Options and hopes (full party)

[Nephrite]

"Let's go to the war room and see what's waiting for us there." He suggests. "As for my attitude, ah... let's just say I got a very direct understanding while I was in Venya that things happen beyond what we can all see." He does frown at that. "Maybe you can teach me how to use the portals, while you're at it? They're a bit overwhelming for a newbie."

[Merc]

Ithea snorts. "I may be the wrong person to ask that. Most of the gates around here are provided by other people, I usually just tell someone where I want to go and they get me there. My friend Sylvie here did have this trinket crafted for me when I need a way out though, so there's that."

Ithea taps the bracelet, gesturing it for Moore. "She, in her infinite wisdom, decided to name it the 'Gate of Counter Ithea's Luck'."

Hopefully that draws a giggle out of Sylvie and lightens her mood a bit.

[Nephrite]

"Ah, you must be the type to think fate has it out for you then, Miss Ithea." Moore says with a small grin. "Actually, can you tell me more about this place? I haven't really had much of a chance to sit down and learn much about what makes it up."

[Merc]

"Oh, I don't really think that, even if I like complaining about it. Though with someone whose title is 'Duke of Destiny', I might be excused if I actually did think that. As for telling you about this place, well, that's a long story honestly, one we probably don't have time for."

Ithea smiles and shrugs, before adding, "To hit on the quick notes at least... well Adrian, Jaela, Afina and I come from the same plane, our world was known as Lifasa. It was invaded by devils, we escaped, searched for a way to fight back, found Aurora, then known only as Medi's lost artifact, started gathering other survivors, then started gathering other allies, friends and just unusual acquaintances. Doesn't hit all the highlights of the history of Aurora, but it's really all we'll have time for. Anyway, come on, let's head over to the war room."

Ithea starts leading Moore and Sylvie towards said destination.

[Ebiris]

"Not today," Afina murmurs as she, Baleruk and the golems escape safely to Aurora. "But soon." Raising her voice she commends them, "Good work all of you. There'll be a lot more hard fighting in the days to come, so rest while you can."

Pep talk given she flutters off to the war room to see what targets have been scrounged up.

[Nephrite]

"Ah, I understand. Well, if it's any consolation, Erathaol is the one who sent me here, so you at least have someone else with some relationship to fate backing you." Moore says with a reassuring pat on Ithea's shoulder. "So don't worry, I'll make sure you succeed at whatever you do. It's one of my talents!" He adds with some emphatics.

What kind of K check would be appropriate for Medi?

[Anastasia]

Cheers go up as Aurora escapes, filling the air as soldiers celebrate. Meanwhile, Sylvie merely nods and doesn't crack a smile at all. As the party heads back...

K:A or K:P.

[Merc]

ooc:
[10:02] <Merc> roll d20+42 K:P
[10:02] <Serith> Merc roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=15]

[Nephrite]

[11:04] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+26 K:A Medi
[11:04] <Serith> Nephrite roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=5]

[Merc]

Was the knowledge check request just for Neph, or for everyone?

With the "As the party heads back..." I figured it was for everyone and something was gonna happen.

[Anastasia]

Just for Neph. Y'all have long since made this one.

Moore recalls that Medi is an ancient spellcaster of long ago. He raised a fortress to challenge evil itself but was ultimately defeated.

Everything gathers in the war room. It's a rather oversized gathering this time. Afina, Jaela, Ithea, Adrian, Sylvie, Hanna, Dana, Moore, Gisfal and Morniel. Mirima and Misalea soon join you, Canderella drifting in and lingering as well. Even 27's there, lying at Ithea's feet.

It is Morniel that speaks and brings things to order, "We have several points," he says, his calm voice bringing silence to the war room. "With the destruction of the Astral outpost, the original purpose of that mission is possible. Under the circumstances, I recommend we liaison with Makaril and see about delegating it to him. As of now, an attack by Aurora is simply too predictable and certain to face stiff preparations."

Tannin slips in during this, nodding to a few people as he silently joins. "The second point is that gathering proper targets to strike against Lixer will take time. Quite frankly, his divination defenses are robust and a direct assault on Negation is not currently feasible. I will be leaving shortly to make diplomatic overtures to various courts to aid our information gathering. I estimate this will take seven days, though with Celestia and Tyr's grace, it may be shorter. In short, we have preparation time."

