A Handful of Dust Session 84

[15:46.59] <DM> So we begin.
[15:47.50] <DM> Your quiet footfalls are all that disturbs the silence of stale air in the stone chamber as you pass through long-dormant Kallosi portal, Father Kallias' warnings left behind you.
[15:48.43] * Repriever trails the faint, soothing perfume of lavender flowers tied to his breastplate.
[15:49.25] * azale_ (IceChat9@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[15:49.29] * Shala (IceChat9@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[15:49.32] * DM sets mode +v azale_ for #nesdnd
[15:49.36] <+azale_> spectacular timing
[15:49.40] <+Repriever> [great start, texas]
[15:49.41] * azale_ is now known as Shala
[15:50.03] <DM> The chamber is, well and truly, empty, with the exceptions of some ancient Elydian grafitti scratched onto the walls in a coarse script.
[15:50.52] <DM> The last chips of long peeled paint clinging to crumbling brick.
[15:50.52] <+Repriever> [is it lit? or is shala lighting the way?]
[15:51.31] <DM> The room is lit only by the pale blue Eye on Akvan's forehead, until Couplet flares two blue flames in her hands.
[15:51.58] <+Shala> [i have a light stick, but might as well not use it if we got fire light]
[15:52.12] * Akvan joins in with the light
[15:52.24] <DM> There appears to be no discernible door that can be seen.
[15:52.37] * Repriever finds the addition of blue flames in this place unpleasant.
[15:53.16] <+Repriever> "Remember, we don't know what the White Prince knows. Keep your secrets close, that includes your true names."
[15:53.35] <+Shala> "Oh, I've almost forgot it at this point!"
[15:54.03] <+Repriever> "If things turn sour, you should be able to get most of us out."
[15:54.08] * Repriever says to Shala.
[15:55.04] <DM> Like the portal in Te Ghlimhe, this one appears to be one-way.
[15:55.30] <+Repriever> "Don't be afraid of them."
[15:55.35] * Kir_ scans the room for *things*
[15:55.36] <DM> [from Pyleth to it]
[15:55.39] <+Kir_> Perception
[15:55.53] <+Kir_> ?roll 1d20+16
[15:55.53] <%tBot> Kir_: 24 ([8] +16)
[15:56.01] <+Repriever> "The Essences will protect you from him."
[15:56.12] * Repriever gives Mel a look, too.
[15:56.24] * Melchior gives a faint nod.
[15:57.09] <+Repriever> "Without Blue, we can't try your trick again," he says to Akvan. "So don't. We don't know what's up there."
[15:57.17] * Akvan nods
[15:57.32] * Akvan moves forward, towards the end of the room opposite the portal
[15:57.36] * Shala (IceChat9@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[15:57.40] <+Repriever> [poor azale]
[15:57.56] * Shala (IceChat9@cpe-97-98-83-80.stx.res.rr.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[15:58.08] <+Repriever> [can you ethernet?]
[15:58.12] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6
[15:58.12] <%tBot> Akvan: 26 ([20] +6)
[15:58.14] <+Akvan> perception
[15:58.16] <Shala> [nope]
[15:58.20] * DM sets mode +v Shala for #nesdnd
[15:58.53] <+Kir_> “Wall over there illusory”
[15:58.57] * Kir_ points
[15:59.47] * Kir_ approaches the loose brick he spotted
[16:01.23] <+Repriever> "Careful."
[16:01.32] * Akvan prods at the centarl part of the wall
[16:01.38] * Akvan pushes at it with the flame at the same time
[16:02.12] <DM> Akvan, at first, the wall appears to bear your weight.
[16:02.16] * Repriever takes to touching the Elydian graffiti, tracing the words.
[16:02.50] * Mel (Iggy@d172-218-157-213.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[16:02.53] <DM> But then, your hand sinks through it, and you are able to pass through it like thick mud.
[16:02.55] * DM sets mode +v Mel for #nesdnd
[16:02.58] * Melchior (IceChat78@d172-218-157-213.bchsia.telus.net) Quit (Quit: Until next time, friends!)
[16:03.08] <+Repriever> "Old words. Could be from before we retook the city with Sael."
[16:04.05] * Repriever shuts his eyes in brief, mourning prayer, before returning to the party.
[16:04.38] * Kir_ tries to pry the brick, and if nothing happens, he tries to apply the activation disk
[16:04.55] <DM> The brick grinds out, Kir.
[16:05.06] <DM> And in its place, there appears to be a seal with which to link the disk.
[16:06.33] * Akvan walks through the wall
[16:06.34] <+Akvan> aht do I see?
[16:06.42] <DM> You are in another room, Akvan.
[16:06.47] <DM> You almost stumble into a crate.
[16:07.02] <DM> It appears to be a storage chamber.
[16:07.16] <+Repriever> [do I notice him vanishing through?]
[16:07.19] <DM> Yes.
[16:07.26] <DM> Akvan gradually sinks through, not all at once.
[16:07.30] * Repriever follows Akvan.
[16:08.24] * Mel raises an eyebrow.
[16:08.48] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6
[16:08.48] <%tBot> Akvan: 13 ([7] +6)
[16:08.49] <+Akvan> perception
[16:09.04] <+Repriever> "What is all this?"
[16:09.05] <+Akvan> (anything knicknacky/supplies worth grabbing?)
[16:09.11] <+Akvan> "Looks like supplies"
[16:09.20] <DM> Each of you in turn get that same feeling of resistance, then sinking through if you push harder.
[16:09.24] <+Repriever> "For who."
[16:09.30] <DM> To deter a casual brush of the shoulder from detecting more than a wall.
[16:09.35] <DM> There are racks of spears.
[16:09.36] * Akvan shrugs
[16:09.50] <DM> Head-crests, enameled white on pale crystal.
[16:09.54] * Repriever tries to judge if these are recent or very old.
[16:10.00] <DM> These are newer, Repriever.
[16:10.07] <DM> And they are not of Elydian make.
[16:10.12] <+Shala> "Oh, very ornate"
[16:10.20] <+Akvan> "White's?"
[16:10.27] <DM> The breastplates are too narrow for a human.
[16:10.47] <+Repriever> [but ssethkar?]
[16:11.31] * Repriever fiddles with pieces of the armor, inspecting them, considering the quantities present.
[16:12.27] <DM> There is a lot, Repriever.
[16:12.36] <DM> There's also some crates of food supplies.
[16:12.55] <DM> Long strings of dried garlic and poweded cinnamon.
[16:12.59] <DM> powdered*
[16:13.15] <DM> A few carcasses of salted pork, gutted but not butchered further.
[16:13.53] <+Repriever> "Did she warn you about how many soldiers he has here?"
[16:13.56] * Repriever asks Akvan.
[16:14.15] <+Akvan> "She did not"
[16:14.39] <+Akvan> "We're going in blind
[16:14.39] <+Akvan> "
[16:14.43] <+Repriever> "They're well armed. Better than they used to be."
[16:14.54] <+Akvan> 'Their enemies are... scarier, too, I'd imagine"
[16:15.11] * Repriever grins some.
[16:15.14] <+Repriever> "Maybe."
[16:15.20] * Kir (8da185f7@ircip3.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[16:15.26] * DM sets mode +v Kir for #nesdnd
[16:15.26] <+Mel> "Then let's us at least go in blind with a plan, eh?"
[16:15.33] * Kir_ (uid63846@ealing.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: )
[16:15.56] <+Shala> "The plan is to careen wildly from setup to setup, then escape"
[16:16.00] <+Repriever> "We've ported into the heart of a prince's war camp."
[16:16.16] <+Repriever> "If any of them are prepared for us, it'll be Illian."
