Meta: Most Gods lock their own planes against unwanted intrusion, you have been granted the key to Velya’s plane – her Heaven – and can visit freely.

“Of course My Lady” you respond, “I’ll come at once.”

You cast your spell, focus and appear on another plane...

You’re flying through air so clear and pure it makes you giddy to breathe it. You don’t realise how much cities and towns – even yours – smell until you go somewhere with such effluence.

Below you is a beautiful vista of mountains and hills and valleys, as you descend you see a group of people sitting on a hillside enjoying a picnic.

Beside you is Ophinus, you didn’t intend to bring him, it seems he just came along somehow.

You both fly down further and you realise that these men and women have white feathered wings, most of them at least. One young woman, looking about 30 does not.

She is a very attractive human-looking woman with long fair hair and blue eyes. Like the angels around her she is wearing simple clothes and her eyes hold the wisdom that comes with centuries of life.

As you land, Velya stands up and walks over to hug you warmly “Welcome home my saint” she says, catching you as you reflexively attempt to kneel and holding you upright.

“Ah thank you my lady” you reply “Why am I here?”

“I mentioned that I would ask the angels who serve me, would serve the daughter of Syderis” responds your Goddess “You should at least meet them first, right?”

“Of course” you respond a little shakily, looking around at the dozens of angels now rising to their feet and looking in your direction with looks of curiosity, of warmth, of respect, and some amusement.

Oh Velya, some warning would be nice!

“Is this...your Creator?” asks Ophinus, looking at Velya, his eyes wide with surprise.

Give a speech? (include as many topics as you want)
>about what you hope to achieve
>about the dangers you face
>about your own past
>introduce Ophinus
>slip a joke in there
>Other topic (what?)
>No speech

Afterwards
>Mingle, talk to them all
>No talking, just get the ceremony or whatever over with

Meta
Due to the QM being unable to math, Sireyi has 33 unspent XP, feel free to make requests in-thread, I believe Autism Anon will be posting his suggestions at the end of the thread.

>Spend Defiic power to redeeming touch a Fate Eating demon lord.
>Expect that demon lord who torments both demons and humans for his own pleasure to feel remorse
Why the hell did you people do that. Were you not in that thread where we changed RT? I was only around the first half of that thread and you do this.

>>35581560
>what you hope to achieve
>dangers you face
>introduce ophinus

>mingle

>>35581560
>about what you hope to achieve
>about the dangers you face
>introduce Ophinus

>Mingle, talk to them all

>>35581575
more than enough people pointed that out in thatthread. its ovr, no point complaining now. the dp spending was tbe only chance to make itwork on some of chance.

>>35581608
All the Deific Power did was make the roll equivalent to a natural 20.

ok, please give me a 1d20+16 fellowship roll to give a good speech.

Rolled 13 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35581666

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>35581666

Rolled 15 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35581666

>>35581666
Bonus should be +19, I think.

Base +6, Negotiator skill rank +10, Negotiation bonus from Angelic Charm +3.

>>35581697
It's not negotiation per se, it's public speaking. It's more performance and oratory than diplomacy.

>>35581705
No option to Angle voice?

>>35581708
Already included

“Um, hello everyone” you start, making sure your voice carries “I’m Sireyi Valyenya, though you um, might know me better as the daughter of Syderis.”

Oh Velya you’re not off to a great start. Still, the angels around you are nodding politely and some raise crystal goblets as you say your mothers name. Encouraged, you keep going.

You talk about your hopes, dreams and ambitions for your realm, for the people you rule, and for your friends and family.

The angels smile and nod, and some clap in encouragement.

You talk about the dangers you now face: the orcs and beastmen, the dragons, the awakened lord of life and about Salvastis – as well as your desire to rescue your mother from him.

Some of the angels wear expressions of sympathy and sadness, whilst others scowl in outrage – those angels briefly appear to be wearing mail and holding burning weapons, before returning to their more casual appearance.

Finally, you introduce Ophinus to them – he hovers near you nervously, before going out to meet the angels around you. They greet him warmly and with affection, calling him *little one* or *newest*.

As you take a few deep breaths and try to still your trembling, the angels applaud you as Velya leans in and says “Not bad for a speech with no preparation.”

“Why My Lady?” you ask, a little put out that your Goddess gave you no warning.

“I wanted them to see you” She says, explaining when you look confused “I wanted them to have a chance to see and hear the real you – not a prepared speech.”

“Oh” that makes sense, sort of.

“Now go” she says “Meet them.”

You spend several hours circulating through the picnic and talking to angels. They come from all sorts of roles in Velya’s host: healers, diplomats, warriors, priests, demon hunters, undead slayers, caretakers of the natural world and other, more esoteric roles. They have all worked with your mother in some capacity however.

There are too many names to remember, and the angels vary in age so much, it’s hard to keep track of them, eventually you are introduced to two angels: a woman called Eliskael and a man called Vantorim – the most senior of the eladrin and archons present. There are 20 Archons, and 80 Eladrin present.

As the two bow to you as Velya says “Most Gods of Light appoint either an Archon or an Eladrin as their second in command – it’s seen as symbolic of whether you see yourself as a martial deity, or if you prefer diplomacy as a solution. Some don’t choose, some give the archons and eladrin equal status.”

Vantorim speaks “Divine Sireyi” he says, clasping a fist to his chest in salute “It has been an honour to serve your mother, Syderis. Although she was an eladrin she never shied away from fighting evil. I would show that same dedication in serving you.”

Eliskael counters “Syderis was a good friend to me – she always tried to use negotiation and diplomacy, violence was a tool of last resort. I would serve you the way I believe she herself would serve.”

“Well?” asks Velya, turning to you

“Er...” you respond

>Vantorim, I need a warrior in charge
>Eliskael, I use diplomacy myself in preference
>Both have equal standing
>I’m not ready to choose yet

>>35581836
>both have equal standing

>>35581836
>Both have equal standing
Always have the heart for forgiveness and the courage to wield the sword.

“Both of you will have equal standing” you say “both forgiveness and courage are needed to rule wisely.”

They share a surprised look with one another before kneeling and saying “We pledge to faithfully serve you in all things, until death, or until you see fit to release us.”

As one, the angels around you all kneel and repeat the oath.

“I-I promise to do my best to be worthy of your service” you say, your voice carrying across the hilltop.

With a hundred angels sworn to your service the spark of divinity within you surges and grows.

[Meta: Your Deific power has increased!]

Vantorim asks “where would you have us serve, Divine One?”

>Stay here in Velya’s Heaven for now
>All of you come back home with me
>Some of you come (how many?) the rest stay here
>Other

At the same time Velya herself makes a suggestion, a kindly smile on her face “Having increased your powers, perhaps it’s time to learn how to use them? Ophinus is a fine angel” the angel in question gives an embarrassed mid-air bow at the compliment as your goddess continues “However there is much you do not yet know about the creation of angels, or about bestowing powers on your followers, about mastering your own magics.”

“How long would it take?” you ask.

“I would need perhaps a week of your time” says Velya “Though I won’t force you.”

>Stay and learn
>Do this later
>Other

>>35581836

>Both have equal standing

I too prefer peaceful resolution to violence, but when fight is necessary, I have a plenty.

>>35581983
>all of you come
I see not much reason why we shouldnt bring them, I think we had agreed to go public anyway.

>stay and learn

>>35581983
>Some of you come (how many?) the rest stay here
Take both Vantorim and Syderis. We need their advice on how to save our mother. Having only them will make it harder for people to think we are a god as we can use the saint excuse.
>Stay and learn

>>35581983

I guess there's not really any need for secrecy anymore, but I won't vote on that. Arrival of such a celestial host could cause uproar... then again, their aid could be invaluable against dragons and demons.

>Stay and Learn
if the Lady offers wisdom, we're obligated to accept.

Ok, writing the learning bit.

Awaiting a tie-breaker on whether all the angels are coming with you, or just the leaders.

>>35581983
>Some of you come the rest stay here
Vantorim, Eliskael and ~10 each of Archons and Eladrin.

I'd like to take a number of angels with us both to have them on-hand and because I feel our children need a larger retinue of bodyguards.

>Stay and learn

“For now” you say “I would like both of you” you indicate the leaders of the two angel factions “to accompany me when I return home, as well as perhaps 10 of each of archons and eladrin you choose, the rest I ask to stay here.”

They both bow “Of course”

“As for me” you say, turning to your Goddess “It would be an honour to learn what you have to teach me.”

You spend what feels like a long time in Velya’s Heaven, though she assures you that far less time has passed in your own plane. You practise and master your own divine powers under her tutelage.

