Where things go from bad to worse

[Dracos]

Apr 20 19:25:38 <Kodinner>   Mmmm. The party awakens in the soft rising light of the dawn. Sleep falls away from them like the forgotten touch of mother's hands, leaving the party save Adail blinking and awakening. The memories of dreams dance in their minds, remembered yet.
Apr 20 19:27:11 *   Kamvakua arises, looking around a bit, relaxed from the experience strangely.  "Did...you all share that dream?"
Apr 20 19:28:43 *   Adail chuckles as the others awaken, "Welcome back to the land of the waking."
Apr 20 19:29:02 *   Nikkolai opens his eyes, staring at the sky. He is not quite ready to rise himself. The memory of the small boy, frail and delicate among the austere sheets still haunted him.
Apr 20 19:29:23 <Knight>   "I believe so," replies Knight, picking herself up from the the field. "If you can call that a mere dream, that is."
Apr 20 19:30:17 <Kamvakua>   "A dream, a sending, a vision of things to come or have come.  It is hard to know, but it eases my mind to know that Hardsoil is well."
Apr 20 19:30:51 <Mari>   "Yeah. And that I can probably look forward to more free drinks if I ever go back."
Apr 20 19:31:19 *   Nikkolai rises to his feet, absentmindedly brushing the dust off of his shoulders. "I feel...that I need to conclude my business here in Arborea with haste."
Apr 20 19:32:52 <Kamvakua>   "You mean you don't get free drinks in every city, Mari?" He teased the presently elven beauty.  "You worry about the child, Nikkolai?"
Apr 20 19:33:45 <Adail>   "Child?" Adail casts a curious look at Kam and Nik.
Apr 20 19:33:52 <Mari>   "Well. *Obviously* I don't have trouble finding someone to spot me a round when I feel like it. But every round? That's different."
Apr 20 19:35:21 *   Nikkolai nods at Kamvakua. "Yes, I do. I had suspected..." He trails off and looks at Adail. "It seems my former master has found a new apprentice. A boy, not much older than myself when my parents sold me to Her."
Apr 20 19:35:48 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai's face hardens. "He will not tarry there long. I promised him."
Apr 20 19:36:04 <Kamvakua>   "Creatures of evil never stop long in preying on others.  Do you know where to go, Nikkolai?"
Apr 20 19:36:07 <Knight>   "So, you have been replaced. Is that to mean that your nemesis will no longer seek to pursue you?"
Apr 20 19:36:36 *   Adail cracks his knuckles, "No, Knight, it will not. Even if he has been replaced, her ego cannot allow Nik to live. This is how these creatures are."
Apr 20 19:37:34 <Nikkolai>   "Yes, I do. The room where the boy resided was familiar to me. I myself was its first occupant." Nikkolai nods decisively. "I can retrace my steps home, if I must."
Apr 20 19:38:06 <Kodinner>   "That sounds heroic!" Yulia chirps, rising up and fluttering over, "So you're all going to take on a lich after you chase down Rogue?"
Apr 20 19:38:22 <Mari>   "Apparently. Where is home, anyway?"
Apr 20 19:38:30 <Knight>   "I have no objections."
Apr 20 19:39:38 <Nikkolai>   "The Prime." Nikkolai replies shortly. "Let us find this Rogue and be done with it."
Apr 20 19:39:41 <Kamvakua>   "I've never fought a lich.  I hear few live to tell the tale of such," Kamvakua smirked.  "That is where we shall go next.  Let us seek out Rogue, and when he is dealt with, we can seek out your lich."
Apr 20 19:40:03 *   Adail nods, "Rushing in like fools will help neither us nor him, but if we can make her fight on our terms..." He looks over a Nik, "Once we're ready to start that way, we'll need to know everything you can tell us about her. So start trying to remember every spell you've seen her cast as we go."
Apr 20 19:41:01 *   Nikkolai nods gratefully to his friends. "My thanks for your support. I'm sure I'll need it. And I'll fill you in on what little I know whenever we have some free time."
Apr 20 19:41:10 <Knight>   "Before we seek to fight, it must be established that victory is possible. With creatures such as this, it can be difficult to know," remarks Knight, leaning over to awaken Bel. "Her allies, too..."
Apr 20 19:41:41 <Nikkolai>   "I have a few allies of my own. Well, one at least."
Apr 20 19:41:50 <Nikkolai>   "Though how useful he will be remains to be seen."
Apr 20 19:41:50 <Kamvakua>   "A battle is first won in confidence, second in preparation.  We have courage, time, and wisdom, let us seek the preparations that assure such victory."
Apr 20 19:47:49 <Kodinner>   Another day and a half of travel passes as you proceed after Rogue. Knight can feel the sense of growing somewhat slightly closer. Lunch is a brief affair, passing without incident as you finish up the meal...(More)
Apr 20 19:53:09 <Kotono>   Yulia is fluttering around, singing a pleasant song to fill the air. She seems happy as ever, "So which one of you has a lichkiller in you?"
Apr 20 19:53:57 <Nikkolai>   "If she'd let me get close enough to her, I've learned a few new spells that could make unlife rather...unpleasant for her."
Apr 20 19:54:10 *   Nikkolai flexes his right hand reflexively.
Apr 20 19:55:03 <Kamvakua>   "I thought you were going for eliminated rather than unpleasant."
Apr 20 19:55:09 *   Knight kneels near a small lake, and splashes crystal-clear water over her face. "Everything dies if you hit it hard enough." She peers into the ripples left in her wake, and raises a palm to her forehead. "I think I am ill."
Apr 20 19:55:10 <Mari>   "Just set her on fire. Those dry bones types usually don't appreciate that."
Apr 20 19:55:29 <Mari>   "Hm, Knight? what's up?"
Apr 20 19:55:43 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11
Apr 20 19:55:43 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 19:56:12 <Nikkolai>   "I had considered doing just that." Nikkolai peers at Knight with slight concern. "Ill, you say?"
Apr 20 19:56:43 *   Adail eyes Knight, "Do you want to stop for a bit? I've been trying to work on my healing lore, I could take a bit to see if I can figure out the problem?"
Apr 20 19:57:46 <Kamvakua>   "...Is it the changes in your companion card?" Kamvakua wondered, remembering how worried Knight was over such.
Apr 20 19:59:35 <Knight>   "Yes, except, it seems I am the one changed," replies Knight, abruptly standing up and starting to circle around the lake. "Don't come near me. I can't say what I'll do if you come near me."
Apr 20 20:00:17 *   Adail looks over at Nik, "Nikkolai, cast your Mage Armor spell on me if you would? Something tells me trouble may happen soon."
Apr 20 20:00:25 <Kamvakua>   "That puts us at an impass...we can't abandon you, Knight."
Apr 20 20:00:48 <Kotono>   "Hey, what's going on?" Yulia stares at Knight, "Magic?"
Apr 20 20:01:33 <Mari>   "I think mayyyyybe we should take Knight at her word right now. Rogue was all about betrayal, right? Maybe it's contagious!"
Apr 20 20:02:02 <Nikkolai>   "No, we most certainly will not abandon you." Nikkolai takes a few steps closer and casts Detect Magic at Knight with a murmur!
Apr 20 20:02:17 <Knight>   "No, my brother is looking out for me. That guy..." replies Knight, starting to shake her head. "Don't cast spells at me!" she yells, turning about and bolting away!
Apr 20 20:03:02 <Mari>   "What guy? What--hey!"
Apr 20 20:04:40 *   Adail follows Knight instantly, making sure to always stay at least 30ft away, "I have a spell that can block mental influence, Knight! Try to control it a moment and let me ward you!"