[16:16.23] * Kir is still behind the wall
[16:16.51] * Kir scans the place one last time, checking especially for faded seals designed for activation disk use
[16:17.05] <+Kir> perception
[16:17.07] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+16
[16:17.07] <%tBot> Kir: 19 ([3] +16)
[16:17.13] <DM> Only the one item you've found is what's visible, Kir.
[16:17.35] * Kir hops through the wall to join the others then
[16:17.40] <+Repriever> "Mancer, be ready to jump everyone out at the slightest concern."
[16:17.46] <DM> When Kir ultimately pushes through the wall, the back of his head is being orbited by three small steel-grey objects.
[16:18.22] <+Repriever> "If you must, jump to the mountains, toward the Great Tower, and nowhere else. We don't know how far spread Apastron is."
[16:19.03] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+6
[16:19.03] <%tBot> Kir: 18 ([12] +6)
[16:19.24] <+Shala> "I'm ALWAYS ready to carry twice my body weight through a portal"
[16:19.36] <+Shala> "It's a wonder nothing terrible has happened yet, really"
[16:21.06] * Repriever fingers the lavender makeshift brooch.
[16:21.09] <+Mel> "Violent death notwithstanding."
[16:21.14] <+Repriever> "He'll smell this."
[16:21.43] <DM> Akvan, you're also able to find a few huge sacks of dried chickpeas.
[16:21.56] <+Repriever> "That should give us his interest, rather than his bite."
[16:21.58] * Kir seems to pluck one of the circling objects from the air and consider it in his hand
[16:22.14] * Akvan gatheres some chickpeas in bags
[16:22.32] <+Repriever> "If we're here to make an ally, don't raid their stores."
[16:22.43] * Melchior (IceChat78@d172-218-157-213.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[16:22.46] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+10
[16:22.46] <%tBot> Kir: 17 ([7] +10)
[16:22.49] * Mel (Iggy@d172-218-157-213.bchsia.telus.net) Quit (Quit: Bye)
[16:22.53] <+Repriever> [you ok iggy?]
[16:22.57] * DM sets mode +v Melchior for #nesdnd
[16:22.59] <+Melchior> "You don't even know if that's alarmed."
[16:23.10] <+Shala> "Some cultures are quite generous with their food stores."
[16:23.12] <+Shala> "I assume"
[16:23.12] * Kir looks across the room for traps
[16:23.14] * Shala looks around
[16:23.15] <+Kir> perception
[16:23.22] <+Repriever> "I've never known a dragon to be generous."
[16:23.40] * Akvan considers, puts it back
[16:23.41] <+Akvan> D:
[16:23.43] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+21
[16:23.43] <%tBot> Kir: 38 ([17] +21)
[16:24.01] <+Kir> [that's specifically for traps]
[16:24.12] <+Kir> [and I assume alarms are covered under that?}
[16:24.56] <DM> You don't see any traps in this room.
[16:25.14] <+Kir> "No traps here"
[16:25.14] <+Repriever> "We should find our way out of this cellar."
[16:25.29] <+Kir> "I do not worry about alarm, except from visitors"
[16:25.56] * Kir tosses the object he holds back into the air, and it rejoins the other two in their patrol
[16:26.36] * Repriever returns to Kir, seeing these objects.
[16:27.08] * Repriever has no idea what they are, but assumes Kir does, since he isn't assaulting them.
[16:27.20] <DM> The shapes look like two small cones, stuck together.
[16:27.32] <DM> Like little, stubby ballista bolts, steel grey with sharp points.
[16:27.40] <+Repriever> "What are they?"
[16:27.44] <DM> They seem vaguely Kallosi in design.
[16:27.55] <+Kir> "Kallosi"
[16:28.00] <+Repriever> "What do they do?"
[16:28.00] <+Kir> "Block spells and projectiles"
[16:28.09] * Repriever hmms.
[16:28.14] <+Kir> "Older than sphere, interestingly"
[16:28.23] <+Shala> "Should I test them?"
[16:28.33] <+Kir> "Makes me think: sphere probably newer than whatever work Kallos did here"
[16:28.40] <+Repriever> [yes shoot lightning at his face, surely]
[16:28.45] <+Kir> "We get idea of his progress from this"
[16:29.10] <+Repriever> "He's had centuries to develop new technologies."
[16:29.11] * Shala tries to lean back against a wall, gets scared of traps, awkwardly rights herself  with no support
[16:29.15] * Kir 's face is hidden behind the sheer black of the visor, and his expression cannot be read
[16:29.26] <DM> Unlike the previous room, this one has a door.
[16:29.29] <+Kir> "But it gives us baseline for expectations"
[16:29.32] <+Repriever> "This is a man who would solve problems in minutes."
[16:29.54] <DM> A serpentine ouroboros carved to look like Illian, the knocker in soapstone.
[16:30.09] * Melchior investigates the ouroboros' design.
[16:30.09] * Kir surveys the rooms for any stores or out-of-place symbols
[16:30.13] <+Kir> perception
[16:30.16] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+16
[16:30.16] <%tBot> Kir: 19 ([3] +16)
[16:30.36] <DM> There are no Kallosi stores here, although there are some basic bows and arrows.
[16:30.50] <DM> Along with spears, stacks of uniform clothing...
[16:30.52] * Kir grabs a few arrows, idly
[16:31.08] <DM> And the food.
[16:31.24] <+Kir> [what food?}
[16:31.34] * Repriever gropes at the snake knocker.
[16:32.10] <DM> The place has a bunch of food, some pig carcasses hanging from hooks, chickpeas, garlic, spices etc.
[16:32.16] <DM> Repriever warned not to take any.
[16:32.48] * Repriever tugs on the knocker, trying to open the door.
[16:34.11] <+Repriever> [assuming there is no handle?]
[16:34.42] <DM> It opens.
[16:34.51] <DM> A brisk wind blows in.
[16:35.02] <+Shala> "Oh my I must be hungry, because I would love to steal...a jowl or two"
[16:35.08] <DM> As does a pale, dim light.
[16:35.31] <+Repriever> [stairs?]
[16:35.37] <DM> Yes.
[16:35.40] <DM> It appears to be a tower.
[16:35.52] * Repriever looks back at the party.
[16:35.54] <DM> The staircase moves upwards in a square.
[16:36.08] <DM> Light shines down from above, and through narrow arrowslits.
[16:36.27] <DM> The square walls of the tower are a pale cream stone.
[16:36.29] <+Kir> "We go up, Old Man?"
[16:36.39] * Repriever steps up to an arrow slit and peers out.
[16:36.51] <+Repriever> "I believe so."
[16:37.14] <+Shala> "Let's then!"
[16:37.25] * Shala hugs herself and warily eyes the walls
[16:37.34] <DM> Repriever, you appear to be looking out, beyond the city.
[16:37.43] <DM> From your limited perspective...
[16:38.03] <DM> You see thin, stony soil, covered in mosses and small stunted trees.
[16:38.18] <+Repriever> [like this is a curtain wall tower?]
[16:38.22] <DM> The sky here is still obscured, not in the shroud but in the steam that perpetually rises from the Draconic Sea.
[16:38.27] <DM> Exactly.
[16:38.36] <DM> You see the barren outlands past Ekrat...
[16:38.37] <+Kir> "We should try and move in"
[16:38.43] <+Kir> "To city"
[16:38.47] <DM> And so tall that they are almost blotting out the sun...
[16:38.51] <DM> The walls of ice.
[16:38.54] <DM> Only Repriever sees this.
[16:39.12] <+Repriever> "Kir, come here."
[16:39.14] <DM> A brazier crackles above, at the top of the staircase.
[16:39.23] * Kir goes to the window
[16:39.24] <DM> There are no signs of anyone, yet.
[16:39.43] * Repriever offers the slit for Kir to look through.
