029. "Medicant is surrounded."

[Corwin]

[20:29] <Kotono> Your second day of travel and work is without incident in Air at first. Repairs progress at a steady rate, the day passes. Then - Air grows dark. The gentle light of the open spaces dulls. In the space of moments, clouds surrounds all of Aurora! Clouds as dark as the soul of a devil, wrapping around the outer sphere of force that protects Aurora.
[20:32] <Jaela> Doesn't Air get plenty of clouds? But it feels ominous, and Jaela decides to leave her room via the window and make her way to the roof.
[20:33] <Muirfinn> Having been in the courtyard, Muirfinn sees this immediately, looking grim as he watches the clouds form.
[20:34] <Afina> Afina's part was over on the first day, so she is at leisure, so to speak on the second. This gives her a good opportunity to spot the darkening clouds which are unlikely to be natural at all. Deeming it likely the prelude to an attack, she starts putting her famed speed to use in rounding up the upper echelons of Aurora's ranks to marshall their forces for a defensive battle.
[20:40] * Ithea is inside the fortress, and as the light entering through windows seems to darken, looks outside and frowns. She keeps working on the portal upgrades, trying to get them done soon in case they're needed. The darkening clouds might be a sign that they've moved too slow and the devils are taking action before they can move Aurora away from its current location.
[20:41] <Kotono> As Afina gathers people up to defend and other people gather outside and begin to prepare, a ripples through the air of the courtyard. "Medicant is surrounded." It declares, "I offer a chance to parley with any of Medicant's commanding officers. If you accept, you have 5 minutes to step outside of the gates of Medicant. You will not be harmed."
[20:43] <Afina> Odd. This is far more subtle than devils - she can't see a single pit fiend through the clouds. Turning to Jaela, Afina expresses her opinion, "This isn't hell's style."
[20:44] <Jaela> "Elena!" Jaela calls out, maintaining her watch. "Get the courtyard cleared. Everyone evacuates to the Aurora proper." Glancing back at Afina as she speaks, Jaela shrugs. "Could still be Hell, but I see no problem in going outside. Just not in such a huge group we'll be ambushed and taken out in one hit. Let's go?"
[20:46] <Afina> "Just us two?" Afina asks, before nodding. It makes sense with Ithea working on their getaway and Adrian gone. "If we're not back within five minutes lead a force out after us, pick whomever at your discretion," she tells Crystal, not wanting another repeat of the tent incident.
[20:47] <Jaela> It seems they won't need the full five minutes to decide, and so Jaela makes her way towards Aurora's outer gates.
[20:47] * Muirfinn is headed that way as well, and joins the two women. "Please allow me to assist you."
[20:50] * Afina gives the newly arrived tortle a look. She hasn't seen him do anything, so this may as well serve as an interview. "Alright, follow our lead," she instructs, warding herself before she flutters out the gate.
[20:50] * Muirfinn nods.
[20:50] <Jaela> Since they might as well go in style, Jaela calls upon Holy Aura to settle about them the moment they step outside.
[20:50] <Kotono> Outside the trio goes! The black stormclouds are solid beneath your feet. A path of smooth black clouds appears before you.
[20:51] * Jaela follows the path of the clouds to wherever it might lead.
[20:51] <Afina> Not touching the path, Afina flutters along the path, ever alert for treachery. Because really, this whole setup reeks of it.
[20:53] <Muirfinn> Ever wary, Muirfinn keeps his eyes peeled, looking about.
[20:53] <Kotono> Down the path you travel. Ahead, sitting on a simple bank of clouds, is a woman. She looks normal enough - wearing unremarkable noble's clothes, nice enough. Her face is expressionless, staying that way as she rises up. "Ah, the leaders of Medicant?"
[20:54] <Jaela> "In the flesh," Jaela responds, adjusting her eyepatch. "We call it the Aurora, though."
[20:55] <Afina> "Afina and Jaela," Afina introduces them. "This is Muirfinn," she adds for the third. "Why have you come here and called upon us?"
[20:58] * Muirfinn nods in greeting, feeling without seeing his massive water elemental clumsily pick its way over the cloud structure toward the group from the Aurora.
[20:58] <Kotono> "I am known as Mala. I've come here to offer you one last chance to join the winning side. The people of Lifasa are fine breeding stock. It's an unacceptable shame to waste it all in doomed rebellion against the true masters of Creation." Here she nods her head slightly to three, "Your petty rebellion has been tolerated until this time, but that is about to end."
[21:00] <Afina> "We know of you, Mala," Afina replies cooly. "It would have been better if the devils had shown your true place and turned you into a lemure. Parlay is over, will you respect the laws of war or will battle begin now?"
[21:02] <Jaela> "I can't even work up the energy to insult you," Jaela says with a sigh. "Maybe it's because you actually thought this would work, you retard."
[21:03] * Muirfinn shakes his head. "You...you are one of the traitors, then? How could you betray your people? Your home?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "Is that so?" Mala cocks her head to the side, short black hair falling to the side as she does so. "It is a shame to waste you. But if you give us no choice..." Here she slows, "Betray? I've done nothing but help Lifasa. Go back as you please, for war is about to erupt. Your final battles - enjoy them."
[21:06] <Jaela> "I'll enjoy them a lot more if you're there at the front lines," Jaela tells her, turning away to head back to the Aurora. "Please make this wish come true."
[21:06] <Afina> "There is no arguing with ignorance," Afina tells Muirfinn curtly, turning smartly and heading back to Aurora at the same pace she left. "If you must make a point, do it with your blade."
[21:07] <Kotono> "Oh." There's a moment's pause, "One more thing," Mala snaps her fingers.
[21:07] * Muirfinn sighs, turning about and heading back, but stopping as the woman says something.
[21:08] <Afina> She's sure she'll regret it, either for the betrayal or the stupidity, but Afina pauses and cocks her head.
[21:08] * Jaela doesn't so much as stop herself, having nothing to say to the devil.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Harkin sends his regards." Abruptly, the clouds to your left and right part! 90ft away they come - nine barbazu on each side, pulling heavy chains. Attached to that chain is a behemoth, a behemoth of iron and metal! This automaton is dragged forward, its metal plates shrieking with each step, looking like an armored giant. Through the gaps at its joints you can see the white-hot light of some
[21:14] <Kotono> inferno raging within. Its head is terrifying, wrought to appear like a bearded man with the horns of a stag, its mouth opened impossibly wide! There are two of them, one on each side dragged by nine barbazu. Straight the way you came, 90ft away, are three huge canines, breathing fire and with coal black fur. As Mala blinks out of vision, contempt in her voice, "Fools like you deserve no protections of law. I'll be waiting for your charred corpses."
21:17] <Afina> "Forget them, we have to see to Aurora's defences!" Afina snaps at the other two, intending for them to hurry back. She can catch up easily with the much slower big folk, anyway.
[21:17] <Kotono> OOC: Roll init then, all.