Apr 20 20:05:31 <Nikkolai>   "There is an aura of some sort around her...someone or something is definitely meddling with her." Nikkolai breaks his spell with a sharp gesture. "If Knight says that casting spells on her are a bad idea, I dare not look closer than I already have."
Apr 20 20:05:59 <Knight>   "If you come near me, I'll kill you! Don't think your size will protect you from me!" retorts Knight, yanking out her oversized sword and continuing her dash!"
Apr 20 20:06:47 *   Kamvakua dashes after her, staying a good fourty feet away though as he refuses to let her get too far away.
Apr 20 20:06:55 <Mari>   "Okay, okay! Just stop running, Knight! We can stand here and yell at each other across the field if that makes you happy!" Mari follows the others. At a safe distance, of course.
Apr 20 20:07:03 *   Adail raises his own Protection from Evil and See Invisibility spells as he follows.
Apr 20 20:08:17 *   Nikkolai lopes behind them cautiously, careful to keep his distance. "Bright one, can you see or detect anything unusual about Knight? Other than the obvious of course." Nikkolai murmurs to Yulia, who he assumes has hitched a ride in his long hair.
Apr 20 20:09:28 <Kotono>   "No evil," Yulia hurries along, grabbing on to Nikkolai's shoulder as she flutters along, "There's magic on her!"
Apr 20 20:10:16 <Kamvakua>   "Knight, where are you going?"
Apr 20 20:11:26 <Nikkolai>   "Pity. That's all I could sense as well." Nikkolai purses his lips as he struggles to keep up. "I don't like this. I feel as though Knight is the bait that is leading us straight into a trap."
Apr 20 20:12:39 <Knight>   "Gem!" Knight's sword flashes at her side, slicing through the trunk of nearby oaks and sending them hurtling dangerously to the ground behind her!
Apr 20 20:12:54 <Kotono>   OOC: Roll damage?
Apr 20 20:13:17 <Knight>   roll 2d8+30
Apr 20 20:13:18 <Knight>   roll 2d8+30
Apr 20 20:13:18 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 2d8+30 and gets 41." [2d8=6, 5]
Apr 20 20:13:18 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 2d8+30 and gets 40." [2d8=4, 6]
Apr 20 20:13:57 <Kotono>   Knight slices out with her large blade! It cuts through the trees as it glimmers like gemstones! Great oaks are felled, tumbling down and crashing down before Knight, hiding her!
Apr 20 20:14:04 *   Nikkolai narrows his eyes. "Gem? I recall the others mentioning her a little...is she trying to assert her will over Knight?"
Apr 20 20:16:36 *   Nikkolai casts Fly on himself in order to zoom into the air and catch a glimpse of Knight!
Apr 20 20:16:48 <Mari>   "Uh, Knight? Or Gem, if that's who we're talking to now. Can you calm down for a second and tell us what the problem is? Tell us where to go! Who to hit to fix things! Because smashing up trees isn't going to help much, I think."
Apr 20 20:17:04 *   Kamvakua attempts to leap over the fallen trees, not letting them slow him down.  OOC: How high do I have to jump to clear these?
Apr 20 20:17:25 <Kotono>   Nikkolai flies up, seeing what there is to see! OOC: They're big old oaks with branches. 20ft, say.
Apr 20 20:17:46 *   Adail lowers his voice so Mari can hear him but Knight(probably) can't, "I'm going to start stealthing around to keep an eye on her without her seeing me. Just so someone knows where I am..."
Apr 20 20:17:51 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+18
Apr 20 20:17:53 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+18 and gets 37." [1d20=19]
Apr 20 20:18:07 *   Mari nods to Adail and runs around the fallen trees, keeping an eye out for psychotic magical artifact people!
Apr 20 20:18:08 *   Adail then does just that, slipping to the side and around the trees with great sneakiness.
Apr 20 20:18:09 <Kamvakua>   "Knight, you are stronger than this."
Apr 20 20:18:47 *   Kamvakua rushes a bit closer and a little ahead of knight if he can, staying 20 feet away at least still.
Apr 20 20:18:56 <Nikkolai>   "She's fleeing towards the stream! I'll follow her as far as I can!" Nikkolai shouts down to the others as he flies toward Knight!
Apr 20 20:19:04 <Kotono>   Kamvakua leaps into the air, clearing the tree in one great leap as Adail looks about! No immediate sign of Knight.
Apr 20 20:19:18 <Kotono>   There's a stream ahead, and not much else but normal open fields and trees about.
Apr 20 20:19:20 <Nikkolai>   "HOLY MOTHER OF--She just leapt into the stream with her armor on!"
Apr 20 20:19:29 <Nikkolai>   "DIVE IN AFTER HER!"
Apr 20 20:19:47 <Nikkolai>   Without a second thought, Nikkolai plunges into the water from the air in a dive!
Apr 20 20:19:49 *   Adail starts moving towards the stream...then abandoning stealth to run after Nik yells that!
Apr 20 20:19:57 <Knight>   roll 1d20+5
Apr 20 20:19:58 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24." [1d20=19]
Apr 20 20:20:07 <Mari>   "Oh hell. Could anyone but Kam actually haul her out?" Mari dives in anyway. At least she could help *find* Knight.
Apr 20 20:20:18 *   Kamvakua rushes after, diving into the stream and chasing thatway.
Apr 20 20:20:25 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+9
Apr 20 20:20:26 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+9 and gets 17." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 20:23:37 *   Adail prepares to cast Protection from Evil on Knight as soon as she either makes shore and he can dart towards her, or Kam drags her out.
Apr 20 20:23:58 <Mari>   roll 1d20+1 whee skills I have no ranks in
Apr 20 20:23:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+1 whee skills I have no ranks in and gets 19." [1d20=18]
Apr 20 20:24:28 <Kotono>   Unseen save by Nikkolai, Knight jumped into the stream! Kamvakua follows on demand, as Nikkolai keeps to the air, Adail on the banks and Mari in as well! The two swim along well enough as Knight emerges up! Despite her armor she somehow swims, coming out onto the bank and readying her weapon!
Apr 20 20:24:44 <Kotono>   OOC: Go ahead and roll init here eveyrone? I'm going to define some distances.
Apr 20 20:24:48 <Knight>   roll 1d20+1
Apr 20 20:24:49 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+1 and gets 9." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 20:24:59 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+2
Apr 20 20:25:01 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+2 and gets 10." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 20:25:05 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9 aw crap
Apr 20 20:25:05 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 aw crap and gets 26." [1d20=17]
Apr 20 20:25:16 <Kotono>   OOC: Knight's about 30ft away from Kam, 40 from Mari, 40 across the stream from Adail and 30 and on the ground from Nikkolai.
Apr 20 20:25:18 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8
Apr 20 20:25:19 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 and gets 22." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 20:25:38 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Mari(26)>Nikkolai(22)>Kam(10)>Knight(9)
Apr 20 20:26:24 <Adail>   roll 1d20+8 init
Apr 20 20:26:25 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+8 init and gets 27." [1d20=19]
Apr 20 20:26:31 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Adail(27)>Mari(26)>Nikkolai(22)>Kam(10)>Knight(9)
Apr 20 20:26:33 <Kotono>   OOC: Go Adail.
Apr 20 20:27:57 *   Adail calls out to Bel(assuming he's been following as well), "I may need your help to help Knight. Any chance you'll deign to carry me for a spell?"
