A Return

[Anastasia]

Amid all of it, the words and cheering? Valar meets your gaze - his face weathered with age and yet firm, giving you the slightest nod.

Lumenbur burns brighter, you swear.

Lady Sanzha merely smiles, nodding when looked at but little else.

[Corwin]

"You all know the stakes," Seira says, nodding to each of her friends in turn. "I won't think any less of you if you don't want to risk it, and prefer to contribute in other ways. But I would like those of you who wish to travel this path with us to think about what makes you worthy of ascension. Corellon Larenthian's advice had been to decide for yourselves what best defines you, and to that I will add that I find it best to pick the most unique aspect at the core of your being. Tell Creation what you are bringing to the party, because even after we take down Shar, there will still be an entire Creation to shepherd!"

[Anastasia]

"That's a heavy game you're talking," Donald remarks casually, then grins. "Good thing we can handle it."

Some more cheers to that, loud and hearty.

[Corwin]

"Those of you who'll rise up to this challenge may not have a couple decades to mull over it, however," Seira says, an answering grin playing across her lips. "We're going to be launching a few new programs across the planes to solidify our presence and establish ourselves. The first part concerns what the gods refer to as the Competition, which is a name for a clash of ethics between us. I won't say it doesn't feel nice to win, but the real reason is that a win for us means winning for the mortals as well! I've decided to focus on the three Primes where we've had the most influence so far. My plane of birth would come as no surprise. It's been receiving the excellent stewardship of Valar," she continues, nodding at the priest, "and I believe it is time to expand our public works upon the plane. Just as we've connected the nations, so too must we help collate the knowledge, including the detailed maps of it drawn by my apprentice, Abagail. We hold the ability to make the world a good and decent place, one where none go hungry. Such a simple thing for any of the heavens, but a great task to be undertaken by those who further our cause there."

Seira takes a sip of celebratory ale, giving those gathered a few moments to consider this task, before she proceeds. "Lifasa, a Prime liberated from the Hells by our courageous friends upon the Aurora! Where we might work with a shred of plausible deniability upon my plane of birth, here we should move openly! Already, an academy town is under construction to gift this renewing world the gift of knowledge. It must be connected to other cities through a planetary transportation network, we must establish trade properly to ensure Lifasa's people lack for nothing, and we must remain involved, lest those like Auril try to tilt the scales. We cannot let that pass, not after what Lifasa and its people have already endured."

As this ended on a more solemn note, Seira doesn't linger as much before proceeding onwards this time around. "Because if Auril were to draw closer to success, the result would be not unlike the third Prime we will focus our attentions on. I have an agent of change in the nation of Malana, but to say the world is set against her would not be an overstatement. To avoid escalation from Auril's side, we need to work on a smaller scale there. Less grand battles with evil, and more nurturing, protection and education. Less global infrastructure projects, and more grassroots movements."

She claps her hands. "I'm sure there are those of you better suited for one aspect of the plan than the others. Pick the one that coincides with your inclinations, and come see me later in private. We'll coordinate our efforts then."

[Anastasia]

Nods at all of that, cheers.

Valar merely inclines his head to you again, while Amaryl adds, "This is a chance to do something, mean something. To save so many, to bring ab etter tomorrow, the next day and all the days beyond that!"

It sounds like you want everyone choosing worlds here? More after I get an answer to that.

[Corwin]

I'm throwing quest hooks for NPCs for a change! I have a default plan of 'I want this to happen' and I intend to get my people to do it. Of course, if they have a better idea of what to do with my general guidelines, that's even better and should advance their node goals/ascension concepts/etc.

"For those of us here with a trouble of setting foot on the Prime Material, worry not!" she proclaims. "The elevated world of Benfal is one where we could support and make a showing at, much like how Kascha is currently flying the flag at the Inner Planes." Winking at the ghaele, Seira adds, "Not right this instant, of course, but we're all allowed our brief breaks." Gesturing towards the doorway symbolically, she goes on to say, "Those planes, where the cause of Evil and Good is in such contention, offer a great many opportunities for us to act. And finally, the Silver Sea itself. The gith are the undisputed power of Astral, yet the Cauldron is likewise here to stay! We'll keep on building our trade routes and alliances, but keep an eye on strengthening our position here as well, and that's just one more goal on our filling plate."

[Anastasia]

"We advance," Lumenbur crackles, "That is what you are saying."

"Of course it is, and many areas to choose from," Elle agrees, "I intend to focus on the Primes, myself."

"We all have things to do," Amaryl speaks up, "Now, who will go where and do what?"

That's cool. How much do you wanna go into planning IC or OOC here?