[16:39.48] * Kir gazes across the plain, telescope in hand
[16:39.52] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+17
[16:39.52] <%tBot> Kir: 37 ([20] +17)
[16:39.56] <+Repriever> [jeez]
[16:40.00] <+Shala> [360 no scope]
[16:40.52] <DM> The suit visor overlays enhanced data, telling you the height of the ice wall (4.2 miles) and its distance.
[16:41.06] <DM> At its peak, you zoom, and enhance, and see tiny figures atop the ice.
[16:41.22] <DM> A glint of light on glass; it seems you are not the only one with a telescope.
[16:41.25] <+Repriever> "Apastron doesn't want the dragon to flee."
[16:42.47] <+Kir> "By them too, telescopes"
[16:43.06] <+Repriever> "Sentries."
[16:43.10] <+Kir> "I cannot believe size of iceberg"
[16:43.19] <DM> It curves, Kir.
[16:43.21] <+Kir> "More than four miles"
[16:43.27] <+Kir> "Tall"
[16:43.35] <DM> Most likely to encircle the entire city.
[16:43.48] <+Kir> "Probably surrounds city"
[16:43.54] <+Repriever> "Without a doubt."
[16:44.11] <+Kir> "I think we go to Dragon, but maybe we stay out of streets"
[16:44.15] * Melchior ponders ice sheets.
[16:44.20] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 84 - Quiet Footfalls - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VOrGxIC5Sw，
[16:44.28] <+Kir> "Probably unwise to be seen by enemy"
[16:44.38] <+Kir> "And with telescopes, they can see us"
[16:44.38] <DM> There is a thin, grumbling grinding, of their southwards advance.
[16:44.44] <DM> You can hear it even miles away.
[16:44.48] * Akvan flinches
[16:44.51] <+Repriever> "We need to find another way then."
[16:45.03] <DM> The staircase goes both up, and down.
[16:45.07] <+Melchior> "I could illuse us, but that's hardly a way to parley."
[16:45.18] <+Akvan> "We could find someone to announce us"
[16:45.21] <+Kir> "If they want to parley"
[16:45.28] <+Kir> "They will understand our caution"
[16:45.33] <+Melchior> "If we want any good to come of this, we'd do best to approach them as plainly as we might."
[16:45.46] <+Repriever> "I used the underground when I took this city. I'm sure they've rebuilt it."
[16:45.47] <+Kir> "I can become invisible"
[16:46.12] <+Kir> "By them as much interest in our stealth as by us"
[16:46.27] <+Repriever> "Should be tunnels from these walls to somewhere inside the city."
[16:46.55] <DM> There is a brief draft of air as a tarcirath catches an updraft, soaring back from scouting the ice wall, the flap of its wings distant as it passes over the curtain wall tower.
[16:47.00] <+Shala> "With how many patrolling?"
[16:47.13] <+Kir> "We want to meet patrol"
[16:47.32] <+Repriever> "The dragons don't matter. By now their prince will have alerted them of our presence unless his faculties have dwindled with age."
[16:48.07] <+Repriever> "So, down."
[16:48.44] * Repriever descends the stair.
[16:49.09] * Kir follows him
[16:49.29] * Shala follows, anxiously
[16:50.09] <DM> Your steps echo on the creamy stone.
[16:50.36] <DM> Another brazier crackles at the base of the tower. There, two ssethkar stand on watch.
[16:50.43] <DM> One leans against the wall, bored.
[16:50.59] <+Repriever> ||Hello.||
[16:51.31] <DM> They hiss with alarm, the bored one slamming his helm into the stone as he scrabbles for his spear.
[16:51.50] <+Repriever> ||This isn't going the way you think.||
[16:52.15] <+Repriever> ||Take us to your prince.||
[16:52.50] <+Repriever> [that's all draconic, btw]
[16:52.56] <DM> As Repriever's draconic emanates in the room, the ssethkar take one look at Repriever, silver helm shining as it flickers in the firelight.
[16:53.12] * Kir hops to the floor, on their level, from the staircase
[16:53.15] <DM> And they run away, one of them dropping their spear.
[16:53.25] <+Repriever> "Dammit."
[16:53.32] <+Kir> [if there's an acro check, I probably auto pass, but let me know]
[16:53.41] * Kir catches one with the sphere
[16:53.46] <+Kir> "Wait, little ones"
[16:53.58] <DM> Kir's catlike descent doesn't improve their alarm, and it hisses with fear as it stumbles, caught.
[16:54.04] * Kir holds it firmly but gently
[16:54.11] <+Akvan> [[We must parley]]
[16:54.17] <DM> ||I am no coward!||
[16:54.22] <+Kir> "We come to talk"
[16:54.26] <+Kir> "So help us"
[16:54.32] <+Repriever> [maybe we should change what draconic is to {{}}]
[16:54.45] <+Akvan> {{We must speak with your captain}}
[16:55.00] <+Repriever> {{Prince,}} he corrects.
[16:55.10] * Kir can't understand the draconic, and merely tries to snare the other ssethkar
[16:55.20] <DM> The other one is gone before that, Kir.
[16:55.20] * Kir then tries to reel in his catches
[16:55.26] <DM> He was sprinting as you spoke to the first.
[16:55.28] <+Kir> "Damn"
[16:55.37] <+Kir> "Looks like you - lucky one"
[16:55.55] * Repriever steps up to the one Kir caught.
[16:56.00] <DM> The ssethkar focuses on Akvan, his eyes widening with recognition.
[16:56.21] <DM> {{You are the oracle.}}
[16:56.29] <+Repriever> {{You're safe. We're here to speak with the White.}}
[16:56.44] * Shala finds the dragon language particularly ugly, she switches her head to follow the conversation with a sour face
[16:56.48] * Kir loosens the sphere somewhat
[16:56.50] <+Akvan> {{I am}}
[16:57.00] * Kir still ensures that the ssethkar can't get out
[16:57.12] <DM> {{I thought you were dead soldiers...until I saw your flame...}}
[16:57.28] <+Akvan> {{We must treat with you prnince}}
[16:57.43] * Kir rummages for a trinket
[16:57.48] <+Akvan> (Brb, bathroom)
[16:57.58] <DM> "Release him," comes an aristocratic voice, in high Elydian.
[16:58.00] <+Repriever> "What a sloppy detail."
[16:58.03] * Kir hands the little lizard a pewter garnet ring, back from the shores of the lake
[16:58.10] * Repriever turns.
[16:58.17] * Kir retracts the sphere
[16:58.22] <+Kir> "Thank you, little one"
[16:58.36] <+Repriever> [ssethkar being taller than humans ;)]
[16:59.10] <+Kir> [I thought ssethkar were smaller? whoops :P]
[16:59.11] <DM> A being looking human, wearing enchanted white-filigreed armor, a young man, or appearing to be young, and muscular, bearing two dueling rapiers in his belt, addresses you.
[16:59.37] <+Repriever> "We're not going through this."
[16:59.42] <DM> A troop of velcirath is backing him up, all white.
[16:59.45] <+Repriever> "Take us to your Prince."
[16:59.58] <+Kir> "Through tunnels, not aboveground"
[17:00.09] <DM> "I know who you are," says the tarcirath.
[17:00.28] <+Melchior> "Then you should take us to the Prince."
[17:00.36] <DM> "Is this how you choose to greet Lord Illian the White, Prince-General of the Draconic Empire?"
[17:00.49] <DM> "Without manners? Presentation, or nicety?"
[17:01.06] * Melchior gives a customary bow.
[17:01.09] <DM> "Your tone will be judged."
[17:01.15] <DM> "As will your gifts."
[17:01.22] <+Repriever> "You know what I am."
[17:01.33] <+Repriever> "Your father will get exactly as much respect as he gives me."
[17:01.55] <DM> The tarcirath straightens his back, offended.
[17:02.26] <DM> "You are lucky that I have my orders."
[17:02.36] <+Repriever> "Is that so?"
