Here you are, the OOC chat for everyone to speak up. Discuss characters, perhaps backstory intersection, work out the final details, maybe change some things so the party fits better together mechanically.
Preliminary negotiations:
Greetings,
in these strange times, their are strange allies to be found against even stranger foes.
I am fully aware of how problematic our cooperation can become for either of us, as such, I am proposing to make a covenant based on the following blood pledge. Initially between us, as our alignments are the least compatible which makes joining such a covenant more compelling, and then between all members of our unlikely alliance.
"I, Liliyashanina, Slayer of the Malebranche Mussolini, Hero of the Soviet Union and Lady of Luralune, hereby pledge that I shall, for the duration of joint operations against the Qlippoth invasion and a decent intervall of a year and a day thereafter, respect the life, the dignity, the possessions and the secrets of Lady Sabrina De´Foe, and others who may join this covenant, and that I shall furthermore, within reason, protect the very same, provided that Lady Sabrina De´Foe and others who join this covenant pledges the same unto me and unto all other covenant members.
May the Savored String, whose mighty name of Callistria the All Avenging one I hereby solemnly invoke with my mythic might and blood, strike me down should I willingly violate this pledge.
"
Should you deem a pledge in Callistrias name as unacceptable, I am willing to consider Gozreh or Gorum as substitutes. I would prefer to make the pledge in Callistrias name, as her vengeance is the most certain, and she likely looks favorably unto our joint enterprise, and she is furthermore more diplomatically inclined and more hostile to Qlippoths then either alternatives.
I am open to revisions of the proposed clauses, provided that the clauses are equal for all members of the covenant.
Best wishes,
Lady Liliyashanina of Luralune
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If any of you want to research Liliya for some reason, with the approval of the GM:
Researching Liliya
Originally served Nocticula as a talent scout and recruiter.
Frequently for temporary contracts, if the Lady in shadows was more interested in the services then in the soul of a mortal.
Often appears on material planes wracked by conflict and war, as these planes have easier and more interesting recruitment possibilities.
Frequently seduced hell bound souls to the Abyss, much to hells annoyance. Rarely uses threats or violence (against her targets) when recruiting. Often uses violence against whoever threatens her targets.
The Succubus saying "Save their lifes, steal their souls" is attributed to her.
Has massively increased in power after returning from the material plane Earth.
Since returning from there, if summoned, prefers gifts of bound skilled artisans/engineers/mages/scientists or inventors over the customary to be sacrificed virgins prefered by other Succubi. Can be placated by offering blueprints of technologies she does not yet know. Blueprints add a +2, artisans/engineers/mages/scientists or inventors capable of developing things she does not know add a +4 to the opposed charisma check.
The relatively benign nature of her when recruiting is perhaps part of a "meta lure". It is entirely possible, and frequently publicated (especially for very powerful mortals), to link up with her (or Nocticula/Shamira directly, but the latter was far more risky), serve out a term of a decade or 2 in Alyushinnara under very respectfull conditions, and then leave the city behind unhindered while on excellent standing with its authorities.
The lure here is that less powerfull or less well-connected mortals will erraneously believe that can get anything close to these terms while bargaining service with a Succubus, and damn their souls in this way.
The midnight isles are cunning enough to let 5 souls go to corrupt 5000.
Has passed mythic trials on Earth, culminating in killing the would be Malebranche Mussolini via (according to hell)"sniper fire induced catastrophic ritual failure during mandatory villainous monologing to captured and to be sacrificed virginal hero".
Hell, in the person of Queen of Pain Doloras has put a bounty on Liliyas head.
Very recently promoted by Shamira to governness of the midnight Isle of Luralune, due to her heroics on earth and due to the fact that she was not present on the big "Frank exchange of ideas concerning real estate managment" that broke out in the midnight isles after Nocticula left.
Is thus the most junior of Shamiras direct vasalls, can be considered fairly loyal to Shamira on account of the recentness of her promotion.
Liliya is aware of the bounty on her, (that bounty being a medium favor by queen Doloras), by a queen of night, and considers this a badge of pride.
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In a remote region of the Astral Plane...
Waiting.
Not the pastime most beloved of the typical azata - a race not known for patience - and if the thin line of this one’s lips or the crease of her brow were anything to go by, not the pastime most beloved of this one either. But she did not have long to wait before she sensed him coming. The pressed lips grew into a true frown, but she duly bound a silken veil over her eyes, hiding their light.
There was no sound, but she felt his presence growing nearer, a weight on the borders of her mind and a subtle change in the endless faint breezes that eddied through the void.
“That’s close enough.” she called.
She felt him stop, and then the reply came, in his deep, velvety, reassuring voice, a voice that made the hearers think of a wise and trusted councilor, a friend, a confidant. Now it was rich with sympathy and regret.
“It pains me to see you like this, my dear girl.”
“I doubt very much that I am dear to you,” she answered, “nor may I any longer be called girl. And most of all, I am not yours. You may call me by the name I have taken, since I am sure you have learned of it already.”
A slow sigh could be heard.
“In truth, I may not call you by it. I am commanded not to do so. As you well know, a person may take a name, but a slave must be given one. Or not be given one, as it may be.”
“I hope,” the tightness of her voice already spoke of strained tolerance, “that you did not ask for this parley only to argue about my name.”
“You of all souls should know the truth of my words.” the smooth velvet voice replied. “But you are right as well. I did not. He who is our master, by ancient right and strong command, has sent me to bear His decree to His slave: that you will undertake an errand of some small importance in the Depths Below.”
There was a long silence.
“I believe,” her reply came at last, each word coming slowly, “that I burned myself alive in hellfire and raw mana to escape that slavery. I had a lifetime of it. I will have no more.”
“I know,” the devil said, “what you believe.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More words had passed between azata and devil, she governing her anger, he speaking with studied patience. At one point, the veil had gone, tossed aside in a moment of wrath, and then the radiance of her eyes had shone out as she bent her gaze on him. But he had not blinked, or flinched, or looked away, or given any sign whatsoever of fear, save perhaps only this, that the long scrolls he bore vanished suddenly away into nothingness, whisked off by contingencies into some far-off vault. A phistophilus values his contracts higher than anything, even his own survival, and if he senses true danger, they are the first things he defends.
But whatever the devil felt in his heart, his smile did not break and his calm, deep voice never wavered as he delivered his message.
