The Rift crystal info

02:31:18: <ViejoOsoGrande> "So who wants to be the one to say; 'so, was it your mother or your father dragon who fucked a kobold?" he whispers, but ruins this somewhat by laughing.
02:31:43: <Hippocratesi> "Of course it did, but- Oh nevermind."
02:32:09: <Goatwright> "I don't understand your question, then, Bert."
02:32:34: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Shall we just damn well talk to it rather than all this whispering? It's watching us... whisper about it. Come on."
02:33:00: <Hippocratesi> "I meant what sort of dragon would have sex with a kobold?"
02:33:40: <Benedict_> Garret nods, then approaches. "Seat open?"
02:33:43: <Goatwright> "Perhaps one that is very desperate and lonely." Shepard says this very earnestly, nodding somewhat.
02:33:48: <ViejoOsoGrande> Seemingly forgetting what he had just said, Batharl whispers back "christ almighty can you imagine the proportions? How does that even work? Or was it a baby dragon? Which makes the kobold a... er."
02:34:09: <BoltVanderhudge> "You're all being rather rude."
02:34:39: <BoltVanderhudge> "I always find such crossbreeds very interesting. Dragons have a very wide array of compatible species. It's always fascinating to encounter one."
02:34:40: <ViejoOsoGrande> "You say that now Glaucon, but I bet you can't wait to go over there, strip naked, and ask if he wants to see his own guts. Or yours."
02:34:43: <BoltVanderhudge> "They are like a canvas, in the flesh."
02:34:51: <BoltVanderhudge> "So many beautiful colors."
02:36:48: <Gara> Eelis is glad she doesn't sleep.
02:37:28: <Rainglove> The kobold nods to Garret and drops from being leaned back. "Yeah. I'm supposed to talk to you lot about something?"
02:37:49: <Hippocratesi> "Oh, so you're the one we're supposed to meet?"
02:38:15: <ViejoOsoGrande> As Batharl approaches the kobold he slightly inclines his head towards him. That's his form of greeting, 'hellos' are for plebs.
02:39:00: <Benedict_> Garret takes a seat, nodding to the kobold. "That other kobold talked ta ya already? That was quick."
02:39:04: <Goatwright> "Oh, my apologies. Hello."
02:39:11: <Goatwright> Shepard also moves over to the kobold thing.
02:39:24: <ViejoOsoGrande> Batharl takes a seat as well, presuming there is one free.
02:39:37: <Hippocratesi> Bertholdt steals himself a seat.
02:40:09: <Gara> Eelis sits.
02:41:03: <Rainglove> The kobold nods. "Mental link, tends to speed up communication. So what'd you want?"
02:41:30: <Goatwright> "We wanted to talk to you about the crystal you're apparently connected with."
02:41:45: <Gara> "That it does."
02:43:41: <Rainglove> "Just to clear things up, I'm only connected indirectly. Got someone else in charge of coordinating all that. What do you want to say about it?"
02:44:38: <Goatwright> "We're interested in exchanging services for it."
02:44:51: <Rainglove> "You want to /have/ it?"
02:45:08: <Goatwright> "Correct."
02:45:12: <Goatwright> No point in lying.
02:46:30: <Rainglove> The kobold frowns. "For what?"
02:47:44: <Goatwright> "We all have different uses in mind for it."
02:51:20: <Rainglove> "... Of course you do. So why should I give it to you?"
02:52:58: <Goatwright> "We're willing to perform tasks in exchange for it."
02:53:47: <Rainglove> "What kinda tasks are we talking here?"
02:53:48: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Or provide knowledge we might have that you don't. Your friend earlier said that might interest you."
02:54:13: <BoltVanderhudge> "I can paint. Have you seen my work, in my room?"
02:54:50: <Goatwright> "Ah, yes, thank you Batharl. We're from another plane."
02:56:38: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Just a minor detail I thought needed mentioning," Batharl chuckles.
02:57:22: <Rainglove> "I've been told. There's a bit of an imbalance between giving you that crystal and you painting a picture."
02:58:07: <Goatwright> "We can give you knowledge on said plane, if that interests you. We also happened to kill an 'imposter', if that is of any significance to you."
02:58:21: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Yeeeeah, just, ignore Glaucon. The one with the straggly beard."
