Mar 22 19:30:49 * Prax (~Llunetha@14.127.234.97) has joined #jahur
Mar 22 19:35:36 Wactawa Edela tells you that the Eagla sisters are three duchesses of great power within the Winter Fey Court. One is a military adviser, one is a mystical adviser, and one is a slave. They have a Helm called the Mad God's Helm, a Gift of Chaos, and they are holed up in a small wood about ten miles from you. They are warping it with the power of the Helm somewhat, making it difficult for common hunters to get close.
Mar 22 19:37:48 Wactawa "It will have to be the most puissant of us that go in there."
Mar 22 19:38:59 Prax "Are we harried by this Helm? Very -- but we'll capture its chaos and make it merry."
Mar 22 19:39:35 Wactawa She nods, "If I may presume to advise, it is traditional for your best lieutenants to be rewarded with Gifts during a Hunt, unless you have reason to keep it for yourself."
Mar 22 19:41:14 * Prax nods back. "Noted."
Mar 22 19:41:39 Wactawa "We are ready to ride when you are."
Mar 22 19:43:13 * Prax somehow throws significant glances to everyone that ought to go. "The rest of you, set up a perimeter and await our return."
Mar 22 19:43:32 Wactawa They fan out to surround the wood.
Mar 22 19:43:48 Wactawa About 40 of the Hunt move to follow you.
Mar 22 19:45:29 Prax "So what's our game? Our usual methods of distraction may be turned on us, no?"
Mar 22 19:45:51 Prax "So do we fight chaos with order... or simply ride these currents as best we can?"
Mar 22 19:46:11 Wactawa Edela nods. The King says, "Do you have powers of order to bring to bear?"
Mar 22 19:46:43 * Prax laughs. "Do any of us?"
Mar 22 19:47:50 Wactawa He looks around and shakes his head, "I do not think so. So we must fight fire with fire, then."
Mar 22 19:50:00 Wactawa "Are you ready to ride, sir?"
Mar 22 19:50:02 Prax "Keep our song in the air and the Hunt in your hearts. We will hit our mark."
Mar 22 19:50:40 Prax "Who controls this Gift? Is it their greatest threat?"
Mar 22 19:51:57 Wactawa Edela says, "They pass it between them. It is most dangerous when owned by Nimhe, the mage, or Caillte, the slave."
Mar 22 19:53:21 Prax "Then let's hope it is being worn by neither."
Mar 22 19:54:25 Wactawa "It will likely pass between them during the fight."
Mar 22 19:55:04 * Prax nods.
Mar 22 19:56:04 Wactawa "We know they have a few guards, but the chaotic nature of their lair prevents detailed information. No more than a dozen, though."
Mar 22 19:56:50 * Prax sniffs the air, hoping to get a better read on their forces.
Mar 22 19:57:18 Prax r smellovision 26
Mar 22 19:57:18 Eklem Prax [smellovision : 26] 33 34 34
Mar 22 19:57:44 Wactawa r diff gift 25
Mar 22 19:57:44 Eklem Wactawa [diff gift : 25] 26 28 33
Mar 22 19:58:25 Wactawa You smell fire and blood, salt air, and dry leaves. You smell the blood of unseelie, and you smell something bat-like. Somewhere between 12 and 20 are in there.
Mar 22 20:00:46 Wactawa Nothing more than that, though. You get the sense anything more in there is going to be illusion.
Mar 22 20:01:54 * Prax relays his impressions to the Hunt. "Capturing the sisters would be ideal, but we might not get that luxury. That said, be wary. Strike quickly, strong, and true, you lot; make sure the shot you take is the one you ought!"
Mar 22 20:02:41 Wactawa The King nods, "Put the wineskins away for this one, lads!
Mar 22 20:02:43 Wactawa "
Mar 22 20:02:53 Wactawa A few chuckles come up from the nobles.
Mar 22 20:03:02 Wactawa Edela says, "Shall we?"
Mar 22 20:03:20 Prax "We shall!"
Mar 22 20:03:55 * Prax urges Cead on.
Mar 22 20:04:02 Wactawa You ride, then, toward the dark wood. It's a swift ride, and as soon as you cross the threshold... Roll WIL.
Mar 22 20:04:04 Wactawa r gift 25
Mar 22 20:04:04 Eklem Wactawa [gift : 25] 28 28 31
Mar 22 20:05:37 Prax r wil 17+6
Mar 22 20:05:38 Eklem Prax [wil : 17+6=23] 27 31 31
Mar 22 20:05:54 Wactawa Nicely done.
Mar 22 20:06:15 Wactawa The forest is no maze to you; it is merely veiled with ripples, like the entire thing is in a watery mirror.
Mar 22 20:06:16 Prax hmm
Mar 22 20:06:25 Prax I'm wondering where that comes from -- not complaining, but curious
Mar 22 20:06:35 Prax oh
Mar 22 20:06:39 Prax that was fear res, not wil
Mar 22 20:06:53 Prax so I did not, and indeed could not, amke that
Mar 22 20:06:57 Prax or make it
Mar 22 20:07:22 Wactawa Ah, haha.