Meta: You now have the following powers:

Create Tiny Angel: These Angels range from 6 to 12 inches tall and can be imbued with any angel, paladin or storm power you have, up to a maximum of rank 1. They may also be granted Sorcery up to Rank 1 and Priest Spells up to Rank 1 (if you have these).
Costs 3 Deific Power

Create Small Angel: These Angels range from 2-4ft tall and can be imbued with any angel, paladin or storm power you have, up to a maximum of rank 2. They may also be granted Sorcery up to Rank 3 and Priest Spells up to Rank 3 (if you have these).
Costs 10 Deific Power

Create Medium Angel: These Angels are typically human-sized and can be imbued with any angel, paladin or storm power you have, up to a maximum of rank 3. They may also be granted Sorcery up to Rank 5 and Priest Spells up to Rank 5 (if you have these).
Costs 20 Deific Power

Promote Angel: You can promote a Tiny Angel to a Small Angel, or a Small Angel to a Medium one.
Costs 10 Deific Power

Write Doctrine: You create a single doctrine, or rule that your followers are expected to follow. Once you have 2 or more Doctrines Paladins and Priests that follow you can select the Doctrine of Sireyi power to increase their Divine Energy. You need a minimum of 2 Doctrines per rank of the Doctrine of Sireyi power that is available to your followers.
Costs 15 Deific Power

Anoint Priest: You designate a single willing follower as a priest, allowing them to learn Priest Spells and powers. Your priests cannot learn priests spells that you do not know.
Costs 20 Deific Power

Call Paladin: You designate a single willing follower as a Paladin, allowing them to learn Paladin powers, as well as Priest spells up to rank 2. Your paladins cannot learn priests spells that you do not know.
Costs 30 Deific Power

Create Heaven: You create your own Heaven – a demiplane that you carry within you.. You decide the appearance and qualities of your Heaven, the cost varies depending upon what you want to include.
Costs 100+ Deific Power

Learn Priest Spells: You can learn Priest Spells. This costs you 10 Deific Power per rank to access a given rank of spells, and 1 Deific Power per rank per spell to learn it.

“Thank you My Lady” you say, when Velya tells you your lessons are over for now.

“You’re welcome Sireyi” she responds with a smile and a tilt of the head “return to me before you go to rescue your mother, I will have more for you to learn then.”

“I will” you promise.

“And what will you do now?” asks your Goddess

>I intend to practise my powers on my own
>I want to spend time with my family
>I have an orc/beastman horde to deal with
>I need to find the remaining Elemental Nodes
>I need to deal with a flight of dragons
>Other

Please pick only 1 – this is the next task.

>>35582261
>>I need to find the remaining Elemental Nodes

>>35582261
>find elemental nodes

>>35582261
>>I need to find the remaining Elemental Nodes

“I need to find the remaining Elemental Nodes” you say “They’re too dangerous to be left in the wrong hands.”

“Then go with my blessing” says Velya “And may we meet again soon.”

“Thank you My Lady” you say as Eliskael, Vantorum and 20 other angels surround you as you cast your spell to take you all home.

You appear in the skies only a few miles from your keep and you fly towards your castle, Vantorum and Eliskael flanking you.

“What would you have us do?” asks Vantorum “All of us” he clarifies, indicating the other angels following you.

>Stay at the keep for now
>Patrol the town
>Patrol my realm
>Other

“And” asks Eliskael “What do you want us to tell people about our presence?”

>Say nothing
>Say I am a Saint and that you serve me
>Say I am a God and that you serve me
>Say I summoned you
>Say Velya has lent me your services
>Say something else (what?)

>>35582409
>Other
Give them free reign. Get them to familiarize themselves with our realm and keep.

>Say I am a Saint and that you serve me

>>35582409
>stay at my keep
dont want to make it too hard on our twin
>saint

Writing the other stuff whilst awaiting tie-breaker

>>35582409

>Patrol the Realm, use your discretion

>Saint

Do you feel the crushing burden of responsibility, Sireyi?

>>35582546
Just wait till we try to save her mother then a demon invasion comes and destroys our lands and loved ones. Or to find dark Sireyi in charge.

“I give you the freedom of my entire realm” you say “please help people however you see fit – I’ll find some maps so I can show you the borders.”

“If you are asked about your presence” you say “Then tell people that you serve Saint Sireyi.”

As you and the angels land on the upper reaches of your keep, as the guards looking on react in fear and awe, you hear what sounds like an argument going on down below.

“Excuse me” you say to your angels “I think I might be needed.”

You wander downwards to discover Sofia yelling at...is that Ebonsong?

You’re used to Ebonsong looking like a half-dragon girl who looks about 10.

Now she looks older, and more human, as though she only had distant draconic ancestry. If she was human, she could probably pass for 14. Seems she did a lot of growing up whilst you were away.

“You’re not my mother!” rages teen-Ebonsong at Sofia, her arms folded over her chest.

“No, if I was your mother, you wouldn’t be so neglectful of your duties!” ripostes Sofia, her hands on her hips.

The two of them are in one of the dressing rooms, and turn to see who it is as you enter.

Ebonsong is dressed only in her underwear, a collection of dresses laid out. You can see a fine pattern of scales, faint against her skin.

“Knock before you ente- oh it’s you Sireyi” says Sofia “when did you get back?”

“Just now” you say “What’s going on?”

Ebby speaks first “I’m going out to see my friends tonight” she says “But *she* wants me to attend some boring banquet.”

Sofia gives her a withering look, as Ebby looks away with a short and sticks her nose in the air.

“We’re hosting a meeting of the mayors of the towns and villages” explains Sofia “Some of them are getting worried about the orc and beastmen clans so I invited them all here to talk about it” she continues “and as a show of strength I wanted all three dragons in attendance. We were just picking out dresses.”

“The mayors are idiots” says Ebonsong “screw them, and I like boys clothes, just like aunt Jal does.”

Where has she been picking up such language?

The angels you have with you should do for a show of strength, but should you present a united front with Sofia, or let Ebonsong do as she pleases?

>Ebonsong, you’re coming to the banquet (order)
>Ebby, please, for me? (persuade)
>Ebonsong doesn’t need to come
>Other

>>35582608

>Ebby, Sofia places a lot of trust in you when she asks you to attend such a banquet.
>But, if you feel you are not up to making an impression on the mayors, you don't need to come. Any error on your part could make the situation worse.
>To Sofia:
>Thank you for treating Ebby as grown dragon, but if she doesn't feel confident yet, I'm sure Shah and Nico will manage to put up a show on their own.

>Evonsong, please, for me?

Ohoho, rebellious Ebby~

>>35582608
>Ebby, please, for me? (persuade)
If not we could have Vantorim go instead.

“Ebby please” you say, walking over to your younger sister and putting your hands on her shoulders “would you do it as a favour to me?”

Ebonsongs expression twists uncomfortably and then says “Ok sis – for you.”

“But” she adds “You need to help me pick out a dress.”

“Of course I will” You say “I just need to make sure some new arrivals are settled in first.”

You introduce Vantorim, Eliskael and the rest of the angels to your companions, as well as to the people who work at your keep.

Reactions range from joy, to fear and awe, to glee. The angels take it all in with a calm kindness.

Then you return to help Ebby and Sofia pick out a dress for your sister. Over the next hour Ebby tries on a lot of different dresses and accessories as you watch.

Sofia wants her to wear a full-length formal dress that covers most of Ebby and gives her a professional, even menacing look.

Ebonsong wants to wear a dress that looks totally out of place in Sofia’s closet – one that a dancer at a tavern might wear – a dress with a low neckline and slits up the side to expose the legs.

“Why do you even have that dress?” you ask Sofia quietly as Ebby is changing

“Jal bought it for my birthday” she says, her face a mask.

“It looks, uh...nice” you say “But I’ve never seen you wear it in public.”

“I’ve never worn it” she says “in public.” And ignores the blush creeping across her cheeks.

“Well” says Ebby, as she tries on a more typical noblewomans dress – of a style and cut Sofia claims is in fashion this season “What do you think?”

>Yes, wear the regular dress
>I think you should wear the formal one
>You can wear the...um...skimpy one if you want
>Pick another dress style

>>35582799

>I think that formal one looks fit for a dragon.

>>35582799

>I think that formal one looks fit for a dragon.

“I think the formal one looks fit for a dragon” you say “I wouldn’t want you wearing anything not worthy of you.”

“Well yes, you’re right” agrees Ebonsong “I do deserve the best.”

As she tries on the formal one a second time you whisper to Sofia “Hide that other dress.”

“Right” she whispers back.

That evening you and Sofia greet the mayors of the villages and towns of your realm as they arrive at your keep. They seem surprised, but mostly grateful that you are there to greet them in person. In total you have 30 of them here, though some of your more distant settlements have sent representatives rather than coming in person.

You, Sofia and your draconic allies (in their humanoid forms) circulate through the crowd before the meal, talking to people, listening to concerns and trying to allay fears as best you can.

Ebonsong is a commanding figure despite her youth, looking like a young empress in her dress – one who might protect people, or order their execution, projecting a balance of protectiveness and power.

Although not badly-dressed, Shahulzer and Nicolvren don’t make as strong an impression.

After the dinner the mayors lay out their concerns and fears in full – mainly they are worried that the orcs and beastmen are going to invade again and that their villages will be wiped out, though a few take the opportunity to air old grievances and village rivalries.