The eternal King of Hell was no friend to the qlippoth, and moreover, in his perfect honor, he would fulfil his role as keeper of the Rough Beast’s prison by crushing the qlippoth threat to it before it could put his wayward peers among the younger, lesser gods at any risk. In fulfilment of this, he had decreed that his slave would go to the council that was to be held to address this threat, and she would offer her services and her power to set things right.
Left unspoken, but grasped by both, was that it was likely most important to the diplomats of Hell that their King could be seen to be providing aid.
The azata, therefore, had firmly maintained that she had in any case already been invited to that council, that her help had already been sought against the qlippoth threat, and that if she did go it would overtly not be on the Devil God’s behalf.
And the devil had placidly shrugged, and observed that she could say what she pleased: any fool would notice whose ritual had empowered her and invested her with the mythic might appropriate to this task. Who, perhaps, had arranged for her to be empowered.
Now at last the argument, tired out, began to wind down.
“If I choose to do this,” she now repeated for the last time, “then you may be certain of one thing: it will be my own choice and not for the sake of him or his commands, which I will not heed.”
“If I were only certain of one thing,” the devil answered, “then I would make a poor specimen of my order. I am certain of many things. That you will do as you are bid is just one of them, and, I trust you understand, far from the most important.”
He blew out a long breath through his perfect, razor teeth.
“But it seems we have now said all there is to say. Don’t you agree?”
“All we have to say on that matter. But I have something of my own to say to you.”
He raised an eyebrow, inviting her to go on, and she whispered softly into her hands, working a minor charm that carried her words to his ear and his alone.
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The devil heaved a weary sigh, frowning at last in the relentless light of her eyes, and finally a note of discordance crept into his smooth voice. Anger. Frustration. Condescension.
“I know, dear foolish girl.”
He let that sink in a moment.
“We all know, or at least, all those with any understanding do. That, in fact, is why I also know that you have already lost your gamble. ‘Thinkest thou that I-’”
“Save it,” she cut him off, “I have heard it often enough and do not need to hear it again. And that was the only other thing I wanted to say, so I think this parley is at its end.”
The devil drew his dark cloak about himself.
“Until we meet again, then, my dear girl.” He did not bother with the pretense of a parting bow, as he sometimes did when flattering a mortal.
“I am not your dear girl. And if we meet again, maybe it will not be under truce.”
A moment of concentration, and the magic of the lesser astral projection began to unravel. Armor, sword, helm, and knight faded together as they were drawn back through the endless void to where the true Radamare sat in trance, resting in Milani’s gardens, in Elysium.
The piercing radiance of her eyes lingered a moment after all else was gone, and then that too vanished, and there were two fewer points of light among the sea of astral stars, unmoving and infinitely remote.
何？ The f%~# Сука Blyad was zum Henker ka?
Asmodumbf!%@ did what? Liliya asked her liege in a matter that betrayed some actual exasperation.
Yes my dear, his "Champion" in this "joint effort to preserve reality" is an Azata who f+$!ing hates his guts for completely appropriate reasons. Shamira the ardent dreams answered, taking a long sip of Azlantian wine.
Means the Azata has a totally reasonable sense of taste, but I dont even... Liliya collected herself. I mean have seen dumb s~&$, I have done even dumber s%#&, I have killed a very dumb but still powerful f+@@ing poison gas s!&* elemental in part by pissing on it but that...
Liliya struggled for words.
My dear The ardent dream answered, feeling in an uncharacteristic "dispense wholesome life advice"- mood whenever someone thinks that the multiverse just hit peak stupidity, the true force which animates reality itself immidiatly arises, marshalls its assets and seeks to prove that someone wrong. Welcome to the club. Shamira continued, wry amusement of Liliyas exasperation evident in how she took another sip of her wine.
Dark tapestry bugger my lovelife I need a drink Liliya said, throwing an appraising glance on Shamiras Azlantian wine bottle.
Oh please my dear The ardent dream answered as she summoned a bottle of the finest grey goose Vokda, stolen straight from the Czars own cellar in 1903 or so help yourself she continued, pouring the Vodka into another wine glass.
За родину Liliya spoke as she downed the vodka filled wine glass in one sip.
on a more practical matter, what does this actually mean? Hell is conserving its actual forces? It aims to massively stab whoever wins in the back? Liliya queried her liege.
Of course, the question is, how to we benefit from it? Questioned Shamira.
debatable hmm... I could straight up inform that Azata, what is her/his name anyway of the suspicions and bond over shared antipathy towards Asmodumbf~$% and Dolo-cantgetlaidwithoutchainingpeopletoaphallicsymbol-ras, and perhaps gain some long term diplomatic options with Elysium? Whom does that Azata supposedly serve anyway? Desna?
Milani said the ardent dream.
Hmm said Liliya, thinking out loud isnt any relationship improvement with Milani going to cut into our slavery profits?
We could have slaves play "games" against each other to gain manumission and transfer to Milani´s part of Elysium, while also selling the viewing rights to such games throughout all lower planes, thus generating great revenue! Shamira beamed as she suddenly had a not at all "Squid Game themed" business inspiration.
I have no idea what you are talking about but lets do it anyway
Answered Liliya, remembering that this attitude has served her well with Nocticula before, while exing the rest of the Vodka bottle.
What is the name of that Azata? I may as well start up some prelimniary negotiations? Liliya spoke after she finished
Radamare awsnered the ardent dream, eying the empty Vodka bottle with a hint of regret, before summoning another fine bottle of Azlanti wine.
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Silvery eddies swirl about the vast empty space of the Astral Plane. The call of massive Astral Leviathans echo out as they approach and leave the city of Yulgamot, the Calendar Stone. One of the few safe harbors in the endless expanse of timeless nothingness, its neutrality and location serve an important purpose now. It serves as the perfect location for a gathering of various outsiders. And so in one of the city’s great halls of blue stone, the meeting shall take place. A conflux of many different people, in the face of a great threat.
In this great hall, at a table of stone seemingly grown from the floor, heroes and villains were brought together. Six in number, they came either by their own accord or requests of others. Some to aid the greater good, some because they were asked to, some simply because they thought it’d be fun. All the same, the group of unlikely allies were brought together, and watched over by the watchful eyes of one of the city’s greatest wizards, the Shulsaga Qualshikim. He was by far, not the most powerful being in the room however.
