(:nolinkwikiwords:)

[02-18 17:10:15] <Dionysus> Thos eo fyou here, we can start, if Melissa is playing an Atanaxan

[02-18 17:11:19] <arielturnip> I think she is

[02-18 17:11:24] <arielturnip> did you send the sheet?

[02-18 17:11:44] <Dionysus> yes

[02-18 17:11:57] <arielturnip> ok

[02-18 17:12:12] * Ghost_of_Matrim has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[02-18 17:12:51] * Ghost_of_Matrim (~delirious@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #Shem

[02-18 17:13:27] <arielturnip> anything new I should know for him?

[02-18 17:13:42] * arielturnip is now known as Kaylarr

[02-18 17:13:47] <Dionysus> he can command his basilisk with simple commands (as you would a dog)

[02-18 17:14:09] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 17:14:16] <Kaylarr> how big is it

[02-18 17:14:39] <Kaylarr> also, how many years has gone by?

[02-18 17:14:43] <Dionysus> 27

[02-18 17:14:51] <Dionysus> it is 20 feet long.

[02-18 17:14:58] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 17:14:58] <Dionysus> (it's very young)

[02-18 17:15:02] <Kaylarr> yes

[02-18 17:15:37] <Kaylarr> got it

[02-18 17:15:41] <Kaylarr> I am 393

[02-18 17:15:54] <Dionysus> no

[02-18 17:15:57] <Dionysus> you are 366

[02-18 17:16:00] <Dionysus> i already did the math

[02-18 17:16:21] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 17:16:32] <Kaylarr> nevermind then

[02-18 17:16:33] <Dionysus> Are those of you here ready to start?

[02-18 17:16:47] <Kaylarr> yup

[02-18 17:16:51] <Arlie> I am, just reminding myself of what Arlie is like

[02-18 17:17:05] <Dionysus> Neal?

[02-18 17:18:28] <Ghost_of_Matrim> I suppose so?

[02-18 17:19:53] <Dionysus> You are all taken by ship from southern Maraddon to the desert shores of Atanaxus. Arlie, your wife is Captain of the ship you are on.

[02-18 17:20:12] <Arlie> any troubles along the way there?

[02-18 17:20:30] <Dionysus> A little rough patch crossing the Island Bridge, but nothing that the sailors cannot handle.

[02-18 17:21:19] <Arlie> "Alright darling, I've just got to run a couple of errands. The ship's low on potatoes, shall I find some on the way back home?"

[02-18 17:21:27] <Arlie> he smiles.

[02-18 17:21:37] <Dionysus> "Just come back aliv,e you fat bastard."

[02-18 17:22:21] <Kaylarr> (Is Arlie fat?)

[02-18 17:22:40] <Dionysus> He's a little rounder about the stomach than he used to be, but not really.

[02-18 17:22:50] <Kaylarr> (just wondering)

[02-18 17:23:11] <Kaylarr> (I imgaine that swarf doesn't let anyone get too fat)

[02-18 17:23:16] <Kaylarr> (dwarf)

[02-18 17:23:22] <Arlie> "You'll keep that tounge civil, shrew. Except of course in the next five minutes."

[02-18 17:23:31] <Arlie> he leans in to kiss her.

[02-18 17:23:39] <Dionysus> She kisses back

[02-18 17:24:44] <Kaylarr> As Arlie joins the rest of us. "You're a sentimental fool."

[02-18 17:24:48] <Dionysus> Brujar the constrictor is also with you on this mission. He is now a shaman of fauna.

[02-18 17:25:17] <Kaylarr> (does he work with us often or is this another mission he'd be useful in?)

[02-18 17:25:36] * Arlie grabs his sword and adjusts his pants, gives Kaylarr a grin. "We all don't have such fabulous lizard company to keep us warm at night."

[02-18 17:25:46] <Dionysus> This is the first time he's worked with you since the last one-off.

[02-18 17:25:56] <Dionysus> You are all to be meeting a member of the People of the Wind named Myjram, & a couple of Atanaxan traitors.

[02-18 17:25:59] <Kaylarr> "/She's/ a snake."

[02-18 17:26:23] <Kaylarr> "And cold-blooded."

[02-18 17:26:53] <Arlie> "All the more reason to keep 'Her' warm, eh chap?"

[02-18 17:26:56] <Kaylarr> he smiles back at Arlie

[02-18 17:27:04] <Dionysus> She says, "If he gets a sting through his gut, make sure to bring me back that sword. It's one of mine."

[02-18 17:27:53] <Kaylarr> "Will do, madam." he touches his forehead and continues walking

[02-18 17:27:58] <Dionysus> That is, Arlie's wife, not the basilisk.

[02-18 17:28:03] <Kaylarr> I know

[02-18 17:28:10] <Dionysus> Just thought I'd say.

[02-18 17:28:20] <Kaylarr> (basilisk's can't talk)

[02-18 17:28:35] <Kaylarr> (is is ok if it's female?)

[02-18 17:28:38] <Dionysus> [yes]

[02-18 17:28:49] * Ghost_of_Matrim is now known as Damon_Argent

[02-18 17:29:39] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "Sssir Argent, ssshall we be off?"

[02-18 17:29:58] <Dionysus> The ship is anchored just off the desert coast. A longboat awaits you.

[02-18 17:30:16] * Damon_Argent nods.

[02-18 17:30:18] <Kaylarr> (Is the basilisk coming?)

[02-18 17:30:23] <Dionysus> [yes]

[02-18 17:30:35] * Kaylarr helps direct her onto the boat

[02-18 17:30:45] <Dionysus> Brjuar slithers into the longboat. The basilisk will swim.

[02-18 17:30:50] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 17:30:51] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 17:31:36] * Arlie follows the conversation with Damon, then turns back. "Oh, and that bottle of Scotch better still be there when I get back, or it will be worse for you."

[02-18 17:32:03] <Dionysus> She snorts. "If you come back, you mangy dog." She smiles.

[02-18 17:32:56] <Arlie> "Don't get your hopes up yet."

[02-18 17:33:06] <Dionysus> "I already have a dozen suitors lined up."

[02-18 17:33:24] <Arlie> "Aye. Blindfolded."

[02-18 17:33:29] <Dionysus> She laughs.

[02-18 17:33:53] <Dionysus> "We'll be in the Island Bridge, at (coordinates), waiting."

[02-18 17:34:26] * Arlie nods.

[02-18 17:34:40] <Dionysus> "Good luck."

[02-18 17:35:29] <Dionysus> It is not hard to get the longboat ashore. The desert stretches out in front of you in the late afternoon sun, glaring hot & bright. It is fall down here.

[02-18 17:35:34] * Arlie waves a hand. "We shan't need it." He looks at Damon. "Just like old times."

[02-18 17:37:25] <Arlie> (ping?)

[02-18 17:37:30] <Kaylarr> pong

[02-18 17:37:32] <Dionysus> [he's way lagged]

[02-18 17:37:40] <Kaylarr> : (

[02-18 17:38:44] <Dionysus> * Ping reply from Damon_Argent: 94.35 second(s)

[02-18 17:39:59] <Arlie> well damn

[02-18 17:40:20] >Damon_Argent< CTCP PING

[02-18 17:40:25] <Damon_Argent> Seconded.

[02-18 17:40:58] * Damon_Argent has quit (Quit: )

[02-18 17:41:08] <Dionysus> He'll be right back

[02-18 17:45:01] <Dionysus> He just returned to Aim.

[02-18 17:45:49] * Damon_Argent (~delirious@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #Shem

[02-18 17:46:01] <Dionysus> * Arlie waves a hand. "We shan't need it." He looks at Damon. "Just like old times."

[02-18 17:47:46] * Damon_Argent smiles. "Only if we're unlucky."

[02-18 17:49:04] <Dionysus> Myjram said he'd meet you a day's ride inland, at an oasis called Dajara.

[02-18 17:49:07] <Arlie> 'Right. I should hope that we aren't doing something as foolish as raiding a camp. What is our assignment again? Handing out pamphlets on ettiquette?"

[02-18 17:50:55] <Kaylarr> "Yes, in the desert."

[02-18 17:51:29] <Damon_Argent> "Even easier. We're making a delivery."

[02-18 17:51:48] * Arlie laughs.

[02-18 17:52:18] <Arlie> "Well onward, then. No doubt our client is growing impatient."

[02-18 17:53:05] <Dionysus> Brujar hisses, "I ssshould hope sshe'sss not ecksspecting usss."

[02-18 17:54:27] <Arlie> "I as well. It would ruin the surprise, and everyone loves unexpected packages."

[02-18 17:54:31] * Damon_A (~The_Sheri@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #Shem

[02-18 17:54:51] <Dionysus> The desert is scorching hot. This area is ruled by the thri'kreen (mantismen), but they are not generally so close to the coast. It's easy to avoid them.

[02-18 17:55:27] <Kaylarr> good

[02-18 17:55:52] * Damon_Argent has quit (Quit: )

[02-18 17:56:17] * Damon_A is now known as Damon_Argent

[02-18 17:56:41] <Arlie> We avoid as necessary

[02-18 17:56:45] <Dionysus> You travel at night?

[02-18 17:56:58] <Kaylarr> up to our fearless leader

[02-18 17:57:23] <Damon_Argent> Are Thri'kreen nocturnal?

[02-18 17:57:26] <Dionysus> No.

[02-18 17:57:31] <Arlie> I would think so. Easier to sneak, right?

[02-18 17:57:46] <Damon_Argent> Night sounds good, then.

[02-18 17:58:16] <Dionysus> Then by midmorning the next day, you reach the oasis in question. It's a non-insectoid settlement.

[02-18 17:58:28] <Damon_Argent> BRB

[02-18 17:58:33] * Damon_Argent (~The_Sheri@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has left #shem

[02-18 17:58:37] * Damon_Argent (~The_Sheri@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #Shem

[02-18 17:58:43] <Damon_Argent> Ok.

[02-18 17:58:52] <Dionysus> [what was that about?]

[02-18 17:58:57] <Arlie> (all better?)

[02-18 17:59:26] <Damon_Argent> The window was all wonky.

[02-18 18:00:01] <Dionysus> Anyway, the oasis Dajara is full of swarthy skinned desertmen, animalmen, & other races of various types, except for People of the Wind & insectoids.

[02-18 18:00:44] <Dionysus> The only one from the People of the Wind here is a stern looking hunter sitting at a small stall in the market, selling furs & skins.

[02-18 18:01:16] <Dionysus> By the way, you all speak the language of the Wind & the language of the Low Atanaxans (non-insectoids).

[02-18 18:01:28] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 18:01:29] <Damon_Argent> Who of the windpeeps were we supposed to meet again?

[02-18 18:01:29] <Arlie> (I figured.)

[02-18 18:01:37] <Dionysus> A hunter named Myjram.

[02-18 18:01:37] <Kaylarr> (the only one there?)

[02-18 18:01:48] <Damon_Argent> Ok.

[02-18 18:02:19] <Dionysus> You've never worked with him specifically before, but you have worked with his tribe before.

[02-18 18:02:49] * lis (~lis@cc59707.34905d69.va.comcast.net) has joined #shem

[02-18 18:04:13] * Damon_Argent will approach him, then, start looking at some of the furs.

[02-18 18:04:25] * bjm_ is now known as Nik

[02-18 18:04:29] * Kaylarr is looking at fruit a few stalls away

[02-18 18:04:53] <Dionysus> [one sec, lemme cover some details]

[02-18 18:07:23] <Damon_Argent> Ok.

[02-18 18:09:35] <Dionysus> "See something that interests you, sir?"

[02-18 18:11:36] <Damon_Argent> Were we given any particular directions on making contact?

[02-18 18:12:15] <Arlie> ("How about that fetching garment, embroiderred with the words 'kill the fucking bug queen'? I love the cross stitch.")

[02-18 18:12:33] <Dionysus> Just to identify yourself to Myjram & he wopuld take care of the rest

[02-18 18:13:48] * lis is now known as Priest_Kez

[02-18 18:16:10] <Nik> About a dozen armed Thrax (ant-men) are approaching the oasis with a beast-pulled wagon. The thrax which appears to be leading is wearing a red sash decorated with medals.

[02-18 18:17:07] <Dionysus> The people of the oasis change attitude as the Atanaxans arrive. It's noticeable. They sorta try to look more respectable & less noticeable at the same time.

[02-18 18:17:29] * Kaylarr tries to be less noticeable

[02-18 18:17:47] <Dionysus> You succeed admirably, I'm guessing.

[02-18 18:17:55] <Kaylarr> probably

[02-18 18:17:58] <Arlie> under his breath. "Would you look at that? At least that one is trying to wear clothes."

[02-18 18:18:11] * Damon_Argent ignores the wagon and continues to inspect the furs. He chooses a silver one and says, "This would go well with an argent field. How much?"

[02-18 18:18:19] <Nik> They're all wearing clothes typical to Atanaxan guards.

[02-18 18:18:26] <Nik> soldiers, rather

[02-18 18:19:06] * Arlie drifts to the background, across the way from Damon.

[02-18 18:19:49] * Nik whispers to Kez, "Make contact with the foreigners here. Be subtle, of course. I'll prepare the disguise."

[02-18 18:20:19] <Dionysus> "You wouldn't want to wear that in the capital. Perhaps we should talk to the General about what is fashionable there. I am sure he has room for a few more in his party."

[02-18 18:21:47] * Kaylarr glances between Damon and the other group members spread about the market as he buys a piece of fruit

[02-18 18:21:48] * Damon_Argent smiles. "I bow to your judgement on local trends, of course."

[02-18 18:22:16] <Dionysus> "You are a man of wisdom, sir."

[02-18 18:25:40] <Dionysus> People move suureptitiously away from the soldiers, trying to act like it was their idea all along to be far, far away from here.

[02-18 18:25:55] <Dionysus> The market place now has mayb thirty people in it

[02-18 18:26:04] <Dionysus> As opposed to the hundred or so of a moment or two ago.

[02-18 18:26:08] * Kaylarr follows Damon's lead

[02-18 18:26:24] * Damon_Argent talks quietly with the trader.

[02-18 18:27:14] * Kaylarr looks at another stall down the way

[02-18 18:27:34] * Arlie looks at the wares in another booth, prepares a blue zone.

[02-18 18:27:39] * Nik finds the stall which sells a rare delicacy prized in the empire and dismissively, as if he is petulantly performing an errand which is beneath him, orders half a dozen barrels, then wanders off into the crowd, leaving his men to negotiate the final price and load the cargo.

[02-18 18:28:13] <Dionysus> The merchant does his best to meet the order. Your men are none to kind or helpful with him.

[02-18 18:29:40] * Kaylarr nonchalantly takes off one glove as he looks at some sort of baked goods

[02-18 18:29:40] * Priest_Kez looks for wind person. when I find him I take a look at the furs he's selling

[02-18 18:30:47] <Dionysus> Damon, a thrax priest walks up. Myjram motions for you to step aside.

[02-18 18:31:21] * Damon_Argent does so, moving to look at some of the furs further down the counter.

[02-18 18:31:23] <Dionysus> "A thousand pleasures to be of service, Reverend. Whatever I may do to assist you, I will."

[02-18 18:32:00] <Priest_Kez> "thank you. i'll let you know if i need any help"

[02-18 18:32:34] <Dionysus> Damon, you hear Myjram whisper to the priest, but you don't catch what he says.

[02-18 18:32:58] * Priest_Kez turns to the man next to me. "good afternoon, sir"

[02-18 18:33:35] <Damon_Argent> "Good afternoon, Reverend." (Or appropriate title)

[02-18 18:34:20] <Dionysus> [the appropriate title is not pronounceable by human tongues, so that one will have to do]

[02-18 18:34:41] <Kaylarr> (hah!)

[02-18 18:36:31] <Damon_Argent> ( Ping? )

[02-18 18:36:42] <Arlie> (pomg)

[02-18 18:36:53] <Damon_Argent> ( Porng? )

[02-18 18:36:54] <Priest_Kez> "what brings you to this village? on business?"

[02-18 18:36:59] <Priest_Kez> (poring)

[02-18 18:37:09] <Damon_Argent> (Ah! My stuff!)

[02-18 18:37:45] <Priest_Kez> (bounces away. mine now!)

[02-18 18:38:57] * Damon_Argent nods. "Just picking up a few things."

[02-18 18:39:31] <Damon_Argent> ( *persues, screaming and swording about wildly* )

[02-18 18:39:34] <Dionysus> The Windkin looks to Damon & raises an eyebrow, cocks his head slightly.

[02-18 18:40:11] <Priest_Kez> (dies)

[02-18 18:40:52] <Priest_Kez> "where are you from? far?"

[02-18 18:43:52] <Kaylarr> (neal?)

[02-18 18:44:10] <Nik> [he pings]

[02-18 18:44:14] <Damon_Argent> "A good ways, yes. Is there something that I can do for you, Reverend?"

[02-18 18:44:25] <Damon_Argent> Sorry. Was talking to Billy.

[02-18 18:44:44] * Arlie watches closely from across the way

[02-18 18:45:20] <Priest_Kez> "I was looking for a gentleman named argent. I was hoping that may be you?"

[02-18 18:45:53] <Damon_Argent> "That's me."

[02-18 18:46:25] * Priest_Kez extends hand to shake. "good to meet you sir"

[02-18 18:47:10] * Damon_Argent shakes and says, "It's good to meet you too, Reverend..?"

[02-18 18:47:37] <Priest_Kez> "Kez......if you would like to come with me, my companions would like to meet you as well."

[02-18 18:48:09] * Nik is browsing an ironcraft stall across the way.

[02-18 18:48:10] <Damon_Argent> "Certainly."

[02-18 18:48:28] <Dionysus> The Windkin smiles & steps out of his stall. He bows, "Many thanks, Reverend."

[02-18 18:48:40] <Priest_Kez> "many thanks to you as well"

[02-18 18:48:53] <Dionysus> He bows lower, then follows you.

[02-18 18:49:12] * Kaylarr moves on to a place selling leather goods, this one is closer to Damon

[02-18 18:49:18] <Kaylarr> (glove still off)

[02-18 18:49:21] * Priest_Kez leads over to nik

[02-18 18:49:35] * Damon_Argent follows, carefully failing to look at others of his party.

[02-18 18:49:42] * Nik looks up. "Ah, reverend, there you are. Found something worth carting back?"

[02-18 18:49:51] * Nik 's voice is coarse and metallic.

[02-18 18:50:08] <Priest_Kez> "i thought you would like to meet my good friend here"

[02-18 18:50:13] <Kaylarr> (would that be a very clear indication that we shouldn't follow?)

[02-18 18:51:04] <Damon_Argent> ( It's one that he's still being careful about showing his cards before he's sure things're going as planned. )

[02-18 18:51:21] <Kaylarr> (Ok, I figured)

[02-18 18:51:22] <Dionysus> Brujar follows discretely.

[02-18 18:51:45] <Kaylarr> I'll still try to follow Damon slowly so as to look like I'm not following.

[02-18 18:52:10] * Nik looks up at Damon. "Ah, a visitor to the empire? I am General Nik'laas Myrmex, commander of the sixth thraxian legion."

[02-18 18:53:43] * Kaylarr seemingly browses the stalls

[02-18 18:53:47] <Damon_Argent> "It's an honor to meet you, General Myrmex."

[02-18 18:54:05] * Arlie watches from a distance, if he can

[02-18 18:54:29] <Dionysus> Brujar is nearby, but not too close. Myjram bows deeply to Nik'lass.

[02-18 18:54:37] <Dionysus> "I am honored, Your Eminence."

[02-18 18:55:09] * Damon_Argent accompanies his statement with a bow as well.

[02-18 18:55:53] * Nik nods to Myjram and speaks to Damon. "And what brave biped dares to visit us on the dawn of war?"

[02-18 18:58:45] <Dionysus> Neal?

[02-18 18:58:53] <Damon_Argent> Sorry. I'm here.

[02-18 18:59:10] <Dionysus> Damon is being spake at.

[02-18 19:02:08] <Kaylarr> ping?

[02-18 19:02:14] <Dionysus> mung

[02-18 19:04:09] <Dionysus> one sec, all

[02-18 19:09:00] <Nik> [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0217062contract1.html]

[02-18 19:09:23] <Dionysus> saw that the other day

[02-18 19:09:34] <Damon_Argent> Sorry. Yeah. "A foolish one most likely. I'd be Damon Argent."

[02-18 19:11:48] <Damon_Argent> ( Sorry. BRB. Getting painkillers for headache. )

[02-18 19:12:56] * Nik bobs his antennae. "It is an honor to meet you." To Myjram, "Perhaps you could suggest a place for us to continue this conversation."

[02-18 19:14:06] <Dionysus> Myjram says, "My tents outside the oasis should be safe. I should think it safe for everyone, too." He glances meaningfully back at the other Maraddonians.

[02-18 19:14:15] <Dionysus> Except Kaylarr, whom he does not notice at all.

[02-18 19:14:26] <Kaylarr> (heheh)

[02-18 19:16:52] * Damon_Argent smiles, then, and gestures for Arlie and Brujar to join us.

[02-18 19:17:23] * Arlie notices, tips his hat to the merchant he was will, and walks forward

[02-18 19:17:25] <Dionysus> Brujar slithers forward.

[02-18 19:17:41] <Nik> "Thank you. You honor us with your hospitality."

[02-18 19:18:25] <Dionysus> "The honor is all mine." He leads you to his tents. Kaylarr, do you follow, too?

[02-18 19:18:42] <Kaylarr> yes, at a distance

[02-18 19:19:07] <Kaylarr> unless Damon gives me more explicit acknowledgement I'll stay and watch the tent

[02-18 19:19:07] <Dionysus> The tents are spacious & well made up. Comfortable.

[02-18 19:19:48] <Dionysus> He leads you all in & has you get comfortable.

[02-18 19:19:58] * Damon_Argent enters, gets comfortable, thanks him.

[02-18 19:19:59] <Dionysus> "Now, Honored Sirs, let us get down to business."

[02-18 19:20:23] * Arlie settles down, looks for Damon's lead

[02-18 19:20:58] <Dionysus> Brujar gets comfortable.

[02-18 19:22:29] <Dionysus> "As I see it, we must know how we are to get to Her Hive, how we are to get to Her within, & how we are to escape."

[02-18 19:22:49] <Dionysus> "There is also the matter of killing Her."

[02-18 19:23:57] * Damon_Argent looks to Nik. "We're relying on you for a good bit of those first three."

[02-18 19:24:08] <Arlie> (what do we already know OOC? Or could your NPC tell us?)

