Forever lies ahead

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa, Oh, fine. Here, come through, and hurry. I don't want to leave it open.

Alyssa uses her Alter Reality ability to open a Gate for Madala into her study.

[Anastasia]

Gate is a 9th level spell, but I presume you have a casting handy when you're not on a combat set of spells, so that works just fine.

Madala rises swiftly and her jaw tenses, but she strides right towards it and through. She then looks around, taking in the surroundings as...

Go ahead.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa leans back in her chair and grins, "Hello! I needed to bring you here for a reason. Gods that are in opposition to each other often watch for effects from those they oppose. I didn't want to draw attention to Arythma if I didn't need to. Now, for your question."

Alyssa releases her divine aura and channels a thread of her power around Madala so she can feel it press against her.

I assume I won't have to do something drastic like disintegrate a mountain range to prove things to you more than this?

[Anastasia]

In a moment Madala's composure breaks and she stumbles to her knees, bowing her head. She says not a word for several long moments until, "I..."

A moment of speechlessness.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa rolls her eyes and reigns her power in, "Oh stand up. Sit in a chair, have something to drink and get back to you grumpy self. This'll go a lot faster if you're all crotchety instead of a stammering maiden."

[Anastasia]

Slowly Madala manages to get to her feet and slump into a chair. She buries her face into her hands for several moments until, "Then how by Sune's teats did you ascend and why?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa leans forward, "Well... The exact method, I can't tell you. There are concerns and rules, even for deities. How it happens is rather limited. Combined with the current conflict, well... Having whoever manages to check all the boxes, so to speak, just ascend at will would be... Rather horrific for all of Creation.

What I can tell you is that it was tied to the power I received in the Labyrinth. It opened the door, so to speak. Once I was away from the Order, I continued to develop and certain opportunities made themselves known. I took the chance and it paid off... After a few setbacks."

Alyssa sighs and looks out of the window of her study, "... Ianvasah died. Her soul was destroyed completely by Shar. She did it to save me. I still died, but Shaundakul was able to bring me back. After that, I raced for options for power."

Alyssa locks eyes with Madala, "It's not what I wanted or why, but it's what's needed. Shar's little war extends farther than you know."

[Anastasia]

All of that is taken in. Silence for a time after. Eyes meet eyes.

"So what now, then?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, this is my divine realm. I can offer you a tour, but that's not really the issue. The issue is that I need resources and personnel. The Order would be a magnificent resource for me. But that brings us back to the question I asked you before. Your inclination is going to be to ask 'why should we' and 'what's in it for us,' and while I can't tell you the exact details yet, know this: If you choose to stand aside and we lose this fight, you'll be scoured from existence the same as if you had fought."

[Anastasia]

"You're that certain Shar will do that?" Madala challenges back.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Absolutely. Without doubt. She herself considers it utterly inevitable. In her mind, it's a foregone conclusion."

[Anastasia]

"Hmph." Silence from Madala after, deep and heavy. "Foolishness until the end. Well then, oh Goddess, what would you wish us to do?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Answer the question I asked earlier. You've deflected and are trying to get me to give you a command, but I won't do that. You have to decide for yourselves if you want to be a part of this. I don't expect an immediate answer, so let's get that tour out of the way, so you can see a portion of what you're getting into."

[Anastasia]

"Fine," Madala retorts, "Do we have a choice, the way you say it? I know what happens to those who openly deny divine commands."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, I know the history and lore, too. And you're right. Mortals don't have a say in things on the divine stage. Typically. And yet... Mortals make up the largest bulk of Creation. Having been mortal so recently, I think I have something of a unique perspective on it, so I'm going to do something that's probably going to make everyone angry, as usual.

In this case, you mortals do have a choice. I will make no decree, no demand. You have a choice to step into this fight, or not. I can't force any other gods, much less Shar, to give you a choice, however."