A Handful of Dust Session 63

[07:45.21] <DM> So we begin.
[07:45.36] * Penumbra is under the Reme
[07:45.36] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 63: Trembling Fingers - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKnEln8o1yA，
[07:46.47] <DM> Spots of light and darkness flicker before your eyes, Shala, as the effect fades. Not a full memory this time, just a fragment of something you once learned. The same voice, of course.
[07:47.17] <DM> "Six empty heavens, full of lost angels..."
[07:47.51] * Shala rubs her temples
[07:48.15] <DM> And then you are back to reality, your hand, and various other muscle groups shaking, as the wards of the Tower of Abjuration are restored from your actions.
[07:49.09] * Akvan is still in his room, working, music emanating
[07:49.18] <DM> In Repriever's grasp, slumped into a half-sitting position, Melchior mumbles something, and her eyes go slightly unfocused, as her head slumps onto your cosmic, amber arm.
[07:49.58] <+Shala> [am i still conscious mostly?]
[07:50.06] <+Repriever> "Knights!"
[07:51.03] <DM> Yeah, you're entirely up, Shala.
[07:51.08] <DM> Just shaken.
[07:51.41] <+Akvan> shaken or SHAKEN
[07:51.54] <DM> Several Knights of Melkir pound onto the deck with a stretcher, as Ironrose immediately swoops onto the deck, white cape behind her.
[07:52.03] <DM> The status effect, and the feeling. :p
[07:52.10] <+Repriever> "Take her below deck, and watch her!"
[07:52.12] * You are now known as Ironrose
[07:52.15] * Shala shakes her head, to rid herselves of magical cobwebs, a self-satisfied smile forming on her face
[07:52.20] <Ironrose> "I felt such power."
[07:52.28] * Ironrose checks Mel's pulse and pupils.
[07:52.32] <+Repriever> "It was too much for them."
[07:52.42] <Ironrose> "Of course it was."
[07:52.51] <Ironrose> "We have the divines, and they have a black toothpick."
[07:53.02] <Ironrose> "Up now girls, take her below."
[07:53.08] <+Repriever> "Keep her stable, alright? Don't let her leave."
[07:53.18] * Ironrose makes eye contact with him, seriously.
[07:53.53] * Repriever stands and returns to Shala, helping her reorient herself and recovering the shield from her.
[07:54.02] <Ironrose> "I can put her in a circle."
[07:54.05] <+Shala> "Where is Melchior?"
[07:54.13] * You are now known as DM
[07:54.15] <+Repriever> "She's fine."
[07:54.22] <+Repriever> "No, Ironrose."
[07:54.23] <DM> You see them vanishing with her on a stretcher, taking her below, Shala.
[07:54.29] <+Repriever> "Just keep her safe."
[07:54.45] * You are now known as Hin
[07:54.54] <Hin> "I do not sense any further movements."
[07:55.03] <Hin> "Although the Tower is, fully surrounded."
[07:55.18] <+Repriever> "What happened to our fucking deal?" he asks himself.
[07:55.35] * Repriever goes to the railing, peering down at the Citadel.
[07:55.52] <+Repriever> "Penumbra!"
[07:56.07] <Hin> Several of the stone domes of the Towers have unfolded into what look like very large stone ballistas on round turntables.
[07:56.08] <+Shala> [do i lose any hp or anything]
[07:56.13] * You are now known as DM
[07:56.19] <DM> No, you're just Shaken for 24 hours.
[07:56.20] * Penumbra is under the Reme and heads up at Repriever's call
[07:56.27] <+Shala> [my my how the turntables]
[07:56.34] <+Repriever> "You should be safe for now," he says to Penumbra as she lands.
[07:56.54] <DM> Although they lack for any sort of ammunition, they must be magical artifices of some sort.
[07:57.33] <+Repriever> "I don't know about Madei..."
[07:58.18] <+Penumbra> "I will see her..."
[07:58.28] <DM> One of the golden Abjuration ships (there are at least 50 in the air) that has been circling the perimeter of the wards breaks off from its fellows, and it approaches the Reme.
[07:58.30] * You are now known as Hin
[07:58.36] <Hin> "Warden Parsimony, approaching."
[07:58.43] * Repriever nods, a bit disoriented momentarily.
[07:59.25] <+Repriever> "Keep the Key ready, Shala. You're all that stands between us and the darkness now."
[07:59.35] * You are now known as Parsimony
[07:59.52] * Shala blinks and stares at the key on her outstretched palm, as she flexes her fingers instinctively
[08:00.11] * Parsimony pops out of her ship, wasting no time.
[08:00.14] <+Penumbra> "She is in the chapel, looking upward..."
[08:00.20] * Penumbra looks in the direction Madei is looking at
[08:00.22] <Parsimony> "You saved us, Six."
[08:00.36] * Repriever twists his head at Penumbra's odd information.
[08:00.45] <+Shala> "I make a habit of it"
[08:00.51] * Shala winces at another wave of nausea
[08:00.59] <+Repriever> "At the ceiling?" he asks Penumbra. "Or... the sky?"
[08:01.29] * Parsimony waits at a distance of a few steps to let you finish speaking amongst yourselves, barred by two Knights with crossed spears.
[08:02.03] * Penumbra is currently testing that theory
[08:02.27] * Repriever gives Parsimony a hand gesture to know he heard her.
[08:02.38] * You are now known as Hin
[08:02.47] <+Penumbra> "Apastron."
[08:03.04] * Hin continues to slowly circle the Tower of the Elydians, waiting for further orders.
[08:03.07] <+Repriever> "Is he above us?"
[08:03.23] * Repriever looks up with his palatine eyes.
[08:03.37] <+Repriever> [detect evil]
[08:03.49] <Hin> The sky directly above the Tower is clear.
[08:03.51] * Kir scans the skies above
[08:03.51] * You are now known as DM
[08:03.56] <DM> But north, south, east, west.
[08:03.57] * Kir and around
[08:04.22] <+Penumbra> "He's to the north, I can sense it..."
[08:04.23] <DM> Kir, you see the small, black dots, which on closer examination appear to be the sleek raiding galleys, sail-less and mastless, that you saw at Tetraea's docks.
[08:04.24] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+15
[08:04.24] <%tBot> Kir: 16 ([1] +15)
[08:04.32] <DM> But beyond that, you can make out NOTHING
[08:04.34] <+Kir> [or I don;t see much of anything]
[08:04.35] <DM> :p
[08:05.33] <+Repriever> "We're undersiege. We can't fly out of here, Hin."
[08:05.41] * You are now known as Hin
[08:05.55] <Hin> "I could attempt to punch through their lines, but I do not have enough data on their speed."
[08:06.06] <Hin> "And furthermore, their tarcirath can outpace me."
[08:06.18] <+Repriever> "He could take you down with a wave of his hand with the essence."
[08:06.30] <+Repriever> "We have children onboard."
[08:06.31] * Hin hums, unhappily.
[08:06.36] <Hin> "Back to the Tower, then?"
[08:06.49] <+Repriever> "If Penumbra commands."
[08:06.51] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:06.56] <+Repriever> "We can't do anything up here."
[08:07.08] * Penumbra is uncertain and is thinking, and looking towards the void essence
[08:07.22] <+Kir> "Escape necessary"
[08:07.27] <Parsimony> "Dolomite is below, and I have a mental link to the other Wardens."
[08:07.31] <+Kir> "We could not win - could we?
[08:07.32] * Repriever sees her uncertainty and confirms to Hin to land.
[08:07.41] <Parsimony> "We must decide on a course of action."
[08:07.48] <+Repriever> "We can't win, no."
[08:07.55] <+Repriever> "Not against this."
[08:08.01] * Parsimony is rocking on her heels, impatiently.
[08:08.16] <+Repriever> "Not with steel and blood."
[08:08.33] * You are now known as Hin
[08:08.49] <Hin> "Could you use the Key, to take it, somehow?"
[08:09.07] * Hin speaks this only in the party's minds, Parsimony does not react.
[08:09.18] <+Repriever> "And if we lose it?"
[08:09.26] <+Repriever> "She isn't ready."
[08:09.33] * Repriever glances at Shala.
[08:09.42] <+Kir> "Portals"
[08:09.43] * Shala glances at Repriever
[08:09.47] <+Shala> "None of us are"
[08:09.59] <+Shala> "But here we are anyway"
[08:10.03] <+Kir> "By us, strength to fully evacuate"
[08:10.06] <+Kir> "I think"
[08:10.11] <+Repriever> "But where?"
[08:10.11] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:10.18] <+Repriever> "We have no allies."
[08:10.20] <Parsimony> "You would have us abandon our home?"
[08:10.21] <+Kir> "Te Glimhe"
[08:10.33] <+Kir> "We then achieve strategic initiative"
[08:10.37] <+Repriever> "That's very far."
[08:10.41] <+Kir> "We portal in when troops needed"
[08:10.46] <+Kir> "When and where"
[08:10.51] * Shala breathes deep
[08:10.56] <+Kir> "And armies untouchable in meantime"
[08:10.56] <+Repriever> "And if we abandon the sleeping soul-armor, would the Apastron be able to wake them?"
[08:11.08] <+Kir> "AND we have manpower for colony"
[08:11.24] * Repriever asks Parsimony.
[08:11.24] <Parsimony> "Not by his magic, no."
[08:11.25] <+Kir> "Maybe bastion of safety"
[08:11.29] <Parsimony> "But he can destroy them."
[08:11.35] * Parsimony answers Repriever.
[08:11.44] <+Kir> "If we start evacuation now"
[08:11.51] <+Kir> "We can take everything"
[08:11.54] <+Kir> "I think?"
[08:12.06] <+Repriever> "Land, Hin."
[08:12.09] * Shala rubs her temples and holds her shaking hands
[08:12.14] <+Shala> "What do you need from me then"
[08:12.16] <+Kir> "And, there was question of others"
[08:12.23] <+Repriever> "To live, Shala."
[08:12.23] <+Kir> "On that continent"
[08:12.27] * Shala nods
[08:12.29] <+Kir> "Perhaps we find allies there"
[08:12.44] * You are now known as Hin
[08:12.45] <+Repriever> "Parsimony, can you restore me, here and now?"
[08:12.51] <Hin> "Yes sir."
[08:12.57] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:13.12] <Parsimony> "Do you have something of the aggressor?"
[08:13.19] <Parsimony> "I can heal the partial transmigration of your soul, yes."
[08:13.19] <+Repriever> "His true name."
[08:13.32] <Parsimony> "Then I can do it in a night..."
[08:13.35] <Parsimony> "No, an hour."
[08:13.49] <+Kir> "Old Man, if we portal to other land..."
[08:14.01] * Repriever grips the railing in his cosmic hand in frustration.
[08:14.05] <Parsimony> "Let me through."
[08:14.09] <+Kir> "Necessary to start now, probably, for full evacuation"
[08:14.11] * Parsimony pushes aside the Knights' spear.
[08:14.43] <+Repriever> "If we open a portal, evacuate the living, then that abandons tens of thousands of good men and women to the Apastron's hands."
[08:14.46] <+Repriever> "They sleep, Kir."
[08:14.52] * Parsimony turns her ear to face Repriever, standing close, some strands of hair blowing in the cold wind detached from her gray bun.
[08:14.54] <+Repriever> "We can use them. We need them."
[08:15.00] <Parsimony> "Tell me the name."
[08:15.01] <+Kir> "Then we move them"
[08:15.11] <+Kir> "We cart them in"
[08:15.16] * Repriever whispers to Parsimony, "Adran."
[08:15.32] <+Repriever> "The Palethorn."
[08:15.44] * Parsimony makes a small nod.
[08:15.47] <+Kir> "Old Man, I organize this"
[08:15.48] * You are now known as DM
[08:15.59] <+Repriever> "How will you move fifty thousand Dolomites?"
[08:15.59] <+Kir> "I think, can be done"
[08:16.10] <DM> Hin guides back into the atrium-hangar of the Tower, where the Elydians are standing armed and ready.
[08:16.16] <+Kir> "Perhaps golden flyers"
[08:16.20] <+Kir> "Perhaps wheels"
[08:16.22] <DM> Along with Dolomite, sword in his hands.
[08:16.26] <+Kir> "If we have workforce..."
[08:16.30] <+Kir> "And organization"
[08:16.31] <+Repriever> "Try, then, talk with the wardens."
[08:16.36] <+Repriever> "See if it can be done."
[08:16.39] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:16.42] <+Kir> "If by us Elydians"
[08:16.44] <Parsimony> "Based on what we just felt..."
[08:16.53] <Parsimony> "As long as you are here, the wards will hold."
[08:17.02] <Parsimony> "If you keep doing whatever it is you just did."
[08:17.03] <+Repriever> "We might not all be here."
[08:17.08] <Parsimony> "I know."
[08:17.17] * Kir looks around for Mel
[08:17.19] <+Shala> "All else fails, I'll point the key at them and see what happens, got it"
[08:17.22] <Parsimony> "But it's a stalemate until you leave."
[08:17.32] <+Repriever> "She's down below, Kir."
[08:17.41] <+Kir> "Warden, we - last to leave"
[08:17.59] <+Kir> "But we would need full cooperation of every possible worker"
[08:18.03] <+Repriever> "Someone..."
[08:18.09] <+Kir> "I think we also can move Dolomites"
[08:18.14] <+Repriever> "I need to speak to the Apastron, find out why he's here."
[08:18.32] * Kir goes below to look for Mel
[08:18.36] <+Repriever> "His timing is too perfect to be a coincidence."
[08:18.47] <Parsimony> "You were watched, coming in."
[08:18.54] <+Repriever> "But he gave us time!"
[08:19.06] <+Repriever> "If he's breaking his word, then what's the fucking point in running?"
[08:19.23] <Parsimony> "Let us wait, then."
[08:19.29] <Parsimony> "And see what they do."
[08:19.40] <Parsimony> "They must know by now they cannot break the wards, yet."
[08:19.40] <+Repriever> "He'll lay waste to every settlement this side of Tarcydia."
[08:19.56] * You are now known as Dolomite
[08:20.07] <Dolomite> "We are long prepared for this."
[08:20.15] * You are now known as Parsimony
[08:20.19] <Parsimony> "We have years of provisions."
[08:20.33] <+Repriever> "So did Pyleth, and it's a crater now."
[08:20.34] <Parsimony> "The limiting factor is energy, to power the wards, the suits...the ships."
[08:20.46] <Parsimony> "We are not some Calcissi city."
[08:20.50] <Parsimony> "This is the Tower of Abjuration."
[08:21.09] <Parsimony> "And that still means something..."
[08:21.11] <Parsimony> "For now."
[08:21.13] <+Repriever> "Talk to your High Athtar, then. She has our only hope."
[08:21.14] * Parsimony trails off.