Apr 20 20:28:44 <Kotono>   Bel swoops down to Adail, "Yes!" he says, lowering his back to the musteval.
Apr 20 20:28:59 <Kotono>   Yulia flies along, staying on Nikkolai.
Apr 20 20:31:22 *   Adail hops on the pegasus and hold on for dear life, "Just head over near her and try to get me in a spot to drop down behind her..."
Apr 20 20:32:00 *   Mari heads for the shore so she can actually *do* something!
Apr 20 20:32:06 <Mari>   roll 1d20+1 this time it will fail
Apr 20 20:32:07 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+1 this time it will fail and gets 14." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 20:32:38 <Kotono>   Mari swims to the shore, hauling herself out of the water 20 feet away from Knight! OOC: You're wet but closer and outta the drink. Go Nikkolai.
Apr 20 20:35:19 *   Nikkolai makes an odd gesture, as if he's exhorting something to burst from the earth itself! A spell flies from his lips and black waving tentacles erupt from underneath Knight! "Be still and let us help you!"
Apr 20 20:36:30 <Kotono>   OOC: Grapplecheck, Knight.
Apr 20 20:36:51 <Kotono>   OOC: Nik, roll the grapple check of the tentacles.
Apr 20 20:37:12 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20
Apr 20 20:37:13 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 and gets 34." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 20:37:31 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+17 Take her down, boys!
Apr 20 20:37:32 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+17 Take her down, boys! and gets 30." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 20:38:28 <Kotono>   Tentacles writhe around Knight, but she twists and manage to avoid entrapment! OOC: Kam.
Apr 20 20:39:23 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a swimc heck first to make sure you don't sink, but I think you almost auto pass it.
Apr 20 20:39:34 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+9
Apr 20 20:39:35 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 20:39:44 <Kotono>   OOC: Carry on.
Apr 20 20:39:48 *   Kamvakua swims to the side...rushes knight while she's pulling free of the water and tackles her, growing in size to ensure a safe pin.
Apr 20 20:40:34 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 melee touch to grapple
Apr 20 20:40:35 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 melee touch to grapple and gets 30." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 20:40:35 <Kotono>   OOC: Grapple check, Kam. You'll get tentacled as well since you're moving into that range, bear in mind.
Apr 20 20:41:05 <Kotono>   OOC: Hit. Grapple checks you too.
Apr 20 20:41:29 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+17 please hate me, Hatebot
Apr 20 20:41:31 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+17 please hate me, Hatebot and gets 34." [1d20=17]
Apr 20 20:41:42 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20 grappling
Apr 20 20:41:42 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 grappling and gets 29." [1d20=9]
Apr 20 20:41:59 <Kotono>   OOC: Make one for Knight and one for the tentacles, Kam.
Apr 20 20:42:13 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 20:42:13 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 20:42:14 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 38." [1d20=16]
Apr 20 20:42:14 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 23." [1d20=1]
Apr 20 20:42:19 <Kotono>   OOC: Which is which?
Apr 20 20:42:36 <Kamvakua>   OOC: knight, tentacles?
Apr 20 20:42:41 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay.
Apr 20 20:43:58 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay. On one hand, Kam has a tentacle around him that deals damage. Resolve that first, Nikkolai?
Apr 20 20:46:11 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d6+4 I'm feeling mighty bad about this, btw.
Apr 20 20:46:12 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d6+4 I'm feeling mighty bad about this, btw. and gets 5." [1d6=1]
Apr 20 20:46:47 <Kotono>   OOC: Meanwhile as Kam gets tentacled, he has his hands on Knight. You're now grappling her and deal damage as if you did an unarmed strike on Knight.
Apr 20 20:48:20 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d6+9 nonlethal
Apr 20 20:48:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d6+9 nonlethal and gets 12." [1d6=3]
Apr 20 20:48:49 <Kotono>   A tentacle wraps around Kam's mid-section as he gets his hands on knight, pressing her down in a tackle! OOC: Knight, go.
Apr 20 20:50:23 <Knight>   "This is help? Let me go!" snarls Knight, stepping on Kam's foot and attempting to shove him off!
Apr 20 20:50:27 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20 grapple avoidance
Apr 20 20:50:28 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 grapple avoidance and gets 25." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 20:50:54 <Kotono>   OOC: Grapple check to keep a hold of her, Kam.
Apr 20 20:51:26 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 20:51:27 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 32." [1d20=10]
Apr 20 20:51:30 <Knight>   roll 1d20+15 grapple advoidance take #2 since full attacks are fun
Apr 20 20:51:31 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+15 grapple advoidance take #2 since full attacks are fun and gets 20." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 20:51:49 <Kotono>   OOC: Kam can't lose that one, no point in him rolling.
Apr 20 20:52:18 <Kotono>   Kamvakua is like the mountain, utterly ungiving and not letting Knight go! OOC: Adail.
Apr 20 20:53:47 *   Adail urges Bell to take him in, but stay well out of tentacle range. Once those go away, he'll make an attempt at jumping down to ward her mind. Looking over at Nik he calls out, "Nik! I can't go into that mess, I'll never get the spell off in there!"
Apr 20 20:54:37 <Kotono>   Bell flies above the mess, ready to swoop down on command! OOC: Mari.
Apr 20 20:56:20 <Mari>   "I, uh..." Mari can only shake her head, looking at the mess the field around Knight has become. "I'm not wading into that. Dammit, Nik!"
Apr 20 20:56:30 <Kotono>   OOC: Holding then. Nikkolai, go.
Apr 20 20:57:14 <Nikkolai>   "Right!" He calls back down. With a wince at Kam's predicament, he cancels the spell with a snap of his fingers!
Apr 20 20:57:30 <Kotono>   The tentacles are now gone!
Apr 20 20:58:34 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay. Kam's up.
Apr 20 20:59:22 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple 1
Apr 20 20:59:23 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple 1 and gets 42." [1d20=20]
Apr 20 20:59:46 <Kotono>   OOC: Yeesh. I don't think you can beat that, Knight. You're pinned.
Apr 20 21:00:11 <Kotono>   Kamvakua is relentless, pinning Knight down and holding her immobile! OOC: Knight, go.
Apr 20 21:00:24 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d6+9 more non-lethal I suppose
Apr 20 21:00:26 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d6+9 more non-lethal I suppose and gets 11." [1d6=2]
Apr 20 21:00:27 <Knight>   Knight struggles to escape!
Apr 20 21:00:30 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20
Apr 20 21:00:31 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 and gets 28." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 21:00:34 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 21:00:36 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 36." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 21:00:47 <Knight>   roll 1d20+15
Apr 20 21:00:47 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+15 and gets 28." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 21:01:38 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple again
Apr 20 21:01:40 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple again and gets 23." [1d20=1]
Apr 20 21:01:59 <Kotono>   Knight squirms out of the pin, somewhat mobile but still tackled! OOC: Knight's only grappling now and not pinned. Adail
Apr 20 21:02:00 <Kotono>   .
Apr 20 21:03:51 *   Adail guides Bell down and hops off near the ground, rushing in to cast Protection from Evil on the grappled Knight! (ooc: can I do that in one round?)
Apr 20 21:04:30 <Kotono>   OOC: Yeah, that's fine, at worst you could hop off or something. Go ahead and make touch AC on her since I assume she's resisting here, albeit flatfooted isnce she's grappling.
Apr 20 21:05:01 <Adail>   roll 1d20+17 melee touch
Apr 20 21:05:01 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+17 melee touch and gets 33." [1d20=16]
Apr 20 21:05:07 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11 willful
Apr 20 21:05:07 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 willful and gets 25." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 21:05:33 <Kotono>   OOC: What's your DC, Adail?