You and Sofia try to allay their fears as best you can, until one old bearded mayor who remembers the last orc invasion asks bluntly “And if they do come, how will you protect us, Baroness?”

>I’m going to recruit more soldiers
>We have ogre allies
>We have giant allies
>We have dragon allies
>The King would send aid
>Allow me to introduce Vantorim, and my other angels
>Other

>>35582982
>>Allow me to introduce Vantorim, and my other angels

>>35582982
>>Allow me to introduce Vantorim, and my other angels

>>35582982

>I'm aware of the dangers and I've been increasing our military, and I intend to continue doing so to counter the beastmen buildup
>In the meantime we have Ogre, Giant and Dragon allies that will assist us.
>Furthermore, allow me to introduce Vantorim...

“I am aware of the build-up” you say “and I’m working on contingency plans. In addition we have many allies who will assist us.”

“Oh?” says the mayor doubtfully “Who?”

“Esteemed mayors” you say “may I present the Archon Vantorim, and some of my Angelic Host.”

At your signal Vantorm and the archons with him enter the room in full battle armour, weapons held in hand and heavenly fire dancing on the blades, their wings held high above them. Everyone falls silent as they walk the length of the hall and kneel before you. Vantorim looks up at you with a smirk on his face, as if enjoying the spectacle he is making and says out loud “We are at your service, Saint Sireyi.”

You hear gasps and in-drawn breaths around the room and people whispering “it’s true, the rumours were true.”

The mayor you were talking to gapes openly before recovering himself and saying “Well, it seems you do have allies, ah, Saint Baroness.”

The next morning, with the mayors safely on their way home, you need to decide how to find the Elemental Nodes.

Previously when you’ve tried scrying them it hasn’t worked, but with the other Nodes as a focus, it might.

You could also try connecting one Node to another – though you’ve only ever tried that with the lightning one you mastered before, it would require you to link to one of the other nodes.

Or, given that these were in the hands of the orc and beastmen leaders you could infiltrate the tribes and look for clues.

Thanks to Shahulzers latest report you know that the orc and beastmen chieftains who previously held them, no longer have them.

>Scry
>Try to master and link a Node (which? Fire, Water or Wood)
>Infiltrate tribes
>Other

File: 1249241193097.jpg (40 KB, 500x313)

40 KB JPG

>>35583227

>mfw there is a wood elemental node

*Anyway*, Scry.

Ok, roll 1d20+16 to scry.

With so few player at this time I'd like to remind you that samefagging on rolls is ok.

Rolled 9 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35583382

Mystery Box, Show Me Your Secrets

Rolled 7 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35583382

Rolled 10 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35583382
Samefagging third roll.

Well, scrying can’t hurt can it?

You retreat to a quiet room and cast your spell, your thoughts reaching out for the other Nodes.

You see them almost immediately, piled up carelessly in the corner of a dark cave.

You can see no obvious entrance and when you try to look around the cave one entire wall is blank – as though magic cannot see through it at all.

You expand your vision out further, the blankness covers a sphere perhaps 200 paces across. You push further and you are able to see that the Elemental Nodes are deep underground in the Tribal Lands, you make a note of the location and then you need to decide what to do.

With the Nodes previously hidden from your sight, it’s suspicious that you can now see them so easily.

And with them being so far underground you won’t be able to ride the lightning there.

Teleporting in will be your only option, and it might be a trap.

What should you do?

>Quick teleport in and out, grab the nodes
>Teleport in with allies, ready for a fight, figure out a plan once you’re there
>I’m not going to get them right now
>Other plan (what?)

>>35583481
>teleport with allies
a good mix of arcane,divine an non mqgic shuld work

Rolled 14 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35583382

A scry and a prayer.

>>35583481
Rip open a Gate and get one of our allies that can use Cantrips to telekinetically grab the nodes and move them through the Gate.

Open the Gate on some desolate peak or another, just in case anyone tries to come through it.

>>35583524
They have a pillar that completely negates magic in it's area of effect and it's only a few feet away from the nodes.

>>35583566
Not a bad plan, but Gate works between 2 planes rather than on the same plane, so I assume Sireyi would be casting it from Drache, perhaps?

Awaiting other responses, closing vote in 5 minutes or so.

Ok, next response has it, or if no responses in 5 minutes, I roll a die.

>>35583687
Breaking tie in favor of the guy with a plan that isn't "walk into the trap".

>>35583566
I like this, but maybe also make some sort of scoop on a pole, in case that pillar blocks whatever levitation spell?

Ok, Gate plan it is, who is going with you?

Please restrict party to 3 choices only.

>>35583729
>isla
>nicolvren
>whoever else can use mage hand
cant look at the pastebins from here, but we need one caster per node

>>35583804
Ebonsong also has cantrips (including mage-hand)

You’re not going to walk into such an obvious trap. You gather up Isla, Nicolvren and Ebonsong and explain the plan to them.

“Is that going to work sis?” asks Ebby

“I think so” you say, as Nicolvren chimes in to say “I don’t have a telekinesis spell”

“I know” you say “which is why I bought the pole with a net.”

You take the three of you to an isolated mountain on the same plane as the Drache...States (?) and prepare to cast your spell.

A circular shimmering gateway opens in front of you and through it you see the Nodes. Immediately Ebonsong and Isla reach out with their spells and two of the boxes lift up and float towards you. The net and pole you bought isn’t long enough to reach, no matter you can-

Out of the darkness looks a familiar figure.

Gorrask looks in bad shape, the once proud beastman is hunched over and his body is covered in scars, one leg drags behind him as he shuffles forward, stopping just on the other side of the gate.

He still holds his axe in a strong and confident grip “Surprised?” he gurgles out, his eyes seething with hatred as he stares at you “Thought I was dead, did you?” An imp hovers above him.

“You don’t look well” you observe

He slowly stretches his arms outward “Do you like your handiwork?” he asks “Your weapon did this to me.”

“You were trying to kill me and my allies” you say “it was war.”

He laughs, a liquid sound “Yes, true, true, war means no rules, like today, there are no rules.”

The imp hovering over him chatters and gibbers happily, a stream of not-words.

“But here are the rules” he gurgles out “we fight, and one of us dies, no one else interferes.”

“Or...?” you say

“Or” he says “I invade your home, not next year, not some time later, today.”

“Why?” you ask

Gorrask casts a dark look at the imp hovering over him “Urgorg is not a forgiving god” he says “I am given one last chance.”

Isla and Ebonsong have retrieved 2 of the nodes, and are bringing the other one towards the gate, Gorrask doesn’t seem to notice, or if he does notice, he doesn’t care.

>Alright, I’ll fight you
>No, we’re leaving now
>Keep him talking, leave when you have the last Node
>Do something else (what?)

>>35584043
>Keep him talking, leave when you have the last Node
>Sure, step right through the gate and we can start. Or do you still need you large "pole" to boost your confidence?

>>35584043
>Alright, I’ll fight you
>But on this side of the Gate.

>>35584043

>Alright, I'll fight you, just come over.
>What, don't trust me? I'm the good guy here, you can be sure I will not go back on my word.
>(Keep him talking until we get the last Node)

>>35584194
>>35584269
You're both aware that denying him a fight and leaving after we get the node would result in having to deal with an invasion immediately, right?

“Alright I’ll fight you” you say “but on this side of the gate, or” you add “do you need the pillar to protect you?”

Gorrasks answer is to limp through the gate, the imp above his head flies towards you and speaks “These are the rules” it says in a high-pitched voice “You fight Gorrask to the death, no one interferes, you use only weapons, no spells, no powers excepting those you have active now.”

“And if I don’t?” you ask “If I simply blast him with lightning?”

The imp shrugs “Then he dies, and we simply have a demon take his place for the invasion.”

As you are talking, and as Gorrask is shuffling through the gate, you see Isla pluck the last Node out of the air.

You have what you came for.

>Alright, let’s fight
>See you later! (plane-shift)
>Other (what?)

>>35584327
>Plane shift

Or rather, a non-extended casting spell that gets you away.

>>35584313
We will have to deal with an invasion anyway. And walking into a obvious trap isn't going to help the issue at all.

>>35584327
>Alright, let’s fight
>Blast him with lightning.
Bitch please, how stupid do you think we are? As if they wouldn't try that invasion anyway.

>>35584327
>Alright, let’s fight
>Lightningbolt
>Plane Shift
don't forget to close the gate

>>35584327
>Alright, let’s fight

>>35584372
They probably will, but at least that invasion (probably) won't be immediate and would give us some time to actually prepare.

Nothing to lose by humoring him, and we can always cheat later if it looks like we're going to lose.

>>35584399
>Nothing to lose by humoring him
Yes, the fight for example once the inevitably cheats. Or getting stalled by them while that invasion happens already.
Again, if these guys got an invading army ready,, they will use it. His master isn't the demon lord of restraint and temperance.

“Alright” you say, readying your halberd and walking towards Gorrask “If that’s the way you want it.”

Gorrask limps forwards to meet you, a huge axe in his grip, a feral light of anticipation in his eyes.

