D-ED 001

[Corwin]

[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I'm sorry, but Sir Eudard is currently busy and has asked not to be disturbed." The man inclines his head in apology. "If it is a matter of faith, I can help you with it."
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:50] <Alicia> "It's more of a personal matter," Alicia replies delicately. "Do you know what it is that occupies his attention so?"
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I'm sorry, but I don't," he answers. "If you wish, I can record a message and I can pass it onto him when he is not so occupied."
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:52] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 sense motive is his ignorance genuine?
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:52] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 sense motive is his ignorance genuine? and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+6
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:53] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+6 and gets 22."12 [1d20=16]
[20:14] <Ebiris> [20:54] <Alicia> "No, I think I'll wait here," Alicia replies primly after a moment's thought.
03[20:14] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
03[20:16] * Corwin is now known as Seira
[20:19] <Kotono> "He may not return this evening, ma'am," the underpriest inclines his head, "It would probably be best to return another day."
[20:19] <Alicia> "No, I don't think this can wait any longer," Alicia feels her patience start to evaporate. "Where is he?"
[20:27] <Kotono> "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but Eudard left instructions not to be disturbed. Please, before you cause a scene," he murmurs, as the other underpriest glances over. "You represent Mystra, do you not? Please, we would not like a petty squabble between the representatives of two different faiths."
[20:31] <Alicia> "I also represent the authority of the United Baronies," Alicia counters, giving him her best steely stare. "I have no desire to cause a scene, but I am not going to leave here without some answers."
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC - Intimidation check, I think.
[20:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17
06[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 and gets 36."12 [1d20=19]
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Ha, ha, ha.
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Ha, ha, ha. and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[20:39] <Kotono> The underpriests sucks out a long gulp of air, "Aaaaah. S-Stay here!" With that he scurries away to th e back, practically running.
06[20:40] * Alicia nods in apparent satisfaction, though inwardly she's a little annoyed. Why do people respond better when she turns up the intensity? Why can't people be so helpful when she's smiling and pleasant?
[20:46] <Kotono> The priest is gone for about ten minutes. These are ten long minutes, stretching out. When he finally returns, his face is drawn. "Ma-Ma'am." he politely half bows to her.
06[20:48] * Alicia doesn't see Eudard. This is not impressive. "Has Eudard consented to suffer my presence, then?" she asks, arms folded as she gives the priest an imperious look.
[20:52] <Kotono> "Aaah...aaaah...he...invites you to his quarters...ma'am," he says at last. "C-come."
[20:53] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods, resisting to say anything about the presumption of him inviting a lady such as her to his room. Really, it's just not worth it at this point.
[20:58] <Kotono> LEad back into the private areas of Torm's Temple, Alicia sees that most of it is plain and business like. There's no ornmentation or waste, but simple stone reinforced corridors. You are lead to a room in the center-back, "G-go inside, ma'am."
06[20:59] * Alicia opens the door and steps inside!
[21:03] <Kotono> This room is relatively plain. There's a cot, a wooden and tall dresser half ajar, clothes seen hanging inside. There's a small font of water on a table, as well as a sturdy chest by it. Eudard stands just inside the room, face grim and dark. "On what grounds have you insisted on pressing yourw ay into this holy place?" He wears plate armor, a longsword on his side.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Eudard..." Alicia sighs, closing the door behind her. "We need to talk. I was content to let your obsession with me lie, so long as you did not present a danger to anyone else, but I simply cannot let your slanders go unanswered. Every vile utterance you whisper about my impending damnation only serves to confuse and frighten those who look to me for inspiration and protection - as a paladin of Mystra and protector of Balmuria."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Rumourmongering... chipping away at people's faith - that's not what being a paladin is about, you should know that. But more of your actions seem to show that you are losing your way. What sort of paladin places bounties on the heads of any member of a species? A paladins role is to dispense justice to those who require it, not pay others to slay creatures indiscriminately and without question or trial."
[21:18] <Alicia> "If you have a problem with goblins and trolls, shouldn't you be out there in the Barbarian Lands, bringing battle to those who prey upon the weak and innocent, showing the rest the folly of such a path? It stems back to how you're treating me - you make all these noises about holiness, but your own actions fail to measure up."
[21:18] <Alicia> "I may not follow Torm, but I know his doctrine..." she spreads her arms before her as if weighing two objects in the balance, "And whatever this voice in your head - the word of Torm as you may believe it to be - is telling you... does it match the standards set by the Loyal Fury?"
[21:18] <Alicia> She finally falls silent, really just wanting to hear an honest justification, and hopefully an acknowledgement of doubt in his recent actions before she moves on to the fact that he's been identified as evil by magical divinations from three seperate sources.
[21:25] <Kotono> "You have no right," Eudard begins with a hint of fury in his own voice, "To come into the house of Torm and spread your vile gospel!" His face is screwed into rage at this, but his voice is oddly not quite matching it. "Lord Torm has spoken to me and told me of your heresy!" His hand goes to the hilt of his blade, "Those that coddle devils cannot be tolerated! They must be cast back into the flames where they belong!" His eyes are narrow
[21:25] <Kotono> His eyes are narrow, though his hand doesn't quite close around his sword. (More)
[21:26] <Kotono> With a hand that betrays a slight shake to it, Eudard points at Alicia full on. "Those that are unclean before Lord Torm must be cast down! I had prayed you would not make me do this...but..." He looks away a moment, "My Lord gave me order to despatch you, should the devilish influence grow too strong."
[21:33] <Alicia> "I'm not making you do anything!" Alicia snaps, pausing to run a hand through her hair as she exhales and tries to calm herself. It won't help if they both get angry. "Eudard, something is using you and it's not Torm," she finally just outright states. "As I've said, your actions have been questionable, but most perplexing of all is your aura;"
[21:33] <Alicia> "Just like Antenora, a creature of pure evil who has turner herself towards goodness and fought alongside devas and archons as one of their own, you radiate an aura of good *and* evil. That shouldn't be possible in a mortal without some form of magical interference - something has warped you, Eudard, you have to see that!"
[21:40] <Kotono> Eudard looks down and away, until the very last. There's a snap back, "No. I have heard Torm's voice. Nothing else could so move me." He says this with deadly steel in his voice. "He has commanded me to cast down what must not be suffered to enjoy the fair airs of our world! Devils and those that pander to evil must be purged into the dust!" Despite these words he shakes, "What...what can your hollow words say to that? What more can you o
[21:41] <Kotono> What more can you offer than the speech of Torm? Even then..." Eudard looks up to Alicia, "If it is his will that I fall into the pit on dragging those that are not worthy down..."
[21:45] <Alicia> "No just God would ever consign their servant to such a fate!" Alicia counters. "Please, Eudard, you have to see that you're being manipulated. Do you truly believe that Torm's voice would move you towards injustice?"
[21:57] <Kotono> "...I..." Eudard shakes his head, hand tightening around the hilt of his blade. "My God has given me those orders. I will not...I cannot believe they are anything but. Leave." he breathes out, "Leave. Unless you can prove your words...leave."
[22:03] <Alicia> "Without having heard what you have heard, I'm afraid I can merely draw my own conclusions," Alicia admits. "So it would seem we are at an impasse." Not wanting to simply leave at that, however, she asks her sword for advice, 'Hell Striker, have you ever heard of or encountered a mortal as conflicted as he?' she asks, hoping it might have some useful experience.
[22:06] <Kotono> 'No. Never anything such as this. His very believes and nature seem to be in conflict with something. But an enchantment or control wouldn't leave this sort of ambivience.'
[22:11] <Alicia> "Actions speak louder than words, Eudard," Alicia then states, wanting to help him even if she really dislikes him on a personal level. Besides, he'd probably be relieved if she just provoked him. "Have your bags packed and I'll return in a couple of days - then I'll show you just what being a paladin is really all about, and you can decide for yourself instead of taking someone else's word for it."
[22:14] <Kotono> "What?" Eudard challenges back, "What do you mean?"
[22:17] <Alicia> "I mean I'm going to take you with me on a holy quest," Alicia replies, narrowing her eyes. "Make no mistake, I am hardly doing this because I enjoy your company. But if you can learn something from it, and respect what I'm doing, then so much the better." Her tone drops as she concludes, "Consider the alternative carefully, Eudard."
[22:23] <Kotono> OOC - Make another intimidation check, scary Alicia. You and Seira are both so scary at this.
[22:24] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17 I wanted it to be diplomacy ;_;
06[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 I wanted it to be diplomacy ;_; and gets 37."12 [1d20=20]
[22:31] <Kotono> Eudard listens to those words carefully, eyeing Alicia. With a stony face and shaking hands, he lets go of his sword hilt. "...very well."
[22:33] <Alicia> "Good," Alicia nods, turning to open the door and then depart. She'd wanted to deal with the soul prison first, but she doesn't really want Eudard involved with that, so now she'll have to ask Shankar to find out how to redeem the Sword of Grief instead.
[22:33] <Kotono> OOC - Skip ahead, or do you wanna chat about this with anyone else?
[22:35] <Alicia> OOC: lets skip ahead. I'll tell Anty, Marie, and Jessica about my plan, and Anty and Marie are invited to come along, but I don't want to belabour it.
[22:38] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[22:41] <Kotono> After a few days of preparation, Alicia comes to Shankar. In front of altar of Mystra he stands, "Alicia, you wish to redeem this weapon," On the altar lies the Sword of Grief.
[22:43] <Alicia> "Yes," the paladin nods. "Though it's not my preferred type of sword, I'm sure someone could use it for a good cause... if it weren't so vile," she concludes, giving it a somewhat distasteful look.
[22:47] <Kotono> Shankar places a hand on it, even as he grimaces. "The Lady of Mysteries has spoken to me. It may be possible, but be warned - the sin of this weapon is heavy. To cleanse it will be a challenge even for you, Alicia."
06[22:48] * Alicia smiles crookedly. "I didn't choose this life because it was easy, Shankar. What must be done?"
[22:52] <Kotono> "To bear this weapon, you must bear the vile energy within it. On this quest, you will be unable to heal your wounds, nor will they heal naturally. You must use this sword as your weapon, yet not invoke it's ability to deal vile damage. If you accept this and take on this burden, you must travel to the ocean floor, where a spirit called 'Oolu' is waiting at the edge of the bay here. One of his friends begins a quest deeper into the ocean
[22:52] <Kotono> One of his friends begins a quest deeper into the ocean and must be protected."
[22:52] <Kotono> "The Lady of Mystries has provides you with these," He stops, taking out three scrolls from besides the altar, "So that you may travel there."
06[22:55] * Alicia laughs softly in bitter resignation. "Well, looks like I won't be taking anyone else along, after all." She briefly peers at the scrolls. "Water breathing, I take it?"
[22:56] <Kotono> "I don't know. I prayed for enough...but the Lady gave all these," Shankar says, "I must admit, I found it curious. One scroll would easily get you to where you're supposed to meet and farther."
[22:56] <Alicia> "It would?" Alicia blinks. "Are you sure? How far into the ocean must I travel?"
[22:57] <Kotono> "I admit I don't know, but..." Shankar looks uncertain here, "I had prayed for enough and I saw one scroll...but three came instead. From your words, you mean to bring another? Perhaps her Lady's wisdom is evident?"
[23:00] <Alicia> "I hope so, since I don't particularly want to drown," Alicia observes as she takes the scrolls. "I know Oolu, at least, and either Antenora or Marie would be able to translate for me if I need to speak to any Sea Elves." She looks at the sword and sighs, "Underwater, though... why couldn't it have been a spear?"
[23:05] <Kotono> "I must admit...this strikes me as very difficult. Blessings of Mystra on you, Alicia. The Lady, in her wisdom, has laid out an ordeal for you."
[23:06] <Alicia> "Better get to it, then," Alicia stows the scrolls away in an oilskin so they won't be damaged by water, then gingerly picks up the sword, giving it a few practice swings to get a feel for it.
[23:08] <Kotono> The sword swings well in the air. It swings sharp, seeming to curve towards Shankar's neck and torso with an alluring ease. Alicia feels faintly ill on holding it, a weight on her shoulders. "Mystra bless you," Shankar repeats, bowing his head.
06[23:11] * Alicia shudders. 'I'll miss you during this, Hell Striker...' she thinks of her preferred blade. "Blessings of the Weave upon you as well," she returns, heading off to collect Antenora and Marie before they head to the temple of Torm. Hopefully Eudard is ready to go at a moment's notice like she asked.

[Corwin]

[17:19] <Kotono> The next day comes. After resting, Seira returns to the school. It's a pleasant day, studies continuing as...OOC - Ball's in your court, so elaborate what you want to do and/or who you wanna talk to. We'll go from there.
06[17:21] * Seira decides to seek out Grenseal and Jillia. If her information is correct, she'll find them together, anyway.
[17:25] <Kotono> Seira finds them inside of an empty classroom. Jillia is resting in a deep chair, eyes half closed. Grenseal is pacing, occasionally looking out the window. It's rather dim and pleasant in here, like an old room with just a bit of sunlight creeping in.
01[17:28] <Seira> "I hope you found the visit pleasant," Seira comments, stepping inside. "Has it helped you determine your future?"
[17:31] <Kotono> "Ah! Ma'am!" Jillia opens her eyes, blinking away the sand of sleep. "Y-yes, of course. All those feelings over the past months and the magics that are coming feel like they're right and explained now."
[17:32] <Kotono> Grenseal keeps his gaze out the window, "I'm not sure on the exacts yet, but...yeah. I think I have an idea now."
06[17:32] * Seira nods. "I hoped it would be so. If this changes the way you'd like to prepare, or what you'd like to study, we'll make the arrangements."
[17:34] <Kotono> "I'm not sure...I don't meant his as an offense, ma'am," Jillia blushes slightly, "I don't feel that the lessons here will entirely help me. My power comes from the Watcher. I feel as if I need to study somewhere more tied to him."
[17:34] <Kotono> Grenseal looks to Jillia, a shadow passing over his face. "I may stay here for a while longer. There's a lot I'd like to learn." He says this shortly, before turning back to the window.
01[17:36] <Seira> "We've known about the source of your powers for quite some time," Seira agrees. "But it is a fallacy to say that only someone else who gets their powers from Helm can understand or help you along. I can arrange for the temple of Helm to accept you -- any temple of Helm in the land, really.
01[17:36] <Seira> But I don't want you going there thinking that you're obligated, that it's Helm's will, or that you'd learn more there."
[17:37] <Kotono> "Thank you, ma'am," Jillia inclines her head deeply, "I may go to the one in Balmuria, or...I heard Sir Demedais did a pilgrimage to Helm before he came to Balmuria. Perhaps the same would be in order for me. And also..." A blush comes to her face "I have not seen my family in a long time. I should not neglect my vows to them, either." This last is murmured, guilty.
06[17:39] * Seira nods once again, curtly. "Alright. We'll always support you, and I'd like you to know that. I may not be here by the time you decide, but you can easily make your wishes known to me." She looks at them both as she says the last past.
[17:42] <Kotono> Grenseal's gaze stays out the window. "Well, I'm staying here for now," He repeats after a few moments. "This is a good place for me to learn and the chance shouldn't be wasted."
01[17:43] <Seira> "Your wishes may be realized," Seira tells him. "No one can really predict the future, but I know that a strong will can affect a lot. It may just take more time than you expected."
[17:45] <Kotono> "I have a lot of free time now," Grenseal murmurs, "So there's a lot of time to burn on getting better and willful and all oft hat."
[17:46] <Kotono> Jillia looks down at her lap, holding her hands there. "I'm not sure exactly when I'd want to leave. I want to stay  little longer to settle matters and while I wait for word from certain temples."
01[17:50] <Seira> "Alright. Take your time," she repeats. "As you know, I'm only a couple of spells away, so there's no rush to decide."
[17:52] <Kotono> "Thank you," Grenseal says from his window viewing. "...thank you, you've done very much for me."
[17:56] <Kotono> After bidding the two farewell, Seira returns to the headmaster's office. Roget soon appears, sitting down. "Yes?" he says, "You summoned?"
01[17:57] <Seira> "Yes," she agrees, studying him. "It's been some time since we met, back in Balmuria, hasn't it?"
[17:59] <Kotono> He nods his head, "Yeah, it has been," he smiles a bit, "I'm getting the hang of things now. It's hard work, but I feel like I'm finally learning."
01[18:00] <Seira> "And you happen to be oh-so-close to the really useful spells for your line of work," Seira comments. "Quite admirable. I would like to offer you to put what you've learned to test, in a practical setting. The added benefit might well be that this would provide the final push you need in that direction."
[18:03] <Kotono> "You think I'm ready for that?" Roget asks back. "If so, I'll bite on almost anything as long as it isn't shovelling out stables."
06[18:04] * Seira snorts in amusement. "No, it involves forging weapons. And the occasional suit of armor, if you are so motivated. Elle -- Countess Stronger -- is well-versed in their making, and could offer you guidance there, if you accepted."
[18:14] <Kotono> "You mean magical things like that. I'll go for it," Roget says quickly. "When would I start?"
01[18:14] <Seira> "Over the break," she responds. "We'll see how things go afterwards."
[18:16] <Kotono> "Accepted," he offers his hand out to Seira.
06[18:17] * Seira takes it, shaking it firmly. "Good luck."
[18:39] <Kotono> The hand is shaken, Roget going off to study more. Not long after this, another enters. A teenage woman, bowing her head to Seira. "Ma'am," she says with respect.
01[18:42] <Seira> "Hey." Seira gives her a smile, intending to put her more at ease. "As you've no doubt heard, I'm meeting with all of you. If there is anything you would like to bring up, now would be the best time for that."
[18:47] <Kotono> "...Thanks," she sits, "There is one thing. Ah..." she takes a moment, "How do I say this? Could I ask you to tell the instructors to let me go at my own pace? They're trying to push me ahead so fast, before I really get everything."
01[18:49] <Seira> "It seems we are in agreement," Seira comments, glancing down at the folder detailing Kanara's progress. "I understand the desire to gain valuable skills as part of a solid base, before proceeding onwards. Especially when there is no rush."
[18:55] <Kotono> "Oh good!" Her face lights up as she smiles with relief. "I don't want to argue with them any more, but they're pushing me too fast."
01[18:57] <Seira> "Results are important, but the criteria could, perhaps, be redefined," Seira muses. "What are you studying at the moment?"
[19:01] <Kotono> "Basic wizardry," she answers, "I'm learning Burning Hands right now."
01[19:02] <Seira> "I meant in the way of accompanying skills," Seira elaborates. "Learning where and when to use the spell is sometimes just as important as knowing the spell itself."
[19:04] <Kotono> "I'm studying the planes and magic and spellcraft," she lists off, "I like spellcraft the most, it's fascinating to see how the magic really works.
[19:04] <Kotono> "
01[19:08] <Seira> "And it's a key skill," Seira agrees. "It might help if you studied some history and a few of the older languages," she continues, eyeing Kanara. "Learning about the past and ancient languages go hand in hand, and there is quite a bit of magic to be discovered in the process. If only enough people researched the past, we would be well on our way towards replicating its wonders."
[19:12] <Kotono> "Okay." She nods to that slowly, "I'll look into those. Any in particular I should?"
01[19:15] <Seira> "Oh, I don't know...." Seira examines her nails nonchalantly. "Perhaps... Gnomish?"
[19:19] <Kotono> "Gnomish? That old thing?" She shrugs, "Sure. That reminds me of the fairy tales my Mom told me, though."
06[19:21] * Seira seems amused. "We'll talk again once you've made some progress in that area, then. If you find yourself needing reference material, please pass on a message to me. I will take care of it."
[19:28] <Kotono> Kanara rises and shakes Seira's hand, then gets up. Thereafter, Seira goes to find Abagail. She's at the top of the main tower, hair blown in the wind as she looks down at the school and fields beyond it. She's quiet, gaze sweeping.
01[19:31] <Seira> "The wind here is nice," Seira comments, coming up to Abagail's side.
[19:33] <Kotono> "I suppose it is," she agrees, "It's a good viewpoint to see everyone else hurrying along."
01[19:38] <Seira> "I'm afraid you wouldn't see me leave from here," Seira says with amusement. "I decided to come and talk to you again before leaving. Making a decision such as the one I offered to you at the time -- well, the person I'm looking for would eventually take it, I think, but they would have no reason to share my sense of urgency. That may well be a factor."
01[19:38] <Seira> She leans on the railing, turning to face Abagail fully. "So what if we had a chance to work together, on a relatively risk-free but rewarding mission for the Baronies?"
03[19:39] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5444661c.lns4-c10.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[19:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
03[19:42] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:42] <Kotono> "What's the mission?" Abagail asks, raising one of her eyebrows.
01[19:46] <Seira> "We've had reports of monstrous trolls and strange women in leather in the Barbarian Lands nearing the border," Seira tells her. "Some of the reports are dubious in nature. You know that proverb? If you want something done, better do it yourself?" Seira shrugs. "I'm going to go on a reconnaissance mission there,
01[19:46] <Seira> and if there is a dire threat to the Baronies, deal with it to the best of my abilities. And I'm offering you the chance of coming along to test your skills and our synergy."
[19:51] <Kotono> Abagail considers and looks down, "Trolls? Hmmm. They're weak to fire, aren't they? Fire and acid?"
06[19:52] * Seira nods. "And overwhelming force. There are some things even they can't regenerate from in time to matter." Her expression turns serious. "We can't allow monsters to organize on our borders, and if there are humans there as well... we must know, and we'll have to make contact to see if they're friendly or intend to bring us harm."
[19:54] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Abagail seems to consider, listening...
01[19:56] <Seira> "It is also my hope that you'll find your answer to the question I asked you over the course of this expedition."
[19:59] <Kotono> "Hmph. It's not like I'll let a troll get close to me with my magic," she declares, before, "Fine, I think I'll accept that then."
01[20:08] <Seira> "I think this will be fun," Seira comments, sounding satisfied.

