020.3 Vignettes

[Corwin]

#d, Jaela

[23:19] <Kotono> Jaela finds Annalise in the library, a book in her lap. She reads with a casual air, but she is not alone. Three of the dire wolves are nearby. Two lie at her feet, while a third stands at rigid attention, staring at Jaela as she approaches.
[23:19] <Jaela> "Don't stare," Jaela chides it, taking a seat by Annalise. "So, the wolves. Can you tell me how it works, beyond that recognizing the master thing?"
[23:25] <Kotono> The staring wolf approaches, standing before Annalise. She reaches out and strokes its head, as you can smell the scent of canines. It's rather strong here, as meanwhile she answers, "They know their master. That's really all it is. Wolves understand who their betters are and how they fit into the grand scheme of things."
[23:26] <Jaela> "So any wolf we come across, you can pull over? Bats? Anything else?"
[23:27] <Kotono> "Rats and rodents," she answers, "They aren't nearly so worthwhile as wolves, but they have their uses."
[23:28] <Jaela> "Mmm." Jaela leans on the table. "Is it just me or do they become sharper, too? Smarter, like Willim with a tiara?"
[23:29] <Kotono> A tiny little smile shows on Annalise's face as she leans forward, close to Jaela, "Mmm-hmm. They certainly do. I can't be bothered to have mere animals serving me. Without a slight augmentation, they don't respond to mental orders as well."
[23:30] <Jaela> "What happens if we go somewhere? I dunno, to Fire or something, like for a week? Will they break free and start messing everyone up?"
[23:34] <Kotono> "Of course not," Now with a smile, "I've talked to them. They wouldn't dare." Stroking the wolf's head once more, letting it go as she leans a little closer, "They're quite understanding."
[23:36] <Jaela> "Good. That's good." Jaela's index finger traces circles on the table, just ahead of her. "We invited a Mercane along. It actually got me thinking that maybe we can get others to come over, too. Could be nice."
[23:37] <Kotono> "They're useful for money," Annalise says, "Rather focused on it, most of them. Most Mercane are boringly predictable about that."  Waving it off with a slight smile, "I'm sure he told you about his precious Consortium and about how it'll be good business."
[23:38] <Jaela> "He knew about the books we found and got it spot on, so I'm sure they'll be good for more than just gold." Jaela shrugs. "It's nice to make alliances instead of enemies."
[23:41] <Kotono> "Speaking of," Going on from that, "Have you decided what you're going to do about that dragon yet?"

[Corwin]

#d, Jaela

[20:10] <Jaela> "Gloves for the army? Dragonhide ones are pretty stylish. Do you want anything for yourself? You'll look good in blue." Jaela snaps her fingers, sitting back up. "Oh, almost forgot!" She retrieves a royal blue silk ribbon and offers it to Annalise. "Umm, I found it and kinda thought of you. It's not much, but I hope you like it?"
[20:16] <Kotono> A small smile blooms on Annalise's face. In that moment she is devastatingly beautiful, enough to make Jaela's heart beat loud enough to echo in her chest. She takes the ribbon and closes her eyes, tying it back into her hair. "Mmmm, it's a good ribbon. I like it."
[20:18] <Jaela> Her face burning, Jaela manages to say, "It looks great on you."
[20:23] <Kotono> "Of course it does," Annalise chuckles, reaching out to trace Jaela's jaw with her fingertips. Those chill touches rise up the side of her face.
[20:28] * Jaela dismisses her armor with a thought, leaning into Annalise's touch.
[20:30] <Kotono> "We have time before our next crusade?" Annalise murmurs, "Or the next part of the crusade?"
[20:31] <Jaela> "Doing something with the dragon," Jaela responds in that same quiet, relaxed tone, "Visiting potential allies. Plenty of time until we go to the negative energy plane."
[20:35] <Kotono> "A new prismatic dragon, perchance?" Annalise murmurs, "Now that would be an amusing sight to see. It's been a long time."
[20:36] * Jaela perks up curiously. "You were around when others besides Tiamat existed?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "How old do you think I am, Jaela?" Annalise says with a slightly amused smile. It turns her lips up, eyes meeting Jaela's as her hand strokes the paladin's face.
[20:41] <Jaela> "I dunno. Wanna tell me?"
[20:47] <Kotono> "A lady never divulges such sensitive information," Continuing her slow, cold stroking, "I've seen things you would never believe, even if you saw them with your own eyes. Platinum and prismatic dragons?" Annalise closes her eyes, "They are to dragons what humans are to normal dragons. The platinum was as if every precious gift of the earth came together in one form, while the prismatic commanded
[20:47] <Kotono> all the colors of the rainbow in its vainglory. The dragon Gods are jealous and petty, as all Gods are. Hypocritical...are you surprised they could not abide by children that shined bright enough to steal glory from them? They dressed it up in noble finery, knowing that in time the lies would become truth."
[20:50] <Jaela> "I don't doubt the dragon gods are petty. With dragons, greed always comes first, doesn't it?" Jaela shrugs. "But just because they're assholes, it doesn't automatically mean the prismatics were decent themselves. Do you think Baleruk will go batshit insane if he does this thing and just becomes a menace to us? We can't really have him as an ally if he goes around burning entire towns for whatever little offenses he imagines, or if he decides he's too good to be our ally."
[20:54] <Kotono> "I'd say to trust him and if he betrays that?" Annalise chuckles, no warmth in it, "The blood of a prismatic dragon would accelerate my recovery greatly. I would dispose of him for you, of course."
[20:56] * Jaela grins. "Trust him? I'm better off trusting you. Since you're saying he doesn't have to turn out axe-crazy, that's one obstacle cleared. I'll just go clear it with my patrons, and if they don't care either way we're proceeding with this thing."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Ah yes, always having to ask your betters if what you're doing is approved of." With a hint of a smile, "Will you defy them if they say no?"
[21:03] * Jaela gives Annalise a chiding look. "Not my betters. My partners." She shakes her head, then. "If they disapprove but leave it up to me, I'll do it. But if they ask me, all clear-cut, to not do it, then I won't. They're with me on the important thing. You. The rest is gravy, and I can do without it."
[21:06] <Kotono> "My, aren't you presumptious. My last love claimed to be a partner with his God and I, until it came to a choice." Annalise's keeps a sultry, teasing tone during it. "Don't let the glory of divinity blind you to their weaknesses and petty flaws, when a time comes to take your destiny into your own hands comes."
[21:09] <Jaela> "I know some follows their gods out of fear or greed. But when you agree with what they're preaching and you wanna help with that yourself, how's that different from us being partners?" Jaela shrugs. "I dunno if it's presumptious or anything. And I guess we'll find out?" She grins confidently again. "I want nothing more than to show you I ain't like any of those others you bring up."
[21:27] <Kotono> "Time will tell." Annalise replies with just that, letting silence reign for a bit.

