiris> "I don't know, Ministry of Love? It just sounds... wrong," Marjorie replies dubiously as she's hidden away from the world.
[21:07] <Amonet> "I don't feel right leaving someone to cry there, all alone," Amonet responds, beginning to walk back.
[21:08] <Ebiris> Indeed muted sobbing is still heard from within as Amonet reaches the door bearing a plaque that reads 'Ministry of Love'.
[21:08] * Amonet knocks on the door to announce her presence, and then pushes it open, looking inside.
[21:12] <Ebiris> Inside the room Amonet can see a young elven girl with absurdly long and slightly unkempt brown hair - her appearance would make her a teenager by human standards, although for elves who knows? She's hugging some sort of large stuffed beholder with googly eyes and leaning against her desk on the floor. She looks up in alarm at the intrusion and bolts to her feet. "GET OUT!" she shrieks.
[21:13] <Amonet> "Don't you want some company when you're sad?" Amonet asks, giving her a friendly smile. "And if something is wrong, maybe I could help you!"
[21:14] <Amonet> roll 1d20+13 don't throw me out thx
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+13 don't throw me out thx and gets 33." [1d20=20]
[21:16] <Ebiris> She draws breath as if about to scream, but then just deflates, leaning against her desk. "Oh, what's the use?" she asks miserably. "Do what you like."
[21:18] <Amonet> Still smiling, Amonet enters, closing the door quietly behind her. "Were you upset about all the yelling just now?" she asks, placing her hands in her lap.
[21:22] <Ebiris> "Being stuck across the hall from that guy is just the cherry on the top of my stupid worthless life," she replies sullenly, lifting herself up a bit to sit on her desk. A nameplate propped up on the front says 'Sibil Vester'. "What do you care, anyway?"
[21:24] <Amonet> "I'm Amonet!" she introduces herself, somewhat belatedly. "I think it's in my code to care. The code I live by, that is." She tilts her head thoughtfully. "Wouldn't you agree, Marjorie?"
[21:27] <Ebiris> "I remember when we first met, I thought you were a total interfering busybody!" Marjorie replies cheerfully.
[21:27] <Ebiris> "Who said that?!" the elf jolts off the desk, looking around in alarm. "Are you making fun of me?" she then aks, pouting unhappily.
[21:30] <Amonet> "Marjorie lives in my lance," Amonet tells her. "Though, you could also say that Marjorie is the lance, now. She's in a sheath right now because it might frighten people if they saw a glowing lance."
[21:32] <Ebiris> "Yeah, a talking lance, that's as stupid as..." the elf begins scathingly, before her eyes tilt upwards slightly and she tilts her head down and to the side, an ugly expression on her face. "It's just stupid."
[21:37] <Amonet> "I think you'll just have to take it on faith. Everything is possible with magic, you know?"
[21:38] <Ebiris> "I hear it messes up your voice, though," the elf replies, snorting huffily.
[21:41] <Amonet> "I have not noticed this, but I'm not very good at it yet, so maybe," Amonet allows, blinking. "Well, that was something about me. How about yourself?"
[21:42] <Ebiris> "I'm in charge of the... hmph, Ministry of Love," she replies bitterly, before adopting a saccharine tone and smile, "Have you looked around the town lately? Whole lot of love going around!"
[21:43] * Amonet nods. "From what I heard, it was different... oh, two weeks ago, give or take? What happened to cause such a radical change?"
[21:46] <Ebiris> "Everyone else is scared to talk, but I guess I haven't got anything to lose by now," she replies, sighing. "Besides, I'm probably not important enough to worry about. This crazy insane angel blew into town with all her hired goons on some stupid crusade to bring order to Xaos. Place has gone downhill ever since."
[21:47] <Amonet> "So the old mayor was killed, and an angel replaced him?" Amonet asks.
[21:50] <Ebiris> "Yeah, she's got some magic that makes everyone love her - I did, myself, until a few days ago. Guess I'm not important enough for her to bother refreshing it on me. This whole department's a joke!" she complains, kicking her plush beholder across the room. "I only got put in charge because everyone else skipped town and I was the one with most seniority left - nobody cares that being forty for an elf isn't the same as it is for a human!"
[21:51] * Amonet winces. "It sounds terrible!" she exclaims. "Oh, I would have been sad myself!"
[21:55] <Ebiris> "It is!" she nods empathically. "I hate it here - they keep giving me things to sign and stamp and I don't have a clue what any of it means, and they go on and on about how important it all is - like it's some sort of great quest we're all on together to be cogs in a rickety old machine!"
[21:57] * Amonet nods emphatically. "But why here and now? Why invest all this effort? If someone wanted to instill order, why pick Xaos? Is it truly a crusade, as you said?"
[21:59] <Ebiris> "You'd have to ask the new mayor," the immature elf snorts bitterly. "A cog just needs to turn, not to know why, right? Only the one at the top can see the big picture... unless she's just getting orders from someone else, but even so her view would be better than mine."
[22:02] <Amonet> "And a cog needs to have a lunch break," Amonet tells her suddenly. "It's Sibil, isn't it? Since I have only just arrived into town, would you like to show me where I could have a decent meal? I'll treat you as thanks."
[22:06] <Ebiris> "My lunch break isn't for another half hour... but screw it, every little rebellion undermines the glorious new order, right?" she sighs, flipping the nameplate over so it reads 'Gone Fishing'. "Sibil was my old boss, by the way. Haven't bothered getting a sign for myself - name's Giselle," she offers, grabbing a baggy and oversized coat from the stand and donning it. It makes her look twice as big.
[22:07] <Amonet> "It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Giselle," Amonet says, smiling once more.
[22:12] <Ebiris> Giselle replies with a weak smile of her own, going to open the door and heading down the hallway. "There's a nice..." she begins, before stopping as the door to the department of agriculture opens and a naked skeleton walks out.
[22:13] <Ebiris> "Giselle, what a surprise bumping into you - still feeling blue?" it asks, chattering its bony jaw.
[22:13] <Ebiris> "Oh, piss off, Stinky Pete!" the young elf cries, hurrying past.
[22:14] * Amonet likewise hurries past naked skeletons, catching up to Giselle without too much trouble and keeping protectively near her.
[22:15] <Ebiris> "Yeah, only in Xaos would an undead thing be in charge of the food," Giselle snorts in reply to the unspoken question as you head down the stairs.
[22:16] * Amonet shudders slightly, but does not comment.
[22:19] <Ebiris> "Anyway, like I was saying, there's a nice restaurant not too far from here," Giselle says as you pass a hunchbacked man conversing animatedly with the grey-haired woman in the kiosk, before leaving city hall and exiting onto the town square, which looks much as you left it. The boxy six-limbed creature now appears to be circling the gallows.
[22:20] <Amonet> "What IS that thing?" Amonet can't help but vocalize, giving the boxy creature a an equally fascinated and aghast look.
[22:20] <Ebiris> OOC: do you have knowledge planes?
[22:21] <Amonet> roll 1d20+3
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+3 and gets 14." [1d20=11]
[22:22] <Ebiris> "It's a Modron," Giselle replies disgustedly as Amonet fails to identify it. "Stupid things've started showing up around town lately, spying on everybody and snooping around."
[22:23] <Amonet> "So it's a spy and a guard all at once?" she asks to clarify. "It watches the-- those people?"
[22:25] <Ebiris> "It watches everything - look how many eyes it has!" Giselle points at the creature, aghast. Indeed it seems to have eyes and other sensory organs on each side of its boxy main body. "Almost feels like their sizing the city up for something, maybe seeing how well it'd fit into Mechanus if things keep going the way they're headed."
[22:27] * Amonet nods. "And what's that?" she asks, indicating the dome of criss-crossed iron bars.
[22:34] <Ebiris> "I think it's called the lightning circle or something like that," Giselle shrugs. "Sometimes people have fights inside it... funnily enough, a lot of the time the portal to Limbo used to appear there as well. I never really paid much attention, though."
[22:36] * Amonet makes small talk after that, watching out for official-looking guards, modrons and the like. Once she is reasonably sure they are not being watched directly, she says quietly, "May I ask you why you stayed, Giselle, instead of running away with the others?"