02:59:57: <Gara> ~Someone had to say it.~
03:00:26: <BoltVanderhudge> "It's a very good picture."
03:01:32: <ViejoOsoGrande> "There's a time and place, Glaucon."
03:02:41: <Rainglove> "No offense to you, but I don't think there's anything you could tell me about your plane that either I or someone much larger than I am doesn't already know. Although..." The kobold's tail swishes. "You killed a drake?"
03:02:58: <Gara> "Yes, we did."
03:03:19: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Odd... your friend said it might be valuable. But yeah, we slew that beast easy enough."
03:05:21: <Rainglove> "What do you know about the hierarchy of things around here?"
03:06:23: <Goatwright> "I was told a little by the barkeep. There are those like you, apparently, who lead. There are 'middlings', which I believe are or are similar to the drakes, and then there are the regular kobolds. Correct?"
03:10:50: <Rainglove> "Hm. You're a little off." The kobold leans forward onto the table. "You're right with the kobolds, they're at the bottom. And I guess yeah, if I fit in there somewhere I'd be above the drakes. The dragons are a step above me, though, and it's a pretty big step. The drakes though, they only fit where they are because of brute strength. They're idiots."
03:12:10: <Rainglove> "Something that might give you a little favor with the bigger guys... Those drakes are a nuisance to everyone. A real threat to the little guys, the kobolds, and in big enough numbers a threat to a dragon. Might be something you could do there that would give you a little negotiation room with the dragons, if you're interested."
03:12:26: <Gara> "We are."
03:12:46: <Goatwright> "Very much so."
03:12:51: <ViejoOsoGrande> "You need some of these brutes dealing with? That we can do," Batharl grins.
03:13:26: <BoltVanderhudge> "Three, gone, lost, forgotten gladly. Where once there was the bright smile of life... Only death's grinning skull remains."
03:14:57: <Benedict_> "Tha drakes so far have been completely hostile ta us... how many are there?"
03:18:05: <Rainglove> "A good number, they breed like mad. Now, as for what might need doing... There's a little dragon, got it into his head that he wants to be more important than he is. He's got a bit of a gift, telepathically, formed a bond with a group of drakes. Dunno how he did it or why, but they've been an issue. Attacked an older dragon a few days ago."
03:18:40: <Gara> "..."
03:18:51: <Gara> "So a young dragon psion is controlling a group of drakes."
03:19:05: <Gara> ~Oh holy shit that is so fucking bad.~
03:19:15: <Rainglove> "I don't know if 'control' is a good word. Might be voluntary on their part."
03:19:29: <Hippocratesi> "Well this doesn't sound too good."
03:19:30: <Goatwright> "How many drakes?"
03:19:33: <ViejoOsoGrande> "And it'd put us in good favour with those higher up if we shut them down?"
03:21:04: <Rainglove> "Ten or so. And yeah, it'd put you in a pretty favorable light if you managed to get 'em to stop somehow."
03:21:55: <ViejoOsoGrande> "What are their views on this dragon then? Does he need dealing with as well, or just the drakes?"
03:22:41: <Hippocratesi> "Maybe we should take out the drakes and then go after the source of the problem, the dragon."
03:23:11: <Hippocratesi> "There's no way he'll fight alone."
03:23:53: <Rainglove> "Don't think anyone will care how you do it so long as it's done."
03:26:51: <Benedict_> "Ye got a preferred solution? And directions ta where this dragon is?"
03:28:24: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Do the drakes have any main weaknesses? And do you know where we might find them on their own, if possible?"
03:31:21: <Rainglove> "I'm a fan of blowing them up, personally, but I'm busy. Think they're to the north. Weaknesses... they're drakes, they're thicker than bricks. They're a group, finding them alone'll probably be an issue."
03:31:47: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Do they have any favoured prey we could lure them out with?"
03:31:57: <Gara> "How strong are their wills?"
03:32:07: <Gara> "Could I manipulate one easily?"
03:32:14: <Hippocratesi> "We could try finding one of those giant stags we saw."
03:32:25: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Yeah, good thinking Bert."
03:33:07: <Rainglove> The kobold nods. "Large animals would do it."
03:33:12: <ViejoOsoGrande> "I reckon we need to set this up a bit... strategically. I love to cut some heads but, ten of them at once? Yeah, no thanks. How do you blow them up?"
03:33:25: <ViejoOsoGrande> "I mean, what do you use."