[Corwin]

01[18:56] <Corwin> [23:14] <Seira> "You got drawn into it after all?" Seira asks them.
01[18:56] <Corwin> [23:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I...think so," Abagail laughs a little despite it, carefree. "Aaah...that was such fun...I think."
01[18:56] <Corwin> [23:18] <Seira> "When nothing is taken or missing, it's a good sign," Seira muses, lying back on the grass. "Well, I think we pretty much got what we came here for. I'd like to stay near this spot for a day to confirm if they'll return here or relocate, but after that we could just teleport back to civilization."
[18:57] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Abagail struggles to try and get the smile off her face, but fails completely. "What exactly were they? I was spellbound, wasn't I?"
01[18:59] <Corwin> "Probably," Seira responds. "I hoped you would stay away, but I suppose the pull was too strong. In any case, they were weird, but they're worshipping a nature goddess in an out of the way area and are a counterweight to our giant neighbors. I don't really have complaints."
[19:00] <Kotono> Ellard sighs, "Nor do I. That was...special. Completely insane, but special."
01[19:01] <Corwin> "Well, let's see about making a camp near here, then. I do want to test my last theory."
[19:01] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Abagail quietly agrees. OOC - What do you want to do here? Wait a day and see if anythin ghappens, or anything more?
01[19:02] <Corwin> OOC: Wait a day and see if they come visit me again at night. If not, a bit after midnight, I'll go visit this field.
[19:08] <Kotono> The day passes by quietly enough. While a watch is kept, nothing of importance occurs. It's a very restful day, the good mood lingering into the night...OOC - Ball's in your court, Seira.
06[19:09] * Corwin waits until it's past midnight, and goes to see whether the field she tracked her new friends to the other day is empty on this night.
01[19:10] <Corwin> *Seira
03[19:10] * Corwin is now known as Seira
[19:16] <Kotono> Thus Seira heads down the path. She heads to the thicket of trees, wading in where she did last night. However, as she pushes into the bush...she finds that there is no perfect path in it now, no lead deeper into it. Just overgrown forest, thick and heavy.
01[19:17] <Seira> "Annoying." She returns to the camp, deciding to call it a night at that.
[19:21] <Kotono> Thus the night passes. Abagail rises early, and on the sunrise, "Ah," she scowls, "What of Demedais and the other woman? Are they to ride home by themselves?"
01[19:22] <Seira> "That's Pollyanna, and sure, why not?" Seira shrugs for good measure. "He's pretty strong, and she's smart enough to know when to run and lucky enough to survive till now, despite the odds."
[19:23] <Kotono> "Alright, then teleport us home?" Abagail sniffs, "I'll be so happy to get a real bath and not lie on pine needles and leaves."
[19:23] <Kotono> Ellard just rubs his nose, eyeing Seira but keeping his peace.
01[19:24] <Seira> "How about you?" Seira asks Ellard. "I can take you back to Balmuria, or back to the border, if you'd like."
[19:25] <Kotono> "Balmuria's fine," he says, "I'll just travel back from there."
01[19:26] <Seira> "Alright," Seira agrees, stopping. "This is a fine spot for a teleport. Keep near, won't you?"
01[19:26] <Seira> roll 1d100 inn
05[19:26] -batcave.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[19:26] * Retrieving #evildunes modes...
03[19:26] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-67-9-174-38.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #evildunes
03[19:26] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[19:27] <Seira> roll 1d100 inn
06[19:27] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 inn and gets 71."12 [1d100=71]
[19:30] <Kotono> Thus Seira arrives home! A night of rest is pleasant to recharge. As the inn settles in for that evening, Donald takes a moment to talk to Seira alone. "Oi, Seira," he says, the two standing away from all the buzz and bustle. "Been busy? There's something I want to pass ontot you."
01[19:31] <Seira> "I like presents," Seira responds eagerly to that.
[19:33] <Kotono> Scratching at his face, "Well...I wouldn't quite call this a PRESENT, but it's....something." Donald decides on that after a few moments of deep thought. "A few nights ago a small group of gentlemen gathered here. They spent the night talking about dragons, even calling themselves a 'dragon study group' and that they were meeting in the abode of the closest dragon blooded in the Baronies."
01[19:34] <Seira> "Uh--" For a change, Seira isn't certain what to say.
01[19:34] <Seira> "Did they want to become my flunkies?" she finally asks.
[19:35] <Kotono> For a moment, Donald blinks. "Yeah, about my reaction." he says, "They gabbed about Kondrux awhile, then went into dragon legends. I'm not sure - they used a ton of big words and acted very brainy about it. They did ask to see you."
01[19:36] <Seira> "Well, I'm here now...." Seira makes a show of looking around for any dragon fanboys. "I do have some time to meet them."
02[19:36] * taislumbershavingslaintherat (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:36] <Kotono> "One of them left contact information if you wanted to meet them." Donald says, "I can go see if they're interested and drag 'em over if you like."
06[19:37] * Seira considers, before nodding. "Sure thing. I can put my plans on hold for a while."
[19:44] <Kotono> "Right," Donald cracks his neck before turning for the door. "I'll be back with 'em soon."
01[19:46] <Seira> "Show them to my library," Seira calls after him, making her way there with a bottle of wine and several glasses.
[19:48] <Kotono> A half hour passes in waiting before Donald leads them in. He shakes his head and hides a smile as he sees Seira. Behind him are three men - relatively aged and decently dressed, each carrying along books and scrolls. "Aaah," the lead one peers through small spectacles, "Seira of the Crimson Guard?" he asks, eyes roaming her. "'tis true? You have dragon's blood in your veins?"
[19:48] <Kotono> The second, a bald man with quick blue eyes peers as well, "It does look it, yes. Fascinating. Dragons are so rare, let alone a crossbreed...it is truly an honor and a spectacular opportunity."
01[19:48] <Seira> "Yes. You can't have it, if you came here for it."
[19:50] <Kotono> The third man sighs a little, opening a book and making a check mark with ab it of charcoal. "Damn. Well, there's still a lot of other chances," he says, sitting down. "Thank you for seeing us regardless. We're scholars studying dragons; Balmuria's recent dragon attack and your presence has piqued our interests."
[19:50] <Kotono> "Relatively recent," The first man corrects, sitting as well. "A dragon attack within twenty years can be recent by this scale," he checks, idly brushing back his white shock of hair.
01[19:51] <Seira> "I studied dragons, too! It's quite an interesting field of study," Seira agrees. "Is there anything in particular I could help you with? I've met half a dozen dragons by now, which is probably more than anyone in these parts."
[19:53] <Kotono> The third man scribbles a bit more in his book, "Yes, we have many questions. Dragon specimens are so rare, after all."
[19:53] <Kotono> The second man looks on at Seira with overflowing interst, "First of all, who is your sire? Where does your dragon's blood come from? Do you know?"
01[19:54] <Seira> "He's not my sire, and yes," she responds.
[19:55] <Kotono> "Then where does it come from," The first man asks.
[19:55] <Kotono> "Fascinating..." The third continues to work awayi n his book, "Do you know any other living dragons?"
01[19:57] <Seira> "I'm sorry, that's a personal question," she responds to the first, before tilting her head in thought. "Only two; a golden dragon and a red one. Dragons tend to die violently when they get too involved, here on Prime."
[19:59] <Kotono> "Fascinating..." Repeating that, "Dragons are paragons of power and might, yet you say they die violently here? On the Prime, no less, are you saying that dragons are really extraplanar? Are they related to outsiders?" This question comes quickly, as the second man's eyebrows raise. "My word, that would be a revolutionary revelation if it's true. It would explain the immortality and vast power the possess."
01[20:02] <Seira> "Dragons... although one would view them as independant, it seems the opposite is actually true. Those on Prime tend to have otherworldly backers, who are attracted to the dragons' immense powers. As they are forced to play in these machinations, dragons often find their deaths. It seems the truly independant ones are the exception here, these days."
06[20:02] * Seira pauses before continuing, "And what if I told you that dragons have, in fact, emigrated off Prime after the great cataclysm of the past?"
[20:06] <Kotono> "That would explain why ther eare so few?" The third scholar notes, "That some horrible catastrophe removed all the dragons, that is. So you equate dragons to pawns on the Prime, caught up in great events by otherworldly powers?"
01[20:07] <Seira> "Pawns? No. But even a queen is a slave, just a vastly more powerful one. In order to secure a win, she can be sacrificed just as well as a pawn."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Mmm, mmm..." All the men are quiet for a few moments, "Was that the position Kondrux was in, then?"
03[20:10] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5442d49d.lns2-c8.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:11] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
01[20:11] <Seira> "I don't believe so, actually," Seira muses. "I figure he was one of the exceptions."
[20:13] <Kotono> "Mmm, mmm..." They listen a little more. "So Kondrux was essentially an isolated incident?" The first man asks. "So your apperance here is unrelated to his apperence?"
03[20:13] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:14] <Seira> "Do you believe in coincidences?" Seira asks her guests with a smile.
[20:14] <Kotono> "That would be a notable coincidence," The third man scowls, "Nothing is coincidence; coincidence is merely shorthand for not being able to correclty attribute the causes of a situation."
06[20:15] * Seira nods. "As it was in this case, yes. I suppose I don't mind sharing this much -- Kondrux's sudden appearance expedited my own plans and preparations."
[20:17] <Kotono> "I see," The first man rubs his chin slowly, "You mentioned a gold and a red one. ARe they friendly? Can they be contacte4d?"
01[20:18] <Seira> "They are friendly to me. But the red one would probably eat you if I introduced you to him." Seira shrugs apologetically. "His divine masters are responsible for this rather than a sour disposition on his part, I must add."
[20:20] <Kotono> "
[20:20] <Kotono> "Divine masters?" The second man sniffles and peers ahead at Seira. "What divine masters does he serve?"
01[20:21] <Seira> "Oh, all of them, actually. It's a rare case where all the gods got together and actually agreed on something, then tasked him with doing it."
[20:22] <Kotono> There's a long silence there, dead. The three stare at Seira with open amounts of shock and interest, "Whaaaaat?!"
01[20:23] <Seira> "I get the feeling that I am talking and you're only humoring me," Seira says, frowning. "It would all go so much smoother if you just take me at my word."
[20:24] <Kotono> "No no," The first man swallows long, "You're telling us such useful and fascinating things that we must learn more. What could so drive the Gods into agreeing? Some of them are the diametric opposites of one another!"
[20:25] <Kotono> "It is fascinating," The third man scribbles furiously in his book. "I theorised that dragons may have divine sponsorship at times, and this helps confirm such matters."
01[20:26] <Seira> "For an answer to that you would need to study indepth into gnomish history," Seira tells them. "I could just spoil everything, but finding out for yourselves is part of the fun."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Gnomes?" The third one blinks and shrugs, "Very well, I think I'll do that. ALso, what of the golden dragon?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "A red and a gold dragon," The second one scowls, "It does remind me of that bard's tale that gets sung about."
01[20:31] <Seira> "The golden dragon isn't on this plane of existence right now, but I'll be sure to tell him that some people want to meet him when I see him again," Seira promises. "And that tale, right? I think I've actually narrowed down Kagnap and Goldan's hiding place."
[20:35] <Kotono> "They still live and you know where they are?" The interest of the three turn to SEira like laserbeams. "Really?"
01[20:37] <Seira> "I have very, very good reasons to believe they still live," Seira affirms. "And like I said, I recently found clues as to their probably locations. It would probably be a horribly dangerous expedition, but are you by any chance interested?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "...how dangerous?" The third one asks, "Ah, but we are but scholars, not adventurers. When we need such, we hire out willing adventurers."
01[20:40] <Seira> "Well, we could just share the burdens of preliminary research, and I'll let you know how things went after."
[20:44] <Kotono> "That would be acceptable," The first man says, "Finding those two would be a discovery of a lifetime."
01[20:45] <Seira> "Yeah, pretty much," Seira agrees. "I have my notes on them close by. You can read Draconic, I presume?"
[20:46] <Kotono> "Of course," The second man nods swiftly. "I even dream in it."
01[20:48] <Seira> "That's... actually something I didn't really need to know," Seira says bluntly. "Anyway. My notes are in Draconic." She fetches the ones she took relating to the pair's old lair somewhere in the area that is now Kelara. "If you have something corresponding the information I have, or something I've missed, please contribute."
[20:52] <Kotono> The ones read and read and read, going quiet as they examine. They crowd around one chair, going at it with eyes wide open. They become completely absorbed, but as they read, "...Kelara?" One asks aloud. "That's well to the west of the Deserts, yes?"
01[20:53] <Seira> "Yes. I've visited recently, and though I found no signs on a preliminary check, I intend to go back in a few weeks."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Right, right," Another says as they keep reading. "..mmmm. The Fairest Star?" comes next, voice filling with interest. "All of this...what is all ofthis? It's hinting at things that...!"
01[20:59] <Seira> "First of all, this is not something that should be discussed lightly," Seira cautions. "Secondly, I already pointed you in the right direction. After you discover the story for yourselves, I'll fill in the blanks for you."
[21:03] <Kotono> "Live, growth and development, eh?" Darlina murmurs, thinking.
[21:04] <Kotono> OOC - STrike. -_-
[21:07] <Kotono> "THis is...quite a lot," The third man says, writing furiously. "Could you give us a little time to absorb all of this?"
01[21:08] <Seira> "Yeah, sure. I'll be away on business for a few days, and could be reached for emergencies -- Donald would know how to get in touch with me. Let's meet again in a week's time?"
[21:13] <Kotono> "Thank you," The nod in agreement, "We will."

[Corwin]

[22:05] <Kotono> ----
[22:06] <Kotono> Marie follows! They head straight up and away from the city altogether at first for a few minutes. They don't talk, seeming to be simply getting away from it all for now.
[22:08] <Alicia> Marie simply follows, close enough to overhear them but far enough to avoid easy notice as she flits from available cover to cover.
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC - Make a hide check in general for here?
[22:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+24
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+24 and gets 31."12 [1d20=7]
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
[22:10] <Alicia> OOC: remember, spot checks take a -1 for every 10 feet of distance
[22:12] <Alicia> OOC: she'll be at least 30 feet away
[22:13] <Kotono> Soon, they stop. "Good luck," Guldu adds, swimming off, as the thief takes a breath and starts to swim away.
[22:14] <Alicia> Marie elects to follow the thief, still keeping a safe distance and using what cover she can while in her incorporeal form.
[22:15] <Kotono> After about thirty feet...Marie finds that the thief begins to radiate faint evil.
[22:16] <Alicia> That explains so very much. Marie resolves to have Alicia employ a targetted dispel on Guldu at the first opportunity. For now she'll simply follow, and hopefully ruin his heist at the worst possible moment.
[22:20] <Kotono> The thief is taking a roundabout wayt o Lord Sawr's house. He's swimming with no particular hurry, wading through the darkened night waters with a good speed. However, as he approaches, he stops. Around the building guards are mustering, gathering and setting up a perimeter.
[22:22] <Alicia> Just in case she's in range to get Alicia with message, Marie sends, "He's just stopped, looks like he's spooked by all the guards,"
[22:22] <Alicia> OOC: 210ft range on Message
[22:24] <Kotono> The thief falls back, swiming up and away and cursing. "Dammit! How? I can't even...shit!" He swears up and down. "Oh Gods, how did I get myself into this one?" He frets.
[22:26] <Alicia> Since there's no reply, Marie assumes she's too far away. Watching and listening to the thief, she considers confronting him, but decides it better simply to observe until he commits to a course of action.
[22:27] <Kotono> "Maybe if..." The thief looks longingly away fromt he town, "...yeah. Maybe if I run I can makea  big break for it..."
[22:33] <Alicia> Well, if he's going to run... Marie decides she might as well act. Sinking partially into the ground, she generates some dancing lights above herself to form a faintly glowing, human-like shape. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asks in the guise of her spectral apparition. Maybe she can goad some information out of him, this way. It's no good if he just runs, anyway.
[22:37] <Kotono> "Whaaa?!" The thief spins around, face full of shock. He stares at the figure, "W-w-whaaat?!"
[22:38] <Alicia> "How far do you think you could run? Really?" Marie asks, trusting the thief's paranoid imagination will fill in its own blanks and make him spill his guts.
[22:40] <Kotono> "I-I-I don't know! I just have to get away from him!" Shuddering as he stares with an open mouth at the image, "Oh no...are you going to drag me down to Hell for him?" The thief starts to drift off, holding his hands out in front of him. "Stay back!"
[22:42] <Alicia> "Sounds like you're in over your head, my friend," Marie observes, wondering what words would best goad him into giving useful information without giving away her own complete ignorance. "But I'm not the one you have to worry about, am I?"
[22:45] <Kotono> Whimpering, "I know. I have to get away from Guldu. I read the contract afterwards...I can't. I just can't go to that Lord Dest. It was a mistake, I gotta run away!" He whimpers at this bleakly. "I have to find some way!"
[22:48] <Alicia> This is now officially a crisis. "Dest?! Go back to the prison. Go *right now*, if you value your soul!" Marie instructs, before zooming straight for the mansion in search of Alicia at top speed.
[22:49] <Kotono> So Marie zooms off...OOC - #terror.
[22:55] <Kotono> Thus Marie races from Lord Sawr's home! She races in the water, hurrying to the hut! As she does, she finds the water is starting to tint a bit red. With her darkvision, she can soon start to see things near the hut - floating body parts and bodies, broken weapons about. Savagely bitten apart, or at times simply gear that rests ont he sandy bottom, bloodstained.
[22:57] <Alicia> "Oh, no..." Marie whimpers, flying straight inside the house without pausing. Why did it all have to go wrong? And so suddenly, too...
03[22:58] * Demedais is now known as tsrjdmvarx
[22:58] <Kotono> As she flies to the hut, she sees that the front of it is gone. Only one man stays in there - Kortuni. HIs head is bowed, silent. The bloody waters seem to not even faze him, his interest otherwise.
[23:00] <Alicia> "What happened?" Marie demands, stopping before him. "Where's Guldu? Where's the baby?!" her voice rises in pitch with each question.
[23:01] <Kotono> "Heh..." Kortuni laughs, his face a smile as he looks up. "They're gone, you're a little too slow. He's taken the baby and fled away from Oceanoholm as fast as his pet will take him." He looks on, "I'm so happy. He was willing to finish it even without the gemstone now. Now...I'll have this city to myself."
[23:04] <Alicia> "Where did he go? If you've got what you want then it doesn't matter to you what happens to him, right?" Marie presses. Much as she'd dearly love to punish this vile individual, the safety of the baby is paramount.
[23:06] <Kotono> "He went off," Waving away, "Maybe back to the mansion, maybe somewhere else. Who cares? Now..." He looks up, "If you excuse me, there's a city for me to rule now." His eyes radiate a red light, as he begins to walk forward.
[23:09] <Alicia> "You had to have seen what direction he fled in! Tell me, now!" Marie demands, seconds away from attacking. She's a lot stronger now that she's Alicia's familiar, as that Sahaugin brigand learned to his cost, and if she can't save the baby she can at least deal with this particular monster.
[23:09] <Kotono> "That way," He gestures towards the north, walking to and past Marie without even stopping.
[23:11] <Alicia> Alicia and Darlina swim up just as Marie happens to cast Sleep on the merchant. Even if it's likely a futile gesture. "By the Gods... what happened?!" Alicia demands.
[23:12] <Alicia> OOC: DC 13 if he has 4 or less hd.
[23:12] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7."12 [1d20=2]
[23:13] <Kotono> The man stops. His red eyes go silent...and he collapses into sleep.
[23:14] <Alicia> "No time, the devil took the baby and fled to the North!" Marie explains. "Come on, we need to hurry!" At that she zooms off in the indicated direction, Alicia only briefly glancing at the now comatose Kortuni before deciding he can wait while an innocent's life hangs in the balance. Kicking her legs, she swims after Marie as fast as she can.
[23:15] <Kotono> OOC - What's your guys' swim speed?
[23:15] <Kotono> Darlina looks stricken, pale faced but quiet. She pauses to bow her head and murmur a few words, before hurrying along as well.
[23:15] <Alicia> OOC: Marie is speed 60 (technically she's flying in this form), Darlina and I are speed 40
[23:17] <Kotono> A trail of blood leads to the north, the water still having life fluid spread in it. North of town are ocean flats, seaweed and fish swimming about. After about five minutes of this...OOC - PM.
[23:20] <Alicia> Fortunately Marie is more or less immune to physical assault in her current form, so she shows no fear of the shark. But it could be a danger to Alicia and Darlina, so she can't ignore it entirely. Although... if the devil has dominated or charmed it, she might be able to stymie that plan. Examining the shark for magic, she approaches closer.
[23:22] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[23:25] <Alicia> Plan set, Marie gets right in the shark's face, hoping the devil is close enough to attract its wrath.