[22:38] <Ebiris> "Are you kidding?" she stares at Amonet for a moment, "I'd get eaten alive out there! I might hate my job and my life, but I don't want to die or anything - No thanks, I'll just keep my head down and hopefully this'll all blow over."
[22:41] <Amonet> "I could help you," Amonet declares, her tone determined. "Just say the word, and you would not have to go back to that job you hate, where you live in constant anguish and fear for your life. I will keep you safe."
[22:45] <Ebiris> "Okay... remember what I said earlier about small rebellions?" she asks slowly, holding up her hand with index finger and thumb just barely touching, "I was thinking *really* small. I get the idea you've got a different scale in mind, Amonet, and I'm not sure you realise how dangerous that kind of thing is."
[22:51] <Amonet> "Knowledge is power, some say," Amonet responds with a self-deprecating smile. "I can't say that you'll convince me if you tell me just how overwhelming the odds are, but it might help me get through everything in one piece." She sighs, then. "Even if I could accept the idea of people being submitted to cruelty daily, hoping for everything to blow over... someone has to cause the change for the better. Things don't happen on their own. N
[22:51] <Amonet> o god will come in person, to step in. Instead, they would send a proxy. And if not I, then who?"
[22:54] <Ebiris> "It would be nice if some giant boot from heaven came down to stomp on her," Giselle admits with a wistful smile. "But seriously, she's like some nasty avenging angel thing, and she's got all those goons in the spiky armour backing her up. What are you going to do against all that?"
[22:58] <Amonet> "Make her regret she ever strayed from the path enough to fall," Amonet tells her firmly. "But I am neither delusional nor conceited. I need to know exactly how many of the Mercykillers she has working for her, how quickly she can summon them to her side, whether she has a guard constantly around her and if she employs other methods, much like those six-limbed creatures. I want to know of her routine, if she keeps one, and how one might
[22:58] <Amonet> catch her off guard; barring that, how one might get close enough to force a duel without fighting through legions of bodyguards, first, and alerting her ahead of time."
[22:59] <Ebiris> "Boy, you don't ask for much, do you?" the fortysomething elf drawls in reply.
[23:00] <Amonet> "I also asked you for a good place to have lunch," Amonet reminds her. "But I did offer to make it worth your while. I think it's only fair that people's kindness be rewarded in, well, kind."
[15:12] <Ebiris> "I dunno," Giselle shrugs helplessly as you head into a small restaurant with a few tables and a bar and grill. "I do know the Ankheg Stew is nice, though," she concludes, taking a seat at the bar. Place seems a bit quiet, just a human chef manning the bar and a wrinkled old Githzerai sitting at a corner table and drinking soup.
[15:12] <Ebiris> "I mean, she doesn't waste time with me, so I don't know what she does. I guess she spends most of her time in her office drowning under paperwork like everyone else in City Hall, these days."
[15:14] <Amonet> "I dare say that makes you lucky," Amonet comments. "I would not envy the people she does 'waste time' with."
[15:15] <Ebiris> "Yeah," Giselle shrugs after ordering two Ankheg Stews. "She ran around a lot right after she got here, putting down resistance and stuff, but now things have quietened down I don't think she gets out much."
[15:17] <Amonet> "Would it be too much to hope to find her complacent?" Amonet asks, waiting on their orders.
[15:19] <Ebiris> "I dunno. You'd have to be pretty tightly wound to find imposing order on Xaos to be your idea of a good time," the elf snorts in reply as the chef doles out two plates of yellowy-greenish meat in thick brown sauce garnished by lots of mushrooms.
[15:21] * Amonet tries the dish, keeping whatever reservations she might have to herself. "I do want to know what I would be up against," she muses thoughtfully. "Since the society takes order to the extreme, would there be detailed records of troop numbers and the like in existance?"
[15:26] <Ebiris> "Bound to be," Giselle nods, digging in with gusto. Amonet finds that it's actually rather tasty - the meat is soft and rich, almost seeming to dissolve in her mouth, and the mushrooms are nice enough, too. Sauce is probably a bit too spicy, but it livens the dish up. "You have to sign a book just to use the bathroom, up there."
[15:28] <Amonet> "I heard something about archives?" Amonet suggests. "The stew really is nice."
[15:31] <Ebiris> "Ankheg's are hard to farm, but the meat's worth it!" the chef informs Amonet brightly.
[15:31] <Ebiris> "Oh, yeah, the Hall of Records. Where all the paperwork goes to die," Giselle laughs bitterly. "I hear there's an imp down there working full time just to try and catalogue and sort all the records kept by the old administration. They weren't big on the dewey decimal system," she cracks a smile.
[15:35] * Amonet returns the smile, easily. "Can you help me get in there? I must admit to a certain degree of amusement from using the devil's own vices against her."
[15:38] <Ebiris> "You'd have to ask Mrs Gunderson for the keys... although I guess if I'm in charge of an entire Ministry I should be able to get them," Giselle ponders, finishing off her stew. "I've never actually been there myself, though, so I don't really know what it'll be like."
[15:40] <Amonet> "A new experience, not something preordained...." Amonet snorts. "I think it could be fun, myself, as long as we don't lose our heads and don't act stupidly."
[15:40] <Ebiris> "Yeah, I'd really hate to see how things could get worse," the young elf replies sullenly.
[15:43] <Amonet> "I'll do my best to show you that things can be better," Amonet promises Giselle, patting her shoulder lightly. "I promise. I won't leave before I've made a difference."
[15:45] <Ebiris> "I hope you can back those words up," she sighs in reply, leaning slightly into Amonet's patting.
[15:46] <Amonet> "You won't have to wait long," Amonet adds, returning to her lunch.
[15:49] <Ebiris> Giselle pushes her plate away, having finished her own, and waits on Amonet. "Where're you from, anyway?" she asks conversationally as Amonet dines.
[15:53] <Amonet> "Tesherit," she responds, savoring the taste of the stew. "I doubt you would have heard of it."
[15:55] <Ebiris> She shakes her head in reply. "No. Is it in the Outlands?"
[15:57] <Amonet> "I think I might have a map!" Amonet declares happily, having just thought of it, and searches in her pack for one, centered on Mulhorand and its neighbors and protectorates. "There it is, to the east," she points out for Giselle.
[15:57] <Ebiris> Giselle looks dumbly at Amonet's map for a long moment. "So... where's here?" she asks, vainly searching for any familiar landmarks.
[16:00] <Amonet> "You can come and visit some day," Amonet offers kindly, giving the directions. "I'll show you all the sites, then!"
[16:04] <Ebiris> "Oh, you're from the Prime?" Giselle looks surprised. "I thought you people were meant to be really stupid, though - I'd never have guessed if you hadn't told me!" she marvels.
[16:05] <Amonet> "I'll... take that as a compliment for not looking stupid?" Amonet ventures, uncertain.
[16:06] <Ebiris> "It is," Giselle insists. "I mean, I figured you were from Arcadia or some place like that, not the Prime!"
[16:08] <Amonet> "I hope to change the reputation of us... Prime people... in that case," she says, her voice becoming more certain as she speaks.
[16:09] <Ebiris> "Good luck with that," Giselle offers supportively, getting up and leaving Amonet with the bill. "So, back to the fortress of order, then?"
[16:10] * Amonet happily pays for the meal, standing up as well. "I suppose we must."
[16:12] <Ebiris> Back through town the pair go, before reaching the town square and the town hall...
[16:15] <Ebiris> Into the hall you go, Giselle heading right up to the kiosk... only for the old woman to cough and give her a dirty look, pointing to her sign. Sighing, the elf girl goes to stand behind the white line. "I work here, I shouldn't have to do this, Mrs Gunderson!" she protests.
[16:15] <Ebiris> "The law applies equally or not at all, dearie, you should know that by now," the sweet old lady retorts.
[16:18] <Amonet> "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," Amonet murmurs to Giselle, coming to stand next to her. "A momentary inconvenience, and we can cut through many future, larger ones."
[16:20] <Ebiris> "She's just crazy," Giselle whispers almost inaudibly as a minute passes before Mrs Gunderson deigns to speak.
