The Noble Bastards

Log Info

• Title: The Noble Bastards
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Aryia, Seyardu, Halani, Aya, Jinks, Seldan
• Place: A16: Nobility District
• Time: Friday, August 20, 2021, 3:21 PM
• Summary: The Erinyes Investigation group is bolstered with the additions of Jinks and Halani. Seldan, Aya, Aryia, Seyardu and the newcomers go to the Noble District to investigate the fourth lead. There were reports, from ex-servants of Master Reginald Swadling, of a room in his estate they were afraid to enter. When this is presented to him, he dismisses it as superstitious nonsense; although there are rumours among the aristocracy that somewhere up his family tree some infernal seed entered it. His estate is also near enough to Merek's residence it could be used to hunt him. The Noble Oruch, wishing to eliminate these suggestions, takes everyone to see the 'Room'. It is a training dojo in the boarding school on his property where his sons live. They turn out and line up by age, eldest to youngest: Tram, Priori, Miska, Fezel, Djusco. All half-orc, half-brothers with a resemblance to each other due to Reginald's particular taste in human women. Halani seems to be his 'type'. He takes them to the dojo, throwing the doors open and revealing what seems to be a disgusting abattoir of a workout room. Bloodstains, flecks of hair and flesh, gouges in the wall, shattered mirrors, everywhere. He appears oblivious to this. A feminine voice, the Erinyes, orders the Boys to attack. They partner up with everyone, and the beatdown commences. In most instances the party prevails, although each is a challenge. Jinks is knocked out, Aryia and Seyardu are unable to subdue Fezel, but Halani, Aya and Seldan get the upper hand. When it seems her proteges have lost, the Erinyes taunts and vanishes. Master Swadling snaps out of his enchantment. He's shocked! Aryia and Seyardu are asked to leave, he returns to the main house to discuss everything with Seldan and his 'attendants'. It is determined that if there is no truth to the rumours, perhaps the Ashwing attempted to exploit them, and his sons desire to become more powerful, by offering them Infernal blood to drink and brutal training. Djusco, the youngest, snuck along to stand up to his father's harsh expectations and reveal that he and the female servants tried to warn the Patriarch, but he refused to listen. This hits unsettlingly close to home for Seldan. Master Reginald is not without honour, and a degree of humility, even if lords his power over those beneath him. He accepts that a mistake was made, and agrees that his estate may be used to set a trap.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A16: Nobility District *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The splendor of the technology, bustle and eclectic energy of the city and nation of Alexandria all seem to point towards the towering structures and constant thrum of activity in the Castle District. The Castle District contains the vast majority of the government offices, guild headquartrs, noble quarters and political functions of the city. The very air seems energized with this level of importance. The architecture is pompous and enormous, consisting largely of multi-leveled edifices and great jutting towers and buildings that seem to grow out of the mountains with hanging gardens and brightly colored banners and mana lamps strewn about. Everything seems to be aiming upwards here and pointing towards the freedom of the skies beyond. The grand towers and structures reaching heavenwards and activity in the skies above a constant happening with ships of all sizes from air-cabs to great merchant vessels moving through the Skygates and Griffon Riders moving through their patrols as they pass through and above the many bridges and walkways that connect the towers, buildings and walls.

Ever-easterward stands the fortress-castle of Castellum Alexandrae and a large bulk of both ground and air traffic seems focused in that direction.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=
Aryia        4'8"     110 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    A heavily scarred mul with a tired look about her.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.               
Halani       5'4"     120 Lb     Human/Xian        Female    Shortish, dusky skinned woman with almond shaped eyes.
Aya          4'7"     105 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing.
Jinks        3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Master Reginald Swadling         Orc               Male     An elderly Oruch Patriarch, with a penchent for greens.
Tram                             Half-orc          Male     Eldest son, next to inherit, strongly corrupted.
Priori                           Half-orc          Male     Second son, rival to Tram, likes dark rooms.
Miska                            Half-orc          Male     Third son, just reaching his prime.
Fezel                            Half-orc          Male     Fourth son, the jokester of the group.
Djusco                           Half-orc          Male     Youngest, honest, least corrupted.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The level of turmoil in Alexandria has increased with the haze and summer heat. Every day there seems to be something new to attend to. Hunting down errant Erinyes has slid to the side rocks of the fire. They've been lurking in the city for ten months, it would seem, a week or two more of inattention can't hurt, can it?

The lower market gardens townhouse and the warehouse with the flooded basement have been secured, the occupants temporarily housed elsewhere. The old halfling's place near the Temples hasn't been resolved. He's proved very resistant to direction, but that's a matter for another time.

The Silverguard will meet them there.

The last address is a modest estate in the Noble Quarter. It is of a decent size, gated, with tall trees lining the road and obscuring the view. One must be let in. One must drive one's carriage, or walk if you are plebeians, up a long curved driveway to the front of the mansion.

Aryia was not happy having to come to this section of Alexandria. And like a plebeian, she does walk. They're dressed like usual, though this time she's brought a pair of cheap tinted glasses and her cestus were affixed firmly to her hands. She stiffly strolls up the driveway, scanning around for oddities in surroundings. Like that damn tree.

Seyardu was one of those with more than a small vested interest in seeing this investigation trough. Both for herself, and for those who would be harmed by the continued presence of the Erinyes. Still, she could do little against them directly, so the business remained investigating the final rumors that had been present. It seemed the least likely, the lush estate, likely owned by an important family, to be harboring devils with no resolution, but, it also seemed unlikely that Alexandrian nobles would willingly deal in the trade of people turned to statues. Perhaps, this was the obvious place, where they did not even need to hide?

Seyardu lingers at the gate, checking her equipment, the fit of the new polearm she had fitted over her back. Looking around, waiting for some sort of sign.

Halani hasn't been out and about that often, lately. Being brought back from death not just once, but twice, tends to put a person off balance for a time. More often than not, that time tends to be permanent in nature. So she'd been spending alot of time with the Mourners, up in the mountain temple. But more recently she has been venturing out again, though whether by her own initiative or the prodding of someone wiser than her remains to be seen, and as part of this venturing out she had come upon rumours of folks doing this particular hunt. Having had a vague acquaintance with some of them, she managed to attach herself to this leg of the search.

Aya was previously involved in portions of this investigation. She is of the opinion that demons, devils, and/or related unpleasant entities roaming and/or plotting about the city are typically detrimental to the health and well-being of the denizens thereof. As one such denizen, she has an acute interest in that continued health and well-being.

And Jinks, in turn, has attached himself to Halani-- figuratively, at least. The tallman has to move with a deliberate and (likely agonizingly) slow pace to keep from leaving the gnomish fellow behind. He's pointing at the rooftops of a tall house beyond some hedgerows and a block over with the stem of an ornately-carved and smouldering pipe. "... and that one had a lonely rectress with a husband that was always traveling for business... or politics? Myrrish, I think. Wonderful bedding." He looks a sight better for having a few good night's sleep and plenty of time to relax, though he stinks of incense and perfumes after extended hours in Coyote's house.

The Silver Guard may be busy, but the presence of devils in the city is pretty high on Seldan's priority list, and he'd made the time today to make this venture. An excursion to the noble portion of the city requires attention to one's personal presentation - his mother had seen to it that he knew that from a small child - and so he has made use once again of the glamor enchantment on his armor to make the best possible first impression. A doublet of blue and silver over a white shirt, dark-dyed loose trousers, and low black boots, with the silver symbol of Eluna worn openly over all. Instead of the silver headband, he's tied bright hair that is now long and loose enough to do so with a leather thong studded with silver insets. Reunion is at his hip, but peacebound with a dark blue cord.

There are plenty of trees on the property, all well tended. The grass is neat, there are flower beds that are weeded. A fountain opposite the main doors to the mansion. There are secondary buildings on the property as well. A stables, certainly, houses horses and carriages, what looks like the servants residence, as well as something else that appears to be a small boarding school.

Clearly whomever lives here is a person of prestige and power.