03:33:56: <BoltVanderhudge> "Do they track by scent, or sight?"
03:34:14: <Gara> "He uses magic."
03:34:22: <Gara> "Wizard, sorcerer, what?"
03:35:22: <Goatwright> Shepard just rubs his chin a bit, thinking as everybody asks the important questions.
03:35:26: <Rainglove> "Sight, if I had to guess. And yeah, magic works. I do a bit of everything, girly."
03:35:44: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Does that mean we could purchase some explosives around these parts?"
03:35:49: <Gara> "Oh yeah?"
03:36:39: <BoltVanderhudge> "Aha. Ahahahahahahahahaha. I will grind their bones and mix them with my pigments."
03:37:18: <Gara> Eelis is again glad she doesn't sleep.
03:37:20: <Goatwright> "Do you suppose you could teach me a thing or two?"
03:38:57: <Rainglove> The now decidedly male kobold leans back and folds his arms across his chest. "Y'might be able to pick up some explosives easily enough, but I don't know how... /stable/ they'd be. Don't think I'd have a lot to teach you, but feel free to ask."
03:39:44: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Would they be stable enough for us to transport them across a good distance?"
03:40:15: <ViejoOsoGrande> "I mean, are they unstable just always, or when trying to detonate, or both?"
03:41:54: <Rainglove> "Both. Bombmaking isn't really an art."
03:42:04: <BoltVanderhudge> "I disagree."
03:42:07: <BoltVanderhudge> "You just aren't doing it right."
03:42:16: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Damn. I guess that's out of the question then."
03:42:55: <BoltVanderhudge> "I have seen the most glorious, beautiful explosions. Flares of burning green and blinding white. Astounding. And deadly."
03:43:03: <BoltVanderhudge> "It made me jealous, honestly. But such art is... Transient."
03:43:09: <Rainglove> "Feel free to build your own then."
03:43:55: <BoltVanderhudge> Glaucon frowns. "I tried, once, roused by the green monster."
03:44:04: <Goatwright> "Are you good at teaching spells?"
03:44:10: <BoltVanderhudge> "It impeded my beard for months at a time. I will leave it to those in that field."
03:46:05: <Rainglove> "Possibly, depends on what you're looking for."
03:47:23: <ViejoOsoGrande> "If these drake hides are so thick, is armour every crafted out of it? Or do they offer any resistances?"
03:49:13: <Benedict_> "Ye got any weapons that could help us?"
03:50:24: <Goatwright> "I suppose I could bother learning more offensive spells. I'm mostly interested in transmutation, though, but I feel I could learn about this on my own time."
03:50:45: <Rainglove> The kobold taps at his snout. "Possibly. And no, can't really make armor out of drake hide. Doesn't bend well."
03:51:05: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Damn."
03:52:41: <Rainglove> "I /may/ be able to help you." He nods towards Sheperd. "But it'd take a while. And on the subject of weaponry... Maybe. I've got a collection, but not near here."
03:53:58: <ViejoOsoGrande> "What kind of weapons do you have then?"
03:54:27: <Goatwright> Shepard turns to look at the group. "Are we planning on going out today?"
03:54:47: <BoltVanderhudge> "I won't leave until you look at my painting."
03:55:05: <BoltVanderhudge> "You must have the honors of the revelation."
03:55:22: <ViejoOsoGrande> "I think we should get a move on, yeah. Let's talk until we have ourselves a good plan, and then we hunt down these drake bastards."
04:00:27: <Goatwright> Shepard hmm's somewhat. Damn, he would have liked to study and learn a new spell.
04:01:48: <Rainglove> "I've done a good bit of traveling in my time, I've got a decent collection. You want a talking sword? Found one of those recently."
04:02:10: <Goatwright> "Oh, really?"
04:04:23: <Goatwright> "That sounds rather interesting, actually."
04:04:43: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Great, a talking sword, that's just what we need to make this party less weird," Batharl laughs.
04:05:22: <Benedict_> "Bet the sword would be the normal one."
04:08:19: <Goatwright> "I don't suppose you could come with us, could you?"
04:09:13: <BoltVanderdammit> "I don't think it would be much of a service, then."
04:10:50: <Goatwright> "I suppose not."
04:12:03: <ViejoOsoGrande> "Is there anything else we need to know about these drakes that's important?"