[16:20] <Ebiris> "Yes, dearie?" she smiles pleasantly to you both. Huffing, Giselle stalks forward, and after a brief exchange she's handed a set of keys.
[16:20] * Amonet steps up to the elf. "Do you know the directions?" she asks her.
[16:22] <Ebiris> "Yeah, follow me," she nods, heading through one of the doors beneath the stairs and leading Amonet along a corridor until they reach a door labelled, "Downstairs to Hall of Records," which she duly unlocks, revealing an unlit stairway leading down.
[16:24] <Amonet> "I should go first," Amonet suggests, retrieving Marjorie and allowing her to illuminate the way. "Just in case they have a leopard."
[16:27] <Ebiris> "I hear they only attack if you turn your back on them," Giselle replies, swallowing nervously as Amonet leads her down the spiralling staircase... (more)
[16:30] <Ebiris> The hall of records is immense, stretching farther than the light shed by Marjorie when you reach the bottom of the stairs. Rows upon rows of filing cabinets fill the hall, some reaching as high as the ceiling.
[16:30] <Ebiris> Yet rather than being orderly straight rows, it appears to have been designed more like a maze, with paths branching off and blocked at random by haphazardly placed shelves. Dozens of stacks of paper are visible, some littering the floor and others just placed on top of the cabinets.
[16:30] <Ebiris> OOC: listen check
[16:30] <Amonet> roll 1d20+5
[16:30] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
[16:31] <Ebiris> There's an odd scurrying noise visible from deeper within, the sound of something moving around...
[16:32] <Amonet> "Let's go towards the sound," Amonet suggests, doing just that. "Keep close to me, Giselle."
[16:35] <Ebiris> The elf nods fearfully as Amonet makes her way into the maze! It's hard to pinpoint the exact source of the sound, however - the filing cabinets alternately echo and deaden noise, making it hard to judge just where it is...
[16:35] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[16:35] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
[16:37] <Ebiris> The noise does quiet down a bit, but its still present to Amonet's ears, seemingly getting closer as she works her way through the nightmare of filing... many cabinets have been opened, their contents spilling onto the floor, and the occassional tiny bones are seen littering the ground as well.
[16:38] <Amonet> "Do you have the archive keeper's name, by chance?" Amonet asks.
[16:40] <Ebiris> Giselle shakes her head. "I never come down here. From what I've heard people just leave paperwork at the door and it... gets taken."
[16:40] * Amonet nods, and checks the open cabinets to see if she can establish some sort of order in the filing.
[16:41] <Ebiris> OOC: int check
[16:41] <Amonet> roll 1d20 laf
[16:41] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20 laf --> [ 1d20=9 ]{9}
[16:44] <Ebiris> It appears entirely random to Amonet. One document is a tax filing for Citizen Shmork, and its neighbour is a crime report into a robbery at Stone's Trade Goods. No connection she can see between them, or any others in that group of files.
[16:44] <Ebiris> OOC: spot check
[16:44] <Amonet> roll 1d20+5
[16:45] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{6}
[16:45] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+12
[16:45] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{16}
[16:45] <Amonet> "I can't find a method to the madness," she tells Giselle. "How about you?
[16:46] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[16:46] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{23}
[16:47] <Ebiris> Giselle opens her mouth to reply when suddenly a diminuitive blue figure leaps off the filing cabinet behind Amonet, hurling himself at the brave paladin with an incoherent cry of fury!
[16:47] <Ebiris> OOC: grapple check
[16:48] <Ebiris> roll 1d20-4
[16:48] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20-4 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{3}
[16:48] <Amonet> roll 1d20+10
[16:48] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
[16:50] <Amonet> Amonet's arm lashes out as the diminutive thing leaps at her, grasping its throat squarely. "Jumping at people is wrong!" she lectures the struggling, furious thing.
[16:51] <Ebiris> The loincloth clad goblin thrashes wildly in Amonet's grasp but has no leverage to speak of, and isn't very strong to begin with. "Graaah! Get out! This place is mine!" he squeals in fury. "Tresspassers not permitted!"
[16:52] <Amonet> "We have a key," Amonet reasons. "Therefore, we are not tresspassing."
[16:54] <Ebiris> "Key, what key?!" he babbles loudly, eyes bugging out. "Give me key! Won't let you ruin things! You wreck pretty files, I saw you touching! No touch! No touch!" so exclaiming he desperately claws at Amonet's gauntleted hand, failing to accomplish anything.
[16:55] <Amonet> "If I promise not to touch any files, will you tell me what I wish to know instead?" she asks him as he dangles in the air.
[16:55] <Ebiris> "I kinda wish it was an Imp..." Giselle mutters, covering her mouth as she watches the drama play out.
[16:56] <Amonet> "We can't have everything in life," Amonet responds, shrugging.
[16:56] <Ebiris> "You promise leave Digby's files, he tell you what you want, then you go!" the goblin insists, nodding his head as vigourously as Amonet's iron grasp permits.
[16:57] * Amonet nods firmly. "Of course, if you try to go back on your deal, I will be honor-bound to touch every single file in this place," she tells him, placing the goblin back on the ground.
[16:58] <Ebiris> A full body shiver courses through the goblin's tiny frame at that. "Then Digby have to reorganise everything! You no touch!" he insists, looking up at Amonet distrustfully. "No touching and we get along fine!"
[16:59] * Amonet nods again. "Very well. To start with, I need to find out what the two people chained at the town square are being accused of, and what is to be their punishment."
[17:00] <Ebiris> "Give Digby key, too! That way no one else come in and touch - Digby hate when people touch his files!" the goblin demands, holding out a grubby hand expectantly.
[17:00] <Amonet> "You will get the key once we leave, and no sooner," she returns firmly.
[17:01] <Ebiris> "Stupid... grrr, you wait here!" Digby replies, before bounding up onto one of the filing cabinets. "You wait here and you no touch nothing - Digby know if you do!" he insists, before scurrying away over the tops of the cabinets like an ugly blue monkey.
[17:02] <Amonet> "I believe we should be grateful for that loincloth," Amonet comments.
[17:09] <Ebiris> "Agreed," Giselle nods empathically as you wait. A minute or two later, Digby comes bounding back over the cabinets, carrying a sheaf of paper. "Peoples in stocks right now is Watchful Skull Dagis Zoreth, and Heartkeeper Lucas Hermann. They both charged with incitement to riot, preaching without license, conspiracy to commit treason, and treason." He cocks his head quizzically, "Being in stocks is punishment, right?"
[17:09] <Amonet> "It usually is," Amonet agrees. "So they are not to be executed or anything of the kind?"
[17:11] <Ebiris> His tongue sticking out the side of his mouth, Digby leafs through his files for a moment. "No. They go in stocks for three days a week for next two months, rest of time is spent in solitary confinement. After two months they go to work gangs. Sentence is ten years."
[17:12] <Amonet> "Do you know those people, or recognize their names?" Amonet asks of Giselle.
[17:13] <Ebiris> "Yeah, they're in charge of the churches of Cyric and Sune. Or were," Giselle shrugs.
[17:14] * Amonet nods. "What would be enough to vacate the city square, or at the very least, call the guards away from it for a few minutes?"
[17:15] <Ebiris> "Some sort of big emergency somewhere else in town? I dunno," Giselle shrugs again. "They might put more guards there to protect the city hall if it was something big, though."
[17:15] <Ebiris> "You done yet?" Digby asks impatiently, tapping his bare foot. "Digby tell you what you want, now give key and stop bothering Digby!"
[17:17] <Amonet> "There is more I need to know, first," Amonet tells Digby, and asks for the reports on troop strengths and composition, as well as where they are being stationed, their approved patrol routes and any guards the mayor might have, along with detailed maps to the building and for the sanitation system around city hall.
[17:18] <Ebiris> Digby's eyes pop out in mute fury, before he bounds off through the filing system, grumbling in some unintelligible language as he goes.

[Ebiris]

Amonet learns the following from Digby:

Xaos' troop strength consists of 130 Mercykillers who were brought in by Shayeera, and 80 local recruits. There are others filling support positions, but that represents total fighting strength.