Mar 22 20:07:24 Wactawa In that case
Mar 22 20:07:39 Wactawa You enter a mad, swirling realm of logicless form.
Mar 22 20:08:04 Wactawa The trees become colored streams of light, the ground vanishes, and the road before you seems to become molten fluid.
Mar 22 20:10:07 Wactawa Your Hunt is around you, but strangely disfigured.
Mar 22 20:10:24 Wactawa What do you do?
Mar 22 20:10:27 * Prax trusts in Cead's mighty hooves, the bond between the Hunters, his sense of smell, his faith (so to speak; it's not nearly entirely divine) in the narrative, and the wise counsel and presence of Rafu.
Mar 22 20:11:35 Wactawa He seems closer in this moment, where reality is weaker.
Mar 22 20:11:50 Wactawa Roll your various senses and perceptions.
Mar 22 20:13:28 Prax Don't really have a score on me for the compass/Rafu complex
Mar 22 20:14:54 Prax Though if it's oneironautics, sign me up!
Mar 22 20:14:57 Prax heh
Mar 22 20:15:15 Wactawa Call it 22 for now, but don't hold me to it permanently.
Mar 22 20:16:30 Prax r smell 26 regularawa 20 rafuvision 22
Mar 22 20:16:31 Eklem Prax [smell : 26] 30 32 35
Mar 22 20:16:31 Eklem Prax [regularawa : 20] 26 28 29
Mar 22 20:16:31 Eklem Prax [rafuvision : 22] 26 27 30
Mar 22 20:17:08 Wactawa r diff 25
Mar 22 20:17:08 Eklem Wactawa [diff : 25] 28 29 31
Mar 22 20:17:25 Wactawa You can smell them. Everything else is confused, but you can smell them distinctly.
Mar 22 20:17:30 Wactawa So, follow your nose.
Mar 22 20:18:12 * Prax does so.
Mar 22 20:19:44 Wactawa It's about a ten minute ride, traversing unreality, before you come to the bat creatures. There are six of them, and they are huge, impossible, boggarts most likely, nightmare monsters made flesh.
Mar 22 20:19:50 Wactawa r init new
Mar 22 20:19:57 Wactawa r init bat boggart 19
Mar 22 20:19:58 Eklem INIT: bat boggart [19] 25 27 29
Mar 22 20:20:01 Prax Song still workin'?
Mar 22 20:20:04 Wactawa Most of them pounce your hunters
Mar 22 20:20:06 Wactawa Yes
Mar 22 20:20:09 Prax word up
Mar 22 20:20:11 Wactawa But this one goes after you directly somehow.
Mar 22 20:20:13 Wactawa Roll INIT
Mar 22 20:21:11 Prax r init 28
Mar 22 20:21:12 Eklem INIT: Prax [28] 31 32 37
Mar 22 20:22:31 Wactawa Go.
Mar 22 20:22:40 Wactawa It's swooping down at you from a stream of blue and red.
Mar 22 20:23:25 * Prax swings with his Love-sword for a change; he wants to do this right, fighting chaos with skill and beauty.
Mar 22 20:23:47 Wactawa r dopdge 19
Mar 22 20:23:47 Eklem Wactawa [dopdge : 19] 20 22 22
Mar 22 20:24:38 Prax r pro 28
Mar 22 20:24:38 Eklem Prax [pro : 28] 29 31 37
Mar 22 20:25:04 Wactawa I don't think it has a chance in hell. Stun/wound+sword/sword+6/+6
Mar 22 20:25:08 Wactawa r stun 19 wound 19
Mar 22 20:25:08 Eklem Wactawa [stun : 19] 21 26 27
Mar 22 20:25:08 Eklem Wactawa [wound : 19] 20 23 27
Mar 22 20:25:36 Prax Is there an extra + there?
Mar 22 20:26:45 Prax so 25+6 (the bonus we assigned to the Love-sword) +6?
Mar 22 20:27:50 Wactawa Yes, fior excpetional hit
Mar 22 20:29:00 Prax r stun 25+6+6 wound 25+6+6
Mar 22 20:29:00 Eklem Prax [stun : 25+6+6=37] 40 47 47
Mar 22 20:29:00 Eklem Prax [wound : 25+6+6=37] 43 44 47
Mar 22 20:29:07 Prax yyyep
Mar 22 20:29:10 Wactawa It is cleaved in twain.
Mar 22 20:29:24 Wactawa As it dies, you notice the others are dispatched as well by your hunters.
Mar 22 20:29:29 Wactawa Hunters.
Mar 22 20:29:38 Wactawa The unreality weakens just slightly
Mar 22 20:29:43 Wactawa You can see some of the ground now.
Mar 22 20:29:47 Wactawa You continue to follow your nose?
Mar 22 20:30:12 Prax No reason not to.
Mar 22 20:30:19 Prax r sniff 26
Mar 22 20:30:20 Eklem Prax [sniff : 26] 27 32 34
Mar 22 20:30:33 Wactawa r gift 25
Mar 22 20:30:33 Eklem Wactawa [gift : 25] 28 31 34
Mar 22 20:31:42 Wactawa You find your way to what appears to be a solid black wall.