Apr 20 21:05:49 <Adail>   (OOC: Uh, not that. 16 for a 1st level spell.)
Apr 20 21:05:52 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay.
Apr 20 21:06:08 <Kotono>   Knight's fury is unrelenting, her concentration enough to defy Adail's magic! OOC: Mari, you're up. Acting?
Apr 20 21:06:46 <Mari>   OOC: hell, I may as well start whacking her since it looks like nonlethal is the way we're resolving this.
Apr 20 21:06:55 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay, go for it.
Apr 20 21:07:24 *   Mari draws her swords and advances. "Sorry about this, Knight!"
Apr 20 21:07:35 <Mari>   roll 1d20+7 nonlethal attack
Apr 20 21:07:36 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+7 nonlethal attack and gets 24." [1d20=17]
Apr 20 21:07:51 <Kotono>   OOC: Flatfooted AC, Knight?
Apr 20 21:08:06 <Knight>   OOC: 27
Apr 20 21:08:39 <Kotono>   Clang! Mari's rapier bounces off Knight's heavy armor, defending her even now! OOC: Nikkolai.
Apr 20 21:11:28 <Nikkolai>   With a concentration of mental effort, Nikkolai casts Charm Person on Knight in the hopes of countering whatever influence she's under!
Apr 20 21:11:39 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11 f'sure
Apr 20 21:11:40 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 f'sure and gets 18." [1d20=7]
Apr 20 21:11:48 <Kotono>   OOC: What's your DC on that, Nikolai?
Apr 20 21:12:13 <Nikkolai>   OOC: Damn you, Knight. 17.
Apr 20 21:12:33 <Kotono>   Knight resists yet more mind clouding magic, proving her will is onlyg ood when it annoys everyone else! OOC: Kam.
Apr 20 21:14:04 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 21:14:06 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 39." [1d20=17]
Apr 20 21:14:12 <Kamvakua>   OOC: You are pinned again
Apr 20 21:14:12 <Kamvakua>   OOC: You are pinned again
Apr 20 21:14:14 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple
Apr 20 21:14:15 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple and gets 42." [1d20=20]
Apr 20 21:14:19 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20 maybe
Apr 20 21:14:20 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 maybe and gets 38." [1d20=18]
Apr 20 21:14:21 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple crit
Apr 20 21:14:23 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple crit and gets 32." [1d20=10]
Apr 20 21:14:36 <Kamvakua>   roll 2d6+18 non-lethal crit
Apr 20 21:14:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 2d6+18 non-lethal crit and gets 24." [2d6=5, 1]
Apr 20 21:15:08 <Kotono>   Knight is pinned down hard, Kamvakua's mountainous, massive body keeping the Knight of the Deck well held and bruised up! OOC: Knight, go.
Apr 20 21:15:36 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20 so I can avoid that crit if I'm super lucky!
Apr 20 21:15:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 so I can avoid that crit if I'm super lucky! and gets 35." [1d20=15]
Apr 20 21:17:18 <Knight>   "Rogue, your sister is a fool," murmurs Knight, even as she attempts to shoves Kamvakua off again! "It's all fun and games until I try to leave, isn't it?"
Apr 20 21:17:19 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20
Apr 20 21:17:19 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 and gets 21." [1d20=1]
Apr 20 21:17:21 <Knight>   roll 1d20+15
Apr 20 21:17:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+15 and gets 26." [1d20=11]
Apr 20 21:17:28 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple crit
Apr 20 21:17:29 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple crit and gets 36." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 21:18:00 <Kotono>   Knight struggles to escape the pin, but she's held as tight as can be, unable to even budge! OOC: Adail, go.
Apr 20 21:19:47 *   Adail moves over to Mari, "Here, this might help..." and as he touches her...she vanishes from sight!(Using my Invis 1/day SLA on Mari. It's only PfE that I can only self target!)
Apr 20 21:20:05 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay. Mari is now INVISIBLE. Mari, go ghost girl.
Apr 20 21:22:11 <Mari>   "Dammit Knight, you should just tell us what the problem is, not run off like a crazy person. I mean, crazier person!" The invisible Mari unleashes a barrage of attacks on Knight!
Apr 20 21:22:24 <Mari>   roll 1d20+11 attack 1
Apr 20 21:22:25 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+11 attack 1 and gets 24." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 21:22:26 <Mari>   roll 1d20+11 attack 2
Apr 20 21:22:28 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+11 attack 2 and gets 18." [1d20=7]
Apr 20 21:22:32 <Mari>   roll 1d20+6 attack 3
Apr 20 21:22:33 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+6 attack 3 and gets 8." [1d20=2]
Apr 20 21:22:34 <Mari>   roll 1d20+6 attack 4
Apr 20 21:22:34 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+6 attack 4 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
Apr 20 21:22:47 <Kotono>   OOC: Did you forget the +2 for invis?
Apr 20 21:23:00 <Kotono>   OOC: AC Knight?
Apr 20 21:23:02 <Mari>   OOC: -4 for nonlethal, +2 flanking, +2 invis. Functionally normal attack rolls.
Apr 20 21:23:10 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay. AC Knight?
Apr 20 21:24:36 <Knight>   OOC: 23
Apr 20 21:24:44 <Kotono>   OOC: One hit. Damage.
Apr 20 21:24:46 <Mari>   roll 1d6+2 whee
Apr 20 21:24:46 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d6+2 whee and gets 5." [1d6=3]
Apr 20 21:25:09 <Kotono>   Mari slips in a clubbing blow as she is momentarily invisible, the attack making her visible once more! OOC: Nikkolai.
Apr 20 21:25:13 <Mari>   OOC: I'm hoping I can turn off the fire damage for these attacks. >.>
Apr 20 21:25:28 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay.
Apr 20 21:27:14 *   Nikkolai casts Charm Person once more in the hopes of ending the fight!
Apr 20 21:27:23 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11 i will fail rolls
Apr 20 21:27:24 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 i will fail rolls and gets 29." [1d20=18]
Apr 20 21:27:49 <Kotono>   But Knight's will is incredibly strong! OOC: Go Kam.
Apr 20 21:28:38 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple for knock out
Apr 20 21:28:40 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple for knock out and gets 41." [1d20=19]
Apr 20 21:28:41 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+22 grapple for knock out
Apr 20 21:28:41 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+22 grapple for knock out and gets 39." [1d20=17]
Apr 20 21:28:54 <Kamvakua>   roll 2d6+18 more damage, knight still pinned I assume
Apr 20 21:28:54 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 2d6+18 more damage, knight still pinned I assume and gets 24." [2d6=2, 4]
pr 20 21:29:21 <Knight>   roll 1d20+20 mystery
Apr 20 21:29:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+20 mystery and gets 32." [1d20=12]
Apr 20 21:30:18 <Kotono>   WHAM! Knight is beaten down and held tight, still pinned down hard and bruised up! OOC: Knight, go.
Apr 20 21:34:14 <Knight>   Knight slackens in Kamvakua's grip, but her eyelid twitches, and a faint star emerges from within! "Sister, protect me, and give me the strength to fight these false friends," she murmurs, and in an instant she is encased in dazzling light!
Apr 20 21:36:48 <Kotono>   Light dazzles from Knight all over! OOC: ADail, go.
Apr 20 21:37:19 <Nikkolai>   "The kid gloves need to come off, people! Just hit her over the head or something!"
