041. Senaril's Manor

[Corwin]

[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 5." [1d100=5]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 72." [1d100=72]
[20:26] <Kotono> It's the early evening of the next night as you approach the portal. It's quiet here, only the murmurings of the animals and rustling of the wind disturbing anything. It's a clear night, the moon rising high and early. Lyris steps ahead, withdrawing a simple iron scuplture. It is of a swan, "First and only check if you're ready," she announces.
[20:27] * Janson nods grimly.
[20:27] * Aaeru grows in size as her answer.
[20:28] * Wayland quietly tightens his gloves and pops his knuckles.
[20:28] <Kotono> Sylvie nods as well, at Janson's side. Simmer has her bow out, eyes alight with fire, "Let's do it, for Andrea."
[20:29] <Kotono> With that, Lyris steps ahead and produces the token in front of the arch! It shimmers to life, the portal to Senaril's domain open! "Follow," she instructs, stepping through!
[20:29] * Aaeru steps in after Lyris!
[20:29] * Wayland hurries after!
[20:30] * Janson walks through more sedately than the others, knowing better than any save Lyris how terrifying a foe Senaril will be, to say nothing of which side Marianne will end up on.
[20:31] <Kotono> The party follows suit! There is a moment of vertigo, your world twisting about before it clears. You stand in the dark forest. All around you is thick, impenetrable forest, no sign of anything at all. Lyris points to one patch of it, "An illusion. Close your eyes and step right through the trees here," she says, going right on through like they don't exist!
[20:31] * Wayland does so!
[20:32] * Janson is familiar with it from his last visit and proceeds without hesitation.
[20:32] * Aaeru is going to be doing that with the nymph soon enough, and has no problem with following instructions like that.
[20:34] <Kotono> You step through the trees as if they weren't there! Ahead is a path through a thick forest, the party following! After about 5 minutes of walking, you find a figure 60 feet ahead of you, a tall male elf, dashingly beautiful. He wears finely tailored clothes of earth colors, his ears adorned with several earrings each. He has a bow in hand, arrow knocked but not pointing up. "I am the Hunter of
[20:34] <Kotono> the Manor," he calls back, "You've brought friends back with you, Lady Lyris."
[20:35] <Janson> "I'm her servant, not her friend," Janson corrects cooly, looking up at the new figure.
[20:36] <Aaeru> A pretty elf means a fey, doesn't it? But he can't be Senaril since Senaril is a girl. Aaeru keeps her silence for now.
[20:37] <Janson> "But these others might be able to entertain Lady Senaril better than the last one, right, Mistress?" he then tries prodding Lyris to see if they can get past this guy and any other obstacles with a bluff and reach Senaril directly.
[20:37] <Kotono> "They are entertainment," Lyris agrees, "Stand aside, Hunter."
[20:37] <Kotono> "That may be, but m'lady is not so ignorant to be unaware of Whimsical Sweets. A man of blue, a woman in clean simple clothes, a dryad orphan?" Cocking his head to the side, "M'lady is most interested on if you can prove to be more interesting than Lady Andrea was. I confess, even her flavor was pedestrian."
[20:38] <Janson> Ohhh... Janson almost rises to the bait, but with an effort cools himself. This guy can get his after his boss.
[20:39] <Aaeru> "We are going to her," Aaeru puts it in terms so simple even the manor's hunter can understand. "Are you gonna stop us?"
[20:39] <Kotono> Sylvie's color drains, her fists clenching. But she says not a word.
[20:40] * Wayland tightens his fists, the leather gloves creaking ominously.
[20:40] <Kotono> "I am." He smiles darkly as he whistles, echoing in the forest around, "Even the hounds found Andrea's taste to be insufficient, for they are still hungry. If you are able to get past me and them, m'lady will perhaps see you. If not...then I only hope you provide better taste than Lady Andrea's."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Fey hounds," Lyris murmurs as he rhands go into her pouches, "Use cold iron, they fight in packs."
[20:41] <Aaeru> "Then we're going through you!" Aaeru calls, rushing at the Hunter!

[20:41] <Kotono> OOC: Let's do init here.
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Sylvie
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Sylvie and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[20:41] <Janson> roll 1d20+4 would've been better off if I had risen to the bait
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 would've been better off if I had risen to the bait and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[20:41] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 18." [1d20=11]
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Simmer
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Simmer and gets 19." [1d20=13]
[20:42] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+1
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+1 and gets 19." [1d20=18]
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Lyris
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Lyris and gets 14." [1d20=5]
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 Hunter
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 Hunter and gets 5." [1d20=4]
[20:42] <Kotono> roll 6#1d20+3 hounds
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6#1d20+3 hounds and gets 91." [6#1d20+3 = 21, 16, 14, 9, 22, 9]
[20:43] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(25)>Simmer(19)>Wayland(18)>Janson(14)'
[20:43] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(25)>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Janson=Lyris(14)>Hunter(5)'
[20:44] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(25)>Hound 5(22)>Hound 1(21)>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Hound 2(16)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)>Hunter(5)'
[20:45] <Kotono> OOC: Sylvie will hold, she's not going to brush the hunter by herself, she'll wait for targets. Hound 5 is up.
[20:46] <Kotono> From the woods to the party's right, it erupts out! A long, lithe hound dog colored forest green! It has vestigal butterfly wings and long, elegant fangs as it leaps out to chomp down on Wayland!
[20:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 (+2 charge) flatfooted AC, Yuth?
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 (+2 charge) flatfooted AC, Yuth? and gets 8." [1d20=4]
[20:47] <Wayland> OOC: 15
[20:47] <Wayland> OOC: AoO?
[20:47] <Kotono> OOC: Flatfooted.
[20:47] <Wayland> OOC: Oh yeah, my bad
[20:48] * Aaeru kicks the charging hound in the head to deter him from any foolish attacks!
[20:48] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[20:49] <Kotono> Aaeru strikes out as the hound bites down! At the same time Wayland evades back, the wolf surging ahead to compensate! As a result all concerned manage to miss! OOC: Sylvie will go now.
[20:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Hound 5(22)>Sylvie>Hound 1(21)>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Hound 2(16)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)>Hunter(5)'
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 tumble check
[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 tumble check and gets 31." [1d20=18]
[20:49] <Kotono> Sylvie quickly rolls to the side, ending up at the back of the wolf! A moment later her fist strikes out at it's side!
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 (+2 flanking, 1 point spent on cunning strike for 1d6 SA)
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 (+2 flanking, 1 point spent on cunning strike for 1d6 SA) and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1+1d6
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1+1d6 and gets 10." [1d6=3][1d6=6]
[20:51] <Kotono> Sylvie manages to club the wolf's side, hand slipping in to pulverize a kidney! It wobbles on it's four feet, as meanwhile to the other side another elegant wolf erupts out! This one goes right at Simmer, trying to chomp down on her!
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 (+2 charge), AoO as I resolve this, Aaeru, if you're gonna.
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 (+2 charge), AoO as I resolve this, Aaeru, if you're gonna. and gets 23." [1d20=19]
[20:52] <Aaeru> OOC: Sorry, my dex mod is only +1
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1 and trippin' dryad time
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and trippin' dryad time and gets 4." [1d6=3]
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Doesn't beat her Dr.
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 trip vs CMD of 20
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 trip vs CMD of 20 and gets 10." [1d20=4]
[20:53] <Kotono> The wolf gets it's jaws around Simmer's ankle...and it seems to have no effect at all, Simmer smiling, "Oh hi, burn victim!" she calls! OOC: Simmer and Aaeru are up.
[20:54] <Kotono> Simmer cheerfully concentrates!
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 20." [1d20=14]
[20:55] <Kotono> Opening her hands up and pointing down, a torrent of fire engulfs the wolf below!
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 5d4 reflex for half coming up
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d4 reflex for half coming up and gets 14." [5d4=4, 3, 1, 2, 4]
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[20:55] * Kotono changes topic to 'Hound 5(22)>Sylvie>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Hound 2(16)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)>Hunter(5)'
[20:56] <Aaeru> Her friends seem to have the hound-wolf-butterfly things under control, and Aaeru continues the charge she had halted, leaping at the Hunter with a flying kick when she is in range!
[20:56] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+12 charge, blades of fire
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+12 charge, blades of fire and gets 23." [1d20=11]
[20:56] <Kotono> The flames consume the jaw gnawing wolf with speed, setting it ablaze as it collapses! "Bye burn victim," Simmer whistles, turning her attention to the Hunter! "Hey, you wanna try this?" OOC: Hit, Aaeru.
[20:56] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+4
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10." [2d6=2, 4]
[20:57] <Aaeru> roll 1d6+1d8 fire
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d6+1d8 fire and gets 8." [1d6=1][1d8=7]
[20:58] <Kotono> Bursting into flames Aaeru charges forward, a powerful kick of fire and force sending the elven archer back! His chest is ablaze and his form doubled over, coughing up blood from the strike! Aaeru can feel metal beneath his clothes, resisting, but utterly blown away by her strike! OOC: Wayland.
[20:59] <Aaeru> "Surrender!" Aaeru demands, glaring down at the little elf. "Right now!"
[21:00] <Wayland> "Or don't, and we'll gleefully pummel you into a fine paste!" Wayland says, lunging for the beast that snapped at him earlier!
[21:00] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:00] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[21:01] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4
[21:01] <Kotono> OOC: Two htis.
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 and gets 9." [1d20=5]
[21:01] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 8." [1d8=2][1d6=3]
[21:01] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=6][1d6=2]
[21:01] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Hound 2(16)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)>Hunter(5)'
[21:01] <Kotono> With a one-two flurry of blows, the already wounded hound is sent down for good, blood oozing out of it's ears!  A second later a second hound leaps out from the left, going in and chomping on Lyris!
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4  and gets 20." [1d20=16]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1 and tripping times
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and tripping times and gets 5." [1d6=4]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 vs CMD 22
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 vs CMD 22 and gets 22." [1d20=16]
[21:02] <Kotono> OOC: Add Lyris to topic HP, her max HP is 53.
[21:03] <Kotono> With a chomp onto Lyris' side, the mercenary is sent tumbling to the ground! She lands in a roll, already trying to recover! OOC: Janson, go. You're up along with her and Hound 3.
[21:04] <Janson> "Hey, get off her!" Janson snaps at the dog, sending an eldritch blast down into it and then backing away towards Aaeru and around so he has a line of fire on the elf.
[21:04] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[21:04] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 25." [3d6=6, 4, 1][4d6=2, 4, 3, 5]
[21:04] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)>Hunter(5)'
[21:05] <Kotono> Janson sends a blast through the hound, knocking it flying as it lands somewhere in the forest beyond! Lyris quickly springs up, a pair of darts thrown with deadly speed at the Hunter!
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 27." [1d20=15]
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24." [1d20=12]
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4 and gets 5." [1d4=1]
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4 and gets 5." [1d4=1]
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 fort
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 fort and gets 21." [1d20=14]
[21:07] <Kotono> Two small darts end up in the elf's chest, joining the impact and burns already there! He wobbles more on his feet as he straightens up, glaring at Aaeru, "Lady Senaril's orders are absolute and interesting!" Meanwhile a third hound breaks out, this one going at Sylvie's back!
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22." [1d20=18]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 6." [1d6=5]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 tripping vs 22
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 tripping vs 22 and gets 10." [1d20=4]
[21:08] <Aaeru> "We'll see if you find jail interesting!" Aaeru snaps at the Hunter as he seals his fate with his careless words.
[21:08] <Kotono> Sylvie's back gets a bite gash in it as she hisses, teh wolf pouncing on her swiftly! She manages to stay up, glaring at it from over her shoulder! OOC: Hound 4 and 6.
[21:09] <Kotono> Like lightning two more hounds come, one on Wayland again and another on Simmer!
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Wayland
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Wayland and gets 19." [1d20=15]
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Simmer ACs?
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Simmer ACs? and gets 6." [1d20=2]
[21:10] <Wayland> OOC: 19
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1 and you get a trip attempt on you, WAyland. CMD?
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and you get a trip attempt on you, WAyland. CMD? and gets 4." [1d6=3]
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 tripping.
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 tripping. and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[21:11] <Wayland> OOC: 23
[21:11] <Kotono> WAyland gets a grazing bite on his arm as he mostly evades it's powerful tug, while Simmer barely even has to move to avoid hers! The hunter staggers back, taking a few well placed steps before letting his arrows fly at Aaeru, "No surrender!" he gasps!
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16." [1d20=11]
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[21:12] <Aaeru> OOC: AC 21, can he do that?
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: 5ft step, sure.
[21:12] <Aaeru> OOC: 10ft reach
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: Feel free to smack him then.
[21:13] <Aaeru> "This is you regretting it!" Aaeru cries, backhanding the hunter across the face.
[21:13] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12." [1d20=2]
[21:13] <Kotono> Arrows and blows miss as the two dance, dodging and facing off against one another! OOC: Sylvie.
[21:13] <Kotono> Meanwhile Sylvie turns, sending a rapid series of blows against the hound on her!
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (+5 cunning insight)
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 (+5 cunning insight)
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 (+5 cunning insight) and gets 15." [1d20=7]
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 (+5 cunning insight) and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 6." [1d6=5]
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 3." [1d6=2]
[21:14] <Kotono> A pair of quick blows rock the hound, sending it creeping back but not downing it! OOC: Simmer and Aaeru, go!
[21:15] * Aaeru grimly steps in after the Hunter, needing but a single moment to rebalance herself. She already made a vow that he will regret his villainous actions, and now it is up to her to deliver on that.
[21:15] <Kotono> Simmer meanwhile casually steps back, "Sorry, have to save the fire for Senaril," she says, shooting an arrow right at the frisky hound!
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 12." [1d20=1]
[21:15] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 and gets 29." [1d20=19]
[21:15] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+5
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: That be a hit.
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: That not be a hit.
[21:15] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+4 nonlethal
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+4 nonlethal and gets 14." [2d6=5, 5]
[21:15] <Aaeru> roll 1d6 fire
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d6 fire and gets 6." [1d6=6]
[21:16] <Kotono> But her arrow slams into the dirt, missing utterly! M Eanwhile Aaeru strikes, slamming the Hunter in the guts! He collapses, eyes rolling up into the back of his head! OOC: Wayland, go.
[21:16] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 4=Hound 6(9)'
[21:16] * Wayland spind and wails on the dog that bit him!
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27." [1d20=18]
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 and gets 20." [1d20=16]
[21:17] <Kotono> OOC: Those all hit.
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 16." [1d8=8][1d6=5]
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 9." [1d8=4][1d6=2]
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 6." [1d8=1][1d6=2]
[21:17] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie>Simmer=Aaeru(19)>Wayland(18)>Janson=Lyris=Hound 3(14)>Hound 6(9)'
[21:17] <Kotono> Just like that the fourth hound is plummeled so hard it virtually collapses in on itself like a black hole! OOC: Janson and Lyris and Hound 3.
[21:18] * Janson moves back closer to rejoin the others and throws a blast of orange fey magic into Simmer's persistent foe!
[21:18] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[21:18] <Kotono> Lyris turns her gaze, sprinting 20ft ahead and sending two darts out, one at the wolf on Wayland and one on the wolf at Sylvie!
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[21:18] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 18." [3d6=4, 2, 3][4d6=6, 1, 1, 1]
[21:18] <Kotono> OOC: Er, Simmer, though that one's dead now anyway so just two on Sylvie's.
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 16." [1d20=4]
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 13." [1d20=1]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6 and gets 25." [1d4=1][4d6=6, 2, 6, 6]
[21:19] <Kotono> With those last skirmishes the enemies are wiped out, the way ahead clear! OOC: Free act.

