Sylican morning

[Anastasia]

"That's a thought," Syala says, as everyone considers and...

Okay, next move then, Alicia?

[Ebiris]

Avatarlicia and Syalavatar will go to Lifasa and spread the word. If cool stuff can happen or it fulfils a node goal (I don't think it does, sounds like Syala's node will go off when we hit DvR 2) then we can do it IC, otherwise we can skip to tomorrow with Alicia, Latha, and Antenora going to visit Celestia. We'll start with visiting Romiel and depending on what he says go to Jovar next and possibly see Xerona.

[Anastasia]

Okay, just one question: Any particular location or place in Lifasa or just random pick?

[Ebiris]

Any place that's already starting to show much in the way of worship towards either of us.

[Anastasia]

Sunnyhill is exactly what it sounds like. A rolling plain of gentle hills, a large village (almost a town, really) near an iron mine. The buildings are tall here and made of good stone, taller buildings on higher hills connected by wooden foot bridges. There's no gate or walls, just a rolling, rollicking down developing more every day.

You can feel your faithful here, your chapel and Syala's grove both with worshipers - and the presence of another. A cold presence, cold as a winter wind. An avatar, making no move to be hidden, coming from atop one of the larger buildings on the northern end of the city, far away from you on the southern end of it.

[Ebiris]

While the divine presence of Alicia's avatar is evident to those who can sense such things she's keeping it low-key and presenting herself as a human woman of middle years, dark hair showing streaks of grey and strong body starting to soften in places. Her face is mature and kind, with laughter lines around her eyes. "Well, seems we're not the only ones with this idea. Shall we say hello?" she asks Syala. "The Crusade to liberate Lifasa had to make allowances for Auril so they could challenge Abigor, so we can't really object to her presence too strenuously."

[Anastasia]

Syala is a middle aged man of graying temples but good looks, well weathered and with a beard and walking stick.

"Unfortunate, but unavoidable. No sense in undoing the peace by fighting with Auril. Let's and see if we can politely slow down her recruitment efforts."

[Ebiris]

A twist of reality and both Alicia and Syala are hidden from the eyes of mortals, teleporting to the air above the building Auril's own avatar sits atop at a respectful (and non-teleport interdicted) distance of four hundred feet. "Greetings, Frostmaiden," she greets as they then fly down towards their counterpart, knowing well enough that she'll hear.

Alicia's avatar is girded for battle to a degree, wearing a breastplate and with a standard enough longsword at her hip. She'd intended to show the part of a seasoned veteran and dispense low-key advice and assistance unless anyone really seemed interesting and worthy enough to show more of her true strength and glory to.

[Anastasia]

Syala has her staff, and that's enough for her.

Auril has perhaps 50 gathered before her, listening as she speaks. She is in the form of a cold queen, a crown of ice and a robe of frost. "...that winter always comes. There is nothing shameful in that, nor weak in recognizing this fact." The mortals listen to her, spellbound and rapt. "Winter comes, for it is eternal. Yet with me it need not be a cruel winter to you. Those who serve me find winter is far more than a time of snows and wanting."

In your mind Auril's voice replies, formal. 'Greetings, Queen of the Battlefield and Mother of the Pride,' she sends, 'Watch as I induct them into the proper worship of winter. For even in Lifasa, winter will come.'

[Ebiris]

Alicia elects to watch in peace, unseen by all save Auril. 'Maybe we should try being more obvious like that? It just never sits right with me because I come from a world the Gods were distant from, but if this is the way of the wider Creation...' she muses telepathically to Syala. 'It's nice that she's saying winter won't necessarily be cruel at least. Think she's mellowing out?'

[Anastasia]

'Hardly. It just means she can sugarcoat it to hook them in,' Syala responds. 'Also, Lifasa's a special situation. It's usually more in the middle. Your world was on one end, this world is on another right now. It's a time of legends.'

[Ebiris]

'I live in hope,' she responds playfully. 'Alright though, we'll try showing our full splendour instead after Auril's made her pitch. Shame we never got to fight Bel here like Seira did, that'd really push us forward.'

[Anastasia]

'You do that,' Syala's mental voice sharpens, becomes serious. 'Some of my faithful in Balmuria - that couple I mentioned, Alexia and Rogar - are challenging a Sharran infestation. I'm focusing on that and seeing if I can intervene without triggering escalation from Shar herself.'

[Ebiris]

'Balmuria?' Alicia loses that playful edge as well. 'Let me know how it goes, I can work through the Crimson Guard to help.'

[Anastasia]

'I will. It's a fairly low intensity skirmish - the two of them first three slightly weaker Sharrans. If they don't show signs of trapping their souls, I'm not inclined to intervene directly if they lose,' Syala sends back. 'They have to stand on their own, so long as Shar isn't interfering.'

Meanwhile Auril continues on. "It's fine to be scared of winter. That's a sign of wisdom." Auril continues on, as flashes of knowledge, imparted to all. Aurora's officers warding against the cold. Cones of cold tearing through devils. The bitter chill of Ice. "Even the great heroes of Aurora respect and fear the cold. But I offer the true solution. Come with me. Come into winter's embrace, and become one with the cold. Liberate yourself from your yearly fear and live like kings and queens during winter, instead."