[21:17] <Jaela> roll 1d20+6
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[21:18] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+10 self
[21:18] <Afina> roll 1d20+20
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+10 self and gets 29." [1d20=19]
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+20 and gets 38." [1d20=18]
[21:18] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+4 elemental
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+4 elemental and gets 10." [1d20=6]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 barbazu team 1
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 barbazu team 1 and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 barbazu team 2
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 barbazu team 2 and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20 golem thing 1
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 golem thing 1 and gets 10." [1d20=10]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20 golem thing 2
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 golem thing 2 and gets 3." [1d20=3]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 hellhound squad
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 hellhound squad and gets 29." [1d20=20]
[21:19] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Barbazu team 1 (26)>Jaela(15)>Elemental(10)'
[21:19] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Barbazu team 1 (26)>Jaela(15)>Barbazu team 2(12)>Golem 1=Elemental(10)'
[21:20] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Hellhound squad=Muirfinn(29)>Barbazu team 1 (26)>Jaela(15)>Barbazu team 2(12)>Golem 1=Elemental(10)>Golem 2(3)'
[21:20] <Kotono> OOC: Open Afian.
[21:21] <Afina> Hasting her allies, Afina calls, "Go!", waving a hand at the hellhounds, bewitching and befuddling them before she shoots forward herself to get back to Aurora and form up a defence of their fortress.
[21:21] <Afina> OOC: DC 24 confusion
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23." [1d20=12]
[21:21] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Hellhound squad(confused)=Muirfinn(29)>Barbazu team 1 (26)>Jaela(15)>Barbazu team 2(12)>Golem 1=Elemental(10)>Golem 2(3)'
[21:21] * Kotono sets mode: -n
[21:23] * Kotono sets mode: +n
[21:23] <Kotono> Magic begins to cloud the minds of the hellhounds as Afina zips past! OOC: How far do you move, Afina?
[21:23] <Afina> OOC: 120 feet
[21:25] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Hounds are up.
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 82." [1d100=82]
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 28." [1d20=8]
[21:25] <Kotono> roll 2d6+12
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+12 and gets 18." [2d6=3, 3]
[21:25] <Kotono> The hellhounds tear into each other, abruptly and savagely trying to bite each other into bloody ribbons! OOC: Muirfinn.
[21:26] <Muirfinn> Muirfinn's form blurs as he shifts into the form of a hunting cat, fast and fleet of foot! With that, he takes off like a shot, sprinting down toward the Aurora's gates! OOC: Speed shifts to 50 ft, Running 200 ft
[21:31] <Kotono> Muirfinn sprints past the confused hellhounds and to within 100ft of the gate, leaving the battle behind! Meanwhil ethe first barbazu team drags the golem 30ft ahead, 60ft from Jaela and the elemental! OOC: Jaela, go.
[21:32] <Jaela> It tempts to kill the devils before her, but mounting a proper defense within matters more! Agreeing with Afina, Jaela flies forward at her top speed, ending up just a mere twenty feet away from the gates!
[21:34] <Kotono> Jaela flies on at full speed! She's close enough to see - devils pouring into Aurora, screaming red portals opening up all over! Barbazu, cornugons and erinyes, all gushing into the courtyard! Meanwhile the second Barbazu team works, pulling the golem 30ft ahead! Then...OOC: Golem and Elemental act at the same time. Go ahead, Muirfinn, with the elemental as I go.
[21:35] <Kotono> Now 60ft away, the first golem's great gapin gmouth flares with light! A horrible fire erupts from it, erupting out to immolate the elemental! OOC: Reflex save, Muirfinn's elemental.
[21:36] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+9 elemental
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+9 elemental and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 20d10 full ow
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 20d10 full ow and gets 127." [20d10=7, 3, 9, 10, 3, 1, 10, 2, 10, 3, 9, 5, 7, 8, 10, 6, 9, 6, 2, 7]
[21:36] <Kotono> roll 1d4 recharge
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 recharge and gets 1." [1d4=1]
[21:38] <Jaela> "Elena!" Jaela raises her voice, close enough to make a decision based on what she sees. "Get Baleruk and Annalise out there! We're wiping them all the fuck out!"
[21:39] <Muirfinn> Steaming and bubbling, the elemental lets out a pitiful sound as it's substance is viciously boiled away! It hustles out of the way, surging full-out toward Muirfinn and potential saftey! OOC: Running away, running away, running away now. Also, running. 120 ft toward Muirfinn. As the elemental wasn't quite to us yet at the time of wombat starting, you think it's maybe 30 of 40 ft back from where Muirfinn ran from?
[21:40] <Kotono> Elena is heard, but far away, "On it already! Golems are going too!" To punctuate this, you hear a defiant roar from above, the sound of Baleruk! OOC: Second golem is up, ddoes nothing since nothing is in range. Afina, go.
[21:41] <Jaela> Glancing back, she adds, "And get someone to fly the fortress towards us! Let's smash those hideous fuckers! Our golems are way better!"
[21:45] <Afina> Time is at a premium, now. Afina thus stops it. Relatively, anyway. With this new surplus of time she zips her way into Aurora, only starting to slow down as she ascends above the mass throng of devils choking their courtyard... and now she turns her wrath downwards, the huge cone of a prismatic spray able to cover a forty foot radius of devils from directly underneath her, hopefully hitting a
[21:45] <Afina> large number of them with rays other than the green, yellow, or red ones.
[21:45] <Afina> OOC: 6th level spell spent on time stop to get best position for spraying. How will we roll the ray chances?
[21:47] <Kotono> OOC: I'll just use the average since you get enough to assume all colors are seen. Caster level check for SRs.
[21:47] <Afina> roll 1d20+17, DC 27
[21:47] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+17, DC 27 and gets Error: Numeric values only." [1d20=5]
[21:47] <Afina> OOC: 22
[21:50] <Kotono> roll 15#1d20
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15#1d20 and gets 138." [15#1d20 = 4, 17, 10, 1, 13, 9, 1, 15, 2, 13, 11, 7, 16, 14, 5]
[21:52] <Kotono> The burst of prismatic color settles onto the devils! As Afina sees them shock, freeze, confuse and other such ailments, Elena's voice is heard, "We're mounting a defense in the entry hall! Galariel wants all of you to stop the portals!" OOC: Going to reorder init a bit here, asyou've successfully escaped the previous scenario - they simply can't keep up and the hounds are confused and infighting.

[21:53] <Kotono> OOC: Go Muirfinn.
[21:53] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Jaela(15)>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals!'
[21:54] <Muirfinn> OOC: Don't think I really need to describe my movement here. Heading through the gate at top speed, then shifting back once inside.
[21:56] <Kotono> From outside and above, it is heard, "YOU FOOLS DARE OPPOSE A GOD?! BOW AND GROVEL, OR DIE!" Baleruk is heard shouting, as meanwhile Muirfinn races into the gates and into Aurora proper, taking his normal form again! Devils are pouring in - nine gates in total, 100ft from the gate, then 200ft, and all the way to right before the entrance to the hall. Devils are pouring out en masse, everywhere!
[21:56] <Kotono> OOC: Jaela.
[22:03] <Jaela> roll 2d6 to devils within 60ft of me
[22:03] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 2d6 to devils within 60ft of me and gets 5." [2d6=3, 2]
[22:08] <Jaela> Jaela gets into their fortress on Muirfinn's heels, and wastes no time in drawing Gae Bolg. As its bright light washes over the courtyard, burning the devils gathered within, Jaela summons a monadic deva to her aid! "Take the gates out!" she commands. "Use your discretion!" The celestial that appears at Jaela's beckoning doesn't waste any time, and tries its best to unravel the closest gate to the outer reaches with Dispel Evil!
[22:12] <Kotono> At that touch, the first gate shudders in on itself and collapses! A cornugon halfway through is severed at the chest, falling in two uneven hunks to the ground! OOC: Ow. Elemental's up.
[22:12] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Jaela(15)>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 1 down, 8 to go!'
[22:12] * Jaela changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Jaela(15)=Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 1 down, 8 to go!'
[22:12] <Muirfinn> The elemental half-limps forward as fast as it can, bubbling and steaming as its form desperately tries to hold together! OOC: Running, 120ft
[22:13] <Kotono> The elemental hurries on towards the gate! OOC: Okay. Army is up.
[22:13] <Kotono> As the forces within Afina's cone are distracted, frozen or worse, attention focuses on her! A malaise of black surrounds her from above, four erinyes taking to the air and pointing at her as one! OOC: CL check for them.
[22:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 SR Afina?
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 SR Afina? and gets 23." [1d20=9]
[22:14] <Afina> OOC: 33
[22:15] <Kotono> The magic crumbles around her! Meanwhile the deva is beset, a cornugon charging up at it!
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (-8 PA)
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (-8 PA) and gets 36." [1d20=18]
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (-8 PA) ow
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (-8 PA) ow and gets 24." [1d20=6]
[22:17] <Jaela> OOC: AC25, DR 10/evil
[22:17] <Kotono> roll 3d6+31 beats DR and requires a fort save.
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+31 beats DR and requires a fort save. and gets 45." [3d6=5, 3, 6]
[22:17] <Jaela> roll 1d20+11
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+11 and gets 27." [1d20=16]
[22:19] <Kotono> The deva is impaled through the shoulder and bloodied terrifically, blade torn out with primal fury! A moment later...OOC: Will save vs fear aura, if not immune.
[22:20] <Jaela> roll 1d20+10
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+10 and gets 13." [1d20=3]
[22:21] <Kotono> OOC: Feared.
[22:22] <Kotono> As this happens, a rain of flaming arrows comes up at Jaela, a swarm of them trying to pin-cushion her! From the side she sees erinyes archers, readying more arrows!
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 5#1d20+15 AC?
[22:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5#1d20+15 AC? and gets 119." [5#1d20+15 = 26, 24, 19, 17, 33]
[22:22] <Jaela> OOC: 30 vs evil
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d8+6+1d6 (1d6 is fire, beats DR)
[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6+1d6 (1d6 is fire, beats DR) and gets 9." [1d8=1][1d6=2]
[22:23] <Kotono> An arrow grazes Jaela's ear, a droplet of blood freed by the missile but little else! As all this happens...
[22:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21 AC Muirfinn?
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 AC Muirfinn? and gets 35." [1d20=14]
[22:25] <Muirfinn> OOC: 31+4-3=32
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d8+15 and CMB check incoming so note your CMD.
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+15 and CMB check incoming so note your CMD. and gets 16." [1d8=1]
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 and gets 46." [1d20=20]
[22:26] <Muirfinn> OOC: CMD 47
[22:26] <Muirfinn> OOC: Amazingly
[22:29] <Kotono> Far from the side and near the wall, a dozen tiny daggers come flying! They embed into Muirfinn and yank him forward - but somehow he resists, bloody gashes all over his body! They connect 90ft away to a figure clad entirely in armor, save for tiny holes where the daggers caome from, and connect back via chains. They fly back instantly, going back into the armor! OOC: Afina, go.
[22:30] <Kotono> Amid the battle you can hear the disorganized cries of combat, both from nearby and coming from the entry hall!
[22:30] * Muirfinn grunts as he is briefly impaled, brushing at the wounds as they leak!
[22:33] <Afina> "Jaela, the portals on the right are yours!" Afina calls to the angel, her own summoned angel having succumbed to fear. She trusts the confused devils flailing at their former allies in the wake of her prismatic spray to stall the advance in the centre at least for a moment as she flies with impossible speed to the left, her magic flooding into her body to propel her beyond reason, faster even
[22:33] <Afina> than Shinear even for an instant. In that time she's covered nearly four hundred feet and the next three portals to the left of the main gate following the one destroyed by the deva have all been blocked by green rays fired faster than any eye could perceive!
[22:33] <Afina> OOC: 7th level spell for 2 rounds time stop, dimensional anchor on 2 portals while time stopped and a third as I come out.
[22:35] <Kotono> OOC: Three ranged touch rolls for the anchors?
[22:36] <Afina> roll 3#1d20+28
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 3#1d20+28 and gets 111." [3#1d20+28 = 34, 33, 44]
[22:46] <Kotono> Flying about in a hurry, three portals are swiftly anchored by Afina in an instant! OOC: Okayo. Muirfinn.
[22:46] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Muirfinn(29)>Jaela(15)=Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 4 down, 5 to go!'
[22:50] * Jaela gives the archers a disdainful look, but that is all the attention they will get from her. She continues advancing into the courtyard, with the portals clearly defined between she and Afina, and her magic wraps around the third portal, trying its damndest to shut it down!
[22:51] <Jaela> roll 1d20+24 targetted greater dispel?
[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+24 targetted greater dispel? and gets 40." [1d20=16]
[22:51] <Jaela> Meanwhile, the deva flees at her top speed, her part in the defense of Aurora over.
[22:54] <Jaela> roll 2d6 also, burn some more
[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 2d6 also, burn some more and gets 10." [2d6=5, 5]
[22:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Jaela>Muirfinn(29)>Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 4 down, 5 to go!'
[22:55] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Jaela>Muirfinn(29)>Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 5 down, 4 to go!'
[22:55] <Kotono> Flying ahead at full speed, Jaela chants and focuses on the next portal! It shudders once before fading away, closing shut just as a barbazu is about to push through! OOC: Muirfin.
[22:56] <Jaela> "Die, bitches!" she cheers, raising her spear high. "There's no way you're taking the the Aurora!"
[22:57] <Muirfinn> OOC: Okay, back. That was rough. How far is my elemental from me right now? Can I reach it with a Heal?
[22:59] <Kotono> OOC: It's move 120ft twice, so it's 60ft from the gates and you're in those, so about...70ft away.
[23:02] <Muirfinn> OOC: Okay, no way for me to get close enough. Damn. Okay.
[23:07] <Muirfinn> Waving his hand in the air, Muirfinn shouts in a mix of Aquan and Auran and cracks his staff against the ground as icy comets fall from the sky, striking devils over and over! OOC: 3 comets per round for three rounds, landing on whatever I designate. Ranged touch, no SR. Reflex negates partial. Striking the metal dude and two others. What's nearby and moderately threatening?

