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<blockquote data-quote="Cheiromancer" data-source="post: 1029469" data-attributes="member: 141"><p><strong>Trial Interrupted and Another Crazy Plan from Mostin</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 05-16-2002</em></p><p></p><p>After the preliminary hearing in the trial, Mostin used the mirror again to access Mulissu’s demi-plane.</p><p></p><p>"This is becoming tedious, Mostin," the Elemental Savant said to him. "This is the third time you have interrupted my contemplation. I resent your nagging. And now you ask me to work magic for you?’</p><p>"You have met her, and I have not," Mostin said. "I cannot use the spell."</p><p>"And I do not have the spell," Mulissu replied.</p><p>"Then we may make fair exchange," said Mostin, smugly.</p><p>"That will involve taking a full day from my studies," Mulissu complained. "Time is precious to me."</p><p>"It is crucial to me," Mostin said. "Please?"</p><p>"Very well," she sighed. "Leave your book here. I will look after dinner."</p><p>"Are you insane?" Mostin asked. "Leave my book with you? My most potent dweomers are in that book!"</p><p>Mulissu raised a single eyebrow, and her hair crackled with electricity. Mostin left his book and fled back through the gate.</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>The next day of the trial was little better for Eadric.</p><p>"Let us return to the matter of the demon Cerothumulos," Melion said.</p><p>The Bishop of Tyndur looked uncomfortable.</p><p>"This demon was potent," Melion continued. "A Nalfeshnee who had assumed the guise of a stone giant."</p><p>"That is correct," Eadric replied, "the Bishop had engaged him in the construction of the new fane at Tyndur."</p><p>"He was attended by several succubi, who infiltrated the church," Melion said. "You demonstrated no reluctance in destroying these creatures. Why did the succubus Nehael strike you as any different?"</p><p>"I felt that her case was the exception, not the rule," Eadric replied.</p><p>"Did it occur to you that it is utterly beyond your remit to make a judgement about the desire of a fiend to seek repentance? Beyond any mortal intervention, in fact. Did you consider that this is a matter for celestials and Oronthon himself?"</p><p>"I sought the advice of Cynric," Eadric said.</p><p>"Eventually," Rede of Dramore laughed. "After using witchcraft in an attempt to contact Oronthon. Would you consider this to be the correct procedure?"</p><p>"I felt that it was justified."</p><p>"Nehael was dispatched because of the offense you gave the demon Graz’zt after the defeat of Cerothumulos," Melion continued.</p><p>"Yes," Eadric said.</p><p>"In an attempt to drag you from grace, to offend the church, to cause a crisis of faith, to scandalize the Temple and to cause as much mayhem as possible. Would you say that her efforts have been successful?"</p><p>"With your help, they might be," Eadric said acidly.</p><p>Melion seethed, but it was Hethio who spoke. The bishop produced a small locket, with the miniature of a beautiful woman inside of it.</p><p>"Do you know who this is, Baronet Deorham?" he asked.</p><p>"That is Despina – the succubus Nehael, if you prefer."</p><p>"No," said the Bishop of Hethio, "this IS Lady Despina of Harcourt. Her father is the Thane of Harcourt. She has two sisters. Where do you suppose she is now?"</p><p>Eadric’s stomach sank. He hadn’t even considered this possibility, that the demoness had replaced a genuine noblewoman. He’d never thought to ask. He wondered what the real Despina had been like. "I would guess that she was murdered," he said grimly.</p><p>"Fortunately not," Hethio replied, with mock brightness. "She is still alive and well, and living in Harcourt – such a remote fief, that posing as one from there is unlikely to draw attention. You might have met her one day."</p><p>The bastards, thought Eadric, they’re f*cking with my brain.</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>"Well, at least you didn’t kill her," Ortwin said to Despina.</p><p>"I was tempted," the demoness replied, "she is a vain, empty-headed trollop."</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>"Yesterday," Rede said, "you admitted that you no longer believed that the church was a legitimate channel for Oronthon’s will. I have no interest in trying to fathom your motives for such an assertion, but you must know that this statement alone is sufficient grounds to convict you of heresy."