[Corwin]

[16:08] <Alicia> [21:17] <Kotono> A trail of blood leads to the north, the water still having life fluid spread in it. North of town are ocean flats, seaweed and fish swimming about. After about five minutes of this...OOC - PM.
[16:08] <Alicia> [21:20] <Alicia> Fortunately Marie is more or less immune to physical assault in her current form, so she shows no fear of the shark. But it could be a danger to Alicia and Darlina, so she can't ignore it entirely. Although... if the devil has dominated or charmed it, she might be able to stymie that plan. Examining the shark for magic, she approaches closer.
[16:08] <Alicia> [21:22] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
[16:08] <Alicia> [21:22] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[16:08] <Alicia> [21:25] <Alicia> Plan set, Marie gets right in the shark's face, hoping the devil is close enough to attract its wrath.
[16:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Marie moves, getting right in the shark's face! It's racing forward, maw open as it continues forward to the south! If Marie doesn't move, she'll l ikely be swallowed whole!
[16:16] <Alicia> Since suppressing the charm effect didn't work, Marie fires a barrage of magic missiles right into the shark's nose - maybe the stupid beast will take the hint that pain occurs in this direction and then choose to head in a different one. She feels no need to dodge, since she could fly right through the shark's entire body without fear of harm if she so desired.
[16:16] <Alicia> roll 5d4+5
06[16:16] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 5d4+5 and gets 15."12 [5d4=1, 3, 2, 1, 3]
[16:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Strike. I didn't grok that was your idea at all.
[16:19] <Alicia> OOC: yes, magic circle to suppress charm and all that. If it changes direction Marie will move with it to keep the charm suppressed by her proximity.
[16:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Marie moves in the way of the shark! As it races closer to her, mouth looming over - it seems to slow. It abruptly starts to thrash about, sending waves about.
[16:22] <Alicia> Sticking close enough to the shark to protect it from the devil's malign influence, Marie looks around for any sign of Guldu.
[16:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The shark has stopped for this moment, animalistic eyes looking all about in great sweeps. Meanwhile, Marie doesn't see any immediate sign of Guldu.
[16:26] <Alicia> Wanting to get rid of the shark before Alicia and Darlina show up, Marie uses Dancing Lights to create a glowing humanoid shape before its eyes, then moves said spectre 60 feet to the right, hoping it'll get the shark's attention.
[16:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The shark's eyes latch onto it when it sees it, charging ahead at the lights! It makes one great swoop at them, looking to swallow them whole!
[16:30] <Alicia> Marie keeps the lights moving, taunting the shark to follow while she sticks close to it to maintain the suppression of the charm effect, Once they're about three hundred feet from where they started, she keeps the lure moving while she heads back to where she met the shark, hoping it will either keep going or at least be too disoriented to continue the original orders given by the devil controlling it.
[16:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This goes on several hundred feet, a cautious bait and switch that Marie keeps going. When she finally lets it go, the dire shark does indeed give chase. It races off far away, chasing the lights with a savagery! By the time Marie makes it back, the shark is out of sight and Alicia and Darlina have caught up.
[16:36] <Alicia> "He sent a shark back to stall us but I got rid of it, we must be on the right track!" Marie tells the duo as she returns on the scene. "Come on, swim faster!" With said encouragement, the incorporeal ball of celestial light zooms off to the North, while Alicia redoubles her efforts to swim onwards.
[16:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina does the same, breathing heavy but her face a picture of scared determination! Thus t he three hurry along! After about ten more minutes of this...OOC - Make a spot check, Marie?
[16:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[16:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9."12 [1d20=4]
[16:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Marie races along...and then suddenly, she hears the cry of a baby. It's a cry of fear, echoing in the dark waters around her. The cries begin, echoing throughout. The crying of babies, alone and forgotten. Amid the wailing, "You've come far from home, little eladrin..."
[16:44] <Alicia> Detect magic and detect evil are on! Even if this devil can hide its alignment, she should be able to sort out the illusory sounds from reality by identifying the dweomer. "Seems like they'll let anyone onto the Prime, these days," she blusters, hoping to buy some time till Alicia catches up.
[16:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Sense motive check.
[16:45] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
06[16:45] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 and gets 19."12 [1d20=14]
[16:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There is magic ahead and to the right of Marie. However, the figure there is just coming out of the shadows, making no effort to hide. Guldu comes out, a little baby carried in it's arms. Kortuni's child cries like a lost soul, loud and lonely. Guldu absently strokes his head, which only makes him cry harder. "It was lovely, wasn't it?" He smiles warmly, "I had such a fun time going! TWo souls wrapped up and an entire free city
[16:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> free city to be dominated." As Guldu stands there, you note his other hand has a black, ichor soaked dagger at the baby's throat. "It's a shame you and those others found me. I should've suspected a celestial servant faster with that little story about Deep Sashelas, but...ah well, alas." He chuckles, a warmth that is out of focus with the image. (More)
[16:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "That was really a nice ploy, too. Having your superior act like an uncomprehending fool. I'll remember that one." HIs face is entirely open, pleasant...yet the dagger lightly digs into teh baby's flesh, almost drawing blood. "But I'm afraid that we should get to business now."
[16:53] <Alicia> Why her? She's just a tiny little messanger eladrin, there's no way she can rescue the baby before it gets killed... "What do you want?" she asks. Just keep him talking and hopefully Alicia can do something when she gets here.
[16:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh, I have so much more to do here. M'lord so desires what rests here." The dagger stays in place, pressing ominously. "This child is worth quite a lot, it's meant to be something special to the undersea world. My Lord has a special interest in children, you see, and a child like this even moreso. But...perhaps we can come to an understanding, before I have to send this child straight to Stygia."
[16:57] <Alicia> "Yes... Dest, wasn't it?" Marie asks, just trying to keep him talking. "I heard about what happened to him in the desert. He didn't get demoted for such a debacle? I never knew Hell was so forgiving."
[17:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Really now?" A bit of a laugh. "I've been so out of the loop lately. Corrupting souls and ruining lives keeps me so occupied. It's a shame about the desert then, but so what? Then it shall be another. Even if you destroyed m'lord, Asmodeus curse his soul, we are infinite. There's another devil just waiting to take his place and feast on the souls of lost children."
[17:05] <Alicia> "Perhaps... but if you just kill the child right now, his soul won't go to your lord, will it? There are rituals, aren't there? Otherwise you'd have already done it." Marie pauses, gathering her thoughts. This is so horribly stressful! "So... what understanding do you think we can reach?"
[17:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With a happy look, "Why yes, we can reach an understanding. Perhaps...a trade is in order? Oh, don't be afraid, your soul isn't worth the little fairy wings you glide on. Your superior there is certainly worth more, however."
[17:10] <Alicia> "So, you'd trade the child for the warrior?" Marie asks, thinking she can work with this. "That's possible, yes. Why, though? What makes her worth more than a special child?"
[17:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh, you want me to tell you more information?" With a laugh, "I have my reasons. Unless...you'd like to decline?" The dagger at the baby's throat presses, teh crying of children growing stronger.
[17:13] <Alicia> About 200 feet distant in the dark water, Alicia pauses. "Sounds like Marie's stalling him... Darlina, I need you to swim down low to the seabed and try to keep yourself hidden as we advance. Marie and I will keep him occupied, and when you get a chance, try to secure the child?"
[17:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Right," Darlina nods, taking a breath before scurrying down to the seabed. "Deep Sashelas help me..."
[17:15] <Alicia> "No," Marie bobs around in the water, "I think it's a good deal. Which is why it seems odd for you to make it. Well, she should catch up soon, I hope."
[17:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Indeed." The devil waits, "I must say I'm impressed. Your group managed to track me down and get past the dire shark with admirable speed."
[17:19] <Alicia> "Animals aren't very reliable," Marie points out as Alicia recasts Shield and then swims onward. "Although if you hadn't sweet-talked me earlier this might have ended a lot sooner. Since you know I'm not a mephit, now, I might as well ask; what kind of devil are you, anyway?"
[17:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ah, information again. I'm a gelugon," he answers, smiling further.
[17:25] <Alicia> "Surprisingly good swimmer, for a bug," Marie comments as Alicia swims into range, stopping sixty feet away from the shapechanged devil.
[17:25] <Alicia> "Let the baby go!" Alicia calls over, deciding not to let on that she's aware of the conversation up till now.
[17:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Well well. It's an honor," The devil says, as far below, Darlina swims! "I was just telling your underling about the trade I wanted for the baby."
[17:27] <Alicia> "What trade?" Alicia asks, waiting for Darlina to get into position. They'll probably only get one shot at this, and they can't afford to screw it up.
[17:28] <Alicia> OOC: wait, is he speaking Aquan?
[17:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: No, he switched to Elven for you, since I assume that's what you're speaking.
[17:28] <Alicia> OOC: that works
[17:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "You and your soul in exchange for the child," Guldu's smile spreads farther, "M'lord does so enjoy the suffering of children, but you'd be an acceptable substitute."
[17:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Meanwhile, Darlina gets in place far below, starting to swim up...
[17:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+8 Darlina's hide roll
06[17:30] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+8 Darlina's hide roll and gets 11."12 [1d20=3]
[17:30] <Alicia> "I would?" Alicia asks, keeping him hopefully attentive on her and not elsewhere. "What makes me so special?"
[17:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "You just set off all my alarms," Guldu admits, idly stroking the dagger back and forth, the baby's sobbing echoing about. "At first I thought you were a celestial, but any they'd send on this would speak Aquan. No, it doesn't quite play. What are you, a mortal hero or some other outsider? REgardless..." Looking on, "I know quality when I see it."
[17:34] <Alicia> "Alright..." Alicia flicks her legs behind her, starting to swim closer. "So... you let the baby go, and I go with you, then?"
[17:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh, not quite," As Darlina starts to swim up behind him, slowly and silently, "You see, there's something I want you to sign first. You know, to make it...official."
[17:40] <Alicia> "What? You don't trust me?" Alicia does her best to look hurt even as she continues her inexorable advance.
[17:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Of course not." With his free hand, the devil shifts slightly and withdraws a sheet of parchment. "A blood drop on it will suffice," he says, "But do stay right there." He floats the strangely unwetted sheet of parchment towards Alicia, as Darlina is almost ready...
[17:48] <Alicia> "It's hard to make blood drop underwater," Alicia replies dryly. "I just want to check something - you'll kill the child if I don't sign the pact, right?"
[17:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "
[17:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "That's right," The devil says, "It's blood will be so pretty in this nightw ater, don't you think?" AS it speaks, Darlina is ready! For just a precious second she look sto Alicia, ready to pounce!
[17:50] <Alicia> "Now," Alicia mouths to Darlina.
[17:50] <Alicia> OOC: surprise round for Darlina then init?
[17:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina pounces, trying to knock the child away!
[17:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10 (Bunch of mods up and down on this as discused in PM, disarming an object rules are trippy)
06[17:57] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+10 (Bunch of mods up and down on this as discused in PM, disarming an object rules are trippy) and gets 11."12 [1d20=1]
[17:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The effort is full bodied, but the blow only glances off the devil's arms! "Hm?" he says in a moment of surprise! OOC - Initiative all.
[17:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+9
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21."12 [1d20=12]
[17:58] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 if ever I needed a good roll, now is the time
06[17:58] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 if ever I needed a good roll, now is the time and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
[17:59] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 Marie, fuck
06[17:59] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 Marie, fuck and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
[17:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+3 Darlina
06[17:59] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+3 Darlina and gets 20."12 [1d20=17]
03[17:59] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Marie>Devil>Darlina>Alicia'
[18:02] <Alicia> Marie surges forward, appearing right in the devil's space and shifting to mephit form as she tries to present an obstacle/distraction to killing the child, unfamiliar claws poised ready to strike.
[18:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The devil's grin stays in place, as it raises the dagger high to stab it down into the child! OOC - Marie, you can AoO since you'ore not flatfooted.
[18:10] <Alicia> Marie lashes out with her tiny claws to latch onto the devil!
[18:10] <Alicia> OOC: since it's a full round action to coup, the baby won't die until the devil's turn rolls around, assuming nothing happens to make him incapable of completion the action
[18:11] <Alicia> OOC: funnily, he gets an AoO, too, since she's trying to grapple
[18:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11 AoO on Marie, what's her AC?
06[18:12] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 AoO on Marie, what's her AC? and gets 23."12 [1d20=12]
[18:12] <Alicia> OOC: 24, 26 vs evil
[18:12] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 melee touch
06[18:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 melee touch and gets 21."12 [1d20=12]
[18:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hit.
[18:12] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4 grapple laf
06[18:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 grapple laf and gets 10."12 [1d20=6]
[18:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11 Ow.
06[18:12] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 Ow. and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
[18:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It happens so fast! Marie darts out, trying to grapple him! A feint of the devil's dagger is avoided as Marie grapples onto his wrist! But with a quick flick of his wrist and some wiggling, he's free and continuing! Down, down, down the dagger goes!
[18:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d4+4
06[18:16] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 2d4+4 and gets 11."12 [2d4=4, 3]
[18:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+5
06[18:16] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[18:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The baby's chest is torn open, blood spilling in the water all around! It's cries become a wet gurgle, as the devil's grin grows! Framed in a child's blood, "There, it's done. A pity it has to end this way, but..."
[18:18] <Alicia> OOC: couping is a full round action!
[18:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina's eyes fill with tears, "You..." she stares, "You...you..." OOC - Alicia.
[18:20] <Alicia> "No!" Alicia cries, lunging forward desperately to try and heal the baby.
[18:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - I'll call that a melee touch attack. Go ahead and roll one, since the devil's not going to exactly let you easily reach out and go for it.
[18:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
06[18:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 and gets 19."12 [1d20=3]
[18:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hit. Rule of touch AC bails out Hatbot hate.
[18:22] <Alicia> OOC: 11hp lay on hands go
[18:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> To Alicia's touch, the baby's injury mends away! The blood flow stops, it's cries becoming strong again! OOC - MArie.
[18:24] <Alicia> Marie attempts to grab the baby and spirit him away to safety!
[18:24] <Alicia> OOC: he gets an AoO
[18:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31."12 [1d20=20]
[18:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11 crit check you have got to be fucking me
06[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 crit check you have got to be fucking me and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
[18:24] <Alicia> OOC: normal hit, that disrupts her attempt
[18:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4+2
06[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4+2 and gets 6."12 [1d4=4]
[18:25] <Alicia> OOC: lets say Alicia drew her sword while approaching to lay on hands, too
[18:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> MArie tries to tackle him, but his bloodied dagger slices across her lightly, stopping the attempt! "Not bad..." The devil moves back just a little, as suddenly...
[18:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d4+3
06[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d4+3 and gets 6."12 [1d4=3]
[18:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seven Guldues spring into life, perfect images of each other! OOC - Darlina is up.
[18:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina shakes all over, and diving at the images, "Let her GO!" she cries!
[18:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6
06[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
[18:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Despite her e ffort, Darlina flails helplessly amid all the images! OOC - Alicia.
[18:31] <Alicia> Flitting forward, Alicia focuses her attention on the sole image holding a baby, glad that Guldu is ignorant of the shortfalls of one of her own favoured spells. First she reaches for the baby to grab it safely from his grasp...
[18:31] <Alicia> OOC: he gets an AoO
[18:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[18:32] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 12."12 [1d20=1]
[18:32] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 opposed rolls (+4 unsecured, -4 unarmed)
06[18:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 opposed rolls (+4 unsecured, -4 unarmed) and gets 29."12 [1d20=13]
[18:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
06[18:33] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 and gets 13."12 [1d20=6]
[18:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With a desperate strike, Alicia is able to knock the baby away! It floats in the water, crying, as the smile slightly flickers on Guldu's face! OOC - Marie.
[18:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Tch...fast of you," He hisses, humor leaking out from his voice.
[18:34] <Alicia> OOC: full attack, I'm not done (not knocking it away, grabbing it!)
[18:35] <Alicia> Holding the baby safely against her bosom, Alicia then strikes down with the sword of grief to knock Guldu's dagger from his grasp, a slightly clumsy one-handed strike with the unfamiliar weapon.
[18:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Strike my line.
[18:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 (-5 second attack, -4 using exotic weapon without proficiency)
06[18:36] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 (-5 second attack, -4 using exotic weapon without proficiency) and gets 13."12 [1d20=6]
[18:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7 (-4 light weapon)
06[18:39] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+7 (-4 light weapon) and gets 10."12 [1d20=3]
[18:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Wait a moment.
[18:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Nevermind.
[18:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With an off balance second strike, the sword just barely knocks away Guldu's dagger! "Tch..." Guldu scowls, his smile finally fading, "Fast, aren't we?" OOC - Marie.
[18:41] <Alicia> "Marie, get him out of here!" Alicia orders, holding the bably out as Marie picks him up and zooms straight up towards the surface of the water.
[18:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus Marie flees out to the surface of the water! The devil looks on at Alicia and reaches out to touch her!
[18:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 18."12 [1d20=7]
[18:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Touch AC?
[18:48] <Alicia> OOC: 15
[18:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 4d6
06[18:49] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 4d6 and gets 15."12 [4d6=4, 4, 1, 6]
[18:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The touch only lightly gets Alicia's face, but it makes her feel weak! It's like a tap was put onto her lifeforce and turned on! A black energy clings to Guldu's hand, as his voice is soft. "Do you think you can win? Even if you do, we're infinite. If you strike me down, two more will spring up in my place." OOC - Darlina's up.
[18:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Still in a fury, Darlina wildly attempts to tackle one of the images!
[18:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6
06[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 and gets 26."12 [1d20=20]
[18:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6 crit check before image check
06[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+6 crit check before image check and gets 14."12 [1d20=8]
[18:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d7
06[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d7 and gets 7."12 [1d7=7]
[18:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> She closes in on and tears up one of the images with her bear hands, leaving only six possibilities now! OOC - Alicia.
06[18:53] * Alicia grimaces as the life is leached out of her, before giving Guldu a grim smile. "Devils can't breathe underwater, normally, can they?" she asks, before incanting, "Mother of all magic, I call to you! Withdraw your gifts from this hateful creature before me!" Lets see how well he swims in his normal form.
[18:53] <Alicia> OOC: targetted dispel. How many rolls?
[18:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Two.
[18:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[18:54] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 16."12 [1d20=6]
[18:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[18:54] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 29."12 [1d20=19]
03[18:55] * Sierra_Busyness is now known as BelieveItOrNotCidIsntAtHome
[18:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The devil's body shatters! The image of an aquatic creature vanishes! In it's place is a loathesome creature wearing fine blue clothes. A red tail flicks about, a handsome face with tiny horns on his forehead and red eyes. A grin is on his face a moment...before he paws and chokes, coughing! OOC - Marie. Still flying away?
[18:57] <Alicia> Marie pauses to hurl a barrage of magic missiles down to help get rid of the mirror images before she continues her ascent to the surface.
[18:57] <Alicia> roll 1d6
06[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."12 [1d6=1]
[18:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Caster level check.
[18:57] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
[18:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - carry on.
[18:58] <Alicia> OOC: she's hitting a different image with each one, so assume she kills 4 other images, leaving the real one and one image left
[18:58] <Alicia> roll 1d4+1
06[18:58] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+1 and gets 3."12 [1d4=2]
[18:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Magic missiles slam into the images, leaving only one left! The devil itself swims upward, making good distance towards the surface and merciful air! Meanwhile, Darlina stops a few moments, "The baby," she asks Alicia, seeming to recover a moment.
[19:00] <Alicia> OOC: doesn't it have to make swim checks? And get AoO'd?
[19:00] <Alicia> OOC: it can't take 10 on swim without a natural swim speed, and this definitely counts as a stressful situation
[19:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Yeah, I forgot since I was used to everything having a swim speed here.
[19:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10 swim check first
06[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+10 swim check first and gets 22."12 [1d20=12]
[19:01] <Alicia> OOC: I'd get an AoO anyway, since if it's going straight up it passes 2 threatened squares, so withdrawing won't save it
[19:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Go for it.
[19:01] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 swording
06[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 swording and gets 30."12 [1d20=15]
[19:02] <Alicia> roll 1d2
06[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d2 and gets 1."12 [1d2=1]
[19:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11 SR check for channelled Magic Missile
06[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 SR check for channelled Magic Missile and gets 28."12 [1d20=17]
[19:02] <Alicia> roll (1d10+10)/2+5d4+5
06[19:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls (1d10+10)/2+5d4+5 and gets 32.5."12 [1d10=9][5d4=4, 3, 3, 4, 4]
[19:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The sword blow sends five glowing darts to compliment the slow, jagged gash down the crature's hooved legs! It's striken greviously, as OOC - Darlina's just chatting this round. Go, Alicia.
06[19:04] * Alicia follows the devil upwards, positioning herself directly above it with her far superior swimming speed and agility so it has no way to reach the water without passing by her. Then she slices downwards to hack into it, channeling holy energy through the vile blade she wields!
[19:05] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 -6 pa, smite
06[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 -6 pa, smite and gets 20."12 [1d20=5]
[19:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Alicia swings fast and hard, but just misses the quickly swimming fiend! OOC - Marie.
[19:09] <Alicia> Marie sends down some more magic missiles as she continues to swim upwards to safety. Even though it looks like things are in hand, down there, now.
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 1d2
06[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d2 and gets 1."12 [1d2=1]
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 1d2
06[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d2 and gets 2."12 [1d2=2]
[19:09] <Alicia> OOC: 1 image dead, 4 hitting devil
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 SR
06[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 SR and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 4d4+4
06[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 4d4+4 and gets 15."12 [4d4=2, 3, 4, 2]
[19:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The devil is battered by more missiles! It thrashes in the water, coughing! It's eyes are half shut as it reaches out for Alicia desperately!
[19:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[19:10] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 24."12 [1d20=13]
[19:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 4d6
06[19:10] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 4d6 and gets 14."12 [4d6=6, 2, 1, 5]
[19:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Alicia feels drained again, body sagging without the vitality that she lost! The devil's own body seems to improve, drawing in the vitality! OOC - Darlina's holding. Alicia?
06[19:13] * Alicia growls. "Fine, that's how you want to play?" she asks, before reaching down to grab the fiend and restrain it. "Lets see how long you can hold your breath?"
[19:13] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 melee touch
06[19:13] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 melee touch and gets 28."12 [1d20=12]
[19:13] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 grapple
06[19:13] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 grapple and gets 26."12 [1d20=10]
[19:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 17."12 [1d20=6]
[19:14] <Alicia> roll 1d3+6 unarmed damage
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d3+6 unarmed damage and gets 8."12 [1d3=2]
[19:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11 grapple #2 to pin him
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 grapple #2 to pin him and gets 29."12 [1d20=18]
[19:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
06[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25."12 [1d20=14]
[19:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Alicia manages to grapple, beat him around and finally pin him down! The devil is held completely! Yet even as it is, '..ugh...' It's voice is in Alicia's mind like an unwelcome visitor. 'Tell me one thing...did you defeat Dest...or was it others?'
[19:21] <Alicia> "When you get to Hell, tell them Alicia Reynes sent you," Alicia whispers in his ear as she holds the devil completely immobile while he drowns. "You'll find yourself in august company."
[19:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The horrible creature takes in a big lungful of air, it's eyes closing. 'I see. But...we are eternal and we are infinite. What are you...just dust on the wind that's taken the form of a mortal for afew brief moments. Long after you are gone...we will still be and still growing stronger.'
[19:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> *lungful of water
[19:25] <Alicia> "So? Weren't you mortal, too? Before you died and got made into a lemure, crawling and scratching your way to your current station?" Alicia asks, tightening her grip. "One thing I've discovered about the planes is that there's a lot of infinity to go around."
[19:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> IT's body is starting to slacken in your grasp. '...you're not afraid at all?' It'
[19:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> sOOC - Gah.
[19:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> IT's body is starting to slacken in your grasp. '...you're not afraid at all?' It's mental voice is dimming, going quiet. 'How...curious. What a peculiar mortal. Perhaps you really did defeat Dest...' Suddenly it's body turns to black ichor, fading in the dark waters. It's clothes fall around Alicia, several sacks and golden objects falling towards the sea floor.
[19:29] <Alicia> "Yeuch," Alicia slips back away from the ichor, before calling upwards. "Okay, Marie, it's safe to come down, now." At that, Marie descends from where she'd been trying to entertain the baby under the starlit sky, once more embracing the waves.
[19:30] <Alicia> She then sheathes the sword of grief, glad to rid herself of the nauseating feel of wielding it.
[19:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina swims up, meeting Marie. "Is the baby safe?"
[19:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The child in Marie's arms cries a little, but cries alive, despite being bloodstained.
[19:34] <Alicia> The water should hopefully wash that off easily. "Yes, thank Mystra," Marie nods as she offers the infant out for Darlina to hold. "When he stabbed him, I thought..." she trails off, unable to finish that thought.
[19:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Darlina holds the child gently, cooing soft noises. "We got lucky this poor thing survived long enough after and didn't die instantly."
[19:38] <Alicia> "It shouldn't have got that far in the first place," Alicia grimaces unhappily. "We should've come down hard on them as soon as we noticed something wrong, not dithered around like we did."
[19:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Good baby," Holding the shaken and crying bundle of young life, "Alicia...I'd have gotten a dagger in the back if I'd been alone here, and this baby would be dead or worse. You and Marie saved me from going on a suicidal errand."
[19:43] <Alicia> "We should have handled it better," Alicia shakes her head. "It was only through the greatest of luck that that child still lives." Sighing and causing a torrent of bubbles to rise from her mouth, she goes on, "Time was when I would've taken Kortuni and Guldu to task immediately for how they were acting. I've gotten soft, and people died because of it."
[19:43] <Alicia> "Not to interrupt your navel-gazing, but we should probably go back now and make sure Kortuni doesn't cause any more trouble," Marie points out.
[19:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Alicia..." Darlina floats closer, touching her shoulder gently, "Still...thank you. Maybe you weren't perfect, but you did what you had to."
[19:47] <Alicia> "Maybe... not like we could have known he'd pull a dire shark out of nowhere, anyway," Alicia agrees glumly. "But Marie's right, we should head back - can you grab whatever Guldu dropped and catch up?" she asks her familiar, prompting Marie to nod and swim down to the seabed so she can gather up said items and then catch up with her faster incorporeal form while the other two head back, now.
[19:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus the two return. On passing by the ruined hut, they see quite a scene.  A group of about thirty mixed guards have Kortuni tied up. He's tied several times over, his eyes gouged out. A single guard lies to the side, his body broken and with labored breathing. A few work on him, trying to patch the obviously shattered bones as best they can. To this, Lord Sawr proceeds over, looming with wrath. "You have brought this into our
[19:50] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "You have brought this into our village, monster?" he snarls, voice carrying far.
02[19:50] * asdgsdfasdfnap (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
06[19:50] * Alicia approaches the wounded guard, taking out her wand. "I can heal him," she volunteers, hoping they understand elven.
[19:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Lord Sawr turns, face furious. In his accented Elven, "I would thank you for that. Enough have died today." He turns to the de-eyed, bound Kortuni, a spear in hand. "There is only one sentence for this. Prepare yourself for oblivion."
06[19:52] * Alicia certainly has no objections to Kortuni's punishment, so simply focuses on mending the maimed aquatic person.
[19:52] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
06[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+1 and gets 4."12 [1d8=3]
[19:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The first draught of healing somewhat mends his body, a sigh coming. "Aaah...the pain's stopping," the poor merman says. Meanwhile, "No!" Kortuni cries, "I was...no!" He cries out in vain, "Spare me, please! Don't kill me!" His voice is full of fear and tears.
[19:55] <Alicia> Putting the wand away, Alicia uses her own healing power to help a little bit more which should be enough for him the recover naturally. Then she turns her gaze towards Kortuni, unmoved by his pleas. If she can even understand them.
[19:55] <Alicia> OOC: 3hp lay on hands
03[19:56] * BelieveItOrNotCidIsntAtHome is now known as Sierra_Quest_VIII
[19:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Oh, he cries out a few more times. But then...the spear comes down. His head is impaled, his words ceasing. Lord Sawr turns away, "Draw and quarter his body, then burn it above the ocean. Let the waves find him no rest ever again," he says to his guards. "You two," he looks to Alicia and Kortuni, in Elven, "It seems you told the truth and aided us considerably.  I owe you a debt - do the iether of you have a request? Money? A po
[19:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop>  I owe you a debt - do the iether of you have a request? Money? A position? A favor? I'll grant any as best I can."
06[20:00] * Alicia shakes her head, then glances towards Darlina while Marie bobs around behind them in her will-o-wisp form.
[20:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I may, but..." Shaking her head for now, "Alicia and I need to rest."
[20:07] <Alicia> "It has been a long day," Alicia agrees wearily.