[Corwin]

[20:15] <Kotono> OOC: Cometfall?
[20:17] <Muirfinn> OOC: Cometstrike, 9th level
[20:18] <Kotono> OOC: There's that corungon on the summoned deva, as well as some barbazu coming through.
[20:19] <Muirfinn> OOC: Okay.
[20:20] <Muirfinn> roll 3#1d20+22 ranged touch
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3#1d20+22 ranged touch and gets 79." [3#1d20+22 = 23, 28, 28]
[20:20] <Kotono> OOC: Two htis, shame about that 1.
[20:22] <Muirfinn> roll 3d6 bludgeoning DR applies, save or stun 1 round. cold damage is next
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3d6 bludgeoning DR applies, save or stun 1 round. cold damage is next and gets 11." [3d6=4, 3, 4]
[20:22] <Muirfinn> roll 3d6 bludgeoning DR applies, save or stun 1 round. cold damage is next
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3d6 bludgeoning DR applies, save or stun 1 round. cold damage is next and gets 12." [3d6=6, 1, 5]
[20:22] <Muirfinn> roll 10d4 cold no save
[20:22] <Muirfinn> roll 10d4 cold no save
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 10d4 cold no save and gets 26." [10d4=3, 4, 4, 1, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 3]
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 10d4 cold no save and gets 22." [10d4=1, 3, 2, 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1]
[20:22] <Muirfinn> OOC: DC 28
[20:23] <Muirfinn> OOC: Fort, btw
[20:23] <Muirfinn> OOC: Er, Reflex
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[20:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27." [1d20=20]
[20:25] <Kotono> Comets slam into the battlefield from above, raining down on the devils! They are largely grazes as they dodge and the battle erupts around the party! OOC: Deva's fleeing from fear. Elemental's up.
[20:28] <Muirfinn> The elemental lurches through the Aurora gates, heading toward Muirfinn and relative saftey! OOC: 120ft or until reaching turtleman.
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: He can reach you just inside. Okay.
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Army is up.
[20:29] <Kotono> Farther away, Afina closes several gates! At this the attention of the army turns on her, before a storm of greasy blackness envelopes her!
[20:29] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 SR?
[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 SR? and gets 19." [1d20=1]
[20:30] <Afina> OOC: 33
[20:31] <Kotono> But it fizzles out around her! Meanwhile the archers keep shooting at Jaela!
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 5#1d20+15 AC?
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5#1d20+15 AC? and gets 113." [5#1d20+15 = 18, 30, 22, 25, 18]
[20:31] <Jaela> OOC: 30 vs evil
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d8+6+1d6 (1d6 is fire, beats DR)
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6+1d6 (1d6 is fire, beats DR) and gets 14." [1d8=3][1d6=5]
[20:33] <Kotono> An arrow grazes Jaela again, drawing blood across her cheek! As that trickles down, the triumphant cornugon shudders from the impact of the comet, before charging at Jaela!
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 (-10 PA, +2 charge)
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 (-10 PA, +2 charge) and gets 26." [1d20=8]
[20:34] <Kotono> But Jaela whirls around, spear coming up to clang with th egreatsword and stop it! Meanwhile, the  strange, armor wearing creature looks towards Muirfinn, this time pointing at him as a bolt of lightning strikes from above! OOC: Any SR, Muirfinn? If not, roll reflex.
[20:36] <Jaela> "You think you're good enough to try this, bitch?" Jaela asks the cornugon with all the disdain she can muster, Gae Bolg easily pushing the greatsword away. "Surrender and you'll die quickly."
[20:36] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+20+6+1 evasion, +4 from holy aura if still in range
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+20+6+1 evasion, +4 from holy aura if still in range and gets 41." [1d20=14]
[20:36] <Muirfinn> OOC: that's 45 with HA
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 holy aura SR
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 holy aura SR and gets 29." [1d20=13]
[20:37] <Kotono> OOC: Evasion nukes it.
[20:37] <Kotono> But Muirfinn shows stunning agility, dodging the blast of lightning! Meanwhile ahead, you see the masses of devils pushed back slightly, out of the entry hall of Aurora! Outside you hear a titanic explosion, rocking the entire fortress! A moment later Baleruk is heard, roaring in triumph! OOC: Afina, go.
[20:41] <Afina> Again Afina pushes herself with monstrous speed, magic suffusing the blood that pumps insanely through her tiny body to fuel such movements. Jinking between the two lines of portals leading up to the entrance gate, she fires beams at another three portals to shut them down, leaving just one on the left closest to the gate for someone behind her to sweep away!
[20:41] <Afina> OOC: 7th level time stop for 2 rounds, 3 dimensional anchors fired
[20:41] <Afina> roll 1d20+35
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+35 and gets 52." [1d20=17]
[20:41] <Afina> roll 1d20+35
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+35 and gets 50." [1d20=15]
[20:41] <Afina> roll 1d20+35
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+35 and gets 50." [1d20=15]
[20:41] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Jaela>Muirfinn(29)>Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 8 down, 1 to go!'
[20:44] <Kotono> Three more portals are bound and anchored thanks to Afina, flying faster than the eye can see! OOC: Jaela.
[20:45] <Jaela> It might be interesting to show the devil scum her superiority over it, but Jaela flies past it towards the last of the portals. Dispel Evil will shut it down for good and secure the courtyard for their side!
[20:48] <Jaela> roll 2d6 burn some more, meanwhile
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 2d6 burn some more, meanwhile and gets 5." [2d6=1, 4]
[20:49] <Kotono> Channeling magic to banish evil, the last portal collapses! At this there are dozens of barbazu and a few greater devils, as well as erinyes! But no more are coming! At this...a burst of pixies erupt from the entry hall! They swoop down and assail the nearby devils, lead by Crystal! Her legs are gone - torn off, sprinkling droplets of blood. One wing is gone as well,k yet some how she manages
[20:49] <Kotono> to stay aloft. With
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Gha.
[20:49] <Kotono> Channeling magic to banish evil, the last portal collapses! At this there are dozens of barbazu and a few greater devils, as well as erinyes! But no more are coming! At this...a burst of pixies erupt from the entry hall! They swoop down and assail the nearby devils, lead by Crystal! Her legs are gone - torn off, sprinkling droplets of blood. One wing is gone as well,k yet some how she manages
[20:49] <Kotono> to stay aloft. With Pixielance still up, "For Lifasa!" she calls, "Forward!" OOC: Muirfinn.
[20:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Jaela>Crystal and pixies>Muirfinn(29)>Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Close the portals! 8 down, 1 to go!'
[20:50] <Muirfinn> OOC: Ah shit, how close is Crystal?
[20:50] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(38)>Jaela>Crystal and pixies>Muirfinn(29)>Monadic Deva>Elemental(10)>Devil Army(9) GOAL: Finish off the devil attack!'
[20:51] <Kotono> OOC: Way a ways away, past the entire battlefield. If you're by the gate, she's 1000ft or so away.
[20:51] <Muirfinn> OOC: Damn, no way I can get to her then. Okay.
[20:55] <Muirfinn> With a flash and a crack of thunder, Muirfinn calls down elementals from the skies, falling to wreak terrible vengeance upon his enemies! OOC: Incoming Greater Storm Elementals, 3 of them. They immediately move toward devils.
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Roll attack routines and all that.
[20:56] <Muirfinn> At that, his form twists, wreathing in flame as he takes the form of a fire elemental! OOC: Yay fire immunity
[20:56] <Muirfinn> OOC: Elementals have fly 100ft. Assuming there was nothing within 75 ft, they must move?
[20:56] <Muirfinn> OOC: No ?
[20:57] <Kotono> OOC: Hm?
[20:57] <Muirfinn> roll 3#1d20+24 to hit
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 3#1d20+24 to hit and gets 107." [3#1d20+24 = 25, 44, 38]
[20:57] <Kotono> OOC: Two hits. 1'ed again.
[20:57] <Muirfinn> OOC another 1
[20:58] <Muirfinn> roll 2#3d6+11
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2#3d6+11 and gets 42." [2#3d6+11 = 19, 23]
[20:58] <Muirfinn> roll 2#2d6 elec
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 2#2d6 elec and gets 15." [2#2d6 = 6, 9]
[20:59] <Kotono> More devils are slammed as huge elements of storms appear! They immediately take to the conflict, pressing the devils from above! OOC: Elemental's up.
[20:59] <Muirfinn> OOC: Is there an exit into the castle proper available and nearby?
[21:00] <Muirfinn> OOC: Or a non-devil infested area of relative saftey?
[21:02] <Kotono> OOC: There is Warhome, that's close to the entry gates.
[21:03] <Muirfinn> Heading for the relative saftey of Warhome, the elemental scoots off away from the battle! OOC: 120 feet or until inside yey moving on
[21:04] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:06] <Kotono> At this, the devil army sinks back! Abruptly they begin to teleport away, blinking out and away! Quickly the diabolical attack grinds to a halt, as the forces of Baator throw in the towel! OOC: Free act, looks like the devils are cutting their losses.