[17:03.23] <DM> "Know this. If you plan any treachery in this city, you will have to slay every tarcirath, velcirath and ssethkar, to a being, before you lay hands upon the son of God."
[17:03.57] <+Repriever> "Anyone planning treachery?"
[17:04.00] * Repriever asks the party.
[17:04.10] * Repriever is mocking the tarcirath's tone.
[17:04.12] <+Melchior> "Nope."
[17:04.16] * Kir chuckles
[17:04.38] <DM> The troops behind the tarcirath shift unsteadily.
[17:04.43] * Shala flutters her eyes
[17:05.02] * You are now known as Couplet
[17:05.11] <Couplet> "We are an emissary!"
[17:05.21] <Couplet> "From Prince Carcephon to Prince Illian."
[17:05.29] <Couplet> "And you must treat US with respect as well!"
[17:05.47] * Couplet flares blue flames in her hands again.
[17:05.51] * Repriever sighs.
[17:06.20] * You are now known as DM
[17:06.26] <DM> "Is that so."
[17:06.35] <+Repriever> "No blood will be drawn unless you cross us. You have our word."
[17:07.07] <+Repriever> "None of us have golden scales, after all."
[17:08.12] <DM> The tarcirath considers.
[17:08.53] <DM> "Illian considers the respect with which all his followers are treated, from the lowest to the highest."
[17:09.01] * Shala considers her hair
[17:09.09] <DM> "He is the body of our armies, the mind, and the heart."
[17:09.44] <DM> "And in his wisdom and glory, he sees fit to give you protection."
[17:10.17] <DM> "For now."
[17:10.28] <+Repriever> "Naturally."
[17:10.30] <+Shala> "Excellent, fantastic"
[17:10.32] * Shala claps
[17:10.44] <DM> "Surround them, four abreast."
[17:10.52] <DM> "Such honored guests should have an honor guard."
[17:10.56] <DM> "Do you not agree?"
[17:11.05] <+Kir> "One thing first"
[17:11.18] <+Kir> "Take us to Prince Illian underground"
[17:11.28] <+Kir> "Our enemies on ice have telescopes"
[17:11.39] <+Kir> "They will see this change if we move aboveground"
[17:11.45] <DM> The tarcirath laughs.
[17:11.49] <+Kir> "Better to retain initiative by moving below it"
[17:11.57] <+Repriever> "If a hand touches any of them, I will take it."
[17:12.01] * Repriever warns the tarcirath.
[17:12.24] <DM> "By the grace of Vyriscine, illusory sigils have been imposed upon each of our towers."
[17:12.43] <DM> "Beyond the outer walls, the dead see nothing that we do not wish them to see."
[17:13.04] <+Kir> "By them too, powerful illusion"
[17:13.12] <+Kir> "I would not trust so readily"
[17:13.16] * Kir shrugs
[17:13.29] * Repriever likes Kir's attitude.
[17:13.33] <DM> "You will follow me."
[17:13.50] <DM> The velcirath and ssethkar surround you on all sides, leaving a little pocket for you to walk in.
[17:14.50] * Repriever falls in.
[17:15.04] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 84 - Quiet Footfalls - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_jgBbCsdeU，
[17:15.52] <DM> They lead you out of the tower antechamber.
[17:16.05] <DM> Steel bars slide at the tarcirath's command.
[17:16.08] <+Shala> "Oh, this is wonderful."
[17:16.11] * Shala mumbles
[17:16.41] <DM> You exit into a killing ground, between the first layer of walls and a second, denser layer.
[17:17.27] <DM> The walls far above are crowded with curious troops which hiss amongst themselves in quiet draconic, as flights of velcirath soar overhead in triple patrols.
[17:17.34] * Repriever can't help but seek weaknesses in the defenses as he passes them.
[17:17.45] <DM> Long, triangular pennants flutter from the towers.
[17:17.57] <DM> One white, the next red.
[17:18.27] <DM> Repriever, the inner layer of walls appears to be rebuilt from your days.
[17:18.38] <DM> But the foundations are still Elydian.
[17:19.01] <DM> The wall layers are too close together - a bolt from the Essence of Void would carve a hole in both.
[17:19.34] <+Repriever> "They burned the city to keep us out. It didn't work."
[17:20.03] <DM> A giant steel gate lies open, multiple murder holes with flamethrowers carved in stylized versions of dragons maws.
[17:20.17] <+Shala> "I see"
[17:20.39] <DM> Beyond, a courtyard, exposed to enfillading fire on all sides, and yet another steel gate.
[17:21.59] <DM> "Now what have you found, Kalexis," says a woman in a purple sequined gown, lounging next to the wall.
[17:22.24] <DM> Two tiny, curly horns sprout from her auburn, curly locks, cut jaw length.
[17:22.53] * Repriever detects evil against this one.
[17:23.06] <+Akvan> [Sorry, got conscripted to help move a peice of furniture, back]
[17:23.19] <DM> "Your assistance is appreciated, Varaine," replies the white tarcirath to the purple.
[17:23.29] <DM> "But not your interference."
[17:23.38] <DM> Her alignment is obscured, Repriever.
[17:23.59] <DM> But she tilts her head and winks at Repriever as he does it.
[17:24.13] <DM> "Is looking illegal in your cities too, now?"
[17:24.47] * Akvan carefully stays next to preev
[17:24.59] <DM> "You've looked. Now stand aside."
[17:25.15] <+Repriever> "Don't often see one of you."
[17:25.40] <DM> "So stuffy," she laughs, and in a burst of purple smoke and crackling lightning, she transmutes into a hand-sized, purple butterfly.
[17:26.09] <DM> "No," says the butterfly, fluttering up and over the walls, "But I suspect you will."
[17:26.22] * Repriever nods that that is about right.
[17:27.14] <+Repriever> "How many of them are in the city?"
[17:27.19] * Repriever asks the white tarcirath.
[17:27.34] <DM> "Only her," says the young-ish tarcirath you now know to be Kalexis.
[17:27.54] <DM> "Vyriscine's strength is not found in numbers."
[17:28.16] <DM> You pass through the courtyard gate, and then -
[17:28.18] <DM> And then -
[17:28.26] * Repriever gives Mel a surreptitious gesture to keep her third eye open.
[17:29.03] * Akvan looks around
[17:29.25] <DM> Ekrat was always the third city of the empire, after Setarae and Yaztana.
[17:29.56] <DM> The Roah had once been a place for small towns and pastoralist traders, but that ended with the coming of the Elydian people out of the far east.
[17:30.25] <DM> But for thousands of years its great swell, pushing south, nourished farms and fledgling civilizations.
[17:31.25] <DM> A great spine of bazalt pushed its way out of the ground, forcing the wide river to curve.
[17:31.32] <DM> basalt*
[17:32.25] <DM> Like the hump of some great behemoth monster that swims under the earth, an angular diagonal of sheer, dark grey stone, standing stark and tall out over the southern plains.
[17:32.57] <DM> Switchback stairs were carved into it, ancient priesthoods worshipped the earth god on its peak...
[17:33.36] <DM> When the Elydians came, traders built camps around its base. The camps became a village, then a town, then a city.
[17:34.01] <DM> When the era of the satrapies dawned, and the Empire began to look further south and west, the priests were evicted.
[17:34.25] <DM> The river was bridged, using groundbreaking magic and engineering stolen from the southern republics.
[17:35.05] <DM> And to accompany the new wealth that came across that vast grey bridge, its stones quarried from the Great Spine...
[17:35.15] <DM> A soaring citadel was built to watch over it.
[17:35.23] <DM> The southern crown of the Empire.
[17:36.40] <+Repriever> "Once there was a tarcirath perched there, the city burning beneath him. Sael played him a lullaby, from which never awoke."
