>>5625642“Way I see it,” she begins, “I sure as fuck ain’t getting’ in there, but YOU just might…”
“Might?” you interject.
“Yeah, well…” Irinnile trails off, giggling nervously. “He MIGHT have other defences, an’ you still got here through, like, demon-y magic, right? If his defences are too strong, or YOU fuck-up—like, no offence, just sayin’, just sayin’, IF!—then your spirit’s gonna’ be all, like, vulnerable, an’ trapped, an’ away from yoru body, an’ I can’t do shit about none of that.”
Your displeasure deepens.
“ButbutbutbutBUUUUUUUT—BIG but!” Irinnile turns around popping her hips the other way and inflating her astral form’s rear to a pleasantly-jiggling bounciness to seize your attention and emphasize the point. “You give in and give ME a bit more juice, an’ maybe I can use my Greater Demon mojo ta’ crack that open an’ offer you some more protection.”
She looks you up and down appraisingly.
“Maybe make you look less lizardy, too, while we’re at it. Can’t imagine Archy-poo’s gonna’ wanna’ talk shop with you all scaley an’ shit, no offence or whatever.”
You don’t’ exactly like the idea of powering the succubus up, especially when it risks losing any fragment of your divine ‘package’. You look towards the door, and wonder… Is there another option? You are in a realm of dreams, and the Red Dragon King’s immortal souls ‘slumbers’ within you… Maybe you could awaken it in this place, and ally more directly with him, rather than having this unclean spirit siphon his power to wield.
“Heeey, hey now,” irinnile begins warily, floating around to meet you at eye-level. “You really think you can trust that big ol’ stinker more than Aunty Iri? Come on—just ‘cause you can’t, like, literally CONTROL someone with binding magical whatsists doesn’t mean they’re, like… Not your friend!”
You remain silent. The succubus grows visibly nervous, fidgeting where she floats.
“Come on, babycakes, we’re still friends… Right?”
You consider Irinnile…
>A friend>An ally, maybe, but NOT a ‘friend’>A tool of convenience, but no true ally>A dangerous wildcard, potentially a liability or foe>An enemy, though you shield that thought from her with the Diadem and your shamanic willpowerWhat will you do about the magical barrier protecting King Archos?
>Attempt to force your way in yourself [Spellcraft DC 18]>Give Irinnile some more power [Risk of corruption [Religion DC 15], unknown other risks [???], Spellcraft DC 10]>Awaken the Red Dragon King [Unknown risks [???], automatic success to enter the Paladin King’s dreams]>Forget this—you’ll dream-delve elsewhere tonight [Ekaterine? Roth or Olu? Someone else? Please specify.]>Nevermind—return to your body and tackle this in the material realm tomorrow>Write-in 