Mar 22 20:32:13 Prax Huh.
Mar 22 20:32:30 * Prax taps it with the Love-sword just in case.
Mar 22 20:33:42 Wactawa It ripples but doesn't budge.
Mar 22 20:34:12 Prax And the nose is saying "this way?"
Mar 22 20:35:12 Wactawa Yes, through the wall.
Mar 22 20:36:32 Wactawa The other Hunters are arriving.
Mar 22 20:36:52 Wactawa Including the King, the Queen, the Archer, the two Champions, the Warghunter, and Nine Tails. And Puck.
Mar 22 20:36:57 Prax "We are at a bit of an impasse," Prax says to the chaos-washed throng.
Mar 22 20:37:37 Wactawa The Queen looks about, then says, "Someone dispose of this obstacle."
Mar 22 20:37:44 Wactawa The Puck whiseprs a rhyme and it simply fades away/
Mar 22 20:37:48 Wactawa You are in a deep, dark forest.
Mar 22 20:38:01 Wactawa Three unseelie crones sit before you, and one is in a ruby encrusted crown.
Mar 22 20:38:14 Wactawa They each have long, needle-like swords in hand.
Mar 22 20:38:17 Wactawa r init new
Mar 22 20:38:42 Wactawa r init archer 25 jumana 25 thaegwyl 25 hunters 22 caillte 22 scath 25 nimhe 26
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: archer [25] 29 29 34
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: jumana [25] 27 28 35
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: thaegwyl [25] 31 33 34
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: hunters [22] 23 24 28
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: caillte [22] 23 27 29
Mar 22 20:38:42 Eklem INIT: scath [25] 27 31 32
Mar 22 20:38:44 Eklem INIT: nimhe [26] 30 34 35
Mar 22 20:43:27 Wactawa ?
Mar 22 20:43:30 Wactawa Roll init?
Mar 22 20:45:15 Prax r init 28+3
Mar 22 20:45:15 Eklem INIT: Prax [28+3=31] 35 38 40
Mar 22 20:45:28 Prax unless we're not +3ing
Mar 22 20:45:35 Prax although tht wouldn't quite matter, eh? Relatively speaking.
Mar 22 20:45:40 Wactawa You are. I am just bad about remembering.
Mar 22 20:45:58 Wactawa The three crones are rising to attack, and you can see figures approaching from behind. What do you do?
Mar 22 20:48:24 Prax Can I tell them apart?
Mar 22 20:49:21 Wactawa One is in chains of silver. One is in leather armor. And one is in gossamer robes. Yes, you know which is which.
Mar 22 20:50:18 Prax I guess I take the opportunity to strike at the Helmed one, being very careful that I'm striking at her, because...yeah.
Mar 22 20:50:40 Wactawa DICE D3
Mar 22 20:50:40 Eklem incorrect usage: dice string (where string is something like: d6 or 2d6 or 2d6+4 or 2d6+1d20 or 2d6+1d5+4d7-3d4-6) = Rolls that set of virtual dice
Mar 22 20:50:44 Wactawa dice d3
Mar 22 20:50:44 Eklem 2 | [d3=2]
Mar 22 20:50:50 Wactawa The one in armor has the Helm.
Mar 22 20:50:57 Wactawa r parry 25
Mar 22 20:50:57 Eklem Wactawa [parry : 25] 28 29 35
Mar 22 20:51:32 Prax r pro 28+3
Mar 22 20:51:33 Eklem Prax [pro : 28+3=31] 34 35 39
Mar 22 20:51:53 Prax +6+6, I'm guessing?
Mar 22 20:52:26 Wactawa +6+3, special, not exceptional
Mar 22 20:52:30 Wactawa (7 over is exceptional)
Mar 22 20:52:38 Wactawa r stun 25+5 wound 25+5
Mar 22 20:52:38 Eklem Wactawa [stun : 25+5=30] 31 35 37
Mar 22 20:52:38 Eklem Wactawa [wound : 25+5=30] 31 35 39
Mar 22 20:53:08 Prax r stun 25+6+3 wound 26+6+3
Mar 22 20:53:08 Eklem Prax [stun : 25+6+3=34] 40 43 44
Mar 22 20:53:08 Eklem Prax [wound : 26+6+3=35] 43 44 45
Mar 22 20:53:58 Wactawa Which sword was it? Love?
Mar 22 20:54:09 Prax yeah
Mar 22 20:55:34 Wactawa Sapphire sparks burst out of her shoulder as the sword cleaves through and cuts through rib and lung and heart.
Mar 22 20:55:37 Wactawa She dies without a sound.
Mar 22 20:55:41 Wactawa Reality returns utterly to this realm.
Mar 22 20:56:08 Wactawa At this point, it's over, really. You neutralized the real threat.
Mar 22 20:56:14 * Prax breathes in the bracingly fresh air.
Mar 22 20:56:25 Wactawa The Champion of Dreams takes out the slave, putting her to sleep, and the Hunters butcher the mage.
Mar 22 20:58:21 * Prax raises his sword, just sort of grinning at the group, feeling quite buoyed by the victory.