04:18:07: <Rainglove> "Not that I can think of. They're a bit better organized than most, seeing as they've got a proper brain from that dragon. And... I couldn't come with you, exactly, but I can stop by on occasion. Somebody'd appreciate being able to keep an eye on you more physically, instead of just watching you remotely."
04:19:30: <Goatwright> "That would be useful. Thank you very much for your cooperation."
04:21:23: <ViejoOsoGrande> "If we ever get caught in a tricky spot some help would be great. Also, is there any way to block out however the dragon's powers work on these drakes?"
04:22:10: <Rainglove> "Can any of you dispel magic?"
04:23:24: <BoltVanderdammit> "No."
04:23:47: <BoltVanderdammit> "We will have to block it by removing the brain."
04:23:56: <Goatwright> standby
04:24:00: <BoltVanderdammit> A sensible suggestion! Taken metaphorically. Effective but gross if taken literally.
04:24:32: <BoltVanderdammit> "Actually. What is to stop us from being bent to the creature's will?"
04:24:35: <Goatwright> "I'm afraid I can't."
04:26:48: <Gara> "I can suppress compulsions, but I doubt that's what's going on here."
04:27:01: <Rainglove> He nods towards Eelis. "She might be able to help with that, maybe."
04:27:10: <Rainglove> welp
04:34:15: <Rainglove> The kobold looks over at Sheperd. "What were you hoping to learn about, exactly?"
04:36:13: <Goatwright> "I'm worried about how efficient I am in combat."
04:36:26: <Goatwright> "I have other magical interests, but those lie in my interest with the crystal."
04:37:14: <Rainglove> "That seems like something to take up with the one whose power you wield, not with me. Unless you have some sort of skill with arcane magic?"
04:38:45: <Goatwright> "Oh, I'm afraid not." Shepard rubs his chin.
04:38:52: <Goatwright> If only he could openly communicate with Glasbok.
04:43:06: <BoltVanderdammit> Glaucon walks up to his room, slightly dejected. Everybody's talking about the crystals and nobody wants to see his art. Bourgeois as fuck!
04:43:51: <Rainglove> "Might not be a lot I can do to help you, then. I'm afraid most of the others who do what I do tend to focus on arcane magic instead of divine. Things get a little hard to keep track of when you're using power from two separate higher beings."
04:45:48: <Goatwright> "Perhaps it would be beneficial if I looked a little into arcane magic. Although I may not be smart enough.."
04:45:52: <Gara> "I'd imagine."
04:46:28: <Gara> "I might consider it, but, I'm pretty happy with just my psionic ability, and I'm not sure how useful entry level magic is."
04:48:14: <Rainglove> "Preeeetty useful, if I do say so myself. But you focus on what you're good at, I guess."
04:48:42: <Gara> "I'd probably focus heavily in magic that is useful in direct combat."
04:48:48: <Gara> "I'm a telepath, I have the other side handled."
04:50:00: <Goatwright> "I don't believe we ever caught your name."
04:58:04: <Rainglove> "Enh." He shrugs. "Gets a little muddled when you've got more'n one person in your head. Call me Roz."
05:01:16: <Goatwright> "Nice to meet you, Roz. I'm Shepard." He introduces the rest of the group, too.
05:01:24: <Gara> "Eelis."
05:03:16: <Rainglove> He nods. "So, if you don't mind my asking, how the hell'd you lot get here?"
05:03:55: <Goatwright> "We walked through a planar rift for the sole purpose of taking your plane's crystal."
05:06:27: <Rainglove> "... Well, no sense beating around the bush I guess. I gotta say, I don't think that's too likely to happen. I'm totally willing to talk about magic, but that's... that might cause some issues."
05:07:16: <Goatwright> "And why's that?"
05:08:00: <Rainglove> "Well, y'know, when someone's bound to something like that, you don't just take it away and dance off with no repercussions."
05:10:14: <Goatwright> ~This seems like it could create some problems.~
05:10:27: <Gara> ~Yes.~
05:11:36: <Goatwright> "I think it might be important to know that we're not the only ones who've come here to do so."
05:12:11: <Rainglove> "We know. But you're the ones who're here talking to us."
05:25:27: <Goatwright> "That's somewhat my point. While we're attempting to be diplomatic about it, I'm not so sure the others will."