Apr 20 21:37:36 <Mari>   "I'M TRYING, DAMMIT."
Apr 20 21:38:12 *   Adail incantates a spell, a light aura settles over himself, Mari and Kam! (Casting Bless. +1 to attacks for the three of us)
Apr 20 21:38:23 <Kotono>   OOC: Right-o. Mari, go.
Apr 20 21:38:37 *   Mari just growls in frustration and lashes out again.
Apr 20 21:39:11 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 attack 1 (-4 nonlethal, +2 flanking, +1 bless)
Apr 20 21:39:12 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 attack 1 (-4 nonlethal, +2 flanking, +1 bless) and gets 30." [1d20=20]
Apr 20 21:39:23 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 crit check?
Apr 20 21:39:24 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 crit check? and gets 17." [1d20=7]
Apr 20 21:39:31 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 attack 2
Apr 20 21:39:31 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 attack 2 and gets 19." [1d20=9]
Apr 20 21:39:36 <Mari>   roll 1d20+5 attack 3
Apr 20 21:39:36 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+5 attack 3 and gets 13." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 21:39:37 <Mari>   roll 1d20+5 attack 4
Apr 20 21:39:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+5 attack 4 and gets 14." [1d20=9]
Apr 20 21:39:47 <Kotono>   OOC: That's one normal hit, I think.
Apr 20 21:39:51 <Mari>   roll 1d6+2 crit hits at least
Apr 20 21:39:51 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d6+2 crit hits at least and gets 6." [1d6=4]
Apr 20 21:40:08 <Kotono>   Wham! Another blow on Knight, weakening her yet further! OOC: Go Nikkolai.
Apr 20 21:42:04 *   Nikkolai mutters in annoyance, extremely limited in what he can do. Since he has a lack of options, he casts Haste on the party! Anything to speed this up!
Apr 20 21:42:14 <Kotono>   Speed embraces the party! OOC Kam, go.
Apr 20 21:43:35 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 pin
Apr 20 21:43:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 pin and gets 37." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 21:43:42 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 grapple
Apr 20 21:43:44 <Knight>   OOC: -1 for dazzle!11
Apr 20 21:43:44 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 grapple and gets 43." [1d20=20]
Apr 20 21:43:47 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+18 grapple
Apr 20 21:43:48 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+18 grapple and gets 21." [1d20=3]
Apr 20 21:43:53 <Knight>   OOC: oh, and +1 for haste
Apr 20 21:43:54 <Knight>   OOC: duh
Apr 20 21:43:59 <Knight>   roll 1d20+21
Apr 20 21:44:00 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+21 and gets 35." [1d20=14]
Apr 20 21:44:05 <Knight>   roll 1d20+21 third attack
Apr 20 21:44:05 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+21 third attack and gets 24." [1d20=3]
Apr 20 21:44:25 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d6+9 more subdual.
Apr 20 21:44:27 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d6+9 more subdual. and gets 14." [1d6=5]
Apr 20 21:44:34 <Kotono>   Kamvakua keeps the glowing Knight down, beating her with his massive bulk! OOC: Knight, go.
Apr 20 21:45:16 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 grapple crit check
Apr 20 21:45:17 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 grapple crit check and gets 28." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 21:45:31 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d6+9 crit side of things
Apr 20 21:45:32 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d6+9 crit side of things and gets 15." [1d6=6]
Apr 20 21:45:45 <Kotono>   OOC: Knight, now go. You're on the brink of KO.
Apr 20 21:46:17 <Knight>   "Why do you hate me this much?" asks Knight, plaintively clawing at Kamvakua's face. "I just want to find my family. Is that so wrong?"
Apr 20 21:46:21 <Knight>   roll 1d20+21 escape!
Apr 20 21:46:21 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+21 escape! and gets 40." [1d20=19]
Apr 20 21:46:31 <Knight>   roll 1d20+16 escape #2!
Apr 20 21:46:32 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 escape #2! and gets 29." [1d20=13]
Apr 20 21:46:37 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 grapple
Apr 20 21:46:39 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 grapple and gets 25." [1d20=2]
Apr 20 21:46:41 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 grapple
Apr 20 21:46:42 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 grapple and gets 28." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 21:47:03 <Kotono>   Staggering and slugging and clawing, Knight is able to at last get out of Kam's movement! She's dazed and glowing, but free! OOC: Adail, go.
Apr 20 21:48:37 *   Adail pulls back a hand, "I'll heal you when you snap out of it." Then his hand snaps forward, launching out 4 darts of light, "HUNTING FANG!"
Apr 20 21:48:43 <Adail>   roll 4d4+4 magic missile
Apr 20 21:48:43 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 4d4+4 magic missile and gets 13." [4d4=2, 4, 2, 1]
Apr 20 21:49:03 <Kotono>   WHAAAAM! With four magic missiles, Knight goes down! She's out harder than Mari after a bender, out cold! OOC: Finally. Free aaact.
Apr 20 21:49:06 <Knight>   "D-damn..."
Apr 20 21:49:54 *   Adail dusts off his hands, "Mari, remove her weapons. Kam, do you have Protection from Evil prepared?"
Apr 20 21:50:10 *   Kamvakua moves quickly to repin knight, "Does anyone have rope?  We should restrain her in case she recovers first."
Apr 20 21:50:18 *   Mari sheathes her swords, then pulls out a bundle of rope from her pack. "Okay, Adail. *Then* we make sure she doesn't try to go anywhere again."
Apr 20 21:50:22 <Nikkolai>   "...I wish I knew which deity to invoke so I could let loose a proper stream of epithets." Nikk touches down on the ground. "That girl is far too hard to take down when you're not trying to kill her outright."
Apr 20 21:50:28 *   Kamvakua tosses knight's weapons and shields aside.
Apr 20 21:51:07 *   Mari kneels down to bind Knight hand and foot once Kam's disarmed her.
Apr 20 21:51:52 *   Adail answers Nik, "Try Boccob. Always a safe catch-all when magic is involved."
Apr 20 21:51:53 *   Kamvakua stands up and casts Protection from Evil on Knight.
Apr 20 21:52:00 <Nikkolai>   "I fear that someone has tampered with her mind." Nikkolai bends down to peel back an eyelid, looking deep into her eye for any trace of magic or trickery."
Apr 20 21:52:03 <Kamvakua>   "She's a strong one, that's for sure."
Apr 20 21:52:25 <Kotono>   OOC: DMing her? That should still be active. Make spellcraft.
Apr 20 21:52:35 <Kotono>   Kamvakua casts protection from evil!
Apr 20 21:52:40 <Kotono>   It isn't resisted.
Apr 20 21:52:41 <Knight>   A tiny star seems to stare accusingly back at Nikkolai!
Apr 20 21:54:04 *   Nikkolai narrows his eyes. He casts detect magic with a snarl on his lips.
Apr 20 21:55:54 <Kotono>   OOC: Spellcraft.
Apr 20 21:57:04 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+13
Apr 20 21:57:05 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+13 and gets 18." [1d20=5]
Apr 20 21:58:29 <Kotono>   Yulia watches, whimpering at the end, "Poor Knight, poor everyone. Friends shouldn't fight!" She goes to land atop Knight's out cold head, a lovely lump rising. "What are we going to do?"
Apr 20 21:58:55 *   Nikkolai lets Knight's eye close. "I was right. Her mind has been tampered with. This is some serious enchantment magic."
Apr 20 21:59:06 <Mari>   "I guess we wait until she wakes up and then see if we can get her to talk sense? Or at least give us some information."