Mar 22 20:58:43 Wactawa The King smiles, "Well done."
Mar 22 20:58:57 Wactawa A Hunter picks up the Helm and presents it to you, Prax, saying merely, "Master."
Mar 22 20:59:28 * Prax bows back respectfully. "Thank you."
Mar 22 21:00:02 Wactawa He is waiting for you to take it.
Mar 22 21:00:16 * Prax takes it, feeling its heft.
Mar 22 21:00:30 Prax I'm not sure anyone would benefit as much from a gift of Chaos as the Puck, though I don't know if he's packin' or not.
Mar 22 21:00:35 Prax erm, Gift
Mar 22 21:00:57 Wactawa You offer it to him?
Mar 22 21:03:59 Prax I do.
Mar 22 21:04:07 * Prax holds the Helm out to the Puck. "Would you take this Chaos in the name of Dream, to sow confusion in our enemies however you deem?"
Mar 22 21:05:28 Prax "Not as a force of horror by any means, but to fascinate, beguile, to show that nothing is at it seems?"
Mar 22 21:06:23 Wactawa He responds in rhyme explaining that he is not technically a member of the Hunt, and thus would not feel it right to take the Helm. You can tell it hurts him to admit that, too, but a nudge from the Archer brings it out of him.
Mar 22 21:08:35 * Prax nods and smiles. "Your honesty does you credit, Robin Goodfellow."
Mar 22 21:08:55 * Prax looks at the Hunt for other likely candidates.
Mar 22 21:08:59 Wactawa "Credit to my wife, the light of my life," he says sourly.
Mar 22 21:09:07 Wactawa Your clear choices include
Mar 22 21:09:54 Wactawa The 13 Hunters, Dando the Houndsmaster, or one of the 40 or so lesser hunters, fay, and fox-folk. The main nobles are really there as... ambassadors.
Mar 22 21:10:43 Prax Yeah, the friendly face of the Hunt
Mar 22 21:11:36 Wactawa Heh, ambassadors /to/ the Hunt.
Mar 22 21:11:44 Prax That too.
Mar 22 21:12:26 Prax How masterly of hounds is Dando? Gotta say, there's nothing quite like a canine and/or vulpine host that expresses the theme of the incoming fey-sorts.
Mar 22 21:13:12 Prax I should have them listed on my character sheet, I should!
Mar 22 21:13:45 Wactawa His story is that he was a mortal hunter with a pack of hounds who was somehow caught up in the Hunt.
Mar 22 21:14:03 Wactawa He has since become basically able to speak to all canines
Mar 22 21:14:10 Prax Iinteresting
Mar 22 21:14:19 Wactawa He commands all the canines in your Hunt.
Mar 22 21:16:46 Prax Yeah, I haven't really interacted with the 13 very much
Mar 22 21:16:52 Wactawa Yeah.
Mar 22 21:17:00 Wactawa You could save it for the end of the Hunt.
Mar 22 21:17:12 Prax Indeed. Rainy day.
Mar 22 21:17:49 Wactawa So is that the plan?
Mar 22 21:18:49 Prax I'm guessing so! Gotta keep that thing in a safe place.
Mar 22 21:19:20 Wactawa All right.
Mar 22 21:19:29 Wactawa The Queen says, "I think it time we returned to the Dreaming, to cross Vanui."
Mar 22 21:20:05 Wactawa one sec
Mar 22 21:22:43 Wactawa She looks to you, "Your horsemen will not be able to follow us there. We should replenish the Hunt when we arrive."
Mar 22 21:25:07 Prax brb
Mar 22 21:25:57 Wactawa Holler when you're back
Mar 22 21:30:03 Prax hollaaaa
Mar 22 21:31:13 Prax "Indeed. Let us cross, and direct those that cannot follow to safer havens."
Mar 22 21:32:08 Wactawa She nods, and Thaegwyl says, "Let us camp, then, and I will prepare the way."
Mar 22 21:33:08 * Prax proceeds with all that is involved.
Mar 22 21:33:32 Prax "So were the sisters acting on their own, or summoned by the Erlking and his ilk?"
Mar 22 21:33:37 Prax "I suppose we should ask, eh?"
Mar 22 21:34:33 Wactawa The Archer says, "Probably working with him. The Winter Courts are complicated in their hierarchies and loyalties, but at this time, they are probably mostly united because of... well, ues."
Mar 22 21:34:36 Wactawa us
Mar 22 21:37:10 Prax "That's some kind of flattering."
Mar 22 21:37:40 Wactawa She smiles, "In a way, yes."
Mar 22 21:39:17 Wactawa You make camp?
Mar 22 21:39:17 Prax "So who do we face next?"
Mar 22 21:39:20 Prax Indeed we do
Mar 22 21:39:37 Wactawa Edela says, "We won't know until we reach the Dream Realm."
Mar 22 21:43:48 Prax "In no small sense, it's best that way."
Mar 22 21:44:00 Wactawa She nods.
Mar 22 21:44:26 Wactawa That night, a minor hunter comes to your tent as you prepare for the transfer to the Dream Realm.
Mar 22 21:45:22 Prax "Good evening."
