Once the two are out of the main throne room and have some privacy, Crystal smiles widely, "Afina," she clasps her shoulder, "Congratulations. How does it feel now?"
"Good," Afina answers, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her pointed ear, a wave of colour scintillating across it with the motion. "Not precisely what I expected, I thought it'd be more like Baleruk's abilities but it's 'just' mastery of all the elements, which I know understates what an achievement it is. It's like being a fey again, the elements are all balanced and in harmony now."
"Still!" Crystal's smile widens, "Moreover, do you know what this event has precipitated? With your new colorings and style, you need new clothes for court. Your old ones just won't do." Patting Afina's shoulder, "We must go remedy this problem."
"I was thinking about going for a more white-focused look," Afina admits agreeably if perhaps not with the same level of excitement. "Some dye could fix my magic items, the rest of my clothes are easily replaced."
"White? A fine color, but why white?" Crystal inquires, tilting her head to the side, "With no offense meant, white is the color of a devoted cleric or a noble paladin. That it not quite the bend of your talents, nor the thrust of your blade."
"The colours stand out better on white," Afina answers, pointing to her hair. "And look, my hair seems white from most angles, it's only when it catches the light from certain angles that it shows others. I'm not planning to go all white or anything, but if you take my current look and just swap the black bits for white it could work. Maybe lighten up the tones a little for the colours," she looks down at her current getup. She then takes her twintailed hat off and studies it, "Also I'm thinking of playing up the asymetricality a bit. Have one of the tails striped in a rainbow pattern while putting a pattern of multicoloured stars on the other?"
"Yes, lighter colors. But not pastels," Crystal says, shaking her head, "Nothing that light. More summery colors, I dare say." She examines Afina's clothing all over, fluttering around her. "But I do think the hat should be one united color. It's your sigil and should doubtlessly be more unified rather than divided, because what your sigil says about you is taken in by all that see it and accounts for much, as much as words and deeds on first impressions, which are always vital."
"Oh, not pastels!" Afina makes a face, horrified at the thought. "No, I want my colours to be striking and bold. But you're not going to convince me on a single hat colour, that just wouldn't work for me."
"At least a unified theme," Crystal says, "Some solidarity and unity, rather than stars on one and rainbow stripes on the other. Afina, you need some coordination," Crystal smiles now, "As for the rest...how is your skin now?"
"The contrasting patterns and colours is a theme in itself," Afina insists, holding her hand out towards Crystal in case she wants a feel of that skin. It's not overly warm or clammy or anything like that now, just a reasonable pixie body temperature. It's pliable and stretchy as skin should be, and tinted a pale white that only barely shows the merest hint of other hues here and there that pass quickly enough to perhaps be a mirage. "Skin's fine?"
Crystal takes Afina's hand, holding it up close to study. "Did you see that?" she murmurs, "That little ripple of color. Can you do that willingly?"
"I think it's like the hair where it's more your perception than an objective colour," Afina says. "We did some testing back at the Cauldron - someone in front of me sees blue and someone a few feet to their right see green in the same spot."
They're not particularly striking or otherworldly colours like Baleruk's impressive scales, even when she tints blue in a spot it's more the hue of someone standing in a room with lots of azure furniture, not the pristine cobalt of a frostwind virago. Nor are they ever consistent, most of her skin maintaining a neutral white with just little flashes here and there every few seconds localised to small areas.
"Ah, more like holding a crystal to the light just so," Crystal says, then smiles, "Unfortunately, I do not have that gift, much to my occasional lamentations. Still, that would encourage white, since it wouldn't interfere or easily clash with your changing colors and instead encourage a steady and prepared course of coloring. On other matters, I think you should look into clingier and tighter outfits now."
"Really? What makes you say that?" Afina asks. She does favour tight clothing in general but she always makes sure to offeset it with some nice ruffles and bits of loose fabric here and there to make her silhouette more dynamic and interesting.
"More volume and things like ruffles hide your body," Crystal says, "You don't need a lot of decoration, this new form of yours is truly a work of artistry that can stand on its own merits and excel, rather than something you need to support. Your lankiness benefits you even with this, because it gives you a sharp profile that further plays up your newfound strength."
That's a fair argument, and if she doesn't like it she can always just buy new clothes. "I'll keep that in mind," she nods, starting to flutter along more purposefully towards a portal. "Lets go visit Azuril's shop and see what's on offer?" Everyone always likes going to Brightwater for their shopping sprees but it's important to support local establishments!
Like this, a shopping spree is begun. Azuril is all too happy to have you, taking measurements and fitting you into this and that. Hours of chatter and fitting pass, Crystal even going and getting a light meal for the two of you while you try on another combination. When it's all said and done, you have several article ready to wear, and a promise of more being delivered soon. Crystal goes up to Azuril and passes over a good deal of gold, "I have this, Afina. My finanical fortunes have a last rebounded, for the affair int he Astral passed a magical token of great value into my possessions and lead to enhanced prosperity."
Loot post for Crystal.
With Crystal she doesn't have to be too strict about paying back debts so she accepts the gift in good spirits. Leaving her hat and cloak behind to be dyed and redesigned according to her specifications she flies out of Blazing Fashions dressed in a clingy silvery-white dress with short sleeves and skirt that billows just a little around her slender hips, though it comes up to her neck at the front it does require a shorter cut at the back to allow for her wings. It has a simple design built in two blocks, the right side having red horizontal stripes atop the white background while the left side is predominantly blue with cutouts for little stars scattered across it. Her leggings are of the same material with similar designs but crossed over so stripes adorn her left leg and stars coat her right.
Given it only has three colours and that's if you include the white it's fairly conservative by Afina's standards, but she seems quite pleased with it.
Crystal's flying along, smiling smugly as you come out. "You're ready to break some hearts in that," Crystal advises, "Bards will sing of your rampage and male pixies and courre will lament the day they saw the impossibly beautiful, lovely and captivating Afina, for after that they could love none other as freely and wholly as her."
"Laying it on a little bit thick aren't you?" Afina smiles indulgently. "Still, I'm definitely keeping this one in my rotation. It's good day to day wear."
"Well yes, but you still need romance," Crystal says, waggling a finger, "Now I know the maiden plays innocent, but the truth is that you do. You just don't know it yet." Smiling now, "But dress like this and you're one step closer."
Well Crystal did just buy her clothes so Afina will consider it fair recompense to listen to this sappy nonsense. But the first chance she gets she's going to foist her off onto Jaela's evil item rehabilitation program. "I'll be sure to thank you properly if these clothes bring me love," she says deadpan. "Now do you want to help me with the sensual delight of scraping dust off my wings?"
"Yes yes, I suppose the mundane must be seen to." With a teasing smile, "I wonder if Her Majesty is having Moore help her with that. In all truth she seems to be adapting, yet one can still see the sighs, she has a hopeless crush on him, as strong and potent as the headiest wine."
"It's bizarre is what it is, I've never seen her like that," Afina says as she starts heading towards her quarters now, with a quick detour at the lab to grab a glass vial she can store any collected dust in. "I suppose it's the strongest evidence for her change in temperament not being mere affectation."
"Afina," Crystal says gently as they reach her quarters, "It's not bizarre for her to fall in love. Her heart beats as surely as ours, not cold ice nor unfeeling stone. Perhaps as much as anything it's surprised her, an unseen thief in the night taking her heart away."
"While not as exalted as knights or nobility, my position back on Lifasa kept me very close to her Majesty, and I've seen a great many of her 'romances' over the years," Afina tells Crystal, going to grab a blunt knife before she settles on the window-ledge. "Every one of them was artifice that strengthened her position and weakened her enemies, and ended in blood for her paramours. Blood drawn by me."
Crystal takes the knife and a small basket, beginning to work on Afina's wings. "Perhaps none are unchanged by the planes," Crystal muses, "Those wiser than I have said these planes are something mortals, and even our kind, are best kept away from. Through all the loss, pain and misery we have suffered, has she rekindled her heart's passions? I know not, but after her captivity, would she deserve anything less than a chance to find happiness?"
Crystal's voice is soft and gentle as she works, "I love Lifasa so I battle for it. I love you as a friend, so I am here for you and will lay down my life should you need it. There is little love cannot overcome, Afina. Not even a heart such as Her Majesty's." She then laughs, "Ah, I sound more a celestial preacher than a pixie. But I choose to believe this than to think she will use Moore like a rag and cast him away once done."
"I don't think she will. Like I've been saying her behaviour is too unlike what she displayed in the past for her seductions," Afina says, twisting a little so she can scrape dust off the wing Crystal isn't working on. It feels a little uncomfortable but the steel knife can't damage her wings any at least.
"I wonder if there's a better way of harvesting this stuff. Do you think wizards have special pixie dust catching tools?"
"We could ask Tepen," Crystal suggests, "He could create a spell for it." As the two work Crystal remarks, "Then that's good. Then why keep calling it bizarre..." she trails off, "Afina, do you resent Moore?"
"I don't resent Moore in the least," Afina answers stiffly. "Now let's discontinue this conversation."
She's not going to spread sedition but Crystal's a smart girl, nothing more need be said.
Crystal stares at Afina, unseen due to the angle. She goes quiet, the two working in solitude as they begin the harvest. As they finish, Crystal breaks the silence to murmur, "I'll inquire into it, discreetly," she says, so softly as to perhaps be a phantasm, a trick of the wind.
Once done, Crystal flutters up, "That's a good start to it."
"Do nothing of the sort," Afina says, turning towards Crystal. "I've already said too much. Just leave it alone, nothing good can come of delving into these matters."
Crystal stiffens, straightening in the air, but stands her ground. "If you're implying what I think you're implying, it's my duty to look into it."
Where was that attitude back on Lifasa? But no, such thoughts are unreasonable and Afina shelves them. "What happened between her Majesty and I in the past can stay there. She's suffered terribly and I won't do anything to threaten her happiness or her new outlook on life, regardless of my feelings. Let this go Crystal, it's all history and no longer anybody's concern," she says, standing up on the windowsill and facing the other pixie.
"...oh." Crystal stops, and then in a small voice, "You aren't implying what I thought you were implying."
"What... did you think I was implying?" Afina asks in morbid curiosity.
"That Moore was somehow using means to enthrall Queen Ilsenine," Crystal replies, still in that deathly quiet voice. Her face is pale and she looks away, "I see I completely misunderstood the matters before me, in quite an explicit and terrible way."
"Where did you get that from what I said?" Afina asks, mind boggling at how Crystal could so misread things. "And if he was he'd already be dead."
Never mind that Ilsenine is quite the old hand at enthralling others herself.
"By being as insightful as an old log," Crystal retorts, closing her eyes and facepalming, sinking down to the ground with her head buried in her hands. "Were you and Her Majesty..." she looks up, curling two fingers around one another.