[Corwin]

#d, Jaela

[21:32] <Kotono> Later, Jaela finds Tannin in the cafeteria. He's enjoying a quiet dinner, reading a book with one hand as he absently eats with the other.
[21:32] <Jaela> "Heya," Jaela greets him, sitting down by Tannin with a light clank of armor. "Got a sec for me?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "Yeah," He puts the book down and lets it stay open. Sitting back, "Just got back in today."
[21:43] <Jaela> "Good timing on my part, then." Jaela summons a drink for her to not seem out of place, and then continues. "I doubt it'd take long. You travel a lot, hear quite a few rumors, that sorta thing? I wanna find the best magical craftsman across the planes. It'd need to be someone who'd be willing to work with me, someone I could commission an awesome forgehammer from." She considers. "I guess it's best if it could be blessed while forged, but if not I'll just find a way to do that myself. At first I also figured I might ask for a bit of training, but Afina knows how to do that and I'd trust her skills over someone I don't know, anyhow."
[21:47] <Kotono> "A forgehammer isn't much more than a modified warhammer," Tannin's observation comes as his hood falls over his face, hiding it in shadow. "So a blacksmith in particular." Stroking his chin, "Celestia has a reputation for good blacksmiths, especially up in Jovar, if you can get there. That might be a problem after your tiff with Helm. Moradin has his kingdom within Celestia as well, so the
[21:47] <Kotono> dwarves are less likely."  Bowing his head a moment, "Elysium has some dwarven crafters and a few famous ones there. There's one that made the hammer for an angel I met recently. She couldn't say enough good things about it. Arborea has elven crafters, but they rely more on rapiers and lighter weapons. Hammers aren't their speciality, but...hm. Lady Gwynharwyf certainly would have some blacksmiths
[21:47] <Kotono> in her employ."
[21:49] <Jaela> "Elysium and the Court of the Stars are my best bets," Jaela voices, recognizing that name. "Elysium's gonna be my next stop anyway, and I'm gonna be visiting the Court pretty soon. Do you know anything more there?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "No, but I can find out," Tannin replies.
[21:56] <Jaela> "Thanks!"

[Corwin]

#d, Jaela

[22:26] <Kotono> As Jaela rests and waits, preparing for her trip in her quarters? A knock on her door, "Jaela! There's a visitor who wants to see command."
[22:26] <Jaela> "Coming!" A mental command to get armored up, and then she opens the door.
[22:29] <Kotono> Elena is there, "She's a ghaele, so I escorted her to the meeting room," Elena explains, "Do you want to handle this alone or do you want anyone else?"
[22:32] <Jaela> "Just come with me," Jaela decides in a moment, already walking towards a portal. "Although... yeah, on second thought, see if the old man isn't taking his power nap right now? If he's bored, it'd be great if he joined us."
[22:33] <Kotono> "I'll go get him to join you," Elena says, vanishing away. Going through the portal, Jaela finds the woman waiting. She is an angel, white white wings and a halo. Her features are elven and refined. She wears golden jewelry as well as rings, joined by a pale purple toga. Her face has the look of youth and open kindness to it. "Hello," she greets.
[22:35] <Jaela> "Hi." Jaela offers her a smile, and takes a seat, gesturing towards the one by her side. "My name's Jaela. What's this about?"
[22:35] <Kotono> "Kascha," she introduces herself, "I met someone from here not long ago, her name was Afina? She told me about your crusade."
[22:39] <Jaela> "I remember something like that," Jaela muses. "It came up, but kinda got overshadowed by the whole assassination attempt on Afina when she was heading back." To preempt any concerned questions, she snorts. "Of course she won against that fool, but anyway. You wanna join up? Or hear more about it?"
[22:40] <Kotono> "I serve the Dragon Princess, Seira. She never takes injustices lying down and when I told her about this?" With a half smile, "She wasn't amused."
[22:46] <Jaela> This would have been a larger surprise if Jaela had not already been told by her patron, the elven goddess of knowledge, that deities are not omniscient. The question of how a goddess of justice might not hear about an entire world falling into Hell's hands does not need to be voiced, although a part of Jaela wishes their side shared such information better for the benefit of all.
[22:46] <Jaela> "This doesn't happen often. You know, an offer to help us without some precondition. It means a lot."
[22:51] <Kotono> "Hehehhee," Laughing and rubbing the back of her head, "She was rather forceful about it. Seira won't stand for what happened. In fact, I get the feeling I should have offered to join up right away." She rises and curtesies, "I'm Kascha. No fancy title that I like, though I have one or two. My main area of study is arcane magic and dragon magic."
[22:54] <Jaela> "Jaela, like I said." She grins, standing up, and summons her spear to salute Kascha with, before it returns back into storage. "No fancy titles here either. My main areas are killing devils and developing my own fighting style."
[22:56] <Kotono> "What is your fighting style? For...Oh!" Smiling and looking over Jaela, particularly her holy symbol, "Oh, you worship the Triune Goddess?"
[22:59] <Jaela> "It's based around counters. Melee counters, and I'm trying to work out the magical counterpart, too. The idea is that you take a hit, because doing that lets you strike back at an enemy that can't avoid in time." Her eye lighting up at the recognition, Jaela taps the symbol upon her chest with her knuckles. "And yep. She's been really good to me, even when I'm being an idiot. I like to think I'll pay her back for all the trust some day."
[23:02] <Kotono> "I'm familiar with the Seladrine and Arborea in particular," Kascha explains, "Do you mind if I look around? There was so much I saw coming in."
[23:03] <Jaela> "Sure. I actually asked Old Man Tepen to join us before I came here, so you could chat up all sorts of arcane stuff with him. Oh, and-- Dragon Princess? What's her stance on evil blue dragons?"

