Cauldron Festival

[Ebiris]

"It's alright," Marie leans up to kiss Antenora's cheek. "You'll have an avatar soon, Alicia says it's just as good as being there herself."

[Corwin]

"How dare you be nostalgic about your old home?! Apology not accepted!" Seira tells her with a snort, trying one of the smokey shrimp herself.

[Anastasia]

Smiling more and giving Marie a little kiss back, "An avatar, hm?" Smiling broader at this, as people bustle about, enjoying the festivities, "More seriously, Lixer beat that time limitation. There has to be a way to do it ourselves."

[Ebiris]

"I mean if Lixer can do it you'd think anyone could," Marie says dismissively. "So why haven't they?"

[Corwin]

"Because of Asmodad, of course," Seira states matter of factly. "That said, I'm going to bug Mystra about it in case she has an idea. She did have one about the other cheating thing Lixer did at his place, so it only follows, right?"

[Anastasia]

"It's something difficult, obscure or requires a greater power," Antenora lists off, "Likely something that Asmodeus enables, and those are the three most likely things I can think of." Ticking fingers off one by one, "It may also have to do with the bond of blood, thinking on it. We know little about actual divine children besides the Neverborn."

[Ebiris]

"It could be something to do with being Lord of the First?" Marie suggests. "What if Bel had an avatar that was nearly done and it just got converted into a Lixer avatar when he took over the office?"

[Anastasia]

"We can't discount that, either," Antenora agrees, as you pass by a stall offering fried bread filled with cheese, Antenora glancing at it  before turning away. What looks to be a half dragon woman and a dwarf are sharing a meal of it, talking in low tones.

Nearby a Waukeenite in full robes and gear rings a handbell and calls, "Elysian and Arborea mixed wines for sale here. Mixed wines for sale, the best of two vintages! Mixed wines for sale here!"

[Corwin]

"I don't think it works that way," Seira responds, shaking her head. "As a proud owner of an avatar, they're... really you. In every sense, they're you. Just like I get a tail if I transform into a dragon and gain the extra limb, or just like you get wings if you transform into a flying form and they're limbs just like your hands and feet? The avatar is just another body, and if you're a deity it just makes sense, same as having more limbs does with the base transformations. I just can't see myself using another's avatar even if it were possible to hijack them."

[Anastasia]

"It could be something more exotic," Antenora pauses, going over to that wine seller. "A moment, this would make a good gift for Alicia's parents."

Meanwhile another food seller - this one candied fruits - waves, "Lady Seira! Lady Seira! Come and taste my fruits! I profit greatly from them!"

[Ebiris]

"Not a complete avatar," Marie shakes her head to Seira as Antenora goes to do some bartering. "But before it finishes forming it's more like a mannequin isn't it? I had to dust Alicia's avatar often enough before it was ready."

[Corwin]

Seira is more than happy to skip over to the seller, even as her magic ensures she can continue the conversation with Antenora and Marie while keeping it reasonably private!

"Speaking of Lixer, I'm pretty sure that rescuing Zariel made him quantifiably weaker, so what I think is happening is that you could use outside sources to have an artificially stronger divine spark. Maybe that's how you could lower avatar creation times? Just have a greater deity sponsor you for a week and you're all set?"

Of the seller, she asks, "You've got my attention! What sells best with elves?"

[Anastasia]

"Twenty gold? How about five?" Antenora bargains away, as meanwhile the seller is a happy looking human, albeit with a third eye. She smiles as she offers you up a plate of candied fruits, "What do you think? They benefit the orphanage I came from! The elves tend to like the candied apples and berries of all types the most."

[Corwin]

"If it's a reasonable price, I'll buy the plate~" Seira responds, intending to make sure she's not being overcharged. It's a matter of principle!

To Marie, she responds with, "I honestly don't know if it's possible, but--" She glances at Oraga, and decides not to add that she thinks it would be creepy. It's all a matter of perspective, after all. "I suppose Lixer does give off this desperate vibe. He could've done it even if I wouldn't."

[Anastasia]

Oraga returns your look as he glowers at the wine seller, who quickly agrees, "Five gold is fine, Miss!"

Meanwhile the woman smiles, "It's free for you, of course."

As Antenora comes over with a bottle of wine, stashing it away, "Desperate isn't the word I'd use for Lixer."