[21:20] * Janson digs into his backpack and produces two of Josa's special healing nectars, offering one to his girlfriend and one to his boss!
[21:20] <Kotono> Sylvie drinks upw ithout hesitation, as Lyris sniffs it, "...candy?"
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1 Sylvie healing
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 Sylvie healing and gets 5." [1d8=4]
[21:20] <Wayland> "That's what we do. Candy and beatdowns."
[21:20] <Aaeru> "We'll bring him back when we return," Aaeru announces, ensuring that the Hunter won't be waking up any time soon.
[21:20] <Janson> "It's a healing potion, just with a neat flavour," he explains, gesturing to Sylvie and her healing wounds.
[21:20] <Kotono> Lyris takes a sniff and rinks up as well!
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 and gets 3." [1d8=2]
[21:21] <Kotono> As wounds are partially mended by magic, "That wasn't a bad warmup," Sylvie announces, "Besides the getting bit part. What are we going to do with him?"
[21:22] <Aaeru> "Put him on trial. He should pay for what he did! He's as bad as a Sharran!"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Burn him?" Simmer asks, "If we take him back to Balmuria I wanna take him into the Furance and give him a lava bath."
[21:22] <Janson> "He ate Andrea," Janson looks at the downed elf, appalled. "I thought Senaril would probably do something horrible with her body, but..." he turns a little bit green as he contemplates it.
[21:23] <Aaeru> A tremor goes through Aaeru at Janson's words. "Balmuria is a good city. Andrea will have justice! I believe that!"
[21:24] <Kotono> Sylvie closes her eyes and bows her head, "Andrea..." she says in a tired, small voice. "We need to keep going and not think about it too much. It's mental warfare, trying to get into our heads."
[21:24] <Wayland> "As much as I'd like to see him suffer...Aaeru is right. Proper justice is necessary." Wayland sighs.
[21:25] <Kotono> Lyris shakes her head, "This is new to me, I had no idea Senaril would do that!" She looks pale as she says that, "Get some rope and I'll force some venom into him. Even if he wakes up he won't be able to escape after that."
[21:25] * Aaeru looks down at the motionless elf, then at Sylvie and Wayland, and finally nods at Lyris.
[21:25] <Janson> "I want to kill him..." Janson admits, looking at the disgusting figure on the ground. "But I guess if the law wants to kill him it can have its turn, just so long as he doesn't..." he stops and smiles at Lyris, "Good thinking," he agrees, procuring his rope from his backpack.
[21:26] <Kotono> Lyris takes out a vial and pours it into Hunter's mouth, before knotting him up good. Once done she dusts her hands off and rises, "Let's go. Before something worse has a chance to happen."
[21:27] * Aaeru nods again, more than ready to leave this horrible person and bring his monstrous mistress to justice as well.
[21:27] * Janson nods and continues walking towards the mansion, barely resisting the urge to give the monster a churlish kick in the stomach.
[21:28] <Kotono> It takes about 5 more minutes, but you reach the manor proper! Ahead the moon is impossibly huge in the sky, shining down silvery light everywhere. Ahead lies a grand manor house, three stories big and quite tall. Atop the center is what looks to be a belltower. The entire thing is surrounded by no fence, just a big, lush green lawn.
[21:28] <Wayland> "I don't suppose we could just burn the place down and flush them out." Wayland muses.
[21:29] * Aaeru heads for the front door. It wouldn't matter if it's open or not.
[21:29] <Janson> "Stick close together once we get inside," Janson suggests to the others. "Get seperated and we might not find each other for a long time."
[21:29] <Janson> "It's not so much a physical space, Wayland. And we want to get Marianne out safely, too."
[21:29] <Kotono> The front door is open, as if inviting! As you go ahead...OOC: Make spot, everyone.

[21:29] <Janson> roll 1d20+10
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14." [1d20=4]
[21:29] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+9
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+9 and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[21:29] <Wayland> roll 1d20+5
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Lyrs
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Lyrs and gets 29." [1d20=19]
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Simmer
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Simmer and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: Won't bother with Sylvie, those two killed it.

[21:30] <Kotono> As Aaeru approaches the door, the party following, "BACK!" Lyris calls, "Her Midnight Chaser is swooping! NOW!"
[21:31] * Aaeru leaps back at Lyris's warning, but keeps herself before anyone else all the same. If someone is going to attack, she will be there to defend the others against it!
[21:31] * Janson looks up and scrambles backwards! If it's another name for bat-face he'll be happy to give him what for!
[21:32] <Kotono> Aaeru leaps back! Indeed, it's a giant bat familiar with Janson! It glides right by where she was, teeth snapping down! OOC: Init, you avoided a surprise round.

[21:32] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[21:32] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+1
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 10." [1d20=6]
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+1 and gets 7." [1d20=6]
[21:32] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[21:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Sylvie
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Sylvie and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Simmer
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Simmer and gets 7." [1d20=1]
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Lyris
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Lyris and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[21:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 bat
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 bat and gets 7." [1d20=1]
[21:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(30)>Wayland=Lyris(17)>Janson(10)>Simmer=Midnight Chaser=Aaeru(7)'
[21:35] <Kotono> The bat is 15 feet from Aaeru and 10 ft in the air. Sylvie holds a moment, as...OOC: Go Wayland and Lyris.
[21:36] <Kotono> Lyris runs 20ft to the side, sending a part of darts out at the bat swiftly!
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29." [1d20=17]
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 22." [1d20=10]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6 and gets 20." [1d4=3][4d6=2, 1, 4, 6]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 13." [1d20=6]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d6 str damage
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 str damage and gets 5." [1d6=5]
[21:36] * Wayland quickly whips out his sling, tossing a bullet in and whipping it at the bat, quickly followed by a second!
[21:37] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(30)>Wayland=Lyris(17)>Janson(10)>Simmer=Midnight Chase(-5 str)r=Aaeru(7)'
[21:37] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14." [1d20=5]
[21:37] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 and gets 20." [1d20=16]
[21:37] <Kotono> A flurry of stones follow the bat, joined by darts! Of them only a dart hits home, right in the wing of the bat! IT's entire frame weaves bout eratticly in the air after the shot! OOC: Janson, go.
[21:38] * Janson breaks to the opposite side as Lyris, his glowing bolt of orange magic hurling up to slam into the bat! "Should've done this the first time you rotten bastard!"
[21:38] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 12." [1d20=5]
[21:40] <Kotono> Janson quickly fires off the yellow ball, but the bat's wobbling lets it accidentally evade! OOC: Aaeru, Simmer and the bat are lal up. Go ahead and go you two.
[21:40] <Aaeru> "Stop that!" Aaeru pleads with the bat, once she orients herself. "You're serving a really bad person!"
[21:41] <Kotono> "Aaeru?" Simmer glances at her as she opens her hands again, "More fire! It's a bat, anyway!"
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 5d4 reflex for half
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d4 reflex for half and gets 15." [5d4=3, 4, 4, 1, 3]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[21:42] * Aaeru doesn't look particularly happy, but follows Simmer's suggestion and quickly retraces her steps, reaching up to snag the bat out of the air!
[21:42] <Kotono> Flames leap out and lick at the bat, scorching it all over! OOC: Going ot do anything, Aaeru? It looks burnt and pissed off, and not in a talking mood.
[21:42] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+17 grapple
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+17 grapple and gets 35." [1d20=18]
[21:42] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+4+1d6 nonlethal+fire
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+4+1d6 nonlethal+fire and gets 20." [2d6=4, 6][1d6=6]
[21:43] <Kotono> With a falming grasp and hug, the bat is burnt alive! It struggles momentarily before falling down, wrapping burning wings around Aaeru as it falls! OOC: Free act.

[21:44] * Aaeru jumps back in shock. "I tried to grab it really lightly!" she swears, glancing back at the others.
[21:44] <Wayland> "...well."
[21:44] <Janson> "Good. That asshole attacked me the first time I was here, too... he's a human-eater too," Janson declares, recalling comments about 'craving flesh'. "Lets go," he goes to push the door open.
[21:45] <Aaeru> "Ah--" Aaeru decides not to respond, moving to the front to better serve as a shield for everyone.
[21:46] <Kotono> Ahead is a beautiful pavillion, curtains of the finest silk and a staircase of marble rising up. Statues are about, as well as works of art.Doors and stairways are about, dozens of paths to choose from. Here Lyris speaks, "From here, direction can alter and nothing is certain. Be cautious.
[21:46] <Kotono> "
[21:47] <Aaeru> "I'll go slowly," Aaeru promises, choosing the path leading straight ahead.
[21:47] <Janson> "You knew your way around before, think you can figure it out or should we just go randomly?" Janson asks the brunette as he crosses the threshold.
[21:51] <Kotono> Lyris shakes her head as the party goes on, "It's impossible totell as far as I know. When Senaril wants you somewhere you'll find it, but otherwise..."
[21:51] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 29." [1d100=29]
[21:52] <Kotono> You wander down a well decorated hallway, coming to an archway. Past it lies what looks to be a library - great tall bookshelves, rolling latters about to reach the higher shelves. Sylvie stops, sucking in her breath.
[21:53] <Aaeru> "We're not gonna be fooled by your evil books!" Aaeru exclaims, looking around for any signs of nasty fey.
[21:53] * Janson takes Sylvie's hand. "They'll still be there when we're done, Sylvie," he whispers to try and keep her focused.
[21:55] <Kotono> "I know..." Sylvie murmurs back, squeezing Janson's hand! There's no sign of fey about - just looks of bookshelves and a pair of doors at the back.
[21:56] * Janson takes a look for any magic about in the library before advancing on to the next doors.
[21:57] <Aaeru> "Evil nymphs don't have magic to twist your mind, like puzzles or anything, right?" Aaeru asks in the meantime.
[21:58] <Kotono> There's a single source of magic - way in the back and side of the library, out of sight.
[21:58] <Wayland> "They're nymphs...they could have -anything.-" Wayland growls.
[21:59] <Janson> "There's something magic over there," Janson points, going over to investigate, still holding Sylvie's hand.
[21:59] <Aaeru> "I talked to Rubri'Granit after everything, and I learned a spell for that," Aaeru confides. "I practiced it a lot so it should work! Should I?"
[21:59] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 spellcraft and gets 18." [1d20=5]
[22:00] <Kotono> Janson can't puzzle out the magic! Going back, you find that the far back has an alcove. Here a massive book is suspended from the ceiling by chains! It must be thousands of pages long if not more, the size of twenty ordinary books placed together! It's open to a page in the middle, not a picture to be seen.
[22:00] <Janson> "Hmm... can't really figure out what the magic does. Probably best not to mess with it in that case - we should keep moving."
[22:01] * Aaeru decides that she should since there are no objections, and calls upon a magical circle of protection before catching up to Janson and Sylvie.
[22:01] <Kotono> Sylvie takes a longing look at it, "Maybe I could just read a few pages?"
[22:02] * Aaeru gives Sylvie a strange look. "Is that more important than justice for Andrea?"
[22:02] <Janson> "It could be cursed or something worse," Janson cautions, although if she really insists he won't stop her.
[22:03] <Kotono> "It's just..." Sylvie stops and stares at it, "What knowledge is so important that it has a book like THAT?"
[22:03] * Wayland nods. "Yes, we need to focus. You can take the entire library with you after we take down the Senaril woman. Also, if the book is in chains, probably not a good idea to just read it."
[22:04] <Wayland> "After all, if it wasn't in chains...where would it wander off to on its own?"
[22:05] <Kotono> Lyris steps forward, "Senaril calls it the Infinite Codex," she says, "That anything written can be found in it...but it's difficult to use and understand. If you aren't strong of intellect and mind, it can be a disaster."
[22:05] <Janson> "Sounds like you'd need a long time to make use of it, not just skim a few pages," Janson gives the blonde a little pull. "Come on, you can take it home after we're done here."
[22:06] <Wayland> "See? Dangerous. We can come back for it later."
[22:06] <Kotono> Sylvie makes a little whimper, but tears her head away and follows. Ahead are two doors - both closed.
[22:07] <Janson> Janson puts a stop to that with his hands!

[Corwin]

[20:18] <Kotono> The doors are opened! Both lead to seemingly normal enough halls on a glance. Lyris peers ahead and shakes her head, "It hardly matters - choose one."
[20:18] <Aaeru> "The right?" Aaeru suggests, picking that one.
[20:18] <Janson> "Lets pick the right path," Janson smiles slightly at the pun, following Aaeru.
[20:19] * Wayland follows along!
[20:20] <Kotono> The party proceeds on! You walk ahead into a rich room, the walls paneled...after a moment you can realize there is no door the way you came, only solid wall. Ahead of you are two pillars, one on the left side of the room and one on the right. One shows the rising sun, the other shows the luminous moon.
[20:20] * Janson grumbles under his breath and starts looking for any hidden doors.
[20:21] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 searchan
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 searchan and gets 24." [1d20=13]
[20:21] <Kotono> Janson finds no hidden doors or anything of that ilk.
[20:21] <Kotono> Lyris looks about, "This part of the manor is unfamiliar to me," she announces, "I know it not."
[20:22] <Janson> "Well I guess this'd be a clever way to trap us," Janson muses, looking at Aaeru. "Think you can break down a wall for us?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Sun and moon, day and night. Opposing forces," Sylvie takes a look at the pillars.
[20:22] <Wayland> "We could always try the other way." Wayland says.
[20:22] <Aaeru> "We can break--" Aaeru begins to say, before nodding at Janson. "I can. Unless, like, Sylvie's got something?"
[20:23] <Janson> "What other way?" Janson asks Wayland curiously.
[20:23] <Wayland> "We could go back the way we came and take the other path?"
[20:23] <Aaeru> "The door is, like, gone."
[20:23] * Janson looks at the solid wall blocking that direction. "Yeah, you do that and tell us how you get on?"
[20:24] * Wayland looks back. "Oh."
[20:24] <Kotono> Indeed, the door is quite gone. How you got into the room is quite the feat, you swear you passed through one...
[20:24] <Janson> "Anyway!" Janson turns and goes to regard the pillars. "These are magic, if nothing else."
[20:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft sun
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 spellcraft sun and gets 25." [1d20=12]
[20:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft moon
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 spellcraft moon and gets 29." [1d20=16]
[20:25] <Aaeru> "Senaril's the moon or something, because of, well, the huge moon outside?" Aaeru ventures. "I could break that one first!"
[20:26] <Janson> "Oh, we get teleported somewhere if we touch a pillar. They go different places, though... lets go with Moon?" Janson suggests, moving towards that pillar but not touching it yet in case anyone protests.
[20:26] <Wayland> "Better than sitting in a room with no doors forever." Wayland nods.
[20:27] <Aaeru> "Sure thing," Aaeru readily agrees, taking Janson's hand just in case and touching the pillar once everyone else is ready.
[20:27] <Kotono> The party forms around them, Simmer peering, "Hopefully this is a good thing, but hey, Selune's been lucky for us so far."
[20:28] * Wayland nods.
[20:29] <Aaeru> This is where the touching happens, then!
[20:31] <Kotono> As you touch the pillar, the party vanishes! You stand in a square of packed dirt, 50ft by 50ft. All around the square are lush gardens. The sky above is luminous with the moon, shedding it's light in silver radiance. Ahead of you are ghostly, phantasmal things - mena nd women, locked in graceful dance. A waltz plays from source unheart, the dancers pracing around! Standing amid them, 20 feet
[20:31] <Kotono> away, is one solid creature. It is tall and slimy-red, six feet tall and with a murderer's smile. It has long claws on it's hands, it's body clad in a loose white dancer's shirt and black pants.  A golden unicorn necklace dangles from his neck, as the creature's slimy-red eyes focus on the party. With an elaborate bow, "Dance with me!" he calls in Common! "Let us dance under the pale moonlight!"
[20:32] <Janson> "Oh to hell with that!" Janson blurts out, skittering behind Aaeru and calling forth eldritch powers in his hand!
[20:32] <Aaeru> "Senaril is a bad person!" Aaeru returns, raising her fists defensively. "Surrender!"
[20:33] <Kotono> To that, the figure dances wilder, coming towards the party! OOC: First off,a nyone can make K:P to identify it. Any takers?
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Planes Sylvie
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Planes Sylvie and gets 22." [1d20=8]
[20:33] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+4
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+4 and gets 17." [1d20=13]
[20:34] <Wayland> roll 1d20 YEAH
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20 YEAH and gets 17." [1d20=17]