[Corwin]

#ed, Afina

[21:17] <Kotono> As Afina works at the forges, she wraps the adamantine around the antler, mixing in the linthrum powder. As she works she grows aware of someone watching her, making no move to hide its presence. Indeed, as she works, she sees Crystal approach out of the corner of her eye. She watches quietly as Afina work.s
[21:26] <Afina> They don't really have a forge appropriate for melting adamantine, but luckily the linthrum dust liquifies at a far lower heat and from there she can melt the adamantine via spell and alloy it with the linthrum, allowing her forge to run far cooler than most smiths would fine appropriate. A good thing since she's always used magic for her metalwork, only the challenge of combining two metals
[21:26] <Afina> forcing her to adapt. Layering it bit by bit around the already reshaped horn, a weapon slowly takes form - one far larger than a pixie can safely wield, one side jagged and cruel, like the maw of a vicious predator, the other a liquid smooth curve honed to an impossible edge. The hilt is bare for now, merely a plain bar of the glossy twilight-coloured metal around which she can later wrap
[21:26] <Afina> a handle and finish with a pommel. It's stable enough for now that she can leave her work, setting the blade aside and turning expectantly to Crystal.
[21:28] <Kotono> "Lady Skye is restless at the loss of one of Lifasa's surviving fey." With a momentarily unamused look, "The realities of war aside, the loss does sting. Enough to where she was far less opposed to the sort of magic that giant Jarl has than she normally would be."
[21:34] <Afina> "It goes against the cycle... but I find the prospect of dying and living a blissful life as a dryad on some other innocent world uncaring about Lifasa's fate doesn't siit well with me," Afina admits. "Perhaps I am warped beyond help, but I've seen many fey outside of the Gloaming Forest don't pay as much mind to the Cycle either. Did you know our fallen sibling, or what their feelings would
[21:34] <Afina> be?"
[21:37] <Kotono> Crystal sighs, nodding. "The planes have a way of twisting the cycle. I've made my peace with the Court of the Stars, but it's disconcerting to see it in action with such cavalier disregard. Her name was Amethyst. She had hair that exact color, born with a full head of it. She always respected the cycle, but at the same time...she never forgave the devils. She wanted to pay them back.
[21:37] <Kotono> And...Skye has a point and a trap at once. There's too few of us to waste...but what will be be if we reclaim Lifasa but the cycle has been completely disregarded?"
[21:44] * Afina goes still at that. In her heart she sometimes considers that she'll have no place in Lifasa even if it's restored - in some twisted manner she enjoys her liberation from duties and routine, the freedom to pursue a single shining idea with every fibre of her being. Even more damningly, that she cares less about seeing Lifasa the way it once was than she does for carving a bloody
[21:44] * Afina swathe through the complacent outer realms that indulged the crime. These are things she does not speak of, however, instead volunteering, "When Erlisa died in the battle on Hades, the Jarl tried to resurrect her. It didn't work because even even dead she held a choice, and chose a new future over our past. What harm in trying, if Amethyst can do the same?"
[21:46] <Kotono> "Even if I say no, Lady Skye will come to you," Crystal shrugs, "What harm trying, indeed."
[21:50] <Afina> "I should spend more time with the rest of you," Afina admits, guilt at never knowing Amethyst bubbling up. "Is Lady Skye taking charge?"
[21:53] <Kotono> "Taken." With a ghost of a smile, "All the other pixies except Lief are organized into a miniature court. You've even been given the role of court assassin again. It's not a real court, but..."
[21:57] <Afina> "I didn't know," she murmurs thoughtfully, tryingn and failing to form an opinion on both the court's existence and her role in it. "I suppose having a bond that way is important, but isn't it a bit ghoulish?" Meeting Crystal's eyes now, her emerald eyes conveying an expectant dread like a child about to peel off a scab, she asks, "Do you think we'll ever get Queen Ilsenine back?"
[22:02] <Kotono> Crystal's eyes stay strong, "Yes. Be it in body, or by freeing her soul to continue the cycle." After a few more moments, a thin, entirely unpleasant smile graces Crystal's lips. "Listen to me, Afina. If there is one thing fiends of any stripe can't abide by, it's hope. As long as someone has hope, they'll keep resisting. For demons it means you'll keep fighting to survive and protect against
[22:02] <Kotono> destruction. For yugoloths it means you won't fall into death and despair. For devils, it means you wn't give up and submit. I believe that we're going to save her, and that is enough."
[22:05] <Afina> It's nice to be the one being reassured, for once. "Well, lets go see if Amethyst wants to keep on fighting," she nods, starting to float towards the portal. Then, curiously, "You mentioned Lief hadn't joined your court?"
[22:12] <Kotono> "Apparently Skye and Lief don't quite like each other." After a moment, "I didn't see it myself, but secondhand stories say that Lief called her a priggish bitch, and she called him a barbarian idiot who was ruining any chance of a civilized court."
[22:17] <Afina> Afina's face twitches as she threatens to giggle, but somehow manages to hold it back. After smoothing out her expression and making sure no one's immediately nearby when they emerge in the courtyard after traversing the portal, she asks, "I only ever knew Skye as a face in the court when I entertained. Does she actually have any clout outside of Alfheimr in any of the greater Courts?"
[22:19] <Kotono> "I'm not sure. I'm inclined towards not, since she hasn't used that as a weapon yet," The courtyard doors are empty enough. There's a galuh game going off to one side and soldiers practicing on the other, the giants at it again. "She probably knows a few people, but any noble can say that."