Two man patrols cover the city, each one allocated to a particular zone of two or three streets. Three man guard stations are set at various busy intersections, and at the gates into the city.

Shayeera has no official guards herself, although her office is just down the hall from the commander of the Mercykillers.

Nasfreiyin is apparently a wanted criminal, who's rap sheet lists sedition, prostitution, and smuggling.

Amonet also gets to look at floorplans to the City Hall, and a map of the sewers surrounding it. Digby does not let her take said maps. Shayeera's office is on the third floor, however, facing the main square. There are no access points from the sewer into the building that are big enough for a person to fit through.

[Ebiris]

[13:03] <Ebiris> With some directions provided by Puk'lor, it's easy enough for Alveria to find the alchemist's shop - as if it didn't stick out enough on its own, painted in red and yellow stripes like a big circus tent and given lots of space from the surrounding buildings. Purple smoke blooms out of the chimmney and the shop bears a sign of an exploding potion bottle that reads "Alchemic Excess" below the picture. The door is presently open!
[13:04] * Alveria winces, but heads inside, putting all of her faith into her sterling personality!
[13:07] <Ebiris> Inside Alveria finds herself in a circular room with shelves on all the walls brimming with potions. A chubby little gnome in a pointed hat much like Alveria's is manning a counter to the rear, intently spinning around a small centrifuge full of some cloudy purple liquid. He does look up upon her entrance, however. "Ah, a customer, perchance?" he exclaims delightedly. "How might I, Oswald Firestarter, be of service?"
[13:09] <Alveria> "I've always been deadly curious about starting fires," gushes Alveria. "I take it the name is not just a coincidence?"
[13:10] <Ebiris> "A parting gift from my parents after they told me I couldn't use the family name, anymore," he replies, chortling. "Unfortunately I'm not allowed to sell Alchemist's Fire right now - new laws, you see - but for any other potion-ery needs, I am here to serve!"
[13:12] <Alveria> "That's such a terrible pity," replies Alveria, frowning. "I've just blown in from outside, you see, and I was hoping to restock. But things in this city are really so uptight."
[13:14] <Ebiris> "Ahh, well, we get by. Xaos has always been Xaos, after all," Oswald nods sagely. "These new laws are just another fad that'll blow over in a few weeks once people get bored of them, I bet."
[13:16] <Alveria> "Oh? What makes you so sure?" asks Alveria, quirking an eyebrow.
[13:19] <Ebiris> "Well, Chaos is change, is it not?" he asks, leaning on his counter and giving the centrifuge a little twirl. "And if we're all chaotic all the time, then becoming lawful for a little while is really just an aspect of chaos, if you think about it, right? After all, who would expect Xaos to become a bastion of order - it's the ultimate chaotic joke!" he exclaims, throwing his hands wide.
[13:19] <Ebiris> "But we can't stay all lawful-like forever, since that defeats the point. Things'll cycle back to the way they were before, you mark my words."
[13:20] <Alveria> "Hmm. It seems the cycle isn't working in my favour," replies Alveria, theatrically. "We were hoping to catch the portal to Limbo, and all. But it seems this spate of Law has closed it down for me. And I don't really think I have time to wait..."
[13:23] <Ebiris> "That's a pity," Oswald replies sympathetically. "Say, I've got a potion that'll perk you right up, though!" he hops down from behind his counter and walks around to a shelf on the wall, picking up a potion filled with swirling purple and yellow liquid. "Protection from Law!" he announces proudly. "Just the thing for when the Mercykillers are getting you down."
[13:24] <Alveria> "I'm surprised that's legal."
[13:25] <Ebiris> "They've not banned it, yet," Oswald replies, briefly tossing the vial in his grasp. "And it's practically a steal at only fifty gold!"
[13:26] <Alveria> "I do have one question, I must confess," continues Alveria, cocking an eyebrow. "What do you think will happen to the angel?"
[13:28] <Ebiris> "Angel?" he raises a bushy eyebrow in reply, before comprehension dawns. "Oh! Haha!" he slaps his thigh in amusement, "I see they've fooled you, too! That's no angel we've got in charge, my dear! Or at least, she's not been an angel for a few millenia. No, she's just an uncharacteristically good looking Devil. Puts on a good show, though."
[13:31] <Alveria> "Hmm. Sounds like more of a reason to accelerate the process of change. I'm a little dissapointed, I'd heard you were a real... progressivist." Alveria hands over a few platinum pieces, accepting the potion. "But I suppose I could go and talk to.. what was it? The blacksmith?"
[13:34] <Ebiris> "Oh, things might change sooner than you think," he replies, handing over the potion in exchange for Alveria's coin. "That's the thing with this town - no one can ever tell what'll happen, next. Still, if I might be so bold as to hazard a prediction of my own..." his expression briefly turns more serious, "I wouldn't want to be carrying out any business at the city hall in the next few days."
[13:36] <Alveria> "Ah, but we were so desperate to get an audience with the devil," replies Alveria. "We just wanted her to loosen up a little. Do you think there'll be an opening in her schedule?"
[13:40] <Ebiris> "That's the thing with devils, isn't it? Everything has to be on schedule like clockwork - why, if you know a devil's schedule, it's almost as good as reading it's mind." Oswals replies, eyeing the elf thoughtfully.
[13:40] <Ebiris> "But keeping company with her kind isn't really the safest thing in the planes, is it? If I were you I'd just give her a wide berth - she's no doubt busy putting out bureacratic fires and keeping the roof from figuratively falling down on her head, and won't have time for much else."
[13:49] <Alveria> "Not to speak too bluntly," replies Alveria, smiling. "But devils are rather resistant to fire, don't you think? And then there are her loyal servants." Steepling her fingers, she bends down until she's level with the gnome- "It'd take divine help to stop them regaining control, I believe- at just the right moment."
[13:51] <Ebiris> Oswald meets Alveria's gaze for a long and silent moment, before he walks over and closes the door of his shop, turning the lock. "Divine help didn't do much for the servants of Cyric and Sune," he replies bluntly. "As for the fire... it's not for the devil herself."
[13:52] <Alveria> "It's too her organization?" queries Alveria, frowning.
[13:53] <Ebiris> "You're an awfully curious woman, Miss...?" the gnome trails off leadingly, looking at Alveria.
[13:54] <Alveria> "I'm the queen of evermeet," replies Alveria, handing over her visa.
[13:57] <Ebiris> He doesn't even look at it. "And what interest does a queen have in this humble town?" he asks sarcastically.
[13:59] <Alveria> "Like I said. I want to use the portal to limbo," replies Alveria. "It so happens that we ran into the succubus on our trip here. Nasfreiyin, I think it was?
[13:59] <Alveria> (more, bah)
[14:00] <Alveria> "She told us of what was going on here. I don't condone either fiend, but it so happens the morality and desire seem to combine in this place."
[14:05] <Ebiris> He snorts. "How like her to send someone else rather than get her hands dirty... Alright, then, I'll let you in on a little secret, your Majesty. I'm going to bring that whole rotten building in the middle of town right down on top of Shayeera's head, right when she's in the middle of her daily meeting with all the other high muckety mucks."
[14:05] <Ebiris> "Then things'll go right back to normal, except with a big crater in the middle of town instead of city hall. Probably an improvement, I'd say."
[14:09] <Alveria> "I see. That's not a bad idea," replies Alveria, chewing her lip. "Unless she survives, or teleports away in time. And then there are the mercykillers to deal with."
[14:12] <Ebiris> "Unfortunately I've no way to stop her teleporting, so I've got to hope a few hundred tons of rubble falling on her head will do the trick in one go," Oswald shakes his head.
[14:13] <Ebiris> "As for the Mercykillers..." a demented grin lights up his face as he rubs his hands gleefully, "Without their leader, they'll go mad with rage and grief, taking their fury out on the city without direction - There'll be anarchy in the streets. Madness. Chaos! They'll become exactly what they hate."
[14:17] <Alveria> "Well. I can see two flaws with your plan. Luckily, I can fix them," replies Alveria, chuckling. "Firstly; if she teleports away. I believe I could sneak in and hit her with a dimensional anchor, pre-empting such a move. Then the rubble should do the trick.. and if it doesn't, we'll just finish her off later." (More.)