05:25:47: <Goatwright> "Our plane makes somewhat of a game out of this."
05:26:54: <BoltVanderdammit> "Odd to hear it described that way by you. Most games don't involve the competitors sometimes murdering each other. Or other team-mates."
05:26:59: <Rainglove> "That's... interesting. I think others will have a very, very hard time if they try to do something by force."
05:27:10: <BoltVanderdammit> Suddenly, Glaucon again.
05:27:14: <Gara> "That's not fully true at all."
05:27:23: <Gara> "Gladitoral games are common in some places."
05:27:38: <BoltVanderdammit> "Hence why I said most."
05:33:54: <Rainglove> The Kobold shakes his head. "If we do give this to you, it's not going to be because we're afraid someone else will take it first."
05:34:28: <Goatwright> "Then why would you?"
05:34:42: <Rainglove> "You tell me."
05:34:57: <BoltVanderdammit> "Who is it attached to?"
05:35:45: <BoltVanderdammit> "And how, for that matter?"
05:41:55: <Rainglove> "That's... that'd be the heart of the issue. The one the guy you just talked to and I both pull from? That'd be him. And honestly, I don't really know how it works. He established some kind of link with it, but... I've done a lot of looking, and still don't know how."
05:43:28: <BoltVanderdammit> "Hm. Curious. Curious. Curious... Interesting, interesting, interesting..."
05:46:54: <BoltVanderdammit> "I have an idea."
05:46:58: <Goatwright> "Well, I'm afraid we can't move on to another plane and ask for theirs. You see, our means of travel between planes doesn't change to another plane until the crystal's been retrieved."
05:47:11: <Goatwright> "So we, and the others, will be fairly set on yours."
05:48:21: <BoltVanderdammit> "I'm assuming this person is fairly knowledgable about these crystals, yes? Many of us are quite curious about their origin, rather than simply taking them and... Snorting them for magical powers or selling them or whatever it is fools do."
05:48:45: <BoltVanderdammit> "Perhaps we can do an exchange of information for services. And simply let the crystal matter rest, for now."
05:50:00: <Rainglove> The kobold eyes Shepard, looking thoughtful, then looks over at Glaucon. "It won't rest, though. Not if an entire plane is coming after it."
05:52:31: <Goatwright> "I'm afraid so." Shepard frowns. "I'm sorry, for what it's worth."
05:52:44: <Goatwright> "Fate's forced action upon you."
05:53:20: <BoltVanderdammit> Glaucon shrugs. "No? It sounded much like you could handle it. I don't feel this group has the moral leanings to strike first against you. If somebody happens to succeed in separating this person from this crystal, I see nothing that would be morally objectionable, about taking it back and for ourselves. Vulture-like, perhaps. If all attackers are repelled, then the point is moot. If they
05:53:20: <BoltVanderdammit> succeed, the point is also moot."
05:54:07: <BoltVanderdammit> "Regardless. I have better things to do than wait around. I would like to either grind the drakes beneath our heels or work on my art. Talking doesn't seem like it's going to blossom into productivity."
05:55:10: <Rainglove> "Succeeding in taking the crystal by force is extremely unlikely, at best. But even we can't hold back an entire plane's worth of attackers."
05:57:04: <Goatwright> "It isn't quite like that. We don't have armies marching in here against you, but there are a lot of potentially powerful parties interested in acquiring a crystal for themselves. Money is often poured into ventures like these."
05:57:52: <Goatwright> "Do you use gold pieces as your currency?"
06:00:31: <Rainglove> "I... Do think I know what you're talking about, but no. Material objects go to those with the strength and will to take them. Services, as you've mentioned, are generally used for those who don't want to fight."
06:05:26: <Goatwright> Shepard thinks of the best way to compare the value of gold. "Say a standard shortsword costs ten gold pieces."
06:05:50: <Goatwright> "A crystal, where we're from, is worth 2400 short swords."
06:11:54: <BoltVanderdammit> "That seems like selling it short."
06:12:04: <Goatwright> WELL MAYBE REDACT I GUESS
06:19:23: <Goatwright> "The crystal's worth..." Shepard rubs his beard. "Several thousand swords. Many thousands."
06:20:14: <BoltVanderdammit> "It's priceless. Men will die for it. They will kill for it. They will do so many other things. Such horrible things."
06:20:48: <Goatwright> "Glaucon, please."