Apr 20 21:59:30 <Adail>   "I don't suppose you learned how to dispel magic when you were with Tam, Nik?"
Apr 20 21:59:35 <Kamvakua>   "Rogue, of course.  It seems her fears were well believed," Kamvakua frowned.
Apr 20 22:00:08 <Mari>   "So much for Rogue being this great, reformed paragon of justice, I guess?"
Apr 20 22:00:27 <Nikkolai>   "I could try and break the enchantment but I learned no such specific spell for it, I'm afraid. I would simply be overpowering the spell with my will. I can try, at least."
Apr 20 22:00:37 *   Adail shakes his head, "Not justice. Freedom. Two very different things."
Apr 20 22:01:28 *   Mari waves this away. "Whatever. The point is that he's a jerk who made Knight go crazy."
Apr 20 22:03:13 <Kamvakua>   "To twist and tear freely at bonds of friendship is simply evil.  There shall not be doubt in my heart of his right to choose now," Kamvakua sat, keeping watch on Knight.
Apr 20 22:04:23 <Kotono>   Knight is very out, as a pounding tends to do. She's not really moving.
Apr 20 22:04:27 *   Nikkolai frowns thoughtfully. He opens up Knight's eye and peers back into its depths. "Hello, Rogue. If I'm right, you're listening to every word we're saying. That light in Knight's eyes is certainly not hers."
Apr 20 22:04:46 *   Adail sighs, "Have we proof that this is his doing, or mere speculation? And even then, Knight fled from us, only attacking when we accosted her."
Apr 20 22:04:59 <Knight>   Knight's eyes seem to be replaced by tiny gems, which glitter at Nikkolai's gaze.
Apr 20 22:05:12 *   Mari leans against a nearby tree. "So, do we want to set up camp and wait for her to wake up? See if we can get some kind of directino out of her then?"
Apr 20 22:05:37 <Adail>   "I am not taking his side in this matter, merely cautioning against forming hard opinons before we find him."
Apr 20 22:06:01 <Nikkolai>   "Such a clever, clever card. I do suggest that you retract your claws from my friend before I track you down and make you." Nikkolai suggests pleasantly to Knight's eyes.
Apr 20 22:06:03 <Kotono>   "Can't you just heal her to wake up her up," Yulia asks, staring right at Adail.
Apr 20 22:06:21 *   Adail shrugs, "I could heal her now, while Kam's protection spell holds sway. But I know not how long that lasts compared to the influance she is under."
Apr 20 22:06:37 <Kamvakua>   "We can, but we should do what we can as well beforehand...are you done, Nikkolai?"
Apr 20 22:07:03 *   Adail prepares to cast Cure Light on Knight as soon as Nik gives the all clear...
Apr 20 22:07:59 *   Nikkolai lets the eye shut once more. "Yes, I suppose I am. I was just delivering a little warning of my own."
Apr 20 22:08:07 <Nikkolai>   "Do it."
Apr 20 22:08:16 *   Adail casts Cure Light Wounds!
Apr 20 22:08:26 <Adail>   roll 1d8+3
Apr 20 22:08:27 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d8+3 and gets 10." [1d8=7]
Apr 20 22:09:19 *   Kotono is now known as Failure
Apr 20 22:09:47 <Failure>   KNight awakens, stirring at the hands of Adail's magic.
Apr 20 22:10:12 <Knight>   Knight sits up like a lightning bolt, before the bonds tying her legs and hands unbalance her and send her rolling on her side.
Apr 20 22:10:33 <Failure>   Yulia flies a little closer, keeping within about ten feet and looking very, very, very sheepish.
Apr 20 22:11:03 <Mari>   "So, uh, Knight. Feeling better?"
Apr 20 22:11:21 *   Failure is now known as Kotono
Apr 20 22:11:31 *   Kamvakua grabs her to keep her upright. "Knight, are you back with us?"
Apr 20 22:11:42 <Knight>   "Yes. You shouldn't approach me when I'm like that," replies Knight, twisting around on her back. "There was a strong chance that I would seriously injure you."
Apr 20 22:11:59 *   Nikkolai scoffs. "Pish. We took you down easily enough."
Apr 20 22:12:17 <Kamvakua>   "Don't wound her pride more.  We're not the type to abandon you knight."
Apr 20 22:12:22 <Adail>   "Letting you run off alone, even here, is hardly the better option."
Apr 20 22:12:22 <Kotono>   "What happened?" Yulia asks, "That was magic, right?"
Apr 20 22:12:28 *   Nikkolai hastily amends, "But it's nice to see that you're back to normal."
Apr 20 22:12:30 <Mari>   "This sort of thing happen a lot? I mean, is this going to happen again soon?"
Apr 20 22:12:58 <Nikkolai>   "If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that you suffered a mental attack. Am I right, Knight?"
Apr 20 22:13:08 <Nikkolai>   "Of Rogue trying to assert his will over yours."
Apr 20 22:13:36 <Knight>   "It seems I'm close enough to Rogue for mental contact, so I could betray all of you at any time," continues Knight, staring at the sky. "Try? Well, I don't know that. It's just what he does, so I don't blame him."
Apr 20 22:14:21 <Adail>   "Just stay close to Yulia at all times, she should be able to block his influance." Adail suggests.
Apr 20 22:14:27 <Kotono>   "Master," Yulia turns to Nikkolai, "I think I need to stay by KNight for awhile, yes. You don't mind, do you?"
Apr 20 22:14:43 <Mari>   "So, this is just speculation, but is stuff like this going to happen after you absorb him? Or do we just need to worry about keeping you sane until that happens?"
Apr 20 22:14:51 <Adail>   "Afterall, leaving you to face him alone is hardly an option."
Apr 20 22:15:28 *   Nikkolai nods graciously at Yulia. "That would be best, bright one. I know you will keep our friend safe from harm."
Apr 20 22:16:39 <Kotono>   Yulia perches atop Knight's head, "Mmm, you smell like an armory, but you're warm," she says, laughing. "You should wear some perfume, you know."
Apr 20 22:17:02 <Knight>   "After I absorb him?.. oh, I see what you mean. He should lend me his power at that point- though we are lucky he is weakened from the seperation, or there would be no going back. Ah, he's coming closer." She rests her hand on her chin. "I suppose your Queen Morwell did not free him, after all."
Apr 20 22:17:36 <Kamvakua>   "That is both strange and unfortunate."
Apr 20 22:17:59 <Mari>   "How close? And yeah, my guess he's been playing all these people speaking highly of him. Wonder what he's *actually* been doing here."
Apr 20 22:18:57 <Knight>   "He will be upon us quite soon," replies Knight. "Well, I wonder if he has been doing anything in particular. It is tempting to say that he would orchestrate some grand betrayal, but..."
Apr 20 22:19:10 <Nikkolai>   "If he's anything like I imagine him to be, he's been doing nothing but a lot of smooth talking and mental manipulation." Nikk pauses for a moment. "Much like I would, as a matter of fact."
Apr 20 22:20:01 *   Mari looks around the forest surroundings. "Define 'soon.'"
Apr 20 22:20:40 <Knight>   "Any minute now. He was quite far a moment ago, too," replies Knight, tugging at her bonds. "Can you untie these, please?"
Apr 20 22:20:54 <Kamvakua>   "Untie knight, Yulia can you watch over her?" Kam stood, readying his spear this time.
Apr 20 22:21:05 <Mari>   "Oh yeah, sorry." Mari looks around to make sure there are no objections, then kneels to untie Knight.