What tactic?
>Halberd
>Lightning
>Power (what?)
>Spell (what?)
>Other

Facing
Gorrask (unhurt(?))

>>35584399
>won't be immediate
It won't be immediate anyway, because if there were a invasion ready army at our proverbial gates, we would have already been told that by Shahulzer, so the army still needs to be rallied and marched to our border.

>>35584471
>Meteor Swarm

>>35584471
>Tell Nicovlren and Isla to Plane Shift home to warn everyone to prepare for the army incoming.
>Meteor Swarm

Good idea, I bet he has some lightning resistance.

>>35584398
Lightning Storm is better than Lightning Bolt at this point.

>>35584432
His demonic patron would probably regard cheating as a sign of weakness; his last chance is to kill us in a straight fight and prove his superiority.

Cheating probably wouldn't do much for his chances, and if he does start cheating, then it's extremely unlikely it'll actually manage to put us in a bad way during the one round of not getting vaporized he gets.

If the demons are going to invade immediately, with no preparation time on our end, and there's nothing we can do here to delay it, then we're already fucked.

>>35584472
This a world of magic and we just ripped open a gate across dimensions, you can't assume that we'll actually be forewarned just because we have a watch-dragon.

>>35584503
He probably has more fire resistance, because demons.

>>35584471

Let's retain some elementary honor here.

>Halberd

Might have Isla at least planeshift and warn the barony that army might be coming, and to tell us of the developments.

>>35584471
>Halberd

>>35584518
>He probably has more fire resistance
Thats the beautiful thing about meteor swarm.

>>35584471
>>35584503
second this, not gonna get suckered by this stalling tactic.

>>35584580
That it does primarily fire damage?

Because that's the version of the spell we're using, the one that does mostly fire damage with a bit of bludgeoning.

>>35584518
>then we're already fucked.
No, we could also just leave right now and not bother dueling this guy and letting him weaken us.
You know, the reasonable and responsible thing to do as leader of a Barony, taking care of the lives of your subjects before stupid duels.

>>35584518
>This a world of magic and we just ripped open a gate across dimensions, you can't assume that we'll actually be forewarned just because we have a watch-dragon.
Thats pretty much supporting my point about him stalling us while the invasion happens anyway, you do realise?

>>35584602
The bludgeoning part is the good part, yes. I expect him to have something that gives him lightning immunity, so we don't waste a turn with Meteor Swarming him.

Looks like Meteor Swarm just wins over Halberd and playing by the rules.

Ok, roll Willpower 1d20+16 and vote on extra Arcane Energy used (if any).

>>35584471
Halberd

Rolled 19 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35584668
15AE

Rolled 17 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35584668
10AE

Luckily we never agreed to his rules in the first place.

>>35584620
He won't weaken us, we regenerate so fast that any HP damage is practically meaningless and we can recoup Divine Energy easily, or just burn HP instead.

A chance to delay the invasion is better than everyone dying, which is probably what will happen because, believe it or not, Sireyi can't be everywhere at once and we can't win a battle against tens of thousands without some level of prep time.

It might, but it doesn't make any difference since an immediate invasion means we're probably screwed regardless of our presence.

>>35584641
We could have used a spell that would have it's primary damage actually affect him instead, you realize.

>>35584690
>Luckily we never agreed to his rules in the first place.
>“Alright” you say, readying your halberd and walking towards Gorrask “If that’s the way you want it.”

You fly upwards as Gorrask limps towards you and focus your arcane powers. Balls of fire shoot towards him and surround him and then explode in a rush of heat and light.

When it’s over, all that is left is a broken charred corpse. Gorrask is no more.

In the calm afterwards the imp flits over to you and says “Well that was unexpected.”

>Why?
>Ignore it, we’re leaving
>Grab it
>Other

>>35584724
>>“Alright” you say, readying your halberd and walking towards Gorrask “If that’s the way you want it.”
Thats refering to having a fight, not agreeing to his rules, he had already stepped through the portal at that point.
And again, I fully epxect him to have something to protect from lightning damage. If he doesn't even have that, he sure as hell doesn't have immunity to fire either, because he is not a demon.

>>35584748
>Grab the Imp, Plane Shift out
He can explain on the way.

>>35584724
>We could have used a spell that would have it's primary damage actually affect him instead, you realize.
>Demon
>Immune to fire

What? Demons are only resistant to fire and immune against electricity, if he became demon, lightning wouldn't have done shit against him.

>>35584748
>If you say so…
>Grab it.

>>35584757
You can't really fault the logic, most demon worshipers tend to take on demonic traits and abilities, it wouldn't be a bad assumption that he had some degree of fire resistance, or possibly immunity.

>>35584788
That varies depending on the setting.

>>35584748

I miss the days when we were roleplaying a paladin, not some loledgy gayguard. Oh well.

>What did he give to your master for this? His soul?

>>35584833
>roleplaying a paladin
Lawful Good, is not Lawful stupid. We hads literally no reason not to smite this guy. We had no reason to assume he would not invade us, nor did we trick him in any fashion, we flat out told him we could just blast him away, and he accepted that.

>>35584832
Again, in which case he would get lightning immunity, by default. Maybe thats different in this setting, but we wouldn't know, so we have to make the default assumption for such a heavily D&D modeled setting.

>>35584748
>>35584822
This.

>>35584748
Might want to use Dimensional Lock if we're going to grab the imp, to keep him from escaping.

ok, grab the imp it is, closing and writing.

>>35584908
That would have to come after the porting, since we can't port him with the lock.

>>35584878
The possibility of Lightning Immunity isn't really relevant to my argument.

I never wanted to use our lightning powers, just a spell that he would be less likely to be resistant/immune to.

Aside from that, this setting's demons are taking the place of demons, devils and daemons/yuguloths/whatever, so OP could've gone with any of the different resistance sets.

“If you say so...” you indicate for the imp to explain and then as it draws a breath to speak you grab it out of the air.

“You have some explaining to do” you say as you gather your companions and prepare to go home.

The imp grins at you with its needle-like teeth and says “Gorrask didn’t understand, nor do you.”

“Then tell me” you say “How am I supposed to be terrified by your master plan otherwise.”

“There is no invasion” it says “Acting so openly is no longer the plan, my Master wanted to test you. All of Gorrasks powers were taken as soon as the fight started. You were supposed to play by the rules and find him an easy foe – then you would have been offered the choice of killing him, killing someone who is helpless, or having your realm invaded and thousands would die.”

“That sounds like a huge waste of time” you say, though you refrain from pointing out how most paladins codes have exceptions for demons and demon-worshippers.

“But we did find out” says the imp “That you are willing to use overwhelming power when confronted with a threat – real or fake.”

And with that it disappears from your grasp.

-

You and your allies return home. Scrying and your dragon allies confirm that there is no one invading your lands, and from what can be seen the orcs and beastmen that were once part of Gorrasks horde are not on the march towards you.

Still, it is troubling that you’re drawing this much attention from various demons...

Now you only have the dragons on your to-do list.

-

You are Sirey, but not Valyenya.

You are standing at the edge of a swamp, Sofia is with you, this is supposed to be the lair of a black dragon that is part of the alliance to defeat HER.

But there’s no black dragon you can see.

“What are we going to do?” asks Sofia

>Let’s go looking for this dragon
>You stay here, I’ll look
>Yell for the dragon to show itself
>I’ll draw the dragon out with a display of magic
>Other

>>35585061
>I never wanted to use our lightning powers, just a spell that he would be less likely to be resistant/immune to.
When I suggested Meteor Sawrm, I wasn't on my pc, and couldn't look if we had purchased missile storm, if someone would have recommended that, I would have backed it.

>>35585088
>I’ll draw the dragon out with a display of magic
Time for best doppelganger!

>>35585088
>I’ll draw the dragon out with a display of magic

>>35585088
>I’ll draw the dragon out with a display of magic

I don't think this is such a good idea, alt-Sireyi.

>>35585088
>I’ll draw the dragon out with a display of magic

Black dragons like to live under water. So let’s make the water uncomfortable for it.

You cast your spell firing lightning bolts onto the cloudy swamp water and wait.

Several minutes later a huge head emerges from the swamp, it’s on a long scaled neck.

“What do you want?” asks the black dragon, probably a young adult from its size.

“Go away” it says “or did you volunteer to become my next meal?”

Beside you, you feel Sofia shifting her weight into a combat stance.

>Dominating Touch
>I hear you have a problem with a half-angel, I’m here to help
>I’m taking over your alliance
>Why are you after Sireyi?
>Don’t you recognise me?
>Other

>>35585252
>Why are you after Sireyi?

>>35585252
>Why are you after Sireyi?

>>35585252
>>I hear you have a problem with a half-angel, I’m here to help
In the following conversation:
>Why are you after Sireyi?

“Why are you after Sireyi?” you ask the dragon.

It regards you dispassionately “Not that it’s any of your business” it says “But Ryzan intends to kill her and use her powers to ascend to godhood.”