[02-18 19:25:18] <Dionysus> You know the Atanaxans said they could provide a way in for you.

[02-18 19:25:44] <Dionysus> Killing her? Well, with all your resources, I think you all can handle it.

[02-18 19:26:07] <Nik> "Of course. The cart outside will serve as your way into the city unnoticed. From there, we will have to find something smaller to bring you into the Empress's chambers."

[02-18 19:27:27] * Nik 's antennae sway deliciously. "As for your escape? Once the Empress is slain, military control of the city will be left to the generals."

[02-18 19:29:03] <Damon_Argent> "So, we're home free provided we avoid other generals?"

[02-18 19:29:26] <Dionysus> "Or provided they recognize your authority, General Myrmex?"

[02-18 19:31:01] <Nik> "Indeed. The nataxi will provide the greatest resistance, but the others should come around quickly."

[02-18 19:31:11] <Kaylarr> (nataxi?)

[02-18 19:31:17] <Dionysus> [waspmen]

[02-18 19:34:03] <Damon_Argent> "Do you have any present thoughts on that 'something smaller' for getting through the hive?"

[02-18 19:34:43] <Nik> "How do you feel about being a snack for Her Majesty?"

[02-18 19:36:39] <Damon_Argent> "Delivered in unsecure bindings, I would imagine?"

[02-18 19:36:43] * Arlie makes a face. "Tell me, how could we transport our weapons under such a scheme?"

[02-18 19:37:21] * Nik chitters. "In the condiments, perhaps."

[02-18 19:37:28] * bjm has quit (*.net *.split)

[02-18 19:37:35] <Dionysus> [brilliant!]

[02-18 19:39:37] * Arlie smirks. "Do we get to pick what we are seasoned with, then? I've always preferred lavander myself."

[02-18 19:40:51] <Dionysus> Myjram says, "I would make an excellent curry."

[02-18 19:41:08] <Nik> "As long as we avoid offending Her Majesty's palete, the details are all negotiable."

[02-18 19:41:15] <Priest_Kez> "i happen to have an excellent curry recipe"

[02-18 19:41:33] <Dionysus> Kez, Myjram glances at you with nervousness plain as day on his face.

[02-18 19:43:24] * Damon_Argent chuckles.

[02-18 19:43:57] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "It is over a month from here to the Hive city. We can work out more details on the road, if need be."

[02-18 19:44:07] * Arlie looks like he's trying to decide what to say.

[02-18 19:44:27] * Damon_Argent looks at Arlie.

[02-18 19:45:10] <Arlie> in a low whisper: "Does he, I mean she, know the recipe by heart?"

[02-18 19:45:20] <Priest_Kez> (he)

[02-18 19:47:24] <Dionysus> [haha. i'm pretty sure the only reason Kez & Nik know what sex the non-insectoids are is by smell Arlie prolly in't even sure if sex applies to insectoids...]

[02-18 19:47:38] <Damon_Argent> "I couldn't say. Depends on how simple it is, I suppose."

[02-18 19:47:46] <Priest_Kez> (maybe my robes threw him off)

[02-18 19:48:01] <Dionysus> [he's a flippant sort, too]

[02-18 19:48:40] <Dionysus> So... more talking, or do you get on the road?

[02-18 19:48:58] * Damon_Argent is ready.

[02-18 19:49:49] <Arlie> I'm ready

[02-18 19:49:59] <Dionysus> Brujar is ready. Myjram is, too, but avoidant of Kez.

[02-18 19:50:00] <Nik> Okay. You're all loaded into the wagon, then and given barrels and/or skins to hide in.

[02-18 19:50:02] * Kaylarr is outside but is mostly ready

[02-18 19:50:20] <Dionysus> Damon, do you signal to Kaylarr to join or what?

[02-18 19:50:21] * Damon_Argent will signal Kaylarr over at this point.

[02-18 19:50:34] * Kaylarr joins the party

[02-18 19:50:37] <Damon_Argent> Not seeing any feasible way to keep him hidden the whole trip.

[02-18 19:50:46] <Nik> What is Kaylarr?

[02-18 19:50:59] <Dionysus> A maedar.

[02-18 19:50:59] <Kaylarr> (he's got grayish skin as well as slate colored eyes)

[02-18 19:51:08] <Arlie> how well known is it that Damon has a giften sword?

[02-18 19:51:10] <Dionysus> His touch petrifies.

[02-18 19:51:13] <Nik> Why would he be harder to hide?

[02-18 19:51:40] <Dionysus> The Maraddonians would know he is carrying one. It's up thim whether anyone else knows. I assumed it was hidden.

[02-18 19:51:48] <Dionysus> Kaylarr would be easier to hide, what with his 18 rogue.

[02-18 19:51:54] * Damon_Argent has it hidden, yes.

[02-18 19:52:03] <Kaylarr> "Sir?"

[02-18 19:52:17] <Damon_Argent> Er. I meant no feasible way to keep him hidden from the general for a month + getting into the Hive.

[02-18 19:52:33] <Dionysus> Right.

[02-18 19:52:57] <Dionysus> The basilisk slithers up next to Kaylarr. To the Atanaxans (KEz & Nik) it just looks like a fucking big snake with gray eyes.

[02-18 19:53:39] * Nik notices the basilisk. "I presume your animal will not give us away?"

[02-18 19:54:08] <Kaylarr> "She can maintaina distance if needed."

[02-18 19:55:49] <Dionysus> The wagon ride is uncomfortable, but not as bad as walking. After a week, desert becomes savannah.

[02-18 19:55:55] <Damon_Argent> Yay!

[02-18 19:56:32] <Kaylarr> (so, we're inside the entire time?)

[02-18 19:56:51] <Nik> While moving, especially near patrols.

[02-18 19:57:04] <Dionysus> After another week or so, savannah becomes jungle. No one bothers you, though. General Myrmex's authority prevents anyone from being able to. I assume you get out at night, yeah.

[02-18 19:57:09] * Kaylarr is sure this is close to hell.

[02-18 19:57:55] <Damon_Argent> It could be much worse.

[02-18 19:58:10] <Priest_Kez> (you could be curry)

[02-18 19:58:19] <Kaylarr> (yeah, I know. But being stuck ina barrel 10 hours a day is not heaven, for sure)

[02-18 19:58:23] <Dionysus> [that is so beautifully creepy]

[02-18 19:59:32] <Dionysus> As you enter the region known as Atanaxus Center, you can see in the distance a gray cloud rising like a pillar from the midst of the jungle. The Mountain of Trials stands precisely thirty miles north of the Hive City. The cults that swarm around it are dangerous even to Atanaxans. Your path, if you are sane, should avoid it.

[02-18 19:59:50] * Kaylarr uses the night time as fully as possible to stretch and maintain functioning muscles

[02-18 20:00:01] * Damon_Argent wants to climb it.

[02-18 20:00:23] * bjm (~bjm@1c6ad229.26d9672f.iad1.rackspace.com) has joined #shem

[02-18 20:00:23] * ChanServ sets mode +a #shem bjm

[02-18 20:00:23] * ChanServ gives channel operator status to bjm

[02-18 20:00:29] <Dionysus> [...you may get your chance]

[02-18 20:00:42] <Damon_Argent> ( Really? )

[02-18 20:00:46] <Kaylarr> (no)

[02-18 20:01:02] <Arlie> "Perhaps we can swing 'round to this attraction on the way back, what say you, Sir?"

[02-18 20:01:13] * Arlie grins

[02-18 20:01:23] <Kaylarr> "Even you aren't /that/ stupid."

[02-18 20:01:42] <Kaylarr> he says as he swings a shoulder back into working order

[02-18 20:02:00] <Damon_Argent> "We'll see how late this runs. I've heard it's not worth missing dinner for."

[02-18 20:02:59] <Arlie> "Ah, and the stores close early. You're right."

[02-18 20:03:07] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "The cults that live near there send up their best warriors & shamans. One in a million come down & lead their tribes to rebel against Atanaxus. They are like mad prophets when the return, full of power unbelievable. Always, though, they are slain by the sheer numbers the insectoids present."

[02-18 20:03:19] <Kaylarr> "You still have patotoes to get, remember?"

[02-18 20:03:55] <Dionysus> [I don't think there're even potatoes on the entire continent]

[02-18 20:04:08] <Arlie> "Well right, but if I get the wrong ones, I'll need all the strength I can get to stand up to the misses."

[02-18 20:04:15] * Kaylarr frowns at the mountain

[02-18 20:04:18] <Damon_Argent> ( All the more reason to get home in plenty of time for dinner. )

[02-18 20:04:47] <Damon_Argent> "Any idea what happens to them up there?"

[02-18 20:05:00] <Dionysus> Brujar hisses, "They are tessted."

[02-18 20:06:20] <Dionysus> He says no more on the subject.

[02-18 20:06:36] <Dionysus> You all avoid the mountain on your way to the Hive City?

[02-18 20:06:40] <Damon_Argent> Yes.

[02-18 20:06:42] <Arlie> of course

[02-18 20:06:49] * Nik always avoids it.

[02-18 20:07:02] <Dionysus> It is not difficult to get to the city.

[02-18 20:07:29] <Kaylarr> (if they have such great numbers why don't the Atanaxans just stomp them all out?_

[02-18 20:07:32] <Kaylarr> )

[02-18 20:07:40] <Nik> Waste of time.

[02-18 20:08:00] <Dionysus> And the tribes are good at scattering & hiding in the jungles

[02-18 20:08:39] <Dionysus> It is a striking sight, the city: A spiraling walled city, the inner rings rising above the outer ones. The central ring houses a massive, bulbous structure that resembles a gigantic wasp's nest.

[02-18 20:09:13] <Kaylarr> (terrifying)

[02-18 20:09:27] <Damon_Argent> Delightful.

[02-18 20:09:48] * Arlie peeks with excitement at the city from the inside the cask.

[02-18 20:10:23] <Dionysus> The non-insectoids here look grim, somber, even outright scared.

[02-18 20:10:27] <Dionysus> They are all slaves here.

[02-18 20:10:42] <Dionysus> Only True Atanaxans walk free in this city.

[02-18 20:10:44] <Damon_Argent> I see.

[02-18 20:11:25] <Dionysus> General Myrmex, you are stopped at the gates. A nataxi guard asks what your business is here. He speaks the High Atanaxan tongue (in other words, in words no non-insectoid could physically speak)

[02-18 20:12:11] * Kaylarr is very silent

[02-18 20:12:45] <Dionysus> "General, speak your business in the Emperess's city," it buzzes & clicks at you.

[02-18 20:12:54] <Nik> "I'm personally overseeing this transport. It is a highly distilled gourmet jelly."

[02-18 20:13:17] <Dionysus> "What is its destination, General?"

[02-18 20:14:08] * Nik 's antennae twitch. "It is a gift for the Imperial family."

[02-18 20:14:34] <Dionysus> The nataxi grunts & buzzes, "You know your way?"

[02-18 20:14:46] <Nik> Do I?

[02-18 20:15:07] <Dionysus> To the hive. Inside it? Not really.

[02-18 20:15:16] <Priest_Kez> (do i?)

[02-18 20:15:47] <Dionysus> Nope, but once inside, you could actually pray your way through it. Hives are orderly things, & order faith could guideyou through easily.

[02-18 20:15:57] <Nik> "Perhaps you could suggest a route?"

[02-18 20:16:11] <Dionysus> Kez, have you indicated what your faith was to the others?

[02-18 20:16:28] <Priest_Kez> um, i think i would have

[02-18 20:16:59] <Dionysus> You all know Kez is an order priest

[02-18 20:18:10] <Dionysus> "That stuff should go right to the stores, General. Take it [he describes a route through the city to the back of the Hive] & give it over to the workers."

[02-18 20:18:38] <Nik> "Of course. Thank you." And we move on.

[02-18 20:19:07] <Dionysus> The city is huge. Twice as big as Maraddon City.

[02-18 20:19:18] <Dionysus> But with no trains.

[02-18 20:19:35] <Arlie> (...yet.)

[02-18 20:19:36] <Dionysus> The architecture is all adobe.

[02-18 20:20:05] <Dionysus> The people who aren't insectoid are mostly other sorts of animalmen or tribale humans/pseudohumans.

[02-18 20:20:47] <Nik> We'll find somewhere to put the Maraddonics in the insecure chains and then send the cart on to the stores.

[02-18 20:21:15] <Dionysus> There's plenty of places. As a general, you can pretty much order a place emptied & secured, if you want privacy.

[02-18 20:22:13] <Dionysus> How do you hide the weapons, exactly? Or at all?

[02-18 20:22:36] <Nik> What do we have to hide?

[02-18 20:22:41] <Kaylarr> (I don't have one)

[02-18 20:22:45] * Damon_Argent has a sword.

[02-18 20:22:54] <Arlie> I have a sword as well

[02-18 20:23:02] <Nik> Just two swords?

[02-18 20:23:14] <Dionysus> Brujar goes weaponless, but Myjram carries a shortbow.

[02-18 20:23:37] <Dionysus> And Damon has a Sword, not just a sword, but I doubt Nik knows that.

[02-18 20:24:09] <Nik> We'll stash all of the weapons in a barrel and carry it alongside the sacrifices.

[02-18 20:24:22] <Dionysus> Anyone object? Myjram does not.

[02-18 20:24:41] <Damon_Argent> That sounds acceptable.

[02-18 20:24:49] <Nik> The barrel will be stamped with the Atanaxan symbol for "flavor".

[02-18 20:24:56] <Dionysus> Ha. A'ight.

[02-18 20:25:01] <Arlie> (nice)

[02-18 20:25:13] <Kaylarr> can my basilisk fit as well?

[02-18 20:25:19] <Arlie> so are we naked?

[02-18 20:25:45] <Dionysus> It'd be a big barrel. No one would pay heed if the basilisk acted like it were a pet of an Atanaxan.

[02-18 20:25:52] <Kaylarr> oh ok

[02-18 20:26:04] <Kaylarr> then she's effectively on heel

[02-18 20:26:16] <Nik> You're not wearing anything that covers up the most delicious-looking parts of your body.

[02-18 20:26:33] <Nik> The soldiers can identify those parts pretty quickly.

[02-18 20:26:34] <Priest_Kez> (the tasty tasty brains?)

[02-18 20:27:19] <Kaylarr> haha

[02-18 20:27:39] <Kaylarr> So, what looks delicious?

[02-18 20:27:52] <Nik> What do you guys want to wear?

[02-18 20:27:59] <Dionysus> It would be prudent to rest the night before going into the Hive. Mostly because it's pretty late before you get anywhere close.

[02-18 20:29:14] <Kaylarr> (It doesn't matter about what we do or don't wear. I was just curious.)

[02-18 20:29:34] <Damon_Argent> (All our best fights have been naked, though. )

[02-18 20:29:45] * Nik probably did order a small building cleared and secured, then.

[02-18 20:30:07] <Kaylarr> (top five naked fights)

[02-18 20:30:14] <Arlie> "I can go naked. Clothes get in my way more often than not."

[02-18 20:30:22] <Dionysus> The family of merchants living there are disgruntled, but don' vocalize about it. They just go stay in their market stalls for the night.

[02-18 20:30:30] <Kaylarr> "especially witht that gut."

[02-18 20:30:43] <Damon_Argent> ( The Hex, the Morag, the Atanaxan army, the reevers, Arlie's wife. )

[02-18 20:31:00] <Arlie> "Ha! You're just jealous that the queen will pick me first!"

[02-18 20:31:21] <Dionysus> Myjram makes the sign of the Wind & prays deeply before resting.

[02-18 20:31:26] <Kaylarr> "I'd rather not be a succulent morsel, thank you."

[02-18 20:31:30] <Dionysus> Brujar does his little shamanistic ceremony.

[02-18 20:31:47] <Damon_Argent> "Is that a step forward to distract while we go for weapons, then?"

[02-18 20:31:52] <Arlie> "Right, you're far to sour."

[02-18 20:32:10] * Kaylarr lays on the floor, ignoring Arlie

[02-18 20:32:36] * Nik and Kez go over their to-do lists. Smuggle foreign soliders into capital city - check. Plot treason - check.

[02-18 20:32:55] <Arlie> "I can arrange some sort of distraction, if that is what you would like, Sir. Just say the word."

[02-18 20:33:04] <Kaylarr> "So Arlie is our tasty distraction."

[02-18 20:34:07] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "I wouldn't go ssso far asss to sssay tassty."

[02-18 20:34:28] <Damon_Argent> "You just need to hold their eyes for a few seconds."

[02-18 20:35:10] <Arlie> "Assuming my radiance fails, I can arrange something else to do the trick."

[02-18 20:35:25] <Kaylarr> "And then, sir?"

[02-18 20:35:34] * Nik clicks. "All he needs is the proper marinade. Get some rest. You will need to be alert in the morning. We will arrive at the hive when first watch's heads are still full of sleep jelly."

[02-18 20:35:52] <Dionysus> Brujar gets some rest.

[02-18 20:36:05] <Dionysus> Myjram lies down, but anyone payin attention will notice he does not sleep well.

[02-18 20:36:27] <Damon_Argent> "Who's likely to be present besides us?"

[02-18 20:36:48] <Nik> Billy?

[02-18 20:37:49] <Dionysus> Nataxi hive workers, guards, etc. Visiting Atanaxan nobles. Slaves.

[02-18 20:38:01] <Dionysus> The Emperess's pets.

[02-18 20:38:30] <Kaylarr> (are those actual pets or males?)

[02-18 20:38:47] <Dionysus> [those are non-insectoids that she keeps to play with. sentient beings]

[02-18 20:39:07] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 20:39:50] <Damon_Argent> "What are our chances of getting help from the slaves?"

[02-18 20:40:02] <Damon_Argent> Er. Sorry. Hold that till it's said, if it is.

[02-18 20:40:07] <Dionysus> If they're healthy enough to fight, they might be willing.

[02-18 20:40:15] <Dionysus> The pets might also.

[02-18 20:40:33] * Nik twitches antennae. "They would be punished if they fight and we fail."

[02-18 20:40:46] <Kaylarr> "So, that's a maybe"

[02-18 20:41:35] <Dionysus> Punished fairly horribly, too.

[02-18 20:41:37] <Nik> "This is what we attempt to make them understand. Some would likely join us if we offered them freedom."

[02-18 20:41:42] <Dionysus> Use your imaginations.

[02-18 20:42:13] <Kaylarr> (eaten alive?)

[02-18 20:42:28] <Damon_Argent> "We're not likely to have much time to court them."

[02-18 20:42:29] <Nik> "Others would not hesitate to assist their masters."

[02-18 20:42:32] <Arlie> (eaten alive like animal crackers)

[02-18 20:42:47] <Dionysus> [but not as crunchy]

[02-18 20:42:56] <Nik> Soft outside, crunchy center.

[02-18 20:42:59] <Priest_Kez> (there are these fabulous animal crackers that are covered in frosting and sprinkles)

[02-18 20:43:06] <Dionysus> [i love those.]

[02-18 20:43:53] <Kaylarr> (god, those are awesome)

[02-18 20:44:00] <Dionysus> [game on]

[02-18 20:44:21] <Nik> "The Reverend may be able to command a few of them."

[02-18 20:45:28] <Kaylarr> "At any rate, once she's dead we'll have some modicum of control over the rest?"

[02-18 20:45:43] <Kaylarr> "Well, rather, you will General."

[02-18 20:46:44] <Nik> "I will have direct control of the sixth legion and leverage over the rest of the city."

[02-18 20:48:07] * Kaylarr nods

[02-18 20:48:39] <Damon_Argent> "How many entrances are we going to be dealing with?"

[02-18 20:48:54] <Dionysus> A dozen to the hive. One usable to the Emperess's chamber

[02-18 20:49:10] <Nik> Are there windows in the Empress's chamber?

[02-18 20:49:20] <Dionysus> No, it's underground

[02-18 20:50:15] <Dionysus> There're six actual entrances to the Emperess's chamber, but two lead to sections that are inaccessible from otherwise, & two are through the thick mucous that houses the eggs. The last is her pet chamber, which is like a cavernous cloet. There's only one other entrace (the usable one): the main entrance.

[02-18 20:50:34] <Damon_Argent> "That's good, at least. I think one of our first priorities is going to be blocking that entrance."

[02-18 20:50:36] <Nik> "Once we reveal ourselves, my solders will barricade the doors. Everything inside the throne suite will have to be killed or controlled."

[02-18 20:51:27] <Damon_Argent> "I don't want any killing that's not absolutely necessary. At the moment, that means the Empress."

[02-18 20:52:03] <Kaylarr> "And then we'll wait on the others' rections?"

[02-18 20:52:07] <Kaylarr> reactions

[02-18 20:52:16] <Dionysus> damn, i was hoping for 'erections'

[02-18 20:52:30] <Nik> "Controlling the others would be easier once the Empress is dead."

[02-18 20:53:13] * Damon_Argent nods. "And she's our highest priority."

[02-18 20:54:35] * Kaylarr nods

[02-18 20:55:13] <Arlie> "Just so we know what to expect, what is the queen capable of?"

[02-18 20:55:37] <Dionysus> Sorcery, enormous strength, elite guards.

[02-18 20:55:49] <Dionysus> Eating you whol.e

[02-18 20:56:06] <Kaylarr> right

[02-18 20:56:28] <Arlie> (do gifts set off the blue zones?)

[02-18 20:56:54] <Dionysus> no

[02-18 20:57:16] <Arlie> "Ah! A sorcress! Splendid!"

[02-18 20:57:29] * Arlie cracks his knuckles.

[02-18 20:57:38] <Damon_Argent> "Would the Empress consider a blue zone sufficient reason to hold back on using her own magic?"

[02-18 20:57:59] <Nik> How does a blue zone work?

[02-18 20:58:02] <Arlie> "If she even realized it was there, perhaps."

[02-18 20:58:08] <Dionysus> If you use magic in it, you get a wild surge.

[02-18 20:58:16] <Dionysus> Results are unpredictable.

[02-18 20:58:30] <Damon_Argent> Potentially anathema to an order-minded ruler.

[02-18 20:58:38] <Arlie> and the spell is voided

[02-18 20:58:51] <Dionysus> Right, the spell doesn't work. A new spell takes its place.

[02-18 20:59:30] <Nik> "Perhaps, if she felt that brute strength would be enough to overcome us."

[02-18 21:00:03] <Damon_Argent> "How confident is she in her strength and guards?"

[02-18 21:00:19] <Dionysus> Extremely.