[Corwin]

[21:16] <Kotono> -------
[21:18] <Kotono> Alicia and Marie head towards the Temple of Torm. It's a busy, bustling morning here as the party approaches, a long line of men hauling stone nearby, another building b eing constructed not far away from the Temple. Weaving around this, Alicia approaches her destination.
[21:22] <Alicia> Marie is in her elf-like aasimar form, cradling the Hammer of the Shard in a rather loving manner - every now and then she'll nuzzle her cheek against the head while stroking a hand up and down its shaft. "Being able to carry this actually makes up for being all huge and weird looking," the diminuitive violet-haired girl chirps happily.
[21:22] <Alicia> "Just try not to let it get to your head, will you?" Alicia asks, her demeanour far more serious as she strides into the temple of Torm.
[21:27] <Kotono> The Temple is moderately busy. People stay by the altar to the God Torm, while underpriests work with them. There's no immediate sing of Eudard about, though a few people glance at Marie and the hammer she carries.
[21:29] <Alicia> Alicia's familiar hums happily to herself, seeming oblivious to any stares. Alicia herself checks for evil and glances around, in case Eudard is noticable through any walls before she starts asking questions.
[21:33] <Kotono> No evil is immediately about, nor can Eudard be seen.
[21:35] <Alicia> Okay! Time to accost one of the priests! Finding one who doesn't look too busy, Alicia sidles up and clears her throat. "Excuse me, but would you know where I could find Eudard?"
[21:36] <Kotono> This young man looks over Alicia with a cool, distant look. "I believe Sir Eudard is at prayer." His eyes drift to Marie, giving her a very odd look.
[21:37] <Alicia> Marie gives him a sunny smile in reply.
[21:37] <Alicia> "And where might he be praying?" Alicia prods patiently.
[21:40] <Kotono> "In his private quarters, I believe," He answers, looking to Marie again. He doesn't say anything to her, but his attention is clearly distracted.
[21:40] <Kotono> "He should be out to see the worshippers soon, as it is getting into the morning."
[21:42] <Alicia> "I know where his quarters are, thank you," Alicia gives him a curt nod before she starts heading to where she met Eudard after his first encounter with her familiar. Marie follows behind, almost skipping.
[21:45] <Kotono> So Alicia heads in. Inside these quiet halls are a few priests walking, looking in surprise as they see Alicia heading for Eudard's room. The door to said room is closed, Alicia can see.
[21:46] <Alicia> Alicia knocks on the door!
[21:55] <Kotono> After several long moments, "What is it?" Eudard calls aloud.
[21:58] <Alicia> "It's Alicia. I want to talk," Alicia replies bluntly while Marie glances over in the direction of the creepy empty room, before blinking and glancing at Eudard's room as well.
[21:59] <Alicia> "Are all the doors and walls here lined with lead?" she quietly asks, frowning in consternation.
[22:00] <Kotono> There's a short pause, before Eudard comes forth. He opens the door, wearing his armor and gear. You catch a glimpse of a simple room as he comes out. "What?" he asks brusquely.
[22:04] <Alicia> "Hello, Eudard," Alicia greets him. "I thought you should know I've finished that holy quest I invited you on - and the funny thing was, I learned something important." She stares him down with hard eyes, "I learned that when I have suspicions, I should act on them instead of waiting for things to go wrong. So..." she produces a small flask of clear liquid from her belt and holds it towards the alleged paladin. "Drink this," she c
[22:04] <Alicia> OOC: it's holy water
[22:06] <Kotono> Eudard doesn't blink at all, returning the look with a frosty gaze. "I have no need to do what you say, let alone trust what you'd have me drink."
[22:10] <Alicia> "Fine," Alicia returns. "Hold out your hand, we can do this without you needing to ingest it." Even if it would have probably been more dramatic. "But one way or another, I'm getting satisfaction."
[22:15] <Kotono> Eudard's gaze bores into Alicia, "On one condition. When this fails, you will acknowledge your fallings and begin to repent for them."
[22:15] <Alicia> "I could hit him with the hammer, instead!" Marie suggests cheerily. "I bet that would knock the Corruption Devil right out of him!"
[22:15] <Alicia> Alicia starts, glancing at her familiar. "How did you...?" she asks in surprise, not having iterated her suspicions fully.
[22:15] <Alicia> "Oh, come on," Marie lazily brandishes the blunt implement of chaotic vengeance as she explains in a sunny and pleasant tone, "It was pretty obvious - a person with an evil and a good aura, you wanting to try using holy water on him - borrowing this hammer for me was just the clincher. Even if it seems like a bit of overkill, but hey, I'm just the familiar, right?"
[22:19] <Kotono> "What lies you tell," Eudard's face stiffens into anger, "I bear with your foolishness in hopes of turning this sad tide around, but...Enough of this." Holding out his hand and taking off a metal gauntlet, "Do it and be done with this."
[22:20] <Alicia> Unclasping the vial, Alicia promptly douses his hand while paying close attention to his vile aura. Marie does much the same, though she also checks for any magic.
[22:25] <Kotono> The holy water is poured, as..
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
03[22:25] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-67-9-174-38.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #evildunes
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 12."12 [1d20=9]
[22:27] <Kotono> Eudard closes his eyes. A long sigh escapes from his mouth as the water goes over his skin without burning it. "Are you satisified now?" OOC - PM.
[22:29] <Kotono> roll 1d1000
06[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d1000 and gets 764."12 [1d1000=764]
[22:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[22:33] <Alicia> "Ahh... Alicia, did you see that, too?" Marie asks as she kneels down and dips a finger in the puddle of water now formed below Eudard's hand.
[22:34] <Kotono> The water slightly singes Marie's finger like acid! OOC - Marie takes 1 damage.
[22:34] <Alicia> "Ouch!" she yelps, standing up quickly and yanking her hand back, her index finger now red-raw and slightly smoking.
[22:35] <Alicia> "By the Gods..." Alicia gapes in horror, recoiling. "You... you perverted the blessed water with just a touch? Just what kind of thing has hold over you, Eudard?"
[22:39] <Kotono> Eudard looks down with a steady, long look at Alicia thereafter. "I know not what lies you speak." His face shows a flicker of sadness, passing like a bit of errant wind. "Now leave or repent of your foolishness and vile acts."
[22:41] <Alicia> "Like hell - you've only just confirmed my suspicions. If you still doubt me, we can pay a visit to Vigilance and see how their stock of holy water reacts to you?" Alicia challenges.
[22:41] <Alicia> "Or there's always the hammer!" Marie offers, tapping the mallet into her palm.
[22:46] <Kotono> OOC: Have Alicia and Marie make will saves?
[22:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+18 Alicia (+2 if vs evil)
06[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+18 Alicia (+2 if vs evil) and gets 25."12 [1d20=7]
[22:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11 Marie (+2 if vs evil)
06[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 Marie (+2 if vs evil) and gets 14."12 [1d20=3]
[22:51] <Alicia> 'That's not you, is it, Hell Striker?' Alicia asks her sword as fiery rage wells up inside while she waits for Eudard to reply.
[22:52] <Kotono> Eudard's gaze bores into Alicia, "Like hell. My Lord warned me of your trickery as you fall deeper into darkness," Eudard's voice is very stern.
[22:52] <Alicia> Marie shivers. "Stop!" she calls out, raising back her chaotic implement. "Hammertime!"
[22:54] <Alicia> "Marie, no!" Alicia holds up a hand to forestall her familiar. "Dammit, Eudard, don't make me do this," she almost pleads. "Mystra help me, I will, but you have to see that you need help! Why won't you accept it?"
[22:57] <Kotono> Eudard draws himself up to full height, a fearsome figure with an ungiving gaze. "My Divine Lord has spoken to me. He warned me that I may have to kill your heresy goes too far." With one hand he draws his sword, a smooth, easy motion. "...Even if My Lord has me act the evil...then I'll be the worst evil I can for Torm! Do you think you can escape his judgment of your crimes?"
[22:57] <Kotono> "Would you not do the same for Mystra," he asks a moment later.
[23:02] <Alicia> "No I would not," Alicia snarls, though she does not draw her own blade. Marie has enough smash for both of them at the moment, anyway. "Faith is not blind! I follow Mystra because I sincerely believe in what She represents. She never has to *tell* me what to do, because I already champion her cause simply by following my heart!"
[23:02] <Alicia> "If Mystra were ever to turn against the very things that made me believe in Her, I would do everything in my power to bring her back to the way she was, not mindlessly follow Her into ruin!"
[23:07] <Kotono> These words seem to strike Eudard as a physical blow, making him turn his head away. "I..." He starts to reply a few times, but the words don't seem to come out. Then...OOC - More and PM.
[23:08] <Alicia> "Alicia, good time for you to flatten the Weave, if you follow," Marie suggests, her arms starting to visibly shake from the strain of holding the hammer overhead.
[23:08] <Kotono> "I must..." He shakes, looking up. For a moment there's real hesitation in his eyes, but it's gone in an instant. In it's place is fury unabated, "You must be judged!" he demands, "You are another that consorts with evil and brings disgrace! Nothing awaits you but the flames of Perdition!"
[23:09] <Alicia> OOC: going to cast dispel magic. Init?
[23:09] <Kotono> OOC - Okay.
[23:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22."12 [1d20=18]
[23:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 Marie
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 Marie and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[23:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 Alicia
06[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 Alicia and gets 13."12 [1d20=7]
03[23:09] * Kotono changes topic to 'Marie>Eudard>Alicia'
[23:10] <Alicia> Marie hesitates, waiting for Alicia to follow her sound advice.
[23:13] <Kotono> "Face your righteous judgment and plummet into the Pit!" Eudard's voice is a snarl, the air in the temple shaking! A feeling of raw fury permeats everything, intoxicating! At that, he attacks Alicia without hestiation!
[23:14] <Alicia> "Hey, back off!" Marie cries, dropping the hammer!
[23:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 (+11 if he counts as lawful outsider)
06[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 (+11 if he counts as lawful outsider) and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[23:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 (+6 if he counts as lawful outsider)
06[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 (+6 if he counts as lawful outsider) and gets 8."12 [1d20=3]
[23:14] <Kotono> OOC - One hit.
[23:14] <Alicia> roll 1d8 (+1 if lawful outsider)
06[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8 (+1 if lawful outsider) and gets 3."12 [1d8=3]
[23:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 14."12 [1d20=3]
[23:15] <Kotono> roll 5d10
06[23:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d10 and gets 31."12 [5d10=10, 5, 6, 3, 7]
[23:16] <Kotono> The hammer of the shard lashes out! Eudard screams, echoing through the hall! The impact freezes in place, the hammer glowing with a horrible, rigid black around it! Cracks run up and down it, a changing, shaking light coming from within! The black fizzles away, and Eudard collapses to his knees! The feeling of rage leaves, Eudard dropping his sword.
[23:18] <Alicia> "The evil aura, it's fading?" Alicia marvels, stepping back a bit still from the frenzied alleged paladin.
[23:19] <Alicia> "We should've done this from the start!" Marie declares, before she notices the crack in the hammer. "Ohhh... that's not good," she whimpers, caressing the crack in a futile effort to make the hurt go away.
[23:20] <Kotono> Eudard groans once, falling to hands and knees. He shivers and then vomits, emptying his stomach out.
[23:21] <Alicia> "Euch..." Alicia skitters back a step to avoid the vomit. "Eudard...?" she asks hesitantly. "Feeling more clear-headed now, at least?"
[23:23] <Kotono> No answer straight away. Eudard shakes a like a leaf in the winter winds, keeping his gaze to the floor.
06[23:24] * Alicia decides it wouldn't hurt to at least heal him a bit, since he's probably not a risk, now. Leaning carefully over the vomit, she rests a hand on his shoulder to bestow some portion of positive energy. Still... "What on earth was that? It sure wasn't a Corruption Devil, but such evil as I've rarely felt before..."
[23:25] <Alicia> OOC: 3 or 4hp lay on hands, whichever's needed

[Corwin]