There is a groundskeeper, keepers, out and working on things. She watches the group trickle in and towards the door, making no move to engage with any of them. A visiting noble normally would not deign to speak to the servants, and doing so might seem suspicious without greeting the employer first.

The door is knocked upon.

There, the door is answered by a servant dressed in dark green slacks, a jacket, with a lime blouse and a small pin. She, always she, will be of a type seen throughout the house. Human, blond hair, although shaved so close she seems bald, and tanned.

The guests, in this case the adventurers, are shown to a waiting room. "The Master will join you shortly."

He does. He is an elderly, stocky Oruch with an olive complexion, though it can seem brown in the direct sunlight. The waiting room is arranged so he always has a spot of sunlight to arrive in. His selection of clothing is ornate and verdant, various greens matching the livery already seen, but enhanced with contrasting colours. Lilacs, oranges, reds, greys. His dress seems to be some sort of uniform, if a fanciful and unidentifiable one.

He struts in place, snorting and stamping to attention. The servant announces, "Your guests, sir."

"A Silverguard and others, I see," He has a bombastic voice, "I'm Reginald Swadling. What do you want."

He may be a noble, but he's also still and oruch.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Can I snake a Know/Nobility to try and place the livery, Cryo?"
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/nobility: Trained Use Only: 0
GAME: Jinks rolls Knowledge/Nobility: (19)+9: 28
GAME: Halani rolls knowledge/nobility: (3)+3: 6

Oh hey! The smallman knows about this guy. Rumour has it there's some infernal in his bloodline, way back, when oruchs were fighting demons. Not sure if a grandma or grandpa (or great, great-great), but word is he's popular with the ladies and deadly in a fight.

He also throws parties once in a while. Not the biggest balls of them all, but he has big balls.

Aya did not dress any different for the locale, nor does she feign a false air for the situation and location. She can be polite and quiet, however, and she remains on the periphery. Possibly near-adjacent to Aryia, as the other mul'niessa appears so comfortable and enamored with the district.

This was not a place for Aryia. She purses her lips and fidgets with her hands, pulling off her shades and sticking them on her collar. She sits in the waiting room, glancing to the more formal of their party on how to act. The pugilist sticks out like a sore thumb, with her common attire and slightly disheveled look that she always seemed to carry. She doesn't answer. For obvious reasons.

Seyardu deigns to not speak first, letting the more knowledgeable and approachable take the lead for the moment. Though ,the seats were not particularly made for Makari, so she just stands awkwardly near one of the walls, offering a nod to Seldan when they are addressed.

Halani had been paying attention to Jinks recounting some of his tales of.. adventure.. not hiding her interest, yet managing to keep any hint of opinion regarding them, one way or another, absent. Accepting the stories for what they were, at face value.. and, perhaps, filing that information away for later. Of course, anyone who knows Halani knows that her filing system is somewhat.. specific.. in what remains long term, and what ends up getting discarded in the short term. And then they are there. The jade islander greets the other adventurers with her typical nod-over-hand-in-fist, with a grin for the few of them she's acquainted with, then, like Aya, she allows herself to drop into something of a background role. At least until she has a better feel for the specifics of this mission.

After being introduced to the master of the manor, thouh, she can't help but nudge Jinks a little bit, kneeling to do so. "Hey, I think I've heard of this one, yeah? Big parties."

GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (5)+20: 25

Seldan had identified this particular place as fitting the pattern, after several of his ex-servants reported a room they were afraid to go into, and that his sons have become violent and 'grabby' (and possibly worse, but it seems they're all fired before it gets worse).

He seems, however, to have opted for a more tactful approach than identifying this outright, looking at the others before stepping forward and bowing low and politely, in the style of a Myrrish knight. "Your time is valuable, Master Swadling, and so I shall make this brief. I am Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard."

A small smile for the correct identification. "There are reports of unusual happenings and unexplained things within certain places in the city, and several of your ex-servants report a room they do not enter. We have identified others of these, and all show links to the presence of infernal minions within the city. Since the description from the ex-servants matched the pattern, we wished to investigate, that we might ensure your safety and that of your family."

GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (10)+11: 21 (Versatile Performance = Bluff)

Jinks puffs a ring of smoke as he examines the grounds, pursing his lips to then push a thin spear through its center on the way to the door. The gnome has smothered the pipe and tapped out its contents into a waiting tray before passing into the foyer; if he's not used to places like this he puts on a good show of faking it. He offers the oruch a puzzled look when they enter the room, his eyebrows playing seesaw.

"He's a bit of a celebrity, tallman," Jinks answers Halani with a nod. He rolls a finger through the air. "There's a limerick..." he offers, still trying to piece it together from memory, "Swadling of the demon's seed, in battle to his family the demons cede. His glower gives demeanor glum but his thrusting makes the ladies... Well," he waggles his eyebrows at the Xian.

He's muttering it from the back with Halani. This could seriously undermine Seldan's diplomacy. Jinks was trying to keep his voice low so as to not interrupt the actual conversation.

"Pah! Superstitious nonsense!" Reginald says, striding out of the sun towards the sideboard where he pours himself a drink. He looks everyone over, the Muls barely getting a glance, neither does the silverscale. Halani catches more of his attention, then a charismatic smile and a wink as he overhears some of the limerick.

"It's all true!" He guffaws proudly, "well, not the first part."

He gestures at his servant, then the group, ordering, "Drinks. Give the little kneecapper a bottle if he wants.

He steps up to Seldan, "They wouldn't clean the dojo. Convinced my youngest to play along." He slaps his thigh, the ice rattling in his glass, "like something could scare the fruit of my loins! Haw-haw! Nothing to see here but if you look around and that gets you off my property faster, I'll show you."

He glances at Jinks, hiding behind Halani, "There's definitely nothing infernal going on."

GAME: Halani rolls sense motive: (15)+24: 39
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (19)+19: 38
GAME: Aya rolls sense motive: (17)+15: 32
GAME: Aryia rolls sense motive: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (4)+7: 11

He seems to genuinely believe nothing is awry. He's assured, really assured. Really, really assured, that nothing is going on. One almost never reaches this level of certainty without charm spells involved, or an absurdly stubborn personality.

Aryia glances back at Jinks, her tilting her head to the side. The gaze bounces from him, to the man of the estate, to the servants. The servants were all women. All of them. She makes an odd sort of face: a mixture of weirded out and discomfort. "Kind of fucking weird but alright," she gestures off the side of her chair, out of sight of the man. "Least he's speaks true." <Handspeech>

Halani bobs her head a bit to the rhythm of Jinks's poetry.. though when he leaves the end unfinished she frowns a bit, looking at him.. well, not blankly, but a touch confused. But before she can press, Reginald is booming at them. Not quite startled, Halani quickly straightens, positioning herself slightly in front of Jinks as she does so until she's sure the gnome isn't about to be pummeled. Then she grins, the host's demeanor being somewhat infectious. "Well, sooner we look, sooner we can go, yeah?"

While she speaks, Halani rubs at her ear, then drops her hands, trying to be discreet but fingers dancing and curling just the same. "A bit too true. Something weird about this." <handspeech>

Aya assumes that all in this area would host parties, whether to display their wealth or (more likley) attempt such to impress others and increase their standing. Not that she knows anything of this city's upper crust, specifically.

Though now she might have some knowledge, given the tidbits of the limerick that she hears. She does not speak up, however, and simply quirks a brow. Best to let Seldan handle this for the moment. He has a way with words... and the infernal. The oruch's reaction is noted, considered, and afterwords her eyes remain upon him attentively rather than wander. "Let us resolve this quickly, then, and leave you be," she finally speaks.

Jinks smirks a bit when his voice carries further in the room than intended but tips a head in acknowledgement to the fellow lecher. There was an obnovious note of admiration when relating the limerick and after he's offered a drink, well, this is clearly a bum-lead and this particular noble isn't so bad (for an oruch). He pats Halani's thigh with the back of his hand to have her clear a path with the servant bringing drinks. This is way better than some damp swamp and cultist kobolds.