“Isn’t he some sort of god anyway?” you ask, somewhat puzzled.

“His powers came from the Mother of Dragons” says the black dragon “borrowed, not in-born, if she wants, they can be taken away; he seeks his own divine power.”

You can’t help but feel disappointed, all they want is HER divine spark, it’s simple greed.

“And now” says the dragon “I’m hungry” and its jaws open wide.

>Time to leave
>An open mouth? Lightning Bolt
>No, I think you’ll serve me (Dominating Touch)
>Wait! I wish to join you
>Other

>>35585497
>No, I think you’ll serve me (Dominating Touch)

>>35585497
>No, I think you’ll serve me (Dominating Touch)

>>35585497
>No, I think you’ll serve me (Dominating Touch)
Time for mindrape.

>>35585497
>No, I think you’ll serve me (Dominating Touch)

Hungry... FOR SERVITUDE!

Ok, roll Willpower 1d20 and vote for extra divine energy used.

Yes she has a will modifier, but her modifiers are hidden for now.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>35585671

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>35585671
How much Divine Energy does she have?
I'm going for 30 now.

>>35585671
She won't do much that day, so I suggest 2/3rds or so. Max 30.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>35585671

>>35585671
>>35585728
Forgot the DE, I'm going with 30 for now too.

You dodge to the side as the dragon snaps its jaws where you were just standing and then you slip in and touch its neck, so casually....

The dragon lives a thousand years under your care, knowing only suffering if it disobeys you, knowing happiness only when it serves you.

Every attempt at breaking free fails; every tiny rebellion is found out and punished, eventually even its inhumanly strong mind bends eventually.

The dragon grovels at your feet “Forgive me Mistress, forgive me” it begs “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Shhhh” you say, stroking its neck “What is your name?”

“Xerfinzes Mistress” it says hesitantly, its muzzle pressed firmly into the ground

“And who am I?” you ask it.

“You are...everything, Mistress” it says

“Good” you say “Now you have remembered yourself, you will tell me where to find the other dragons in your little alliance.”

As the dragon babbles out names, descriptions and locations, Sofia whispers to you “Why are you doing this? I mean, can’t you beat her yourself?”

“It’s not just about HER” you say “The Lord of Life has taken one kingdom already – I can feel him getting closer. SHE doesn’t know how it works, SHE doesn’t know about the Plague Bringers, about the Three Sorrows it will unleash, SHE doesn’t know about the Nine Seals of Augumtia that the mad wizard created to banish the Lords of Life. I’m not having it bring its friends back. I need a vast army to stop it.”

You pause and stroke a hand down Sofia’s face “I don’t want our Mili growing up in the world it would create. SHE can’t stop it because when it created me I saw into it’s mind, I know things SHE never will.”

Sofia closes her eyes, her hand cupping yours, relishing your touch, the only familiar thing she has any more.

“And this flight of dragons” she says “What will you do with those that won’t join?”

>I only need one dragon to start a flight (Simulacrum Spell)
>In life or in death, they’ll serve (zombie dragons)
>I know spells that will allow us both to gain strength from slain dragons
>I’ll visit each in turn, they can choose to join, or die
>I’ll avoid Ryzan
>I’ll save Ryzan until last

Pick as many as you like

>>35585966
>In life or in death, they’ll serve (zombie dragons)
>I know spells that will allow us both to gain strength from slain dragons
>I’ll visit each in turn, they can choose to join, or die
>I’ll save Ryzan until last

Go zombie dragons!

>>35585966
>>In life or in death, they’ll serve (zombie dragons)
>>I know spells that will allow us both to gain strength from slain dragons
>>I’ll visit each in turn, they can choose to join, or die
>I’ll save Ryzan until last
Fuckin' Zombie dragons

>>35585966
>>I know spells that will allow us both to gain strength from slain dragons
>>I’ll visit each in turn, they can choose to join, or die
>I’ll save Ryzan until last

>>35585966
>I only need one dragon to start a flight (Simulacrum Spell)
>In life or in death, they’ll serve (zombie dragons)
>I know spells that will allow us both to gain strength from slain dragons
>I’ll visit each in turn, they can choose to join, or die
>I’ll save Ryzan until last

Zombie dragons are temporary measure. They might be suborned by Lords of Life if we use them as regular troops. We need living things or sophisticated constructs to swell our ranks.

“In life or death they’ll serve” you say, motioning for Xerfinzes to crouch down so Sofia can climb on the dragons back.

“A dead dragon” you say “can still be used as a soldier, or it’s energies consumed to create magical artefacts that will make us both stronger.”

“Really?” asks Sofia “Like what?”

“Enhanced magic” you say “Strength, toughness, make us nearly impossible to kill, the ability to heal any wound in seconds, the list goes on, and oh yes, immortality.”

“So we’re going to visit each one in turn” says Sofia “and-”

“Give them a choice” you say, as Sofia gets comfortable on the dragons back “They can join, and serve willingly, or serve in another fashion.”

“And Ryzan?” asks Sofia

“Him we save until last” you say “He’ll be the toughest, so there’s no point in visiting him early.”

“Now” you say to Xerfinzes “Take us to the lair of...

>Sorcha, the Old Red Dragon
>Malhost, the Adult Red Dragon
>Solkliptis, the Adult Green Dragon
>Hematum, the Young Gold Dragon
>Barrosim, the Adult Cloud Dragon

Please pick only 1 from this list

As you fly, Sofia shouts to you over the rushing wind “So what other allies are you going to gather?”

>I’m going to create copies of my other companions (who?)
>Wegenthal and the Giants will be offered the same choice as the dragons
>The Ogre clan
>Demons are useful, if properly tamed
>The Orcs
>The Beastmen
>The Forest King and Queen have reason to dislike HER
>Perhaps we should visit Drache
>Other allies (what?)

Pick as many as you want from this list

>>35586303
>Hematum, the Young Gold Dragon
>Demons are useful, if properly tamed
>The Orcs

>>35586303
>Barrosim, the Adult Cloud Dragon

>The Forest King and Queen have reason to dislike HER
>Demons are useful, if properly tamed
>The Orcs

>>35586303
>Solkliptis, the Adult Green Dragon

>Demons are useful, if properly tamed
>The Orcs
>The Beastmen

>>35586303
>Hematum, the Young Gold Dragon

>Demons are useful, if properly tamed
>The Orcs
>The Beastmen

“Take us to the gold dragon” you say to Xerfinzes. To Sofia you say “The orcs and beastmen will provide convenient numbers, and demons are useful shock troops – once you establish who is truly in charge.”

“And you can defeat her?” She asks “right?”

“I can” you say, grinding your teeth a little “I just need to stay out of her reach long enough to wear her down.”

“What do you mean?” asks Sofia

“Her ability to redeem” you explain “on me it will-”

-----------
Sireyi Valyenya

Safely back at your keep you puzzle over what the imp told you as you turn your mind to the problem of the dragons.

The day afterwards you’re talking to your companions, seeking their insights on the matter before making a decision.

You’re talking to Sofia as she’s overseeing the keeps gardeners doing some landscaping.

“I really don’t know what to do about the dragons” says Sofia “talk to them, threaten them, try to convert them, whichever you think it best.”

She sounds..tense.

“What’s wrong?” you ask

Sofia looks away “Nothing” she says “Nothing at all.”

It’s obviously not nothing.

>Ok, I’ll drop it, but if you need someone to talk to, I’m here
>Sofia, please trust me
>Is it Jal?
>Is it the kids?
>Is it the Barons?
>Is it something else (what?)
>Other

>>35586630
>Sofia, please trust me

>>35586630
>Sofia, please trust me


Pally, whats that about the the redeem thing? Does that mean it will actually work on Alt Sireyi? Or can you not say one way or another yet?

>>35586724
I'm not going to give the full rundown but your duplicate will expand on this more later.

Sireyi's Redeeming Touch will have a far greater impact on your duplicate than it does on anyone else.

Of course if you touch her, she can attempt Dominating Touch on you.

>>35586630

>Is it something else (what?)

Does this have something to do with Sireyi's budding divinity and possible detaching from her mortal life as she grows into her power as a saint? Which may possibly mean leaving behind her loved ones as she assumes more and more responsibility as she becomes a full-fledged deity?

>>35586630
>Is it about me? Have I been gone too much?

>>35586764
I'm lookin forward to that epic handshake.

FUCK YEAH, PALADIN QUEST!

“Sofia” you say, putting a hand on her shoulder “please trust me – I can’t help if I don’t know what it is.”

“It’s nothing” she says looking away

“It doesn’t sound like nothing” you observe “is it me, have I been gone too much? I mean, I know I should have spent more time with you and Jal and the kids, but I have a lot of responsibilities now and-”

She whirls to face you “Not everything is about you!” she explodes “In the past few years we’ve faced invasion, demon-worshippers, undead, I’ve had to fend off political attacks from the nearby baronies. And now a flight of dragons is at our gates!”

“And yes” she continues “You’ve been gone a lot, I know, I know” she says as you open your mouth to explain “You’re a Saint, soon to be a Goddess, I get it – but that’s only part of the problem.”

