Zariel

[Ebiris]

"And what did you get from it?" Alicia asks. "Your tenure as Lord of Avernus was remarkable for its brevity. Did you achieve anything in that time worthy of you?"

[Corwin]

"Looking back on it, do you miss any part of being in Hell?" Seira asks Zariel curiously. "From my understanding everything there is suffering, inflicting and inflicted. Was your experience abnormal in that regard?"

[Anastasia]

The light of Chronias seems even brighter now, as a whisper escapes Zariel as she looks down. "...no. Nothing worthy, nothing missed. Nothing."

[Corwin]

"I don't really want to argue over whether Asmodeus lied to you or not, but the end result was that his path was terrible and you regret it," Seira decides to sum up that sad state of affairs. "How about revenge? I'm sure you managed to have some over Torm or his diehard loyalists. Did it have any lasting meaning either?"

[Ebiris]

"So in the end it was all for nothing," Alicia concludes. "A miserable, pointless tenure in charge of a benighted battleground, and a longer and more anguished period as a magical battery? These are the rewards of Hell," she sighs a little. "I wonder if Belial or Baalzebub could ever admit the same? That you can at least say so... it's important to be able to look at yourself honestly, Zariel."

[Anastasia]

"So long as the ego and pride survive, they cannot," Antenora says, voice sure. "Perhaps that is the ultimate failing of any fallen, the inability to admit they were wrong."

Zariel looks down at this, "I..." Her voice chokes, a single word out before she goes silent.

"I repented. I said I was sorry. I took the first step to rising out of the misery I put myself in." Antenora finishes for her. She offers a hand out, "We're all here for you, Zariel. We're offering you a second chance. A chance for a new life, a chance for a better way."

[Ebiris]

"Change must come from within, but the journey needn't be a lonely one," Alicia agrees, standing next to Antenora. "We would like to see you achieve the potential that was robbed from you by Daa-vid, that you chose to squander on Avernus. We'd like for your existence to be one that makes Creation a little bit brighter."

[Corwin]

"I think you already know what doesn't work for you," Seira adds to their words. "We'd like to help you find what does. Before Creation is put in the mix, a better way is one that doesn't lead to a life of nothing worthy to you, upon reflection."

[Anastasia]

Zariel listens again to both of you, silent. Her breathing is slow, head bowed down.

"Come home," Empress Sulia says, "You may not know where home is yet, but we'll help you find it. Please, come home."

Ilmater watches silently, suffering all over as he stands back. You hear him in your minds, 'This is not my battle, not now. Your words shall triumph.'

Diplo all but Ilmater, +7 bonuses to all.

[Ebiris]

[19:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+59
[19:12] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+59 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{75}

[Corwin]

Time to use the 1/week bonus of +1!

21:12 <Lucille> roll 1d20+52+4+7+1
21:12 <Kobot> Lucille rolled 1d20+52+4+7+1 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{82}

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+54 Antenora
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+54 Antenora --> [ 1d20=17 ]{71}
> roll 1d20+59 Sulia
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+59 Sulia --> [ 1d20=13 ]{72}

Your words hang in the air as Zariel is still.

The soft slap of flesh on flesh.

Zariel looks up and takes Antenora's hand, a moment of hope on her face as reality seems to freeze.

Within herself, Alicia feels her spirit growing, expanding. In that moment she knows she has become more, passing some unseen milestone into further greatness.

Within herself, Seira feels dragonfire burning in her soul, goldenfire growing hotter. In that moment she knows she has grown, taking the next step on her journey.

Empress Sulia glows before your eyes, ever-radiant now, far more than she was before.

Far away, Syala is engulfed in radiance from head to toe, glowing like the light of a star.

Alicia, Syala, Seira and Empress Sulia have all gained a divine rank.

Antenora is too new to gain anything from this, though it is progress towards DvR1 for her.

Amaryl wasn't involved in this quest much and is also brand new to DvR1, so see Antenora.

Go ahead and go do the mechanics of it now. This includes choosing a new SDA, so think about it and choose wisely.

[Corwin]

Grinning ear to ear, Seira places her own hand over the clasped hands of Zariel and Antenora!

[Ebiris]

+1 divine rank is +1 to a whole heap of stuff. Notably strength/con/charisma go from odd to even numbered bonuses so lots of goodies there, especially with the doubled charisma to saves I've got going.

For the new SDA, I'll take Eldritch Knowledge, doubling the number of spells known for every level Alicia has. That may take a while to fill out but I'll plug at it tonight.

[Ebiris]

With a more steady smile of her own even as she becomes that much more, Alicia puts her hand on top of Seira's. "Be welcome, Zariel."