Seyardu was fine with being looked over, she expected, it, hence her deference to Seldan in the matter. "I am alright without drinks, but thank you for the offer." She replies. Nobles seemed weird. And this one was commanding, their demeanor confusing. She catches some of the hand movements. Maybe they were convinced, but did not know of the presence, like others.

"Thank you." She adds.

Seldan blinks, but bows politely, studying the oruch through a suddenly cool and even gaze. "I must confess myself surprised," he answers. "No matter. I am grateful for your forbearance in this matter. If I might prevail upon your time to see the dojo they refused to clean?" His demeanor shifts just a little to the impassive side.

In relationship to Merek's place, this estate is nearby. Merek's isn't close, as it's much smaller. It could be spyed on from here, or within very long spell range.

"Follow," Master Swadling grunts, refilling his drink then striding through his mansion as if he owns the place, which he does. His pace is a brisk, military one, with a ramrod straight back. He crosses the walk, heading towards the barracks-boarding school.

"You'll meet my sons," The Oruch tells Halani, nodding at her, thumping his chest, "Solid, but nothing like their sire. You can stay longer than the others, if you like."

Another wink, perhaps she's close enough to his type.

His heavy footfalls ring on the steps. He finishes his drink and hands an empty glass off to a servant who has tagged along for just that purpose. She makes a sideways glance at Halani and scoots off, to be replaced by a similar looking woman in similar garb.

"Boys! Turn out! Line up!" Master Swadling orders, entering the main hallway. There's the sound of running feet from upstairs, then several oruchs rush down the curved staircases to line up. They each speak in turn, heads held high, backs straight. "Djusco!", "Fezel!", "Miska!", "Prori!", "Tram!"

Noteably, there are no daughters.

"Named them after their mothers." The patriarch boasts, striding by, "Showing the guests the dojo. Follow."

He strides down the hall, past the boys. Boys who are from appearances, all half-oruchs with a strong resemblance to both their father, and the many servants about. They increase in age and size, almost like a progression chart of orc aging. The eldest seems to be mid twentys, while the youngest is mid teens.

Only the youngest seems concerned at the mention of the 'dojo', a flash behind his eyes, quickly hidden. The others... look eager.

GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (20)+3: 23

The silverscale can smell the dojo from the front door. Blood, sweat, fear, very male, very orc and unwashed human.

"Do you remember the bakery near the Dragon's Den? Ran by one of your ilk; 'Dough Xho's.' All I ever think of when I hear that word." Jinks converses idly with Halani as they go, savoring his drink and idly glancing this way and that to appreciate the various expressions of wealth. He finishes the glass and gives a little snap to draw the servant's eye and offers up the empty vessel. Then he's half-turning and walking sideways with an 'oooh' expression as he regards a marble bust.

Halani glances down at Jinks, then acquiesces and takes a half step to the side so as not to interfere with the beverage flow. Honest intrigue starts to filter into her features at the prospect of seeing the inside of the training halls of a discipline she's not familiar with when efforts to move on with the inspection bear fruit and the master leads them through the grounds. "Hah!" is her response to the big man's invitation, her fists clenching at the prospect of someone new to fight, perhaps. "Maybe not to day, but I'd be happy to see what your students are made of, sometime, yeah?"

"Ah, hah, yeah. I do remember Xho's," Halani admits, slightly reminiscent to Jinks. "I think they were from the mainland, though... didn't really taste like home."

Aryia follows after astride Aya, her observing the ongoings. Her attention glides from servant to servant, then to each of the sons. There's a pause as the talking goes on, before her face pulls down into a heavy frown.

"This place reminds me of Aby'ssa. Power held over servants, who are stripped of a sense of self," she somberly observes, gesturing to no one in particular after the man of the house leaves. It looks as if she has a strong urge to spit on the rug, but holds the temptation back. "This place can eat a dick." <Handspeech>

Seyardu follows along, out of the way. If attention was not paid to her in their exploration, she would use the time to look around. She waits with the others, watching as they enter the strange boarding house. It was strange for the children to clearly live so far away from the rest.

"Is it normal for dojos to be so, violent and traumatic?" She asks those present after she sniffs at the air, and gesturing to the door for a moment, mostly to Aryia. One finger was tapping at her snout, while she was adjusting the collar of her breastplate with the other. The sith-makar shakes her head, bringing her hand down her chest to rest at her side, stretching the fingers out slightly as it passed over the one on her chest, and transitioning to another stretch. <Handspeech>

Aya now divides her attention between the patriarch and Aryia's commentary. There are more than a few aspects to this that feel familiar, whether from direct personal experience or simply the general atmosphere. Seyardu's inquiry does draw a proposed answer, "If they train as they would fight, it would be. Battle is a violent, traumatic affair."

An obsequious servant is there to grab the bottle from Jinks. She gives him a brief bow and then steps to the side.

"My boys are always ready." Master Swadling boasts, as he stomps through the halls. Indeed, as everyone might have been sizing them up, they seem to be sizing up the group as well. Each one falls in line beside one of the party. Tram walks alongside Seldan, Priori next to Aya, Miska beside Halani. It's only as the sons start to run out that they double up. Fezel matches pace with Aryia and Seyardu.

Leaving Djusco to march with Jinks. The teenage half-orc keeps glancing, ahead at the dojo, then down at the gnome. He seems nervous, but the gnome's presence is reassuring. He's confident he can take a gnome.

The Master of the house, this house and all on the property bursts through the doors of his dojo. Every entrance is a grand one. A wave of reek flows down the hallway, hitting like a wave. Unwashed male, a combination of human and oruch, an acrid, sour, slightly piggy smell. Blood, fear, the scents of combat. It's a wide, expansive room that once was a handsome training area. Now, the tatami mats are stained dark with blood and tangled tufts of hair. A mirror stretches the length of the far wall. It's been shattered, the fragments of glass line the wall. The cracks radiate from round impacts, as if someone was driven head-first into it. More disconcerting, every wall and the floor is covered in claw marks. Deep gouges, accompanying spatters of blood.

The place has witnessed bloody fights. Kor would be proud. So would Corocaranth.

Master Swadling strides into the middle of the room, apparently oblivious, he turns, arms wide, "See? Nothing. Mindless superstition. Just dust."

His eyes take on a glazed look. He stands there with an idiot smile.

A cruel female voice calls out tauntingly, "Oh boys.... Get Them!"

GAME: Jinks rolls Diplomacy: (11)+10: 21

Jinks stops his idle chatter when the room beyond the grand doors is revealed, lifting a perfumed sleeve to his nose even as he chokes on the smell. At least he got to finish his drink before the sudden-but-inevitable betrayal. "Djusco, let's call it a draw; a know the perfect celebratory brothel."

"So uh..." Halani says, glancing sideways at Miska before gesturing to.. well, everything. "I've seen a dojo or two, yeah? And well.. this is pretty gross," she says, her voice disappointed. "My grandfather would always say the state of your dojo reflected the state of your mind, yeah? This isn't great."

"No, that is not right. This place, there is fear here. Fear should not be a part of training." Seyardu replies to the Mul'niessa. "Wouldn't be surprised if people were being kept in there, either."

She walks along the others, keeping an eye on the movements as the smell grew even closer. And as they entered, she looks around, trying to find the source of the voice. "I'm sure he was a upstanding noble before this, right?" She asks the drow, with a shake of her head. "If you are still sound of mind, do not fight. We have no quarrel with you."

Still, she was adjusting her weapons, getting ready to draw them if needed.

Aryia freezes as she sees the scene before them. She was already wound tight from the situation, and the voice makes her swivel around. The scarred mul'neissa looks up at Seyardu, looks at the half-orc adjacent to her, then back at Seyardu. "F-ck th-t," she hisses. "I'm kicking his fucking ass." <Handspeech>

She spits on the floor and bounces on her feet.

Aya looks over the state of the dojo. "Apparently they train even more brutally than I expected... and I didn't realize that oruchs had such prominent claws." A hand lightly touches Aryia's shoulder as one side of her mouth ticks upwards in a half smirk to the other mul. "I have the impression you'll get the opportunity."