[Corwin]

#ed

[22:21] <Kotono> Deep in the bowels of Aurora does Ithea work. Sylvie and Tepen are with her, going at it with as much energy as they can muster. There are no sounds of the battle here, no rage.  As you three work away, "Ithea." Galariel's voice, the celestial appearing a moment later.
[22:23] <Ithea> "Galariel," Ithea acknowledges the voice, not turning to look away from her task, frowning as she keeps trying to get everything set up and done, though there's some urgency and concern in her voice as she speaks. "What's going on outside? Please tell me it's nothing serious."
[22:25] <Kotono> "A pitched battle. Hell attacks," he speak solemnly, "The entry hall and courtyard are holding for now."
[22:27] <Ithea> "...Fuck," Ithea says simply at that, her frown worsening into a scowl. "It's still going to take time to finish this, maybe...3-4 hours? Are we at least holding the line well, winning even?"
[22:31] <Kotono> "For the moment. Be ready in case the tide turns against us," Galariel says, voice hard and ready. "Crystal is seeing ot the defenses of the entry hall, Baleruk and Annalise are intervening and harrassing the enemy outside of Aurora and the other commands and Muirfinn are attacking the portals in the courtyard."
[22:31] <Kotono> Sylvie curses lightly under her breath, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow.
[22:33] <Kotono> After a moment, Galariel follows up, "Tannin is wounded, as is Mirima, but they continue to you fight."
[22:34] * Ithea nods briskly, eyeing what's left, trying to decide if she can leave what's left of the work to Sylvie and Tepen and go help, or if she'd only make things worse by increasing the time left to finish to something beyond what the forces can even manage to hold back.
[22:47] <Kotono> "Four of the portals are sealed now," Galariel intones "But Tannin has taken a critical wound and is attempting to withdraw. Lief is aiding him."
[22:48] <Kotono> "The common soldiers are attacking in tandem - particularly the fire and air elementals and the lycanthropes and catfolk," Galariel continues, "They are holding the barbazu intrusion force back well so that the cornugons and erinyes can be engaged more directly."
[22:51] <Ithea> "Okay, hopefully I don't end up regretting this, but it sounds like you're all still doing fine. I'm going to keep concentrating on this. Maybe I can shave the time more, if I'm lucky," Ithea says, returning to the task. "Let me know if you think I'm more needed at the fight, I'll trust your judgement on that, and that'll hopefully let me concentrate more on this."
[22:59] <Kotono> "Understood," Galariel says, "I shall."

[Corwin]

#ed

[20:36] <Kotono> After a moment, "Mirima and Lief have defeated a cornugon commander," Galariel reports, "While the Medicant Golems have successfully fought through and created a pincered pocket of the advancing devils, with the aid of elementals."
[20:38] * Ithea nods, acknowledging the report, not finding anything worrying there, and keeps working. "Any more devils portal down?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "The portals are being closed," Galariel reports, "Five as of now."
[20:39] * Ithea nods. "Here's hoping they can't open more before we're done," Ithea mumbles.
[20:40] <Kotono> "Hope so," Sylvie mutters under her breath, "If they need help, just say the word," Sylvie adds.
[20:46] <Kotono> Galariel pauses, "Crystal has lost her legs," he murmurs, "And one wing. But they are winning, the devils are trapped and being eliminated."
[20:48] * Ithea widens her eyes at that and gasps. "Did someone pull her out?" Ithea says with worry. She wouldn't be able to reach and pull her out any sooner than anybody else, but it's still concerning.
[20:50] <Kotono> "She's still fighting. Advancing, even," Galariel says.
[20:53] <Ithea> "...she's insane," Ithea says with a small scowl at that, though she does grudgingly respect the decision.
[21:08] <Kotono> "They've fallen back," Galariel announces. "It's over."
[21:15] <Ithea> "Good. That means there's less to worry about while we work then. I'll...read the battle report after I'm done here," Ithea says with a sigh. "Crystal didn't die, did she?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "She's hurt, but she'll live," Galariel pronounces, "With the proper magic she will be as good as new."
[21:17] * Ithea nods. "Alright, let's go back to concentrating fully on this then," Ithea says, cracking her knuckles and sharing a nod with Tepen and Sylvie.

[Corwin]