[02-18 21:00:30] <Dionysus> She is not above using magic, though.

[02-18 21:00:35] <Nik> "The Empress is invincible within her stronghold."

[02-18 21:02:08] <Damon_Argent> "If she thinks that, and we make her aware of the zone, then she likely won't fall back on magic until it's too late."

[02-18 21:02:22] * Arlie smirks. "I could always challenge her to a magic duel. Sorceror against sorceress."

[02-18 21:02:59] <Nik> "She would not grant you such an honor."

[02-18 21:03:07] <Kaylarr> "Unlike you, I'd prefer not to become a chicken this time."

[02-18 21:04:45] <Dionysus> She soo wouldn't.

[02-18 21:04:56] <Damon_Argent> "Likewise. We'll save using the surges for emergency."

[02-18 21:07:03] <Damon_Argent> ( ping? )

[02-18 21:07:06] <Dionysus> [mung]

[02-18 21:07:23] <Kaylarr> pong

[02-18 21:07:31] <Nik> hmm?

[02-18 21:07:35] <Arlie> "And unlike you, I probably have the best idea of what it's like to be in a curry. Broaden your mind, and all that."

[02-18 21:07:52] <Kaylarr> "No thank you."

[02-18 21:08:04] <Kaylarr> "I'll stick to books."

[02-18 21:08:27] * Kaylarr rolls over and sleeps if there's no more discussion

[02-18 21:08:41] <Dionysus> Brujar is already sleeping. Myjram is tossing & turning.

[02-18 21:08:59] <Damon_Argent> Everything else'll be situational.

[02-18 21:09:03] * Damon_Argent will try to sleep some.

[02-18 21:09:05] <Dionysus> So you all sleep?

[02-18 21:09:09] * Nik orders a watch rotation and sleeps.

[02-18 21:09:10] <Kaylarr> yes

[02-18 21:09:20] * Arlie sleeps

[02-18 21:09:32] <Dionysus> Next morning, you all wake up covered in curry. Kez looks innocent.

[02-18 21:09:51] <Dionysus> Except, really, you wake up normal-like.

[02-18 21:09:53] <Kaylarr> except not

[02-18 21:09:57] <Kaylarr> good

[02-18 21:10:02] <Damon_Argent> Right then.

[02-18 21:10:11] * Kaylarr wakes and today takes off his gloves

[02-18 21:10:46] <Dionysus> Myjram looks worried, but is none-the-less prepared. He is dressed in his hunting skins & carrying his bow & a quiver of arrows.

[02-18 21:11:00] <Dionysus> Surreptitiously, mind.

[02-18 21:11:03] <Kaylarr> (I thought that was in the barrel)

[02-18 21:11:05] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 21:11:10] <Dionysus> Brujar is wearing his mantle & not much else.

[02-18 21:11:29] * Nik is dressed normally.

[02-18 21:12:04] <Dionysus> The walk to the Hive is a short one from here. Through the last ring of the city to the massive, bulbous structure. The last ten yards you see nothing but nataxi guardsmen.

[02-18 21:12:08] <Dionysus> And workers.

[02-18 21:12:19] * Arlie dresses tastily

[02-18 21:12:26] <Dionysus> At the entrance, you are stopped.

[02-18 21:12:41] * Damon_Argent tries to look submissive and slavely.

[02-18 21:12:47] * Nik leads the party, "slaves" and "handlers" in tow.

[02-18 21:12:58] <Dionysus> The nataxi clicks & buzzes in High Atanaxan, "General Myrmex, you are here unexpectedly. To what do we owe such an honor?"

[02-18 21:12:58] * Kaylarr follows Damon's lead

[02-18 21:14:50] <Nik> "General Zaaz sent these foreigners to my queen for the pleasure of her belly. She sampled one and, finding it unusually sweet, requested that I deliver the remainder to Her Majesty, as a gift."

[02-18 21:15:33] <Dionysus> He acts surprised, though only at Atanaxan would notice it. "Enter!"

[02-18 21:16:05] <Dionysus> The guards move out of the way.

[02-18 21:16:08] * Nik nods and leads the group inside.

[02-18 21:16:46] <Dionysus> The caverns are large, the passages wide & twisting.

[02-18 21:16:54] <Dionysus> You have no idea exactly how to get where you need to go.

[02-18 21:17:17] <Nik> "Reverend, I am unfamiliar with the pattern of this hive."

[02-18 21:17:36] <Priest_Kez> er, magic order magic to find the way?

[02-18 21:18:07] <Dionysus> Faith, Melissa. & yes, roll.

[02-18 21:18:11] <Dionysus> r diff 14

[02-18 21:18:11] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 14] 16 20 24

[02-18 21:18:14] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 21:18:14] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 16 21 25

[02-18 21:18:20] <Dionysus> ...Well done.

[02-18 21:18:44] <Dionysus> You know where the Emperess's chambers are.

[02-18 21:18:56] <Dionysus> They are down, waaay down, deep down.

[02-18 21:19:06] <Dionysus> The way to it is long & twisting.

[02-18 21:19:39] <Priest_Kez> um, i make a quick sketch for nik?

[02-18 21:19:58] * Nik allows Kez to lead the way.

[02-18 21:20:00] <Dionysus> It would take a minute or two, but you could do it easily.

[02-18 21:20:24] <Priest_Kez> oh, if he doesn't want a sketch I won't waste the time

[02-18 21:20:33] <Dionysus> Leading the way works.

[02-18 21:20:50] * Priest_Kez leads everyone down, waaay down, deep down.

[02-18 21:20:59] <Dionysus> It takes what seems like forever to most of you. Kez, you would probably be aware of how long it really takes (few hours).

[02-18 21:21:01] <Priest_Kez> long and twisting

[02-18 21:21:31] * Damon_Argent walks.

[02-18 21:21:36] <Dionysus> Everyone roll awareness.

[02-18 21:21:43] * Kaylarr tries to remember the way and totally fails

[02-18 21:21:47] <Dionysus> r rog 13+3 rog 17

[02-18 21:21:47] <Eklem> Dionysus [rog: 13+3=16] 17 17 20

[02-18 21:21:47] <Eklem> Dionysus [rog: 17] 18 19 20

[02-18 21:21:52] <Arlie> r awa 14

[02-18 21:21:53] <Eklem> Arlie [awa: 14] 15 20 24

[02-18 21:21:57] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14

[02-18 21:21:57] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14] 16 18 19

[02-18 21:21:58] <Nik> r awareness 13 scent-trails 16

[02-18 21:21:58] <Eklem> Nik [awareness: 13] 18 20 22

[02-18 21:21:58] <Eklem> Nik [trails: 16] 21 22 24

[02-18 21:22:09] <Priest_Kez> r 14

[02-18 21:22:10] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [14] 21 23 24

[02-18 21:22:57] <Damon_Argent> r awa 17

[02-18 21:22:57] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [awa: 17] 18 22 25

[02-18 21:23:00] <Dionysus> You all notice at least one of them: Two non-insectoids are trying to sneak around in here.

[02-18 21:23:21] * Kaylarr sees them and looks to Damon

[02-18 21:23:24] <Damon_Argent> What sort of non-insectoids?

[02-18 21:23:26] <Kaylarr> (well, one)

[02-18 21:24:00] <Arlie> (are the following us or crossing our path?)

[02-18 21:24:24] <Dionysus> Human shaped.

[02-18 21:24:30] <Dionysus> They are going out the way you are coming in

[02-18 21:24:31] <Nik> How far?

[02-18 21:24:53] <Nik> How many of my soldiers was I able to bring?

[02-18 21:24:54] <Dionysus> How far are they going? How far in do you find them?

[02-18 21:25:05] <Nik> How far are they from us.

[02-18 21:25:06] <Dionysus> Prolly that same dozen you started with.

[02-18 21:25:23] <Dionysus> Oh, they're down the way a bit, trying to keep from being noticed by you.

[02-18 21:25:27] <Dionysus> About 20 feet

[02-18 21:25:42] <Nik> Okay, I order three of my soldiers to come with me and the rest to hold position. And I confront them.

[02-18 21:26:10] <Dionysus> As you come within range of seeing them well, roll will.

[02-18 21:26:12] <Dionysus> r 22

[02-18 21:26:12] <Eklem> Dionysus [22] 23 27 31

[02-18 21:26:29] <Nik> I can't beat that.

[02-18 21:26:40] <Arlie> (all of us?)

[02-18 21:26:43] <Kaylarr> are we with you or told to stay back?

[02-18 21:26:52] <Dionysus> Yeah. The male of the pair is the most beautiful being you've ever laid eyes on. If you are within range of seeing them well, roll will.

[02-18 21:27:14] <Dionysus> It's up to you if you are or not.

[02-18 21:27:14] <Kaylarr> Ben, did you motion for us to wait?

[02-18 21:27:21] * Nik stares. Can I even look at the other one? Yes, you're all staying there.

[02-18 21:27:39] <Damon_Argent> We're waiting. This isn't the place to break character.

[02-18 21:27:48] <Dionysus> You don't notice anything about her when you do. She seems to be pretty ordinary.

[02-18 21:28:01] <Dionysus> Very scared, though. He doesn't seem afraid at all. Very serene.

[02-18 21:28:38] <Nik> Low Atanaxan. "Breaking out of the hive? Not enjoying your stay?"

[02-18 21:29:28] <Dionysus> "I would be foolish to lie to you. Of course we are escaping."

[02-18 21:29:47] <Dionysus> His voice is melodic & alluring.

[02-18 21:30:03] <Nik> "You'll never make it out of the city. But if you did, where would you go?"

[02-18 21:30:24] <Nik> s/But/Even/

[02-18 21:31:12] <Dionysus> "Away, far away. I have relatives in Maraddon. A distant cousin promised to help me if I could make it out, when I got a message to him."

[02-18 21:31:59] <Arlie> (does any of this talk carry up to where we are?)

[02-18 21:32:21] <Dionysus> He is pale pink in the skin. His hair is shoulder length, honey blonde. His eyes are vibrant purple. He is average height, but has a frail frame.

[02-18 21:32:25] <Dionysus> yes, you can hear it.

[02-18 21:32:31] * Nik nods. "There may not be a Maraddon to go home to. Her Majesty's armada is en route there as we speak."

[02-18 21:32:50] <Nik> s/nods/bobs antennae/

[02-18 21:33:01] <Dionysus> He shrugs. "Then Kren'atan. Or even as far away as Madziar."

[02-18 21:33:13] * Kaylarr glances at Damon

[02-18 21:34:01] <Dionysus> "Please, sir, you have no reason to stop us. We will do no one any harm. What matter if two slaves escape? If we are caught, we will be killed on sight. If not, no one is likely to notice. I beg you, do not hinder us."

[02-18 21:34:10] <Nik> "Your family means so little to you? What if you could return that armada around? Would you fight?"

[02-18 21:34:15] * Damon_Argent makes a 'wait a moment, we'll see how this turns out' gesture.

[02-18 21:34:32] <Dionysus> "I... I cannot bear to hurt another, sir, and my love here is... indisposed."

[02-18 21:34:34] <Nik> s/return/turn/

[02-18 21:34:46] <Dionysus> If you look at her more closely, you will note she is pregnant.

[02-18 21:34:49] * Kaylarr waits patiently, straining to hear better

[02-18 21:35:17] <Dionysus> "I have to think of the child over even my kin, sir. That is why we are escaping."

[02-18 21:35:27] <Nik> "Then you are of no use to me." He struggles to turn away and go back to the group.

[02-18 21:35:51] <Dionysus> You can turn away. The man says, "Thank you, sir." He bows & pulls the girl along, slipping past the group.

[02-18 21:36:00] <Dionysus> If anyone wants to roll will as he walks past, go for it.

[02-18 21:36:10] <Arlie> r will 17

[02-18 21:36:11] <Eklem> Arlie [will: 17] 18 23 27

[02-18 21:36:15] <Dionysus> r 22

[02-18 21:36:15] <Eklem> Dionysus [22] 25 27 31

[02-18 21:36:16] <Damon_Argent> r wil 16

[02-18 21:36:16] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [wil: 16] 17 17 22

[02-18 21:36:23] <Damon_Argent> Heh.

[02-18 21:36:30] <Dionysus> You are struck by how beautiful he is.

[02-18 21:36:39] <Nik> Roll stun/wound.

[02-18 21:36:42] <Dionysus> Haha

[02-18 21:36:55] <Damon_Argent> What's the damage on a how beautiful he is?

[02-18 21:37:05] <Dionysus> Pants

[02-18 21:37:16] <Dionysus> You continue on?

[02-18 21:37:23] <Nik> Yup.

[02-18 21:37:25] <Damon_Argent> How well are they sneaking?

[02-18 21:37:29] <Arlie> yep

[02-18 21:37:45] <Dionysus> Fairly well. 16 for the girl, 17 for the man.

[02-18 21:38:21] <Dionysus> So you continue on, following Kez.

[02-18 21:38:22] <Damon_Argent> Do the guards know about our situation?

[02-18 21:38:40] <Dionysus> They are under Nik's complete control, but yes, they do.

[02-18 21:38:56] <Damon_Argent> As the pair passes, then, "Wait."

[02-18 21:38:57] * Arlie whispers to Damon in Maradonnic: "Probably for the best, he might have recognized us, blown our cover."

[02-18 21:39:14] <Dionysus> The man stops. "We cannot, sir."

[02-18 21:39:30] <Arlie> retcon my statement

[02-18 21:39:43] <Arlie> or put it before Damon's

[02-18 21:39:48] * Kaylarr is also struck by how beautiful the man is

[02-18 21:40:21] <Dionysus> "Speak quickly, sir."

[02-18 21:41:29] * Damon_Argent tries to stay somewhat focused on the mission. "Our mission here is important. If you get caught, you could throw everything off for us, too. I won't ask you to fight with us, but if you stay outside with the guard, you'll have access to our resources when we escape."

[02-18 21:42:22] <Dionysus> He smiles, "yes, Sir Argent, I know, but I cannot be here when that happens. You will understand soon. We /must/ go."

[02-18 21:42:26] <Dionysus> And he turns to leave.

[02-18 21:43:51] <Dionysus> He pauses, "But if we are caught, it will not affect your mission. We will simply be killed. No one will say anything--these sorts of escapes happen all the time. Good luck, sir."

[02-18 21:43:53] * Damon_Argent blinks.

[02-18 21:44:28] * Damon_Argent frowns. "Thank you. And to you."

[02-18 21:44:40] <Dionysus> "Thank you!" And he turns down a passage out of sight.

[02-18 21:44:45] * Arlie nods.

[02-18 21:45:17] <Dionysus> So you continue on?

[02-18 21:45:46] <Damon_Argent> Yes. That was weird.

[02-18 21:46:03] <Arlie> "....Did you recognize him? Was that <nobel name here>'s child?"

[02-18 21:46:12] <Dionysus> It wasn't.

[02-18 21:46:23] <Dionysus> You did not recognize him.

[02-18 21:46:35] * Damon_Argent shakes his head slowly. "No... No I didn't."

[02-18 21:46:40] <Dionysus> It takes about 40 minutes from there to the Emperess's chamber.

[02-18 21:47:00] <Dionysus> There're no workers in this hall, but two massive nataxi gaurds stand outside the large doors to the chamber. They halt you.

[02-18 21:47:23] <Dionysus> In High Atanaxan, "Who is here to see the Mother of the Hive?"

[02-18 21:48:07] <Dionysus> They carry halberds.

[02-18 21:48:28] * Nik identifies himself and his cargo as before.

[02-18 21:49:20] <Dionysus> One of them buzzes in the nataxi language at the other, which does a nataxi version of a shrug, then says in High Atanaxan, "If she is displeased with this gift, you will not come out again. Do you still wish to enter?"

[02-18 21:50:32] <Nik> "Of course. My queen would not choose an unpleasing gift."

[02-18 21:50:44] <Dionysus> The guard lets you in.

[02-18 21:50:52] <Nik> What's inside?

[02-18 21:50:59] <Dionysus> The chamber is huge, bigger than any chamber you've been to before.

[02-18 21:51:26] <Dionysus> A lake of mucous surrounds a peninsula of hive (which you are standing on). The mucou sis filled with eggs.

[02-18 21:51:43] <Kaylarr> ewww

[02-18 21:51:54] <Dionysus> Hundreds of workers & dozens of guars lie unconscious on the peninsula, & the Emperess is nowhere to be seen.

[02-18 21:52:13] <Nik> The throne is empty?

[02-18 21:52:25] <Arlie> (saw that coming, OOC)

[02-18 21:52:41] <Dionysus> Yes.

[02-18 21:53:09] <Dionysus> [yeah, but do you know who the beautiful man is?]

[02-18 21:53:13] <Arlie> "Well that was easy, now what?"

[02-18 21:53:34] <Dionysus> A note: the entrances to this chamber are all too small for the Emperess to have used to leave by.

[02-18 21:53:50] <Arlie> detect magic?

[02-18 21:54:02] * Nik runs a finger along one of his mandibles in thought. "Interesting."

[02-18 21:54:15] <Arlie> rather,

[02-18 21:54:20] * Damon_Argent looks around, frowning.

[02-18 21:54:31] * Kaylarr is rather uneasy

[02-18 21:54:32] <Arlie> "Shall I scan the area for teleportation, sir?"

[02-18 21:54:38] <Damon_Argent> "Do it."

[02-18 21:54:46] <Arlie> r detect magic 8

[02-18 21:54:47] <Eklem> Arlie [detect magic: 8] 10 12 18

[02-18 21:54:48] <Dionysus> Brujar is looking around, sticking out his tongue.

[02-18 21:54:57] <Dionysus> r diff 1

[02-18 21:54:57] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 1] 6 6 8

[02-18 21:55:00] * Nik tries to wake up a worker on the peninsula.

[02-18 21:55:32] <Dionysus> Change magic was used here recently. Incredibly powerful change magic.

[02-18 21:55:45] <Dionysus> Also, dream magic of an insane magnitude.

[02-18 21:55:57] <Dionysus> The worker wakes up & begins to freak out.

[02-18 21:56:08] <Nik> "Be still. What happened here?"

[02-18 21:56:34] <Dionysus> It buzzes, "I do not know. Where is the Emperess?"

[02-18 21:56:40] * Arlie starts chanting, then opens his mouth in surprise as he stares around the chamber. "By jove,"

[02-18 21:56:45] <Kaylarr> "Sir, anything I should do?"

[02-18 21:57:13] * Kaylarr shifts uncomfortably in the chains and looks about the chamber as he asks.

[02-18 21:57:24] <Damon_Argent> "Not yet. Any magic?"

[02-18 21:57:36] <Dionysus> Myjram looks both nervous & relieved.

[02-18 21:57:39] <Nik> "That is what I mean to determine." He gestures for one of his soldiers to guard the worker.

[02-18 21:57:43] <Arlie> "There was, someone used magic here, sir. Change magic, a bit of dream, it's all over the place, its in ribbons, I've never seen bloody ribbons before."

[02-18 21:57:49] <Dionysus> The soldier does so.

[02-18 21:58:01] <Damon_Argent> "Ribbons?"

[02-18 21:58:14] <Arlie> he nods. "It's powerful."

[02-18 21:58:34] <Nik> "Is the Empress still here?"

[02-18 21:58:43] * Damon_Argent frowns. "How recent?"

[02-18 21:58:45] <Dionysus> To whom do you say that?

[02-18 21:58:53] <Dionysus> Within the last two hours.

[02-18 21:58:54] <Nik> Sorry, I went back to the group and asked that.

[02-18 21:59:26] <Arlie> "Sometime within the last two hours, wow."

[02-18 22:00:23] * Kaylarr looks for the ribbons, a bit disturbed.

[02-18 22:00:33] <Priest_Kez> (can i use order to find whoever is in charge here?)

[02-18 22:00:46] <Damon_Argent> "I should have had those two held."

[02-18 22:00:55] <Dionysus> [...yes. that's actually a brilliant way to pu tit]

[02-18 22:01:10] <Priest_Kez> (ben thought of it)

[02-18 22:01:23] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:01:24] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 18 22 22

[02-18 22:01:39] <Dionysus> r 13

[02-18 22:01:39] <Eklem> Dionysus [13] 15 21 22

[02-18 22:01:45] <Dionysus> ...that's twice now.

[02-18 22:02:04] <Kaylarr> "The good looking man, sir?"

[02-18 22:02:12] <Dionysus> She is outside the Hive.

[02-18 22:02:17] <Kaylarr> "You think he did this?"

[02-18 22:02:40] * Priest_Kez goes to find the person in charge

[02-18 22:02:48] <Dionysus> ["No, I just wanted buttfucking tonight."]

[02-18 22:02:53] <Damon_Argent> "He could've. He may have just walked past us with the Empress in tow."

[02-18 22:03:05] * Nik steeples his forehands. "This is inconvenient. We will have to abort the mission."

[02-18 22:03:27] <Dionysus> Kez is apparently walking away from the throne room.

[02-18 22:03:38] <Arlie> "From what I'm seeing, a change race spell could fit."

[02-18 22:03:53] * Nik sighs. "We're opening the door. Ready yourselves."

[02-18 22:04:04] <Damon_Argent> "Can you follow them?"

[02-18 22:04:14] * Damon_Argent retrieves his weapon.

[02-18 22:04:33] * Kaylarr readies himself on the side of the door

[02-18 22:04:48] * Arlie retrieves his weapon as well, looks grim.

[02-18 22:05:26] <Dionysus> The doors open. The guards glance inside. They buzz in High Atanaxan, "How strange. She did not take the gifts, but she has not slain you, General?"

[02-18 22:05:33] * Nik looks over you all. "What are you doing? We are going to leave as we arrived."

[02-18 22:05:47] * Nik goes back to the doors and throws them open, then begins giving orders. "The Empress is missing! Have you been sleeping? Go alert the others!"

[02-18 22:06:03] <Nik> "Move, before I take your treasonous heads myself!"

[02-18 22:06:05] <Damon_Argent> Ah. Sorry. Got the wrong vibe. Would've remained weaponless, then.

[02-18 22:06:33] <Dionysus> They stare, then say, "General, this is most unusual. She is right behind you." They both bow toward empty air.

[02-18 22:07:00] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 22:07:07] <Arlie> could I tell the spell is still active?

[02-18 22:07:17] <Dionysus> No, you can't tell.

[02-18 22:07:24] * Nik turns around, then looks back to the guard. "Then why does she not eat me for saying such absurd things?"

[02-18 22:07:28] <Dionysus> Well, depends on the spell.