[08:21.25] * Shala thinks, It means a conjurer has to save your asses
[08:21.28] <+Shala> [ D: ]
[08:21.44] <Parsimony> "It would be...exceedingly difficult to abandon everything here."
[08:21.57] <Parsimony> "A thousand years of building, gone in an instant."
[08:22.14] <Parsimony> "But we committed to this."
[08:22.16] * Kir returns from below
[08:22.17] <+Repriever> "Start the restoration. If he breaches the barrier, someone has to meet him."
[08:22.24] <+Shala> "Would Apastron destroy the area even with nothing to take?"
[08:22.32] <+Kir> "Warden, you lose thousand years"
[08:22.41] <+Kir> "You gain another thousand"
[08:22.55] <+Kir> "If you stay, you die"
[08:23.01] <+Kir> "Annihilation"
[08:23.06] <+Kir> "Nothing more or less"
[08:23.12] <+Kir> "If we move..."
[08:23.24] <+Kir> "You live. Your manpower intact"
[08:23.30] <+Kir> "And we can win war"
[08:23.46] <+Kir> "This - how you exist another thousand"
[08:24.01] * Parsimony breathes, once, spreading her fingers and placing her hand over Repriever's chest. s
[08:24.03] <+Kir> "Do you continue story, or do you put down pen?"
[08:24.39] * Parsimony nods, to Kir, as her eyes begin to glow gold, individual Kasathic appearing written on each of her fingernails, and a large rune on her palm.
[08:24.54] * Repriever 's cosmic arm takes on a golden shimmer at Parsimony's touch.
[08:25.18] <+Repriever> "Kir, start your plans, do what you need to do."
[08:25.26] <+Repriever> "If we have to leave, I'd rather we be prepared."
[08:25.31] * Parsimony touches her hand to Repriever's chest.
[08:25.35] * Kir nods
[08:25.42] <Parsimony> Repriever, it feels like your heart seizes, and skips a beat.
[08:25.51] <+Kir> "Warden, I need to talk to officials who can mobilize population"
[08:25.55] <Parsimony> Suddenly everything gains the lucid clarity of a surge of adrenaline.
[08:25.58] <+Kir> "I also need Mel"
[08:26.05] * Kir grimaces
[08:26.26] * Repriever exhales in surprise, then composes himself.
[08:26.41] <Parsimony> "Over the next several hours, you will feel a strange sensation, like pins and needles, or flames."
[08:26.45] * Iggy (IceChat78@d50-117-159-218.yt.northwestel.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[08:26.47] <Iggy> nick Melchior
[08:26.51] * Iggy is now known as Melchior
[08:26.56] <Parsimony> "It is your soul lodging itself back firmly in your body."
[08:27.07] * Observer sets mode +v Melchior for #nesdnd
[08:27.09] * Parsimony takes a deep breath.
[08:27.12] <+Repriever> "I can handle small pains."
[08:27.58] * Kir grabs Mel by the shoulder
[08:27.59] <Parsimony> "With the consent of the central controlling authority, any Warden can issue instructions through the spells woven into our citizens, Kir."
[08:28.06] <+Repriever> [mel is below deck, passed out]
[08:28.18] * Kir doesn't grab Mel by the shoulder
[08:28.23] <Parsimony> "We can mobilize them faster than any mortal nation."
[08:28.27] <+Kir> "Good"
[08:28.34] <+Kir> "You have engineers?
[08:28.35] <+Kir> "
[08:28.41] <Parsimony> "The suits will be more difficult. Entire towers are dedicated to their storage and maintenance."
[08:28.47] * Parsimony squints at the word 'engineers'
[08:28.49] <+Kir> "Necessary to evacuate suits"
[08:28.52] <Parsimony> "I do not understand that word."
[08:28.57] <+Penumbra> "Parsimony, what do you know of the nature of the connection between Mallakarta and the Wards of the Tower? Can she do more than simply empower them, but also alter them?"
[08:29.02] <+Kir> "Mechanical specialists"
[08:29.18] <+Kir> "I think, best if we transport suits mechanically"
[08:29.24] * Parsimony looks to Penumbra
[08:29.26] <+Kir> "Better than wasting energy or magic"
[08:29.52] * Parsimony looks around herself, checking for observers.
[08:30.02] <Parsimony> "Our wards are managed by...an entity."
[08:30.17] <Parsimony> "Something older than the Tower."
[08:30.26] <Parsimony> "For the love of the gods, this is a secret."
[08:30.33] * Parsimony says this in a whispered voice to Penumbra.
[08:31.03] <Parsimony> "No human could manage wards of this magnitude permanently."
[08:31.21] <Parsimony> "And an inscribed spell could easily be tampered."
[08:31.27] * Penumbra nods, an idea forming
[08:31.30] <Parsimony> "At any rate...this thing."
[08:31.51] <Parsimony> "We call it the Morningstar."
[08:32.23] <Parsimony> "It claims to have been made by Arta in the dawn age."
[08:32.37] <Parsimony> "If you wish to change the wards, you will have to speak to it."
[08:33.06] <+Repriever> [does parsimony need to maintain touch or is the spell in motion]
[08:33.42] <+Penumbra> "I've witness Mel's work before. And the signs on the wards remind me of some of them. Is it possible, perhaps, to modify the wards? Change them from the purpose of protection, to that... of transportation?"
[08:33.50] <+Kir> "Parsimony, I will need you to issue orders"
[08:34.02] <Parsimony> [it's in motion, Repriever]
[08:34.27] <+Penumbra> [whoops, using Akasha atm I believe]
[08:34.39] <Parsimony> [it's okay, Parsimony is in the know]
[08:35.33] * Repriever walks away from the group, to find a quiet place to pray for several minutes.
[08:35.33] <+Melchior> [giving away my secret name of power]
[08:35.37] <+Melchior> [grar]
[08:35.49] <+Penumbra> [?]
[08:36.11] <Parsimony> "That..."
[08:36.17] <Parsimony> "Hm."
[08:36.26] <Parsimony> "Morningstar is the one that moves the mountains..."
[08:36.58] <Parsimony> "When Arta broke, we had to manipulate the earth itself..."
[08:37.04] <Parsimony> "It may be possible."
[08:37.19] <Parsimony> "But I will not say that it can be done."
[08:37.31] <Parsimony> "That would be beyond any of us."
[08:37.53] * Penumbra nods
[08:38.07] <Parsimony> "But if Mellakarta built the Morningstar."
[08:38.21] <Parsimony> "Perhaps she can use it's powers better than we."
[08:39.10] * You are now known as DM
[08:39.42] <DM> Parsimony replies to Kir that she'll attempt to begin organizing transport of the suits, and using the excess civilian laborers to at least begin to bring them out of storage.
[08:40.02] <DM> But she estimates it'll take several weeks to get them all out of their towers.
[08:40.17] <DM> Meanwhile, belowdecks.
[08:40.35] <DM> Melchior comes to, in Ironrose's bed, in her tiny room/infirmary.
[08:40.52] <+Melchior> "Uff, by."
[08:41.05] * You are now known as Ironrose
[08:41.12] * Melchior thinks back to the last thing in her memory. Is it channeling with Shala?
[08:41.17] * Ironrose wipes her forehead with a cold cloth.
[08:41.27] <Ironrose> "Try Elydian, my rose."
[08:41.33] * You are now known as DM
[08:41.43] <DM> It is, Melchior. Wait, no. Repriever, just after.
[08:41.48] <DM> Saying you were fine, and then not being fine.
[08:41.52] <+Melchior> "Aer wae I came yet?"
[08:42.02] * You are now known as Ironrose
[08:42.05] * Melchior winks.
[08:42.08] <Ironrose> "That's...that's progress."
[08:42.24] <+Melchior> "Is the city safe?"
[08:42.37] <Ironrose> "Yes. For the moment."
[08:42.43] <+Melchior> "Then I sh'd probably rest, for the moment."
[08:42.50] <Ironrose> "You supplied enough energy to repair those shredded barriers."
[08:43.10] <Ironrose> "We're back in the Tower, and they're discussing strategy. Enemies are still outside."
[08:43.25] <Ironrose> "Drink this, it's herbal."
[08:43.32] <Ironrose> "Not sure if it does anything, but it's very refreshing."
[08:43.47] * Melchior takes the drink.
[08:44.20] <Ironrose> "I agree, rest. But I suspect you'll have some visitors, soon."
[08:44.24] <Ironrose> "So get what you can."
[08:44.26] * Ironrose winks.
[08:44.52] * Melchior smiles and lies down, contemplating what happened with Shala and the key earlier.
[08:45.05] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+13
[08:45.05] <%tBot> Melchior: 28 ([15] +13)
[08:45.10] <+Melchior> [Arcana]
[08:49.41] <Ironrose> "I'll leave you be."
[08:50.06] * Ironrose creeps back up onto the deck, taking Penumbra aside for a moment.
[08:50.11] * Melchior rests.
[08:50.18] <Ironrose> "Before you get caught up in the war council and everything that follows..."
[08:50.38] <Ironrose> "I think it's time to awaken Julia of Pyleth, before her body wastes to hunger."
[08:50.57] * Ironrose says this discreetly to Penumbra.
[08:51.08] <Ironrose> "And you are the only one who can awaken her, according to my instructions."
[08:51.17] * Penumbra does not look happy about this
[08:51.38] <Ironrose> "I am happy to be present, if you need support."
[08:51.50] <Ironrose> "Although this mind-spell of Kallias is far beyond my level."
[08:52.36] * Akvan emerges from his room, and on to the chaos of the deck
[08:52.38] <+Akvan> ...
[08:52.45] <+Akvan> "What... happened here?"
[08:52.54] * You are now known as Rylia
[08:53.05] * Penumbra takes a deep breath
[08:53.07] * Rylia looks up, from sketching a picture of Shala shooting a golden laser from her hands.
[08:53.10] <Rylia> "A lot."
[08:53.21] <+Akvan> "I... see that."
[08:53.28] <Rylia> "Apastron attacked. Shala and Mel stopped it, we're under siege."
[08:53.30] * Shala wonders if she could channel through Akvan next time
[08:53.32] <Rylia> "Short version."
[08:53.35] <+Shala> [ >_> ]
[08:53.36] <+Penumbra> "Very well, Ironrose. Please, take me to Julia and stay with us, for a bit."
[08:53.36] * Repriever is praying off alone on the bow of the deck.
[08:53.52] <Rylia> [You probably could, Shala]
[08:53.53] <+Akvan> "That... why did no one come get me?"
[08:54.04] <+Shala> "Things have been rather chaotic"
[08:54.13] * Shala says, clutching her stomach
[08:54.13] * Akvan shrugs
[08:54.23] <Rylia> "They reinforced the wards pretty quickly, and there was no attack."
[08:54.32] * Akvan walks to preev, pulling something from a pouch
[08:54.34] <Rylia> "Someone would have, I'm sure."
[08:54.43] <+Akvan> "I... made you something. If you'll have it."
[08:54.47] * Repriever has his eyes shut, kneeling.
[08:54.55] * You are now known as DM
[08:55.00] * Akvan sits cross legged infront of him
[08:55.05] * Repriever opens his eyes.
[08:55.14] <+Repriever> "What is it?"
[08:55.26] * Akvan hands him a hilt for a sword.
[08:55.27] * You are now known as Ironrose
[08:55.34] <Ironrose> "I was there, on the walls, just after the attack."
[08:55.37] * Ironrose says to Penumbra
[08:55.46] <Ironrose> "You aren't responsible for this," she says softly.
[08:55.50] <Ironrose> "Don't take it all on yourself."
[08:55.50] <+Akvan> "You said you needed a sword. You were going to make one. I... hope I helped a bit."
[08:55.52] * Repriever takes it, feeling it out and inspecting it.
[08:56.07] * Repriever smiles.
[08:56.12] <+Penumbra> "I will be, when she wakes."
[08:56.15] * You are now known as DM
[08:56.19] <DM> How would you describe the hilt, Akvan?
[08:56.27] <+Repriever> "It's lovely. Pray that we live long enough that I may make use of it."
[08:56.30] <+Akvan> ＋http://i.imgur.com/avHMDjV.png，
[08:56.33] <+Akvan> Looks something like this
[08:56.37] * DM takes Penumbra aside for a few words.
[08:56.42] <DM> Ironrose*
[08:56.46] <+Penumbra> [thank DM]
[08:56.58] <+Akvan> [It's a bone hilt, though a metal guard. Glass gems shine with an inner light, faintly.]
[08:57.07] <+Akvan> "It... feels like it has power."
[08:57.19] <+Repriever> "Whose bone is this?"
[08:57.19] <+Akvan> "Something... healing.
[08:57.20] <+Akvan> "
[08:57.30] <+Akvan> "Tarcirath."
[08:57.39] <+Repriever> "Which one?"
[08:57.59] <+Akvan> "The cliffs, maybe. Not one of the dead ones."
[08:58.20] <+Repriever> [velcirath, then?]
[08:58.20] <+Akvan> "undead, that is"
[08:58.25] <+Akvan> [Fack, yeah]
[08:58.46] <+Repriever> "They do look better this way, don't they?"
[08:59.00] <+Akvan> "Tiny and with glass inserts?"
[08:59.07] * Repriever thanks Akvan with a pat on the shoulder, but remains there kneeling.
[08:59.23] <+Repriever> "And thoroughly dead."
[08:59.33] <DM> It also has some elements of Lethe's power in it, too.
[08:59.50] <DM> The color of the gems are fused red and blue, if I remember correctly.
[08:59.55] <+Akvan> [For what it's worth, it gives +10 fire resist to the bearer, as well as a permanent resistance to any kind of status effect (It lowers the status effect by one degree)]
[08:59.56] <+Repriever> "It's better crafted than anything I could make."
[09:00.00] <+Akvan> [That is correct]
[09:00.04] * Akvan smiles
[09:00.35] <+Repriever> [which status effect?]
[09:01.12] <+Akvan> [It's essentially a permanent recentering drone effect]
[09:01.13] <+Akvan> ＋http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/r/recentering-drone/，
[09:01.45] <+Repriever> [oh cool, got it]
[09:02.05] <+Melchior> [so now we have a laughing sword AND a droning sword]
[09:02.15] <DM> And the effect is transferrable to anyone who touches the hilt, Repriever.
[09:02.24] * Repriever shuts his eyes and falls back into prayer while the restoration continues.
[09:02.35] <+Repriever> [and the sword isn't there yet, I haven't forged the blade this goes on]
[09:02.46] <+Akvan> Hey, the hilt still works
[09:02.56] <+Shala> [my two dads shipping is in full effect]
[09:03.23] <DM> Let's turn to address a matter unfolding belowdecks.
[09:03.36] <DM> As Ironrose and Penumbra enter the room with the sleeping Julia of Pyleth.
[09:03.52] <DM> Her so often violently-animated face placid, at peace.
[09:05.03] <+Penumbra> Penumbra walks slowly by her side, and kneels down so she is closer to Julia's face. Then she says, softly, "Julia? Are you awake?"
