Tenebrae - User contributions [en]

Run Free Forever

2025-07-29T02:57:36Z

Aftershock: Created page with " GAME: Telamon casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Cesran casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Cesran casts Mind Blank. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31 GAME: Cesran casts Spell Turning. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30 We Roved Out, in Search for a Place to Run Wild and Free: Why can't it just be easy for once? It does not seem to be a difficult request to those in the party, with such grand skills and magic, to complete a dead friend's last request. Quel..."

GAME: Telamon casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26
GAME: Cesran casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24
GAME: Cesran casts Mind Blank. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31
GAME: Cesran casts Spell Turning. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30

We Roved Out, in Search for a Place to Run Wild and Free:

Why can't it just be easy for once? It does not seem to be a difficult request to those in the party, with such grand skills and magic, to complete a dead friend's last request. Quelynos is beautiful and eternally lush, of course, but there is a hint of oppressive gazes upon them from the moment they step within the First World. Imagination. Combat fatigue from their battles against the void. It has to be.

They take a leisurely march through the forest, its music softly droning, to a place to set Deathless free. "Beneath the shadows of the great tree," Carver asked. So, they will do their best.

An hour in and the great red steed's usual exuberance is dull and listless, even considering the loss of her master. From the moment they stepped into this land it is as if fatigue took her. She follows with low head and heavy hooves. They begin to hear music.

Not the drone of insects and whistling wind. Of whispers and reed flutes. Baying of Hounds and stomping of feet. The party comes into a clearing where Deathless finally rises her head and gives a nervous whinny, ears folding back. There. The great roots of Ygdrassil in the far distance. This is the place.

Shade falls over all of them as the great sun is eclipsed with a moon, laughter echoing all around. From the trees, they come. Seemingly stepping out from living wood.

A figure, petite, wearing layers of moss and hides is the last of them. From their head, a great rack, antler horns decorated with ribbons and trinkets of terrible beasts, whose 'royal scepter' is a writhing spear of briars and thorns. Their eyes are emerald green and seizing all those she gazes upon... and those that gaze upon her.

"You are far from home! With stolen souls amongst your numbers! We are ever-so grateful!" Their rrrrrrr's roll smoothly, the tiny figure lifting weapon high with a jubilant cry of a hundred of the famed hunt roaring from the shadows. Those in the clearing smile.

Laughter all around, under a Killing Moon. A song in Silvari begins, a choir of bloodletters and legends. "Let." The tiny leader of the fearsome hunt howls. "The Revelry." Her head tosses back with arms raised.

"BEGIN!"

GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (13)+21+4: 38

"Oh, hey, someone is horny!" Skyler says with a grin as the figure walks out in her mossy hides and antlers, "Hopefully she's got plenty of hart for what we're here for. It'd be nice to buck the trend lately of everything trying to kill us."

Because puns are clearly a form of diplomacy.

The Swashbuckler is clad in his business clothes: a leather greatcoat, a whore's bounty of jewelry, and of course his shiny boots and wicked curved blade. The only thing that doesn't reek of sorcery? His poor, battered buckler. He beams at the group, and adds, "So! Do we all strip down to moss and roll in the mud, or is that after we kill some people?"

GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (11)+17: 28
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/nature: (6)+28: 34

Of course. It's -never- easy. Telamon's expression is sour. "I knew we should've set out from Grandfather's tree. His reputation keeps the stupider elements at bay." The elegantly-dressed sorcerer rises up, regarding the petite leader of the hunt with a stern gaze.

"Stand aside, mistress of the hunt. We have no quarrel with you, but we shall not be denied by you." Telamon's voice takes on a slightly ominous reverb, his hair starting to float around his face. "I am called Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon. My family is the bane of the Corpse-Eater. I am the bane of Koz'gon the Stealer of Years. Do you still wish to hunt? Or shall we pass untouched?"

Karasu is ready for the woods to come alive with enemies. His hands are crossed over his chest, close to his weapons while appearing to be unassuming. This though is a lie. Karasu is never ill-prepared, particularly not when he knows to expect an ambush. Thus when the enemy steps forth, his dark eyes flash and wordlessly he readies himself to spring forth into action.

If it's revelry they want, it's death he'll give.

Cesran has agreed to accompany those that wish to fulfill their companions last request. Of course this would involve going into Quelynos, a place that Cesran has read about, but visited infrequently. He goes ready for battle because who knows what creatures you will encounter here. He is 15 feet above the ground riding on his carpet of flying, keeping an eye out. He has his staff in one hand and a decorated rod in the other.

Cersan lets Telamon do the talking as his social skills are more likely to get them killed then pass unmolested. He strength lies in the vast stores of information that he has stored in his mind as he tries to recall what he knows about these particular creatures, which he shares with his allies, “Be aware this leader of the wild hunt shares a mind link with her companions, they are strengthen by their allies being alive. Normal weapons will do less damage, if you have cold iron I would suggest you use that. Also be aware their would will heal on their own.”

Information given out, Cesran readies himself as he reviews his spells, ready to cast if this should dissolve into violence.

Cor'ethil blinks rapidly as he catches sight of those horns, then he averts his eyes. "Khualuanin'le Hunathilris. Laughter Before the Killing Moon. Her gaze can drive a man mad--so don't look into her eyes." He remarks these things quietly to his allies, before he puts a hand to his chest.

"I am called Cor'ethil." He doesn't mention who he is, or more aptly, who his mother is. He doesn't want to cause a diplomatic incident for her to resolve later. Unlike Telamon, however, he doesn't have any hopes for a hunt without at least some test of mettle. Unseelie or Seelie, some fae are bloodthirsty.

So he draws his rapier and murmurs a word with the drawing. "Stay thy thirst," he says, before he recites his usual Celestial speech:

"Exceedingly sharp, bane to dark:
I call on Cen to bring the spark." <Celestial>

The rapier glows softly with the presence of Corey's divine ally. "Let it begin. Hopefully with no deaths." A boy can dream!

"Company in the trees." Skyler adds, quietly, as his pale grey-green eyes watch the surroundings apparently thoughtless and cheerfully blank. "I expect this is an exhibition fight. From my experience with the fey, they're like squirrels chasing a nut for drama."

GAME: Skyler spends ONE use of CHARMED LIFE.
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+28: (20)+28: 48
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+28: (2)+28: 30
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+23: (15)+23: 38
GAME: Skyler rolls Will+4: (6)+9+4: 19
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+18: (6)+18: 24
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+28: (20)+28: 48
GAME: Carver rolls 3d10+60: (16)+60: 76

"You forget the obvious joke!" Khual cackles. "I HAVE A GREAT FUCKIN' RACK."

Everything suddenly is violence. The archer to the monarch's side lifts their bow, and the arrow sails into the sky, exploding with a fireburst and scattering stars. Telamon's threats stir the wise to caution but this creature only laughs harder. "I know who you are! King of Dreams, sing to me!"

The challenge is laid as her weapon soars and returns, soars and returns, soars and returns and strikes Cesran true every time.

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (8)+23+1: 32
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+12: aliased to 1d6+14+12: (2)+14+12: 28
GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics: (7)+20: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+20: (8)+20: 28

"JOKE'S ON YOU! I'M MORE AN ASS MAN!" Skyler calls out to the Laughter Before the Killing Moon. He shudders slightly, shaking his head as if trying to clear it before blinking. "Try not to cry, I know you want my big, throbbing sword!"

And he rushes forward, darting and sliding the last few feet while doing the splits. It would be painful as hell if he wasn't wearing a leather codpiece. "LIKE THIS!" And he thrusts his sword up betwixt the fey's crotch that he rushed. "TELL ME I'M PRETTY!" He roars

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (20)+23+1: 44 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls critmonster+1: aliased to weapon1+4+1: (19)+23+4+1: 47 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: (4)+14+(3)+14+12+12: 59
GAME: Skyler spends ONE point of PANACHE.

The other wild hunter does the same as the first, his arrow also bursting in the night with scattered fireflies. One of the hound howls and charges Skyler, launching himself as the man charges at the scout, but whose blade intercepts and cuts.... deep, bone deep.... why is the wound already beginning to heal?

Fey. Right. The creature shakes its head and gives a low, menacing growl.

GAME: Telamon casts Haste/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 28
GAME: Telamon casts Meteor Swarm. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (8)+17+1: 26
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (20)+17+1: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (1)+17+1: 19 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (11)+17+1: 29
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (20)+17+1: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+1: (20)+17+1: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (20)+26: 46
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (1)+26: 27 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20-4: (16)+-4: 12
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+22: (2)+22: 24
GAME: Telamon rolls 2d6+2d6+4d6: (4)+(7)+(15): 26
GAME: Telamon rolls 6d6: (19): 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 6d6: (21): 21
GAME: Telamon rolls 6d6: (24): 24
GAME: Telamon rolls 6d6: (20): 20
GAME: Telamon rolls glare: aliased to Intimidate: (13)+36: 49
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+21: (4)+21: 25
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+21: (20)+21: 41
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+21: (2)+21: 23
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+16: (3)+16: 19
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21

"By the gods!" Telamon shouts, as Cesran is savagely injured. His starry eyes turn on the hunting fey, and he growls, "You. Were. Warned."

Arcane energy gathers around his hand, and he gestures swiftly with it -- sending an arc of silvery light to wrap around his nearby companions, quickening their movements. Then he holds a hand in the air, and begins to chant. "Mulan ki-la, geshe namgilima..." Four spheres of blazing flame materialize, circling Telamon like moons. "Ganzer dib!" he shouts, and sends them slamming into the Killing Moon with thunderous detonations. The fire rages for a moment, as the archmage lofts into the air, eyes ablaze.

"I am the Starborn King, Lord of Leca'fi Amdamu! Flee this place, for my wrath is as infinite as the stars and cold as the void itself!"

GAME: Carver rolls 2d6+12: (6)+12: 18
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (14)+23+1: 38
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (4)+23+1: 28
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+swashbuckler: (1)+14+12: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+24: (15)+24: 39
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+18: (9)+18: 27
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2: (17)+25+2: 44 (THREAT)
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4: (7)+25+2+4: 38
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+damage1+2+2+1d6 merciful: aliased to 1d6+8+1d6+8+2+2+1d6 merciful: (1)+8+(2)+8+2+2+(5 merciful): 28

Cor'ethil races forward to be across from Skyler, giving the swashbuckler a broad smile before he focuses his rapier on the fae scout they're fighting together. He thrusts the sword out and catches the scout with one good thrust of the blade, but not drawing blood, thanks to the strange enchantment on it.

"Terribly sorry!" he murmurs. "Not personal! Please don't write any complaints to my Mother!" He can already see the endless flocks of ravens over his house now...

GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19: (1)+19: 20 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19: (19)+19: 38
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19: (8)+19: 27
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+3+1+1d6+3+1: (3)+3+1+(3)+3+1: 14
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+23: (14)+23: 37
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+20: (19)+20: 39

Karasu races across the battlefield like the wind is under his feet. His sword Moya is drawn before he ever reaches his foe, and so too is Toge. The slash of his sword has him acrobatically rolling around the archer even as something rather embarrassing leaves his lips. "Kokoro means heart." Pink rises to Karasu's cheeks and he glances toward Cor'ethil, no idea why that had come out of his mouth.

Kokoro is after all that which he calls Cor'ethil.