[17:37.00] <+Shala> "And he never bothered to tell the lyrics to rest of us?"
[17:37.12] * Akvan taps the flute
[17:37.12] <DM> It steel grey walls and single, massive dome looms far above you, stands of red needled cypresses clinging to the crevasses and small cliffs at various points in its three thousand foot ascent.
[17:37.15] <+Repriever> "I think he has."
[17:37.37] <DM> It does not look pretty; it looks like fortress.
[17:37.49] <DM> a*
[17:38.24] <+Repriever> "Long walk."
[17:38.49] * Melchior observes, quietly.
[17:39.09] * You are now known as Kalexis
[17:39.18] <Kalexis> "From here, we fly."
[17:39.32] <Kalexis> "Unless you need to be carried."
[17:40.09] <+Melchior> "I can handle myself. Preev?"
[17:40.12] * You are now known as Couplet
[17:40.18] <Couplet> "I can carry you, Kir...if you want."
[17:40.34] <+Repriever> [ooo]
[17:40.37] * Couplet avoids making direct eye contact.
[17:40.56] <+Melchior> [in this party, everyone will eventually have the hots for kir]
[17:41.06] * Akvan unfolds his wings of flame
[17:41.10] <+Repriever> [eventually? ;)]
[17:41.12] * Akvan leaps into the air
[17:41.29] <+Melchior> [I choose my words deliberately.]
[17:41.44] <+Kir> "I can climb"
[17:41.55] <+Akvan> "Fly"
[17:41.57] <+Akvan> "Don't climb"
[17:42.14] <+Shala> "Kir can't fly, his one flaw"
[17:42.18] <+Repriever> [I'm not going to angelic for this]
[17:42.20] * Kir gauges the distances involved with sphere travel
[17:42.44] <Couplet> Kalexis' muscles bulge as claws scrape the earth, massive white talons like ivory needles arcing out of his hands as his maw lengthens, and he grows to the size of fifteen feet.
[17:42.50] * You are now known as Kalexis
[17:43.04] <Kalexis> He casts his white wingspan over you.
[17:43.19] <+Repriever> "Your back, Kalexis."
[17:43.51] <Kalexis> Lancing a massive, white-irised glare at Repriever, he lowers his neck.
[17:44.08] * Repriever climbs on.
[17:44.12] <Kalexis> There are spaces to sit between the off-white armor plating.
[17:44.12] * Shala lifts herself daintily a few feet off the ground, unseen magical propulsion carrying her effortlessly through the air
[17:44.28] <Kalexis> He can bear both Repriever and Kir, if necessary.
[17:44.28] * Kir latches on to Shala, if she allows
[17:44.33] <Kalexis> That works, too.
[17:44.34] * Melchior clenches her fist and takes to the air.
[17:44.38] * Kir goes with Kalexis if not
[17:44.49] <Kalexis> Strength check, Shala!
[17:45.01] <Kalexis> Fort save, Mel.
[17:45.20] * Repriever just wanted to make him carry him.
[17:45.32] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+9
[17:45.32] <%tBot> Melchior: 25 ([16] +9)
[17:45.48] <+Repriever> [since shala is using magic, doesn't she use int instead of str]
[17:46.08] <Kalexis> [the strength check isn't for the spell]
[17:46.15] <Kalexis> [it's whether she can carry Kir while flying :p ]
[17:46.31] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20
[17:46.31] <%tBot> Shala: 1 [1]
[17:46.34] <+Shala> [lol]
[17:46.55] <Kalexis> Shala gets a few feet off the ground before Kir slips through her arms.
[17:46.59] * You are now known as Couplet
[17:47.03] <+Shala> "Oops!"
[17:47.08] * Couplet mumbles, "Pathetic," under her breath
[17:47.08] * Kir uses the sphere to either bind himself to her, or to prevent his destruction by ground"
[17:47.20] <+Shala> "Have you been...sneaking lunches when we're not looking?"
[17:47.41] * Akvan follows in the air, wings of blue flame beating hot air downards
[17:47.57] <Couplet> Kir's chest is tightly pushed up against Shala's as he wraps several stands of silvery metal around both their waists.
[17:48.01] * You are now known as DM
[17:48.13] <+Shala> "Oh, this is cozy"
[17:48.24] * Shala tries a few twirls to adjust to the new weight
[17:48.36] <DM> Your albatross-esque flight now soars into the air.
[17:48.51] * Repriever grips onto a plated scale.
[17:48.54] <DM> Mel projectiles herself upwards, dynamically adjusting with bursts of void power.
[17:49.09] <+Repriever> "Up."
[17:49.25] <DM> And Kalexis leaves eddies of dust on the ground as he leaps upwards, butterflies filling your stomach as he does Repriever.
[17:49.33] <DM> "You don't say."
[17:50.13] <DM> He soars forward, passing Akvan with a few beats of his wings as he leads you up and around the vastness of the Spine.
[17:50.31] * Akvan redoubles his wing beats, not to be outdown by some upjumped lizard
[17:50.42] <DM> Ekrat has been remodeled in recent centuries. The angular, harsh constructions of draconic sandstone now jostle for position with older Elydian bathouses and manses.
[17:50.42] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+3
[17:50.42] <%tBot> Akvan: 5 ([2] +3)
[17:50.42] <+Akvan> str
[17:50.47] <+Akvan> D:
[17:51.37] <DM> As you soar higher, you see that thanks to the advance of the glaciers, which encompass the great city like an isle of green in a sea of white, the Roah has run dry.
[17:51.44] <+Repriever> "There is a way forward, Kalexis."
[17:52.03] <DM> "And what is that, grey man."
[17:52.17] <+Repriever> "The ice can be shattered. We can save you."
[17:52.56] <DM> "Tell me."
[17:53.15] <DM> "Were you in our position, and a dragon approached you offering the same escape for your men."
[17:53.19] <DM> "Would you take it?"
[17:53.38] <+Repriever> "When I was young?"
[17:53.40] <+Repriever> "No."
[17:53.55] <DM> "Then you have grown weak in your old age."
[17:54.25] <DM> The citadel is broken.
[17:54.39] <DM> Some spell has caved in half of the dome, and the wall is a shambles on the eastern side.
[17:54.58] <DM> Ssethkar are swarming over it, clearing rubble and scaffolding repairs.
[17:55.34] <DM> Like little white ants from this height.
[17:56.22] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 84 - Quiet Footfalls - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkvooCt8qI4，
[17:56.23] <+Repriever> "Your father was instrumental in ending my people. Don't let him be that for yours."
[17:56.50] <DM> "We are his children."
[17:57.06] <DM> "If your creator tells your purpose is served, it is served."
[17:57.17] <+Repriever> "And sometimes the father needs to hear your cries."
[17:57.41] <DM> "We serve our father, and our father serves his father."
[17:57.45] <DM> "Ever has it been."
[17:57.48] <DM> "Ever will it be."
[17:58.27] <+Repriever> "There is no honor in dying a fool's death."
[17:58.34] <DM> He leads you in through the broken dome.
[17:58.39] <DM> And as you descend...
[17:59.24] <DM> You see the vast, marble expanse of the dome floor, flecked with tiles of cornflower blue.
[17:59.29] <DM> It is as it was in Elydian times.
[17:59.37] <DM> And under the ceiling...
[18:00.02] <DM> Are thousands, and thousands, of dragons.
[18:00.17] <DM> Regimented ranks of ssethkar in polished armor.
[18:00.27] <DM> Velcirath officers in front and to the side.
[18:00.58] <DM> Small coteries of ambassadors from the other colors near the walls.
[18:01.22] <DM> The tarcirath generals standing apart from their regiments.
[18:01.46] <+Shala> "At any moment, your inspirational words should kick in"
[18:01.50] * Shala whispers to Repriever
[18:02.08] <DM> And at the center of a circle of attendants, standing alone in white plate, cape draped behind his shoulders...
