The laughter of oblivion

[Ebiris]

"Ah, Seira," Alicia stands up to greet her friend. "That is an interesting piece of the puzzle and might be the key after all. Perhaps he gleaned enough to be interested without quite understanding what was really at stake?"

[Corwin]

"That might be," Seira agrees. "I don't have all the details, but I believe Moore didn't approach the House of the Triad when he realized this-- in fact, it's quite possible he doesn't realize the implications. He certainly didn't know the importance of the God-King's judgement or the war over the Fairest Star. That might account for why the defenders would let Torm through rather than reinforce in strength."

[Ebiris]

"Speaking of the Fairest Star," Alicia begins, "We just came back from Bytopia after obtaining its prize. It was... well, Zaphkiel mentioned a memorial? He was understating it," she shakes her head. "Daa-vid was there too. He killed the gnome god, Garl Glittergold. Killed every petitioner and angel in Bytopia... it was humbling and shocking to see, and made the destruction seen on our world from that war seem small. I think it would be worth it for you to visit sometime when things are quieter - Bytopia was hostile to our presence at first, but do you remember the ring I got from that vampire? Well it was cursed by Daa-vid himself, that's why it never really did anything for me. Bytopia purged that curse and I think gained some satisfaction for being able to strike something of Daa-vid's that it became a lot more peaceful afterwards. It's still... so empty, and sad, though."

[Corwin]

"I do have those Resorts...." Seira trals off, blinking, before she shakes her head. "No. Wait. We knew he killed A god so badly the name got stricken from history, but the entire heaven?! But... we've seen gnomes! Here and there! At the Infinite Stair, in some tomb-- Moore just came across one! Where are they going if Bytopia isn't open for business? I... I just, how could we not realize? All this time! It's been right there! We've talked to Lathander... he can live with himself! How?!"

[Anastasia]

"It's...broken."  Latha says at last, "The entire plane's will has been broken it feels like." Her voice is low, "It's hard to describe except as heart breaking."

[Ebiris]

"I don't know what happens to remaining gnomes - maybe they just go to whichever other plane supports their alignment or their god if they have another one? But the gnome equivalent to Corellon or Moradin was slain by Daa-vid with the power of the Fairest Star. We saw it in Bytopia's memory, it just burnt through Garl Glittergold's shield and... consumed everything else afterwards," Alicia says, nodding to Seira's sentiments about Lathander. "The memorial has names I think of every one who ever called Bytopia heaven - tiny letters on a huge wall stretching farther than we could see. All gone because of Daa-vid."

[Anastasia]

"They must be going to other planes - faithful ones go there, ones of other ethos close to them," Amaryl reasons. "...right?" She slumps down after, "I just...I can't even imagine it, Alicia. I can't."

[Corwin]

Seira scowls, declaring, "We should try to do something about it, then. I just got back from Deep Ethereal with Sanzha, Elle and Oberuth. The Guardian refused to bring Ianvasah back as an opponent to challenge us, but we had a chance to try and reform her in a dream. It failed, to our regret, but Oberuth's touch helped make it more real as I hoped. Since it was the Fairest Star that killed them, perhaps its power of revival would be able to counter that effect? We'll all be there to help boost it however we can, too."

[Ebiris]

"That's why I think it's important to see the place with your own eyes, after all we learned about that war closer to home..." Alicia says to Amaryl before Seira's words make her eyes widen. "The guardian at Bytopia? He offered to bring back Garl Glittergold as a ghost as well. But... you're right. Oberuth's power with the Fairest Star is unprecedented and we don't know the limits of it. It... could work?" The symmetry of it feels right at least.

[Anastasia]

"He's here with Elle," Amaryl speaks up, "Let me go get him."

[Corwin]

Seira wilts a bit. "If I could violate the Temporal Compact just a bit, I could do it. So the Guardian clearly could! But we can't stay focused on past failures. Let's give it a try right now?"

[Ebiris]

"I don't see why not," Alicia agrees with Seira that this is worth trying immediately. "There's far too many for him to do everyone or even a fraction, but... if he could bring back Garl Glittergold, it might... loosen things? Or he might be able to generate a broad enough effect that more normal resurrections are possible after that?" They're in uncharted territory here, but that's how it is with the Fairest Star.

[Anastasia]

As you talk, Amaryl returns with Oberuth in a shimmer of magic.

"Alicia, Syala, Latha," he nods to each, "What's this about the Fairest Star?"

[Corwin]

"Hellman, listen! Alicia, Latha and Syala've been to Bytopia and it turns out that Daa-vid killed everyone there back during the war! Everyone! We have to try and bring them back!"

[Ebiris]

"Hello again Commander," Alicia gives him a nod and a small smile. "We just returned from Bytopia. Daa-vid's reign of terror wasn't limited to our own world - we saw how he used the Fairest Star to kill the god of the gnomes, and every one else that was in Bytopia. The entire plane has been empty ever since."