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (18)+23+1: 42 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (8)+23+1: 32
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: (2)+14+(2)+14+12+12: 56
GAME: Cesran casts Time Stop. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Cesran casts Summon Monster IX. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Cesran casts Shapechange. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Cesran casts Crushing Hand. Caster Level: 20 DC: 34
GAME: Cesran casts Protection From Energy. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26
GAME: Cesran casts Stoneskin. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27
GAME: Cesran casts Chain Lightning. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (18)+20: 38
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (12)+20: 32
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+22: (18)+22: 40
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+22: (12)+22: 34
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+17: (3)+17: 20
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+17: (15)+17: 32
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+17: (10)+17: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (3)+26: 29
GAME: Cesran rolls 20d6+10: (64)+10: 74
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+23: (2)+23: 25
GAME: Telamon rolls Reflex: (9)+18: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+27: (6)+27: 33
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+27: (6)+27: 33
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+22: (5)+22: 27

Cesran is easily hit three time with the spear as it strikes true into his body. He leans on his staff as those were some heavy hits. He groans as he pushes himself up right, “Enough of this.” He raises the rod and quickly casts Time Stop. The world slows around him as he drops the rod and takes out another one. He starts to summon and soon 3 huge celestial T-rex’s appear with halos over their heads and little wings on their backs. They surround the fey creature that chucked the spear at Cesran.

Cesran continues as the flow of time is still frozen as he quickly casts Shapechange and turns into a huge mountain troll and then he casts Crushing hand behind the fey and stows away his greater rod of quickening. He takes out a lesser rod of quickening and quickly cast protection from energy sonic on himself and then takes out some diamond dust he casts stoneskin on himself, making his rocky hide even more rocky. That is when time starts to return to normal and Cesran watches as 2 of them manage to land bites on the fey leader. They seem unable to grab the leader as the Crushing Hand misses as well. Cesran takes note of this, but he turns his attention to the other fey creatures. He sends out a bolt of lightning that hits the first hound hard before it leaps and forks, hitting all the fey around his companions. Cesran puts away the lesser wand of quickening on his now huge belt.

GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+17: (15)+17: 32

The roar of meteors falling drown out the wild fey's songs, but only for an instance, for as the boom of its thunders pass they only seem MORE enthused. The stomping of feet show their approval, even as the Lord of Leca'fi Amdamu's wrath is unleashed in great land-scarring fire and rendered earth; Killing Under a Laughing Moon giggles despite it all.

The Monarch's wide eyes are manic and she howls again with great joy, "You. are. all. simply. the. best!" No one has ever been hit by fallen stars and enjoyed it more. Khuala slams her spear to the earth, snapping her fingers in Karasu's direction this time. Song fills his ear, her whispers slither to mind. She liked his moves so...

Join the Hunt, baby. Even while still smoldering and with the great beasts snapping at her heels, she enjoys every brutal moment of it.

Streaking lightning scourges through the battlefield, one of the hounds bodies burned black before it can even register pains. A roiling sympathetic ooooooo comes from the half-hidden crowd. The archer to the monarch's right levels his bow and how they miss, though one lances through the air like a sickly green beam. Maybe it's for the best THAT one did not hit. They give Khual a strange look.

She shrugs. "Hey, they earned their reputation! HAH!"

She slams down her own spear this time, and gravity obeys.

GAME: Karasu rolls Will: (18)+14: 32
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (17)+23+1: 41 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls critmonster+1: aliased to weapon1+4+1: (16)+23+4+1: 44 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (1)+23+1: 25 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1-5: (18)+23+1+-5: 37 (THREAT)
GAME: Skyler rolls critmonster+1-5: aliased to weapon1+4+1-5: (8)+23+4+1+-5: 31
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1-10: (2)+23+1+-10: 16
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: (5)+14+(6)+14+12+12: 63
GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+swashbuckler+swashbuckler: (4)+14+(2)+14+12+12: 58
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (1)+26: 27 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (3)+26: 29
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (19)+26: 45
GAME: Carver rolls 1D20+21: (17)+21: 38
GAME: Skyler rolls reflex+4: (4)+18+4: 26
GAME: Carver rolls 13d6+10: (48)+10: 58
GAME: Carver rolls 1d10+17+1d6: (4)+17+(6): 27
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (19)+22: 41
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (19)+22: 41
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (20)+22: 42
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (12)+22: 34
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+22: (6)+22: 28
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+22: (16)+22: 38

Up Skyler flies as the spear slams down, but the oddest thing happens. Skyler lets out a terse bark of Celestial and his armor begins to shimmer under his coat as the loss of control over gravity is reversed and he begins to fly. He glances over his shoulder and blows a kiss towards the Wild Monarch, before adding verbally, "YOU SMELL LIKE ELDERBERRIES AND YOUR MOM WAS A GOAT!"

He then barrel rolls midair, flying towards the poor scout as he literally turns himself into a blender. One hit misses, as the fey dodges out of the way. Another does the same. But then he stops and his arms lash out as he spins backwards, slicing open his stomach with one blow and the other cutting across the back of his knees to hamstring. "TADA! And for my next trick... A rabbit out of a hat!" He turns to the hound, and glowers, "And by hat I mean your guts. Because I'm going to gut you and wear your head as a hat!"

GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+22: (10)+22: 32

The Hound is lifted into the air, baying in dismay. It seems the monarch did not exclude them. Or cannot. Either way, the poor pup's flailing limbs amidst all this chaos? Kinda cute. Actually.

GAME: Telamon casts Suffocation/Persistent. Caster Level: 20 DC: 28
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+13: (14)+13: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+13: (3)+13: 16

The sizzling beam of green light goes by Telamon, and his eyes widen, then narrow again. Smoothly, the flying sorcerer turns to regard the archer, and Telamon reaches out his hand. A crackle of energy builds up around his fingers, as he chants, and then suddenly he clenches his fist.

Across the battlefield, the archer drops their bow, eyes widening as they no longer have breath. Standing on their tiptoes as Telamon magically strangles them into unconsciousness, and the sorcerer looks around, watching the tides of battle turn in their favor.

The wild scout takes a sudden breath, as their wounds begin to seal close, suddenly conscious once more. The hold up their bared hands, forming a gesture of surrender; they were beaten and acknowledges the victors as such despite how quickly marks of the heroes's blades and lightning fade, hovering high in the air.

GAME: Corey rolls Acrobatics: (14)+3: 17
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+1: (14)+25+2+1: 42
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+1d6 merciful: aliased to 1d6+8+2+1d6 merciful: (6)+8+2+(5 merciful): 21
GAME: Karasu rolls Acrobatics+5: (9)+24+5: 38
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (9)+19+-2+2: 28
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (15)+14+-2+2: 29
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (18)+19+-2+2: 37
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2-5+2: (8)+19+-2+-5+2: 22
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (8)+14+-2+2: 22
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2-5+2: (20)+14+-2+-5+2: 29
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (5)+14+-2+2: 19
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+3+1+4d6: (6)+3+1+(14): 24
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+3+1+4d6: (4)+3+1+(14): 22
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+3+1+4d6: (4)+3+1+(15): 23
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d4+3+1+4d6: (1)+3+1+(10): 15
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d4+3+1+4d6: (4)+3+1+(13): 21
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d4+3+1+4d6: (4)+3+1+(12): 20

To say that Corey is a little discombobulated is an understatement. He's never been entirely bereft of gravity, so when he tries to close in to the archer, it takes something that looks a bit like doggy-paddling through the air. Very graceful. Very demure. Very--

"Karasu! Close in with me!" Cor'ethil calls out as he tries for a stab at the archer. Again, this one strikes true bloodlessly. He knows Karasu works best when he can close in from behind any enemy that's focused on him.

Karasu has no mercy for his foe, unlike his beloved husband. His weapons have no mercy either, and they work together as he tumbles through the air to cut a swath into the enemy. Not one attack, but many, a blur of movement that is made possible by pushing off of some of the debris caused by Telamon's attack across the battlefield, and Cor'ethil's timely distraction of the enemy. He's grateful even as he's impressed by the work of the two mages who are battling the matriarch of this little campaign.

"Are you alright Cor'ethil?" He calls out to his husband, seeing how unsteady the other man is without his footing. The enemy falls limp and unconscious after their bevy of attacks, and he turns his attention firmly on the man he actually cares about.

The hound snaps and bites and twists madly in the air, its teeth finding no purchase anywhere. It simply spins faster and faster and faster as for all its manic, baying energy? It cannot simply escape its magically-assisted trip to the moon.

GAME: Cesran casts True Strike. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24
GAME: Cesran casts Disintegrate/Persistent. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (5)+26: 31
GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+26: (10)+26: 36
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+15+20: (15)+15+20: 50
GAME: Cesran rolls 5d6: (18): 18
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (4)+22: 26
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+22: (2)+22: 24
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (12)+20: 32
GAME: Cesran rolls 40d6: (135): 135

Cesran re-draws the lesser wand of quickening as he put it away in error, but he quickly recovers as he casts true strike on himself. Empowered by the brief glimpse into the future, he aims his staff at the leader of the fey wild hunt as the dragon’s eyes glow green and her mouth opens wide. A beam of sickly green energy shoots forth and streaks past the T-rexes as their jaws try and fail to snap at their quarry. They are hunters too and eager to get a taste of their prey. The beam hits the fey leader square in the chest as it sucks the life energy out from her. The disintegration beam robbing her of her vitality. In a deep voice Cesran booms, “Do you yield?”

Cesran’s rocky form continues to knit itself back together as he is still recovering from the devastating first strike of this contest.

The fey are not silent but there is a muttering amongst the trees, ancient words shared. Some are understood. Admiration for strength displayed by the mortals. The beauty of the dance between Core'thil and Karasu as they find each other amidst the sky, a pirate whose blade was quicksilvery quick, two archmages holding nothing back. Stomping dinosaurs nip and bite at her, but still she smiles, through it all. Through meteor swarms, through time stops, as her friends and allies fall defeated one by one.

Then that beam hits her. She slams her spear into the ground to brace but is still sent sliding nearly ten feet back, with head bowed.

The gravity spell fades gently, lowering those still captured in it to the ground.

Deathless trots up to the kneeling, defeated 'Laughter Under the Killing Moon' as even her enchantment over the battlefield's light fades. The horse noses her curiously.

A hand gently strokes beneath the ranger's steed's chin. "Welcome back."

Holding onto Deathless, she climbs back up to her feet on shaky legs. "We acknowledge your strength! We applaud your courage. The Revelry Ends! A Sister Returned!" The fey approach and all seem to greet the great red horse, a single pat there. A scratch here.

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/nature: (5)+28: 33
GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (10)+21+4: 35
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/nature: (7)+28: 35

Recent Logs

2025-07-29T02:56:26Z

2025-07-15T02:12:56Z

Aftershock:

{{AboutLogs}}

'''[[Archived_Logs|For 2024 and earlier, see the Archives]].'''