[20:35] <Kotono> Aaeru and Wayland know that the creature is a Babau - a loathesome demon from the Abyss. Beware it's jelly skin, it causes acid burns on contact and can destroy weapons used to strike it. OOC: Roll init now.
[20:35] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 7." [1d20=3]
[20:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Sylvie
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Sylvie and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[20:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Simmer
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Simmer and gets 24." [1d20=18]
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Lyris
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Lyris and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[20:36] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 and gets 11." [1d20=9]
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 Babau
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 Babau and gets 5." [1d20=4]
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20 ????
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 ???? and gets 8." [1d20=8]
[20:36] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 ???? 2
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 ???? 2 and gets 11." [1d20=7]
[20:37] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie(31)>Simmer(24)>Lyris(18)>????2=Aaeru(11)>Wayland(10)>????1(8)>Janson(7)>Babau(5)'
[20:38] * Yuthirin (~Dis@c-71-194-208-215.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
[20:39] <Yuthirin> "Be careful what you hit it with," Wayland says, "It's a Babau. It has acid skin."
[20:39] <Kotono> Sylvie holds a moment, preparing herself! A moment later Simmer nods, magical armor springing up around her body! OOC: Mage armor. Lyris is up. Sylvie's holding until it's weakened a bit or she can flank.
[20:40] <Kotono> Lyris sprints 20 feet to the side, a pair of darts flying towards the babau!
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29." [1d20=17]
[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28." [1d20=16]
[20:40] * Wayland (~Dis@c-71-194-208-215.hsd1.il.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:41] * Yuthirin is now known as Wayland
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2-10
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2-10
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2-10 and gets 13." [1d4=2][4d6=2, 3, 4, 6]
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2-10 and gets 4." [1d4=1][4d6=1, 1, 3, 2]
[20:42] <Kotono> OOC: What's the radius on your magic circle, Aaeru?
[20:42] <Aaeru> OOC: MCaE is 10ft around me
[20:43] <Kotono> A pair of darts embed in the babau's shirted chest, sizzling against the acidic muck! As they do, the spirits around you dance and dance! It is a frantic dance, overwhelming your senses! But to the majority nothing happens! OOC: Lyris needs a will save, others are safe.
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[20:43] <Kotono> But nothing at all indeed happens! OOC Go Aaeru.
[20:45] <Aaeru> Aaeru's eyes narrow, and she clenches her fist, pointing it towards the demon. Cleansing, golden light spreads out from it mere moments after as she advances upon the foul creature fearlessly, intending to drive him away with the holy might of Ilmater!
[20:46] <Aaeru> roll 6d6 fort dc15, moving 10ft closer
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 6d6 fort dc15, moving 10ft closer and gets 18." [6d6=5, 1, 6, 4, 1, 1]
[20:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[20:47] <Kotono> A blast of holy power momentarily staggers the demon, but only momentarily! OOC: Wayland, go.
[20:51] * Wayland charges the creature, covering the distance between himself and Aaeru and beyond, to the edge of the circle!
[20:51] <Wayland> roll 1d20+12
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+12 and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[20:53] <Kotono> Wayland charges in, going right for the beast! But his blow whizzes wide, the babau making a dancing dodge! He grins at that, "So someone is finally ready to dance instead of throwing barbs? Excellent! Dance with me, mortal!" Yet a split second later, the ground beneath Aaeru erupts open! A four-armed, small green creature with a big mouth on top, one that goes to chomp right down on Aaeru!
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 AC?
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 AC? and gets 19." [1d20=13]
[20:54] <Aaeru> OOC: 23
[20:54] <Kotono> But Aaeru is able to leap up, keeping her legs apart and avoiding the bite! OOC: Any of you can make K:P here if you care to.
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Sylvie
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Sylvie and gets 26." [1d20=12]
[20:55] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+4
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+4 and gets 15." [1d20=11]
[20:55] <Wayland> roll 1d20 YEAH
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20 YEAH and gets 11." [1d20=11]
[20:56] <Kotono> As Aaeru dodges Sylvie whirls, stepping forward and slamming her fists at it! "Xorn," she calls, "Hit it with maces and clubs and bare fists! Simmer, fire won't work!" OOC: Sylvie's going now. Better than trying to punch out an acid skinned babau.
[20:57] <Aaeru> "Stop that!" Aaeru cries with a yelp. "You're working for a demon! A demon! That's wrong!"
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA)
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA) and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA)
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA) and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA) crit?
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 (+2 flank with Aaeru, 2 inspiration on +5 to the attacks, 1 for +1d6 SA) crit? and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1+1d6
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1+1d6 and gets 9." [1d6=6][1d6=2]
[20:59] <Kotono> Sylvie manages to land a solid thump to it's side, one of it's arms thrashing about! Janson can see the magic on it's hand - a small golden ring! Meanwhile...OOC: Janson, go.
[20:59] <Janson> "They all work for Senaril and that's worse!" Janson snaps, mirroring Lyris and darting twenty feet to the opposite side to hurl a blast of energy at the babau, struggling to keep up with Wayland also getting in the thing's face!
[20:59] <Janson> roll 1d20+3
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+3 and gets 22." [1d20=19]
[20:59] * Kotono changes topic to 'Simmer(24)>Lyris(18)>????2=Aaeru(11)>Wayland(10)>Xorn(8)>Sylvie>Janson(7)>Babau(5)'
[20:59] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 SR?
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 SR? and gets 21." [1d20=15]
[20:59] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 20." [3d6=2, 2, 3][4d6=4, 3, 4, 2]
[21:00] <Kotono> A quick shot of orange energy slams into the babau, burning up much of it's shirt! It's pendant is unburned, and momentarily glows!
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 2d8+10
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+10 and gets 17." [2d8=2, 5]
[21:01] <Kotono> It's wounds partially heal in an instant, as it smiles obscenely! It tumbles back 10 feet with disgusting, perfect ease as the sound of a guitar strumming is heard!
[21:01] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 62." [1d100=62]
[21:01] <Kotono> But nothing happens! OOC: Simmer's up.
[21:02] <Kotono> Simmer carefully retreats back and draws her bow, firing a quick shot off at the Xorn!
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 (-4 Janson's ache)
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 (-4 Janson's ache) and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d8
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8 and gets 1." [1d8=1]
[21:03] <Kotono> The arrow flies true, but doesn't even penetrate the Xorn's green hide! "I can't burn it and arrows don't work! Someone else kill it!" OOC: Lyri sis up.
[21:03] <Kotono> Lyris strafes again to the sides of the babau, firing off two more darts with steely eyed determination!
[21:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 she actually has precise shot. Fancy that.
[21:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 she actually has precise shot. Fancy that.
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 she actually has precise shot. Fancy that. and gets 14." [1d20=2]
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 she actually has precise shot. Fancy that. and gets 30." [1d20=18]
[21:04] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2-10
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2-10 and gets 11." [1d4=4][4d6=4, 1, 5, 1]
[21:04] <Kotono> The flurry of darts flies, resulting in one going into the babau's neck! It barely seems phased by it, bleeding but relentless! OOC: Ghosts are up.
[21:05] <Kotono> The ghosts continue to dance, but this time it becomes more pointed! The ghostly bodies flail about, as if a combat dance directed at everyone!
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Touch ACs, all?
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 Touch ACs, all? and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[21:05] <Wayland> OOC: Higher than that
[21:05] <Janson> OOC: 16
[21:05] <Kotono> Yet amid the frantic dance of them, the combatants weave and dodge, avoiding the dancers as gracefully as they come at them! OOC: Aaeru, go.
[21:07] <Aaeru> Joining her hands together, Aaeru brings a double-fisted strike on the xorn's head, sending it straight into her knee! Once it recoils, she punches it straight in the face to pass the torch to Sylvie!
[21:07] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+8 critical strike
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+8 critical strike and gets 16." [1d20=8]
[21:08] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[21:08] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+5
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[21:08] <Aaeru> OOC: First one's 18, sorry
[21:08] <Kotono> Aaeru slams and strikes with all her might, yet she cannot land a single blow! The Xorn's skin is hard as a rock, and it's body is stunningly nimble! OOC: Wayland, go.
[21:12] * Wayland takes a moment to remove his gloves, stuffing them into his belt pouch.
[21:13] <Kotono> OOc: That all you gonna do this round, Wayland?
[21:14] <Wayland> OOC: Yup. Move action, and he's 10 ft away.
[21:14] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Xorn is up. Fear.
[21:14] <Kotono> The xorn retorts by trying to chomp down on Aaeru again, being directly beneath her!
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[21:14] <Kotono> But again it can't land a blow, chomping and gnawing at her ankle in vain! OOC: Sylvie.
[21:15] <Kotono> Sylvie pushes her advantage, slamming rapidly at the Xorn!
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[21:15] <Kotono> But she can't land any shots either, the three all forced almost into a single space and dodging, punching and biting in vain, a tangle of women and Xorn! OOC: Janson.
[21:16] <Janson> With a grateful nod at Wayland, Janson continues mirroring Lyris, circling around on the other side of the Babau and launching another blast of magic at it!
[21:16] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 20." [1d20=13]
[21:16] <Janson> roll 1d206 SR
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d206 SR and gets 43." [1d206=43]
[21:16] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 even
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 even and gets 18." [1d20=12]
[21:16] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 21." [3d6=4, 2, 2][4d6=3, 4, 5, 1]
[21:17] <Kotono> The eldritch energies slam into the vile demon once more, staggering it! It's body is bleeding a green-black bloodlike substance, it's shoulders slumping! But it's fury is undimished, grinning as it charges at Wayland! "Then let us dance straight into the Abyss together!"
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 (+2 charge)
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 (+2 charge) and gets 21." [1d20=6]
[21:18] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[21:18] <Wayland> OOC: Ahh...19
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 3d6+5 ow
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+5 ow and gets 19." [3d6=4, 6, 4]
[21:19] <Kotono> It's claw is absurdly sharp, raking against Wayland's chest and stomach! Lines of blood flow out from the deep wound! The babau spins and bows after it, "Aah, let us continue to dance together! I will romance your body as I drag your soulw ith me!" OOC: Simmer.
[21:20] <Kotono> Simmer stays well back of the entire affair now, trying another arrow, this one at the babau!
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 16." [1d20=9]
[21:20] <Kotono> But the babau leans back as the arrow comes, avoiding it with comical ease! Maenwhile Lyris focuses on the babau, falling back and to the side before more darts go to join where Janson's blast hit!
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14." [1d20=2]
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31." [1d20=19]
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2-10
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2-10 and gets 6." [1d4=1][4d6=1, 1, 4, 3]
[21:21] <Kotono> Of them one hits, staggering the bloodied demon further but not putting it down! She nods as she passes by Janson, "Like that, same technique!" OOC: Dancers are up.
[21:22] <Kotono> The dancers continue to fill everything, flickering through and taking stabs and lunges at the party!
[21:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 touch AC if this roll is above 10
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 touch AC if this roll is above 10 and gets 23." [1d20=20]
[21:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 touch AC if this roll is above 10 crit?
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 touch AC if this roll is above 10 crit? and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[21:22] <Kotono> roll 1d10 to all
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 to all and gets 3." [1d10=3]
[21:23] <Kotono> The battle grows yet more confused as the ghosts dance about! Blows and slams are traded, dozens of little injuries mounting up in the chaos! OOC: Aaeru.
[21:24] <Aaeru> "What will it take?!" Aaeru exclaims, backhanding the xorn with all her might. "Stop! Biting! Me!" Every word is punctuated with a kick at its head in the hope that some sense might be knocked into it.
[21:24] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+12 critical strike, 2nd level arcane strike
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+12 critical strike, 2nd level arcane strike and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[21:24] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+12
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23." [1d20=11]
[21:25] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+7
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[21:25] <Kotono> Yet the Xorn is utterly relentless! It dodges with a sickening grace still, as if somehow reading Aaeru's mind! OOC: Sylvie's up.
[21:25] <Kotono> Sylvie repeats her pattern, dodging flaming elbows and magically enhanced fists as she lets out a battle cry, tring to land a blow!
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 11." [1d20=6]
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[21:26] <Kotono> But the Xorn is much too much, the two girls coming closer to smacking each other than the elemental earth creature! Sylvie mutters a sharp curse, "It's like trying to get Josa to talk in small words - it just isn't working!" OOC: Janson.
[21:27] * Janson flashes a grin at Lyris in response to her comment, circling past her and starting to now come back in towards the party on the path she took out, hurling another blast at the demon assaulting Wayland!
[21:27] <Janson> roll 1d20+3
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21." [1d20=18]
[21:27] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 SR
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 SR and gets 22." [1d20=16]
[21:27] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 24." [3d6=5, 1, 5][4d6=3, 2, 4, 4]
[21:28] <Kotono> This blast catches the babau in the face, turning most of it to airy ash! The rest of it's body collapses, fading into a million black centipedes that burrow into the ground immediately! It's bloodied clothes and unicorn pendant ar eall that remain of the horror! OOC: Simmer.
[21:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Simmer(24)>Lyris(18)>????2=Aaeru(11)>Wayland(10)>Xorn(8)>Sylvie>Janson(7)'
[21:28] <Kotono> Simmer turns, "Finish the Xorn off!" she cries, anoter arrow following since why not?
[21:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[21:28] <Kotono> But even this is dodged, as Lyris nods back to Janson and sprints forward, two darts flying at it!
[21:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24." [1d20=12]
[21:29] <Kotono> But even these can't land - one comes closer, but still not a conclusive strike! Meanwhile the dancers begin to fade away, slipping away with the babau! OOC: Aaeru go.
[21:30] <Aaeru> Such impotence in the middle of a crucial battle shames Aaeru beyond what she can tolerate, and she lunges at the thrice-damned xorn, latching onto what passes for its neck and trying to tear it right off!
[21:31] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10 grapple
[21:31] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10 grapple
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 grapple and gets 27." [1d20=17]
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 grapple and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[21:31] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+5 grapple
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+5 grapple and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[21:31] <Kotono> OOC: It's CMD is miserably low, all those are complete successes.
[21:31] <Aaeru> roll 3#1d8+3
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 3#1d8+3 and gets 25." [3#1d8+3 = 6, 10, 9]
[21:32] <Kotono> With a sickenin series of crunches, the Xorn is caught cold and it's 'neck' of sorts popped! It's body goes limp as parts of it bleed back into the earth! OOC: Free act.

