All That Glitters

[Anastasia]

"I believe so," Cresiel says, "But I did not ask nor did Father say." He continues to fly up all the while, "Are you planning on visiting?"

[Nephrite]

"I've wanted to for some time. I'd like to have a better understanding on a few things that I think only He would have experience with." Moore says. "I met some of his monks on my way through here some time ago but I just never had time to seek an audience."

[Anastasia]

Below things change again. Great plains and gentle slopes are the norm now, citadels and fortresses arrayed about. Armies at practice can be seen below, the great forces that serve Raziel.

"Mertion," Cresiel remarks, "Should you ever wish to improve yourself, or seek healing for something you cannot heal yourself, come here. For Raziel oversees all aspects of a warrior's life, including recovery after the battle."

[Nephrite]

"Oh, I remember when he showed up in the Astral." Moore says. "That was an interesting fight."

[Anastasia]

A pause in reply, as below is radiance. "Hold." Cresiel says.

Below you are rolling hills, studded with giant gemstones that glitter with the wealth of entire mortal worlds. Cities, castles, towers and ziggurats are all are seen below, "Go no further above, lest you appear before Xerona for a chastisement. We have reached Jovar."

[Nephrite]

"I wonder whether Mineral takes after Jovar or the other way around..." Moore says with a glance around. He'll have to find something mundane from here, or maybe he'll just be given something to take back.

"I take it we just proceed ahead to Jovar and we'll find what we're looking for?" He asks. He knows the answer in his heart -- but it's still good to ask.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, for I know where to go," Cresiel says, "There are great celestial armories here, armories that outfit the vast majority of Celestia's forces." He gestures ahead with a smile, then looks up. Here the light of Chronias is constant, almost overwhelming. It is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, hard to look away from. Cresiel's gaze lingers as he says, in a much softer voice, "The light of Chronias guides the celestial smiths, so that they are inspired to create what must be created."

[Nephrite]

Moore is temporarily captivated by the light -- not that light, though before he manages to pull himself away.

"I wonder what Afina would have to say about them." Moore says with a smile. "Or they about her."

A glance across the area before his attention returns to Cresiel. "By all means, then, please guide me."

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100 see if you run into anything interesting en route
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 36 > [d100=36]

You fly for a time, soon enough something looms on the horizon. A massive ziggurat, gleaming with gemstones for the bricks of the fortress are made of them. It is larger than you can see, and yet you can comprehend it all, a vast place that impossible and yet possible your eyes. Archons and angels are everywhere, going about on business inside and out. Thousand and thousands at least, perhaps tens of thousands move every moment, coming and going. Let alone the mortals, the pilgrims and more. Few are ready to go beyond the precipice.

"Welcome to Yetsirah, the Heavenly City. It is said entire mortal worlds could be fit within, and here the greatest archon smiths labor away. It is the seat of Sealtiel, the Sixth of the Hebdomad."

[Nephrite]

"Things sure get more animated the higher you go, don't they?" Moore says with a laugh. "It's funny, both here and in Mineral, the same sort of scene -- fabulous amounts of wealth in the very land itself, yet the denizens don't value it at all. It's hard to not draw some similarities between the two."

[Anastasia]

"Money is transitory," Cresiel agrees, "Both understand that other things are far more important than sparkling gemstones." He looks on at Yetsirah, gaze traveling up the seven layered ziggurat. "So many suffer under the sin of greed and yet, all you need is provided if you follow the righteous path. It troubles my heart whenever I come across those in greed's bondage."

[Nephrite]

"There's... a fine line, I think, between wanting nice things and greed." Moore says. "Is it greedy if a paladin kills an evil necromancer and sells all their belongings to buy a new sword?"

Moore does look down at the ground, maybe there's a regular rock or stone or something he can take while he's here.

[Anastasia]

"It is ever a question. Personally, hold so long as the money is used for a good purpose and a more obvious purpose is not neglected, then it is fine." Cresiel says, "Understanding that the needs of others come before material needs."

Looking down, you see there's stones here and there, certainly. Even the most plain has a gem-like sheen and light to them, occasional facets formed naturally over them.

[Nephrite]

Moore flies down to take one of the most mundane he can find. He'll find someone to bring it to Aurora if it manages to stay with him when they go back.

"No, I understand. For different people it's a battle, of sorts. I won't make you come with me on any trips to Brightwater." Moore says with a grin.

[Anastasia]

Cresiel cracks a smile anew, "No, I do believe I should go with you. So that you are properly protected against the siren call of greed."