For representing the two sides with the most important stake in this endeavour were two demi-gods. Or at least, one demi-god and one almost demi-god. Standing side by side at the head of the table were an odd pairing. One a fiery figure, burning wings closed on her back with crimson hair framing an unearthly beautiful face of dusky red skin. An aura of pure sensual energy seems to surround her. She is Shamira, ruler of the Midnight Isles.
Beside her is a figure that seems to glow equally as bright, without any fire at all on him. Golden hair frames his own head, coming down in stiff sideburns and beard, giving his features a simian appearance. A simple monk’s robe adorns him, with a staff at his side, a trio of monkey’s tails curling around it. A calming aura seems to radiate from him, and it’s easy to understand why for those who recognize him. For he is Korada, Empyreal Lord of Peace and Forgiveness.
Looking around at the gathered group, Shamira gives her advisor a wink before Korada claps his hand and grins. ”It seems like everyone has arrived and settled in! Welcome, welcome, I’m glad to see you all actually made it here. It’d have been awkward if Kroina’s divinations came out wrong and I had to go hunt you all down. I don’t believe I need to explain why we’re all here, the threat the Quipploths face to the entirety of reality. I might be against violence, but even I can admit that the flood needs halting.”
He paused for a moment, his eyes passing over everyone in the group before he spoke again. ”Is there anything anyone wishes to announce before we discuss details? Any issues that they feel the need to bring up with the group of people here? Questions to cover before the lovely lady Shamira here gets into the details on the invasion?”
Rahlmaat sits on her haunches, tail comfortably lying on the ground, wings folded at her sides as she looks down on the gathering. She can't help but grin as she examines on the assembled group. When her divinations had revealed the gathering (exactly to attract her, she now suspected--there was no way she would have been able to penetrate the kinds of defenses against detection this group could have put up if they hadn't wanted to be found) it had been fascinating enough, but now, with the whole group here?
Well, in all her long life the sphinx wasn't sure she'd seen the like.
Sure, she hadn't had the appropriate spells ready to get here, but she was flexible. It cost her a bit more power than if she'd had traveling spells prepared for the day, but what mattered was that she was here now.
"I suspect that you shall give all the information you can about our pressing riddle," she says aloud, her smile at odds with her sober tone, "So I shall withold my questions until after your words."
Nodding amicably to Koradas words, Liliya deems it more effective, appropriate and deferential to make her proposals after her Liege has spoken.
Rethinking her outfits for this mostly diplomatic activity, Liliya is happy that she is explicitly not as stunning as Shamira, her choice of animating her greenish writhing armor to accentuate her movements was still a good one.
She is in her true Succubus self, and currently dressed to kill with looks rather then bullets, her shoulder length blond hair falling behind her, her wings folded in an inviting fashion taking visual attention away from the rifle slung over her back.
My Liege-Lady, I am ready to begin operation "actually most reasonable and friendly Succubus ever" on your command, as well of course as operation "Tentacle removal with extreme prejudice".
How did we come up with these names again? Oh, yes, booze and discussing if, with your august assistance, my vasalls could manufacture "f$~#ing flamethrowers" that are rechargable by sexual activity in their immidiate surroundings...
Good thing I am completely beyond morality or I would probably get "the lawfulls" or even "the goods" from what I am about to do.
Anyone in the unlikely assemblage whom you would consider a particularly attractive recruitment target? Unfortunately, I think Mr. Empyreal Lord is out of my league, for now at least.
Greetings, mighty Sphinx, Great to meet you in person.
From the fact that you have a sense of humour, I infer that you do not worship Areshkagal? Most excellent, people who believe that they are nothing but "grains of sand" would be out of their depths against what we are about to face!
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At her side, lightly toying with a wand is a boy , young in age, but strongly capable it seems. Strangely, he doesn't seem interested in the divine beings present and seems to sit patiently waiting. He appears to have drawings upon his skin but it is difficult to guess if they are tattoos or not. They seem quite childish and seem to depict important figures as cartoon-like representations. His head is shaved except for a mohawk that has recently lost its hardness.
Around the back of the mage's neck also is a tiny dragon. One would guess at first from its appearance it is a pseudodragon, but they'd be wrong if they didn't know their dragons. By all appearances, he is a Great Wurm Time Dragon, miniaturized. It sits regally, as one would expect a mighty dragon of old. Its eyes are fixed upon those in the center of the room as if an equal. At its tail, it bears a blade as well as a stinger and its scales seem to not conform to time; bending and crackling with age before being born anew.
At the mage's foot, is a Hag's Eye slime, gently adhering to her bare leg at the base of the dress with its suction and seemingly doesn't move. The slime itself is very difficult to see and is nearly invisible.
As the great ones speak, the wizard clasps her hands folded into each other up by her mouth in a stance that seems to exude patience and a willingness to be silent and studious. As she is looked toward, she moves slowly forward, indicating to the slime to climb up to her backpack that rests on her shoulders. It rolls and suctions its way up on top of it and rests there.
Britta will curtsy as best she can, but says nothing yet. Although a stranger here, and not invited, she saw this event and knows she will be accepted already. How she arrived, no-one there except perhaps those divine would know.
Her eyes settle on no one in particular, but at one moment early on, she is seen glancing at the ravishing succubus for merely a moment. Even she feels the lust at seeing her and her seductive master, although it is out of jealousy for wishing she had the same beauty. Such feelings fade away as Britta holds her thoughts captive and realizes she already is fantastically beautiful without adornments or sexy outfits.
After no one has spoken, and they are asked to reveal reservations, she takes her opportunity.
"Well...I must say," she speaks in a happy, youthful manner but with respect in her tone, "I have reservations working with some of those assembled, as I'm sure you will have anticipated. Some more than others...," she states without looking to anyone but Korada. "I do not need to speak for you to know this. It seems death and destruction is what is asked for here, not to mention cooperation. However, cooperation alone could put at risk the damnation of souls. My soul is my own and I'd prefer to keep it that way. I do not need to go further. I'm certain you've forseen this and in your great wisdom, have a way those of us here can continue together."
Dearest Lady,
As a likely source for your concerns, I for one deem your concerns to be completely reasonable and legitimate.