[21:33] * Aaeru breathes heavily as she rises back to her feet, continuing to stare at her vanquished foe.
[21:34] * Wayland sighs and quaffs a healing nectar.
[21:34] <Janson> "Alright!" Janson cheers, now walking back over to rejoin the others. "That ring the... thing's wearing it magic, so's that pendant," he points out, scooping up the latter.
[21:34] <Wayland> roll 1d8+1
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+1 and gets 2." [1d8=1]
[21:34] <Kotono> Sylvie exhales, blowing blonde hair otu of her face, "I really need to pay attention to that blast of yours, or find som eway to hit from afar." Meanwhile WAyland's wounds minorly mend!
[21:35] <Janson> "It's really handy," Janson nods distractedly. "Gimme a sec, I'll see if I can figure out what these do..."
[21:35] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft pendant
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 spellcraft pendant and gets 23." [1d20=10]
[21:35] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 spellcraft ring
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 spellcraft ring and gets 26." [1d20=13]
[21:35] <Aaeru> "I could show you how to burn the demons?" Aaeru offers Sylvie.
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC: What's the DC on those for identify?
[21:35] <Janson> OOC: 15 + caster level
[21:37] <Janson> "I dunno what this does," Janson pockets the unicorn pendant. "But the ring gives you a weak protective enchantment... I guess it'd be useful for Wayland mostly right now?"
[21:38] <Aaeru> "Where do we go from here?" Aaeru asks, since Sylvie doesn't seem particularly interested at the moment. "Do we break walls after all?"
[21:38] * Wayland shrugs. "Maybe the pendant helped him heal himself. When he took that hit earlier, it flashed and he regenerated a bit I think."
[21:39] <Kotono> As the party talks, the moonlight grows brighter! Ahead of you another pillar rises from the ground, again engraved with the moon.
[21:40] <Janson> "Urgh, really?" Janson rolls his eyes. "Feels like we're being led around by the nose." Nonetheless he goes and slaps his palm on the pillar.
[21:40] * Aaeru frowns, though she understands enough to follow Janson's lead without question.
[21:41] <Kotono> A moment later you are in a small square room. Ahead of you are two things. 5 feet ahead is a gilded red treasure chest, locked closed. Beyond it is another pillar, again engraved with the moon. Lyris glowers ahead, "...she's using us for her twisted entertainment," she says with a distinctly sour note in her voice. "Being lead around by the nose is right."
[21:41] <Janson> Any magic on the chest?
[21:42] <Kotono> The chest does not radiate magic.
[21:42] <Aaeru> "You are a bad person and you will be punished!" Aaeru calls, clenching her fists.
[21:42] <Janson> "Seems... pretty obvious, doesn't it?" Janson eyes the chest suspiciously. "I say we ignore it - lets not play her stupid game."
[21:43] <Wayland> "But that could be the rub. Maybe she expects us not to open it, so by opening it, we gain!"
[21:43] <Wayland> "...yeah, I'm probably wrong." Wayland muses.
[21:44] <Kotono> "Plus that lets us think about being greedy," Sylvie points out, "If there's treasure in there...yeah, you probably are."
[21:44] <Janson> "Moving on, then?" Janson asks, going on to touch the new moon pillar.
[21:44] * Wayland nods.
[21:44] * Aaeru has no need for greed or material objects!
[21:47] <Kotono> The party touches the pillar! You appear in a vast dining room. Long tables hold great buffets of food, all leading to the center one. That one holds only a single plate with a silver cover over it. Just behind the table stands a headless bone white skeleton, wearing a bloodied black dress. It holds a sign, pointing down at the tray, "EAT ME!" Past them is another door going deeper into the manor.
[21:47] * Wayland just stares.
[21:48] <Janson> "Oh, you... ffff..." Janson bites his lip to hold back his rage, having a clear idea of exactly what that is... that's the dress Andrea wore, so what's in the plate is no surprise. "I am going to kill the shit out of her."
[21:48] <Kotono> "She is dead," Sylvie murmurs, closing her eyes shut tightly. "Simmer...just burn it. Burn it all. Sound good, everyone?"
[21:48] <Wayland> "Is that..."
[21:49] <Janson> "It is," Janson nods tersely, "Lets move on and... don't burn it," he falters slightly, walking towards the door. "She wanted to be buried with her parents. We should take her out of here after we're done."
[21:50] <Kotono> As you talk, you hear it. Echoing and mostly contained, but coming ahead, from the beneath the silver cover. Laughing. Hysterical, sobbing laughter in an all too familiar voice. Andrea's voice.
[21:50] * Aaeru closes her eyes for just a moment to gather her strength, before approaching the table and praying to Ilmater for Andrea's immortal soul.
[21:50] <Aaeru> roll 6d6 holy power, dammit
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 6d6 holy power, dammit and gets 19." [6d6=3, 4, 2, 3, 3, 4]
[21:51] <Kotono> Calling on Ilmater's holy power, the skeleton is vaporized! The silver cover is not, however, and the resulting laughter only continues beneath it!
[21:52] <Janson> "Ignore it," Janson grinds out, picking up his pace towards the door, just wanting to get *away*.
[21:52] * Aaeru bows her head and shuffles towards the door after Janson.
[21:52] <Kotono> Sylvie follows, hurrying as fast as she's able! Simmer lingers, "Go on. I'm going to burn it if none of the rest of you will. Andrea deserves it. I don't care what's beneath there, just..."
[21:53] <Janson> "We can't get seperated here," Janson tells Simmer, stopping by the door to wait for her in case the layout changes while they're in the next room and Simmer's in here.
[21:54] * Wayland nods. "I'll lift, you burn. We can hold a service for her after we get out of here." I'm more afraid that this won't be here when we're done here."
[21:54] <Kotono> Simmer goes to the table after nodding to Janson, "If any of you want to look away, look away now."
[21:54] <Kotono> Sylvie looks away, as does Lyris.
[21:54] * Aaeru owes Andrea enough to bear witness.
[21:54] * Wayland grabs the top of the cover. "Ready when you are."
[21:55] * Janson keeps looking in horrified curiousity.
[21:55] <Kotono> Simmer nods, fire in her hands and ready to flow!
[21:55] * Wayland lifts!
[21:56] <Kotono> Beneath it you can see...rotten, ruined, laughing. Laughing so much. Her skull's face is still half full of flesh, like someone ripped parts off...other parts have bite marks all over, but nothing seemed to care to finish the job. In her eyes...oh...oh....oohhh! OOC: Fortitude saves, all.
[21:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[21:56] <Janson> roll 1d20+5
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[21:56] <Kotono> OOC: Barring those that looked away, but that's just Sylvie+Lyris.
[21:57] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+13
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+13 and gets 28." [1d20=15]
[21:57] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[22:00] <Kotono> Laughter. Laughter. Andrea's laughing. A laughter of utter despair, empty eyes shedding acidic tears...! Simmer turns away, falling to her knees and vomiting! She shakes all over, hands covering her ears!
[22:02] * Janson doubles over, thankfully facing away from the two ladies and throws up his lunch, clutching his stomach and closing his eyes as tears come out.
[22:02] <Aaeru> "Don't test the patience of the Crying God!" Aaeru exclaims, slamming her foot to the ground. "Even He can only endure so much!"
[22:02] <Aaeru> roll 6d6 holy power, again
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 6d6 holy power, again and gets 25." [6d6=6, 4, 4, 3, 2, 6]
[22:03] <Kotono> This time the blast of holy power is enough! The skull is rendered no more, lost in a wave of Ilmater's fury!
[22:03] * Wayland turns and vomits to his right!
[22:04] <Aaeru> Aaeru's fist smashes the silver platter in its wake, mangling it beyond recognition.
[22:04] * Janson retches emptily a little more even as Aaeru excises the despoiled remnant of Andrea, shivering wretchedly as he finishes and straightens up to wipe his mouth on the back of his hand. "Oh, Jannath... poor Andrea..."
[22:04] <Kotono> It's over. The laughter is over. Yet Simmer still shakes on the ground, wiping her lips. She cries, wailing, "Andrea...Andrea!" Sylvie looks away still, fists clenched. Lyris just glances over now, face stony as the Galkass Mountains.
[22:05] <Kotono> "She's attacking us, with our emotions instead of weapons." Lyris looks ahead, "The only way to fight back is to keep going."
[22:05] * Janson spits on the floor to try and get the sick taste out of his mouth, remaining unsteady on his feet. "Being blind was better than seeing that... least it can't possibly get worse," he takes a deep breath, waiting for the others before opening the door.
[22:05] * Wayland stumbles over to Lyris. "What could possibly possess you to want to work for this woman?"
[22:06] <Wayland> "Oh gods, Janson. Don't say that."
[22:06] <Kotono> "She knew us, she knew our past...and is charming in person. Charismatic." She licks her lips, not going to meet Wayland's eyes, "We have to get Marianne to see this."
[22:07] * Aaeru brushes past Janson and kicks the door off its hinges. "She is a monster! A real monster!"
[22:07] <Kotono> The door is kicked off! Ahead is a stairway, ascending up and up and up!
[22:08] <Janson> "If Marianne already knows..." Janson just looks at Lyris for a moment and lets the implications hang before following Aaeru.
[22:08] * Wayland shakes himself, stills, then shakes himself again. "Damn. I really hate nymphs. Bloody fey!"
[22:09] * Aaeru is falling into the temptation of crushing things, and casts Enlarge Person as she leads the way.
[22:12] <Kotono> The stairway rises! You rise up and up and up and up and up and up! You come out of the side of the belltower, onto the roof! She sits 50 feet ahead of you and 30 feet in the air, resting atop a small throne. She wears a cloak of luxurious black and tight shirt and pants, both colored purple. Senaril sits on a throne...that sits atop a giant crocodile! It is the size of a juvenile dragon, great
[22:12] <Kotono> big butterfly wings keeping it aloft! It's huge mouth is open, dozens of sharp teeth visible!  Sitting next to her, legs dangling off the side of the crocodile, is Marianne. She wears white and has a white umbrella, looking up at the moonlight. It is Senaril that addresses you, "I suppose I could've had you run around that mansion some more, but you knwo what? Boring!  So I thought I'd bring
[22:12] <Kotono> you out here and put an end ot this. You've been mildly entertaining tonight, but like all good things it's time to come to an end."
[22:14] <Janson> So long as he's at least 30 feet from Senaril he's happy... although she may not want to risk blinding her allies anyway. "What about you, Marianne?" he asks the green-haired woman, ignoring the nymph for the moment. "Are you okay with all the things she's been doing?"
[22:14] <Aaeru> "You are the worst person I ever knew! And I was in Hell!" Aaeru snarls at Senaril. "You are a monster! Evil, just evil!"
[22:14] <Wayland> "She killed and ate our friend!" Wayland shouts. "That's not even close to being okay!"
[22:17] <Kotono> Marianne laughs, looking up at the moon. She closes her eyes, speaking with a carefree lilt, "Such secrets Senaril knows! Such secrets that are now mine and mine alone to know! What point is there to any of this? The final result is Entropy, nothingness, oblivion. That," she turns sideways to gaze at the party, and in particular Lyris, "Is one of those secrets, I daresay.  Another is the
[22:17] <Kotono> power I can obtain, such power! Once I was the Destroyer, Queen of all she saw! All that it takes to regain that is a worthy sacrifice!"
[22:19] <Kotono> Lyris closes her eyes and looks down, cheeks growing wet. Meanwhile Senaril chuckles, "I know I shouldn't do this, but it's so entertaining! You see, if the entire City of Balmuria is destroyed, such a sacrifice could restore the Destroyer! And...hell, I have this entire thing about Unseelie Fey and the cycle of life and death needing to be corrected, but you k now what? Boring. I just wanna
[22:19] <Kotono> see it all burn."
[22:19] * Aaeru points at Marianne. "You are an idiot! I'm sorry I ever liked you! I take it back!" She gestures back at Lyris, herself. "I still like Lyris. She's nice and a good person! She cares about the important things! She wouldn't want to kill everyone for power! That's stupid!"
[22:20] * Wayland sighs, pulling out his gloves and strapping them on.
[22:21] <Janson> Since Lyris seems unable to say anything, Janson has to try. "Marianne... you can be a Destroyer, a Queen, all those things... but if you do you'll always be alone. Remember that no matter how long you live."
[22:21] <Wayland> "Being alone isn't nearly what some make it to be." Wayland says. "Rather boring, really."
[22:22] <Aaeru> "Tell her she's an idiot, too!" Aaeru urges Lyris, pushing her a step forward.
[22:23] <Kotono> "Speaking of boring," Senaril rolls her eyes, "That describes all of you! Now stay still and die!" she says, "Or fight, whatever, but at least I'll wretch some entertainment out of all of you!"
[22:23] <Kotono> That seems to rouse Lyris a little bit, enough to look up despite her tears. "Idiot," she snaps, "I'll just have to...I'll just have to save you from yourself, like I did as a child! Dammit, I'll beat this out of you if I have to!"
[22:24] <Aaeru> "We'll beat you, and we'll bring you to Balmuria, and then they'll judge you and then you'll die!" Aaeru retorts. "You can't even stop us! And you want to destroy Balmuria?!" She points at Marianne. "And you believe her?! If you're that dumb we'll beat some sense into your thick head!"
[22:24] * Janson weaves an enchantment over the crocodile's mind before hostilities break out, hoping Marianne might see sense first.
[22:24] <Janson> OOC: DC 16 charm monster on croc
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 and init.
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and init. and gets 18." [1d20=10]

[22:25] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 9." [1d20=5]
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Sylvie
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Sylvie and gets 15." [1d20=4]
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 immer
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 immer and gets 8." [1d20=2]
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Lyris
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Lyris and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[22:26] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9." [1d20=2]
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Senaril
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 Senaril and gets 11." [1d20=8]
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 crocodile
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 crocodile and gets 18." [1d20=12]
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Marianne
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Marianne and gets 19." [1d20=17]
[22:26] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+1
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+1 and gets 15." [1d20=14]
[22:27] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19)>Croc(18)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril(11)>Wayland=Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[22:29] <Kotono> Marianne glances over, a little sneer on her lips, "Save me? You don't get it! You failed me in one lifetime, Lyris! How do you think you can succeed in another!" With that snap she gestures, a lance of pure ice forming, hurtling towards Janson!
[22:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Touch AC?
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Touch AC? and gets 15." [1d20=3]
[22:29] <Janson> OOC: 13
[22:30] <Kotono> roll 6d6 half ice and half piercing, also roll fort
[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d6 half ice and half piercing, also roll fort and gets 23." [6d6=4, 5, 4, 6, 3, 1]
[22:30] <Janson> roll 1d20+5
[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16." [1d20=11]
[22:31] <Janson> OOC: +2 vs evil I guess?
[22:31] <Kotono> The lance of ice goes flying, impaling Janson straight through! Frozen blood lines the wound, as he staggers terrifically! A moment later the lance shatters, leaving him terribly wounded! OOC: Croci s holding for now. Sylvie and Aaeru, go. It's 30ft away and also 30ft in the sky.
[22:32] <Janson> "Ahhh!" Janson cries, staggering back and nearly falling over as he's impaled viciously!
[22:33] <Aaeru> "Sylvie, go!" Aaeru calls, imbuing the other blonde with the limitless power of flight!
[22:33] <Kotono> "We need to down that croco-ack!" Sylvie blink-blinks as she starts to hover! OOC: Quickly, what's fly's movement speed?
[22:33] <Aaeru> OOC: 60
[22:34] <Kotono> "You want me to fly up and charge that thing alone?!" Sylvie sputters, "I like NOT being crocodile food!" OOC: She's holding a moment for Lyris.
[22:35] <Kotono> Lyris, wet cheeks and all, sprints haead to almost under the crocodile! PEering up at it she fires a pair of darts at it's underside!
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 24." [1d20=12]
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 14." [1d4=1][4d6=3, 2, 1, 1]
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 I mean
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 I mean and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[22:37] <Kotono> A single dart manages to hit, stabbing into the underbelly of the giant croc! It's a wound, but one that seems to annoy it more than anything else! OOC: Senaril is up.
[22:39] <Kotono> Senaril intones strange words! Her body grows slightly bigger, her face turning to that of a tusked boar! "Aaah, power!" she grins, her body now bulging with muscles! OOC:Wayland and Janson, go.
[22:40] * Janson follows after Lyris, working an enchantment of sleep on the figures riding the crocodile, since if he did it on the crocodile itself it would squash her.
[22:40] <Janson> OOC: DC 15 sleep, on Marianne
[22:41] <Wayland> "Hey, that's a better look for you! Certainly less ugly!" Wayland crows, winding up for a leap and kicking powerfully off the ground, using his levitate ability to facilitate the continued upward moveent toward the giant crocodile thing!
[22:47] <Kotono> OOC: How far are you flying up, Wayland?
[22:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[22:49] <Kotono> Wayland takes to the air, as Janson weaves his magic! Yet said magic does little, Marianne defiant! Senaril just smiles at that, as Simmer nods quickly and mimicks Janson!
[22:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 19." [1d20=14]
[22:49] <Wayland> OOC: Melee range!
[22:49] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. It has reach on you so it'll get an Aoo. Okay with that?
[22:50] <Wayland> OOC: Ehhhhhhhhhhh not really. I can try to go around it, eh?
[22:50] <Kotono> OOC: Sure thing.
[22:52] <Kotono> Marianne looks on with disinterest, "Peasants, all of you!" she declares, this time turning to Janson again! "Now die," she intones, gesturing again, "And be silent forevermore!" Another lance of ice comes, barreling right at him!
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Touch AC?
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Touch AC? and gets 13." [1d20=1]
[22:52] <Janson> OOC: 16
[22:53] <Kotono> But the barreling ice lance misses entirely! Glancing Wayland approaching, she swiftly traces an arcane pattern, a corsucating ray going at Wayland!
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch AC?
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 touch AC? and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[22:53] <Kotono> But Wayland is too fast, dodging the reddish ray entirely! OOC: Croc is up and it be pissed.
[22:54] <Kotono> The grand mount of Senaril turns in the air, approaching the levitating Wayland and going to take a bite out of him!
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 AC?
[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 AC? and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[22:55] <Wayland> OOC: Better than that
[22:55] <Kotono> But Wayland is much too fast, floating over the bite and kicking off it's snout to evade! OOC: Sylvie'n'Aaeru, go.
[22:55] <Aaeru> Nymphs can be so pretty that it hurts, but this one is as evil so let's see how she likes it! And Aaeru will get her little stupid friend too, and her crocodile while she's at it!
[22:55] <Aaeru> OOC: Glitterdust, will dc15 on all three of them
[22:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 crocodile
[22:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 crocodile and gets 12." [1d20=9]
[22:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Marianne
[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Marianne and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[22:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Senaril
[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 Senaril and gets 19." [1d20=6]
[22:57] <Kotono> Glitter flies everywhere, the crocodile and Marianne dazzled! The latter cries, trying to rub her eyes clear, "Sorcery! Foul sorcery!" Meanwhile Senaril just shrugs and grins! "Oh, now that's new and interesting!" she says, utterly unblinded! Taking this chance, Sylvie flies right up and goes to hit the croc in the head!
[22:57] <Aaeru> "How is it, Queeny?" Aaeru feels an irrational urge to taunt Marianne, who is so stupid as to throw away what sounds like a second chance and a very devoted person by her side. "Where's all your power now?"
[22:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 (+2 charge)
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 (+2 charge) and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[22:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 (+2 charge)
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 (+2 charge) and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[22:57] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1
[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and gets 4." [1d6=3]