"No," Afina rolls her eyes expressively, sitting back down with her legs dangling over the side of the windowsill. "I'll tell you if only to keep you from blundering into any other conclusions. Her Majesty has long been a very intimate part of my life but not in the way you imagine. She was jealous of my attention - it wouldn't do for her premier assassin to suffer distraction or a soft heart, so she took care to instruct me in how love was a weakness."
She sighs a little here, wishing she'd been stronger in the past, that she could have done things differently. But Ilsenine's force of personality could not be denied by the submissive and overawed pixie Afina once was. "I'm not an idiot," she states for the record, knowing the judgement that will come from her confession. "When I was younger I was the sort of sappy romantic you'd like me to be now. And every time I fell in love it would soon come out that my lover was an enemy, a traitor, a threat. And I was Ilsenine's preferred weapon for dealing with such things. And afterwards she'd comfort me, reassure me that I'd made the right choice and still had her full confidence... and so I hardened my heart, and chose loyalty over love time after time until it stopped being a choice, until love didn't exist in my heart any longer."
She's said enough, she doesn't need to paint a picture. Fixing her heterochromatic eyes on Crystal she concludes, "That is why it bothers me to see our Queen swooning around like a delicate maiden, in the full bloom of love that she so carefully snuffed out in me. But I won't do anything about it - like I said, she's suffered far more than I and if this gives her happiness, if this means she won't ever turn another starstruck entertainer into her tool of murder, then it's all to the good as far as I care."
Crystal flutters over to the windowsill, joining Afina as she tells the tale. She doesn't reply at first, just looking out at Aurora and Water beyond it. "It's like the tides, changing between high and low tide no matter our wishes. Perhaps..." Crystal trails off, closing her eyes to sigh, "Perhaps this is the proof she was wrong, Afina. Your Ilsenine of the past does not sound like a good soul, but a manipulator, a cold queen more suited to the Unseelie. "
As Water endlessly churns outside, flowing over Aurora's boundaries, "Don't let it bother you, Afina. As much as we are fey and not meant to be tied to good and evil, we are still part of this world. After confrontation with true evil, perhaps Ilsenine has learned to look to the good we call on as our allies. When exposed to the full depths of wickedness, is it any surprise she has steered a course away from the woman you knew?"
Now Crystal turns, going to meet Afina's eyes. "Did I not recently say that love was important? That after what happened to her, should there be any shock that she seeks its anathema, the purity of what opposes Baator now and forever? No, do not let it bother you. Accept it and quietly rejoice, for it may be a sign of growth and healing."
Well at least she hasn't gone haring off to avenge Afina's honour or something. Though admittedly some righteous indignation on her behalf would have been gratifying, it's not productive. "I imagine she didn't care to meddle as closely in the private lives of her knights," she says to explain Crystal's unfamiliarity with the Queen Afina knew so well.
"Anyway her Majesty still has my loyalty where it matters, and I do prefer her as she is now. I shan't ever tell her so for it's tantamount to thanking Hell for torturing her, but there it is." Crystal was there when she went to Celestia and spoke of how much greater she's become herself since the fall of Lifasa but she wouldn't ever thank Hell for it, the same concept basically applies. Really a lot of it was having time out of Ilsenine's shadow to grow back into herself again.
"Quite," Crystal says, "I was also preoccupied by my fellowship with the Court of Stars." She listens to the rest after, "Then I have but one question: If Ilsenine's heart has thawed and you admit you prefer her this way...why do you not seek to unthaw your own, Afina?"
Afina tilts her head back to look up at the ceiling. "I do acknowledge the ulterior motive that sharing this would impress on you that I'm not just being difficult for fun when I spurn your romantic overtures," she confesses. "But don't discount on how thawed my heart has become. If Ilsenine tried to command me as she once did, if she ordered me to kill you I like to think I'd refuse. It might not be the romantic love you want to see, but it's there."
"Thank you," Crystal smiles, a hint of sardonic amusement in her voice. "By your standards, I'm a blush and a wedding dress away from being your bride." Shaking her head and laughing a little, "All that aside, if you do care about her, do something. Perhaps you can make her blush like Moore does."
Has Crystal even heard a word she's said? She'd have to be hit over the head with a book for the subtext to become any clearer, but romantic entanglement with the Queen is the absolute last thing she'd ever want. "Well, you've heard my story," she says, pushing off and fluttering her wings to take flight. "There should be some time before I have to visit the Coral Throne, so I'm going to go visit Air and stretch my wings a bit. I'll see you later," she says in dismissal, going to go find Drena and see if he wants to stop by home while Afina visits Shinear.
"Until later, Afina," Crystal says, and quietly adds, loud enough to carry, "That was meant to be sardonic levity, Afina." Getting up as well, "But in all truth, I think it's time to quit before I bury myself any deeper."
"Might be best. Still, it was nice to actually get all that out after so long. Just keep it to yourself?"
"Promise," Crystal says, flexing her arms up in a long stretch as she heads on out.
Right, what's next on your agenda, Afina?
I'll go see if Drena wants to take a trip to Chan's then gate over and hit up Shinear while Drena catches up with the family?
Done.
Drena's found flying about Aurora's courtyard, zipping about as fast as he can. He's going full bore, seeming to chase speed and nothing else. Other air elementals watch him as he goes, goes and goes some more. He makes wild turns, dips up and to the side and flips about into rolls as he flies.
"Drena!" Afina calls out, flying over to catch up with the agile air elemental. Sadly her own affinity with air hasn't greatly increased her aerial prowess but she's hopeful Shinear can help with that.
Drena slows to allow Afina to catch up, then starts at a mere good clip instead of full out, "Afina?" he echos back, still going.
"I'm planning on taking a trip to Princess Chan's domain to visit Shinear," she explains, flying alongside him. "I was wondering if you wanted to come along?"
"To Air? Of course!" Drena perks up, gesturing, "All this water is too thick. Let's go right away."
"Excellent, I can cast Gates of my own now so travel won't be a problem," Afina says, flying down towards Aurora's gate. "Elena, Drena and I are going to Air for a while if anyone needs us, okay?" she calls for Aurora's reliable majordomo before opening a gate at the very edge of the dimensional anchor, flush with Aurora's demiplane so no water can fit between it and the courtyard. On the other end is the plane of Air about a mile away from Chan's palace so as not to seem an immediately threatening incursion.
Air.
Endless winds, beautiful gusts, the sky all around. Clouds.
At last you've returned. A gust of wind brings a fresh scent that washes away the wet brine of Water. You feel free, soaring in nothingness and bound to naught but your own wings and sense of direction.
She feels at home on any of the elemental planes now, doesn't she? She'll have to try the quasi- and pseudo- planes as well some time, but for now Air beckons. Starting to fly towards Chan's great palace she asks Drena, "Should we present ourselves to Princess Chan before seeing to any other business?"
Quasi and para elemental, not pseudo.
"Yes, it's been some time," Drena says, flying ahead swiftly, wings beating.
Both start with p, it's a simple mistake!
And so bringing Drena along wasn't just a nice way to let him visit home (although really leaving Aurora by ones' self is a bad idea in general these days), he's always good for keeping her up to date on protocol for dealing with planar powers! Flying along, Afina lets Chan's great-grandson take the lead.
From here you flutter along and enjoy the air. You soon enter Chan's great palace, lead within. As you walk through, elementals stop and stare at Afina. As a one they seem stunned by her, watching with wide eyes as she passes.
"Is it that obvious to an elemental's eyes?" Afina asks Drena, not having noticed any big reactions on Aurora beyond a general vibe of 'good job!'
"Yes," It's all Drena says as you go through an archway of tiny tornadoes, quietly murmuring as you go past, "I instructed the elementals not to stare or remark on it. You are not a spectacle to be leered at, at least in Aurora. Simmer discussed it with the earth ones," Earth sounds like a curse by the way he says it, a distinct frown forming as he speaks, "And ensured they would not comment, either."
"Well, this is their home so I'll accept it," Afina says, though she's unsure if those looks she's getting are ones of awe towards her prismatic magnificence or horror at her sullying Air with Earth. Probably the latter if they needed to be told to shut up? "Thanks for your consideration, though."
"The fire elementals needed the least effort. They seem fondest of you since fire was first," Drena remarks, "Though a few are the opposite because you, ah, disgraced fire with water. Simmer doesn't tolerate that opinion, so they don't talk about it much."
Goodness, she had no idea she was such a controversial figure among the elementals! Hopefully Chan doesn't take offence to her presence now. In any case she keeps her head high no matter what stares come her way.
Because she is fabulous.
You are lead to Lady Chan's throne room. It is different from the last time - a great open chamber, exposed in all directions to open Air. Blinking, you see the door you came through is gone. Pillars support the edge of the space, but do nothing to stop the strong wind that blows through. The scent of spring is in the air, flowers and grass along with the promise of blossoming life. Air elementals drift about, all eyes turning to Afina. Odder things are there - a few celestials of various stripes, a silver dragon flying lazily outside and mostly above, only glimpsed every so often, a nude male with transparent skin that ripples like air - as well.
Archomental Chan's throne is a simple white cloud in the shape of a throne. Her form is that of a young woman, figure constantly changing as the wind blows. Everything about her changes with the wind's whimsy.
"Great grandmother," Drena approaches and kneels, "I return from Aurora and bring General Afina with me."
Bad enough with the elementals giving her the stink eye, she really hopes that dragon doesn't cause any trouble. "Princess Chan, I bring greetings from our Crusade," she says, landing and kneeling beside Drena. "Elementals from your Court recently fought with great valour against foes of the Abyss and Hades, bringing us victory in the Silver Sea."
The Archomental giggles like a little girl, all sunshine and sweetness, "I heard, and you did it giving Lixer a bad day." Now an older lady looks on at you as the wind slackens, gray and weathered by the years. "I am pleased with your actions, Aurora."
"Lixer recently struck us a harsh blow, a lesson was required," Afina says, happy to get some praise for wrecking a devil's day. "A somewhat more strident lesson than even we anticipated in Hopelorn, but with the rift on the astral closed and the city destroyed it should give those outside of Hell pause before sheltering devils in their midst."
The wind picks up, Lady Chan now a mere babe swaddled in cloth. Yet she speaks as an old woman, "Yes, all is good. But it won't end now, if it would ever have ended before. The Serpent won't allow this blow to his prestige and power pass. It won't end until the final day, or until one of you passes from this Creation."
"No, I wouldn't expect so," Afina agrees. "Our retaliation was as much a message to others casting malevolent eyes towards us as it was a simple lesson for Lixer. The price for attacking Aurora must be ruinous, or we'd be beset even further."
The wind blows even faster, the baby gone. Only a field of light remains, which whispers to you, "You can stay here if you need sanctuary in the future. The Serpent will hesitate to strike here, because Akadi will not tolerate his direct influence in Air."