[09:05.33] <DM> Her eyes open, flutter unfocused, staring at the ceiling.
[09:05.36] * You are now known as Ironrose
[09:05.40] * Ironrose whispers in Penumbra's ear
[09:05.51] <Ironrose> "This is the suggestible state Kallias spoke of."
[09:05.53] * You are now known as Julia
[09:06.16] <Julia> "What happened?" she says, dully, facial muscles barely moving.
[09:06.25] <+Penumbra> "Julia, do you recognize me?"
[09:06.43] <Julia> "The dark lady at my side..."
[09:06.49] <Julia> "As my sisters' blood spread on the stones."
[09:06.54] <Julia> "My savior, Penumbra."
[09:07.08] * Julia says this without emotional affect, not looking at Penumbra.
[09:07.17] <+Penumbra> "Julia, you have just awoken after a long sickness."
[09:07.32] <Julia> "A sickness," she repeats, acknowledging.
[09:07.43] <Julia> "Did you heal me?"
[09:08.32] <+Penumbra> "A friend did." Penumbra looks to Ironrose whether to share Kallias' name or not.
[09:09.32] * You are now known as Ironrose
[09:09.36] <Ironrose> She shrugs, slightly.
[09:09.46] * You are now known as Julia
[09:09.51] <Julia> "Is this...Pyleth?"
[09:09.57] <Julia> "Did the ships get through..."
[09:10.06] <Julia> "The fleet..."
[09:10.32] <+Penumbra> "We are currently on the Reme, at the Citadel. We are far from Pyleth, and home."
[09:10.44] <Julia> "Reme...of Twilight."
[09:10.49] * Penumbra nods
[09:10.55] <+Penumbra> "Julia, listen to me. You were attacked by an enemy, a name-stealer, who tried to erase your mind. But you are now cured."
[09:11.04] * Julia closes her eyes and a faint smile spreads across her face.
[09:11.13] <+Penumbra> "We must stay vigilance, for if it ever tries to return."
[09:11.37] <Julia> "May I be your follower?" she asks faintly.
[09:11.48] <Julia> "You saved me."
[09:12.00] <Julia> "From the Apastron...and the name-stealer."
[09:12.55] <+Penumbra> Penumbra breaths smoothly, for a few moments, before asking, softly. "What do you wish to do, as my follower?"
[09:13.00] * Julia still sounds very frail.
[09:13.17] <Julia> "You are a herald, of Umbrea's return from hiding."
[09:13.35] <Julia> "I will be your handmaiden."
[09:13.51] <Julia> "I will do whatever you ask."
[09:14.45] * Penumbra is still struck by Julia's earnestness, shining through this suggestive state even now
[09:15.19] <Julia> "I'm thankful to Calcis, but my life was spared by Umbrea."
[09:15.23] * Penumbra recognizes that same moment, those weeks ago in that cart, where the same earnestness broke through one of the Enemy's veils, one step closer to the truth
[09:15.36] <Julia> "Let me learn the way of the shadows."
[09:15.42] <Julia> "The truth in darkness..."
[09:15.45] <Julia> "Please."
[09:15.45] <+Penumbra> "I would accept you as my follower, Julia, gladly."
[09:15.56] <Julia> "Thank you."
[09:15.58] * Penumbra smiles, a bit more certainly this time
[09:16.03] <Julia> "May I have something to eat?"
[09:16.15] * You are now known as Ironrose
[09:16.16] * Penumbra nods and looks towards Iron Rose
[09:16.22] * Ironrose smiles, and puts her hand on Penumbra's shoulder.
[09:16.30] <Ironrose> "Why don't we see about some soup from the galley."
[09:16.38] * You are now known as Julia
[09:16.45] * Julia tries to rise, then falls back into her bed.
[09:16.50] * You are now known as Ironrose
[09:16.52] <Ironrose> "Up up up."
[09:16.54] <Ironrose> "Not yet."
[09:17.05] <+Penumbra> "Rest, now."
[09:17.29] * You are now known as Julia
[09:17.31] * Julia turns to Penumbra, her wide eyes meeting hers for the first time.
[09:17.35] <Julia> "Will you visit me?"
[09:17.40] * Penumbra stays with Julia
[09:17.59] <+Penumbra> "Yes, I will visit you."
[09:18.36] * Julia half-laughs, lightly, then again.
[09:18.41] <Julia> "I'm so blessed."
[09:18.50] * You are now known as Ironrose
[09:19.01] * Ironrose nods to Penumbra and opens the door.
[09:19.08] <Ironrose> "She'll return very soon, Julia."
[09:19.21] * Ironrose mouths "that was great" to Penumbra.
[09:19.40] * Penumbra stands up and thanks Ironrose as she heads out, pausing for a moment before leaving the room
[09:20.11] * You are now known as Julia
[09:20.23] * Julia looks at her hands, holding them up, and whispers to herself, "I can see through the walls," before closing her eyes again with a smile on her face.
[09:20.42] <+Repriever> [>.>]
[09:20.47] <+Penumbra> [wee woo]
[09:21.28] * Penumbra heads to the chapel, where she last sensed Madei. She does not head straight up, but hands outside first.
[09:21.33] <+Penumbra> *hangs
[09:21.40] * You are now known as DM
[09:22.16] <DM> Kir has gone out into the Tower, to help mobilize the stored suits for evacuation. He chooses a possible site for a water-portal at a central fountain, on a great elevated sky-bridge at the nexus of three stone towers.
[09:22.46] <DM> The word also goes out to the landbound, the Abjurer civilians with the complex facial tattoos.
[09:23.25] <DM> Pretty soon, there are a large series of camps in the streets outside Kir's possible evacuation point, with some grumbling about abandoning the Tower but general compliance so far.
[09:23.38] * Akvan wanders over to Kir
[09:23.46] <+Akvan> "Where are you sending them?"
[09:24.02] <DM> You're able to find him after a few minutes of asking for directions from various armored suits organizing lines and rations.
[09:24.37] <DM> A cart filled with piled suits rumbles by, pulled by a harried-looking horse.
[09:25.11] <+Kir> "Te Glihme"
[09:25.22] * Akvan nods
[09:25.26] <+Akvan> "Good call"
[09:25.38] <+Kir> "Then, when we return"
[09:25.48] <+Kir> "We have army wherever, whenever we need it"
[09:26.04] <+Akvan> "Permanent escape? or just temporarily?"
[09:27.11] <+Kir> "Temporary"
[09:27.20] <+Kir> "But we get strategic initiative"
[09:27.24] <+Akvan> "Do you need help?"
[09:27.56] * Kir thinks
[09:28.32] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:28.41] <+Kir> "Probably"
[09:28.53] <+Kir> "I do not know anything now, but soon"
[09:28.59] * Parsimony approaches Repriever, her lips moving in silent communication with the other Wardens.
[09:29.12] <+Akvan> "Let me know."
[09:29.15] * Akvan nods
[09:29.20] * Repriever is quietly praying, still.
[09:29.21] <Parsimony> "There's something approaching the wards."
[09:29.32] <+Repriever> "What sort of something?"
[09:29.37] <Parsimony> "It looks like a trained hawk, alive, possibly a messenger bird."
[09:29.50] <Parsimony> "Smart, since an undead bird would be fried."
[09:30.05] <+Repriever> "Like a trained hawk?"
[09:30.06] * Repriever sighs.
[09:30.12] * Parsimony nods.
[09:30.17] <Parsimony> "Kill it or let it approach?"
[09:30.18] <+Repriever> "How long until the spell's complete?"
[09:30.33] * Parsimony closes her eyes briefly.
[09:30.43] <Parsimony> "It's almost done now. Can you feel it working its way out to your fingertips?"
[09:31.01] * Repriever can.
[09:31.11] <+Repriever> "Let it approach, I'll fetch it."
[09:31.28] * Repriever stands and gathers his gear from around him.
[09:31.55] <+Repriever> "We used birds in Elydia, so I have a feeling it's for me."
[09:32.10] <Parsimony> One of the golden ships making the perimeter breaks off, approaching swiftly with its energetic hum.
[09:32.34] <+Shala> "Repriever, you JUST got your arm back"
[09:32.42] <Parsimony> A bird follows it, seeming to know by instinct to.
[09:32.54] <+Repriever> "Someone has to play along, or the wards might come crumbling down."
[09:33.06] <+Repriever> "The more information the better."
[09:33.12] * Repriever notes the approaching bird.
[09:33.21] <Parsimony> It flutters a few times, claws gripping the railing.
[09:33.39] <Parsimony> It is definitely alive, fierce yellow eyes and hooked beak. A long-range bird, of the sort you used to use, Repriever.
[09:33.42] * You are now known as Hawk
[09:33.42] * Repriever is suspicious enough to once over the thing.
[09:33.57] <Hawk> "kwah"
[09:34.09] <+Repriever> [does it have a message tied to it]
[09:34.15] * Hawk has a small scroll attached to its leg, bound in black velvet ribbon.
[09:34.25] <+Melchior> [It's a Chocobo!]
[09:34.38] * Repriever puts out his flesh arm and clicks his tongue.
[09:34.46] <+Shala> ["prank'd ya!"]
[09:34.53] * Hawk chirps, turning its head as it hops onto Repriever's arm.
[09:34.54] <+Repriever> [IED time]
[09:35.17] * Repriever takes the message from the ribbon.
[09:35.20] <Hawk> It flaps its wings twice more, stabilizing.
[09:35.25] <Hawk> Looks expectant for food.
[09:35.41] * Repriever makes a face that says he'll feed it in a minute.
[09:36.47] * You are now known as DM
[09:36.56] * Repriever reads it, then grunts.
[09:36.59] <DM> Parsimony watches, hand on her sword hilt.
[09:37.02] <+Repriever> "Shala, paper."
[09:37.12] * Shala rummages in her sack
[09:37.18] <+Shala> "Here. What does it say?"
[09:37.30] <+Repriever> "They want to treat."
[09:37.48] <+Shala> "I can't imagine what the Apastron's terms would be..."
[09:38.25] <+Repriever> "We need time, so I'll go find out."
[09:38.49] * Repriever takes a writing utensil from Shala, sets the bird back on the railing, and scribbles a reply, then ties it back.
[09:38.50] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:38.52] <Parsimony> "Alone?"
[09:39.02] * Shala shrugs
[09:39.12] <+Shala> "Two of us can't fight Apastron anymore than one"
[09:39.24] <Parsimony> "We have crystals which will teleport you to the Reliquary in an instant, if it's treachery."
[09:39.27] <+Repriever> "Who can I take that wouldn't be in danger?"
[09:39.36] <Parsimony> "Although it might be a risk letting it fall into their hands."
[09:40.00] <+Repriever> "Kir is busy, Akasha is sleeping. Penumbra and Shala are too precious to risk."
[09:40.23] * Shala uncurls a curl and lets it bounce back into the rest of her hair
[09:40.32] <Parsimony> "You could bring Akvan."
[09:40.48] <+Repriever> "I could."
[09:40.52] <Parsimony> "Show that the dragons are represented as well."
[09:41.00] * Repriever offers the hawk some dried gecko.
[09:41.32] <Parsimony> "That will mean that the Azure Prince sees this conversation," she says, quietly.
[09:41.59] * Parsimony considers that prospect neutrally.
[09:42.22] <+Repriever> "Where is Akvan now?"
[09:42.39] * Parsimony closes her eyes.
[09:42.57] <Parsimony> "Triskelic Court. The evacuuation point. Kir is there as well."
[09:43.03] * Repriever casts the hawk back with the reply.
[09:43.26] * You are now known as Hawk
[09:43.46] * Hawk soars out, falls down, catches a thermal and rises up on it, gliding towards the enemy lines.
[09:44.01] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:44.05] <Parsimony> "How will you get there?"
[09:44.17] <Parsimony> "We can arrange a ship."
[09:44.25] <+Repriever> "I'm good at walking."
[09:44.41] * Parsimony gives you an "are you serious" look.
[09:45.10] <+Repriever> "No need to rush our meeting. Kir needs all the time he can, and Akasha."
[09:45.17] <Parsimony> "They're in the sky, and I assume you would rather not risk the Reme."
[09:45.38] <+Repriever> "They'll come down to earth."
[09:45.59] <+Repriever> "At the edge of your wards."
[09:46.27] <Parsimony> "Our wards extend out over the glacial cliffs. At least let us set you down near to the edge."
[09:46.46] <+Shala> "As young as you look these days, it's difficult to throw off the habits of advanced age..."
[09:46.52] <+Repriever> "Gather Akvan for me, and so be it."
[09:47.00] * You are now known as DM
[09:47.08] <+Repriever> "Shala, be ready for anything. Make sure Akasha is up and work with her."
[09:47.16] * Shala nods
[09:47.32] <DM> Meanwhile, in the fountain court with the refugees, one of the suits rumbles to you, with a sonorous but feminine alto, Akvan.
[09:47.33] <+Shala> "Hopefully...not in the same way"
[09:47.35] <+Repriever> "And don't let Penumbra follow."
[09:47.54] <+Akvan> "Me turns to the suit"
[09:47.57] <DM> "You're needed back at your ship, urgently."
[09:48.01] <+Shala> [lol]
[09:48.06] <+Shala> [canon dialogue]
[09:48.12] <DM> [:p]
[09:48.16] <+Akvan> CANON
[09:48.17] <+Akvan> yup
[09:48.28] <+Akvan> "Alright. I'm on my way."
[09:48.35] * You are now known as Parsimony
[09:48.46] <Parsimony> "There's another matter, Repriever, before you go."
[09:49.05] <Parsimony> "I spoke of it to Penumbra, earlier."
[09:49.13] * Repriever waits.
[09:49.26] <Parsimony> "There is a deep mind that runs this place. All of the spells that control it. The energy circuits, the distribution, the communication spells."
[09:49.35] <Parsimony> "We call it Morningstar."
[09:49.47] <Parsimony> "I believe Ar-Akasha may wish to speak to it."
[09:49.59] <+Melchior> [I do believe I would]
[09:50.08] <+Repriever> "Then have her do so while we distract the creature at the gates."
[09:50.11] <+Shala> [it probably is her, knowing this dnd :p ]
[09:50.25] <+Repriever> "I trust her fully. Her decision is my decision."
[09:50.36] <Parsimony> "So be it."
[09:50.47] <Parsimony> "It will take...some time for her to reach its chamber and unlock it."
[09:50.57] <+Repriever> "Will she be safe?"
[09:51.12] <Parsimony> "It is benevolent."
[09:51.14] <Parsimony> "And I think..."
[09:51.19] <Parsimony> "She may have constructed it."
[09:51.43] <+Repriever> "Make sure she has someone with her. Shala?"
[09:51.50] <+Shala> "What about the wards?"
[09:52.07] <+Repriever> "If Morningstar controls them, you being down there is for the best."