[18:02.15] <DM> Is Illian the White.
[18:02.55] <DM> ＋https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IzzdItSgBX74P4RJsmf8XcJBAaNYN14XqC-p6umOeo0/edit#gid=0，
[18:02.59] * Repriever holds his breath at the sight.
[18:03.11] <+Repriever> [battlemap? >.>]
[18:03.40] * Melchior lands near Repriever and Akvan.
[18:04.05] * Akvan bows
[18:04.17] * Repriever dismounts the white tarcirath, boots smacking on the tiles.
[18:04.41] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 84 - Quiet Footfalls - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfskFravnWM，
[18:04.55] * Repriever removes his helm, and rakes his hair at the view of the unending ranks of ssethkar around them.
[18:04.56] * Shala had landed near Repriever, slowly, to allow Kir to...dismount D:
[18:05.27] * Kir detaches himself and looks across the circle around them
[18:05.38] <+Repriever> "White Prince."
[18:05.39] * You are now known as Illian
[18:05.46] <Illian> "Welcome."
[18:05.48] * Melchior bows politely.
[18:06.08] * Repriever stands firm, helm under his cosmic arm.
[18:06.13] <Illian> Illian holds a broadsword, sheathed, in front of him.
[18:06.57] <Illian> "You come in troubled times for our Empire."
[18:07.16] <+Repriever> "Civil war."
[18:07.18] * Kir bows his head
[18:07.38] <+Repriever> "Darkness beyond the walls."
[18:08.35] <Illian> "You are the Five."
[18:08.42] <+Repriever> "Six."
[18:08.46] <+Repriever> "Shy one."
[18:08.58] <+Repriever> "A reserve, as necessary."
[18:09.08] <Illian> "I know her."
[18:09.40] <Illian> "Well?"
[18:09.57] <+Repriever> "You need to leave this city."
[18:09.58] * Illian 's voice echoes, his immaculate ranks standing motionless.
[18:10.22] <+Repriever> [anyone else can chime in whenever :p]
[18:10.45] <Illian> "Why."
[18:11.02] <Illian> His presence
[18:11.07] <Illian> Is forceful.
[18:11.18] <Illian> At this distance, like a faint vibration, or a hum.
[18:11.28] <Illian> A roar waiting, unvoiced, within a sonorous chest.
[18:11.33] * Repriever emits an aura that shields the hearts of the party.
[18:11.36] * Melchior nods to Repriever to continue.
[18:11.46] <+Akvan> [following your lead]
[18:11.49] <+Akvan> ;)
[18:11.56] <+Repriever> [don't go outside my 20ft, or you'll be in his dragon aura]
[18:12.11] <+Repriever> "A greater foe is coming."
[18:12.13] <Illian> In your vision, Kir, his energy signature is white-hot.
[18:12.14] <+Shala> [you ought to explain why they should vacate the city they warred with you over lol]
[18:12.31] <+Repriever> "And the survival of your species is at risk."
[18:12.46] <Illian> "The oracle, and his attendant."
[18:12.56] <Illian> "Step forward."
[18:13.03] * Repriever eyes Akvan.
[18:13.13] * Illian offers it as a suggestion, but it carries with it immense force.
[18:14.13] <Illian> "What have you done."
[18:14.18] * Melchior nods to Akvan.
[18:14.45] <Illian> "Speak."
[18:15.03] <+Repriever> "You do not command us."
[18:15.14] <+Repriever> "If he does not wish to speak, he does not have to."
[18:15.25] <+Akvan> "I come with respect, to offer help"
[18:15.27] * Akvan steps forward
[18:15.52] <+Akvan> "You have stood bravely and... effectively... against the advances of the apastron."
[18:16.58] <+Akvan> "But while you have stood strong, things have happened."
[18:17.12] <+Akvan> "As I am sure you have heard."
[18:17.13] * Illian looks in the direction of the dragon embassies.
[18:17.16] * Shala wonders how fast she could teleport out of here
[18:17.23] <Illian> "Two very, controversial, claims."
[18:18.10] * Repriever scans those embassies, too, seeking the gold.
[18:18.14] <Illian> "Prince Lakhmul declares Carcephon to be a rebel and a traitor, a plotter of deicide in violation of all our most ancient laws."
[18:18.56] <+Repriever> "Lakhmul is easily deceived."
[18:19.04] <Illian> "He claims that she plots to usurp our father as the god of fire."
[18:19.26] <Illian> "He has shown evidence."
[18:19.36] <+Repriever> "Has he?"
[18:19.46] <Illian> "A profaning of heaven's flame."
[18:20.35] <+Repriever> "And where is he now?"
[18:20.42] <Illian> "And you come here, into my citadel, to claim that I must run from another foe?"
[18:20.54] <Illian> "Why do you care?"
[18:21.04] <Illian> "What is your true purpose here?"
[18:21.10] <+Akvan> "I suggest that flame must get it's own house in order before it can hope to stand against the ice"
[18:21.23] <+Repriever> "To save your lives," he says louder.
[18:21.36] <Illian> "Do you have that power."
[18:21.44] * Illian says, quietly.
[18:21.50] <+Melchior> "Our true purpose here, Illian, is that we seek to inform you of what we have learned, which is why we now feel that the need for alegiance and cooperation is imminent."
[18:22.02] * Akvan nods to Mel
[18:22.06] <+Melchior> "Repriever, tell him what you saw, what you fought against out in the void."
[18:22.24] <+Melchior> "Tell him what approaches to seize what it once ruled."
[18:22.30] <+Repriever> "The Kasatha are returning with a war fleet unlike anything you or I have ever witnessed."
[18:22.36] * Shala nods
[18:22.59] <+Repriever> "They come not to discriminate in their violence, but to purge your kind and ours."
[18:23.48] <Illian> "And have you offered the Apastron this bargain?"
[18:23.57] <+Melchior> "If we do not swiftly move to cooperate against this force, then all of the conflicts borne between us are for naught."
[18:24.02] <+Repriever> "Why would we?"
[18:24.11] <+Repriever> "We are the living."
[18:24.28] * Akvan seems to zone out for a moment
[18:24.33] * Akvan bows again
[18:24.46] <+Melchior> "Apastron offers nothing of worth to the living- it will not be with him that we can find common cause."
[18:25.05] <+Repriever> "He has risen your brother against you."
[18:25.05] <+Akvan> "Prince, I... bear a message from your sister, though it is broken and faded message."
[18:25.39] <Illian> "Speak, then."
[18:25.41] <+Akvan> "She says that... someone, though I wasnt able to hear who... stole your mother's power."
[18:26.11] <Illian> "We have no mother."
[18:26.39] <+Akvan> "I... misunderstood."
[18:26.50] <Illian> "Did you."
[18:26.52] <+Shala> "Awkward"
[18:26.56] * Shala mumbles
[18:26.57] * Repriever breathes in the lavender scent of his brooch.
[18:26.59] <+Akvan> "Karvalath stole his mother's power"
[18:27.08] <Illian> [Kharvalath]
[18:27.57] <Illian> A murmur of aggression goes up amongst the ranks at this accusation.
[18:28.11] <+Repriever> "Your namesake was, once, a special fire."
[18:28.15] <+Repriever> "Bright and beautiful."
[18:28.52] <+Repriever> "But she was broken, tormented."
[18:29.00] <+Akvan> "I never knew her as she once was"
[18:29.14] <Illian> "You refer to the demon Ilia."
[18:29.57] <Illian> "How can it not be proven that she stole power from our Father?"
[18:30.08] <+Melchior> "Demon is merely a word, and not an accurate one."
[18:30.41] <+Repriever> "Because your father is weak enough that a man could put him to sleep."
[18:30.57] <Illian> "Only due to the curse of Ilia!"