"Air has given us glad shelter in the past," Afina says, thankful for the time they spent on Air recently, although they did still suffer their share of attacks it would surely be different if they remained close to Chan's domain. "In time I'm sure we'll return here. We forever remain grateful of your support, your Highness."
"You have earned it," Chan says, now a young woman again as the winds slacken. "You have also done something remarkable with yourself."
"Thank you," Afina dips her head, choosing to take that as a compliment. "I've heard it said that the elemental planes are the building blocks upon which primes are made." Not that she necessarily believes it to be the case, but there's a poetry to the concept that she understands the allure of. "We fey are guardians and exemplars of the Prime worlds, and so after I became one with Fire it felt right and proper to pursue the other elements and see what perspectives they could offer. I'm still new to this form but in the fullness of time I expect it to offer much in both wisdom and strength."
"I look forward to it," The Archomental replies, rippling in the wind.
Feels like this is winding down and there's not much more to say so Afina angles to be dismissed. "By your leave I would like to visit Shinear now, assuming he and Gust aren't off bringing peace to Air in your name, Highness."
"You'll find him on the winds," Chan gestures towards the open air, "Go seek him."
"My thanks," Afina rises and steps back. "I'll catch up with you later Drena? I'm sure you have people here to visit as well," she says to Chan's great grandson before flying off.
Just going to look around for Shinear or do you have a plan here?
He's a giant dragon and we're on a place with few physical barriers or even a horizon. I'll just look around a bit.
Alrighty, make a Spot check for reference. This is largely a formality.
[18:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+37
[18:17] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=18]
You wander Air for a time, look-WOOSH!
Great winds blow past you as Shinear comes to a stop at your side. He is a great dragon shape made of wind, gleaming and swirling. Several seats are on his back. "Afina," He greets her, "Do you want to go fast again?"
"Always!" Afina grins, flying up and over to settle on Shinear's head. "I'm part Air now, if that helps."
"I won't hold back then," Shinear says, "Hold on."
Clasping her fingers against Shinear's windy surface, Afina lays herself down atop his head to cut down on wind resistance as he prepares to set off. "Ready!"
Air and wind blows past Afina as speed comes. Speed like never before, Shinear going full out as Air itself becomes a blur around you. Tornado winds batter at you, a joyous feeling as you feel such primal speed and the power of Air. He's going in a straight line, simply letting the speed stack higher and higher yet.
She really wants to wave her hands in the air as she exults in the liberating sensation of speed but she doesn't want to risk being blown off and so maintains a firm grip while emitting a joyous whoop!
Like this she experiences pure speed, Shinear laughing. His laughter trails behind you as he does loop de loops, swirling about in the air and going up and around so fast that Afina doesn't have time to fall. It's impossible to see anything but a blur now, Air itself reduced to nothing but that.
"Faster, faster!" Afina shouts encouragement as Shinear shows off his aerial skills. She likes to think he doesn't get to cut loose like this often so he's getting as much out of it as she is.
"Let me try something," Shinear shouts over the near deafening wind, as suddenly the world around you tints blue, flashes of light as Shinear calls, "Jump off and fly!"
"Can do!" Afina shouts, bracing her legs and hasting herself before she springs off, cartwheeling through the air before setting herself into an aerodynamic horizontal pose, wings buzzing to propel her along at ludicrous speeds!
Make a Ref save, Afina.
[19:34] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+38 ref
[19:34] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=2]
Flames burst around an on Afina as she flies, but none bother her. She soars with all the grace of the wind, fast as she can go from a Shinear slingshot. All under her own power, bursts of sound following in her wake. She seems to go on forever and ever as she flies, until she at last begins to slow down, speed approaching levels she can somewhat deal with.
All good things must come to an end but she keeps it going for as long as she can until she at last reaches no more than a sprinting pace and from there she simply allows herself to drift to a stop, turning back towards Shinear and also Chan's palace as a good landmark to see how far she's gone. If it's still even visible from this far away.
Chan's palace is out of sight. All around you is empty Air, save for a woosh of movement behind you, brushing against your wings.
Definitely far off! Spinning around to face what she presumes is Shinear, Afina gushes, "That was incredible! How did you do that? Can we do it again?"
"Speed and Air," he answers, chuckling with Afina. "Get on, we'll do it again."
On Afina goes for another taste of true speed!
A happy afternoon of this passes, speed and movement. You can't even imagine how far from Chan's palace you are now, having slingshotted off Shinear over a dozen times. The pace has slowed slightly, Shinear only going at the pace of a tornado. "A pixie after my own heart," The wind dragon states, "Has your own speed been growing?"
"It hasn't, I'm afraid," Afina confesses. "I feel like I've plateaued. I'd hoped that mastery of Air inside myself would unlock some new revelation but it hasn't come to pass. Although perhaps I just don't know what to look for - that's part of why I came here. Who better to ask for advice?"
The wind dragon considers you and flies around in a circle now, a great, undulating wave as he goes around and around. "To obtain mastery of all is to obtain mastery of none," he says, "What is mastery but imbalance, trading skill in some to excel in another? But then, once that is reached, how do you surpass it? Your goal is achieved, but it is not the end."
That's... about what she expected, really. Earth counterbalances Air and leaves her the same as if she had neither. Well, to a degree, certainly both provide complementary strengths that she enjoys, and she can call upon the magic of both elements with equal ease, but there must be aspects that cancel out as well. "You're right. Mastery wasn't really the right term to use anyway. Still, any suggestions for furthering my grasp of Air and Speed?"
"Become air. Take on the form of the winds," Shinear says, "Can your magic do that?"
"I used to know a spell that let me take elemental forms but I let it slip when I actually became part elemental," Afina replies. Though that raises the question of whether she wishes to trade her fleshy existence for one of wind... nevermind that she promised to give Fire primacy in her heart when she committed herself to Magmasoul. A choice that hasn't turned out badly given the fiery devastation she's capable of wreaking on those who displease her.
Patting the dragon's head she says, "I suppose I'll just have to enjoy speed vicariously through you, Shinear."
The dragon preens under that, "Become faster, I know you will one day."
"I'm not giving up just yet," Afina promises. Her Mastery of the haste spell (and she's not using the word incorrectly there) has taken her this far, there are surely other avenues that can be pursued in the future.
Figure we're about good here?
Sure. What's next on your agenda?
Just once I would like to see a pixie's smile!
Afina returns to Aurora. After some forging, Afina finishes with the day's batch of gear. The last is an item for Crystal, and as it finishes, Elena appears. She's dressed up as a princess and says, "Hi, Crystal wanted to ask if you could bring that to her at the court?"
The ring Crystal wanted will have to be made by someone else, probably the ever versatile Sylvie unless anyone else wants to make the sacrifice of learning how to make magic items, but the armour's easily done! "Alright, I can do that," she says, conjuring a floating disc and putting the freshly enchanted and polished armour on it before she makes her way via portal to Ilsenine's court.
Thus Afina arrives. She finds the court full, fey of all kinds celebrating. A full on party. As you look over, you see Crystal with a select group of pixies - the pixies from Lifasa. They're laughing and smiling, chattering away. Music comes from a group of nymphs in the corner, easy and upbeat.
Afina flies over, force disc full of armour trailing along behind her. "Crystal, I have your armour ready like you asked," she says, butting into the conversation.
Crystal's laughing, holding a glass of champagne in one hand. She controls herself then has a sip, "Oh thank you, Afina!" she gushes, smiling warmly. Cheers go up as the other pixies look at it, Crystal adding, "We were just wishing you were here!"
"Well, here I am," Afina lands on the floor since she doesn't need to hover around similarly proportioned people such as fellow pixies. "What's the occasion?"
One pixie speaks up, "It's taken a long time, but Aurora's so strong now. We can really take back Lifasa!"
"That's right," Crystal seconds, as a third pixie - a female this time, green hair and giggling - presses a glass into Afina's hands.
"Indeed." Queen Ilsenine's voice is cool and calm, but carries from her throne. "Generals Afina and Crystal, approach the throne."
Afina takes the glass but hardly has time to take a sip before she has to put it aside and go kneel before her Queen. It's nice to see people showing some confidence, even if that astral battle wasn't germane towards Lifasa's liberation it was a strong demonstration of Aurora's might.
"We have been honored for our deeds," Queen Ilsenine announces, "Queen Titania herself has taken notice and approves of us." The court goes silent at this, save for a few gasps. "She has sent a token of her appreciation." Queen Ilsenine withdraws it, a red berry somewhat akin to a holly berry, only bigger and a deeper red. "This is a fruit of the Yggdrasil tree. A fey that eats it will be empowered."
Loot post. This would be a better reward for Afina personally if events hadn't happened to make her what she is, but so it goes.
A pity they don't have that leaf of Yggdrasil any more to go with it. "We have been greatly honoured," she pronounces, getting over the disappointment. She had her doubts as to that leaf's authenticity anyway... although that berry's pretty small too. Maybe size isn't everything, even for World Trees?
"Greatly," Crystal seconds, as cheers erupt.
"Now, today we celebrate," Queen Ilsenine declares, "Drink and be merry!"
She can do that. Going to recover her drink Afina does some mingling!
Crystal throws an arm around Afina as she returns, "To a better tomorrow!" she declares, draining her glass dry. The pixies around you all cheer and clap, drinking as well.
Afina will gladly drain her glass to such a toast!
I guess that's the pixies covered so on to the Ysgardians?
One question first. Do you have any preference on who gets the fruit of Yggdrasil?
All our major fey have issues. Afina and Simmer arent fey, Crystal's more Court of Stars and Moore's more Celestia. That just leaves Ilsenine who's a non combatant. Honestly I have no clue.
Likewise. In that case let me check with them and see who's interested.
Simmer's out of the running, she's an outsider.
Crystal's interested, mostly because more personal power makes her better able to fight evil.
Ilsenine will decline for her own reasons.
Moore, do you have an opinion here?
Moore would be interested but wouldn't want to insult the court. He would say it might be a good way to bridge any supposed gap between Celestia and Arborea, though, for whatever that's worth.
So it basically comes down to Crystal and Moore. You two can talk it out IC at some point, roll some dice or whatever you like to decide.
Sure, he can talk to her when he gets back.
Add that to your pending things. Meanwhile, back in the Afina verse...
Aaaah. Afina feels good. Champagne and laughter has brightened her mood greatly as she flutters back to her room. As she does, she goes to turn a corner. But as she does, she hears a whispered voice carry just a bit too far, "Really sure?" Sounds like Tannin.
Afina feigns a cough to give Tannin a little warning just in case he's talking about anything not for delicate pixie ears before she's upon him. She doesn't slow down or turn around or anything besides that.
You come around the corner, finding Tannin and Canderella having a quiet conversation. One that's stopped as you turn the corner, Tannin nodding to Afina as she passes. Canderella has a little, quirky smile on her face. In Afina's mind she hears, 'Why thank you. Discretion is such a precious thing, even if the matter was completely innocent.'