[02-18 22:07:33] <Dionysus> The dream spell is still active.

[02-18 22:07:49] <Dionysus> "That I do not know, General. You must be highly favored."

[02-18 22:08:24] <Dionysus> He bows deeply to you.

[02-18 22:09:40] * Nik twitches. "You are doomed." He looks to the group. "We have no purpose here. Come." And he leads them outside.

[02-18 22:10:03] <Dionysus> [wonderful!]

[02-18 22:10:10] * Arlie walks with head bowed.

[02-18 22:10:40] * Damon_Argent follows.

[02-18 22:10:42] <Dionysus> Myjram & Brujar follow.

[02-18 22:10:54] * Kaylarr follows, looking subservient

[02-18 22:11:05] <Dionysus> Kez, you still following the Emperess via your faith?

[02-18 22:11:37] <Priest_Kez> am i going in a direction different from everyone else or something?

[02-18 22:11:43] <Nik> We're following you.

[02-18 22:12:04] <Priest_Kez> then yes, still following the empress

[02-18 22:12:31] <Dionysus> It leads you the exact way you came in, but out.

[02-18 22:13:03] <Nik> The worker which I woke up was left to fend for herself, if it matters.

[02-18 22:13:05] <Dionysus> About an hour or so before you are at the exit, you sense her pick up speed enormously. She's flying, & she quickly moves out of your range.

[02-18 22:13:07] <Kaylarr> can we run?

[02-18 22:13:13] <Damon_Argent> Right.

[02-18 22:13:14] <Kaylarr> fuck

[02-18 22:13:18] <Dionysus> You can run, but it won't do much good.

[02-18 22:13:27] <Damon_Argent> Let me guess.

[02-18 22:13:35] <Nik> "What direction did she move in? Is she still in command?"

[02-18 22:13:35] <Damon_Argent> Towards the Mountain?

[02-18 22:13:44] <Dionysus> ...Yes.

[02-18 22:13:49] <Dionysus> Yes, she's still in command

[02-18 22:14:04] <Damon_Argent> "Let me guess. Towards the Mountain?"

[02-18 22:14:41] * Nik 's antennae shake with rage. "You're in luck. The chains will be useless soon."

[02-18 22:15:18] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "If she succeeds on the mountain... she could control every Atanaxan through her hive mind at will, no matter what race."

[02-18 22:15:21] * Kaylarr glances at Nik warily

[02-18 22:15:33] <Kaylarr> "How can we get there?"

[02-18 22:15:52] <Arlie> "Can we beat her there?"

[02-18 22:15:54] <Damon_Argent> How far is the mountain?

[02-18 22:15:55] <Nik> What is the fastest means of transportation available to us?

[02-18 22:16:19] <Dionysus> The Mountain is maybe 30 miles north of here.

[02-18 22:16:45] <Dionysus> Luck with wild magic, order faith, or making some nataxi your bitch & flying.

[02-18 22:17:21] <Nik> I'm liking that last one, but what would be the difficulty to transport this group via order?

[02-18 22:18:21] <Dionysus> Order would be quickest & most reliable: the whole group at once? 22. A few at a time, though, would work just as well, & could be done at a 15 each time.

[02-18 22:18:29] <Arlie> "Looks like we're going to be able to make it there afterall, sir." He nods to the mountain.

[02-18 22:19:08] <Dionysus> The gray column cloud continually rises into the sky in the distance. Occassionally, lightning flashes within it.

[02-18 22:20:31] <Kaylarr> so, is someone suggesting the transport idea?

[02-18 22:20:39] <Arlie> "That man recognized you, he'll expect us to persue at the very least."

[02-18 22:21:06] <Arlie> question: did either of the two people look like they had on gifted armor?

[02-18 22:21:19] <Dionysus> nope.

[02-18 22:21:19] <Kaylarr> "Well, I plan on pursuing, personally."

[02-18 22:21:37] <Damon_Argent> "Maybe he won't expect us to be able to catch up, though."

[02-18 22:21:43] <Dionysus> Brujar says, "We must pursue."

[02-18 22:21:57] <Nik> "Reverend, we need to get to that Mountain. Is there anything you can do?"

[02-18 22:22:28] <Priest_Kez> "i might be able to transfer you there with my faith. not all at once though. small groups at best"

[02-18 22:22:53] <Dionysus> Two at once. Who goes first?

[02-18 22:22:58] <Kaylarr> "Please do it, sir."

[02-18 22:23:02] * Damon_Argent will.

[02-18 22:23:14] <Kaylarr> with

[02-18 22:23:15] <Arlie> are we still at the place where her pace changed?

[02-18 22:23:16] <Kaylarr> ?

[02-18 22:23:32] <Damon_Argent> Nik.

[02-18 22:23:39] <Nik> I think we've been moving until the subject of using order came up.

[02-18 22:23:47] <Arlie> ok.

[02-18 22:24:00] <Priest_Kez> so i'm sending people?

[02-18 22:24:00] <Dionysus> A'ight. Roll faith.

[02-18 22:24:06] <Dionysus> Looks like.

[02-18 22:24:08] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:24:08] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 16 22 23

[02-18 22:24:10] <Nik> The order (ha) in which we go is up to Kez.

[02-18 22:24:12] <Damon_Argent> Unless Nik objects.

[02-18 22:24:24] <Dionysus> r diff

[02-18 22:24:24] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 0] 3 5 7

[02-18 22:24:54] * Damon_Argent would have voiced the thought in response to the small group statement.

[02-18 22:24:58] <Dionysus> You two reappear in a jungle clearing. Behind you is a wall of smoke with a small opening revealing a path up a mountain.

[02-18 22:25:23] <Dionysus> You can tell there're people in the jungle, though

[02-18 22:25:26] <Dionysus> Who gets sent next?

[02-18 22:25:27] <Nik> Presumably the barrel was emptied and dumped before we started teleporting.

[02-18 22:25:33] <Damon_Argent> Yes.

[02-18 22:26:03] <Damon_Argent> Are these people visible? Is there any sign of incoming aircraft?

[02-18 22:26:15] <Dionysus> No incoming aircraft.

[02-18 22:26:16] * Nik readies his halberd and waits for the others to arrive.

[02-18 22:26:23] <Dionysus> The people are not visible, but you can hear them.

[02-18 22:26:29] <Priest_Kez> whichever two people are closest to me gets sent next, since no one seems to be volunterring

[02-18 22:26:53] * Arlie grabs his sword and looks at you Kez.

[02-18 22:26:55] <Dionysus> A'ight. Roll.

[02-18 22:26:56] <Kaylarr> "Can you transport her as well?" he indicates the snake

[02-18 22:26:56] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:26:57] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 18 21 23

[02-18 22:26:59] <Dionysus> r diff 15

[02-18 22:27:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 15] 17 18 19

[02-18 22:27:08] <Dionysus> Arlie & Kaylarr are sent.

[02-18 22:27:11] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:27:31] <Dionysus> Then Myjram & Brujar? Another roll.

[02-18 22:27:36] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:27:37] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 22 23 24

[02-18 22:27:47] <Dionysus> The basilisk, having entwined with Kaylarr's legs, goes with him.

[02-18 22:27:50] <Dionysus> r diff 15

[02-18 22:27:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 15] 17 20 23

[02-18 22:27:52] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:28:17] * Kaylarr joins Damon "I guess we won't know where she is till the priest gets here."

[02-18 22:28:18] <Dionysus> The two NPCs appear. Kez, you have a dozen guards with you. Do you send them or just go yourself?

[02-18 22:28:35] <Priest_Kez> send the guards too

[02-18 22:28:36] <Nik> Everyone loves the meat shields!

[02-18 22:28:56] <Dionysus> just give me one roll to count for the 6 it would actually take

[02-18 22:28:58] <Dionysus> r diff 15

[02-18 22:28:59] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 15] 17 19 21

[02-18 22:29:03] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:29:03] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 19 25 25

[02-18 22:29:08] <Damon_Argent> Nice.

[02-18 22:29:08] <Dionysus> The guards are sent

[02-18 22:29:17] <Priest_Kez> and then myself

[02-18 22:29:17] <Dionysus> Finally, Kez, you must send yourself.

[02-18 22:29:18] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:29:19] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 17 23 24

[02-18 22:29:20] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:29:21] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 15 16 18

[02-18 22:29:25] <Dionysus> Kez appears.

[02-18 22:29:38] <Dionysus> Same scene. Wall of smoke behind, wall of jungle ahead.

[02-18 22:29:49] <Dionysus> People moving about in the jungle.

[02-18 22:29:58] <Damon_Argent> "Could you tell how fast they were moving?"

[02-18 22:30:14] <Nik> "It is a foregone conclusion that she is travelling up the mountain; however, would you please confirm that, Reverend?"

[02-18 22:30:32] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:30:32] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 20 20 21

[02-18 22:30:43] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:30:44] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 16 19 22

[02-18 22:30:50] <Priest_Kez>

[02-18 22:31:04] <Dionysus> Fuck. You cannot tell where she is.

[02-18 22:31:10] <Nik> How inconvenient.

[02-18 22:31:17] <Damon_Argent> Bad GM.

[02-18 22:31:28] <Priest_Kez> i'll try again later. maybe we're in a bad signal area

[02-18 22:31:57] <Damon_Argent> "Damn. Any clue what will happen if we follow her?"

[02-18 22:31:59] * Kaylarr waits impatiently for the priest to locate the queen

[02-18 22:32:05] <Nik> "Very well. If no one has any other ideas ... the mountain?"

[02-18 22:32:17] * Kaylarr looks to Damon

[02-18 22:32:18] <Dionysus> A native steps out of the jungle. He has deep black skin & bright white eyes. He is wearing nothing but a neclace with an ear, an eye, & a tongue on it, & carrying a wooden spear,

[02-18 22:32:22] <Arlie> "Perhaps we can ask one of the locals." He scans the area carefully

[02-18 22:32:29] <Kaylarr> (oh shit)

[02-18 22:32:56] <Kaylarr> "Sir?"

[02-18 22:33:01] * Nik turns toward the native. "Have you seen a beautiful biped in the area?"

[02-18 22:33:02] <Dionysus> He speaks a language none of you know, gesturing wildly.

[02-18 22:33:15] * Nik lowers his antennae.

[02-18 22:33:32] <Dionysus> He begins to chant.

[02-18 22:33:41] <Dionysus> Others step out of the jungle & join him.

[02-18 22:33:42] <Arlie> blue zone on myself.

[02-18 22:33:49] <Dionysus> Potency?

[02-18 22:33:50] <Kaylarr> "Sir Argent?"

[02-18 22:34:07] <Damon_Argent> Prayer type chanting?

[02-18 22:34:08] <Arlie> as potent as it needs to be to set off a charge, 100%

[02-18 22:34:19] * Nik turns toward his men. "Can any of you understand that muttering?"

[02-18 22:34:23] <Dionysus> It's hard to say. They could just be rooting for something, or like the sound of it.

[02-18 22:34:31] <Arlie> is it magical?

[02-18 22:34:33] <Dionysus> None of the soldiers understand it.

[02-18 22:34:35] <Damon_Argent> Fair enough.

[02-18 22:34:46] <Damon_Argent> Do blue zones affect faith?

[02-18 22:34:48] <Dionysus> It is not magical

[02-18 22:34:50] <Dionysus> No.

[02-18 22:35:00] <Nik> They're not actually men, of course. They are probably all women. But you know what I mean.

[02-18 22:35:01] <Kaylarr> "No, I don't."

[02-18 22:35:15] <Priest_Kez> can i use order to understand them?

[02-18 22:35:26] * Damon_Argent will try cycling through a few of the languages he can get by in.

[02-18 22:35:28] <Dionysus> High difficulty, but yes.

[02-18 22:35:33] <Priest_Kez> worth a try

[02-18 22:35:38] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:35:38] <Dionysus> r diff 17

[02-18 22:35:38] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 17] 21 23 27

[02-18 22:35:38] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 16 17 25

[02-18 22:35:47] <Dionysus> Your prayers are not answered.

[02-18 22:35:50] <Priest_Kez> poo

[02-18 22:36:13] <Nik> "These bipeds are useless. We should move on."

[02-18 22:36:30] <Dionysus> Damon, they don't seem to respond to anything you say. The Kali tribal languages are the closest, but they are too dissimilar to do anything

[02-18 22:36:43] <Damon_Argent> "Let's go."

[02-18 22:36:50] <Dionysus> To the mountain?

[02-18 22:37:04] <Arlie> "Hey!" "Have you seen one of these?" He makes a giant flying motion with his arms

[02-18 22:37:15] <Dionysus> The natives just chant.

[02-18 22:37:15] <Kaylarr> "Come on Arlie."

[02-18 22:37:17] <Nik> Yes, we start hiking up there.

[02-18 22:37:23] <Dionysus> The natives charge.

[02-18 22:37:38] <Kaylarr> do they attack?

[02-18 22:37:38] <Arlie> "Bother thi--"

[02-18 22:37:49] <Dionysus> If you don't run, they will attack once they get to you.

[02-18 22:37:53] <Damon_Argent> "Through the gap!"

[02-18 22:37:57] * Kaylarr runs

[02-18 22:38:10] <Arlie> ok, running it is. I drop the zone.

[02-18 22:38:13] <Dionysus> If you all run, you make it to the Mountain before they reach you.

[02-18 22:38:28] <Damon_Argent> Hoping that they won't follow.

[02-18 22:38:37] <Nik> Sure, we run. They're no more useful dead.

[02-18 22:38:41] <Damon_Argent> Only an idiot would follow someone onto the mountain of trials.

[02-18 22:38:50] <Dionysus> [haha!]

[02-18 22:38:55] <Dionysus> Ahh, shit.

[02-18 22:38:56] <Kaylarr>

[02-18 22:39:03] <Dionysus> So one sec.

[02-18 22:39:44] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:39:56] <Dionysus> Okay, first off, you are all now separated... except Nik, who has a dozen guards with him.

[02-18 22:40:03] <Damon_Argent> Did we just do something Really Stupid?

[02-18 22:40:12] <Kaylarr> (yes!)

[02-18 22:40:18] <Nik> Can I become a champion along with a dozen guards?

[02-18 22:40:24] <Nik> Never mind. We'll find out.

[02-18 22:40:41] <Dionysus> We can do parts of this all together, though:

[02-18 22:40:45] <Dionysus> The first trial is Pain.

[02-18 22:41:10] <Kaylarr> is Nokayll with me?

[02-18 22:41:37] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-18 22:41:40] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:42:02] <Dionysus> Everyone roll strength

[02-18 22:42:08] <Nik> r str 20

[02-18 22:42:08] <Eklem> Nik [str: 20] 21 25 27

[02-18 22:42:09] * Arlie is still dressed tastily.

[02-18 22:42:15] <Kaylarr> actual strength or skin strength?

[02-18 22:42:21] <Dionysus> Actual strength

[02-18 22:42:26] <Kaylarr> r strength 13

[02-18 22:42:26] <Eklem> Kaylarr [strength: 13] 14 15 15

[02-18 22:42:30] <Kaylarr> damnit

[02-18 22:42:30] <Arlie> r str 12

[02-18 22:42:31] <Eklem> Arlie [str: 12] 14 22 22

[02-18 22:42:33] <Damon_Argent> r str 14

[02-18 22:42:33] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [str: 14] 17 21 22

[02-18 22:42:46] <Priest_Kez> r 16

[02-18 22:42:47] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [16] 18 22 23

[02-18 22:42:58] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:42:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 16 18 22

[02-18 22:43:30] <Dionysus> Nik: Fine. Kaylarr: NW. Arlie: You are fine. Damon: Fine. Kez: Fine.

[02-18 22:43:38] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you have -1 to everything for now.

[02-18 22:43:40] <Kaylarr> -1 or -3?

[02-18 22:43:45] <Kaylarr> oik

[02-18 22:43:47] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:44:06] <Kaylarr> so what happened?

[02-18 22:44:11] <Kaylarr> just intense pain or?

[02-18 22:44:21] <Dionysus> You all felt intense pain as you walked. It goes away after a moment.

[02-18 22:44:43] <Arlie> "Hello? Hello! Anyone there?"

[02-18 22:44:57] * Damon_Argent grits his teeth and looks around for signs of the group or Empress, then continues forward.

[02-18 22:44:57] <Arlie> "Damon! Kaylarr!"

[02-18 22:45:08] <Dionysus> The next trial is Stealth. You all walk up the mountain path & turn a corner. A narrow bridge crosses a chasm. A floating, swirling eye (think Sauron from the LOTR movies) spins in the air above it.You must get past without being seen.

[02-18 22:45:11] * Kaylarr is also doing his best to find the others

[02-18 22:45:24] <Kaylarr> r stealth 18-1

[02-18 22:45:25] <Eklem> Kaylarr [stealth: 18-1=17] 19 22 25

[02-18 22:45:43] <Arlie> "Great. A giant bloody vagina."

[02-18 22:45:51] <Kaylarr> (no)

[02-18 22:45:54] <Dionysus> You can try to sneak across or use some clever ruse to aide you.

[02-18 22:46:10] <Dionysus> r diff kaylarr 13

[02-18 22:46:10] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff kaylarr: 13] 19 19 22

[02-18 22:46:14] <Nik> Are there things to hide behind?

[02-18 22:46:16] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you slip past.

[02-18 22:46:27] <Kaylarr> yup

[02-18 22:46:27] <Dionysus> Yes, boulders on the bridge, dead bodies.

[02-18 22:47:13] <Nik> Oh, beautiful. My men and I take turns hiding behind the boulders and waving the bodies around over our heads while others scuttle past.

[02-18 22:47:30] <Priest_Kez> i teleport myself across

[02-18 22:47:34] <Dionysus> Do you actually care if your men survive?

[02-18 22:47:37] <Dionysus> Roll faith, Kez

[02-18 22:47:39] <Dionysus> r diff 10

[02-18 22:47:40] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 10] 13 15 17

[02-18 22:47:42] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:47:42] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 19 20 25

[02-18 22:47:49] <Nik> Of course. They're highly useful.

[02-18 22:47:51] <Dionysus> Kez, you are on the other side, alive & well.

[02-18 22:47:52] * Damon_Argent will create a distraction by hefting a stick or rock a good bit away, then igniting it.

[02-18 22:48:10] <Dionysus> Noted. Roll rogue twice & dodge twice, Nik.

[02-18 22:48:25] <Dionysus> r diff 13 diffb 13 hit 13 hitb 13

[02-18 22:48:25] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 18 20 22

[02-18 22:48:25] <Eklem> Dionysus [diffb: 13] 15 23 23

[02-18 22:48:25] <Eklem> Dionysus [hit: 13] 21 21 23

[02-18 22:48:25] <Eklem> Dionysus [hitb: 13] 14 14 21

[02-18 22:48:28] <Nik> r rogue 13 rogue 13 dodge 16 dodge 16

[02-18 22:48:28] <Eklem> Nik [rogue: 13] 14 21 21

[02-18 22:48:28] <Eklem> Nik [rogue: 13] 16 18 19

[02-18 22:48:28] <Eklem> Nik [dodge: 16] 18 26 26

[02-18 22:48:29] <Eklem> Nik [dodge: 16] 18 19 19

[02-18 22:48:57] <Dionysus> It notices you once, but you dodge it. None of your men get hit by the blasts the eye emits.

[02-18 22:49:11] <Dionysus> You make it across. Damon, roll rogue/create distraction.

[02-18 22:49:13] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:49:14] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 21 21 22

[02-18 22:49:22] <Damon_Argent> r rog 15

[02-18 22:49:22] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [rog: 15] 16 22 23

[02-18 22:49:36] <Dionysus> Damon, your distraction works. You make it past.

[02-18 22:49:39] <Dionysus> That leaves Arlie.

[02-18 22:49:40] <Arlie> detect magic, is it magical?

[02-18 22:49:40] <Damon_Argent> Caliente.

[02-18 22:49:43] <Dionysus> Fuego

[02-18 22:49:54] <Dionysus> r diff 1

[02-18 22:49:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 1] 4 6 6

[02-18 22:49:57] <Arlie> r detect 8

[02-18 22:49:58] <Eklem> Arlie [detect: 8] 10 11 12

[02-18 22:49:58] <Nik> I'm very pleased that I got to use the flesh of my predecessors to achieve my goal.

[02-18 22:50:28] <Dionysus> Arlie, this place is full of chaotic magical energy.

[02-18 22:50:58] <Arlie> active in such a way that it would trigger a blue zone?

[02-18 22:51:08] <Dionysus> No.

[02-18 22:51:31] <Dionysus> But if you triggered a blue zone, the effects would be so random as to be utterly unpredictable.

[02-18 22:52:05] <Dionysus> More so than usual, I mean.

[02-18 22:52:06] <Arlie> right. So I'd like to create a blue zone around the eye and then try to sneak across. Random can't be any better than what that eye has in store for me if I fail.

[02-18 22:52:31] <Dionysus> Roll to create the blue zone

[02-18 22:52:35] <Dionysus> r diff 10

[02-18 22:52:36] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 10] 12 16 20

[02-18 22:52:45] <Arlie> r blue 17

[02-18 22:52:46] <Eklem> Arlie [blue: 17] 20 24 27

[02-18 22:52:52] <Dionysus> Right then

[02-18 22:52:54] <Dionysus> Roll rogue

[02-18 22:52:56] <Arlie> r sneak 13

[02-18 22:52:57] <Eklem> Arlie [sneak: 13] 16 19 22

[02-18 22:52:57] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:52:57] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 18 21 22

[02-18 22:53:08] <Dionysus> Roll the requisite things for a blue zone.

[02-18 22:53:25] * Arlie knocks a pebble as he runs. "Shit!"

[02-18 22:53:33] <Arlie> dice d100

[02-18 22:53:34] <Eklem> 88 | [d100=88]

[02-18 22:53:43] <Dionysus> another d100 & a d47

[02-18 22:53:45] <Arlie> dice d100

[02-18 22:53:46] <Eklem> 30 | [d100=30]

[02-18 22:54:10] <Arlie> dice d47

[02-18 22:54:10] <Eklem> 4 | [d47=4]

[02-18 22:54:33] <Dionysus> dream, weak, but useful.

[02-18 22:54:51] <Dionysus> A small glamour appears near the eye & it looks away as you escape.

[02-18 22:54:55] <Arlie> a bunny scammpers away from out behind another rock?

[02-18 22:55:04] <Arlie> perfect.

[02-18 22:55:42] <Dionysus> You all enter a maze-like chamber, coming to a room with four doors. A stone slab has written on it a message (in your native tongue), asking you to pick the North passage.