[21:06] <Afina> Perhaps inside the perimeter, but what about the surroundings? Afina looks up to see if the dark clouds are dissipating at all.
[21:07] <Kotono> Outside, the dark clouds are indeed fading away.
[21:07] <Jaela> "Elena!" Jaela calls, as the situation seems largely resolved. "I need an update. Any devils remaining that weren't knocked out?"
[21:08] <Kotono> Elena appears, rumbled and harried. "The last are being finished off in the entry hall," she says, "We won!" Meanwhile Crystal raises her lance up for one delicate moment...before plunging to the ground, hard.
[21:08] * Muirfinn flashes from an elemental into a leopard, dashing toward Crystal's fallen form.
[21:09] <Jaela> "We did," Jaela agrees, heading towards Crystal at her top speed. "Who needs treatment the worst?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "We're doing triage right now," Elena reports, "Going back into the entry hall, meet me there!"
[21:10] <Kotono> Above in the parting clouds, Baleruk can be seen. He flies above Aurora, a hunk of burning hot iron in his mouth, like a dog carrying a bone. He roars again around it, a sound of utter triumph.
[21:10] <Afina> "Pathetic," Afina shakes her head at the worthlessness of this attack, after all of Mala's bluster and treachery. Baleruk will surely enjoy wrecking any golems left behind in the rout, so she goes to check on Crystal. "What devil managed to do this to you?" she asks, more to the nearby pixies since she's probably insensate.
[21:11] <Jaela> Once she reaches Crystal, Jaela uses a Heal on the pixie to deal with her more grievous wounds. The rest can wait for a specialist like her mother.
[21:13] <Kotono> "Cornugon," Crystal manages to pant out, pained face softening at Jaela's magic. "Got me in its claws, was able ot tear off my leg and wing," Her face is farther away now, a mix of pain and dazedness and magic. "Ring...I mean, the ring stopped the follow through...was going for my head and arms next."
[21:14] <Jaela> "I can't tell if it's good luck or bad," Jaela says, shaking her head. She gathers Crystal into her arms, and then adds, "Elena's waiting for us inside. Let's go?"
[21:15] <Afina> "I'll need to work on better armour, these leaves aren't cutting it," she fingers the supple green fabric a second before Jaela bears her away. "What of the rest of you?" she asks the other pixies, starting to follow.
[21:15] <Kotono> "Queen Ilsenine is safe in her suite. None of the devils made ti past," Crystal murmurs, "We did it, Afina...."
[21:16] <Kotono> The other pixies alight, covered in wounds here and there. "The armor's good," one says, "The devils are just strong. Especially the big black ones. The horned devils."
[21:16] <Afina> "You'll all have to train hard and become even stronger," Afina tells them firmly. "This was a miserable attack from a miserable woman. I would be embarrassed of it."
[21:17] <Kotono> The pixies nod as one, as meanwhile Jalea heads into the entry hall. Here arms, armor and soldiers are all about. Several firre are seeing to the wounded, including a cluster of four. One of them turns and calls, "Lady Jaela! We need Lady Hanna or your help! These wounds are cursed!"
[21:19] * Muirfinn shifts back to his normal form, spreading around healing wherever he can.
[21:19] <Jaela> "Cursed? I can deal with that," Jaela responds, carefully placing Crystal near the other wounded. From that point on, it is a small matter of establishing a Hallow in this place, and holy energy follows in its wake!
[21:19] <Jaela> roll 10d6 turning
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 10d6 turning and gets 35." [10d6=1, 4, 6, 4, 5, 6, 4, 2, 2, 1]
[21:20] <Afina> Worthless when it comes to healing, Afina excuses herself. "I'll see to securing the outside and calling back Annalise and Baleruk," she explains, heading out to do just that.

[Corwin]

#t

[21:23] <Kotono> Going outside, you find Baleruk. Atop him is Annalise, legs idly kicking off the side. She has a lazy smile on her face, idly playing with what looks to be a metal finger the size of a great club. It burns her hands, healing away in moments, still glowing white hot. "Victory!" Baleruk declares, "Those PITEOUS FOOLS DARED CHALLENGE ME? CHALLENGED US?!" Meanwhile Annalise chuckles, "Yes
[21:23] <Kotono> yes, they'll need to bring much more than that. That was hardly worth the effort."
[21:26] <Afina> "How long was it? Less than a minute?" Afina asks as she flutters up to join them. "It was an attack with all the hallmarks of desperation, crushed at the first resistance," she shakes her head before putting her lips into an approving smile. "You both did very well, anyway. If nothing else, we have a face to put to the name of one of the traitors. Mala, the tiefling."
[21:28] <Kotono> "A panicked response," Annalise agrees, "Someone was decidedly scared. Oh well, that's even better." Hopping off Baleruk and floating as she begins to mold the still hot metal with her hands, giving it a few experimental swings, "One of the Hellfire Engines was lost, but the devils opened a gateway to save the other one. Baleruk seems to enjoy how they taste."
[21:29] <Afina> "Apparently they were made by the traitor Harkin," Afina supplies. "I'm sure he'll provide many more to be fed down your maw," she smiles at Baleruk.
[21:29] <Kotono> Smiling - an utterly terrifying thing, teeth now coated in sizzling hot cold iron - "Good."
[21:31] <Afina> "Still," Afina half turns, looking down at Aurora, "It shows a mistake in our thinking as well. Spending so much effort to secure the gate which was so easily bypassed. Once we move to Ysgard dimensionally locking the courtyard will be necessary," she observes thoughtfully. "Was there anything else of interest out in the clouds for you two to play with?"
[21:33] <Kotono> "Nothing of note," Now Annalise frowns, "You would think they thought us easy marks who had done nothing to prepare. Our latest antics against the Child must have rattled them." Smiling and into a smirk at the end, "It's pleasant to see all that diabolical drivel about plans get shaken, no?"
[21:35] <Afina> "It also puts lie to their pretensions of being creatures of law, not even having the grace to hold a proper parlay," Afina chuckles mellowly. "Not even the most depraved Unseelie would be so brazen. Come, lets go back inside and see if they left any notable captives or possessions?"

[Corwin]

#d

[21:20] <Kotono> Muirfinn goes about, aiding the wounded with the firre. As he does, he comes on Mirima. Her stomach is torn open, innards visible. A trickle of blood comes from her mouth, "Ugly," she gasps, "Ugly bastards attacked so sharply, we had to absorb the entire wave ourselves." AS Muirfinn heals her, "Thank you."
[21:21] * Muirfinn nods. "I'm glad that you are safe, but I must see to others. Do you know of anyone badly injured?"
[21:21] <Kotono> On blessing the grounds adn turning undead, a gasp comes from within the firre! "Aaaah!" Tannin is heard from within, as one of the firre calls, "The wounds are healing!"
[21:22] <Jaela> "Elena," Jaela speaks up again after that. "Find Mom and Jarl, and get them over to the infirmary. Get the other giants to help ferry the wounded over there. Anything you got a problem with, come to me at once!"
[21:22] <Jaela> And then, she heals the wounded once more
[21:22] <Jaela> roll 10d6
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 10d6 and gets 42." [10d6=3, 4, 5, 3, 4, 2, 4, 6, 6, 5]
[21:24] <Kotono> "They're already working in there," Elena reports, as the wounded are mended! There don't look to be any more cursed wounds - only a few that mere healing cannot mend. Mirima approaches as you finish, bloodied but healed. "Thanks to yo uas well for the timely healing."
[21:25] * Jaela salutes her fellow redhead. "We're not just about bashing heads."
[21:31] <Kotono> As the wounded are mended and soldiers come out to clean up, Morniel comes with them. He approaches and nods to Jaela, Mirima, Muirfinn and others, "When all the post battle affairs are managed, I'd like to meet with you all in the strategy room."
[21:32] <Jaela> "There's nothing more to be done that Elena can't manage or call me for it. Let's go for it right now," Jaela responds, deciding to humor Morniel.
[21:35] * Muirfinn nods. "We're about finished here."

[Corwin]

