Nymph interlude (Afina)

[Ebiris]

"Shiftsilver's probably the best base you can find," Afina suggests. "It's easily obtainable for us with our large lycanthrope contingent. I use it myself in Hywelbane II," she reaches back to tap one of the twin blades resting over the small of her back.

[Anastasia]

"That or pandemonic silver," Gold rumbles, "They loathe that even more than normal silver."

[Ebiris]

"Haven't had a chance to work with that before, but now that you mention it it's a material that would be very useful for me," Afina says, recalling what she knows of it and pairing that to her command over Air.

[Anastasia]

Are you looking for a Knowledge check here, Afina?

[Ebiris]

I figure Afina's knowledge is sufficient for her to know what the stuff does by taking 10 so I googled it. She's commenting on how useful it is based on what I saw, since it has that wind-based fear effect and she can control winds and stuff.

[Anastasia]

That's fine, just wanted to be clear.

"The problem is where it grows and harvesting it safely," Hamogan says, "I once treated some miners who were driven mad by Pandemonium's winds getting some. It completely soaks the psyche, Pandemonium's winds are a threat top top to bottom."

[Ebiris]

"That's the case for most of the good things. We're lucky on the shiftsilver front since it's convenient for us and potent against devils. I once went to obtain some Everblaze to make a weapon for Zaaman Rul," Afina says since they're basically just idling around and swapping stories at this point. "Just mining it out without getting burnt regardless of protections is hard enough, but then there's the primal fire elementals to worry about as well."

[Anastasia]

"Everblaze?" Hamogan asks, leading.

[Ebiris]

"A red stone native to Fire, it forms in superheated wells deep in the plane's burning mountains," Afina explains. "It's hot enough to burn a fire elemental, and no magic can protect against its heat. Though once refined and forged as a weapon that energy is tempered to only burn those struck rather than anyone around, otherwise it wouldn't do anyone any good as a sword. I went looking for it with Kascha and Ithea and they were both being attacked by a primal elemental by the time I actually found a deposit, so I had to time stop and fabricate it out of the rock as a rush job before we teleported away."

[Anastasia]

"I would like some of that," Hamogan says, "Primal elementals are not worth it. They wield legendary magic as easily as we breathe. Even if you triumph, there is always grave risk opposing one."

[Ebiris]

"I didn't want to fight it anyway. Before it spotted us it was singing, one of the most beautiful songs I'd ever heard. Defeating such a being wouldn't have done anyone any good. This," she reaches up to tap her brow, a glance over at Gold, "Has taught me that even if something craves battle, I shouldn't always be so quick to give it. I don't have others' talents for defusing situations though, so retreat is usually preferable."

[Anastasia]

Gold nods slightly in return to your glance. He then says, "Wisdom is learning when to fight and when not to. There are many times when we must do battle, but the times where we should restrain ourselves are just as important, if not more important. To slay an enemy removes a threat. To make an enemy an ally removes them and strengthens your own side."

[Ebiris]

"I'm still working on that last part, but luckily I'm blessed with those who can better wield words as allies."

[Anastasia]

With that the conversation dies down and you get to crafting. By the time you finish and then go wash up, you find Bubbles waiting for you outside of the baths. "Oh dearie," she greets you, "How were your trips?"

[Ebiris]

"Good," she flutters to a stop before her newfound lover, smiling up at her. "Magma was a lot more straightforward than Ice was, and didn't have the complications Ooze provided. I'm not done yet, I think I need to visit the quasi-elemental planes as well to broaden my understanding further but I'll put that aside for now since there's other things to worry about. Want to join me in the baths?" she invites.