[14:18] <Alveria> "And the mercykillers? If they ransack the city, there won't be a Xaos left. But if we could break the clerics out.. well, the clerics of Sune.. then they'd be able to fight them back and stem the tide. They're *used* to fighting in a disorganized way. Get me?"
[14:20] <Ebiris> "I don't really care about the religious nutjobs either way," Oswald shrugs nonchalanatly. "I do like your plan to get in there and hit her with a dimensional anchor right before it all goes down - Xaos will always remember your brave sacrifice, oh Queen of Evermeet!"
[14:22] <Alveria> "Oh. I'll be fine," remarks Alveria. "I'm no martyr. But I'll need to confer with my friends to get the job done right," replies Alveria. "I'll contact you again, Mr. Firestarter."
[14:23] <Ebiris> "Don't take too long," he replies, unlocking the door.

[Ebiris]

[15:09] <Ebiris> After an afternoon of drinking for the men of the party, Amonet, Alveria, and Keylin all return from their respective errands, and the group meets to plan out their next move within the privacy of their free room at the Sickened Slaad...
[15:12] <Alveria> "Well, like I was saying earlier," states Alveria. "The gnome alchemist and the blacksmith basically plan to blow up the city hall and crush Shayeera inside. This.. well, it has merit. But it's also got it's flaws."
[15:12] <Ebiris> "Yeah, won't that kill everyone else in there?" Marjorie asks, sounding appalled.
[15:13] <Alveria> "Yep. So I'm stuck."
[15:17] <Eagan> "Let me consult with Torm on this, first.."
[15:17] <Alveria> "Alright."
[15:17] * Eagan kneels down and takes out his Holy Symbol while muttering prayers and focusing on his question..
[15:18] * Amonet pats Marjorie. "We won't go with any plan that blows up city hall like that, don't worry."
[15:19] <Eagan> "Lord Torm, what course of action would best suited to defeat the one known as Shayeera, without killing those who are innocent?"
[15:19] <Eagan> roll 1d100
[15:19] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls 1d100 and gets 48." [1d100=48]
[15:22] -> *Eagan* You hear it! In your heart the voice of your lord rings out! "Suffer not the fiend to live. Challenge her in her own house, and though you face great risk, the danger will not be shared with the innocent."
[15:23] * Eagan lets out a breath and nods to himself before standing again.
[15:23] <Eagan> "Torm's will be that we face her in her own house. It's the only way to minimize the risk to innocents."
[15:25] <Keylin> "You should have asked him the course of action to minimize risk to us too, I think," Keylin comments.
[15:29] <Ebiris> "So... what're we going to do, then?" Marjorie pipes up.
[15:32] <Alveria> "I'm *thinking*," replies Alveria, sullenly. "Hmm. We can probably get a quick audience with her if we report some kind of terrorist attack directly to her. We could probably tell them about the gnome.. I don't really think someone willing to get half the city killed should be let alone." (More.)
[15:32] <Alveria> "Anyway. Hopefully that'll draw her and her aides somewhere we can fight 'em, and then me and Eagan can lay into her with dimensional anchors, and we'll have ourselves a good old brawl. Meanwhile, I bet Keylin could be sneaking in and freeing the prisoners- I could arrange some weapons with the blacksmith, maybe buy one of the explosive orbs off of the gnome."
[15:33] <Alveria> "So basically we want to attack the city hall, not have it blow up mid-fight while we're still in there, and break people out of prison, all at once."
[15:35] <Ebiris> "So who will attack the Erinyes and who will release the prisoners?" Puk'lor asks dourly.
[15:36] <Alveria> "You and Keylin could release the prisoners," considers Alveria. "Myself, Amonet, Gourash and Eagan could confront the Erinyes."
[15:42] * Gourash leaned forward, considering the plan.  "I agree with some...  but if we let them know of such, wouldn't it have them on their guard?  We could end up walking not to her, but to a squad of her guards."
[15:42] <Amonet> "There is one other thing," Amonet says. "As she has control over some of the people around her, perhaps spells taking this control away, even temporarily, be prudent to have?"
[15:43] <Alveria> "Mmm. Both good points. As to the second, I'll bring along some dispels. But to be honest, I'm not so sure how we can get close to her."
[15:43] <Amonet> "Protection from Evil should suffice, I think."
[15:43] <Ebiris> "I might be able to handle that, at least for people that stay close to me," Marjorie chimes in, sounding pleased with herself.
[15:43] <Alveria> "Doesn't work on charms."
[15:44] <Amonet> "Doesn't she have a version of Dominate?" Amonet asks, confused.
[15:44] <Alveria> "Wait, yes it does," mumbles Alveria.
[15:45] <Alveria> "Er. Doesn't matter either way! Good idea."
[15:45] <Alveria> "Eagan, can you prepare one of the magic circles? Hm... against Law seems most appropriate."
[15:46] <Alveria> "
[15:47] <Eagan> "No, my powers are those of Good. I can not guard against my own power."
[15:47] <Alveria> "Er... well, against Evil, then," mumbles Alveria. "Yeah. If you walk in with that on, anyone in the radius will be temproarily free of her charms."
[15:49] <Gourash> "That is a good plan," Gourash nodded. "But what about the first?"  He grunted. "No good finding she not in the building."
[15:49] <Eagan> "I can, however it will take a day of prayer to do so.
[15:49] <Eagan> "
[15:49] <Alveria> "That's fine. And I found out she has a daily meeting inside the building. THat'll be the time to go."
[15:50] * Gourash grins toothily. "Is the building large?  If it small, we could get to her before anyone questions."
[15:51] <Alveria> "Point! It's in a room.. I wish I had a map, I got some rough directions," explains Alveria, laying them out.
[15:52] <Amonet> "I saw just such a map," Amonet reveals, showing her crude copy in a diagram.
[15:53] <Alveria> "Brilliant! The only real problem I can think of is if the gnome blows up the building while we're still there. He seemed pretty crazy. I mean, like, how you can you like blowing stuff up that much? It's not natural."
[15:53] * Amonet nods somberly. "Did he tell you whether he had the explosives in place?"
[15:54] <Gourash> "Siege people always crazy," Gourash commented.  "Enjoy own work too much."
[15:54] <Alveria> "Nope."
[16:06] <Ebiris> ------
[16:07] <Ebiris> After synchronising with Keylin and Puk'lor who go away to organise their jailbreak, the rest of the party prepare for their assault on City Hall. "If anyone wants to stay close to Amonet, I've figured out the whole 'protection from evil' thing this lance used to be able to do," Marjorie offers as the group make their final preperations...
[16:08] * Amonet tends to keep close to Alveria to protect her as it is.
[16:09] <Alveria> "Brilliant," replies Alveria. With just minutes to go before rushing in.. "Ok. Right before we head in, I'm going to cast haste on all of us, and fly on Gourash and Amonet. They'll be extended, so they'll last a while," explains Alveria.
[16:09] <Ebiris> OOC: will save, Alvie
[16:09] <Eagan> "I shall need a moment as well to place spells on us."
[16:10] <Alveria> "Well! Let's.. get.. BUFF."
[16:11] * Alveria casts mage armour, shield, and stoneskin upon herself. Then, just before they're about to enter the hall, she casts extended haste, and the extended Fly(s), as promised.
[16:12] <Ebiris> OOC: make your will save, please
[16:12] <Alveria> OOC: Oh fine
[16:12] <Alveria> roll 1d20+6
[16:12] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+6 and gets 24." [1d20=18]
[16:12] <Alveria> OOC: I'm getting lucky with these...
[16:12] <Ebiris> OOC: ping'd to no effect
[16:13] * Eagan casts Magic Circle Against: Evil upon Gourash and himself, while placing Protection From Evil on Alveria, Amonet, and Keylin.
[16:14] <Ebiris> As Alveria and Eagan starts casting a variety of buffing spells on her comrades at the entrance of the city's seat of government, they attract the attention of several Mercykillers. "Aw'right, aw'right, what's goin' on 'ere, then?" one of them demands abrasively as they approach.