I am fully prepared to offer a mutual pledge, in front and in the name of an Emypreal Lord and in the name of my liege Lady Shamira, to the affect of vowing to respect and within reason defend each others lives, possessions, dignities, freedoms and secrets, for the duration of our quest and a decent interval thereafter, provided everyone else vows the same in the same manner.
Additional pledges concerning the provisions of profane gifts by me can also be made, to the effect of me pledging to abstain from using a profane gift contrary to the gifted person free will for the aforementioned duration.
Merely the existence of a profane gift does not condemn a soul to the Abyss, there are as a matter of fact several precedent cases in Pharasmas court, where that has been disproven.
The exception being if the soul in question wants to go to the Abyss, perhaps because it would end up in Abbadon or Hell otherwise, in this case, a profane gift can "cancel out" an infernal contract or Daemonic pact. Typically resulting in trial by combat between the gift giver on one side, and her equivalent on the other side, with the petioner being free to intervene on either side. I am 8:0 in these.
"My name is Britta, and I thank you for your view and opinions on judgment, but I will rely on the intentions of Korada as to what is permitted in our alliance, not your word. Many apologies, but for now, I would appreciate if negotiations occur outside the realm of the mind and in the presence of these here."
It then seems like all communication is ceased and the link resisted with Britta's own link to the succubus rescinded. The mage seems to have no indication on her face that she was bothered by the intrusion. Her eyes don't even travel to the succubus and still remain focused on the Empyrean Lord as they briefly converse. Despite her mental capability, she seemed to not have resisted the initial incoming mode of conversation, as if she could discern it from an attack, and didn't even lose a step in her words. In any case, she doesn't seem swayed to engage in discussion outside of the negotiations.
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It was several days before the meeting, Sabrina was walking the halls of her newly constructed Fortress at the edge of the Worldwound.
she makes her way to a small shrine and kneels. father, mother, the world has changed much. I have rebuilt our home. the armies are slowly coming back together. stronger than they were in years past. But, I have been having visions, dreams. something sinister approaches. I fear I must go to battle once more.
she spends some time in silent reflection and prayer to her patron, Iomedae.
As she prays a light emerges from behind her, It is time Sabrina, a new war is upon us. Iomedae has chosen you to represent her in this endeavor. the female voice echoes from behind her.
Sabrina nods, I know. she says in reply. She then rises and turns to face the Hand of the Inheritor. Thank you my queen she says, respecting that Iomedae's herald was also once her queen, Galfrey, Crusader queen of Mendev.
Your sword is ready Lady Sabrina.[b] the heard says as she pulls a blade from her halo of blades and hands it to Sabrina.
Sabrina takes the blade [b]Claíomh Solais, Once known as Radiance, the blade of our family; I never believed that this blade would be needed again. Thank you for keeping it, and thank you for deeming me worthy once again. She takes the blade and tests its balance and remembers the feel of its weight in her hands.
The herald vanishes and Sabrina sheathes the sword and leaves the shrine.
Sabrina takes in each of the others in the room. her eyes stop at the succubus. a look of pain is in her eyes, or perhaps a touch of hatred that she suppresses for the needs of the world.
Iomedae has chosen me to represent her in this endeavor at the request of you, my lords. I shall, as was mentioned, reserve questions until after we are ware of the extent of the mission we must undertake.
Radamare is also present, having arrived in the flesh this time via an astral plane shift and her innate teleportation. The dark-haired azata knight is clad in blue silk embroidered with brilliant red roses, having laid aside her armor for this conference, and her sword is not lying bare on her knees but sheathed at her side. Lastly, she has veiled her eyes once more - it being considered impolite in some quarters to subject a diplomatic conference to a gaze attack, even if none of those gathered would possibly be in any mortal danger from it.
Light still wells through the fabric, but it is dimmed and obscured and carries no holy dread.
Now, behind the veil, Radamare's eyes flick between the other gathered attendants. The mysterious and confident Britta Karan. The legendary paladin of Iomedae, Sabrina De'Foe. The massive and powerful sphinx Rahlmaat. The strikingly lovely succubus Liliyashanina and her mistress whose profane beauty beggars description. And the undead Gathroc, whose past and motives remain a complete enigma.
"I have come from the courts of paradise to lend my aid as well. And for my part I agree with the magnificent sphinx. I will ask no questions until we have heard what you have to say about the threat that confronts us and the task ahead. I would like to hear that first before discussing anything else."
She smiles in Britta's direction.
"But I also agree that after you have spoken, our first topic among ourselves should be not strategy, but trust. It will matter very little how well we may lay any of our other plans unless we can trust one another to faithfully carry them out. We should address that head on as our first task. Other things can follow afterward."
Hearing details of the threat first might, Radamare suspects, serve to focus all gathered on cooperation.
Deeming it likely that the Paladin would rebuff any telepathic communication, she still telepathically reaches out to the Azata,
looking her straight into the eye.
Greetings Radamare,
we may have some additional common interests concerning messing with the infernals.
Have their "authorities" put a bounty on your lovely head as well?
Concerning issues of trust Liliya speaks with a clear voice,
My Liege-Lady has chosen me as her representative in part because I am rather atypical for a high ranking Demoness in multiple ways, and cooperating with me could thus perhaps be more palatable.
Pausing for a moment, Liliya continues.
For a start, Attempts to discern my alignment do not return results, and neither Paladin nor Antipaladin nor hellknight can smite me.
It is my educated guess that a Protean capable of smiting law cannot smite me either, but this has not been tried in practice, owing in part to a lack of interest in the affairs of the Maelstrom on my part.
I am also unaffected by for example the lawfullness associated with operating in hell against its wishes, and can thus operate on my full capacity in any of the major planes without requireing specific planar adaptation due to alignment differences.
Subtly adjusting her posture towards Lady Sabrina, Liliya goes on.
As a trust building measure, I am ready to proof my "unsmiteableness" to interested parties following initial talks.
Liliya continues before looking directly at Korada.
If I may ask thee for a small favor in return? I am aware of a spell called "Bestow grace of the champion" that endows a target, provided it is of the "correct" alignment, with the ability to utilize her grace and charisma defensively, and which also endows a target with the ability to "smite evil" for a very short time.
I do not yet fully understand my own abilities as they manifested rather recently in the context of fatally interrupting a high powered infernal ritual. I would very much be interested in knowing if this spell would "work" if cast upon me.
The veil masks Radamare's expression as Liliya reaches out.