"Tannin, Canderella," Afina gives the pair a friendly nod as she flutters on by. She doubts it was that innocent if Canderella's involved, but it's probably private and surely none of her business.
Afina reaches her quarters with no further interruptions. Soon enough she's sobered up and in good order once more. She's just finished getting dressed for the day when there's a loud pounding on her door. "Yo!" Dana's voice, alright. "Afina, Elena says you're in there, so get your bony pixie ass up!"
Taking just a second longer to recast her habitual day long spells, Afina flies over and opens the door to see what the ruckus is all about. "Morning, Dana. What is it?" she asks.
"The fucking moon's out, that's what." Dana says, "Out above Water and shining down."
"Are Balyss or Stille around?" Afina asks after their two highest ranking Selunites, starting to fly towards a portal that'll take her outside where she can have a look at this unexpected astronomical phenomenon!
"Yeah, Stille's out there," Dana calls as you flutter off.
"Not coming along, or were you just playing messenger for Elena?" Afina asks since Dana's not going with her.
"Just playing messenger. I swear, she's fucking laughing at me right now," Dana grouses, "But Dana," she does too deep impression of Elena's voice, "I want to watch the moon!"
"I'm sure she can see it from anywhere," Afina agrees with that assessment. "See you later," she says, continuing on to investigate. She doubts it's anything dangerous but it's surely an exciting once in a lifetime astronomical occurrence either way!
Afina heads out. Sure enough, the moment she steps out of the entry hall, she sees Water above Aurora has turned moonlight white/silver. The moon shines on down through Water, visible above it.
Surely they'll need to mount an expedition to this aquatic satellite, but in the meantime Afina hunts down Stille amongst the gawkers for some Selunite theology on such events.
Stille is further ahead, the courtyard full of were creatures of all kinds. He is speaking to them, arms spread wide and up, "And look, as you asked you have been answered!" he says, "She is wise and knows all, and will offer guidance when all seems darkest."
Afina flies over the lycanthropes and listens to Stille's sermon rather than interrupting with her own questions. She can hopefully get the gist of things that way. It sounds good, though!
"Now look," Stille gestures above, "Selune's light shines down on us all! She did not even wait for Balyss's presence to do so. Great and wise is she, and let your praise for her rise up to meet her light."
Now that he mentions it, isn't that a bit of a snub to Balyss? While everyone does that praising thing she flies over beside Stille so she can talk to him, "So, do we just bathe in the moonlight or is there an implied invitation to go visit here?" she asks.
Stille pauses and turns to Afina, smiling broadly, "Ah, General Afina Devilsbane. Excellent timing. Selune has sent a gift to Aurora." He extends his hand out, a silvery pearl sitting on his palm.
"Oh, how wonderful!" she beams, craning her neck over to get a look. "What is it?"
Obviously it's a pearl, she's not stupid. But it must be some sort of special moon pearl!
"A sign of Selune's favor to Aurora. It will give the senses of a beast to whomever swallows it." Stille says.
Eating precious gems is something she has recent experience in! "I'm sure someone'll put that to good use," she says appreciatively before casting her gaze up. "So it's just a seeming of the moon up there, then?" Visiting would have been fun, but she supposes she could always go to Selune's realm... or just fly up in some other place with a moon in the sky like the Sun in Elysium.
"Something akin to that. Dear Balyss planned a special spell to bring a quasi-real moon," Stille explains.
"And she's not even here to enjoy it," Afina says, before turning towards the celebrating Lycanthropes. "Selune smiles on our Crusade!" she pitches her voice to carry but can't do a thing about how huggable she sounds. "And you've all been with it from the very beginning. Every victory, from Earthfall to the Rift, you've fought and triumphed in! And when we drive the devils from Lifasa you'll be able to say you joined a Crusade of a half dozen members and saw it right through to becoming an army that shakes the very Planes!"
Diplo check Afina, +3 bonus.
[23:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+17 I should go back to being silent all the time
[23:11] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+17 I should go back to being silent all the time --> [ 1d20=8 ]{25}
The crowd, already clearly worked up, cheers at Afina's words. The lycanthropes in particular, one coming over and grabbing Afina and placing her firmly on the back of another, the burly warrior shifting to the form of a great bear. "Then let's celebrate with one of our invincible generals!"
Didn't she kill that bear guy when they first met? Oh well, he's probably very proud of it in retrospect. "Lets!" she agrees, repositioning for comfort atop the bear's broad head. It might be a little undignified, but these warriors deserve all her praise and attention for all their blood and effort.
From here a grand celebration ensues. Under the light of the moon, Afina simply enjoys herself.
Do you know what y'all want to do with that pearl?
No clue. Anyone need a boost to their senses? I'm guessing it gives scent?
Well, I'm putting the question to the others. Ready to move along?
Sure. I think that's all my pending stuff done anyway.
We're waiting on Moore, but there's something else to do while you wait.
Afina is passing some time in her quarters, unwinding. The sort of private time that never makes it into any tale, in this case a leisurely study of a book of arcane lore. It speaks greatly of the 5th circle of spells and how it connects numerologically to the 3rd and 4th circles. As she works through, "Oh, Afina," Elena pops in, "Are you available?"
"Yes," she says, putting down her book. Numerology never really interested her but devils seem to put a lot of stock in it. "What is it, Elena?"
"Oh, Arrel needs a spot of help," she says. Today Elena's dressed up in a gauzy, ethereal dress with ribbons binding it to her body.
"I'll go see him," she says, hoping it's not a fight with Baleruk. "Where us he?"
And since she feels more fashion conscious ever since becoming a pixie of many colours she adds, "I like the dress. I've got something in a similar style for visiting the Padisha."
"In his quarters, it's about his hoard," Elena does a little twirl on her tiptoes at this, "Oh, you like it? I think it looks so cute, especially the ribbons."
"Accessories are important," Afina agrees, "Though Crystal's gotten me to try a more simplified look. But it's the gauziness that's like my clothes for the Coral Palace, I've got this really interesting jellyfish design. I'll have to show you it when I'm all dressed up before we leave," she explains, starting to head off to find Arrel.
Elena follows, "Oh, I've seen Crystal's outfits. She's a little too conservative. Now don't tell her I said this, but she has the fashion sense of an old maid," The ghost girl whispers, before giggling, "It's so brave of her go out in some of those outfits."
"Huh. She always criticises my dress sense. I just assumed she knew what she was talking about even if I didn't agree," Afina says, nonplussed. "That's what makes a third opinion more valuable than a second opinion."
"You should listen to me more," Elena suggests, "Tepen actually has good fashion sense, in a very simple and mage-y sort of way. So does - oh, I'll catch you later, someone's calling." She's then gone, vanished in a wink of the eye.
Oh, she forgot to tell Elena... "If you can still hear me, I'm available for providing Gates to people that need transport," she calls after Elena, since she can take some of the load off of Tepen and Vul'lath that way. That done she continues on to find Arrel and help with whatever troubles him. It can't just be as simple as interior decoration can it?
You find Arrel in his quarters. A few piles of gold coins are about, scattered here and there. But taking pride of place in the room is a small, neatly stacked pile of gold ingots. Arrel's pacing around the room. "Oh, Afina. Did you hear what Baleruk did? Insulting my hoard! I don't even need much of a hoard but that's inexhusable," The dragon-eagle goes right on, "So I need opinions. Do these gold bars work and look more impressive than gold coins? Secondly, should I consider converting some of my coins to copper coins and use them as the filling of coin piles?"
Not again. "Have you spoken at all to Surraruthru?" she suggests gently. "I hear he's been working really hard on making his own hoard impressive. I don't know about asking Smrgol, he just keeps his all in a big pile in the corner - he tries but I don't think he really gets it the same way a flesh and blood dragon does. But if you want a fairy's perspective?" she shrugs and flutters over towards the ingots. "I think coins look more impressive for the impression of overflowing wealth. The ingots are just too compact unless you've got hundreds of them. I wouldn't use copper as filler though, that just feels cheap. Or... or!" she brightens as inspiration strikes, "Why not take a cue from your eagle heritage and convert your ingots into lots of narrow but long golden strips and fashion them into a nest the way ordinary birds do with twigs?"
As Afina talks and rues her strange fortune for being Aurora's sounding board right now, Arrel listens. "Hmmmm. Hundreds of ingots in a nest of gold straw with gems..." the dragon-eagle murmurs, lost in it. As he is, the door opens and Moore enters.
"A hoard-nest," Afina agrees, enthused with her own cleverness in coming up with so elegant a solution. "Something to suit your own inimitable style. Baleruk or anyone else couldn't possibly fault such a design... oh, hello Moore," she turns and nods to her fellow pixie in greeting as he enters.
Moore nods and gives a small wave. "Hello and greetings Miss Afina, Sir Arrel. I'm on a bit of a quest at the moment and wanted to see if any of you would care to join me. In speaking with one of the denizens of Mineral, I've come to a lead of a dragon named Gold -- yes, I know, very inventive, his full name is Goldanariux. Anyway, he apparently lives in the border of Mineral and the Positive Energy Plane in a place called Goldenmist.
He pauses at this. "Ah... actually, the truth of the matter is that I've been pursuing it to see if we could get some additional assistance for you at the forges. Not that I mean to say that your work hasn't been exemplary, but it never hurts to add more skilled crafts...dragons to our ranks."
Afina listens attentively to Moore but her expression closes up as soon as she mentions the word dragon. "While I would appreciate having someone take a bit of the crafting load off me, a dragon isn't very suitable. You see ever since we helped Baleruk become a prismatic dragon those of us present at the time - myself, Jaela, and Ithea, have all been forced to bear a mark that enrages dragons at the sight of it. Those of long acquaintance," she gestures to Arrel, "Can work past it, but it leads to fatal first impressions in most other cases."
"Perhaps we can if a dragon explains the situation," Arrel says, thoughtfully. "Gold dragons are wise and seldom given to unreasonable actions that cannot be taken back."
"Well you just volunteered," Afina says, turning to Arrel. "Will you be alright with a trip to Mineral? There won't be many chances to stretch your wings."
Moore frowns, but then does smile to Arrel and Afina's conversation. "I was told he came to Mineral over some chromatic... politics, I think, so he may be the type who doesn't care about that sort of thing at all. Miss Afina, I'd be happy to go with Arrel, if you can provide the transport and protections."
"I did, didn't I?" Arrel agrees, "But you should come, Afina. Simply stay out of the lair when we find it."
"I'll come," Afina agrees, happy for a chance to spread her wings and experience more of the elemental planes, dragons aside. "Transport is easily handled, I think the three of us should be sufficient? Our main worry is less denizens of Mineral than it is Devil scrying assassins, but my recent change should reduce the effectiveness of such tactics."
