A Handful of Dust Session 88

[15:45.49] <DM> So we begin.
[15:46.12] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 88: Tapping Stones - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMh43QDOvvI，
[15:46.37] <DM> Once, Akvan, you asked Narangaral, when you were young, still learning to run and throw a spear...
[15:46.56] <DM> "How do you talk to the spirits?"
[15:47.09] <DM> In those days the path of the hunter had not yet been decided for you.
[15:47.32] <DM> And the children in their time learned all the ways of the tribe.
[15:47.43] * Kir (8da18537@ircip3.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[15:47.55] <DM> Whether it be skinning and curing, or hunting, or the ways of the spirits.
[15:49.04] <DM> "The place of the spirits both different and the same," she replied.
[15:49.10] <DM> And she refused to tell you more.
[15:49.32] <+Akvan> D:
[15:49.35] <DM> But you were curious, and as the years passed, you continued to ask.
[15:50.00] <DM> You would go inside her tent, with its feather charms and crystals, its long strings of bone and obsidian.
[15:50.25] <DM> The great skull of a plains lion, painted black and red.
[15:50.39] <DM> And eventually, she told you more.
[15:51.05] <DM> "There are many spirit worlds."
[15:51.31] <DM> "Some are forbidden. Others are places from which our ancestors speak to us."
[15:51.39] <DM> "But all of them, are dangerous."
[15:51.50] <DM> "Why are they dangerous?"
[15:51.57] <DM> you replied, understanding danger.
[15:52.07] <DM> Your father had taught you much of danger, by now.
[15:52.53] <DM> "The risk of the hunter is losing your body. A good risk for a strong, fast boy."
[15:53.03] <DM> "The risk of the spirit way is losing your mind, Akvan."
[15:53.39] <DM> She saw that you obviously did not understand, and turned, with a 'tch,' and a weary chuckle.
[15:54.06] <+Akvan> (She's speaking with the voice of the DM)
[15:54.21] <DM> "You must train your mind like you train those muscles," she finally said.
[15:54.30] <DM> "How do I train my mind?"
[15:55.03] <DM> She ignored you, for another ten minutes, banging away with her mortar and pestle at some paste, before you nagged her again.
[15:55.26] <DM> "Do not seek the spirits without guidance."
[15:55.40] <DM> "But if you must, or you are drawn into their world."
[15:56.00] <DM> "Make it look like your own."
[15:56.24] <DM> "Their world changes, always."
[15:56.52] <DM> "See it as you see your own, and you will not lose yourself, or become a vessel for hungry beasts that wish to return to this world."
[15:57.19] <+Repriever> [and there it is]
[15:57.36] <DM> "Perhaps I will show you more, as you grow older."
[15:57.47] <DM> You are older.
[15:57.53] <DM> And Narangaral is gone.
[15:58.34] <DM> But you sit, as the strains of the erhu gradually fade into something deeper, and lower...and broader.
[15:58.38] <DM> And you are no longer on the Reme.
[15:58.46] <DM> You are inside Narangaral's tent.
[15:58.56] <DM> The wind gently flaps at the tent flap, rippling the canvas.
[15:59.16] <DM> The small animal bones clack and clatter against one another.
[15:59.17] * Akvan stands
[15:59.26] <DM> But in each of their eye sockets, tiny, blue flames burn.
[15:59.40] * Kir (8da185b4@ircip1.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[15:59.44] <DM> They seem to twist on their gut-strings, and watch you, as you do.
[16:00.01] * Akvan walks by all of them, gently touching rubbing his fingers over them. They are familiar. They are right. And they do not exist anymore
[16:00.15] <DM> All of that is true.
[16:00.47] * Akvan spends some time in the tent
[16:00.57] <+Akvan> remembering
[16:01.04] <DM> "Akvan," whispers the lion's skull.
[16:01.18] * Akvan nods to it
[16:01.58] <DM> It waits, blue flames flickering in its empty eye-sockets.
[16:03.05] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+10
[16:03.05] <%tBot> Akvan: 24 ([14] +10)
[16:03.07] <+Akvan> knowledge planes
[16:04.10] <DM> You sense that all of the small animals around you are spirits that have remembered their origin.
[16:04.27] <DM> The lion is their leader.
[16:04.54] <+Akvan> "Thank you for receiving me in your home, honored one."
[16:06.11] <DM> "What do you offer us," it replies.
[16:06.33] <DM> Roll diplomacy.
[16:07.04] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+19
[16:07.04] <%tBot> Akvan: 27 ([8] +19)
[16:08.09] <+Akvan> "I would know what you wish to be called."
[16:09.29] <DM> "Tagandom."
[16:09.52] * Akvan nods
[16:10.09] <DM> "What do you offer us," it repeats.
[16:10.51] <+Akvan> "I offer the friendship of my mistress."
[16:11.04] <+Akvan> "The lady of fire."
[16:11.14] <+Akvan> "The flame incarnate"
[16:12.02] <DM> The wind sweeps through the tent, and the fires of the smaller animals are extinguished, as the flames within the eye-sockets of the lion burn brighter, the only light now, in the darkness.
[16:12.32] * Akvan looks upon the lion skull, impassive
[16:12.38] <DM> Among the clattering of bones, it growls at you.
[16:12.39] <+Akvan> ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlklhLJrxnM&index=7&list=PLohYzz4btpaRRBeh9B5xOsTYPHNoegwmU&t=0s，
[16:12.49] <DM> "You have LOST your ways, and FORGOTTEN your people."
[16:13.07] <DM> "You are greedy and you hold sheep before freedom."
[16:13.18] <DM> "Be gone from this place."
[16:13.22] <+Akvan> "Wise one, they are always within me."
[16:13.35] <+Akvan> "They walk with me, and I walk to avenge them."
[16:13.39] <+Akvan> "To honor them."
[16:14.03] <DM> "Within you as slaves."
[16:14.20] <DM> "Our spirits are free. They do not belong to any."
[16:14.26] <+Repriever> [nice]
[16:14.29] <+Akvan> "How do I free them, then?"
[16:14.50] <+Akvan> "If I knew how to give them the peace they deserve..."
[16:14.53] * Akvan sighs
[16:15.00] * DM sets mode +v Kir for #nesdnd
[16:15.03] <DM> "End your life."
[16:15.06] <DM> "They will be free."
[16:15.12] <+Repriever> [do it]
[16:15.25] <+Akvan> "Thank you for your words of wisdom, honored one."
[16:15.30] <DM> You are stronger than this thing.
[16:15.37] <DM> You could bind it to your will.
[16:16.37] * Akvan considers it, for a moment, but decides not to. It is a poor thing, empty and pathetic.
[16:16.46] * Akvan bows to it, before striding from the tent
[16:17.06] <DM> You realize there will be no other spirits to enter the tent of your tribe.
[16:17.21] <DM> In a few generations, it will wither and die.
[16:17.49] <DM> With none to call on them, those spirits will dissipate to other places.
[16:18.15] <DM> Tagandom with his stately ferocity, perhaps was once a great shaman or warrior.
[16:18.18] <DM> Perhaps he will be last.
[16:19.17] <DM> What lies beyond is an endless field.
[16:19.22] <DM> It is beautiful.
[16:19.26] <DM> Bright, blue grasses.
[16:19.40] <DM> The grasses themselves are living flames.
[16:19.45] * Akvan looks back at the tent, one last time
[16:19.52] <DM> The air shimmers, under an endless night of stars, as blue auroras flicker through the sky.
[16:20.03] <DM> There is a pale flickering flame from the entrance to the tent.
[16:20.09] * Akvan places a vial of lethe water at flap
[16:20.13] <DM> It will, perhaps, remain here a while.
[16:20.26] <+Akvan> "For your help. it is water, not fire."
[16:20.34] <+Akvan> "But it is part of me"
[16:20.46] * Akvan turns away, walking into the flame
[16:21.40] <DM> The grasses part.
[16:22.02] <DM> A mountain looms in the distance, the nexus of the shimmering aurorae.
[16:22.33] <DM> A great piling of red rocks.
[16:22.38] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+10
[16:22.38] <%tBot> Akvan: 11 ([1] +10)
[16:22.43] <+Akvan> planes
[16:22.44] <+Akvan> D:
[16:22.45] <DM> Two stars burn on either side of it, red and blue.
[16:22.52] <DM> You are unable to resist it.
[16:22.58] <DM> It pulls you towards it.
[16:23.29] <DM> It is a nexus of incredible power.
[16:23.46] <DM> And you realize, as you do, the mountain IS a spirit.
[16:24.10] <DM> It has nine wings, and seventeen eyes, and it reaches out across time.
[16:24.17] <DM> It is incomprehensible.
[16:24.28] * Akvan attempts to comprehend the incomprehensible
[16:24.30] <+Akvan> should I roll anything?
[16:24.45] <DM> DC 30 will save.
[16:25.19] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+10
[16:25.19] <%tBot> Akvan: 15 ([5] +10)
[16:25.21] <+Akvan> D:
[16:25.34] <DM> It lifts you up from the grass and holds you in the shimmering air before it.
[16:25.54] <DM> Your psyche is LASHED by its regard, and you loose an idea of causality.
[16:25.59] <DM> lose*
[16:26.15] <DM> The being does not hate you.
[16:26.33] <DM> It is what the Ameshars truly are.
[16:26.59] <DM> This is what Tariel gave up, to be pushed into a physical form.
[16:27.09] <DM> It is a different kind of suicide.
[16:27.34] <DM> It tells you that this is the second fall.
[16:27.38] <DM> You scream, you do not understand.
[16:28.19] <DM> "B e a r  t h e  R e c o r d," says the mountain.
[16:28.32] <DM> If only you had listened.
[16:29.09] <DM> Take 3d6 WIS damage.
[16:29.19] <+Akvan> ?roll 3d6
[16:29.19] <%tBot> Akvan: 12 [5 2 5]
[16:29.43] <+Repriever> [nice]
[16:29.44] <+Akvan> -2 wisdom
[16:29.45] <+Akvan> D:
[16:30.04] <+Akvan> (see, THAT I'll roll high, but protecting myself? nawwwww)
[16:30.19] <DM> The string of the erhu breaks, and you fall, insensate, to the ground, your forehead smashing on the side of the Reme's deck, twitching, insensate.
[16:30.28] <DM> It is over.
[16:30.44] <+Akvan> well, THAT was useless
[16:30.45] <+Akvan> D:
[16:30.58] <+Mel> [has akvan become a veggie again? literally can't go 24 hours with this boy]
[16:31.03] <+Repriever> [akvan feebleminded again]
[16:31.16] <+Repriever> [this one I can heal though]
[16:31.24] <+Repriever> [but the question is: should I?]
[16:31.36] <+Penumbra_> [he'll cause less problems this way]
[16:31.55] <DM> Carcephon briefly pauses, her eyes flickering to the cabin as a brief thump is heard, after Ironrose's declaration of what is surely Zathindra's threat.
[16:31.58] <+Akvan> That's annoying
[16:32.04] <DM> "Oh, Akvan."
[16:32.13] <DM> "That poor boy."
[16:32.39] <+Repriever> [we're in now?]
[16:33.10] <+Mel> [What was he doing, immediately prior to this? And what were we, for that matter?]
[16:33.17] <DM> Repriever, Melchior, Kir, Ironrose, and Carcephon are standing in a hurried conference belowdecks on the Reme.
[16:33.40] <DM> Melchior has just scried Kallias, and Zathindra's destruction of Tetraea has just been revealed.
[16:33.55] <DM> Ironrose has just uttered the words, "I am coming."
[16:34.05] <DM> As the stones repeat the code, over, and over.
[16:34.18] <DM> Tapping, and sparking.
[16:34.40] * Repriever finds Ironrose's warning to be of more importance than Carcephon's ambiguous comment.
[16:35.14] * Penumbra_ warns Hin to be on watch for disturbances or portals in the area
[16:35.16] <+Repriever> "Triple the guard."
[16:35.44] <+Repriever> "Mel, we need to warn Amutat. Can you manage that?"
[16:36.13] * Mel rises to leave.
[16:36.40] <+Repriever> "If the Black comes here we will need all of our resources to stop her."
[16:36.49] * You are now known as Carcephon
[16:36.57] <Carcephon> "She won't come here."
[16:37.14] <Carcephon> "She wanted to, but now she's lost the element of surprise."
