032.1 Demedais

[Corwin]

[07:06] <Kotono> ---
[07:10] <Kotono> Under the preparing, busy city, Demedais returns to the temple of Helm. He finds Ceiar this dusk, finishing his prayers and heading out a side door. HIs pace is slow, calm, meditative.
[07:11] <Demedais> "Father Ceiar." Demedais calls as he strides toward him. "Do you have time?"
[07:14] <Kotono> Father CEiar stops his pace towards the exit, "Demedais," he returns the greeting with perfect approriateness, a slight twinkle in his eye.
[07:15] <Demedais> "How are things going here?" Demedais says, feeling a bit informal as usual.
[07:17] <Kotono> "Busy. Thank Helm for it, tensions and fame are combining to bring in worshippers," Father Ceiar's smile is faint but there, "Even bringing in a few from farther than Balmuria. As you saw today."
[07:18] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais says. "May this continue even in peacetime... May I speak to you regarding a few things?"
[07:21] <Kotono> "Yes, yes," Ceiar smiles a bit, redirecting to go towards the side rooms and away from the exit. "You mentioned other things, spectacular things?"
[07:23] <Demedais> "Indeed. Good, possibly not, but spectacular yes. The first is what weighs most heavily upon me. Within the ruins to the north... there is a portal to another world entirely, we believe. However, we did not know this at first; we encountered much the same once before, but it was only illusion..."
[07:25] <Kotono> Ceiar nods thoughtfully, "Illusions of magic on such a scale? Fascinating..." he muses on it, "Was this time not an illusion?"
[07:26] <Demedais> "In this, we strove to meet the ruler of the castle we appeared at; illusion or real, perhaps we could divine some reason for our arrival there." A slight pause at D However, on the way... I started a scene by refusing to duel a man who claimed offense at my action. As we were leaving, he accosted me again; Captain Seira... prepared magic against him, and I was incapable of calming her down."
[07:26] <Demedais> OOC: Strike.
[07:27] <Demedais> "In this, we strove to meet the ruler of the castle we appeared at; illusion or real, perhaps we could divine some reason for our arrival there." A slight pause at Father Ceiar's words, then, "We believe it now to have fully been real. On the way to find the ruler of the castle... I started a scene by refusing to duel a man who claimed offense at my action. As we were leaving, he accosted me again."
[07:30] <Demedais> "Captain Seira... began preparing magic against him, and I could not convince her to calm down. And when the guards of the castle came to stop her, she refused to listen to them, as well... it took the rationalization that hurting them may affect how their King views us for her to cease her magics. No one was hurt, but... such behaivor feels so reckless, and I held no position to contradict her or stop her."
[07:33] <Kotono> Ceiar nods inthe right places, seeming to listen quite intensely. "I see." Ceiar solemnly listens to that, "You disagreed but you felt duty bound to listen and support your superior officer?"
[07:37] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
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[07:41] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[07:41] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[07:42] <Demedais> "I could not even conscientiously support her. Seeing my duty to solve this problem - a duty higher than the one set to me to support Seira - as higher, I did as the guards there requested and stood aside. She... almost felt insane there. I don't know if..." A slight shake of his head. "And then... Alicia had finally gotten the cause of a major problem to that castle to surrender." (More)
[07:46] <Demedais> "Seira approached the devil, who had surrendered, from behind; the devil did not see her, as she was invisible. Seira asked if there was any reason why she shouldn't die, and Alicia said 'My word'. Seira... then stabbed the devil from behind. I can see why she'd do that, believe me, but to so disrespect even an underofficer's intent? How can she justify that, be so willing to...?"
[07:55] <Kotono> Ceiar leads you to his room, going to sit at long last. He listens to the tale, a solemn nod. "Yes, this is a difficult thing," he speaks at last. "You are torn by your duties as well as your feelings, Demedais?"
[07:57] <Demedais> "Yes." Demedais says simply, seemingly worn out by talking so much. "I have little in the ways of regrets, but... much in the way of frustration."
[08:00] <Kotono> "Did Seira say why she did what she did?" Ceiar asks, seeming to ligner over it as he thinks. His brow is furrowed, expression ponderous.
[08:02] <Demedais> "For the second instance, yes; she said she had no reason to agree to Alicia's terms. That just frustrated me even more. The first problem... all that was mentioned was that the magic was Faerie Fire, I believe, instead of the Fireball she made it appear as. Still, threatening guards...?"
[08:06] <Kotono> "Would you have acted differently if you Helm gave you the chance to do it again?" Ceiar asks after some time, still thoughtful on it.
[08:09] <Demedais> "...In the first instance, I would have attempted to avert the man's anger, but I do not think my chances of that are all too likely if we ever meet again. The second time, I would have stopped her before she stabbed the devil. As said before, I understand perfectly why, but doing so was an insult to Alicia and altogether has probably damaged our capability to work together a fair bit." Demedais shakes his head in irritation.
[08:14] <Kotono> "I see..." Ceiar is lnog and thoughtful on this, seeming to take it and mold it in his mind before he acts. "Demedais, there are no easy answers, only prayer and reflection to He that Watches. The difficulties of true duty can be manyfold and manifest. But...Do you feel this will repeat?"