Elena pops in at that, "Sage Vul'lath and friends can provide mind blanks as well. They've been pestering me to remind you of that," she says, before vanishing again.
"They're not infallible, but anything that forces the enemy to work for it a little harder is worth while," Afina reasons after Elena departs. "Lets make a stop by the library before we leave?" That's where Vul'lath usually hangs out.
Thus the group goes to the library to find Vul'lath. As you enter, people about and reading, "HARDER!" Dana's voice comes from not too far away, shout echoing about the entire library. It brings a complete, full stop from everyone reading. Pages stop mid turn, readers looking up in poleaxed confusion. Arrel stops and tilts his head to the side, "Wait, what?"
"Ignore it," Afina says resolutely. She got a tongue-lashing for being too interested in Dana's proclivities not long ago so she's not going to rise to any bait that gets thrown her way this time. Instead she flies towards the githyanki sage. "Vul'lath, the three of us are leaving Aurora on an expedition, can you assist us with mind blank spells?"
[20:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+10 heroes feast temp hp
[20:00] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d8=3]
Afina 277+13/277, heroes feast (CL 20), greater mage armour (CL 23), moment of prescience (CL 23)
AC 72, spell resistance 38, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, disease, poison, fear
Spell charges: 6/10/10/8/9/9/9/8/7/8
"Very well, but quickly," He glances in the direction of Dana's voice, "I must go chastise her. Again." Chanted words of power surround the party like thick wads of cotton and then fade away, giving the three protection. He speaks, "I close the third eye from the third gate and the seventh seal, shine on."
Mind blank, CL 22.
Afina gladly leaves Vul'lath to chastising the unruly princess while she beats a swift retreat towards the gates of Aurora. "Alright, Goldenmist on the border of Mineral and Positive?" she clarifies before conjuring a Gate to the designated spot, it's Water bound end flush against the very edge of Aurora's demiplane so that they can pass through it without getting wet. And pass through it she does!
Afina 277+13/277, heroes feast (CL 20), greater mage armour (CL 23), moment of prescience (CL 23), mind blank (CL 22)
AC 72, spell resistance 38, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, disease, poison, fear
Spell charges: 6/10/10/8/9/9/9/8/7/8
Moore goes as well!
[spoiler]]Moore 245(+13)/245 heroes feast (CL 20), Superior Resistance (CL 23) Mind Blank, CL 22
AC 47, 27 Touch, 28 Flat-footed, SR 38
39 Fort 43 Reflex 45 Will, evasion, mettle[spoiler]
Warmth. It's so steamy here, it's like a sauna. Mists that glitter like gemstones and gold fill the air. Yet it's easy to breathe, soothing your lungs with each breath. There's stone and wealth about, but more like islands in great oceans of glittering mist. Far ahead you see an island, shining bright enough to show against the misty horizon. A great cave of pure gold, glittering in the light.
"Know where we're going from here, Moore?" Afina asks, having a look around and basking in the Earthness of her surroundings. She idly wonders if she should do something to become part positive energy, but isn't that basically all life anyway? Negative energy is undead so it makes sense, and she doesn't want any negative energy in her. No, she'll leave the energy planes alone and stick with the elements.
Afina 277+13/277, heroes feast (CL 20), greater mage armour (CL 23), moment of prescience (CL 23), mind blank (CL 22)
AC 72, spell resistance 38, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, disease, poison, fear
Spell charges: 6/10/10/8/9/9/9/8/7/7
Moore gestures ahead towards the island. "I'm pretty sure that's up. It certainly lives up to its name."
Arrel takes to the air, "It smells like treasure here," he remarks, "Like gold and jewels, silver and platinum."
"None of it's for us to take though," Afina says, flying up after Arrel. "Unless someone attacks us and drops their things, then I understand it's fair game no matter what plane you're on. Although Ithea did get into trouble after that dragon on Earth... all the more reason for me to hang back at first. But we have to see how this dragon reacts to my presence sooner or later."
"I'm pretty sure I can explain the situation. At least, I hope that word of Aurora and our work with Lord Crystalle has reached across Mineral." Moore says. "But I think your own deeds would probably impress him, Miss Afina. Either way, if you'd like, I can explain why we're there and if he asks about the other situation, perhaps Sir Arrel can explain?"
"You're the diplomat," Arrel retorts to Moore, gesturing at him with a wing, "You can solve it and talk it out."
"However you plan to phrase it, I'll wait outside," Afina says. "If I appear unannounced in a dragon's lair blood will be drawn in short order. I'll admit though I don't think he'll be interested in joining up under me no matter how you phrase the offer, but lets not poison the effort from the start."
Moore nods and will continue to head towards the cave!
Waiting here or closer to the cave, Afina?
Closer to the cave. I need to be nearby in case shit goes down that isn't dragon-related!
The ground ahead is pitted with holes and chasms, where only mist remains. Fortunately, your party can fly and is unimpeded by the gaps. Coming closer, you see there is a great cave made of gold, nothing stopping you from going on. It's well lit, only thick mists stopping you from seeing more.
Moore flies along, but takes a precaution to cast a spell to detect any magic, just in case Gold isn't the type who likes unannounced visitors.
Detect Magic, taking 10 for 45 on the Spellcraft if necessary.
There's magic here - merely a simple spell to sound an alarm if a creature passes into the cave.
Well, there's no way around that and it'd be rude to try and dispel it. "Hello!" Moore will call out as he starts to fly. "I heard from one of Lord Crystalle's that this was the lair of Sir Goldanariux! My name is Moore, of Aurora! If you can hear this, I'm going to come further into your cave!"
"I am Arrel," Arrel adds, "A dragon of Elysium. We come in peace, we do not seek your treasures or your mate."
There's no reply from the cave's depths.
Moore nods to Arrel and continues to fly!
The two fly on into the cave. It's massive and you can easily go along, soon lost in mists. As you fly, "Hello," A masculine voice, quiet and resonant. It comes from everywhere around you. "Seldom I have guests who do not mean me harm."
"I think Lord Crystalle was taken by some surprise that we weren't interested in the treasures of Mineral." Moore calls out, with a nostalgic smile. "But I certainly hope for our meeting today to be one that you'll be quite pleased with. May we keep coming further in?"
"I'm afraid not," The voice says, "At least not yet. Kindly tell me why you are here."
"Before I waste your time explaining anything, are you familiar with the forces of Aurora?" Moore asks.
"I have heard of them," he replies, "They fight Baator and by extension Tiamat. A worthy cause."
"Yes, that's correct. Well, we have a forge there, run by one Afina Devilsbane." Moore explains. "One of Lord Crystalle's members, Platinum, referred me to you and said you're a fine smith in your own right. I was hoping that we might offer you to join our cause and add your skillset to our own."
If he's already heard of her and what she did with Baleruk, then there's really nothing for it, but he won't lie about it!
"You understand there must be proof. Confirmation." The voice says, "It is not beyond Tiamat's minions to learn this and use it to lower my guard."
"Of course. Whatever you need to do to verify our story." Moore says.
The voice is silent before it says, "And what better judge of character than a celestial? Angels do not lie," he says, "Bring one who can study your situation and state that you are who you are and I will consider that sufficient."
nothing to see here
Fair warning, Sending has a 10 minute casting time.
I always miss that part. Let me redo that..
"I will cast a Sending outside your cave then, sir and see if one of ours can come to assuage your concerns." Moore says, before he heads outside the cave to cast Sending!
The Sending is thus: "We have someone who is requesting a vouch of our character and requested a Celestial. Goldenmist, It is between Positive Energy and Mineral."
Presuming we're not interrupted in the 10 minutes.
Very well.
"As you wish," the dragon says, no opposition as the two of you depart. Once outside, Moore casts his sending. The answer back is thus, "I will be here as soon as I am able," Morniel promises.
Moore nods to Arrel. "Morniel is on his way. Should we see if we can answer any more of his questions for now, or... hm. I suppose we should just wait, since he may still not trust us."
"Best to wait," Arrel agrees, glancing over at Afina, "We shouldn't be much longer, fortune with us."
Moore nods. "This may be a boon for us anyway. If Gold trusts celestials as much as he says, that in conjunction with our diplomacy may resolve Afina's issue as well." He smiles at that. "I think fortune is indeed with us."
We'll wait!
It takes a little time, but Morniel soon arrives. "Our work is never done," he says, "What is the current situation?" He nods to Afina then joins Moore and Arrel.
"This is an extension of the gentleman from Mineral." Moore explains. "Gold asked that we bring someone to verify that our stories were true and asked for a celestial. We haven't spoken much to him yet, but he seems happy we're not here to steal anything or try to hurt him. He's also heard of Aurora in some capacity."
"Then let's go," He glances at Afina, "We'll need to handle that spot of diplomacy, preferably before he sees her and then when he does anew."
"We were planning on doing that before he met her." Moore nods. "Yes, let us go then." Moore will fly back in and stop where they stopped earlier.
The three now fly in, the mists surrounding you once more. To them Morniel calls, "I am Morniel of the Throne and of Aurora, servant of Mount Celestia."
To that the voice says, "One of the throne, here?" he says, "Marvelous and unbelievable to call on one so swiftly."
"I think it would be a true statement to say that Aurora has ties with many forces of good across Creation." Moore says with a smile. "Where else could you find a pixie following Erathaol, for example? We're quite a unique cast of characters."
He clears his throat after this. "Sir Goldanariux, I hope this allows you to not be fearful we come under the guise of deception."
Since he's heard of them and professed approval towards their cause Afina feels she may as well make an appearance and so flutters into the cave alongside Morniel's at this point.
"I am Afina Devilsbane, general of Aurora and master craftsfairy," she introduces herself. "Your own skills are highly spoken of in that field, Goldenariux."
"I see," The voice says, ponderously. "Celestial, are these people who they claim to be and are they of good intentions?"
Morniel simply says, "Yes." The word is resonant, carrying into the fog.
Ahead of you, the fog begins to part, forming a clearer hallway through the shimmering mists. "Then come forward."
Moore flies forward with the others!
Maybe he can't see the brand through remote viewing? Either that or he's a remarkably even-tempered dragon! Either way, Afina flutters onwards at the invitation given.
The four follow the hallway - and it soon opens up into a larger cave. All is gold here, the walls and caverns nothing but. Sitting here is a dragon, front legs crossed as he sits. Its gaze is on you as you approach, "Welcom-" he begins, then hisses. Rather like an angry cat, but much deeper. "Betrayer! Murderer!" he bellows, the entire cavern resonating with his fury.
Knew it! "Talk fast," she suggests to their diplomatic types. If things turn violent she'll just run, no need to kill the poor dragon over a conditioned response.
Moore can't help but jump at that. "Allow us to explain the circumstances, sir. We didn't come here just to offend and upset you."
"Yes, good sir," Morniel declares, "Afina suffers under a curse, you must understand this is not her doing nor is it her intent. Please, I ask of you to merely listen to us."