</p><p>Eadric sighed. "Heresy is a politically expedient crime."</p><p>"No," Melion snapped. "Heresy is holding an opinion which is contrary to the truth."</p><p>"That is one interpretation," Eadric retorted. "Another is that heresy is maintaining a viewpoint which defies dogma."</p><p>"They are one and the same," Melion asserted.</p><p>"Not since Cynric’s death," Eadric replied smoothly.</p><p>"I will not tolerate this insubordination!" Melion spat. "You will answer the questions put to you. I am not interested in your uninformed theories. You are a layman."</p><p>Eadric said nothing.</p><p></p><p>"Would you concur that your brother is a heretic?" Hethio asked calmly.</p><p>"His opinions defy Orthodox dogma. Yes, he is a heretic."</p><p>"And his opinions are contrary to the truth," Melion said.</p><p>Eadric said nothing.</p><p></p><p>"What transpired in your final meeting with his holiness?" Hethio asked.</p><p>Eadric laughed. "The Curia were not present for a reason."</p><p>"Remember: the Curia are now the voice of Oronthon on Earth," Rede said slowly. "Whatever doubts you may have possessed in the past, you may now put aside. You may reveal the conversation."</p><p>"Cynric told me that I was on my own," Eadric replied.</p><p>"But he did not sanction any particular course of action," Melion probed.</p><p>"No," said Eadric, "but nor did he forbid any."</p><p>"Would you say that Cynric was in full possession of his faculties?" Hethio inquired.</p><p>"Yes," replied Eadric.</p><p>"But I remember him saying ‘Not everything is revealed to me’ – I was present at the initial hearing, if you recall. Do you believe that Oronthon’s grace was withdrawn from him?"</p><p>"No." Eadric was adamant.</p><p>"Despite the fact that he was not assumed?* That he perished under sorcery?"</p><p>"No." </p><p>"What else did he say?" Melion asked.</p><p>Eadric smiled. "He said ‘I can give you no help in this matter. You are correct when you speak of inner promptings – not that I’d say it in front of those others. After all, it IS the road to heresy - at least among the unenlightened.’"</p><p></p><p>Melion swallowed hard, and called for an immediate recess.</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>An emergency meeting of the Curia was convened, and Eadric was not called into the court for another two days. In his cell, he prayed.</p><p></p><p>During this time, Mostin made yet another journey to confer with Mulissu. She was, on this occasion, surprisingly affable.</p><p></p><p>"What is this ‘Metagnostic Inquiry?’" The Savant asked, holding his book.</p><p>"It is most rude to consult another mage’s books without their permission," Mostin fumed.</p><p>"Would you not have done the same?" Mulissu asked.</p><p>Mostin had to admit that he would. "Did you transcribe and master the ‘Discern Location’ dweomer?" he asked.</p><p>"Naturally," she replied. "But I did not realise that you possessed so many originals. ‘Metempsychotic Reversal?’ ‘Paroxysm of Fire?’ Please understand that I was merely browsing. I have gained a new respect for you, Mostin."</p><p>The Alienist puffed proudly. He knew she was buttering him up, but compliments were always appreciated.</p><p>"Perhaps more exchanges would be possible," Mulissu suggested.</p><p>"Yes," said Mostin, snatching his spellbook and dropping it into his portable hole.</p><p></p><p>The Witch sighed. "Feezuu is on the plane of Limbo," she said. "I took the liberty of casting the spell. She is at these coordinates."</p><p>Mulissu invoked Rary’s Telepathic Bond, and a stream of numbers and formulae flooded into Mostin’s brain.</p><p>"Notice this variable, here," Mulissu pointed to a complex equation. "This represents the probability of Feezuu’s domain being in a certain area. If you translate, you need to consider that location itself is not a constant on Limbo."</p><p>"Domain?" Mostin asked.</p><p>"She has a retreat there," Mulissu replied. "Perhaps, as a Cambion, she is not always welcome in the Abyss."</p><p></p><p>Mostin thought hard for a moment. "What are her relations with the Slaadi?" He asked.</p><p>The Witch shrugged. "I have no idea," she said.</p><p>"Did you scry her?" Mostin asked.