[16:37.14] <+Repriever> "And you didn't know where she was five minutes ago, either."
[16:37.21] * Carcephon smiles.
[16:37.27] <Carcephon> "I can divine my own fate."
[16:37.33] <+Repriever> "Yours, but how about theirs?"
[16:37.35] <+Mel> "Vyriscene, if you wish to see Amutat, this may be a useful time."
[16:37.37] * Repriever gestures to the party.
[16:38.04] <Carcephon> Vyriscine has departed with Illian, some time prior.
[16:38.11] <Carcephon> Although if you wish to scry her, that message can be delivered.
[16:38.24] <+Repriever> "I will take my own counsel when it comes to her."
[16:38.36] <+Mel> [oops right]
[16:38.39] * Mel goes on her own.
[16:38.47] <+Repriever> "Mel!"
[16:38.50] * Repriever calls after her.
[16:39.05] <+Repriever> "Take some of the knights with you."
[16:39.22] <Carcephon> "I...believe I should minister to Akvan."
[16:39.38] <+Repriever> "What has he done?"
[16:39.56] <Carcephon> "Some scrying."
[16:40.03] <Carcephon> "It's important he learn through trial and error."
[16:40.08] <Carcephon> "This was...mmm."
[16:40.11] <Carcephon> "More of the second."
[16:40.13] <+Mel> "I will go on my own, if I encounter trouble I'm fine, in here."
[16:40.34] * You are now known as Hin
[16:40.43] <Hin> "Zathindra laying waste to Tetraea?"
[16:40.50] * Repriever worriedly frowns at Mel.
[16:40.54] <Hin> "What if she finds the portal to Te Ghlimhe!"
[16:41.07] <+Kir> "Can we shut portal?"
[16:42.27] <+Shala> "Stealthily..."
[16:42.29] <+Mel> "The portal is through water."
[16:43.23] <+Penumbra_> "What if we lay a trap?"
[16:43.32] <+Repriever> "Maybe she cannot--"
[16:43.35] * Repriever turns to Penumbra.
[16:43.46] <Hin> "That is true..."
[16:43.47] <+Repriever> "A trap?"
[16:43.50] * You are now known as Carcephon
[16:43.53] <+Penumbra_> "If she uses a portal, she will believe she has arrived at her desired location."
[16:44.08] <Carcephon> "Does this place have much to entice her?"
[16:44.15] <+Penumbra_> ... "Yes, perhaps she could not."
[16:44.46] <+Repriever> [does she mean the jungle?]
[16:45.03] <+Penumbra_> [Carcephon has Akvan's sight so, she should know what's there already]
[16:45.37] <Carcephon> She's asking rhetorically.
[16:45.54] <Carcephon> "If there's nothing for her to fight, she may simply leave it alone."
[16:46.11] <+Repriever> "And what do we do if we trap her? A wasp in the hand still stings."
[16:46.14] * You are now known as Hin
[16:46.18] <Hin> "Scaris and Tyris..."
[16:46.29] <Hin> "...perhaps."
[16:47.23] <+Shala> "We kill her, I assume."
[16:47.26] <+Repriever> "She needs better bait."
[16:47.51] * Repriever thinks it over, eyes shifting over Shala.
[16:48.02] <+Repriever> "No. That's too dangerous."
[16:48.12] * You are now known as Carcephon
[16:48.28] <+Shala> "Her being alive seems rather dangerous at this moment"
[16:48.28] <Carcephon> "If you want to draw her away from further innocents, the best thing we can do is attack Zarmahl."
[16:48.53] <Carcephon> "Now that her ambush has been revealed, I suspect she won't walk into the Citadel."
[16:49.05] <Carcephon> "She could be trapped by magic, even killed."
[16:49.30] <+Penumbra_> "Why is she sending us 'I am Coming'? Is it a bluff? A bait? Or something else?"
[16:50.35] <+Repriever> "If we leave her alone she could turn the tide against us in our siege, or slaughter thousands more in the Isles."
[16:50.38] <+Repriever> "Ironrose."
[16:50.52] * You are now known as Ironrose
[16:50.53] <Ironrose> "Yes."
[16:50.54] <+Repriever> "Send a message in return."
[16:51.07] <Ironrose> "What message."
[16:51.10] <+Repriever> "Come then."
[16:51.44] * You are now known as Carcephon
[16:51.46] <Carcephon> "...bait."
[16:52.07] <Carcephon> "She is coordinating closely with Lakhmul."
[16:52.19] * Carcephon curses.
[16:52.59] <Carcephon> "It's Illian they want."
[16:53.04] <Carcephon> "And his army."
[16:53.19] <+Penumbra_> "She wants us to prepare for her here, so she has free reign elsewhere?"
[16:53.28] <Carcephon> "Exactly."
[16:53.40] <Carcephon> "Or better, to come to Tetraea to save your friends."
[16:53.52] <Carcephon> "It could take days to pick through ruins, looking for survivors."
[16:54.32] <Carcephon> "By now they know Vyriscine is here."
[16:54.33] <+Repriever> "We will not play into their strategy."
[16:55.09] <+Penumbra_> "Perhaps we could convince them that we did."
[16:55.23] <+Repriever> "She was promised violence, so promise her some."
[16:55.26] * Repriever agrees with Penumbra.
[16:55.40] <+Repriever> "Use her own desire for blood against her."
[16:56.09] <+Repriever> "Unless your brother has a thick enough leash?" he asks Carcephon.
[16:57.17] <Carcephon> "What do you propose?"
[16:57.34] <Carcephon> "Illusions made to look like you?"
[16:57.37] <Carcephon> "That could work."
[16:58.11] <+Repriever> "We have Mel."
[16:58.16] <+Repriever> "It can be done."
[16:58.24] <+Shala> "A ghost boat?"
[16:58.59] <+Repriever> "Or the Reme itself."
[16:59.18] * Shala nods, as if to say "Yes that's what I meant"
[17:00.01] <+Penumbra_> "If the Reme returns to Tetrea, with real aid and illusions of the Five, could they believe we left Illian unsuppored?"
[17:00.09] <+Penumbra_> *without support?
[17:00.19] <Carcephon> "It will work."
[17:00.29] <Carcephon> "I suspect they have a similar strategy."
[17:00.34] * Carcephon laughs.
[17:00.38] <Carcephon> "Lakhmul isn't a slouch."
[17:00.49] <Carcephon> "He'll most likely glamour a tarcirath to look like the real Zathindra."
[17:01.34] <Carcephon> "So your pawns can face off against theirs in the ruins."
[17:01.46] * You are now known as Hin
[17:02.01] <Hin> "With all due respect, I would consider myself at least a rook."
[17:02.06] * You are now known as Carcephon
[17:02.10] * Carcephon half-smiles at the ceiling.
[17:02.18] <+Repriever> "Would you consent, Hin?"
[17:02.25] * You are now known as Hin
[17:02.26] <Hin> "Of course."
[17:02.30] <Hin> "Your lives are on the line."
[17:02.32] * Repriever nods.
[17:02.42] * You are now known as Carcephon
[17:02.43] <+Repriever> "So then we play."
[17:02.55] <Carcephon> "You'll need body doubles who are at least strong enough to face a tarcirath."
[17:02.58] <Carcephon> "Perhaps multiple."
[17:03.10] <+Penumbra_> "Give them a good show" (to Hin)
[17:03.32] <+Repriever> "If Amutat can wake the sleeping wardens, we should have enough."
[17:03.37] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[17:03.48] <+Repriever> "Unless you volunteer your own children."
[17:04.12] * You are now known as DM
[17:04.18] <DM> [sorry, that was for sidechat stuff]
[17:04.33] * You are now known as Carcephon
[17:04.39] <Carcephon> "Actually, I propose some of Vyriscine's."
[17:04.47] <+Repriever> "We do have one mancer who may be of use."
[17:04.55] <Carcephon> [lol]
[17:05.01] <Carcephon> [sending Varduk into Nam]
[17:05.06] * Shala 's eyes light up
[17:05.07] <Carcephon> [that poor sob]
[17:05.20] <+Shala> "Oh my, is it who I think it is?"
[17:05.20] <Carcephon> "I'm always up for a little mancer-torture."
[17:05.32] <+Repriever> "He pledged to our side."
[17:05.38] <+Mel> ?roll 1d20
[17:05.38] <%tBot> Mel: 9 [9]
[17:05.46] <+Repriever> "And he does know how to dance."
[17:05.53] <+Mel> ?roll 1d20
[17:05.53] <%tBot> Mel: 1 [1]
[17:06.23] <+Repriever> "We will glamor Varduk as Shala. He can play the part well enough."
[17:06.41] <+Penumbra_> [So the new five is two soul constructs as Preev and Penny; three dragonic agents as kir, akvan, and mel; and Varduk as Shala?]
[17:07.19] <+Repriever> [sounds good]
[17:08.17] <+Penumbra_> "Illian's challenge would not go unreceived then, if he believed our response."
[17:08.26] <+Shala> [B TEAM ASSEMBLE]
[17:09.06] * You are now known as Hin
[17:09.25] <Hin> "Varduk's screams are, I believe, remarkably similar to Shala's in tenor."
[17:10.01] * Shala cackle
[17:10.04] <+Shala> s
[17:10.35] <+Repriever> "Make the arrangements."
[17:11.46] * Repriever heads to the galley to drink.
[17:14.22] <Hin> "I strongly recommend sleep before battle, to all of you."
[17:14.31] <Hin> "Nerves may run high, but you all feel quite exhausted."
[17:15.11] * Penumbra_ nods
[17:15.23] * Repriever will drink some, then go down to the Penumbra cabin to crash once calmed down enough.
[17:15.55] <+Penumbra_> "We'll keep an eye out on the preparations."
[17:16.03] * Shala sighs and heads to her cabin, trying to peruse a few books to ease yourself into sleep
[17:17.37] * You are now known as DM
[17:17.40] * Penumbra_ will meditate some, then review the preparations and prepare a brief with Hin for the Reme's mission tomorrow, then rest for the rest of the night if possible/not disturbed by Carcephon's attempts to... ah... rouse akvan
[17:17.42] <DM> At the least, the Citadel is safe.
[17:17.47] <DM> Far safer than the last time you were here.
[17:18.01] <DM> The Apastron no longer threatens the last bastion of palatines in existence.
[17:18.10] <DM> And half of the greater dragons are now allied to humanity.
[17:18.16] <DM> You have accomplished great things.
[17:18.28] <DM> But it could all still fall apart.
[17:18.41] <DM> So much is hanging in the balance.
[17:20.20] <DM> Melchior, Vyriscine, and Morningstar work late into the night.
[17:22.51] * You are now known as Hin
[17:23.01] <Hin> "It is inspiring, my lady."
[17:23.22] <Hin> "Do you remember how hard it was to simply get the Elydians to work with us?"
[17:23.36] <Hin> says Hin, privately to Penumbra.
[17:23.51] * Penumbra_ chuckles to herself, looking out the window at the stars above
[17:25.05] <+Penumbra_> 'The satraps acted like it was a personal insult to give or receive help.'
[17:25.33] * Penumbra_ replied to Hin
[17:26.01] <Hin> "And the inquisition..."
[17:26.17] <Hin> "They made Kallias look like a kind old grandfather."
[17:26.36] <+Penumbra_> 'Relentless... in refusing to face their true enemies.'
[17:26.54] <Hin> "Well...when you're a flame, it's easier to hide in the Light, than the darkness."
[17:27.29] <+Penumbra_> 'Easier to burn it all instead of trying to see.'
[17:28.25] <+Mel> "Vyriscine, the best way to learn is to do, as you've noted before."
[17:28.38] <+Mel> "Might you aid me in this converter, then?"
[17:28.40] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[17:28.42] <Vyriscine> "Yes."
[17:28.47] <Vyriscine> "So I see three distinct parts."
[17:28.50] * Mel seeks aid another from Vyriscine and Amutat.
[17:29.00] <Vyriscine> "The containment, the transmutation, and the transferrence to sufficient storage."
[17:29.12] <Vyriscine> "There's three of us, efficiency dictates we each take a part."
[17:29.58] <+Mel> "Amutat has great experience with energy containment and storage."
[17:30.07] <+Mel> "I am something of a transmutation specialist."
[17:30.37] <+Mel> "And with water and earth both tied closely to me, it might be best for me to do that portion."
[17:30.42] <+Mel> "Amutat, your thoughts?"