[Corwin]

[20:06] <Kotono> As Sylvie desperately plummels the croc's side without remission, Marianne rubs at her eyes! Her vision is gone in a cloud of gold, as meanwhile Lyris sprints below, peppering the big croc with darts again!
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31." [1d20=19]
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31." [1d20=19]
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Boots on
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Boots on and gets 28." [1d20=16]
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Boots on
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Boots on and gets 15." [1d20=3]
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 19." [1d4=1][4d6=2, 4, 2, 4]
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 23." [1d4=1][4d6=6, 5, 1, 4]
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 20." [1d4=3][4d6=2, 1, 4, 4]
[20:09] <Kotono> Under that massive flurry of darts, the crocodile's bottom is pierced thrice! ABruptly Luthor falls from the skies, plummeting downwards! Marianne tumbles along with it, whilst Senaril tumbles smoothly!
[20:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Tumble Senaril
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 Tumble Senaril and gets 24." [1d20=11]
[20:09] <Kotono> roll 3d6 falling
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6 falling and gets 12." [3d6=5, 1, 6]
[20:11] <Kotono> With a titanic impact that rattles the entire manor, the crocodile hits the ground hard! "Luthor!" Senaril flips and absorbs the shock in the landing, "Dammit, you had to get boring and die from THAT?" She just smiles, as her beauty becomes yet more radiant! OOC: Fort all. Sadly, her spells don't contradict her supernatural abilities. Thus Bebop is much too sexy for you.
[20:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Fort Lyris
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Fort Lyris and gets 9." [1d20=1]
[20:11] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 this really seems like it should be rule zeroed
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 this really seems like it should be rule zeroed and gets 21." [1d20=16]
[20:11] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9 agreed
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 agreed and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[20:12] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+11 (+2 evil)
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+11 (+2 evil) and gets 15." [1d20=4]
[20:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+5 cunning insight seems like a good ideA) Sylvie
[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 (+5 cunning insight seems like a good ideA) Sylvie and gets 26." [1d20=13]
[20:13] <Kotono> OOC: Actually you're off the hook Wayland, it only affects humanoids. Ditto with Simmer.
[20:19] <Kotono> The vision of strange, disturbing beauty is almost too much to look at! Janson is able to withstand it this time, as is Sylvie! Wayland and Simmer seem unmoved, while Aaeru's eyes see too much! The beautiful, boar like creature is simply too much for her to bear! Her vision turns to white, that image burned into her vision forevermore! A moment later Senaril grins, crossing her swords together
[20:19] <Kotono> above her head! On her forehead a black disk glows with purple radiance, her face lit but the darklight! "Freeze...be interesting!" She shrieks, "So tired of this...so tired of all of this! Prancing around, mostly boring...do something! Do something interesting to make this miserable world worth it!" Great gales of cold flow out from Senaril, engulfing the party! OOC: Fort, all.
[20:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+5
[20:20] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+11 (+2 evil, +1 spell/sp)
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 and gets 18." [1d20=13]
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+11 (+2 evil, +1 spell/sp) and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Lyris fort
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Lyris fort and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[20:20] <Wayland> OOC: Is this an Air effect?
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: No, cold.
[20:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Sylvie
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Sylvie and gets 13." [1d20=5]
[20:21] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[20:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Simmer
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 Simmer and gets 14." [1d20=11]
[20:21] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19)>Croc(18)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Wayland=Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[20:22] <Kotono> OOC: DC was 15, so everyone but Sylvie and Simmer halves this. It's cold damage.
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d6
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 5." [1d6=5]
[20:22] <Wayland> OOC: Evasion~
[20:22] <Wayland> OOC: Oh wait, I think that's reflex only
[20:22] <Kotono> OOC: Yes. You'd need Mettle for this.
[20:23] <Kotono> A horrible gale of cold settles in on everyone! It chills to the bone, lingering like a sudden winter storm! You can feel the heat leeched from yoru body, Senaril's face haloed by black and purple light!  A profane halo that matches her laughing, "Do something, dammit! Do something or just DIE!" OOC: Wayland and Janson, go.
[20:23] <Aaeru> Curse her trecherous eyes! How could she fall for that horrible nymph, even knowing how evil she is?!
[20:24] <Janson> "If you're bored of life I've got your cure right here!" Janson yells over the storm,  hurling a blast of fey energy into her back before retreating fifty feet away. "Lyris! Follow my voice!" he calls to his fellow scout, intending to fix her ailment next.
[20:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 13." [1d20=6]
[20:25] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Wayland=Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[20:26] <Kotono> The profane halo around Senaril glows brighter, her body moving like an illusion and leaving trails as she whirls to parry it! The eldritch blast is sent to the moon, as you can see the silvery orb begins to turn black, as if a dozen wellsprings of darkness sprung up on Selune! OOC: Wayland.
[20:26] * Wayland drops from the sky, twisting in the air and landing easily, then launching himself at Senaril! OOC: Slow fall 30ft, and assuming I'd land close enough to initiate face-smashing. Confirm before action?
[20:26] <Kotono> OOC: Go for it.
[20:28] <Wayland> roll 1d20+10
[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+10 and gets 19." [1d20=9]
[20:30] <Kotono> Wayland falls from the skies like a bullet, but Senaril is whirling! Her blades parry the blow and send Wayland back, saving her own skin! Simmer meanwhile shrieks as her skin turns pallid white, "Stop! STOP! YOU BITCH!" Rushing forward to Senaril's side, she sends a blast of fire right at the mad nymph!
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 5d4 reflex for half
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d4 reflex for half and gets 10." [5d4=1, 3, 2, 1, 3]
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 18." [1d20=5]
[20:32] <Kotono> Flames lick at Senaril's side, but she twists out of the way of the worst of them! Meanwhile Marianne stumbles to her feet, wiping at her eyes in vain! As she does she chants, several images of her springing up!
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d4+2
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+2 and gets 6." [1d4=4]
[20:32] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19; six images)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Wayland=Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[20:32] <Kotono> OOC: Sylvie and Aaeru, go.
[20:33] * Aaeru has been shown how much she must still train to resist the temptation of nymphs, and so she zeroes in on the sounds of Marianne's voice. Lyris might not see it as a binding promise, but Aaeru is determined to knock much-needed sense into Marianne's head!
[20:34] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+17 grapple? Strength devotion, too. Do I roll 1d100?
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+17 grapple? Strength devotion, too. Do I roll 1d100? and gets 23." [1d20=6]
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC: You do. At absolute best you hav ean idea of wha tsquare she's in.
[20:34] <Aaeru> roll 1d100
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d100 and gets 42." [1d100=42]
[20:35] <Kotono> Aaeru charges ahead blinding, grasping out...and reaching only air! Meanwhile Sylvie turns, taking a deep breath as her hands explode into fire! She flies right on over, going to give Senaril a good, old fashioned punching!
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+2 charge, +5 inspiration 1/3 left)
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 (+2 charge, +5 inspiration 1/3 left) and gets 22." [1d20=10]
[20:37] <Kotono> Despite her speed and flaming fists, Senaril is faster than her! She turns and sidesteps the blow, dancing amid her, flames and Wayland! OOC: Lyris is up.
[20:37] <Kotono> Lyris stumbles ahead, towards Janson and his voice! She about reaches him, close enough! OOC: Senaril and ongoing cold damage. Cold damage is first.
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 2d6 same saves apply as last time, so half for everyone but Sylvie and Simmer
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 same saves apply as last time, so half for everyone but Sylvie and Simmer and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]
[20:39] <Kotono> Senaril grins from ear to ear, blades dancing about as she looks to them! "Just...freeze like that! Die! Die! Die!" Her blades dance out at Wayland and Sylvie, trying to carve them apart!
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Axe Wayland
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Axe Wayland and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Axe Wayland
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Axe Wayland and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 shortsword Sylvie
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 shortsword Sylvie and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Sylvie again
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Sylvie again and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[20:39] <Kotono> OOC: AC, Wayland?
[20:40] <Wayland> OOC: 19
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d8+3 and 1 con
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+3 and 1 con and gets 11." [1d8=8]
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d6+3 and 1 con Sylvie's hit
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+3 and 1 con Sylvie's hit and gets 7." [1d6=4]
[20:42] <Kotono> An axe grazes Wayland's side, sending a torrent of blood spraying out! Meanwhile a short sword stabs Sylvie in the shoulder, a geyser of blood pouring! Frantically dancing and stabbing amid this is Senaril, as the gales of gold race higher! The moon above blots over to black, a horrible purple radiance around it as the cold winds blow heavy! OOC: Wayland'n'Janson power hour, go.
[20:44] <Janson> "Drink this," Janson pops the cork off his newly bought potion and brings it to Lyris's mouth. "Kill her, fast, or we're all dead!" he urges desperately, tipping it back and feeding her as she did him when he was blinded before.
[20:44] <Kotono> The potion is drank, Lyris' eyes clearing! She gives Janson a quick nod as he reyes narrow, all on Senaril, "Gods guide my hand," she murmurs, all attention dead on the nymph!
[20:46] * Wayland snarls, delivering a series of fast strikes!
[20:47] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[20:47] <Wayland> roll 1d20+9
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+9 and gets 12." [1d20=3]
[20:47] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[20:48] <Kotono> Wayland closes in and sends a flurry of blows out, but not a single one can manage to land a decisive strike! She parries them all while laughing and laughing and laughing! Simmer meanwhile nearly keels over, entire body seeming to wither under the cold assault! With fumbling fingers she withdraws a healing nectar, drinking out of pure desperation as she falls back!
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 and gets 2." [1d8=1]
[20:49] <Kotono> As her frozen flesh barely mends, Marianne continues to stumble about in vain! OOC: Sylvie'n'Aaeru, go.
[20:50] * Aaeru continues her attempts to grasp at Marianne, her larger reach hopefully there to back her up at this trying time.
[20:51] <Aaeru> roll 1d100
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d100 and gets 91." [1d100=91]
[20:51] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+17 grapple, nonlethal
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+17 grapple, nonlethal and gets 18." [1d20=1]
[20:52] <Aaeru> roll 1d100
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d100 and gets 94." [1d100=94]
[20:52] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+15 grapple again
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+15 grapple again and gets 17." [1d20=2]
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: Success since she has no dex right now.
[20:53] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire, passes adamant
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire, passes adamant and gets 20." [2d6=3, 5][1d6=6]
[20:53] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+10 grapple 3
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+10 grapple 3 and gets 24." [1d20=14]
[20:53] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire, passes adamant
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire, passes adamant and gets 23." [2d6=6, 6][1d6=5]
[20:56] <Kotono> Aaeru flails about, but by pure fortune gets a grasp on Marianne! She squeezes for dear life, a scream as the 'Queen' is held! "L-let go!" she howls, struggling against it! Meanwhile Sylvie pants for air, blood flowing from a wound, "Sorry...Calley..." as she strikes out in needy desperation!
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+2 flanking with Wayland now, +5 inspiration last point of the battle)
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 (+2 flanking with Wayland now, +5 inspiration last point of the battle) and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[20:57] * Aaeru has Marianne solidly in a headlock, and squeezes on her windpipe with as much strength as she can exert without crushing it, her other hand wrapped around Marianne's body and keeping her arms immobile. "Shut up! This is your punishment for being a bad person!"
[20:57] <Kotono> But even that Senaril stops cold! AS she knocks Sylvie back, Lyris springs into action! She sprints close, her boots glowing almost nova white as she throws all she has at the nymph, four darts flying right for her!
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 20." [1d20=8]
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 22." [1d20=10]
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29." [1d20=17]
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 25." [1d20=13]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 19." [1d4=2][4d6=3, 2, 5, 1]
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 17." [1d20=6]
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d6 str
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 str and gets 4." [1d6=4]
[21:00] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19; six images)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril(-4 str)=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Wayland=Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[21:02] <Kotono> Of the darts, one sneaks through Senaril's defenses! It lands in her shoulder, poisoned tip makng her squint her eyes in obvious pain! "Oh, so that's..." she huffs, as her blades dance about again! As they do bitter cold continues to envelop the party!
[21:03] <Kotono> roll 3d6, same save distributions as before
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6, same save distributions as before and gets Error: Numeric values only." [3d6=2, 2, 6]
[21:03] <Kotono> OOC: 10.
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 axe on Wayland, rolling these one by one since it'll affect how she FA's. AC, Wayland?
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 axe on Wayland, rolling these one by one since it'll affect how she FA's. AC, Wayland? and gets 20." [1d20=9]
[21:05] <Wayland> OOC: 19
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1 and 1 con
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 and 1 con and gets 9." [1d8=8]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 axe on Wayland 2, trying to go for the finish
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 axe on Wayland 2, trying to go for the finish and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1 and 1 con
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 and 1 con and gets 8." [1d8=7]
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 shortsword Sylvie
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 shortsword Sylvie and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1 and 1 con
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and 1 con and gets 4." [1d6=3]
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Syvlie
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Syvlie and gets 22." [1d20=16]
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d6+1 and 1 con
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+1 and 1 con and gets 6." [1d6=5]
[21:10] <Kotono> In a flurry of bladed horror the two go down! Wayland's chest is ripped opena nd gushes blood, while Sylvie's neck is torn asunder! In sprays of blood Senaril laughs, drenched in it! "BORING BORING BORING BORING!" she howls, "All of you just die like worms!" Kicking Sylvie in the side, as she steps over Wayland, "Pathetic! Can't one of you do anything?" OOC: Janson.
[21:12] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marianne(19; six images)>Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril(-4 str)=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[21:12] <Janson> "No!" Janson cries, rushing forward alongside Lyris and hurling a blast at Senaril as she gloats. "Die you murdering monster! Just die!"
[21:12] <Janson> roll 1d20+7
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:12] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 27." [3d6=2, 6, 4][4d6=2, 5, 5, 3]
[21:14] <Kotono> With a titanic blast powered by pure grief and fury, Janson fires all he has into his blast! It catches SEnaril right in the chest, knocking her several feet back ands tumbling wildly! She grins even as she hacks up blood, "Now you have my attention!" OOC: Simmer d100 time.
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 85." [1d100=85]
[21:14] <Kotono> Meanwhile Simmer lies there, frozena nd dying! OOC: Marianne.
[21:14] <Kotono> Desperately Marianne tries to escape the grapple!
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 CMD?
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 CMD? and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[21:15] <Aaeru> OOC: Should be 33 adjusted right now
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: Also -4 since blinded is -4 on str/dex based checks.
[21:15] <Aaeru> OOC: 29
[21:16] <Kotono> Her struggles are in vain, held tight! OOC: It's on both of you so it cancels out. Sylvie'n'Aaeru, go.
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100 Sylvie
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 Sylvie and gets 45." [1d100=45]
[21:17] <Aaeru> Unable to see, Aaeru can only tell how badly things are going from Janson's cry of anguish. "I don't have time for this!" she calls to Marianne, squeezing her ever tighter to her chest!
[21:17] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+15
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+15 and gets 24." [1d20=9]
[21:17] <Aaeru> roll 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 2d6+6+1d6 nonlethal+fire and gets 18." [2d6=2, 4][1d6=6]
[21:17] <Kotono> OOC: She's out.
[21:17] * Kotono changes topic to 'Sylvie=Aaeru(15)>Lyris(13)>Senaril(-4 str)=Ongoing cold damage(11)>Janson(9)>Simmer(8)'
[21:18] <Aaeru> As the mage finally goes limb in her grasp, Aaeru releases Marianne and steps towards where she last heard the sounds of combat. "Janson! Wayland! Sylvie! Where is she?"
[21:18] <Janson> "Punch towards the laugh!" Janson yells back hoarsely.
[21:18] <Kotono> Under that crushing grasp, Marianne goes quiet! Meanwhile Sylvie continues to bleed out, as Lyris strafes Senaril on the rooftop, diving behind the fallen crocodile as she fires off a pair of darts!
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29." [1d20=17]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d4+4+4d6+2
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+4+4d6+2 and gets 21." [1d4=2][4d6=3, 4, 5, 1]
[21:21] <Kotono> With that last desperate heave, a dart goes into Senaril's neck! It passes straight through, blood exploding out in both directions! "Wha..." Senaril grasps at her neck, dropping her weapons! She falls to her knees as she tries in vain to stop the bleeding! "This..." It's hopelessly garbled as she falls, the moon above returning to silver! The horrible storm of cold ceases, the roofstop going silent! OOC: Free act.

