A new hill

[Ebiris]

"Even reaching it will be a trial nevermind figuring out how to get inside it past whatever defences the slaad have. But you two are deities of chaos which gives us an edge the devils lack," Alicia answers.

Meanwhile she replies to Emily. Yes, Emily?

[Anastasia]

Alyssa and I are working on the seed in the Astral. Zaphkiel mentioned an unused transitive plane. I heard of what you did in the other stairway, do you think that could be it?

[Ebiris]

Perhaps. I'm actually working with the ruler of that plane now to try and get the one on Limbo - Hell beat us to the one in Pandemonium. Do you wish an introduction?

[Anastasia]

If it is that one, it may have some connection or remnant of this connection to the Astral, this Ordial Gate. It would help us a lot.

[Ebiris]

"Excuse me, we have something else - Emily Aryn is asking for a favour," Alicia says to her companions. "She's newly risen herself and the daughter of two dear friends of mine. She believes you can help her with something Queen, so this would be a good chance for you to make additional contacts and friends."

If you plane shift to Sylica here you'll find the door to her stair awaits under the bridge. I'm with her and Empress Sulia not far in.

[Anastasia]

"Fine, let some good come of this," Queen says at last.

Thank you! I'll be along with Alyssa!

[Ebiris]

"I've asked her to come through Sylica with the same door we used, she'll be along shortly with Alyssa Songsteel, another freshly ascended," Alicia says, now waiting.

[Anastasia]

"Oh yes, I heard of her," Empress Sulia says, then sighs. "Including from one of my more...difficult faithful."

[Ebiris]

"Oh? Any timely warnings to give?" Alicia asks, curious what sort of adherent Sulia would class as 'difficult'.

[Anastasia]

"Bring birdseed," Sulia's voice is deadpan, tired and exasperated.

"...birdseed?" Queen turns to her, "What manner of difficult is she?"

"She rather devoutly believes herself to be a bird," Sulia explains, "After a rather unusual event, she's a phoenix in the body of a human."

[Ebiris]

"I meant more what your faithful told you about Alyssa, but... alright," Alicia says dubiously. "A phoenix in the body of a human? How does that work? I heard Kascha from the Cauldron is some sort of phoenix but she's an eladrin... are feathers going out of style?"

[Anastasia]

"Well..." Sulia begins, only to stop when the door opens. Into this second Stair Emily and Alyssa come forth.

For Alicia, she sees Empress Sulia. She is clad in a beautiful gown, hair of vibrant red spilling down her back. She is a naturally pretty woman, a quarterstaff at the ready.

With them is Queen, a battle maiden lillend. She is clad in breastplate and armor, a sword at her side. She looks over the two of you with a regal expression.

Go ahead, y'all.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa holds herself confidently, clad in simple clothes of high quality in purples, reds, and golds, with gloves of fine leather, and inclines her head to the others.

"Greetings, I am Alyssa Songsteel, ruler of the Alyssum Royal Academy. Thank you for making time to meet with us and any help we might receive."

[Ebiris]

"Emily, Alyssa," Alicia nods to the pair. "This is Empress Sulia and Queen. Queen rules this realm, but since you've caught us in the midst of a journey we'll have to dispense with the usual formalities," she says to introduce everyone, standing on the stairs in her own armour with wooden double-sword over her back.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, I hear you're working on something in Limbo. Things are certainly speeding up. Thank you for the introductions, Alicia."