Forward

[Yuthirin]

'To be honest, I have not heard a quiet voice. Though to be fair, life has been extremely loud lately. A rather disproportionate amount of explosions, tiny ice golems that throw giant whirlwinds, angry yelling faces the size of houses, and Calleigh rather learning how un-fun Ice can be unfortunately. As for the child? The name doesn't follow irrigo naming conventions, so I assume it's a land-bound child? Two legs? Human? Elf? Those tend to be the most common, yes?'

[Anastasia]

"Human, 4 or 5 years old I believe. His mother's Sylvie, I believe you knew her." The man says, peering out at the playing irrigo as he speaks. "Then let's get through the tedious parts of this."

[Yuthirin]

'Oh yes, the human turned some-sort-of-celestial with that whatever it was weapon thing with a chip on her shoulder about children. Twenty-nine or whatever. Twenty three? Always was partial to that number, but it feels wrong. Some book thing that hurt devils readily enough. Smart, but strange. Calleigh enjoyed annoying her. Please, though, do go on.' Tryll invitingly gestures with a facial tendril.

[Anastasia]

"You've felt a bond with chosen others and seen those who join it grow greatly powerful nigh instantly, have you not?" The man asks, "If you haven't, you're hopelessly behind."

[Yuthirin]

'Ohh, yes. Now that you mention it I have noticed that. Picked up a valkyrie and one of Raziel's mortal servants and they both received some significant boosts in strength. I thought it was just me. Sounds like you're saying otherwise?'

[Anastasia]

"Do you really believe you brought that sort of rapid advancement on your own?" The man asks, dryly.

[Yuthirin]

'I've seen weirder things in the last two million years.' Tryll replies in the same tone, 'But I did note it as odd. No event had preceded it. I am assuming you know what's going on? Does it have something to do with our ultimate goal?'

[Anastasia]

"It does," The man agrees, "Tell me, will you stand against Shar as she ends everything? When the Song of Oblivion can be heard all across Creation, will you close your eyes and fade away, or will you fight on that final day?"

[Yuthirin]

'Well, considering my ultimate goal is to murder Shar and annihilate whatever remains of her divinity, I suppose our goals could mesh.'

[Anastasia]

A grunt at that, "Good, good. I see why now. You've been chosen to help aid in the battle against Shar. Her power waxes, and in return, a rare few are being directly empowered in groups to oppose her. You're one of those few, as are those directly around you."

[Yuthirin]

'Ahhh, so it IS a divine something! I'd thought it might be. Got no response otherwise, though. Who's handing out power-ups then? The Triune? The Queen? Actually no, I'm pretty sure she'd just have summoned us. Usually either does that or sends a stuffed up tulani to spout at us if She wants us to do something for her. It's gotta be someone, though. At least one someone. Got a line? I know a valkyrie who needs to be made a proxy so we can go places as a team and do stuff without breaking Primes. Otherwise we need to figure out how to summon her as a planar ally each time without binding some of her power and yeah I'm rambling but you get the point right? Stuff to do, shadow goddesses that need a sharp stick in the eye. What's the deal?'

[Anastasia]

"You'll find yourselves growing stronger as you accomplish things," The man says, "More, you have tasks, three of them. Four other groups are working on the same tasks. They are to find Io, Lord of all Dragons. Secondly is to grow stronger, to prosper and develop yourselves. Third is to find 21. Additionally, you must find those four other groups and come to know them, for you will fight with them against Shar and her minions."

[Yuthirin]

'Find 21. Sylvie? Again? Really? Well damn. Okay. Think I'll have to take it away from her?'

[Anastasia]

"It'll be harder than that," The man says, "Finding the other groups is part of your growth and I'm in a position that limits me, but...Return to Dana's world. Seek an archmage named Alyssa. A-L-Y-S-S-A, not to be confused with the deity Alicia Reynes. You're behind, get moving."

[Yuthirin]

'Of course it'll be harder than that. What's she gone and done now? And of course they're not to be confused. They sound nothing alike.'