[02-18 22:55:50] <Dionysus> You can use clever tricks, or just roll awareness.

[02-18 22:56:23] <Priest_Kez> faith to find north

[02-18 22:56:29] * Nik prays to the father of order also.

[02-18 22:56:35] <Nik> r faith 7

[02-18 22:56:36] <Eklem> Nik [faith: 7] 8 14 16

[02-18 22:56:41] <Dionysus> r diff 7

[02-18 22:56:41] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 7] 12 13 17

[02-18 22:56:46] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 22:56:46] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 17 18 23

[02-18 22:56:46] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14-1

[02-18 22:56:46] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14-1=13] 15 15 17

[02-18 22:56:56] <Kaylarr> goddamnit!

[02-18 22:56:58] <Dionysus> Nik, you know whcih way north is. Kez, you do as well. You continue on.

[02-18 22:57:01] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:57:02] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 17 17 22

[02-18 22:57:17] <Dionysus> Kaylar, you pick a passage that leads you back to the beginning of the mountain.

[02-18 22:57:24] <Kaylarr> so, I'm out?

[02-18 22:57:27] <Dionysus> Roll strength.

[02-18 22:57:27] <Dionysus> No

[02-18 22:57:30] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 22:57:33] <Dionysus> You are the Trail of Pain again.

[02-18 22:57:36] <Kaylarr> also -1?

[02-18 22:57:36] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:57:36] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 15 17 20

[02-18 22:57:38] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-18 22:57:45] <Dionysus> No, not str -1

[02-18 22:57:47] <Kaylarr> r strength 13

[02-18 22:57:48] <Eklem> Kaylarr [strength: 13] 14 17 22

[02-18 22:57:59] <Dionysus> You pass this time with no wounding.

[02-18 22:58:03] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:58:12] <Dionysus> No need to roll stealth again. You're much better than the Eye, anyway

[02-18 22:58:15] <Kaylarr> r rogue 18-1

[02-18 22:58:15] <Eklem> Kaylarr [rogue: 18-1=17] 19 23 25

[02-18 22:58:17] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 22:58:17] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 22:58:19] <Arlie> what's the diffculty to sense magnetic north with earth magic?

[02-18 22:58:19] <Dionysus> You are back in the maze

[02-18 22:58:25] <Dionysus> 4

[02-18 22:58:33] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14-1

[02-18 22:58:33] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14-1=13] 14 17 19

[02-18 22:58:38] <Arlie> I'll lower it to a 1 and cast.

[02-18 22:58:38] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 22:58:38] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 19 21 22

[02-18 22:58:52] <Dionysus> r diff 1

[02-18 22:58:52] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 1] 4 5 8

[02-18 22:59:02] <Arlie> "Bloody hell, you think the others could have left a sign"

[02-18 22:59:07] <Kaylarr> I'm at the beggining again?

[02-18 22:59:08] <Arlie> r magic 4

[02-18 22:59:08] <Eklem> Arlie [magic: 4] 8 10 12

[02-18 22:59:16] <Dionysus> No, that was special.

[02-18 22:59:25] <Dionysus> Hold on. Arlie, you find the right door.

[02-18 22:59:30] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, roll stun & wound.

[02-18 22:59:42] <Dionysus> r stun 15 wound 15

[02-18 22:59:42] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 15] 16 20 21

[02-18 22:59:42] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 15] 16 19 19

[02-18 22:59:45] <Kaylarr> skin strength?

[02-18 22:59:47] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-18 22:59:56] <Kaylarr> r strength 16 16

[02-18 22:59:56] <Eklem> Kaylarr [strength: 16] 19 20 22

[02-18 22:59:56] <Eklem> Kaylarr [16] 18 20 26

[02-18 23:00:12] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you land hard at the beginning of the Mountain.

[02-18 23:00:23] <Dionysus> One sec, Kaylarr.

[02-18 23:00:27] <Dionysus> Damon, what do you do?

[02-18 23:00:29] * Kaylarr rolls up as quick as possible

[02-18 23:00:30] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 23:00:43] * Damon_Argent just tries to think it through to begin with.

[02-18 23:00:46] <Kaylarr> to standing, that is

[02-18 23:00:47] <Damon_Argent> r awa 17

[02-18 23:00:47] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [awa: 17] 20 22 22

[02-18 23:00:54] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:00:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 14 17 20

[02-18 23:00:59] <Dionysus> Damon, you pick the proper door.

[02-18 23:01:07] <Damon_Argent> I go through it.

[02-18 23:01:08] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, Trial of Pain again:

[02-18 23:01:10] <Dionysus> r 13

[02-18 23:01:10] <Eklem> Dionysus [13] 16 21 23

[02-18 23:01:24] <Kaylarr> r strength 13

[02-18 23:01:25] <Eklem> Kaylarr [strength: 13] 19 21 22

[02-18 23:01:35] * Kaylarr is swearing profusely

[02-18 23:01:38] <Dionysus> Okay, back in the maze.

[02-18 23:01:50] <Arlie> process of elimination?

[02-18 23:01:54] <Dionysus> [Dani, you always fuck up the most on the mountain.]

[02-18 23:01:55] <Dionysus> Yeah

[02-18 23:02:01] <Kaylarr> yeah, can I do that by now?

[02-18 23:02:05] <Kaylarr> elimination that is

[02-18 23:02:13] <Nik> How many doors have you gone through?

[02-18 23:02:22] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14-1

[02-18 23:02:22] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14-1=13] 16 16 23

[02-18 23:02:24] <Kaylarr> (20

[02-18 23:02:25] <Kaylarr> )

[02-18 23:02:27] <Arlie> 2. She came in one

[02-18 23:02:39] <Kaylarr> fuck!

[02-18 23:02:41] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:02:41] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 15 17 18

[02-18 23:02:55] <Dionysus> It doesn't matter, though, Rob's right. You only have one choice left.

[02-18 23:03:04] <Kaylarr> r strength 13

[02-18 23:03:04] <Eklem> Kaylarr [strength: 13] 15 16 18

[02-18 23:03:16] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 23:03:24] <Kaylarr> so, I go throught the right one?

[02-18 23:03:29] <Dionysus> Yes.

[02-18 23:03:40] <Kaylarr> "Finally!" he mutters under his breath

[02-18 23:03:47] <Dionysus> You come to a cliff, each of you. You have to climb to continue.

[02-18 23:04:01] <Kaylarr> r ath 16-1

[02-18 23:04:02] <Eklem> Kaylarr [ath: 16-1=15] 17 21 23

[02-18 23:04:03] <Dionysus> Or get up some other way

[02-18 23:04:06] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:04:06] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 17 19 20

[02-18 23:04:14] <Nik> r ath 16

[02-18 23:04:14] <Eklem> Nik [ath: 16] 19 21 21

[02-18 23:04:16] <Kaylarr> in like Flynn?

[02-18 23:04:17] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you make it to the top. The basilisk manages.

[02-18 23:04:22] <Kaylarr> sweet

[02-18 23:04:37] <Damon_Argent> Are there other visible ways?

[02-18 23:04:44] <Dionysus> Nope.

[02-18 23:04:52] * Damon_Argent will try climbing, then.

[02-18 23:04:54] <Damon_Argent> r ath 14

[02-18 23:04:54] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [ath: 14] 15 18 21

[02-18 23:04:58] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:04:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 15 20 22

[02-18 23:05:08] <Dionysus> You fall.

[02-18 23:05:12] <Dionysus> Roll stun/wound

[02-18 23:05:13] <Damon_Argent> Far?

[02-18 23:05:16] <Dionysus> r stun 10 wound 10

[02-18 23:05:16] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 10] 16 17 17

[02-18 23:05:17] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 10] 13 14 15

[02-18 23:05:21] <Dionysus> Not very.

[02-18 23:05:25] <Dionysus> Far enough to hurt.

[02-18 23:05:26] <Damon_Argent> r stun 14 wound 14

[02-18 23:05:26] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [stun: 14] 15 17 17

[02-18 23:05:26] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [wound: 14] 16 17 19

[02-18 23:05:32] <Damon_Argent> Heh.

[02-18 23:05:38] <Dionysus> You manage not to feel it too much.

[02-18 23:05:45] <Priest_Kez> teleport to top

[02-18 23:05:48] <Dionysus> Umm, actually, one thing: Kez & Nik?

[02-18 23:05:51] <Priest_Kez> yes?

[02-18 23:05:59] <Dionysus> You are ants. No need to roll climbing.

[02-18 23:06:04] <Priest_Kez> oh, cool

[02-18 23:06:10] <Nik> Okey dokey.

[02-18 23:06:17] <Arlie> What is the difficulty in flying to the top with air magic?

[02-18 23:06:24] <Dionysus> 13

[02-18 23:06:40] <Dionysus> Too high to lower, actually.

[02-18 23:07:10] * Damon_Argent will try again, as he wasn't doing too poorly before. Just needs to be more careful of loose rocks.

[02-18 23:07:16] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:07:16] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 14 16 20

[02-18 23:07:27] <Damon_Argent> r 14

[02-18 23:07:28] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [14] 15 20 23

[02-18 23:07:38] <Dionysus> You make it up this time.

[02-18 23:07:39] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-18 23:07:42] <Damon_Argent> Alright then.

[02-18 23:07:52] <Arlie> how about giving my fingernails the ability to make handholds?

[02-18 23:08:00] <Dionysus> With earth?

[02-18 23:08:02] <Arlie> yes

[02-18 23:08:04] <Dionysus> 9

[02-18 23:08:13] <Arlie> I'll lower that to a 1 and climb

[02-18 23:08:18] <Dionysus> Takes a while, but okay

[02-18 23:08:21] <Dionysus> r diff 1

[02-18 23:08:21] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 1] 8 8 10

[02-18 23:08:27] <Arlie> r earth 4

[02-18 23:08:27] <Eklem> Arlie [earth: 4] 7 10 13

[02-18 23:08:33] <Dionysus> You get +6 to climb

[02-18 23:08:36] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:08:36] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 14 17 21

[02-18 23:08:44] <Arlie> he figures he needs to wait for the other so show up anyway

[02-18 23:08:52] <Arlie> r climb 11+6

[02-18 23:08:52] <Eklem> Arlie [climb: 11+6=17] 19 20 25

[02-18 23:08:57] <Dionysus> You make it up.

[02-18 23:09:15] <Dionysus> Next is the Trial of Perception.

[02-18 23:09:30] <Kaylarr> ?

[02-18 23:09:31] <Dionysus> You are in a hall with a door in it.

[02-18 23:09:36] <Dionysus> You must find the key.

[02-18 23:09:47] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14-1

[02-18 23:09:48] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14-1=13] 15 18 23

[02-18 23:09:54] <Dionysus> There're several keys in here, but only one is right.

[02-18 23:09:54] <Nik> What's so hard about that?

[02-18 23:10:12] <Dionysus> All will open the door, but only one will take you where you want to go.

[02-18 23:10:20] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:10:20] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 17 19 22

[02-18 23:10:33] <Damon_Argent> r awa 17

[02-18 23:10:33] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [awa: 17] 18 20 26

[02-18 23:10:51] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you end up back at the beginning.

[02-18 23:10:55] <Kaylarr> yeah...

[02-18 23:10:57] <Dionysus> Damon, you make it through.

[02-18 23:11:03] <Kaylarr> r atrength 13

[02-18 23:11:04] <Eklem> Kaylarr [atrength: 13] 18 20 20

[02-18 23:11:08] <Dionysus> r 13

[02-18 23:11:08] <Eklem> Dionysus [13] 16 17 22

[02-18 23:11:23] <Dionysus> No pain. Make it past the Eye. Remember which door it was. I'll even give you the cliff.

[02-18 23:11:27] <Kaylarr> do I at least know which door to go through

[02-18 23:11:28] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 23:11:36] <Kaylarr> r ath 16-1

[02-18 23:11:36] <Eklem> Kaylarr [ath: 16-1=15] 19 23 25

[02-18 23:11:48] <Dionysus> You made it up the cliff.

[02-18 23:11:53] * Kaylarr is pretty good at scrambling up the mountain by now

[02-18 23:12:03] <Nik> Do any of the keys smell funny?

[02-18 23:12:10] <Priest_Kez> faith to find the right key

[02-18 23:12:12] <Kaylarr> r silence 4

[02-18 23:12:12] <Eklem> Kaylarr [silence: 4] 10 10 14

[02-18 23:12:19] <Kaylarr> to find the key

[02-18 23:12:27] <Kaylarr> unless I know that's impossible

[02-18 23:12:34] <Dionysus> r kez diff 10

[02-18 23:12:35] <Eklem> Dionysus [kez diff: 10] 13 14 16

[02-18 23:12:48] <Priest_Kez> r 15

[02-18 23:12:48] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [15] 17 21 24

[02-18 23:12:54] <Dionysus> Roll smell, Nik

[02-18 23:13:04] <Dionysus> r kayl diff 8

[02-18 23:13:04] <Eklem> Dionysus [kayl diff: 8] 11 15 17

[02-18 23:13:10] <Kaylarr> fuck!

[02-18 23:13:12] <Nik> r pheromonal sense 16

[02-18 23:13:12] <Eklem> Nik [pheromonal sense: 16] 20 23 25

[02-18 23:13:15] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, your prayer is unanswered

[02-18 23:13:20] <Dionysus> r keys 15

[02-18 23:13:20] <Eklem> Dionysus [keys: 15] 17 21 21

[02-18 23:13:26] <Kaylarr> r awareness 14-1

[02-18 23:13:26] <Eklem> Kaylarr [awareness: 14-1=13] 17 18 20

[02-18 23:13:36] <Dionysus> Nik, you can tell one smells like death, one smells like brimstone, one smells normal.

[02-18 23:13:39] <Kaylarr> (the faith should've been -1 too....)

[02-18 23:13:46] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:13:46] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 17 18 20

[02-18 23:13:53] <Dionysus> Kez, you find the right key.

[02-18 23:14:05] <Kaylarr> I'm at the beginning again

[02-18 23:14:09] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, I'll give you the tie.

[02-18 23:14:12] <Kaylarr> sweet

[02-18 23:14:15] <Kaylarr> sorry Billy

[02-18 23:14:15] <Nik> I'll try the normal one.

[02-18 23:14:34] <Arlie> ok, here is what I do. I gather all the keys I can find, line then up in a row, and use earth to scan their composition looking for something different. What is the difficulty for that?

[02-18 23:14:45] <Dionysus> 'The normal one works, Nik.

[02-18 23:14:58] <Dionysus> 10

[02-18 23:15:34] * Arlie paces for a bit, then decides to take the 10 minutes to reduce the spell.

[02-18 23:15:41] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you hesitate over the keys, but recognize one as one you used before.

[02-18 23:15:47] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 23:15:55] <Dionysus> You use mind magci, right?

[02-18 23:15:59] * Kaylarr tries one of the others

[02-18 23:16:03] <Arlie> yes

[02-18 23:16:11] <Arlie> lower to a 1

[02-18 23:16:13] <Dionysus> It would take hours to lower the difficulty.

[02-18 23:16:21] <Dionysus> Soul magic is the one that takes ten minutes.

[02-18 23:16:37] <Arlie> ah, didn't know that. I thought they were the same.

[02-18 23:16:49] <Dionysus> Not even close. You took a /long/ time at the cliff. Heh.

[02-18 23:17:43] <Arlie> he still would have taken the time at the cliff. Here? He just tries to pick one that looks better than the others.

[02-18 23:17:50] <Dionysus> r diff 13

[02-18 23:17:50] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 13] 17 17 18

[02-18 23:17:52] <Arlie> r awa 13

[02-18 23:17:52] <Eklem> Arlie [awa: 13] 18 18 19

[02-18 23:17:58] <Dionysus> You pick the right one, then.

[02-18 23:18:10] <Arlie> and makes a prayer to the father of luck before he turns the key.

[02-18 23:18:14] <Dionysus> In the next hall...

[02-18 23:18:50] <Dionysus> Damon, you see Ranna, as beautiful as the day you met her. She looks at you with longing and says, "Turn back, my love. Let us leave together. You do not need to continue here."

[02-18 23:19:26] <Damon_Argent> No doubts that it's her?

[02-18 23:19:33] <Dionysus> It'd be hard to fake.

[02-18 23:19:43] <Dionysus> I mean, c'mon, who else could it be?

[02-18 23:19:52] <Kaylarr> why the hell would she be here?

[02-18 23:20:20] <Dionysus> [It's the power of the Mountain to be convincing]

[02-18 23:20:27] <Kaylarr> true

[02-18 23:20:28] <Damon_Argent> "Ranna, you know I can't. If I could take my own safety over the Empire's need, I never would've left you."

[02-18 23:20:43] <Dionysus> She looks hurt, then fades out of existence.

[02-18 23:21:24] <Dionysus> Nik, you see a thrax woman who says to you, "You have no need of the Mountain, General. Return with me below & I will give you all the power you need!"

[02-18 23:22:28] * Nik tilts his antennae. "How? Can you kill the Emperess from there?"

[02-18 23:23:04] <Dionysus> "You will have all the power in the world, Nik'laas, if you leave with me!"

[02-18 23:23:49] <Nik> "How is that possible? Even the Empress herself does not have such power."

[02-18 23:24:42] <Dionysus> "If you come with me, you will see."

[02-18 23:24:58] <Nik> Do I have any reason to believe her?

[02-18 23:25:13] <Nik> I mean, it's just some worker.

[02-18 23:25:20] <Dionysus> She's not offering anything.

[02-18 23:25:28] <Dionysus> That is, she offers no proof.

[02-18 23:25:46] <Dionysus> But she is a being on the Mountain of Trials.

[02-18 23:26:24] <Nik> "You must be a formidable individual to have reached this point, but that alone does not earn my trust. Goodbye." He moves on.

[02-18 23:27:33] <Dionysus> Kez, you come to a male thrax who says, "Follow me, Reverend, and I shall show you how to fix all of this."

[02-18 23:28:49] <Priest_Kez> "fix the mountain?"

[02-18 23:29:14] <Dionysus> "Fix the world."

[02-18 23:31:05] <Priest_Kez> "while that's a wonderful goal, it is not my place. my place in the grand order of things is to kill the empress right now."

[02-18 23:31:18] <Dionysus> The thrax looks disappointed, then fades.

[02-18 23:31:48] <Dionysus> Arlie, you come to see your wife, Merriam. She says, "You old rogue! I can't believe you made it so far."

[02-18 23:32:42] <Arlie> "You bloody siren! You're supposed to meet us back at the island! What the blazes are you doing here?"

[02-18 23:33:07] <Arlie> he looks upset

[02-18 23:33:14] <Dionysus> "Coming to get you. We have to go down now, you mongrel. You can't continue like this!"

[02-18 23:33:57] <Arlie> "What the hell happened? Have you seen Damon or the others?"

[02-18 23:34:18] <Dionysus> "We have to go down now, Arlie! Come on!"

[02-18 23:34:56] <Arlie> (well shit.)

[02-18 23:35:21] <Arlie> "Fine, tell me what in Banner's good name happened on the way."

[02-18 23:35:32] <Dionysus> Well, shit. Do you follow her then?

[02-18 23:35:38] <Kaylarr> poor Arlie

[02-18 23:36:00] <Arlie> Does she say anything else that would lead me to believe something is off?

[02-18 23:36:07] <Arlie> or not say anything?

[02-18 23:36:21] <Arlie> He'd ask her again and again what happened

[02-18 23:36:38] <Dionysus> Well, if you start to follow her, you'll get caught in the trap & we roll.

[02-18 23:36:38] <Arlie> hmm, awareness roll?

[02-18 23:36:53] <Dionysus> No, not awareness.

[02-18 23:37:29] <Arlie> his trial is different, he thinks he's following orders, he's not tempted.

[02-18 23:37:48] <Dionysus> Hmm

[02-18 23:37:53] <Arlie> ah, I see, awareness to notice that something is off about her

[02-18 23:37:58] <Arlie> is what I meant

[02-18 23:38:03] <Dionysus> Retcon? I misjudged.

[02-18 23:38:11] <Arlie> 'tis fine.

[02-18 23:38:25] <Dionysus> You come upon your wife.

[02-18 23:38:42] <Dionysus> "Arlie, please, you can't do this anymore! Let us leave the mountain & go far away!"

[02-18 23:39:09] <Arlie> same inital response.

[02-18 23:39:39] <Dionysus> "We have to go, Arlie! I need you! Quit this mission & come home with me!"

[02-18 23:40:31] <Arlie> "Bloody hell woman, have you seen what we passed coming up here? I'm not letting you leave. I'll drag you up the mountain if I have to."

[02-18 23:40:40] <Dionysus> She looks hurt, then fades.

[02-18 23:40:59] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, you come upon a beautiful medusa (your female counterpart).

[02-18 23:41:03] <Kaylarr> yes

[02-18 23:41:10] <Kaylarr> "Hello?"

[02-18 23:41:18] <Nik> Since those two things can't coexist, she just looks like a human.

[02-18 23:41:19] <Dionysus> She smiles at you, "Kaylarr, let us leave this place."

[02-18 23:41:34] <Dionysus> "I will show you true happiness, if you take me down this mountain."

[02-18 23:41:38] <Kaylarr> "Haven't seen a pregnant woman or very large bug have you?:

[02-18 23:41:46] * Kaylarr 's eyes widen a bit

[02-18 23:41:55] <Dionysus> "Please, let us leave here & find some peace, Kaylarr."

[02-18 23:41:57] <Kaylarr> "A bit forward aren't you?:

[02-18 23:42:13] <Dionysus> "I have to be. I can't take this mountain anymore. Help me! Take me down."

[02-18 23:42:23] <Kaylarr> "How--? " he bgins to ask and then stops

[02-18 23:42:34] <Dionysus> "Please, let us go back."

[02-18 23:42:53] <Kaylarr> "I can't I have a mission. I'll come back for you if you wait here. I'll leave Nokayll to protect you."

[02-18 23:43:04] <Dionysus> She looks hurt &fades.

[02-18 23:43:19] * Kaylarr is confused but continues

[02-18 23:43:21] <Dionysus> You all continue down the passage to a large chamber.

[02-18 23:43:31] <Dionysus> A voice whispers to each of you, asking a question.

[02-18 23:44:00] <Kaylarr> PM?

[02-18 23:44:04] <Dionysus> Since I didn't plan this as well as I should, we shall leave it at this: The question involves something you are expert in.

[02-18 23:44:19] <Dionysus> No need to even roll, really.