[17:30.53] * You are now known as Morningstar
[17:31.30] <Morningstar> "I already have a significant portion of unused storage. The trick is simply connecting my charger cables, and reversing the polarity of the energy flow."
[17:31.39] <Morningstar> "I can handle what is done with the transmuted energy."
[17:32.03] <Morningstar> A back panel opens, and a variety of small metallic spider-like creatures spring out with little tweezer and other tool attachments.
[17:32.20] <+Mel> "So Vyriscine, whaddaya think might work best for ya?"
[17:32.29] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[17:32.38] <Vyriscine> "Containment is boring. But I can do it."
[17:32.55] <Vyriscine> "The core transmutation artifice is better for you, but I'll check your work."
[17:33.12] <+Mel> "Right-o."
[17:34.21] <+Mel> "So we have Vyriscine's containment of the essence, which will channel out a portion of its power through an aperture."
[17:34.54] <Vyriscine> "Yeah, at least I get to draw a fuckton of power out of this thing."
[17:35.04] <Vyriscine> "Actually, honestly, this much water-power is terrifying."
[17:35.13] <Vyriscine> "Carcy wants to kill our father with this..."
[17:35.23] <Vyriscine> "I half-believe it'll work."
[17:35.35] <+Mel> "I worked out several circles with Whitelay and Kallias involvin' the conversion of energies."
[17:36.39] <Vyriscine> "Mmm."
[17:37.11] <+Mel> "Essentially there were multiple subsidiary loops that allowed for the conversion of different energy types, with minimized loss."
[17:37.18] <Vyriscine> "This is good work, for a human."
[17:37.21] <+Mel> "There is still some conversion inefficiency we'll have to live with."
[17:37.32] <+Mel> "Aww shucks, high praise."
[17:37.45] <Vyriscine> "That's the nature of any sort of circle conversion."
[17:38.11] <Vyriscine> "Circles are themselves powered by the forces they contain, so the energy that's lost in friction is more like spent."
[17:38.28] <Vyriscine> "But this much power..."
[17:38.37] <Vyriscine> "It's amazing nobody broke the world with this."
[17:38.44] * Mel 'pffs'.
[17:38.46] <+Mel> "They already did."
[17:38.52] <Vyriscine> "Oh yeah."
[17:38.59] <Vyriscine> "Heheh."
[17:39.16] <+Mel> "So let's try to avoid making things monumentally worse before we make 'em better."
[17:39.22] <Vyriscine> "I've seen Father's, of course."
[17:39.26] <Vyriscine> "Studied it a bit..."
[17:39.35] <Vyriscine> "And I've long-since known."
[17:39.44] <+Mel> "Yeah? What's Fire like?"
[17:39.51] <Vyriscine> "Carcephon rigged it to steal his power, not keep him alive."
[17:39.53] <Vyriscine> "It's..."
[17:40.01] <Vyriscine> "For us, it's food."
[17:40.12] <Vyriscine> "For you, it's likely different."
[17:40.39] <Vyriscine> "Like staring into the sun and holding it in your hand at the same time."
[17:40.44] <Vyriscine> "After a while, it's all you can see."
[17:40.51] <Vyriscine> "And all you can feel."
[17:42.09] * Mel nods and works on her diagramming.
[17:42.12] <+Mel> Spellcraft.
[17:42.15] <+Mel> Prescience.
[17:42.16] <+Mel> ?roll 1d20
[17:42.16] <%tBot> Mel: 15 [15]
[17:42.20] <+Mel> I'll take it.
[17:42.48] <+Mel> 33, plus whatever bonus I get from the 'aid another' from Vy and Amutat supervising my work.
[17:43.02] <Vyriscine> "This is so different. For us, it's poison. For you, probably comforting."
[17:43.13] * Vyriscine 's eyes flash purple, for a moment.
[17:43.22] <Vyriscine> "So comforting it lulled an entire society into isolation..."
[17:43.27] <+Mel> "For us, water is reviving, refreshing, cleansing."
[17:43.41] <Vyriscine> "They built an entire world around this thing, and then they closed themselves off."
[17:43.51] <+Mel> "Wouldn't be the first ones."
[17:43.53] <Vyriscine> "Didn't they."
[17:44.05] <Vyriscine> "I guess you can have too much of a good thing."
[17:44.12] <+Mel> "The Citadel did it to a degree here, Kallos Bellan did it with his cities."
[17:44.20] <+Mel> "Do you refer to Sael's land?"
[17:44.24] <Vyriscine> "Yeah."
[17:44.30] <Vyriscine> "I just scryed its past, a little bit."
[17:44.55] <+Mel> "Careful with that."
[17:45.11] <+Mel> "Given what you just said about staring at the sun, I'd hate to have you douse yourself with an essence in here."
[17:45.22] <+Mel> "Gonna be a really awkward conversation with your sister and brother."
[17:46.38] <Vyriscine> "Yeah..."
[17:46.55] <Vyriscine> "Probably wouldn't kill me, unless I was trapped."
[17:47.04] <Vyriscine> "Just might bust me back to flame for a bit."
[17:47.14] <Vyriscine> "Okay."
[17:47.19] <Vyriscine> "What do you think of this?"
[17:47.58] <Vyriscine> "Realistically you can't just have one transference line, I created a couple hundred tiny pores, each of which draws a separate strand."
[17:48.24] <+Mel> "A good system for reliability too, bad streams can get cut and replaced without creating an energy pressure differential."
[17:48.46] <+Mel> "Amutat's maintenance servitors can overlook it."
[17:48.58] <+Mel> "Or rather, look over it- hope they don't overlook it."
[17:50.40] <Vyriscine> "Also, uh, since it's so energy dense."
[17:51.21] <Vyriscine> "I mean each of these tiny strands draws energy orders of magnitude stronger than the strongest crystal transferrence ever."
[17:51.30] <Vyriscine> "You could contain a god with this thing."
[17:51.40] <Vyriscine> "Well, actually, I guess that's what we're doing."
[17:51.45] <Vyriscine> "Har."
[17:51.58] <+Mel> "In a manner of speakin'. I mean, essences are divine powers divorced from the divines, sort of."
[17:52.26] <Vyriscine> "Which is why I never wanted Father to control his."
[17:52.35] <Vyriscine> "Ultimately that's why I decided to join you."
[17:52.47] <Vyriscine> "Nothing could stop him."
[17:53.59] <+Mel> "So for my portion... come, see this, you might think it's quite clever. Or pedestrian, I'm still trying to peg 'zactly how much of this you've already figured out."
[17:55.02] <Vyriscine> "A lot of what I work with, I just rely on my natural links with fire energy."
[17:55.14] <+Mel> "Mm hmm?"
[17:55.40] <Vyriscine> "So usually I just pour energy into whatever spell I want until it works."
[17:55.57] <+Mel> "Brute force doesn't seem like the approach you'd take."
[17:56.13] <Vyriscine> "The end product is quite subtle."
[17:56.25] <Vyriscine> "I'm just saying, I don't usually delicately transmute into other raw energies."
[17:56.37] <Vyriscine> "I'll start with a design, say an enchantment or an illusion."
[17:56.58] <Vyriscine> "And push enough raw firepower into it to enable the architecture."
[17:56.59] <+Mel> "And work with your innate element, even if the end result might be more costly."
[17:57.06] <Vyriscine> "Yeah."
[17:57.15] <Vyriscine> "I mean, I don't NEED to think about these concerns."
[17:57.22] <Vyriscine> "Like a human mage might."
[17:57.29] <+Mel> "Well, we could do that in this case, but here, it is a concern because we want to get as much power through to Amutat as possible."
[17:57.34] * Mel demonstrates the schematic flowchart, and then the actual runic notation.
[17:57.47] * Vyriscine throws her hands towards the ground, making purple fireball after purple fireball.
[17:57.54] <Vyriscine> "But..."
[17:57.58] <Vyriscine> "Ask me to make water?"
[17:58.06] * Vyriscine concentrates, and furrows her brow.
[17:58.17] <+Mel> "So the basic idea is that we have the flow of water energy coming from the stone... heheh."
[17:58.22] * Mel is squeezing water from a stone.
[17:58.24] <+Mel> "Ahem."
[17:58.34] * Vyriscine looks up from a small purple raincloud.
[17:58.35] <+Mel> "So the flow of water energy enters the primary process."
[17:58.37] <Vyriscine> "Right."
[17:58.54] <+Mel> "Here it gelifies."
[17:59.24] <+Mel> "So this ring is essentially congealing, freezing the energy, using the runes at these three points."
[17:59.41] <+Mel> "There's a lot of latent energy given off by this process, which is captured by this containment loop."
[18:00.03] <+Mel> "That formless energy is then channeled back into the input, here... and here."
[18:00.27] <+Mel> "There is another recapture loop from that in series, flowing countercurrent."
[18:00.50] <Vyriscine> "Oh, that's clever."
[18:01.00] <+Mel> ＋https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Comparison_of_con-_and_counter-current_flow_exchange.jpg/400px-Comparison_of_con-_and_counter-current_flow_exchange.jpg，
[18:01.03] <Vyriscine> "So you use the containment process itself as a transmutation."
[18:01.15] <Vyriscine> "Then draw off unaligned energy which can be re-aligned as you see fit."
[18:01.20] <+Mel> "Yes."
[18:01.46] <+Mel> "And the countercurrent in the second recapture nearly doubles our recapture efficiency."
[18:02.23] <+Mel> "This exchanger runs across the whole system, and I think I could extend the central loop to make it a more stepwise process."
[18:03.01] <Vyriscine> "You should think about adding a few extra sigils to minimize heat and mechanical strain."
[18:03.12] <+Mel> "Yes, that's why I would make it more stepwise."
[18:03.16] <Vyriscine> "Even if the process is perfect, the mere amount of energy could crack this stone."
[18:03.49] <+Mel> "If we break it down into a step-by-step process, rather than a single one, we reduce the overall stress."
[18:04.03] <+Mel> "Amutat, what's your most heat resistant medium?"
[18:04.20] <Vyriscine> "Tungsten."
[18:04.24] <Vyriscine> says Amutat.
[18:04.59] <Vyriscine> "I uncovered it while digging for various storage chamber expansions."
[18:05.29] <Vyriscine> "But it requires a very high flame to work."
[18:05.36] * Mel smirks.
[18:05.41] * Mel looks over at Vyriscine.
[18:05.49] <Vyriscine> "Did somebody say high flame?"
[18:05.57] <+Mel> "We might have three of the most powerful flames in existence present as guests right now."
[18:06.02] <+Mel> "And one in person at this very moment."
[18:06.12] * You are now known as DM
[18:06.13] <DM> Okay.
[18:06.16] <DM> I want you to roll
[18:06.28] <DM> A craft check with a +10 bonus modifier from Amutat and Vyriscine
[18:06.45] <DM> The DC is 25
[18:06.47] <+Mel> Alrighty, I've got +12 to my craft(alchemy)
[18:06.52] <+Mel> which I believe is applicable here.
[18:07.03] <+Mel> Prescience #3
[18:07.05] <DM> So +22 total
[18:07.05] <+Mel> ?roll 1d20
[18:07.05] <%tBot> Mel: 6 [6]
[18:07.11] <+Mel> I'll take what I roll next time.
[18:07.14] <+Mel> ?roll 1d20+22
[18:07.14] <%tBot> Mel: 31 ([9] +22)
[18:07.36] <+Repriever> [nice hefty bonus there]
[18:07.58] <DM> The chance of failure given 3 of the greatest magical minds in Arta in one room
[18:08.03] <+Shala> [dayum]
[18:08.18] <DM> was actually 15%.
[18:08.20] <DM> :p
[18:08.46] <DM> Nonetheless.
[18:08.52] <DM> You succeed, close to dawn.
[18:09.11] <DM> The Essence of Water is slotted into vyriscine's collander-like spherical collector.
[18:09.52] <DM> Melchior's transmuter, forged and etched in raw tungsten, with various additional modular stepwise containment-collectors being slotted in as fast as Amutat and Vyriscine can forge them.
[18:11.19] <DM> As Amutat initiates the process, the entire cave above is lifted in temperature a few degrees.
[18:11.30] <DM> Sparkling, golden lights glimmer on the ceiling.
[18:11.50] <DM> As each of the individual darkened crystals, tens of thousands of them, gradually light up.
[18:12.01] <DM> Morningstar returns to its full potential.