==2025 Logs==
===January===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2025
|[[The Spectacle of the Century]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Alec]], [[Bryn]], [[Mikilos]] [[Murder]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 4, 2025
|[[A Final Word on the Spires]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Eztli]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], GM: Whirlpool
|-
|January 5, 2025
|[[Hooves of Steel (Part 2)]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], [[Reithak]], [[Jarik]]
|-
|January 6, 2025
|[[Working Hands]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 7, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 11)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 8, 2025
|[[Flight of Intrigue]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Palomas]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 9, 2025
|[[Scaling and Weeping]]
|[[Verna]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Temple Festivities]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Irshya]], [[Jarik]], [[Menel]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]]
|-
|January 10, 2025
|[[Sins of the Past: A Confrontation]]
|[[Jarik]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 11, 2025
|[[Slapbet]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Rocky]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 12, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Crik]], [[Jarik]], [[Bryn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Sjach]], with GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 13, 2025
|[[Graven Images]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|January 14, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 12)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 15, 2025
|[[Tough Hands]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Bryn]]
|-
|January 17, 2025
|[[The Power of Flour]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Skyler]], [[Choler]], [[Munch]]
|-
|January 18, 2025
|[[Grim Deed (Part 1)]]
|[[Culix]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Back in Technicolor]]
|[[Corey]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|January 19, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors 2]]
|[[Sjach]], [[Haggerty]], [[Crik]], [[Dirk]], [[Jarik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|
|[[Vacation and the Pen]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 20, 2025
|[[Meeting Eli]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Pothy Problems]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 21, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 13)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 23, 2025
|[[The Dream Quest of the Archmage Part 1]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Warrick]], [[Palomas]], [[Haggerty]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 26, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors Part 3]]
|[[Sjach]], [[Dirk]], [[Bryn]], [[Jarik]], [[Crik]], GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 27, 2025
|[[Golden Box]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Gr'lk'tosst]], [[Halia]], [[Jarik]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 28, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 14)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 30, 2025
|[[The Dream Quest of the Archmage Part 2]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Warrick]], [[Palomas]], [[Haggerty]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Polite Request]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|January 31, 2025
|[[Here But For You]]
|[[Halia]], [[Skyler]], [[Rocky]], [[Tonameyo]], [[Carver]]
|}

===February===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|February 1, 2025
|[[Grim Deeds 2]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|February 2, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale 1]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 3, 2025
|[[The Quest of Eli]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|February 4, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 15)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|February 6, 2025
|[[A Handful of Dust]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Simony]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 8, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 3]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|February 9, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 2]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Burai]], [[Crik]], [[Skyler]], [[Ulthan]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 11, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 16)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|February 14, 2025
|[[Mages of Daeus]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Skyler]], [[Eztli]], [[Carver]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|February 16, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 3]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 20, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|February 21, 2025
|[[Pursuit Through Dreams]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], NPC: Amenara Paki (played by Aftershock)
|-
|February 22, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 4]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A Gift Lost to the Shadows]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Murder]], [[Telamon]], [[Carver]]
|-
|February 23, 2025
|[[Conspiracy to Murder]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Riptide
|-
|
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 4]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 24, 2025
|[[Of Tests and Trials]]
|[[Carver]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]], GM: Riptide & Aftershock
|-
|February 25, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 17)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===March===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|March 2, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 5]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 3, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 4, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 18)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 7, 2025
|[[Crystal Tower]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 8, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 5]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 9, 2025
|[[Sins of the Past: Masquerade Mayhem]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Auranar]], [[Irshya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]] DM: [[Jarik]] & [[Skyler]]
|-
|
|[[Crystal Tower (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 10, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Cashew by Cashew]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 11, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 19)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 13, 2025
|[[Dance of the Watchlings]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Carver]], [[Skyler]], [[Simony]]
|-
|March 15, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 6]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 16, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 6]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 18, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 20)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 19, 2025
|[[The Sickle's Edge]]
|[[Choler]], [[Harshad]]
|-
|March 20, 2025
|[[Fluffy the Fey]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Bryn]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]] GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 21, 2025
|[[A Lost Fey Puppy]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 23, 2025
|[[Of Staves and Stones]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Crystal Tower (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 7]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 24, 2025
|[[Archmage Asking]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Murder]], Riptide (as Faphinae), GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 25, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 21)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 29, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 7]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 30, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 8]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 31, 2025
|[[Red Matrimony]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

===April===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|April 1, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 22)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 3, 2025
|[[Inspector Fritzgilbert and the Ploughing Goat]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Zigrun]]
|-
|April 4, 2025
|[[The Golden Songbird]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|April 6, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 9]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|April 8, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 23)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 9, 2025
|[[With Vast Love (Part 1)]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Haggerty]], [[Harshad]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|April 11, 2025
|[[Four Floozies]]
|[[Khepri]], [[Carver]], [[Bryn]], [[Rocky]]
|-
|April 13, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 10]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Nary for Nereid]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Carver]], [[Mikilos]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]] GM: Riptide
|-
|April 14, 2025
|[[Running Up That Hill]]
|[[Aragos]] GM: Riptide
|-
|
|[[Bring a Little Fae]]
|[[Atrid]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Khepri]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|April 15, 2025
|[[A Grove Pit Stop]]
|[[Slixvah]] [[Atrid]]
|-
|
|[[Homegrown Confessional]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Carver]]
|-
|April 19, 2025
|[[Neva Gonna Give You Up]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]] GM: Whirlpool
|-
|
|[[Grim Deed Part 8]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Reithak]], [[Carver]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|April 20, 2025
|[[The Dukes Knight]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Rhar]], [[Thurid]] GM: Riptide
|-
|April 22, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 24)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 23, 2025
|[[With Vast Love (Part 2)]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Harshad]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|April 27, 2025
|[[Faeology 101]]
|[[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 29, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 25)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===May===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|May 1, 2025
|[[Strawberries For All]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Khepri]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 2, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Aragos]], [[Crik]] GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|May 4, 2025
|[[Cleiuin's Confession]]
|[[Thurid]], [[Riptide]]
|-
|May 5, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 9]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 6, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 26)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|May 9, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty Part 2]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Haggerty]], [[Aragos]], [[Crik]] GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|May 10, 2025
|[[Rainy days, hair loss and full bellies]]
|[[Murder]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 11, 2025
|[[Whispers of the Withering Wood]]
|[[Atzi]], [[Harshad]], [[Mist]], [[Tonameyo]]; GM: [[Dirk]]
|-
|May 12, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 17, 2025
|[[Something Fae-shy]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Bryn]], [[Myoides]], [[Skyler]]; GM: Riptide
|-
|May 18, 2025
|[[Fire of the Sun]]
|[[Thurid]], [[Bryn]], [[Skyler]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Irysha]], [[Khepri]], [[Haggerty]], [[Carver]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|May 19, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 22, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 1)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 23, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty (Part 3)]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Warrick]]; GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Sisters Strange]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Skyler]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|May 25, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 10]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Work of Brewing and Crafting]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 19, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 27, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 27)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===June===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|June 1, 2025
|[[River Fishing]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Free Soup]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Khepri]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], [[Carver]]
|-
|June 2, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 4)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 5, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 8, 2025
|[[Seaside Yearnings]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Khepri]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|June 9, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 5)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 10, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 28)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 13, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 17, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 29)]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 21, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 11]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|June 23, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 6)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 24, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 30)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 26, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 4)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 27, 2025
|[[In Search of Rolls]]
|[[Carver]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|June 26, 2025
|[[Reincarnation]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 30, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 7)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

===July===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|July 1, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 31)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 7th, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 8)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 8, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 32)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 10, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G1]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Lanier]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]], GM: Whirlpool
|-
|July 11, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G2]]
|[[Braelnoir]], [[Dirk]], [[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 12, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G3]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]], [[Jarik]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|July 14th, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 9)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

[[Category:Logs]]

Defending the Spell Cannon G1

2025-07-11T05:28:09Z

Aftershock:

Word had quickly spread through Alexandria: Heth, the great threat that lurked in Dragonier, is coming. His undead, previously seen in probing attacks over the years as he spread like a malignant plague through the land, had begun moving en masse. Rumors already speak of battles already being waged on the Dranish border, of scores of undead appearing amongst the people of Rune, and other wilder rumors still.

But one thing is certain: the great dragon itself, flanked by the undead remnants of Dragonier and accompanied by winged shadows thought to be its spawn, is on its way. The butcher of Dragonier would visit slaughter on Alexandria at long last...

... but for one thing. The moment had been long prepared for.

They call it the Spell Cannon. A work of artifice that laid dormant in the mountains east of Alexandria until it was discovered. Today, that great work has served as an ultimate deterrent, an artifact of Kulthian malice so powerful that even the great Charnish Empire has not dared attempt to take the crown jewel of Alexandria in light of its presence, fearing the use of it would ensure the move would simply be too costly...

...but Heth has no such mortal considerations. They fear not the works of man or god, Kulthian or Alexandrian. They seek only destruction and slaughter, so they say, and so now the cannon is being prepared, and it must at all costs be protected.

The Alexandrian military is spread thin, working to secure the lands and the city, quelling an unsettled and frightened population, preventing riots and stampedes as people attempt to flee. While some have faith in the cannon, many do not even such a great weapon can stop the great dragon. Surely, Kulthian magic can succeed where the great dragons had failed. Worse still is the fear that firing the cannon will usher in a disaster all its own, unravelling the boundary between the planes or loosing armies of demons in a renewed act of the Demon Wars.

As such, they have activated the Guild of Explorers rolls and summoned every skilled warrior they could find, spreading them throughout the land, and some too at the Spell Cannon itself. Today, some of those bold souls are patrolling and controlling access to the cool mountain passes that lead to the complex above them in the distance, having been ordered to stop and search all who seek passage to the complex, of which there are a great many caravans bringing badly needed equipment, supplies, and magicite. There are no chances to be taken, and any who attempt to pass without the authorized code phrase of 'tilted axis' are to be detained, and if necessary, killed to protect the cannon.

Everything depends on this.

Everything.

Countless lives not just in Alexandros, but the world over. Should Heth survive here and commit his great atrocity on Alexandria, there will be no stopping them, they say, from ushering in an era of darkness that has long threatened.

And so these brave souls patrol in the cool, summer air of a mountain pass, a short distance from the high steps that lead to the cannon's station, one of the final checkpoint for those who seek access to the cannon. Multiple parties have passed already, and many more are yet to come -- arriving swiftly to the moment of salvation... or ultimate destruction.

Aragos stands at the ready, his massive sword already drawn and at the ready. He stands beside his daugher Gramarye, his purple eyes watching those that pass by with stern eyes. He clearly doesn't know if he should trust everyone going by, but he doesn't say anything. Instead he waits patiently - as patiently as he can - for some sign of an attack from within... or without. "What do you think Gramarye? Are we just here to ensure there's no attack? Do you think anyone will dare show up and try to stop this thing from firing?"

Warrick had seen this coming. From the Tribune, from various sources back in the Watch and in the Alexandrian military. Having been on the front lines against Heth's recon invasion force, he was sparing no expensive for the lives of Alexandros.

And while guard duty is beyond dull. He gladly does it, as this pass is one of the last lines of defense. He could not feel more honored to be in this position with the others around him, the once-guard looking more like machine in a set of shining mithral full plate, half of a phoenix painted crudely on the faceplate as a quarter dozen weapons and fistfuls of bolts stick out of quivers. One hand holds the familiar looking massive crossbow, the other held up to his visor. A receipt to an airship ticket bound for Rune.

A steadying sigh leaves him as he puts it away. "If it were me, I'd have a large aerial assault to bypass the pass," he grunts, looking up.

Gramarye's obsidian eyes blink with light as Aragos asks her a question. Her head finally pivots to face him after a moment. "Analysis conclusion: uncertain. There are no enemies detected at this time. Nonetheless, mission directive has put me in the ideal operational state to initiate the combat module at any time."

A blink in her eyes again.

"Please remain ready to initiate combat as well, Father." Then her head pivots in the direction of Warrick. "You as well, Warrick."

Lanier maintains the highground, massive sword remaining strapped to his back while he holds his bow in his hand, arrow knocked. All of his training at the hands of the Syldanyari has come to this, waiting for someone to not say 'stilted axes' so he can shoot them in the face. Or was it 'jilted exes'? Maybe it's a good thing the Mythwood ranger is not alone out here.

He is accompanied by Spud, the dire wolf, who surely remembers the passphrase exactly. While Lanier looks near, Spud looks far, prepared to alert the ranger should he see anything. The ranger looks over towards Warrick, and then shakes his head, calling out, "We can only do what we can do. We're not equipped for an aeriel assult, but if they aren't either, here we are." He grins a detrimental grin.

How absolutely cool it would be to see the giant spell cannon functional was sadly irrelevant, as preventing the world from being destroyed was likely more important. So Schara was out in the middle of nowhere, waiting to make sure that no one attempted to get by that shouldn't be, even if she was unhappy with the expectation they were to kill anyone who did not comply.