06:20:54: <Goatwright> Shepard is growing tired of Glaucon's ramblings.
06:21:03: <Goatwright> Shepard lets Eelis feel this.
06:21:25: <Gara> ~Me too.~
06:21:30: <Rainglove> "And so you sit here, in a cave, mulling over its significance with someone you barely know?"
06:22:13: <BoltVanderdammit> "I'm insane. I don't know what their reasons are."
06:24:46: <Goatwright> "My point is that we have people who can and do spend those sorts of resources for crystals. If they want, more powerful parties than ours will come for it."
06:25:41: <Goatwright> "Ultimately, I think you're going to be forced to choose who you want the crystal to go to, or end up losing it to those with the power to take it."
06:27:43: <Rainglove> The kobold looks less than happy about this, but nods. "We kind of expected as much. If it comes down to it, we can probably hold out for a very, very long time. But... I don't think we want to do that. We'll see if we can find someone, I think, who deserves it."
06:28:07: <Gara> ~Bingo.~
06:28:46: <Goatwright> ~I told you I could be a diplomat.~
06:29:02: <Goatwright> "That's where we would like to play in."
06:29:27: <Gara> ~Never said you couldn't, I just get to cheeaaa- Use shortcuts.~
06:31:29: <Rainglove> "I'm sure most of those coming through the portal would say the same."
06:31:55: <Gara> "And just as many would run at you with weapons in hand."
06:34:50: <Rainglove> "Most of them would die very, very quickly. And that would last for a very, very long time. I'm hoping it won't come to that."
06:36:09: <Goatwright> "While others would say the same, we happened to make it first." Shepard smiles a bit. "And we've also demonstrated we're willing to work for it."
06:37:51: <BoltVanderdammit> Glaucon goes to his room, for real this time, honest.
06:39:28: <Rainglove> "You have. That's why I'm still talking to you."
06:41:25: <Goatwright> He nods. "So we'll hunt the drakes."
06:44:10: <Rainglove> "Alright. I'll see what I can do to help with your ah, whatever you wanted to know about casting."
06:56:52: <Goatwright> "While we're on the subject, I do have a few questions."
06:57:47: <Rainglove> "Go ahead."
06:58:02: <Goatwright> "Do you know anything about planar magic?"
07:00:21: <Rainglove> "Not much. I've focused more on the type of magic the crystals use."
07:01:02: <Goatwright> "And what type of magic is that?"
07:03:31: <Rainglove> "Arcane. Evocation, if you want to get specific."
07:07:03: <Goatwright> "I see. Do you suppose they would function less well if they were to be used for another school?"
07:09:04: <Rainglove> "From my experience, no. The crystals themselves are just a sort of raw power, it just expresses itself as evocation when they release that power. As far as I know, you can channel it into anything."
07:11:46: <Goatwright> "I ask because I plan on using the crystal to gain free planar travel."
07:13:15: <Rainglove> "That may be difficult. You do have to know what you're doing."
07:14:53: <Goatwright> "I do have some knowledge of planes, but likely not enough to utilize it as well as I'd like. That's why I had asked if you knew anything about it."
07:15:04: <Goatwright> "I don't suppose you know anybody I could ask?"
07:18:35: <Rainglove> "The one who has the crystal, I know he knows its ins and outs. Otherwise... If you can work out how to actually do the thing on your own, the crystal handles the rest."
07:20:49: <Goatwright> Shepard nods. "Alright, another question."
07:21:08: <Rainglove> "Go ahead."
07:22:43: <Goatwright> "Four of the six of us all intend to use the crystal for our own personal motives. What would the affects be of splitting it into four pieces for each of us to hold?"
07:24:21: <Rainglove> The kobold thinks for a minute, tail flicking. "Honestly... I couldn't tell you. You mean physically breaking it apart?"
07:24:37: <Goatwright> "Yes."
07:25:46: <Rainglove> "I don't think it'd like that at all."
07:26:00: <Gara> "Maybe not physically."
07:26:05: <Gara> Eelis comes out of meditation.
07:27:15: <Goatwright> "What other way could we?"
07:27:44: <Gara> "Vent the power, feed off it.'
07:28:33: <Rainglove> "Well, I know of one specific way that works, kind of putting it into practice right now. You could /possibly/ get it to split the power itself, instead of focusing through one being..."