[18:12.12] <DM> Last seen in the days of the previous Ritual.
[18:12.37] * Mel grins widely, slightly manically.
[18:13.41] <DM> Vyriscine looks up, from where she's sketching a few extra subsidiary circles to flow freezing air over and around the containment chamber.
[18:13.51] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[18:13.58] <Vyriscine> "That was kinda cool."
[18:14.09] <Vyriscine> "Get it."
[18:14.18] <+Mel> "Ayoo!"
[18:14.21] <+Mel> "That's an evening well spent. Do you drink?"
[18:14.30] <Vyriscine> "Drink what?"
[18:14.39] <+Mel> "Alcohol, celebratory beverages?"
[18:14.55] <Vyriscine> "I'd have to have a human circulatory system for those to work..."
[18:14.59] <Vyriscine> "But I could siiiiimulate one!"
[18:15.24] * Vyriscine mumbles.
[18:15.36] <Vyriscine> "At this point, the human stumbles and falls, at this point, they vomit..."
[18:15.41] <Vyriscine> "Yes."
[18:15.43] <Vyriscine> "It is doable."
[18:15.43] <+Mel> "Amutat, get your servitors to bring something celebratory and alcoholic, ideally with bubbles."
[18:16.25] <Vyriscine> "How much is appropriate?"
[18:16.32] <Vyriscine> "Four pints?"
[18:16.36] <Vyriscine> "Sixteen pints?"
[18:16.57] <+Mel> "Let's keep it below two, but I guess you can supercharge a liver."
[18:17.10] <+Mel> [Iggy had to OOC look up how many pints in a litre]
[18:17.27] * You are now known as DM
[18:17.27] <+Mel> "Still have a meeting tomorrow... uh, today."
[18:17.39] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[18:17.51] <Vyriscine> "You should use that fancy gadget of yours to squeeze out some extra sleep."
[18:18.13] <+Mel> [Damnit I was going to look all clever by using it to sleep off my hangover and now you made me look like I'm taking Vy's idea]
[18:18.22] <+Mel> "That is exactly the plan."
[18:18.46] <Vyriscine> "Although you could construct a circle to simultaneously transmute all of your polluted blood to clean blood." s
[18:18.50] <Vyriscine> "It would be..."
[18:18.57] <Vyriscine> "Mmm, you could accidentally explode your heart."
[18:19.09] <Vyriscine> "Worth it?"
[18:19.16] <+Mel> "I'll go for the one that doesn't accidentally turn all my blood to water or poison or a gaseous state."
[18:19.30] <+Mel> "You can simulate a circulatory system, I'm stuck with mine for the time being."
[18:19.31] <+Mel> ;)
[18:19.33] <Vyriscine> "Alright!"
[18:19.41] * You are now known as DM
[18:19.45] <DM> Repriever is the first to wake.
[18:19.51] <DM> In the pre-dawn light.
[18:20.05] <DM> His eyes snap open, a sudden transition from a bright light in a dreem to sudden darkness.
[18:20.16] * Mel gets celebratorily drunk with Vyriscine.
[18:20.35] <+Repriever> [actually, no, dm]
[18:20.42] <DM> dream*
[18:20.45] <DM> No?
[18:21.32] <DM> Okay.
[18:21.48] <DM> Yes, so he has a brief private conversation with Penumbra.
[18:21.56] <DM> He's totally awake, though.
[18:22.10] <DM> I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be.
[18:22.37] * Repriever is awake, yes.
[18:23.25] * Repriever lays in the bed a while and speaks with Penumbra who was working nearby.
[18:23.42] <DM> Setting aside the fact that this is ALL a dream and you're still in the inn the night before fighting the velcirath. What a vision, am I right?
[18:24.01] <DM> Yeah, Penny isn't even real.
[18:24.06] <DM> Just kidding. :p
[18:24.25] <+Penumbra_> Cogito ergo sum, dm.
[18:24.52] <DM> More like kobito ergo pen
[18:24.57] <DM> Eyooo.
[18:25.21] <DM> There is eventually a brief knocking, at the bedroom door.
[18:25.50] * Repriever is content to lay there. Penumbra can answer the door this time.
[18:26.35] <DM> Another knock.
[18:26.48] * Penumbra_ lets him dwell on those thoughts and response to the door
[18:27.07] <DM> Carcephon stands there, her long blonde hair spilling out over her shoulders, dressed in a light blue nightgown patterned with two dragons, blue and white, their tails entwined, running lengthwise up her body.
[18:27.13] <+Penumbra_> "I am here - what is it?"
[18:27.21] <DM> "Is...is Repriever in?"
[18:27.26] * You are now known as Carcephon
[18:27.32] * Carcephon looks over her shoulder.
[18:27.37] <+Penumbra_> "He is in my bed, yes."
[18:27.43] <Carcephon> "Oh!"
[18:27.50] <Carcephon> "Is he busy?"
[18:28.31] <+Shala> [brb bathroom]
[18:28.36] * Penumbra_ takes a look back, the door narrowing to a slit and gives repriver a look
[18:28.58] <Carcephon> "I need him."
[18:29.06] <+Penumbra_> like a "Do you want to make time for this?"
[18:29.14] * Repriever gestures to let the snake in.
[18:29.30] <+Penumbra_> "You can come in."
[18:29.36] <Carcephon> "Why thank you!"
[18:29.46] <Carcephon> "Akvan tried to spirit walk last night."
[18:29.55] <Carcephon> "Into the plane of fire."
[18:29.59] <+Repriever> "Did he manage?"
[18:30.04] <Carcephon> "At first..."
[18:30.09] * Repriever stays where he's at, but props his head on some pillows.
[18:30.15] <Carcephon> "But the business with Zathindra distracted me, momentarily..."
[18:30.21] <Carcephon> "And I think he wandered a bit too far."
[18:30.30] <+Repriever> "What does that mean?"
[18:30.38] <Carcephon> "He hurt his mind again."
[18:30.48] * Penumbra_ is not surprised
[18:31.02] * Repriever gives Penumbra a completely exasperated look.
[18:31.06] <+Repriever> "Why?"
[18:31.18] <Carcephon> "Well, he has an important mission."
[18:31.24] <Carcephon> "Winning over some of the angels to support our cause."
[18:31.34] <Carcephon> "But in the plane of fire, angels are..."
[18:31.37] * Repriever pinches the bridge of his nose.
[18:31.39] <Carcephon> "Difficult to look at."
[18:31.58] <+Repriever> "And you need me because...?"
[18:32.14] * Carcephon mumbles
[18:32.21] <+Repriever> "What's that?"
[18:32.29] <Carcephon> "I'm still learning..."
[18:32.34] <Carcephon> "...how to do divine magic properly."
[18:32.46] <Carcephon> "And I would appreciate...your expertise."
[18:33.03] * Carcephon sounds like it's the most painful thing in the world to admit that she doesn't know how to do something perfectly.
[18:33.18] * Penumbra_ relaxes and closes the door behind the three of them
[18:33.29] * Repriever fails to keep a straight face though.
[18:33.33] <+Penumbra_> [threesome with preev and penny - 1st with Shala, now with Carce. #whosnext]
[18:33.43] * Carcephon sighs.
[18:33.46] * Repriever has the edge of a smirk.
[18:33.49] <Carcephon> "Stop."
[18:33.53] <+Repriever> "I'm sorry. Forgive me."
[18:33.54] <Carcephon> "I know what you're thinking."
[18:33.57] <Carcephon> "I LITERALY know."
[18:34.02] <Carcephon> literally*
[18:34.17] <+Repriever> "I shouldn't make fun of students."
[18:34.21] <Carcephon> "At this rate, he won't be able to participate in the battle."
[18:34.22] * Repriever sits up.
[18:34.56] <+Repriever> "We all had to learn."
[18:35.05] <Carcephon> "Angels exist outside of time."
[18:35.18] <Carcephon> "It's hard to see that and remain human."
[18:35.43] <+Repriever> "Might I suggest a firmer hand of caution?"
[18:35.49] <+Repriever> "Akvan has made these mistakes before."
[18:36.15] <Carcephon> "I was gone for only a few minutes."
[18:36.21] <+Repriever> "That is the worry."
[18:36.23] <Carcephon> "But, unfortunately, time passess differently there."
[18:36.52] <+Repriever> "We won't have much time."
[18:37.16] * Repriever drinks what's left of a cup of wine he brought down the night before, then crosses the room toward the two of them.
[18:37.52] <+Repriever> "I need to see him to know what I can do."
[18:38.14] <Carcephon> "Alright."
[18:38.22] * You are now known as DM
[18:38.26] <+Repriever> "But."
[18:38.36] * Penumbra_ opens the door because that's what she does now apparently
[18:38.44] <+Shala> [back]
[18:38.55] <DM> "Yes?"
[18:39.25] <+Repriever> "Are you opposed to praying?"
[18:39.39] * You are now known as Carcephon
[18:39.45] <Carcephon> "To pray to myself seems a bit self-centered."
[18:40.00] * Repriever smiles.
[18:40.21] <+Mel> [So it should come naturally then.]
[18:40.43] * Repriever walks on by her.
[18:40.57] * Carcephon follows to Akvan's room.
[18:41.12] <Carcephon> Akvan sits, eyes open.
[18:41.26] * Repriever kneels besides what is an unfortunantly common sight.
[18:41.29] * Penumbra_ follows Carcephon
[18:41.30] <Carcephon> He stares at nothing, or maybe he does, as his eyes move around, but don't focus.
[18:41.39] * You are now known as DM
[18:42.25] * Repriever places his hands to Akvan's head, thinking.
[18:42.32] <+Repriever> "Why do you do this to yourself?"
[18:42.54] <+Mel> [DON'T KINKSHAME ME]
[18:43.28] <+Repriever> "This one... I can do something about."
[18:43.45] <+Repriever> "I need time."
[18:43.57] * You are now known as Carcephon
[18:44.00] <Carcephon> "How much?"
[18:44.03] <+Repriever> "An hour."
[18:44.26] <Carcephon> "Alright."
[18:44.32] <Carcephon> "Anyone else you'd like me to bring?"
[18:44.41] <Carcephon> "That Ironrose seems to be an adequate healer."
[18:44.43] <+Repriever> "No one but yourself. Sit over there."
[18:44.52] * Repriever gestures to the floor.
[18:44.56] * Carcephon sighs, and sits on her legs.
[18:45.35] <+Repriever> "You have to do something you will hate for someone you love."
[18:46.08] <Carcephon> "And?"
[18:46.12] <Carcephon> "What is it?"
[18:46.25] <+Repriever> "Ask the stars for guidance."
[18:46.42] * Carcephon stares at Repriever as if he's just told her he's pregnant.
[18:47.23] <Carcephon> "How...does that have ANYTHING to do with healing."
[18:47.42] <+Shala> [good question]
[18:47.57] <+Repriever> "I love the boy, but yours is a deeper love, and our voices must carry very far."
[18:48.22] <+Repriever> "You'll sit with me while I prepare. Easy?"
[18:48.25] <Carcephon> "I don't need Astara."
[18:48.32] <+Repriever> "No, but he does."
[18:48.39] * Carcephon sighs.
[18:48.44] <Carcephon> "I suppose it is your healing."
[18:48.48] <Carcephon> "Fine."
[18:49.24] * Repriever settles onto the floor and makes this as awkward as possible for her.
[18:49.47] <Carcephon> "Oh...oh stars."
[18:50.06] * Repriever shuts his eyes and begins the same morning ritual prayer he has done every day that the party has known him, but lets Carcephon beg for aid as he does.
[18:50.13] <Carcephon> "May you...help, Akvan."
[18:50.20] * Carcephon says, through gritted teeth.
[18:50.21] <+Repriever> "Go on, mean it."
[18:50.24] <Carcephon> "Please."
[18:50.41] <Carcephon> "Please help him return to his body."
[18:50.41] * Penumbra_ is glad she decided to stay
[18:51.06] <Carcephon> "He is a good, kind spirit."
[18:51.18] <Carcephon> "He is young, and not very wise."
[18:51.31] <Carcephon> "But in some ways, he is wiser than all of us."
[18:51.39] <Carcephon> "He doesn't think to take, only to give."
[18:51.47] <Carcephon> "He is a loyal servant, and a good friend."
[18:51.49] <Carcephon> "There."
[18:51.54] <Carcephon> "How was that."