[21:40] <Kotono> The group that gathers in the strategy room is a disparate lot. Afina, Jaela, Ithea, Muirfinn, Annalise, Mirima, Tannin and Lief all end up in there with Morniel. Morniel sits heavily, "Mere days ago I predicted that Baator may attack," he begins, "I see that my prediction was entirely accurate, much to my regret. Preliminary reports show that are losses are minimal - mostly injuries from the
[21:40] <Kotono> first sharp waves. I believe they meant to break through and secure the portals before we could protect them."
[21:41] <Jaela> "How did they even get past the chockhold of the main entrance?" Jaela asks, leaning back in her seat.
[21:42] <Kotono> "Portals into the courtyard," Morniel says, "Nine of them, as I'm sure you saw. "Protection and locking the courtyard should now be our greatest priority for improvement. While are powerful and noted commanding officers were at parley, the portals opened.""
[21:43] <Kotono> "They did attack hard and sharp," Mirima speaks up, resting back in her chair, a few murmured words of magic cleaning away her blood-stains. "Direct force in one direction and strike in the other?"
[21:43] <Jaela> "It's already on the list," Jaela asserts. She shakes her head. "I meant the inner entrance. The one to the castle. If we can't hold it even while prepared, then we have to work out some way to block it. Portcullis, or walls of force. Maybe both."
[21:44] <Kotono> "That would be my guess," Morniel replies gravely, "Yes, those would be wise as well. A summonable wall of force on command, perhaps?"
[21:44] <Afina> "We weren't prepared, were we?" Afina asks. "Everyone just ran in haphazardly when you cleared the courtyard. We need to have proper positions and tactics in place for defence, so that everyone knows their exact place and role without having to be told."
[21:45] <Afina> "The devils obviously were drilled well to come through gates without any confusion and immediately breach our narrow entrance. We need to do better."
[21:45] <Kotono> "Yes. I had discussed that with Ithea and Muirfinn not long ago," Morniel speaks up, "I'll be passing out a summary of that, since that's my exact conclusion. We don't have the Abyssial numbers to overwhelm diabolical tactics. We need to be prepared and ready as well, or we'll lose to those superior tactics."
[21:45] <Jaela> "We'll work on that once we're in Ysgard and have the courtyard locked, then. Ithea, how are the repairs?"
[21:46] <Ithea> "We can get those upgrades worked in as soon as we're out of here," Ithea says. "We're finished up with our current set of upgrades and are good to go as of right now."
[21:46] <Jaela> "Then let's do that. Does Tepen have a Gate available?"
[21:47] <Kotono> "I believe so," Morniel says, "Elena!" The spirit-girl appears, "Go find out if Tepen can manage a Gate as soon as possible." At this Elena blinks away.
[21:48] * Jaela nods. "Right. We need contingencies, so people know what to do even in the absence of commanders on scene. You and Afina are right on that."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Once we get to Ysgard, we need to decide on our next moves," Morniel says, "All of this is a fine start, but it's time to sharpen our tactics, strengthen our ranks and begin striking at Hell again. Today, we won another small victory," Standing and hitting the table with one fist, "But we all know more's ahead. Plus, we can't expect Hell not to learn and adapt. We need to keep up."
[21:51] * Muirfinn nods. "Hell's forces are as intelligent as they are devious. If we do not have a proper structure, they will eventually drive a wedge into our forces that may divide us at a crucial time."
[21:51] <Jaela> "Speaking of striking at Hell, do you have an answer for us, Morniel?"
[21:53] <Kotono> "I do," Morniel says, "It's going to take a trip to Princess Chan's court." Here he smiles a little bit, "It seems we made a favorable impression on her. She's been in contact with the Bringers of Hope in Air. She's made a few suggestions that if Tyr's forces just happen to harrass Lixer's at the same time that Aurora strikes, that it would be a marvelous bit of fortune."
[21:54] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+18 who is Lixer?
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+18 who is Lixer? and gets 27." [1d20=9]
[21:55] <Afina> "I'm concerned about attacking Lixer," Afina admits openly. "After seeing Gathgarion first hand, and knowing he's likely far weaker than a true Archdevil, I don't believe we have anyone capable of defeating him."
[21:58] <Kotono> "If we need to get stronger, Ysgard is a good place to start," Morniel observes, "How powerful was Gathgorian? I've heard stories, but never anything first hand."
[21:58] <Muirfinn> "Then we must get stronger. Recruit more, powerful allies." Muirfinn thinks a moment. "Perhaps I can use my connection to the Mother Ocean to acquire water elementals to our cause?"
[21:59] <Jaela> "I wouldn't last ten seconds against him," Jaela responds to Morniel. "You've seen me fight and what I can take. Draw your own conclusions." She turns towards Muirfinn. "This isn't a problem we can throw elementals at. We're just too weak right now to try it, and thinking otherwise before was dumb."
[21:59] <Afina> "I was able to hit him, but the wound was neglible, and likewise I evaded his attacks barely, but if they struck they certainly would have ended me," Afina replies. "It's no boast to say I'm one of the most battle-hardened people in our ranks - I don't believe any others would fare much better. We need to become much stronger and gain access to more powerful weapons and protections before we
[21:59] <Afina> can challenge devils of that stature."
[22:00] <Ithea> "We should probably finish fullfilling Gisfal's request so we have him and his forces to assist us, as well," Ithea says. "Particularly if we're planning to organize ourselves better, as it'd be a waste to do so and then have to spend time redoing it to incorporate his forces."
[22:00] * Muirfinn nods. "If he is that powerful, then we need to find a way to raise ourselves up to his level. Hmm."
[22:00] <Afina> "We really should," Afina agrees with Ithea, "Killing a green dragon is no trouble at all. We should just find one and get it done."
[22:01] <Jaela> "I really expected one to come after us already. Strange how things work out."
[22:01] <Muirfinn> "Ah, evil dragons." Muirfinn pats the shield hanging at his side. "My people faced one down some years ago."
[22:01] <Kotono> "Lucky us," Lief drawls, "Hell's enough for me."
[22:02] <Kotono> Nodding along to the various comments, Morniel starts to reply - but Elena appears, "Tepen has a Gate ready," she announces.
[22:02] <Jaela> "Ask him to open it to Ysgard. We'll take Aurora through once he's good to go."
[22:03] <Afina> "It's an easy way to gain a powerful ally. Gaining access to its hoard would fund many weapons as well," Afina tells Lief before turning to Elena, "I can go pilot Aurora now if no one else is available, the transit will only take a moment."

[Corwin]

