Crossed swords

[Corwin]

"Excellent! You'll be with me on the next big push against our enemies, don't worry, so you'll get to test your might again soon~" Seira tells her cheerfully. Studying their equipment for a long moment, she nods to herself. "Donald, ask Elle to give Guardianil's upgrade priority. I'd also strongly recommend that you look into Ranbar's specific set of skills to draw upon at need. And Ranbar, teaching Donald should help you grow more comfortable with their combat applications, too."

Alright. I'll go over my spellbook and get back to you.

[Anastasia]

As you desire. Contact me when you are prepared.

"I'll talk to her," Donald agrees, I'll see about it."

Ranbar bows her head, "I will be stronger - I already feel stronger, Seira."

In that moment you feel it - your connection to Ranbar, stronger than ever.

Node update.

[Corwin]

Read it. Good luck, Ranbar! Kill a demon lord!

"Nice! Is there anything you want that I can personally help advance?" Seira inquires. She intends to work with Amaryl on her magic to try and overcome the power gap that way, and Donald and Ranbar will be training together in the short term anyway, but she's open to requests.

And she also sends off a quick word to Alicia.

Did you know that Shar can merge with demiplanes? So spooky!

[Ebiris]

Yes, I just got back from assaulting one at Selune's behest where Shar had an avatar waiting. Concentrated anarchic effort was able to pry her loose, and I'm not sure what she can do with that power outside of a demiplanes or whether Shar herself has merged with the plane of shadow, but it's concerning and seriously complicates offensive action against her.

I hope no one died on your end.

Tone suggests not, that's why it came as an afterthought.

[Corwin]

No, thanks for asking! We pulled her out of the wall the same way, but only I could actually hit her and Donald suggested a retreat rather than fighting a meaningless battle. No one asked us to take down that outpost, so it gets to stand another day, minus a few hundred cultists. At least we know now what we each lack and need more training with.

[Anastasia]

"I do," Amaryl says, "I want to improve my archery further, and I have ideas of how. My sorcery is strong as well, and yet could be stronger."

[Ebiris]

Good, we're looking at our own angles for catching up as well. Shar's being excessively arrogant about the whole thing so I think she's got more in store to keep pressing us. I heard from Bel that she has new swords as well that deal wounds impossible to heal.

[Corwin]

"Let's get to work testing a bunch of ideas, then," Seira tells Amaryl, flashing Ranbar and Donald a smile and offering her hand to her wife. "What do you think about a sniper mode of sorts? If we use either your magic or enchant your weapon in the right way, your first shot could fly true. Then, assuming we imbue a spell into it or daze the enemy with the hit, the rest could find their target more easily. Does that approach interest you?"

Having thought about the spells for her exchange with Red Knight some, Seira contacts her again! I'm willing to provide you with a secret of the faith, a spell holding the pinnacle of what I consider a paladin. I can only dispense with it for use during dire times indeed, however. Rather than your faithful learning it properly, you could bestow it upon them when you consider the condition met. Does that sound agreeable?

Seira's Glorious Visage
Transmutation [Good, Fire]
Level: Clr 10, Pal 8
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level

This spell functions as holy transformation, with several new abilities as noted here.

You gain a +4 sacred bonus to Dexterity.

Your melee and natural weapons are cloaked in flames, dealing an extra 1d8 points of fire damage per strike for every 5 caster levels you have. This stacks with other sources of fire damage, such as a flaming weapon or dragonfire wrath.

You glow with golden flames, providing illumination in a 20ft radius. All allies within 20ft gain a +4 deflection bonus to armor class and a +4 resistance bonus to saving throws against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures. You gain a -20 circumstance penalty to Hide checks for the duration.

As an immediate action, you may add your Charisma modifier (minimum 1) on the saving throws and CMD of all allies within 20 feet excluding yourself. This bonus lasts for 1 round. The spell ends after you use it in this manner.

This spell is a closely guarded secret of Seira's faith and is given to her most capable clerics and paladins.

[Anastasia]

What Amaryl has in mind, and this will be OOC discussion since it's mechanical, is a PrC that advances both favored enemy and arcane spellcasting. I'm not sure such a PrC exists, so it may require homebrew. Do you know anything that might help her here? It would require at least a few levels away from dragonbreath archer, though.

I don't have spells open, refresh me of what level of spell the spell you want is?

[Corwin]

Ugh, really? She cut me but it healed just fine. It's hateful but that's Shar for you.

Regarding Amaryl, that's an interesting approach. I'm not aware of any existing prc like that, so yes, homebrew is likely in the cards. Is she thinking of retraining some of her levels, or picking it up in the future? If the latter, it could be an epic prc so that's always nice.
Incidentally, if she does go for it next, what will she pick on the other side? Sorc and dragonbreath archer are obviously not options for that.

As for the Red Knight....
Given the large disparity, I think the restrictions on her side should be greater. Up to her what restrictions she does place on my side if she agrees to the trade.

Red Knight's Skill
Evocation
Level: Clr 6, Pal 6
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 min/level

When you call on this blessing, the martial knowledge of the Red Knight grants you great combat ability. You are proficient with all weapons and armor, including exotic weapons and armor. You gain a competence bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls and armor class equal to your caster level divided by 5 (minimum 1, maximum of +5).

This spell is known to select members of the Red Knight's clergy and is kept to that faith, though a few others have obtained the spell.

[Anastasia]

She'll reply in this post and you can argue over terms then.

No retraining, I'm not looking for more DM work when I'm just really coming out of the low energy I've had, so picking it up in future levels. I'd rather not do an epic PrC because honestly, there's nothing in the premise that's really epic. Merely making a ranger/arcane caster PrC hybrid isn't epic.

I'd have to decide, more scout would be the default to advance skirmish, but I'd have to review scout's growth past 10 and do some planning.

How do you intend to use my spell should I grant it to you?

[Corwin]

At a bare minimum, I need to have it available for myself and those closest to me while facing powerful threats on the level of divine proxy or avatar and stronger. Naturally, I would only pull all stops like that while facing off against evil. However, if you're feeling generous, I could also provide it as a reward to the more martially-minded of my flock.

Fair enough, although in this case I'd say make it epic by finding the right angle.

[Anastasia]

If I can find a suitable idea.

For you and those closest to you is acceptable, as long as you take measures that others do not see you cast it lightly and copy it.

[Corwin]

Agreed.

Since Amaryl's training is off-screen, what's waiting for me next?

[Anastasia]

First off a check for you if you have anything you're planning to do, and if not I have something.