The artificer had her eyes on the pass, waiting to see who else would be coming. "I guess that even if this cannon works, we'll need all of these supplies for whatever's remaining. This cannon will work, right?" They wondered, not sounding entirely certain.

Already, there have been travelers seeking passage with the proper code word carrying supplies destined for the cannon. The share it, their wagons are searched, and they move on.

No chances are to be taken. It would only take on small slip to spell doom for everyone. The air is thick with rising tension, as each moment that passes brings danger closer. It will not belong, in the grand scheme of things. Hours, perhaps, if that. One can not say from out here. More wagons come, more searching, more passphrases. The thing being brought up seems to be just massive quantities of magicite. This is not a surprise to anyone, really. No doubt they keep a voluminous stockpile here at the cannon site, but they plainly wanted more of all hues of it. Great crystals of pinks and blues, glowing light with crystalized magical energy.

Another series of wagons approach, now, their own guards approaching to clear the way.

"Oi," calls a tired looking, middle aged guardsman who looks like he's seen better days, sheer exhaustion written all over his face.

"The axis tilts," he whispers loudly enough to be heard by those who approach him. Password, check. All that's needed now is to search the wagons.

Aragos moves in, motioning to the others that he'll take the risk of checking the wagons. Knowing that Warrick is a more ranged combatant, and that Gramarye is as well if one that is becoming more and more adept with her blade. He checks the wagon. Does his duty, but he does it with one hand on his sword hilt. Ready for a fight.

"It better," Warrick offhandedly replies to Schara while giving a slight thumbs up to Gramarye. Several wagons later, and..- his eyes squint behind the lifted visor. That's not the password verbatim. As Aragos moves in, he steps out and to the side. "Sir, please step aside," he instructs, gesturing to the side of the road.

Gramarye watches the wagons, her obsidian eyes catching light as she stares passively. (Or, at least, by flesh-person standards, it might seem that way.) Her eyes blink with light again as Gramarye remarks, "Analysis concluded. There is a 57% match for the facial composition of Warrick and subject: unknown guardsman."

Then Warrick makes the instruction, and Gramarye follows suit, her heavy steps signaling her approach. "Please follow all instructions," she says. "Failure to comply may result in consequences."

Schara glanced at the cart, at the guards, and at the others. "Is that not the password? I guess it's not exact or anything, or something, I won't say more." The artificer mused. "Sorry, but we do need to take this carefully. please reply with Warrick's request, it shouldn't take long to make sure everything is alright, I think?"

GAME: Warrick rolls perception: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Aragos rolls Perception: (14)+2: 16

At the advent of the password being inexact, Lanier's ice blue eyes narrow, and he growls. This seems to be a subtle indication to his partner to be alert. The ranger slips into Sildanyari as he talks to the wolf, "Go see, Spud."

While Lanier covers high, Spud trots forward towards the wagon, stopping within sprinting distance and leaning in to watch and wait.

GAME: Lanier rolls Perception: (17)+13: 30
GAME: Schara rolls perception: (20)+13: 33
GAME: Gramarye rolls Perception: (12)+12: 24

The inexactness of the password could have merely been the guard's fatigue showing. It's his eyes widening a little at the varied responses and there's some understandable fear written into his features that give that away. Still, the search must proceed, even if they go no further.

Each of the three wagons is opened and their contents searched. More magicite, it seems. No surprise there. The various workers in the wagons also look like they're dressed for the weather here appropriately and are no doubt crew for handling the magicite. They hang back. All of them also look a bit tired. Again, no surprise.

But then...

... there is that one. That looks a little excited. A little too fresh faced. A little too tense. It's the kind of thing that draws practiced eyes from everyone, but particularly from Schara and Lanier who can sense the palpable tension underlying that excitement.

Readied. Waiting.

... just in case. His eyes catch Lanier. They know, immediately, that they have been spotted. The uniform on them, a standard one belonging to those working on the spell cannon, sits slightly off on his frame, a button undone. Sloppy, but not just that. Ill fitting, but not beyond the bands of reason. As Lanier's gaze intensifies on the way they stand out, it draws the gaze of the others to it in turn.

His fingers curl against something in his palm.

He whispers.

"...let fates be unwritten and the axis dissolve, OUR MASTER COMMANDS IT SO"

... and then all of them hear a pop-hiss coming from one of the crates of magicite. Oh no.

GAME: Gramarye rolls Reflex: (12)+7: 19
GAME: Warrick rolls reflex: (4)+7: 11
GAME: Schara rolls reflex: (13)+9: 22
GAME: Aragos rolls Reflex: (20)+10: 30 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Lanier rolls Reflex: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 10d6: (28): 28

That pop-hiss gives one only a moment to brace, and then: light. One of the wagons, and everyone on it, erupts in a pillar of black flame that consumes everything, spreading and spiralling outwards in a deafening explosion. Those who survived on the outskirts of that wagon seem to be writhing as black fire eats them alive from inside out. They're ... changing within it.

The young engineer in the Spell Cannon station uniform smiles.

"LET IT ALL BURN DOWN," he yells, even if one can barely hear him over the ringing of their ears.

Those not consumed by the terrible black energy are scattering, running off to the sides. Many of them are horribly burnt or injured by the force of the explosion, while others seem to be limited to just scratches or bleeding form their ears. They stagger, fall, and simply try to confusedly put some space between themselves and the horror.

Several of those consumed with the flame lift into the air as they are consumed by pillars of black fire. It seems to suffuse in them, fill them. They erupt into particularly tentacled horrors of eyes and mouths, like their bodies no longer have rules to hold them together. That's not good.

GAME: Gramarye casts Haste. Caster Level: 8 DC: 20

Gramarye's eyes go red, which, if the tentacled horrors weren't a firm enough indication that things have kicked off... This certainly is. "Initiating combat module. Designated Commander: Father. Initiating spellcasting." Her voice has dropped an octave, sounding all the more artificial now.

She lifts up a hand. "Quickening magic deploying," she intones, followed by a string of eldritch words. Magic then emanates from her hands and washes over her allies. Time is a looser arrangement for Gramarye and her allies now.

Aragos draws his sword as Gramarye's magic washes over him and he prays to Vardama that the spirit of his sword should awaken. Immediately the dark blue blade starts to glow from within as if consumed by witch-fire. The paladin grins grimly. "Come get a piece of this!" He growls at the void monsters.

GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+1+1: (10)+12+-3+1+1: 21
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+1+1: (20)+12+-3+1+1: 31 (THREAT)
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+1+1: (15)+12+-3+1+1: 26
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+4+6: (7)+4+6: 17
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+4+6: (3)+4+6: 13
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (2)+10: 12
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+13: (5)+13: 18

In the distance, they can hear howls. Sounds that can only be described as 'unearthly'.

And on either side, they can see distant figures picking up and racing towards the fray -- allies to the cultist in question, no doubt, whose eyes are wide with frenzied delight.

"Yes! Yes! We will burn it all away," shouts the cultist.

When all hell breaks loose, even the usually stalwart ranger is taken completely by surprise and caught squarely in the blast. It takes a moment for him to recover, and by sheer instinct, he does so by moving forward towards the wagon as he calls out, "Spud! Now!" He cheeks the arrow, bringing his bow up, and finds his target through the haze. He looses two arrows, clearly stunned, and liquifies one of the abominations.

Spud jumps clear of the blast and then immediately turns back. He is well trained, and waits until he receives his signal to jump in. He sinks his teeth without hesitation into the first abomination he sees, attempting to wrench it to the ground, but failing at this point.

GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1: (16)+14+-2+1: 29
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1: (13)+14+-2+1: 26
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1: (14)+14+-2+1: 27
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1-5: (2)+14+-2+1+-5: 10
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage: aliased to 1d10+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage: aliased to 1d10+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage: aliased to 1d10+4: (6)+4: 10

Warrick cries out in pain as he's thrown against the wall of the pass. The magic washes over his form, making him peel off the wall and drop to a brisk knee. "Alarm!" he shouts up the road before grabbing a fistful of bolts. With terrifying alacrity, four bolts thunk into the sapper's torso, the last hitting the once-cackling-corpse.

"Shit, hold the line! For the Phoenix!" he barks out, armor partially smoking from the blast as he looks up to the oncoming hoard of cultists. "Serriel bless us, ready yourselves! They're rushing!"

GAME: Schara rolls 1d20+11: (8)+11: 19
GAME: Schara rolls 4d6+4+1: (14)+4+1: 19

In the distance, all of them see pillars of light erupt into the blue sky, as if other detonations elsewhere have been triggered. No doubt it is creating more of those ... things.

In the distance, drawing short blades, other cultists are clearly closing in on their position having been laying in wait for the moment to get as close as they could to the complex -- and that's their target. They're going to have to get by the adventurers first.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (5)+11: 16
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (5)+11: 16
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (2)+3: 5
GAME: Gramarye rolls Fortitude: (7)+13: 20
GAME: Schara rolls fortitude: (6)+7: 13
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (4): 4

The survivors try to drag themselves away -- but those who aren't quick enough are snatched up by those ... caterwauling -things-, which seem to be melded into their being by their touch, allowing them to swell and grow in horrific ways. You can hear their screaming, and then the abrupt cessation of it.

Other abominations still descend on those still standing to fight, striking with grasping tentacles at Gramarye, Warrick and Shara to start while others are finishing ... consuming their meals.

Schara was left reeling from the explosion much like the others, left with a ringing beneath her helmet that took time to power through. The artificer hit one switch on her armor, causing it to shift on their limbs, one of which was extended into coils of wiring that glowed white hot, blasting one of the abominations with a gout of flames.

GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (2)+12+1+-2: 13
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2-5: (1)+12+1+-2+-5: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (4)+12+1+-2: 15
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (11)+12+1+-2: 22
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2-5: (5)+12+1+-2+-5: 11
GAME: Gramarye rolls damage7+1+6: aliased to 2d6+6+1+6: (8)+6+1+6: 21

Aided by quickening magic, Gramarye trains her crimson gaze onto the abomination that had attacked her. "Engaging melee tactics. Enhancing with arcane energy," she announces in that dread lower-octave of hers. The greatsword launches out as she brings it down to bear in three successive strikes. The first is the only one that manages to make contact, lashing out with a lick of arcane sparks around the blade as it scores a vicious bite into the abomination.

"Commander-Father. Join me in melee," Gramarye intones. "Rout the enemy."

GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (2)+13+1+2+1: 19
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (5)+13+1+2+1: 22
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+8+1+2+1: (18)+8+1+2+1: 30
GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+6+1+2: (8)+6+1+2: 17
GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+6+1+2: (8)+6+1+2: 17

GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2: (14)+12+-3+2: 25
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2: (12)+12+-3+2: 23
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2-5: (7)+12+-3+2+-5: 13
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11: (5)+11: 16

"At your six!" Aragos calls out to Gramarye. He's taught her that this means that he's got her back. They've practiced fighting before. Now, on this day, that comes to fruition. He swings his sword and attacks the enemy viciously, but it's still standing at the end of his attack. "Tougher than they look!"

GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (3)+10: 13
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (2)+10: 12

Laying on the ground, gurgling, the fallen cultist twitches, a smile on his face as he bleeds to death, at last.

He looks ... happy.

GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1+1-2: (15)+14+1+1+-2: 29
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1+1-2: (3)+14+1+1+-2: 17
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (3)+4+1: 8
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1+1-2: (3)+14+1+1+-2: 17
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1+1-2-5: (4)+14+1+1+-2+-5: 13
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1+1-2: (9)+14+1+1+-2: 23
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (6)+4+1: 11

He senses them before he sees them, which causes Lanier to look over his shoulder to see the oncoming group of cultists. The ranger's eyes widen and he turns quickly, his cloak swinging behind him at the magic-enhanced speed in which he moves. He trots back a few steps, bringing his bow up again. He finds his next target, and unleashes a volley of arrows upon them. His arrows fly true and he brings one of the would-be attacks down, who dies happy, but still dies. The third arrow impacts another of the cultists, severely wounding him.

Spud continues his attack on the abomination before him, viciously attempting to rip grotesque flesh away like its his job. Unfortunately, he cannot quite sink teeth into flesh, which will appear on his performance review at a later date. If there is a later date.

GAME: Schara rolls 1d20+11: (11)+11: 22
GAME: Schara rolls 4d6+4+1: (21)+4+1: 26

Warrick gasps in pain as the abomination latches on to him, the arbalest buckling in the weight. He only just barely gets a hold of himself, ramming him helmet into the creature as he jams his crossbow into center mass. "You fucks will NOT take the last of Third Company!" he growls, letting the bolt lose point blank, before pistol whipping them with the weapon and running a line of hits and missing along a tentacle. "Silver and cold iron do nothing!" he shouts over his shoulder, stepping back to get some space.

The cultists are racing towards them. Some have fallen, picked off by Lanier's arrows, but they ... don't seem to care. Like they're welcoming it, embracing annihilation.

They're closing in now on the survivors that have scattered away, knives out, ready to murder them with their long, curved, and wicked blades.

The survivors, aware of their peril now, turn and try to race away, those that can. Try to escape. Many are simply too injured for it -- while the abominations are now increasingly drawn from the easy prey to the prey that have actually harmed them....

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (17)+11: 28
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (5)+11: 16
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (17)+11: 28

Schara took aim at another one of the abominations, even as some of them clawed at her, even through the armor with some means of draining magics. The artificer turned to another one of the abominations, this one being incinerated in another blast of flame until little remained. "Fire seems to work fairly well, but there are a lot of them, and a lot of injured."

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (6)+3: 9
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Warrick rolls fortitude+2: (12)+8+2: 22
GAME: Gramarye rolls Fortitude: (5)+13: 18
GAME: Aragos rolls Fortitude: (6)+14: 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (5): 5

One descends on Lanair, but is unable to strike him. The others descend alike on, Aragos, Warrick and Gramarye, each being struck, lashed, grabbed at. Like it wants to pull them into it ...

... but so far, they're able to resist its call. They can feel the gibbering madness of it winding its way into their consciousness, however. Those that have already consumed their prey flit up into the air and then dive towards the complex in the distance.

GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (6)+12+1+-2: 17
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2-5: (8)+12+1+-2+-5: 14
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (16)+12+1+-2: 27
GAME: Gramarye rolls damage7+1+6: aliased to 2d6+6+1+6: (11)+6+1+6: 24

The red in Gramarye's eyes briefly flickers, but the lights are still on upstairs. "I will eradicate the enemy," she simply states.

Three swings of the greatsword again, but the two go errant. Only the last strikes true, skewering the abomination and making it squeal sickly around the blade before she pulls it back. "Rout the enemy. Failure is not an option. We proceed." Is this... a war golem's attempt to rally her allies?

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11

Aragos steps forward then, his purple eyes darkening with determination. He slams his fist against his chest. "HEAR ME! I AM A PALADIN OF VARDAMA! COME AT *ME*!" He hopes by making a spectacle of himself that he can convince the enemy to come at him rather than the innocent people in the street. "ASSHOLES!"

GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2+4: (17)+12+-3+2+4: 32
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2+4: (11)+12+-3+2+4: 26
GAME: Lanier rolls Ranged-3+2+4-5: (5)+12+-3+2+4+-5: 15
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10+4: (3)+10+4: 17
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10+4: (3)+10+4: 17
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (4)+10: 14

The first wave of cultists crashes into the area. The abominations are ignoring them, that's for sure, perhaps aware on some level that they're on the same side...

For about six seconds until they start targeting and eating them too. They don't seem to care.

Those that make it to the rest of the party fall on Aragos in particular, his call having drawn their attention. They mob him with their knives.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

As the cultists continue to advance, Lanier falls back just a little further. He continues shooting arrows as quickly as he can draw them from the quiver at his waist. Only, now, he seems a little more sure of himself now he understands that the cultists that are attacking are humanoid. He knows how to deal with them.

Spud does some soul searching and makes some positive long--term career choices, altering his strategy along key verticles to create a value added experiencing when biting the hell out of the abominations. Synergy!

GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1: (20)+14+-4+-2+1+1: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1: (6)+14+-4+-2+1+1: 16
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1: (19)+14+-4+-2+1+1: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1+2: (9)+14+-4+-2+1+1+2: 21
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1-5: (13)+14+-4+-2+1+1+-5: 18
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-4-2+1+1: (11)+14+-4+-2+1+1: 21
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+4+xbowDamage+4: aliased to 1d10+4+4+1d10+4+4: (9)+4+4+(5)+4+4: 30
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (10)+4+1: 15
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (4)+4+1: 9
GAME: Schara rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Schara rolls 4d6+4+1: (18)+4+1: 23

Warrick is all but consumed as the abomination engulfs him. Metallic scraping and clanging coming from underneath the mass as the horde of cultists swarm the paladin. Another metallic click. A beat of stillness in the chaos.

A bolt violently explodes out from the backside of the tentacled creature as they get lifted and tossed aside. "SERRIEL GUIDES ME! ALEXANDRIA NURTURES ME!" he scream hysterically, the creature having scrambled his mind a bit in the right direction. A fistful of bolts slam into the crossbow as the winch is yanked back again. "FOR THE-" Double. "-RED-" Triple tap, and the horrifying thing ceases. "-AND GOLD!"

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (9)+3: 12
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+3: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Aragos rolls Fortitude: (6)+14: 20
GAME: Aragos rolls Fortitude: (20)+14: 34 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

Schara had her arm burning further, the metal burning bright and erupting in more flames, enveloping one of the abominations in heavy flames that died just as quickly, leaving a incinerated pile of tentacles in their wake.

GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (2)+12+1+-2: 13
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2-5: (7)+12+1+-2+-5: 13
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (4)+12+1+-2: 15
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (15)+12+1+-2: 26
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2-5: (12)+12+1+-2+-5: 18
GAME: Gramarye rolls weapon7+1-2: (6)+12+1+-2: 17
GAME: Gramarye rolls damage7+1+6: aliased to 2d6+6+1+6: (4)+6+1+6: 17
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (20)+13+1+2+1: 37
<OOC> Aragos rolls to confirm
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (2)+13+1+2+1: 19
<OOC> Aragos rpp reroll >.>
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (10)+13+1+2+1: 27
GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+13+1+2+1: (14)+13+1+2+1: 31

They fall on Aragos.

The abominations absorb the cultists between him and them, pulling them into their shifting, twisting mass. They don't care. No one cares. Annihilation is the only point, isn't it? Distant explosions rock the mountains.

Still, Aragos is slashed by tentacles that seem to grasp at him but don't manage to really pull him into it.

GAME: Aragos rolls 1d20+8+1+2+1: (1)+8+1+2+1: 13 (EPIC FAIL)

There are abominations swarming her father. Gramarye's red eyes are bright as she steps to close in on an enemy that is on her commander, her Father. "Reinforcements. Got your six." She's learning. How sweet--

Maybe less sweet is the brutal and efficient way she plunges her blade into the abomination, which squeals and dies another death as it writhes on her greatsword. "For the red and gold," Gramarye intones. "For Commander-Father."

GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+6+1+2d6+1+2+2: (7)+6+1+(6)+1+2+2: 25
GAME: Aragos rolls 2d6+6+1+2: (3)+6+1+2: 12
GAME: Aragos rolls 4d6: (16): 16

Aragos hears Gramarye coming in and swings all the harder to protect her. His daughter, however strange that might seem to others who do not know or understand their relationship. He can feel his life ebbing away, but the warmth of Vardama's touch is rising too. "The dead are calling! I hear you begging for death. I'm running out of magic. Time to scream. Scream for me!" It seems like nonsense but it's a death dirge. For the fallen, and for himself.

GAME: Lanier rolls Melee+2-3+1+4: (17)+13+2+-3+1+4: 34
GAME: Lanier rolls Melee+2-3+1+4: (3)+13+2+-3+1+4: 20
GAME: Lanier rolls Melee+2-3+1+4-5: (14)+13+2+-3+1+4+-5: 26
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11-2: (12)+11+-2: 21
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+6-2: (7)+6+-2: 11
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+7+2+9+4: (4)+7+2+9+4: 26
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+7+2+9+4: (3)+7+2+9+4: 25
GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+7+2+9+4: (6)+7+2+9+4: 28
GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+10: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1: (2)+14+-2+1+1: 16
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1: (9)+14+-2+1+1: 23
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1: (7)+14+-2+1+1: 21
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1-5: (2)+14+-2+1+1+-5: 11
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (4)+4+1: 9
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (4)+4+1: 9

Taking another step back, Lanier watches the cultists ascending upon him. He presents an easy target, one with a bow that would be ineffective at the short ranges they are fighting at. At the perfect time, Lanier casts the bow aside and unshoulders his greatsword. With a mighty swing over his head, the Gilead Ranger generates the momentum that carries the greatsword into the first oncoming cultist. The ranger continues swinging the sword, placing it exactly where it needs to be to cut down cultists and continue his work to halt their advance.

Spud for his part remains a highly motivated cog in the Puncture & Rend division of Bit Flanks, LLC. Spud is a team player who continues to bite abominations that stray to close to it, both biting and rending to the satisfaction of management. Still no raise, this year. They don't have the budget.

The arbalest is fully in the moment, the bolts shot into the abomination are ripped free and slammed messily into the crossbow. Explosions are happening in the distance, things are flying around, the team dishing out so much pain while taking much in return. The entire thing is absolute chaos, that battle fever is running so high. "LOOSE!" Warrick barks to the team as a bead of suppressive fire pelts into the onslaught of cultists. "HOLD THE LINE, COMRADES!"

GAME: Schara rolls 1d20+11: (7)+11: 18
GAME: Schara rolls 4d6+4+1: (18)+4+1: 23

Their numbers are thinned, but this is not the end of the problems that they face, no. It's just the beginning.

The cultists and their followers arrive en masse, still more of them. How many? Dozens more, all lured to the Spell Cannon by the siren call of nothing short of the Void.

... or perhaps nothing short of Heth. The battle drags on, leaving each warrior exhausted, drained, embattled and wounded. Aragos, in particularly, receives several grave wounds that send him down to the ground in time, exhausted and unable to continue.

Backup arrives in the form of airships, blazing their mana guns towards t he rising tide of swarming abominations, dispatching elite units from the Alexandrian military to relieve you as the assault continues, and to get the injured survivors to the help they so desperately need. Hours.

... And there each of you stand, on the edge of the airship, when you see ...

Him.

The great shadow of the dragon spans the horizon, great wings outstretched as if they could blot out the sun itself. So great in size and scale, this monstrosity that its visible in detail even from this far away from it. A flock of others accompany it, smaller, but no less fearsome. Dragons so black as to be living shadows.

Each of them are stricken. Voices in their minds, calling out.

"ALL FOR HETH! ALL FOR HETH! THE FIRST BORN! HAIL THE FIRST BORN"

Thousands of voices. The fallen of Dragonier, forced to worship their murderer's divine birth right.

And then a great thrumming. The hair on the back of the neck stands up. Energy. Building up. The great complex of the Spell Cannon opens wide and the barrel of the gun itself arises from the mountain, glowing with brilliant white light that seems to distort everything around it.