[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> > With a few more bitter swears, "About one hundred of us," he answers. "Give or take, depending on fatalities and captures.":
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> <Seira> "Is that so?" Seira smiles. "It would please me greatly if we could bring them all in as the second category rather than fatalities. Would you happen to agree?"
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> > "...I suppose, considering you could just wave your hand and turn them all to toads," The bandit agrees after a few moments.
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> <Seira> "My, the progress we're making!" Seira exclaims. "Are you their leader, Mister Eyepatch? Please come with me to get them to surrender so that they won't have to feel any undue pain or humiliation!"
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> > "I'm the raid leader," he answers, raising his hand as he dismounts and very, very carefully approaches over the edge of the grease and then to Seira.
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> > *hands
[18:47] <Kokokokokoko> * Seira turns her head into a cough, calling for Estaban and Abagail over as she briefly covers her mouth with a hand. "So who's the overall leader?"
03[18:47] * CC is now known as Seira
03[18:47] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[18:48] <Kokokokokoko> "Got them already?" Abagail says with warmth in her voice, "How suiting. I can see it from here, they didn't even put up a fight."
01[18:49] <Seira> "Once in a while, you come across reasonably smart people who just made a wrong call in life," Seira says with a shrug.
[18:51] <Kokokokokoko> "Yeah, his name is Kerr." Answering this as his eyes glare at Seira, he stays where he is.
01[18:52] <Seira> "Okay, this is where Estaban comes to tie you all up and you give up all your weapons and don't resist," Seira informs the bandits quite brightly. "Don't worry, at long as you haven't killed or seriously harmed anyone I'm sure Claris would be lenient with you lot."
[18:53] <Kokokokokoko> "Why not?" The eyepatched leader says with a certain angry resignation, "He likes traitors, they're his kinfolk." As the webbed bandits can't really disarm, they don't. Granted, they're largely stuck in webbing, so the details are passably moot.
06[18:54] * Seira will likely set them on fire to get them out, anyhow. "Oh, please." Seira rolls her eyes for good measure. "Don't try to peddle that pseudo-patriotic bullshit to me when you're pretty much robbing the poor, quite literally, people that he had supposedly betrayed and you would ideally be representing."
[18:55] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20
06[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20 and gets 19."12 [1d20=19]
[18:56] <Kokokokokoko> "Yeah. White Sparrow. A couple of new trading groups are forming to take advantage of the new situation, or so I heard," Pollyanna explains. "It's all still muddied and unclear, but apparently it has to do with the loss of Valandia and the like."
[18:56] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - STrike. >_<
[18:57] <Kokokokokoko> All Seira gets back is an unfriendly glare. But he doesn't pursue it, as you can see Estaban hurrying along the street now, approaching.
06[18:59] * Seira is quite content to wait until the non-webbed bandits have been secured, ready to appear intimidating if they seem to be thinking of trying something stupid at this late stage.
[19:02] <Kokokokokoko> Abagail and Estaban join Seira, and the dearming and capturing goes without incident. As the bandits are secured, horses taken and arms gathered, Estaban glances to Seira. "What now, ma'am? Going to finish the rest of them?"
01[19:03] <Seira> "Why, yes!" Seira says happily. "We'll give the horses to the villagers they brutalized. A hundred men, was it? Even if not all have horses, it would be quite profitable for them!"
[19:05] <Kokokokokoko> "That many horses would see them get a huge influx of money to compensate," Estaban nods his agreement to that. Abagail glances over the lots, "Yes, even if they're only simple, light horses, that's ample and approriate recompensation."
01[19:06] <Seira> "Mister Eyepatch will come with us to tell their leader Kerr to surrender quietly," Seira muses. "Why, what a simple, elegant plan!"
[19:08] <Kokokokokoko> The look you get from his one good eye is bitter, b ut he doesn't protest at all. "Well then," Abagail says, "Let's ride? The sooner we have this task done the better?"
06[19:09] * Seira nods. "Estaban, could you tell the villagers that it's safe? Abagail, as for you, don't you think it would be a good idea to let those stuck in my web out? Fire works quite well for that!"
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> "I suppose...if you want to burn them?" Abagail asks, but looks to the web.
01[19:14] <Seira> "Just the web. It'll set the other sections on fire soon enough, and they won't be burnt too horribly then, really."
06[19:14] * Seira shrugs. "Or they could wait two hours. Either works."
[19:22] <Kokokokokoko> "Alright," Abagail murmurs a few words, a fan of flame coming from her hands! It hits a side segment of the web, beginning to consum ethe webbing!
[19:22] <Kokokokokoko> roll 2d4
06[19:22] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 2d4 and gets 5."12 [2d4=4, 1]
06[19:23] * Seira applauds!
[19:24] <Kokokokokoko> The bandits cry out as they are burned, escaping the flaming webs! While scorched up, none are killed. Still, they roll around on the ground, putting out flames and then surrendering.
01[19:25] <Seira> "I'm ready to go now," Seira says, moving towards her horse.
03[19:28] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #evildunes
02[19:29] * Demedais (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Taishyr))
03[19:29] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
03[19:29] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:33] <Kokokokokoko> An interrogation of the leader gets you the base information. It's a day's ride to the southwest, closer to the Galkass Mountains. On hearing it and discussing it, "Do you want to ride now? I'm really rather tired," Abagail adds. "Maybe we should go after a night's rest?"
01[19:34] <Seira> "Actually...." Seira considers Abagail's request. "How about we just rest now and go during the night? A stealthy attack under cover of darkness, how exciting!"
[19:36] <Kokokokokoko> "It's good tactics, we'd arrive near s unup or so," Estaban agrees.
[19:36] <Kokokokokoko> "That's fine. I just need sleep," Holding back another yawn, "Going a night without sleep is so barbaric, even if required."
06[19:39] * Seira doesn't really argue to that, but does request that there are lookouts at the ends of the village in case someone comes to investigate what happened to the raiding party.
[19:47] <Kokokokokoko> The day of rest passes without incident. On wakening at sunset, you find the village as prepared an excellent meal for the three of you, which lifts your energies before departing to the southwest. Thus the night of travel begins!  (More)
[19:55] <Kokokokokoko> Most of it passes without incident. The plains are slightly affected by loose stones and a few of the like things about, signs of the Galkass Mountains being closer. At about 4 30 you approach the hideout - a forgotten little farmstead, expanded and spread out. There are no lights visibly around at it, but this doesn't stop Seira's eyes form seeing it from afar.
01[19:59] <Seira> The time is perfect to have Mage Armor, Stoneskin and False Life cast, Seira decides, just in case some of the bandits at their hideout are hopelessly stupid. "You do hold some affection for your companions, right?" she asks the captured raiding party leader.
01[19:59] <Seira> "If they refuse my generous offer of surrendering and working off their debt to society, it's quite unlikely that I would be able to subdue them all without some of the weaker ones simply dying."
[20:07] <Kokokokokoko> Abagail does some of the same motions, casting Mage Armor onto herself. As that happens, "I understand," he says quietly. "With Kerr it's anyone's guess."
01[20:08] <Seira> "Alright, then." Seira cast Message on herself, Abagail and Estaban. "As before, you two will be support. Remember, we're giving people a nice, honest chance, but if they insist on being stupid, just go all out."
06[20:11] * Seira intends on heading ahead with the captured bandit, while having the others follow at the range of the Message spell.

[Corwin]

[19:07] <Demara> > Most of it passes without incident. The plains are slightly affected by loose stones and a few of the like things about, signs of the Galkass Mountains being closer. At about 4 30 you approach the hideout - a forgotten little farmstead, expanded and spread out. There are no lights visibly around at it, but this doesn't stop Seira's eyes form seeing it from afar.
[19:07] <Demara> <Seira> The time is perfect to have Mage Armor, Stoneskin and False Life cast, Seira decides, just in case some of the bandits at their hideout are hopelessly stupid. "You do hold some affection for your companions, right?" she asks the captured raiding party leader.
[19:07] <Demara> <Seira> "If they refuse my generous offer of surrendering and working off their debt to society, it's quite unlikely that I would be able to subdue them all without some of the weaker ones simply dying."
[19:07] <Demara> > Abagail does some of the same motions, casting Mage Armor onto herself. As that happens, "I understand," he says quietly. "With Kerr it's anyone's guess."
[19:07] <Demara> <Seira> "Alright, then." Seira cast Message on herself, Abagail and Estaban. "As before, you two will be support. Remember, we're giving people a nice, honest chance, but if they insist on being stupid, just go all out."
[19:07] <Demara> * Seira intends on heading ahead with the captured bandit, while having the others follow at the range of the Message spell.
[19:11] <Demara> Thus the group does just that. They approach the farm house and the empty fields, a single well used dirt path leading into it. At 100 feet away, however, the prisoner stops. "...They'll have sentries out and bowmen," he says. "They'll spot us if we get all that much closer."
01[19:12] <Seira> "Maybe not," Seira muses. "Describe Kerr to me, and where he's most likely to be."
[19:14] <Demara> "He's a big, ugly guy," Holding his hands out wide, "300 pounds and unshaven. He's smelly, but he likes to put on cologne to try and hide it," Wrinkling his nose, "He's also a tough son of a bitch. He'll probably be in the cellar, drinking or sleeping."
01[19:16] <Seira> "What about the horses? Where are they all kept?"
[19:17] <Demara> "Back about a mile," He gestures, "You can't see it at night, but there's a old large barn they use."
01[19:18] <Seira> "Ideally," Seira whispers to Estaban and Abagail, "we'll be stopping any fleeing foolishly in that direction."
[19:19] <Demara> "Will one of us need to cover it in the meantime," Abagail whispers back.
01[19:21] <Seira> "They'll need to pass your position to get there, so it should be enough," Seira tells her quietly. "Alright. Our friend will be hanging back with you while I go grab their leaders. Once that's been handled, he would get his chance to inform his buddies that they have several options, and that it's in their best interests to surrender."
[19:22] <Demara> "Heh, hopefully they'll be as impressed as the previous louts were," Abagail's voice brims with a comtemptous mirth. "I would really rather not have to burn half of them alive."
01[19:23] <Seira> "So she says," Seira tells the captured raid leader. "I'm actually quite laid back, myself, so just follow the script and no one would get seriously harmed."
[19:24] <Demara> "Good luck," Estaban murmurs, having listened.
03[19:24] * Taishyr is now known as Tai{slwwpwr}
[19:24] <Demara> "Right," he says between gritting teeth. "Kerr might not be so agreeable,b ut he loves to fight."
06[19:25] * Seira moves a bit off the road and continues ahead. It's dark and while it doesn't affect her much, the sentries can't be as well-suited as she. And while magic could solve everything quite well, it's been a while since she had the chance to merely sneak around in a carefree manner.
[19:26] <Demara> Seira advances ahead! She moves like the wind, easily passing through the dark night! At sixty feet she can see the farmhouse windows are all open, her vision letting her see men with arrows readied just inside. They don't seem to see her or react from h ere, though.
01[19:28] <Seira> Well, so much for 'no magic', Seira thinks to herself in resignation. If she's to avoid killing them, the only real option is to go the rest of the way invisible.
01[19:29] <Seira> After using her wand for that, Seira makes her way inside through a handy opening.
[19:38] <Demara> The guards don't even seem to register to her, now with even more of a good reason. Seira reaches the house - the doors are closed but the windows are open. The windows do have men just inside, which would make sneaking past a little tricky. No one that you can see is showing any signs of reacting. These are scruffy men in normal clothes and occasionally leather armor.
06[19:43] * Seira tries to sneak inside past the sleepiest-looking of the lot.
[19:44] <Demara> Sneaking in is simple enough, the guards not even moving as she silently slides past. This is a small bedroom, emptied and with men at the window. An open door leads to a hallway from here. You can smell the sharp tang of alcohol wafting in.
01[19:44] <Seira> Alcohol? Kerr's likely drinking, so he could be there. Seira follows the scent.
[19:47] <Demara> The hallway has a few men sitting in it here and there, passed out. A few tankards and mugs are littered about. At the end of the hall is what looks to be a large wooden hatch, thrown open. Light leaks out from it, showing stairs leading below. The smell of booze is much stronger coming from there.
01[19:48] <Seira> And a cellar. If she hasn't jinxed herself right now, it seems that this would be quite easy. Seira follows the stairs below.
[19:52] <Demara> Stepping past the drunks, Seira glides to the stairs like a silent ghost. Going down them, she finds a large, expanded cellar below. Barrels and kegs are stacked about, a few battered tables arrainged. Here a few dozen people drink and chatter, off key singing heard. "Oh, if my mother was the Queen of Malmuth..." One baudy singer warbles on. In the back is a rugged high backed cherry wood chair, where a giant fat man sits. He holds up a s
[19:52] <Demara> One baudy singer warbles on. In the back is a rugged high backed cherry wood chair, where a giant fat man sits. He holds up a small metal keg, drinking straight from a hole in the top.
06[19:56] * Seira steps back to cast Shield quietly, and then makes her way towards the apparent leader of the bandits. Entertaining though talking to a fat, smelly drunk might be, she intends to take him out before he even drops the keg. Seira draws both of her blades, shifting them ever so slightly so that she would strike with the blunted edges, and attacks!
[19:57] <Demara> OOC - Go for it, roll.'
01[19:57] <Seira> roll 1d20+14 resort
06[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 resort and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
01[19:58] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 resort
06[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 resort and gets 21."12 [1d20=12]
01[19:58] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 flash
06[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 flash and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
01[19:58] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 flash
06[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 flash and gets 18."12 [1d20=12]
[19:58] <Demara> OOC - All hit.
01[19:59] <Seira> roll 2d6+2+8d6 flash
06[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d6+2+8d6 flash and gets 32."12 [2d6=3, 1][8d6=2, 5, 6, 1, 3, 1, 5, 3]
01[19:59] <Seira> roll 6d8+10+8d6 resort
06[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 6d8+10+8d6 resort and gets 63."12 [6d8=1, 5, 3, 8, 6, 7][8d6=1, 1, 6, 2, 2, 5, 1, 5]
[20:06] <Demara> With a quick strike at the drinking man, Seira knocks him down and out before he knows anything is wrong! His keg clatters to the ground, strong whiskey leaking out! The chatter seems to slow and stop in a few seconds as Seira apperas!
01[20:09] <Seira> "I'm in charge now," Seira announces upon appearing, kicking Kerr for good measure. "Any questions or--" she crosses her swords before her menacingly "--objections?"
[20:12] <Demara> Oh, there are sputters, stares and gapes. These come with the territory. But objections? No one says a word, completely shocked and awed!
[20:12] <Demara> OOC: Intimidation roll. +4 bonus since that was pretty damn intimidating.
01[20:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+24
06[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+24 and gets 29."12 [1d20=5]
[20:13] <Demara> The crowd indeed looks rather cowed. They're just shocked.
06[20:14] * Seira slashes forward with the Resort, neatly indicating a split in the crowd. "You there," she tells those to her right. "Secure the rest. Use belts if you don't have a rope."
[20:15] <Demara> Drunkenly the right half rises, doing just that. They struggle with it, but none dare disobey. About a dozen are soon bound up, utterly in awe.
06[20:16] * Seira nods in satisfaction. "Do the same to the guards above. I've chosen you, after all, so make it a good showing!"
[20:17] <Demara> They scurry off and do just that! As they're gone, one of the drunken men manage to speak. "W...what are you?"
06[20:18] * Seira ties up Kerr herself, being quite rough about it. "Someone who'll hunt you down and kill you if you dare escape. No place in the world would be safe! Nowhere!"
[20:20] <Demara> The man's color turns ghost white and he goes silent, "Y-y-yeah...!" As Kerr is tied up, smelling of roses and ripe sweat at once, the others return. They look at Seira again with shock.
01[20:21] <Seira> "Did you get everyone?" she asks them, stepping on the tied-up Kerr, her foot digging into the man's skull.
[20:26] <Demara> "Y-yeah," One manages, staring at the out cold Kerr.
[20:26] <Demara> Another shuffles, "You aren't going to...kill us, ar eyou?"
01[20:28] <Seira> "Follow me without question, and you'll live," she tells them coldly. "Now. How many are watching the horses, and where did that idiot," she kicks Kerr again, "keep his loot?"
[20:30] <Demara> "It..." There's a pause, before, "The key's around his neck. It's all in the big barn," one answers.
06[20:31] * Seira raises Kerr off the ground, liberating the chain before letting the brute drop back. "Alright. Tie the rest to each other as well, so they don't try to escape stupidly. After that, we'll go visit the barn."
03[20:39] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5440cf9b.wfd78a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
03[20:42] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:43] <Demara> This is done with admirable if terrified speed. By the time Seira gets back outside, some light is beginning to peek over the horizon. The barn is one hell of a large, beaten up thing - as big as some city streets. Whatever it was used for before is anyone's guess, but here Seira is lead.
06[20:44] * Seira observes things casually, content to be shown to the bandits' ill-gotten gains.
[20:50] <Demara> Lead inside the barn you find the front is full of horse stables. Past that and it's unique scents, the terrified bandits show you where it is. Under a large mound of hay are several metal and wooden chests, which the key in question should open.
06[20:51] * Seira opens them without delay!
[20:52] <Demara> Inside you find several things - a chest of copper, silver and golden coins, a chest full of semi valuable pottery, one of silver pieces and silverware, one full of clothes, one full of what smells like valuable spices, and so forth. Nothing that's too vast, but a lot of moderately valuable, looted things.
06[20:54] * Seira closes the chests again, and directs the bandits to tie the reigns of the horses to one another as well, so that they could be taken along.
01[20:55] <Seira> "Feel free to come along, now," she mouths to Estaban and Abagail on the off chance they're within range of the spell.
[20:57] <Demara> While they aren't, the two come over soon enough. "Superbly done," Abagail says with warm words, "Not a shot fired that I saw. These ones at least knew their place."
01[21:00] <Seira> "Yes. We'll be heading back to the village, now," Seira says. "Estaban, I would like you to ride straight to Valandia, or the closest military outpost if one exists before it, and bring back enough troops to secure this lot and take it off our hands. By the time we arrive there on foot, we should meet each other."
02[21:02] * Tai{slwwpwr} (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:02] <Demara> "Yes ma'am," he says, voice respectful. "I'll ride as fast as I'm able." OOC - Do you want to skip ahead just a bit here? Depends on if you wanna do anything with your captives?
01[21:03] <Seira> OOC: I'd prefer to skip ahead, for now.
[21:08] <Demara> The next several days pass without incident. Really, it's just overblown prisoner wrangling and herding. With support troops from Valandia it becomes much easier, leading the long procession of now ex-bandits along to Balmuria. On reaching the city, a detachment of local soldiers come to help keep them in check as well. OOC - Ball's in your court here, Seira, go for it.
01[21:10] <Seira> "I'm going to meet with Commander Oberuth now about these prisoners," Seira tells Abagail. "Would you like to meet him?"
[21:15] <Demara> "Certainly," Abagail agrees, as the prisoners are organized just outside the city gates, plenty of guardsmen keeping them in check.
06[21:16] * Seira leads the way, intent on checking the garrison first.
[21:23] <Demara> You find Commander Oberuth after some time, at the western gate overseeing some people taking measurements and surveying the land past. "You're back? How was Valandia?" Oberuth asks easily to Seira, turning his look from the workers.
01[21:24] <Seira> "It needs a bit of help. I'll make a project of it," Seira tells him. "It's nice to see you again, Sir."
[21:28] <Demara> "Likewise," Breaking into a grin, he offers a hand to Seira. "There's a lot of work going on, but...this isn't that important right now." Waving a hand at them, "Even if there's enough movement to expand again, it'll take a little while to build."
01[21:31] <Seira> "It might be a good idea to expand the city, now that I think about it," Seira muses, shaking the offered hand. "We did it once after the Kondrux affair, so since we've pushed the border farther away, we have plenty of space to grow. And, as matter of fact, why not offer some people who misstepped as they went through life a chance to gain forgiveness from society as they work to its benefit?"
[21:33] <Demara> "It is," Oberuth agrees, "Now that the border's far less of a concern, some eastward expansion may be viable...but enough of that," he dismisses the matter after the handshake. "I've been wading neck deep in dry words like that the entire day. Does this have something to do with what you did in Valandia? I heard a little about it."
[21:33] <Demara> Abagail hangs back, respectful as she looks to Oberuth, eyes working him over from top to bottom.
01[21:36] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees. "I've recently come into possession of several dozen -- closer to a hundred, really -- ex-bandits who would do their best to become worthwhile members of society again. And I would like to use them to promote my earlier proposal on the matter." She shrugs. "As it happens, the talk of expanding the city can be quite relevant here.
01[21:36] <Seira> Why not have them do it? Teach them valuable skills in the process, as they work with skilled artisans, so that when we've decided their debt paid in full, they could find employment in the field."
[21:37] <Demara> "Yes, I though that had your handiwork written all over it," Commander Oberuth murmurs, and then, in his normal voice, "They're from down south, aren't they?"
01[21:41] <Seira> "They could have a relatively fresh start here, since none of their past victims should be around these parts," Seira responds. "And I've taken care to distribute their horses to the harmed communities, which should let them get back on their feet quite well. The loot they've gathered could be used to pay for any tools the ex-bandits would need to work here."
[21:43] <Demara> "Agreed. And that, quite honestly, it would be good to help remind them we're not just conquerers." Oberuth inclines his head slightly to that. "I'll approve it."
06[21:44] * Seira smiles happily at that. "And if we have proof of success, will I get approval to go over the prisoners and sort them out for a second group?"
[21:46] <Demara> "Yeah," Oberuth inclines his head a second time. "I'll arrainge for somewhere for them to stay until we get the details organized."
01[21:47] <Seira> "And I believe I know just the right kind of people to lead them, while keeping an eye out for any strays at the same time," Seira muses. "I'll handle the preparations for that on my end, if that's alright." Turning her head to spot Abagail keeping a distance, Seira gestures for her to come closer. "I don't believe you've met Abagail yet, have you, Sir?"
01[21:48] <Seira> Even as she names the girl, Seira wonders how she would introduce herself to the Commander.
[21:55] <Demara> "It's an honor, Commander," Abagail sketches a curtsey to him. "I would be happy to do so, at your leave."
[21:55] <Demara> Commander Ob eruth looks her over once, "Isn't she one of your students?" he asks back.
01[21:58] <Seira> "Oh yes." Seira gives her another glance. "The most talented student and, in fact, the first one to graduate with honors. There is merely a question of what she wishes to do with herself now."
[22:08] <Demara> "Then you're good for it," Oberuth offers his hand to her, which she takes and shakes. "Come by the garrison a little later and we'll deal with the fine print later."
01[22:09] <Seira> "Then I'll come see you again later, Sir," Seira tells Oberuth, "once all the minor details have been taken care of."