“What’s the whole problem?” you ask

“When are we going to get time together?” She asks “You and me and Jal and Isla?”

“Ah well” you say, is it hot out here, it feels hot “You know we agreed to wait until the wedding to-”

Sofia snorts “Get your mind out of the bedroom” she says “I mean all of us as a family, spending time together talking, or shopping, or, or walking in the hills with our children” she says “Instead it’s one crisis after another, Sireyi, will life ever slow down for us?”

>I’ll make more time for you and the children, I promise
>I love you and we’ll make this work
>Maybe *us* was a bad idea
>I have big responsibilities, they come first
>Other

>>35586986
>I’ll make more time for you and the children, I promise
>I love you and we’ll make this work

>>35586986
>I’ll make more time for you and the children, I promise
>I love you and we’ll make this work
We definitly should have been able to find afew days here and there between our adventures, not really sure why we didn't by now.

>>35586986
>I’ll make more time for you and the children, I promise
>I love you and we’ll make this work

Would it be possible to make some sort of demiplane with some hardcore time dilation?

>>35586986

>I love you and we'll make it work
>just keep in mind that if a horde of demons ravages the countryside there will not be a lot of places left to have picnics on

>>35586986
>I’ll make more time for you and the children, I promise
>I love you and we’ll make this work

We should petition the creator of all things for formal weekdays. No doing evil or good or whatever or planning or stuff. Just everybody relaxing for two days.

>>35587042
Well if/when you build a Heaven having control over the timeflow is an option, yes.

>>35587057
Hmm... Okay. How much Deific Energy do we have now?

>>35587173
33.

100 minimum to make a Heaven, and then we probably have to expend more DP to get certain additions.

Timeflow is likely one of the more expensive additions.

>>35587173

Nowhere near enough, and I'd rather not blow it on frivolity at least until we resolve mom's condition.

>>35587252
You said it brother!

“I love you” you say, hugging Sofia from behind, you feel her go tense in your grip, then lean back, melting into your embrace “We’ll make this work, somehow”

“How?” she asks, snuggling into your arms.

“I’ll make more time for you and the children” you say “not just a day here and there between crises’ but real time, time for us.”

“Well you better” she says petulantly “I’ve spoken to Jal and Isla, sometimes we’re happy to share, and sometimes we each want you to ourselves, make time, ok?”

“I will” you promise, somehow you keep standing despite your knees suddenly feeling weak.

“And we’ll be as patient as we can” says Sofia “hopefully after we save your Mother, there will be time for us.” She adds jokingly “I don’t want to be raising Mili on my own – you need to be a mother to her too.”

“I will be” you say “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Now about these dragons” says Sofia, still leaning into your embrace “What’s the plan?”

>I’ll send messages asking for a meeting
>I’ll visit one to see what this is about
>I’ll visit Hargards sister
>I’ll visit Ryzan, might as well start at the top
>Other (what?)

>>35586986
>Tonight.

>>35587301
>I’ll visit Ryzan, might as well start at the top

>>35587301
>I’ll visit Hargards sister

>>35587301
>I’ll visit Hargards sister

>>35587301
>Solkliptis the one putting it together right? Should we take out middle managment?

>>35587378
Harugrad's sister was the one who put it together, unless I missed something.

>>35587301

That Ryzan character seemed to be in charge and most willing to see me alive, perhaps he or she will be willing to reason.

>>35587402
you are correct. She claims to have the support of Ryzan.

Ryzans support is as yet unconfirmed, in character.

“I’ll visit Shaljust” you say “Harugards sister – she seems to be the driving force behind this whole thing. Maybe if I can talk her down it will fall apart.”

Sofia tilts her head back and gives you a look with those lovely deep blue eyes of hers “Remember what happened the last time you tangled with a dragon” she says “He came to the keep to-”

“I know” you say, recalling his threats against your family “I’ll be very careful.”

“So” asks Sofia “Going alone?”

>Yes
>No, I’m taking...(party size limit 3)

“And are you going now?” asks Sofia, wriggling her body up against yours

>Yes, the sooner I solve this, the more *us* time we can have
>Actually I think you and I should come first

Hahaha double entendre

>>35587559
>Yes
>Actually I think you and I should come first

>>35587559
>No, I’m taking...(party size limit 3)
>Ebby
>Shahulzer (I have not given up finding him a nice dragon female)

>Actually I think you and I should come first
We go one evening, right? Right?
She will be dead by the time we arrive

>>35587559
>Yes
I would like to take Ebby, but. She is a bit too hotblooded currently.

>Actually I think you and I should come first

>>35587559
>No, I’m taking...(party size limit 3)

Shahulzer.
Nicolvren.

Should we really be taking Ebonsong along? She's growing up fast, but I'm not so sure if it's safe enough to take her with us.

>>35587559
me >>35587609
Changing to
>No, I’m taking...
Shahulzer.
Nicolvren.
Ebby

“I will be going alone” you say “but later - you and I come first”

Sofia reaches up and pulls your head down towards hers and kisses you “smartest thing you’ve said all day” she says and kisses you again.

When she lets you up for air you say “so you wanted to go walking somewhere with the kids, right?”

“I can never tell if you’re really that clueless, or if you’re making fun” complains Sofia, before whispering her plans in your ear, finishing with “so get us to your bedroom, now my Angel.”

---

The next day (late morning to be precise) you take Ebonsong, Shahulzer and Nicolvren to the area where Shaljursts lair is supposed to be.

After several hours of searching, Nicolvren reports having found it, she thinks.

Before you is a large cave mouth, hidden in a blind alley-like feature of two intersecting cliff-faces that make it look like a single rockface – an ideal bit of natural camouflage.

“So now what?” asks Shahulzer

>We go in and talk
>I go in and talk, you stay here unless I call for you
>I yell out, and when she comes out, we talk
>I yell out, and when she comes out, you three pounce
>Other

>>35587852
>We go in and talk

>>35587852
>“I will be going alone”
>Brings the dragons
Do they not count as people?

>>35587852
>I go in and talk, you stay here unless I call for you

>>35587886
Sorry, my mistake, started writing and forgot to correct it when the vote changed.

Should read "I won't be going alone"

awaiting tie-breaker, or roll in 5 mins

>>35587852
>>35588065
>I go in and talk, you stay here unless I call for you

Me >>35587870
change to >>35587912

“I go in and talk” you say to your companions “I’ll call if I need you”

You enter the lair of Shaljurst.

You wander down a winding passage way, avoiding several cruel and creative traps and avoiding guardian beasts, until you come to the central chamber, where Shaljurst rises above you.

She is a massive red dragon, with deep crimson scales and an impressive wingspan.

She also has a gaping hole on her chest where her heart should be, and her eyes are filmed over and dead.

Still, death doesn’t seem to have stopped her.

The zombie dragon looms over you, roars and attacks.

Your dragon companions are currently waiting outside.

Sireyi
>Lightning
>Halberd
>Spell (what?)
>Power (what?)
>Other

Extra action (optional)
Call in allies?

Y/N

Enemies
Zombie Dragon (unharmed)

>>35588128

Time for shock and awe!
>Lightning

>mental note: bring Philly along next time

Call in Allies?
>N
they might trigger traps we passed unless we neutralized them.

>>35588128
>Lightning

Y

>>35588128
I just knew it.
>LIghtning

>Call in Allies N

>>35588128
>Lightning
Storm specifically, assuming it's overcharge bonuses have also doubled.

>N

>>35588128
Get out. There's no win for us here and we can get to our backup quickly.

>>35588238
Then we have a zombie dragon lying around, which may or may not try to chase us.

We don't know if it can still cast spells or what level of intelligence it has, just leaving it alone isn't a good idea.

Ok, roll 1d20+16 and vote on extra Divine Energy used (if any).

Rolled 9 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35588276
15

Rolled 8 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35588276
Are we using Lightning Storm or Lightning Bolt?

Have the overcharging benefits for Lightning Storm also doubled, or is it still 1d6/1 DE?

>>35588289
15

>>35588292
I was assuming Storm as it's the most damaging and there's no friendly fire concerns.

And the overcharging has doubled, yes.

Rolled 10 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35588276
>>35588332
Damn dice.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>35588267
I was assuming it would follow us into the traps.

The Zombie Dragon pounces at you and just clips you with a single claw as you take flight and try to avoid its attacks.
[HP 107/113]

You get some distance between you and then douse the undead monster in a crackling aura of lightning, it twists and jerks in the storm, before turning its head towards you and attacking again.

[DE 27/45]

Still, you attack looks like it was quite effective, the dragon is moving a lot slower than normal and chunks of charred flesh are falling away.

Sireyi
>Lightning Storm
>Halberd
>Spell (what?)
>Power (what?)
>Other

Extra action (optional)
Call in allies?

Y/N

Enemies
Zombie Dragon (badly wounded)

>>35588467
>Lighnting Storm

>>35588467
>Halberd

>>35588467

Is there a way to un-zombify the dragon? Maybe after we've beaten it down it would be open to treatment...