Mar 22 21:45:49 Wactawa "Good evening, sir. May I speak with you in private?"
Mar 22 21:47:20 * Prax gestures inside. "Of course."
Mar 22 21:48:06 Wactawa She steps in, then as soon as the tent flap is closed, she transforms into an old woman that is familiar to you. She appears to be Tessa the Tea-reader from Merukis. The leader of the Theresans, who gave you the journals.
Mar 22 21:49:34 * Prax blinks.
Mar 22 21:49:46 Prax "You were right -- I did not recognize you."
Mar 22 21:50:22 Wactawa She smiles, "You have done well so far."
Mar 22 21:51:21 Wactawa "But I thought you might need some advice."
Mar 22 21:52:11 Prax "Any counsel that you could give would be most appreciated -- no question in my mind."
Mar 22 21:53:13 Wactawa "The other nobles are... political forces. You are right to work with them--you will need them--but you need to cultivate your power base within the Hunt."
Mar 22 21:53:57 Wactawa "Otherwise, you will become their pawns."
Mar 22 21:54:59 Wactawa "Your 13 Hunters, Dando, Hairgead, the Estadea, Slattenpat, and those called the 'lesser hunters' are all yours, true and loyal."
Mar 22 21:55:13 Wactawa "Edela is cunning and powerful and skilled as a spymaster, but you will need your own beyond her.
Mar 22 21:55:27 Wactawa "The Archer and the Warghunter are the world's finest with a bow, but your Hunters are skilled as well.
Mar 22 21:55:51 Wactawa "The Puck's rhymes can destroy obstacles, but he plays his own games. The Helm... If the Archer were not worried about mutiny, he would have taken it.
Mar 22 21:56:27 Wactawa "Trust these nobles to hunt and kill, but do not trust them with the rewards or the politics of your Hunt."
Mar 22 21:57:07 Prax "Noted. I do not fight for empire."
Mar 22 21:58:39 Wactawa She nods, smiling. "Pick leaders from the lesser hunters. Keep the 13 close, as guards. Dando and Hairgead are also trustworthy. The Estadea is... strange. That is a mystery for you to unravel. And reserve only pity for the troll Slattenpat."
Mar 22 21:59:14 Wactawa "But do not take my word for it.
Mar 22 21:59:22 Wactawa "Use your own judgments. I, too, have an agenda."
Mar 22 22:00:15 Prax "I would hardly call forthrightness an agenda" -- Prax laughs -- "but your self-knowledge is admirable, and your advice well-taken."
Mar 22 22:00:43 Wactawa She nods, "Tread softly, sir."
Mar 22 22:01:06 Prax "I will keep my eyes open. Thank you."
Mar 22 22:01:31 Wactawa She slips out.
Mar 22 22:01:32 Wactawa You sleep/
Mar 22 22:01:33 Wactawa ?
Mar 22 22:02:38 Prax Should do!
Mar 22 22:03:06 Wactawa You find yourself on Cead, in front of the assembled Hunt. Beside you is Rafu, much larger than before, a slender, sleek red fox with three flaming tails.
Mar 22 22:04:08 * Prax smiles broadly. "My friend, have I got a story for you..."
Mar 22 22:04:16 Wactawa Rafu laughs.
Mar 22 22:04:22 Wactawa "I think I've heard most of it so far."
Mar 22 22:05:12 Prax "I should think so! You've been eating well, I see."
Mar 22 22:05:55 Wactawa He laughs, "I am now a reflection of your power."
Mar 22 22:07:07 Wactawa "I am /your/ dream now."
Mar 22 22:07:13 Prax "And, as ever, a friend."
Mar 22 22:07:18 Wactawa He sniffs the air, "Do you smell that?"
Mar 22 22:07:35 Prax r welldoI 26
Mar 22 22:07:36 Eklem Prax [welldoI : 26] 29 31 33
Mar 22 22:08:49 Wactawa Welldol?
Mar 22 22:09:24 Prax "Well, do I?"
Mar 22 22:09:29 Prax damned lack of serifs
Mar 22 22:09:36 Prax lIlIlIlI
Mar 22 22:09:57 Wactawa Ah
Mar 22 22:09:59 Wactawa haha
Mar 22 22:10:15 Wactawa You smell black foxes, nightmares, cwn annwns, wargs, and other fell canines.
Mar 22 22:10:28 Wactawa The Dream Realm here is on the edge of nightmare, and it is teeming with the remnants of the Black Foxes.
Mar 22 22:10:33 Wactawa It is a vast, dark forest before you.
Mar 22 22:11:01 Prax Aha, all the things I used to be able to control. Nice.
Mar 22 22:11:11 Prax "I do. More familiar than it should be, eh."
Mar 22 22:12:04 Wactawa Rafu yips in response.
Mar 22 22:12:25 Wactawa Nine Tails strides up next to you, burning bright, "Red Master, blow your horn and fill our ranks."
Mar 22 22:14:37 * Prax does so.
Mar 22 22:14:43 Prax [I wonder how fox-lips do that.]
Mar 22 22:15:07 Wactawa [I wonder how all the avian characters pronounce their b's and p's.]