[18:52.32] <+Repriever> "Better."
[18:52.38] <+Repriever> "But we've just begun."
[18:53.17] <+Repriever> "Shut your eyes and pray. We will be here a while."
[18:54.30] * Repriever will continue being quiet and meditating for the duration of the hour.
[18:55.41] * Penumbra_ asks Hin to make sure no one interrupts Repriever during his meditation, and goes to check on the preparations
[18:55.57] <Carcephon> A team has assembled.
[18:56.01] * You are now known as DM
[18:56.26] <DM> Three purple tarciraths, eclectically dressed.
[18:56.40] <DM> Varaine, the one with small curlicued horns, introduces herself to Penumbra.
[18:56.57] <DM> "Mom's told us everything, and it sounds fun!"
[18:57.06] <DM> "I always wanted to be a hero when I grew up."
[18:57.20] <DM> Dolomite stands with two other soulblades.
[18:57.25] * You are now known as Dolomite
[18:57.35] <Dolomite> "To impersonate a great palatine is, in and of itself, an honor."
[18:57.52] <+Penumbra_> [So no Varduk it seems]
[18:58.12] <Dolomite> Varduk eventually arrives, with Parsimony holding his arm as he looks very rumpled.
[18:58.20] <Dolomite> As they climb out of her ship as it lands on the deck.
[18:58.24] * You are now known as Varduk
[18:58.25] * Penumbra_ thinks of Parhelion's gambit at Azehat. A success. A failure. She hopes this would not turn out the same.
[18:58.36] <Varduk> "What the devil is the meaning..."
[18:58.45] <Varduk> "I will not participate in any sort of life-threatening, I was assured SAFETY!"
[18:58.57] <Varduk> "Protection!"
[18:59.03] <Varduk> "Penumbra!"
[18:59.07] <Varduk> "Tell them to release me!"
[18:59.35] <+Penumbra_> "Of course, the most important member of the party must be protected."
[18:59.59] <Varduk> Parsimony "releases" him down onto his hands and knees on the deck.
[19:00.03] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:00.04] * Penumbra_ looks to the Wardens and dragons to his right and left
[19:00.15] <Parsimony> "Perhaps you'd like to be released to the Tower of Conjuration as well?"
[19:00.43] <Parsimony> "I'm sure they'll arrange a pleasant welcoming ceremony for the noble Bel Zimmalek, returned at last."
[19:00.56] * You are now known as Varduk
[19:01.02] <Varduk> "Please...please don't do this..."
[19:01.05] * Varduk literally grovels.
[19:01.34] <Varduk> "I wasn't made for war, I'm an ambassador for heaven's sake!"
[19:01.47] * Penumbra_ isn't repriever, she considers this
[19:02.20] * Shala saunters above deck
[19:02.30] <+Shala> "Oh come on, I would never grovel like this."
[19:02.40] <+Shala> "If you're going to be me, you'll need to put in a little more effort."
[19:02.43] * Varduk looks up at Shala
[19:02.53] * Penumbra_ massages her chin
[19:02.58] <+Penumbra_> "You make a good point, Shala."
[19:03.04] * Varduk looks up at Penumbra
[19:03.11] * Kir chuckles softly
[19:03.42] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:03.45] <Parsimony> "We need a Conjurer."
[19:03.56] <Parsimony> "They'll smell the difference, trust me."
[19:04.06] <Parsimony> "Sorry Varduk."
[19:04.10] * Parsimony claps him on the shoulder.
[19:04.16] <+Penumbra_> "You will focus on finding and helping the survivors in your role, Varduk."
[19:04.36] * You are now known as Dolomite
[19:04.45] <+Penumbra_> "I've seen Shala helping others make 'Haste.'"
[19:04.45] <Dolomite> "Do not worry, small caster."
[19:05.00] <Dolomite> "I will reprieve you if necessary."
[19:05.10] * You are now known as Varduk
[19:05.16] <+Penumbra_> [getting into the roles already *sheds inky tear*]
[19:05.16] * Varduk gradually slumps to his feet
[19:05.51] <Varduk> "I'll make a terrible Shala."
[19:06.10] <Varduk> "For starters, I'm so good looking."
[19:06.23] <+Repriever> [gottem]
[19:06.27] <Varduk> "Secondly, I'm not riff-raff."
[19:06.34] * Shala slaps Varduk
[19:06.41] <Varduk> "Ah!"
[19:06.54] <+Shala> "I have risked my life for them several times now. If you tarnish my reputation among them, I'll make the dragons look like nippers."
[19:07.03] <Varduk> "How dare you-"
[19:07.22] <+Shala> "What honor do you have left?"
[19:07.22] * Varduk pulls back his hand to strike Shala, only to have Dolomite close his fist around his wrist.
[19:07.25] * You are now known as Dolomite
[19:07.35] <Dolomite> "Consider this your first reprieve."
[19:07.43] <+Repriever> [lol]
[19:08.08] * Dolomite eventually sighs.
[19:08.13] <Dolomite> Varduk*
[19:08.15] * You are now known as Varduk
[19:08.21] <Varduk> "Even if I do succeed..."
[19:08.25] <Varduk> "What use am I?"
[19:08.28] <+Penumbra_> "Which you will."
[19:08.32] <Varduk> "A homeless, useless exile."
[19:08.39] <Varduk> "I have nothing left."
[19:08.41] <+Shala> "More use than you've ever been in your life."
[19:08.56] <+Penumbra_> "You have yourself, your skills, and your future to offer."
[19:09.10] * Shala sighs
[19:09.18] <+Shala> "And a legend, especially if WE succeed."
[19:09.33] <Varduk> "A legend?"
[19:09.37] * Penumbra_ cracks a joke "Remember Parhelion?"
[19:09.54] <Varduk> "He's legendary for dying!"
[19:10.00] * Penumbra_ laughs
[19:10.33] * Shala shrugs
[19:10.39] <Varduk> "Alright, Tell Ashara."
[19:10.43] <Varduk> "I'll play your little game."
[19:10.45] <Varduk> "I'll be you."
[19:10.49] <Varduk> "But I want a promise."
[19:11.00] <Varduk> "If there's a new order after this, I want a political arrangement for me."
[19:11.02] <Varduk> "And my family."
[19:11.08] <Varduk> "I need your assurances."
[19:11.15] <Varduk> "Especially if you do become High Athtar."
[19:11.18] * Shala bows
[19:11.40] <+Repriever> [the highest ranked janitor in the tower]
[19:11.52] <+Shala> "Your family is...well, I cant purge them all can I? Yours is relatively tame."
[19:12.23] * Varduk nods, seeing an escape
[19:12.27] <Varduk> "Of course...of course."
[19:12.36] <Varduk> "And your geneology...that can be re-examined, I'm sure."
[19:12.47] <Varduk> "Perhaps make you a Bel Ashara, as a clerical error."
[19:12.57] <+Shala> "Geneology itself, will be re-examined."
[19:12.59] * Shala smiles
[19:13.04] <+Shala> "Wouldn't that be grand?"
[19:13.07] * Shala laughs
[19:13.12] <Varduk> "I'm not sure I understand."
[19:13.38] <+Shala> "Of course. You're there, and I'm here."
[19:14.04] * Varduk narrows his eyes
[19:14.06] <+Shala> "That's all that's needing to be understood, and soon you'll see. But for now just...don't blunder it up."
[19:14.23] * Varduk sighs
[19:14.34] * Varduk makes his best Shala impression
[19:14.41] <Varduk> "Well how did we get into THIS situation?"
[19:14.54] <Varduk> "I guess we'll have to make a...hasty retreat!"
[19:14.58] * Shala claps
[19:15.08] <+Shala> "It's like watching yourself in a play!"
[19:15.14] * Shala looks at her companions
[19:15.26] <Varduk> "Oh kasatha, now I'm...a stage performer..."
[19:15.33] * Varduk utters it as if it was the worst possible curse
[19:16.10] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:16.23] <+Penumbra_> "Alright, we should have a few moments for the group dynamic. It should be familiar enough to match the stories."
[19:16.27] <Parsimony> "Very good, everyone."
[19:17.07] <+Shala> "That's me to the hilt I think, so we have our main star set. Now we set up the ancillaries to revolve around her personality..."
[19:17.33] * You are now known as Dolomite
[19:17.41] <Dolomite> "Usually Penumbra says nothing, does she not."
[19:17.48] <+Penumbra_> After the practice, Penumbra shakes their hands and thanks them individually. She knows that if they guessed wrong, they would likely be massacred by the real Zathindra while they face Lakhmul in Zarmul.
[19:17.55] <Dolomite> "Ever brooding over her next strategic objective."
[19:18.06] * Penumbra_ nods
[19:18.08] <Dolomite> "Notice this, Karst."
[19:18.12] <Dolomite> Karst also nods.
[19:18.46] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[19:18.49] * You are now known as Varaine
[19:19.05] <+Penumbra_> "Bring up insight and key questions on which others lie, Karst. Silence is your tool to shape the conversation."
[19:19.15] <Varaine> "Oh, I'd like to be Melchior."
[19:19.39] <Varaine> "I can make fake implements, then cast her usual spells."
[19:19.56] <Varaine> "I've talked a bit with her, so I can do it, I think."
[19:20.27] <Varaine> "Akvan's super easy guys, just do a lot of flame and light stuff, don't forget the blue."
[19:20.39] * Varaine continues to chat with her brothers.
[19:21.00] * You are now known as Karst
[19:21.09] <Karst> "Silence is leverage, in a way."
[19:21.17] <Karst> "Let others reveal themselves before you."
[19:21.25] * Karst rumbles from an empty armored shell.
[19:21.28] * Penumbra_ nods and agrees, smiling slightly
[19:22.55] <+Penumbra_> [Assuming they discuss Kir's part]
[19:24.11] <Karst> Yes.
[19:24.13] <+Penumbra_> "Working together, Repriever and I work well together, but sometimes split up to strike different key objectives. Work in groups of two or three, and keep 'Shala' protected."
[19:24.23] * You are now known as Varduk
[19:24.30] <Varduk> "She does lightning, right?"
[19:24.47] <+Shala> "I've been known to lightning."
[19:24.55] <Varduk> "Alright."
[19:24.55] * Shala wonders how he knew this
[19:25.16] <Varduk> "I do a lot of lightning, I just wanted to confirm it was appropriate."
[19:25.29] <Varduk> "Haste, lightning, a bit of teleportation."
[19:25.34] <Varduk> "Some summons.
[19:25.37] <Varduk> "*
[19:25.52] <Varduk> "Anything I've forgotten?"
[19:26.38] <+Shala> "A bit of armor at the start, just to be safe."
[19:27.04] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:27.14] <Parsimony> "We're almost ready for the war council."
[19:27.19] * You are now known as DM
[19:27.27] <DM> A great assembly of troops has gathered by the plaza.
[19:27.37] <+Penumbra_> "You are ready. Good luck."
[19:27.52] <+Penumbra_> [to the False Five]
[19:28.03] <DM> The constructs and dragons nod.
[19:28.32] <DM> There are thousands of draconic troops, clustered separately from the constructs, with a small coterie of humans towards the center of the plaza, where a large war table has been set up.
[19:28.58] <DM> Three of the High Wardens from the Council are there - Praxis, Thesis, Gnosis, the three traditional positions.
[19:29.19] <DM> Vyriscine appears, and Jari of the Elydians is present.
[19:29.42] <+Penumbra_> A public war council? Interesting,
[19:29.52] <DM> Vyriscine opens a gate, and Illian walks through.
[19:30.13] <DM> It seems that the Wardens are making it public to express their displeasure with the arrangement.
[19:30.29] <DM> Keeping things out in the open to show their lack of trust for the dragons.
[19:30.46] * Mel appears with Vyriscine, laughing about something.
[19:30.57] * Mel , however, appears formal once in public.
[19:31.08] <DM> "The sword started laughing? Oh boy."
[19:31.30] <DM> "You crazy kids and your smart swords."
[19:31.36] <+Mel> "Yes, I'm still trying to work out what happens once it can't help but- ah."
[19:31.50] <DM> "Let's talk about it later."
[19:31.54] <+Mel> "Yes."
[19:32.02] <DM> Belowdecks, Repriever and Carcephon's penance period has finally come to an end.
[19:32.06] * You are now known as Carcephon
[19:32.14] <Carcephon> "I really hope you teach me a more efficient way to do this in the future."