Seldan appears to take the whole thing in stride. They are oruchs, after all, and he paces evenly with them. He has eyes only for the father, until Tram falls into pace with him. He, too, sizes up his companion, his eyes briefly unfocusing as he does so. It's a bit strange, really - despite the courtly appearance, he seems to refuse to be intimidated.

GAME: Halani rolls sense motive: (17)+24: 41
GAME: Aya rolls sense motive: (8)+15: 23 
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (3)+19: 22
GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Aryia rolls sense motive: (2)+12: 14
GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL) (Versatile Perf as Sense Motive)

Tram is a comparable fighter to Seldan, it seems the boys' competence and power increases with age.

<OOC> Aryia says, "ok, im going to 12,8 with flying kick, hoping the guy is still flat footed so no AoO"
<OOC> Aryia says, "going to try and trip him with improved trip over and over until he falls, then hit nonlethally"
<OOC> Aryia says, "2 from feat, 2 from flank"
GAME: Aryia rolls cmb+2+2: (19)+11+2+2: 34
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, that hits and that trips"
GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL.
<OOC> Aryia says, "3 attacks"
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0: (1)+11: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon-5: (19)+6+-5: 20
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0: aliased to 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, Fezel tries to grapple you from the ground"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (6)+15-4: 17

Aryia's face drains of color as her words of frustration are gestured out, her gaze falling on the person behind the orc patriarch. An Ashwing.

The Ashwing.

The pugilist acts fast. She needs to clear a path to her as quick as possible for the two behind her to deal with this. She twists up tight, then bursts like an unwound spring, sailing over Seyardu and landing boot first on Fezel's face. She shoves him to the ground, bringing her foot up and stamping down on his face over and over again. She missed a couple of times, misjudging her opponent's skill, but one does solidly thwack against his skull. She twists out of the way of the grab, it looking as if she knows such strategies, and was not privy to being subject to them.

Fezel is struck by the flying kick just as he's dropping into a stance. He drops to the ground instead, growling and grabbing ineffectively at Aryia as he falls.

<OOC> Seldan says, "Against an evil creature targeted by it, it grants me a bonus to attack equal to my CHA bonus,"
<OOC> Seldan says, "a damage bonus equal to my paladin level"
<OOC> Seldan says, "(or if against an evil outsider, dragon, or undead, double my paladin level on the first strike only),"
<OOC> Seldan says, "and AC deflection bonus equal to my CHA bonus."
<OOC> Seldan says, "In my case, I already have +5 deflection, this would up it to +9, so add 4 to my AC against Tram only."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay. Tram approaches, explodes into fire, grows claws"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "does a stunning fist on his first attack DC19"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Seldan rolls fortitude: (19)+27: 46 (Damage Half)
GAME: Tram damaged Seldan for 8 points. 211 HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Fortitude save?"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27: (4)+27: 31
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "I think so
<OOC> Seldan says, "I don't think that'll hit though."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "also DC19"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it's ok, there's more"
<OOC> Seldan says, "A 31 from Tram won't hit him."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27: (8)+27: 35
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-5: (15)+27+-5: 37
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-5: (1)+27+-5: 23 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-10: (15)+27+-10: 32
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-10: (14)+27+-10: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (9)+27+-15: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (20)+27+-15: 32 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (18)+27+-15: 30 (Not Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+1d6+9: (3)+(6)+9: 18
GAME: Tram damaged Seldan for 14 points. 197 HP remaining.

The answer to his silent plea to Eluna as they walk gives Seldan a nasty feeling - and as they approach the doors to the dojo, the sounds of battle from up ahead only galvanize his movements and quicken his steps. Bursting through the doors confirms the uneasy feeling - it's a trap! Black, seething anger twists his features and comes out in a snarl. "Thought to catch us unawares, did you? It is not for nothing that I wear armor within this city!"

In an instant, the veneer of gentility and peace vanishes, to be replaced by the moonlit armor that is more his wont. "In Eluna's holy name, I shall see all of you destroyed for this," he snarls.

Tram follows after Seldan, behind him as he comes up on the tatami mats. He grunts, "One rule here. You fight."

This 'challenge' delivered, the half-orcs eyes glow from within, his veins bulge and turn black. He roars, and an aura of flame surrounds him, setting the mats alight and adding to the stink. Some of it even caresses the Silverguard's skin.

This is followed by a massive flurry of claws, that rake across his glamoured armour.

Perhaps the half-orc is out of practice? None land, save the last, which swipes through an illusionary waistcoat and tags the paladin.

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+4+2: (17)+19+4+2: 42 to Cryosanthia

Aya's first reaction is one of bemusement. This dojo runs on fear, well, she will show them fear.

Everyone might feel a little unsettled as it gets darker. And in that darkness, nightmares lurk, with the growing sound of screams. The tortures that went within these walls, disguised as combat, are thrown up on them in shadowy memories. Terrors from the past.

Which seem to grip only the sons. They party is spared.

Priori roars, not as loud as Tram, but frightening enough. He grabs Aya and shoves her through the door, which slams behind him at supernatural speed. This is followed by the sounds of claws, tearing through cloth.

And frustration, perhaps she escaped him as she always does. It will remain to be seen once the door is opened again.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay Djusco goes first"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (7): 7 (And now a will save for having damaged a work of art!)
GAME: Djusco damaged Jinks for 5 points. 23 HP remaining.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Gonna draw my rapier as my move."
<OOC> Jinks says, "And then attempt to cast Hideous Laughter defensively. Here's my caster level check. DC is 17."
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+9: (20)+9: 29 (Caster Check)
GAME: Jinks casts Hideous Laughter. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (20): 20 (Djusco Will)

"I'm sorry, you heard the rule. You've got to fight." Djusco says, nervously glancing at his father, the woman behind him, and the festivities in progress.

He too, roars, veins standing out on his face, claws growing from his fingers, and then he swipes at the gnome.

The first one misses, the second catches the little man.

"I. Go. Light!"

It didn't feel light. "Brothel after!"

Jinks reels when the knuckles dust his cheek, staggering back a step and pulling out the glittering mithral rapier with a bit of a flourish. The basket hilt is a cavorting fox with an elaborately-detailed form and tiny rubies set for eyes.

The gnome reaches into a pouch as his clothes shift from fancy dress to adventuring garb, producing a small handful of items as he wards the oruch back with the blade. "It occurs to me, Djusco, that there are two kinds of oruch," he makes a fist and dashes the powder between them, wrapping a finger around the weave and plucking it back. "The halves- like you and your brothers. And the halve-nots like your father."

His sparring partner doesn't get it.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Miska transforms, no fire, and hits Halani with claws, maybe say something."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19: (12)+19: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19: (14)+19: 33
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19-5: (17)+19+-5: 31
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19-5: (13)+19+-5: 27
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19-10: (13)+19+-10: 22
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19-10: (8)+19+-10: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1d6+6: (6)+(2)+6: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1d6+4: (2)+(6)+4: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1d6+6: (5)+(1)+6: 12
GAME: Miska damaged Halani for 38 points. 59 HP remaining.

Miska is silent, unlike his brothers. At the command he turns on Halani. He's recognized a certain something in her movements. Also, he may have abandonment issues, who knows.

With a snarl, his hands turn to claws and he swipes at her. The first flurry cutting deep, with three blows landing. He's driving her against the wall with the ferocity of it.

She recognizes something in his style.

<OOC> Halani says, "Swift to assume crane, full attack. Stunning fist on the first attack, sweep kick on the second."
<OOC> Halani says, "Fighting defensively."
<OOC> Halani says, "non-lethal."
GAME: Halani spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST.
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1: (5)+14+7+4+-1: 29
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1: (14)+14+7+4+-1: 38
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1: (17)+14+7+4+-1: 41
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-5: (3)+14+7+4+-1+-5: 22
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-10: (4)+14+7+4+-1+-10: 18
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+2+4-1: (8)+14+7+2+4+-1: 34 (Trip Attempt)"
<OOC> Jinks says, "It's an immediate (reaction) that doesn't provoke an AoO."
GAME: Jinks casts Gallant Inspiration. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (5): 5 (so 23)
<OOC> Halani says, "Will save for the stunning fist, DC 24 Choosing the staggered effect, should it suceed"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 (Miska Will)
GAME: Halani rolls 1d6+1: (5)+1: 6 (staggered for 6 rounds.)
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (2)+2+4: 8
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (7)+2+4: 13
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (5)+2+4: 11
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (6)+2+4: 12
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (8)+2+4: 14

It's almost like she wasn't expecting the betrayal! As Miska's enhanced claws slash in, she tries to twist away.. but she's a little too slow, and when she completes her twirl parts of her robes are shredded, splashes of red staining the cloth along with a long gouge along her arm. She bites her lip, pushing the pain down, then she looks up at the half-orc and bares her teeth.

