026.1 "Abigor's time grows short."

[Corwin]

[20:08] <Afina> Standing up, Afina points up and up and up to the far taller figures here with her. "This is Jaela, an angel from the Great Tree, and knight of the Seldarine. And that's Ithea, one of the Catfolk who came to Lifasa generations ago." She almost stumbles, since Ithea never mentioned much about her life before the fall, so she makes do with what little she has.
[20:09] <Kotono> "Thank you," A nod to each of them in turn, "There is much to do, but first. Are you three in charge of Aurora? I have learned things in my captivity about Hell and the attack on Lifasa, things that must be shared."
[20:10] <Jaela> "Along with Adrian, that's about right," Jaela agrees, nodding back as she is introduced.
[20:14] <Afina> "We make most of the decisions, yes," Afina confirms as well. "Tell us what you've learned, your majesty, and then if it pleases you we can tell you of our own progress?"
[20:19] <Kotono> "The coming of Aurora's forces to the Bloodletting Peak was foretold, according to Hiddap - the pit fiend you defeated last. According to the prophecy, the resistance of Lifasa would be overcome should this battle come to be, bent to the will of the Child of Lifasa, for death cannot hold him and all of Lifasa's children shall obey him. Once he was to be born, his power would be absolute. They
[20:19] <Kotono> claimed that because of the inevitability and prophecy of the Child, he could not be destroyed."
[20:21] <Afina> "He was surprisingly resilient to usual methods, but you saw we found a way around that," Afina offers, not inclined to gloat over it however. The whole matter is just too tragic and horrible to take any pleasure from.
[20:21] <Jaela> Pretty uncomfortable at the entire topic and the way the fairy queen is discussing it, Jaela can only shift from one foot to the next. "Prophecy, inevitability, devil disappointment," she sums it up. "Do we have any idea what they'll try next?"
[20:22] <Ithea> "I suppose we should be glad for that particular piece of prophecy, their security might have been even worse if not for it," Ithea comments. "Though I guess I'm mostly thankful it didn't come true."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Yes. Abigor's time grows short," After a moment to say that, "I was able to read several of Gathgorian's personal dispatches. He was in communication with two others. The first was a creature known as Marshal Dagos. They often discussed Abigor and his failings - at first critical and straightforward reports, of his failings against an angelic incursion 20 or so years ago and then against an
[20:26] <Kotono> invader demon known as Zquujaj. More and more, the messages began to advanace the concept of 'retiring' Abigor. From the context, I believe they meant to murder him. The second was from a creature known as Martinet. He wrote to Gathgorian several times, extoling the virtues of advancement and political discretion, and that the armies of Avernus needed a new leader, one harder and far more capable
[20:26] <Kotono> than Abigor. Once the Child had been born and Lifasa secured, Martinet had ordered him to slay Abigor."
[20:29] <Jaela> "So Abigor doesn't get enough love." Jaela snorts, positively heartbroken over it. "But really, Abigor's a tool. Anyone replacing him will be just as bad, if not worse."
[20:30] <Afina> "Gathgarion has proven that amply," Afina nods bitterly. "It changes little. Every devils is equally our enemy."
[20:30] <Ithea> "There wasn't any doubt of that," Ithea agrees.
[20:33] <Kotono> "Yes," Queen Ilsenine nods, a ghost of a smile passing her lips, gone like the wind. "It was implied - but not stated - that Gathgorian would take Abigor's place as a Duke of Hell. Of Gathgorian himself, he cares nothing but to slay demons and those that oppose Hell. He cared nothing for me or the Child, save to further the will of Hell, and said as much. Beyond...the one time, he did not even
[20:33] <Kotono> look at me like anything but a piece of furniture. He is cruel, but by apathy, order or slaughter. He is a straightforward creature, with little political skill or acumen. "
[20:35] * Jaela isn't really sure what to say to that, and settles for appearing attentive and continuing to listen.
[20:36] * Ithea does the same as Jaela, also not sure what one could say there.
[20:41] <Afina> That's a... passing relief. It really does nothing to diminish the sheer horror of a pixie being raped by a creature the size of a house.
[20:41] <Kotono> "I do not know if they desire Gathgorian to take that position or if they merely want him to slay Abigor. They disguise motives into interpretation and hidden thoughts. But...enough of that." A moment's pause, "I have learned of the plans for Lifasa as well...and why they were able to take our world."
[20:41] <Ithea> "...that's definitely news," Ithea says, a lot more attentive, and waiting for the details.