[Corwin]

[16:00] <Kotono> ------
[16:03] <Kotono> One evening, after all the bustle of the Valandia trip is dying down, Alicia and Abagail share a dinner. It's a casual thing on first glance, by the ages, one would think it was two childhood friends spending time catching up.  However, any matters discussed in this quiet, private room are far more than simple childhood nostalgia. OOC - Ball's in your court there, Seira.
[16:06] <Kotono> OOC - Seira. Argh. Fucking A names.
01[16:07] <Seira> OOC: It starts with an S!
01[16:08] <Seira> "You're genuinely interested in the second chances project, then?" Seira asks Abagail without preamble. "I would be quite pleased to see it take off, but may I hear your reasons?"
[16:12] <Kotono> "It's simple enough," Waving a hand as she sips at her glass, "There's only so many resources to go around. Wasting those resources is a horrible idea. Far better to turn them into something advantageous. If this works, those men will stregthen the Baronies."
01[16:15] <Seira> "A pragmatic approach, and one I very much agree with," Seira comments, nodding. She places her fork down, resting her arms on the table for the time being. "There is also the aspect of avoiding the inevitable return of those jailed to crime once they've been released, or wasting yet more resources on keeping them properly incarcerated."
[16:19] <Kotono> "Yes. It's like turning a losing property into a profit generating one. My father did something like that once. It goes from a liability to an asset, what could be better." With the faintest bit of a smile, "I don't see what's bad about it."
03[16:21] * RobertDowneyJr_IS_TonyStark is now known as Sierra_SemiLife
01[16:22] <Seira> "Those who would rather sentences reflected their desire for vengeance would disagree, or outright skeptics." Seira shrugs. "Though they are obviously in the wrong or misguided at best, they won't be convinced if we told them as much. So we would need to show objective results overwhelmingly in our favor.
01[16:22] <Seira> And towards that goal, I've thought of several reasonably talented individuals who could aid you in this task."
[16:29] <Kotono> "What are you thinking of then? Or who, more accurately," Abagail asks. "Other students?"
06[16:33] * Seira nods. "You might know of them. There is Biggs, who came from the Guard and would know enough about the system to handle dealing with the army. He would also understand organization enough, and be quite eager to prove himself. And to provide a personal example, I have three mages in training who accepted my offer of getting out of our dungeons to do something with themselves.
01[16:33] <Seira> Witnessing such success first hand might prove quite helpful."
[16:34] <Kotono> "Oh, him," Abagail murmurs, "I know Biggs." Putting that aside as Seira goes on, "I could work with that, yes. It shouldn't be hard at all."
01[16:36] <Seira> "You've doubtlessly spent more time with the four of them than I had," Seira tells her. "If there is anything I need to know, or you have a better idea for your lieutenants, this would be the time to speak."
[16:37] <Kotono> "No, they're fine. Those three are decent enough and always feel like they have something to prove. That Biggs...well, he's a strange fellow." Thoughtfully looking over her half finished meal, "But he'll work fine. He does know the city - I've heard the stories he tells sometimes."
01[16:39] <Seira> "He was once targetted by Febras, and almost turned into a ghoul," Seira says, frowning. "I believe he's cured and is simply a bit weird, now, but if you begin suspecting a relapse, let me know and we'll deal with it."
[16:40] <Kotono> "Oh no, he's not shown any signs of anything like that. He even smells nice and not like a dead body." With a chuckle there that dies out quickly, "He's...oh, I don't know. I found his stories to be useful information about the Guard, but they were a bit obviously biased."
01[16:40] <Seira> "He's still hung up on Shamal, then?"
[16:41] <Kotono> "Hah." With a faint, passing smile, "I'd say it's more like doe eyed reverence now. He had a thing for her before she died?" She asks.
01[16:42] <Seira> "I heard he tried to rise in the ranks since she wouldn't date down." Seira shrugs. "Just between us, I don't think he would've had much success."
03[16:45] * Sierra_SemiLife is now known as Sierra_Deadish
[16:47] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Nodding slightly to that, "Still, he's competent enough."
01[16:48] <Seira> "That's true," Seira agrees readily. "I like to be surrounded by competent people. It makes life all that much more pleasant." She leans back, observing Abagail. "And that really brings me back to the question I asked you back at the school. Have you decided on your answer, yet?"
[16:54] <Kotono> "I have," Abagail replies after a few moments. She doesn't reply immediately past that, instead letting the moment stretch out.
06[16:56] * Seira smiles, drinking some green tea as she waits.
[17:01] <Kotono> After letting it draw out, "I do believe I accept."
06[17:02] * Seira sets the cup down. "I do believe it will be very fun."
[17:10] <Kotono> "So do I," Abagail smiles back. "So do I." OOC - You said you were about done here?
01[17:11] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[17:49] <Kotono> The next day, Seira looks for Mia. She's found in the Temple of Waukeen, wearing pleasant golden robes and chatting animatedly with another acolyte. The latter is a normal enough youth, who scurries away as Seira approaches(Though he does regard her with big, wide eyed.).
01[17:50] <Seira> "How are things?" Seira asks Mia, approaching with a casual wave.
[17:55] <Kotono> "Busy," Mia says with a light little churp in her voice. "It's good business now that the war's over."
01[17:57] <Seira> "So it seems," Seira agrees. "Pursuing any particularly exciting opportunities these days, by any chance?"
[17:58] <Kotono> "Between dwarves and the new trading companies that are springing up in the wake of the war, yes. We're all doing rather well for ourselves." With a preening smile, "It's absolutely wonderful."
01[18:02] <Seira> "I'm really pleased that we have people like yourself in Balmuria that can seize the recent opportunities," Seira tells her with approval. "However, I am also about to start on two new projects in Valandia, and as such I was figuring that you would like the advance warning."
[18:14] <Kotono> "Oh?" Raising an eyebrow, "That sounds like a preamble to something like, 'This is how I'm going to make a lot of money!'."
01[18:16] <Seira> "It could well be!" Seira agrees. "First of all, Claris has a lead on us by already working on a temple to Lathander. We clearly can't let him get away with it, and since Valandia could well use the commerce during its reconstruction there's a window of opportunity to overtake him." (more)
01[18:17] <Seira> "And my other idea has more to do with public relations. There are so many conspiracy theories flying around that even those who actually saw the golden dragon just keep on insisting Ferdi was some poor unfortunate victim. His divine smiting should be shown in all its glory, and with time the residents would realize that they've been duped by him.
01[18:17] <Seira> Of course, if we happen to give Malmuthian visitors a discount, they'll be sure to spread the word around back home as well. What do you think?"
[18:21] <Kotono> "Opportunities," Mia says in one quick word.
06[18:23] * Seira nods. "I still haven't found someone to lead the temple, but I am confident that Waukeen would provide. It would need to be someone who is capable of consecrating the ground, at the very least. Once the temple and the surrounding marketplace had been developed, however, we'll be able to coordinate much better between our various ventures. Sending would be a great asset, then."
[18:27] <Kotono> "Yes. That all makes sense. You could even roll the two together and have the Church provide that helpful service about Ferdi," Mia points out.
07[18:28] * Ginrai is on IRC (Ginrai)
01[18:30] <Seira> "That works quite well, yes," Seira agrees with a smile. "I'm glad to hear you say that, though not really surprised. You've already proved your business sense, after all. Aside from being ready to seize the opportunity, do keep an eye out for any motivated and like-minded people who would like to take part in this?"
[18:33] <Kotono> "I will. I'm leaving in a few days to go visit dwarves again, but I will," she promises. "Aaah, the downside of this is that all the opportunities are so time consuming. But perhaps there's a gold loving dwarf down there somewhere just waiting to be found by Waukeen?"
01[18:34] <Seira> "Perhaps I could come along and meet this commercially-minded dwarf?"
[18:36] <Kotono> "If you want to, sure," Mia says at last. "I've worked them over pretty good now."
06[18:37] * Seira laughs. "That sounds so suspicious! Alright, count me in. I should really pay my respects at least once. And Lagann should enjoy the experience, I bet."
[18:43] <Kotono> "Sold," Mia offers her hand out, "This'll be fun. Just make sure you can hold a drink or four. They're as serious as platinum about their alcohol.
[18:43] <Kotono> "
06[18:43] * Seira shakes the hand firmly. "Liquor? Not a problem!"

[Corwin]

[19:15] <Kotono> -----
[19:18] <Kotono> A few days later, Mia and Seira set out. Mia takes with her a small group of horses and a wagon, plenty of cargo space. She fills it with various goods and coins, spurring the horses along. "It'll be a few days," she warns as the two head out of the front gates of Balmuria. "The upside is that there's almost no danger the route. The mountains are a bit too nasty for bandits, thankfully."
01[19:19] <Seira> "Ah, bandits," Seira says melancholically. "Once, they were an actual threat. I miss those days, sometimes."
[19:22] <Kotono> As the horses hurry along, "I don't suppose they're any threat to an amazing hero," Mia opines, "It's nothing like fighting a dragon."
01[19:23] <Seira> "Yes, dragons are more fun to encounter," Seira agrees. "There's always a stupefied moment where you just stare ahead and only think 'dragon'."
[19:24] <Kotono> "Does that mean you get a surprise against everyone you fight," Mia asks with a bit of mirth.
01[19:27] <Seira> "If they're close enough or I feel like announcing my presence. But I usually don't, so no." Seira tilts her head, glancing at Mia. "Do you think I should? It's quite exciting to fight dragons. Am I really depriving the scum of the world the chance to feel that excitement for once in their pathetic lives?"
[19:30] <Kotono> "Only if you charge them," Mia smiles at this, the horses setting a good pace now. "It's something to think about as we travel..." OOC - Skip along a bit?
01[19:30] <Seira> OOC: Sure
[19:35] <Kotono> Deeper into the south and the mountains; thus is the path Seira and Mia take. It's a rough path, one of uphills and stones. The horses don't really care for it much, often going along paths that tire them, or require guiding past cliffs or chasms. But on the fourth day, you come to a path snaking sharply downward, a deep ridge in the mountanous terrain. "This is the start of it," Mia murmurs.
01[19:36] <Seira> "Alright."
[19:41] <Kotono> Travelling down hill, Seira finds that Mia leads her into a deep cleft in the earth. Four hundred feet down it ends in a rising, smooth stone wall. However, there are several boulders stacked against the bottom of the wall. Mia goes to one, "Lemme show you this. The dwarves installed this recently, but it's safe to go past if you know how to disarm it."
01[19:43] <Seira> "They added yet more security? I approve, even though it's pretty crazy." She follows Mia, observing the way to go past carefully.
[19:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18."12 [1d20=14]
[19:45] <Kotono> Mia goes to the deep side of one boulder, reaching in for something. As she does, it lets Seira easily spy awell build in and hidden little cubbyhole carved into the boulder. However, Mia quickly withdraws her hand. "Gah!" she takes a few steps back, a curse under her breath.
01[19:47] <Seira> "Want me to try?" she offers.
[19:56] <Kotono> "No, there's a stupid lizard in there. One of those glowing electric ones." Mia glowers. "Go take a look, it's sitting above the switch."
06[19:58] * Seira goes to take a look, not particularly bothered about electricity.
[20:03] <Kotono> The cubbyhole cuts down into the rock. Inside you see a soft blue glow - a shocker lizard sparkles in there, electricity crackling around it's small body.
06[20:03] * Seira pokes at it with her sword, trying to get the lizard to go away.
[20:05] <Kotono> OOC - Just non damagingly prodding?
01[20:05] <Seira> OOC: Yeah
[20:06] <Kotono> Seira manage sto wedge her sword in - it's not so wide that this is easy, either. But she does and manages to poke the shocker lizard! In response, a bit of lighting arches up and hits Seira! However, the shock has no effect on her thanks to her protection from electricity.
06[20:08] * Seira ignores it, figuring the little lizard would go away, and tries to just flip the switch.
03[20:13] * Sierra_Deadish is now known as Sierra_Quest_VIII
[20:16] <Kotono> It's not a big opening. It's just big enough for the lizard to be in there, it's rather neatly blocking the way. As Seira reaches in, it bites at her hand!
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 this is pretty weak
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 this is pretty weak and gets 21."12 [1d20=18]
[20:16] <Kotono> Oh, it bites and chomps, but succeeding is past it's capacity. As this happens, "Any luck," Mia asks.
01[20:18] <Seira> "I'm too nice for my own good," Seira mutters, just stabbing at the persistent lizard.
01[20:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+18 go away
06[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 go away and gets 32."12 [1d20=14]
01[20:18] <Seira> roll 3d8+5
06[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+5 and gets 22."12 [3d8=1, 8, 8]
[20:32] <Kotono> Stab! The lizard is neatly impaled on the Second Resort, going from alive to dead in a few bloody seconds. It's body now bleeds out all over the alcove, the lighting around it ceasing.
06[20:34] * Seira withdraws the sword and drops the lizard on the ground, before gesturing towards the cubbyhole. "Feel free to let us in, now."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Ew," Mia sniffles at the dead lizard, "Someone needs to clean out these lizards someday." After a few moments, the switch is flicked! The boulder rolls out of the way smoothly, revealing a round cave entrance.
01[20:40] <Seira> "I'm sure there's a spell for that, but the returns are too low to bother," Seira says, shrugging. She cleans her sword before sheathing it, asking, "Think there'll be more of them inside?"
[20:41] <Kotono> "I doubt it. I haven't seen them here before, I figure it was a straggler." Mia goes to the horses, slowly leading them into the cave. It's a pretty clean and smooth looking cave, a bit too much to be entirely natural now.
06[20:42] * Seira nods, content to lead her own horse inside and defer to Mia for the time being.

[Corwin]

01[19:32] <Seira> [20:41] <Kotono> "I doubt it. I haven't seen them here before, I figure it was a straggler." Mia goes to the horses, slowly leading them into the cave. It's a pretty clean and smooth looking cave, a bit too much to be entirely natural now.
01[19:32] <Seira> [20:42] * Seira nods, content to lead her own horse inside and defer to Mia for the time being.
03[19:32] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af09a88.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[19:32] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[19:36] <Kotono> Down into the cave you go! The walls are indeed polished and smoothed, no jagged rocks once you're a little ways inside. "It's not too far in," Mia advises, glancing around several times. "Do you speak Dwarven by any chance?"
01[19:36] <Seira> "I speak everything!" Seira assures her. "Dwarven happens to be included."
[19:37] <Kotono> Taking a moment to switch gears, Mia begins to speak in somewhat careful Dwarven. "I've been brushing up," she says. "If you speak that you'll save yourself some headaches."
01[19:39] <Seira> "It's a good idea to take the time and work on your language skills some day," Seira suggests. "You never know when they'll come in handy, after all."
[19:41] <Kotono> "Yeah. Like talking to a dragon in it's own words," Mia says brightly.
01[19:42] <Seira> "You'll be surprised how many of them would reconsider you as food if you do!" Seira echoes equally brightly.
[19:45] <Kotono> After about fifteen minutes in, the path widens slightly. A few torches hang from the walls. Here wait two small men - nay, dwarves - clad in full plate armor. They have warhammers at the ready. "It's me, Mia," she calls to them. "I brought that friend I mentioned a little while back."
06[19:46] * Seira waves once she's mentioned, otherwise waiting on the dwarves to react.
[19:52] <Kotono> The two look at Mia, one taking off a steel cast helmet. He has a shock of red beard and hair, and in gruff dwarven, "Ah, you're back. So that's the hero..looks like an elf, sort of," he squints at Seira, "Lass, are you from Pallanth somewhere?"
01[19:54] <Seira> "I'm living in Balmuria, now," Seira responds, showing him the courtesy of using the same language. "It is very nice to meet you!"
[19:56] <Kotono> "Hmph," He looks Seira over again, "Anyway, you two can pass."
06[19:58] * Seira nods at him, and is ready to follow Mia in.
[19:58] <Kotono> "Of course," Mia flashes a smile, spurring her horses on. "It's not too far now," she says again. "You'll know it when you see it."
[20:02] <Kotono> Down into the earth the two travel! Downward and through rocky halls, some natural and some tunneled out. Seira can't be sure of how much time passes underground, but it has been a little bit when the two come out into a larger cavern. Here several stone buildings reside, , sturdy and in easily defensible clusters with excellent walls. On the far side of the cavern there is an underground lake, where a few dwarves are seen dragging large
[20:02] <Kotono> On the far side of the cavern there is an underground lake, where a few dwarves are seen dragging large fish out of it with several hooks and lines. Dwarves are all around, and save for the ones that are fishing, all wear at least some armor and have long beards - including the women, notably.
01[20:03] <Seira> "Say, how exactly would they know about Pallanth if they're pretty much isolationists?" Seira asks Mia along the way, studying the dwarven habitat.
[20:06] <Kotono> "I recall one of the mentioning they trade with the elves a bit," Mia says as she leads them otwards the buildings. A few dwarves eye the two, and one even nods slightly to Mia. "Or maybe that guard's good at geography, I don't know."
01[20:08] <Seira> "Could be history, actually," Seira muses, shaking her head soon after. "So, what's our next move?"
[20:12] <Kotono> "I'll lead you to the merchant I do business with here," Mia does just that, leading Seira to a sprawling stone building of three stories. The doors are open, the sound of chattery inside and a strong, sharp smell of booze. "Oh yes, that reminds me - most merchants will double as small festhalls. They like to drink when doing business."
01[20:13] <Seira> "It seems we had a similar idea," Seira says in approval.
[20:23] <Kotono> Stopping the horses outside, Mia heads in. "Helloooooo," she waves." The attention inside turns to her - there are a few tables about, some dwarves talking, apssing coins around, playing cards and even bartering.
01[20:24] <Seira> "Hey!" Seira pipes up behind her. "How are things?"
[20:26] <Kotono> "C'mon over, Mia!" A gruff, strong voice calls. A wide bodied dwarf is at the rear table, feet propped up as he drinks from a huge mug. His beard is black with a few shots of gray, long and braided. "Oh, so you're that friend of Mia's?"
01[20:27] <Seira> "One friend of Mia's, check!"
[20:35] <Kotono> "C'mon over," he gestures as well, as Mia approaches. "Sit on down," he waves at a few nearby chairs. "Someone get them a drink!"
06[20:36] * Seira moves on to sit next to the merchant. "I'm Seira. Nice to meet you!"
[20:41] <Kotono> "Brodigaan," he nods to Seira, as two mugs are brought. Each one is filled to the brim with a strong smelling dark liquid. "Don't see anyone like you often..." he murmurs, "Go on, drink up."
01[20:44] <Seira> "That may well change," Seira tells him, trying the liquid, curious whether it's the same as the ale Mia brought back one day.
[20:44] <Kotono> It's incredibly strong. It's along the same lines, but even a sip is like a kick to the stomach.
[20:45] <Kotono> Mia takes a long drink of it, shaking her head a few moments. "...strong..." she murmurs, before smiling and putting it down. "I'm here to trade again. I brought Seira like I said I: might."
01[20:47] <Seira> "I'm always trying to visit new people and cultures and all that," Seira says for her part. "There's usually a fun opportunity just waiting for me, too!"
[20:49] <Kotono> Taking down his drink in one long gulp, "Nice to hear," he allows, "Though if Mia has what I want, this won't be too much but a simple trade. I'm doing good business sending these down further."
01[20:51] <Seira> "So what's life like down here?" Seira asks him, finishing her own drink, not to be shown up. "Mining and the occasional trading, or there's more to it?"
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC - Make a con check, Seira?
01[20:54] <Seira> roll 1d20+5
[20:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{11}
[21:01] <Kotono> Seira's a bit wobbled by the strong drink, but she stays more or less in command of her facilities. "Fun," Brodigaan says in a word, drinking down. "I hear you humans are much less disposed to having a goo dtime.
[21:01] <Kotono> "
[21:01] <Kotono> Mia chuckles at that, sipping at her drink, "He means that we're sobermore often than not," she appends.
01[21:05] <Seira> "We're just that talented," Seira responds with a smirk. "Still, if you don't have any earth-breaking offers of trade, would it be possible to get a tour? Of course, I'll return the favor when you come visit me!"
[21:10] <Kotono> "Aye, sure," Drinking down again, "I'll show you the lake, the houses, the veins we're mining and the gem cutteries," He says expansively, "Aaah, you haven't lived until you've seen a lunar gem being cut apart all day in act of perfect grace and skill!"
01[21:11] <Seira> "Lunar gem?" Seira matches him drink for drink. "What's that?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "The stories say that it's a gemstone that was made when Selune's tears fell to the earth," Mia says as she finishes her drink off, putting the mug down. "I don't know, but I did see one. It was like moonlight."
01[21:15] <Seira> "What do you make from it? Or is it just for jewelry?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "They're mostly mined to the northwest a bit of here, but there's a few stray ones in these parts," Answering that, "They're good jewellery gems. They go amazing with platinum."
01[21:18] <Seira> "I'd like to buy some, then. Enough for a hairpin." She glances at him. "It won't be a problem, right?"
[21:20] <Kotono> "We have a bit," The dwarf smiles athat, "It goes for a few hundred gold a carat."
06[21:20] * Seira waves it off, aiming to finish her mug before him this time around. "It's not an issue."
[21:34] <Kotono> The mug is drained, Seira feeling a bit loopy and drunk. "Well then," Standing up, "I'll show you around."
[21:40] <Kotono> Mia stands up as well, "Yeah," she stretches, "You up for that, Seira?"
06[21:42] * Seira nods, getting to her feet somewhat unsteadily. "Always!"
[21:46] <Kotono> Mia giggles, a few more mugs brought over as you get up. Mia takes one, "Let's go see the gems first!" One is also offered to Seira.
06[21:47] * Seira isn't about to refuse it. "Gems it is," she agrees.
[21:48] <Kotono> As the three walk out, there is a bit of a ruckus. Coming from deeper in the cavern is a single dwarf. This isn't anything notable by itself..bu tthe fact that his breastplate is blackened and smoke rises from his beard is. A few dwarves are looking to him in alarm as he staggers into town.
01[21:49] <Seira> "Too much partying?" Seira ventures.
[21:51] <Kotono> "What the...." Brodigaan stares as the dwarf coughs and staggers into town. "Heeelp..." he manages, as a few dwarves rush over to him.
01[21:52] <Seira> Seeing as it's serious, Seira makes her way over with all due haste, laying a hand on the dwarf's shoulder as she channel healing energy into him.
01[21:53] <Seira> roll 2d8+10 don't die~
[21:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8+10 1,0don't die~ --> 6,0[ 2d8=9 ]4,0{19}
[21:55] <Kotono> The dwarf's charred body mends! He coughs a few times and blinks, "Aye...must be my lucky day," he runs a hand over his face. As you rhost and Mia approach as well, "We have a problem in the new mine shaft, boss," he say. "We found a small air pocket and it was full of those electric lizards from the mountains."
06[21:56] * Seira gets an evil glint in her eye. "I'll clear those lizards for a lunar gem hairpin. How does that sound?"
[21:59] <Kotono> "You're quick on the draw,"  Brodigaan notes, "Good! That sounds like real battle lust!" Grinning at that, "Aye, go on then. I won't stop anyone that's so enthuiastic."
01[22:00] <Seira> "I really hate them, and I really want the jewelry," Seira tells him with a smirk. "Is anyone trapped and needs a rescue, or can I cut loose?"
[22:03] <Kotono> The burnt dwarf straightens up, as you notice Mia's expression turns rather unpleasant. "No. Go ahead, thrash the hell outta the little vermin."
01[22:04] <Seira> "You want to cut loose, too, Mia?" Seira asks her, stretching her neck to get the kinks out of it in preparation of killing lots and lots of electrical vermin.
[22:14] <Kotono> "No," Mia declines, "I'm not much of a fighter. Still..." she keeps her voice low, "Yeah, get a lot of them for me. Filet them."
06[22:16] * Seira gives her a mock salute, before heading off in the direction of the tunnel the dwarf came from, Resort drawn, swaying occasionally and steadying herself immediately.
[22:31] <Kotono> It's a long, stretching tunnel. The walls are well picked over, a few piles of stones with a few glints of metal in them. About ten minutes of walking leads Seira to  to a sub area. This area is supported with many new beams, a large hole in the wall with a ramp to walk up into it. It's about ten feet wide and very long, no light here. Not that this slows Seira down at all.
06[22:33] * Seira decides to call upon stoneskin, just in case, but otherwise walks reasonably slowly while looking around for any signs of the rodent menace.
[22:40] <Kotono> Thus Seira invokes her magic! Ahead lies what looks to be a natural empty pocket - it's quite long, longer than Seira can see. However, lining the walls starting about 25 feet in are the telltale blue electric glow of shocker lizards. About a dozen form a rough band, clinging to walls or sitting on the floor. They look about, here and there.
06[22:42] * Seira can certainly fly with the aid of magic, and casts the proper spell to be able to reach out and touch the lizards.
[22:44] <Kotono> OOC - If you're approaching them, let's go ahead and do initiative?
01[22:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 nerveskitter
[22:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0nerveskitter --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{23}
01[22:44] <Seira> roll 1d10+10 FL
[22:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10+10 1,0FL --> 6,0[ 1d10=2 ]4,0{12}
[22:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 LIZAAAARDS
[22:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0LIZAAAARDS --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{21}
03[22:45] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Shocker Lizards(12)'
06[22:46] * Seira draws the light from the surrounding area into herself, chanting as she slowly floats forward, even as she draws her other sword.
[22:52] <Kotono> Seira is now covered in extra dark darkness! The lizards look about, but don't react to her now! OOC - Goa head and go, Seira, the lizard don't know what the hell.
06[22:53] * Seira decides to just slice up the lizards here at leisure!
01[22:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+18
[22:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{38}
01[22:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+18 heh
[22:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+18 1,0heh --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{26}
[22:55] <Kotono> OOC - Crit.
01[22:55] <Seira> roll 9d8+15+4d6
[22:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 9d8+15+4d6 --> 6,0[ 9d8=38 4d6=21 ]4,0{74}
[23:00] <Kotono> Splatter. There's really no other way to describe the Second Resort cleaving a Shocker Lizard apart. It's gibblets rain about, blood spilling. This graphic and extreme fatality, while unseen, is quite loud in a blood gushing sort of way. The other 11 lizards break and flee, skittering down the air pocket and up the walls.
06[23:02] * Seira gives chase, trying to tag one of them, and hopefully quick enough not to just have a go at the staggers.
[23:08] <Kotono> Seira chases down another as the rest continue to flee! OOC - Goa head and make your attack roll.
01[23:09] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
[23:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{32}
01[23:09] <Seira> roll 3d8+5+4d6 another?
[23:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+5+4d6 1,0another? --> 6,0[ 3d8=16 4d6=18 ]4,0{39}