[09:52.21] * Shala ponders briefly
[09:52.30] <+Shala> "Very well, I'll go down below with her."
[09:52.47] <+Repriever> "And Dolomite, if Parsimony allows it."
[09:53.03] <Parsimony> "Of course. I'm willing to go as well."
[09:53.10] <+Repriever> "Good."
[09:53.17] <Parsimony> "Morningstar has never hurt anyone, but we cannot be too careful."
[09:53.22] <+Shala> "In honesty, I'm greatly relieved. Much more suited to my skills..."
[09:53.42] <+Repriever> "I'll be back. It's only the dark lord."
[09:53.48] * Repriever leaves to join Akvan.
[09:53.57] * Shala searches for Mel
[09:55.03] * You are now known as DM
[09:55.05] <DM> Alright.
[09:55.23] <DM> We're going to segment for a moment. We'll handle Repriever and Akvan first, then Mel and Shala second.
[09:55.38] <DM> Time permitting, if we run over we'll handle the latter in a side session.
[09:56.41] <DM> Repriever, you feel a newfound strength, despite the looming dread of what is to come.
[09:56.45] <DM> Your soul is restored.
[09:56.46] * Melchior is resting in bed if/when Shala finds her.
[09:57.32] * Repriever flares the arm through the different divine components of its whole.
[09:57.43] * Repriever hopes the divines heard him well earlier.
[09:57.55] * Akvan wanders onto the deck of the reme
[09:57.58] <+Akvan> "You needed me?"
[09:58.12] <+Repriever> [I'm not sure where we meet, actually]
[09:58.17] <DM> Akvan arrives from one of the golden ships, which he was able to cling to as it weaved through the towers.
[09:58.29] <DM> Or, he could have taken flight with his wings of flame.
[09:58.31] <DM> Your choice.
[09:58.35] <DM> But you meet at the Reme deck.
[09:58.37] <+Repriever> "Our enemy has sent a message, in the hand of the Palethorn."
[09:58.49] <+Repriever> "You and I are going to speak with them, at the barrier."
[09:58.51] <+Akvan> "Oh... Him. You sure you're ready to face him again?"
[09:58.58] <+Repriever> "We have no choice."
[09:59.02] * Akvan nods
[09:59.26] <+Repriever> "Keep in mind the people we're protecting, and hold your tongue of anything too dangerous. Speak no secrets."
[09:59.27] <+Akvan> "Do... we wait for you to have a sword? or is it an immediate parley?"
[09:59.30] <+Repriever> "Do not taunt him."
[09:59.36] <+Repriever> "It is immediate."
[09:59.41] <+Repriever> "We're leaving now."
[09:59.45] <+Akvan> "I would not taunt him. I'll follow your lead."
[10:00.26] * Akvan looks around
[10:00.30] <+Repriever> "Remember the docks. These are dangerous creatures."
[10:00.37] <+Akvan> "Do we walk? or do we ride with these people?"
[10:00.53] <+Akvan> "I... remember the docks."
[10:01.03] <+Repriever> "They've offered us a ride to the barrier, from there we walk alone."
[10:01.19] * Akvan nods
[10:01.29] * Repriever gets onto whatever our ride is.
[10:01.35] <DM> Two golden ships, these with open crystalline cockpits rather than closed golden coffins, land on Reme deck.
[10:01.39] <+Akvan> "Straight into the wolf's mouth, eh?"
[10:01.41] * You are now known as Parsimony
[10:01.44] <Parsimony> "Good luck."
[10:01.48] * Akvan mutters to no one in particular
[10:01.50] <Parsimony> "Be wary."
[10:02.13] <+Repriever> "Just make sure Morningstar is on our side."
[10:02.42] <+Repriever> "If anything happens to Akasha or Shala..."
[10:02.48] * Parsimony changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 63: Trembling Fingers - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KmbsKHV6hE，
[10:02.52] * Repriever shakes his head, then climbs into one of the weird golden coffins.
[10:03.00] * Akvan follows
[10:03.08] * You are now known as DM
[10:03.30] <DM> Thankfully these have a small crystal window to look through rather than totally sealing you in.
[10:03.42] <+Akvan> "What do they want?"
[10:03.49] * Akvan asks preev, if he can hear me
[10:03.53] <+Repriever> "I have no idea."
[10:03.57] <DM> Interestingly, he can.
[10:04.10] <DM> Some sort of spell-circuit allows for communication between your two voices, as if through a pipe.
[10:04.14] <+Repriever> "But we will give them nothing that we can help."
[10:04.20] <+Akvan> "Nothing at all."
[10:04.37] <+Akvan> "Didn't they promise us a year? Or the Apastron, that is?"
[10:05.00] <+Repriever> "He promised, but maybe his word isn't worth much."
[10:05.10] <DM> Soon, there is the vertigo-inducing sensation of motion, as the ground drops away, and the ships launch themselves into action.
[10:05.19] * Akvan gulps
[10:05.27] <DM> They rapidly soar over the towers, though you can only see their tips, as you lie on your backs, facing upwards.
[10:05.45] <+Repriever> "If they engage, retreat into the wards."
[10:06.21] <+Akvan> "I'm following your lead."
[10:06.28] <DM> Then the magical lights illuminating the towers at night fade, and there is only the pale bulk of the mountains, reflected in the ambient golden light of the ships.
[10:07.11] <DM> You pass into the blackness, and to the edge of the wards, and they land, on a frost-encrusted hillside overlooking a pale, cold mountain stream, and nothing but a bowl of mountains and the dark sky.
[10:08.06] * Akvan 's stomach drops out under his feet
[10:08.21] <DM> It's very different flying under your own power, feeling the forces pushing you forward.
[10:08.25] * Repriever prays to Arta, and turns off his magic arm inside the coffin.
[10:08.28] <DM> And being pushed forward by other, strange forces, Akvan.
[10:08.50] <+Akvan> "I'm not sure I like flying sealed away like this
[10:08.51] <+Akvan> "
[10:08.55] * Akvan burps
[10:09.20] <DM> They stop as abruptly as they start, and slowly lower to the ground, the tops popping open.
[10:09.45] <DM> Your arm hums gold and then disintegrates into starry motes, Repriever.
[10:10.05] <DM> But you feel the spells to reactivate it, hooked into the flesh of your stump like a muscle you aren't using.
[10:11.21] <DM> Your boots crunch, as you get out in the frozen ground.
[10:11.24] * Repriever feels the loss, but knows this is for the best.
[10:11.34] <DM> Spring has not yet come here, in the high mountains.
[10:11.42] <DM> It will be another month or two.
[10:11.43] * Repriever scans for Akvan.
[10:11.57] <DM> He's near, looking a bit queasy as he gets out.
[10:11.59] <+Repriever> "This is diplomacy, Akvan."
[10:12.14] <+Repriever> "Let's try not to be too much like me."
[10:12.26] <+Akvan> "Or me..."
[10:12.36] * Repriever snorts.
[10:13.06] * Repriever leads toward the barrier.
[10:13.22] * Akvan follows
[10:13.24] * Repriever is pointedly one armed again.
[10:13.47] <DM> It's not visible, but you can feel it, the successive onion-layers peeling back, or like leaving a hot steam bath into a cold room.
[10:14.06] <DM> And then it approaches, and its feeling is unmistakable.
[10:14.24] <DM> A wave of frost creeps across the ground, layered over everything.
[10:14.39] * Akvan shivers, even under the furs he still wears
[10:14.52] * Repriever exhales white clouds.
[10:15.01] <DM> And a black ship drops out of the sky, out of the nothingness, to land gracefully, despite being several hundred feet long.
[10:15.06] <+Repriever> "Be brave," he says to Akvan.
[10:16.40] <DM> A gangplank of ice forms out of nothingness, and three cloaked figures walk down it. One bulky, the other tall but slender, and the third small.
[10:17.28] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+5
[10:17.28] <%tBot> Akvan: 22 ([17] +5)
[10:17.32] <+Akvan> perception
[10:17.36] <+Akvan> (ambush, etc)
[10:17.37] * Repriever stands straighter.
[10:18.07] * Akvan flares a bit of blue flame in an aura
[10:18.23] <DM> In the darkness is lit up the white hair of the Palethorn.
[10:18.38] <+Akvan> "It's couplet"
[10:18.39] <DM> And, lowering their hoods, the solemn, young face of Couplet.
[10:18.40] * Akvan whispers to preev
[10:18.46] <+Repriever> "I see."
[10:19.03] <DM> And the bony, skeletal prominence of Tashkora, her ice-tarcirath guardian in human form.
[10:19.16] * Akvan starts forward, then stops
[10:19.19] * Akvan stares at couplet
[10:19.24] <+Repriever> "Calm."
[10:19.28] <DM> The overpowering aura of the Essence of Void...it is here, and it presses you back, almost, as you step towards them.
[10:19.33] <DM> But, something is off.
[10:19.45] <DM> The Palethorn is holding Void.
[10:19.51] <+Repriever> [akvan has +4 vs fear]
[10:19.54] <DM> Under his cloak.
[10:20.03] * Repriever finds this concerning.
[10:20.18] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 63: Trembling Fingers - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34jLXwEzz0M，
[10:20.24] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:20.35] <Palethorn> "Come forward, Assan. Greet us as equals."
[10:20.48] * Palethorn ignores Akvan.
[10:21.02] <+Repriever> "Stay behind me."
[10:21.05] * Repriever says to Akvan.
[10:21.13] * Akvan nods
[10:21.17] * Repriever steps forward a few steps, then stops again.
[10:21.26] <+Repriever> "We were given time. That time has yet to expire."
[10:21.36] <Palethorn> "Would you dismiss it? I cannot stand to see Carcephon gain over us both."
[10:21.40] * Akvan keeps looking at couplet
[10:21.43] * You are now known as Couplet
[10:21.57] * Couplet puts her hand, in dark armor, on Palethorn's arm.
[10:22.04] <Couplet> "I told you, Pale. He's different."
[10:22.17] <+Repriever> "He is here at my request."
[10:22.27] <Couplet> "I'm sorry, Akvan."
[10:22.42] * Repriever doesn't look at Couplet, only Palethorn.
[10:22.49] <+Akvan> "I'm sorry for you, couplet. I miss you."
[10:22.59] <Couplet> "I miss you too, so much."
[10:23.13] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:23.29] <Palethorn> "It must be cold, for you."
[10:23.43] * You are now known as DM
[10:23.48] <DM> Everpresent, pulsing, like a heartbeat.
[10:23.52] <DM> The Essence.
[10:23.56] <DM> It is so strong.
[10:24.21] <+Repriever> "You asked to speak with us, not threaten. Why are you here?"
[10:25.01] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:25.19] <Palethorn> "The world is different than either of us thought, Assan."
[10:25.25] <Palethorn> "We were so wrong, about so much."
[10:25.39] <+Repriever> "Whatever you believe is a corruption."
[10:25.57] * Palethorn waves his hands, sighing, and five chairs appear, carved out of ice.
[10:26.05] <+Repriever> "You haven't answered me. Why are you here?"
[10:26.22] * Palethorn gestures to the chairs as they rise up out of the frost like fast-growing shoots.
[10:26.27] <Palethorn> "Please, sit."
[10:26.32] * Repriever recalls the last time he sat with an essence wielder.
[10:26.32] <Palethorn> "We are treating, are we not."
[10:26.44] <Palethorn> "On my honor, no harm will come to you this night."
[10:27.20] <+Repriever> [sense motive, if possible]
[10:27.34] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+7
[10:27.34] <%tBot> Repriever: 14 ([7] +7)
[10:28.01] <Palethorn> There is no hostility in his language or posture.
[10:28.04] * You are now known as Couplet
[10:28.09] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip2.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[10:28.17] <+Repriever> [rip]
[10:28.24] <Couplet> "The Apastron isn't here, captain."
[10:28.43] * Repriever fears she might be wrong about that, but doesn't vocalize it.
[10:28.55] <+Repriever> "We will sit, on your honor, Adran."
[10:29.25] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:29.26] * Repriever comes forward and cautiously prepares to sit.
[10:29.37] <Palethorn> "There are a few matters, for which I would appreciate the velcirath's silence."
[10:29.49] * Palethorn smiles.
[10:29.53] <Palethorn> "Repriever of Calcis."
[10:29.59] <Palethorn> "And Count Palatine besides."
[10:30.02] <+Repriever> "He is a passionate young man. You know how those can be."
[10:30.28] <+Repriever> [is thomas gone?]
[10:30.34] <Palethorn> [one sec, he is reconnecting]
[10:30.48] <+Kir> [brb, bathroom]
[10:31.13] <Palethorn> Meanwhile, Kir, Shala, Penny Mel, you guys can do #nesdnd2, since Kir has some questions to ask the magic users about portal stuff
[10:31.17] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip1.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[10:31.27] * Palethorn sets mode +v Akvan for #nesdnd
[10:31.29] <+Akvan> (Can you post what happened since the last time I spoke?)
[10:31.35] <Palethorn> [I'll pm you]
[10:31.39] <+Akvan> (Thanks)
[10:31.49] <+Akvan> (Actually, last thing I saw:)
[10:32.01] <+Akvan> (Was "We came to speak, not be threatened)
[10:32.04] <+Akvan> or something like that
[10:32.43] <Palethorn> "I do."
[10:32.47] <Palethorn> "I once led one."
[10:32.55] * Palethorn smiles, laugh lines wrinkling his eyes.
[10:33.23] <+Repriever> [one sec]
[10:34.05] <Palethorn> "But I must apologize for not knowing your true title and accomplishments."
[10:34.32] <Palethorn> "I was new to this world, again, when the Apastron summoned me to guard Couplet."
[10:34.44] <Palethorn> "She has taught me much, since."
[10:34.45] <+Repriever> "And I am very old to it."
[10:34.55] * Repriever sits opposite the three void beings.
[10:35.54] <+Repriever> "Now, please, Palethorn. Explain to me why you're here."
[10:35.56] * Akvan kneels next to him
[10:36.03] <+Repriever> [they have chairs]
[10:36.11] <Palethorn> All of you have chairs, in fact.
[10:36.32] <Palethorn> Albeit carved of ice.
[10:36.35] <+Akvan> (Oh, I missed that)
[10:37.07] <Palethorn> "To give you the truth."
[10:37.32] <Palethorn> "At first, I wished to apologize for ending your line."
[10:37.44] <Palethorn> "Grief and remorse overtook me."
[10:37.50] <Palethorn> "It was not something I ever should have done."
[10:38.06] * Palethorn considers his gauntleted hands in his lap.
[10:38.11] * Akvan nods, though is still looking at couplet
[10:38.15] <+Repriever> "As you can see, I'm here now."
[10:38.46] <+Repriever> "Nettle is very difficult to get rid of."
[10:39.00] <Palethorn> "Yes."