Go ahead Moore if you're going to try and talk your way out of this.
Afina frowns a little bit at Morniel's words since the curse is entirely of her own doing and intent, but she'll let the experts try and calm the dragon down before she throws more fuel on the fire.
Morniel's taking a different road than he thought he would, but no matter, he's the expert in these sorts of thing.
"As you can see, we've come in the company of one of our own dragon types," Moore says with a gesture to Arrel. "It's my understanding that you came here to avoid some issues with chromatic dragons -- I understand how the situation looks, but we came here under entirely peaceful terms to discuss matters with you. I apologize if we've offended you."
Since it seems like Morniel is going on a different tangent, Moore's just going to do what he can to follow in his footsteps for now.
That wasn't the intent for him, but oh well. Go ahead and roll a Diplomacy check, Moore. -40 penalty since curse is highly relevant to this.
Maybe I misunderstood then?
[13:23] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+40 about the only thing to save us is a natural 20
[13:23] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=5]
That didn't factor in the -40 so it's 5.
A little of that, a little of me not using the best word choice due to posting while eating lunch. My bad.
"Yes, please. As one of the Throne," Morniel comes forward, hands open and his defenses down. "This is an exceptional situation that requires an exceptional amount of consideration." His voice is smooth and calming, seeming to deflate the rising tension with each word. "Afina is my friend and I would not be friends with one that you accuse as such, would I? I only ask that you take the time to hear us and listen to our words. Great dragon," Morniel kneels before him, head down and neck exposed, "Please."
> roll 1d20+32 (-40 Afina) Morniel
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=20]
The dragon starts to raises his claw up, right above Morniel's exposed neck. But ever so slowly he stops, eyes flashing gold as he tears his gaze away from all of you. "What is this? Every fiber of my being screams that she must be destroyed. But an archon speaks truly for her, as does a follower of the Watcher." Gold shakes his head, "What is this madness?"
"I will speak for myself," Afina declares, straightening up. "You have heard of our Crusade to free our world Lifasa from Baatezu occupation, yes? Early on in our Crusade we had precious few allies, and possessed a great bitterness towards the Outer Planes that allowed Hell to conquer our world unchecked. One potential ally was Baleruk, a green dragon with designs upon claiming for himself the same essence of power that Tiamat has, that of the prismatic. As Tiamat is a strong ally of Hell we aided him, and spurned Bahamut's attempts to make us cast Baleruk aside, seeing them as the weak-willed words of one who had thrown his lot in with his own sworn enemy.
"You call me Murderer, and I do not refuse it. I have killed dragons obedient to both Tiamat and Bahamut, though each was given a fair fight. But I reject the label of Betrayer. Everything I've done has been done for Lifasa. Time and exposure to the planes has mellowed me feelings somewhat, and if the same situation arose today I may not make the same choice, but I did what I thought best at the time and make no apology for it.
"You have heard my explanation, if you wish to entertain us further we will gladly tell you of our works. Otherwise we will leave in peace. The choice is yours, Goldenariux."
"Creation is mysterious." Moore quietly says to himself, mostly in awe of how Morniel was able to completely diffuse the tension in the situation.
"Sir Goldanariux, I would only add this to Miss Afina's story -- Aurora is not just a place, the former fortress of Medi, but it is a cause -- a name that strikes fear into the hearts of Hell and all of their allies. If you choose to not join our cause, we will wish you no ill and will not return to bother you hence, but I would say this: We would be stronger with your help, and the forces of evil would be weaker."
"That is why we fight," Morniel says, "To save a world and to weaken evil so others are not threatened."
The dragon is silent for a long while, the moments stretching together before he says, "You would do anything for your world?"
Moore's not from Lifasa, so he simply looks over to Afina with an encouraging smile.
"... No," Afina says, looking unhappy at the admission. "I wouldn't condemn another world to its fate in trade, for I'm not so cruel. And I wouldn't surrender myself to Hell, for I'm not so noble. There are limits, limits I learn more of the longer I spend out here on the planes."
She wouldn't condemn Creation to invasion from Far Realm creatures either, and that's a limit that's actually been tested!
"Honesty," The dragon replies, and finally after a pause, "Tell me more about this Aurora."
Moore continues to stay silent at this, since Aurora wasn't his cause. Afina can easily stand on her own feet, but he'll chime in if necessary with his own experiences.
"Aurora, which was once Medicant," Afina begins. "Medi is gone, but his works remain - works that eclipse by far anything I can create myself. It is our mobile fortress upon which we roam the planes, seeking those who love freedom and hate tyranny so they can join forces with us in our war against Hell. Even still our numbers are too few for a simple grand battle to retake Lifasa, instead we use Aurora's mobility to strike at places of our choosing, while the strongest of us range far and wide in small groups to attack locations important to Hell.
"Hell is our enemy, but there are those deserving special mention. Taelfagn, the Duke of Destiny, was the one who engineered Lifasa's fall. Taking nine traitors born of our soil and empowering them with Hellish might, they opened the way for the Lord of the First's armies to conquer our unsuspecting world in a single stroke. At the head of those armies was Abigor, who's very presence on our world immediately slayed every form of plant life - the damage to the fey was immeasurable before even a blade was raised."
She allows herself a satisfied smile here, "Perhaps you have heard of one of our greater victories, where we took Abigor's head before Auril's throne. No other world need ever fear being violated by his presence. We have had other victories, though Lifasan landmarks would mean little to you we successfully raided Lixer's stronghold at Castle Crumbling to secure our alliance with Princess Chan. More recently several of Lixer's strongholds were assaulted after he laid a trap to capture two of our number - a resource location on Earth, the Empty Crypt on Vacuum, and Finality on Gehenna. All were utterly destroyed, along with the entire Yugoloth city of Hopelorn... admittedly that last one got away from us and necessitated fervent cleanup efforts on the astral plane when the destruction formed a planar rift, but it was undoubtedly a great blow against Evil.
"I spoke of alliances, for we have many. Lifasa's survivors are few, most of us either dead or tightly grasped in Devil clutches. And so we have secured aid, from the elven Seldarine, the Court of Stars, the Seelie Courts on one side, and the Celestial Hebdomad on the other," she breaks it down on the law/chaos axis. "The deities Selune, Seira, and Alicia have also committed their forces to our Crusade. From the Elemental Planes only Princess Chan has given us solid support, though we retain friendly ties with Zaaman Rul, Entemoch, and Sunnis - as well as recently forged ties with Crystelle thanks to Moore's work," she nods towards her fellow pixie. "The Lillend if the Infinite Staircase have also pledged their aid after we helped broker peace with invaders from a Dragon-dominated prime. These are just the larger factions but we have many more groups of heroes, less notable but no less courageous who have come forward to aid us in our time of need.
"And we would be honoured if you would count yourself among them."
Goldanariux listens to it all, a long pause and then longer yet. "...a test," he finally says, "A test." A golden scale larger than Afina floats towards her, coming from the side of the room. "Place your hand on that. The wicked will be immolated."
Well this isn't quite so strict as the Sun in Elysium so Afina doesn't think it's too onerous. Although immolation isn't really something that can happen to her without specialising in fire magic to the same degree as she has. Stepping forward, she calmly places her palm atop the scale.
The scale is warm to the touch, but otherwise nothing happens.
"I...see." The dragon murmurs, turning to you all anew. He looks to Afina, no expression at all. "I need time," he declares, "This is not a decision to rush."
"That is understandable," Afina says, lifting her hand. "We will return in ten day's time, if that's acceptable?"
"Ten days," The dragon agrees, "I will decide by then."
Well that's that then. "Thank you for giving us your time," she says, turning to leave and Gate them out of here once they leave the lair proper.
Moore bows again. "Yes, thank you very much." He'll go through the Gate and back to Aurora!
The return to Aurora is without incident. As you head back in, "Ten days," Morniel echos, "Do you think he will agree?"
"I'm not so good at reading people, nevermind dragons," Afina says openly. "Could go either way."
"I think he'll agree." Moore says. "If he had no intentions of doing so, he wouldn't have given it any time to think on it. I think we shook him a bit with a reminder of what a collective source of good can do in Creation."
"I will pray on it," Morniel says, "So that Celestia guides him."
This is winding down. Do you two want to do some of that diplomacy that your deal with the marid opened up?
May as well get it out the way
Okay, which option are you going to do?
If there's no strong opinion one way or another, we can just go in order, which I think is Oak Pride, the Pearls, then the Prince?
There were options? I figured we'd go visit the marid throne, hand over the rainbow pixie dust, they'd provide/point us at the allies they promised, and maybe other exciting stuff would happen? If there's a choice I missed it.
I assumed the pixie dust would be passed off OOC and you'd go straight to the recruiting issues, but we can do it IC if you'd prefer. Up to however you two want to do it.
If it's just giving a jar of dust to some flunky it can be done OOC sure, I figured we'd meet the Padisha and stuff is all. I guess we can just go meet the indicated fey in the order Moore said if the marid have nothing else for us.
Hmmm, no, I think your idea has merit. Let's roll with it. If you're going to meet the marid and the Padisha, who is going and any prep of note?
Drena's always a good pick when meeting elemental notables. Lets also bring a nice gift! Taking 10 for 47 on things the Padisha might like.
Afina recalls hearing that the Padisha is currently fond of green gemstones, especially clear and true greens.
Okay, Afina will hit up our Mercane contacts via Filbrez to locate a really high quality but raw emerald, along with a quantity of platinum. Then she'll ask Baleruk to fashion it into a piece of jewellery fit for genie royalty, with Moore hopefully helping him with that motivational voodoo.
Her price limit for the raw materials is 10,000gp, she'll pay it out of her own pocket.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 31 > [d100=31]
Ends up running 7.5k gold. Moore, what boosts are you going to use on Baleruk here? Also any preference on the type of jewelry?
Anything except a crown/tiara. Baleruk's the master jewellery here, he can decide.
Okay, post the expense in loot. Waiting on Moore's reply now.
I'll give him a total of +13 to whatever the relevant skill is.
> roll 1d20+50 craft jewelry (+13 Moore)
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=4]
Soon enough the two of you stand before Baleruk. Dangling from one of his claws is a necklace of delicately interwoven, spiderweb-like links of platinum. In the center is inset a massive emerald, a clear and bright green that's been cut and polished beautifully. The prismatic dragon lowers it towards Moore and Afina, saying not a word.
Well Afina can say a word, even if he's usually the more verbose of the two. She can even say several! "Thank you, Baleruk. We'll try and see if we can find some good pearls for your hoard while we're out there."
"Thank you as always, Baleruk." Moore adds.
"You will PRESENT it to the Padisha," Baleruk says, "In a way that leaves her wanting more."
Afina is tempted to say something flippant and wink at Baleruk but can't make herself do it. "We'll make sure she knows exactly where it came from," she promises before turning to Moore. "Meet me by the gates in say an hour? We'll head out then."