[02-18 23:44:24] <Kaylarr> ummm sneaking

[02-18 23:44:26] <Dionysus> You can each manage this one.

[02-18 23:44:27] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 23:44:30] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-18 23:44:41] <Kaylarr> (what was I asked when i did this with Genny?)

[02-18 23:44:47] <Kaylarr> (I don't remember it)

[02-18 23:44:55] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, it is assassination. Damon, the Empire. Nik, tactics. Arlie, magic. Kez, your faith.

[02-18 23:44:58] * Damon_Argent answers, "Yarr, it's drivin' me nuts."

[02-18 23:45:16] * Kaylarr answers

[02-18 23:45:33] <Kaylarr> and then asks if he can bloody well get on with it

[02-18 23:45:58] * Nik names the correct formation to deflect a reverse sawtooth flanking maneuver when outnumbered two to one.

[02-18 23:46:10] <Dionysus> You pass through a door to a chasm, & a message informs you a bridge is there, but you cannot see it. Your allies are holding it up. If you turst them, you will be able to cross. If not, you will plummetinto the Hells.

[02-18 23:46:11] * Arlie yells at whoever to stop playing games and show him where his friends are.

[02-18 23:46:38] <Damon_Argent> And it is understood that this is accurate?

[02-18 23:46:44] <Dionysus> Arlie, if you don't answer the question, you cannot continue.

[02-18 23:46:48] <Arlie> assuming he gets no answer, he stops and thinks hard before he remembers the answer.

[02-18 23:46:51] <Dionysus> Yes, Damon, it is.

[02-18 23:46:56] * Kaylarr trusts his friends/colleagues

[02-18 23:47:02] <Dionysus> Arlie, no one says anything more.

[02-18 23:47:05] * Damon_Argent doesn't hesistate in stepping forward, then.

[02-18 23:47:18] * Kaylarr walks straight across

[02-18 23:47:21] * Nik looks back at his soldiers and crosses.

[02-18 23:47:25] * Priest_Kez has faith in allies and crosses

[02-18 23:47:41] <Dionysus> One or two of the soldiers plummet.

[02-18 23:47:47] <Dionysus> But the rest make it across.

[02-18 23:47:58] <Dionysus> Except Kaylarr, who I now arbitrarily kill off. But not really.

[02-18 23:48:04] <Kaylarr> thanks

[02-18 23:48:05] * Arlie yells "Are you guys alright down there?" He then crosses.

[02-18 23:48:12] <Dionysus> You each come to a new chamber.

[02-18 23:48:16] <Dionysus> Haha

[02-18 23:48:19] <Damon_Argent> Do they really fall into the Hells?

[02-18 23:48:22] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-18 23:48:26] <Dionysus> In the new chamber

[02-18 23:48:34] <Damon_Argent> Sucks to be them.

[02-18 23:48:39] <Kaylarr> haha

[02-18 23:48:42] <Dionysus> A voice asks, "Whom, or what, do you serve?"

[02-18 23:48:50] <Kaylarr> (neal, love!)

[02-18 23:49:08] <Kaylarr> who is my boss?

[02-18 23:49:17] <Damon_Argent> Is there any understanding that accompanies the question?

[02-18 23:49:38] <Kaylarr> Do I serve Damon or is he just our leader?

[02-18 23:49:50] <Dionysus> The question is about larger things. What ideals do you serve?

[02-18 23:50:00] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 23:50:12] * Nik mulls the question over and then answers, "The Hive".

[02-18 23:50:26] <Damon_Argent> Does that answer my question as well?

[02-18 23:50:29] <Dionysus> Nice.

[02-18 23:50:34] <Dionysus> Yes, Damon

[02-18 23:50:47] <Priest_Kez> "i would say, the father of order"

[02-18 23:51:05] <Dionysus> Nice.

[02-18 23:51:43] <Damon_Argent> "Honor. My family. The interests of the Empire of Maraddon."

[02-18 23:52:08] <Dionysus> Nice.

[02-18 23:52:19] <Kaylarr> how did I get this job again?

[02-18 23:52:28] <Kaylarr> nevermind

[02-18 23:52:29] <Dionysus> I don't recall. They found you on the streets, right?

[02-18 23:52:34] <Kaylarr> yes

[02-18 23:52:59] <Arlie> (I need to think about this.)

[02-18 23:53:08] <Kaylarr> "The Empire of Maraddon and the Father of Silence."

[02-18 23:53:46] <Kaylarr> actually, those'd be switched to match the who and what

[02-18 23:54:12] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-18 23:55:21] <Dionysus> While we wait:

[02-18 23:55:41] <Dionysus> Nik, you now have hive mind with every thrax in the world. You are their new leader.

[02-18 23:55:47] <Dionysus> Krez, you now have 20 faith.

[02-18 23:55:57] <Nik> Already? Holy crapballs.

[02-18 23:56:19] <Kaylarr> holy hell

[02-18 23:56:20] <Dionysus> Yours was a pure answer, not tied to anything. It's a powerful answer.

[02-18 23:56:42] <Dionysus> Damon, you get +6 prowess, strength in service of your family or the Empire.

[02-18 23:56:53] <Damon_Argent> Jebus.

[02-18 23:56:53] <Arlie> what kind of weight does this question carry? Would Arlie know not to give a flippiant answer?

[02-18 23:56:55] <Dionysus> Kaylarr, +6 rogue in service to the Empire.

[02-18 23:56:59] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-18 23:56:59] <Kaylarr> fuck

[02-18 23:57:40] <Nik> Regarding the soldiers who fell: they deserved it.

[02-18 23:58:03] <Priest_Kez> well, as soon as this is over, i think i'd be willing to try to locate the empress again

[02-18 23:58:58] <Dionysus> Heh. Indeed

[02-18 23:59:06] <Kaylarr> except now she's not the leader

[02-18 23:59:15] <Dionysus> She is

[02-18 23:59:18] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-18 23:59:20] <Dionysus> She's the leader of Atanaxus

[02-18 23:59:27] <Dionysus> Nik is the leader of the thrax

[02-18 23:59:34] <Kaylarr> oh!

[02-18 23:59:36] <Kaylarr> got it

[02-19 00:00:09] <Arlie> "I serve living life to the fullest."

[02-19 00:00:11] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-19 00:00:13] <Dionysus> Ahh.

[02-19 00:00:27] <Damon_Argent> Nice.

[02-19 00:00:35] <Dionysus> Now what fucking power does that get you?

[02-19 00:00:40] <Kaylarr> no clue

[02-19 00:01:07] <Nik> Umm... something karma-related?

[02-19 00:01:16] <Arlie> (I had to debate wheither he'd add the empire of Maraddon in there. I decided not, in the end. This goal far outweighs the other.)

[02-19 00:01:17] <Dionysus> Explain?

[02-19 00:01:31] <Nik> I dunno. Maybe he gets life powers?

[02-19 00:01:43] <Nik> Celebration was the subtext.

[02-19 00:01:54] <Dionysus> Yeah, celebration seems more appropriate

[02-19 00:02:51] <Dionysus> Fuck it: Arlie, you get the edge Interesting Life. When a roll or something is in question, the more Interesting event always occurs.

[02-19 00:03:04] <Nik> That's a good one.

[02-19 00:03:05] <Arlie> awesome.

[02-19 00:03:07] <Damon_Argent> That's brilliant.

[02-19 00:03:26] <Kaylarr> (Oh Billy, I meant the Empire at large. Not necessarily the emperor. I don't know if that'll have any affect on when the stealth bonus comes into play)

[02-19 00:03:55] <Priest_Kez> er... more interesting? as in watching tv vs battle angry lions?

[02-19 00:04:05] <Kaylarr> (New goal: get Albert that edge)

[02-19 00:04:05] <Dionysus> You all leave the last chamber & come to a chamber which you find each other in, & Myjram (but not Brujar). In the center of the chamber is a grotesque monster. And Melissa, yes.

[02-19 00:04:27] <Nik> It means Billy can metagame all he wants however he wants whenever there is a tie.

[02-19 00:04:46] <Kaylarr> "Where is she?" he yells to Damon before even registering the monster

[02-19 00:04:50] <Nik> Do I see a monster or a beautiful queen?

[02-19 00:05:10] <Dionysus> The monster is twelve feet tall, sleek, black & red, with huge fangs & glowing red eyes. It has a forked tail with two stingers & huge claws on its limbs.

[02-19 00:05:12] <Damon_Argent> "I haven't seen her."

[02-19 00:05:20] <Dionysus> That's up to you, Nik, but I'd say I described a monster.

[02-19 00:05:29] <Kaylarr> "Shit." he's now noticed the monster

[02-19 00:05:35] <Nik> The key here is whether or not it appears to be pregnant.

[02-19 00:05:45] <Dionysus> It appears to have a massive penis.

[02-19 00:05:55] <Damon_Argent> That's... probably not the Empress.

[02-19 00:05:56] <Damon_Argent> I hope.

[02-19 00:06:00] <Kaylarr> hahaha

[02-19 00:06:00] <Nik> I will not ask if the penis appears to be pregnant.

[02-19 00:06:08] <Damon_Argent> Or else she's got some /weird/ priorities.

[02-19 00:06:09] <Dionysus> r init new

[02-19 00:06:10] <Arlie> "There you guys are! Where the hell have you-- whoa." He takes a step back and draws his sword.

[02-19 00:06:25] <Dionysus> r init beast 15 myjram 14

[02-19 00:06:25] <Eklem> INIT: beast [15] 19 23 24

[02-19 00:06:26] <Eklem> INIT: myjram [14] 15 22 22

[02-19 00:06:26] * Damon_Argent draws his sword (Gifted) as well.

[02-19 00:06:26] <Nik> Eleven thrax draw weapons in unison.

[02-19 00:06:30] <Kaylarr> r init 15-1

[02-19 00:06:30] <Eklem> INIT: Kaylarr [15-1=14] 16 18 24

[02-19 00:06:36] <Arlie> r init 13

[02-19 00:06:37] <Eklem> INIT: Arlie [13] 15 20 20

[02-19 00:06:44] <Priest_Kez> r init 10

[02-19 00:06:44] <Nik> r init 15

[02-19 00:06:44] <Eklem> INIT: Priest_Kez [10] 12 15 16

[02-19 00:06:44] <Damon_Argent> r init 15+6

[02-19 00:06:44] <Eklem> INIT: Nik [15] 17 19 21

[02-19 00:06:44] <Eklem> INIT: Damon_Argent [15+6=21] 22 23 28

[02-19 00:06:57] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 00:06:57] <Eklem> (beast 23/15) (Damon_Argent 23/15) (myjram 22/14) (Arlie 20/13) (Nik 19/15) (Kaylarr 18/15) (Priest_Kez 15/10)

[02-19 00:07:04] <Dionysus> Damon, you go first.

[02-19 00:07:09] <Damon_Argent> What's it doing?

[02-19 00:07:29] <Dionysus> Roaring, beating its chest.

[02-19 00:08:05] <Damon_Argent> "You're outnumbered and likely outmatched. Submit and we won't hurt you!"

[02-19 00:08:47] <Dionysus> "I am untouchable by your pathetic Sword, Servant of Honor."

[02-19 00:10:26] <Damon_Argent> "My Sword is not the only weapon at our disposal, and we have no quarrel with you. Stand back, and there's no need to fight."

[02-19 00:10:27] <Dionysus> Is that yer turn, then?

[02-19 00:10:29] <Dionysus> Ahh.

[02-19 00:10:53] <Dionysus> "If you wish to earn what you have gained, you must fight me, Servant."

[02-19 00:11:43] <Damon_Argent> "I won't kill unnecessarily for it. My quarrel is with the Empress of Atanaxa, and it's her we came here for."

[02-19 00:12:04] <Dionysus> "I am unkillable."

[02-19 00:12:40] <Nik> "It refuses to yield, Lord Argent."

[02-19 00:13:03] <Damon_Argent> "Another test, then. And if we decline at this point?"

[02-19 00:13:11] <Dionysus> "I will kill you."

[02-19 00:13:47] <Damon_Argent> "Then I suppose we'll have to subdue you."

[02-19 00:14:12] <Dionysus> It laughs, then makes to pounce. Do you actually go?

[02-19 00:14:18] * Damon_Argent feints.

[02-19 00:14:31] <Damon_Argent> With intent of testing it's response time, its fear of the blade, etc.

[02-19 00:14:37] <Dionysus> Roll rogue.

[02-19 00:14:37] <Damon_Argent> Its.

[02-19 00:14:44] <Dionysus> r awa 15

[02-19 00:14:44] <Eklem> Dionysus [awa: 15] 18 21 24

[02-19 00:15:09] <Damon_Argent> Social, as it's misdirection of meaning and not stealth?

[02-19 00:15:12] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-19 00:15:18] <Damon_Argent> r srog 17

[02-19 00:15:18] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [srog: 17] 18 19 20

[02-19 00:15:21] <Damon_Argent> Bah.

[02-19 00:15:42] <Dionysus> It does not fall for the feint. It continues to pounce. Roll dodge or parry.

[02-19 00:15:45] <Damon_Argent> That's k-lame.

[02-19 00:15:46] <Dionysus> r att 15

[02-19 00:15:46] <Eklem> Dionysus [att: 15] 16 17 23

[02-19 00:15:49] <Damon_Argent> r parry 21

[02-19 00:15:49] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [parry: 21] 23 25 31

[02-19 00:16:23] <Dionysus> You deflect it with your Blade, knocking it aside. It lands behind you. You have a counter.

[02-19 00:16:53] <Damon_Argent> Called shot to KO.

[02-19 00:16:59] <Dionysus> r ath 19

[02-19 00:16:59] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19] 20 23 29

[02-19 00:17:05] <Damon_Argent> r CS 15+6-3

[02-19 00:17:05] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [CS: 15+6-3=18] 25 25 26

[02-19 00:17:11] <Kaylarr> athleticism

[02-19 00:17:27] <Kaylarr> ?

[02-19 00:17:27] <Damon_Argent> What is?

[02-19 00:17:32] <Dionysus> Your blade strikes soundly, going right through the creature like it is smoke.

[02-19 00:17:33] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-19 00:17:39] <Dionysus> Yes, Dani, it tried to dodge.

[02-19 00:17:50] <Kaylarr> I got confused and thought Neal rolled that

[02-19 00:17:55] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 00:17:56] <Eklem> (beast 23/15) (Damon_Argent 23/15) (myjram 22/14) (Arlie 20/13) (Nik 19/15) (Kaylarr 18/15) (Priest_Kez 15/10)

[02-19 00:17:57] * Damon_Argent spins as the critter lands and tries to catch it on the side of his head with the Sword's flat.

[02-19 00:18:06] <Damon_Argent> Er. Its head.

[02-19 00:18:12] <Dionysus> Myjram fires an arrow.

[02-19 00:18:18] <Dionysus> r bow 14 ath 19

[02-19 00:18:18] <Eklem> Dionysus [bow: 14] 19 19 23

[02-19 00:18:18] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19] 21 25 25

[02-19 00:18:22] <Dionysus> And misses badly.

[02-19 00:18:25] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-19 00:18:44] <Arlie> blue zone, hold action otherwise.

[02-19 00:18:52] <Dionysus> Okay, you have one.

[02-19 00:18:56] <Dionysus> Nik?

[02-19 00:19:06] <Dionysus> You & all yer troops can go now.

[02-19 00:19:11] <Nik> hmm

[02-19 00:19:49] <Nik> We circle around to surround it.

[02-19 00:20:01] <Nik> And move up onto hindlegs only.

[02-19 00:20:16] <Dionysus> Noted. Do you attack?

[02-19 00:20:21] <Nik> Not yet.

[02-19 00:20:26] <Dionysus> Kaylarr?

[02-19 00:20:39] <Kaylarr> I want to sneak behind to grab him

[02-19 00:20:46] <Dionysus> Roll rogue

[02-19 00:20:51] <Dionysus> r awa 15

[02-19 00:20:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [awa: 15] 18 24 25

[02-19 00:20:54] <Dionysus> Ha

[02-19 00:20:57] <Dionysus> So you sneak behind

[02-19 00:21:01] <Kaylarr> r rogue 18-1+6

[02-19 00:21:01] <Dionysus> You can grab next round.

[02-19 00:21:01] <Eklem> Kaylarr [rogue: 18-1+6=23] 24 26 33

[02-19 00:21:10] <Kaylarr> yeah.

[02-19 00:21:15] <Dionysus> Kez?

[02-19 00:22:09] <Priest_Kez> so, wait... is this thing not solid?

[02-19 00:22:25] <Dionysus> A Gifted Sword went through it like it was smoke, so no.

[02-19 00:22:39] <Priest_Kez> i order it to be solid then... so we can hit it

[02-19 00:22:48] <Dionysus> Roll faith

[02-19 00:22:49] <Damon_Argent> That might only be when it's expecting an attack.

[02-19 00:22:51] <Dionysus> r diff 17

[02-19 00:22:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 17] 22 24 27

[02-19 00:22:53] <Priest_Kez> r 20

[02-19 00:22:53] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [20] 21 27 27

[02-19 00:23:02] <Damon_Argent> Bwah.

[02-19 00:23:07] <Dionysus> Your prayers are answered.

[02-19 00:23:14] <Priest_Kez> woo!

[02-19 00:23:21] <Dionysus> r init new

[02-19 00:23:30] <Dionysus> r init beast 15 myjram 14

[02-19 00:23:30] <Eklem> INIT: beast [15] 22 24 24

[02-19 00:23:30] <Eklem> INIT: myjram [14] 16 19 23

[02-19 00:23:36] <Kaylarr> r init 15-1

[02-19 00:23:37] <Eklem> INIT: Kaylarr [15-1=14] 16 21 22

[02-19 00:23:45] <Nik> r init 16

[02-19 00:23:46] <Eklem> INIT: Nik [16] 20 25 26

[02-19 00:23:47] <Arlie> r init 13

[02-19 00:23:47] <Eklem> INIT: Arlie [13] 14 15 18

[02-19 00:24:14] <Damon_Argent> r init 15+6

[02-19 00:24:14] <Eklem> INIT: Damon_Argent [15+6=21] 25 30 31

[02-19 00:24:31] <Dionysus> Kez?

[02-19 00:24:42] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 00:24:43] <Eklem> (Damon_Argent 30/15) (Nik 25/16) (beast 24/15) (Kaylarr 21/15) (myjram 19/14) (Arlie 15/13)

[02-19 00:24:47] <Dionysus> Damon, your go.

[02-19 00:25:08] <Priest_Kez> r init 10

[02-19 00:25:08] <Eklem> INIT: Priest_Kez [10] 13 18 19

[02-19 00:25:33] <Damon_Argent> Any visible change in the critter?

[02-19 00:26:16] <Dionysus> He does seem more solid, yes. If you got a 17 awa, I'll let you just have it.

[02-19 00:26:54] * Damon_Argent will try the same strike again, called to stun or KO.

[02-19 00:27:05] <Dionysus> r ath 19

[02-19 00:27:05] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19] 21 29 29

[02-19 00:27:12] <Damon_Argent> r pro 15+6-3

[02-19 00:27:13] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [pro: 15+6-3=18] 22 27 27

[02-19 00:27:16] <Damon_Argent> ...

[02-19 00:27:22] <Damon_Argent> I really shouldn't have rolled that.

[02-19 00:27:45] <Dionysus> Nik?

[02-19 00:28:11] <Dionysus> You heard Kez's prayer, so you know what happened to the beast.

[02-19 00:28:28] <Priest_Kez> i would think they heard it, since i ordered it

[02-19 00:28:36] <Nik> Eleven Thrax strike at the beast with their respective weapons.

[02-19 00:28:47] <Dionysus> Roll prowess at your score once.

[02-19 00:28:53] <Dionysus> r ath 19

[02-19 00:28:53] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19] 22 22 28

[02-19 00:28:56] <Nik> r pro 16

[02-19 00:28:56] <Eklem> Nik [pro: 16] 20 24 24

[02-19 00:29:06] <Damon_Argent> Excellent.

[02-19 00:29:24] <Dionysus> Roll stun/wound. Str+7

[02-19 00:29:27] <Kaylarr> (does the petrification hurt?)

[02-19 00:29:37] <Dionysus> r stun 22 wound 22

[02-19 00:29:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 22] 26 30 31

[02-19 00:29:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 22] 27 28 32

[02-19 00:29:39] <Nik> r s 20+7 w 20+7

[02-19 00:29:39] <Eklem> Nik [s: 20+7=27] 29 34 35

[02-19 00:29:39] <Eklem> Nik [w: 20+7=27] 29 29 30

[02-19 00:29:50] <Dionysus> It is stunned.

[02-19 00:30:13] <Dionysus> & NW

[02-19 00:30:26] <Dionysus> Does it hurt, Dani? It's not pleasant

[02-19 00:30:48] <Kaylarr> ok. I was trying to decide where to grab

[02-19 00:31:00] <Kaylarr> but not crippling pain?

[02-19 00:31:08] <Dionysus> Not unless you grab it's genitals.

[02-19 00:31:14] <Kaylarr> I was thinking about it

[02-19 00:31:38] <Kaylarr> but if I have no reason to know I'll grab a leg

[02-19 00:31:50] <Dionysus> r ath 19-1

[02-19 00:31:50] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19-1=18] 20 20 21

[02-19 00:32:03] <Damon_Argent> Hee.

[02-19 00:32:07] <Kaylarr> r ath 16-1

[02-19 00:32:08] <Eklem> Kaylarr [ath: 16-1=15] 17 19 25

[02-19 00:32:10] <Kaylarr> fuck

[02-19 00:32:20] <Damon_Argent> Stealth bonus?

[02-19 00:32:21] <Kaylarr> oh do I have a bonus for the sneaking?

[02-19 00:32:27] <Dionysus> Err, yes, +6

[02-19 00:32:33] <Kaylarr> so....?

[02-19 00:32:35] <Dionysus> You have hold. Roll petrifying

[02-19 00:32:39] <Kaylarr> -1?

[02-19 00:32:42] <Dionysus> r wil 17

[02-19 00:32:42] <Eklem> Dionysus [wil: 17] 18 24 24

[02-19 00:32:44] <Dionysus> yes

[02-19 00:32:52] <Dionysus> But +3 for special hit

[02-19 00:32:59] <Kaylarr> r stone touch to the family jewels 18-1+3

[02-19 00:33:00] <Eklem> Kaylarr [stone touch to the family jewels: 18-1+3=20] 22 26 30

[02-19 00:33:22] <Dionysus> It is beginning to petrify. I thought you said leg, but whateevr.