[10:39.09] * Palethorn has the look of a slowly-gathering storm.
[10:39.33] <Palethorn> "It required time to understand what you did, Assan."
[10:39.49] <+Repriever> "I survived. It's what I do."
[10:39.54] <Palethorn> "Did you learn the power to twist reality itself from the Dragon?"
[10:40.06] * Palethorn studies Akvan's face.
[10:40.18] * Repriever exhales softly.
[10:40.38] <+Repriever> "I don't know what you're talking about."
[10:40.43] <Palethorn> "It took weeks of study and meditation to determine what you did, Repriever."
[10:41.03] <Palethorn> "You changed the universe."
[10:41.12] <Palethorn> "Filled my heart with words, and rage, destined for another."
[10:41.21] * Palethorn gestures to Akvan.
[10:41.23] * Akvan turns sharply to look at repreiver, a frown on his face
[10:41.27] <Palethorn> "It was him I slew. Not you."
[10:41.31] * Akvan doesn't speak, but edges forward a bit
[10:41.34] <Palethorn> Akvan, Repriever, fort saves.
[10:41.47] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+15
[10:41.47] <%tBot> Repriever: 22 ([7] +15)
[10:41.54] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+9
[10:41.54] <%tBot> Akvan: 18 ([9] +9)
[10:43.07] <Palethorn> You both get significant headaches, although only Repriever knows why.
[10:43.18] <+Repriever> "I believe you're mistaken."
[10:43.26] <Palethorn> "Lies."
[10:43.32] * Palethorn speaks quietly, now.
[10:43.41] <Palethorn> "Do you understand the consequences of what you've done?"
[10:44.06] <+Repriever> "I have a question for you, instead."
[10:44.19] <+Repriever> "Nine months remain. Why are you hounding us?"
[10:44.37] * Repriever stays calm.
[10:44.40] * You are now known as Couplet
[10:44.46] <Couplet> "We were never going to hurt you!" says Couplet, earnestly.
[10:44.53] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:44.59] <Palethorn> "She is correct."
[10:45.13] <Palethorn> "The Apastron, at any rate, is not here."
[10:45.17] <+Repriever> "I have come here to save lives, not bring a war."
[10:45.24] <Palethorn> "His truce with you remains."
[10:45.41] <Palethorn> "We used the weapon to get your attention, and here we have it."
[10:45.59] <+Repriever> "My attention? You could've killed everyone."
[10:46.04] <Palethorn> "Also, his truce with you does not extend to this corrupt Tower."
[10:46.06] * Akvan sitting crosslegged on the chair.
[10:46.11] <+Akvan> is*
[10:46.44] <+Repriever> "So long as I reside within these walls, an attack on the tower is an attack on me."
[10:46.58] <+Repriever> "It's very simple."
[10:47.28] * Repriever keeps his voice low.
[10:47.52] * Akvan falls off the chair, nose bleeding in a stream
[10:48.02] * Akvan clutches his head
[10:48.17] * Repriever reaches down for him, slipping out of the chair.
[10:48.46] <Palethorn> "The evidence of your treachery," Palethorn says coldly.
[10:48.49] <Palethorn> "To the divines."
[10:48.53] <Palethorn> "To the universe itself."
[10:49.13] <Palethorn> "But there is forgiveness, Assan."
[10:49.16] * Repriever attempts to use lay on hands to calm Akvan.
[10:49.33] <Palethorn> It fails, sputtering in the intense aura of Void.
[10:49.56] * Repriever grits his teeth.
[10:50.09] <+Repriever> "You promised not to harm us."
[10:50.28] * You are now known as Couplet
[10:50.32] <Couplet> "I can heal him."
[10:50.36] <Couplet> "If you let me."
[10:50.47] <+Repriever> "No."
[10:50.59] <Couplet> "Please, captain," her voice quavers.
[10:51.05] * Repriever scoops Akvan into a sitting position, seeing if he's present.
[10:51.30] * Couplet tries to get out of her chair, but Tashkora gently pulls her back, with an icy whisper.
[10:52.30] * Repriever redoubles his effort to heal Akvan.
[10:52.35] * Akvan nods at akvan
[10:52.37] <+Repriever> [will save]
[10:52.47] <+Akvan> at preev*
[10:52.48] <+Akvan> sorry
[10:52.48] <+Shala> [also canon]
[10:52.51] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+11
[10:52.51] <%tBot> Repriever: 25 ([14] +11)
[10:53.11] <Couplet> There is a faint flickering of stars from your hands, but nothing happens.
[10:53.17] <Couplet> Akvan, however, is regaining strength on his own.
[10:53.22] * You are now known as Palethorn
[10:53.31] * Repriever barely holds his chill.
[10:53.34] <Palethorn> "You must see the evidence of what you are doing."
[10:53.47] <Palethorn> "And Repriever."
[10:53.49] <+Repriever> "Do not push me, please."
[10:53.51] * Akvan shoots a betrayed look at preev
[10:53.56] * Akvan also shoots one to couplet
[10:53.56] <Palethorn> "This is no longer the first universe."
[10:54.01] * Repriever helps Akvan into his chair.
[10:54.05] <+Akvan> "Thank you"
[10:54.12] * Akvan tries to load all kinds of meaning
[10:54.18] <Palethorn> "Or even the second, or the third."
[10:54.30] * Repriever turns to Palethorn as he sits back in his own chair.
[10:55.13] <+Repriever> "You killed me. That is what happened. You must accept it."
[10:55.20] <Palethorn> "Repriever."
[10:55.38] <Palethorn> "The more time is altered."
[10:55.59] <Palethorn> "The more that the universe is changed, the more that destinies and souls are cut and prevented from existing, the more it grows."
[10:56.10] <Palethorn> "The creeping chaos."
[10:56.24] <Palethorn> "You are building it. Strengthening it."
[10:56.27] <+Repriever> "This is not a lecture."
[10:56.47] <Palethorn> "You are responsible for the Nameless one."
[10:57.00] * Akvan is sitting, shaken
[10:57.22] <+Repriever> "No, Thorn. You are."
[10:57.45] <Palethorn> "Age has not tempered your stubbornness."
[10:57.58] <Palethorn> "You were always the type to work until your muscles tore."
[10:58.02] <+Repriever> "If Apastron would keep to his word and cease attacking the innocent. Things would have happened differently."
[10:58.34] <Palethorn> "Would you believe me, if I said that we still serve the divines?"
[10:58.40] <Palethorn> "And the Apastron does, as well."
[10:58.43] <+Repriever> "So he said at Pyleth."
[10:59.01] <+Repriever> "Then he took my arm."
[10:59.11] <Palethorn> "I still serve Astara."
[10:59.23] <Palethorn> "I serve her in a greater way than our tiny war."
[10:59.45] <+Repriever> "How can you serve Her, when the man you follow seeks her demise?"
[11:00.12] <Palethorn> "But he doesn't."
[11:00.23] <Palethorn> "He hates what the Ritual, what Bel, has twisted her to become."
[11:00.43] <Palethorn> "Just as he hates what the Ritual has twisted into being...and what you have aided, the destroyer, the name-taker."
[11:01.09] <Palethorn> "This Ritual has destroyed our world, and it is eating away at our universe."
[11:01.19] <Palethorn> "You cannot be so blind as to not see that!"
[11:01.35] * Repriever smiles half-heartedly.
[11:01.40] <Palethorn> "Let me tell you one more thing."
[11:01.46] <Palethorn> "Do you know why the Apastron is not here?"
[11:01.57] <+Repriever> "No."
[11:02.24] <Palethorn> "Azri Bel Azimel attacked him."
[11:02.34] * Akvan grimaces
[11:02.37] <+Repriever> "Did he now?"
[11:02.41] <Palethorn> "In the ruins of Khizunadh."
[11:02.46] <+Repriever> "And what become of them?"
[11:03.02] <Palethorn> "A stalemate. Both exhausted, and injured."
[11:03.11] <Palethorn> "Azimel retreated."
[11:03.21] <+Repriever> "So why is it that you have brought that weapon here?"
[11:03.22] <Palethorn> "Khizunadh no longer exists."
[11:03.41] <Palethorn> "A bay, in its place, of the mage's wanton destruction."
[11:03.46] <Palethorn> "You know his goals."
[11:03.56] <Palethorn> "To twist and use this Ritual like every other before him."
[11:04.42] <+Repriever> "Mancers always were twisting and prodding."
[11:04.48] * Repriever says with genuine disgust.
[11:05.13] <Palethorn> "Do you support his plan?"
[11:05.35] * Akvan nods as well
[11:05.47] <+Repriever> "What do you believe?"
[11:05.54] <Palethorn> "You could never."
[11:05.59] * Akvan then shakes his head
[11:05.59] <Palethorn> "I can feel what he has done."
[11:06.04] <Palethorn> "His rape of the divines."
[11:06.11] * Akvan scowls
[11:06.21] <Palethorn> "And your mistress is no different, Akvan."
[11:06.30] <+Akvan> "Not quite"
[11:06.40] <Palethorn> "You will learn, in time."
[11:06.40] <+Repriever> "You want Azri killed for his crimes?"
[11:06.50] <Palethorn> "You are not the first of her...favorites."
[11:07.05] <Palethorn> "Of course."
[11:07.09] * Repriever proffers his one hand, open, across to Palethorn.
[11:07.10] <Palethorn> "Azri must die for his crimes."
[11:07.16] * Palethorn takes it, and smiles.
[11:07.22] <+Repriever> "Give me the Essence of Void."
[11:07.26] <Palethorn> "I have not changed, old friend."
[11:07.28] * Palethorn frowns.
[11:07.37] * Palethorn releases his hand.
[11:07.42] * Akvan stands up behind repreiver
[11:07.48] <+Akvan> "Couplet... come back"
[11:07.50] * Akvan whispers
[11:07.58] * You are now known as Couplet
[11:08.03] <+Repriever> "Akvan, refrain yourself, please."
[11:08.06] * Couplet just stares back at  him, helplessly.
[11:08.15] * Akvan bows his head
[11:08.44] * You are now known as Palethorn
[11:08.54] <Palethorn> "There is something else I might wish to say, something I think will convince you."
[11:09.02] <Palethorn> "How I said this is not even the second universe."
[11:09.11] <+Repriever> "Of your rightness, or your goodness?"
[11:09.28] <Palethorn> "Assan, we know what scripture teaches."
[11:09.35] <Palethorn> "Our destiny is the outer darkness, the final release."
[11:10.02] <Palethorn> "My goodness or evil does not change that destiny."
[11:10.05] <Palethorn> "Nor yours."
[11:10.08] <+Repriever> "A place I wish to be, when my time is done."
[11:10.12] <+Repriever> "But it isn't."
[11:10.14] <+Repriever> "Not yet."
[11:10.21] <Palethorn> "We are going to take the universe to that place."
[11:10.25] <Palethorn> "That darkness, that release."
[11:10.33] <Palethorn> "All souls, all people, one destiny."
[11:10.39] <+Repriever> "This is not within Her plan."
[11:10.46] <Palethorn> "Are you sure?"
[11:10.53] <+Repriever> "I am."
[11:11.05] <+Repriever> "You do not know Her as I do."
[11:11.07] <Palethorn> "Even though the Astara you have spoken to is one whose very words and actions are confined by magic?"
[11:11.25] <Palethorn> "She is bound, Assan."
[11:11.28] * Repriever swallows.
[11:11.30] <Palethorn> "And you are keeping her in chains."
[11:11.51] <Palethorn> "Have you ever considered why she chose you?"
[11:12.01] <Palethorn> "Out of every loyal knight, every good servant. Every brave young man."
[11:12.10] <+Repriever> "Every day of eternity."
[11:12.12] <Palethorn> "Why your signs were so mysterious, and late."
[11:12.27] <Palethorn> "Assan..."
[11:12.32] <Palethorn> "You were one of the Five."
[11:12.36] <Palethorn> "The Six."
[11:12.41] <Palethorn> "Before the Key altered the universe itself."
[11:12.56] <Palethorn> "The world we have lived in is a lie."
[11:13.03] <Palethorn> "Our very existences, are lies."
[11:13.08] <+Repriever> "I will not deal in lies like this."
[11:13.18] <Palethorn> "You have lied to me since the beginning."
[11:13.21] <+Repriever> "The past is over. Our world is gone."
[11:13.31] <+Repriever> "All that matters is the one we leave behind."
[11:13.38] * Palethorn smiles.
[11:15.05] <Palethorn> "You do think in simple terms."
[11:15.24] <+Repriever> "I'm a street rat from the Silver City. High thinking was never my game."
[11:15.34] <Palethorn> "And what of who you were supposed to be?"
[11:15.38] <Palethorn> "The reality you should have had."
[11:15.48] <Palethorn> "The one that was stripped from you by the lies of these mages."
[11:15.55] <+Repriever> "I have loved in this one, so I will keep it."
[11:16.45] <+Repriever> "I thank you for your speculation."
[11:16.52] <+Repriever> "But I'm not interested."
[11:17.05] <Palethorn> "So you will deny Her free will?"
[11:17.14] <Palethorn> "I am ashamed."
[11:17.40] <+Repriever> "Would you truly wish to help Her?"
[11:17.55] <+Repriever> "Give me the weapon you've brought here. I will show you what it is for."
[11:18.16] <Palethorn> "Tell me, what you will do with it."
[11:18.39] <+Repriever> "Destroy the Great Tower."
[11:19.44] <Palethorn> "Your Essence against theirs."
[11:19.51] <Palethorn> "Even if you overcome Azri's craft and his traps."
[11:19.56] <Palethorn> "What then?"
[11:20.02] <Palethorn> "After your victory."
[11:20.17] <+Repriever> "Again. Never was much for high thinking."
[11:20.18] * Repriever smiles.
[11:20.29] <Palethorn> "You're being used, Assan."
[11:20.44] <+Repriever> "I know."
[11:20.49] <Palethorn> "The Apastron was...I believe, in error to blame Astara, although she herself has been confined by these mages doings."
[11:21.09] <Palethorn> "If you listen to her words, you will be led to the Ritual."
[11:21.17] <Palethorn> "The cycle will reincarnate. "
[11:21.22] <Palethorn> "The nameless will grow stronger."
[11:21.29] <Palethorn> "Until it consumes everything."
[11:21.38] <Palethorn> "Everything that ever was, and ever could be."
[11:21.41] <+Repriever> "Yeah."
[11:21.45] <Palethorn> "Every heaven, every hell, every divine."
[11:21.48] <Palethorn> "It will eat time."
[11:21.59] <+Repriever> "I understand the consequences better than most."
[11:22.16] <Palethorn> "We will all die, eventually."
[11:22.22] <+Repriever> "I have seen things you can't imagine, but that never breaks me."
[11:22.37] <Palethorn> "Under the Apastron's solution, this universe will end,  and the Seventh will reincarnate a new one."