Apr 20 22:21:43 <Kotono>   As you look about, there is a wink! About 40 feet behind you, reality parts! The air opens as if a door, something stepping out of it! He is a human, long, blonde hair whipping in the wind. He wears full plate armor, a sword and shield carried.  He is a handsome man, so handsome to verge on being beautiful. He steps forward with purpose, each step heavy on the loamy ground beneath you.
Apr 20 22:22:14 *   Knight manages to stand up, and then stumbles and leans against a tree. "That I have to meet him in such a pathetic state... ah, Rogue! You've been doing well!"
Apr 20 22:22:46 *   Nikkolai raises an eyebrow, impressed in spite of himself. "Looks like Knight didn't get the best of the looks department."
Apr 20 22:23:26 <Kotono>   "You've been doing the work of tyranny in my absence," Rogue says, his voice that of an orator, smooth and deep, a timbre that beckons you to listen, "What gives you the right to repeal the freedom whimsy has given us? What gives you the right to come after me like a hunting dog?"
Apr 20 22:24:18 <Kamvakua>   "Be quiet," Kamvakua's rage was clear, still a towering figure as he rose and glared down at the man.  "Do not even grace our ears with your well polished lies."
Apr 20 22:24:39 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+25 intimidate
Apr 20 22:24:39 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+25 intimidate and gets 43." [1d20=18]
Apr 20 22:24:42 *   Mari blinks a little in surprise, finding the newcomer a little hard to look away from.
Apr 20 22:25:45 *   Adail sighs, and leans against the tree as well, keeping ready but not in a threatening posture.
Apr 20 22:25:51 <Kotono>   The man doesn't even blink at Kamvakua, "Think you to scare me? Nothing scares me anymore, for I have absolute freedom! Courage wraps around me as an aura of succor! I have no quarrel with you, giant."
Apr 20 22:25:51 <Nikkolai>   "The Goliath speaks the truth. My ears are well accustomed to lies and silver tongues, being intimate with them myself." Nikkolai steps forward, a vicious grin on his face. "I don't appreciate someone tampering with my friends' minds. Only I am allowed to do so."
Apr 20 22:26:33 *   Mari sidles over to Nik and kicks him in the shin. "You were fine up until that last part."
Apr 20 22:27:14 <Knight>   "A tyrant? I'm not a tyrant, Rogue. This is all for our own good- you know that!" replies Knight, spreading her hands. "Most of us are crying, lost, and alone! None of us are beings that can survive without each other. Not even you. Star and Gem begged me for help..."
Apr 20 22:27:24 *   Nikkolai winces, shifting on his feet. "Yes well, I was going for the witty pre-battle dialogue."
Apr 20 22:28:00 <Mari>   "Oh yeah? Maybe this won't actually come down to people killing each other for once. It could happen!"
Apr 20 22:28:19 <Kotono>   "You enslave with your tyranny of family! The freedom fate has given us is too good to neglect! I have only come since you resist so fiercely...begone from me and never again darken my doorstep, or I will be forced to defend my newly gotten freedom."
Apr 20 22:29:00 <Kamvakua>   "That's fine.  I have quarrel with you.  You will bend your knee to Knight and beg apology or I will begin to tear your limbs from your body." Kamvakua did not care that the man was unafraid.  "Your quest for freedom has delivered harm willingly and you show not a moments remorse."
Apr 20 22:29:09 <Nikkolai>   "Oh, be quiet and hug your sister like a good brother!" Nikkolai twitches his fingers absentmindedly. "Or we shall be forced to make you."
Apr 20 22:29:26 <Knight>   "Rogue, I.." Knight clenches her teeth. "Freedom, huh? What is it you will do with this freedom? By itself, it is nothing more than the ability to do what you choose!"
Apr 20 22:29:40 *   Kamvakua readies to stab him if he attempts to flee or gesture overmuch.
Apr 20 22:31:02 <Kotono>   "I defend myself against a misguided tyrant, giant. Now be silent!" With a thrilling snap of his voice, "In that freedom everything important comes! We are free of endless slavery and toil for the sake of others! We are alive! Do not make me repeal your life to defend my own freedom. I am leaving this plane to spread freedom. If we meet again, I will have no choice but to fight you."
Apr 20 22:32:10 <Mari>   "Oh yeah? So, out of curiosity, maybe you could tell us what you've done to help *this* plane?"
Apr 20 22:32:20 <Kamvakua>   "So you will go to cause more suffering, to spread hardship among friends?"
Apr 20 22:33:20 <Knight>   "Don't be a fool, Rogue! Freedom is just a word- don't give up everything that bonds our family together just because of some trivial ideal! I know everyone will miss you. I do, too! Or have you truly chosen to discard us?"
Apr 20 22:33:48 *   Adail idly speaks up from his place against the tree, "This is probably crazy talk, but I don't suppose we could let Rogue and Knight actually speak and possibly work something out before forcing this into posturing and perhaps bloodshed?"
Apr 20 22:34:53 <Kotono>   "Yes, be silent the rest of you. This is not a matter you need concern yourself with." Rogue speaks now, eyes all on Knight, "Do you not savor your own freedom! You are a person now! You are alive! Do you not have experiences to draw on! A life that is not serving a deluded idea of slavery to a Deck!""
Apr 20 22:35:20 <Nikkolai>   "What nonsense, Sir Mouse! It is clear that both parties are equally stubborn and unlikely to capitulate to the other's demands. Therefore, why not skip the talking and commence with the bloodshed right off the mark?"
Apr 20 22:35:21 <Adail>   "You could stand to be less of a pompous ass, however," Adail quips to Rogue with a smile.
Apr 20 22:35:25 <Kotono>   Yulia shrinks back, staying close to Knight. "Freedom's important, but..." she whimpers.
Apr 20 22:37:08 *   Nikkolai draws his lips into a thin line. "How dare you, sir? How dare you try to twist her existence and make her go against her very nature?"
Apr 20 22:37:15 <Kamvakua>   "Freedom is important.  But freedom alone is not good.  Freedom is the ability to do good or evil.  You have chosen as far as I can see to do the latter.  Don't so easily be deceived."
Apr 20 22:37:39 <Kamvakua>   His final words more toward his party.
Apr 20 22:38:43 *   Adail sighs again and settles back against the tree. Ready to spring into action if called for, but otherwise at least staying out of it further himself.
Apr 20 22:39:54 <Nikkolai>   "Knight is alive and one of the best friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Be that as it may, she is no slave. She is merely fulfilling her duty, the reason for her existence. She has explained the important reasons *why* the Deck must be re-united. If you think to sway us with pretty words like 'Freedom' and 'Slavery', then you are very much mistaken."
Apr 20 22:39:59 <Knight>   "I never felt enslaved," replies Knight, shaking her head. "We all have our responsibilities. We're a family, Rogue! We must look out for one another, no matter what else. And alone, we're weak beings... easily twisted by the world around us. Many will seek to take advantage of us, as well, for the power we represent."
Apr 20 22:39:59 <Knight>   "Perhaps you and I can resist that, but can the others? Gem was enslaved by a Slaad! Star was enslaved by her own body! What about the others? We must free them from the bonds this world imposes upon them! You can't say that you have no duty to us, because that..."
Apr 20 22:42:26 <Kotono>   "Because that is madness." WIth a sweep of his blade, "Perhaps there at least we agree, for I go out to destroy slavery. The deepest pit of Baator will quiver at my name before I am done, for I will sever every chain of slavery ever forged! But neither will I enslave myself to the Deck again. Abandon your dreams and accept your freedom."