... and then it fires.

-End

2025-06-10T02:14:09Z

Aftershock:

GAME: Carver rolls weapon18+1+4-2-4: (8)+24+1+4+-2+-4: 31
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (16)+24+-1: 39
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (20)+24+-1: 43 (THREAT)
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-1: (10)+24+-1: 33
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-6: (1)+24+-6: 19 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-11: (4)+24+-11: 17
GAME: Carver rolls 2d8+12+8+1d8+10+1d8+10: (12)+12+8+(4)+10+(4)+10: 60

"Hyah!" Carver whips out of cover, long red streamer of her hairband snapping behind her. Her bow serves another flurry of arrows, four landing in a tight circle near the creature's wailing maw.

Deathless stomps flat some of the lichen sadly, in her haste.

GAME: Corey rolls Escape Artist+20: (17)+3+20: 40
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (19)+21: 40
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (15)+21: 36
GAME: Telamon rolls 2d8+18: (13)+18: 31
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+4: (4)+24+4: 32
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+paladin: aliased to 1d6+8+paladin: (3)+8+15: 26
GAME: Corey rolls 2d6: (6): 6
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+18: (9)+18: 27

Cor'ethil struggles a little against the tendrils, but then he remembers he has a prayer for exactly this. He prays:

"Escape the bonds,
Flee the enemy!" (Celestial)

And he slips free with a little pant of relief, aided by the slight sheen of glowing light that briefly surrounds him. "Praise the Stag," Corey mutters as he takes up his rapier again and draws forward--

Only to receive a rather harsh blow into his breastplate, driving the breath out of Cor'ethil. But the paladin of Gilead proceeds with his planned action, jabbing one good strike into the polyp.

"We'll be fine," Cor'ethil says. Even as blood trickles from his mouth.

GAME: Karasu rolls 3d8+5: (12)+5: 17

Karasu tags along after Corey, trying to stab one of the tendrils that had attacked the paladin to little effect. His weapon rebounds right off the tough hide and he uses his other hand to draw a potion, pouring it down over Cor'ethil's head in an effort to heal his wounds. "Watch yourself Cor'ethil! Do not let your certainty in battle be your undoing my kokoro."

The empty bottle clatters to the ground and Karasu's dark eyes fixate on the creature and the effort of supporting his husband against it.

GAME: Murder rolls weapon42: (16)+26: 42
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (8)+26+-5: 29
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-10: (19)+26+-10: 35 (THREAT)
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (5)+26+-5: 26
GAME: Murder rolls damage42+2d6+weapon42+2d6: aliased to 1d10+12+2d6+weapon42+2d6: (1)+12+(5)+26+(9): 53
GAME: Murder rolls damage42: aliased to 1d10+12: (6)+12: 18
GAME: Murder rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+16: (3)+16: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+16: (14)+16: 30
GAME: Murder RAGES!, gaining +3 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 45 temporary HP
GAME: Telamon rolls 10d12+10d12: (61)+(57): 118

The Goblin eyes Magpie a moment. "Looks like these guys are a serious pain in the ass. You should prolly back up a bit, I can't keep them both at bay, an' I don't see you carrying no sword."

She's not entirely sure how their mind communications actually work, so Murder glares at the two other-worlders. <<Hit that one over there!! DO IT NOW, before it moves closer!>>

Turning back to the screeching polyp before her, the Goblin does a little hop forward, and launches into a slashing attack, her sword humming and glowing, and dripping with greasy ichor as she draws two great gashes along the creatures front. Several eyes pop in sequence, and broken teeth fly.

There's no verbal acknowledgement, or for that matter even telepathic. But suddenly a pair of funny-looking devices stick out of the windows of the library, leveled at the polyp nearest the building and Magpie. The abomination has enough time to stare with seventeen eyes, mouths opening in protest.

Then there's a blue-white flash as both lightning guns discharge, slamming into the polyp and driving it back against the pillar, where it writhes in agony. Flesh and fluids explode outward from the creature, the stink of untold millenia rising like a miasma around it as it shudders, twitching in clear and obvious torment. It's not dead, improbably enough, but it wishes it was.

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (18)+21: 39
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (5)+21: 26
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (10)+21: 31
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (6)+21: 27
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (3)+21: 24
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (10)+21: 31
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Magpie rolls fortitude: (19)+5: 24
GAME: Telamon rolls 4d6: (8): 8

The lightning flash doesn't deter the polyps, but their attacks are... less than inspiring. The one facing Corey and Karasu strikes at them, connecting once each and leaving more wounds, but doing little else. The polyp fighting Murder savagely stabs downward with its tentacles, but the nimble bloodrager hops back and forth, avoiding the stabs.

The third polyp raises its... well, one end of its body, wobbling. A blast of wind goes torrenting across the steps of the library, rolling over Magpie and blowing her hair back but not doing much else, as the ragged-looking monstrosity begins to fly away slowly, still twitching.

GAME: Magpie rolls fortitude: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (14)+14+2: 30
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (6)+14+2: 22
GAME: Magpie rolls 3d6: (14): 14
GAME: Magpie rolls ranged+3: (2)+10+3: 15
GAME: Magpie rolls ranged+3: (17)+10+3: 30
GAME: Magpie rolls 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5

Buffeted by wind, Magpie manages to keep her feet even as the magical zephyr threatens to fill her loose clothing like a sail. "You call that wind?!" she shouts after the fleeing creature. "I've seen butterfly farts that were stronger!" She does, however, carefully step out of the path of the wind, putting it at her back as she levels her crossbow at the monster threatening her friends.

Because when the wind is flipping your hair around and you're *not* a paladin, you want to use the moment for full impressiveness effect.

As she pulls the trigger, her head comes up with a look of smug satisfaction, as a burst of energy flickers around the polyp. Even if it didn't do enough damage, the gnome looks more than pleased with herself as she fits another bolt into place.

GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (6)+24: 30
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (18)+24: 42
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18: (14)+24: 38
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-5: (8)+24+-5: 27
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-10: (10)+24+-10: 24
GAME: Carver rolls 8d6+34+4d6+17+4d6+17: (32)+34+(9)+17+(13)+17: 122

"A vow!" Carver screams against the backdrop of lightning weapons and the whipping wind thrown off by the polyps, biting her lead hand so hard that blood blooms alongside the pain. Her red harvest touches the pristine, holy white wood and sizzles hot enough to steam:

"My body cold and lifeless on the ground, or yours!" She kicks hard in pursuit, seeing one monstrosity try to cowardly weasel away but deciding to focus on the enemy closest to her with that empowered oath.

Her heart palpates, a cold sweat blooming on her brow and in her pits from supernatural fear, but not enough to tame her. Her bow sings. Arrows fly. Blood flows. The abberant dies, crashing to the earth.

Carver's howl is piercing.

GAME: Corey spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
GAME: Corey rolls 7d6: (18): 18
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4: (4)+24+2+4: 34
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4-5: (9)+24+2+4+-5: 34
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+4-10: (13)+24+2+4+-10: 33
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (3)+8+2+15+(10 holy): 38
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (4)+8+2+15+(5 holy): 34
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+paladin+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+paladin+2d6 holy: (1)+8+2+15+(7 holy): 33
GAME: Karasu rolls Athletics: (6)+19: 25
GAME: Karasu rolls Acrobatics: (20)+24: 44

Corey drinks the potion, and he coughs a little (medicine never tastes terribly good). "I appreciate you, my nightingale," Cor'ethil says tenderly, his silver eyes shining in gratitude for all of a breath as he then turns his attention back to the beast that had hurt him. He murmurs a prayer, and a light suffuses into Cor'ethil as he begins to heal.

That light surrounds him still as he goes to punch into the polyp with his rapier. One jab. Two. Three--and the polyp goes down, Cor'ethil smiling brightly as he wipes the blood away from his mouth.

"I have certainty in battle because you're here," he tells Karasu. "Because we're all here!" he says more loudly, believing in his allies, his friends, his love.

GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+18+2: (9)+18+2: 29
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (3)+1+3: 7

Karasu offers a faint, small smile to his husband and lifts his sword in a salute as he rushes over to the remaining enemy to cut a swath at the foe. His sword seems to have little (if any) effect on it, but he knows his presence at least will aid Cor'ethil and Murder in bringing the creature down. If nothing else, it gives the strange monster one more foe to worry about. Even if his weapons do nothing at all.

GAME: Murder rolls weapon42: (15)+29: 44
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-5: (2)+29+-5: 26
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42-10: (16)+29+-10: 35"
GAME: Murder rolls damage42+2d6+damage42+2d6: aliased to 1d10+15+2d6+1d10+15+2d6: (1)+15+(11)+(7)+15+(5): 54
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (4)+21: 25
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (5)+21: 26
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (16)+21: 37
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (11)+21: 32
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+28: (16)+28: 44

Murder gives a master class at how to not get hit, dodging each attack with growing confidence, the last one even includes a one-handed handstand that she tucks into a roll. Then there's a crackle of lightning as the other-worlders nail their target, and it attempts to flee.

Cackling, the Goblin causes another gash to open up on the polyp. Her nose wrinkles. "These things stink!" Another swing, and more eyes and mouths are destroyed.

The last polyp standing (figuratively speaking) latches onto Murder with a tentacle, the other three striking around the evasive goblin before the fourth grabs her. A triumphant hooting sound comes from a dozen mouths, as the horrid monster glares at Murder with eight eyes.

GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (8)+14+2: 24
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (19)+14+2: 35
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (9)+14+2: 25
GAME: Magpie rolls 3d8: (7): 7
GAME: Magpie rolls 3d8: (14): 14
GAME: Magpie casts Disintegrate. Caster Level: 14 DC: 24
GAME: Magpie rolls ranged: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Magpie rolls sorcerer+2: (18)+14+2: 34
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+13: (11)+13: 24
GAME: Magpie rolls 5d6: (12): 12
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (4)+24+-3: 25
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (15)+24+-3: 36
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (14)+24+-3: 35
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-8: (12)+24+-8: 28
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-13: (5)+24+-13: 16
GAME: Carver rolls weapon18-3: (6)+24+-3: 27
GAME: Carver rolls 2d6+13+2d6+13: (8)+13+(12)+13: 46

With only one enemy left, Magpie's feeling good! ...Up until it smashes a tentacle down on Murder, then hauls the goblin closer.

"NO!!"

One small, pudgy finger stabs out at the giant monstrosity. "YOU PUT HER DOWN YOU... YOU... ASPIC WITH PRETENSIONS!"

As if fueled by her rage, a thin green ray shoots out of the accusing finger, shattering the wards in its way... and flashing a fist-sized pocket of polypstuff into a puff of green dust. Not... *quite* the dramatic effect Magpie was hoping for.

Carver gives a spinning twirl with Deathless, having assured no escapee. The next series of bowshots bounce off segmented plate, but allies swarm it... with more than enough weapons to finish the job.

GAME: Karasu rolls Bluff: (10)+22: 32
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (16)+14+-2+2: 30
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (1)+19+-2+2: 20 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2-5+2: (4)+19+-2+-5+2: 18
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2+2: (10)+14+-2+2: 24
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+14-2-5+2: (9)+14+-2+-5+2: 18
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+19-2+2: (9)+19+-2+2: 28
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (6)+1+3: 10
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6+1+3: (2)+1+3: 6
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2: (3)+24+2+2: 31
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-5: (17)+24+2+2+-5: 40 (THREAT)
GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-10: (8)+24+2+2+-10: 26

Karasu is a flurry of motion, but it's about as effective as blowing into the wind might have been. He doesn't stop moving though. He's learned long ago that ceasing to move in a fight is tantamount to death.