[11:22.39] <Palethorn> "A pure one."
[11:22.44] <Palethorn> "Free of eshkob."
[11:22.51] * Akvan flinches at the name
[11:22.52] * You are now known as DM
[11:22.53] <+Penumbra> [e word alert!]
[11:22.55] <DM> The ice rattles.
[11:23.05] * Akvan feels something slither in his brain
[11:23.08] <+Repriever> "Do not give It a name!"
[11:23.21] <+Akvan> [slither, with way too many legs]
[11:23.27] <DM> "You have no plan, Assan."
[11:23.32] * You are now known as Palethorn
[11:23.42] <Palethorn> "You have been its agent since the beginning."
[11:24.15] * Repriever is more concerned with Akvan's mental stability.
[11:24.24] <Palethorn> Will save, Akvan.
[11:25.03] <+Penumbra> [+4 from brave aura from preev?]
[11:25.13] <Palethorn> Yep.
[11:25.27] <Palethorn> "It is already everywhere."
[11:25.29] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6+4
[11:25.29] <%tBot> Akvan: 17 ([7] +10)
[11:25.37] <Palethorn> "Once you hold Void, you will see it."
[11:25.49] <Palethorn> "A constant madness, grinding on every surface."
[11:26.02] <+Repriever> [does he pass?]
[11:26.06] <Palethorn> No, he fails.
[11:26.11] <+Repriever> [if not, I'll will repriever burning 5 lays for +15]
[11:26.16] <Palethorn> The words form on your lips, unhidden, Akvan...
[11:26.20] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+11+15
[11:26.20] <%tBot> Repriever: 42 ([16] +26)
[11:26.38] <+Repriever> [that's all of my lays]
[11:26.44] <Palethorn> And then die, as Repriever's eyes glow blue-white, cutting through the oppression of the aura.
[11:26.51] <Palethorn> Your jaw slams shut as you try to say it.
[11:26.57] <+Repriever> [no wait I have 1 more]
[11:26.58] * Akvan pants
[11:27.12] <+Repriever> "Stars above, protect him."
[11:27.13] <+Akvan> "This... is not the place for me. I'm sorry, repreiver."
[11:27.18] * Repriever takes hold of Akvan's shoulder.
[11:27.19] <+Akvan> "I'm sorry."
[11:27.31] * Akvan looks at repreiver, and then at couplet
[11:27.35] <+Akvan> "I'm sorry"
[11:27.48] * You are now known as Couplet
[11:27.55] <Couplet> "It's alright, akvan."
[11:28.00] * You are now known as Palethorn
[11:28.13] <Palethorn> "If the Apastron loses, the nameless wins."
[11:28.22] <Palethorn> "It is as simple as that."
[11:28.27] <+Repriever> "They'll both lose."
[11:28.32] <Palethorn> "We have come here for you, Assan."
[11:28.32] * Repriever turns back to Palethorn.
[11:28.34] * Akvan pulls out couplets glass dagger, and lays it across his lap
[11:28.45] <Palethorn> "We want you to understand, and to join us of your free will."
[11:29.00] <Palethorn> "To spend the next eight months with the Apastron as a free ally, not a foe in war."
[11:29.08] <Palethorn> "To fight Kharvalath and Azri as equals."
[11:29.27] <+Repriever> "You hurt my friends."
[11:29.39] <Palethorn> "And you killed some of mine."
[11:29.42] <+Repriever> "I'm sorry. I'm not looking for a job right now, I already have one."
[11:29.46] <+Repriever> "I serve the divines."
[11:29.53] * Palethorn rubs his forehead.
[11:29.55] * Akvan puts his hand on repreiver's shoulder
[11:30.00] * Repriever grabs Akvan, to stand.
[11:30.05] <Palethorn> "I had hoped it hadn't gotten to you this strongly."
[11:30.09] <+Repriever> "We're leaving now."
[11:30.13] <Palethorn> "Before you do."
[11:30.19] * Akvan follows
[11:30.27] <Palethorn> "Do you remember those civilians, from Tetraea."
[11:30.34] * Akvan leaves couplet's dagger on the seat
[11:30.45] * Palethorn fails to notice Couplet's gift.
[11:30.46] <+Repriever> "I remember everyone."
[11:30.52] <Palethorn> "There are here, Assan."
[11:30.59] * Akvan makes eye contact with couplet
[11:31.03] <Palethorn> "This Tower, of course, will fall, if you do not come with us."
[11:31.05] * Akvan nods slightly towards the dagger
[11:31.07] <Palethorn> "Our siege will not end."
[11:31.11] <Palethorn> "And their wards will fail."
[11:31.21] <Palethorn> "But if you do, we will break the siege."
[11:31.26] <Palethorn> "And we will release the prisoners. "
[11:31.32] <Palethorn> "An exchange, them for you."
[11:31.39] <Palethorn> "If you refuse, they will be slain, and turned."
[11:31.52] <Palethorn> "We have them here, in fact."
[11:31.54] * Repriever sets his jaw.
[11:31.56] * Palethorn looks up, to the ships.
[11:32.08] <Palethorn> "All of them. "
[11:32.18] <+Repriever> "What a monster you've become, Adran."
[11:32.30] <Palethorn> "I serve the divines."
[11:32.39] <Palethorn> "We have always done what is necessary for them."
[11:33.12] <+Repriever> "You brought the weapon because you knew I would stop you if you didn't."
[11:33.12] <Palethorn> "Will you free them, or condemn them to chains, Assan?"
[11:33.20] <Palethorn> "It is your choice."
[11:33.25] <Palethorn> "Your free will."
[11:33.47] <+Repriever> [how many civilians?]
[11:33.58] * Palethorn sees your indecision.
[11:34.28] <Palethorn> "Four hundred twenty three men, two hundred seventy women, and three hundred thirty six children."
[11:34.52] <Palethorn> "All alive, well fed, well cared for."
[11:35.00] <Palethorn> "Awaiting your sentence."
[11:35.03] <Palethorn> "Freedom, or death."
[11:35.21] * Repriever looks at Akvan with worry.
[11:35.22] <Palethorn> "Although it is not truly ill, to serve our cause."
[11:35.45] * Akvan nods at Preev
[11:35.49] <+Akvan> "I'm with you."
[11:36.04] * You are now known as Couplet
[11:36.14] <Couplet> "I'm still your squire, Repriever."
[11:36.18] <Couplet> "I want to learn from you."
[11:36.22] <Couplet> "Everything you have to teach me."
[11:37.19] <+Repriever> [I'm so fucked lol]
[11:37.40] * You are now known as Palethorn
[11:37.55] <+Repriever> "Throw the essence aside, Adran. Duel me for them."
[11:37.56] * Palethorn stares at Assan as if this whole conversation has been a meticulous build to this point, which of course it has.
[11:38.14] <Palethorn> "If you lose, you will come willingly."
[11:38.45] <+Repriever> "Yes."
[11:38.47] <Palethorn> "I do not require this essence to defeat you."
[11:39.16] <+Repriever> "I would see the children first."
[11:40.06] <Palethorn> "Do you doubt my honor?"
[11:40.16] <+Repriever> "Of course I do."
[11:40.22] * Palethorn nods, sadly.
[11:40.23] <+Melchior> [well, he did just threaten to murder a bunch of people in cold blood]
[11:40.39] <Palethorn> [Well, that's something that both Repriever and Palethorn once did together]
[11:40.45] <Palethorn> [An old pastime, if you will]
[11:40.47] <+Repriever> [never kids]
[11:41.03] <+Repriever> [and never anyone, from repriever, who didn't deserve it]
[11:41.32] * Palethorn draws the void sword, and cuts open a hole in reality, showing the interior of a hold, cold blue lights, and Calcissi dressed in burlap shifts, eating soup.
[11:41.41] <Palethorn> You see several children, with their families.
[11:41.46] * Palethorn dismisses it.
[11:41.57] <Palethorn> "There."
[11:41.58] <+Repriever> "Illusions."
[11:42.05] <+Repriever> "Bring them to me."
[11:42.28] * Palethorn sighs, does it again, and walks through the gateway.
[11:42.38] <Palethorn> "There there, I'll bring you right back."
[11:42.52] * Palethorn comes with a gangly girl, about seven years old, her eyes wide and breath puffing in the frost.
[11:43.02] <Palethorn> She has a long braid of sandy brown hair, and freckles.
[11:43.09] <Palethorn> And is hyperventilating, eyes wide.
[11:43.14] <Palethorn> "Cruel of you, to make them suffer so."
[11:43.25] <+Repriever> "Come here, child."
[11:43.31] <Palethorn> She is frozen as if carved from ice.
[11:43.59] * Palethorn picks her up and bringes her over to Repriever, after sticking the void sword in the ice behind him.
[11:44.05] * Palethorn hands her to Repriever.
[11:44.08] <Palethorn> "There you are.
[11:44.10] <Palethorn> "*
[11:44.40] * Repriever holds the child close, feeling her warmth, testing if she has a lingering frost within her. We've been tricked before.
[11:44.51] <Palethorn> She's alive.
[11:45.00] <Palethorn> Palethorn knew of course that you could not be fooled at such close range.
[11:45.12] <+Repriever> "Akvan, I have to."
[11:45.40] <Palethorn> "I will release the children of Calcis whether you win or lose, Assan."
[11:45.49] <Palethorn> "But you must swear to come with me, if you lose."
[11:45.55] <Palethorn> "By Astara and all her sisters."
[11:46.12] <+Repriever> "For the innocent? I swear."
[11:46.32] <Palethorn> "Tashkora, take this blade. "
[11:47.13] * Palethorn hands the Void blade to the undead tarcirath, which practically rattles with energy, seeming distinctly unstable as it carries it back to the ship.
[11:47.42] <Palethorn> One of her rib bones pops, and flies away with black fire, smoking in the snow, and she winces, as she climbs the gangplank.
[11:47.43] * Repriever casts with a clenched fist: hero's defiance and resist energy void.
[11:48.21] <+Repriever> [which is resist 20]
[11:48.35] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip1.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[11:49.15] <+Repriever> [do we want to cut to mel and shala underground, since it's simultaneous?]
[11:49.15] * Palethorn stands and lets his cloak fall.
[11:49.22] <+Repriever> [it might be very important lol]
[11:49.35] <Palethorn> No, we're going to finish with this fight.
[11:49.50] <Palethorn> And we'll open several hours in the past, next week, or in a side-session.
[11:49.58] <+Shala> [im on the edge of my freakin seat]
[11:50.02] * Repriever thrusts with his stump, summoning the energy arm.
[11:50.02] <+Shala> [for this fight]
[11:50.12] <Palethorn> "Hmm. Impressive."
[11:50.34] * Repriever takes up the shield of Calcis, and then draws the Elydian holy blade of Taril Sarec.
[11:50.40] * Palethorn summons a sword of ice from the chair, testing it with a few lightning-fast swipes.
[11:50.52] <Palethorn> "That will do."
[11:51.11] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip3.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[11:51.16] <+Repriever> "So be it."
[11:51.21] <Akvan> :D
[11:51.27] <Akvan> what did i miss?
[11:51.43] * Repriever calls upon the angel within him, for the first time the true shape.
[11:53.03] <Palethorn> ＋https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DHZh4uErve71wMPiWy0N5hmUi1HajdItSQogkIOniyk/edit?usp=sharing，
[11:53.09] <Palethorn> A bit rudimentary, but I drew it up last second.
[11:53.14] * Palethorn sets mode +v Akvan for #nesdnd
[11:54.48] <Palethorn> "I do not plan on holding back."
[11:54.53] <Palethorn> "For that, I am sorry."
[11:55.02] * Akvan stands behind preev.
[11:55.06] <+Akvan> "Wish you had that sword."
[11:55.08] * Akvan mutters
[11:55.24] * Repriever unfurls wings of starlight, swaying like the opposite twin of the shadow wings of Penumbra.
[11:55.47] <+Repriever> "It will do," he intones to Akvan.
[11:56.44] <Palethorn> "Step back, Couplet."
[11:56.44] <+Repriever> "Starborn. This man is fallen, he harms the innocent."
[11:56.46] * Akvan looks palethorn up and down
[11:56.47] * Repriever says to the sword.
[11:57.38] <Palethorn> The Elydian runes on the sword glow once.
[11:57.42] <Palethorn> In agreement.
[11:58.33] <+Repriever> "Adran. In the name of the stars, I sentence you to death."
[11:58.37] * Repriever smites evil.
[11:58.43] <+Repriever> [roll init?]
[11:58.49] <Palethorn> "I will defeat you, for Astara's freedom."
[11:58.58] <Palethorn> "I am sorry, old friend."
[11:59.01] * Palethorn salutes.
[11:59.06] <Palethorn> Roll.
[11:59.08] <Palethorn> Initiative.
[11:59.17] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+1
[11:59.17] <%tBot> Repriever: 21 ([20] +1)
[11:59.30] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+12
[11:59.30] <%tBot> Palethorn: 13 ([1] +12)
[11:59.39] <Palethorn> You have initiative.
[12:00.03] * Repriever charges, hovering an inch above the snow and frost, carried on wings of starlight.
[12:00.11] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+22
[12:00.11] <%tBot> Repriever: 35 ([13] +22)
[12:00.24] <Palethorn> As you charge, you feel  Melchior's power within your sword, coursing from your arm to it.
[12:00.41] <+Repriever> [the energy arm wields the shield, btw]
[12:00.55] <+Repriever> [hit?]
[12:01.04] <Palethorn> Miss.
[12:01.20] * Palethorn flickers, and steps aside from your weapon.
[12:01.22] <+Repriever> [turn]
[12:01.58] <Palethorn> Oh, I apologize, I was looking at the wrong entry.
[12:02.01] <Palethorn> HIT.
[12:02.06] <+Repriever> [I was about to fucking say lol]
[12:02.13] <+Melchior> The blade briefly blazes golden as it strikes.
[12:02.36] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d8+16+2d6
[12:02.36] <%tBot> Repriever: 32 ([8] [2 6] +16)
[12:02.38] * Palethorn changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 63: Trembling Fingers - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh7nTM6D-GU&t=367s，
[12:02.42] <+Repriever> [bypasses all DR]
[12:02.53] <Palethorn> You *shear* his armor.
[12:02.58] * Repriever slices in passing through the center of mass.
[12:02.59] <Palethorn> Describe your strike.
[12:03.51] * Repriever bolts through the air on starlight, sweeping with a ringing, angelic humming with the ancient blade directly into Palethorn's torso.
[12:04.06] * Repriever finishes on the far side of him, coming to a stop skidding on the frost.
[12:04.34] * Palethorn is in motion as soon as your back is behind him, pivoting, not reacting to the cut as his flesh, unbleeding, is rent.