[21:23] <Janson> "Oh, Jannath... Sylvie!" Even though there are three fallen friends on the rooftop, Janson makes his choice and dashes towards the fallen blonde, skidding onto his knees and scrambling to grab a healing nectar from where she keeps them on her person, uncapping it and pouring it down his throat on shaking hands. "Lyris, Aaeru! Help!"
[21:23] <Janson> roll 1d8+1
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d8+1 and gets 8." [1d8=7]
[21:24] <Kotono> roll 1d100 fingers crossed all
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 fingers crossed all and gets 40." [1d100=40]
[21:25] * Aaeru stumbles towards the sound of Janson's voice, groping along the way for his back or shoulder. "I'm coming! What do you need? Where is she? Is she gone?"
[21:25] <Kotono> "She's dead," Lyris replies, going straight over to Marianne. She kneels next to her, checking her over several times. With a clinical detatchment she gets some rope, biding her from head to toe.
[21:26] <Kotono> Meanwhile Sylvie's wounds stop somewhat, enough to make the blonde stir as healing magic helps her wounds...while Simmer starts to turn to a weak flame, fading away like a memory in the cold arctic night.
[21:27] * Janson reaches for another potion and turns to Simmer, but stops with a choked sob. A look at Wayland's ruined form and... "They're both dead..." he moans, collapsing bonelessly between Aaeru and Sylvie.
[21:28] <Aaeru> "Both? Who?" Aaeru asks, trying in vain to look about.
[21:29] <Kotono> Now rising from having bound Marianne, Lyrisgoes to Senaril. With a careful hand she searches her, taking both her weapons as well as her cloak. "...I got a second chance," she says, "If there's someone willing, perhaps they can have a second chance as well." After a beat, "Wayland and Simmer."
[21:29] <Janson> "Simmer and Wayland..." Janson echoes in a soft whisper. Sniffing, he fumbles for his scroll of remove blindness and turns to Aaeru, labouring over the words as he reads the spell to restore her vision.
[21:29] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 DC 25 UMD
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 DC 25 UMD and gets 27." [1d20=14]
[21:31] <Kotono> With that magic, Aaeru's vision returns!
[21:32] <Aaeru> With her vision restored, Aaeru tries to stanch Wayland's bleeding, or see if she can bring Simmer back from the brink with the meager ability Ilmater has granted her.
[21:33] <Janson> Mechanically, Janson feeds Sylvie another of her healing potions. There's already too many bodies that need to be carried as it is...
[21:33] <Janson> roll 1d8+1
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d8+1 and gets 4." [1d8=3]
[21:34] <Kotono> Wayland's body is too far gone, her healing has noe ffect. All that's left of Simmer now is her possessions, the flame of her life extinquished. Meanwhile this makes Sylvie stir, her eyes fluttering open. In a wet, weak voice, "...Dad...?"
[21:35] <Aaeru> Discouraged, Aaeru returns to Sylvie's side and contributes what she can there.
[21:35] <Janson> "No..." Janson shakes his head sadly, eyes wet. "Just me."
[21:38] <Kotono> With her wounds mending, "Who...?" she looks about, squeezing her eyes shut. "That moon...Shar. Shar again." She lies still several moments, "The symbol on Senaril's forehead was that, too."
[21:39] <Janson> "And in... Andrea's eyes..." Janson shudders. "Can you stand?" he asks, offering her a hand as he carefully rises. "I want to get out of here."
[21:39] <Aaeru> "Let's... get back," Aaeru agrees, offering support by Sylvie's other side.
[21:39] <Kotono> Lyris nods once, curtly. "What about their possesions," she asks, "And Wayland's body?"
[21:40] <Janson> "Aaeru, can you carry Wayland?" Janson isn't too proud to admit she's far stronger than him. "I'll carry their things, and drag that elf when we get back to where we left him."
[21:41] <Aaeru> "Ilmater... maybe... has plans for him?" Aaeru says, struggling with just that much. She nods to Janson. "I will. And... we should bring Senaril to the Guard."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Maybe..." Sylvie says, "That was his plan. He kept Senaril's attention sos he didn't quite finish me off, or get to any of the rest of us."
[21:42] <Janson> "I'll drag her, then. You feel up to taking care of the elf, Sylvie?" Janson asks, dutifully collecting Simmer's things, and anything Wayland dropped, before grabbing Senaril's ankle and setting her to roll off the rooftop and fall off the side of the building.
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d100 seeing if the 'bots get into the hate
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 seeing if the 'bots get into the hate and gets 56." [1d100=56]
[21:45] <Kotono> You travel all night in a haze. The survivors head back to Balmuria, reaching it just after dawn. On getting back you find Silver just outside the gates, swooping on in, "Hey, you guys," she calls, "So you made it back mostly intact?"
[21:45] * Janson gives the pixie an uncharacteristically baleful look. "Count us, Silver."
[21:47] <Kotono> Silver does just that, "Janson, Aaeru, Lyris, Sylvie. Oh, there's Wayland's carcass and no Simmer? Oh well, that's life." She goes to fly around you guys, "Josa's waiting for you back at Whimsical Sweets."
[21:47] <Aaeru> "Is the Guard waiting for us there?" Aaeru asks, eager to be rid of their prisoners and the corpse of Senaril to the rightful authorities.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Just inside the gates," Silver says, "Feel free to give them to them."
[21:48] * Aaeru nods, heading in past Silver.
[21:48] * Janson dismisses the horrible fairy and turns to Lyris. "What about her?" he indicates the trussed up cause of all these problems.
[21:49] <Kotono> "..." She squints her eyes closed tightly, "I'm going to take her home and knock sense into her, even if it takes the rest of my life." She kneels by Marianne, "Before the Guards get involved."
[21:50] * Janson looks at Marianne for a long moment. "I owe you that much," he allows, "But she won't get a fourth chance," he warns, before following Aaeru with bloodied nymph corpse in tow.
[21:52] <Kotono> Once inside you are taken up by a virtual whirlwind of activity. Whimsical Sweets is a fantasy - despite your fatigue you end up at Highwatch Fortress. Here your wounds are tended, healing your injuries and removing your fatigue. You're even given a simple breakfast of hardtack, dried fruit and meat and water. After that Captain Wedge enters, offering his hand out to each of you in turn. "From
[21:52] <Kotono> the reports I've gotten, you're very brave."
[21:53] <Janson> "Or stupid," Janson returns dourly, shaking the hand anyway. "Half of us died."
[21:54] <Aaeru> "We couldn't bring her back alive," Aaeru tells Captain Wedge. "For trial, I mean. Sylvie said she was a Sharran, too. And she was really horrible."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Yeah." He nods, "Condolences for your losses," He bows his head a moment, "The Crimson Guard went to Senaril's manor and did mop up," he explains, "They found an altar to Shar hidden away."
[21:57] <Janson> "Surprised she bothered hiding it. She was pretty up front with the cannibalism," Janson adds bitterly.
[21:57] <Aaeru> "The other Sharran didn't eat people!" Aaeru exclaims. "Or-- or try to explode the city! I knew they were bad, but they are really really bad! How can they just all be here, right nearby?"
[21:58] <Kotono> That draws a distinct shudder from the captain, "Yes. Senaril successfully hid herself until you exposed and stopped her. For that," A pause, "You'll be properly recognized for your heroism. The prisoner you brought will be interrogated and tried, though his sentence is all but ensured."
[22:00] <Aaeru> "You should talk to Sanuth, too," Aaeru says, reigning in her indignation. "He's this merchant that worked for her or something. Bought all this stuff for a huge bomb. He was probably tricked, but... safer to check."
[22:01] <Janson> "Guy was a freak, but just a patsy in comparison," Janson nods. "Sanuth was just a patsy as well, but I don't think he knew anything or was involved in the Sharran side of it. They just used him as a mule."
[22:02] <Kotono> That gets a nod from the Captain, "We will. This entire affair will be investigated. We've requested full notes and interviews from your employer."
[22:03] <Aaeru> 'Mule?' Aaeru mouths. She moves on, however. "I'm sorry if I'm slow, but I don't get it. When we came from Hell, there was a whole reception thing, and the Crimson Guard said they had seers that, well, saw us? Why aren't they seeing the really important stuff?"
[22:05] <Kotono> "That's not public information," After a moment he does relent a little bit, "If you know anything about divinations, they're not usually specific, and the ones that are require more power and are much more narrow in view. If our seers are watching for attacks from the Lower Planes, they may not be as attuned to what's happening in the Barbarian Lands. We use different resources for that."
[22:06] <Aaeru> "So what do we do next time? If, like, there is a next time? We couldn't say anything without proof, because no one would listen to us. Is that all we can do?"
[22:07] <Kotono> "Find proof - good proof." After a moment again, "You've also proven to be reliable and having a knack to getting mixed up in these things. If you stumble on another Sharran plot, tell us."
[22:08] <Janson> "We didn't really know it was Sharran till we saw... well until it was too late," Janson looks a bit queasy, recalling Andrea's head on that platter.
[22:08] <Aaeru> It's as good as things will get within the frame of the law, isn't it? Aaeru nods curtly and stands up. "I'm sorry, but I have to go to the House of Suffering now to see if Ilmater will bring back Wayland again. Can I go?"
[22:08] <Kotono> Sylvie nods quietly, "Can we go home now? I...think I really want to go home."
[22:09] <Janson> "I... I'll go speak to Olan and Brent. I think they were the closest Andrea had to family," Janson volunteers for that onerous duty, being the closest thing to a witness to her death.
[22:10] <Kotono> "Go on," Captain Wedge says, "We'll be in touch."

[Corwin]

[22:13] <Kotono> Taking Wayland back to the House of Suffering is without incident. On finding Croger there, he takes one look at Wayland and asks, "What happened?"
[22:14] <Aaeru> "We fought like this Sharran nymph who ate people! She wanted to kill everyone and we stopped her, but Andrea, Simmer and Wayland died." Aaeru frowns. "I don't think Ilmater wants Wayland to die. That's what he told me, right? So that means he'll go back again?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "I will ask," Croger says, "Nothing is certain, but I will ask."
[22:15] <Aaeru> "What do you think?"
[22:16] <Kotono> "I don't presume to know the will of Ilmater," Croger says, "Was that the reason Ilmater returned him once? I don't know." With that he rises, "Allow me to pray and ask."
[22:18] <Aaeru> Kneeling by Wayland's body, Aaeru closes her eyes in prayer herself, seeking her own answer.
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 1d100 1-50
[22:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 1-50 and gets 66." [1d100=66]
[22:26] <Kotono> For a long time does Aaeru pray...she drifts into a slumber, coming onto her like a thief in the night. She dreams...in her mind's eye she sees the battle with Senaril. There is no Wayland this time...Sylvie is cut apart, the nymph pouncing on Janson, ripping him limb from limb...then Lyris and finally coming right at you, unbowed and relentless madness! It's that final look that awakens Aaeru, startling her from her reverie.
[22:27] <Aaeru> "Wha?!"
[22:28] <Kotono> Croger is there, a hand resting on your shoulder. "Aaeru? Did you see that as well?"
[22:28] <Aaeru> "It was a bad dream."
[22:30] <Kotono> "It was his purpose," Croger goes on, "The battle I saw looked to be lost without him there...and I understood Ilmater's purpose for Wayland's life. His presence turned the tide of battle and prevented that nightmare of a woman from being triumphant."
[22:30] <Aaeru> "He's not coming back?"
[22:31] <Kotono> This makes Croger shake his head, "No. His suffering has come to an end. Now he rests at Ilmater's side, having made a great sacrifice."
[22:32] * Aaeru mulls over this. "Okay. I'll go and tell everyone, then."

