Shake the dust off your feet

[Ebiris]

I have enough trouble having quest hooks of my own!

"Antenora, you had something you needed help with, didn't you?"

[Anastasia]

That was just a conversational opener, yes.

"I have something," Antenora agrees, "A diabolical outpost-"

"Sounds fuckin' good!" Dana interrupts, as eyes turn to her.

"Did you just interrupt her," Miranda says in a slow, mortified voice. "She's a goddess! You don't do that! I'm so sorry!" She turns and bows to Antenora.

Jayne tweets away - beautiful birdsong - before she says, "It does sound good. Devils need to be kicked, pecked and beaten up. Tell us more!"

Antenora meets Dana's gaze and Dana shuts up, but adds under her breath, "Spear bitches are always the most fearsome."

"A diabolical outpost," Antenora begins again, "A reasonable challenge and not one I've had time, resources or energy to examine. It's located in Vacuum but does not appear related to Aurora's previous activities there. I have word that the devils there may be servants of the Third Hell. Expect malebranche to be the main offensive threat, well trained ones. Mammon's used those sorts before. It's probably overseen by a noble of some kind, but I haven't figured out which one yet. At worst a Duke of Hell, though if so there may be something more dangerous there than circumstances suggest."

Jayne raises her hand. After a moment Antenora responds, "Yes?"

"After we take care of them, can we take their things back for my nest?" Jayne asks, intently.

"I...if you win and vanquish the evil through right of arms, do what you will with the things there," Antenora says after a second to digest that.

"She has one, too," Benyen says, "Right on top of the cabin we're living in."

Jayne tweets at that, seemingly content.

Miranda looks simply mortified, facepalming with both hands.

Syala smiles and stays well out of it.

I like to think that at our strangest we were more dignified when we faced the divine.

[Ebiris]

I remember giving Sharess a few tummy scratches back in the day.

"I thought phoenixes nested in bonfires," Alicia muses, handing Hell Striker back over to Benyen so as not to monopolise the sword too long. "But yes, do as you will with what you win through strength of arms. So long as everyone gets their fair share, that's how it works."

[Anastasia]

Please, Sharess shows her tummy to every cute paladin she meets.

"Bonfires melt things," Jayne says, as of explaining it all. "Though your head would look good with a bonfire..." A trail off, an intent gaze.

Dana glances over, "Aaanyfuckingway, we'll get it done. Got any more information?"

Antenora produces several pages of parchment, bound into a small sheaf. She passes it to them, "Study the information at your leisure."

[Ebiris]

"I've never really been fond of self-immolation magic, but some people swear by it," Alicia says blandly in response to Jayne's scrutiny. "But good luck on vacuum, it can be hard to get a good fire going there without magic."

[Anastasia]

"Thanks," Benyen rises as they get up to go.

"A lively bunch, aren't they?" Syala says once they're gone.

As you chat about that? Mystra's will, a simple bit of intent, a desire to meet you.

[Ebiris]

"I see where Sulia was coming from," Alicia says, sending Mystra back permission to come here and visit since they're already set up for guests.

[Anastasia]

"I admire her dedication to the avian arts," Antenora cracks a slight smile at this, "She'll make someone very happy one day. Someone with wings and feathers and maybe a beak. I jest of course, but  I fear that her lot is not an easy one with her mind being as it is. Yet if she is happy, let us celebrate it with humor rather than focus on the struggles."

"That's a windy way to say you think it's funny," Syala points out, waggling a finger at Antenora. "I can understand Sulia's concerns as well now."

Mystra steps out from nowhere, coming to sit and join you. "Ladies," she greets, "My preparations grow complete."

[Ebiris]

"Is it time then?" Alicia asks, attention on Mystra and serious. "Or is there more we can help with to prepare?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, and the first is council." Mystra sits, "As friends."

"As friends," Antenora echos, "What do you need?"

"No matter how justified or righteous my cause, do you believe in this I commit any follies?" Mystra turns to each of you, "Have you come to believe I err in this at all? I must ask this question now, for only a fool does not seek wise council, especially once the heat of indignation has cooled to embers."

[Ebiris]

"Let me answer your question with a question," Alicia returns. "Why are you doing this, Mystra?"

[Anastasia]

"Shar has gone too far. It's time to stop her evil - permanently." Mystra says without hesitation.

[Ebiris]

"Because she struck at you personally and she's never done that before?" Alicia asks, keeping her tone neutral. "All her previous evils weren't far enough to merit this kind of response?"

[Anastasia]

Mystra meets your gaze, "We are not meant to move lightly, Alicia, and our battles are not without great risk. Were I to die, the disaster to creation is unthinkable."

[Ebiris]

"And that disaster still looms present today," Alicia says. "So what's changed in your heart? Why now and not before?" Mystra knows far more than she does, so acting as a sounding board and feeling out her reasons to explore them feels like the best bet here.