[12:05.04] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:05.04] <%tBot> Palethorn: 41 ([11] +30)
[12:05.07] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:05.07] <%tBot> Palethorn: 49 ([19] +30)
[12:05.10] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:05.10] <%tBot> Palethorn: 38 ([8] +30)
[12:05.14] <Palethorn> Rolling to confirm the second.
[12:05.14] <+Repriever> [hits]
[12:05.16] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:05.16] <%tBot> Palethorn: 35 ([5] +30)
[12:05.23] <+Repriever> [survivor to cancel that crit]
[12:05.45] <Palethorn> His footwork precise, he pierces your body with three strikes.
[12:05.54] <Palethorn> You are able to avoid the one directed at your heart, with your lungs.
[12:06.14] <+Repriever> [dr 5 on each hit, and 30 resist cold]
[12:06.43] <Palethorn> ?roll 2d6+15
[12:06.43] <%tBot> Palethorn: 20 ([1 4] +15)
[12:06.47] <Palethorn> ?roll 2d6+15
[12:06.47] <%tBot> Palethorn: 27 ([6 6] +15)
[12:06.50] <Palethorn> ?roll 2d6+15
[12:06.51] <%tBot> Palethorn: 21 ([3 3] +15)
[12:07.01] <+Repriever> [how much of that is what]
[12:07.37] <Palethorn> You are immune to his aura of cold, and his other effects.
[12:07.40] <+Repriever> [actually I have 9 lays, used 2 on akvan, 5 on akvan, so I have 2 more]
[12:07.44] <Palethorn> But that is all piercing damage.
[12:08.00] <Palethorn> 68-15 = 53 damage.
[12:08.05] <+Repriever> [right, so got it]
[12:08.31] <Palethorn> Black fire opens in your wounds, but your shimmering skin quenches it.
[12:08.44] <Palethorn> And his frost is repelled from your skin as it radiates out from his body.
[12:08.44] <+Repriever> [turn?]
[12:08.46] <Palethorn> Turn.
[12:08.52] * Repriever lays on hands.
[12:08.56] <+Repriever> ?roll 6d6
[12:08.56] <%tBot> Repriever: 20 [4 2 1 4 4 5]
[12:09.16] <+Repriever> [hold on]
[12:09.41] * Repriever swivels in place to strike back with the sword.
[12:09.46] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+20
[12:09.46] <%tBot> Repriever: 27 ([7] +20)
[12:10.04] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+15
[12:10.04] <%tBot> Repriever: 31 ([16] +15)
[12:10.28] * Palethorn parries both.
[12:10.45] <Palethorn> Waves of light and frost clash, as Repriever's wounds partially seal.
[12:11.27] <Palethorn> "I told you, Assan."
[12:11.30] <Palethorn> "I am beyond you."
[12:11.32] * Repriever is oddly calm as both strikes fail to meet him.
[12:12.03] <Palethorn> Palethorn backs up, slightly, and holds a hand to his chest, glowing with darkness.
[12:12.04] <+Repriever> "You are a fallen creature. Nothing you stand for is good."
[12:12.14] <Palethorn> The rent in his side heals.
[12:12.23] * Palethorn adopts a guard stance.
[12:12.25] <Palethorn> "Come."
[12:12.47] * Repriever prays to Arta for some more help.
[12:13.06] <+Melchior> [What up homes?]
[12:13.19] <Palethorn> That costs a move action, I would say.
[12:13.28] <Palethorn> But he's in range of a step.
[12:13.44] <Palethorn> Melchior, Artan Divinity is unlocked.
[12:13.45] * Observer (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: For Sale: Intergalactic Proton Powered Electrical Tentacled Advertising Droids)
[12:13.55] * Repriever raises the Shield of Calcis, marked with Astara's presence.
[12:14.05] * Repriever casts searing light from it.
[12:14.28] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+20
[12:14.28] <%tBot> Repriever: 28 ([8] +20)
[12:14.30] <+Repriever> [touch]
[12:14.39] <Palethorn> Well played.
[12:14.49] <Palethorn> That's a hit.
[12:14.56] <+Repriever> [and since I cast two levels higher from the armor, I do]
[12:15.08] <+Repriever> ?roll 9d8
[12:15.08] <%tBot> Repriever: 31 [2 3 3 2 2 3 6 8 2]
[12:15.20] <+Repriever> [radiant damage, multiplied for his vulnerability too]
[12:15.24] <Palethorn> Since he's vulnerable to light, that does bonus damage, yes.
[12:15.30] <+Repriever> [so half again?]
[12:15.32] <Palethorn> Also, from your prayers to Arta, you get to channel as a move action.
[12:15.46] <Palethorn> Mel, what's your channeling strength as discussed last time?
[12:15.46] <+Repriever> [I can't channel, because I'm down to 1 lay]
[12:15.55] <Palethorn> No, it's from the arm's energy, not yours.
[12:15.55] * Akvan shifts from foot to foot
[12:16.11] <Palethorn> It's a special ability of Mel's, lent to you.
[12:16.11] <+Melchior>  7d6 for a level+3 paladin, no charisma bonus
[12:16.26] <Palethorn> Roll it, Mel.
[12:16.30] <+Melchior> wait
[12:16.33] <+Melchior> +1 charisma bonus
[12:16.41] <Palethorn> Repriever, you may choose to have it damage or heal.
[12:16.41] <+Melchior> ?roll 7d6+1
[12:16.41] <%tBot> Melchior: 28 ([5 1 5 6 1 6 3] +1)
[12:16.52] <+Melchior> [is that how you apply charisma bonuses to channel energy?]
[12:16.59] <+Repriever> [wouldn't it be 7]
[12:17.14] <+Melchior> [I was wondering that, if it's one per level than that should be a 34
[12:17.16] <+Melchior> ]
[12:17.29] <Palethorn> That's fine.
[12:17.32] <+Repriever> [how many hit points can he have D:]
[12:17.38] <Palethorn> One way to find out.
[12:17.47] <+Repriever> [I direct that with the searing light]
[12:18.07] <+Repriever> [so 34+31+half again]
[12:18.36] <Palethorn> An overwhelming blast of golden light pierces through Adran's chest, and he cries out in pain as the light lances through him.
[12:18.39] <+Repriever> [so 97?]
[12:18.44] <Palethorn> That's correct.
[12:18.51] <+Repriever> [oh wait]
[12:18.57] <+Repriever> [I have more, all damage I do gets smite damage]
[12:19.05] <+Repriever> [so it applies twice]
[12:19.28] <+Repriever> [so add another 24]
[12:19.28] <+Penumbra> [plus half, if the smite damage is light?]
[12:19.31] <+Repriever> [it is]
[12:19.39] <Palethorn> So?
[12:19.43] <Palethorn> The final total is...?
[12:19.52] <+Repriever> [so hold on my heart is racing :p]
[12:19.59] <+Repriever> [36+97]
[12:20.09] <+Repriever> [133]
[12:20.15] <+Repriever> [radiant energy to the face]
[12:20.23] <Palethorn> Half of Adran's face is gone, in fact.
[12:20.34] <Palethorn> The remaining half of his skull wears a disappointed frown.
[12:20.43] * Repriever stands breathing the serenity of an angelic guardian.
[12:20.47] * Repriever has his shield raised.
[12:20.54] <Palethorn> And as you watch, black ichor spreads, forming a brain, a skull, muscles, and skin.
[12:21.18] <+Repriever> "Do you feed from the essence?"
[12:21.23] <Palethorn> The ground around him covered in darkness and spikes of ice mixed with congealing void.
[12:21.32] <Palethorn> "From my own will, Repriever."
[12:21.50] <Palethorn> And he comes at you again.
[12:22.05] * Repriever raised the shield against him.
[12:22.07] <Palethorn> Passing his hand over his blade, the ice suddenly turns black.
[12:22.14] <+Repriever> [he's moving so 1 hit]
[12:22.40] <Palethorn> Aoo?
[12:22.45] <+Repriever> [from me?]
[12:22.48] <+Repriever> [sure]
[12:22.54] <Palethorn> [No, I don't think so]
[12:22.58] <Palethorn> [He did it out of range]
[12:23.02] <+Repriever> [ok]
[12:23.10] <+Repriever> [he's moving so he doesn't get full attack I mean, only 1]
[12:23.48] <Palethorn> Even with a 5ft step?
[12:23.53] <+Repriever> [technically moving]
[12:23.57] <Palethorn> I don't think so. :p
[12:23.59] <+Repriever> [I used to make that mistake]
[12:24.45] <+Repriever> [oh no, I guess he can on 5ft]
[12:24.46] <Palethorn> [I checked the rules, 5ft and full attack is kosher]
[12:24.48] <+Repriever> [proceed, governor]
[12:24.50] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:24.50] <%tBot> Palethorn: 46 ([16] +30)
[12:24.56] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:24.56] <%tBot> Palethorn: 36 ([6] +30)
[12:24.59] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:24.59] <%tBot> Palethorn: 34 ([4] +30)
[12:25.12] <+Repriever> [ac is 32, I believe, so]
[12:26.11] <+Repriever> [he literally can only miss on a 1]
[12:26.15] <Palethorn> ?roll 6d6+45
[12:26.15] <%tBot> Palethorn: 67 ([2 5 5 3 6 1] +45)
[12:26.26] <Palethorn> And a fortitude save.
[12:26.48] <Palethorn> Although Palethorn is moving fast, he's moving slightly less fast.
[12:26.54] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+15
[12:26.54] <%tBot> Repriever: 22 ([7] +15)
[12:26.57] <Palethorn> You fail.
[12:26.58] <+Repriever> [16 hp left]
[12:27.32] * Akvan is antsy
[12:27.48] <+Repriever> [looks like I'm heading off to apastron town]
[12:28.18] <Palethorn> That's constitution damage, as black , cloying fire bursts out on your wounds, sapping your strength.
[12:28.22] <+Repriever> [no wait]
[12:28.30] <+Repriever> [I have more hp than that, forgot my dr]
[12:28.39] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d6
[12:28.39] <%tBot> Palethorn: 2 [2]
[12:28.42] <Palethorn> 2 CON damage.
[12:28.42] <+Repriever> [31]
[12:28.55] <Palethorn> "Yield."
[12:29.14] <+Repriever> "Not for children."
[12:29.30] <Palethorn> "They will go free."
[12:30.15] * Repriever glares at the Palethorn with detect evil, feeling for his aura strength.
[12:30.26] <Palethorn> Is it connected to HP?
[12:30.40] <+Repriever> [well, that's up to you]
[12:30.48] <+Repriever> [if he is weakened, he may look weaker]
[12:31.11] <Palethorn> It is weaker than it was when you started.
[12:31.20] <Palethorn> Although he does not show his wounds, he is concealing them.
[12:34.15] <Palethorn> Repriever's arm flares with blue fire.
[12:35.00] * Repriever raises the cosmic arm, letting the shield fall aside.
[12:35.11] <+Repriever> "For the children. Anything."
[12:36.24] * Repriever spreads the palm toward Palethorn, glowing blue.
[12:36.41] * Palethorn tries to run at the last second.
[12:36.45] <+Repriever> "You brought this upon yourself!"
[12:36.52] * Repriever unleashes the flame.
[12:37.03] * Repriever lays on hands with his sword hand while doing this.
[12:37.07] <+Repriever> ?roll 6d6
[12:37.07] <%tBot> Repriever: 25 [6 3 5 6 4 1]
[12:37.28] <Palethorn> For those Wardens staring far out into the desolate valley where they knew their fate was to be negotiated, a hint of blue light flashes for their eyes.
[12:37.35] <+Repriever> "Parhelion does not burn!"
[12:37.50] <Palethorn> Actually, Carcephon's full breath weapon is 12d8.
[12:38.10] <+Repriever> [roll it]
[12:38.15] <Palethorn> ?roll 12d8
[12:38.15] <%tBot> Palethorn: 50 [7 3 2 7 3 1 1 7 4 3 7 5]
[12:38.22] <Palethorn> And he's vulnerable.
[12:38.26] <Palethorn> 75 damage.
[12:38.34] <+Repriever> [oh you know what I didn't do]
[12:38.44] <+Repriever> [on the first attack, double for undead]
[12:38.51] <+Repriever> [can I apply that now?]
[12:39.00] <Palethorn> [I'm not a huge fan, but okay]
[12:39.08] <+Repriever> [well, I can also just roll another smite]
[12:39.14] <+Repriever> [it's a free action reset]
[12:39.14] <Palethorn> [it's fine, how much extra is it?
[12:39.17] <Palethorn> ]
[12:39.27] <+Repriever> [double paladin level instead of normal]
[12:39.32] <+Repriever> [so 20]
[12:39.57] <+Repriever> [well, 30]
[12:40.02] <+Repriever> [cause of vulnerability]
[12:40.09] <Palethorn> With another 105 damage....
[12:40.17] <Palethorn> Palethorn, does burn.
[12:40.31] <Palethorn> His grey armor melts into slag.
[12:40.38] <Palethorn> Or is torn off him by the force of the blast.
[12:40.42] * Repriever stands with his arm outstretch, straining under the force of the transferred energy.
[12:40.59] * Akvan grins
[12:41.13] <Palethorn> As the massive cone of flame, far too large for Repriever's body, blooms with the fury and ferocity of Carcephon the Blue.
[12:41.21] <Palethorn> And then it fades.
[12:41.26] <Palethorn> And what is left..
[12:41.47] <Palethorn> Is a skeleton with bones of steel, black heart pulsing still within its chest, blue eyes still burning, as chips fall off of him.
[12:41.56] <Palethorn> "Almost."
[12:42.00] <Palethorn> Comes the inhuman voice.
[12:42.26] * Repriever huffs, exasperated.
[12:42.41] <Palethorn> He steps forward, slowly, and then leaps the final gap.
[12:42.48] <Palethorn> [this time he really only does get one]
[12:42.57] <+Repriever> [he hits on anything but a 1]
[12:43.08] <+Akvan> [Oh shit]
[12:43.23] <+Akvan> [how far fromt he wards are we?
[12:43.24] <+Akvan> ]
[12:43.37] <+Repriever> [too far]
[12:43.41] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:43.41] <%tBot> Palethorn: 37 ([7] +30)
[12:43.49] <+Akvan> [SHIT]
[12:43.54] <Palethorn> ?roll 2d6+15
[12:43.54] <%tBot> Palethorn: 21 ([1 5] +15)
[12:43.56] * Repriever can not bring the sword against him fast enough.
[12:44.13] <Palethorn> Roll a fort save.
[12:44.16] <+Repriever> [hp 46 though]
[12:44.22] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+14
[12:44.22] <%tBot> Repriever: 28 ([14] +14)
[12:44.35] <Palethorn> Almost.
[12:44.37] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d6
[12:44.37] <%tBot> Palethorn: 3 [3]
[12:44.40] <+Repriever> [no wait]
[12:44.43] <+Repriever> [3-]
[12:44.47] <+Repriever> [30]
[12:44.52] <Palethorn> Oh?