[02-19 00:33:34] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 00:33:34] <Eklem> (Damon_Argent 30/15) (Nik 25/16) (beast 24/15) (Kaylarr 21/15) (myjram 19/14) (Priest_Kez 18/10) (Arlie 15/13)

[02-19 00:33:35] <Kaylarr> well, it doesn't matter

[02-19 00:33:44] <Dionysus> Myjram holds. Kez?

[02-19 00:34:19] <Priest_Kez> at this point, i just want to order it to die (i probably won't suceed at all though)

[02-19 00:34:33] <Dionysus> Very high difficulty, but possible. Roll

[02-19 00:34:37] <Dionysus> r diff 25

[02-19 00:34:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 25] 27 33 33

[02-19 00:34:42] <Priest_Kez> r 20

[02-19 00:34:42] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [20] 21 28 29

[02-19 00:34:44] <Dionysus> Ouch.

[02-19 00:34:47] <Dionysus> No cigar.

[02-19 00:34:53] <Dionysus> Your prayer remains unanswered.

[02-19 00:34:56] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-19 00:35:38] <Arlie> hmm

[02-19 00:36:04] <Arlie> on second thought, drop the zone around myself and put a blue zone around it's head.

[02-19 00:36:15] <Dionysus> It's there now.

[02-19 00:36:19] <Dionysus> r init new

[02-19 00:36:25] <Dionysus> r init beast 15-1

[02-19 00:36:26] <Eklem> INIT: beast [15-1=14] 22 22 23

[02-19 00:36:26] <Kaylarr> r init 15-1

[02-19 00:36:26] <Eklem> INIT: Kaylarr [15-1=14] 17 17 24

[02-19 00:36:33] <Arlie> r init 13

[02-19 00:36:33] <Eklem> INIT: Arlie [13] 14 18 19

[02-19 00:37:13] <Damon_Argent> r init 15+6

[02-19 00:37:13] <Eklem> INIT: Damon_Argent [15+6=21] 22 24 28

[02-19 00:37:27] <Dionysus> Nik? Kez?

[02-19 00:37:36] <Nik> r init 16

[02-19 00:37:36] <Eklem> INIT: Nik [16] 19 21 23

[02-19 00:37:42] <Priest_Kez> r init 10

[02-19 00:37:42] <Eklem> INIT: Priest_Kez [10] 14 16 16

[02-19 00:37:49] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 00:37:49] <Eklem> (Damon_Argent 24/15) (beast 22/15) (Nik 21/16) (Arlie 18/13) (Kaylarr 17/15) (Priest_Kez 16/10)

[02-19 00:37:53] <Dionysus> Damon?

• • • • ENDING LOGGING AT Sun Feb 19 00:38:25 2006
      • BEGIN LOGGING AT Sun Feb 19 00:38:25 2006

[02-19 00:38:50] <Damon_Argent> Another shot called to be nonfatal.

[02-19 00:39:00] <Dionysus> r ath 19-1

[02-19 00:39:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19-1=18] 27 28 28

[02-19 00:39:11] <Damon_Argent> r pro 15+6-3

[02-19 00:39:11] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [pro: 15+6-3=18] 21 25 28

[02-19 00:39:16] <Damon_Argent> Biotch.

[02-19 00:39:21] <Dionysus> It deftly staggers aside.

[02-19 00:39:26] <Dionysus> Nik?

[02-19 00:39:48] <Nik> Another gauntlet of attacks.

[02-19 00:39:53] <Nik> r pro 16

[02-19 00:39:53] <Eklem> Nik [pro: 16] 21 25 25

[02-19 00:39:59] <Dionysus> r ath 19-1

[02-19 00:39:59] <Eklem> Dionysus [ath: 19-1=18] 26 28 28

[02-19 00:40:05] <Dionysus> Wait, wait.

[02-19 00:40:31] <Dionysus> It's being attacked by 10 things at once

[02-19 00:40:40] <Dionysus> I think that is grounds for a penalty to dodge

[02-19 00:40:48] <Dionysus> Shall we call it a normal hit?

[02-19 00:40:53] <Kaylarr> definitely

[02-19 00:40:55] <Nik> Sure.

[02-19 00:40:59] <Dionysus> r stun 22 wound 22

[02-19 00:41:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 22] 25 30 32

[02-19 00:41:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 22] 25 26 31

[02-19 00:41:09] <Nik> r stun 20+7 wound 20+7

[02-19 00:41:09] <Eklem> Nik [stun: 20+7=27] 33 34 34

[02-19 00:41:09] <Eklem> Nik [wound: 20+7=27] 30 33 36

[02-19 00:41:19] <Dionysus> Stun, MW.

[02-19 00:41:36] <Dionysus> Neal, did you wanna use the Sword's ability?

[02-19 00:42:04] <Damon_Argent> It's pretty much screwed at this point. Matters not to I.

[02-19 00:42:13] <Dionysus> Arlie?

[02-19 00:42:34] <Arlie> rush into battle

[02-19 00:42:53] <Dionysus> Attacking?

[02-19 00:42:55] <Arlie> r sword 13

[02-19 00:42:56] <Eklem> Arlie [sword: 13] 14 15 21

[02-19 00:43:13] <Dionysus> r beast 15-5

[02-19 00:43:14] <Eklem> Dionysus [beast: 15-5=10] 12 19 20

[02-19 00:43:19] <Dionysus> oops, that should be 19

[02-19 00:43:30] <Dionysus> So, 23

[02-19 00:43:33] <Dionysus> It dodges

[02-19 00:43:53] <Dionysus> Kaylar, roll petrification again

[02-19 00:43:57] <Dionysus> r wil 17-5

[02-19 00:43:57] <Eklem> Dionysus [wil: 17-5=12] 14 15 16

[02-19 00:43:59] * Kaylarr clings to the leg, for dear life

[02-19 00:44:03] <Dionysus> (Unless you let go)

[02-19 00:44:08] <Kaylarr> r petrify 18-1

[02-19 00:44:08] <Eklem> Kaylarr [petrify: 18-1=17] 21 24 27

[02-19 00:44:19] <Dionysus> It is immobile.

[02-19 00:44:29] <Dionysus> It crashes over, falls to the ground.

[02-19 00:44:39] <Dionysus> And fades out of existence.

[02-19 00:44:42] * Kaylarr lets go as it falls

[02-19 00:44:56] <Dionysus> A passage appears at the edge of the cavern, leading outside.

[02-19 00:45:10] * Kaylarr picks himself up and follows Damon

[02-19 00:45:24] <Kaylarr> or goes tohim rather, whistling for Nokayll

[02-19 00:45:30] * Damon_Argent starts towards the passage. "Good work."

[02-19 00:45:31] <Dionysus> Nokayll follows

[02-19 00:46:03] <Dionysus> You all leave, I assume?

[02-19 00:46:06] * Priest_Kez glad to leave this place

[02-19 00:46:08] * Kaylarr smiles slightly "Thanks boss. Though, couldn't've done it if he weren't solid. Thank you reverend."

[02-19 00:46:22] <Kaylarr> boss=sir

[02-19 00:46:24] <Kaylarr> sorry

[02-19 00:46:42] <Priest_Kez> "my pleasure"

[02-19 00:46:42] <Arlie> "Yes, quite a display. Where were you guys? Did you see the signs I left?"

[02-19 00:47:02] <Dionysus> Outside, the beautiful man stands before rapt natives, & the Emperess of Atanaxus hovers above, waiting.

[02-19 00:47:17] <Damon_Argent> "I didn't see sign of anyone else at all until the top."

[02-19 00:47:37] * Nik and his followers file outside, weapons still ready.

[02-19 00:47:37] <Arlie> as he looks up. "Neither did I...."

[02-19 00:47:58] <Nik> Why is she hovering?

[02-19 00:48:03] * Damon_Argent puts a hand on his Sword and starts towards them.

[02-19 00:48:17] <Arlie> "Put a zone on her, sir?"

[02-19 00:48:29] <Dionysus> She's hovering above the beautiful man, waiting on him to finish speaking to the natives.

[02-19 00:48:40] <Damon_Argent> "Do it. Perhaps at this point they can be disuaded from going in."

[02-19 00:48:45] <Dionysus> He is speaking their language.

[02-19 00:49:10] <Arlie> I do put a zone on her.

[02-19 00:49:36] <Arlie> r zone the queen 17

[02-19 00:49:36] <Eklem> Arlie [zone the queen: 17] 22 22 23

[02-19 00:49:49] <Dionysus> She whirls in air &buzzes angrily, then says in Low Atanaxan, "Stay back, Maraddons."

[02-19 00:50:07] <Dionysus> "Stay back, General."

[02-19 00:50:26] * Nik addresses the beautiful man. "What is the meaning of all this?"

[02-19 00:50:33] <Kaylarr> could I climb something to get closer to her level?

[02-19 00:50:33] <Dionysus> The beautiful man turns as well.

[02-19 00:50:42] * Damon_Argent lets Nik talk for the moment.

[02-19 00:50:46] <Dionysus> No, Kaylarr. She's over open field

[02-19 00:50:49] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-19 00:50:58] <Dionysus> The beautiful man says, "What do you mean?"

[02-19 00:51:01] <Kaylarr> thought we were in jungle, so I wanted to ask

[02-19 00:51:29] <Dionysus> Yer in a clearing

[02-19 00:51:36] <Nik> "Why did you attack the hive? Why did you bring her here?"

[02-19 00:52:12] <Dionysus> He looks confused. "Attack... Sir, I did no such thing! I have been your Emperess's pet for nearly seven centuries."[02-19 00:52:44] * Kaylarr ;s eyes widen slightly

[02-19 00:53:02] <Arlie> "Bloody hell."

[02-19 00:53:04] <Damon_Argent> Well then.

[02-19 00:53:24] <Nik> "Did you think the mountain would take us?"

[02-19 00:53:26] <Dionysus> The Emperess says, "General Myrmex, you dare address my pet over me?"

[02-19 00:53:42] <Dionysus> The pet says, "I didn't expect you to be here at all, sir."

[02-19 00:54:27] <Nik> How far away are they?

[02-19 00:54:37] <Dionysus> Thirty feet or so.

[02-19 00:54:49] <Dionysus> The pet turns to the tribals & says a few words, & gestures. They scatter into the jungle.

[02-19 00:54:49] <Damon_Argent> "I'm going to have to ask at this point that you both surrender."

[02-19 00:55:22] * Nik wonders if she's really that much of a ditz.

[02-19 00:55:27] <Dionysus> "If we do, will you hurt my Emperess?" he asks. She says, "How dare you?"

[02-19 00:55:43] <Damon_Argent> One moment.

[02-19 00:57:01] <Damon_Argent> "If you agree to turn power over to your generals and go into exile, you won't be harmed."

[02-19 00:57:25] <Nik> If Damon hadn't interjected, I would have said, "I see no reason to interrogate YOU, Majesty."

[02-19 00:57:41] <Damon_Argent> Hah. Sorry.

[02-19 00:58:00] <Dionysus> She says, "You cannot stop me from entering the Mountain, Maraddon. I will become a Servant of Atanaxus & be unassailable."

[02-19 00:58:04] <Dionysus> By the way

[02-19 00:58:09] <Dionysus> She is wearing Gifted Armor

[02-19 00:58:20] <Dionysus> It is sleek & steel blue in color, studded with gems.

[02-19 00:58:21] <Kaylarr> where the hell did she get that

[02-19 00:58:28] <Kaylarr> fuck

[02-19 00:58:30] <Damon_Argent> "We can, and will. I'd prefer not to have to hurt you."

[02-19 00:59:06] <Dionysus> The pet says, "I would prefer none get hurt. My Emperess, they have come off the Mountain. They are Servants."

[02-19 01:00:09] <Dionysus> She says, "I am airborne. I can swoop into the Mountain without being touched by them."

[02-19 01:01:08] * Damon_Argent prepares to act on his earlier thought regarding that.

[02-19 01:01:14] <Dionysus> The pet says, "You know not what powers they might have. I beg you not to do it. Sirs, please, do not hurt her! Explain to her, at least, how you might stop her!"

[02-19 01:01:15] <Priest_Kez> can i use order to bring her down or somethng?

[02-19 01:01:17] <Nik> What armor does she have?

[02-19 01:01:19] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-19 01:01:26] <Dionysus> It's Makersteel, like Aldo's hammer.

[02-19 01:01:32] <Kaylarr> ooooo

[02-19 01:01:35] <Priest_Kez> i'm going to try to order her down then

[02-19 01:01:42] <Nik> Neutral spheres, I suppose?

[02-19 01:01:47] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-19 01:01:53] <Dionysus> r diff 15

[02-19 01:01:53] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 15] 16 18 22

[02-19 01:01:54] <Priest_Kez> r 20

[02-19 01:01:54] <Eklem> Priest_Kez [20] 22 23 26

[02-19 01:02:11] <Damon_Argent> Aww. I was gonna increase her weight sevenfold.

[02-19 01:02:12] <Dionysus> She lands & screeches in anger. "How DARE you?"

[02-19 01:02:29] <Kaylarr> initiative?

[02-19 01:02:30] <Dionysus> The pet gasps. "Don't hurt her!"

[02-19 01:02:51] <Nik> Are we between her and the mountain?

[02-19 01:02:54] <Dionysus> Yes.

[02-19 01:03:02] * Arlie concentrates on the blue zone.

[02-19 01:03:07] <Kaylarr> how big is she?

[02-19 01:03:36] <Dionysus> Hmm. About the size of a space shuttle.

[02-19 01:03:39] * Nik 's soldiers form a defensive line to bar her entry.

[02-19 01:03:47] <Kaylarr> really?

[02-19 01:03:48] <Dionysus> Nahh, make that a 747.

[02-19 01:04:03] <Kaylarr> then she must have squished everyone beneath her

[02-19 01:04:26] <Dionysus> No one was directly beneath her. The tribals ran into the jungle a while ago.

[02-19 01:04:33] <Kaylarr> ok, so initiative?

[02-19 01:04:35] <Arlie> ... That's a big blue zone Billy. Can I maintain that?

[02-19 01:04:40] <Dionysus> Yes.

[02-19 01:04:42] <Arlie> ok

[02-19 01:04:44] <Damon_Argent> She ent moved to attack yet.

[02-19 01:04:53] <Dionysus> She is not attacking, no.

[02-19 01:04:54] <Kaylarr> well, I'm gonna start sneaking then

[02-19 01:04:59] * Arlie looks to Damon.

[02-19 01:05:21] <Dionysus> r awa 16 awa 17

[02-19 01:05:21] <Eklem> Dionysus [awa: 16] 22 26 26

[02-19 01:05:21] <Eklem> Dionysus [awa: 17] 22 24 24

[02-19 01:05:25] * Damon_Argent sighs. "I'll give you another chance. Surrender now."

[02-19 01:05:34] <Kaylarr> r sneak 18-1+6

[02-19 01:05:34] <Eklem> Kaylarr [sneak: 18-1+6=23] 29 29 30

[02-19 01:05:39] <Nik> "Consider your options, Majesty. Your armies are too far to help you."

[02-19 01:05:52] <Dionysus> "I have no need of armies!"

[02-19 01:05:58] <Dionysus> The pet shouts, "No!"

[02-19 01:06:00] <Dionysus> And init

[02-19 01:06:03] <Dionysus> r init new

[02-19 01:06:07] <Kaylarr> r init 15-1

[02-19 01:06:07] <Eklem> INIT: Kaylarr [15-1=14] 19 20 20

[02-19 01:06:07] <Nik> r init 16

[02-19 01:06:08] <Eklem> INIT: Nik [16] 18 21 25

[02-19 01:06:11] <Arlie> r init 13

[02-19 01:06:11] <Eklem> INIT: Arlie [13] 14 18 21

[02-19 01:06:11] <Damon_Argent> r init 15+7

[02-19 01:06:11] <Eklem> INIT: Damon_Argent [15+7=22] 23 25 27

[02-19 01:06:13] <Priest_Kez> r init 10

[02-19 01:06:13] <Dionysus> r init emperess 15+3 pet 16

[02-19 01:06:13] <Eklem> INIT: Priest_Kez [10] 11 13 17

[02-19 01:06:13] <Eklem> INIT: emperess [15+3=18] 25 25 27

[02-19 01:06:13] <Eklem> INIT: pet [16] 17 18 23

[02-19 01:06:28] <Damon_Argent> Mine should be one down.

[02-19 01:06:28] <Dionysus> r init show

[02-19 01:06:28] <Eklem> (emperess 25/15) (Damon_Argent 25/15) (Nik 21/16) (Kaylarr 20/15) (pet 18/16) (Arlie 18/13) (Priest_Kez 13/10)

[02-19 01:06:46] <Dionysus> The Emperess breathes lightning at you, Nik.

[02-19 01:06:53] <Nik> Yikes.

[02-19 01:07:01] <Damon_Argent> Magically?

[02-19 01:07:04] <Dionysus> r breath 15

[02-19 01:07:04] <Eklem> Dionysus [breath: 15] 18 23 25

[02-19 01:07:06] <Dionysus> Giftedly

[02-19 01:07:19] <Nik> r dodge 14

[02-19 01:07:19] <Eklem> Nik [dodge: 14] 17 20 24

[02-19 01:07:25] <Dionysus> Roll stun/wound

[02-19 01:07:31] <Dionysus> r stun 18 wound 18

[02-19 01:07:31] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 18] 21 25 27

[02-19 01:07:32] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 18] 19 21 24

[02-19 01:07:33] <Nik> r stun 20 wound 20

[02-19 01:07:34] <Eklem> Nik [stun: 20] 24 27 29

[02-19 01:07:34] <Eklem> Nik [wound: 20] 27 28 30

[02-19 01:07:38] <Damon_Argent> Nice.

[02-19 01:07:51] <Dionysus> The bolts cackle off your carapce, scorching it a bit, but not hurting you. She shrieks.

[02-19 01:08:14] <Dionysus> Damon?

[02-19 01:08:19] * Nik stands there and takes it. His antennae twitch. "See, Majesty? Not even your powers can harm me."

[02-19 01:08:53] <Dionysus> "I will devour you, then!"

[02-19 01:08:57] * Damon_Argent jumps forward to attack a heartbeat behind her.

[02-19 01:09:05] <Dionysus> r parry 15+3

[02-19 01:09:05] <Eklem> Dionysus [parry: 15+3=18] 21 23 25

[02-19 01:10:24] <Damon_Argent> r lunge 15+6

[02-19 01:10:24] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [lunge: 15+6=21] 22 22 22

[02-19 01:10:30] <Damon_Argent> ...

[02-19 01:10:37] <Damon_Argent> Well then.

[02-19 01:10:47] <Dionysus> The first strike is parried by a leg. Next strike, Damon?

[02-19 01:10:51] <Dionysus> r parry 15+3

[02-19 01:10:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [parry: 15+3=18] 20 21 24

[02-19 01:10:56] <Damon_Argent> r 15+6

[02-19 01:10:56] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [15+6=21] 23 25 27

[02-19 01:11:15] <Dionysus> Special hit. STR+16+3

[02-19 01:11:23] <Dionysus> r stun 25 wound 25

[02-19 01:11:23] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 25] 27 28 29

[02-19 01:11:23] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 25] 31 31 33

[02-19 01:11:48] <Damon_Argent> r stun 14+6+16+3 wound 14+6+16+3

[02-19 01:11:48] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [stun: 14+6+16+3=39] 42 45 46

[02-19 01:11:48] <Eklem> Damon_Argent [wound: 14+6+16+3=39] 40 45 49

[02-19 01:12:09] <Dionysus> ...

[02-19 01:12:21] <Dionysus> Did you use argent-fire, too, just for a kick in the pants?

[02-19 01:12:27] <Nik> The least he could have gotten would have been a special.

[02-19 01:12:34] <Damon_Argent> Can I argentfire a Sword?

[02-19 01:12:37] <Dionysus> Yes

[02-19 01:12:56] <Damon_Argent> Then yes. Given that it was an allout attack.

[02-19 01:13:18] <Dionysus> The Sword sinks deep into her thorax, destroying what passes for vital organs in a giant wasp.

[02-19 01:13:24] <Dionysus> She shrieks as she collapses

[02-19 01:13:37] <Kaylarr> well, sweet jesus

[02-19 01:13:53] <Dionysus> And the pet erupts into violet flame as he bellows, "No!"

[02-19 01:14:00] <Kaylarr> awwww

[02-19 01:14:02] <Kaylarr> that's sad

[02-19 01:14:11] * Damon_Argent attacks twice almost simultaneously, jumping back after the second to prepare for further attacks.

[02-19 01:14:13] <Kaylarr> so, was he Magnus's cousin?

[02-19 01:14:15] <Dionysus> It's an aura of power. "How could you?"

[02-19 01:14:20] <Arlie> on my init the blue zone goes to him.

[02-19 01:14:29] <Dionysus> That triggers it.

[02-19 01:14:37] <Nik> Do I sense the hive-mind collapsing?

[02-19 01:14:50] <Damon_Argent> I have to restart the router. I should be back in a minute or less.

[02-19 01:14:55] <Dionysus> Her control collapses. her Gifted armor does as well.

[02-19 01:15:03] <Dionysus> Arlie, roll the wild magic.

[02-19 01:15:13] <Dionysus> Hurry, Neal!

[02-19 01:15:23] <Arlie> ...does my Servant-ness affect this?

[02-19 01:15:31] <Nik> Not until you roll.

[02-19 01:15:33] <Arlie> dice d100

[02-19 01:15:33] <Eklem> 18 | [d100=18]

[02-19 01:15:35] <Arlie> dice d100

[02-19 01:15:36] <Dionysus> Right

[02-19 01:15:36] <Eklem> 94 | [d100=94]

[02-19 01:15:40] <Arlie> dice d57

[02-19 01:15:40] <Eklem> 51 | [d57=51]

[02-19 01:15:45] <Dionysus> d47

[02-19 01:15:50] <Arlie> dice d47

[02-19 01:15:51] <Eklem> 46 | [d47=46]

[02-19 01:16:35] <Dionysus> Home.

[02-19 01:16:40] <Nik> Home?

[02-19 01:16:47] <Dionysus> That's the sphere.

[02-19 01:16:55] <Nik> Everyone goes home?

[02-19 01:16:58] <Dionysus> Bad for you, very powerful.

[02-19 01:17:08] <Nik>

[02-19 01:17:23] <Arlie> he gets bonuses? I have the charm that targets the surges, and he was the target

[02-19 01:17:28] <Dionysus> Throw out ideas while we wait on Neal.