"You know Dragon! This will be fun, yeah?" She puts a foot back, and lifts her arms.. "Do you know this one, though?" And then she swoops in on him.. driving elbow first past his flurrying claws, a sweeping heel to take out his knee, and then a trio of rapid punches as the halforc falls to the ground... the last one actually seeming to startle her briefly.

GAME: Seyardu rolls Knowledge/religion: (17)+6: 23

The limerick was true, they seem to have an abyssal taint in their bloodline. This might make them easier for the Ashwings to control.

<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, rolling the AOO
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9-4: (5)+9+-4: 10
GAME: Seyardu casts Prayer. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16
GAME: Seyardu casts Align Weapon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15

The stench of the dojo was overpowering. So overpowering, they didn't catch the scent of another creature in the room until they were inside, and the half-orcs were upon them, twisting strangely with some manner of magics.

"Abyssal blood. All of them have it, yet different mothers." She notes as she steps away from the one smacked to the floor, They place a hand on their breastplate, the other pulling the polearm off of her back. "Celestial mother, shield us, and guide our blades against this foe." She offers in prayer, leaving the group with a familiar guiding strength, and the divine magic interfering with the abyssal bloods benefits. Seyardu moves to beside the Aryia, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"This one hopes it will work. May the Celestial Mother be with you in this endeavor." She offers. Nothing seemed too different, but perhaps that remained to be seen? <Draconic>

GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL.
GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST.
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1: (3)+11+1: 15
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1: (18)+11+1: 30
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1-5: (2)+11+1+-5: 9
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1: (7)+11+1: 19
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 (vs SR 19 - Success!)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0+1: aliased to 1d8+2+1: (8)+2+1: 11
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "He actually tries to trip you from the ground.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-4: (2)+11+-4: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-4: (18)+11+-4: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-4-5: (10)+11+-4+-5: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-4-5: (11)+11+-4+-5: 13

Invigorated by the familiar spell, Aryia cocks a fist back. And the silverscale's hand brushes against the the silverscale. Speeding down, flecks of white light flash off the combatant, her fists blessed by the power of the Celestial Mother, and not her own. She hops over each swipe at her legs.

Fezel roars with primal ferocity, remaining on the ground and swiping at Aryia's feet, attempting to trip and pull her down with him. So many strikes, none of them managing to trip her up.

GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+1: aliased to weapon1+charisma+1: (12)+24+8+1: 45
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+1-5: aliased to weapon1+charisma+1-5: (3)+24+8+1+-5: 31
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+se+1-10: aliased to weapon1+charisma+1-10: (9)+24+8+1+-10: 32
GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+1: aliased to 1d8+9+8+1: (7)+9+8+1: 25
GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+1: aliased to 1d8+9+8+1: (8)+9+8+1: 26
GAME: Seldan rolls reuniondmg+sedmg+1: aliased to 1d8+9+8+1: (2)+9+8+1: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27: (6)+27: 33
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27: (5)+27: 32
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-5: (10)+27+-5: 32
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-5: (12)+27+-5: 34
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-10: (16)+27+-10: 33
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-10: (2)+27+-10: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (20)+27+-15: 32 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (2)+27+-15: 14 (Not Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+27-15: (16)+27+-15: 28
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+1d6+9: (1)+(3)+9: 13
GAME: Tram damaged Seldan for 13 points. 184 HP remaining.

The presence of the ashwing tells Seldan that his suspicions were dead-on, but Seyardu's shout, from somewhere else, combined with the looks on the sons' faces - says that they might be the victims here. That thought twinkles in the back of Seldan's brain, just briefly. "Stand down and surrender!" he shouts.

"With that, he takes Reunion to the beclawd half-oruch, his strikes divinely fueled and lightning-quick, delivered with a mix of finely honed discipline and force. An old man's voice howls in joy as Reunion's blade tears through flesh and cloth alike, leaving deep, bleeding furrows. That Seldan gets some in return for his strike is notable, as a claw finds its way in between the armor plates, but clearly the paladin has the upper hand.

At least for the moment.

Tram snarls, his skin ripped by Reunion, blood splattering and covering the walls. He's still standing though, a hatred burning in his eyes. He slashes at the Silverguard's finery, the disguised armour turning his blows, except for one which again, finds a gap and opens a cut.

Screams, screams, more screams and blood.

Which makes the Ashwing smile.

Aya and her sparring double passing back and forth in shadowplay on the ricepaper walls.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, Djusco hits you again"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1d6+4: (3)+(5)+4: 12

Djusco roars at Jinks, swiping. Again there's a glance askance up the hallway, and the teen takes several swipes at the gnome. Although his claws are turned and they don't hurt as much as they should.

<OOC> Jinks says, "I would like to risk the AoO and take my 20' move up to 10,14."
<OOC> Jinks says, "I'll then spend my Standard to start inspiring, since these ninja don't have a sense of humor."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14 (AOO to trip)
GAME: Jinks spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.

"Like the ogre, tallman." Jinks calls in the trade tongue, one of his eyes already beginning to swell. He feints a lunge and then dashes as fast as his little legs will carrying him, skipping over a low cut that's meant to rob him of his footing. The gnome sucks in a deep breath as he moves, humming until he finds a pitch that resonates with the Hymn and begins to sing.

"Hear the stars / speaking in metaphor. Oh, as above so below." The words are long and eerie, like a ritual sung over black technologies. Still, the words carry their power out and bolster your efforts even if your skin breaks out in patches of goose pimples. <kulthian>

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19: (20)+19: 39 (THREAT) Stun DC18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19: (16)+19: 35 (Not Confirmed)
GAME: Halani rolls fortitude: (12)+13: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+1d6+9: (3)+(3)+9: 15
GAME: Miska damaged Halani for 15 points. 44 HP remaining.

Miska snarls, driving his claws into Halani's face. They almost tear pieces off of her. He's off balance, but it was one deadly, accurate strike that nearly rings her skull.

<OOC> Halani says, "Medusa's wrath gives me two bonus attacks against staggered opponents."
<OOC> Halani says, "Would him being prone, and Jinks being small, allow me to go over them with a flying kick?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "sure, that seems reasonable"
GAME: Halani spends ONE point of KI POOL. (Using a ki point for another bonus attack.)
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (5)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 28
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (15)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 38
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (20)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 43 (THREAT)
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (19)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 42 (Confirmed)
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (18)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 41
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (15)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 38
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2: (18)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2: 41
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1+2-5: (13)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+2+-5: 31
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (8)+2+4: 14
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (8)+2+4: 14
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4+2d6+2+4: (4)+2+4+(5)+2+4: 21
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (4)+2+4: 10
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (7)+2+4: 13
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (5)+2+4: 11
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (9)+2+4: 15
<OOC> Halani says, "+8 to all of those except for the crit, which is +16. Sorry :/"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay that takes him down."
<OOC> Halani says, "the flying kick attack on Djusco."
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1-10: (1)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1+-10: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "You kick the wall, and stick in it. Djusco ducks as you take out his bro."

Halani pulls back just in time to avoid losing an ear or an eye to Miska's claws.. as it is, she's likely coming away from this with a pretty intensive set of scars. As she whirls, a hand pulls the blood out of her eyes, then she's driving in again. The grin is unavoidable as she first hears Jinks's call and then seems him come up behind the half-orc.. and then she ups her game.