[12:44.54] <+Repriever> [forgot angel gives prot from evil]
[12:44.58] <+Repriever> [which is +2]
[12:44.59] <Palethorn> Then.
[12:45.04] <Palethorn> You pass that save.
[12:45.07] <Palethorn> No more con damage.
[12:45.14] <+Repriever> [I still was -1 from losing con earlier]
[12:45.21] <+Repriever> [thus 14 not 15]
[12:45.34] <Palethorn> 21 damage.
[12:45.37] <+Repriever> [16]
[12:45.44] <Palethorn> Right.
[12:45.56] <Palethorn> You do parry him, through your abdomen, bleeding from multiple stab wounds.
[12:46.03] * Repriever reups his smite for the final time, and brings the starborn sword against what's left of his comrade.
[12:46.10] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+20
[12:46.10] <%tBot> Repriever: 24 ([4] +20)
[12:46.15] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+15
[12:46.15] <%tBot> Repriever: 20 ([5] +15)
[12:46.18] <+Repriever> [nope]
[12:46.21] <+Akvan> D:
[12:46.28] <+Repriever> [unless his lack of armor means anything]
[12:46.35] <Palethorn> It does not.
[12:46.39] * Akvan bounces on his feet
[12:46.56] * Repriever swings through bones, but doesn't connect, parried on the second strike.
[12:47.03] <Palethorn> "It seems...you still need more training, young man."
[12:47.32] * Akvan is on his toes
[12:47.39] <Palethorn> His blade cuts the air with a keen, cold slice.
[12:47.47] <Palethorn> But aiming for your own, with a twist at the last second.
[12:48.05] <Palethorn> ?roll 1d20+30
[12:48.06] <%tBot> Palethorn: 48 ([18] +30)
[12:48.15] <Palethorn> Starborn Taril Sarec is sundered.
[12:48.28] * Repriever feels, for the second time, the loss of a great blade.
[12:48.39] <Palethorn> "Kneel."
[12:48.45] <+Repriever> [turn?]
[12:48.47] <Palethorn> Turn.
[12:48.57] <Palethorn> You cannot use Carcephon's power again.
[12:49.04] <+Repriever> "Elydians do not kneel."
[12:49.13] * Repriever raises the cosmic arm to punch him.
[12:49.25] <+Repriever> [what's the bonus on it, if any]
[12:49.31] <Palethorn> +2 holy.
[12:49.32] <+Repriever> [I know it has +2 to str]
[12:49.41] <Palethorn> I'm assuming you're channeling Astara.
[12:49.51] <+Repriever> [yes]
[12:49.55] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+21
[12:49.55] <%tBot> Repriever: 33 ([12] +21)
[12:50.03] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+16
[12:50.03] <%tBot> Repriever: 26 ([10] +16)
[12:50.09] <+Melchior> [DEITY PAWNCH]
[12:50.11] <Palethorn> One hit.
[12:50.22] <+Repriever> [what's the damage dice]
[12:50.28] <+Repriever> [is it mel's 2d6?]
[12:50.32] <+Melchior> 1d3+strength for a normal punch
[12:50.39] <+Repriever> [this ain't normal, baby]
[12:50.42] <+Melchior> that's the typical unarmed strike
[12:50.56] <Palethorn> Yeah, you can punch for greatsword damage with this arm.
[12:51.22] * Melchior scribbles down some notes about the arm's incredible pawnchin' prowess.
[12:51.22] <+Penumbra> [doesn't sound like sarcasm to me - go for it!]
[12:51.23] <+Repriever> ?roll 2d6+7+20+2d6
[12:51.23] <%tBot> Repriever: 40 ([5 2] [4 2] +27)
[12:51.30] <+Repriever> [60 if its radiant]
[12:52.02] <Palethorn> It is. Break down all the bonus damage for me?
[12:52.37] <+Repriever> [2d6 is base, 2d6 is holy, 7 is str + mod on arm, 20 is first hit on this last smite reup]
[12:53.16] <Palethorn> That does it, then.
[12:53.30] <Palethorn> You shatter his steel rib cage and destroy his pulsing, black heart.
[12:54.00] * Repriever forces the combined energies of the divines through the Palethorn's torso.
[12:54.13] <Palethorn> The tarcirath leaps from the ship to land between Akvan and Couplet.
[12:54.23] * Akvan breaks into a sprint, grabbing her small form in one arm. Turning, he sprints towards preev's prone form, grabbing him by the collar with the other hand, before flaming wings burst into flight, pushing akvan into the air and towards the wards.
[12:54.32] <+Akvan> FUCK
[12:54.35] <+Akvan> you intercepted me
[12:54.36] <+Akvan> D:
[12:54.44] <Palethorn> I did.
[12:54.45] <+Akvan> I've had this saved for an HOUR
[12:54.46] <+Akvan> D:
[12:54.49] <+Repriever> "Let the boy go."
[12:54.53] <Palethorn> You have ten seconds to decide what to do.
[12:55.00] * Akvan runs towards couplet
[12:55.04] <+Akvan> "COME WITH ME!"
[12:55.11] * You are now known as Tashkora
[12:55.14] <+Repriever> "Akvan no!"
[12:55.15] <Tashkora> "Not part of the deal."
[12:55.23] <+Akvan> "COUPLET!"
[12:55.43] <Tashkora> It breathes ice into Akvan's face.
[12:55.48] <Tashkora> ?roll 6d8
[12:55.48] <%tBot> Tashkora: 33 [5 8 5 7 7 1]
[12:56.12] <Tashkora> Couplet stumbles backwards, retreating towards the ship, although not quite getting there.
[12:56.20] <Tashkora> Akvan, you're in initiative, now.
[12:56.33] <Tashkora> Also, roll a reflex save.
[12:56.33] <+Akvan> should I roll?
[12:56.47] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6
[12:56.47] <%tBot> Akvan: 13 ([7] +6)
[12:57.11] <Tashkora> Repriever, Adran is gone, the light vanished from his eyes, his ruined corpse a collaping husk of dark steel.
[12:57.23] <Tashkora> collapsing*
[12:57.26] <Tashkora> You fail, Akvan.
[12:57.27] * Repriever snatches the cosmic arm back from the bones.
[12:57.28] <Tashkora> Take the full 333.
[12:57.34] <+Repriever> [333?]
[12:57.35] <+Akvan> 33
[12:57.36] <+Akvan> ?
[12:57.37] <Tashkora> 33*
[12:57.39] <+Akvan> or 333
[12:57.39] <+Repriever> [lol]
[12:57.40] <+Melchior> [jayzus]
[12:57.54] <+Akvan> Turn me into an ICE STatue, eh?
[12:57.55] <+Melchior> [that's what happened to my Gnome Sorcerer in my first in-person D and D campaign]
[12:58.05] <Tashkora> "The deal is off."
[12:58.19] <+Repriever> "What!?"
[12:58.25] <Tashkora> Akvan, your turn.
[12:58.27] * Repriever spins on Tashkora.
[12:58.39] * Repriever is still spewing starlight wings.
[12:58.46] <Tashkora> "Stand down, and you get them back."
[12:58.46] * Akvan shoots a beam of searing light into Tashkora's face.
[12:58.51] <Tashkora> "But not her-"
[12:58.55] <Tashkora> Roll it.
[12:59.24] <+Akvan> ?roll 10d8
[12:59.24] <%tBot> Akvan: 57 [6 7 8 7 4 8 8 3 2 4]
[12:59.40] <+Akvan> "COUPLET!"
[12:59.44] <Tashkora> Let's see....
[12:59.50] <Tashkora> Including the bonus damage.
[01:00.04] <Tashkora> That's 85 damage.
[01:00.37] * Repriever is feeling the wounds catch up with him, blood leaking as celestial runes gleam within it.
[01:00.54] * You are now known as Couplet
[01:01.07] * Couplet freezes, on the gangplank, her motions jerky.
[01:01.11] <Couplet> "No," she whispers.
[01:01.15] <Couplet> "No, please, don't make me!"
[01:01.23] * Couplet draws a sword with a trembling hand.
[01:01.32] <+Akvan> "Couplet"
[01:01.35] * Akvan says, more souftly
[01:01.38] <+Akvan> softly*
[01:01.44] <Couplet> It is long, a claymore.
[01:01.57] <Couplet> The tarcirath still stands between you and it, half of her chest destroyed from the blaze.
[01:01.59] <Couplet> Akvan.
[01:02.10] <+Repriever> "Akvan, she will end you!" he intones in angelic command.
[01:02.25] * Akvan flinches
[01:02.28] <+Akvan> "couplet."
[01:02.43] * Couplet steps jerkily through Repriever's frozen blood.
[01:03.05] <Couplet> And as she opens her mouth, Adran's voice emerges.
[01:03.15] <Couplet> "We are no longer limited by humanity."
[01:03.25] <+Akvan> "HUMANITY IS NOT A LIMIT!"
[01:03.25] * Repriever turns to Couplet.
[01:03.42] <Couplet> Couplet screams as she is forced to attack Repriever.
[01:03.45] <Couplet> ?roll 1d20+10
[01:03.45] <%tBot> Couplet: 25 ([15] +10)
[01:03.52] * Repriever parries with his cosmic arm.
[01:03.59] <+Repriever> "Couplet, no!"
[01:04.14] <Couplet> She strikes again.
[01:04.17] <Couplet> ?roll 1d20+10
[01:04.17] <%tBot> Couplet: 30 ([20] +10)
[01:04.22] <Couplet> Confirming.
[01:04.25] <Couplet> ?roll 1d20+10
[01:04.25] <%tBot> Couplet: 19 ([9] +10)
[01:04.31] <Couplet> Fails, I would imagine.
[01:04.33] <+Repriever> [yes]
[01:04.46] <Couplet> ?roll 2d6+3
[01:04.46] <%tBot> Couplet: 11 ([4 4] +3)
[01:05.03] <Couplet> What's your current cold resist?
[01:05.09] <+Repriever> [30]
[01:05.15] <+Repriever> [dr 5]
[01:05.30] <Couplet> Also, make a fort save, or that crit automatically confirms.
[01:05.38] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+16
[01:05.38] <%tBot> Repriever: 29 ([13] +16)
[01:05.43] <Couplet> Meets.
[01:06.01] <+Repriever> "Couplet. Leave. Do not make this your end."
[01:06.08] * Repriever speaks in the oddly authoritative tone of the angels.
[01:06.48] <Couplet> ?roll 4d6+2
[01:06.48] <%tBot> Couplet: 9 ([3 1 2 1] +2)
[01:06.53] <Couplet> I'd imagine you resist all of that cold damage.
[01:07.18] <Couplet> Compared to Adran's strikes, his possession of Couplet is feeble, to say the least.
[01:07.30] * Repriever is unaffected by her cold, and barely harmed by her blow.
[01:07.48] <+Repriever> [my turn?]
[01:08.36] <Couplet> Let's see here.
[01:08.41] <Couplet> Yes.
[01:09.10] * Repriever sees with his angelic vision the pulsing gem in her chestplate, then strikes at it with the cosmic arm.
[01:09.19] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+10
[01:09.19] <%tBot> Repriever: 30 ([20] +10)
[01:09.29] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+10
[01:09.29] <%tBot> Repriever: 19 ([9] +10)
[01:09.37] <+Repriever> [confirmed? I hit anyway]
[01:09.44] <Couplet> With white fire, you strike and hit, the gem.
[01:09.55] <Couplet> And it shatters.
[01:10.03] <Couplet> Couplet simply collapses into the snow.
[01:10.23] <+Repriever> "Akvan, to my side!"
[01:10.49] <+Repriever> "Tarcirath. Release the civilians!"
[01:11.03] <Couplet> The tarcirath hisses, and withdraws, taking flight on unfurling wings as its draconic form assembles with expansion of bone, you get an aoo, akvan.
[01:11.16] <+Akvan> (Can I use magic in an AOO?)
[01:11.19] <Couplet> No.
[01:11.50] <+Akvan> Oh, right. let me remember how to use melee
[01:11.50] * Repriever bleeds onto the snow, over Couplet, glowing with starlight.
[01:11.50] <+Akvan> D:
[01:12.10] <Couplet> I'm going to say it escapes, since you aren't prepared to strike it.
[01:12.14] <+Akvan> I'm going to claw at her as she escapes, since my sword isn't drawn
[01:12.23] <Couplet> Do you know your roll?
[01:12.24] <+Akvan> yeah, no prolem
[01:12.30] <Couplet> Because if you do, go ahead.
[01:12.50] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+2+3
[01:12.51] <%tBot> Akvan: 24 ([19] +5)
[01:13.09] <Couplet> Meets.
[01:13.14] <Couplet> Roll damage.
[01:13.23] <Couplet> Technically you get two claw attacks, so roll again.
[01:13.51] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+7+3
[01:13.51] <%tBot> Akvan: 19 ([7] +5)
[01:14.24] <Couplet> The tarcirath escapes with glancing damage.
[01:14.28] <Couplet> If any.
[01:15.01] <Couplet> It considers Repriever, standing over the collapsed Couplet.
[01:15.01] * Akvan rolls his eyes
[01:15.09] * You are now known as Tashkora
[01:15.14] * Tashkora creaks, slightly.
[01:15.23] <Tashkora> And its neck twists.
[01:15.31] * You are now known as Palethorn
[01:15.37] <Palethorn> "Then I think we will consider this a draw."
[01:15.50] * Palethorn says, from the bestial mouth of the skeletal creature.
[01:15.58] <+Akvan> "RELEASE THEM!"
[01:16.08] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+15
[01:16.08] <%tBot> Akvan: 19 ([4] +15)
[01:16.09] <+Repriever> "Know that the divines stand against you, Apastron!"
[01:16.10] <+Akvan> intimidate
[01:16.17] <Palethorn> Portals open, and hundreds of hostages spill out into the snow.
[01:16.27] * Akvan considers that a success
[01:16.42] <Palethorn> Screaming with shock as they are abruptly dumped into this freezing field.
[01:16.48] <Palethorn> "Consider my words, Assan."
[01:16.59] <Palethorn> "You are aiding the victory of the nameless."
[01:17.25] * Akvan walks amongst the refugees, warming those that need warmth, shedding his furs for them
[01:17.42] <+Repriever> <<Keep to your word.>>
[01:17.58] <Palethorn> The possessed tarcirath leaps into the air, as the ship bearing the Essence of Void begins to lift into the sky.
[01:18.20] <Palethorn> <<Consider the universe, Assan.>>
[01:18.36] <Palethorn> <<You will corrupt it with this path.>>
[01:20.15] * Repriever limps, bleeding, in angelic form to the survivors.
[01:20.35] <+Repriever> "Gather them and enter the wards."
[01:20.46] <Palethorn> Your blood patters into the snow, as the dark ships rise into the sky.
[01:20.49] * You are now known as DM
[01:20.52] <DM> End session.