"Good." Baleruk says, then turns his gaze onto Moore. He says nothing, just watching the pixie.
"We'll have to talk later on your interests in art, Baleruk." Moore says with a smile and a wave. "I'll stop by when we get back."
"Good," Baleruk rumbles.
The two of you are skipping ahead to the gate. Bringing Drena and anyone else? Go ahead and set yourselves up since appearances will matter here.
Just Drena I think.
As she'd earlier told Elena, Afina's outfit for this excursion emphasises the translucent. She wears a dress of rubbery blue-ish fabric that hints towards being see through but retains enough opacity to be decent, its design tailored to amplify and refract the changing colours that subtly play across her skin. At the waist it bulges out in a bell-like skirt with little frond-like streamers dangling off its bottom, and atop her head her hat has shifted thanks to a recent enchantment to take the form of a conical protrusion with twin fins on either side. Altogether she looks like an unholy fusion of jellyfish, squid, and pixie.
And she seems quite pleased about it too!
"Everyone ready? I don't have any good teleport spells but I can simply Gate us to the Coral Palace with a little detour via the astral," she asks, their gift to the Padisha kept in a little wooden box she carries. For a change she lacks her usual twin swords at her waist however, the occasion not suited to coming visibly armed - if trouble does occur she can rely solely on her magic and unarmed skills to carry the day, for she's still fully equipped with her usual defensive and augmenting items.
As Afina is the senior member in charge, Moore decides to opt to make his outfit more muted than hers, simply changing the color of his attire via his magic to a similar watery blue with some emerald green here and there. He'll wear his normal -- hat, vest and other bardly attire over his armor. It worked for the Aurora Court, there's no reason it shouldn't work here.
"Yes." Moore affirms.
Drena is dressed in usual and in uniform - and keeps stealing wide-eyed glances at Afina. "Yes," he says, "But do not try to gate directly to the Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls. Aim near it and you'll be directed to one of the gate points."
"Makes sense," Afina agrees, not wanting to seem like an invader launching a surprise attack. Fluttering towards the edge of Aurora's demiplane she conjures a gate to the astral, not being so picky about making it flush with Aurora. No sense being squeamish about getting wet where they're going.
The gate directs to the astral plane near where the Graceful Blow tower used to stand, and she goes through after it forms. Assuming no excitement on the other end, another gate takes them about a mile out from the Citadel.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 29 > [d100=29]
Indeed, your Astral trip is unremarkable. You then step through another, appearing with the Citadel ahead. Light comes from above, rather like sunshine. It makes the waters quite well lit, to the point where visibility is far higher than it should be, even with that light. Ahead is free floating coral reef of splendid colors. It stretches for miles and miles, truly an overwhelmingly huge thing. Rising up from atop it is a city that surrounds a massive citadel of copper beckoned with countless pearls that shine in the light. The water here is warm and fresh, no chill to it at all.
Nearby are half a dozen blue-skinned creatures. Each carries a spear with a head that resembles a gill and is easily 10 feet tall, wearing naught and riding vastly oversized sea horses. One comes right to the group the moment you come out, "Pixies and air elemental, identify yourself," he declares, voice perfectly clear despite the water.
Oh, Afina casts Water Breathing on Moore and Drena while we're in the astral, 23 hours each, CL 23
"I am Afina Devilsbane of Aurora. With me are Moore, and Drena of Aurora and Princess Chan's Court," Afina introduces herself and her entourage, speaking in Aquan. She'll save the High Maridi for the Padisha herself. "We are here to pay homage to the Padisha and further the negotiations recently performed with Shahzada Badahur Paria."
Drena's an elemental so breathing isn't needed for him anyway. Feel free to dump the full duration on Moore.
"You are expected," The guard immediately says, "Come." With a few words, the guards cluster around you, an honor guard as they begin to escort along.
46 hours for Moore then
"Lead on," Afina burbles, swimming through the water with consummate ease in the middle of the marid formation. Hopefully Drena and Moore can manage this too.
As Drena falls into position, "An honor guard is for respected dignitaries from other realms," Drena adds to Afina. "The fact that we're getting one speaks to the political opinion here."
"Lets do what we can to nurture that opinion," Afina says in response. Of course their honour guard will hear what's being said but it's hardly controversial - their presence here means of course they're trying to get the marid on side.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 52 > [d100=52]
You approach the city. As Moore begins to swim along, one of the guards says, "Sir," he nods to Moore, "Do you wish to ride instead of swim?"
"It looks like I'm not really cut out for water travel, am I?" Moore admits rather sheepishly. "Yes, please."
"Then swim with our Padisha's blessing, honored guest," The marid taps Moore's hand as liquid cold flows through his veins. When it passes, he finds swimming is far easier and faster. It's like someone turned on a switch and it's taken care of.
30ft swim speed, Moore.
Moore will swim with the others in that case!
So enhanced, the trip is much faster. Soon the group reaches the city. Here streets of green copper and lawns of kelp separate buildings made of the coral itself. It grows up and weaves together into a solid stone, a cascade of colors making every building here. "This city is simply known as part of the Citadel," Drena explains as you travel, passing marids by the dozens. It looks like a busy city, everyone doing something or hurrying to another place. "The Padisha's Market is ahead, then we pass through the Merchant's Crown, where prosperous merchants live. Of course, any noble is forbidden from living in the city and must take residence in the Citadel when they are here."
Afina listens attentively to Drena's commentary as they go, glad she thought to invite him along. She assumes that housing rule is to keep the nobles nearby on the 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' stratagem so they can't plot against the Padisha so easily.
"Of course," Drena goes on, a windy gust stirring the waters around you, "The marid are notoriously disorganized. Many nobles stay in their own villas away from the Citadel and travel for business. There is quite a glut of marid who learn the magic to teleport purely to enable this, or who retain wizards to serve as that."
"Just like we have our Gate wizards at Aurora," Afina notes with a smile. "I put off learning travel magic for so long because I was so spoiled for options, but my magic had enough of a resurgence when I became prismatic that I could finally devote some focus towards managing Gate for myself."
"One thing to take away from that is that many of the marid nobility are wizards or venerate the Water Lord's ever moving currents," Drena remarks, "As such, the Padisha's throne room is blanketed in an antimagic field. The reason why is obvious."
"A sensible precaution, though I presume the Padisha herself is excluded from the effect?" It might make sense on the surface to exclude loyal guards as well, but loyalty can be bought. It seems easy enough to accomplish with a variant on the magic used by a Hallow or similar spell. "It does present a problem with Moore's breathing though..."
Drena quietly says, "The Padisha is divinity and not subject to it. Great Grandmother has used the same tactic before and it works. Anti magic simply does not work on them."
Ah of course, she should have remembered that little factoid. Well hopefully she has the means to entertain air breathers since she left Afame back at Aurora.
From there you continue on. Through streets of green copper and growingly fancy buildings. Rich villas are about as you progress closer to the Padisha's seat of power, estates of the wealthy glimpsed. Soon you pass manors that must cost hundreds of thousands of gold coins if not more, decorations and size of boggling scope. Any you pass hurry out of the way of the honor guard, though all take in the party. Some nods, a few ignore you and others yet smile or frown.
But in due time you come to the gates of the Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls. It is a large gate inlaid with mother of pearl and shining brightly. It is big enough for a dozen marid to swim by in a line and still easily pass. The gates open - and as they do, suddenly Afina and Moore fly in air instead of swimming. Yet the marid honor guard continues to swim despite the air being empty.
"The courtesy is kind but unnecessary," Afina says to their honour guard as she uses her wings for shifting air instead of water now. "At least in my case, my companions might well prefer the air," she adds with a glance at Drena and Moore.
Moore isn't quite as stunned by the estates since he just recently came and went from Mineral, but he does nod appreciatively at the architecture and design that went into them.
"Oh, what a nice gesture for guests." Moore says idly. He'll take advantage nonetheless, as his swimming probably needs a bit of practice.
"Thank you," Drena says, as only Afina finds water returns to her. For Afina, all is now wet once more. For Moore, it's dry as a bone and open. The floor ahead is dominated by the mural of a tide and trident, with strange writing beneath it.
Afina can see it is High Maridi. It reads, "As the waves."
Afina admires the artistry of the mural and the emblem beneath it, probably the motto of the current Padisha or something, but she doesn't linger to gawk or anything and just keeps going wherever their guard indicates.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=18 ]{18}
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=36 ]{36}
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=41 ]{41}
You are lead through wealth. That is the only way to describe it - a building of copper, coral and pearl. Through stately halls and chambers, where the riches of Water accumulate like rain after a storm. You pass through gardens of breathtaking beauty and alien plants, all as you progress on and on and on. You go for well over and hour and then another, through archway after archway.
Make Spot checks, both of you.
[17:02] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+37
[17:02] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+37 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{46}
I have blindsense 30
[12:03] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+33
[12:03] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{40}
Archways are the primary means of separating rooms and halls in this palace. Usually of coral or colored sedimentary rock, sometimes inlaid with valuable things. You notice something subtle - each time you pass through one, the air seems to ripple slightly (or the water in Afina's case).
Taking 10 for 47 or 49 on arcana/spellcraft respectively to figure out what the rippling signifies?
Sure, I'll follow suit. 10 for 45 in Moore's case for both.
It looks like slight distortions of space. This citadel, huge as it is, is far bigger than it should be. Magic is making it many times bigger, the archways separate areas and allow travel in a step instead of vast amount of walking. It's not teleportation or anything related to the Astral, simply changing the space of the citadel itself.
It also means that whomever controls this (the Padisha, likely) can change things to make people move where they wish and generally make an invader's life hell.
"Do you see how space changes as we move between rooms?" Afina says to Drena and Moore. "This place is like Aurora, too big to reasonably walk around. This is a much more subtle approach than our portal network though." She sounds quite approving of it all.
"The Padisha controls it all," Drena murmurs, "I am familiar with it, it is something of an open secret." Leaning in and lowering his voice to the barest whisper for the two pixies, "It is why the succession is always a matter of cloak and dagger rather than force. The Padisha has a monopoly on force."
It certainly must be an interesting challenge to depose the reigning Padisha, but that's not an avenue Afina allows her thoughts to go down too much while she's here. No telling who might be listening in on them after all!
From here you are lead through a series of larger and larger archways. Each is decorated with elaborate carvings of undersea creatures - until at last you come one wide enough to march an army through. Only plain and open waters can be seen ahead and on this one marid are carved in. Your honor part silently swims away and a figure emerges from it. A marid, dressed in tight fitting pants of white. He is tall, twelve feet if he's an inch and lean as an arrow. A trident hovers before him, before his hands and ready to grasp at all times.