#d

[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Elena takes some searching to find. She's eventually found in Elrisa's tower. She's with Crystal, Tannin, Lief and Mirima. The four are sitting in the gardens there, a bottle of wine being shared. The pleasant murmur of soft conversation fills the air as Jaela approaches, Elena sitting with them.
[20:21] <Jaela> "How do you do that?" Jaela has to ask Elena at the sight of her drinking wine. She waits to see just how welcome she would be before presuming enough to sit down with them, however.
[20:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh," Holding up her wineglass and showing the insides as empty, "I'm just here because they asked."
[20:23] <Jaela> "But you're still holding it," Jaela insists. "How does that work?"
[20:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ah, Jaela!" Mirima calls over, "Drink with us. We're reflecting on our recent battle and holding the devils off."
[20:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Skills," Elena smiles a bit and looks abashed, as meanwhile Tannin looks over, "I have the results you wanted," he speaks up, "Report'll be in come tonight."
[20:25] <Jaela> Waving at Mirima, Jaela sits down next to her. It's far easier to do in her current armor, and she sends quiet thanks to Afina for that. "Good," she tells Tannin. "Taking out an evil dragon that's infamous across the plane'll be a good thing."
[20:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "About that," Tannin says, drinking deep, "Do you know much about Radiance?"
[20:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Crystal sits and sips fro man oversized wineglass, struggling just a bit with it, but keeping at it. Lief does the same, but with a sloppy, content smile on his face.
[20:28] <Jaela> "Hard to see past your nose, it burns you but you can breathe and fly," Jaela tells Tannin, sipping at the wine herself. "Am I on the right track?"
[20:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "More or less," Tannin nods back. The wine is dry and strong, as Tannin drains his glass and puts it aside. "Non-natives have a bad time there." Scratching at his nose a moment, eyes a glittering green with flecks of bright white in them, "The creatures there are adapted to it - don't get into fights there unless you want to be at a serious disadvantage.  Anyway, that's good enough. You want to
[20:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> know about the dragon, yeah?"
[20:32] <Jaela> "That, and I kinda wonder if you explode if you stay there too long without protection."
[20:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Depends on the region. If you're not protected against all that you have no business being there." Tannin retorts, "You'll want people who can magically counter that - multiple people. Adrian wouldn't be a bad idea if he's back. He's figured out how to ignore all that on his lonesome. You'll want multiple people who can cast it and backups - the natives are good at dispelling magic and use that
[20:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> as the go-to tactic against non-natives."
[20:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "That sounds more like Hell," Mirima shudders, "An eternal furnace of burning light?"
[20:36] <Jaela> "I can counter their dispels if I know they're coming," Jaela muses. "And just grabbing a couple scrolls of that daylong ward would get us through."
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Right. Resistance to heat and the ability to cure blindness help too, just in case," Tannin explains, "Now green dragons aren't native to the place, you hear? Yet Comolinahalas acts like he was born and bred there. Heard from some radiance mephits that he's as comfortable there as a native, and that doesn't make much sense. Green dragons aren't good with heat or light. Something's unusual
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> already, yeah?"
[20:38] * Jaela snorts. "What are you thinking, diverse heritage?"
[20:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Might be. Might've figured out what Adrian figured out, too. Haven't confirmed anything." Pausing to lean back, staring up at the roof, "A dragon that's good enough to learn tricks like that is terrifying. You know how bad a dragon is already, do you want to fight one driven enough to learn all those secrets on top of it, and who's driven enough to raid into Mineral? What's worse, he's strong
[20:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> enough to pull it off? All the whispers and signs I ferreted out agree: This is not a dragon to be taken lightly."
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He sounds more fearsome than Alrandalhaz," Crystal pipes up, "He was powerful, but weak willed and a coward."
[20:42] <Jaela> "I'm tired of all these fuckers who are too strong for us to deal with," Jaela responds, grimacing. "Something's gotta give. Either we keep on hiding from the big boys and keep our heads down forever, or we have to step on the big stage. We can't touch Bel or Abigor or Gathgorian or any devil with a name for himself, not to mention Lixer. So if we start cowering from evil dragons we might as well just throw in the towel."
[20:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Fair," Tannin agrees, looking up with a bit of a smile showing. "I was hoping you'd say that. Still got some fire in the blood, don't you? Then you'll want to hear about his lair."
[20:48] * Jaela snorts again. "What made you think I lost it?"
[20:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Just checking." Chuckling, "Okay, have you ever heard of the City of the Blind?"
[20:51] <Jaela> "No."
[20:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Crystal shakes her head, as does Mirima. After a moment of no coherent replies, "The king's a character - a old tiefling warrior got his mind put into a clay golem. He was a real old hand at exploring the planes, and wanted a place of his own. So he somehow managed to slice off a huge chunk of colored crystals from Mineral. It drifts around Radiance and is stunningly gorgeous. I started there
[20:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> since Renbuu has a following there, and I figure it's good luck. 'sides, they like my eyes there,"  He grins at that, "Anyway, it's this drifting city and one of the few safe places in Radiance for non-natives. So I go around, minding my own business and the dragon's at the same time. It's late, I'm deep in my cups and in a fine, fine mood. I end up drinking with a friendly local and got the
[20:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> story on his lair."
[20:56] <Jaela> "Friendly local girl?" Jaela adds, raising an eyebrow. "What's the story, then?"
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Maybe it was," With a laugh at that, "So the story is that the green was jealous of the City of the Blind. Maybe, maybe not. It's a good design for Radiance so I'd copy it if I were settling down there, too. Anyway, upshot of the entire thing is that the green's lair is the same sort of thing. It's one pure green crystal taken from Mineral, stories say it's around the size of Aurora, if not
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> bigger. The green's burrowed caves into it and made it his mobile lair. Worse, he's laid enough wards on it to foil all the normal tricks like any good, paranoid dragon," Snapping his hands, "Tried my hand at scrying it, got nothing. Word is that he controls the entire place with his mind and uses green gemstone golems as his primary lair guardians."
[21:05] <Jaela> "You know this spell, Hide from Dragons?" Jaela asks, pausing for another drink. "Like what it says on the tin. Think it's worthwhile to try and get around his defenses with it? Or we should just blast through with Baleruk?"
[21:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Worth a shot," Tannin says, "I know the golems aren't blind. They're half dragons." He says that and lets a beat pass, "I don't know if he does it the old fashioned way or if he's imbuing them with draconic energies and magic to do it, but...they're not dumb golems." As Tannin goes on, Afina approaches the conversation.
[21:08] <Jaela> "If they're half dragons, they'll miss us too. Worth a shot."
[21:08] <Afina> "Draconic golems?" Afina asks, picking up on the conversation as she flutters in. "I read about dragonbone golems. They're powerful but likely to turn on you. Ironwyrm golems seem much better."
[21:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Got one theory in my head," Tannin goes on, "If he is doin' the old fashioned way, I wonder if that damned dragon found a way to awaken a village sized crystal." Turning to Afina as she enters, "Yeah, the green we're talking about has green gemstone golems. Golems aren't usually intelligent, are they?"
[21:10] <Jaela> "That, and we're wondering if it's best to sneak past or blast through. Any prefs?"
[21:11] <Afina> "Most aren't," she shakes her head. "There's magic to imbue intelligence, though, so it's not that hard to do if you don't mind paying extra. They're much more effective if intelligent, although not unfailingly loyal any more. If you're talking about Comolinahalas, sneaking would be easy if they were dumb golems. Intelligent ones could be attentive, moreso if they share a dragon's well honed
[21:11] <Afina> senses."
[21:12] <Jaela> "Well, it's about using the spell that hides you from dragons. Tannin was saying they're half dragons, those golems, so maybe it'll cover them too?"
[21:13] * Afina lands next to Jaela, sitting down primly. "I doubt it. First and foremost, they're constructs, no matter what extra flavours you put on top. You'd need a spell that covers that type specifically."
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Is there a spell that does that?" Tannin asks back, "Hide from golems or whatever?"
[21:14] * Jaela shrugs. "Maybe he just molested a bunch of green crystal and half-dragon golems came out?"
[21:14] * Afina shakes her head. "I don't know of one, but there could be..." she edges ever so slightly away from Jaela.
[21:15] <Jaela> "What? Like there's anything dragons won't do."
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I've heard stories about it," Elena speaks up, "Like the one time a dragon made love to the sky and had a sky child."
[21:15] * Jaela points at Elena. "Yeah, like that!"
[21:15] <Afina> "That's still not how..." Afina stops at Elena's voice of 'experience'. "Oh."
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Crystal blinks over her wineglass and looks at both Elena and Jaela quite oddly, then down at her wineglass, "Mirima, let's stick to mead next time."
[21:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh yes, I've heard theories about it," Elena goes on, "That dragons are the most superior living race and make children partially out of concepts rather than material. It's how they can breed with anything."
[21:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Crystal tilts her head to the side, staring at Elena. "So are you saying they make love with ideas?"
[21:18] <Jaela> "Whatever is out there you can think of, you can bet there's a half dragon for it, too," Jaela asserts.
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Tannin snorts, but otherwise keeps his mouth shut.
[21:19] <Afina> "So if one of Baleruk's parents had been particularly enamoured by a rainbow then he wouldn't have needed to go to all the trouble of becoming a prismatic dragon?" Afina asks, testing the limits of this strange concept. Hopefully no dragon will mate with the concept of dragon fecundity. No telling what would happen.
[21:19] <Jaela> "A rainbow or Tiamat, I guess. Or Bahamut? I dunno, is gender an issue for them?"
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It's possible?" Elena says, "Dragons are natural sorcerers of high purity. They breathe magic, y'know. And I think they...I'm not sure, actually. I don't think the sky is a guy or a girl, or is it? Say, if you had to choose, would the sky be a guy or a girl?"
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Mirima just stares at this entire thing, looking down at her wineglass as well. "Refined spirits of higher potency, rather," she answers Crystal.
[21:20] <Afina> "A man," Afina answers without hesitating.
[21:21] <Jaela> "Well, sky's pretty much air, and when you think of Air it's Princess Chan for me," Jaela responds. "So I guess I'll be different and pick the other option?"
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Really?" Crystal stops, "I'd think the sky was a woman. It's always producing and giving birth to clouds, rain, lightning and everything else above."
[21:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "For what it's worth, the sun god is a man and the moon goddess is a woman," Mirima points out, "Perhaps the sky is both?"
[21:22] <Afina> "Hmm. Perhaps you're right," Afina thinks it over. "I compared it to the womb of the earth from which all life springs and thoughtlessly assigned the opposite to it. But there's nothing to say they can't be like Jaela and Annalise."
[21:24] <Jaela> "If it works out for them?" Jaela doesn't have an objections. "I do wonder. Can we even sneak around with Baleruk? Because we've all seen Baleruk."
[21:24] <Afina> "And heard."
[21:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Not a chance," Tannin speaks up, "I don't think Baleruk does subtle."
[21:24] <Jaela> "Hey, don't be so hasty!" Jaela protests Tannin's words, grinning at Afina. "What if he's the distraction?"
[21:26] <Afina> "Did you notice he got smaller when he became a prismatic dragon?" Afina asks Jaela. "While he's gained much, I think he'll take time to regain his former physical might. I'd rather not throw his unique potential aside in a distraction unless he had significant backup."
[21:27] <Jaela> "Having someone along to plane shift them both at the first sign of trouble, say?"
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Annalise?" Elena speaks up, "She worked with Baleruk during the battle and they seemed to get along well."
[21:28] <Jaela> "It's an entire plane that hates her," Jaela reminds Elena.
[21:30] <Afina> "Perhaps. To be honest I'd rather have Baleruk accompany us for the assault. It would do his self esteem good to defeat a grand green dragon, and stealth is hard enough in a group anyway, so little is lost."
[21:31] <Jaela> "Works for me," Jaela muses, returning her attention to Tannin. "Anything else you caught wind of? Can we even be sure he won't run if we assault his lair?"
[21:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Word is that he has enough treasure in there to make Waukeen all hot and slippery down there," Tanning blows his hood back a bit from his reclining position, "I doubt a dragon would give up that hoard without a fight."
[21:33] <Afina> "Enough to make all the weapons and armour and golems that we need..." Afina nods in quiet satisfaction at the thought of acquiring such a haul.
[21:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "If we can take him down. Though...if his lair survives..." Tannin sits up, all smiles, "We could use a giant gemstone fortress."
[21:35] * Jaela can't help but wonder if Waukeen can get physically excited. Do goddesses do that? There's nothing stopping them, being deities. "What, fuse it to the Aurora?" she asks, drawn back by Tannin's words.
[21:36] <Afina> "Or use it as a decoy... or drop it on Bel's citadel from high up. Lots of uses, I'm sure," Afina leans back and allows a wistful smile at the mental image she produces.
[21:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Crystal laughs, a quiet sound. "I love that idea. That's a winner if we could pull it off, Afina."
[21:40] <Afina> "Mmm..." Now Afina thinks of how she would counter it, and comes up with an easy answer already implemented by Aurora. "Walls of Force would stop it dead. But none of the devils we've interrogated have mentioned those."
[21:42] <Jaela> "Speaking of the interrogations, still no luck in finding out about the pit fiend that hit Tepen?" Jaela wonders.
[21:43] <Afina> "No," she shakes her head apologetically. "At the rate we're going it might have to wait until I can directly summon and bind pit fiends myself. I'd hoped the attack on the Throne of Heaven would have been better known amont Hell's forces since it was the centre of humanity on Lifasa, but none have even mentioned it."
[21:44] <Jaela> "Maybe we can try a different angle? Tannin, any thoughts?"
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We're fishing in the dark," Tannin speaks up, "We'll find information, but we're trying in Tymora to guide us." AFter that, "I might have something. I need to ask someone, though."
[21:45] <Jaela> "What do you need for that? A bribe?"
[21:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Maybe." Rising, "I'll be in touch about it."

