To avenge (Everyone)

[Anastasia]

"There are several," Morniel begins, "There is Castle Crumbling on the Negative Energy Plane, as well as Negation on Nessus. We do not believe that attacking Castle Crumbling again will be productive, while Negation is far too secured to assail. That leaves us with these options. First is the Empty Crypt, a fortress hidden in the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Vacuum. Here he deals with the strange entities of that realm and experiments with undead that are so empty they can feel nothing, or so the sages say. But the main purpose seems to be diplomacy with the natives of Vacuum."

"Secondly," He goes on from here after a brief pause to marshal himself, "Is a secluded station on Earth. The details of this are unclear, though it is suspected he mines precious materials there and has an accord with Ogremoch or another powerful entity of Earth to do so with impunity. The name of the station isn't known, though the general location is thanks to the interrogation of captured devils. "

"The third resides in Gehenna's layer of Krangath. There is a city there known as Hopelorn, where a cabal of liches commit unspeakable atrocities. Only the living dead are welcome there and the living are mercilessly exterminated there. But in recent times, it seems Lixer has gained the favor of The Adversary, the new ruler of the Siege Malicious. Interrogated fiends suggest that his intercession has allowed Lixer to establish a research laboratory there, known as Finality. All shudder at what blasphemies may be invented there to further strengthen Lixer and the yugoloths."

"Finally, we have Lethe. We know almost nothing of it, for somehow Lixer has made the details of it anathemic knowledge. What we do know is that it is hidden in the Deep Ethereal and that rumor suggests there...there..." Morniel pauses, a murmured prayer spoken aloud, "Oh Zaphkiel, bringer of light, turn away this darkness."

> roll 1d20+33
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{42}

"Rumor suggests," Each word is a struggle, but Morniel continues. He begins to glow, a golden-white radiance, his words coming softer but clearer. "That Lixer has diverted a tributary of the River Styx there. To what ends are not known, but it may be part of why Lethe is anathemic knowledge."

Morniel looks about now, beginning to slowly pace. He gestures at the right times, meeting the eyes various people as  he walks. "We have four targets to choose from. Four, the number of death. An ill omen when facing one such as Lixer, but we must ensure it is not our death that the numbers foretell."

[Nephrite]

Moore rubs his chin and clears his throat to speak up. "I'm not sure I have a lot of say in this, but... logically speaking, he'd expect an attack on this Lethe place the least of all of them, right? I don't know if that helps much, but... I mean, all of those things sound like places we'd want to go..." He trails off, shaking his head.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+76 (+22 cunning knowledge) Sylvie K:P
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+76 (+22 cunning knowledge) Sylvie K:P --> [ 1d20=6 ]{82}

As people digest that, Sylvie speaks up. "Lethe and Finality are both hard targets. Anything with anathemic knowledge is a hassle, let alone whatever forgetfulness comes from the Styx. We'd have to go hunting and Oghma only knows what troubles we'd find before we found it. As far as Finality goes, Hopelorn is on the fourth layer of Gehenna. That's deep in and right in the seat of the yugoloth's power. It's more the General of Gehenna's backyard than the Oinoloth's, but either way it's bad."

> roll 1d20+35 Kascha K:P
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+35 Kascha K:P --> [ 1d20=11 ]{46}

"Vacuum sounds the easiest. Isn't it just empty?" Kascha says, "But no one really goes to Vacuum on account of that. There's little point."

> roll 1d20+24 Adrian K:P
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+24 Adrian K:P --> [ 1d20=16 ]{40}

"That's why I'd say that one's dangerous as hell, right up there with Lethe," Adrian glances over at Kascha, "What the elementals and natives of Vacuum can really do's a good question. We'd run into surprises there as surely as with that snipe hunt in the Deep Ethereal. I don't like going in that blind. With Earth's little mining operation and Finality, we at least have a good idea of what to expect."

"My worry," The Master speaks up, "Is that Lixer is an enemy now forewarned and roused. He knows retaliations are coming and can prepare. With Lethe, we would hope his ego and defenses would persuade him not to take steps. Were it a yugoloth or a demon, I would say we have a good chance. But devils scheme."

[Nephrite]

Would all those locations fall under one K:P check?

[Anastasia]

I did for Sylvie, but in her case it was because her modifier's high enough that a roll's not really needed. Make K:P checks for anywhere you're curious about.

[Nephrite]

[20:11] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+63 K:P for Empty Crypt (Improvisation and Divine Insight)
[20:11] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+63 K:P for Empty Crypt (Improvisation and Divine Insight) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{70}
[20:11] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+63 K:P for the place on Earth (Improvisation again and a second Divine Insight)
[20:11] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+63 K:P for the place on Earth (Improvisation again and a second Divine Insight) --> [ 1d20=3 ]{66}

[Anastasia]

Moore can recall what was already said about the Empty Crypt. He also recalls hearing about empty ghosts, spirits that use their emptiness to siphon the life and soul out of the unwary. Something hideous, only whispered of in passing.

As for Earth, Moore recalls a story of diabolical mining operations there. Some sort of agreement with the dao or Ogremoch - probably Ogremoch. The elementals there leave the devils to mine rich deposits in exchange for aid against the good-leaning forces of Air.

[Nephrite]

Do the Denizens of Mineral have any dealings with those of Earth? Would he think there might be a way to find out by asking Crystalle?

[Anastasia]

As Mineral is attached both the Positive Energy Plane and Earth, yes. One could try that.

[Nephrite]

"If no one has any objections... I'd like to petition Lord Crystalle from Mineral for aid in locating this place." Moore says with a look around to see if anyone immediately looks disapproving of that particular plan. "I think we made a very good impact with them and I think getting rid of the devils in their proverbial backyard would go a long way to furthering our relationship."

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh gnaws on a small hard candy she's pulled from...somewhere, watching the proceedings.

[Anastasia]

"I like it," Stille replies, "There's also Entemoch and Sunnis, but..." His gaze travels to Ithea, "I daresay we still have business with them, no?"

Balyss hums at that, "I will petition Selune for insight, of course. The dreams of the Deep Ethereal touch on her responsibilities, so perhaps she knows the answer."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I'm sure Erathaol would be happy to provide us guidance. I can ask him, as well."

[Corwin]

"How many attacks do we want to launch?" Jaela voices. "I don't think Aurora is well-suited for travel to Earth, but a strike team could reach it well enough on their own, especially if they have local support. And in the meantime, Aurora could be taking out one of Lixer's outposts on a hostile plane, if we're willing to split our forces." She glances over at Morniel, adding, "Of course a coordinated attack like this may not matter if Lixer can puppet several of his creations simultaneously."

[Anastasia]

"We just don't know," Morniel says, "I've not heard him controlling many creatures or if he can do it across planes, but precious few survive battles with his puppets."