Advancement

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=5]

Thus they blend in, going in. Here is several dozen assorted types. You spy varied mortals, as well as nymph drinking and keeping to herself, hooded and hidden. Warrior types by and large or obvious mages, no weak or feeble here. A troll as well, drinking ale by the barrel and tossing handfuls of gold to pay. A humanoid mushroom, drinking and listening to an elf tinted by the essence of air go on about 'That great treasure hoard I just know is in Drymar.' A small group of goblins eating while stone silent, heads shaved and wearing only simple, tight clothing, eating in spite of it being the Astral.

You see your group blend in, break up to drink and talk. They look to be okay, though you can also see the goblins keeping an eye on Darmor and Mandol.

For his part, Mandol goes in front of the fire and sits, getting looks and attention for now.

[Ebiris]

It's important to eat when you're on the astral, especially if you're just about to leave!

There's nothing Alicia needs to intervene over, anyway.

[Anastasia]

They're talking, mixing when you see the succubus sit up. She sighs, "I am not in the mood for murder today," she grumps. "Darlim, why couldn't it be gluttony or lust?"

The fanning man makes no comment at that.

Shucking her shift aside and going into the back of the room, a stack of gear as she begins to dress, "Keep your ears open for any telepathic communications or normal alarms," she orders, equipping herself. Double bladed sword, breastplate and armor, so on and so forth. "In case that astral deva's looking for a problem to solve."

[Ebiris]

Looks like they'll have a fight on their hands after all. So long as they all stick together it should be okay, if any look to get too far separated from the rest she may have to give them a mental nudge.

Still though, it's something they need to do themselves so that they can learn and grow from the experience.

[Anastasia]

Meanwhile...

> roll 1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=12]

You can see the four chatting downstairs. Bylthel and Curlah chatting with a pair of burly warriors. Mandol stays by the fire while Darmor is chatting up the elf.

"A succubus?" Curlah says, "Well, they do get around," she quips.

A chuckle from the bearded, muscled warrior who she talks to, "She's alright. Real fun. She'll drop in when she feels like, throw out some free drinks, get things interesting."

Meanwhile, the succubus is girded for war, striding...to a side window, nimbly flying out. She's not saying a word, but she alights to the roof, waiting.

[Ebiris]

She's probably using telepathy to gather the rest of her party and then ambush them when they leave that tavern. She has a look to see who else appears to be getting ready for a fight or moving towards their location.

[Anastasia]

The first to fly up is a man with darker skin, deeply tanned and with a hint of green eyes glimpsed. He wears a hooded cloak and chain beneath that, landing. "We on?" he asks, simply. His voice is quiet, but his eyes flash a deeper green as he speaks.

"Not yet, maybe soon," the succubus replies, waiting.

"Marbold is gathering up the minions," the man goes on, "Iletha will be here as soon as she's ready."

A terse, tight nod at that, to which the man smiles ever so faintly.

"She's disrespectful. If she'd stop indulging herself quite as far as she does, she'd already be here." The man points out.

[Ebiris]

When they talk about minions, anyone charmed or dominated? The protective auras Bylthel and Darmor have will mess that up at least... Alicia's rather worried at this point if only because the demons seem eminently prepared and ready for action, even if she predicated this engagement on her team being able to win in a straight fight. It's better if they can have a tactical advantage as well to eliminate risk.

[Anastasia]

As Alicia frets?

Is it always so hard to watch, when you wish nothing more than to smite the succubus yourself?

[Ebiris]

Extremely. I want to order them around and take charge like a commander, but that's Blythel's job and he won't improve if I do that. None of them will improve if I go and take care of it myself. But if they die here then they won't improve either. I dislike it.

[Anastasia]

We must have driven Mystra and Waukeen and Helm to madness at times.

[Ebiris]

Yes. And we succeeded without them whispering in our ears telling us how to overcome every challenge. That's what gives me strength at times like this.

[Anastasia]

Meanwhile, the other warrior talking to Curlah agrees, "Try meeting her," A glance at the astral deva nearby, "...or just move along."

Bylthel smiles not unkindly, "Maybe I will," he says, "Is she due to come?"

"She shows up when she shows up," Is the answer, a shrug, "Stay here long enough and she will.

Bylthel and Curlah share an unhidden look before getting up, "Thanks," he says, the two going to get Mandol.

[Ebiris]

Alicia continues to monitor the situation.

[Anastasia]

Darmor is chatting away when Curlah comes, "We're going," she says, to the point.

"Already?" he says but gets up, draining his mug dry.

"Yeah, best to move on," she says.

Meanwhile the succubus waits, ignoring the man. "They're leaving," she says, shortly.

"We going to...?" The man asks, leaving it open.

As they talk a man flies up. Smaller but well built, landing as he wears no armor but bracers. He's dressed in drab, dull gray and brown. "They're ready," he calls, "Iletha is ready."

"On my word," The succubus says, going to the edge of the roof, looking down at the front door.