[Corwin]

#t

[20:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Losing track of a week is easy when you're working on Aurora. But eventually Ithea comes up for air, back to her normal routine of life. One morning she awakens. It's just like any other morning here. 27 is asleep besides her bed and freshening up goes without incident. As she steps out, she finds a familiar face waiting for her - Mirr.
[20:24] <Ithea> "Mirr, hello," Ithea greets the older catfolk. "How are you and the other catfolk finding Aurora, especially after last week?" she asks. "I'd heard what happened."
[20:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We're finding it well," Chuckling for just a moment, "If we weren't used to earth elementals, it would be downright bizzare. Even now, all the firre eladrin are breattaking, and those flaming oozes are terrifying. Every day brings something new. But most importantly? The way we pushed back those devils so fast and hard?"
[20:32] <Ithea> "I'm pretty proud that you guys helped there, those devils seemed to get out of there pretty damn fast for them having the initiative. Had plenty of time to finish the upgrades to Aurora thanks to how well everyone did," Ithea replies.
[20:33] <Ithea> "A little sad we lost two though, according to the report. One of them came back though, right?" she asks as well.
[20:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He nods to that, "He did. The other..." Holding his paws out before sighing, "No one lives forever, I suppose. Most of all us, cast away from home once more. We'll survive and prosper."
[20:37] <Ithea> "We usually do," Ithea says agreeing the statement. "We won't be having that sort of problem again in the future either, devils will have a much more difficult time trying to get in after the last set of work on Aurora."
[20:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Good," Exhaling, a pause as his hands start to shake, "Some of us ones are having nightmares again, or worse nightmares than usual. Brings back memories of..."
[20:47] <Ithea> Changing tracks at the darker thoughts rising, after a brief frown from her own memories, Ithea asks, "Have any of our people been to the library, by the way? I figured they might find it nostalgic of Mystra's temple back home."
[20:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes, a few have," Mirr says, "The people there have been more than helpful. Elder Magi Tepen helps us, your friend Sylvie's there a lot too and even Annalise helps us and keeps her wolves away from us."
[20:55] <Ithea> "Glad to hear that," Ithea replies, nodding. "If possible, suggest getting more combat practice in while we're here in Ysgard by the way. Fighting helps a lot with keeping those darker memories away, and also helps prepare to deal with devils later on as well. No better place to train than Ysgard, either."
[20:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A nod to that, "That's not why I came, though. The young ones would like to see you. You're getting a name with 'em and a reputation."
[20:58] <Ithea> "Oh?" Ithea says with a grin. "Well, I'm a bit happy with that...assuming it's not a bad rep like them saying I was hiding because I didn't do any fighting last week. That'd suck!"[20:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Losing track of a week is easy when you're working on Aurora. But eventually Ithea comes up for air, back to her normal routine of life. One morning she awakens. It's just like any other morning here. 27 is asleep besides her bed and freshening up goes without incident. As she steps out, she finds a familiar face waiting for her - Mirr.
[20:24] <Ithea> "Mirr, hello," Ithea greets the older catfolk. "How are you and the other catfolk finding Aurora, especially after last week?" she asks. "I'd heard what happened."
[20:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "We're finding it well," Chuckling for just a moment, "If we weren't used to earth elementals, it would be downright bizzare. Even now, all the firre eladrin are breattaking, and those flaming oozes are terrifying. Every day brings something new. But most importantly? The way we pushed back those devils so fast and hard?"
[20:32] <Ithea> "I'm pretty proud that you guys helped there, those devils seemed to get out of there pretty damn fast for them having the initiative. Had plenty of time to finish the upgrades to Aurora thanks to how well everyone did," Ithea replies.
[20:33] <Ithea> "A little sad we lost two though, according to the report. One of them came back though, right?" she asks as well.
[20:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He nods to that, "He did. The other..." Holding his paws out before sighing, "No one lives forever, I suppose. Most of all us, cast away from home once more. We'll survive and prosper."
[20:37] <Ithea> "We usually do," Ithea says agreeing the statement. "We won't be having that sort of problem again in the future either, devils will have a much more difficult time trying to get in after the last set of work on Aurora."
[20:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Good," Exhaling, a pause as his hands start to shake, "Some of us ones are having nightmares again, or worse nightmares than usual. Brings back memories of..."
[20:47] <Ithea> Changing tracks at the darker thoughts rising, after a brief frown from her own memories, Ithea asks, "Have any of our people been to the library, by the way? I figured they might find it nostalgic of Mystra's temple back home."
[20:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes, a few have," Mirr says, "The people there have been more than helpful. Elder Magi Tepen helps us, your friend Sylvie's there a lot too and even Annalise helps us and keeps her wolves away from us."
[20:55] <Ithea> "Glad to hear that," Ithea replies, nodding. "If possible, suggest getting more combat practice in while we're here in Ysgard by the way. Fighting helps a lot with keeping those darker memories away, and also helps prepare to deal with devils later on as well. No better place to train than Ysgard, either."
[20:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A nod to that, "That's not why I came, though. The young ones would like to see you. You're getting a name with 'em and a reputation."
[20:58] <Ithea> "Oh?" Ithea says with a grin. "Well, I'm a bit happy with that...assuming it's not a bad rep like them saying I was hiding because I didn't do any fighting last week. That'd suck!"

[Corwin]

[20:17] <Kotono> Night time comes again with Ysgard. Jaela's sleep is one that is preternaturally warm and comfortable. Curled up with Annalise, wings wrapped around her and deep under a warm blanket does Jaela sleep. All is right in the world until her awareness returns. It's a foggy sort of awareness - light is pressing into her eyelids.
[20:19] <Jaela> "Annalise?" Jaela murmurs. Too groggy to perceive much of anything and not feeling any sense of danger, she slowly opens her eyes.
[20:21] <Kotono> Annalise rises without a word. She takes one of the blankets and wraps it around to herself, padding over to the window. From the window moonlight pours in - and taking up all the sky you can see is the moon, glowing almost as bright as the sun. Meanwhile you can hear howls and animalistic cries.
[20:24] <Jaela> "What the...." Shaking her head, Jaela slips out of bed herself. Putting her gauntlets on comes with the ease of practice, and then she is clad in her armor rather than waste time on dressing. She joins Annalise by the window, peering outside. "Did we miss some holy night of Selune's?" she can't help but wonder.
[20:26] <Kotono> Wordlessly Annalise points down. Below in the courtyard, the lycanthropes of Selune dance. A wild dance of calls and howls, as animal as human. Slowly, you can notice the moonlight growing brighter - and amid the dancers in the middle, an intensely brillant shaft of moonlight is glowing.
[20:31] * Jaela grins, keeping her eyes on the ritual. "Looks like fun."
[20:32] <Kotono> Before any reply, the shaft of moonlight heads away and outside. With a howl the were-creatures follow it, racing along. Annalise watches it, "I suppose," she murmurs. "Go watch and partake of it, if it so interests you."
[20:35] * Jaela considers it. "Not like I can just go back to sleep after this," she decides, leaning over to kiss Annalise.
[20:35] <Jaela> "I'll be back before you know it," Jaela promises, and opens the window. From there, it is a simple matter of gliding down and following after the lycantropes. Between the howls and the brightness of the moonlight, losing them will be all but impossible.
[20:39] <Kotono> The were creatures are just outside of Aurora's gates. As you approach, the moonlight from above becomes yet more radiant! From the moon a cascade of glowing motes fall, trailing down the shaft. With a bright flash they hit the ground, something sparkling there now. As one the were creatures cry out in praise of the moon.
[20:41] * Jaela perches herself atop the gates, content with observing. She offers her own prayer to join those of the lycantropes, but she would hardly blunder in to interfere with their religious ceremony.
[20:44] <Kotono> Slowly the light begins to fade.  You can see what lies in the center as the lycanthropes approach - a teardrop gemstone of pure silvery radiance and a ring of the same silver. One of the lycanthropes - a great silvery bear - kneels before them and takes them, before turning back to the gates. On turning around he points, "Jaela!" His form shifts to that of a human.
[20:46] <Jaela> "Yo, Barth!" Jaela responds, pushing herself off and gliding to the ground. "Selune seems pleased. Congrats!"
[20:52] <Kotono> Approaching, "Selune has given her favor to us, which we present to Aurora," He presents the gemstone and ring to Jaela, "The Lunar Tear and Geal."
[20:54] <Jaela> "I'll make sure they go where they're most needed," Jaela promises, accepting Selune's gifts. "How about you guys? On the needing anything front, I mean?"
[20:55] <Kotono> "We want battle. We want to unleash the fury of nature and Selune on those who would steal away everything for their own greed and ambition!"
[20:57] * Jaela grins. "Working on that. Meantime, I can promise another devil attack pretty soon. Let's crush them when they do!"