[Corwin]

[19:44] <Kotono> The next day the surviving trio returns to Whimsical Sweets. You find Sylvie and Josa upstairs, the candy store closed today. Sylvie wears black, sitting in a chair against the wall. Simmer's red crystal longbow sits in her lap as she looks down at it. Her face is puffy, eyes red. Josa sits at the table, wearing black finery and rising to greet the two, "Truly so ours is a hard lot, a hard lot
[19:44] <Kotono> cursed by Beshaba and spited by Shar. Such unimaginable tragedy and torment is a malodorous burden onto our spirits."
[19:46] * Janson isn't really in the mood for Josa's verbosity, but supposes its just how he deals. Lacking proper funerary clothes - should he be buying some at this rate? Anyway, he's in his normal clothes. "More than half of us have died lately... s'not the fun job it seemed to start with, is it?" he asks, sitting down heavily at the now sadly oversized meeting table.
[19:47] <Aaeru> "We did good, but...." Aaeru trails off, shaking her head as she sits next to Janson.
[19:51] <Kotono> Sylvie sniffles at that, taking out a kerchief to wipe her eyes. Meanwhile Josa nods, rising to speak. "Without any doubt remaining in my bosom can I confirm that our labors have taken a vicious, nefarious turn. I ask myself, is this our fate? Are we meant to be heroes and champions and defenders, thrust into these roles by the endless vagaries of chance? Are we to be livestock on the altar of
[19:51] <Kotono> sacrifice, our blood and flesh to sustain others?" Going back and forth Josa shakes his head, "I know not."
[19:51] * Janson looks over at Sylvie, feeling pained by both her despair and her appearance, unable to keep looking at her for more than scant seconds before he focuses on the table instead, and then on Josa. "It's... it's something I think we'd all been thinking about lately - I wanted to bring it up after something good, but maybe this is fitting anyway. We can't keep throwing our lives away for a pittance of a salary and a tiny fraction of the reward. We've got to change how we do business here."
[19:53] <Kotono> To this Josa sighs deeply, "Truly, is this the time where we must quibble over material gains?" He pauses a moment, "Is that truly what plagues your heart most of all in this midnight black hour?"
[19:53] <Kotono> Sylvie catches Janson's gaze once, bloodshot eyes meeting his for a split second before he looks away. She then looks at Aaeru, before going back to looking at the bow and wiping her eyes.
[19:54] <Aaeru> "Not really," Aaeru says. "I came to tell you all that I'm leaving for a while. After everything, well, I kinda want to see my family again. It might be for the last time, so...."
[19:55] <Janson> "It's not, but it's important anyway," Janson steels himself. "If we had more money we could be better equipped, better able to survive. And it's not fair that Andrea, Wayland, and Simmer..." he trails off and winces at Aaeru's words. "Oh." He hadn't even thought about visiting his family... now that it comes up, he's not sure he'd want to anyway.
[19:56] <Kotono> "I understand," Josa merely nods to Aaeru, "A sabbatical will do us all good; nay, it may be as requisite as the lifeblood that flows in our veins. With this tasks's resolution and income, we can afford a break." After that he looks to Janson once more, "...your point is one that rises the pangs of deep guilt within me."
[19:57] <Janson> "If we're going to continue this work, we should be partners, not employees," Janson ultimately summarises what he was going for.
[19:58] <Kotono> "With all respect and understanding, may we consider this another day?" Josa asks, "By Pallanth and the Elf Father I give you my solemn vow that I will revisit it soon, but can we leave this day for proper mourning?"
[19:59] <Janson> "Yeah..." Janson looks away... maybe it was crass, but damned if they don't deserve better for risking their lives like this.
[20:00] <Kotono> "Thank you," Josa finishes, "Until the end of Summer in about a month, Whimsical Sweets is closed. We all need time after these calamities." Josa announces, "We need time to heal."
[20:00] <Aaeru> "Ilmater says Wayland is happy," Aaeru feels compelled to say. "I hope it helps. I dunno if it does."
[20:03] <Kotono> Sylvie sniffles again, burying her face into her kerchief. Josa merely smiles slightly, "It does, in a very small manner."
[20:04] * Aaeru nods. "You can come get me if you need me. You know where Erenholm is, right? It's not a very big place."
[20:05] <Janson> "I guess after coming back the first time and getting that, why would be bother doing it again?" Janson asks cynically, frowning and shaking his head afterwards. This isn't like him, but he can't stop himself... "I hope Alicia at least takes care of Andrea..." Unsaid is the fate of Simmer, who so often talked of being 'Outside of the Cycle'...
[20:06] <Aaeru> "Shar's like her enemy, right? Dying while fighting her has to be important, right?"
[20:06] <Kotono> "I pray so," Josa says, hanging his head, "I've talked to Andrea's family and friends, there will be a service in a few days. I'll have a private one for Wayland and Simmer."
[20:07] <Kotono> "Uh huh," Sylvie speaks up here, "P-probably earned her bonus points there. Probably really happy now."
[20:07] <Janson> Maybe Alicia will respect such a senseless death more than surrendering to a Sharran? Hardly seems worth it to Janson... "Wayland and Andrea both had their families at least... if we don't remember Simmer, no one else will?" he muses dourly.
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[20:08] <Kotono> At this Sylvie does wipe her eyes and look up, "Simmer...she was a spirit of fire. She's dead in this realm, but in the reality of Fire, she'll live again. She won't be able to come back to this world within our lifetimes, but she exists."
[20:09] <Aaeru> "Huh?"
[20:09] <Janson> That's enough of a comfort for Janson to give Sylvie a wan smile. "Something, at least."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Spirits...outsiders don't die unless slain on their plane. Otherwise they reform there after a period of time. But because she died here, she can't come back to the Prime. It's complicated," Sylvie says, "But I spent all night reading up on it. I'm sure of it."
[20:10] <Aaeru> "So... we could come visit?"
[20:12] <Kotono> "One day, if we can find her," Sylvie says.
[20:13] <Janson> "I hope she's not lonely there... she seemed happy in the Furnace, though, so maybe she's enjoying herself?" Janson muses wistfully, leaning on the table.
[20:14] <Aaeru> "She wouldn't, like, feel alone or different if everyone else is fiery-like there," Aaeru agrees. "It sounds nice."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Yeah," Sylvie says, before she looks up, "I'm going to go now...Janson, would you come with me? We need to talk. Aaeru, I hope you have fun with your parents."
[20:16] <Janson> "Yeah," Janson nods and gets up, before leaning down to give Aaeru a hug, "Come back soon, okay?"
[20:17] <Aaeru> "I didn't see them for two years. I hope it will be a nice visit." Aaeru returns Janson's hug. "Take care, too, you and Sylvie."
[20:17] <Kotono> Sylvie comes forward, taking Aaeru's hand and giving it a squeeze before leading Janson out.

[Corwin]

#d

[20:18] <Kotono> Once the two are gone Josa sighs deeply, going to sit. He doesn't say anything for a short little while, "How are you, Aaeru?"
[20:21] <Aaeru> "I'm still very angry," Aaeru responds truthfully. "I don't mind when people die because they go to heaven like they're supposed to. It's not a bad thing. If you die and save people, it should be, like, a good end to a good life! But I'm still really angry about the bad people who act like it's nothing, or like it's okay to kill people. Or who act happy about it, even if they're supposed to be their friends. That's not alright."
[20:23] <Kotono> "The problem of evil," Josa says, "The problem of those wicked hearts that care nothing for their fellow elf." Shaking his head back and forth, "Andrea and Wayland died much too young, all because of a deluded nymph who gave into darkness. As much as it pains me, I also know the only answer is to continue, to move on and to hope for a better tomorrow. For if we wreck our vision on the shoals of
[20:23] <Kotono> today, we will never reach fairer waters."
[20:24] <Aaeru> "I don't really get what you just said," Aaeru admits. "I just know I want to punch Marianne in the face and I want to punch Silver in the face and it's really better if I'm visiting my parents for a while instead."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Good enough," Josa says with the slightest hint of a smile, "Dear Aaeru, that's good enough. Go to them." He pauses, "There is one final matter, but it'll be here by the time you return," she says, "The Crimson Guard was in contact with me this morning. There was a vast codex found in Senaril's house; study of it can be productive if dangerous."
[20:27] * Aaeru winces. "I'm not, like, really all that... knowledgeable? I mean, I can read... if it's common...."
[20:29] <Kotono> "I know." Josa's lips twitch upward, "Aaeru, I know that all too surely. I just wanted to tell you before you leave, since I won't tell those two until they're more composed. Sylvie..." He shakes his head, "I don't think she slept last night. She is in abominable shape, while Janson walks a road of black depression."
[20:31] <Aaeru> "It's because I know something they don't," Aaeru tells him. "Andrea and Wayland are just fine now! Ilmater says they're not suffering anymore, and heaven is like a really good place! And Simmer... since Sylvie said she's fine too, and in a happy fiery place, it's alright for all of them. We're sad they're gone, but they're just fine...."
[20:32] <Kotono> "The promise of peace does little do assauge the broken hearts of the living," Josa says, "Truly, such wounds are only mended by the clockticks of Father Tiem."
[20:37] <Aaeru> "Yeah. Time." Aaeru nods. "I think I should go. I kinda want to meet Urgan before I leave Balmuria, and I wanted to say goodbye to Lyris, too."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Very well," Josa says.

[Corwin]

#d

[20:40] <Kotono> The home of Lyris and Marianne is found without incident. Neve tags along, solemn as the two go to the front gates. The same old man is there, opening them for you this time, "Lady Lyris said you may be coming by. I'll walk you inside, dears."
[20:41] <Aaeru> "Thanks, John," Aaeru responds, ready to follow him indoors.
[20:44] <Kotono> The insides are decorated tastefully and with considerable refinement, even if red has an unusual predominance. You are taken to a sitting room on the first floor, a silver tea set and a silver snack tray both presented. The food is all sorts of little hand-snacks, looking gorgeous to the eye. Tiny cakes, little sticks of carrots and celery, small dabs of dip, crackers in the shape of animals.
[20:44] <Kotono> Soon enough Lyris enters - in her work clothes, choosing to sit opposite Neveril and Aaeru. She nods to them in awknowledgement, awaiting.
[20:45] <Aaeru> "Remember when we just met?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "What about it?" Lyris banters back.
[20:47] <Aaeru> "I think you didn't believe me. But I really did have two reasons to meet you. I mean, I had this job and I figured you could, like, help me decide what to do next. But when I heard people talk about you, I really wanted to meet you for you, too. What you were doing, like, it was very admirable. I thought that I wanted to meet someone like that and get to know them."
[20:48] <Kotono> Lyris closes her eyes a moment, "Marianne's the one behind our reputations. She always makes sure that our deeds happen in a way to get people talking. I don't care about any of that, but Marianne has the soul of a performer."
[20:50] * Aaeru shakes her head. "I don't like her, and it's not because she feels scary at all. What really matters is how a person is, and I know you're a good person after meeting you. It's not about Marianne at all."
[20:52] <Kotono> "Mmm." A murmur at that, "You're wrong. In our past lives, she was Queen Marianne while I was a common serving girl of unusual talent in assassination." Looking away and out a sunny window, "In this life I'm her friend, not her servant...but she still demands attention as suiting a Queen." In her hand is a dart, withdrawn from a pocket. She plays with it, "Everything is about Marianne. Senaril
[20:52] <Kotono> came into your lives because she found Marianne and knew of her past."
[20:53] <Aaeru> "Where is Marianne?" Aaeru asks. "I'll try really hard not to punch her for what she did, but I want to tell her off."
[20:54] <Kotono> Lyris shakes her head, "She's...occupied. Don't. It's best for everyone if she doesn't see anyone else right now. Telling her off isn't going to help...because I already spent a good few hours doing it, too."
[21:00] <Aaeru> "Does she care at all that she was tricked? She thinks she can be a queen because someone makes her? And she thinks she can be strong that way, or she'll be the one, like, in charge? She thinks Shar cares about her at all?" Aaeru purses her lips. "And what about that wanting to kill everyone part? I, like, don't know what you two are, but it took me twenty years to find Neve." Aaeru gives the sirine a fond smile, before her gaze returns to Lyris. "I can't even think about throwing it away. And she had someone close to her all her life? And in her past life, too? And she doesn't care at all? She can throw it all away to like be some puppet of Shar's? Was she, like, brainwashed? Charmed? Because I could understand it, then, maybe."
[21:02] <Kotono> "We aren't like that," Lyris bristles, "I blew off a date because of this entire mess." Taking a moment's breath, "I don't understand her entirely in this life. In what I remember of the last..." Looking away, "Marianne always wanted power. She had to have it. She was a born Queen. Senaril seemed to know exactly what to say, all the time. She had a knack of talking to Marianne."
[21:07] <Aaeru> "I don't understand it," Aaeru repeats, shaking her head. "What happens to her now?"
[21:13] <Kotono> To this Lyris shrugs, "I try and help her. Try and find out what about Senaril drove her so deftly down that path."
[21:14] <Aaeru> "Can you tell us what you remember? About that past life, or that second chance you mentioned?"
[21:17] <Kotono> Lyris nodsa fter a moment, pausing to take a few carrot sticks and eat them. Washing them down with tea, "I was a maid and the Queen's assassin, Marianne was Queen. She became the Destroyer...I'm not sure how, my memories aren't that good. Are you familiar with a legendary beast known as the Tarrasque? That was the Destroyer...with Marianne's sharp mind and magic. An absolute nightmare that
[21:17] <Kotono> destroyed her kingdom and all other kingdoms until the fair side of the Amaryl Range. The destroyer reigned over it for millenia, slaughtering the hiding survivors whenever they dared poke out. But in the end..."
[21:18] * Aaeru vaguely recalls Sylvie talking about it and sounding very impressed, and nods to not interrupt the story. "You got tired of it?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "No." Shaking her own head, "She was defeated at long last. Alicia, Seira and a handful of others challenged the Destroyer and defeated her. That still wasn't the end. With all the misery, hate and pain she had absorbed Marianne manifested as a spirit-goddess and a terrible battle between her and Goddesses Alicia and Seira happened. I served Marianne during it, as a ghostly spirit." Lyris looks
[21:20] <Kotono> down at her hand, as the carrot she holds slips right through her hand like it asn't there! "When Senaril restored our memories I gained a little bit of that past power...but I digress."
[21:22] * Aaeru blinks, but remembers that Lyris was fine every time she called upon Ilmater's holy power, so she isn't some sort of ghost right now. She nods once again for Lyris to continue.
[21:22] <Kotono> Neveril at last breaks her polite silence, "How did she do that? Senaril had great power from what Aaeru said, but that's not the sort of power a fey would normally possess."
[21:23] <Aaeru> Huh. That's weird. Aaeru figured it was Shar, but maybe there was more to it?
[21:27] <Kotono> "I don't know," Lyris admits, "I'm not a wizard or trained in those arts." After a moment's pause to seemingly collect her thoughts, "In the end, I was destroyed again and banished as a ghost...I had been Marianne's last companion for so many years, and that at last destroyed her will to fight. In an act of mercy, Seira and Alicia reincarnated us, so that we can have another chance, free of the
[21:27] <Kotono> past."
[21:28] <Aaeru> "And then Senaril just offered to use some mind magic on you and you two... agreed?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "She seemed to know everything about us when we met," Lyris says, "She just knew how to play Marianne until she agreed. It was so smooth, but remembering a few fragments was enough to stop my doubts."
[21:32] <Aaeru> "Did she not want to get reincarnated or something?" Aaeru asks, frowning again. "Or you? I mean, if she wanted it, isn't it weird to change her mind right now?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "It's not that," Lyris says, "It's just...When she started to remember, she got along even better with Senaril, and..." Trailing off, "Senaril had charisma, especially with her."
[21:40] <Aaeru> Marianne was easily seduced by all sorts of promises. That, at least, Aaeru can sort-of understand. "Lyris, can you promise me that she won't hurt anyone?" she asks her. "The only reason she's not in jail with the Guard is because she didn't actually do anything. But I think we both know she wanted to. There can't, like, be a next time."
[21:41] <Kotono> "I know." Lyris says, "That I can promise. The world does not need a Destroyer." With a little, bitter smile, "No one does."
[21:44] * Aaeru nods. "Tell her that I used a really simple spell to stop her and then, like, wrestled her to unconsciousness even while I couldn't, like, see anything. And that was, like, a handicap but she still just flailed in this really feeble way and cursed, so that means if she wants to be strong she has to defeat me first. If she thinks she's better than us, she should, like, talk less and prove it."
[21:44] <Kotono> "Thankfully," Lyris says, "I'll tell her that."
[21:47] * Aaeru nods once more. "Umm, the Guard came by and gave us some gold. We, like, gave everything Wayland and Andrea had to their families, and we donated Simmer's share and mine, and then I brought you yours." She does, in fact, have a small and light bag with apparently really expensive local currency she can't really make heads or tails of. "It's not Marianne's because she chose really badly. But you helped save the city and you saved Janson so this part is yours."
[21:47] * Aaeru offers Lyris's part of the reward to her.
[21:48] <Kotono> Lyris takes the money, "Thank you." She pauses for several moments before she nods, "Thank you very much. Helping Marianne could be expensive, this will aid it."
[21:51] * Aaeru shifts in her seat. "And I know we're still, like, strangers and maybe you don't even like us. But maybe if you want to hang out some time, or work together, or just need a friend, I really do like you as a person. I'm, umm, going home for a bit to visit family but once I'm back I'll be by the House of Suffering or Whimsical Sweets, so, like, if you want to you could get in touch really easy-like."
[21:54] <Kotono> "I'll bear it in mind," Lyris says, "Once Marianne's taken care of." After apause, "Thank you. Thank all of you."
[21:56] * Aaeru stands up, since she doesn't want to overstay their welcome. "I stopped her without killing her. So it's my responsibility, too. If there's anything... anything at all, it's my responsibility, so I'll do what I can. You'll just need to say it."

