Forever lies ahead

[Anastasia]

"Repent, heretic," The man says those two words, ice cold, and nothing else.

[Iron Dragoon]

Regardless if you believe in me not, I was High Regent. The very least you can do is be civil.

[Anastasia]

"Burn in hellfire, heretic," The man snaps out.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa attempts to pull him to her study.

Not sure which spell is best for this. Gate?

[Anastasia]

What's the DC of alter reality for you, let's start with that.

[Iron Dragoon]

36.

[Anastasia]

Okay, looking at mechanics it would be something like opening a gate and using alter reality to shove him through it, which should work fine.

> roll 1d20+14
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{33}

It works. Just like that he's pushed through and lands in a heap.

Peace, Alyssa. This one is one of mine, even if he does not proclaim it loudly. He is misguided, but out of respect for whom he serves.

The wise and strong voice of Tyr, the Maimed God, is heard in your mind.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa pauses at that and nods, Understood, Lord Tyr. I mean no disrespect or offense to you and yours. Just as he is one of yours, he was also one of mine when I was of the Order, and I have great concern for the safety of all of them. His stubbornness places himself, and those who depend on his leadership and clear thinking, in danger. I simply want him to understand what he faces, and for that, I needed to push past his mistaken beliefs. Do I have your approval to try to do so? Or do you want to assist me?

[Anastasia]

Be gentle and respect his free will, no matter what his choice is.

[Iron Dragoon]

Absolutely. I have no desire to force obedience, just to help provide understanding and open eyes.

Turning to Sebastian, she speaks, releasing her divine aura and threading her power into her voice, Sebastian. I had no desire to have this conversation in this way, but your stubbornness somewhat forced my hand, as time may be critically short. Lord Tyr has provided me some insight into the source of it, and I want to assure you: I have no desire to change your faith or your will. More so since you have others who follow and rely on you. My only desire is for you understand what is happening and what might be coming. Your faith in Lord Tyr is strong, and true, and I will respect it.

Alyssa continues in a more conversational tone, "Now, will you please sit and have a conversation with me? As old comrades of the Order?"

[Anastasia]

Go ahead and gimme a diplo check here, at least.

[Iron Dragoon]

Diplo:

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+68 : 17 + 68, total 85[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

Sebastian eyes you long, but ultimately sits at your request. He doesn't say anything, but he's sitting.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you. Now, I'm not sure how much you're actually aware of about what's going on. The murders that happened before I left were caused by Shar. She targeted the Order because of me. I gained her attention when I completed the labyrinth, and as my power grew, so did her interest. I left to reduce the chance of her continuing to target the Order, and it worked. For a time.

I've gotten more than a little indication from her, personally, that she wanted to strike at me in ways that would hurt. Since my family is already here, that meant the Order. My invitation to come here was to help protect everyone, and in turn, further develop this realm. I knew not everyone would come, but I didn't anticipate that those who stayed would completely ignore the danger.

Now, I'm not trying to force you or anything of the sort, but if you're going to be the leader of your own faction, you need to understand the danger. Shar will come for you. The fact that you're a follower of Lord Tyr will lend you a measure of defense. Personally. If those that follow you aren't as devout as you, then the intervention Lord Tyr will likely be limited. She will strike at everyone she can, and you likely do not have the defenses set up to stop her.

That said, there's an opportunity for both of us. Yours is not the only faction that stayed, but... Those that stayed aren't the most powerful or experienced of the Order, either. My realm is still developing, so I propose this: remain in contact. You're going to face challenges of leadership, logistics, and things that would make you laugh at the ridiculousness of them except that people will draw blood over them. Dealing with them will require experience and resources. Keep in contact with your mentors that came here. Ask them for advice. Continue the Order on Arythma, and evolve it into something new, and something unique to those who stayed. Doing that will benefit both of us: we get a new partner to discuss and research things with, and you get backing against the Mageocracy and whatever dangers approach.

It's my full intent that we continue to improve the defenses and detection abilities for those of you who stayed, either way, as long as you're at least will to talk to us."

[Anastasia]

"We will meet Shar's forces and we will crush them," Sebastian's voice is firm, steady. "Any Sharrans will be rooted out and meet the noose for heresy. Tyr will protect, Tyr will guide and Tyr will triumph in justice against her. You have left, but we will not fall. We are depleted," Sebastian says, "But we will regrow and we will triumph."