[16:14] <Alveria> "We've got a licence," replies Alveria, soldily, taking it out to display it.
[16:15] * Eagan also casts Status and Deathwatch..
[16:15] <Ebiris> The lead one reaches over to take the license. "An' which one a' you two is Amonet of the 'ouse of the Vigilan' 'awk, then?" he asks, looking between Eagan and Alveria suspiciously.
[16:16] <Alveria> "We're her apprentices," replies Alveria, rapidly. "The forms specifically allowed us to practice under her supervision!"
[16:17] <Amonet> "I think if you ask the magister who approved my forms and give him my name, he would not object to this," Amonet says with absolute certainty.
[16:17] * Eagan also settles the power of Bull's Strength and Divine Power upon himself..
[16:18] <Ebiris> "One license, one person!" the Mercykiller barks in reply. "I'm afraid I'm gonna 'ave to ask you two t... Oi!" he rounds on Eagan as he casts  Bull's Strength, "Stop that! No castin' spells right while I'm tellin' you it's illegal, sunshine!"
[16:19] <Alveria> "Psst. Marjorie, do something," grunts Alveria, under her breath.
[16:19] <Amonet> "A rush of freed Sune clerics," Amonet murmurs quietly. "Armed and raving."
[16:20] <Eagan> "I'm sorry, what? I wasn't paying attention, sadly, good sir. Surely you're not speaking against the power of Lord Torm?"
[16:21] <Ebiris> "I don't know what... oh, nevermind, I'll go with what works!" Marjorie squeaks in reply as suddenly a gigantic red dragon appears overhead, blotting out the sun as it swoops down, mouth filled with flames! The heat is almost overwhelming, and it hasn't even unleashed it's fury yet!
[16:21] <Ebiris> roll 1d20
[16:21] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20 and gets 10." [1d20=10]
[16:21] <Alveria> "Waaaaaaagh!
[16:21] <Ebiris> "Oh, BLIMEY!" the Mercykillers yell as one, freaking out and running off randomly away from the dragon, conveniently buying a few moments for the party...
[16:22] <Amonet> "This way!" Amonet calls out, leading the others to the room in question!
[16:22] * Gourash eyes widen at it and then grunts at the opening, waving the party on "hurry..."
[16:22] * Gourash moves swiftly with amonet, staying towards the front.
[16:22] * Eagan slings his Morningstar up, resting the head of it over his shoulder with a grin.
[16:22] <Eagan> "Shall we?"
[16:22] <Alveria> "Ok! Gourash, when we get there, you kick it open, and I'll blast her!" hushes Alveria, starting on her way!
[16:22] <Alveria> "The inner door, not the outer door."
[16:23] <Ebiris> And so the party rushes into the city hall, finding the same grey-haired woman at the kiosk that Amonet saw yesterday. "What's all the fuss about?" she asks, craning her neck to look behind the party at the red dragon now parking itself outside the door.
[16:24] * Gourash grunts  in acknowledgement to Alveria's phrase, not breaking stride.
[16:24] <Alveria> "There's a dragon on the loose!" announces Alveria, running all panicked-like into the building!
[16:24] * Gourash heads inside as well, trying to stay one step ahead of the mage.
[16:25] <Ebiris> "Well I'm afraid you'll still have to wait behind the line... hey!" she protests vainly as the group rushes through the door on the right hand side, finding a long corridor ahead with a closed door halfway down on the left that leads to their goal...
[16:25] * Alveria casts TRUE STRIKE.
[16:27] * Gourash heads towards that door, applying brute kicking power to the door. (I will be sad if I need to axe the door open)
[16:27] <Ebiris> OOC: str check
[16:27] <Gourash> OOC: Raging
[16:28] <Gourash> roll 1d20+10
[16:28] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[16:30] <Ebiris> The door flies open, cracking half off its hinges as two hundred plus pounds of green skinned fury bursts into the room! Before him, Gourash can see several people... some not people, sitting around as woman with pale blue skin and ruddy blood-red feathered wings lectures them.
[16:30] <Ebiris> There's also a hugely muscled man with every inch of his skin covered in tattoos, an animated skeleton, an elf dressed all in black, and a dwarven woman with a rather luxurious beard.
[16:30] <Ebiris> OOC: init
[16:31] <Alveria> roll 1d20+10
[16:31] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+10 and gets 28." [1d20=18]
[16:31] <Eagan> roll d20+4
[16:31] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls d20+4 and gets 20." [d20=16]
[16:31] <Amonet> roll 1d20
[16:31] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20 and gets 4." [1d20=4]
[16:31] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5 Shayeera
[16:31] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 Shayeera and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[16:31] <Ebiris> OOC: there's also a dude in spiky armour
[16:31] <Ebiris> roll 1d20 Mercykiller
[16:31] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20 Mercykiller and gets 11." [1d20=11]
[16:32] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5 Magister
[16:32] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 Magister and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[16:32] <Ebiris> roll 1d20 Dwarf
[16:32] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20 Dwarf and gets 20." [1d20=20]
[16:32] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+4 Elf
[16:32] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 Elf and gets 7." [1d20=3]
[16:33] <Amonet> "Your reign has come to its end, evildoer!" Amonet proclaims, Marjorie aimed righteously at the pale-skinned devil!
[16:33] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+7 Skeleton
[16:33] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+7 Skeleton and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[16:33] <Alveria> "That's right, lawgiver! The Queen of Evermeet is here to bring justice!"
[16:33] <Gourash> roll 1d20+1
[16:33] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+1 and gets 3." [1d20=2]
[16:34] <Gourash> OOC: I kick in the door and go last.  I am that awesome
[16:34] <Alveria> OOC: Yo uwere letting us file in!
[16:34] <Alveria> OOC: >.>
[16:34] <Gourash> OOC: =D
[16:34] * Gourash simply roared, foregoing witty banter.
[16:35] <Eagan> "Lord Torm calls you to task for thy actions. His judgement has come forth."
[16:35] <Alveria> Alveria shouts 'ZENARAYA!', followed by a string of unintelligible words! A lance of aqua energy flies towards the angel, aimed straight at her heart!
[16:36] <Alveria> roll 1d20+25
[16:36] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+25 and gets 26." [1d20=1]
[16:37] <Ebiris> At Alveria's command the beam of eldritch power soars through the air... and spatters harmlessly against the blackboard behind the Erinyes.
[16:37] <Ebiris> "Ahh, I'm a lover, not a fighter! Don't hurt me!" the skeleton cries, running to the back of the room and cowering.
[16:38] <Ebiris> OOC: Eagan and Dwarf both go, Eagan can go 'first'
[16:38] <Amonet> "Join him or be judged for your crimes!" Amonet declares to the magister, glaring at him as Marjorie glows malevolently at her side.
[16:38] * Eagan points his Morningstar at Shayeera and calls forth the power of Torm to bind her to this place. (Dimisional Anchor)
[16:41] <Eagan> roll d20+8
[16:41] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls d20+8 and gets 13." [d20=5]
[16:43] <Ebiris> Another beam of dimensional anchoring shoots forth, but fails to strike the Erinyes, who merely cocks her head to the side and allows it to whizz past!
[16:44] <Ebiris> Meanwhile the bearded dwarf woman backs away from the approaching melee, joining the skeleton towards the rear of the room. "You people can probably handle 'dis without me, yah?" she asks nervously.
[16:45] <Ebiris> The man in spiky full plate doesn't seem so easily cowed however, getting up from his seat and drawing a large greataxe as he moves to engage Gourash!
[16:45] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[16:45] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[16:45] <Ebiris> OOC: AC, Gourash?
[16:46] <Gourash> OOC: 22
[16:46] <Ebiris> roll 1d12+12+1d6
[16:46] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d12+12+1d6 and gets 28." [1d12=11][1d6=5]
[16:47] <Ebiris> The axe crackles with electricity as it sings through the air and cuts deeply through Gourash's armour, rending and charring his flesh painfully!
[16:52] <Ebiris> "Rebels, how pathetic," Shayeera sneers as black energy begins to coruscate around her before a cloying miasma erupts all around the party in the hallway, just falling short of the man attacking Gourash!
