Sylican morning

[Anastasia]

Back home. Sylica resonates as you appear within your private quarters.

Fee free to describe if you want.

Jessica goes to a nearby chair and sits heavily, "That was far too close, sister."

"We triumphed and shone," Latha says, gently, "But it was rather closer than I'd prefer, but a victory is a victory, and this was a big one. Soon the story will spread of how we struck down Noir Jardin. Our own bards should provide helpful in that."

[Ebiris]

It's a nice suite, white marble floor and columns opening onto a balcony over Syala's private garden, a few creeping vines with fragrant flowers extending from the garden and into the suite itself to lend a bit of natural ambience and pleasant scents, with opulent wooden and cushioned furniture to sit around on. Paintings on the walls show various natural and pastoral scenes, as well as stylised battles and portraits of various Sylican notables.

It even has a maid with a tea set waiting for them. Said maid being an elven-looking woman with purple hair and a somewhat flamboyant black and white uniform. "Good job," Marie says as she offers everyone drinks, "We were all getting the run-down as it happened from Alicia's avatar," she adds for Latha and Jessica's information. "Had us on the edge of our seats!"

Alicia gratefully takes some tea and sits down on a chair near Jessica's, having a sip. "Zariel's uncertain future aside, we utterly humiliated Lixer at the beginning of what should be a grand new chapter in his life. Hell is weakened and embarrassed, and even if I wasn't able to properly deal with Glasya's avatar, nor can she take much pride in so inconclusive a battle from her side. Altogether I call this a good day."

[Anastasia]

"Thank you, Marie," Latha takes her tea and has a long drink. "We strode forth and triumphed."

At this you feel a connection with Latha, a warmth. A tendril of power passing between the two of you as magic concentrates in your mind. These are my blessing.

Node update for Latha. Post that you've seen and read the updated node topic in your next post.

You gain Latha's Sunmantle as a bonus 11th level spell known. If you already know that spell, you can retrain that spell known to a new one.

[Ebiris]

Seen

"We did... did you feel that, Latha?" she asks, lowering her cup into its saucer and looking at the deva. "I felt a connection just now, and... I learned one of your spells." She couldn't demonstrate it unfortunately since she expended all her magic of that tier, but it's definitely in her head now!

[Anastasia]

Latha meets your eyes, "I felt it as well, Alicia." She gently hums to herself, "A blessing on high for our gallantry? The light of Chronias inspired me to make my mace from Lunia's sands, surely it could bestow knowledge of one my spells to you."

Jessica shakes her head at Marie, "Ice water if you have it," she says, and then in a louder voice, "Perhaps Zaphkiel approves of trying to save a servant wronged?"

[Ebiris]

Marie does indeed and provides Jessica a fresh glass from an enchanted carafe of ice water, listening attentively to Alicia and Latha.

"I felt something like it during the battle, a presence. It encouraged me to show defiance to Hell and advised that Asmodeus would not interfere in what was my first test. It called it 'our competition' so... between Asmodeus and Zaphkiel, the pinnacles of two sides of law... it would fit."

[Anastasia]

"Chronias is ever more radiant," Latha concurs, "The two sides are moving." A statement ,a certainty, "With Shar looming, why would they not?"

"That's an assumption," Jessica points out as she gets her water, "Marie, is Antenora around? She's usually good for these sort of logical reasonings."

[Ebiris]

"I'll go get her then, she's with Syala. I'll get them both!" Marie says, flouncing off.

"It is an assumption," Alicia agrees. "I felt a similar connection with Syala a few days ago, and I thought it was Sylica itself lending us more strength."

[Anastasia]

"It only makes sense. Perhaps when you retrieved me from the brink of Chronias, Zaphkiel saw you and found you worthy?" Latha's gaze turns to the garden outside and the sunshine there.

"Giving you power has to be difficult," Jessica speaks up, "It wasn't Mystra or Sharess, was it? Or well Mystra, you nearly match Sharess now."

[Ebiris]

"I'm not sure," Alicia considers Jessica's words. "I went to see Mystra before starting this endeavour, and she never mentioned anything like that. "It didn't feel like the last time she empowered me either. There was a particular resonance, first with Syala and then with Latha just now."

[Anastasia]

Latha considers this even more, "Did Seira report anything like this, or did Empress Sulia?"

[Ebiris]

"Neither of them mentioned, but it could be like me where they didn't feel a need to," Alicia admits. "Whatever that feeling was, the fact was I had a goal I needed to achieve. Defiance or interference didn't come into it, success was what mattered," she says with conviction, sitting with her back ramrod straight.

[Anastasia]

"Exactly right," Antenora strides in, a nod to Alicia. "You look motivated. Don't worry, Syala's gotten me up to speed. It sounds fitting with the name of your sword."

Syala follows, taking a seat of her own.

[Ebiris]

Marie walks in behind the pair and then offers them refreshments as well before she ends up standing diligently next to Antenora, the picture of a well regulated and lawful maid.

"I feel motivated," she says to Antenora. "We're not finished with Zariel, but that was a good first step. And the fight with Glasya showed me where I need to improve as well... though I'm still puzzled how Lixer had an avatar out so quickly."

"Tell me about it, I hated having to check up on your avatar while it was growing," Marie speaks up. "Like some creepy half-formed Alicia-doll!"

[Anastasia]

Jessica laughs at that, "They sell those in Liberton - little handmade dolls of yourself and Syala. Fully finished and made of cloth, though."

Antenora glances back at Marie and smiles before continuing. "It also is something of a decidedly lawful bend. The bonds of friendship, the bonds of community, depending on one another. No, you're right, this has the hallmarks of a lawful being. Right now, you're the common link," Antenora meets Alicia's eyes, "We can't assume you absolutely are, but it may be that you're the key to this, the focus. Perhaps you and Syala as well, we don't know enough to reason. But in the meantime, can you elaborate on this resonance and everything that happened around it?"