Ready to roar

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, they're very much like that. Very loathsome. They believe magical talent grants them the right to rule and those without are lesser existences. Many of our workers, and some of our mages, are refugees from the Mageocracy. Most often, it's an apprentice who fell in with a non-mage and started a family that comes to us. The council takes great pains to impress upon our members that those in the Order who do the more mundane work of keeping us running are every bit as important as the mages. It's worked well, but it's not a popular opinion outside of us. It's kept our numbers small, but the end point is everyone is happy."

[Corwin]

"I don't know how to say this diplomatically, but are you aware of the gulf in power between yourself or my Emily and those armies?" Seira asks Alyssa directly. "If she had the intention of doing so, she could crush them all underfoot. Is it possible that you do not realize that mortal common sense with regard to battle no longer applies to you? While pretending to be weak and not worth assaulting is a valid option, I suppose, it severely stunts your nation's growth and limits your options. After all, you're either too weak, or you're forming demi-planes or establishing offshoots on levitating mountains. You can't do both."

[Corwin]

Seira snaps her fingers. "Oh, and the obvious. You did ask the corpses who killed them?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"I'm aware of it, but also remember that this is entirely new to myself and the Order. If I have the power I do, I decide what's to be done with it. I won't be tied down ruling a nation while there's things to be done and places to explore. However, I can't just go traipsing off and ignore the responsibilities I have to the Order and those close to me. It's on me to get them to the point where retaliation against them for their association to me is, at the very least, unwise. If I left now, the Mageocracy would descend on them assuming there's some secret to the power that they know. Langersun might declare war and try to eradicate them in fear of them being able to produce that sort of power again. The same with Shar, though she might enslave, torture, and experiment on them to discover how it was done. If they decide to worship me as some sort of deity? How many other cults or deities might take offense at that? Before I move to establish my own seat, whether that's from growing the Order or making something new, I owe it to them to leave them safe..."

Alyssa sighs after all that. "To the corpses, not especially. The first victim had their soul captured. I didn't personally check the rest, as I'm not functional with Necromancy, but nothing outside of that being the norm was reported in the following investigations."

[Corwin]

"I think that's a lot of worry for nothing, and you and the Order have had years to come to terms with this new reality." Seira shrugs. "Then again, it's your life. Live it as you wish."

Focusing on the actionable advice, she says, "Follow through on your own, then, and use stronger magic to force it, like the Wish boosters I mentioned. If it eventually leads you to a drop of blood or some other identifying mark, that would work, and it's not an option I can see Shar restricting for thematic reasons."

Also, OOC for a sec, the guards who had their throats slit were regenerated so maybe they smelled or heard something in the least, if not seen.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Thank you for the advice and your hospitality. It's been enlightening and enjoyable. Did you have any concerns about Emily being at the Order you wanted to discuss?"

[Corwin]

"Aside from the elite Sharran assassin running around killing people while she calls on Miracle and destabilizes her magic?" Seira asks, more for Agathaiel's benefit to give her a sense of what she will need to help Emily with. "I have two... let's call them instructions, rather than concerns. One is that Emily has missed a lot of important events here at the Cauldron, despite repeated invitations. I understand the need to adventure, but a trip off-world rarely takes an entire week at our level. I'd like you to keep an eye out that she doesn't miss too much."

She still regrets that Emily didn't really get something for Amaryl, perhaps as an apology gift for missing on the ascension party.

"The other matter is that Emily is not to use my name as collateral again. She's a teenager so a lapse in judgement there is understandable. A similar lapse from your Order, however, would not be understandable. If she wants to create her own legend with her own two hands, I don't particularly mind so long as she takes precautions and travels in good company. But she can't have it both ways."

Seira glances over at Amaryl, asking, "Did you have anything to add here, Dear?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods.

"Very understandable. I've been pressuring her to visit for some time. A plane shift is simple enough for her, but as you've discovered, she does have a stubborn streak. I also made it clear to her that her being with the order might have implications extending to you that she needs to consider. I've also hesitated in offering her membership in the Order for that same reason. It could easily be construed as you directly granting favor to us. That on the heels of the Red Knight would be... Complicated, I imagine."

[Corwin]

"It's only as complicated as you choose to make it. As for joining, I don't really mind. I have a low opinion of the usefulness of cooperative magic for someone of Emily's skills or your own, so I'd very much prefer she didn't retrain actually useful skills for that. It's not a hard requirement, I trust?"

[Anastasia]

Amaryl clears her throat and sits back, "Be that as it may, I'm content now. As long as you take good care of Emily - and let her find her own path." She sighs, "I fear she's reached the age when an elf would find a lute, a long sword and leathers, all before wandering for a decade."

Meanwhile, Emily sniffles and adds, "Okay. Am I at least doing good, Mom? Am I at least making this a good idea with Alyssa, Jarem and everybody?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Typically it is, but considering her lineage and power, I'm willing to bet the council will waffle on it and eventually give up on it. It'll be up to Emily if she even wants to. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure how the politics of deities work, so I've been overly cautious in favor of not stepping on more toes."

[Anastasia]

"Understandable," Amaryl agrees, "We had our own missteps as we learned the basics and how not to offend."

[Corwin]

"Who knows if Alyssa's the right one for you? I've only just met her, and for all I know she might be a weak leader or a terrible planner." Seira pulls away to keep her daughter at arm's length, grinning at her. "The way you've finally chosen to start walking down your path? That's unquestioningly good, and Amaryl thinks the same way." She reaches over to tap Emily's nose. "Just remember to put more work along with the play. Help people, and it would be more rewarding than any glorious quest for riches. You'll understand what I mean as you go along, I don't doubt that."

[Anastasia]

"Thanks, Mom," Emily hugs you suddenly, strongly, "I'll make it up to you too, I promise!"

[Corwin]

To Alyssa, Seira says, "Frankly, I don't think you've picked a good approach. Subservience isn't really one I'd recommend either, but blatant ignorance doesn't really hold much charm. That you hail from a group of researchers who pride knowledge is, well, honestly embarrassing. After all, you have the means to gain the necessary knowledge in a timely manner, from book learning, planar travel or asking my daughter. That you haven't reflects negatively on you, and on your efforts at diplomacy."

Seira scratches her chin in thought, before asking, "Were I the supreme queen of one of your empires, how would you treat with me?"