Clearing his throat a moment after a slight murmuring between Misalea and Mirima, which silences them, "Thirdly, I have been advised that Balyss will make a full recovery. This sort of union is less tax-" A pause as Vivantha enters, eyes going to her. Morniel merely nods gravely to her, a gesture she returns. Once done, she takes a seat. "Ahem. The union of Balyss and Selune's presence is something less taxing to her than many, as she is partially a spirit and an experienced Silverstar on top of that."

"Fourthly, we have a new recruit and a message from Erathaol of the Hebdomad. Moore," He looks to the pixie briefly, "Will be useful against the Duke of Destiny, for the Seer has seen it shall be so. Additionally, he has seen that this is a ripe time to recruit others. Fortune and fate favor us at this current time; Erathaol sends us this council and his well wishes for our Crusade. A future where we triumph is integral. The Duke of Destiny must be stopped here for the sake of all Creation."

He takes a breath now, looking about the room. "Fifthly, Afina and companions recently captured a cloud giant castle. One that I understand floats on its own cloud in the sky. There is interest in joining it to Aurora, Galariel and Elena are looking into that with Sage Vul'lath as we speak. Our army is growing and a place for larger creatures to be comfortable would help us all. It will require expanding Aurora's courtyard, more details will be ready on that soon."

"Sixthly, Elder Magi Tepen was divining the magics used by the Duke of Destiny in today's battle. He is deep in study with that information and Ellese is helping him. We hope to find out more about the chains Taelfagn commands. If anyone wishes to visit him and aid them, they are welcome to do so. Only those with a strong grasp of spell mechanics and arcana need visit, as the information is elaborately complicated."

"Finally, I wish to make one point clear. As of now, we have been struck a terrible blow. We have lost two people who we cared deeply about and were valiant brothers in arms in our Crusade." Morniel pauses here, Vivantha meeting his gaze with firm if bloodshot gaze. "We are stronger and we will recover to prevail. Mourn as your heart tells you to but know that we will triumph and we will make this right one day."

"It is a time for actions and deeds in preparation of our next struggle in the Crusade. Let us go forward bravely and with stout hearts."

[Merc]

"Sylvie and I will talk with Tepen and discuss our own experiences with those chains. Regarding your last point..."

Ithea pauses, struggling a bit on how to put it, it was easier mentioning it to Moore who didn't really know them well, but she continues shortly. "When do we wish to have a ceremony to add their names to the Memorial Hall? Also, do we wish to hold back Lief's name as well given that there might still be a chance of recovering him?"

[Corwin]

She conveys her sympathy to Vivantha as much as she can in such a public gathering. That, however, can be expanded upon later.

"Glad to hear that about Balyss," Jaela says firmly to Morniel. "And one thing wasn't clear to me. Did the Seer suggest we go on another of our mass recruiting drives? Or were you referring to Moore?" She glances at the pixie briefly, before returning her gaze to Morniel.

"On the rest, heartfelt approval for expanding Aurora with Afina's spoils. It was on a Prime, I believe?"

[Anastasia]

"I think so," Tannin calls, "You ask me, it's only right. Haven't they bleeding earned it?"

"Tomorrow," Adrian says, looking to Ithea, "I'm already taking care of it. Information on the time will be distributed and anyone can visit after. We're adding both. If we ever have a reason to take those names off, we'll have a celebration for it."

[Ebiris]

"Muirfinn and Lief weren't just brave and powerful allies, they were friends and they were Lifasans. Our world will be diminished without them even once freed," Afina says. "They will be avenged, and put to rest no matter what Hell's done to them. Once we have a list of Lixer's holdings, we'll move out and smash them. But that leaves Taelfagn." She looks around the war table from where she stands on its edge rather than using a chair or standing on the ground. "We thought we had until Benfal before facing him, so we grew lax on this matter. We need the first embers of Goldenfire to end him. I need volunteers to come with me to Elysium to seek it out."

Then to Jaela's question she nods and says, "The same one Tannin and a lot of our other recruits have come from. As for the memorial... sooner the better I think. Don't hold any illusions that Lixer won't use Lief's remains to torment us, nevermind whatever's been done to Muirfinn. Best we make our peace with that, and deny them that power over us."