</p><p>"She is warded," Mulissu said, "but her fortress looks like THIS."</p><p>An image appeared in Mostin’s mind. </p><p>"Gods," he said, "what’s it made of?"</p><p>"Blood, I think," Mulissu replied.</p><p>Charming, thought Mostin.</p><p>"What are you planning to do, Mostin?" Mulissu asked.</p><p>"I’m not sure yet," the Alienist answered.</p><p>"She is dangerous," the witch cautioned him.</p><p>"And beyond me," Mostin nodded.</p><p>Mulissu laughed. "Maybe, in a straight fight. But I’m assuming you’d cheat. What’s the biggest evocation you can deliver?"</p><p>"Against a Cambion? Sonically Substituted Maximized Empowered Lightning Bolt."</p><p>"Not bad," Mulissu said. "Sonics, eh?"</p><p>"It pays when you’re dealing with outsiders," Mostin said.</p><p>"How many of those can you get off?"</p><p>"One," said Mostin.</p><p>"Hmm, it’ll take more than that," Mulissu said.</p><p>"I know," Mostin sighed.</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>"No frikkin’ way," Ortwin said.</p><p>"I’ve got it all planned," Mostin explained. "We buff up, and assume the forms of Barbazu devils. We use the mirror to get to Limbo. We ‘Teleport without Error’ into the castle. I whack her with some spells, and if she’s still standing, you chop her up. We ‘Teleport’ out and use the gate to get back, quick smart, before her lackeys are onto us."</p><p>"Why the devil part?" Nwm asked.</p><p></p><p>"Barbazu have great spell resistance, and it preserves anonymity," Mostin said. "They can also teleport perfectly without my having to use spells." </p><p>"What spells did you have in mind to ‘whack her’ with," Nwm inquired.</p><p>"Quickened ‘Magic Missile’, ‘Disintegrate’, and ‘Great Shout’. If we’re hasted, and we get the jump, I can get them all off before she can react. Ortwin zaps her with my ‘Circlet of Blasting.’ If she’s still standing, she’ll probably be stunned from the sonic – as will at least some of her cronies. That’s when Ortwin finishes her off. If he takes longer than five seconds then, a) I’ll be disappointed in him and, b) I’ll whack her with two sonically substituted maximized ‘Lightning Bolts’ and another quickened ‘Magic Missile’. If that doesn’t finish her off, then I’m changing my vocation."</p><p></p><p>"Sounds reasonable," said Nwm.</p><p>Ortwin groaned. "You cannot be serious," he said.</p><p>"You must admit, given the method of Cynric’s death, this does have a certain symmetry to it," Despina said.</p><p>"I thought you said we couldn’t take her without Ed," Ortwin said.</p><p>"I reconsidered," said Mostin.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>*Cynric was the first Archbishop not to undergo a bodily assumption into heaven at his death.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cheiromancer, post: 1029469, member: 141"] [b]Trial Interrupted and Another Crazy Plan from Mostin[/b] [i]Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 05-16-2002[/i] After the preliminary hearing in the trial, Mostin used the mirror again to access Mulissu’s demi-plane. "This is becoming tedious, Mostin," the Elemental Savant said to him. "This is the third time you have interrupted my contemplation. I resent your nagging. And now you ask me to work magic for you?’ "You have met her, and I have not," Mostin said. "I cannot use the spell." "And I do not have the spell," Mulissu replied. "Then we may make fair exchange," said Mostin, smugly. "That will involve taking a full day from my studies," Mulissu complained. "Time is precious to me." "It is crucial to me," Mostin said. "Please?" "Very well," she sighed. "Leave your book here. I will look after dinner." "Are you insane?" Mostin asked. "Leave my book with you? My most potent dweomers are in that book!" Mulissu raised a single eyebrow, and her hair crackled with electricity. Mostin left his book and fled back through the gate. ** The next day of the trial was little better for Eadric. "Let us return to the matter of the demon Cerothumulos," Melion said. The Bishop of Tyndur looked uncomfortable. "This demon was potent," Melion continued. "A Nalfeshnee who had assumed the guise of a stone giant." "That is correct," Eadric replied, "the Bishop had engaged him in the construction of the new fane at Tyndur." "He was attended by several succubi, who infiltrated the church," Melion said. "You demonstrated no reluctance in destroying these