[Corwin]

There is one more aspect she hadn't spoken of, but that's because she wants it to be a pleasant surprise. As Amaryl takes over the organizational part, Seira gravitates towards Sanzha while using her powers to ensure her private conversations will remain private for the time being.

"The more confidential part relies on you," she notes, holding out another glass of ale to the other woman. "Have you decided whether you'll help me negotiate favorable terms and a united front with the planar trading houses, put pressure on the efreet of Fire or take a more active role in things on Earth?"

Let's cover a few aspects IC, and switch to OOC where needed.

[Anastasia]

Sanzha politely declines the ale and respons, "I have little reason to be fond of the efreet," she says, "I do think that's the only logical choice, isn't it?"

[Corwin]

"And a good one, at that," Seira agrees, even though it does feel like one made in the middle. Sanzha would stand out and act more, but not commit herself fully. It does suit her personality, but would that be enough for her ascension? "Romiel provided us with a group operating out of Celestia, and I asked them to handle the details of the underground network of escape routes and safe houses for runaway slaves. His son's in it, and it's lead by a duke. Lumenbur will liaise with them, but you'll also be able to divert slaves in tough spots towards them as well as have final call on whether to have them strike in a more overt fashion. I'll leave coordinating with Zaaman Rul to you as well, if that's agreeable?"

[Anastasia]

"Agreeable enough," Lady Sanzha smiles faintly, "That should be no great difficulty."

[Corwin]

"Don't go anywhere alone," Seira warns her. "Travel with either a capable lieutenant or an entourage, be it ours or Zaaman Rul's. Even I'm going to stop acting solo outside of true emergencies."

She returns Sanzha's smile, then, and drifts towards Valar.

"I'm hoping to get a progress report," she asks of him. "Not just of Kesse, but of the entire Prime and our projects there. Depending on how things are going, I think there might be a better use for your talents. Perhaps even for Agathaiel's, unless she's the only capable administrator in Kesse you can trust."

I want to know the general state of things, as well as the status on these things as Valar is my main asset on the Balmuria Prime:
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,101068.0.html

-The progress of EARTH converting the Wastes into arable land (Saul's mages should be keeping an eye on things here).
-Mapping out the known world (mostly Abagail's project) and looking after the newly-liberated peninsula's lost knowledge and resettlement (mostly Kascha's project).
-Adjusting the old hideout of Sa'grim in Kesse to allow for better dimensional travel (Val, Amaryl's crazy pal is doing this).
-Kesse, which includes the distribution of aid and propaganda (Agathaiel) and military defense, deprogramming and central planning (Valar).
-Spying, be it coordinating with Sylica's projects or training our own agents to blend into the countries of Prime (Donald, strangely enough).
-My inn on Prime, which will serve as a place people could turn to me (my bard's keeping the reigns there for now).
-The magical academy, which I really should improve upon some day. Want to keep an eye on things so that if they need anything or whatever, I could devote time and resources. Specifically, they have an elven kid there that Latha and I tried to save, and I'd like to hear how he has been doing from time to time.
-Pallanth, and the various matters there, such as if the fey are abducting people again contradictory to the understanding we've reached with the Seladrine and the resident fey powers.
-Pallanth, specifically our own House Aryn. We took in orphans and many of my friends, and even if everything has been working out alright it'd be nice to get confirmation for that.

My itinerary largely covers the need for this, so it's a good chance to figure out where we stand, what's been done (I imagine the Wastes were restored by earth elementals working for me and teleportation network connects everything):
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104172.0.html

-Balmuria, extending my faith and the cause of Good through overt support via powerful but mortal avatars
--Public works projects throughout the known world
--Exploration and mapping out the entire world
--Libraries of readily-accessible information about the world
--Mythal over Balmuria
--Magical academy near Balmuria
--Clergy-driven scheme to eliminate global hunger
--Opposing everything by Shar

[Anastasia]

Valar has grown, aged. His gaze is still firm even now as he sits back, magic granting a private conversation, shutting out the others.

"Where would you like to talk about first, since we have many projects?" Valar asks.

Go ahead and guide this, there's enough going on that you focusing the discussion to what yo uwant would be better than me writing several huge expo bomb posts.

[Corwin]

"Let's start with Kesse itself," Seira decides, placing the extra ale glass on the small table usually used for books during shared study sessions. She's sure Vayley will keep it spotless despite this abuse! "Do they lack for anything? How is the internal situation? Is Shar still trying to surge back, now and then? How many are even receptive to that these days?"

[Anastasia]

"Well overall," Valar says, taking the glass of ale and having a long drink. "It's the work of a generation, but we're seeing changes, adjustments. The internal situation is steady, with a new King on the throne and Shar's rebound efforts held at bay. Cyric has made some inroads, but we are keeping them in check. Far less than a generation ago are open to it."