[Corwin]

#d

[21:58] <Kotono> Thereafter you walk out with Neve, the two heading back towards home...
[22:02] <Aaeru> "I told you about my home, didn't I?" Aaeru asks Neve, not being in any hurry as she walks. "It's a day away by horse, so it's not actually all that far. My parents live there. They really like Mystra and Alicia, but I think they don't mind Ilmater, too. My sister lives there too. I wonder if she got married? Or, maybe, she felt like traveling too. It's been two years, after all...."
[22:04] <Kotono> "You want to visit home?" Neveril asks, "Do you want me to come?"
[22:06] <Aaeru> "I want you to meet my family. I want them to meet you. I want us to see where I grew up. If Ilmater calls for me, that's it, and it would be kinda sad, the way it is. I'm not, like, hurrying towards him since I want to be here with you. But I feel... kinda uneasy, the way things are now."
[22:09] <Kotono> "I'll go," Neveril smiles at that, "I can see the hurt an danger in your eyes, Aaeru. Of course I'll go."
[22:12] * Aaeru smiles back at her. "Maybe after being a bit more around nice humans, you wouldn't mind Balmuria so much? I don't think it matters, who people are... I mean, look at Senaril and Lyris. So maybe you wouldn't worry so much about the humans in Balmuria. What I mean is, maybe you'll want to work with me? It could be nice, and I'm sure everyone likes you there."
[22:13] <Kotono> "We'll see," Neveril says, taking Aaeru's hand, "Tell me about your family!"
[22:20] <Aaeru> "Well, there's Dad. He's like a pastor, right? He can be really strict and we don't really have a temple to Mystra in Erenholm but there's like a small shrine and when there are holidays or all these special days then he kinda speaks about her. But that doesn't happen a lot so he works on the farm and stuff. I helped there, too!" Those days were fairly satisfying, even if she could feel something lacking from back then. "Mom, well, she likes Mystra too but she's really grateful to Alicia. I think they would, like, fight a lot if those two weren't these great friends? So, umm, if one of them talks about anything like a religion you just smile and nod and listen? But, like, don't bring it up yourself? Or if you really have to, don't like ask who is better, Mystra or Alicia? Because then it can be really bad!"
[22:32] <Kotono> Neveril laughs and laughs, "That sounds fun."
[22:39] <Aaeru> "It had, like, its moments!" Aaeru agrees with a laugh of her own. "Then there's Amuria. She's like my twin, except she's not? It's complicated, I guess, but we always acted like it. Since she's my sorta-twin, she's my age too. She didn't actually like living on a farm because it's a lot of work and it's hard and she really liked her dolls and dresses and that sort of stuff. She always wanted to travel, but I'm the one who ended up going first. I sometimes wonder if she did, too. She's really pretty but she can be a bit scary. Not like Marianne is scary, but sorta intimidating like that? The local boys didn't really ask her out or anything, but I remember this one time this cute scholar was passing through and he wanted to study about Alicia and she helped him so I think they became friends because I remember he wrote her letters and she wrote him back. He sent her some books, too, once. I kinda wish I read more books because then I could talk better. But now Sylvie gives me books to read so it's alright?"
[22:43] <Kotono> Laughing along and listening, "It sounds like you have a big family."
[22:44] <Aaeru> "It was us four," Aaeru agrees. "But you can't just keep on living with your parents because you have to get married or go do something else, and I went and did something else. I think it's okay to visit back, though."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Were they happy with your choice?" Neveril inquires, "About going to Balmuria."
[22:47] <Aaeru> "We didn't fight or anything, and I didn't, like, run away," Aaeru responds. She shrugs. "I mean, I know they wanted me to marry and have a farm of my own, but I never really wanted that. I think they just wanted that because they thought I'd be happy, so if I come back and I'm happy, maybe they won't worry anymore?"
[22:47] <Kotono> "I suppose there's only one way to know," Neve says after pondering that.
[22:48] <Aaeru> "Pretty much," Aaeru finds herself agreeing. "Wanna go today?"
[22:48] <Kotono> "Let's leave tomorrow morning," Neveril says, "How about we celebrate tonight?"
[22:49] <Aaeru> "There's a lot to be thankful about... yeah, let's do that, Neve."

[Corwin]

#ed

[20:20] <Kotono> Sylvie leads Janson out. She doesn't say anything, just leading him straight to the nearest bar. Tossing gold down, "Two bottles of something strong," she says, getting two full bottles. Once done she leads Janson to a corner table, going to sit. For a moment she doesn't say anything, "...I just want to forget..." she murmurs.
[20:25] * Janson sits next to Sylvie, wrapping a comforting arm around her. Knowing that Simmer's alive, after a fashion, somewhere else does soften the blow, though he still feels wretched over choosing to let her die so miserably. "I can't ever forget," he murmurs, the sounds of Andrea's defiant indignation giving way to meaty chops and gurgling, and that unholy smell... is that really the last memory he'll have of the pretty and fun redhead with the ready supply of amusing quips? Or will it be the partially eaten and exposed skull, ragged flesh hanging off and those vile eyes... Or Wayland, ever cocky and self-absorbed, reduced to a broken rended corpse on a frozen rooftop? Or poor vivacious and fiery Simmer, dying a cruel and painful death of freezing until her vibrant flame was
[20:25] * Janson smothered?
[20:27] <Kotono> Sylvie's answer is to crack her bottle open and chug. She drnks and drinks and drinks, before putting it down and clinging to Janson. SHe buries her head into his chest and starts to cry, "Why? What did everyone do to deserve ends like that? What the fuck was the point of Senaril?"
[20:32] <Janson> "I don't know..." Janson replies weakly. "She wasn't like nymphs are supposed to... no nymph is." Opening his bottle, he follows Sylvie's example and downs several big gulps, closing his eyes tightly afterwards. "Devils and demons've got nothing on her. Nothing at all."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Was she bad...or was it because of Shar?" Sylvie says after a few more sobs, "She took everything away from us, just like the Lady of Loss...and for what? No damn reason but destruction and loss!" After a hiccup, a sniffle and another long drink, "It's so meaningless!"
[20:37] <Janson> "It was for Marianne. Turn her into a Queen of the Dead or something," Janson rests his chin on Sylvie's head, not really drawing much comfort from her but trying to offer something himself. "Maybe it's better not to understand. Maybe that leads to going as mad as they were."
[20:39] <Kotono> You get a grunt as answer, Sylvie drinking deeply again. After that she virtually flops onto Janson, "I...Janson...I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't made it on top of everything else."
[20:46] <Janson> "If I ever do, talk to the elders at Aralla. There's no chance of them doing a reincarnation for free, but if you pay for the reagents they've got no reason to say no," Janson encourages, giving her a squeeze with one arm while the other feeds himself more booze. "But in the end, we both got out, right?" He sighs heavily, recalling what he heard her say shortly before Senaril cut her down,
[20:46] <Janson> "There's Calley to think about, too."
[20:47] <Kotono> "I know..." Sylvie mutters, taking yet another deep swig, "Janson, I...life's too short to waste time, isn't it? What I'm saying, Janson...I..."
[20:50] * Janson doesn't say anything, silently letting Sylvie work towards whatever she's getting at... although he can't escape a feeling of mounting trepidation.
[20:53] <Kotono> "I...we talked about a big mansion house, servants and a huge library. It's a good dream...but let's not waste any more time. Let's not have it just be a dream for one day." Sylvie looks up, "Janson...let's make our dreams together."
[21:02] * Janson tenses slightly, silent as he absorbs that. A week ago wouldn't he have been... happy? Right? Hmm, well even then it seems a bit fast... but he'd probably go along with it because it could be fun, right? But what's changed now? Ultimately, he has. "Listen... uh..." he struggles to say something without just ruining everything, but he can't muster wholehearted enthusiasm. "It feels... like it's too sudden, and things are just so..." he waves his bottle-wielding hand aimlessly in the air beside him, straining to find the right words, "Things are messed up. Maybe when things are... like when we've got our heads on straight, we can talk about it?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "...yeah, maybe..." Sylvie mutters, going to her bottle and taking another long drink. "Or maybe in a few weeks we'll be worm food."
[21:16] <Janson> Sighing, Janson looks at his own bottle but forgoes a drink. "Listen, I'm not saying no, it's just that I can't think about things like that right now."
[21:18] <Kotono> "Like hell we can't!" Sylvie snaps, looking up at him. "Janson, dammit!" Giving hima  distinctly angry look, "It's either that or I drink myself into a fucking blackout!"
[21:23] <Janson> "Well I can't, okay!" Janson snaps back, turning now to face her. "I can't just... shove everything aside and pretend like I'm happy and normal! I can't just forget them and mindlessly busy myself with goddess damned house decorating!"
[21:25] <Kotono> "Then what should we do? Sit around weeping until we die?" Sylvie throws her hands up, "You know what? Fuck this." She gets up, "If not that...I'm going to go train myself, so that at least I won't go down without a fight." Her eyes are narrow with anger, her fists balled up! Her jaw is clenched tight, "How about you act like a damned man instead of going on about goddess this and like the
[21:25] <Kotono> castrated little boy Aralla wanted you to be!"
[21:32] <Janson> Hey, now! "Like you were complaining when I was meekly doing or buying anything you wanted!" Janson retorts, standing up as well. "But while we're at it, why don't you try being a mother to your son instead of training for the next chance to throw your life away!"
[21:37] <Kotono> The slap comes out like a lightning bolt, the echo of it filling the tavern! Eyes are on the two as Sylvie nearly growls, "You bastard! You son of a BITCH!" Her voice is strangled with fury, "Excuse me for wanting a man to take care of me," A deathglare at Janson, "When it seems all that I have is a little boy! EXCUSE ME FOR WANTING THAT!" Sylvie's eyes are wet with pure fury and tears,
[21:37] <Kotono> starting to escape out in her rage. Her cheeks are red, breathing fast. "Excuse me," her voice drops to a dark whisper, "For wanting the man I love to act like a man!"
[21:51] <Janson> Janson's head turns with the force of the slap, cheek reddening. She loves him? But he... doesn't know for himself. This is all just too much... He can't muster up anything to yell back at her with, the fact that she only lives because he chose her over Simmer a line that will never ever be crossed... so instead he's just silent for a long tense moment. "I wish I could be," he mutters, not
[21:51] <Janson> meeting her eyes. "But you're not the only one hurting, Sylvie. I can't just turn that off and pretend. Whatever you think that makes me..." he shrugs and finally meets her eyes, his own dull and weary, "It is what it is."
[21:53] <Kotono> Sylvie meets that gaze with one of contained fury, sorrow and despair. For a moment she hesitates, her gaze dropping from Janson. "I..." Her cheeks turn redder, shoulders slumping. "I..."
[21:56] <Janson> Now that he doesn't seem likely to be attacked for it, Janson takes Sylvie's shoulders and draws the blonde closer, wrapping his arms around her. "Please. I can't think about the future, not when I keep seeing them... can't we wait, just for a while?" he pleads.
[21:57] <Kotono> Sylvie's stiff in your arms a moment, before simply collapsing into sobs. She doesn't reply, just crying and crying and crying again.
[22:00] * Janson holds Sylvie up against himself, enduring the scrutiny of the other early day barflies until she's cried out. "Do you want me to take you home?" he whispers.
[22:01] <Kotono> There's quite a few tears shed. During that time, the barkeep goes to the door. There's a few guardsman there, whom he talkes to and shakes his head at. They depart out, and soon after Sylvie nods meekly. It's a quiet, forgettable trip home, Sylvie not saying a thing even as you reach her house.
[22:03] * Janson stops by the front door, hesitating a long moment. "Listen, I'll be by in... a few days. We'll see how we feel then, okay?" he offers in a concillatory fashion.
[22:03] <Kotono> "Okay," Sylvie murmurs, "Sorry..." she adds, before going in and closing the door behind her.

[Corwin]

#ed

[22:08] <Kotono> Several days pass. Hard and long days of solitude and reflection. On the sixth day of it Janson awakens to the smell of....mmm? Frying eggs? That's definintely the smell of something cooking on the cooking fire. It's just around dawn, but the smell has his stomach rumbling.
[22:09] <Janson> Janson's nose twitches... unless that's coming from outside - unlikely given how easily he smells it - the list of likely suspects is pretty low. Clambering out of his rumpled bed, he calls out, "Sylvie?" before he even steps through into the main room of his cottage.
[22:13] <Kotono> Sylvie's there. She's at the cookstove, a spread of food laid out before him. "Hey," she says quietly, flipping eggs from pan to plate. She puts that on the table and goes to sit down, "Hungry?"
[22:14] <Janson> "Yeah..." Janson manages a slight smile, going over to join her at the table in his underwear. "It's good to see you again," he offers sincerely.
[22:15] <Kotono> "Yeah." Sylvie looks down a moment, "Same here." She sighs, "How're you holding up?" She goes for some food as she dos, going to take a bite.
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 (+4 inspiration)
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 (+4 inspiration) and gets 15." [1d20=10]
[22:17] <Janson> "Better... yeah, better" Janson nods at length, mirroring her and taking a bite himself. "I think... well, I mean, I don't think I'll really stop seeing them for a long time, but... better. Enough to face the future."
[22:19] <Kotono> It's pretty decent. Not a masterpiece, but hey, you didn't have to cook. "Yeah." She plays with her food with her fork, staring off for a little bit. "Speaking of...I used Josa as a helper while I was training and took out a lost of frustrations on the wood planks and bricks he held."
[22:23] <Janson> "He might as well make himself useful," Janson snorts, though somewhat disheartened Sylvie didn't use the time to connect with her son. "You probably should've used Silver, though, now that I think about it. Funny how quickly she can go from amusing to monstrous."
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yeah." She eats a few more bites, "I drove into him that you were right about your proposal....eventually." A moment's smile passes over her face, "Silver...she's cute when you forget she's vicious."
[22:35] <Janson> "She had me fooled... Gods, isn't that just like Senaril? Did Marianne and Lyris spend ages thinking she was just 'fun and irreverent', laughing off all the times she said she'd burn the world? Eww..." his face screws up at the unwelcome but obvious comparison.
[22:36] <Kotono> "There goes my appetite," Putting her fork down and rubbing her face, "Was Wayland right about the fey? I always thought he was being petty."
[22:38] <Janson> "Yeah, sorry..." Janson admittedly doesn't feel so hungry any more himself. "But Simmer was nice, and there were lots of other nice pixies and dryads I knew from around back home. And there's Neveril. I guess some are good and some are bad, same as people?" He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Urgh... nevermind it anyway. You want to talk about what we talked about last time?"
[22:39] <Kotono> "May as well." Sylvie says, "Janson I..." She pauses, "Do you love me?"
[22:49] <Janson> While Janson didn't expect that question, it's one he had a lot of time to think about since she dropped that bombshell in their last fight. "I... think so," he concludes. "I don't know that I've ever been properly in love, but... it feels different than anything I've had before." He hesitates a second before shrugging, "I know that's probably not as much as you'd like, but... no one ever
[22:49] <Janson> taught me how to be a man, I'm making it up as I go."
[22:51] <Kotono> "One step at a time," Sylvie says softly, "One step at a time." She takes his hands in her own, "Until then...let's be careful. Okay?"
[22:53] * Janson clasps her hands back, offering a tentative smile as things slowly return to an even footing. "What about the rest?" he asks, "The house and all that?"
[22:56] <Kotono> "I want to make our dreams come true," Sylvie says, blushing, "I only have 500 marks right now....I bought a lot of training equipment and magical gear. But..."
[23:01] <Janson> "I've got just under six thousand - most gear isn't much good for me anyway, and I'd rather have something to show for this all than just a bunch of magic doodads," Janson shrugs lightly. "So... you, me, Calley and servants? Do you want your mom, or would she even...?" he broaches that last part with as much delicacy as he can, which isn't saying much.
[23:02] <Kotono> "Mom stays with Calley. If you're serious about this," she shakes her head, "We can sell our home to contribute."
[23:04] <Janson> "You know I should probably meet them properly before we get too far on deciding for them," Janson points out dryly.