07:29:14: <Goatwright> "The problem with that is we won't always be together."
07:29:46: <Rainglove> "Distance is irrelevant."
07:32:18: <Goatwright> Shepard turns to Eelis. "I suppose that'll work for you and me, but I'm not sure about Garret or Glaucon."
07:32:30: <Goatwright> "They don't want the power like we do. They want the artifact."
07:34:50: <Rainglove> "It shouldn't matter where the crystal itself is, physically, and it should be able to protect itself from pretty much anything. As long as it physically survives, it'll keep throwing power at you."
07:37:28: <Goatwright> ~I suppose we're going to have to talk to the two of them about this, then.~
07:37:44: <Gara> ~Yes.~
07:37:58: <Goatwright> "You said it wouldn't like it if we split it apart. So it's intelligent, then?"
07:38:48: <Rainglove> "Extremely."
07:40:08: <Goatwright> "And yet it chooses to give power?"
07:40:36: <Rainglove> "What else is it going to do with it?"
07:40:53: <Goatwright> "Could it not use it for itself?"
07:42:03: <Rainglove> "It is, physically, a small cylindrical rock about this long." He holds his hands about seven inches apart. "Beautiful, and extremely powerful, but not capable of doing much on its own."
07:43:37: <Goatwright> "But it's both magic and intelligent. Surely it should be able to manifest a means of movement, communication.. anything, really."
07:46:53: <Rainglove> "It lacks the means to manifest most magic, which I /think/ might be because it lacks the ability to use spell components. Not sure on that one. It can move itself, and it can communicate telepathically. It's very capable of seizing control of someone and manifesting power through them, but... it's chosen to work through someone else, instead."
07:47:43: <Goatwright> ~This one.~
07:48:01: <Goatwright> "So, what's it's personality like?"
07:48:06: <Goatwright> its*
07:50:34: <Rainglove> "It's very much a quiet observer. Compliments the one who holds it very well. They watch, and wait, and act when the time calls for it. We're how they gather the information they need to act. In terms of the crystal itself... it varies. It's a very chaotic being, in control of a vast amount of power."
07:52:59: <Goatwright> "And where did that power come from?"
07:54:14: <Rainglove> "I don't know. I have theories, but nothing concrete."
07:54:44: <Gara> "Like/"
07:58:21: <Rainglove> "The formation of the plane, maybe. Some supremely powerful being putting his consciousness into that small object. Random chance. Honestly, I don't know. But... you mentioned that your plane makes something of a game from this?"
08:00:31: <Goatwright> "We have a permanent planar rift that opens to different planes. Each one has a crystal of its own."
08:00:44: <Goatwright> "Once the crystal's taken back to our plane, we new connection is made."
08:00:49: <Goatwright> a new*
08:02:08: <Rainglove> "That would rule out any kind of unique occurrence, then. Some kind of natural process?"
08:07:45: <Goatwright> "That's what we've been wondering ourselves. We don't know of any planes that haven't had one, but we also don't know of one in our plane."
08:08:07: <Goatwright> encountered planes*
08:09:40: <Rainglove> The kobold shrugs. "A bit late for me to start worrying about that now. What do you do with the crystals, after they're brought back?"
08:11:31: <Goatwright> "They're usually sold to nobody knows where. This is something else we plan on researching once we head home."
08:12:07: <Rainglove> "That's... concerning. But you don't intend to sell it?"
08:13:52: <Goatwright> "Eelis and I have plans to use it for an increase in our power. Glaucon and Garret want physical crystals to bring back for different use by others."
08:14:35: <Goatwright> "The last two members of our party, Batharl and Bert, are content with the adventure."
08:15:01: <Rainglove> "Do you really understand what kind of power you're throwing around with this?"
08:17:25: <Goatwright> "Yes and no."
08:22:58: <Rainglove> "I would understand what it is that crystal can do for you before you start really trying to convince us to give it up."
08:24:11: <Goatwright> "Then we would appreciate a lesson or two."
08:26:03: <Rainglove> He spreads his hands. "What do you want to know?"
08:40:52: <Rainglove> "That's... Broad. It can do whatever you need it to, if it's willing and if you know how to use the power it gives you. There are limits, obviously, but they're loose."
08:41:37: <Goatwright> "What are the limits?"