~I expect they are biding their time, at least until they have allowed me to help address this other problem. Longer, maybe. I hear you are on less than friendly terms with the Ninefold Pit yourself.~
Radamare hears a coy chuckle in his mind.
~Once I am done with the Qlippoth invasion, I plan on pranking hell so hard Doloras will upgrade my bounty to a major favor.~
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Rahlmaat's smile quickly turns to an imperious frown.
Rahlmaat's mental tone suddenly goes calm, all traces of her former vitriol vanishing. But you likely knew that already. What an interesting choice of icebreakers. I wonder, are you testing me, or trying to puzzle me out?
The huge sphinx looks around on the assembled group. "I am not yet certain whether or not to be disappointed in some of you," she says quietly. "You know the threat before us. You should know that even the most soul-hungry of this company would have enough sense of self-preservation not to jeopardize our chances of resolving the Qlippoth situation to satisfy their hungers. Do you so lack confidence in your own conviction to your principles that you fear for your soul for mere association with others? Did Sarenrae require of Asmodeus a binding geas before going into battle against Rovagug?"
She sniffs dismissively. "If you had not already puzzled this out for yourselves, I am not certain you will be of much assistance in this situation."
Liliya eyes Rahlmaats frown with considerable interest.
To your question, both of course and as you know.
Further, given the relative frequency of becoming a demon lord by killing a demon lord, which is you also know is far from an unprecedented event in demonology, we may well have joint interests even after dealing with the Qlippoth.
Taking on Areshkagal in her own domain is beyond our current combined capabilies as individuals, even taking into account pledged resources and vasalls, however...
Liliya subtly turns her head towards Shamira, but at an angle where this movement is only visible to Rahlmaat
It is in the interests of the midnight isles to show that Lady Nocticulas relocation did not eliminate our capabalities in terms of contributing to the regulation of the annoying demon lord population, but this is very much a secondary or more accurately tertiary concern to dealing with the Qlippoth. I do not say this to convince you into allying with me or Lady Shamira in the future, although this would be a beneficial outcome, I say this to demonstrate that both I and her have incentives to be highly cooperative, even past the context of the Qlippoth threat.
You would of course be foolish to simply belief our words, but our incentives are often good predictors of even our highly chaotic behaviour.
As her head turns back to Rahlmaat in the same barely perceptible fashion.
Plotting aside, I will not insult your intelligence by pretending to not be a constantly plotting conniving piece of work.
My genuine thanks for your public words.
They would not be effective if they came from me.
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Radamare's veiled gaze slides to the sphinx, and she speaks again, seeming to decide that it is necessary to say outright what she had earlier left as an unspoken implication.
"Then let us hear what the lord of the Open Hand and the lady of the Ardent Dream would tell us of this threat, of our hopes for defeating it and the mission for which we are gathered, and of the consequences of failure, that all of us may plainly hear and grasp what is at stake should we not find a way to cooperate."
Rahlmaat leaves a slight pause between thoughts to indicate a change of topic. I have as much interest in not being overwhelmed by Qlippoth as you. I would have thought beings such as those assembled here would recognize the need to band together in spite of our... varied differences of philosophy. And that they would have recognized the uselessness of expecting each other not to plot the whole time so long as it does not threaten our success.
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"Well, lots of lovely talk and discussion." Korada chimes in with a smile, looking between Rahlmaat and Radamare for a few moments before speaking again. "Considering well, I'm not privy to the entire extent of the damage the Quipploth have managed... I'll leave the discussion of the threat to Shamira. I can attest that her words are true, however, due to the fact that I have been to the Abyss and seen how genuinely concerned many of the most powerful demons seem to be."
Gesturing to Shamira, she gave a nod and let out a small sigh. Her tail came from where it had been under her dress, carrying with it a scroll. Accepting it, it's hard to tell what exactly it's made from besides that it's some kind of leather. With transmutation and divination magic coming off of it. Placing it down, she rolled it out, stretching past what it should. It seems like a map, a map of the Abyss itself, a twisting labyrinth of caves and rifts marking the shell of the plane themselves. With trailing off tunnels leading further out.
"I'll start off with the simplest bit of information... We have no clue how this is happening!" She started off with a cheery tone, despite the fact that the subject was not a good one. "As far as anyone is concerned, this should be impossible. The Abyss hasn't produced new Qlippoths since the first Demon was produced. The only way they get made is when someone directly makes them, and there's no way anyone, even say Yamasoth, could directly make this any. Yamasoth's been a menace this entire time, but he's not responsible."
One finger jabbed down, at the tunnels trailing off into nothingness. "They're coming from below. Most quipploth hide in the absolute depths of the Abyss, but we always assumed there was only a finite supply left. That cannot be the case, considering if there were this many during the first war, they'd have beaten us. Something has to have changed, deep in the depths of the Abyss itself. There are some running theories as to what, ranging from something creating a stable path to the theorized outer shell of the Outer Planes, to some long-forgotten god waking up."
Bringing her finger up, she pointed it to everyone in the group. "This is where you all come in. To put it bluntly, you're strong, but not too strong. Sure each one of you is notable, but in terms of true planar power, you're not at the point where people can just... sense you over great distances. That's the reason why you're being sent. Anyone too powerful would attack Qipploth in droves, and not be able to get deep enough to figure out the source. If it's possible to close the source, then great. If not, well, a plane shift should be able to get you back with the information so we can get a new plan going."
Straightening up and flicking a bit of hair over her shoulder, she looked at everyone in turn before speaking.
My Liege-Lady,
Sphinx and Azata are on board with cooperation against the Qlippoth, Sphinx is already considering possibility of further cooperation with us at later points in time against possible common adversaries.
Paladin likely considers herself an ill fit for a diplomatic table, thus very caged and wary, ?Wizard-analogue? is highly suspicious of us, has to in my opinion, on account of absence of direct divine sponsors.
No idea of the undead one yet.
Wizard analoge presumably requires actionable assurances from Lord Korada, uncertain if she is aware of the varying degrees of which a freely given Blood Oath is binding to a Demon will raise possibility of discussing such with Korada.
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Rahlmaat was... almost disappointed. There was no information beyond what she'd already gathered herself here. Well, perhaps Shamira was simply establishing a baseline. It seemed like there was more she was going to say.
"It is a rather useful state of being to be at, yes," she agrees aloud, before giving Shamira an anticipatory look, questioning if there is more.