creatures. Why did the succubus Nehael strike you as any different?" "I felt that her case was the exception, not the rule," Eadric replied. "Did it occur to you that it is utterly beyond your remit to make a judgement about the desire of a fiend to seek repentance? Beyond any mortal intervention, in fact. Did you consider that this is a matter for celestials and Oronthon himself?" "I sought the advice of Cynric," Eadric said. "Eventually," Rede of Dramore laughed. "After using witchcraft in an attempt to contact Oronthon. Would you consider this to be the correct procedure?" "I felt that it was justified." "Nehael was dispatched because of the offense you gave the demon Graz’zt after the defeat of Cerothumulos," Melion continued. "Yes," Eadric said. "In an attempt to drag you from grace, to offend the church, to cause a crisis of faith, to scandalize the Temple and to cause as much mayhem as possible. Would you say that her efforts have been successful?" "With your help, they might be," Eadric said acidly. Melion seethed, but it was Hethio who spoke. The bishop produced a small locket, with the miniature of a beautiful woman inside of it. "Do you know who this is, Baronet Deorham?" he asked. "That is Despina – the succubus Nehael, if you prefer." "No," said the Bishop of Hethio, "this IS Lady Despina of Harcourt. Her father is the Thane of Harcourt. She has two sisters. Where do you suppose she is now?" Eadric’s stomach sank. He hadn’t even considered this possibility, that the demoness had replaced a genuine noblewoman. He’d never thought to ask. He wondered what the real Despina had been like. "I would guess that she was murdered," he said grimly. "Fortunately not," Hethio replied, with mock brightness. "She is still alive and well, and living in Harcourt – such a remote fief, that posing as one from there is unlikely to draw attention. You might have met her one day." The bastards, thought Eadric, they’re f*cking with my brain. ** "Well, at least you didn’t kill her," Ortwin said to Despina. "I was tempted," the demoness replied, "she is a vain, empty-headed trollop." ** "Yesterday," Rede said, "you admitted that you no longer believed that the church was a legitimate channel for Oronthon’s will. I have no interest in trying to fathom your motives for such an assertion, but you must know that this statement alone is sufficient grounds to convict you of heresy." Eadric sighed. "Heresy is a politically expedient crime." "No," Melion snapped. "Heresy is holding an opinion which is contrary to the truth." "That is one interpretation," Eadric retorted. "Another is that heresy is maintaining a viewpoint which defies dogma." "They are one and the same," Melion asserted. "Not since Cynric’s death," Eadric replied smoothly. "I will not tolerate this insubordination!" Melion spat. "You will answer the questions put to you. I am not interested in your uninformed theories. You are a layman." Eadric said nothing. "Would you concur that your brother is a heretic?" Hethio asked calmly. "His opinions defy Orthodox dogma. Yes, he is a heretic." "And his opinions are contrary to the truth," Melion said. Eadric said nothing. "What transpired in your final meeting with his holiness?" Hethio asked. Eadric laughed. "The Curia were not present for a reason." "Remember: the Curia are now the voice of Oronthon on Earth," Rede said slowly. "Whatever doubts you may have possessed in the past, you may now put aside. You may reveal the conversation." "Cynric told me that I was on my own," Eadric replied. "But he did not sanction any particular course of action," Melion probed. "No," said Eadric, "but nor did he forbid any." "Would you say that Cynric was in full possession of his faculties?" Hethio inquired. "Yes," replied Eadric. "But I remember him saying ‘Not everything is revealed to me’ – I was present at the initial hearing, if you recall. Do you believe that Oronthon’s grace was withdrawn from him?" "No." Eadric was adamant. "Despite the fact that he was not assumed?