[22:21] <Afina> "That's what I thought. Since we three are the only ones from that court I'm surprised more aren't chafing at her taking charge," Afina muses as her suspicions are confirmed, starting to fly upwards to avoid people passing one way or another, slowly working her way towards the galuh board but in no great hurry while Crystal holds her interest.
[22:23] <Kotono> Crystal follows, lazily flying with her, "Most are just happy to be free and getting a semblence of a good life again. I...don't entirely disapprove of what she's doing. It gives them something to do and to help them go back to normal."
[22:25] * Afina makes a soft humming noise. "I'm used to thinking it's not my concern, but I'm responsible for all of Aurora, so I should care. I'll start attending this court more, at least... speaking of, how are your connections with the Court of Stars?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "I am not yet a Knight of the Stars," Crystal replies, slowing in the air. "That is a vow taken on to serve the Court with heart and soul. I am in good standing otherwise."
[22:34] <Afina> "Jaela wants to go there soon to seek allies and recruits," Afina supplies, "She invited me, but you would surely be of more help, Crystal."
[22:36] <Kotono> Crystal sighs then, flying up higher. She goes to alight on a windowsill, her back to stained glass. "That may as well lead to this. I've been wanting to talk to you of this for a goodly time now."
[22:37] <Afina> Fluttering up herself and landing on the same windowsill, Afina waits in anticipation of a revelation!
[22:38] <Kotono> "What is between her and the thing that wears the guise of a human woman? The woman of unlife, who if I hear correctly, is quite close to her. Yet she serves the Seladrine?"
[22:45] <Afina> "Annalise is a vampire - I've always maintained I'll do whatever I must to restore Lifasa, allying with her is proof of that," Afina says firmly, swivelling to look fully at the sylvan knight, unashamed of her choices. "She has done as much for the Crusade as any here; in her own way she takes her debts as seriously as any fey, and it was we who rescued her from an eternal imprisonment. For
[22:45] <Afina> me, that is all I need." With that all stated clearly to establish her position, she goes on to Jaela. "Jaela is infatuated with her, I wouldn't disbelieve that she feels love. Plainly stated, she wishes to redeem Annalise, perhaps even restore her to a human state."
[22:47] <Kotono> "Do you think she has any chance of that?" Crystal asks, quietly.
[22:50] <Afina> "Every time I see them together, Annalise is trying to convince Jaela to become a vampire," Afina replies, peering down at the galuh board below. "Until something upsets their equilibrium, they'll just dash off each other. I don't know what that thing could be, though."
[22:53] <Kotono> "I wonder. I'm surprised her deity has given her that much leeway." Crystal admits, "I wonder if there's something to it, or..." Shaking her head, "They haven't chastisted her or made her take atonement for this?"
[22:55] * Afina shakes her head. "Helm tried to punish her, though I understand the Seldarine gave her reluctant backing. That's why we're no friends of the Triad, now."
[23:02] <Kotono> "I see." Heaviness hangs in her words, "That hardly makes sense. The Gods of Good are opposed in defiance of undeath. What caused this schism?"
[23:03] <Afina> "Better to ask Jaela than I. Perhaps elven gods are more romantic than human gods? Perhaps Jaela's patrons have more faith in her than a stranger?" Afina shrugs lithely.
[23:15] <Kotono> "Mph." A disquieted little sound, "I may just have to."
[23:16] <Afina> "She's not unapproachable," Afina tells her, taking wing once more. "For now lets focus on Amethyst?"
[23:21] <Kotono> Flying on you reach the Jarl. He's chugging a giant sized tankard of mead, grinning as he sees Afina and Crystal approach, "Did you two see that last shot I made?" he calls, as you can note Dana and Willim in thecrowd, heading back inside.
[23:23] <Afina> "Sorry, I was distracted," Afina apologises with some attempt at sincerity. The game holds little appeal for a tiny fairy but she has no desire to be rude to someone willing to bleed for Lifasa. "We've come to see if you can make an attempt at resurrecting Amethyst."
[23:27] <Kotono> "Amethyst? The tiny little fairy? As you like," he decides, waving a hand towards the others as they continue on. "The last time I offered to resurrect a fey, I got slapped," he recalls, a fond smile on his face.
[23:30] <Afina> "It's not our way. But principles have a way of bending in situations like this," Afina agrees dully, his words like a slap on her own face. The thought of herself continuing on and abandoning Lifasa after her own death provide enough of a shock to her system that she doesn't let it get her down - this is what they must do, and she'll do it without flinching.
[23:32] <Kotono> "Yes, these are rare circumstances," Crystal replies, as you are lead inside. A small morgue has been set up, quiet and solemn. A single guard stands inside, saluting before stepping aside. Within, lying on a bed far too big for her and covered with a white cloth, you can see the outline of a pixie through it.  Here the Jarl stops, "Alright then. Just watch - this magic isn't easy, success
[23:32] <Kotono> or fail. I'll need silence."
[23:33] * Afina is exceptionally good at being quiet.
[23:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[23:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 57." [1d100=57]
[23:36] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[23:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 64." [1d100=64]
[23:39] <Kotono> The ground shakes as each word is intoned, magic focusing on Amethyst! The bedsheet on her flies off, revealing her broken body! A hole is through her chest, neck snapped at an unnatural angle! Her eyes are glazed over and open, as if staring into the endless eternity that came to claim her. For long, long seconds she stays like this, until her hole closes. Her neck realigns with a snapping
[23:39] <Kotono> of bones, and her eyes become clear and full of life! She blinks once, a groan following.
[23:41] <Afina> "Thank you," Afina smiles up at the giant, and this time the sincerity shines brilliantly. Fluttering over to over Amethyst a hand, "Welcome back to the Crusade, sister."

