Attack on Sylica

[Anastasia]

"This is all information you need to learn," Mystra concurs, then with a sidelong glance at Marie and a smile showing, "Or even your familiar, if you plan to try and ascend her as well. You keep aiming high, don't you, Marielle?"

[Ebiris]

"Hard work takes you places!" Marie says, cheering up and pumping her fist. "We actually had a talk about what sort of goddesses Antenora and Latha would make, but I got sidelined. Maybe I could be the humble goddess of dutiful servants? That covers a lot of people."

"I expected you'd aim for something more grandiose," Alicia looks over at Marie. "But Antenora would be pleased with you donning such a lawful and duty-minded mantle."

Marie pauses, her cheerful expression frozen before it slowly melts off her face. "Maybe goddess of reckless magical experimentation is more my speed?" she suggests, rallying. "Be a good counterpoint to Azuth!"

[Anastasia]

"No, no," Mystra is smiling now, "I think dutiful servants would suit you. I could even remake you as a lantern archon to better fit that, Marielle."

[Ebiris]

Marie laces her fingers together and stretches her arms. "I like having limbs, but thanks for the offer!"

[Anastasia]

"But to continue on our duties," Mystra says, "You are aware of Seraphs?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia nods herself, mood dropping. "We had to prevail on Cantasa Alexandria at the end of the Benfal campaign. It didn't go as well as Lifasa," she confirms. "And you know we worked with Xerona back during the Neverborn business on Androlynne."

Alicia probably knows more than I do considering the Benfal situation, so feel free to have Mystra exposit or drop some 'as you know' fluff.

[Anastasia]

"As you know," Mystra continues, "Seraphs are servants of good summoned from beyond the Empyrean Gate. They are servants of absolute righteousness. We are not bound to obey them by any order of the Incarnations, but because they work for our betterment and the betterment of good across the planes. Should you find a creature who invokes being one, confirm it and treat what they say with the utmost seriousness if they speak true."

[Ebiris]

"How many are there?" Alicia asks. "I assumed three."

Because there must always be three.

But also one for Celestia, one for Elysium, and one for Arborea.

[Anastasia]

"That's right," Mystra says, "Though it is possible another could come. Conversely, whatever the equivalent for evil is, it is well hidden away beyond even us. I suspect the powers of evil hoard that knowledge - not that we do not hide much of it ourselves, as you know with Cantasa Alexandria."

[Ebiris]

"Things like the devil that backed Esthan," Alicia nods, a name she even now would rather not risk saying.

[Anastasia]

"It may be so," Mystra agrees, "Hell ever guards its secrets, and even him. Perhaps especially him. I worry he may be a contingency should Asmodeus ever fall, a new ruler of Hell who can upend the other Lords of the Nine. Another way in which the game down there is hopelessly rigged."

[Ebiris]

"No luck for Mephistopheles," Alicia smiles wryly. "Though Asmodeus's children are being pushed further into the limelight as well. I can't really see either of them as having the credentials to unite Hell underneath them."

[Anastasia]

"I concur," Mystra admits, "I had a long discussion with Lathander about that not long ago. We agree that it's most likely they're to solidify Asmodeus's control rather than any attempt at a dynasty." With her own wry smile, "Mephisto can gnash his teeth amid his frozen wastes, but I doubt he ever sits on the Serpent's Throne."

[Ebiris]

"They effectively create a third faction - rather than Asmodeus playing the original devils off against the fallen, now both the fallen and the baatezu have to watch out for the children of Asmodeus," Alicia posits. "I'm sure it makes controlling the Lords of Hell easier internally, but whether it strengthens Hell against outside forces remains to be seen."

[Anastasia]

"It's fair politics, and I bet he has schemes for Lixer," Mystra says, "Especially after you exposed his inexperience so openly." That draws another smile from Mystra, "Marielle, remind your master that she's good at things like that. Consider it part of your familiar duties so that she remembers to do it more often."