[16:52] <Ebiris> OOC: will saves all, +2 from prot against evil
[16:53] <Alveria> roll 1d20+8
[16:53] * Hatbot --> "Alveria rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17." [1d20=9]
[16:53] <Eagan> roll d20+10
[16:53] * Hatbot --> "Eagan rolls d20+10 and gets 18." [d20=8]
[16:53] <Gourash> roll 1d20+3+2+2
[16:53] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+3+2+2 and gets 14." [1d20=7]
[16:54] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+17
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+17 and gets 26." [1d20=9]
[16:54] <Ebiris> roll 5d8
[16:54] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 5d8 and gets 20." [5d8=4, 4, 4, 3, 5]
[16:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d4
[16:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d4 and gets 3." [1d4=3]
[16:57] <Ebiris> The miasma covers the party, sickening and weakening them all! Most are able to shake off the worst of it, but Alveria finds herself sickened by the vile evil around her!
[16:58] <Alveria> "This isn't how the plan was supposed to go," grunts Alveria, sounding a good deal more timid, all of a sudden.
[16:59] <Ebiris> The tattooed man and the elf both rise, the elf drawing a pair of daggers but not moving, while the tattooed man backs off a little, watching the party with intent staring eyes.
[16:59] <Ebiris> OOC: Go Amonet
[17:00] * Amonet eyes Gourash and the devil behind him, waiting on the half-orc.
[17:02] <Ebiris> OOC: Go Gourash
[17:03] * Gourash roared in wrath and pain at the axe tearing through his armor and skin, his battle scared axe rising quickly and driving against the armored man with incredible speed to explain in simple terms why he chose the wrong place to stand.
[17:03] <Gourash> roll 1d20+20-5 (PA)
[17:03] <Gourash> roll 1d20+20-5 (PA) attack 2
[17:03] <Gourash> roll 1d20+15-5 (PA) attack 3
[17:03] <Gourash> OOC: Did my posts not go through?
[17:03] <Alveria> OOC: You're here
[17:03] <Alveria> OOC: The bot isn't?
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+20-5 (PA) and gets 21." [1d20=6]
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+20-5 (PA) attack 2 and gets 27." [1d20=12]
[17:04] * Hatbot --> "Gourash rolls 1d20+15-5 (PA) attack 3 and gets 24." [1d20=14]
[17:04] <Gourash> OOC: Ah, there we go hatbot.
[17:04] <Gourash> OOC: Much lagged.
[17:04] <Gourash> OOC: No crits.  Sadness.  How many hits?
[17:04] <Ebiris> OOC: 3 hits
[17:05] <Gourash> roll 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 1
[17:05] <Reiko-chan> Gourash rolled : 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 1 --> [ 1d12=10 ]{36}
[17:05] <Gourash> roll 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 2
[17:05] <Reiko-chan> Gourash rolled : 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 2 --> [ 1d12=9 ]{35}
[17:05] <Gourash> roll 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 3
[17:05] <Reiko-chan> Gourash rolled : 1d12+13+3+10 Attack 3 --> [ 1d12=8 ]{34}
[17:07] <Ebiris> If Gourash were of a more analytical bent, he'd probably see the life leave the man's eyes after the first attack. Still, he's nothing if not thorough, and a series of vicious attacks at lightning speed results in a mess of ruined flesh and armour lying in a mangled heap at his feet, the Mercykiller almost certainly dead.
[17:07] <Ebiris> OOC: Go Amonet if you want
[17:07] <Amonet> Consumed with a violent fury at Shayeera's evil deeds, Amonet charges the devil with a cry of, "Down with oppression!"
[17:08] <Amonet> roll 1d20+19
[17:08] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{23}
[17:08] <Amonet> OOC: +2 from charge, actually
[17:09] <Ebiris> OOC: hit
[17:10] <Amonet> roll 1d8+18+2d6
[17:10] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d8+18+2d6 --> [ 1d8=1 2d6=6 ]{25}
[17:11] <Amonet> OOC: Yeah, +5 Smite
[17:11] <Amonet> roll 1d8+18+2d6+5
[17:11] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d8+18+2d6+5 --> [ 1d8=6 2d6=8 ]{37}
[17:12] <Amonet> OOC: 59 Good-aligned damage~
[17:13] <Ebiris> Amonet practically runs the Erinyes through, Marjorie ripping through her abdomen like a hot knife through butter and causing her pristine flesh to bubble and char as it's seared with holy power, the lance coming out the angelic devil's back as she howls in agony!
[17:14] <Alveria> Clenching her teeth, Alveria withdraws a scroll, and presses it against the ground. "Celestia, hear my words!" she chants!
[17:14] <Ebiris> OOC: not yet, Alvie. Other people were holding.
[17:14] <Alveria> OOC: SM IV, summoning.. bison. Charging bison. Is there enough room in the meeting room? >.>
[17:14] <Alveria> OOC: Well, they can hurry up!
[17:14] <Alveria> OOC: But alright.
[17:15] <Ebiris> As Amonet charges the Erinyes, the elf steps in behind her, his daggers ripping into her flank!
[17:16] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[17:16] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{23}
[17:16] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8 forgot flanking
[17:16] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+8 forgot flanking --> [ 1d20=12 ]{20}
[17:16] <Ebiris> OOC: AC vs evil?
[17:16] <Amonet> OOC: 24 normal, 22 after charging
[17:18] <Ebiris> roll 1d4+1
[17:18] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d4+1 --> [ 1d4=4 ]{5}
[17:19] <Ebiris> One of them manages to find a chink in her armour, cutting up her flesh! But it's not a serious wound for the brave paladin...
[17:19] <Ebiris> OOC: Go Alvie
[17:19] <Alveria> Clenching her teeth, Alveria takes a step back, withdraws a scroll, and presses it against the ground. "Celestia, hear my words!" she chants! OOC: I wanna get cover from the doorframe, basically
[17:20] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+19
[17:20] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{26}
[17:20] <Alveria> OOC: If he's targeting me with something
[17:20] <Alveria> OOC: I'm so bouncing it
[17:21] <Ebiris> OOC: the spell works, so go ahead
[17:21] <Alveria> roll 1d3 plz for 3
[17:21] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d3 plz for 3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}
[17:21] <Alveria> OOC: This always fucking happens to me!
[17:21] <Ebiris> OOC: go ahead and have your bison act
[17:22] <Alveria> A lone celestial bison appears and charges into the erinyes in an attempt to gore her to death! OOC: I assume it can't flank with Amonet?
[17:22] <Ebiris> OOC: she's against the wall, so no room
[17:22] <Alveria> roll 1d20+11 ok
[17:22] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d20+11 ok --> [ 1d20=6 ]{17}
[17:22] <Ebiris> With a loud Moo against the injustice of it all, the bison attempts to gore the Erinyes, but finds her skin to be too resilient to pierce!
[17:23] <Ebiris> OOC: Go Eagan
[17:23] * Eagan once more calls upon Torm to bless him with aid. (Summon Monster IV: Bison)
[17:23] <Eagan> roll d3
[17:23] <Reiko-chan> Eagan rolled : d3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}
[17:27] <Eagan> Roll d20+13
[17:27] <Reiko-chan> Eagan rolled : d20+13 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{22}
[17:28] <Ebiris> Much like its companion, this bison still finds the Erinyes too tough a nut to crack, her fiendish skin easily warding off its celestially empowered blows!
[17:28] <Ebiris> Looking rather worried as she's assailed on all sides, the Erinyes doesn't even bother to raise her weapon, instead hunching back defensively as...
[17:28] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+17
[17:28] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+17 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{23}
[17:29] <Ebiris> She vanishes!
[17:29] <Alveria> "Cheating WHORE!"
[17:30] <Ebiris> "I surrender!" the Magister announces abruptly, moving to join the skeleton and dwarf, while the elf suddenly looks very very nervous as he carefully pulls his dagger back from Amonet.
[17:30] * Amonet whirls around and brings her lance against the trecherous elf!