Mar 22 22:15:23 Wactawa The horn is blown, and a few dozen hunters fill the ranks as if from nowhere.
Mar 22 22:16:35 * Prax is invigorated by the exercise of power, especially in Dream. "Welcome!"
Mar 22 22:17:01 Wactawa They cheer you.
Mar 22 22:19:37 Prax "We ride!"
Mar 22 22:19:52 Prax This being a throng-like situation with no obvious leaders as of yet.
Mar 22 22:20:34 Wactawa It's only a few feet before the first pack is met.
Mar 22 22:20:41 Wactawa Cwn annwns, huge black dogs.
Mar 22 22:20:46 Wactawa They are butchered.
Mar 22 22:20:57 Wactawa The next is five wargs, but they die swiftly, arrows in their hides.
Mar 22 22:21:27 Wactawa The black foxes, the fox boggarts, the black trens, the black werefoxes, the kumihos, the evil inu-tsuyamas, all of them die in your wake.
Mar 22 22:21:30 Prax Thunderous galloping ensues.
Mar 22 22:23:56 Wactawa In a brutal fight, Nine Tails takes out a Servitor of the Champion of Nightmare. In a vicious melee, dozens of foxes die on both sides.
Mar 22 22:24:04 Wactawa Blood stains the forest floors.
Mar 22 22:24:39 * Prax , at points, fights with both of his swords. It looks awesome.
Mar 22 22:24:50 Wactawa One of the Queensguard is slain by a massive black fox leaping on him from behind.
Mar 22 22:25:29 Wactawa And several other minor nobles are slain--a Dreamguard, a Euphonic Knight, a Piper, a May Knight.
Mar 22 22:25:43 Wactawa The hounds, the foxes, the wolves, the boggarts do not stop coming.
Mar 22 22:25:52 Wactawa Thousands of them seem to swarm through the forests.
Mar 22 22:26:08 Wactawa It gets to the point that you realize you have to do something, anything to stem the tide.
Mar 22 22:28:22 Wactawa Any ideas?
Mar 22 22:30:15 Prax Hmmm. I think I could karma this, not because I am in dire need, but that it's quite appropriate.
Mar 22 22:30:30 Prax Ghorim-karma, that is.
Mar 22 22:30:57 Wactawa Do tell.
Mar 22 22:37:58 Wactawa Thinking/typing?
Mar 22 22:38:03 Prax yep!
Mar 22 22:38:07 Wactawa Carry on
Mar 22 22:43:15 * Prax holds the Love-sword aloft, thinking on Ghorim's sacrifice, and how there could indeed be no real contradiction between love and war, or even -- somehow -- between the love of peace and the need to fight. Prax channels his wishes for a free Dream, his mixture of sorrow and pride for Ghorim's break with impartiality, and the warmth and energy of the bond between the members of the (now
Mar 22 22:43:15 * Prax long-absent) Court of Love through the Love-sword, pushing back against the throng of Nightmare-creatures and showing an aspect of himself and his friends to the Hunt that he thought he could not. They now get him just a little better; I think only Rafu would have an inkling of this power, considering how the way to the Happy Hunting Grounds while Prax was trapped in the Maze was opened
Mar 22 22:43:15 * Prax partially by Rosalie and the gang.
Mar 22 22:45:32 Wactawa The sword glows bright sapphire.
Mar 22 22:45:40 Wactawa Flames of blue energy flash and flow out from it.
Mar 22 22:45:50 Wactawa For a moment, it is a simply, soft glow, and then it becomes a torrent.
Mar 22 22:46:02 Wactawa A flood, a deluge of warmth, of love and fire, erupts forth.
Mar 22 22:46:46 Wactawa In this moment, your heart opens to the whole of the Hunt, and they find in themselves understanding. They are heartened and strengthened, and moments later, the fell canines are washed away in the holy flames of Rosalie's Love.
Mar 22 22:47:12 Wactawa And then there is calm in the forest. The canine onslaught has been stopped, for the moment... and the sword you bore is gone, shattered in the unleashing of power.
Mar 22 22:47:41 Prax Boom.
Mar 22 22:47:42 Prax Nice.
Mar 22 22:48:17 Wactawa In the wake of this, one of Rafu's three tails has turned sapphire blue.
Mar 22 22:53:36 Prax Also nice!
Mar 22 22:54:37 Wactawa You ride on?
Mar 22 22:55:04 Prax I definitely do, substantially uplifted.
Mar 22 22:55:44 Wactawa The ride is much easier for several dream miles, until you come to a vast, broken down fortress in the midst of the forest. Around it are many, many wargs, which you have to fight through.
Mar 22 22:56:37 Wactawa For an hour or more, you fight through massive black wolves before coming to the gates of the ruined fortress, and there, you find her.
Mar 22 22:56:50 Wactawa The four tails throws you off--she had three when you treated her.
Mar 22 22:56:57 Wactawa Red furred, beautiful vulpine little thing.
Mar 22 22:57:14 Wactawa Murasakiiro No Yugure, the kitsune who tricked you into the Armor in the first place, lies dead on the stones.
