Relief

[Anastasia]

'Zquujaj is a commander in battle and rallies forces to himself, while he inspires a rage in all the demons who follow him. His orders are strong and the demons listen, even when enraged. Few forces can handle demons like that and he often crushes his opponents under these tactics.'

[Nephrite]

Hm, not unlike himself, but taken to a different extreme.

'In that case, if we can't avoid a battle, we should do something that disrupts them as much as possible? Since he'll be commanding them, we have to assume that the demons will all be a lot more coordinated than normal.'

[Anastasia]

'That's up to you and your abilities,' Is the answer, 'I don't know what you can do.'

[Nephrite]

Hm, but he isn't really getting anything useful out of him...

To Sylvie alone, 'I'm sure he has more useful information than this, but he seems to be the type that's only going to answer specific things.'

[Anastasia]

'Exactly. You need the right key to open the door with him,' Sylvie sends back. 'So be direct and guide the answers.'

[Nephrite]

That Wit spell would come in handy right now...

'We have most of our bases covered, but honestly we're trying to avoid a fight entirely. What are some specifics we could use to try and avoid a confrontation with him, or some way to avoid him interfering with us?'

[Anastasia]

'Don't let him know you're doing whatever ti is. Failing that, kill him.' The answer is plain, 'That will keep him out of your hair. Unless you can convince him otherwise, he's a little more rational than the typical demon warlord.'

[Nephrite]

'All right. Should we get drawn into a battle, assuming we have vast magic and martial skill, enough to potentially fight him, would he even allow us to get close to him? Or would he be in the back, commanding?'

[Anastasia]

'He prefers to lead, but is not foolish. He will step back if he feels it a proper tactic.' Is the answer after a moment, 'He's adaptable, and not so bloodlusted that he won't retreat or us tactics better suited to a devil.'

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. They can at least show that they aren't going to be mowed over and he'd probably back off.

'Sylvie, any ideas on other questions to ask?'

[Anastasia]

'A few,' Sylvie admits, 'Done with yours then?'

[Nephrite]

'I'm not that good at this.' Moore admits. 'Go ahead.'

[Anastasia]

Sylvie considers a few moments before, "Assume you have to face Zquujaj. How would you fight him?"

The answer comes right away. 'I wouldn't. I'd attempt to make others fight that battle and if impossible, run.'

"Alright," Sylvie agrees, slowly pacing, "And if you couldn't run?"

'Beg for my life or die.' The answer is bored, disinterested. 'Likely die.'

A non committal noise of consideration before, "Who could defeat Zquujaj, then?"

'A demon lord or prince. A deity.' The answer comes back, 'Moore is one.'

Just helpful enough to fulfill his word while disinterested enough to be unhelpful. Let me cleave to the heart of this.

Sylvie smiles as a sense of her spreads. She walks right up to him, "Like me?" she asks, "I grow tired of this. Will you beg for your lie or stand here and die?" Slowly she cracks her knuckles, "Which will it be?"

> roll 1d20+125 (+37 factotum, +15 divine insight) intimidate Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+125 (+37 factotum, +15 divine insight) intimidate Sylvie --> [ 1d20=1 ]{126}

He can't beat the check to resist intimidation.

A single step back. A frozen moment before his back hits one of the unseen walls of force you erected. Sylvie slowly matches that step, "Last chance, demon. You disrespected Moore. That's called blasphemy, you disgusting little wretch."

A hiss - like hot air that escapes from a kettle. He steps back as far as he can, back flush against the wall of force.

"Now." Sylvie concludes, another step forward, fist raised. "You won't reform when I'm done with you. I'm perfectly able to grant you oblivion here, demon spawn, no matter how tenuous your connection is to this realm."

> roll 1d20+110 (+37 factotum) bluff Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+110 (+37 factotum) bluff Sylvie --> [ 1d20=9 ]{119}

His Sense Motive can't beat that.

Another hiss. The sound of so many little feet, as if all stomping down at once.

'Mercy! Mercy!'

[Nephrite]

Moore's face is as blank as Guhl's - he has complete faith in how she's approaching this, even if his instinct is to say something.

[Anastasia]

"Good. Lower your will," Sylvie's voice says, "I'm going to help myself to what we need to know. Do so and you continue to exist after this." Her voice is sweet, "You can go back to whatever vile, petty little entertainments you like, demon."

Sylvie reaches out, a hand on his head. She focuses, silent as the demon lets out a third hiss. Then with a scowl she picks him up as he goes limp, "Monster," she growls, before he simply vanishes - a banishment from divine will.