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Her eyes travel with interest to Shamira as she speaks. Her words send a chill down Britta's spine. Not for fear, but at how well-spoken and alluring she is. If it were not for her gaining Britta's help, she could see how hard it would be for a normal mortal to resist her. It almost distracts Britta from what the abyssal leader is saying. Thankfully, her mind catches up and she follows along. As Shamira finishes, Britta will run her hands through the hair of the boy sitting near to her.
"I am here to help. Let there be no doubt on that front. I was perfectly comfortable at home. I came here for this reason. I ask what I have not only for myself but for those others here. I suppose the reasoning for even bringing up a subject is that yes, I understand I'm susceptible to temptation and evil. I'm not so foolish to think I'm not. I'm here voluntarily, and I could easily return home to my comfortable chaise lounge and enjoy iced cream until my eventual death by the hands of the Qlippoths, but I'm here. I want to make a difference, but I also worry about myself when I'm next to a succubus all day and night. I worry about the corruption of my heart living in a desecration zone and searching the depths of the abyss among the undead. I'll do it, as I said, I'm here. I'm willing to work with this team, but I was wanting some degree of forgiveness should I screw up..."
"I think this goes for both sides. If someone who has lived an evil life and is determined to consume and corrupt souls decides to change or maybe does some acts counter to what they normally would do, I would even ask forgiveness for this from their overlords. Typically, beings like us don't tend to work well together because we come from such diametrically opposed views. I think that needs to be addressed and I don't think it's divisive to bring it up."
Speaking openly for the first time, in a surprisingly gentle voice, Liliya awnswers looking at Britta with a perhaps surprising degree of understanding.
I fully understand your concerns,
I am willing to offer a blood oath upon my mythic power, in Lady Shamira's, Lord Korada's and Lady Calistria's name, to the effect that I shall, for the duration of joint operations against the Qlippoth and a decent intervall of a year and a day thereafter, respect and within reason protect the lifes, the possessions, the secrets, the dignities and the freedoms of those where who would offer the same oath in the same terms.
With violations arising from the suspension of free will due to hostile action being the only acceptable excuse.
If any party were to violate this pledge, all 3 named entities would become aware of the violation and would be strongly inclined to consider this an insult to them. Calistria in particular is a force to be reckoned with throughout the multiverse, very strongly dislikes Qlippoths, and takes vengeance incredibly seriously.
Turning towards Lord Korada
Perhaps I may avail myself of your good offices to explain to the assembly how blood oaths work? Several of my esteeemed colleagues would have reasonable grounds to distrust my claims.
It is good and fully understandable that you mistrust,
I would do the same where our roles reversed.
You are clearly a sensual human individual, who is not implicitly protected by a direct association with a full blown deity as Mrs. Radamare and Mrs. Sabrina, or by being a Sphinx as Mrs. Rahlmaat,
you not without reason consider yourself to be at particular risk when in my company. In addition, you likely assess that my capabilities exceed those of a more common Succubus by a considerable degree.
If there are terms that could put you at greater ease, I am quite willing to hear them, either telepathically or verbally.
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Sabrina has been quiet but attentive. Though not privy nor aware of telepathic conversations., she considers the situation.
I have sworn an oath before my patron to put an end to the forces of the Abyss that infect the lands of the material plane. I have also sworn to that same patron to aid in this endeavor. As such I accept your oath and offer the same in the name of Iomedae I shall do my best to preserve the life and possessions and secrets of all gathered here.
Her face bears many burdens and making this pledge was not taken lightly.
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Shamira gives Rahlmaat a slightly mischievous smile, recognizing what she wanted. But not giving it yet, as Korada needed to step forward and begin his explanation of what a Blood Oath is. Clasping his hands behind his back, he put a slightly humorous scholarly tone to his voice before speaking. "But of course dear. A blood oath is what it sounds like at first glance. An agreement made in the name of an entity more powerful than oneself. The entity in question has to care about the said oath, as it serves as the adjudicator for it."
"Infernal contracts are an example of a Blood Oath being misused. Usually putting it in the name of multiple entities is done to prevent any dishonest behavior, but devils don't do that. The action of taking a blood oath in of itself does not taint someone's soul, though it's a slightly lawful action due to its very nature. However, due to the fact that multiple chaotic entities are taking part, everything would balance out."
His eyes turned to Britta, and he spoke again. "Furthermore, if it'll make you feel more comfortable, I can get you records of several different people who went through similar circumstances. In the history of the planes, there have been instances where good and evil have had to align for some greater goal. The Boneyard understands extreme circumstances, and as long as you aren't performing evil actions, your soul will be fine. You shine far too bright for the passive corruption of the Abyss to touch either way."
Shamira decided to chime in as Korada stopped speaking. "Also, just a reminder of the actual stakes. If this doesn't stop, these qlippoth may overwhelm the entirety of the Abyss. And start spilling out into the rest of the planes. While this actually isn't as big of an issue as you might think, as they don't have any proper deities of their own to bolster their numbers... They may make it to the Material Plane, and Golarion. Where they DO have a diety trapped within the world. And I don't think any of us want the apocalypse coming around."
"As for details on the plan to get you down there, those will wait till after everyone's in agreement. I rather not share this with anyone who's not going to be going down there."
Liliya intensily eyes Gathroc, her eyes clearly searching and analyzing heraldry, weaponry and likely capabiltiies.
Hmm, do you think the undead hellknight is an Asmodean "hello there" to you, Doloras's "hello there" to me or both? Coloration implies Asmodeus, fondness for chains and spikes implies Doloras.
"If you will be our adjudicator, I will take a blood oath," she states to Korada in a manner that shows interest, but not so much that she thinks it's necessary. Almost like she understands it could be a pointless measure but is agreeing to it for the purposes of teamwork and assurance to the minds of those here. His words concerning the Boneyard most certainly set aside her fears, mostly that they are words coming from an Empyrean Lord of Forgiveness. As of right now, he is the only one she trusts there.
She then looks to the boy whose hair she toys with and states, "When that happens, you are not to do anything." Nodding, the boy goes back to fiddling with his wand and the floor of the meeting place.
Excitedly, as though things are finally agreed to, she exclaims in a soft tone with rising inflections, "We have the most wonderful assortment of beings from around...well...many places," she mid-sentence corrects herself as if she was going to say something else. "I am truly interested in the unique opportunity this presents and look forward to working with you all. You can call me Britta."