08:43:11: <Rainglove> He shrugs. "Honestly, I don't know. It's a finite reserve of power."
08:43:56: <Goatwright> "And how do we use the power it gives us?"
08:44:07: <Goatwright> "Are there certain ways we're supposed to channel it?"
08:47:10: <Rainglove> "That's not something I know the answer to. I don't directly interact with the crystal much, I'm just given power to use. It's an extension of what I can normally do. If you're pulling straight from the crystal... I don't know."
08:52:27: <Goatwright> "I don't mean to be rude, Roz, but I don't feel you can judge us for not knowing these things when you're not entirely certain yourself."
08:56:53: <Rainglove> "I know what it does, and what it's used for, and I have at least a vague indication of what it'll do if you misuse it." His tail flicks. "I don't judge you for not knowing."
08:57:58: <Goatwright> "Misuse it?"
09:01:42: <Rainglove> "It's a storehouse of power greater than most could ever hope to wield even if they dedicated their lives to studying magic. There's a very strong potential for misuse there. Here, it's doing some good. I'd rather not lose it, deal with all the potential issues there, and then have it be used on another plane to enslave someone."
09:03:54: <Goatwright> "I'm fairly certain that wouldn't happen under our watch. Garret's a paladin, so there's no way he'd let his church do that, and Eelis and I surely don't intend on using it for that. I'm not sure either of us would be capable of doing such a thing."
09:04:00: <Goatwright> "Glaucon, though, I'm not so sure."
09:05:42: <Rainglove> "But can you make sure nobody else will? Your strongest argument for us giving the crystal to you is that we won't be able to hold on to it forever."
09:06:59: <Goatwright> "Should one of us keep hold of the crystal, we could protect it from such use, I imagine."
09:08:44: <Rainglove> "If we can't, how can you?"
09:09:17: <Goatwright> "For one, you're a target."
09:11:53: <Rainglove> "But you won't be?"
09:11:56: <Goatwright> "Crystals are often worshipped or used by the inhabitants of a plane. Between Eelis and myself, I was able to ask a crow for a nearby settlement, and the presence of the psion constantly watching Eelis served as a second compass."
09:14:11: <Goatwright> "I can fly out of this plane with the crystal as a bird, and from there we can regroup in our plane and do with it what we will. Once we start traveling again, we won't look as though we have an object of magnificent power on us."
09:14:53: <Gara> "You know that absolutely no one besides me will be on board."
09:15:52: <Goatwright> "Now we know there's simply no way of physically dividing it. It can't be helped."
09:15:59: <Goatwright> "We'll need to acquire more than one."
09:17:55: <Rainglove> "You intend to get /more/ of these?"
09:18:25: <Gara> "Yes."
09:18:46: <Goatwright> "Call us crazy."
09:19:06: <Gara> "A pair of members of our party want to keep them, (Though I don't trust Glaucon with one, he actually is crazy) for study."
09:20:18: <Rainglove> "..." He pretty clearly doesn't know how to react to that.
09:22:52: <Goatwright> "The rift divers back home would react the same way."
09:25:18: <Rainglove> "You do understand that /one/ of these has brought someone who knows what he
09:25:37: <Rainglove> *"Who knows what he's doing to a level just below a god?"
09:26:04: <Goatwright> Shepard nods.
09:26:52: <Rainglove> The kobold shakes his head. "I... Alright. None of my concern, I'll just worry about what you intend to do with this one."
09:27:58: <Goatwright> "I suppose this one will be split between Eelis and I. I intend to use it to become a planeswalker."
09:28:07: <Goatwright> He turns to Eelis for her to share her intentions.
09:28:25: <Gara> "I want to be able to topple a nation." Beat. "Holy shit that came off wrong."
09:28:27: <Gara> "Okay."
09:28:28: <Gara> "Well."
09:28:53: <Rainglove> "Well you're starting off with mine. Moving on from there, you intend to..."
09:29:23: <Gara> "There was the nation back on my home plane that oppresses it's people and imprionsed me, I intend to go liberate those people."
09:31:50: <Goatwright> "What will you do with the power from there?"
09:33:07: <Gara> "Do my job. Diplomat at people.
09:38:46: <Rainglove> The kobold nods, then blinks. "I'm... afraid I'm needed elsewhere at the moment. I'll do what I can to return tomorrow." He stands, nods to the two of them, and exits.