A light filled wandering

[Anastasia]

I'll split you two into new topics in the morning. One of you reply so I don't pass this over, would you?

[Iron Dragoon]

REply!

[Anastasia]

Thus Alyssa returns home and ...

Next move right off?

[Iron Dragoon]

General check in on things then a talk with node members about Malcanthet. Two or three times now higher powers have suggested I ally with her, so it needs to be addressed.

[Anastasia]

It's easy enough to get everyone together and...

Go ahead and do your expo.

[Iron Dragoon]

"So, we have a looming shadow to deal with. Twice now deities have strongly suggested that I form a certain alliance. This came up in Celesta again, but in a roundabout accusing of collusion. Malcanthet. She sent a representative to the Order. Shaundakul suggested I ally with her. A commune spell suggested I ally with her."

[Anastasia]

Jarem's sitting back, listening.

Emily frowns, "I can understand Shaundakul perhaps, but wait, did CELESTIA?" she asks, "Are you certain?"

Ianvasah's pacing by the window, listening nonetheless.

Bastian's leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "It sounds like a bad idea - like most beautiful women of dubious moral fiber. Fun in the moment, horrible beyond that."

Dolmaya gives Bastian a curious look, "I'd say the same thing about someone like Graz'zt. He's quite fetching if you don't mind six fingers on each hand and small horns on his head."

Bastian returns that look with a bit of a smile, "Beauty gets us all in trouble. The one time I laid with an elf adventuress, she ended up being a secret cultist of Talona. I'm lucky I didn't need a regenerate spell after it all went wrong."

Jarem glances over at that, while Dolmaya says, "No worse than a demon worshiping warlock. Handsome as sin and darker than sin in his heart, too."

Emily blanches at all of this, while Jarem adds quietly to her, "Those are the exceptions to the rule, or should be."

Meanwhile Bastian throws his head back and laughs. "I ended up having to kill that elf, her studies of Talona's dogma drove her mad. Yours?"

Here Dolmaya lets out a long, gentle sigh, "Before it came to a head between the two of us, his patron found out the warlock had been secretly bargaining with Hell for his loyalty and more power. A flaming fist through his heart was his rebuke."

[Iron Dragoon]

"As amusing as it is to watch you two compare notches on your bed posts, let me address something. Celestia didn't approve it. They accused me of already dealing with her. Quite unhappily. In a way, at least. I believe the imagery was a poisoned cup at my lips.

The question remains, however. You've made food points against, but for arguments sake, let me raise two points. First, what resources can she bring? And second... Can we fight for creation with half of it on the sidelines? Or worse, pulled in to fight for their own destruction?

I've struggled with this, which is why I never responded to her. But... The question remains."

[Anastasia]

"I'd be careful about that," Jarem points out, "Imagery is just that and often one can get the wrong meaning."

Food points?

[Iron Dragoon]

Good points.

"Yes. Part of why I brought this up to all of you. Ah, speaking of. Jarem, Emily. Should we take Bastian and Dolmaya to meet our returned friend?"

[Anastasia]

"Not enough to matter. She's evil, Alyssa," Emily says firmly, "Nothing good will come of working with her."

Jarem hms a moment, "We should, when you're ready."

Bastian grunts at that, "Malcanthet is a handful at best, and I think only the desperate or foolish should deal with her. We're not foolish, so are we desperate?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa sighs and looks up at the ceiling, "We might be. Let's get some input from our friend and do introductions."

[Anastasia]

"Your returned friend?" Dolmaya asks, "Who?"

"Trust me, you'll understand when you meet him," Jarem gets up, "Sooner the better."

Moving on to that?

[Iron Dragoon]

Yup.

[Anastasia]

Cool, any prep before it or shall I move you to it?