>>35588545
>Is there a way to un-zombify the dragon?

Yes, Resurrection spell or similar

Awaiting tie-breaker, die roll in 5 minutes

>>35588467
>>Halberd

Using lightning storm again would probably end the fight real quick, but do we want to conserve DE for something else?

Does Sireyi have any resurrection options available to her?

>>35588635
>Lightning Storm
Why is Halberd even an option?

>>35588655
>Does Sireyi have any resurrection options available to her?

Not that I can recall at this time.

>>35588667
>Why is Halberd even an option?

Just a standard option, also it's tied with Storm still

>>35588655
We don't have any real reason to save it.

We can restore it by using one DP or just start burning HP instead.

We do, but it's not purchased and probably wouldn't work anyway.

>>35588635
>Halberd

>>35588635
>>Lightning Storm

Halberd it is

Please roll 1d20+11 to attack.

Rolled 17 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35588720

>>35588708
>>35588542
>>35588650
Why on Earth are you doing this?

And for using an objectively weaker form of attack?

What's wrong with you?

Rolled 11 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35588720

>>35588467
Call in allies?
>Y

Rolled 7 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35588735
Doesn't make sense to me to burn most of our DE when there might be other combatants.
>>35588720
rolling

>>35588801
>Doesn't make sense to me to burn most of our DE when there might be other combatants.
Did you not read the archives, the rules or the character sheet?

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>35588720

You fly in and slam your halberd into the dragons thick ribs, breaking one, but it doesn’t seem much bothered by the attack.

You twist and dodge in the air, avoiding most of its attacks, but the dragons tail slaps you, you tumble through the air before catching yourself.

[HP 98/113]

Sireyi
>Lightning Storm
>Halberd
>Spell (what?)
>Power (what?)
>Other

Extra action (optional)
Call in allies?

Y/N

Enemies
Zombie Dragon (badly wounded)

>>35588847
Correction, due to healing

[HP 108/113]

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>35588465
>>35588843
My dice are rigged.
>>35588847
>>Lightning Storm

>>35588847
>Call in allies?
>Y
Let's not have all the fun to ourselves. Leave and bait the dragon to follow. It might even trigger some of its own traps.

>>35588847
>Lightning Storm
Oh hey, look, it was almost totally ineffectual.

As expected of an unenhanced basic melee attack with a weapon that has no offensive enchantments against a fucking dragon.

>>35588847
>Halberd
>Call in allies
>Y

>>35588811
Anon, we have better things to use our Deific Power for than filling our DE.

And remember, just because I disagree with you doesn't mean I'm new. Been here since the beginning and sometimes its boring to just spam lightning.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>35588908
The more you know.

>>35588908

Wouldn't say ineffectual, but we're going to need a weapon with more pizzazz if we're going to hurt something monstrously big that has no sense of pain or self-preservation. A zombie breaking a rib is about as urgent to it as a person breaking a hair.

>>35588847

Lightning Storm

>>35588922
You're right, we do have better things to spend it on.

However, we can burn HP in lieu of DE, and our HP recovers at a rate of 5/round.

Seriously, we aren't doing shit with the Halberd, at least vote for a spell or something.

>>35588959
Ineffectual in comparison to the Lightning Storm that took off ~half of it's HP in one attack.

>>35588922
>Anon, we have better things to use our Deific Power for than filling our DE.
You mean like getting a 20 on a roll that shouldn't have happened in the first place when we already had a 19?

Ok, roll 1d20+16 and vote on extra Divine Energy used

Rolled 8 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35589026
15

>>35588847

>Lightning storm (10)
>N

Rolled 9 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35589026
5

Rolled 8 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35589026
25

Rolled 15 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35589026

10

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>35589026
no

-Ebonsong- you send over the telepathic link –I want you all in here, be careful and watch for traps-

-Right- She sends back –we’re on our way-

“Time to end this” you say and you blast the dragon with Lightning once again.

[DE 14/45]

It convulses, and them collapses, smoking – the smell is terrible.

As it lies there is jaws flop open and a voice you cannot place says “Though lit, the candle gutters in the wind; though planted, the unwatched field is choked by weeds.”

You recognise the spell as a delayed form of the Message spell, and the words from a passage from Velya’s own holy book reminding her worshippers to be diligent and hard-working, lest the world around them spoil the results of their labour.

Roll Intelligence 1d20+7 please

Perhaps 10 minutes later your companions join you.

“Yuck” says Ebonsong, “What happened to her?”

Rolled 6 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35589172
We should probably get back to the stronghold immediately.

Rolled 8 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35589172
I want to take some of her body for us to use to perform Resurrection on. Unless we can do it without needing a component of the dragon's body.

Rolled 10 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35589172

Rolled 4 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35589172

Someone got to her first. Killed her, and raised her as a zombie.

Rolled 17 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35589203
Regular Resurrection doesn't exist, and neither of our potential ways to resurrect people require it.

Unless you can supply a reason, I'm opposed to trying to resurrect her.

>>35589246
No, pretty sure she just spontaneously died of a brain aneurysm and became a zombie for no reason in particular.

>>35589262

So what you're saying... is that WE are the walking dead?

>>35589262
I think being able to figure out who murdered and raised a Dragon as a zombie, seemingly with ease, is a fairly good reason to resurrect the dragon.

>>35589330
There's a spell for that, it's called Speak to Dead.

As you and your companions investigate the corpse of Shaljurst you realise that the heart was removed after she was killed – there’s less blood than there should be if she was killed by the removal of her heart.

The heart appears to have been removed by claws – probably another dragon.

And the voice, is Sireyi’s own voice, or a perfect imitation of it. You’re not sure who did that.

Finally, the hoard hasn’t been taken, it’s been left behind.

“Someone killed her and turned her into a zombie” you say to Ebonsong.

Shahulzer examines the hoard “So uh Sireyi...?” he asks

>Leave the hoard
>I’m adding it to the castle treasury
>You three split it
>4-way split
>Other split (what?)

>>35589355
>Leave the hoard

>>35589355

Do we detect any sort of malicious magics or stuff left on the hoard?

>>35589355
>Scan the hoard with Arcane Sight and True Seeing first.

>>35589406
There is no magic active on the hoard, it's just gold and gems.

Which is odd, since most dragons collect magic items as well, and use protective spells on their hoards.

>>35589426
>Cast Disjunction on the hoard, make the area cover the entirety of the hoard.

>>35589440
Alright. Voting on such an action

Disjunction Hoard?

Y/N

>>35589355
>>4-way split

>>35589483
y

>>35589483
Y
sure

>>35589483

Tentatively voting "yes".

>>35589483
>My inner murderhobo says no, but common sense says yes.

You cast Disjunction on the hoard.

Nothing happens.

>>35589592
Nothing happens or we can't tell if anything happened?

>>35589611
The hoard is clean.

Word of God: No traps, hidden spells, geas, or other dickery

You are Isla...but not of House Wendmore.

You stand in the Temple of Jurra, the god of this kingdom. Jura was a regional god who ruled this country through a priest-king selected by the elders of his religion.

Was.

Your Lord and Master, Him of a Thousand and One Names, Lord of Life, is feasting on the defeated gods carcass even now.

Before you stands an ornate golden seal, perhaps 12ft high, and circular with carvings and designs across it showing plagues and war, starvation and suffering.

“I don’t understand” you say “if this is keeping them in, how well breaking it open only release one of them?”

One of His heads looks up from its bloody feast, gore and fouler things dripping down its chin.

“I said” it explains with a sigh “That the Sorrows are held in a 17-part binding spell, break any of the physical focuses and you can get at one of them, but each time you do the spell adapts and cuts off that access, do try to pay attention.”

“I’m sorry Master” you say meekly “I’ll try to do better.”

“Good” it says “Now, you know the daughter of Syderis best, which of the Sorrows will she fear the most?”

>The Maw: The Endless Hunger, called Famine, the Eater of Hope, the Death of Children, societies torn apart by fighting over the few remaining resources.
>The Ravager: The Bringer of Conflict, called War, the Kinslayer, brother set against brother, an endless cycle of revenge, wars between nations.
>The Killing Frost: The Worldstorm, called Disaster, the Bringer of Ice Ages, the weather in upheaval, cities washed away, thousand drowned in floods, burned by fires and lost in storms.

“So whichever one I pick....” you say

“Will spread its influence across the entire world” completes your Master “now, choose.”

>>35589638
Soooo… Paranoia says that if we take the hoard, the other dragons will be convinced that we killed her to take the hoard and will seek retribution.

>Take it anyway.

And with that, the thread ends. Thank you all for playing, you’ve been great players.

I hope you had fun, even during the boring bits. I expect next thread to be in 21 hours.

I will post confirmation on Twitter 1 hour before, or ASAP if plans change.

I need to go to bed now, so I'm leaving the hoard vote and the other one open, I'll count the results next thread.

Feel free to list anything else you want to do to check the hoard. If there's no clear decision a new vote will be held next thread.