* That he perished under sorcery?" "No." "What else did he say?" Melion asked. Eadric smiled. "He said ‘I can give you no help in this matter. You are correct when you speak of inner promptings – not that I’d say it in front of those others. After all, it IS the road to heresy - at least among the unenlightened.’" Melion swallowed hard, and called for an immediate recess. ** An emergency meeting of the Curia was convened, and Eadric was not called into the court for another two days. In his cell, he prayed. During this time, Mostin made yet another journey to confer with Mulissu. She was, on this occasion, surprisingly affable. "What is this ‘Metagnostic Inquiry?’" The Savant asked, holding his book. "It is most rude to consult another mage’s books without their permission," Mostin fumed. "Would you not have done the same?" Mulissu asked. Mostin had to admit that he would. "Did you transcribe and master the ‘Discern Location’ dweomer?" he asked. "Naturally," she replied. "But I did not realise that you possessed so many originals. ‘Metempsychotic Reversal?’ ‘Paroxysm of Fire?’ Please understand that I was merely browsing. I have gained a new respect for you, Mostin." The Alienist puffed proudly. He knew she was buttering him up, but compliments were always appreciated. "Perhaps more exchanges would be possible," Mulissu suggested. "Yes," said Mostin, snatching his spellbook and dropping it into his portable hole. The Witch sighed. "Feezuu is on the plane of Limbo," she said. "I took the liberty of casting the spell. She is at these coordinates." Mulissu invoked Rary’s Telepathic Bond, and a stream of numbers and formulae flooded into Mostin’s brain. "Notice this variable, here," Mulissu pointed to a complex equation. "This represents the probability of Feezuu’s domain being in a certain area. If you translate, you need to consider that location itself is not a constant on Limbo." "Domain?" Mostin asked. "She has a retreat there," Mulissu replied. "Perhaps, as a Cambion, she is not always welcome in the Abyss." Mostin thought hard for a moment. "What are her relations with the Slaadi?" He asked. The Witch shrugged. "I have no idea," she said. "Did you scry her?" Mostin asked. "She is warded," Mulissu said, "but her fortress looks like THIS." An image appeared in Mostin’s mind. "Gods," he said, "what’s it made of?" "Blood, I think," Mulissu replied. Charming, thought Mostin. "What are you planning to do, Mostin?" Mulissu asked. "I’m not sure yet," the Alienist answered. "She is dangerous," the witch cautioned him. "And beyond me," Mostin nodded. Mulissu laughed. "Maybe, in a straight fight. But I’m assuming you’d cheat. What’s the biggest evocation you can deliver?" "Against a Cambion? Sonically Substituted Maximized Empowered Lightning Bolt." "Not bad," Mulissu said. "Sonics, eh?" "It pays when you’re dealing with outsiders," Mostin said. "How many of those can you get off?" "One," said Mostin. "Hmm, it’ll take more than that," Mulissu said. "I know," Mostin sighed. ** "No frikkin’ way," Ortwin said. "I’ve got it all planned," Mostin explained. "We buff up, and assume the forms of Barbazu devils. We use the mirror to get to Limbo. We ‘Teleport without Error’ into the castle. I whack her with some spells, and if she’s still standing, you chop her up. We ‘Teleport’ out and use the gate to get back, quick smart, before her lackeys are onto us." "Why the devil part?" Nwm asked. "Barbazu have great spell resistance, and it preserves anonymity," Mostin said. "They can also teleport perfectly without my having to use spells." "What spells did you have in mind to ‘whack her’ with," Nwm inquired. "Quickened ‘Magic Missile’, ‘Disintegrate’, and ‘Great Shout’. If we’re hasted, and we get the jump, I can get them all off before she can react. Ortwin zaps her with my ‘Circlet of Blasting.’ If she’s still standing, she’ll probably be stunned from the sonic – as will at least some of her cronies. That’s when Ortwin finishes her off. If he takes longer than five seconds then, a) I’ll be disappointed in him and, b) I’ll whack her with two sonically substituted maximized ‘Lightning Bolts’ and another quickened ‘Magic Missile’. If that doesn’t finish her off, then I’m changing my vocation." "Sounds reasonable," said Nwm. Ortwin groaned. "You cannot be serious," he said. "You must admit, given the method of Cynric’s death, this does have a certain symmetry to it," Despina said. "I thought you said we couldn’t take her without Ed," Ortwin said. "I reconsidered," said Mostin. *Cynric was the first Archbishop not to undergo a bodily assumption into heaven at his death. [/QUOTE]
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