[02-19 01:17:41] <Dionysus> Need sto be more Interesting than that

[02-19 01:17:51] <Dionysus> Or specific

[02-19 01:18:02] <Arlie> hmmm

[02-19 01:18:24] * Damon_A (~The_Sheri@3cf137b8.362b7f89.tukw.qwest.net) has joined #Shem

[02-19 01:18:31] <Nik> Get sent to someone else's home?

[02-19 01:18:34] <Kaylarr> he could have all his defenses sapped from him

[02-19 01:18:46] <Nik> Forget where home is?

[02-19 01:19:02] <Arlie> (billy, why don't I roll a d25 from now on? Wouldn't that be easier than rolling a d100 and dividing?)

[02-19 01:19:05] <Dionysus> It has to be bad for the party, Ben, but happen to the pet.

[02-19 01:19:23] <Dionysus> Err, because it's not an exact scale, Rob

[02-19 01:19:25] <Nik> He gets sent to one of our homes? He knows where we all live?

[02-19 01:19:32] <Kaylarr> he could get extreme raises in his defense

[02-19 01:19:36] <Dionysus> He knew that when you fell in love with him

[02-19 01:20:45] * Kaylarr an impenetrable fortress pops up around him

[02-19 01:20:54] <Kaylarr> not me, but him

[02-19 01:20:58] <Nik> We all get sent to his home?

[02-19 01:21:06] <Dionysus> Okay.

[02-19 01:21:09] <Kaylarr> no, it has to happen to him

[02-19 01:21:18] <Dionysus> I like that anyway

[02-19 01:21:31] <Dionysus> The area of effect is negotiable by the power to the surge anyway.

[02-19 01:22:00] <Dionysus> He & all of you are now in a strange manor house next to a beautiful lake high in some mountains.

[02-19 01:22:17] <Kaylarr> "Arlie!" he swears

[02-19 01:22:18] <Dionysus> He looks about, shocked, & his aura dies away.

[02-19 01:22:29] <Dionysus> "Oh, my," he says.

[02-19 01:22:40] <Dionysus> It's a lovely house.

[02-19 01:22:41] * Kaylarr looks to Damon

[02-19 01:22:44] <Damon_A> "Arlie?"

[02-19 01:22:45] <Nik> "What is this place?"

[02-19 01:22:54] <Arlie> "Thought it was a spell."

[02-19 01:22:59] <Dionysus> "My manor house in the Summer Country. How did we get here?"

[02-19 01:23:06] <Damon_A> ...

[02-19 01:23:07] <Kaylarr> "What!?"

[02-19 01:23:31] <Damon_A> "I see."

[02-19 01:23:35] <Dionysus> "Don't be alarmed, we're all still alive. Though this is not the safest place to be, I think."

[02-19 01:23:44] <Dionysus> "How did we get here?"

[02-19 01:23:45] <Nik> Okay, all thrax, new orders: find a way to get me home

[02-19 01:24:00] <Arlie> "Excuse me, did you say the Summer Country?"

[02-19 01:24:15] <Dionysus> Thrax priests begin praying. Thrax sorcerors begin studying magic.

[02-19 01:24:20] <Dionysus> "Yes."

[02-19 01:24:27] <Kaylarr> hah

[02-19 01:24:27] <Damon_A> "I'd imagine someone used magic in a blue zone."

[02-19 01:24:32] <Damon_A> "How do we get out of here?"

[02-19 01:24:55] <Nik> Scratch that. As you were, for now.

[02-19 01:24:56] <Kaylarr> "Who are you?" Kaylarr says a bit bluntly

[02-19 01:25:16] <Dionysus> "Ahh, I am Magnus Jericho." He bows. "Son of Alexander Jericho, Champion of Love."

[02-19 01:25:35] <Kaylarr> "What?'

[02-19 01:25:39] <Dionysus> The thrax on Shem stop.

[02-19 01:25:45] <Kaylarr> (I've met Magnus, yes?)

[02-19 01:25:59] <Damon_A> "Try again. I've met Magnus Jericho."

[02-19 01:26:01] <Dionysus> Kaylarr? Maybe. Up to you. If so, this is not the Magnus you know.

[02-19 01:26:12] <Kaylarr> "I've met Magnus as well."

[02-19 01:26:25] <Dionysus> "You... have?" A pause. "Perhaps a different Magnus? There are a lot of Jerichos in the world."

[02-19 01:26:44] <Dionysus> "I'm afraid that I /am/ Magnus Jericho."

[02-19 01:26:58] <Damon_A> "I suppose that's possible."

[02-19 01:27:00] * Kaylarr glances at Damon, frowning slightly.

[02-19 01:27:42] <Dionysus> "Listen, we should really work on leaving. The planes are no place for mortals right now. Who used magic to get us here?"

[02-19 01:27:57] <Damon_A> "Arlie, where was the blue zone?"

[02-19 01:28:04] * Nik sits down and tests his power. Can he communicate with other thrax at will?

[02-19 01:28:18] <Arlie> "I, it was a combination effort, I think." To Damon. "I put the blue zone on him, to cancel the spell."

[02-19 01:28:31] <Dionysus> Nik, you can see & feel what they feel at will, & they willknow what you want of them.

[02-19 01:28:50] <Dionysus> "What spell--oh!" He slaps his face with his palm. "My talent, you mean!"

[02-19 01:29:06] <Dionysus> "Damn."

[02-19 01:29:09] * Damon_A nods. "Those count for magic in a blue zone."

[02-19 01:29:16] <Nik> Okay, I want the thrax that aren't doing anything important and have a chance of succeeding to figure out a way to get me home.

[02-19 01:29:17] <Dionysus> "That means it wasn't a spell that got us here."

[02-19 01:29:19] * Damon_Argent has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[02-19 01:29:43] <Dionysus> Thrax magic-users go back to sutdying magic. Thrax priests begin praying. Thrax scholars do their own studying.

[02-19 01:29:54] <Arlie> "Right, yes, your talent. Better safe than sorry, right?" Arlie raises his eyebrows.

[02-19 01:30:03] <Dionysus> "What do you mean?"

[02-19 01:30:29] <Arlie> "I mean, who knows what would have happened otherwise... Nevermind, it was a poor joke."

[02-19 01:30:35] <Kaylarr> "He didn't want you hurting one of us."

[02-19 01:30:41] <Dionysus> It is taking the thrax some time. Planar travel & gating is a bit difficult at the moment.

[02-19 01:30:45] * Nik stands up again. "My brothers and sisters are looking for a way to bring us home."

[02-19 01:30:55] <Dionysus> "I would not have hurt any of you."

[02-19 01:31:22] <Kaylarr> "We haven't had the time to judge that yet."

[02-19 01:31:23] <Damon_A> "That's reassuring. We'd have tried not to hurt you."

[02-19 01:32:23] <Arlie> "Listen, we are terribly sorry about your queen."

[02-19 01:32:31] <Dionysus> "I doubt you could have, in the state I was in. Look, it might be possible for us to ask my Grandmother for help, if she's not too busy. Unless the thrax get us out of here before we get to her. It will be dangerous right now to travel to her, though."

[02-19 01:32:58] <Damon_A> "More dangerous than staying here?"

[02-19 01:33:07] <Dionysus> "A bit."

[02-19 01:33:11] <Dionysus> I just rolled high.

[02-19 01:33:17] <Nik> "What is the source of the danger?"

[02-19 01:33:35] <Kaylarr> "Why is it so dangerous? I thought this was supposed to be a nice place. Always sounds nice, in the least."

[02-19 01:33:36] <Dionysus> "There is a war going on in the planes."

[02-19 01:33:45] <Kaylarr> "oh."

[02-19 01:34:17] <Dionysus> "Look, it doesn't concern mortals at the moment, & they're trying to keep it that w--oh my." A portal rips open in his living room. Thrax stare at you from the other side.

[02-19 01:34:36] <Kaylarr> "That was quick." he says lamely

[02-19 01:34:46] <Dionysus> They click at Nik in thrax language, "Master, are you well?"

[02-19 01:35:10] <Nik> <Thrax> "Yes. Well done." He and his soldiers pass through.

[02-19 01:35:23] <Dionysus> "And the others? Do we take them?"

[02-19 01:35:41] * Kaylarr follows, unless Damon motions not to

[02-19 01:35:58] * Damon_A waits for understanding of the situation.

[02-19 01:36:08] * Arlie stays with Damon, looks cautiously at Nik

[02-19 01:36:15] <Nik> "This is your chance, Maraddonics. Are you coming?"

[02-19 01:36:39] * Damon_A nods. "Our deal holds, given circumstances?"

[02-19 01:36:54] <Dionysus> Magnus says, "I will come through." And he does.

[02-19 01:37:10] <Nik> "Your mission is complete. You will leave Atanaxus unharmed."

[02-19 01:37:22] * Damon_A steps through, then.

[02-19 01:37:24] <Dionysus> "I would go with them, if I may?"

[02-19 01:37:29] * Kaylarr does as well

[02-19 01:37:36] <Dionysus> Myjram goes through, a little concerned.

[02-19 01:37:37] * Arlie follows.

[02-19 01:37:41] <Dionysus> Kez?

[02-19 01:37:50] <Nik> She goes through.

[02-19 01:37:52] <Nik> Melissa is asleep.

[02-19 01:37:59] <Dionysus> By the way, Nik, Kez is the only thrax out there not under yer control. So noted.

[02-19 01:38:02] <Kaylarr> I guess we didn't have time to notice our python man was missing

[02-19 01:38:14] <Dionysus> He died on the Mountain,

[02-19 01:38:15] <Nik> To Magnus, "I think that is best."

[02-19 01:38:19] <Kaylarr> awwww

[02-19 01:38:40] <Dionysus> He nods.

[02-19 01:38:52] <Dionysus> You are in a thrax hill.

[02-19 01:39:08] <Dionysus> Okay, here's where I think we switch to abstract mode?

[02-19 01:39:21] <Arlie> wow, ok

[02-19 01:39:21] <Kaylarr> I'm guessing Nokayll was with me or I'm able to retrieve her

[02-19 01:39:26] <Kaylarr> sounds fine

[02-19 01:39:28] <Damon_A> Yeah.

[02-19 01:39:31] <Dionysus> Yes, she was with you.

[02-19 01:39:34] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-19 01:39:50] <Dionysus> Nik, I presume you send an escort with them out of the Empire?

[02-19 01:40:08] <Nik> Thrax soldiers escort you back to your ship. Nik'laas plans and executes the last phase of the coup and sends orders to the armada to return home.

[02-19 01:40:10] <Dionysus> Then go occupy the capital with all the thrax soldiersyou can muster?

[02-19 01:40:16] <Dionysus> Nice.

[02-19 01:40:42] <Dionysus> Parts of the armada ignore you--the nataxi marshall holds his half million troops in the field, but the other half million come home.

[02-19 01:40:54] <Damon_A> Nicest ant I've ever met.

[02-19 01:41:01] <Kaylarr> nice

[02-19 01:41:23] <Dionysus> Nik'laas, you're going to have to fight to be Emperor of Atanaxus, but you've got the edge.

[02-19 01:41:27] <Nik> "They were very polite fleshlings."

[02-19 01:41:42] <Kaylarr> fleshlings, awesome

[02-19 01:41:55] <Dionysus> The rest of you go home, taking Magnus Jericho with you?

[02-19 01:42:02] <Kaylarr> ummm sure

[02-19 01:42:04] <Kaylarr> ?

[02-19 01:42:10] * Damon_A would as what Magnus II planed to do in Maraddon.

[02-19 01:42:16] <Damon_A> ask, not as

[02-19 01:42:24] * Arlie was expecting Nik to betray us and take Damon's Gift. In hushed tones, he would have told Damon that all he needed to do was give an order to trigger another zone.

[02-19 01:42:25] <Nik> Can Atanaxus exist as a republic?

[02-19 01:42:31] <Kaylarr> does he tell us anything about himself?

[02-19 01:42:37] <Dionysus> "Meet my counterpart, for one."

[02-19 01:42:56] <Dionysus> Okay, first off, the ribal cult of the Mouth has the Makersteel now, by the way.

[02-19 01:43:06] <Dionysus> Yes, Atanaxus could exist as a republic.

[02-19 01:43:13] <Dionysus> But it would take a lot of time.

[02-19 01:43:15] <Damon_A> Sweet.

[02-19 01:43:23] <Kaylarr> "Fair enough. He's an interesting guy himself."

[02-19 01:43:28] <Dionysus> And yes, Magnus will tell you all about himself.

[02-19 01:43:30] * Arlie would ask more about the Summer County, and the wars going on there.

[02-19 01:43:38] <Nik> Nik isn't evil, he's just an imperious insect who never liked the way the empire was run.

[02-19 01:43:41] <Dionysus> He'd say you don't want to know & he isn't going to tell you.

[02-19 01:43:54] <Dionysus> But he'll tell you about himself.

[02-19 01:44:03] <Kaylarr> ok then

[02-19 01:44:29] <Damon_A> Do tell.

[02-19 01:44:36] <Arlie> that's fine. I just wanted embellishments when telling my story about the Summer Country.

[02-19 01:44:42] <Dionysus> He's been around for millenia. He's spent the last seven hundred years trying to woo various Emperesses of Atanaxus. This one gave him a quest.

[02-19 01:45:00] <Kaylarr> why was he trying to woo them?

[02-19 01:45:02] <Dionysus> This one sent him to find the stones for her new Gifted Armor what she had recently fashioned for herself.

[02-19 01:45:26] <Dionysus> Because in his eyes, they were the grandest women alive. That's always his goal.

[02-19 01:45:32] <Dionysus> Whoever is the grandest woman alive.

[02-19 01:45:33] <Kaylarr> oh

[02-19 01:45:41] <Damon_A> He's weird.

[02-19 01:45:49] <Kaylarr> yeah, he is

[02-19 01:46:15] <Dionysus> When he brought the stone for the sphere of change, she was given Gifted polymorphing skill. She said she wished to go to the Mountain. He offered to take her. But they couldn't let people know what form she was using...

[02-19 01:46:24] <Dionysus> Esepcially since she used it when he seduced her.

[02-19 01:46:44] <Damon_A> Grandest woman alive = Grandest mortal woman?

[02-19 01:46:56] <Dionysus> Yes.

[02-19 01:47:00] <Nik> ... who he hasn't seduced yet.

[02-19 01:47:06] <Dionysus> Right.

[02-19 01:47:18] <Arlie> I think Balkis is out of his league

[02-19 01:47:29] <Damon_A> Damn straight. She's not into bald monkeys.

[02-19 01:47:39] <Dionysus> He's also very patient.

[02-19 01:47:56] <Dionysus> Anyway, he would recount you with tales of his lovelife, but it's very bizarre.

[02-19 01:47:57] <Damon_A> Or bald monkies.

[02-19 01:48:12] * Kaylarr finds him very bizzare

[02-19 01:48:14] <Damon_A> More bizarre than giant wasps?

[02-19 01:48:24] <Kaylarr> do you really want to know?

[02-19 01:48:37] <Damon_A> Yes.

[02-19 01:48:51] <Dionysus> Dragons, ogresses, athaks, gremkaul (squidperson), gith, etc.

[02-19 01:49:42] * Arlie would listen with great interest. At the same time, he's wondering if he's a Servant, and what he's a Servant of. He'd ask Damon and Kaylarr if they feel any different now.

[02-19 01:50:02] <Kaylarr> do we?

[02-19 01:50:08] <Dionysus> He'd also mention that on his quest for stones, he slept with a girl who absorbed nightmares.

[02-19 01:50:28] * Damon_A would go quiet for a moment. "Where was this?"

[02-19 01:50:52] <Dionysus> "Den Loch Estate in Maraddon."

[02-19 01:51:04] <Dionysus> & yes, you do, Kaylarr

[02-19 01:51:12] * Arlie pauses eating for a moment and watches.

[02-19 01:51:16] <Kaylarr> intimates as such to Arlie

[02-19 01:51:22] <Damon_A> "That would've been Datuna Den Loch, then."

[02-19 01:51:31] <Dionysus> "Why, yes, do you know her?"

[02-19 01:51:31] * Kaylarr also glances at Damon, waiting

[02-19 01:51:42] <Dionysus> "This would have been maybe 2 or 3 years ago."

[02-19 01:52:05] * Arlie continues eating.

[02-19 01:52:08] * Damon_A shows no emotion. "I know. Much before that and her last name still would've been Argent."

[02-19 01:52:36] <Dionysus> He seems surprised. "Your daughter! Of course, I should have known!"

[02-19 01:52:45] <Dionysus> "What merry coincidence!"

[02-19 01:53:16] * Kaylarr raises an eyebrow

[02-19 01:54:49] * Damon_A considers for a moment. "I'll be interested in seeing your meeting with the other Magnus."

[02-19 01:54:56] * Damon_A resumes eating.

[02-19 01:55:23] * Kaylarr also resumes, still watching Damon and the Jericho

[02-19 01:55:24] <Dionysus> "Well, you know him, perhaps you can introduce us!"

[02-19 01:56:28] <Dionysus> Etc

[02-19 01:56:38] <Damon_A> "I'll see what I can do."

[02-19 01:56:48] <Dionysus> You reach the shores of Maraddon about three months after you left.

[02-19 01:57:02] <Dionysus> And what it looks like will be determined in game, so I can't say.

[02-19 01:57:05] <Dionysus> Here is where we stop

[02-19 01:57:08] <Dionysus> What thought you all?

[02-19 01:57:13] <Kaylarr> strange

[02-19 01:57:25] <Arlie> did you expect us to go up the mountain?

[02-19 01:57:26] <Kaylarr> are we Immortal?

[02-19 01:57:29] <Kaylarr> no

[02-19 01:57:29] <Dionysus> No

[02-19 01:57:38] <Arlie> No to which?

[02-19 01:57:45] <Dionysus> I expectedyou to know the Emperess had not gone up the Mountain

[02-19 01:57:50] <Dionysus> But Melissa failed that rol..

[02-19 01:57:58] <Dionysus> And no, yer not Immortal.

[02-19 01:58:05] <Dionysus> Yet

[02-19 01:58:06] <Kaylarr> I didn't think we were

[02-19 01:58:31] <Damon_A> I enjoyed. I wish I'd been quicker or found more opportunities to use the Sword in interesting ways.

[02-19 01:58:31] <Arlie> The other champions were immortal, so I was wondering.

[02-19 01:58:34] * Nik has a thrax wizard or priest handle that.

[02-19 01:58:40] <Dionysus> Yer not Champions

[02-19 01:58:43] <Dionysus> Yer Servants

[02-19 01:58:54] <Dionysus> Nik, you make yerself Immortal?

[02-19 01:59:07] <Kaylarr> there can only be a certain number of champions, right?

[02-19 01:59:18] <Dionysus> right

[02-19 01:59:18] <Nik> Eventually. He's still in his prime, currently.

[02-19 01:59:22] <Dionysus> right

[02-19 01:59:29] <Dionysus> Good to know

[02-19 01:59:59] <Kaylarr> very interesting

[02-19 02:00:16] <Kaylarr> Kaylarr was getting kinda pissed about the starting over

[02-19 02:00:21] <Dionysus> theories on Magnus?

[02-19 02:00:32] <Kaylarr> is the Magnus we know an echo?

[02-19 02:00:36] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:00:39] <Arlie> twins?

[02-19 02:00:42] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:00:43] <Kaylarr> that was my theory

[02-19 02:00:47] <Kaylarr> or the twins

[02-19 02:00:55] <Kaylarr> are they cousins?

[02-19 02:00:59] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:01:07] <Damon_A> One of them is... ( dum dum duuummmm ) the Third Brother.

[02-19 02:01:07] <Kaylarr> yeah, I have no clue

[02-19 02:01:10] <Dionysus> haha

[02-19 02:01:11] <Kaylarr> hahah

[02-19 02:01:40] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:01:49] <Kaylarr> are they closely related?

[02-19 02:02:06] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:02:09] <Nik> One of them is from the future!

[02-19 02:02:15] <Kaylarr> huh

[02-19 02:02:18] <Dionysus> nope

[02-19 02:02:25] <Nik> Well, that's how it works in Doctor Who.

[02-19 02:02:28] <Damon_A> I know the Secret.

[02-19 02:02:34] <Kaylarr> lies!

[02-19 02:02:40] <Dionysus> i'll give you a hint: one of them is lying. but that's all i'll say

[02-19 02:02:43] <Kaylarr> or rather, cheats!

[02-19 02:02:45] <Damon_A> I speak only truth!

[02-19 02:02:49] <Kaylarr> I think ours is lying

[02-19 02:02:50] <Damon_A> It's my other head that only lies!

[02-19 02:02:57] <Kaylarr> as in the red cloaks

[02-19 02:03:07] <Dionysus> a shrewd guess

[02-19 02:03:17] <Damon_A> This one seems a bit too vapid for that much deceit.

[02-19 02:03:32] <Dionysus> he's a lot brighter than he lets on, but he is a bit flighty

[02-19 02:03:32] <Kaylarr> I thought it earlier when we met him. That the other one stole his name

[02-19 02:03:36] <Arlie> or is he just acting?

[02-19 02:03:59] <Damon_A> He went from ready to kill us all to hugs and puppies in about two seconds.

[02-19 02:04:06] <Kaylarr> so, what family of talents does the other jericho come from

[02-19 02:04:08] <Dionysus> he wasn't gonna kill you all

[02-19 02:04:18] <Damon_A> Close enough.

[02-19 02:04:31] <Dionysus> he was gonna make you love him unconditionally & completely

[02-19 02:04:42] <Kaylarr> ok

[02-19 02:04:50] <Dionysus> i am not saying what family he is from

[02-19 02:04:50] <Damon_A> Same thing.

[02-19 02:04:58] <Arlie> wow, so Arlie did well.

[02-19 02:05:05] <Dionysus> that he did

[02-19 02:05:12] <Dionysus> so it was ultimately good for you

[02-19 02:05:13] <Dionysus> but

[02-19 02:05:17] <Kaylarr> yes

[02-19 02:05:21] <Dionysus> it was also bad to be there, if you had not been rescued

[02-19 02:05:22] <Kaylarr> very strange

[02-19 02:05:37] <Kaylarr> ok, I'm moving to my warm bed. tlak to you kids later

[02-19 02:05:42] <Dionysus> 'night

[02-19 02:05:51] <Damon_A> G'night.

[02-19 00:52:34] <Arlie> (wow)