[18:31.15] <+Melchior> "What have you been told of this curse?"
[18:31.22] <Illian> "It is prophesied that at the end of days, a shining dragon will liberate Kharvalath of Ilia's curse."
[18:31.27] * Shala is unsure if this is the best time to hash this out
[18:31.48] <Illian> "It was Ilia's curse that the human Sael twisted to inflict the greatest torment on our Father."
[18:32.13] <Illian> "I thought you might play a role in this prophecy."
[18:32.21] <Illian> "That is why I allowed you to live."
[18:32.33] <Illian> "But perhaps, I erred."
[18:32.34] <+Repriever> <<Do you speak, White Prince?>>
[18:32.51] * Illian furrows his brows.
[18:33.02] <Illian> "I do not comprehend your speech."
[18:33.13] <+Repriever> "Of course you don't."
[18:33.22] <+Repriever> "Father's plan?"
[18:33.24] <Illian> "What tongue is that."
[18:33.37] <+Repriever> "The divine tongue."
[18:33.53] <Illian> "Carcephon's reply."
[18:34.20] <Illian> "Is that an athtar of the true god has been raised up to fulfill the prophecy."
[18:34.35] <Illian> "To free our father."
[18:34.38] * Akvan sighs slightly
[18:35.13] * Repriever looks over the ranks of ssethkar.
[18:35.24] <+Repriever> "Do you wish to lose them all?"
[18:35.25] <Illian> "That Lakhmul seeks to foil it so that he may only increase his power over the Empire while our Father sleeps."
[18:35.42] <Illian> "Do you think this matters, manling?"
[18:35.45] <Illian> "This army."
[18:35.50] <+Repriever> "Yes."
[18:35.50] <Illian> "This city, this battle."
[18:35.55] <Illian> "It does not."
[18:35.55] <+Repriever> "All of it matters."
[18:36.00] <Illian> "Cities have been lost."
[18:36.05] <Illian> "Armies have been lost."
[18:36.07] <+Repriever> "Empires."
[18:36.20] <Illian> "But there is only one thing that matters."
[18:36.26] <Illian> "Truth. Law. Honor."
[18:36.36] <+Repriever> "Ironic."
[18:36.50] <Illian> "If you come to me with a claim in the Law, in the Truth, I am honor-bound to reply in law and truth."
[18:36.51] <+Repriever> "I speak the tongue of truth, and you cannot comprehend it."
[18:37.38] <Illian> "Tell me then, all of you, before I grow impatient with your insolence."
[18:38.28] <Illian> "Whose claim is rooted in the law?"
[18:39.03] * Repriever takes the lavender from his armor, and proffers it to Illian.
[18:39.19] * Illian considers the lavender.
[18:39.47] <+Repriever> "These cycles need to end."
[18:39.55] <+Repriever> "The wars are pointless."
[18:40.17] <+Repriever> "You burned my people for nothing."
[18:40.39] <Illian> "I do not burn."
[18:41.01] <Illian> "A horse does not rebel to be rode."
[18:41.08] <Illian> "If it does, it is yoked."
[18:41.22] <Illian> "All claims are rooted in natural law."
[18:41.23] <+Melchior> "All of our laws, all of the truths we uphold and the honour we bear ourselves with... all of that is lost if we cannot fight off an outsider to whom those concepts are alien."
[18:41.48] <+Melchior> "I know this struggle, Illian."
[18:42.07] <+Melchior> "I have struggled for my whole life to act with dignity and goodness towards others."
[18:42.25] <+Repriever> "I was reborn on the blades of your children, you know."
[18:42.33] <+Melchior> "And when one possesses powers, might and terrible, and vision..."
[18:42.42] <+Melchior> "Vision of how events may come to pass..."
[18:43.18] <+Melchior> "You realize that to protect those things which matter most, you cannot uphold every instance of that which you treasure."
[18:43.50] <+Melchior> "I have seen more branches of our world than I would care to count, and more than I can truly remember now."
[18:43.50] <Illian> "I ask you this."
[18:44.31] <Illian> "Do you respect law?"
[18:45.07] <+Repriever> "Whose law?"
[18:45.12] * Melchior pauses and considers for some time.
[18:45.13] <+Repriever> "Mine or yours?"
[18:45.15] <Illian> "I will tell you a truth that has lain untold since the dawn of the world."
[18:45.31] <Illian> "When our Father bore us into existence, he did not order us to battle."
[18:45.38] <Illian> "He gave us a choice."
[18:45.47] <Illian> "And a reason."
[18:46.19] <Illian> "And the reason he gave me was Law."
[18:46.28] <Illian> "We have the right to rule this world."
[18:46.39] <Illian> "We are smarter. We are stronger. We are faster. We do not die."
[18:46.59] <+Repriever> "Oh, you die."
[18:47.10] <Illian> "We are the being that is intended to rule over all other beings."
[18:47.14] <+Repriever> "One of you is flying around on puppet strings for the Apastron at this very hour."
[18:47.26] <+Melchior> "We do not question your loyalty and dedication, Illian, nor do we question your belief in the righteousness of your cause."
[18:47.32] <Illian> "That was the reason."
[18:47.54] <Illian> "Natural law ordains dragons to rule this world."
[18:48.03] <Illian> "You seek my cooperation."
[18:48.06] <Illian> "Implying equals."
[18:48.10] <Illian> "We are not."
[18:48.12] <+Melchior> "And if something mightier comes from outside, what happens then?"
[18:48.18] <+Melchior> "And perhaps we are not equals, Illian."
[18:48.30] <+Melchior> "I don't doubt that you would destroy us where we stand, were you to choose to."
[18:48.59] <+Repriever> "I am disappointed in you."
[18:49.07] <Illian> "You have given me a curse worse than any war."
[18:49.09] <+Repriever> "During the war you were different."
[18:49.12] <+Melchior> "But if you had the ability to undo us, or we had the ability to weaken you, we would work to the outsider's cause."
[18:49.22] <Illian> "Do you know what that is?"
[18:49.28] * Illian smiles, ruefully.
[18:49.38] <Illian> "Doubt."
[18:50.01] <Illian> "Did my father lie to me?"
[18:50.16] <+Repriever> "Your purpose is law?"
[18:50.20] <Illian> "Was the law I built, nothing but a barbarian's roar?"
[18:50.25] <Illian> "I know the language you speak."
[18:50.30] <+Repriever> "Mine is to kill you, but here we are."
[18:50.36] <Illian> "It is called Celestial, is it not?"
[18:50.46] <+Repriever> <<It is.>>
[18:50.46] <+Melchior> "That's one name for it."
[18:50.52] * Akvan nods
[18:51.03] <Illian> "That tongue has been barred to any draconic being since the beginning of time."
[18:51.33] <Illian> "Do you speak it, Akvan?"
[18:51.41] <+Akvan> <<I do>>
[18:51.43] <+Akvan> "I do"
[18:51.48] <+Repriever> "He's learning."
[18:51.53] * Repriever implies he's bad at it.
[18:52.34] <Illian> "So the prophecy is true," he says, quietly.
[18:52.51] <Illian> "I was wrong."
[18:53.55] <+Repriever> "Tell me something."
[18:54.10] <+Repriever> "Have you recovered from your battles?"
[18:54.36] <Illian> "My flame still feels his chill, but yes."
[18:55.28] <+Repriever> "Is that the truth?"
[18:55.50] <Illian> "Who can say."
[18:56.11] <+Repriever> "I can."
[18:56.25] * Repriever offers the cosmic hand cautiously.
[18:56.44] <Illian> "How many of my children did you kill?"
[18:57.00] <+Repriever> "Not as many as I wanted."
[18:57.16] * Illian places the sprig of rosemary back in his hands, white as snow.
[18:57.25] <Illian> "What is it you seek of me?"