May I propose the following formulation?
Liliya speaks without actually shedding her blood yet.
Eying Britta somewhat sceptically, apparently somewhat confused by her rejection of telepathic communications, before refocusing on Gathroc.
Whom she apparently regards as an unknown entity.
I, "insert name and relevant titles here", hereby,
by my blood and my power, in the names of Lady Shamira, Lord Korada and Lady Calistria, pledge to respect and within reason protect the lifes, the freedoms, the possessions, the dignities and the secrets of those who pledge with me in this matter, for the duration of join operations against the Qlippoth and a decent intervall of a year and a day thereafter.
Suspension of free will by hostile third parties being the only excuse for violation.
Doing her own interpretation of a scholarly explanation, she continues.
As to specific terms and their reason, "within reason protect" means for me that I am willing to risk grevious harm including death, should the situation demand it, to protect my allies, but that I cannot be compelled to sacrifice my life.
Nor would I have cause to expect or demand such self sacrifical behaviour from my allies.
The insistence on a decent interval is mostly to remove to risk of a great post victory backstabbening, I have been in one,
it is not a thing I wish to repeat.
Liliya speaks, her left hand absentmindedly touching a faint scar on her throat
The free will clause is to prevent violations due to either side temporarily losing their free will due to hostile actions.
Such a scenario is typically dreadfull enough, and encurring divine punishments on top of this could greatly endanger the success of the mission. I do have various means of removing or overcoming such conditions in others, and am highly resistant to charm and compulsion myself, but I can be effected by such things.
She finishes in a businesslike manner.
"I neither require nor trust such agreements, but if the rest of you would be more at ease were I to enter into it as well, I shall," Rahlmaat states. She shifts positions, laying down more on her side rather than 'sitting' on her haunches to bring her head more on the same level with the rest of the group.
"This is a truly fascinating group. My allusion to the binding of the Rough Beast earlier was quite deliberately chosen. It is not often an... opportunity such as this arrives, for such a disparate group to work together without tearing one another apart."
She looks to Korada and Shamira. "I must wonder just how many steps there are between this attempt and an event like that earlier one, hm? Let us hope that is a riddle we do not need to solve."
Radamare's lips curl as the Hellknight speaks of tools, but she resists saying whatever is on her mind. Instead, she takes a breath and recovers her smile before she speaks again.
"For my part, I must in honesty admit that I am not one to be bound by sworn word. There is no oath mortal or divine that I would not break, and accept the dire consequences, if I had a mind to do so. I will nevertheless give my word if it pleases you, because I do not have a mind to break it."
She pauses for a moment, and the smile grows fierce, showing gleaming teeth.
"More important than sworn oaths, to me at least, is that I have never been a deceiver. The best assurance I can offer, stronger than any promise I could give, is an honest statement of my purpose. I have come to resist the qlippoth, and I intend to be faithful to that cause and to my comrades in arms, however unlikely you may be. I mean to see this through - or if we fail, it will not be because I proved irresolute."
She turns to the Ardent Dream.
"So I am going to be going down there. Now for details. I will be blunt. How badly are you and your allies losing this war? Should we plan to rush, or can we afford to move with, ah... careful speed?"
"And a second question. Some planar scholars have claimed that the Abyss itself has a sentient will and malice, apart from those of its inhabitants. Others disagree. As a nascent demon lord, you seem more likely to know the truth than most. Is it so? And if it is, has that will withdrawn its favor from your kind and favored your enemies? Is it still with you? Is it aloof from the war or reveling equally in the destruction of both sides? I ask so that we might know whether to expect active resistance only from demons, qlippoth, and other creatures of the depths, or also from reality itself."
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Rahlmaat groans, her leonine tail twitching in irritation. "Please spare us the lurid threats. The realistic best case result of us betraying one another is the complete failure of our mission followed by a desperate attempt on the part of the planar powers to stop the Qlippoth before they cause the destruction of Golarion that succeeds. Most other cases involve the destruction of Golarion. In other words, your threat is somewhere between redundant and impossible, and, worse, is tacky."
Liliya chuckles dryly in response to the threat, giving Shamira a long fond glance full of appreciation for her grace, style, poise and wit.
I perceive a possible possibility of combining 2 things I am highly fond off,
pranking hells hierarchy looking at Gathroc
and recruiting capable allies to our cause. eyes wandering at everyone else.
Perhaps reply to the Azata noting the great difficulties we have with getting accurate information from our frontlines?
Well Lord Gathroc,
She speaks to him in a completely polite but somewhat steely matter.
I understand that a position in hell hierachy often obligates one to use threats.
Threats by our respective organizations however are, due to the inclusion of Lady Calistria in the proposed Oath, frankly unneccesarily, as hopefully noone would deem the strength of his organization to be superior in inflicting vengeance compared the Savored Sting?
With a gentle smile, Liliya turns to adressing the assembled group.
Another aspect of the oath would be that such oaths are rather frequent and well understood in the Abyss.
I am a direct representative of Lady Shamira in this, as well as one of her chosen Champions and direct vasalls.
An attack upon me is, if committed by a high ranking Demon, also an attack on her. Due to the oaths nature, an attack on any of you would be an attack on me, and thus by extension her, as well.
While she would not be bound to vengeance or interfering in such a case, very few demons would wish to risk aquiring her as an adversary by offering such insult under current circumstances.
While our group is formidable, confrontations with non Qlippoths are likely to simply be a waste of our limited resources and best be diplomatically avoided.
I belive that the oath should be of assistance with this.
Lady Rahlmaat,
well spoken, in terms of threat-level I would give it a 1/10.
I mean, it is "intriguing" as it would represent a way to fix my demon isles forced labor shortage but that would just be a distraction.
Your question concerning the Abyss is most reasonable and astute.
I suspect that an aspect of the Abyss supports the Qlippoth, perhaps out of fury of Nocticulas relocation? The spirit of the Abyss was always noted for being incredibly possessive.
This is just reasonable speculation on my part.
Which is exactly why there is a non chaotic entity involved who would be quite willing and capable to enforce it.