[19:32.19] * Repriever opens his eyes.
[19:32.28] <+Repriever> "You do love him, don't you?"
[19:32.33] * Repriever says softly.
[19:32.48] * Carcephon mumbles, "I wouldn't spend an hour on my knees for anyone else."
[19:33.00] <+Repriever> "Then, come here."
[19:33.04] * Repriever stands to be beside Akvan.
[19:33.23] <+Repriever> "Take him in your arms, face him."
[19:34.01] * Carcephon does so.
[19:34.15] <+Repriever> "He believes in you. You know that."
[19:34.35] <Carcephon> "Do you?"
[19:34.37] * Repriever places his hands on the sides of Akvan's head, from behind, as they begin to faintly glow.
[19:34.59] <+Repriever> "I simply believe."
[19:35.30] <+Repriever> "You did this, Carcephon the Blue. Not me. That is what you will tell him."
[19:35.46] * Carcephon nods.
[19:35.47] * Repriever casts restoration.
[19:36.12] * Carcephon puts her hand on Repriever's leg, flaring his arm blue as he casts.
[19:36.24] <Carcephon> Your spell is amplified to Greater Restoration.
[19:36.53] <Carcephon> Despite having a hand of flame, Akvan's face does not burn.
[19:37.18] * Repriever backs away and exits the room when it is done. The boy only needs to see his divine.
[19:40.06] <+Akvan> "I know thier names"
[19:40.08] * Akvan says softly
[19:40.11] <+Akvan> "All of their names"
[19:40.23] <Carcephon> "Akvan."
[19:40.26] <Carcephon> "Do you know who I am?"
[19:40.55] <+Akvan> "Of course."
[19:41.21] * Carcephon presses her forehead to his.
[19:41.34] <Carcephon> "I'm glad you're alright."
[19:41.40] <+Akvan> "Me as well."
[19:41.44] <+Akvan> "And you."
[19:41.49] <+Akvan> "Where did you go?"
[19:42.11] <Carcephon> "Zathindra came to Tetraea."
[19:42.15] <Carcephon> "She was what you saw in the dark."
[19:42.19] <Carcephon> "Many Calcissi have died."
[19:42.40] <Carcephon> "The war council is starting, come quickly."
[19:42.48] * Akvan nods
[19:42.52] <+Akvan> "Do you know of Taris?"
[19:43.08] <+Akvan> "Is she...?"
[19:43.16] <+Akvan> "No, no one would know, yet, of any specific."
[19:43.36] <Carcephon> "I haven't Seen her dead or alive."
[19:43.46] <+Akvan> "That's something, at least."
[19:43.54] * Carcephon looks down at him.
[19:43.57] <+Akvan> "Thank you for helping me. For helping couplet. for everything."
[19:44.03] * Akvan hugs her tight
[19:44.09] * Akvan steps back, sheepishly
[19:44.13] <Carcephon> "You've sacrificed a lot for me."
[19:44.17] <+Akvan> "Sorry. That was.... unbecoming.
[19:44.18] <+Akvan> "
[19:44.21] <Carcephon> "Shush."
[19:44.30] <Carcephon> "You can hug me, as long as nobody else sees."
[19:44.42] * Carcephon grins.
[19:44.59] <Carcephon> "Now, we should go."
[19:45.02] <+Akvan> "Yes."
[19:45.23] <Carcephon> It is a big, big table, brought forth from the earth of the plaza itself.
[19:45.26] * You are now known as DM
[19:45.40] * Repriever has made it out here before them.
[19:45.53] <+Akvan> (brb)
[19:45.56] <DM> There are seats for each of the Six, the three dragons in attendance, Jari, Ironrose, the three High Wardens...
[19:46.20] * Repriever sits wherever.
[19:46.23] * Akvan pulls a chair out for Carcephon
[19:46.27] <+Akvan> and then sits across the table from her
[19:46.30] * You are now known as Carcephon
[19:46.33] <+Akvan> (brb)
[19:46.33] * Carcephon smiles in thanks.
[19:46.40] * You are now known as Thesis
[19:46.47] <Thesis> "Very well, are we missing anyone?"
[19:46.50] <Thesis> "Let's begin."
[19:47.12] <Thesis> "Our First Warden, the Avatar Mellakarta, harbinger of this new Ritual, has come again."
[19:47.39] * Mel gives a nod to the group.
[19:48.11] <Thesis> "She has ordered our forces to intervene in this new draconic civil war, siding with the Party of Carcephon."
[19:48.28] <Thesis> "The situation is evolving quickly."
[19:48.51] <Thesis> "There are reports of fighting all across the Empire. The cities of Sapphis and Marash burn as we speak."
[19:48.56] * Mel nods, unexpressive.
[19:49.12] <Thesis> "We are told our Calcissi allies have been pulled into the fray."
[19:49.17] * Repriever listens intently, arms resting on the table.
[19:50.12] <+Mel> "More so than pulled into the fray, they may have been entirely reduced as a fighting force, and a nation."
[19:50.51] <+Repriever> "The dragons are capable of annihilating entire armies at a time."
[19:50.57] <Thesis> "At the least, the capital of Tetraea is an active warzone, thanks to infiltration by the forces of Zathindra the Black."
[19:51.15] <Thesis> "With such a strike, they will be paralyzed to act for some time."
[19:52.04] <Thesis> "The strategy proposed by the Party of Carcephon is a raid on Lakhmul the Gold's capital of Zarmahl."
[19:52.25] <+Repriever> "More than a raid."
[19:52.31] <+Repriever> "A killing."
[19:52.40] <Thesis> "This requires clarification."
[19:52.49] <Thesis> "Is our aim to take and hold the city, or merely sack it?"
[19:53.02] <+Repriever> "The dragon is our goal, and his death."
[19:53.22] <+Repriever> "The city should be taken with as limited collateral damage as possible."
[19:54.08] <+Repriever> "But holding it is not required. Only our goals completed within it."
[19:54.19] <Thesis> "Our initial enemies number at least one hundred thousand."
[19:54.22] <+Penumbra_> "The attack on the city is the challenge to Lakhmul himself, with the aim to draw him out."
[19:54.23] * Kir (8da185b4@ircip1.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[19:54.35] <Thesis> "Reinforcements will gate in over the course of the battle, which may, at least, double that number."
[19:54.37] * You are now known as Illian
[19:54.46] <+Repriever> "Having his fortress would serve us well."
[19:55.21] <Illian> "I suspect the red tribe may offer additional assistance to Lakhmul, the direct descendants of Kharvalath."
[19:55.49] <+Repriever> "And the silver and green?"
[19:55.52] <Illian> "Although they will protect the Imperial City to the end, some of them may join the fray as well."
[19:56.02] * You are now known as Carcephon
[19:56.11] <Carcephon> "They have splintered in their allegiances."
[19:56.17] <Carcephon> "They are likely not a major concern."
[19:56.23] * You are now known as Illian
[19:56.35] <Illian> "Their greatest concern is protecting their limited number of tarciraths, which they cannot replenish."
[19:57.03] <+Repriever> "Then they should join us."
[19:57.21] <Illian> "Why?"
[19:57.35] <+Repriever> "How will they protect themselves when the true enemy comes?"
[19:57.47] <+Repriever> "They don't have the numbers, and we won't have the patience."
[19:58.08] <Illian> "Their submission will be a foregone conclusion if we defeat Lakhmul and Zathindra here."
[19:58.34] <+Repriever> "Can we not offer them a share of Lakhmul's treasure?"
[19:58.56] <+Repriever> "We won't need the gold, but we need the men."
[19:59.06] * You are now known as Carcephon
[19:59.17] <Carcephon> "I will attempt to convey this message through diplomatic channels."
[19:59.25] * You are now known as Praxis
[19:59.38] <Praxis> "Regardless of the other tribes, First Warden, we need a plan. How are we going to assault this city?"
[20:00.43] * You are now known as Gnosis
[20:00.46] <+Mel> "We have devised several options of attack, but our primary goal is to draw out the prince of the city."
[20:00.53] <Gnosis> "There are a variety of options..."
[20:01.03] * You are now known as Illian
[20:01.22] <Illian> "I suspect he will be extremely reluctant to leave his city and his followers."
[20:01.39] <+Repriever> "A challenge from you will solve this."
[20:02.20] <+Repriever> "With the essences at hand we can reshape the defenses of the city itself to our advantage."
[20:02.30] <Illian> "He will not respond to simply any challenge."
[20:02.41] <Illian> "He will only come forth when all of his wealth and prestige are at stake."
[20:02.55] <Illian> "We must be on the verge of breaking the city."
[20:03.26] <+Repriever> "So we will be. Jari."
[20:03.41] * Mel looks to Jari.
[20:03.47] <+Repriever> "I will form a company from the Astarans here."
[20:04.01] * You are now known as Jari
[20:04.05] <Jari> "We are ready for this day."
[20:04.14] <+Repriever> "We'll need them to cause a slave revolt."
[20:04.33] * Jari smiles, clenching his fist.
[20:04.45] <Jari> "Some of the slaves will join us."
[20:04.50] <Jari> "What of those who are loyal to their masters?"
[20:04.56] <+Repriever> "They are our cousins in chains."
[20:05.21] <+Repriever> "If they raise a fist to us they must be ended."
[20:05.41] <+Repriever> "But otherwise, harm no one."
[20:05.53] <+Repriever> "Inaction does not an enemy make."
[20:06.15] <Jari> "Your will, my count."
[20:06.42] <+Repriever> "That goes for everyone."
[20:06.57] * You are now known as Illian
[20:07.09] <Illian> "This is what I recommend."
[20:07.27] <Illian> "Two breaches. One in the north, another in the east."
[20:07.43] <Illian> "The humans liberate the slaves, while the draconic forces loot the treasure quarter."
[20:07.51] <+Penumbra_> [Repost for great justice ＋https://i.imgur.com/R8iBotV.png]，
[20:07.56] <Illian> "Then, we link up our forces and challenge Lakhmul."
[20:08.35] <+Repriever> "We must lead the eastern breach ourselves."
[20:08.39] * Repriever addresses the Six.
[20:08.46] <Illian> "You could break through the gate at the Craft Quarter."
[20:08.57] * Shala nods
[20:08.58] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[20:09.16] <Vyriscine> "I'll put my people on demolishing enough towers that the anti-teleportation wards will fail."
[20:09.16] <+Repriever> "Any city worth its salt has fall back defenses along major gateways."
[20:09.28] <Vyriscine> "But at first, you're going to need to travel on foot or fly."
[20:09.41] * You are now known as Illian
[20:09.43] <Illian> "Yes."
[20:09.54] <+Repriever> "We will make a new gate, then."
[20:09.56] <Illian> "He has internal walls and gates between districts, and the citadel itself has additional defenses."
[20:10.06] <+Mel> "We have more raw forces today than we did a few short hours ago, Vyriscine and I have recently helped Amutat to awaken the Citadel's sleeping forces.
[20:10.15] <+Repriever> "Good."
[20:10.21] * Repriever beams a smile.
[20:10.22] * You are now known as Gnosis
[20:10.26] <+Repriever> "How many?"
[20:10.34] <Gnosis> "I have inventoried the sleeping troops..."
[20:10.58] <Gnosis> "Combined with our forces now awake, we have a total of thirty five thousand soul blades."
[20:11.21] <Gnosis> "In another two days, we will have fifty thousand."
[20:11.50] <+Repriever> "Our odds improve."
[20:11.54] <Gnosis> "That is to say, fifteen thousand who we are still powering up."
[20:12.31] * You are now known as Illian
[20:12.46] <Illian> "There are fifty-eight thousand combined draconic forces between the three of us."
[20:12.52] * You are now known as DM
[20:13.02] <DM> The Wardens whisper to each other.
[20:13.45] * You are now known as Praxis
[20:13.51] <Praxis> "Ninety three thousand troops total."
[20:14.00] <Praxis> "Against two hundred thousand or more, in a fortified city?"
[20:14.14] * Repriever watches Penumbra.
[20:14.27] <+Mel> "A key here is that we are not competing in a competition of numbers alone."
[20:14.42] <+Mel> "We have means of turning the enemy's defenses against themselves."
[20:14.47] * You are now known as Gnosis
[20:15.08] <Gnosis> "Indeed, Warden Praxis. Any of our soul blades are worth at least five ssethkar."
[20:15.16] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[20:15.18] <+Repriever> "Only?"