Fists and feet are a blur, each strike not offering enough time for Miska to even react before the next one lands.. and then, as he falls, she uses him as a stepping board to launch herself over Jinks's head and at the half-orc's brother. The latter manages to duck, fortunately for him... her heel ends up driving into the wall with a resounding crunch.

And it resists coming back out. "Oh," is all she says.

Back in the dojo, the Ashwing is simply standing there. Nothign to indicate if she's an illusion. The patriarch remains in front of her, eyes glazed with a dreamy, distant expression. There are windows in the dojo, but they are covered by thick, spattered, blackout blinds.

<OOC> Seldan says, "I believe that we have +1/+1 from prayer"
<OOC> Seldan says, "+1/+1 from inspire courage. I know that bless stacks with bardsong, should verify that prayer does."
<OOC> Aryia says, "flurrying against the downed guy, not spending a ki for more, and nonlethal"
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1+1: (12)+11+1+1: 25
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1+1: (8)+11+1+1: 21
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1+1: (16)+11+1+1: 29
<OOC> Aryia says, "that last one should be 24"
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0+1+1: aliased to 1d8+2+1+1: (3)+2+1+1: 7
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0: aliased to 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Aryia rolls damage0: aliased to 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7
<OOC> Aryia says, "uhh, its missing 2 from the last two, so 12 and 9"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he'll stand, so AOO if you and Seyardu want it"
GAME: Aryia uses an AoO! 5 remaining.
GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. (DC 16 Fort)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19 (Fezel Fort - Not stunned)
GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+2: (7)+11+2: 20
GAME: Seyardu uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Seyardu rolls weapon24: (6)+6: 12 (-4 NL, +2 flank, +2 spells)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he attacks Aryia, stunning fist on the first"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-5: (14)+11+-5: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-5: (4)+11+-5: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+6: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Fezel damaged Aryia for 11 points. 43 HP remaining.

Perplexed by the energies radiating from her hands as she strikes, Aryia glances to her for a moment before flashing a quick, "Ashwing. Act weird," to Seyardu. She resumes her assault, though with just as little form as everyone else. She just grabs Fezel by the collar and slams him repeatedly against the wall before she throws a haymaker on their jaw as they get up. <Handspeech>

"Rrrrrrraaah!" Fezel leaps to his feet, after Aryia's wallslams, the jawstrike cracking his head around. With a deep fury he lunges at her, clawing savagely.

One, manages to hit the Mul'niessa and add to her collection of scars.

Somehow, he's still standing, but he's not looking good.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "Going to attack with the polearm nonlethally"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15

Perhaps she was still getting used to the new weapon, the training hadn't become muscle memory. Perhaps it was the thought that these people were pawns to the Erinyes' plot, that made her try to blunt the blows, despite the skill of the combatants.

"Of course it is, Seldan is here." She says to Aryia. "They are not coming close. Cowards."

GAME: Seldan casts Resilient Sphere. Caster Level: 16 DC: 22
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (4)+9: 13 (Tram Reflex)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he is bubbled up!"

That look of fear, the abattoir around them - another set of words resonates in Seldan's mind, this time from a much more unearthly source. _Vengeance is not the duty of a knight, and there is mercy in the Light._ He pauses, shakes his head, and takes a step backwards, out of reach of those claws. "You are no match for me, does Eluna guide my hand," he murmurs.

Instead, he raises his free hand and traces a set of sigils in the air, words of power causing them to glow a bright silver-golden-blue. A final word, and the sigils glow brighter, grow, form together, and shoot towards Tram, encasing him in infinite copies of themselves, wrapping him in a sphere of pure magic.

"Tssk. Fight harder next time boys." The Ashwing says, shaking her head with a cruel sneer, and then she vanishes.

That done, he turns towards the ashwing, clearly his next target - and she vanishes. "Coward!" he shouts, but turns his attention to the father.

Master Swadling blinks, his eyes going wide, he's stunned by the sight, the smell, the battle in front of him.

Meanwhile, Tram snarls as the resilient sphere lands and traps him. He claws in a frenzy, they are ineffective and useless. Blood sprays from his mouth, hanging on the inside of the spell then trickling to the bottom.

The sight of a demonic version of his son raving mere feet from him, seems to shock the Patriarch to the core.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay Jinks, Djusco scrambles over to punch you again, and that provokes an AOO from Halani"
<OOC> Jinks says, "HAAAAALP"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Halani?"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (10)+6+2: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1d6+4: (4)+(4)+4: 12
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "another 12 NL Jinks, so you'd be -1 now?"
<OOC> Halani would like to trip for the AoO.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he's still going to land the attack, so, it is too late now,"
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7+4-1-4+1: (8)+14+7+4+-1+-4+1: 29
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4: (7)+2+4+8: 21

Djusco rolls away from Halani as she sails overhead. He has to fight Jinks, he's not going to let the little gnome. Flinging himself up the hallway, catching a blow from Halani as he does, he swipes at Jinks with his claws, managing to batter the little man to the ground.

"Daddy! I took him out!" Djusco says, immediately kneeling and looking Jinks over. "Good fight."

<OOC> Halani says, "Hm. Abundant step to be on top of Jinks, and then attack. Power attack."
GAME: Halani spends TWO points of KI POOL.
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+14+7-1-4: (8)+14+7+-1+-4: 24
GAME: Halani rolls 2d6+2+4+8: (8)+2+4+8: 22
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, that takes out Djusco"
<OOC> Halani says, "I forgot to specify, but the intent is for all of this to have been non-lethal."

"Jinks!" Halani yells out.. not a shriek, exactly... but definitely higher pitched than is her wont. She pulls.. rolls out of the wall.. and in the next eyeblink she's kneeling over Jinks's fallen form, face to face with Djusco. She snarls at him, then slams her forehead into his face.

This takes the Teenage Abyssal Brawling Half-Orc down and out of the fight.

The patriarch stands there, apparently seeing the dojo clearly for the first time. As well, the transformed natures of his sons, "No... it's not true."

Djusco and Miska are down, unconscious from Halani's unrelenting power. Fezel still has some fight in him, but he was on his back foot with Aryia, and when Seldan steps in it's no contest.

Aya appears in front of the door she was pushed through. She looks unchanged. "We discussed the situation. Prori is contemplating his choices in life so far."

Tram... takes a while to calm down. He seemed eager to test himself, and wasn't able to.

"Son. Snap out of it." Master Swadling orders. That appears to have an effect. Tram stands there, panting, claws at his sides and slowly, very slowly he turns back into a normal half-orc.

The father appears to have snapped out of it for himself, and so Seldan had turned to help Aryia. He doesn't even bother with Reunion, quickly ending matters before turning back to the others. "What of the others? Is everyone all right?"

Only when the father has given orders, and Tram has turned back into a normal half-orc, does Seldan release the sphere. "That includes your sons. I fear that we were correct, and that the Ashwings came here."

Seyardu, hadn't done much. It was a moment when she was settling down to put away her polearm. Though, she turns to the patriarch, and squints.

"Please, be honest with us. There was something controlling you most likely." They say. "Though it may not be safe here, especially with your children in such a state."

Seyardu looks around, and squints more. "Where is Jinks?"

GAME: Halani rolls heal: (10)+8: 18

Halani doesn't join the others right away. She's too busy looking over Jinks, making sure he's breathing.. checking for head wounds and breaks.

Aryia, far smaller than Fezel, cocks a fist back as Seyardu's bill rests ready to strike right behind her. With her hand leaking divine light from the Mother, she jabs a finger at the abyssal son. Then points to the floor, her face lined with fury.

She swivels to the father, a hand pushing against her side from the claw that got her. The scarred mul'neissa hisses something at him that is quite difficult to make out, double so as the syllables were in a different language. "F-ck -, p-w- tr-pp-g p-c- -f tr-t st-" <Undercommon>

"... you did remember that fight," Jinks groans, eyelids fluttering and nostrils flaring as he's roused back to wakefulness. His limbs aren't quite responding yet. "Though I could've done without the ending." His solid-black eyes open all the way only to close again as he blinks. "This is much more fun with Elisabet, I have to say."