[Corwin]

#ed, Afina

[20:09] <Kotono> "Afina?" Her voice is soft-spoken as she takes Afina's hand, "I was asleep for so long. I feel like I just woke up from a long dream."
[20:13] <Afina> "You fell in battle and were returned to the World Tree, awaiting your next turn of the Cycle," Afina explains, clasping Amethyst's hand tightly. "But you answered the summons, to step back instead of forward. And fight for Lifasa once more."
[20:17] <Kotono> "I see..." she whispers, holding Afina's hands, "The last thing I remember is wanting to get up. I didn't want to die here and not in Lifasa. Is that why I came back?"
[20:19] <Afina> "The Jarl sent the call," Afina gestures up at the huge giant looming over. "But it was up to you to answer..." her face melts into a wistful smile, "It wouldn't do for us to die anywhere but Lifasa, would it?" So many others did, after all.
[20:24] <Kotono> The Jarl merely nods with crossed arms. Meanwhile Crystal smiles faintly, "Our breatheren all gave their lives for Lifasa. We can't rest until we honor that sacrifice."
[20:25] <Kotono> "Yes," Amethyst agrees, "I'll have to work harder with Lief."
[20:29] <Afina> Casting prestidigitation to clean up the blood and then mending to repair the holed outfit Amethyst wears, "We all need to be at our best. Why don't we find Lief and we can do some practice together?" Afina asks, glancing at Crystal to include her. She's shared some of her secret techniques with elves, her own kind would be an even better fit.
[20:31] <Kotono> "You two go to the courtyard. I'll find him," Crystal volunteers.
[20:33] <Afina> "Thank you," the assassin nods to the paladin. "You should thank the Jarl as well, Amethyst," she suggests, helping her up and making sure her wings work.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Thank you," Amethyst murmurs, bowing low to the Jarl. He nods back, face all fierceness, "Now make sure I don't have to do this again. Shoo and get back to your training."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Y-yes!" Amethyst eeps, turning and hurrying for the portal.
[20:37] <Afina> "Good luck in your next Galuh game," Afina smiles at him before flying away herself and catching up with Amethyst. "What style do you normally use in battle?"
[20:41] <Kotono> "Unseen Archery," Amethyst explains, "Lief's been teaching me how to distract my opponents with a properly placed shot."
[20:46] <Afina> While Afina knows her way around a bow as well as any pixie, she's hardly specialised there. But she has profound experience with invisibility's shortfalls and attempting to work around them, ultimately superceding it. "Then I can teach you the ways of the assassin, how to remain utterly unseen even beyond the exotic senses of an earth elemental or a dragon."
[20:50] <Kotono> As you fly out to the courtyard, Amethyst turns, "You would teach me? But Lady Skye said-" she begins, before a blush comes to her cheeks and she goes silent.
[20:53] <Afina> "Hmm?" Afina cocks her head in a gesture of innocent curiosity.
[20:56] <Kotono> "Ah, I misspoke," Amethyst says quickly, "Nevermind my loose tongue."
[20:59] <Afina> "Hmm," she repeats in a flatter tone. "Anyway, I don't know how it was at your home but at the Gloaming Forest invisible pixies wreaked a brutal toll on the first wave of devils. The second wave were fallen angels who's eyes pierced deceit, giving lie to the security of remaining unseen."
[21:03] <Kotono> "I heard the stories," Amethyst says softly, "We're not nearly as effective when our unseen form can be seen."
[21:08] <Afina> "And it's most effective on foes that aren't a challenge even if they do see you. When Crystal and Lief get here we'll fly up onto the roof where there's more cover, and train you in how to use it to your advantage in catching even an alert enemy by surprise."
[21:27] <Kotono> As you fly up to the roof, you are soon joined by Crystal and Lief. The four pixies hover in the air, "Sorry," Lief speaks before anyone else, "I keep meaning to get with you to train, but things keep coming up."
[21:30] <Kotono> "It'smy fault," Amethyst says, looking over to Afina, "I've been having him help me."
[21:30] <Kotono> "It's not-" Lief starts then double stares at Amethyst, "Amethyst?! I thought...well, you died. I saw your body!" Flying over to her quickly, "What's the meaning of this?"
[21:31] <Afina> "I understand. I'm often busy myself, but helping my brothers and sisters in the Crusade is never an imposition." Letting the two have their reunion, she fills in after a moment, "The Jarl called Amethyst back to rejoin us, and she answered."
[21:37] <Kotono> Lief starts to say something but stops. He exhales, "Good to have you back, no matter what." he says, Amethyst smiling gently back. After a moment she leans ina nd bestows a soft peck on his lips, causing Lief to blush quite a bit. A glare is her retort back, and after a moment, "I'm glad to have you back, yes," he says, "Let's get to training now."
[21:41] <Afina> "Amethyst said you were teaching her how to be an unseen sniper?" Afina clarifies with Lief. "But the problem with staying invisible is what to do if your enemy can pierce illusions, or doesn't need their eyes to fight. The assassin's arts would make you harder to detect. Harder to kill."
[21:42] <Kotono> Lief nods back, "The idea's sound. I work around it by trying to strengthen and aid the allies around me if my invisiblity is foiled. They can see me, so I'm going to take up as much of their attetention as possible."