[20:15.25] <Vyriscine> "There's...another small complication."
[20:15.31] * Akvan (4b4adf4c@ircip2.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[20:15.36] <Vyriscine> "We need to leave the Essence of Water here, with the Morningstar."
[20:15.54] <Vyriscine> "She needs it to project the energy for the soul blades over a huge, huge distance."
[20:16.19] <Vyriscine> "The good news is, I think we'll be able to get some of the Warden ships in the fight as well."
[20:16.37] <Vyriscine> "And possibly, Morningstar might be able to do some other things for us in the field with her extra energy now."
[20:18.08] <+Penumbra_> "With the Essense of Water remaining at the Citadel, it's crucial we keep forces in reserve due to Zathindra the Black."
[20:18.24] <+Repriever> "We cannot leave it under-defended.
[20:18.26] <+Repriever> "*
[20:19.28] * You are now known as Thesis
[20:19.29] <+Penumbra_> "Our strike must be sure, but our guard must be alert. We need to face her if she comes."
[20:19.48] <+Mel> "Alternatively, we can leave the essence of water as a trap."
[20:20.04] * Thesis watches Melchior carefully.
[20:20.16] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:20.32] <+Mel> "If Zathindra was foolish enough to come for it, it can be easily configured to entrap and contain it. However, that would pose a severe risk to the people of the Citadel."
[20:20.44] <Carcephon> "I'll handle your trap."
[20:20.55] <+Mel> "How so?"
[20:20.55] * Akvan (4b4adf4c@ircip3.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[20:21.00] <Carcephon> "I'm not quite ready for combat, but I can lead Zathindra into a trap, if she comes here."
[20:21.04] <Akvan> (back, sorry)
[20:21.08] <Carcephon> [np]
[20:21.24] <Carcephon> "If you have specific magical defenses you wish her to be lured into without endangering a human, I can bring that about."
[20:21.55] * Repriever contemplates Carcephon's expressions.
[20:22.27] <+Repriever> "So you'll remain behind."
[20:22.42] <Carcephon> "Of course, I'm happy to work with the Wardens' troops to that effect."
[20:22.45] <Carcephon> "Yes."
[20:23.00] <Carcephon> "I will, however, join you for the final assault on the Imperial City."
[20:23.10] <Carcephon> "Following this battle."
[20:23.19] <+Repriever> "Is this acceptable, Wardens?"
[20:23.31] <+Repriever> "I don't believe she will do any harm."
[20:23.35] * You are now known as Thesis
[20:23.52] <Thesis> "This Council will guard the Morningstar, along with the dragon Carcephon."
[20:24.01] <Thesis> "We will not hide from risking our lives as well."
[20:24.22] <Thesis> "Our civilians and living humans will be hidden away in safety."
[20:24.37] <+Repriever> "Good. She can teach you how to open up more."
[20:24.48] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:24.54] <Carcephon> "It's all about being confident in your body."
[20:25.00] * You are now known as Gnosis
[20:25.02] * Gnosis shudders.
[20:25.21] <+Repriever> "No more antiquated laws to adhere to?"
[20:25.30] * You are now known as Praxis
[20:25.36] <Praxis> "Don't push your luck."
[20:25.52] <Praxis> "We're committed to this battle."
[20:26.01] * Praxis sets mode +v Akvan for #nesdnd
[20:26.08] <+Repriever> "We are allies."
[20:26.30] <+Repriever> "My word isn't in question."
[20:27.04] <+Repriever> "Together we will kill the golden one."
[20:27.30] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[20:28.18] <Vyriscine> "There are almost certainly spies here, although I've silenced our council chamber. I believe we should begin mass gating to designated locations outside the city as soon as possible. I'm sending through scouts to make mass invisibility and anti-scrying wards around our staging locations just outside the city."
[20:28.37] <Vyriscine> Vyriscine refers to "council chamber" euphemistically as the area around the outdoor war table.
[20:28.43] <+Repriever> "And I have a further request."
[20:28.57] <+Repriever> "White Prince, one of your tarciraths to guard Shala during the battle."
[20:29.15] <+Shala> "Oh my, all for me?"
[20:29.21] <+Repriever> "If she is unable to port out, I'd have a way for her to fly."
[20:29.37] <+Repriever> "Yes, all for you. You're important."
[20:29.38] <Vyriscine> "She's got the Essence of Air."
[20:29.47] <+Shala> "Then when the tele towers fall, let the tarcirath back into the battle."
[20:30.09] <+Repriever> "If she is unconscious, she cannot wield that stone."
[20:30.11] <Vyriscine> "Actually...hmmmm.."
[20:30.21] <Vyriscine> "It just occurred to me."
[20:30.33] <Vyriscine> "You guys can technically bypass the tower if you're using that Essence for teleportation spells."
[20:30.47] <Vyriscine> "A normal teleport would fail, but Essence-boosted?"
[20:30.51] <+Penumbra_> "How many?"
[20:30.57] <Vyriscine> "You could gate right into the heart of Lakhmul's palace."
[20:31.02] <Vyriscine> "Uh..."
[20:31.07] <Vyriscine> "As many as her mind can handle."
[20:31.20] <Vyriscine> "Technically speaking, we could gate the entire army into the heart of the city..."
[20:31.24] <+Repriever> "Well, Shala?"
[20:31.32] <+Repriever> "How many men can you handle?"
[20:31.33] <+Shala> "I am quite imaginative."
[20:31.35] <Vyriscine> "Oooh..."
[20:31.43] <Vyriscine> "I have, the best idea."
[20:31.57] <Vyriscine> "Make it LOOK, like we're about to attack the walls like a traditional siege..."
[20:32.02] * Vyriscine looks at Shala.
[20:32.08] <Vyriscine> "So they draw all their troops to the outer walls..."
[20:32.38] <Vyriscine> "And then you use the Essence to jump a whole army inside!"
[20:32.39] * Kir (8da18525@ircip2.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[20:32.41] <+Repriever> "We won't need the entire army. Only a portion."
[20:32.43] * Vyriscine sets mode +v Kir for #nesdnd
[20:32.51] <+Repriever> "Enough to disrupt and breach."
[20:33.00] <Vyriscine> "Yeah..."
[20:33.19] <Vyriscine> "And honestly, it would be tough for you to handle more than a thousand and more than a mile, even with your training and an Essence."
[20:33.30] <+Repriever> "We should not grow greedy in the use of the essences."
[20:33.34] <+Shala> ""How many then"
[20:33.51] <Vyriscine> "I'd say you could probably jump like five k, in a short hop across the walls."
[20:34.06] <+Repriever> "Us, some tarciraths, a few hundred warden soulblades."
[20:34.09] <+Mel> "A vanguard force."
[20:34.09] <Vyriscine> "If you're right there."
[20:34.15] * You are now known as Illian
[20:34.17] <+Penumbra_> "Take them from behind, open the gates..."
[20:34.30] <Illian> "I have an additional suggestion."
[20:34.49] <+Mel> "There are many manners of misdirection we could do, although my illusing ability is reduced merely to what I can do normally, rather than what I can do with the enhancement of the essence of water."
[20:34.57] <Illian> "My force attacking the north walls will be largest. And we will not use invisibility, to make Lakhmul think we are the only army."
[20:35.40] <Illian> "Your force will attack the east gate, assembling under invisibility, then using the Essence to jump across the walls and seize the gates."
[20:35.55] * Penumbra_ likes this plan
[20:36.02] <Illian> "I could take seventy five thousand, you could take fifteen thousand."
[20:36.04] <+Repriever> "As Ekrat, only larger."
[20:36.06] * Repriever nods.
[20:36.47] <Illian> "Mere walls will not deter me."
[20:37.22] * Illian looks significantly more resolute than when you met him.
[20:37.28] <+Repriever> "It's better to be on this side of that threat."
[20:37.39] <Illian> "There is another matter."
[20:37.54] <Illian> "It is not directly relevant to this battle today, but I believe it must be discussed before we begin."
[20:37.55] <+Repriever> [I'm secret lakhmul?]
[20:38.18] <Illian> "Our soldiers, and not simply they, but our people."
[20:38.29] <Illian> "Of course they are loyal to their color."
[20:38.34] <Illian> "And their prince."
[20:38.42] <Illian> "But above all, they are loyal to Kharvalath."
[20:38.54] <Illian> "Even among my own, they are taught from childhood that he is the one true god."
[20:39.13] <+Repriever> "And when your god dies, they will be loyal to his heir."
[20:39.25] <Illian> "Perhaps, but."
[20:39.36] <Illian> "Until now, we could tell them that they were merely fighting a rival prince."
[20:39.52] <Illian> "If it becomes clear that they are rebelling against God, their loyalties will be divided."
[20:40.17] <Illian> "The red tribe joining our enemies will significantly weaken morale."
[20:40.31] * Repriever sighs.
[20:40.35] <+Repriever> "What then?"
[20:40.41] <Illian> "...I do not know."
[20:40.54] <Illian> "I do not know how to tell them that their faith is wrong, nor do I think it my place to."
[20:41.12] <+Repriever> "And they will not listen to me."
[20:41.24] <Illian> "Yes."
[20:41.30] <+Repriever> {{No matter how I speak.}}
[20:41.42] <Illian> "I believe that they may listen to Akvan."
[20:41.57] <Illian> "Not if he speaks the language of killing Kharvalath and replacing him with Carcephon."
[20:42.06] <Illian> "But if he speaks the language of freeing Kharvalath from a great curse."
[20:42.15] <Illian> "A curse of hatred and anger that he has labored under for very long."
[20:42.32] <Illian> "I believe that our Father...is consumed with rage, because of Ilia's own madness."
[20:42.43] <Illian> "I do not blame him."
[20:42.55] <Illian> "But we must make our people understand why we are doing this."
[20:42.56] <+Repriever> "Chains to be broken."
[20:42.59] <Illian> "Why we are killing our own."
[20:43.08] <+Repriever> "What of the divines?"
[20:43.16] <Illian> "Lakhmul has a very good narrative, he is protecting Kharvalath from a rebel and traitor."
[20:43.23] <Illian> "We do not have divines."
[20:43.26] <Illian> "We have one god."
[20:43.28] <+Repriever> "You must."
[20:43.39] <Illian> "Yes, but that does not change what these people believe today!"
[20:43.48] * Illian slams his fist on the war table.
[20:43.49] <+Repriever> "There is no other way to explain this. I am the Keeper of your old enemies."
[20:44.06] <Illian> "Clearly, you understand why you are not the one."
[20:44.13] * Illian turns to Akvan.
[20:44.15] <Illian> "Akvan."
[20:44.23] <+Repriever> "How will they ever learn to work with us if they cannot see the truth?"
[20:44.30] <+Repriever> "He must preach it to them."
[20:44.39] <Illian> "He must preach his truth, not yours."
[20:44.43] <+Penumbra_> "In time, Repriever."
[20:44.55] <+Penumbra_> "The Katadei did not emerge in one night."
[20:45.06] <+Repriever> "And we may not have many nights to linger."
[20:45.22] <+Akvan> "Yes?"
[20:45.37] <+Akvan> "I'm thinking on it"
[20:45.48] <Illian> "Sister, you never truly planned to kill Kharvalath, did you?"
[20:45.53] <+Akvan> "I do not wish to lie to them... But the truth may be the answer."
[20:45.57] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:45.57] <+Repriever> "I have seen what one religion crushing another looks like, Illian."
[20:45.59] <+Akvan> "He was driven mad, and must be contained."
[20:46.03] <Carcephon> "...mm?"
[20:46.08] <+Repriever> "My people broke the Luvanashi."
[20:46.23] <+Repriever> "We cannot go forward with hatred like that."
[20:46.31] <Carcephon> "Of course I did."
[20:46.42] * You are now known as Illian
[20:46.56] * Penumbra_ is watchful and wary of his reaction
[20:47.20] <Illian> "But it is not..."
[20:47.22] <+Akvan> "He is a broken and sad, god, so far removed from his people as to not deserve their worship"
[20:47.27] <Illian> "...completely accurate."
[20:47.30] <+Akvan> "That could be phrased better..."
[20:47.35] <Illian> "You seek a reunification."
[20:47.46] <Illian> "You have taken Ilia's half."
[20:47.53] <Illian> "And now you wish to join with his."
[20:47.56] <+Repriever> "She seeks to restore your father's essence to the whole of the Flame, unbroken and cured."
