Homefront

[Corwin]

"Thank you, Darling," Seira says, returning the hug warmly. "Be careful out there, you and Zariel."

[Anastasia]

"I don't doubt we'll dodge assassin's blades," Xera concurs, "Such is the hate against those who walk the path of the righteous; for the wicked seek to destroy them with barbs, to cull them with blades and law them low with spells."

[Corwin]

"Do you need more help? I could spare Oraga for your team, and she learned a useful trick lately from Mystra."

[Anastasia]

Ultimately Xera shakes his head, "No, not yet. Oraga's presence could be misunderstood by certain people, people who may still suspect Zariel. I'd rather not explain the situation to them again and again and hope all believe it."

[Corwin]

"As you wish. Anything I can do to help, just name it. We're rescuing that poor girl, and this time it won't take two decades to get the job done."

[Anastasia]

Okay then, this is winding down. Anything else before Donald and Ranbar?

[Corwin]

No, though I would like to meet them with Elle. It can be in the Church!

[Anastasia]

Okay, go ahead and set up the scenery of your church, worldbuild it a bit.

I liked the last one, even if IC Xera wasn't going to comment on it because her mind was on her encounter with Emily.

[Corwin]

This one was actually described before! But we can do it again from another angle.

The main temple of the Church of the Golden Flame is located one level above the volcano's bottom-most terrace, allowing a glimpse at Seira's gingerbread palace. It is, however, the last terrace open to public access, as approaching Innocence or the lake of lava besides it requires special permission. The temple's placement above said lake of lava makes visitors bathe in its steam, and white the heat is considerable Seira's divine power ensures that it is never painful to her visitors outside those of evil persuasion. The temple complex can be divided into three parts -- the offices closed to the public and serving the celestial bureaucracy in charge of administering Seira's clergy across Creation, the massive golden flame in the center of the temple through which worshippers are encouraged to pass, as they are encouraged by its phantom flames in turn, and the newest addition of lush forests surrounding the temple as its public gardens. It is in one such clearing within that maze of greenery that Seira waits for Donald and Ranbar with Elle, one not unlike where she entertained Zariel when the latter wished for a touch of nature.

[Anastasia]

Never hurts to refresh. You'd be amazed at how often the DM has to be redundant. After all, it's stunning how often a DM repeats himself. So I understand the point, as DMs are constantly repeating themselves to different people.

Elle awaits with you, patiently as Donald strides in. He's whistling and his helmet his off, a jaunty wave as he walks right in. Ranbar keeps pace a few steps behind him, taking it all in, a touch wild around the eyes.

"Hey Seira. The acolyte's version: It was cleanup, they weren't a threat and frankly I'd had more trouble scratching my own ass in the middle of the night than they gave me." Donald calls.

[Corwin]

"As expected," Seira tells him, waving Ranbar over. "They didn't get a chance to set off their ritual yet, or it's a case of those sahuagin trying to shoot way above their ability?"

[Anastasia]

Ranbar follows as Donald adds, "They weren't doing anything all that dangerous in the first place, relatively. I'm glad it's stopped, but it was overkill."

Elle blows out a breath, "Yes, and better than being overkilled."

[Corwin]

"I believe Emily understands things better now, and wouldn't be leaving things for us to clean up in the future," Seira voices. "With that said, we need to fight something that'll provide a challenge! You told me that mine would be difficult, but aside from the mile-long boiling adamantine dragon the guards were embarrassingly weak. Do you have something that'll let us cut loose and welcome Ranbar properly to the team? Preferably on Magma, since I want to dissuade the locals from joining the efreet. And you never know, we might run into similar conditions to Omni's birth!"

[Anastasia]

"I can see about getting something," Donald offers, glancing over. "Hey Elle, let's go do that," he says rather pointedly, his wife shooting him a look before following.

[Corwin]

"Not a fan of hitting the ground running?" Seira asks Ranbar with a grin, as Donald and Elle leave.