Gold rush

[Nephrite]

Moore nods throughout the discussion, listening and snacking.

"I think I understand." Moore says. "This is a lot more complicated than we certainly thought, but it makes sense. You're also supposed to be rather dead, aren't you?" He asks. "If I'm not mistaken, Vlaakith personally took care of it... quite some time ago, if the stories are to be believed. I imagine there's quite a story in that as well." He adds and then waves a hand as if he's dismissed the thought.

"If you don't mind me being direct, is that your goal in all of this? To become divine in order to challenge her in some capacity?" He asks.

[Anastasia]

"When has death stopped anyone before?" The gith remarks as he eats, "My goal is my freedom. Leave divinity to those who dream of it, those who can't or won't find a limit to their ambitions."

[Nephrite]

"Hm." Moore taps the table once. "I think I understand. This is a lot larger than we originally thought."

Take 10 on whatever knowledge is appropriate here, do I have a basic idea of what diplomatic relationship Celestia has with Vlaakith, if any?

[Anastasia]

Yes. There's not a lot a lot of diplomacy, some basics and that's it. Fundamentally, most planar policies on the gith boil down to this: No one really wants one side to dominate the Astral. Vlaakith fundamentally keeps things within acceptable tolerances and prevents a massive planar war over the Astral, so she's become an acceptable steward of it as long as she keeps things open. Not many people like it, but it's seen as more or less bearable to prevent a far bigger problem.

As a side note The Cauldron's recent emergence in the Astral has mostly evened out for now. It hasn't changed that calculus there, really what most everyone wants is a neutral transitive plane since the Astral's so critical to planar travel.

OOC I'll note this came up a few times for Seira this game and was part of the calculus of politics there.

[Nephrite]

"There's a lot here." Moore says after a few moments. "But is your goal to overthrow her if she won't accept some sort of neutral way to deal with what you and the others want?"

[Anastasia]

You wouldn't call it a hesitation. Your host eats instead, a natural lull in the conversation.

"If needs must?" He answers at last, "Then I trust an agent of Mount Celestia such as yourself would understand the moral necessity of this."

[Nephrite]

"We do." Moore says. "We also understand that sometimes, greater evils can lurk behind this sort of thing. Can you say, as a witness from Mount Celestia watches you, that you intend for a better future than the one Vlaakith is providing?"

[Anastasia]

With the slightest smile, "I do. After all, it's hard to do worse than Vlaakith."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Well, I won't lie - I don't know how much we can do to officially provide you support. However, my plan from here is to speak to the Hebdomad of Celestia and ask how we might be able to help you, if you're at all interested in having that support." He says.

[Anastasia]

"If it comes to that, I would be," Is his answer, a sip of his drink. "If it comes to that." With a slight smile, "But if Vlaakith understands this and doesn't push, as is overwhelmingly likely, then nothing more needs happen."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Very well. I will leave the matter to you before I speak any further about it to them, then. Should it become something that you wish to have, please contact me." He says.

[Anastasia]

"Now, was there any other reason for this visit?" The gith asks, kindly.

[Nephrite]

"No." Moore says with a smile. "We happened upon a mystery and have followed it to its conclusion. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some curiosity about the jar, though. But you're under no obligation to share that right now - perhaps should our paths cross again and we've done you some favors, we can speak of it again."

[Anastasia]

A toast to that as the meal goes on. Is there anything else you want to bring up?

[Nephrite]

Nothing on my end, the others are welcome to chime in if they'd like though.