[21:42] <Kotono> Crystal hangs back and listens in the meantime.
[21:49] <Afina> Realising Crystal has no use for such arts, she turns to the paladin. "I realise you won't have use for these skills, Crystal, but you can still help us train. Up here is good cover among the spires and rooftops, though not as much as a forest or cavern would have. We're going to use you as our target at first if you don't mind, so you have to shout as soon as you see one of us. Lief and
[21:49] <Afina> Amethyst will both try and ambush you after I demonstrate first."
[21:55] <Kotono> "Sure," Crystal agrees, "Lead them along. I could use the dodging practice."
[21:59] <Afina> "Just stand here. You two fly up above so you can have a better view and watch what I do. I'll teleport at least a hundred feet away and then sneak as close as I can without using invisibility," Afina explains, flying up along with the two trainees to tell them which tower she'll be teleporting behind and then doing just that before she patiently stalks Crystal across Aurora's rooftop...
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC: Make a hide check?
[22:11] <Afina> roll 1d20+29
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+29 and gets 45." [1d20=16]
[22:12] <Kotono> Certainly Crystal keeps a watch. But what good is it when her opponent is Afina. She creeps closer and closer, slipping past and staying hidden, forever undetected! OOC: Go ahead.
[22:15] <Afina> Maneuvering behind Crystal's back, Afina crosses that last bit of distance and pokes her finger gently on the white-haired pixie's head.
[22:17] <Kotono> "Ah!" Crystal turns, unable to hide a smile, "As I thought. I couldn't even detect you coming."
[22:18] <Afina> "You should have less trouble with the other two," Afina consoles her, waving Lief and Amethyst down to confirm they saw and understood her tactics in staying hidden and out of Crystal's view.
[22:20] <Kotono> The two approach, "That was amazing," LIef whistles low, "The way you moved."
[22:23] <Afina> "Practice," Afina explains it simply. "It's a lot harder to do when someone already has their eyes on you, moreso if their senses are sharp and beyond the typical five. Now I want you two to try sneaking up on Crystal while I observe - this should be simple compared to other challenges."
[22:27] <Kotono> Lief nods as the two get into position and begin to creep!
[22:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+27 Hide LIef
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 Hide LIef and gets 43." [1d20=16]
[22:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 Amethyst
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 Amethyst and gets 30." [1d20=16]
[22:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Crystal is not goodat this spot thing.
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Crystal is not goodat this spot thing. and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[22:30] <Kotono> On they creep! The duo dart back and forth! Amethyst is merely good, while Lief is outstanding! Like ghosts they move, Crystal not catching a glimpse as they close in! Like darts they get to either side, tapping her onthe shoulder just as she starts to reach!
[22:34] <Afina> "Very good," Afina approves as she floats down to join them. "You're easily as good as I am, Lief, and you have potential, Amethyst. Both of you can learn these techniques if you put the effort in."
[22:38] <Kotono> "I'm studying something related to it," Lief agrees, "Working on it."
[22:39] <Kotono> Meanwhile Amethyst lights up in a smile, "I've been practicing!" she chirps, while Crystal smiles slightly at it.
[22:41] <Afina> "Both of you go out and try again? I'll be the spotter this time, but I'll close my eyes - you'll see for yourselves how astute a dragon's senses can be," Afina tells them, planting herself next to Crystal in a pose of louche relaxation, eyes closed firmly shut.
[22:41] <Kotono> OOC: What's the range of your blindsense?
[22:41] <Afina> OOC: 30
[22:44] <Kotono> Darkness and silence falls. For moments Afina feels nothing, until - two of them, entering range at exactly the same time. They should be roughtly behind spires right now, just starting to move again.
[22:47] <Afina> "Both of you," Afina raises her arm and points unerringly at where they're together without even moving her head to look at them.
[22:48] <Kotono> "Hah," Lief smothers a laugh as he comes out, "I thought so. If I'd finished my stalker training, I'd have been able to get past that."
[22:52] <Afina> Opening her eyes and turning towards them now, "Then I'll help you with that training," Afina declares straightforwardly. "Invisibility from sight comes instinctively to us, but to take it farther and utterly subsume your presence in the environment is a far deeper challenge. We give off so many cues without us really knowing - the warmth of our skin, the scent of our bodies, the vibrations
[22:52] <Afina> in the air from our movements, the sound of our beating hearts. Simply being aware of it is hard enough, before even taking the step of concealing it all."
[22:54] <Kotono> "I know the basics," Lief says, "I got that far, but not into utilizing the concepts. That's the hard part, anyway."
[22:56] <Afina> "It requires mastery of your body and keen awareness of your surroundings - some things are impossible to stop, so you have to find ways to blend them into the environment. That's what we'll work on today, battle can wait."

