Date night

[Ebiris]

"I told you he wasn't dead," Marie says. "It was obvious from the start."

"Surprising we found out so trivially though, isn't it?" Alicia says. "I would have expected that to be some kind of revelation, not just casually dropped in amidst something unrelated."

[Anastasia]

"As am I," Syala says, "It has to be intentional, a reward." She considers the mirror for long moments, "Some insight into what Asmodeus is doing. Zaphkiel and Asmodeus struck me as loathing each other, but they also seem to have a working relationship."

"It is good confirmation, though I agree with Marie. In such a time, I doubt Asmodeus would waste a resource." Antenora ruminates, "It also shows us that they're willing to cooperate on some things - on our greatest problems - but we can't forget what they are and what Asmodeus is - a hateful, petty little tyrant." Now her voice hardens, "That when shorn of all his grace and dignity, wants us to suffer. He merely didn't hide it for once and we got to see it."

[Ebiris]

"Hopefully Afina will kill Gathgorian soon... honestly if she doesn't I might make it a priority of my own," Alicia says, returning the mirror to its box for now until Jessica gets back so she can see it. "We know then that Bel was the 'one other' that Eblis mentioned when the topic of One first came up. I didn't think Io was included in that count since it seemed clear to be Hell's own squadron of Ones rather than a grand total which would have included Antenora when she became One, but that's confirmation anyway."

[Anastasia]

"Then we'll have to stop Bel before this is all over," Antenora says, as surely as if talking about the inevitability of day and night.

"This also provides insight into our sponsor," Latha speaks up after that, "He allowed Eblis to follow his own free will, he left him to accomplish it as he sees fit, find his own path up the Holy Mountain."

"Which is familiar with how he's dealt with us," Syala agrees, "He tells us some things, but mostly seems to want us to grow on our own and reward us for advancing. It's not what I'd have expected from him." Here she looks to you, "I won't call it chaotic," Holding up a hand, "So spare your words, Latha."

Latha smiles but stays quiet.

"Nonetheless, from what we know now: he trusts mortals. To find an Answer at the least, to live and find the path to Chronias." Syala continues. "He truly believes in everyone's better nature is what I think, that even his fallen son can be redeemed."

[Ebiris]

"I'd expect nothing less. Celestia is no tyranny, everyone there is free to find their place within the limits of their abilities," Alicia says, not finding that insight to be terribly surprising. "And Eblis like many others - including the one who built what would become Sylica, failed to measure up... at least in the short term. Who knows what the long view holds on such fallen after today?"

[Anastasia]

"A better tomorrow," Antenora answers, as...

Anything else to add here?

[Ebiris]

No, lets wait on Jessica now.

[Anastasia]

Quick d100 to see if anything transpires while.

[Ebiris]

[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[20:35] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d100=2]

[Anastasia]

Soon enough Jessica returns - you meet with her at the mountain hot springs. She's already unclad and soaking, eyes closed.

[Ebiris]

Disrobing herself, Alicia slips into the steaming mineral rich waters next to her sister. "Did you have a safe trip?"

[Anastasia]

Jessica gives you a long, exasperated look, "Sister, I spent hours in what could generously be called a poison lake. Safe wasn't ever going to be a reality."

[Ebiris]

She's probably talking up the danger of it, given how little such environmental considerations mean to beings of their power, but... "It was that bad?"

[Anastasia]

"The dao have added some kind of red colored stone to the water. I'm not sure what, but there's pockets of it floating free. It makes it even worse." Jessica grimaces, "Water also slows down close to it, struggles to move. It creates stills in the water, fairly sure it would give a water elemental difficulty. It also releases this reddish material into the water, everything's worse around it. It seems to enhance the foulness of the water."

[Ebiris]

"Syala might know what it is, hold on..." Alicia calls on Syala or her avatar to come join them for this.

Since she has knowledge (dungeoneering) which may be useful here.