[17:31] <Ebiris> OOC: yeah, Amonet and Gourash go, you can kill the elf if you want
[17:31] <Alveria> "Drop your components where I can see 'em!"
[17:31] <Amonet> roll 1d20+12
[17:31] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{26}
[17:31] <Amonet> roll 1d8+8+2d6
[17:31] <Reiko-chan> Amonet rolled : 1d8+8+2d6 --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=9 ]{20}
[17:32] <Ebiris> "FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS!" the Magister booms as he dramatically thrusts his hand into his pants, and then takes out a small brown pouch which he tosses away. The elf on the other hand drops his dagger an instant before Amonet's lance strikes, squealing in pain as he's run through and collapsing bonelessly to the floor!
[17:33] * Amonet shivers at the booming voice, giving the magister an almost evil glare.
[17:33] <Alveria> "You know where she might've gone, huh?" demands Alveria, looming over the Magister.
[17:34] * Gourash raises his axe to the ready, looking over the rest  of the room in a 'make a move, I only killed one man so far today' fashion.
[17:34] <Ebiris> "Far away from here, I bet," the Magister replies, his voice lowering to normal volume as thunderous footsteps are heard approaching from the direction you all came in yourselves.
[17:34] <Ebiris> roll 1d20
[17:34] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{16}
[17:35] * Amonet kneels briefly, foregoing create water to stabilize the elf.
[17:36] <Alveria> "Ugh, more of them!" snaps Alveria, turning around and snapping her fingers! A blazing wall of fire appears across it, preventing access of any kind without risking terrible burning death!
[17:36] <Ebiris> A band of Mercykiller's are seen rushing forward, but skid to a halt as the flames block the corridor, hesitating...
[17:36] <Ebiris> roll 1d20
[17:36] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{15}
[17:37] <Amonet> "He might have tried to surrender at the last moment, I could not in good conscience kill him, then," Amonet says, frowning, even as she flares up with the divine power of Horus-Re once more.
[17:37] <Ebiris> "It's just an illusion, like the dragon - forward, men!" one roars, charging forward!
[17:37] <Ebiris> OOC: save on the flames?
[17:37] <Ebiris> The elf's bleeding does alleviate, but he remains unconscious.
[17:37] <Alveria> OOC: AHAHAHAHAHA
[17:37] <Alveria> roll 1d6+6
[17:37] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d6+6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{9}
[17:37] <Alveria> roll 2d6+9 NO SAVE
[17:37] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 2d6+9 NO SAVE --> [ 2d6=6 ]{15}
[17:38] * Gourash turns towards the fire, a wide grin on his face.
[17:38] <Alveria> "Can you spare me some healing, Amonet?" grunts Alveria, slacking a little.
[17:39] <Ebiris> He shrieks in agony as he steps through the flames, dropping his weapon and thrashing wildly as he attempts to push through, before collapsing just at the very edge, his flesh peeling away and burning to a charred crisp...
[17:39] <Ebiris> The others do not appear eager to follow.
[17:39] <Amonet> "Were you hurt?!" Amonet exclaims, rushing over to Alveria and checking her for injuries.
[17:39] * Alveria isn't visible injured, but she looks very sick!
[17:39] <Alveria> "Yeah, on the inside."
[17:39] * Amonet embraces the elf, letting the full extent of her healing powers flow into her!
[17:40] <Alveria> "So yeah, it'GAWK"
[17:41] <Amonet> "Are you well now, on the inside?" Amonet asks her, letting go once she feels the divine healing power diminishing.
[17:41] <Alveria> "Yes. Somewhat," mutters Alveria. "You lot! Drop all your gear, now. And tell me other ways out of here. Aside from the front."
[17:41] * Gourash follows that with a loud growl to back Alveria's words.
[17:42] * Amonet moves over to Gourash and taps his shoulder experimentally.
[17:43] <Ebiris> OOC: intimidate check
[17:43] <Gourash> roll 1d20-1 what intimidate?
[17:43] <Reiko-chan> Gourash rolled : 1d20-1 what intimidate? --> [ 1d20=1 ]{0}
[17:43] <Alveria> roll 1d20+1 circumstance modifier hashaaaaa
[17:43] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d20+1 circumstance modifier hashaaaaa --> [ 1d20=12 ]{13}
[17:44] * Amonet walks right up to the magister, and catches the front end of his shirt with her glowing lance. "Answer her. Now," she demands.
[17:44] <Ebiris> "You should be the ones that surrender! We've got reinforcements on the way!" one of the brave guardsman shoots back, none of them seeming keen to help the group. The Magister on the other hand draws forth a deep breath...
[17:45] * Eagan grins and taps his Morningstar in his hand.
[17:45] <Eagan> "They ain't here, yet, boy."
[17:46] <Ebiris> "YOU CAN CIRCLE FURTHER ALONG THE CORRIDOR AND FLEE VIA THE OPPOSITE DOOR INTO THE ENTRANCE HALL!" the Magister replies, meeting Amonet's gaze with his own crazed eyes.
[17:46] * Gourash promptly slugs the Magister, tired of his booming voice.
[17:47] * Amonet nods curtly. "What are we to do with our prisoners?" she asks.
[17:47] <Gourash> OOC: Do I need to roll to hit?
[17:47] <Alveria> Alveria mutters under her breath, messaging towards the gnome. "Oi, can you blow a hole in the meeting room so we can get out?" she whispers, crazily.
[17:47] <Alveria> "
[17:47] <Alveria> "Don't do it yet! But blow it before you blow the others!"
[17:48] <Ebiris> "I was getting impatient!" the gnome's excited voice is ehard by Alveria as Gourash cold cocks the Magister. "I hope you've got her good and anchored in there!"
[17:49] <Alveria> "Just give me one more minute!" she calls back. "Er. Guys? We really need to leave soon," she proclaims, throwing a spate of magical missiles at the leader-type of the mercykillers!
[17:49] * Gourash turns at the voice. "What/"
[17:49] <Amonet> "We could also remain here," Amonet muses. "They will come to us, and the building is very defensible. Their only power lies in their wounded mistress."
[17:49] <Alveria> roll 1d6+5
[17:49] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 1d6+5 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{8}
[17:49] <Alveria> roll 4d4+4
[17:49] <Reiko-chan> Alveria rolled : 4d4+4 --> [ 4d4=11 ]{15}
[17:50] <Ebiris> One of the Mercykillers behind the flames is instantly dropped by a fusillade of magic missiles!
[17:51] <Alveria> "Go on! Wait for death!" yells Alveria, trying to think fast (and failing, mostly.)
[17:52] <Alveria> "I don't think we can hold position because there are way way way more of them than us," replies Alveria, flatly. "And I don't think the gnome is going to wait much longer."
[17:52] <Ebiris> "Let's circle round from the other side!" one suggests, prompting the Mercykillers to retreat!
[17:52] <Ebiris> roll 1d20
[17:52] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{5}
[17:53] <Amonet> "The building... is going to be destroyed?" Amonet asks slowly. "Despite our plan not to allow that under any circumstances?"
[17:54] * Gourash growls. "Worry later, leave now.  Get rid of flames, we go out front."
[17:54] <Ebiris> As Amonet speaks, however, a series of thunderous booms are heard reverbating throughout the building, which begins to creak and groan as masonry starts collapsing all around the group!
[17:54] <Ebiris> roll 1d10
[17:54] <Reiko-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
[17:54] <Alveria> "Yeah, well, that went to hell when that woman escaped," replies Alveria, irritably- "Oh, shit!"
[17:54] * Amonet curses for the first time in her life, and rushes towards the ministry of love, flames be damned!
[17:54] * Alveria snaps her fingers, turning off the flames just as Amonet gets there-
[17:54] * Gourash rushes out as well, leading the way with his bloody axe!
[17:55] * Amonet takes flight midway, fully using her increased speed.
[17:55] <Ebiris> A series of large bricks and heavy steel pipes plummet from the ceiling, crushing the unconscious Magistrate to death as he's unable to notice or attempt to dodge! The Skeleton and the Dwarf manage to freak out and run for the door after the party, however, screaming in terror as the building collapses around them!
[17:55] * Alveria starts heading out herself, unwilling to hang around any further!