[Corwin]

[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> > Splatter. There's really no other way to describe the Second Resort cleaving a Shocker Lizard apart. It's gibblets rain about, blood spilling. This graphic and extreme fatality, while unseen, is quite loud in a blood gushing sort of way. The other 11 lizards break and flee, skittering down the air pocket and up the walls.
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> * Seira gives chase, trying to tag one of them, and hopefully quick enough not to just have a go at the staggers.
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> > Seira chases down another as the rest continue to flee! OOC - Goa head and make your attack roll.
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> <Seira> roll 1d20+20
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{32}
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> <Seira> roll 3d8+5+4d6 another?
[19:13] <Kokokokokoko> <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 3d8+5+4d6 another? --> [ 3d8=16 4d6=18 ]{39}
[19:15] <Kokokokokoko> The carnage continues as Seira swoops in and bisects a second shocker lizard! As she does this, the rest of them scurry away - farther down and away, some into little holes in the wall, others just making good distance. There's still more in the air pocket that Seira can't see, her darkvision only going so far.
06[19:17] * Seira decides to follow those fleeing further back, for now, striking at yet another of them as she proceeds farther into the tunnel.
01[19:17] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
05[19:18] -thundarr.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[19:18] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-67-9-174-38.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #evildunes
03[19:18] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[19:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
06[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 and gets 23."12 [1d20=3]
01[19:19] <Seira> roll 3d8+5+4d6 if it hits
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+5+4d6 if it hits and gets 34."12 [3d8=2, 7, 4][4d6=5, 5, 2, 4]
[19:21] <Kokokokokoko> Seira easily slaughters a third! Yet as this happens, she can see it's her last shot at that set. The rest have flown the coop. However, further on, she can begin to see something. It's out of her darkvision range, but it's a massive, steady, blue crackling glow.
01[19:23] <Seira> Clearly, then, it is something she must meet up close and personal! Seira abandons her pursuit of the fodder, flying over to the source of the massive glow.
[19:26] <Kokokokokoko> Seira spends a round moving! She's still just out of darkvision range, but she can see a massive blue glow that makes it unneeded. What lies ahead is the biggest shocker lizard Seira has ever seen! The thing is as big as one of the Malebranche she fought in the desert ruins, bulky and fat as well. A palpable aura of lighting extends 15 feet out from it in all directions. Small, normal sized shocker lizards swarm to it, staying well
[19:26] <Kokokokokoko> Small, normal sized shocker lizards swarm to it, staying well within it's lighting emanimation.
01[19:29] <Seira> Logic dictates that if it dies, the rest would flee. Who is Seira to argue with that conclusion? She charges in, dismissing the electricity surrounding the beast!
01[19:29] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
06[19:29] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 and gets 30."12 [1d20=10]
[19:36] <Kokokokokoko> As Seira rushes in, she goes headlong into the aura of lighting! Electricity crackles around her body!
[19:36] <Kokokokokoko> roll 6d8 what's your lighting res, Seira?
06[19:36] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 6d8 what's your lighting res, Seira? and gets 33."12 [6d8=4, 6, 8, 5, 2, 8]
01[19:37] <Seira> OOC: 15. Do I get a save?
[19:38] <Kokokokokoko> Seira is shocked by the aura of lighting, r ushing onto the giant shocker lizard! Despite the pain, she's able to charge in and strike a blow! OOC - You hit, roll damage.
01[19:38] <Seira> roll 3d8+5+4d6
06[19:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+5+4d6 and gets 30."12 [3d8=5, 2, 1][4d6=3, 5, 4, 5]
[19:40] <Kokokokokoko> Seira strikes a solid blow to it, carving into it's side! Even as sparkling, crackling b lood falls in the dark sphere around Seira, the lizard rears back! A rasping call comes from it's throat, as from it's forehead a great arc of lighting wildly shoots out at Seira, trying to hit the attacker in the pitch black!
[19:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d100 1-50 is a miss thanks to concealment
06[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d100 1-50 is a miss thanks to concealment and gets 71."12 [1d100=71]
[19:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13 touch AC, Seira?
06[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+13 touch AC, Seira? and gets 26."12 [1d20=13]
01[19:40] <Seira> OOC: 20
[19:41] <Kokokokokoko> roll 12d8
06[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 12d8 and gets 47."12 [12d8=2, 4, 3, 1, 7, 4, 5, 4, 2, 7, 5, 3]
[19:42] <Kokokokokoko> The shock gets Seira in the leg, an overwhelming dose of voltage! Only her hardy form and enchantments protect her leg from becoming seared charcoal! The lighting aura crackles around her! OOC - Seira, you're up.
01[19:43] <Seira> There's no need to play with this thing, Seira decides, the pain helping clear her mind somewhat from the dwarven ale. She shouldn't stick around it for long, anyway. With a word in draconic, her blades ignite, and she slashes them at the monstrous lizard, her attack culminating with a vengeful bite at it, before Seira finds herself retreating a step back and to the left.
01[19:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+16 resort
06[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 resort and gets 30."12 [1d20=14]
01[19:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 resort
06[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 resort and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
01[19:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 flash
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 flash and gets 27."12 [1d20=14]
01[19:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+8 flash
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 flash and gets 9."12 [1d20=1]
[19:44] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - First and third hit.
01[19:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 bite~
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+12 bite~ and gets 18."12 [1d20=6]
[19:44] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Bite misses.
01[19:44] <Seira> OOC: I'm sure we're all sad
01[19:44] <Seira> roll 3d8+5+4d6
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+5+4d6 and gets 29."12 [3d8=4, 1, 1][4d6=3, 5, 5, 5]
01[19:44] <Seira> roll 1d8 fire
06[19:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 fire and gets 7."12 [1d8=7]
01[19:45] <Seira> roll 1d6+1+4d6
01[19:45] <Seira> roll 1d8 fire
06[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d6+1+4d6 and gets 16."12 [1d6=6][4d6=2, 1, 2, 4]
06[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 fire and gets 2."12 [1d8=2]
[19:48] <Kokokokokoko> Seira tears deeply into the lizard! It's body is scorched and lighting arcs from it's injuries! As it's brought low and wounded, the electric aura around it continues to shock Seira!
[19:48] <Kokokokokoko> roll 6d8 aura damage
06[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 6d8 aura damage and gets 30."12 [6d8=6, 6, 4, 4, 7, 3]
[19:50] <Kokokokokoko> Seira is shocked again, but she can see that the shocker lizard is bleeding rather merrily from it's three injuries! As it's blood stains the floor, the creature look sabout! An arco flighting fires again, just at where Seira was seconds ago! OOC - Seira.
06[19:51] * Seira introduces the lizard to a fireball, and flies out of its range as it blossoms, altering coursen sharply midway.
01[19:51] <Seira> roll 10d6
06[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 10d6 and gets 33."12 [10d6=6, 1, 4, 4, 1, 3, 1, 2, 5, 6]
[19:51] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 17."12 [1d20=2]
01[19:51] <Seira> OOC: That actually is the dc, sadly
[19:53] <Kokokokokoko> Despite it's bulk, the lizard has amazing speed! ...however, it's stll caught nearly flatfooted, only barely able to avoid! This leaves it screaming in a reptilian protest, thrashing about! It crawls backwards, it's lighting aura showing a wall about seventy feet away. There's a large hole in it, which the lizard is nearly to! OOC - Seira.
[19:53] <Kokokokokoko> Several of the smaller lizards around the big shocker lizard are fried, having been obliterated by the fireball!
06[19:55] * Seira conjures up a web starting at the monster and heading back for as long as it would towards the hole, even as she approaches to keep sixty feet of distance between them.
[19:57] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+15
06[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+15 and gets 16."12 [1d20=1]
[19:57] <Kokokokokoko> The webbing springs up, sealing the hole and making a mighty tangler! The big lizard backs into it and is promptly stuck in it! It wiggles a bit, but doesn't get far! OOC - SEira.
01[19:57] <Seira> The urge to rush in and finish the job is high! But Seira decides to heal up a bit, first.
01[19:58] <Seira> roll 3d8+12
06[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+12 and gets 21."12 [3d8=6, 1, 2]
[20:00] <Kokokokokoko> Seira's burnt, seared body mends it's wounds to a degree! While still damaged and a bit charred, Seira's much more alive now! Meanwhile, the big lizard triest o power through the webbing!
[20:00] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+3
06[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+3 and gets 13."12 [1d20=10]
[20:00] <Kokokokokoko> However, it can't make any progress! OOC - Go, Seira.
06[20:03] * Seira places her swords away, getting to within twice the aura's distance of the monster and drawing her bow.
[20:04] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Firing or just drawing?
01[20:05] <Seira> OOC: I can't do more this round
[20:05] <Kokokokokoko> OOC: Oh, that's right, dur. My bad.
[20:05] <Kokokokokoko> The lizard continues to struggle in the webbing!
[20:05] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+3
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+3 and gets 17."12 [1d20=14]
[20:05] <Kokokokokoko> It still can't move much, utterly caught in the magical white stickiness! OOC - Seira.
06[20:05] * Seira fires a single shot, and darts to the left afterwards, leaving no sounds of her passing!
01[20:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+15
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 and gets 35."12 [1d20=20]
01[20:06] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 whee
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 whee and gets 30."12 [1d20=15]
[20:06] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Crit.
01[20:06] <Seira> roll 3d8+3+4d6 this should've been pa
06[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+3+4d6 this should've been pa and gets 31."12 [3d8=7, 6, 1][4d6=5, 1, 2, 6]
[20:07] <Kokokokokoko> With a perfect shot, Seira's arrow goes into the eye of the lizard! It's head rears back before it's body ceases moving, slumping down! Blood runs down and out, though electricity continues to course around its' body! OOC - It's not acting/dead, free action.
06[20:08] * Seira can't sell it that way! She unloads another shot at it, and then one more, just to be sure.
[20:09] <Kokokokokoko> The arrows thud in! It's body isn't moving, and it indeed seems to be dead. The electric aura around it's body seems to be persisting, at least for now.
06[20:10] * Seira looks around to see if there are other lizards around.
[20:10] <Kokokokokoko> There are a few charred ones, but all the rest seem to have fled like rats off a sinking ship.
01[20:11] <Seira> Despite her better judgement, Seira approaches the downed lizard.
[20:11] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - How close are you getting?
01[20:11] <Seira> OOC: 5ft
01[20:11] <Seira> OOC: Do tell me when I start getting zapped
[20:12] <Kokokokokoko> As Seira steps into the aura, all the lightning seems to react! It races towards Seira, a massive zap coming forth like a giant discharge! OOC - Ref save. -4 penalty to your roll.
01[20:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+19
06[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 32."12 [1d20=13]
[20:13] <Kokokokokoko> Seira has to go to the limit and she does! She dives upward and rebounds off the ceiling, the lightning slamming into the top! AS stones rain around her, she floats down to the grouna nd rolls to the side and away, avoiding the rest of the discharge! Unhurt, she looks about. The electric aura is gone now, though the body still ripples with occasional voltage.
01[20:14] <Seira> Well, she'd been stupid plenty this day, and she'd blame it all on the drink afterwards. Time to approach the fallen lizard closer!
[20:14] <Kokokokokoko> It does seem to be dead. All those sword wounds, burns and the arrow did that just right. There's still ab it of ambient electricity in the air righ tby it, bu tnothing strong enough to penetrate her protection.
06[20:15] * Seira goes to work on getting its heart, which should make Elle happy in some strange and hopefully not symbolic way.
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=3, 1, 6]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 13."12 [3d6=6, 1, 6]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=3, 1, 6]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 9."12 [3d6=1, 6, 2]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=3, 4, 3]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 11."12 [3d6=1, 4, 6]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=4, 4, 2]
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> roll 3d6
06[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 3d6 and gets 10."12 [3d6=5, 2, 3]
[20:16] <Kokokokokoko> There's a whole lot of cutting to do. Seira gets nearly a dozen nasty shocks, but none are enough to do any harm. It takes a good twenty minutes to carve out it's heart, which is the size of a medium sized dog. It still crackles with pure lighting and drips blood. Yet it's continued beats fuel nothing with life...
01[20:17] <Seira> Satisfied, Seira wraps it up and takes it with her, before glancing through the hole in the wall.
[20:17] <Kokokokokoko> With a wrapped up, shocking and bleeding heart in her arms, Seira looks back into the hole! It's a burrow hole, going farther back than she can see. Nothing of note is in it right now.
06[20:19] * Seira shrugs, and leaves a ring of faerie lights around the opening, before withdrawing and waiting on them for a few moments.
[20:20] <Kokokokokoko> There's no reactions or anything coming out of the hole, even with fairy lights.
01[20:21] <Seira> As nothing happens, she intends to return to where she left Mia, smiting any lizard that crosses her path.
[20:24] <Kokokokokoko> Seira sees no more brave shocker lizards on the way back. On returning, she finds a small war band of dwarves ready, arms and armor waiting at the edge of the hall. They drink up as they watch Seira came, "Aye, you did it?"
01[20:25] <Seira> "Yeah," she tells them. "Seems like. There was a freakishly huge one, and a few smaller. Some of them ran away. I figure if you seal the hole in the wall, they wouldn't trouble you any time soon."
[20:34] <Kokokokokoko> "Right," One nods, "We'll go an engineer the hell outta that problem. Good show! You kicked the piss out of those lizards?"
01[20:35] <Seira> "Merely seizing an opportunity," Seira responds, adding a shrug for good measure.
03[20:38] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5445a138.lns2-c13.telh.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:38] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:45] <Kokokokokoko> "Damned good show," One of the dwarves raises a mug to Seira. "Damned good show!"
01[20:46] <Seira> "Lizards are weak versus magic," Seira agrees sagely. "In fact, many things share this weakness."
03[20:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[21:04] <Kokokokokoko> A few days pass, Seira returning and handing the giant shocker lizard's heart to Elle. Once that's done, Seira can prepare for her vacation. There is one minor thing first, though. Sitting on her bed, perfectly undisturbed, is a sealed letter.
01[21:08] <Seira> The letter is not in its natural form. Seira quickly rectifies that by opening it and perusing its contents. Right after making certain, with Detect Magic, that it carries no magical signature, of course.
[21:08] <Kokokokokoko> IT's not magical. The letter reads the follow:
[21:08] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Gah.
[21:12] <Kokokokokoko> IT's not magical. The letter reads the following: "Seira, I send this letter since sending is too limited for these purposes.  The study of Irenes' notes and work has begun at a slow, steady pace. There is a wealth of information on various subjects: The gnomes, gnomish magic, demonology, the wastelands and other subjects of arcane interest. The information is more voluminous than I originally estimated; the study time for this will
[21:12] <Kokokokokoko> The information is more voluminous than I originally estimated; the study time for this will be long indeed. There are a few tidbits I've found so far that I would like to pass onto you: (More)
[21:14] <Kokokokokoko> Irenes was compiling a list of battles the God King took part in. He defeated Torm and a host of angels in one. In another he defeated Mystra and Kelemvor together, and in a third he defeated the wrath of Malar. Others speak of a titantic struggle in the air versus twenty dragons at once. However, there is no information on a final battle that I have found. Just that the God King was eventually defeated and that Talinn the Seeker ha
[21:14] <Kokokokokoko> defeated and that Talinn the Seeker had matters to do with it. (More)
[21:16] <Kokokokokoko> He had a half finished study into Kangap and Goldan hidden away. However, he had had little success with it beyond gathering various bard's tales. (More)
[21:18] <Kokokokokoko> The balor Gurlan is the master of the Green Castle in the Abyss. According to Irenes' notes and observations, he likes to put on a noble veneer of tolerance and mercy, but this can fade away into temptutous storms of unthinking fury and loathing. Of course, what passes for mercy from a demon...well...I believe you know already. (More)
[21:21] <Kokokokokoko> Irenes spent some time trying to grow plants elseware in the wasteland. Even with providing magical warmth, all the plants fails to grow, and transplants died rapidily. The soil is completely dead of nutrients, and according to his notes, any water that reaches the surface is almost certainly poisoned by the dead ground. He did seem to think there may be some safe underground resoviors, but he never pursued it. (More
[21:21] <Kokokokokoko> _
[21:23] <Kokokokokoko> As for my affliction? Nothing concrete yet, and I suspect that a remedy will require ritual or gathering to make a solution when I do. However, that day is still in the future. Be well until then, Seira.
01[21:25] <Seira> The old man seems safe, and happy to work. Seira is thus quite content to stay back and let him do all the research he wishes without interfering. Her own response would likely be short enough to get within a single Sending, too, and she resolves to do that at the earliest opportunity.
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> After that, it's time to leave. Seira is ready to teleport in a moment to where she wishes...OOC - Say where you're TPing to and roll.
06[21:44] * Seira takes her trusty pegasus along for the ride, of course, even as she pictures the same spot before the Gaial estate in her mind's eye. The guards are quite likely ready to see her and won't be surprised, she muses, activating the ring....
01[21:45] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 2."12 [1d100=2]
[21:47] <Kokokokokoko> Woooosh! Seira so appears with the pegasus! In the morning sunshine the guards see her, a few minor approaches before they back off.
06[21:48] * Seira waves at them quite cheerfully. "Could I trouble someone to look after Gurren?" she asks, approaching with the pegasus's reins in hand.
[21:55] <Kokokokokoko> One elf guard comes over, taking the reins. "Of course, m'lady," he answers.
06[21:55] * Seira smiles at him and heads inside, humming to herself.
[21:58] <Kokokokokoko> Heading to Amaryl's rooms go without incident. You find her in the sitting room, eyes closed as a quiet, pale faced elf plays a flute. The music is pleasant and peaceful, Amaryl soaking in it's notes.
06[22:01] * Seira has trained her sneaking skills to nigh-perfection, and this is one of those instances she takes use of them, tapping her lips with her index finger for the flute player's benefit as she sneaks up to take a sit right beside Amaryl.
[22:08] <Kokokokokoko> Amaryl continues to listen to the music, humming very softly to it. Her voice is held inside, her movements minimal as she rests. She doesn't seem to react at all or be aware of Seira. The flute player doesn't even break his melody, a tiny, slight nod to Seira at her motion.
06[22:11] * Seira leans back, but doesn't relax quite yet. If this went alright, then the next phase would be giving Amaryl her present. She fumbles with her pack, before finding what she's looking for and withdrawing the platinum-encrusted lunar gem hairpin, and sets off to carefully place it in Amaryl's hair.
[22:24] <Kokokokokoko> Using swift hands, Seira quickly slides the hair pin into place. Amaryl is none the wiser, still lost in the music.
06[22:25] * Seira is much tempted to put those swift hands to use once more, but instead remains content to listen to the flute along with Amaryl.
[22:30] <Kokokokokoko> "...mmmm..." Amaryl sighs, her voice distant. "Keep going, this is a beautiful piece." She leans deeper into her cushion,
[22:30] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Gah.
[22:31] <Kokokokokoko> "...mmmm..." Amaryl sighs, her voice distant. "Keep going, this is a beautiful piece." She leans deeper into her cushion, a slight yawn escaping her lips. "Have a servant get me a blanket, Siva..."
06[22:31] * Seira winks at the flute player, Siva, and takes off her cloak, placing it over Amaryl.
[22:32] <Kokokokokoko> "...mmm...you thought ahead....?" Amarly blinks, then opens her eyes. "But the flute didn't stop...aaah!" On actually seeing, "Seira?"
01[22:32] <Seira> "Happy to see me?"
[22:37] <Kokokokokoko> "Of course," she smiles, warmed under the cloak. "So have you just come for a visit or...?"
01[22:38] <Seira> "I took some time off," Seira tells her, returning the smile, before dropping her head squarely into Amaryl's lap as she lays on the sofa. Looking up at her, Seira tugs at her shoulders slightly. "Nothing short of an invasion will bring me back, so I guess I'm here till you get tired of me."
[22:43] <Kokokokokoko> "Here's hoping for no invasion..." Amaryl sighs happily, "We can leave this afternoon then. Things are ready when I wish to leave; the Council is in recess and His Majesty is overseeing matters."
01[22:45] <Seira> "Can we sneak away without really telling anyone in your family?" Seira asks Amaryl, her smile growing wider. "Under the cover of night would be even better!"
[22:46] <Kokokokokoko> "Aaah...they already know that I will, it's a matter of when," Amaryl appends that, "The Council going into recess was public enough news; all the noble families found out. After this period, I think most everyone involved is ready for a rest."
06[22:47] * Seira pouts. "Well, there's next time, I guess? Certain impressions must be upheld and all that."
[22:49] <Kokokokokoko> Starting to laugh, "Yes...but why did you want to sneak away? Do you wish to giv ean air of scandal to things, Seira?" Amaryl asks this, leaning down just a little to look at her.
01[22:53] <Seira> "Of course I do," she responds, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Some elves are just too stuffy for their own good, so we wouldn't really be doing this for our own amusement, no, we would be providing a valuable public service to them." After a moment's thought, she adds impishly, "Plus scandal's the spice of life, or so I've heard."
[23:10] <Kokokokokoko> Laughing ever so lightly at this, "Perhaps. All the noble elves are often caught up in the affairs of state so much..." Reaching out to lightly stroke Seira's head and hair, "Mmm..."
01[23:11] <Seira> "Not you, though," Seira tells her happily. "And I intend to keep you that way!"
[23:18] <Kokokokokoko> "...good," Amaryl blushes a little, resting back. "Your spirits seem so high. Life has been good to you?"
01[23:23] <Seira> "I don't know," Seira muses, twirling a lock of her hair in thought. "I've tried to relax and do certain chores I've handled before, but they were not a challenge anymore. Almost a hundred bandits surrendered when faced with magic, and the same beat back a ridiculously large native monster.
01[23:23] <Seira> Those two are just the recent examples, but they stuck with me. You know the feeling one gets when they're outgrowing their job, or when it's time to leave home? Well, I'm kind of feeling I'm outgrowing this world."
[23:36] <Kokokokokoko> "The world...?" Amaryl stares at Seira with widening eyes, "That's like saying you're outgrowing your body or your family. It's not really...I don't know. Realistic? What do you mean, you're about to sprout wings and become an angel or some such?"
06[23:39] * Seira laughs at that. "It's just a feeling, you know? Mostly got to do with the mundane, anyway. I'll always find things to do here, as I'm sure you know."
01[23:39] <Seira> With a wink at Amaryl, Seira continues, "In a way, you wouldn't use the head priest to cast cure minor wounds on someone's scrapped knee, right? Sure, they could do it, but it's kind of a waste of their talents. But if they'd spent the last year or so doing just that, suddenly outgrowing their old duties would feel very strange to them, right? It is to me."
[23:42] <Kokokokokoko> "....oooooooh." Amaryl stops and thinks, smiling as she starts to stroke Seira softly. "I remember when it was once terrifying to simply meet one of the scions privately...now, it's just...normal and even becoming a bit boring. I remember the feeling being so jarring the first time...I'd mastered it. So you have to find a bigger field now?"
01[23:45] <Seira> "Maybe. I'm training people, and I'll try to focus on the larger projects -- finding whatever dragons remain, healing the land, bringing back magic. That kind of thing." She leans into Amaryl's touch. "Wings may well be optional, but I'm not really the angelic sort. The whole non-interference clause pretty much disqualifies me, cause I'd never sign that one."
[23:49] <Kokokokokoko> "How busy..." Amaryl's smile grows a little farther, "How is it that I stumbled into the life of such an epic hero?"
01[23:53] <Seira> "Please, stop, or you'll force me to break into fake modesty. We both know I don't do that well, so it is for the best to spare us the unfortunate experience." Seira stretches out, fingers reaching towards the sofa's end. "In fact, in a blatant topic shift, what did you have in mind for our scandalous escape?"
[23:55] <Kokokokokoko> "The estate I mentioned...." Amaryl sighs wistfully, "It's private and restful. We can enjoy luxury in peace as well as nature and ourselves. Only a few servants will be there to attend to any needs we may have."
01[23:58] <Seira> "I'm currently debating the merits of dismissing the servants altogether, just so you know," Seira muses casually. "I'm pretty confident about my ability to attend to any need you might have, after all."
Session Time: Wed May 07 00:00:00 2008
[00:01] <Kokokokokoko> "Well yes," Amaryl smiles easily, "But it's easier to ahve them clean up behind us or cook." Stretching back, "And a few guards on the perimeter - not that anyone would do anything, but just in case something bizzare happens. Still..."
01[00:02] <Seira> "Still?"
[00:03] <Kokokokokoko> "I'll be willing to send everyone but one guard and the cook away. The guard to keep my family happy and the cook, well, because I'd like to eat some amazing foods during this." The latter comes with a slight blush.
06[00:05] * Seira laughs. "I can't refuse such a cute blush, so it's settled!"
[00:05] <Kokokokokoko> "Then we'll leave this afternoon," Amaryl promises, blushing deepening.