[Corwin]

#t, Willim

[21:31] <Kotono> Willim rumbles to the training areas. As he walks around other soldiers, practicing, "Yo!" Dana calls from behind you, "Willim!"
[21:32] <Willim> Looking over at Dana, Willim gives a short wave. "Hey."
[21:34] <Kotono> Dana whistles, carrying a long pole with a red flag attached to it. A banner, twirling it easily. For some reason, the sight of it makes Willim's skin crawl. "Damn, it's nice to know cornugons can treat a lady right," she whistles with a big grin, "Aaah, that asshole's probably pleading with his boss not to spend the next few centuries being assfucked by pit fiends while I'm here and
[21:34] <Kotono> feeling fine. Everything's right in the world."
[21:37] * Willim cocks his head. "The cornugon? What'd he do for you? And what's with that banner? It's...weird."
[21:40] <Kotono> "Tried to kill me. You were there, weren't you?" Whistling a bit as she slings it over her shoulder like an oversized fishing pole, "According to the finger-wagglers, it's a Banner of Law. When I hold it, the power of order protects me and those close by."
[21:43] <Willim> "Ahh, yes. I remember seeing you with it now." Willim nods. "Glad we were able to come and help out. You looked like you could use a hand."
[21:45] <Kotono> "Eh, I could've took him," Dana shrugs and grins, "Wanna help me practice with it? I figure it's going to be my backup weapon. The protection it offers is too good to pass up."
[21:49] <Willim> "Sure." Willim sets himself into a fighting stance, flexing his hands. "Let's see what it can do."
[21:51] <Kotono> Thus practice is joined. Dana is surprisingly proficient with the staff, using it well. Each time a blow hits Willim his skin crawls. On the other hand, it's not hard to see that Dana's defenses are considerably reduced without a shield. After a good half hour of this Dana wipes her brow clear of sweat, "Whew!"
[21:52] <Willim> "It's a good weapon for you, but you're much easier to hit without the shield. It's a beg trade" Willim says.
[21:55] <Kotono> "Yeah, I know," Exhaling out and stretching a bit after, "So hey, want to go watch the giants play? I'm past the beat the hell out of each other phase of the date."
[21:58] * Willim nods, briefly stretching out his back and rising to his full height with a loud series of pops and cracks before settling back down. "They're always good for a laugh, especially after a few drinks."
[22:04] <Kotono> Going through the portal and out into the courtyard, where soldiers practice and Galuh is going on a little ways away, "I heard the nightwalker's been looking for you again." she says, making a face, "Or bitch-walker, with how those damned wolves fawn over her."
[22:08] <Willim> "Who?" Willim asks. "Oh, the vampire? Yeah, whatever. She's not my type. I don't know what Jaela and Afina see in her." He shakes his head, a frown on his face. "She's some sort of undead, right? I remember them not tasting very good. She's a useful ally though, I suppose. Helped us get to Aurora. As long as she doesn't decide she wants to take over, I'm fine with letting her be."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Yes. Those wolves are the size of a pony, and they act like puppies around her," Snorting as you approach, seeing the Jarl lob a rather good shot down the Galuh board, "It's freakish as all the Hells."
[22:17] * Willim shrugs. "I used to keep giant spiders as pets. It's not that much dfferent."
[22:19] <Kotono> Abruptly Dana giggles, "Yeah, but I bet YOUR spiders won't act like puppies around you, would they?"
[22:21] <Willim> "Well no, I did get chewed on occasionally." Willim says. "They were fun to have around, they made good hunters. They tended to spook the townsfolk pretty badly though, so they nested in the woods most of the time. They probably all died with Lifasa got invaded though."
[22:24] <Kotono> "Too bad, too bad," Dana positions, as cheers rise up for the Jarl's excellent shot. "We need all the help we can get."
[22:26] <Willim> "They're not hard to find. I've been thinking of getting some eggs and raising them. They're mean if you catch them after hatching, but pretty useful if you raise them. They could make decent mounts for some of our smaller types, and they're good scouts. Nothing like a silent mount that can climb walls and hunt for you. Some of them are even intelligent enough to read, if you can find
[22:27] <Willim> them." he says, clapping his hands together for the Jarl.
[22:33] <Kotono> Dana joins in, "Plus I know that some warriors use poison and venom. Couldn't you harvest that too?"
[22:35] * Willim nods slowly. "I suppose I could at that. I never thought of it that way...that settles it then. I'll buy some eggs the next time we come across some devils to rob or something. I'm sure it won't be long."
[22:40] <Kotono> "Good!" Grinning as another shot is made, not nearly as good as the last, "So how's that circlet working out ofr you?"
[22:46] <Willim> "It's like I've been walking through fog all my life, then suddenly I walked out of it. It's very different." Willim says. "Decisions are easier, and I can actually say what I mean instead of 'Me no know what it is.' I used to get so mad when people made fun of me, not that they would to my face." He looks at his hands meaningfully. "Now that I have it though, it makes me feel a bit
[22:46] <Willim> creative. I'm considering taking up smithing or something to make use of it. I think it would be fun."
[22:48] <Kotono> "You have the muscles for it," Turning to him and reaching out, Dana traces along his bicep. "All the good smiths are built like houses to pound the metal properly."
[22:50] * Willim flexes mightily, green-mottled black skin stretching tightly over ridiculous muscles!
[22:50] <Willim> "I can thank my troll father for that."
[22:54] <Kotono> With a little, coy smile as she traces towards to Willim's hand, "Mmm-hmm," she murmurs, "You can use them soooo well, too. You can hit so hard."
[22:56] * Willim looks at Dana out of the corner of his eye. "Should we take this inside?"
[23:14] <Kotono> "Well..." Trailing off with a bit of a smile, "Sure! Daddy always liked that one of our ancestors got all cozy with an angel. Maybe he was onto something, hm?"
[23:18] * Willim snorts in spite of himself\. "Well, my mother was a succubus of some sort. More diversity is good though, right?"
[23:19] <Kotono> "Shhh," Dana murmurs, "Let's go inside and worry about other things than talking, eh?"

[Corwin]