[20:48.00] <Illian> "It is not truly, killing him."
[20:48.06] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:48.10] <Carcephon> "Yes, that's correct."
[20:48.12] <+Repriever> "It is a healing."
[20:48.17] * Repriever eyes Carcephon.
[20:48.25] <Carcephon> "Repriever has the truth of it."
[20:48.30] * You are now known as Illian
[20:48.40] <Illian> "And would you remain the same, after that?"
[20:48.48] <Illian> "Or will you change?"
[20:48.59] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:49.02] <Carcephon> "I will have to change."
[20:49.05] <+Repriever> "She will become what she is needed to be."
[20:49.36] * You are now known as Illian
[20:49.43] <Illian> "You have long hidden this selfless side, from me."
[20:49.51] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:49.56] <Carcephon> "Well, we all soften in our old age."
[20:50.03] * You are now known as Illian
[20:50.07] * Illian smiles, slightly.
[20:50.09] <Illian> "Perhaps so."
[20:50.26] <Illian> "Perhaps so," he repeats.
[20:51.00] * Illian stands.
[20:51.06] * Repriever senses motive.
[20:51.13] <Illian> On whom?
[20:51.18] <+Repriever> [on illian]
[20:51.21] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+8
[20:51.21] <%tBot> Repriever: 21 ([13] +8)
[20:51.59] * Repriever stands as well, slowly.
[20:52.07] * Akvan sighs
[20:52.13] <+Repriever> "Your sister can be a conniving bitch at times."
[20:52.26] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[20:52.27] <+Repriever> "But she has found a brighter path that helps you and yours."
[20:52.27] <Vyriscine> "Hey!"
[20:52.33] <Vyriscine> "Oh, thanks."
[20:53.09] <+Repriever> "You waged a war that ended my civilization and buried all of my friends, so listen to me if not her. She will do this for the good of your people."
[20:53.44] * You are now known as Illian
[20:53.58] <Illian> "I am aware that Carcephon works for the greater good."
[20:54.03] <Illian> "As she sees it."
[20:54.14] <Illian> "Hopefully she can contain Kharvalath at the moment it is required."
[20:54.29] <Illian> "He could just as easily gain control of the coupling."
[20:54.41] <+Repriever> "Hardly."
[20:54.52] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:54.52] <+Repriever> "Have you ever tried to control her?"
[20:54.59] <Carcephon> "Dear brother, leave matters of ritual and magic to me."
[20:55.14] <Carcephon> "Thanks to Akvan, we will have our final victory."
[20:55.23] <Carcephon> "Over the tyranny of our father."
[20:55.32] <+Repriever> "Astara spoke in her favor. She has been considered and welcomed into her role."
[20:56.05] * Akvan smiles
[20:56.08] <+Repriever> "Powers beyond you or me, Illian. The divines. The universe. All of time."
[20:56.37] * You are now known as Illian
[20:56.42] <Illian> "Then I will commit our lives to this cause."
[20:56.58] <Illian> "Akvan, I did not mean to put you on the spot."
[20:57.11] <Illian> "If you would prefer to speak to my people later, it can be arranged after the battle."
[20:57.25] <+Repriever> "Furthermore, why the hell am I defending dragons? What happened to me?"
[20:57.28] * Repriever mutters to himself.
[20:57.41] * You are now known as Carcephon
[20:57.48] * Carcephon half smiles as she glances at Repriever.
[20:57.53] <+Akvan> "I will do that."
[20:58.04] <+Akvan> "I will walk among them, heal those that need it, and speak with them."
[20:58.10] * Penumbra_ only recently came to some kind of terms with this herself
[20:58.15] <Carcephon> "Very well. I look forward to it."
[20:58.19] <Carcephon> says Illian.
[20:58.25] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[20:58.27] <Vyriscine> "Ok."
[20:58.42] <Vyriscine> "My scouts have prepped the landing zones. Most of Illian's troops are already gated in.
[20:58.45] <Vyriscine> "*
[20:59.00] <Vyriscine> "We just need to divide up the troops here between the two landing zones, and we're good to go."
[20:59.02] * Repriever grabs his helm off the table and slips into it.
[20:59.10] * You are now known as Hin
[20:59.22] <+Repriever> "Finally, something less embarrassing."
[20:59.22] <Hin> "I am ready to gate into Tetraea with our 'heroes,' my lady."
[20:59.29] * You are now known as DM
[20:59.39] <DM> A bunch of flaming portals open.
[20:59.58] * You are now known as Morningstar
[21:00.15] <+Repriever> "You're all more than ready for this," he tells the party.
[21:00.19] <Morningstar> "I'm initiating a voice link," she speaks in your minds.
[21:00.30] <+Penumbra_> "Excellent, may your arrival bring dark tidings. And good luck." to Hin.
[21:00.33] <+Mel> "Good morning, Star."
[21:00.37] <Morningstar> "You'll be able to reach me for some help in the battle as needed."
[21:00.53] <Morningstar> "I'll be coordinating a lot of energy links, but your requests have priority."
[21:01.24] <Morningstar> "Any basic earth-related tasks you need done, I'll immediately prioritize."
[21:01.27] <+Repriever> "Remember. The chaos of these large battles can be overwhelming at first. Just keep your eyes localized."
[21:01.43] <Morningstar> [you can now ALL do low-level earth-related spells as a free action]
[21:01.53] <+Repriever> [oh?]
[21:01.57] <Morningstar> [larger earth-related stuff can be summoned with a bit of lag time]
[21:02.14] <Morningstar> Technically, you can ask Morningstar to do it, and she'll do it as she gets to it.
[21:02.28] <Morningstar> Melchior's powerup has vastly expanded her abilities.
[21:02.28] <+Repriever> [ironskin is a level 2 earth spell]
[21:02.35] <+Repriever> [can we cast it on all the elydians]
[21:02.42] <+Penumbra_> [this... will be very handy]
[21:03.07] <+Penumbra_> ＋http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/ironskin/，
[21:03.12] * You are now known as Thesis
[21:03.16] <Thesis> "Good hunting to you, First Warden."
[21:03.18] <+Shala> "Oh, I had always neglected geomancy..."
[21:03.30] <Thesis> "May the armies of the Citadel strike true."
[21:04.11] <+Repriever> "Let's finish this."
[21:04.13] <+Mel> "Strike firmly, with alacrity and efficiency of action, may our forces be well preserved to fight the fights to come."
[21:04.21] * Mel begins her pre-combat ritual.
[21:04.22] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[21:04.29] <Vyriscine> "I'm...getting some interesting reports, from spies."
[21:04.41] <Vyriscine> "Lakhmul's been gearing up too."
[21:04.53] <+Mel> Strength enhanced, legacy weapon, lead blades.
[21:05.03] <+Repriever> "Fuck it. He can't hide forever."
[21:05.09] <Vyriscine> "Seems we're not the only ones bringing in unlikely allies."
[21:05.16] <+Mel> Resistance, Stoneskin.
[21:05.27] <Vyriscine> "Mancer mercenaries have been spotted near his palace."
[21:05.42] <Vyriscine> "Enchanters, and Evokers."
[21:05.48] <Vyriscine> "If anyone can afford their services, it's him."
[21:06.12] * Repriever looks over to Shala.
[21:06.46] <+Shala> "Easy enough to dispatch."
[21:06.48] * Shala shrugs
[21:06.52] <Vyriscine> "Spread the word that our troops may be facing high-level casters."
[21:06.55] <+Shala> "We're squishy"
[21:07.24] * You are now known as Carcephon
[21:07.41] <Carcephon> "Yes, after that whole, lighting the entire Tower of Transmutation on fire thing, I'd imagine most of the Towers aren't too pleased."
[21:07.41] * Repriever dons the shield of Calcis and draws the dull steel of Nameless, not yet alight with starlight.
[21:08.10] * You are now known as Illian
[21:08.14] <+Akvan> "Not QUITE our fault... but...."
[21:08.33] * Illian draws his blade.
[21:08.44] <Illian> "I will greet you on the field of battle."
[21:09.07] * Illian leaps into the air, and the Wardens gasp as he transforms.
[21:09.17] <Illian> The White Dragon sails through the air, around the alabaster towers.
[21:09.23] <Illian> Illian roars.
[21:09.28] * Repriever squints.
[21:09.54] <Illian> A massive tear of white fire opens in the air, and he passes, articulated tail swishing as it is last to go.
[21:10.47] * You are now known as Ironrose
[21:10.54] <Ironrose> "Everyone! Potions."
[21:11.04] * Ironrose tosses a bag onto the table.
[21:11.16] <Ironrose> "Stock up now, if you get isolated from your healers you'll need them."
[21:11.33] <Ironrose> "Repriever, am I coming or staying?"
[21:12.01] <+Repriever> "Staying."
[21:12.04] <Ironrose> "My lady," says Julia of Pyleth softly, near Penumbra's ear.
[21:12.15] <+Repriever> "We'll bring you in after."
[21:12.15] * You are now known as Julia
[21:12.19] <Julia> "Am I to accompany you into battle?"
[21:12.31] <Julia> "I was a soldier, once."
[21:12.50] <+Repriever> "There will be countless wounded," he warns Ironrose.
[21:12.58] * You are now known as Ironrose
[21:13.03] <Ironrose> "Nothing I haven't seen before!"
[21:13.06] * Ironrose smiles.
[21:13.10] <+Repriever> "This is not one of your battles, but mine."
[21:13.11] <Ironrose> "We were born to deal with this."
[21:13.29] <+Repriever> "You have never seen what is to come."
[21:13.56] * Repriever turns to Shala.
[21:14.06] * You are now known as DM
[21:14.07] <+Repriever> "Keep Calcis safe."
[21:14.12] * Repriever grins.
[21:14.25] <DM> The Knights of Melkir also want to know if they're deploying with the eastern strikeforce.
[21:14.37] * You are now known as Vyrene
[21:14.52] * Vyrene stands at attention before Melchior, awaiting orders.
[21:15.01] * Mel gives a nod and a grin.
[21:15.01] <+Penumbra_> "No, Julia. There will be great magics done here, and you are to observe and try to learn."
[21:15.15] <+Mel> "Knights, you will deploy with me. It's been too long."
[21:15.44] <+Penumbra_> "They will be busy, but I know you can be watchful. There is knowledge everywhere."
[21:16.02] <Vyrene> The constructs are being divided up, and their unit commanders march them through portals in neat squares.
[21:16.12] <Vyrene> "Hurrah!"
[21:16.14] * You are now known as DM
[21:16.19] <+Repriever> "Stay close to me."
[21:16.26] <DM> The Knights give out a lusty cheer, happy to be involved in a battle again.
[21:16.27] <+Repriever> "Lakhmul's aura will paralyze you otherwise."
[21:16.50] * You are now known as Julia
[21:17.01] <Julia> "Alright. I will make a banner of victory for your safe return."
[21:17.29] <Julia> "And ensure all your equipment is in working order."
[21:17.38] * Penumbra_ smiles. Even after the cleansing, Julia is still Julia. Earnest. Eager.
[21:18.18] <Julia> She is a bit subdued, but she is still Julia.
[21:18.27] <+Repriever> [are the elydians here?]
[21:18.36] <Julia> An Elydian company has assembled.
[21:19.11] <+Repriever> "I don't have to ask if you're ready, do I!?"
[21:19.24] * Repriever shouts to the Elydians.
[21:19.54] <Julia> They shout out a cry in Old Elydian.
[21:20.12] <Julia> They start to stamp and slam swords on shields.
[21:20.22] <Julia> Rhythmically, gradually getting faster.
[21:20.41] <Julia> It roughly translates to "Blood for the stars"
[21:21.01] <Julia> There's only about a hundred of them, but they're ready.
[21:21.16] * Repriever is satisfied.
[21:21.18] <Julia> And in dark grey chain with stars painted on their shields, they look pretty good, too.
[21:21.40] <+Repriever> "Make them bleed."
[21:22.07] * You are now known as Vyriscine
[21:22.10] <Vyriscine> "Everybody ready?"
[21:22.54] <+Mel> "Aye."
[21:23.04] <+Repriever> "Open the gate."
[21:23.38] <Vyriscine> A gout of purple fire.
[21:23.38] * Akvan grunts
[21:23.41] * You are now known as DM
[21:23.54] <DM> And then it begins.
[21:24.07] <DM> End session!