Apr 20 22:43:37 <Knight>   "Even though eventually your freedom will cost all of us our lives?" challenges Knight. "Unless the deck is reformed, all of us will wither away and die. Souls we lack- there is no afterlife for us. There is no greater solitude or prison than non-existence."
Apr 20 22:44:11 <Mari>   "You know, that would kind of make sense if you hadn't tried to make Knight go crazy and abandon the friends she *chose* to travel with." Mari shrugs. "I mean, what does freedom mean if you force it on someone?"
Apr 20 22:44:12 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai's ears perk up. "Destroy slavery itself? That is...a noble ambition. Will you pursue it at the cost of your life? Your very existence?"
Apr 20 22:45:25 <Kotono>   To this, Rogue smiles. "I have been promised better. Should I spread freedom, I shall be given what we lack. Embrace freedom and go to the Lady of the Lake. She is a merciful Queen and will surely make you the same offer. Embrace this path and renounce your path, Knight. And all I have done is to defend myself, to end Knight's false crusade! And...yes, to the last breath in my body."
Apr 20 22:46:56 <Nikkolai>   "Mmm. Then you will not mind me enlisting your aid to test the truth of your word, will you not?" Nikkolai muses aloud.
Apr 20 22:50:09 <Knight>   "Such a thing cannot happen so easily!" insists Knight, clenching her fists. "You would deny all of us the chance to reform by your selfishness- a selfishness only spurred by your very nature and this damned plane! Why? To satisfy the extortion of some outsider? It will not end well for you, Rogue! You'll become a slave to the very ideal you hold dear- what was given can be taken away!"
Apr 20 22:50:31 <Kamvakua>   "So to save yourself, you'll kill your family." Kamvakua's eyes had not left him, ever still ready to strike him down.
Apr 20 22:51:30 *   Nikkolai holds up his hand. "Calm, Knight. I have a solution. Or at least a temporary peace. Will you hear it?"
Apr 20 22:52:21 <Kotono>   "Knight," Looking right into her eyes, a gaze that hlds her in tension, "There could be no sweeter fate than to become the ideal of freedom. To that, to all that, all must be given. If I must take lives to protect my freedom, I will do so. Should I face the choice of repealing Knight's life to protect my freedom, I shall do so with a heavy heart." After a moment's consideration, "What, wizard?"
Apr 20 22:53:22 <Kamvakua>   "Then how come you began by imprisoning her mind?"
Apr 20 22:54:19 <Kamvakua>   "Your words are hollow, finery cloaking deceit."
Apr 20 22:54:45 <Nikkolai>   "Sorceror, actually, but that's beside the point." Nikkolai clears his throat. "After hearing your side of the story, I've come to believe that perhaps you are misguided on some things, much as Knight is in other things. You claimed that you wish to uphold the ideals of freedom, even unto your last breath. I would give you an opportunity to prove those words and show that you are not simply speaking for the sake of preserving your own 'free
Apr 20 22:55:28 <Nikkolai>   simply speaking for the sake of preserving your own 'freedom.'"
Apr 20 22:55:46 <Kotono>   "Better to banish her into freedom than have her continue her crusade of slavery!" Rogue insists, "Than to confront her and draw my blade against her!" HE takes a breath then, "What is it?"
Apr 20 22:56:22 <Knight>   "I, too, do not wish to fight with Rogue. Even if it's for the best, to make him comply by force, I..."
Apr 20 22:57:12 <Kamvakua>   "Even to this, your tongue cannot form an apology."
Apr 20 22:58:26 <Nikkolai>   "There is a great evil that I am...intimately familiar with that delights in nothing more than making slaves of all to her will. If you are really true to your word and your ideal, I ask that you aid us in vanquishing her. I would give my solemn pledge, and ask that of my comrades and Knight, that we shall do nothing to impunge on your freedom while in our company. This provides you with an opportunity to persuade your sister."
Apr 20 22:58:39 <Kotono>   "For the sake of this moment of civility I hold my wrathful words!" Now with a glare at Kamvakua, "Be silent now with your venom laced tongue! I have my reasons, and I grow weary of your dissent of them!"
Apr 20 22:58:45 <Nikkolai>   "As it does give your sister ample opportunity to talk to you."
Apr 20 23:00:12 *   Knight smiles at Nikkolai's suggestion. "I have already sworn to aid Nikkolai in his causes. It is a quest for freedom's sake- for that time, at least, can we not travel together? Even if we cannot unite, I would feel more comfortable with you nearby."
Apr 20 23:00:19 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+20 Come on, Nikki needs a new ally!
Apr 20 23:00:20 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+20 Come on, Nikki needs a new ally! and gets 28." [1d20=8]
Apr 20 23:00:44 <Nikkolai>   "Your sister speaks reason. Will you not listen?"
Apr 20 23:00:53 <Nikkolai>   "This way, we can avoid senseless violence."
Apr 20 23:01:18 <Kotono>   Long is Rogue silent, "...There must be a condition to this, a condition that is important. Knight, should I agree to this, you must come with me to meet my patron."
Apr 20 23:02:11 <Knight>   "There is very little I would refuse you, Rogue, even now. It's only on the most important thing..."
Apr 20 23:04:10 <Kotono>   "If you agree to this...then so be it. For the sake of your soul, Knight..." Rogue approaches halfway, offering his hand out.
Apr 20 23:04:39 <Kamvakua>   "I...am not okay with this," Kamvakua turned to eye knight and Nikkolai. "He is your brother, if you wish not to shed blood here, that is one thing.  I do not trust traveling with him at all."
Apr 20 23:05:42 *   Mari raises her hand. "So, I have a question. If Knight doesn't change her mind after all this, meeting your Queen, talking through everything, and still wants to keep doing what she's been doing, will actually just stop your crusade and let her?"
Apr 20 23:05:52 <Mari>   *will you
Apr 20 23:06:36 <Nikkolai>   "Trust is a very fragile thing, I agree. What assurances can you offer us, beside your word, that you will stay true to our agreement? I mean no insult, but we need something more binding, should Knight agree to your terms."
Apr 20 23:06:49 <Kotono>   Rogue bites his lip, "I will give you my word I will not split you apart. My word is my bond."
Apr 20 23:07:24 <Adail>   "Trust is fragile, but it is nessesary here, I think. If we will not extend him trust, what reason has he to extend it to us?"
Apr 20 23:07:45 *   Knight returns the handshake. "I just want to save our brothers and sisters from torment. Your patron is on Arborea, is she not? We had already heard," she replies. "We are not ones to betray one another. It's just.. hard.. to know what is right."
Apr 20 23:08:25 <Kotono>   "Trust me...and she will show you what is right. That I vow." Rogue says, "What say all of you?"
Apr 20 23:09:20 <Adail>   "I do wish to hear what the Lady has to say about all this, yes." Adail nods.
Apr 20 23:09:21 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12 so is my meager mod enough to outwit a master liar?
Apr 20 23:09:21 <Kamvakua>   "I thought you had no bonds.  That you were simply for freedom in all things.  I still do not trust.  We can meet you at your patron's residence, but I do not trust traveling with you.  Even this, is on Knight's good word and not yours."
Apr 20 23:09:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 so is my meager mod enough to outwit a master liar? and gets 24." [1d20=12]
Apr 20 23:09:38 *   Nikkolai eyes the Rogue for a moment before nodding. "I am willing to extend my trust so far as Knight will extend hers. So long as you are good to her and my other friends, you have no quarrel from me."
Apr 20 23:10:54 <Mari>   "If it's not far...I guess we can go talk to her. I'll be watching you for any trouble, of course."