[18:57.27] <Illian> "To retreat?"
[18:57.29] <Illian> "Nothing more?"
[18:57.46] <+Repriever> "Join your sister."
[18:57.54] <+Repriever> "The boy speaks the truth."
[18:58.08] <+Repriever> "I don't want to be here anymore than you do."
[18:58.13] <Illian> "You plan to purify Kharvalath, Akvan?"
[18:58.32] <+Melchior> "More than retreat. You withdraw from this place- we let the foe take this empty place- he cares not for lands, it is bodies that power him, bodies and bound souls."
[18:58.39] * Repriever touches his hand to Illian's chest gently.
[18:58.44] * Akvan sighs
[18:58.49] <+Akvan> "I plan to do the right thing."
[18:59.01] <+Melchior> "Deny him this, and regroup our forces. We can prepare defenses, we can end the outside threats facing us."
[18:59.09] <Illian> "So you need my word."
[18:59.24] <Illian> "If you wish to enter his chamber."
[18:59.25] <+Melchior> "Then, a time will come where we each seek to find truth, and each try to follow our laws as best we can."
[18:59.39] <+Melchior> "Perhaps that brings us into conflict again... but it would then be a conflict on our terms."
[18:59.58] <+Melchior> "Perhaps we could address it without the need to shed the blood of those who suffer most."
[18:59.59] * Illian allows Repriever to touch him.
[19:00.01] <+Akvan> "Yes"
[19:00.17] * Repriever lays on hands, eyes closing as the cosmic arm glows blue-white.
[19:00.33] * Illian is wreathed in chains of white light.
[19:00.54] <Illian> A blackness is leeched from Illian's snow-white body.
[19:00.59] <Illian> The chains absorb it.
[19:01.05] <Illian> And then burst.
[19:01.13] <Illian> The army is stunned.
[19:01.26] * Akvan looks in askance to preev
[19:01.36] <Illian> "So."
[19:01.40] <Illian> "You offer me this boon."
[19:01.43] * Repriever opens his eyes.
[19:01.57] <Illian> "My time in this world has taught me that my claim to natural law is not as strong as it might be."
[19:02.08] <Illian> "There are other powers, perhaps not greater than dragons, but great indeed."
[19:02.15] <Illian> "It is strength and wisdom which grants the right to rule."
[19:02.24] <+Repriever> "Why would I make my enemy stronger?"
[19:02.24] <Illian> "And fundamentally, all our wars, our claims, are about this."
[19:02.30] <Illian> "Who rules."
[19:02.34] <+Akvan> "Very wise"
[19:02.52] <Illian> "Dragons claim. Humans claim. The Apastron claims."
[19:03.01] <Illian> "These...kasatha, now claim."
[19:03.23] <+Repriever> "A million foot soldiers. Perhaps more."
[19:03.29] <+Shala> "They claim reality."
[19:03.31] <+Shala> "Itself"
[19:03.35] * Shala shrugs
[19:03.51] <Illian> "We will test our claims."
[19:03.57] <Illian> "And if we find them equal."
[19:04.05] <Illian> "We will work as equals."
[19:04.18] <Illian> "You will nominate your champion."
[19:04.29] <Illian> "And they will fight me before my army."
[19:04.38] <Illian> "And if you satisfy me, we will be allies."
[19:04.44] <+Repriever> "No. I am tired of that."
[19:05.02] <Illian> "You."
[19:05.06] <Illian> "Killed."
[19:05.11] <Illian> "My children.
[19:05.13] <Illian> "
[19:05.30] <Illian> "Honor demands it."
[19:05.39] <+Repriever> "Honor can be delayed."
[19:05.51] <Illian> "You do not just seek my assistance."
[19:05.53] <Illian> "All of mine."
[19:05.55] <+Repriever> "Neither of us needs a great injury now."
[19:06.05] <Illian> "You are asking my men to die for YOU."
[19:06.11] <Illian> "For a murderer."
[19:06.30] <+Repriever> "No. We are asking them to die for their children."
[19:06.40] <+Melchior> "You speak as if Repriever is not also justly aggrieved, Illian."
[19:06.47] <Illian> "He is."
[19:06.50] <+Melchior> "Know what it means for him to offer this to you."
[19:07.08] * Repriever grows frustrated.
[19:07.24] <+Melchior> "For him, he who hates dragons more than any of us, to offer this to you."
[19:07.27] <+Repriever> "This is bigger than our past crimes."
[19:07.34] <Illian> "We will not fight to the death."
[19:07.40] <+Repriever> "I never killed an innocent ssethkar."
[19:07.49] <Illian> "My people cannot recognize an alliance without a test of strength."
[19:07.52] <+Repriever> "I spared your egg clutches and children."
[19:07.56] <+Akvan> "We will take your test"
[19:08.11] <+Akvan> "And we will forge our alliance in the fires and blood"
[19:08.41] * Illian looks at Akvan, for the first time, with respect in his eyes.
[19:08.54] <Illian> "So be it."
[19:08.59] * You are now known as DM
[19:09.08] <DM> Several thousand miles to the south.
[19:09.42] <DM> Whitelay, Kallias, and Plainchant hold a hurried conference in the silence of her chambers in Marcelian.
[19:10.05] <DM> "Zathindra the Black is here," says Kallias.
[19:10.20] <DM> "Fuck!" say the other two, simultaneously.
[19:10.26] * You are now known as Kallias
[19:10.33] <Kallias> "We must handle this very carefully."
[19:10.38] * You are now known as Whitelay
[19:10.46] <Whitelay> "You have to notify the Six, at once."
[19:10.54] * You are now known as Kallias
[19:11.05] <Kallias> "What if that's what she wants, Whitelay."
[19:11.15] <Kallias> "I know this being."
[19:11.25] <Kallias> "She hasn't started killing yet because she is playing a game."
[19:11.39] <Kallias> "She wants to see if we will call them back or not."
[19:11.49] <Kallias> "If they die, it is all over."
[19:12.01] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:12.14] <Plainchant> "And if we don't..."
[19:12.21] * You are now known as Kallias
[19:12.36] <Kallias> "She will start killing out of boredom until she is satisfied by something."
[19:12.53] * You are now known as Whitelay
[19:13.23] <Whitelay> "Fine, then. We'll gather the armies. Seal off all exits, storm the sewers. Perhaps she'll kill a thousand, two thousand, but eventually she'll be worn enough to go home."
[19:13.36] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:13.45] * Plainchant closes her eyes.
[19:14.05] <Plainchant> "We can't do that, Whitelay."
[19:14.12] <Plainchant> "Those women have families."
[19:14.25] * You are now known as Kallias
[19:14.32] * Kallias meets Plainchant's eyes.
[19:14.43] <Kallias> "I'll give you as much as I can."
[19:14.53] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:14.54] * Plainchant smiles.
[19:14.57] * You are now known as Whitelay
[19:15.13] <Whitelay> "No. No, this is not time for stupid heroism, I will NOT ALLOW-"
[19:15.23] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:15.26] <Plainchant> "Whitelay."
[19:15.28] * Plainchant whispers.
[19:15.43] <Plainchant> "You know this is the only way."
[19:15.53] * You are now known as Whitelay
[19:16.01] * Whitelay squeezes his eyes shut as tears briefly stream.
[19:16.10] <Whitelay> "Let me go with you."
[19:16.22] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:16.27] <Plainchant> "I need you, here. For the Order."
[19:16.34] * You are now known as Kallias
[19:16.53] <+Repriever> [D:]
[19:17.19] <Kallias> "I will watch you. Guide you, as much as I can."
[19:17.31] * You are now known as Plainchant
[19:17.53] <Plainchant> "Come on, then."
[19:18.00] <Plainchant> "I've already written my letters."
[19:18.04] * You are now known as DM
[19:18.06] <DM> End session.