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[08:20] <Kotono> "I see..." Ceiar is lnog and thoughtful on this, seeming to take it and mold it in his mind before he acts. "Demedais, there are no easy answers, only prayer and reflection to He that Watches. The difficulties of true duty can be manyfold and manifest. But...Do you feel this will repeat?"
[08:22] * Kotono sets mode: +o Demedais
[08:24] <Demedais> "...I don't know." Demedais replies truthfully. "It is possible. My initial impulse was, honestly, to speak to Commander Oberuth, but... it may be wiser to speak to Seira herself, and raise these problems with her."
[08:26] <Kotono> "Doing any of those is more productive to your duty than to rebel against it," Ceiar observes, nodding some agreement. "It is not against a good officer's duty to offer council when needed."
[08:29] <Demedais> "She didn't accept our council in either of those situations, but... perhaps now that we are at home, he will listen." Demedais nods as well. "There were two other things of note, Father Ceiar. The first is... well, a perfectly bizarre scenario. Remember the devil I mentioned, the one that was causing trouble?"
[08:31] <Kotono> A nod to the first, listening as it turns to the second. "Yes, go on, I recall it," Ceiar agrees.
[08:35] <Demedais> "It survived Seira's attack, though perhaps by the barest of margins. After that... she expressed a desire for redemption. Alicia has accepted this."
[08:38] <Kotono> With a deep, dark frown, Ceiar nods. "Perhaps...perhaps some of Helm would find this possible," he begins, almost seemingly at random. "A devil's heart is perfect order, and perhaps just if it was turned to the purity of such it could be so in spite of it's other nature? But...Alicia is a paladin of light and a sorceress?"
[08:41] <Demedais> "She is. And she recognizes the danger she takes, I believe." Demedais nods. "I simply worry about the danger to Balmuria if the devil manages to deceive its way out of the oaths currently binding it, but... all I can do there is be prepared to strike it down if it does turn back to the darkness."
[08:42] <Kotono> "It could pose a tantamount danger to this city," Ceiar goes on, "Do you feel it can be parlayed successfully?"
[08:44] <Demedais> "...It is possible. If there's anyone capable of it, it would be her." Demedais says after time. "All I can do is leave that duty to her, and be prepared to move if something happens."
[08:46] <Kotono> Ceiar nods to that, very solemn. "I will pray to Helm on that particular matter."
[08:48] <Demedais> "Thank you. There is... one other thing, but this makes me optimistic for our fate, once both Malmuth and the remaining Gnomish threat have been dealt with. In that world... the gods never left, Father. They were still there, present, fully known to all."
[08:53] <Kotono> Ceiar's attention turns to Demedais, sharp. "The..you mean, as in the stories of long ago? You mean in that way, Demedais? In a way where the light of the Gods shines unfettered as a beacon to all?"
[08:55] <Demedais> "Yes. Yes, Father." Demedais smiles. "For the slight the mortal world - this mortal world! - committed... did not occur there. We even met a gnome, and he was quite a decent person."
[08:56] <Kotono> "THen...do you believe you saw that on His will, Demedais? Do you believe that this is relevant to our world?" Ceiar's voice holds some excitement, "Were all those th ings grand?"
[09:01] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.55=-)
[09:02] <Demedais> "I... My feeling - what I have begun to believe - is that once Daa-vid has been slain permanently, the gods will return." Demedais says. "There was little time for inquiry direct to him, and... even the contact to him was different. Less focused. But... I truly believe that, with time, this will come to pass." Demedais says, lost in thought over it.
[09:03] * Ko-LaggysWaffleShopissorrow is now known as Kotono
[09:06] <Kotono> "That would be a miraclous end to your quest," Ceiar agrees, "And worthy of Lord Helm's direct involvement. You would bring great glory onto him by being one of those that brings the Gods back. Further, with your triumph, surely the worship of Helm would prosper beyond all previous limits."
[09:08] * Demedais smiles slightly, lowering his head. "That would be, indeed. And now you see why I worry so about Alicia and Seira - while Alicia's prompt arrival at our time of need was a blessing, we may not get another such blessing."
[09:10] <Kotono> "Then you need to preserve and aid them as your best?" Ceiar inquires, but yet it's not really said as a question. "I know there are others in town, but they are not on the same plane of skill as the three of you?"
[09:14] <Demedais> "Oberuth is close, but bound to the town, and Elle Stronger is much the same. Engan... does not desire to fight much anymore, is my impression. Aside from them... there is talent, especially with Donald and Pollyanna, but none that I know of are fully prepared to undergo what we have yet." Demedais says after some thought.
[09:17] <Kotono> "Workw ith what Helm has given you and strive to make more. Was not Engan a quest from Helm himself, and has not his training strengthened you?" Ceiar considers, "I know the Commander serves in his own rolem as does the magess. Perhaps you should see if he will find wilingness to return to thebladein time?"
[09:19] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais says in response to his first question. "The results of that... will come soon, I believe. As for Commander Oberuth... perhaps he will; he grows weary of an administrative job, is my feeling in that regard."
[09:24] <Kotono> "I see...then work with that. I do not doubt that the Gods work to help you...atl east those that matter," Ceiar considers a moment, and then, "..what of the Gods only a deranged few call master?"
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[09:27] <Kotono> "I see...then work with that. I do not doubt that the Gods work to help you...atl east those that matter," Ceiar considers a moment, and then, "..what of the Gods only a deranged few call master?"