As the gnome wakes up, Halani can't keep the grin from forming. Then she pats him lightly on the cheek before rising, extending her hand to him for the assist if he wishes. "C'mon, stop laying about. We'll get the fancy knight in there to heal you up, yeah?"

"This is... impossible." Master Swadling says, gazing around the dojo, his hands clenching into fists.

He's pulled out of his daze by Seyardu's question, and Aryia's garbled insult. It might not be a surprise that he understands undercommon. He gestures at the pair, "You! Out! Do not insult me on my land!"

He turns to Seldan, "I will speak to the Silverguard," his head turns, taking in Aya, Halani and Jinks, "and his attendents."

Seyardu squints back to the oruch. "Is asking questions an insult? If that is how this works, I am sorry." They state, before shaking their head. "It also smells like unwashed humans in here, yet I see none. This is a statement, not a question, though you should certainly answer about that to the silver guard here with me."

And with that, she turns to be escorted out, waiting for Aryia.

Aryia frowns at him, her throwing up a middle finger before pointing to her lips. "F-ck. -." <Undercommon>

She gladly leaves, storming out. Aryia catches one of the attendants as she leaves, her gesturing to her, "I'm really sorry you have to work with such a fucking prick of a person. Get out if you can." <Handspeech>

The scarred Mul'neissa leaves with the Sith-makar.

GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (26): 26
GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (23): 23
GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (19): 19
GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (22): 22
GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (24): 24
GAME: Seldan rolls 6d6: (20): 20
GAME: Jinks casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Jinks casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12

Jinks gives a heavy sigh and reaches up to take the offered lift, rolling to his right hip and then up to stand with Halani's help. "I'll take care of it," he tells the Xian woman, singing to himself and pushing his hands through the air. He finds the notes of his own life's song in the Hymn and manages to knit the bloodied nose and swollen eye en route to the main hall. Then he's looking at Halani and mouthing 'attendants?' with a bit of a smirk.

"Charnese diplomacy, eh?" The gnome half-apologizes to the lord as the pair arrive.

Aya looks to Jinks at the comment and arches a brow. "You would prefer Dranei diplomacy?" She then returns her attention to Sir Prick the Elder, taking a step to stand adjacent to Seldan. As his 'attendant,' of course.

The designation of _attendants_ tugs at Seldan's lips in a small smile, but he only bows formally. "As you will. I would take a moment to aid your sons, if it pleases you." He takes a moment and a simply chanted spell to clean and re-sheathe Reunion. "This place is a place of torment, where it should be a place of honor."

The day Mistress Aya becomes Seldan's attendant is the day the Void swallows us all.

Halani spreads her hands to her side in a shoulderless shrug, then raises one of them to wipe away some of the blood on her face as she steps into the room with Jinks. She pulls her hand back and looks at it for a moment, then sighs, lets it drop, and looks at the Lord of the House and his remaining entrapped son. "Yeah," she pipes up, adding to Seldan's condemnation. "If it used to be a Dojo, it isn't anymore, yeah?"

Master Swindling glares at Aryia and Seyardu as the leave, watching them go. Asking questions of a noble without asking first if one might, can be considered an insult by certain nobles. They expect the riff-raff to know their place.

Once they are gone he relaxes somewhat, and nods, "Go ahead Silverguard."

He snorts, looking about the dojo, "It stinks. This was supposed to be clean. It's been clean every time I've checked it." He harrumphs, going to look at the smashed mirror, and the walls. He laughs, "Well I'm glad the boys are trying and maybe a stronger mirror is warranted, but this filth is inappropriate."

The work of healing takes Seldan a few minutes to do, moving to each who will accept in turn. By the time he is done, and all of the sons are hale, he frowns wearily, and has not turned to himself, although he does not comment on the matter. The blood, curiously, has vanished from the armor, as if it never was. "Your sons fight well, but their hands deserve a better fate than service to such as they." His usually even tones rasp a little. "If it please you, I have finished, as much as I may. Lead where you will, or we shall speak here."

Jinks tilts his head at Aya in mild concession, letting the matter fall away as conversation is joined with the lord. He reaches into a sleeve and plucks loose a perfumed handkerchief, snapping it open and offering it up to Halani for whatever use she might find. The gnome the smooths down his goatee and once again raises his sleeve to counter the abysmal think of the place. He longs for the pipe but leaves it away to avoid provoking the blowhard noble further. A wrong word and the possibility of being invited to future parties is likely entirely off the table.

The grace of Eluna closes the wounds, though the Silverguard wil notice some resistance to that grace. The half-orcs tense, get angry expressions. Though, the fight is done, they fought honourably.

More or less...

"Back to the main house. This will be dealt with later." Master Swindling waves at the room and strides out, almost ignoring his sons.

It's a short and silent march back to the room he first met them in. He doesn't get himself a drink this time. Some of the servants get a long stare, he waves dismissively, "Out."

The room is empty now, except for him, the Silverguard, and those remaining with him. He approaches the mantel, stares up at an ancestor. "It's lies. It's always been lies. There is no 'taint' in our family."

Aya makes note of Swindling's glares and to whom. Perhaps to reference later, if needed. Following Seldan's tending to all alike, she follows Seldan and the master of the house (even if he is only so, now, because others fled). "If they were lies, they drew the attention of true fiends. Those who wished to slander you may have accomplished more than they ever imagined. Or the fiends smelled one of their own kin."

Halani gives Jinks a brief 'are you sure' look before taking the handkerchief... seems pretty obvious what she's going to use it for. Then she's using it to put pressure on the cuts on her face after dabbing away the blood that hasn't yet dried. She nods when Seldan offers his healing, her body straightening a bit, shoulders squaring as vigor is restored and the bleeind stops... but between the tears and bloodstains on her robes and the crusting dried blood on her skin, she doesn't actually /look/ all that much better.

She follows back to the main house, not really trailing behind but certainly not wishing to overtake Seldan.. thus falling into a background quiet, at least for the moment, much like Jinks. At least, that was the plan. When he mentions taint... "Uh... look. I'm not an expert, yeah? But I've fought a few things, you know... and what your sons did back there, that's not normal."

The gnome flips a wooden token the size of a coin the Djusco after the boy is put back together by the holy magicks. The crescent moon carving on one side is opposite a rather crude depiction of a fertility idol on the other; 'Pillars & Caverns' is the business name carved on both. He offers a wink and a look of appreciation, rightly guessing the boy could've done a lot worse (and, again, -parties-). He falls into line and follows into the house, letting the more-informed do the talking for now as he surreptitiously moves to help himself to another drink.

"I cannot say if that be true, or nay," Seldan begins politely, assuming a parade-rest stance rather than seating himself. "Of two things am I certain." He speaks slowly, his tones tightly controlled and even. "First, that whether it be there or nay, what is done with it now is of much greater import. I myself carry the blood of other planes. Second, that it is as Mistress Aya says. You have attracted the attention of true fiends - or perhaps they merely found your location convenient. They hunt the owner of a smaller house not far from here, and may seek to use this place as a base to watch him."

This may give him a face-saving out.

"I blame their mothers and their weak wombs." Master Swindling grumbles, staring at the mantel. Aya's suggestion sparks something, "Yes. Undermined by my rivals, that must be it."

The Patriarch Oruch turns and faces Seldan, "Or that!" He suddenly blusters, "Using MY property to hunt. Without my leave! This has to end Silverguard. What do you need me to do?"

He seems cooperative, now that there's an easy, face-saving way out.

Except he's interrupted by his youngest son, who also trailed behind and entered the room. Perhaps without permission. The token in his pocket is a comforting weight. "She wanted soldiers. Father. She's been training us, making us drink her blood."

This draws a sudden glare from his sire.

"Put a stop to her use of your sons, your servants, and your property to her own ends," Seldan interjects, raising a hand. "I hunt this creature, we all do - and well she knows it. She targets you, to enchant your mind that you might permit such. Your son may hold the key to stopping her abuse of your lands."

He turns to face the son. "When does she come to this place, and how often?"