Mar 22 22:57:55 Prax I thought I only got the tattoo from her. Damn indeed.
Mar 22 22:58:04 Wactawa Wait, I might be wrong.
Mar 22 22:59:00 Wactawa You're right.
Mar 22 22:59:09 Wactawa I was thinking of the fact that it was the wrong Armor.
Mar 22 22:59:15 Wactawa And got momentarily confused.
Mar 22 22:59:27 Wactawa Retcon to say the one who gave you the tattoo, lies dead on the stones
Mar 22 23:00:44 Prax Cooltown
Mar 22 23:00:52 * Prax walks to her side.
Mar 22 23:01:05 Prax "A rabbit? A rabbit?"
Mar 22 23:01:41 Wactawa Roll AWA.
Mar 22 23:01:45 * Prax rubs his tattooed shoulder and sighs. A lot.
Mar 22 23:02:12 Prax r awa 20
Mar 22 23:02:12 Eklem Prax [awa : 20] 21 23 25
Mar 22 23:02:15 Prax booo
Mar 22 23:02:21 Wactawa r diff 22
Mar 22 23:02:21 Eklem Wactawa [diff : 22] 23 27 32
Mar 22 23:02:35 Wactawa It comes out of the shadows as you kneel over the kitsune.
Mar 22 23:02:48 Prax Nertz.
Mar 22 23:03:00 Wactawa The other Hunters are busy with wargs and other dangers, so no one is near enough to stop it.
Mar 22 23:03:06 Wactawa It leaps out at you, teeth bared, claws out...
Mar 22 23:03:08 Wactawa Roll dodge.
Mar 22 23:03:14 Wactawa r attack 22+6
Mar 22 23:03:15 Eklem Wactawa [attack : 22+6=28] 34 38 38
Mar 22 23:05:07 Prax Ath?
Mar 22 23:05:41 Prax Nice roll, bee tee dubs.
Mar 22 23:05:48 Wactawa yes
Mar 22 23:05:59 Wactawa And Christ on a cookie. Yeah, that's a roll, all right.
Mar 22 23:06:50 Prax r ohdear 19
Mar 22 23:06:51 Eklem Prax [ohdear : 19] 22 23 29
Mar 22 23:07:52 Wactawa A huge dog with a lower body made of molded tar slams into you.
Mar 22 23:07:53 Wactawa r stun 22+5+6 wound 22+5+6
Mar 22 23:07:53 Eklem Wactawa [stun : 22+5+6=33] 39 41 41
Mar 22 23:07:53 Eklem Wactawa [wound : 22+5+6=33] 35 38 43
Mar 22 23:08:17 Prax Toughness?
Mar 22 23:10:18 Prax or just straight STR?
Mar 22 23:10:48 Wactawa Toughness+Armor
Mar 22 23:11:52 Prax r stun 31+17 wound 31+17
Mar 22 23:11:53 Eklem Prax [stun : 31+17=48] 50 55 55
Mar 22 23:11:53 Eklem Prax [wound : 31+17=48] 54 56 58
Mar 22 23:12:44 Wactawa It slams into you, but the Armor deflects its fangs.
Mar 22 23:12:56 Wactawa It is a massive, horrifying inugami, a fallen fey, angry and vicious.
Mar 22 23:13:00 Wactawa It roars.
Mar 22 23:13:03 Wactawa r init new
Mar 22 23:13:09 Wactawa inu-tsuyama 22
Mar 22 23:13:14 Wactawa r init inu-tsuyama 22
Mar 22 23:13:15 Eklem INIT: tsuyama [22] 25 26 32
Mar 22 23:13:34 Prax r init 20
Mar 22 23:13:35 Eklem INIT: Prax [20] 26 27 29
Mar 22 23:14:22 Wactawa Go.
Mar 22 23:14:34 * Prax swings with the Life-sword, no question.
Mar 22 23:14:48 Prax r swing 28+3
Mar 22 23:14:48 Eklem Prax [swing : 28+3=31] 34 37 40
Mar 22 23:15:21 Wactawa r dodge 22
Mar 22 23:15:21 Eklem Wactawa [dodge : 22] 24 25 25
Mar 22 23:15:28 Wactawa r stun 22 wound 22
Mar 22 23:15:28 Eklem Wactawa [stun : 22] 27 27 30
Mar 22 23:15:28 Eklem Wactawa [wound : 22] 27 29 32
Mar 22 23:15:39 Prax r stun 25+6+6 wound 25+6+6
Mar 22 23:15:40 Eklem Prax [stun : 25+6+6=37] 42 45 47
Mar 22 23:15:40 Eklem Prax [wound : 25+6+6=37] 38 42 45
Mar 22 23:15:56 Wactawa You cleave its head right off, leaving a stump, coterized by argent flame.
Mar 22 23:16:12 Wactawa Well done, growls a voice from nowhere.
Mar 22 23:16:16 Wactawa It is unfamiliar.
Mar 22 23:16:21 Wactawa But distinctly canine.
Mar 22 23:19:11 Wactawa Do you respond?
Mar 22 23:20:10 Prax "Mm?"