#t, Ithea and Willim

[20:15] <Kotono> Morning. Not much is happening for Ithea and Willim. Together with Adrian they're eating breakfast. As they eat, Tanning approaches. His cloak is rather dirty, as he wordlessly takes a seat next to Ithea.
[20:16] <Ithea> "...you look like you've been busy," Ithea notes with a raised eyebrow between bites of some toast. "Where've you been off to now, Tannin?"
[20:17] * Willim looks over as well, a whole chichen shoved halfway into his mouth. "Mrrf?"
[20:21] <Kotono> Casually concentrating a moment, a breakfast platter of eggs, sausage and dark, rich bread appears before him. Tannin tucks into it before answering, "Investigating my latest round of tasks, barring interruptions for warfare. First of all, I tried investigating that bit of prophecy you wanted." He shakes his head, "Nothing productive, but that's what you get trying to decode slaad shit."
[20:21] <Kotono> A pause, "Has 27 said anything else?"
[20:21] <Kotono> After a moment Adrian reaches out, a glass of water appearing in hand. Using it to wash down his breakfast, "I we had ab reakthrough of sorts about that."
[20:25] <Ithea> "Nothing memorable, though we figured out the book message on our own actually, Tannin. Well, we think we have anyway," Ithea admits. "We found two books in the dragon hoard that had a compulsion to put them together."
[20:26] <Ithea> "Jaela and Afina dealt with the matter after we figured out a bit more about them."
[20:28] * Willim makes a loud crunching noise as he chews through a set of rib bones. "'slong as deyr nod gonna be trubble."
[20:32] * Ithea shrugs. "They shouldn't be now that we know what they were about. Only trouble we got out of it was Jaela's little headache," Ithea notes. "Books are probably gone from Aurora by now given how they work."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Right," Tannin chuckles, "Anyway, there was a few other things. I had more success on them. The Apples of Idun. They're hard as hell to get - no one's really sure exactly where they are, and its said they're guarded fiercely. Hell, the last guardian is a Goddess now, so I bet that's right." Tannin's meal vanishes quickly, as if he is ravenous. "On occasion Sharess grants them to worshipers
[20:34] <Kotono> or mortal lovers that please her, so every so often there might be one or two available. There's no easy in there...though I did find something strange. If the legend I heard was true, Tempus was the one who gave Sharess the Tree of Idun in the first place. Not who I'd have suspected."
[20:35] * Willim swallows the rest of his chicken. "Tempus?"
[20:36] <Ithea> "That is somewhat odd," Ithea agrees.
[20:38] <Kotono> "The legend didn't say how he got the tree, but apparently he offered it to the divinity who impressed him the most or some such. Sharess won by showing him love." A pause and a chuckle, "You can decide yourself on what that means. But if this legend is true, there's a long shot that Tempus might have more or even another tree."
[20:41] <Willim> Actually settling down to think, Willim rests his chin on a fist. "The master of my order was a good fighter, and a good teacher. He was originally a priest of some sort for Tempus as well, we'd heard. If we can find him, he could help us get in touch with Tempus. If he's still alive, of course."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Big if," Tannin says, "I looked into that, remember. Let's see..." Rustling around in his cloak, "How did it go? Right." A pause as he takes it out and reads, "
[20:42] <Kotono> So the story is that the Order of the Whirling Fist was an order of warriors who revered Tempus, the God of War.  I did some digging and it looks like most of them managed to get real up close and personal with Tempus as a result of over-exposure to devil claws. At least the lucky ones, hope some of those souls didn't get stuck on Lifasa after what Abigor did! But that's not all. Heard
[20:42] <Kotono> some people flapping about how one of them got away. Heard he goes by Master of the Fists of War now, traveling the planes to fight. Don't know who he was before, but he doesn't hide his affiliation. Calls himself the last of the Order of the Whirling Fist. Watch out - heard he came out on top of a fight with a berserk cornugon, and you don't wanna fight a berserk cornugon!
[20:44] <Ithea> "It's possible Gisfal might also know something, though we still need to find a green dragon for him," Ithea muses, as she finishes her breakfast. "And I remember you mentioning that guy before. Found anything else on him?"
[20:44] * Willim nods. "That sounds like him. He never had any trouble besting me or the others in a fight, fair or not. He once beat me using only his feet. He was incredible. If we can find him, he'd be an amazing ally, and I just know he'd want to fight with us."
[20:52] <Kotono> "The trick is finding him," Tannin replies, "I'd recommend scrying, if you think you can get it to work. It's the quickest way to track down someone across the planes. It's also hugely unreliable. People strong as he often have ways of stopping it, or the realms they're in naturally stop it."
[20:54] <Willim> "We might as well try though."
[20:55] <Ithea> "Why not just send a message to him? Willim's said he's fought him, so that solves the familiarity problem," Ithea says. "That has a smaller chance of failing too, doesn't it?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "That assumes he cares or wants to answer it," Tannin points out, "Plus it spoits any chance of surprise or observation first. It could work if you don't carea bout those."
[20:57] * Willim gives Tannin a look. "He's a monk and cleric of Tempus that hates devils, probably as much as even Jaela or Afina." That's all that needs to be said.
[20:58] * Ithea nods in agreement. "I don't really care about surprising a possible ally," she says. "If he doesn't want to reply, well, that's another thing, but we can at least try."
[21:04] <Kotono> A nod to that, "I'll write all this up tonight. Got any other information gathering for me linedu p?"
[21:10] <Ithea> "Nothing new, I think," Ithea says with a shake of her head.
[21:22] <Ithea> "Oh wait! It's a recent development, but we're starting to pick up merchants. Have one Mercane, Filbrez, so far though we're looking for more," Ithea adds quickly before Tannin can vanish off again. "It's not really a priority, but if you can look for other merchants that'd be interested and we wouldn't have any problems with, that'd be great."
[21:29] <Kotono> "Yeah, I can do that," Tannin murmurs, "I'll leave for that in a day or two."
[21:50] <Kotono> Later that day, Willim and Ithea are fresh from practice. They head back towards their quarters for rest. Nothing is unusual about this...until yo usee 27 come 'round a corner, something in its paws. "888!"
[21:51] * Willim eyes the strange creature warily. It may be Ithea's friend, but that makes it no less freaky. And he can't even understand the thing.
[21:52] <Ithea> "Hey 27," Ithea greets simply, raising a hand and waving, as she stops to let the little badger catch up.
[21:53] <Kotono> 27 approaches! As he does, you cans ee he has a bit of parchment in hand, torn. He stops before Ithea and holds it up, as if a present from a child to his mother.
[21:55] * Ithea mentally groans as she sees a parchment, wondering what sort of cryptic message he has for her now. She hadn't even had a chance to decypher the last one yet, she'd forgotten to, first with the air elementals and then earthfall. "What do you have there for me?" Ithea asks as she grabs the parchment, looking over the message.
[21:56] <Kotono> As Ithea fears, it is indeed a set of three messages! As she reads them...OOC: Nagging topic.
[22:03] <Ithea> "...thanks, 27," Ithea says, patting the mutant slaad on the head. She sort of understood part of it at least.
[22:05] <Kotono> "888!" It repeats happily, nuzzling its long sword-like fang agaisnt Ithea's ankle.
[22:10] <Ithea> "So what have you been up to?" Ithea asks her minion, having not seen him since his last cryptic message.
[22:11] <Kotono> In your minds you hear 27's voice, 'Me sleeping and eating. Hiding from Tannin.'
[22:13] <Willim> "What? Hey!" Willim looks around.
[22:14] <Ithea> "Still hiding? You know I won't let him hurt you, right?" Ithea says with a snort as she pats him in the head again.
[22:16] <Kotono> 'Afraid of Tannin.' 27 repeats as it huddles between Ithea's ankles.
[22:19] * Ithea doesn't really have much in the way of assurances to give besides the one she just gave, unfortunately. "Well, is there anything else I can do for you?" she finally asks. "Everybody else treating you alright?"
[22:19] <Willim> "...I didn't know this thing could talk in anything other than numbers."
[22:22] <Kotono> 'Okay,' 27 answers, 'Me talk like this thanks to 888/Anarch!'