Gearing up (Moore, Ithea)

[Anastasia]

Lady Skye awaits you. She is rather pretty if a bit severe looking, no sign of childishness on her face. "Moore, Her Majesty has entrusted you with a chance. I expect you to live up to it."

[Nephrite]

Well, this one isn't as foul-mouthed as Dana, but...

Moore nods his head and bows. Regardless of the position he holds outside the court, he's not foolish enough to not show proper respect to one already in it. "Of course, Lady Skye. Would you please tell me more of what it is Her Majesty would have of me?"

[Anastasia]

"Aurora needs more forces, more strength and more treasure. A diplomat focuses on the first and second, but with your might, the third is also a consideration." She ponders a brief time, before going to the Queen's throne room. She returns with Crystal, "General Crystal also needs funds. I believe the two of you can put your heads together and work on that for today."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods to Skye. "Very well then. It shall be as you requested. General Crystal, I have some ideas on this matter, shall we discuss them elsewhere so as to not inconvenience Lady Skye?" Moore asks, trying to gauge any reaction from Crystal on this rather obvious but not overt attempt to simply leave Skye's presence.

[Anastasia]

Crystal leads you out into the portal, then to another. The library this time, a quiet corner of it with no one around. "Crystal will suffice," she says, "To be perfectly clear, I am not a general in Aurora's ranks, but given the rank of general in regards to Her Majesty's court. Afina holds the same rank and is also a general in Aurora's reckoning. The court title is somewhat ceremonial, as the court's forces are interlinked with those of Aurora's."

[Nephrite]

"Crystal it is then." Moore says with both a smile and a nod of understanding. "Be that as it may, I have some questions before we are to proceed. If I ask anything out of line or uncouth, please forgive me." Moore says as he taps his chin a few times. "First and foremost, what do you want? It's obvious Lady Skye has some ideas of how to proceed here, but I'm not interested in going about trying to impress someone while dragging a comrade somewhere they'd rather not go. So, consider that first and foremost. Second, but just as important -- are there any deities that you happen to follow? If so, then I think it'd behoove us to follow those leads if we can. Finally, do you know what our relationship is with the Court of Stars? I certainly got some looks in Celestia for even being there, so I'd imagine the relations are probably something along the line of 'don't get in our way and we won't get in yours' but not much beyond that." Moore finishes, counting off the three questions again to himself.

[Anastasia]

"Very well," Crystal perches on the back of a tall wooden chair, listening to Moore. "In all truth, and I am loathe to admit it but Skye outed me and my particular situation, I desire to make coin so that I may pay off a debt and procure better equipment." She perks up ever so slightly at the second question, "I am sworn to the Court of Stars and serve Queen Morwel, Lady Gwynharwyf and Sir Faerinaal, so your last question is simplicity onto itself. The Court has offered Aurora aid, Hanna is a planetar who serves Lady Gywnharwyf and General Jaela's mother."

Here Crystal pauses for a short time, "The relations between Celestia and Arborea are complicated. I have learned some of these thorny matters during my own studies and experiences in the Crusade, so I will tell you what I know. Still, I would suggest seeking out one better versed in these matters if you wish for a more comprehensive discussion. Tell me, what do you know of the angels and the yugoloths?"

[Nephrite]

K:P for this, I would guess?

[Anastasia]

Certainly. Roll and post.

[Nephrite]

"I hope I don't offend you, but I want to make sure I get this right." Moore says as he casts a quick spell!

Casting Lore of the Gods again.

[13:01] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+32 K:P
[13:01] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+32 K:P --> [ 1d20=1 ]{33}

Does the retry via that spell count for 1s?

[Anastasia]

Lore of the Gods: Reroll aspect is removed. The rest of the spell works as written.

From houserules, so the question is moot.

Yugoloths are the fiends of Hades. They are neutral evil and stand apart from the demons and the devils. A typical yugoloth is sneaky, secretive and completely self absorbed. They often serve as mercenaries and play both sides of the Blood War.

Angels are the celestials of Elysium. They are neutral good and are spread across all the Heavens. A typical angel is honest, forthright, kind and all those other virtues they represent. They often serve about the Heavens or as divine agents.

[Nephrite]

"I know the basics -- They're basically two sides of the same coin in the sense that if you reverse all the qualities of one you get the other." Moore answers. "But beyond that, probably not the finer points, if there are ones to know."

[Anastasia]

"Yes, they are in many ways mirrors of one another. Let me put forth an observation: Yugoloths fan hatred, for they meddle in both sides in the Blood War and ensure it continues. Angels are spread about all the Heavens and support all of them." Crystal says, a sweeping gesture to the nearest wall. "In this Crusade, archon and eladrin fight side by side. A demon and a devil will attempt to slaughter one another above all else, should they happen to cross paths. Tell me, what does that say of the relations between Celestia and Arborea?"

[Nephrite]

"I think it would indicate that while the end goal may not necessarily be the same, each side realizes that if the side of devils and demons were to win, everything would be horrible for all involved." Moore reasons. "To that end, then, it seems as if at least in terms of the fighting against Hell, Celestia and Arborea are of one mind." Moore reasons with a nod.  "Even so, do you think you will find many archons in Arborea or fey in Celestia? Is that by choice, or by some unwritten rule, I wonder?" Moore taps his nose a few times as if thinking on that very question. "Perhaps it isn't so much an unwritten rule as no one's thought to look and ask."

[Anastasia]

"Or simple preference, for natures oppose one another. No matter how the angels keep the peace." Crystal muses, "I understand that they largely cooperate because of the nature of Good and some such."