The labels on the bottles had Jinks excited, his eyes wide and his hands steadied as he tries to make a selection. The family names or regions and the years; even some of the more cryptic bottles with a subtle stamp that spark recognition... And then there's talk of drinking blood. He sighs, heavily, and sets the clean glass back with the rest, tromps back over to the couch and drops into it with a look of supreme frustration.

Aya's attention turns to the youngest when he speaks unbidden. She must assume that the glare he draws was not unexpected. After Seldan joins in the focus, she listens. "Please, speak your mind," she assures the youth. Her back remains to his sire, who is now rather proven as the least informed and less interesting of the household, in her opinion.

Halani makes a face at the mention of drinking blood, going so far as to open her mouth as if to faux-gag at the thought... but then she snaps her mouth shut, glances at Jinks, then shakes her head firmly. Instead, she folds her arms. "They'll be okay," she says instead.. though she appears far from an authority on the matter. "As long as they want to be."

"Three times a week, Silverguard, sir." Djusco answers, "The start, the mid, and the last work day, the week end and between we are to practice. She is there when the dojo is empty too, at night."

"Why wasn't I told?" The Oruch Patriarch demands sternly.

"I told you, father. You said it was superstitious nonsense the maids were whispering." Djusco stands his ground, staring back, "They told you and you got rid of them."

"Tram and Priori liked how strong they were getting, they said if I snitched again they'd treat me like the coward I was." He stares, "You said we were weak half-bloods. You've always said that."

"They wanted to make you proud."

Something in the father/son exchange prompts Seldan to lower his eyes and hold his silence, his attention somewhere else and far away. What is on his mind isn't entirely clear, but the conversation resonates with him in some way. He seems content to allow others to ask the questions, for now.

The boy may be a youth, but he's also an oruch, if partly so. This means Aya need not crouch to bring herself to his level; in fact, she may need to leap. Instead of that gesture, she offers the youngest a smile that is slim, yet genuine. "Your brothers' is a noble cause, but they should be warned that there is little weight in the opinions of fools. The next time you are all accused of weakness, be sure to question the possible origin of that weakness; some single thing you all might have in common?" Her brows lift briefly in gesture of query. "Despite that, you seem the wisest of the group. Is there any more you could tell us of her and her visits?"

Whereas the father/son exchange is completely lost upon Halani.. in fact, her eyes kind of glaze over for a moment as Djusco's admissions about the nature of their relationship with their father get mentioned. Then she's blinking her eyes and scowling, mostly to herself. "Probably too late to think about setting a trap for Her, now, yeah? Think she knows she's been discovered?"

"It's a difficult legacy to live up to," Jinks offers once he's again found his composure. He speaks to Reginald while the others talk to his youngest heir. "Bawdry songs aside, the Sawdling name is well-known in many circles; great battles and legendary feasts, both. It sounds like this creature found the aspirations of your spawn and twisted it to her own dark ends. Working in concert with these efforts seems the surest way to punish it for the hubris of acting against your house."

Master Swandling snorts at Aya, glaring, "You go too. They have human blood in common. I won't listen to dark elves dripping their poison words."

"Son, I never told you to drink demon blood, or whatever else that woman offers. I want you to be strong. You and your brothers, as powerful as you can become. You sharpen each other. Our family fought fiends, we don't lie with them. This is a disgrace."

He looks at Jinks next, "The little man is correct. This will ruin us if this gets out. I want it destroyed."

He faces Seldan, "Whatever you think is best. I'll tear the school down."

Seldan's eyes lift again, whatever thoughts were his evaporating into nothingness at Jinks' words, and turns his head towards the bard. "Well said," he agrees, then straightens and turns his eyes back towards the master of the house. "I would, with your permission, lay a trap for this creature. The school may be cleaned, but the drinking of demon or devil blood may impact your children and your children's children. I would bid you all to cease," he adds to the son. "Such is twisted, and will twist you in ways none yet guess at. But, if you will grant me leave - I am spent, and I should have my own wounds seen to. Tram is no weakling."

Halani reaches up to touch the wounds on her face, then scraps away a little at the dried blood there. "It was cheating," she finally decides, though it is said mostly to herself. She doesn't say anything else, though, waiting to see what Seldan has to say.

"A morsel of encouragement to a youth is not poison," Aya notes simply and towards the boy. She then steps back away from he, Seldan, and sire. To await and attend Seldan, perhaps.

Jinks can flatter with the best of them and seems quite pleased with himself that the tactic worked. He bobs his head in agreement and slides out of the chair, moving towards the door. He drags a finger down his nose and points at Djusco's pocket. Where the half-oruch fidgets with the token. "If you need to talk, tallman, but leave your fists at home." He'll get an invite to the next party yet.

"Ok." Master Swandling says, fixing his gaze on Seldan. His attire is ruffled, his composure rattled. He will never show nor admit it. "Agreed. Set a trap, hunt them. I'll get the school cleaned."

He seems proud, that Tram was a challenge, even if he had to cheat. It gives him a measure of the Silverguard. Oruchs do like to know how tough everyone is.

He looks at Jinks once more, "Take a bottle. Leave your name with the door-woman, you'll get notice of the next party."

Djusco nods to Jinks, to both suggestions. He will come, without his fists.

The patriarch turns back to the mantel, looking at the painting hanging above, "Maybe I'll finally match you and kill some fiends."

He turns back, "When you want to, it will be done Silverguard. I need to speak to my sons."

"Djusco, you did good."

Combatty

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "So, the thing I want to try, is I'll roll their init's. Then since the half-orcs have paired up with you, if they rolled higher than your init, they'll go first on your turn, and if they rolled lower, they'll go after you"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "if it gets messy they can always group back to one big action on their init. Sound ok?"
<OOC> Aryia says, "sounds good, like little combats"
<OOC> Jinks is good with that!
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Sounds interesting!"
<OOC> Cryosanthia nodnods, "I'm trying to bust up my huge turn and having to keep track of what happened so much."

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
  >> 20   Aryia            6   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Seldan           1  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Aya              6  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   The Boys            
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     19   Jinks            1  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     16   Halani           1  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2    Seyardu          1  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 2 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     20   Aryia            6  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Seldan           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Aya              6  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   The Boys         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 19   Jinks            1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     16   Halani           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2    Seyardu          1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so per Inits, Aryia, Seldan, Aya, you get to go first with your partner, and Jinks, Halani, after. Seyardu... you'll end up with Aryia kind of because of the round-wrap, so you'll go first once, then after on Aryia's turn."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Aryia     |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk        | 43  | 54  |20/15/19 | 27 | 8  | 11 | 6  |
|Halani    |HUMAN     |Mnk        | 44  | 97  |34/27/30 | 46 | 13 | 19 | 14 |
|Jinks     |GNOME     |Bard       | 23  | 28  |18/15/14 | 16 | 3  | 7  | 4  |
|Seldan    |HUMAN     |Pal/Sor    | 184 | 219 |37/34/24 | 41 | 27 | 23 | 31 |
|Seyardu   |SITH-MAKAR|Clr        | 58  | 58  |19/19/10 | 16 | 9  | 2  | 8  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[LSChan] Jinks says, "Half-orcs in a dojo! Demon power!"
[LSChan] Aryia says, "she called him a power tripping piece of trout stain"

Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mgyi2yd3n3k
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Green is party, Red is enemy, Blue is neutral/friend/non combatant"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Thor-Fist is Halani, regular fist is Aryia, Cowl is Aya, Winged Sword is Seldan, Evil gnome is Jinks, Leia-Dragon is Seyardu"

Monks refreshing spells.
https://c.tenor.com/X_cvrSrqFSkAAAAC/henrycavill-arm.gif

inspirational music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qGDvb6ftEo

The Fight is On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUkGIsKvn0

<OOC> Seyardu says, "Thank you so much for running this by the way, I've been enjoying the plotline a lot. I was sorry because I really wanted to be more active in the scene."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Yes, thank you!"
<OOC> Aryia says, "yes, thank you for running it"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Yes, thanks for running it! And don't forget to insult Swadling about that."
<OOC> Halani says, "Yes, thank you very much Cryo."