Mar 22 23:20:40 Wactawa _You slew one of my oldest rivals. Well done. And my thanks, Red Master. But you have not avenged your friend._
Mar 22 23:21:36 Prax "To whom do I owe this pleasure?"
Mar 22 23:21:53 Wactawa _I am called Terrato. I am the Lord of All Black Foxes._
Mar 22 23:22:01 Wactawa _And I am one with Nightmare._
Mar 22 23:23:17 Prax "Tried it. Wasn't a fan."
Mar 22 23:23:30 Wactawa _I command this fortress, and the gate within it. You will never make it through alive._
Mar 22 23:25:36 Prax "We are strong. We are fast. We do not need to beseige you to win."
Mar 22 23:26:44 Wactawa _Oh? And what of your friend?_
Mar 22 23:27:03 Wactawa "Phalaris! Help me!" Teratai's voice ripples from within the fortress.
Mar 22 23:27:46 * Prax tries to master his fear.
Mar 22 23:28:00 Prax r fearres 17+6
Mar 22 23:28:00 Eklem Prax [fearres : 17+6=23] 31 33 33
Mar 22 23:28:21 Wactawa r diff 19
Mar 22 23:28:21 Eklem Wactawa [diff : 19] 25 25 27
Mar 22 23:28:25 Wactawa You can handle it.
Mar 22 23:28:45 Wactawa She screams in pain, then begs with a sob, somewhere deep within, "Help me!"
Mar 22 23:28:47 * Prax looks around, not in the panic that he was about to, but with definite concern and tactical dispassion.
Mar 22 23:28:54 Prax For any sort of help.
Mar 22 23:29:19 Wactawa The Hunt is gradually dispatching the wargs around the fortress. There are at least a few dozen free to help now.
Mar 22 23:29:52 Prax Is it true? Can I reach out and sense the truth of it?
Mar 22 23:30:13 Prax Or am I just being fucked with by someone who is sure to do so?
Mar 22 23:30:14 Wactawa ...How? Through what mechanism?
Mar 22 23:32:21 Prax That's a great question! Nudging out with dreamwil? (Not a score I ever, ever use, but that seems like a reasonable idea, and a more active method than scent.)
Mar 22 23:32:58 Wactawa Hmm, I don't really think that would work. Will is just the strength of the mind, not a sensing mechanism.
Mar 22 23:35:20 Prax well, like, pushing out to clear the air, as it were.
Mar 22 23:36:07 Wactawa Oneironautically altering the dream-air?
Mar 22 23:36:23 Prax Oh, if it's oneironautical, which I don't know why I didn't think of...
Mar 22 23:36:40 Prax Yeah, I'll just oneiro it.
Mar 22 23:37:08 Wactawa r stronghold 30
Mar 22 23:37:08 Eklem Wactawa [stronghold : 30] 34 34 38
Mar 22 23:38:08 Prax r oneironautics 35+3+3
Mar 22 23:38:08 Eklem Prax [oneironautics : 35+3+3=41] 43 44 51
Mar 22 23:39:57 Wactawa You paint the objective truth in the air before you, and the absence of your friend becomes certain in your mind. It's just an illusiion.
Mar 22 23:40:45 Prax wooooo
Mar 22 23:41:01 Prax "What indeed?"
Mar 22 23:41:04 Wactawa A deep growl rumbles the very ground you stand on, _Very well._
Mar 22 23:41:50 Wactawa _I see no need to die here._
Mar 22 23:41:54 Wactawa And the fortress fades.
Mar 22 23:41:59 Wactawa You're in a peaceful forest.
Mar 22 23:42:13 Wactawa An old gate stands before you. Beyond it, the Waking.
Mar 22 23:42:28 * Prax laughs to himself. "You and me both."
Mar 22 23:42:50 Wactawa The last of the local canines dies at the hands of a Hunter as the scenery changes.
Mar 22 23:43:05 Prax Oh man, book to read: Dreamblood, by N.K. Jemisin. A nation run by Egyptian-inspired sleep magic.
Mar 22 23:43:13 Wactawa Interesting
Mar 22 23:43:26 Prax Just started the second one. A dream-healer is a major character.
Mar 22 23:43:30 Prax My alley, it is right up.
Mar 22 23:44:06 Wactawa Very nice.
Mar 22 23:46:42 Wactawa Do you enter the gate?
Mar 22 23:47:06 * Prax takes a look at the gate, runs his fingers along it, sniffs it, basically makes sure as far as he can that it's legit.
Mar 22 23:47:22 Wactawa It seems so. A few other fey look it over and come to the same conclusion.
Mar 22 23:49:27 Prax "Shall we? Where does this lead?"
Mar 22 23:49:49 Wactawa Thaegwyl says, "Where we want to go--the abandoned forests of Elder Grove."
Mar 22 23:52:16 * Prax nods.
Mar 22 23:53:51 Wactawa You enter?
Mar 22 23:54:32 Prax Mmhm!
Mar 22 23:54:50 Prax Looking over the wounded, of course
Mar 22 23:55:02 Prax Because Prax is just that kind of fox-ox-guy.
Mar 22 23:56:38 Wactawa log end prax's mystery