>>35589638
>Word of God: No traps, hidden spells, geas, or other dickery

What about spells that are on a delayed activations and currently encysted in the gold itself and therefore not actually magical spells (though they will be later)?

Before I start writing up an XP sheet, are there any specific requests?

Also, do any of you want to accelerate our power growth by expending some Deific Power on Angelic XP?

>>35589664
>>The Maw: The Endless Hunger, called Famine, the Eater of Hope, the Death of Children, societies torn apart by fighting over the few remaining resources.
I think this one would harm her most. It's not something she can fight directly. They only power she has working against it would be tier 5 sanctuary and turning her realm into a huge field. And even that would only help a bit. She cannot win against it.

Unless there is a single weak point which she can hit with all her might to end the whole plague. But that would be quite a poorly designed scheme.

>>35589753
I'd like Resurrection personally. But that would involve spending for Priest spells.

>>35589664
>The Killing Frost: The Worldstorm, called Disaster, the Bringer of Ice Ages, the weather in upheaval, cities washed away, thousand drowned in floods, burned by fires and lost in storms.

>>35589833
I'm thinking Isla might not be willing to hurt Sireyi's children and so may specifically not choose The Maw.

>>35589820
Not exactly.

True Resurrection is a level five priest spell, but L5 Healing allows us to resurrect people.

It's still quite a distance away, however, with 57 XP required in order to get it.

It does have a sort of time limit, and I'm not sure if True Resurrection shares that limitation, though it would make sense for it to do so.

>>35589664
>>The Maw: The Endless Hunger, called Famine, the Eater of Hope, the Death of Children, societies torn apart by fighting over the few remaining resources.
If we are loyal at this point.
>The Killing Frost: The Worldstorm, called Disaster, the Bringer of Ice Ages, the weather in upheaval, cities washed away, thousand drowned in floods, burned by fires and lost in storms.
If we're looking to leave him.

>>35589820

I'll second that although aside from other potential uses (and I'd rather not abuse the resurrection aesculapius-grade) I'd like to try and unzombify the turned dragons - at least metallic ones, although chromatic could be grateful as well. Even if it meant we don't get to add their hoards to treasury.

>>35589883
What do you think is best then? Maybe Ophilian would be better to get Resurrection?

>>35589664
>The Killing Frost: The Worldstorm, called Disaster, the Bringer of Ice Ages, the weather in upheaval, cities washed away, thousand drowned in floods, burned by fires and lost in storms.

>>35589664
>I say we let her go!
But seriously.

If the objective is maximum suffering and agony, first one would probably be the best. Otherwise good people turning desperate because they need to feed their families, or to turn others away because they know they can't survive if they act on good intentions. It's a very up and in-your-face type of problem.

The second choice seems like something that can be solved with sufficient application of force and/or arm-twisting or diplomacy. Plus, everyone has been fighting forever. War is terrible and sometimes so tragically easy to prevent, but it's not new. Plus, conflict always spurs the development of new technologies. So long as nobody does any stupid mutually-assured-destruction doomsday shit, the winners can potentially emerge stronger than before if given time to rebuild.

The third is probably the one that would achieve the most damage, but it's also kinda... impersonal? I mean, it's immensely tragic to lose someone to natural disasters, but it's just something terrible that happens and that's it. You mourn and you move on and you rebuild. Or you die. You can't do much about the climate turning against you unless you have powerful world-altering magics or technologies. Plus, this type of stuff is indiscriminate. The undead would be able to weather this stuff much better than living things would, but they won't get off completely scot-free either.

So, if this Isla is loyal, either #1 or #3.

If not so loyal, #2.

>>35589947
Given that Dark Sireyi is ripping out their essence to empower herself, I'd say there's no real chance of unzombifying them.

>>35589964
I was planning on picking it up with Lunia somewhat soon, though not immediately.

There's just enough XP to get True Resurrection with her if she gets 1/2 of this XP bonus.

I'm going to work on the XP sheet now since there don't seem to be any other requests.

>>35590105
Alright. Thanks as usual AA.

Pally, Thank you so much for running. This thread like the ones before it have made my day better.

>Angel's Lantern 1 -2 XP
>Angel's Lantern 2 -5 XP
>Angel's Lantern 3 -7 XP
>Two Eyes -4 XP
>Angelic Language -4 XP
>Intense Lightning: Lightning Bolt -8 XP
>Angelic Charm +1 -2 XP
>L1 Spells: Cantrips, Grace, Cunning, Endurance, Strength, (N/A) -1 XP

Didn't pick up Healing 3 because Lunia is going to be getting True Resurrection very soon and the only immediately relevant reason to pick it up would've been for it's L5 version, which we can't reach in this expenditure anyway.

Angel's Lantern was the only thing that had any desire from the players other than that.

Other things purchased for hopefully self-evident reasons.

Comments, critique, suggestions, alterations, etc. I think everyone knows what I post at the end of these by now.

>>35590409
Can we get stuff to help us with our melee fighting abilities? I think that'd be pretty cool.

Thanks for the thread, OP! Awesome as always!

By the way, guys, we should at all times keep in mind that as a Saint and Paladin, our first duty is to the people - especially Velya's faithful, but also people in general. I'm sure nobody will hold some preferential treatment for our family against us, but we must not forget our 'regular' charges.

>>35590532
Have we been neglecting the people of our realm in some way?

>>35590480
I'll keep it in mind for when we get XP at the end of the year, but I'd prefer getting these things right now.

Mystical Martial Arts and the physical Angelic stat-boosters are on the list, maybe a few levels of Cleave as well.

>>35590632
AWESOME! Thanks AA!

>>35590480
Hmm... making our halberd useful in a fight might give us an extra 'edge' against things that are vulnerable to melee and can be enhanced with paladin abilities... and even if we're not using those, it's a way to conserve our spell points that might be necessary in a place like hell with very few rest points.

Does Sanctuary count as area safe to rest? Wouldn't it attract demonic attempts to remove this blight on infernal climate?

Then again, if we're going to hell, we may need to play to our strengths, which is magic and magic-like abilities.

Should we also consider some of the various defensive passives, so we can't be taken out as easily as we did in the sunken temple?

>>35590632

>Have we been

I don't think so, no. It's just something to keep in mind with incoming crises from several directions. People will be calling Sireyi's name, and Sireyi will be obligated to aid them. Or unable to.

There are dark times ahead. It will take a lot of strength to shine through it. Sireyi must not lose the Way.

>>35590695
>Hmm... making our halberd useful in a fight might give us an extra 'edge' against things that are vulnerable to melee and can be enhanced with paladin abilities... and even if we're not using those, it's a way to conserve our spell points that might be necessary in a place like hell with very few rest points.

It's already somewhat useful, just not as much as it could be and not against things with really high DR, like the zombie dragon.

A high-level Soul of Light coupled with Titan's Endurance would pretty much solve the 'needing to rest' problem, though it's unlikely we'll be able to get SoL before visiting Hell without burning DP.

We have a decent number of ways to disguise ourselves and hide our presence, Mind Blank for scrying and AotD to hide our nature and we might be able to take a decent rest.


>Does Sanctuary count as area safe to rest? Wouldn't it attract demonic attempts to remove this blight on infernal climate?

It might, but our Sanctuary is extremely hard for most demons to get into at this point, so it may still work as a safe point.
>Should we also consider some of the various defensive passives, so we can't be taken out as easily as we did in the sunken temple?

What really messed with us in the temple was nearly drowning, IIRC.

The only way to get rid of that weakness would be Apotheosis, since true angels don't need to breathe.

Levels of Angelic Toughness are on the list more-or-less perpetually until we reach L5; I just felt that we're durable enough for the moment, at least physically.

Divine Shield is also locked in for years-end XP.

Regarding angels, could we perhaps instead of focusing on making angels the traditional way research a way to make angelic sparks that act like Exaltations?

A few ready made things (inbuilt basic smite, glowy wings, shield/ armor, minor heal, mental protection, angel voice, telepathic link to all other in the exalted host) and the potential to rise in XP and stuff to the rank of higher angels if they perform according to the intent of the things.

This way it wont be just some angels that look in one way or another, but examples of people that work the way we approve from any walk of life and of any kind, be they human, elf, dragon hatchling, whatever.

The angelic essence in the spark form would seek out certain parameters and only that, things like integrity, willingness to find a diplomatic solution and a ideal of liberty and free will. And as safeguards we can make the spark be willful and spiteful, who will not allow itself to be captured, controlled, perverted or subsumed and can and will do more damage in any such attempts making it not worth to even try it. (I am thinking detonation, evaporation, teleportation, self consumption into nothingness - any options)

I mean, champions that double as angles are a good solution imho, and perhaps one more fitting our current thoughts.


We would empower people of a similar mindset and goals with the tools they need to make better lives, worlds and destinies for all around them.
And this way while they are not going to be as experienced as angels they wont be static or set in their ways and adaptable to most situation by dint of basically recruiting locally available talent that know how to approach situations in their own ways.