GAME: Corey rolls weapon1+2+2-10: (6)+24+2+2+-10: 24
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2d6 holy: (3)+8+2+(11 holy): 24
GAME: Corey rolls damage1+2+2d6 holy: aliased to 1d6+8+2+2d6 holy: (6)+8+2+(5 holy): 21

Cor'ethil doesn't tolerate this thing's existence. He breathes in, and then delivers two powerful jabs into the polyp, tearing it down and then pulling his blade free with a harsh breath.

"No more. You're not hurting anyone anymore!" Corey demands, as though the dead creature might be able to fire off some rejoinder to him now.

There's one last flash of lightning, an inhuman screech, and then a wet splat like someone dropping a bag of tomatoes from a fairly high place. Ugh. And then, blessedly... silence.

The library doors swing open, the two Yeithari shuffling out slowly. Both carrying those bizarre weapons, as they cautiously prod the burst and mangled corpses of the polyps scattered around the building. A telepathic sense of disgust radiates off the rugose cones, subsiding and fading as they turn to the party.

"You are injured," the telepathic voice tickles the brain. "We do not know if we can aid you, but we can at least find refuge here. Let us return to the library, for now the worst danger is... past?"

Both Yeithari pause, turning their heads towards the reservoir, as if sensing something. Distantly, far off, you hear a sound like a moaning cry, as if a group of mourners were wailing. It fades off after a moment, and the Yeithari shake their heads, looking almost nervous.

"Perhaps the wind."

-TBC

2025-04-23T02:46:17Z

Aftershock: Created page with "Zeke begins his tale from the beginning, which makes sense. Once upon a time, a sith-makar was born without an arm, and bereft of a leg. The mother of this sith was inconsolable. For in Am’shere how could such a child survive? She took her child and hid it away from all others, enduring the trial of raising the youngling all on her own. It was a trial that she should have left to others. Once, the child that she raised all alone, believed that she was driven mad by t..."

Zeke begins his tale from the beginning, which makes sense.

Once upon a time, a sith-makar was born without an arm, and bereft of a leg. The mother of this sith was inconsolable. For in Am’shere how could such a child survive? She took her child and hid it away from all others, enduring the trial of raising the youngling all on her own. It was a trial that she should have left to others.

Once, the child that she raised all alone, believed that she was driven mad by the fact that her child was born… broken. Incomplete and so very vulnerable. That the effort of raising such a child broke her heart and her mind. This is what the child believed, but the truth was that Maugrim had her heart and mind, and that he whispered in her ear that her child would be a bane unto the world, and so she sought to make true the name she gave that child. - That he should be Broken Beyond Repair.

She abused her child heavily, beating him, taunting him. Forcing him to do things that a child with only one arm and one leg found difficult and often humiliating. She raised him up, and kept him far from other people long past the point when he should have chosen caste and people of his own. Finally, nearing a hundred years of age… The child fled the nest and out into the world to learn something of it.

The child traveled the world, using a crutch to get around, until, drawn but unknown reason, he made his way to a temple of the Dragonfather in the lands of humans, and therein found limbs of crystal made for a sith such as he. A gift of the Dragonfather, given to him after he completed his training as a priest.

Even these gifts could not however teach the child self-worth and self-love, and he struggled through life, eventually making his way to Alexandria, where he met a female of his kind whom he wished very much to protect. She had run afoul of a fae creature, and so, on the cusp of becoming cihuaa with her, he sacrificed himself to the fae creature to save her.

In that tower, he faced horrors the likes of which are never meant to be known by a sentient being. Hunger. Torture. Thirst. He was experimented upon and made whole. Brought to the brink of death a thousand times and left to hunger through it all for the fae woman was curious about the nature of Forgotten and sought to make him eat of sentient flesh. He could not hear the Dragonfather’s voice in this tower, but he never lost faith that he would be rescued. That the Dragonfather would not forget him. He would in the end, have rather starved to death than to eat that flesh. He withered away in body, but grew stronger and stronger in spirit.

Then at last he was rescued, but not whole. No one could understand the pain he had endured. His cihuaa for whom he had sacrificed so much could not understand. She called him Forgotten. Called him the child of Forgotten. Finally, she pushed him away entirely and left him alone to recover from the pain of his enduring trial.

It was not until others who cared for him began to show him kindness that did he actually fully recover. It was not until he went away for a time, to live in the shelter of the Dragonfather’s grace and tend only to infants who needed him to hold them that did he understand. That he was meant for greatness. That he was meant to suffer, to show others that suffering does not mean that one is broken. Sometimes it makes them a light.

Telamon knows this story. He's heard it from Zeke before. But it doesn't make it any easier to hear it again. There's a certain truth: sometimes those who suffer the most become the best at tending to others' suffering.

That doesn't mean Telamon likes it very much.

And so the half-sil listens until Zeke's tale is done, before speaking. "Do you think your counterpart... well, fell from grace? For lack of a better term. That would match up with what some of us dreamed about." He exhales. "It's going to make this harder, that's for sure. Especially if we have to... salvage him, somehow."

Aryia had only gotten bits and pieces over the years, until experiencing the latter parts herself. Still, she couldn't help the frown that pulled down at her features as the tale went on. She herself didn't suffer in the same manner in the slightest, but still a twang of pain tenses in her throat regardless.

She nods along with Telamon in agreement. There's probably something to salvage there, at the very least, if the rest of this crew has been similar thus far. At least that's her thought as she glances to Yiara.

Though Rune has some familiarity with Zeke's story, this is the first time she has heard the entirety of it in detail. However, she is respectful enough that she doesn't even reach for her notepad. There are some stories that are meant to be shared, but this one belongs to the Makari male in front of her, and it no other.

There are points where her lips tighten, at what Zeke was put through by his mother, by the Fae, and even by the female who was supposed to be his beloved life-mate. Her blue eyes flick to Harkashan, then away again. As if she couldn't imagine ever doing such a thing, not to someone she loved. However, she makes no such commentary, only giving quiet, attentive respect.

At the end, when Telamon speaks, she gives a small nod of her head. "The dream didn't feel entirely mindless. Not like some of the Forgotten we've encountered before." She seems thoughtful. "But, I don't know of any way of helping someone once they are lost to the hunger, even partially."

Simony listens to Zeke's story, only having heard bits and pieces over time, only knowing for sure that somehow, Zeke had two artificial limbs.

"This quest has certainly allowed us to get to know everyone all the better." She dabs at a few tears that roll down her cheeks. "We've all been through adversity, and yet, still we do what we do. Perhaps what we do is all the more important because of what we've experienced. Maybe so that others might not have to go through such things..."

The Goblin looks between Zeke and Telamon. "We've still got this. We can reach him, even if he has fallen." She gestures to the group. "I honestly believe that all of us combined can do anything."

Tales of tribulations are unfortunately not uncommon amongst the Sith-makar. Especially for those who've lived through the Charn Invasions. Harkashan is quiet as Zeke speaks of his personal tale, and his usual rumble turns to something quieter so that the moment can hang in the air with the appropriate amount of attention it deserves.

Harkashan is uncertain if Zeke's egg-mother is someone deserving of any kind of forgiveness, and the same for the Fae, but his focus lies more on where the hopes shines in Zeke's history, rather than the great sea of darkness. Only made to glint that much shinier thanks to its depths.

Shankahar rumbles softly, walking close to Zeke and Harkashan (as they are fellow sith-makar, even if from another timeline). He's leading the walk, and while the jungle is a vast place that can, at times, be full of terrors, at the moment, it is merely the source of an occasional screech off in the distance. Runelei's not far behind, either, although she seems to be keeping a keen eye out for threats. Paranoia's a healthy thing to have when traveling between settlements in Am'shere.

"I am deeply sorry for everything that has happened to you, kin," Shankahar says gently to Zeke. "Especially if... this happened to Maxitia-mayana, your counterpart. Even if in part. The tragedies on their own are great. Together..."

"And yet Zeke's here, despite all of them happening to him." Nala smiles brightly as she holds Telanmo's hand. She's misty-eyed. (Nala is particularly easy to drive to tears, but Zeke hasn't told the whole of his story to her before, and so she's crying.)

Telanmo frowns as he looks over at Shankahar. "But... If Zeke and Harkashan haven't crossed paths until somewhat recently... Then why would you and Maxitia-mayana cross paths in the way you have?"

"I do not know." Shankahar rumbles another noise of discontent, before he eyes Harkashan. "Do you have a dragon bonded with your community, your kin, where you are from?"

Zeke falls silent in the wake of his story, nodding his gratitude to the others for their words and their listening. "Thisss one isss here. For all that hasss happened, thisss one hasss endured. It sseemss to thiss one that thiss other wassss perhapss offered ssome ssalvation by a deity other than the Dragonfather. Perhapss thisss isss what hass driven him along another path."

Aryia scratches her head. What Zeke brings up is a good point. "Probably a deity that let your counterpart embrace the hunger and drive it on their terms rather than fight it. Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow and nudge the course," she offers as potential insight, casting a side glance to the others as they discuss some kind of dragon bond. <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Things can change just from tiny details, Shankahar," Telamon says quietly. "One of my mentors taught me about that. You stop to check the lacing on your bracer, and just miss someone passing by. And such changes can add up quickly. The good news is that if you're aware of the path ahead sometimes you can nudge things. An errant stone flying towards a window -- but if you're quick, you can throw another stone, deflect the first. Hopefully."

The archmage rubs his chin, and offers Simony a smile. "I for one appreciate the voice of support in this. We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are necessary."

"That would make some sense." Rune gives a nod of understanding with Zeke's statement. "The only other person I know who has survived such a thing and come out mostly whole is Skielstregar, and I believe that there was something supernatural at play there, too." It seems that it is not always the same gods who have a hand in the lives of their counterparts. "I'd guess we're looking at a different one than gave calling to Zeke." Though, she doesn't seem certain of that.

Like her own counterpart, Rune seems to be keeping an eye on their surroundings, hands resting on the hilts of her blades, in case they are needed at a moment's notice. She is never one to go unprepared in Am'shere. Never again.

"I do." Harkashan answers, walking in-step with Shankahar. "Though it is not something I can speak easily of, my community are indeed bonded by Promise to one of the Greater Dragons." But not a deity. "Their bond with that Dragon changed the fate of our community." And is likely a Story that Nala is not aware of herself.

He tilts his head a bit, then looks back; "They exists here as well. And no doubt are listening with great interest." The Sith-makar then adds. "For they enjoy... collecting moments such as these." He then glances aside to Rune, as she speaks of Brother Skielstregar. A deep guttural rumble coming from him for a moment, before his attention returns to the great jungle around them.

The Goblin offers the teeny-tiny dragon upon her shoulder a piece of apple, the fruit procured from the pouch on her belt.

She looks to Telanmo, "Your timeline and our timeline diverged somewhere in the past. Where in ours, a specific decision was made, while in your, a /different/ decision was made. Given the focus on, well, the group of us... it is likely a decision one of us made that caused the initial difference."

"That's just my working theory anyways. Perhaps we're just meant to be the ones to help make things right. Maybe it wasn't our past decisions that were important to this story, but the ones we make now..." She nods to Telamon, a grin on her face. "Not just necessary, Telamon. They are the right thing to do. It is kindness, and that is the only thing that we have in a cruel, unforgiving world."

"Sounds similar enough to yours, Shan." Runelei is smiling at Shankahar, but then she returns to eyeing the jungle like she expects blades to come out of it. Or jaguar claws. Or... anything else.

"I also cannot speak overly much of Nepantla." Shankahar says, eyeing Harkashan again. "If yours exists here as well... perhaps they are the same entity? Nepantla is merely only one of their names they have given me. It is an old term, referring to the distance between bodies of water--held as conduits to the divine and the sacred..."

"Blood is like water," Nala says softly.