[20:41] <Jaela> "Who do we need to kill for that?" Jaela asks casually, her eyes intent on the queen.
[20:58] <Kotono> "We were betrayed," Queen Ilsenine speaks softly, "The first portals did not come from Hell's side, but were created on Lifasa. We thought we had won...it was an age without evil. Quietly, nine gathered together, offering their souls to Hell for power. Just as the prophecy foretold - as the Duke of Destiny believed would happen. With the weight of destiny behind them, they succeeded." Queen
[20:58] <Kotono> Ilsenine now bows her head, "Harkin, Velasca, Quinn, Mala, Ettan, Silvber, Yian, Willah and Apasa. A human, an elf, a dwarf, a tiefling, a goblin, an orc, a dragon, a nymph and a catfolk. Each is now being made into a proper devil as 'reward', and will rule over parts of Lifasa once the Child comes, as its servants."
[20:59] <Jaela> What is this shit? Jaela raises her hand to pause Queen Ilsenine. "Comes? Present tense? Didn't it pretty much die for good?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "Which means that part of the plan is ruined," Queen Ilsenine nods, "They never thought anything could slay the Child."
[21:01] <Jaela> "Ah yes. I'm still reeling from the part where just nine fuckers can doom a world. This is bullshit. Seriously, it's bullshit. With the many idiots spread out across the planes, every world ever would've fallen by now!"
[21:01] <Afina> "Are they in Avernus?" Afina asks succinctly ignoring the whys or hows since it's already happened. They sound like perfect assassination targets, even if not meaningful foes, sending the message that none can escape vengeance has been a strong thrust through most of her actions since forming the Crusade.
[21:02] <Kotono> "I find it hard to believe, too," Queen Ilsenine agrees, "They all attribute it to this Duke of Destiny." A moment's pause, "Never by name, always by title. I believe they are in Avernus, yes, but I am not certain."
[21:02] <Afina> "If they are already devils I can possibly bind them, depending on how powerful they are... otherwise we can ask our captives about them."
[21:03] <Jaela> "Morons," Jaela mutters in disgust, before nodding at Afina. "Yeah, good call. Might as well get started on them, right?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "Yes," A voice calls as you discuss. A familiar voice, 27's voice in particular.
[21:04] * Ithea blinks and turns around. "27?" she asks.
[21:05] <Afina> "This is 27, my Queen. He's our answer to the devil reliance on prophecy," Afina explains. "A slaad who joined us when we first travelled to Limbo."
[21:06] <Kotono> 27 comes forth, lying at Ithea's feat and curling up. As Queen Ilsenine stares at the strange creature, it replies in your minds. '21 is beyond prophecy. It can kill the Child of Lifasa, Abigor and even Bel. The future cannot be predicted and must not be predicted. Fate is a horrible thing.'
[21:07] <Jaela> "Sounds fine to me," Jaela agrees. Fate has Annalise staying as she'd been all these eons, after all.
[21:10] <Afina> "By your leave, your majesty, I can begin binding the traitors at any time," Afina asks Ilsenine, eager to get to work on this.
[21:11] <Kotono> 'They fight with the chains of inevitability. But the Child is no more. You must shatter all the chains. Change it. Change the predicted future.' 27 curls up tighter, as if going to slumber. 'Change her fate, too. She doesn't have to hold 21 forever. Change your fate, Jaela, you don't have to die in battle against Abigor. Change your fate, Ithea, do not let Tannin betray you. Change your fate,
[21:11] <Kotono> Afina, do not fall against Gathgorian.'
[21:11] <Kotono> "Go," Queen Ilsenine nods once, "Go. When you are done, return. It has been too long since the Court met."
[21:12] * Ithea pauses and stares at 27. That's the first time 27 has given a bit more clarification into his fear of Tannin.
[21:12] <Jaela> "This is actually a good chance," Jaela voices, ignoring the mental shudder 27's thoughts induce. "Do you guys need me in the near future? Say for a week or two?"
[21:14] <Afina> "We don't have any high priority missions right now," Afina shakes her head. "Anyone who wants to come to the summoning chamber while I try and call the traitors is welcome. I'm going to go through them all as quickly as I can."
[21:15] <Ithea> "I'd like to go with you, Afina. I'd like to meet the catfolk traitor if nothing else. To betray a world that welcomed us and took us in like Lifasa...I can't comprehend that. I truly can't..." Ithea says with a shake of her head.
[21:15] <Jaela> "Yeah, have fun with that." Jaela draws Val'Finnegan and salutes Queen Ilsenine with it. "I'm off, then."