The duty to live

[Anastasia]

Yes, I am Titania. Oberon was formerly Samsel, one of my old consorts. The Queen of Air and Darkness is more complicated.

It may be. It may be a daemon who once served Anthraxus as Yarus did, but there are many daemons who served the former Oinoloth.

[Corwin]

"Just to focus me, here," Seira muses, "are we discussing how we'll investigate Shar's influence, or are we planning a strike at one of her minions?"

[Anastasia]

For now, it is a warning, for I know of the leShay and know them, both those who stayed true and those who fell away. If what I have heard is true and he has ascended, then you will face a terrible enemy, one you must be warned of should your paths cross.

[Ebiris]

"Then please, tell us what to watch out for," Alicia asks. It's good information they didn't have before.

[Corwin]

"I was getting pretty restless where it comes to Shar, so the warning comes at a good time. In the end, we have to deal with Shar's minions and allies first, so that facing her would be easier later on, so why not deal with those we can now?"

[Anastasia]

His name is Chylas. He is a wizard who once studied the stars and maintains power over them. In the Unseelie Court, he has studied the long, cold nights of winter. Starless nights of shadows, save for whatever light glistens on the snow. He can prevent the sun from rising, can bring about eternal winter and his cold pierces any defenses against cold. His control of the stars lets him discern the future and destiny, which makes him a seer with few peers save the divine, and channel the power of starlight to wipe away his enemies.


He wields Bylinthas, a scythe he forged of dead stars. He is skilled with it and reaves away limbs with each strike, only for shadow limbs to replace them, ones that fight against the victim. An inspiration he received in the Abyss in a study of Ubalukks.

But his greatest gift is that he still remembers and holds some fragment of heavenly glories. He is highly resistant to holy powers of all kinds. He is one of the few of evil that truly does not fear the righteous.

Chylas has not been seen for over a million years, yet whispers of his name stir and I feel his presence moving once more in Creation.

[Ebiris]

"And if that information is from so long ago, he's likely grown even more dreadful since then," Alicia says dourly. "This is still valuable to know, especially of his resistance to holy power. That would make him a tricky foe for me."

[Corwin]

"It might be a painful question, but how did the fey divide so evenly into the two courts? It would be a terrible oversimplification, yes, but isn't the Unseelie strongly aligned against your nature? Unlike celestials, it's not like they all Fell, is it?"

She nods her agreement at Alicia's words. It would be a bad match for her as well, given those powers over cold. But the fight will look impressive, at least.

[Anastasia]

Come forward to me.

A bridge appears over the lake, leading further in.

[Corwin]

Seira takes the invitation!

[Ebiris]

Alicia follows right after Seira, crossing the bridge with measured strides that cover far more ground than a mortal would.

[Anastasia]

In the center of the lake sits an island. Here, beneath an ancient tree sits Queen Morwel. She is resting back and asleep against the tree, as if merely napping. Yet when you approach her eyes open and she pats the ground next to her.

[Ebiris]

Walking over, Alicia sits herself in a prim kneeling position on the grass, waiting expectantly. Morwel does things at her own pace after all.

[Corwin]

Seira doesn't waste time taking a seat at Morwel's side! Resting her back against the same tree is bound to be pleasant, too~

[Anastasia]

Once you do, "I have never had a child of my own flesh and blood, even if many I create call me mother." Queen Morwel begins. "But there are those close to me as a child would be, or a brother or sister, or a cherished friend. Once the Queen of Air and Darkness was one of that number. She was the greatest of the ancient eladrin, and in a more just Creation, would have ascended long before the split."