That draws a blink from Telanmo. "Huh?" he says, looking back down at Nala. "What do you mean?"

Nala looks oddly... drowsy. Her golden eyes don't much appear wholly focused on the moment. And then she blinks when Telanmo worriedly touches her shoulder. "Huh?"

Shankahar rumbles a little. He looks to Harkashan. "You should speak with the Elder of my people when we get there. She is wise. Old as can be, but wise. And trusting enough of outsiders." He even tosses a teasing joke in Runelei's direction. "She likes Runelei enough to suggest that Lei-Lei could be a nest-minder one year." (That prompts an eye-roll from Runelei.)

Zeke glances toward Nala, his eyes narrowing a little bit. "Yessss. Blood ISSS like water." It's an old thought among some sith, but one that he is surprised to hear from a soft-skin. He shakes his head and continues to eye Nala for a long moment. "We ssshould hurry." With that, he focuses more on walking than anything else.

Aryia bobs her head in agreement- small changes can have massive, cascading affects. Their intervention, or putting their counterparts in place for the intervention, is what is more than likely necessary. A grey ear flicks. There is a slight glance to Nala's utterance, but nothing is said about it. Save for reaching into a pocket and thumbing the hard edge of a crystal.

A huff escapes her, and she doffs her jacket to tie it around her waist. No matter the realm, Am'shere is just too damn humid.

Telamon absently draws his staff from his haversack, using it as a guide as he walks along with the others. "And yet, Simony... we are here with recognizable counterparts." The sorcerer's brow furrows. "Which suggests something I find mildly annoying. A form of predestination, if you will -- that certain things will happen, regardless of changes. Even though there are differences, the song remains the same, whether played on lute or Animus harp."

Tel flicks his eyes to Nala as well, and hrms. "Do you mean the old saying, 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'? That one gets misquoted a lot. But it's very true: sometimes the bonds you forge are stronger than the ones you inherit."

GAME: Simony rolls knowledge/religion: (14)+16: 30

"I wonder if you're looking for the same shadow I am..." The idle thought strikes her as Rune looks to her counterpart and that same watchful expression. "Never did find the one who killed me, so he's still out there, somewhere." Her voice trails off, looking into the forest. There hasn't been hide nor hair of the sage and his dark forces who preyed on her party those long months ago. Not even a whisper.

However, her attention doesn't linger on that long as the comment from Nala seems to seize everyone's focus briefly. She seems less worried about the words themselves, and more about the way that Nala looks in that moment, "Are you alright?" The question is given with a raised eyebrow. "I imagine we'll have the chance, soon. If the Elders of Shakahar's village are anything like the ones I know from Harkashan's people, they should be welcoming."

"I do not know if they are the same as the one I speak of." Harkashan answers. "Mine can be known as Thirku." It listens to the Changes of the World and the Whirling of Fate. The Sith-makar answers as others speak of blood being like water. Something he prefers not to comment on too much.

He then taps tails with Shankahar. "But I look forward to meeting your Eldest. Are they Speaker or Shaman?" He inquires with curiosity.

Simony raises an eyebrow as Telmon expresses his mild annoyance, her expression thoughtful. "The fact that we might not have free will is a mildly ... disconcerting thought. We don't like the idea that things happen the way they happen, and that there's nothing we can do about it." She rubs at her face. "I think it only happens for hmm big things. Like... we can decide what we want to have for dinner... but a demon invasion will still happen no matter what, IF it's meant to happen."

"Which in a way makes sense. It could be that these things that seem unchangeable are, in fact, changeable still... IF you can find that one decision that sets the whole thing in motion."

Simony hmmms. "If I recall correctly... the Sith have it that blood contains memory. Water is considered to be associated with the divine, and since blood does contain some water... this means the Memory of the Blood IS divine. At least, that is what certain scholars posit."

"She is a Shaman, although she has not practiced her magic in some time now." Shankahar rumbles happily to Harkashan. "But she still insists on cooking. It is her one joy in this life."

"It feels like I'm looking for a lot of shadows," Runelei responds to Rune with a small smile that doesn't linger long. "My father. My murderer..."

Her voice trails off as she looks at Nala. Even Yiara signs, "You good?" at Nala, a brow creased in worry.

"I'm fine." Nala says, rubbing a hand on her temple. She looks worried, mostly because other people are worried about her. "I don't even remember saying anything." But Simony's words about blood and water make her look thoughtful and quiet for a long time.

The group continues to walk. Without incident, they travel through the jungle, resting as needed, and then, at long last, they reach a settlement. It's not the same as where Harkashan grew up, but it feels familiar, as though they were siblings but not twins. There are people at play. At work. Hatchlings and young makari dart through the settlement, laughing as they pounce upon each other. Craftspeople are hard at work on weaving, forging, painting, and more.

A particular set of colorful banners that are being hung up has Shankahar's eyes nictating. "Is it time already?" he asks. "The rain festival! Atemoztli--"

And then there's a sight for sore eyes for some people. An aged sith-makar woman advances forward, her age-worn dark-green scales and one good orange reptilian eye, a symbol of the Death-singing Dragon around her neck. "Elder Miquitlani," Shankahar says with a great bow. "At long last, we have returned home."

Miquitlani--who it seems, is the same in two times--chuckles affectionately. "I am glad to see such. Welcome, visitors. You have come just in time to call the rain."

Most of this is only vaguely familiar to Zeke as he has never seen the settlement that Harkashan hails from. Much less the one that Shankahar does. He notes the arrival of the elder and respectfully bows his head to her. "Ssssa. Greetingssss Elder." He will leave the speaking to others who are better at it than he, even if they are not of the People.

Telamon's thoughts are a mixture of happiness and amused exasperation. It seems some things are constants across the timelines, and the old makari priestess is one of them. However, he smiles at the elder, making a deep bow and mirroring Shankahar.

"We have heard of you, Elder," Telamon says politely. Easier to say that than 'I met your counterpart on the far side of time'. "It is an honor to be here. May I present to you Nala Branfeax, and her cihuaa Telanmo Atlon?" He gestures to the couple with a grin.

The Goblin is instantly distracted by the painters, simply finding a clear spot on the ground and sitting down cross-legged. She watches with wide eyes as they work their craft with colours and form.

When the elder Sith approaches, Simony pulls herself away reluctantly, moving to catch up with the others.

"Peace on your nest.", she intones in Draconic, as she as heard so many times before. A deep bow is given as well.

Aryia tilts her head at Nala, but soon that is waylaid by the settlement they end up at. She's been to a few herself in her time, curious, but soon she's before the Elder. There's no recognition in her eyes, the first time meeting her, but still regardless, she bows along with the others. "Peace on your nest," she gestures, before quirking a brow towards Telamon. Cihuaa already? Heh. <HAndspeech/Tongues>

Perhaps Harkashan should have recognized by description. But when he spots Elder Miquitlani, his tail takes on a more happy sway. "Elder Miquitlani." He speaks her name, bowing at the exact same time and in the same manner as Shankahar, looking like a set of twins for a moment - regardless of them indeed not being twins.

The festival of rain. Hmm, it would seem that much like his name is akin to lava, Shankahar's path has taken one of water. Of change. And it certainly looks like they too have prospered here in their own ways.

He wonders what the story is there.

There is something oddly familiar and yet wholly strange about the village. Rune had spent quite some time in Am'shere with Harkashan, but this has an uncanny valley feel to it, faces that seem familiar but different at the same time. "This feels weird, right?" She doesn't actually seem to be looking for confirmation.

Instead, she looks from the banners towards the arriving Elder, the quirk of a smile lighting on her face at someone familiar in a sea of faces that seem wholely 'other' to her. "Peace on your nest, Elder." Because it is less confusing than saying: 'Good to see you again' to a stranger. She also saves using the native Makari tongue for another time as well.

For now, Rune just moves to stand next to Harkashan. The steady feel of him is enough to ward off the dream like feel of being somewhere familiar and strange at the same time.

Nala blushes a little as Telamon introduces her, and she curtsies as Telanmo bows. "It's nice to meet you," she says. "Telanmo and I are sorcerers."

She proceeds to introduce everyone who hasn't already been named. Miquitlani makes a happy rumble. "Yes. I have expected you for some time."

"You have?" Telanmo asks.

"Come." Miquitlani gestures for everyone to follow her. She's an old woman, but she still manages, even if she's a little slow on her legs. As Shankahar implied, when everyone gets to her little house, there's already a pot simmering away with something spiced and delicious inside over a simple hearth. There's toys that suggest that sometimes, children come here to spend time with Miquitlani.

It's a bit crowded with how many people there are, but Miquitlani doesn't mind, although she puts Shankahar to the task of pressing out flat discs of nixtamalized corn flour for their meal. (He does this without any complaint.) Once she serves food (chillapitzalli, she calls it--tortillas wrapped around meat and ladled in an amazing dark-red chile sauce) to everyone, Miquitlani explains.

"I have seen you all coming in a vision." She's sitting in a chair (needed, due to her legs, sometimes) as she talks. "On the cusp of the rain festival, you all came out of the jungle. You would speak to Nepantla..."

And then Miquitlani's voice grows sad. "But Nepantla would fall, for a great and ravenous beast would appear in your midst. I cannot allow this to happen. Our people would be lost if it did."

Zeke settles in with his food (uneaten), and listens to the vision that the elder has had of their arrival. Her interpretation of their success in the matter makes him frown deeply, and he doesn't doubt that they might well. "Isss there a versssion of your visssion in which we sssucceed?" He looks at the elder hopefully.

Aryia follows, both surprised and not that they were expected. But that is quickly dashed at the thought of makari food being prepared for them. She's already got three when they're passed out, munching away (all that walking!)

But her chewing slows as the vision is shared. She frowns, glancing to Zeke. If there isn't, it's not like that fate can be changed.

She's glancing to his plate.

Telamon blinks as he is told they were... expected? Well, that helps skip over some uncomfortable questions or arguments. And so the half-sil follows the others into the home. Even as crowded as it is, it still feels cozy. One could easily see a dozen makari curled up here together, before the fire.

And now that Miquitlani has spoken of her vision, and her fears, Telamon focuses his mind on the problem. "What is the nature of this great and ravenous beast?" He resolutely does -not- look at Simony, or the very tiny reptile riding her shoulder. His fingers, however, begin to move in the patterns of handspeech. "Simony, move our little friend into a pocket. We may need to send you and him out for safekeeping. I don't think he's this devouring monster, but if we can break the prediction things might work out." All the while, he is sampling the food, and complimenting Miquitlani on her cooking.

Rune is no stranger to Miquitlani's cooking, and thankfully she has built up a resistance to the heat that comes with Makari spices. The rogue leans against the wall, taking up as little space as possible, holding a plate of food in one hand and unceremoniously eating with the other as one ear is cocked towards the Elder.

However, the food gets caught briefly in her throat as Miquitlani mentions that she has forseen the dragon falling to a ravenous beast. She swallows then, the food feeling a bit rough going down. "That can't be the only way this story plays out. If we knew more, then that's a fate we could move to prevent..."

GAME: Simony casts Plane Shift. Caster Level: 20 DC: 23
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d100: (57): 57

Simony's interest is piqued as the elder Sith speaks of the group's arrival being fortold in a vision. And then her jaw drops open at the doom appearing in their midst. Wait. Not the village... their midst. The adventurers. A great and ravenous beast.

"A fallen?" Her eyes go to the three Sith she's been traveling with... and then she gasps.

"Telamon, I am going to y... her voice trails off as her eyes see his fingers moving.

"I am going to your castle.", she replies, her holy symbol already glowing brightly. "Fucking Corpse Eater...", are the last words heard before she vanishes into the glowing door opened by the spell.

-TBC

[[Category:Same As It Ever Was]]

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