[Corwin]

[20:49] <Cute_Maid_Kochan> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[20:53] <Cute_Maid_Kochan> Alicia returns to Balmuria! Such thing is worthy of praise this late afternoon, just before the sun sinks into night. For Alicia still hungers, even if subdued now. Her head throbs, a steady headache having formed. But nonetheless she has made it back from the wilderness.
06[20:53] * Alicia makes her way with haste to her church, not wanting to labour under this curse for a moment longer than she has to.
[20:58] <Cute_Maid_Kochan> The guards. The people on the street. The workers. The m erchants. All of them are surrounded - no, suffused - with food thatm akes Alicia's chest ache. But her will is strong and has held this far. It holds a little further as she approaches the Temple of Mystra. The sun is just starting to set now, hints of night onrushing.
03[20:59] * Cute_Maid_Kochan is now known as Kotono
[20:59] <Alicia> Marie flutters through the air beside Alicia as she dismounts her horse and ties it to a post - she can stable it back at the garrison afterwards - before striding into the temple and looking for Shankar.
[21:05] <Kotono> Inside, you find the way to the altar without incident. After nodding past a group of worshippers exiting, you see Shankar by there, talking to Commander Oberuth. The former immediately makes a few quick words to him, before hurrying over to Alicia. "Mystra's Mercy," he goes to her, "You've made it back. Come, let's take this burden off of you."
06[21:06] * Alicia gratefully produces the scintillating orb from her pack and holds it out to Shankar. "Wouldn't it be funny if it turned out there was a fight occuring out there completely unrelated to the giants and fey that you were supposed to stop?" Marie opines innocently. Then upon catching Alicia's baleful glare, she shrinks back, "Or maybe not so funny," she squeaks.
[21:11] <Kotono> "To the altar," Shankar takes Alicia by the hand, aiding her along. While the hunger is there, blossoming...it seems to be lesser as you view the altar of the Mother of all Magic. Commander Oberuth steps back at all of this, keeping his mouth shut. "Oh Lady of Magic..." Shankar intones, "Alicia, put the orb onto the altar."
06[21:12] * Alicia is only too happy to comply, gently setting the vile sphere down upon Mystra's altar.
[21:19] <Kotono> The moment it does, wracking hunger and thirst throttle Alicia! Yet even amid t hat, her clarity of mind stays intact. "Oh mother of Magic..." Shankar intones! As he does, looking up to the heavens...OOC - More, PM.
06[21:31] * Alicia waits to see what the orb could become if its potential were turned away from its current purpose. Considering how the sword of grief turned out, she has reason to be optimistic.
[21:36] <Kotono> "Mystra...." Shankar prays, as the orb begins to spin! The six segments whirl like a storm, crackling! The gems look as if they are going to shatter, lines running through them! From these lines hisses of black steam out, vaporizing as they do!  In these jets of steam, Alicia can see images - images of herself, of Demedais, of Antenora, of Donald, of an Astral Deva and of Seira.
[21:37] <Alicia> Marie flies up to perch herself on Alicia's head for a better view, making suitable oohing and aahing noises at the spectacle.
06[21:37] * Alicia is more reverently silent as she watches Mystra's power unfold.
[21:39] <Kotono> The orb shakes! The lines grow, as if to break - but then seal! From the altar rises up a flash of white, sealing the orb with lines of white all over it's surface. From it radiates a gentle, protective feeling.
[21:40] <Alicia> "Praise Mystra," Alicia breathes out, smiling as she reaches over to pick up the reformed sphere.
[21:48] <Kotono> The sphere is warm in Alicia's hands. It makes her ravenous hunger...well, it doesn't do much to it, nor her thirst, but it does at least distract her with it's gentle feeling.
[21:50] <Alicia> "Ahh, I think this could be useful," Alicia muses happily, slipping it back into her backpack, before she rests a hand over her churning stomach. "Now, I desperately need to go get dinner - anyone care to join me?" she invites Shankar and Obureth.
[21:51] <Kotono> Oberuth steps forward, "I'll come with you...especially since you look like you'll pass out. Shankar, we'll finish this another day."
[21:52] <Kotono> Shankar nods severly, "Let Mystra's will be done...but I must head back, for your housemate is helping in the kitchens again. While I appreciate her aide..." He seems to want to say something, but cuts himself off. "It's a minor matter of no concern to you. Go eat."
06[21:55] * Alicia nods. "Okay, then. Just need to stop by home so Marie can get changed," she briefly nudges the eladrin on her head, "Then we'll go visit an inn - I'm too tired to cook, right now." Giving the priest a wave, she starts for the exit. "I'll see you tomorrow, Shankar."
[22:05] <Kotono> The trip to home and then an inn is without incident. Alicia admittedly doesn't entirely register it - the hunger goes from ravenous to consuming, her throat like a desert. Once in the nearest little eatery at the end of the block, Commander Oberuth takes care of getting some food. Once meat, salad and cheese is up in front of Alicia, "Did you run out of supplies and couldn't catch game, or was it more unusually caused?"
[22:07] <Alicia> "I just... wasn't hungry," Alicia admits after eating a few mouthfuls and then pausing to let her stomach settle. "Not for food, anyway. Part of the curse I had to bear."
[22:07] <Alicia> "She was hungry for souls!" Marie whispers conspiratorially, leaning across the table between them. "Luckily I'm not delicious, apparently, or I might have been in trouble."
[22:13] <Kotono> "One vampire was bad enough," Oberuth says agreeably, settling back with a mug of something that smells quite strong. "What did that feel like?"
[22:15] <Alicia> "Like a hunger that starts in your heart and not your stomach," Alicia rests a hand over her chest. "It physically hurt at times, just begging me to lose control and do... something, regrettable." She sighs and resumes eating her meal at a more reasonable pace. "Fortunately I was able to resist it."
[22:22] <Kotono> "You know, that sounds like what you'd imagine it to be. Some sort of endless hunger that wears you down and pleads until you can't resist it." With a canny look at Alicia, "You don't feel it anymore now?"
[22:23] <Alicia> "Only hunger I've got is the normal kind," Alicia assures him with a smile. "But, I know what you mean - I only had to endure that for a few days, but I can imagine how bad it would get if it continued."
[22:25] <Kotono> A waitress passes by, putting down a bowl of fruit next to Alicia before heading to the next table. The people there are middle aged, but one could note they're looking at Alicia's table. "You took a helluva risk." Oberuth sips again, "Oh, speaking of risks. Do you know a mercenary named Serge?"
[22:28] <Alicia> "He's one of the ones you told me to meet at the Dawn Pointe Inn," Alicia nods, focusing more on Obureth than the other patrons. "Dwarf, follower of Kossuth. Why, has he gotten in trouble?" she asks, a bit surprised. He seemd a good sort.
[22:28] <Alicia> Marie helps herself to some fruit as she listens to the conversation, preferring something sweet to real food. Not like she has to eat, anyway.
[22:30] <Kotono> "Not at all." Sipping away again and glancing at Marie, "He was looking for you and he stopped by the garrison. This was a day ago when you were out, but I happened to deal with it personally."
[22:32] <Alicia> The currently aasimared eladrin gives Obureth a smile, but doesn't interrupt the conversation. "He's still staying at the Dawn Pointe? I can stop by after this, I suppose - did he say what it was about?"
[22:35] <Kotono> "He wanted to talk to you about some business deal or another. I think it was a mercenary job from the way he was cagey about it." Another waitress passes by, going to a nearby few tables with drinks. Amid the warm chatter, "I'm rather glad I saw him. His eyes and the way he moved said a lot about him. You don't think they're dangerous at all?"
06[22:38] * Alicia shakes her head. "They're mercenaries, with all that entails, but fundamentally I think they're good people. And very skilled, too, if their tales are any indication. I think having them around will be good for the city," she affirms.
[22:40] <Kotono> "Alright. I agree, the way Serge handled himself said he was deadly if he wanted to be. Anyway, he asked me to pass onto you that he'll be in the Dawn Pointe Inn, same room as last time." There's a pause here, as another waiter comes over. This one bears a chocolate cake with white icing. "Compliments of another table," he says to Alicia.
06[22:41] * Alicia blinks and looks over to the other table in faint surprise, her familiar following the gesture.
[22:43] <Kotono> Three people are at tha ttable. They're normal looking people, eating a meal. One raises his glass to Alicia with a solemn look, and then mouths, "Thank you, Captain," to her.
[22:45] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia replies, raising a utensil in a similar salute before she starts on the cake, cutting up servings for herself, Obureth, and Marie. "That was nice of them," she can't help but observe, mood brightened.
[22:47] <Kotono> "It happens." Oberuth drinks again, smiling as well. "With the reputation the Guard has now...I had a week where I couldn't buy a drink for myself before someone else paid."
[22:50] <Alicia> "It's nice to be appreciated," Alicia nods as she bites into her cake. "Mmm... good cake, too. You should try some," she recommends. "Anyway, yes, I'll stop by the Inn after this to see what Serge wants."
[22:52] <Kotono> Biting into it himself, Oberuth only has a little before putting it aside. "Oh, there's one more thing."
[22:53] <Alicia> "Hm?" Alicia gives him a curious look as Marie reaches over towards Obureth's slice.
[22:53] <Alicia> "You going to eat that?" she asks nicely.
[22:58] <Kotono> "....Go ahead," Oberuth resists letting any emotions show. Instead, "Do you remember that fellow you caught just before things went south with the war, the one that was after your sister?"
[22:59] <Alicia> "Oh, yes," Alicia allows some displeasure to mar her features as Marie helps herself to more cake. "What happened with him?"
[23:03] <Kotono> "He wants to talk to you at some point," Oberuth lets a scowl go as well, "It's up to you if you bother."
[23:05] <Alicia> "Pff," Alicia makes an unhappy noise. "He can talk to the magistrate. I've got nothing to say to him."

[Corwin]

[19:32] <Kotono> --------
02[19:48] * Demedais (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:50] <Kotono> Seira flies ahead. After about three minutes of being airborne, she can spot the end of the chamber. As she approaches she can see the bones themselves moving and shifting, forming a protective dome around -something-. What exactly it is she can't tell, the bones obviously blocking sight.
03[19:51] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #evildunes
01[19:52] <Seira> Well, that does it. She's not about to take stupid chances, and so returns to the edge of the Message spell and relates this information.

[Corwin]

[17:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ----
[17:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Down the hall Seira goes! After a few rounds of flying, she can't see the door she came through. The hall stretches on and on and on and on and on, showing no end in sight still.
06[17:18] * Seira assumes there is in fact an entrance and an exit, and continues ahead, zig-zagging between the columns to minimize any chances of attack or being spotted.
[17:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> After about a minute of advancing...OOC - Make a wisdom check?
01[17:21] <Seira> roll 1d20-1
05[17:21] -batcave.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Infinite_Ko_Loop invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[17:21] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@70.114.135.18) has joined #evildunes
03[17:21] * Infinite_Ko_Loop sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[17:21] <Seira> roll 1d20-1
06[17:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20-1 and gets 4."12 [1d20=5]
[17:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A minute has passed, but there's no end in sight.
06[17:25] * Seira decides to search for a different way out as she flies, perhaps by means of a trap door.
01[17:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+25
06[17:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+25 and gets 28."12 [1d20=3]
[17:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seira searches and flies a bit. This slows her progress considerably. OOc - Make another wisdom check, +1 modifier?
01[17:27] <Seira> roll 1d20
06[17:27] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 and gets 18."12 [1d20=18]
[17:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seira notices that her body has somewhat shrunken. So has her equipment. Not just a raw change...but she looks...younger? A bit shorter?
06[17:29] * Seira panicks for a moment, and reverses course instantly, flying back for the exact time she had spent traveling this way.
[17:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - REturning back, basically?
01[17:29] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[17:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: I'll intro you back into #dunes?
01[17:31] <Seira> OOC: Sure