Liliya says looking most kindly at Lord Korada
On top of Lady Calistria, who is of course reknown throughout the spheres as being just as forgiving and compassionate as Lord Korada is, particularly when it comes to matters of insulting her by flagrantly breaking an oath signed in her name, in front of a Demon Lord and an Empyreal Lord.
Liliya continues with a slight shudder.
In all seriousness though, if you believe that I would willingly publicly antagonise Lady Calistria just to betray thee, an act for which I would gain precisly what in the first place?
Well...
I must applaud your sense of self worth good Sir.
She finishes, literally clapping.
Rahlmaat doesn't bother to meet Gathroc's eyes, instead closing them and sighing. "...you tried to rebut my point with something that's so irrelevant I'd hesitate to even call it a non sequitor."
She opens her eyes and looks to their 'hosts'. "Any chance of swapping him for someone with a brain that's less rotted? If he can't even follow a simple argument I'm not certain if he'll be useful enough to make up for the times he'll get in the way."
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"House Shraen, you say? I would not wish to invoke the wrath of Xul-Varathun upon us."
She then mutters in undercommon briefly to Gathroc:
That is all she states in this odd language. So fluent is her speech that she almost sounds localized to his region. One would expect her any moment to start signing in drow sign language.
"My fellow companions. Let us not get into a debate here in front of these beings over these matters. I brought up my concerns for the voice of others as well as myself. This has been answered most kindly, and now we are friends--brothers and sisters in arms--bound by law upon pain of punishment. We all agree...so let's move on."
The Tien Xia-looking woman steps away from her "child", then recalls the ooze is on her leg. "Go to Ward," she points and the cute little slime goes and suctions up the backside of the boy as he sits on the ground and then remains motionless. Britta will move forward and offer herself for this blood oath.
"Let's get a move on. We don't have all day." she comments in a delightful, joking manner.
Rahlmaat doesn't mention that she's perfectly fluent in Undercommon, as well. Especially since she was done talking with the idiotic graveknight. But which is stronger? The steel, the mind that wields the steel, or the mind that designed the blade? She thinks to herself, then reminds herself she was done thinking about that conversation.
Instead she stands. "Since mutual self-interest is not deemed strong enough, let's get this over with," she states, also stepping forward. "We have to get everything out of the way that would impede our ability to work together if we want to succeed at this."
Radamare, for her part, elects not to mention that the last opponent who attempted to wield Hell-forged steel against her soft, weak flesh lost a large notch out of the head of his axe without so much as scratching her. If he had known more about azata, he probably would have tried cold iron and not steel at all.
If they are to swear their oaths now, she cooperates, and in any case, she asks no more until the two powers have had a chance to answer previous questions. Despite her veil, it's possible to tell where the azata is looking by watching where light wells through the cloth most strongly, and although her eyes do move around the group, ever since he named Hell they come back most often to rest on Gathroc.
If there are no massive objections?
Liliya speaks as she unfurls her wings, lets her claws grow and glides into the center of attention as the Abyssal Apex predator she is.
I, Liliyashanina, Lady of Luralune, Champion of the ardent dream, Vanquisher of the Malebranche Mussolini and Hero of the Soviet Union, hereby, by my blood and my power, in the names of Lady Shamira, Lord Korada and Lady Calistria,
Cutting her own wrist, with her claws, shedding several drops of blood, one of which immidiatly catches fire as Shamira extend as a small nod, an one which disappears into a mote of light and Lord Korada smiles.
pledge to respect and within reason protect the lifes, the freedoms, the possessions, the dignities and the secrets of those who pledge with me in this matter, for the duration of join operations against the Qlippoth and a decent intervall of a year and a day thereafter.
Suspension of free will by hostile third parties being the only excuse for violation.
Before falling to the ground, a third drop of her blood assumes the shape of a wasp, and flies, circling her thrice with apparent interest.
The vow being concluded, Liliya directly adresses the still lingering wasp made of her own blood.
Dearest Savored sting,
does your most welcome presence imply I am invited to your parties again? After we defeat the Qlippoths maybe?
The wasp settles on her shoulder and nods before disappearing.
With almost childlike enthusiams Liliya exclaims.
Well comrades, that does it, Liliyashanina, now officially the most motivated Succubus ever, at your service.
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At his mention, Lord Korada just gives Gathroc a smile and a wave. As if stating yes, he existed, and yes, he'd enforce the oath. Though considering his peaceful ways, his method of enforcing said oath would likely be extremely odd. Probably involve a lot of nagging, perhaps some pranks, who knows exactly what the Lord of the Open Hand would do if you disappointed him.
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Rahlmaat waits until the succubus is done, then looks down. "This will be easier with thumbs," she states.
She takes a couple more steps forward, rearing up on her hind legs as she does so. Swiftly she she shrinks down, her body changing from that of a sphinx to that of a particularly tall, muscular, lioness-like catfolk. She draws a dagger from a small sheathe that appeared at her side and pricks her thumb, then squeezes three drops of blood out.
"I, Rahlmaat, hereby, by my blood and my power, in the names of Lady Shamira, Lord Korada and Lady Calistria, pledge to respect and within reason protect the lifes, the freedoms, the possessions, the dignities and the secrets of those who pledge with me in this matter, for the duration of join operations against the Qlippoth and a decent interval of a year and a day thereafter. Suspension of free will by hostile third parties being the only excuse for violation."
She sheathes the dagger and looks to Shamira. "Do you have more information to share now, or is it time for questions? I am particularly interested in knowing if there are any patterns to what divinations about this situation are blocked. Sometimes what your enemy defends and how they defend it reveal as much as what they try to keep from you."
Radamare strides forward after the sphinx and draws back the right sleeve of her silken garment, momentarily revealing seriously scarred skin. Taking up the knife provided for the purpose in her left hand, she drives it hard into her forearm.
Much like hell-forged steel, the blade rings and springs back notched, but it leaves a thin red line from which a few drops of blood can be coaxed. She swears the oath in similar fashion and with similar wording as Liliya and Rahlmaat.
Britta can be seen curling up the long sleeve of her dress to clear it away from any blood that would get upon it. She too cuts herself and the boy "Ward" perks up at the sight, but then settles down as he has had his orders. A similar amount to what was initially offered by the succubus comes out and she then retreats back to where she was standing after reciting the same. After seeing Radamare jab herself with the dagger, she stores away some jokes on how thick the woman's skin is for later.
"We are ready. Have you a mind of where we should head first to deal with this?"