"I am Flowaran, Tsunami Lord of the Waves." he introduces himself, his diction precise and every movement unnaturally smooth. "The Padisha, who shall rule forever, has deigned to meet with the forces of Aurora. Do you need instruction on the proper decorum?"
While hopefully the Padisha isn't as strict about decorum as Ilsenine used to be, and Drena is more or less in his element, Afina considers it better to be safe than sorry. "Greetings, Lord Flowaran," she says to him, inclining her head. "As we would not wish to cause any offence we would be happy to take advantage of your instruction."
Moore nods as well, but decides to think if there's anything else just in case there might be a way to increase the Padisha's favor towards Aurora.
Taking 10 for 31 K:Nobility, assuming that's the correct one. If it's one of the others it's 45. He's basically going to listen but see if there's anything else that they might go 'oh wow how nice of them to do' or something.
What you get confirms the following, so I won't repeat myself OOC when the IC is verifiably correct. Beyond that, the Padisha does enjoy gifts of all kinds.
"Walk or swim in single file," The High Tsunami instructs, "With your leader at the front and in descending order of importance and authority. Do not speak until spoken to. Do not meet the Padisha's gaze, for she will live forever. Refer to her by her titles, and use the one that fits best to what you say if applicable. Her currently favored titles will be announced as you are introduced to her, do not use one not announced. You are not to kneel but instead merely bow your heads."
See, she's less strict than Ilsenine already! Actually a lot of foreign monarchs don't seem to like non-subjects kneeling to them. Maybe Ilsenine was self-conscious about her size? "Moore, you follow after Drena," she tells her fellow pixie after that. Drena has long seniority and is in the near immediate family of an archomental so that shouldn't be in any doubt but she'll say it to avoid any faux pas later on. "Is there a chamberlain we should present any gifts to?" she asks, figuring just passing it right over to the Padisha herself is out.
Moore nods to Afina. It's always hard for him not to look people in the eye, but he'll manage somehow.
"When the time is right, you will present them to me. You are foreign dignitaries, I will handle it personally," The Lord Tsunami says.
"Very well, I believe that covers everything?" Afina looks to Moore and Drena in case they have any last minute suggestions.
Moore shakes his head. "I think we've got everything in order."
From here you are lead in. The sound of trumpets - no. Sea shells. Great horns of swirling seashell are sounded as you swim in. A vast hall is before you, yet it seems to shrink down at the same time. Ahead is a throne of beautiful coral, where a figure of blue sits. She is hard to look at, presence overwhelming. To the sides are many marids, dressed richly and kneeling before the Coral Throne.
"To the Great Padisha, Keeper of the Empire, Pearl of the Sea, Parent of the Waves, Maharaja of the Oceans, Emir of All Currents, Princess of Coral and Queen of all Marid, I offer you Afina Devilsbane of Aurora, Moore of Aurora and Drena of Aurora and Princess Chan's house."
Afina swims inwards and stops at a respectable distance from the throne - there's usually a carpet or something to provide an easy visual cue but she can eyeball it if she has to. Coming to a stop with her toes barely touching the floor she floats there and bows her squid-hatted head towards the Padisha.
Moore will follow after Drena and bow his head respectfully as the others do.
There is - patterned tiles that stop abruptly in favor of smooth pearled flooring. "We welcome you," The voice of the Padisha carries throughout the hall, a beautiful sound as her presence batters you like a physical force. "We have heard of Aurora's accomplishments and your own. We welcome you back to this court, Drena of Chan. We welcome you, Moore of Aurora."
Wait is she being snubbed? That's actually really worrying for what it might portend for this meeting. Still, Afina sticks to decorum and keeps her gaze low and her lips sealed!
To be clear Moore's waiting until Drena says something to preserve the order in which they were announced.
Drena replies, "Thank you, Great Padisha."
"Thank you, Great Padisha. Please accept the greetings of this humble follower of Erathaol and soldier of Aurora." Moore says.
"Then we have Afina," The Padisha continues slowly, a chuckle that is immediately echoed by the marid court, "The rainbow pixie. We are most curious about your transformation. Renbuu's works are known to us through Ben-Hadar and his reefs, we find them...amusing."
Ahhh, condescension. Well it's better than going off on a tear about fire. Afina raises her head to get a look at the Padisha although of course she avoids the marid's eyes. "Greetings to you, Princess of Coral. As we agreed with your Shahzada I have brought a quantity of my pixie dust for study and am happy to answer any questions."
"We accept your gift of pixie dust," The Padisha replies, her chuckle heard again even as her features are out of sight. "Tell us of your transformation. We wish to know about the parts of water and fire."
Afina extends out her hand with the vial of dust towards Flowaran, along with the box containing the necklace. "A further gift we add to show our esteem for the Great Padisha, the work of Renbuu's protege the prismatic dragon Baleruk. May it please you and complement your renowned beauty." She's not really flirting with the Padisha but that sort of flattery's just par for the course when you're talking to royalty.
"As for my nature, I will gladly tell of it. I understand the race of Janni have a similarly multi-elemental nature, although a more harmonious one than I have adapted. Because to know Fire and Water is to know hate, a primal opposition beyond that of law and chaos, or good and evil. It took several attempts to absorb Water into myself without quenching the Fire that I bear. Painful attempts that tested my physicality to the limit, but the true test came when my body adapted and I was made to understand the relationship between Fire and Water. The hatred of which I spoke - there was a sense of censure, of being upbraided for my arrogance in trying to contain within my frail fey body the stuff of two planes which never may meet.
"But as a fey I am a steward of the Prime, the place where all elements co-exist. Perhaps the elements on the Prime are lesser than those found out here. It would explain why Janni are considered weaker than their cousins such as the noble Marid. And frail though my body may be, my soul is as unyielding as the crushing depths of the ocean floor." A bit of elemental metaphor can't go wrong with this audience she thinks. "I accepted thate hatred inside of me... and overruled it."
Here she smiles, just a little. "And so for a time I existed as steam, what occurs when Fire and Water meet on the prime, if not reflected on the wheel of the elements. But the elements inside of me were only biding their time, like rebellious subjects. After I incorporated Earth and Air, all four of the elements found enough common cause to attack me. An elemental formed, one of Fire and Water, of Earth and Air. An... omni-elemental, lets call it? It desired nothing less than my destruction, to fling my constituent elements back across the elemental planes where they belonged. Its strength however was insufficient to its ambition."
The court listens to Afina's tale, barely audible murmurs at points of it amid the crowd. The Padisha is silent until the end, "We recognize your arrogance," she says, a hint of a leer in her voice, "We recognize your boldness. We recognize your gall." She laughs now, a rich and throaty sound, "Oh, how much is known and how much is not. The Janni!" Nervous titters come from the other marids, as meanwhile the gifts are taken to the Padisha. She studies the dust intently for several moments, then it vanishes.
"Yet," she holds the necklace up above her, studying it, "You are not without your graces. Word has come how you quenched some of Emir of the Flametongue's slave pens. You have cooled the ardor of Baator with death. You bring the most marvelous gifts." She puts the necklace on, "The Shahzada spoke well of you."
She is a unique creature with an achievement never before matched in all the planes underpinning her very existence. She thinks that deserves a little respect, at least! "We do not have the time to attack all who traffic with Baator, but we recognise them as our enemies nonetheless," she says of the attack on the slave pens. A pity it didn't lead to the surge in recruitment she'd hoped for, but a good deed is its own reward.
"Your Shahzada was a most distinguished guest, Parent of the Waves. I am honoured by his compliments."
"We agree to the terms the Shahzada laid out," The Padisha says, "In addition, there is a group in the Citadel who wishes to meet with Aurora. Go to them with our blessings."
That sounds like a dismissal to her. "We thank you for your attention and your hospitality, Pearl of the Sea," Afina bows low once more, swimming backwards several paces before she turns to leave the throne's presence.
Once out of the hall, the three are escorted by Flowaran. "With me. There are mortals who asked the marid for assistance in finding Aurora in Water."
Moore's expression is one of neutrality, but the fact that he doesn't say anything speaks wonders.
Oh, could they be former slaves or friends of former slaves eager to join the good fight? "In that case we would be pleased to meet with them," Afina says to the Tsunami Lord. "I trust they have been vetted?"
"Yes," Is all the Tsunami Lord says, before you are lead along. Through archways and rooms, until you come to a garden of coral and seaweed trees. Standing before one is a middle aged human in mail and with a shield, emblazoned with a white griffon. He turns, hair iron gray. He offers a nod as the three approach, "The forces of Aurora?" he asks, as the Tsunami Lord slips back and away.
K: for what the griffon represents, if not just some sort of house crest?
K:N&R or a K:L you don't have, though bardic lore or bardic knack could help.
"Yes, I am general Afina Devilsbane," Afina introduces herself. "With me are colonel Drena and major Moore." She's actually quite proud of herself for not immediately cringing at that alliteration. Maybe they can rush through a promotion for Moore anyway, given his emphasis on motivating troops more of a command role might suit better.
Quote from: Anastasia on May 23, 2016, 02:57:26 PM
K:N&R or a K:L you don't have, though bardic lore or bardic knack could help.
Either one will be 31 with Taking 10.
"Sir Richard Brownfeather." He introduces himself with a slight bow, "My kinsman had vanished months ago with little known, save that he and and many around him simply vanished. Yet he returns suddenly, safe and with a marvelous tale of things beyond the Ten Dynasties."
Moore recalls a stray bit of heraldric lore he picked up studying recently. The name clinches it, the Brownfeathers are a noble family on a Prime. Unremarkable enough, but the name and heraldry matches. They're notable for having an ancestor that wooed a planetar and the two founded a dynasty. While the celestial blood has long since been drowned in mortal blood, the family is still known for valor.
"Run afoul of the Efreet, had he?" Afina asks, fluttering over at head height for Sir Brownfeather. "We wiped out one of their slave pens not too long ago. It was but one of many, unfortunately."
"Unfortunate is not the word. Barbaric is closer. Unacceptable," Sir Richard says coldly, "The Brownfeathers owe Aurora a debt of honor. We would aid you, if you would have us. A squad of trained knights, squires for support, war hounds and griffon riders."
"Our Crusade can always use more people willing to stand up and fight the tyranny of Hell," Afina says, pleased. "Your kinsman told you of our war to liberate Lifasa?"
"Yes, though your location was difficult for us to reach. We have bargained with the marid for aid." Sir Richard explains.
"We move around quite frequently," Afina agrees. "However if you provide a location for your volunteers we can easily provide gates direct from their mustering point to Aurora itself. If you'd like we can even take you back there with us so you can get a look at things yourself before committing your people to our cause."
"We'd be well-served by those with the history of a planetar in their blood." Moore says with a smile.
"Ah! You've heard of our family," The knight's face lights up, "Then you know there's no need for any of that. We are honor bound to aid you, no matter if you have a mud hut and a stick as your base."
Well they did give all the former slaves a good look and a talking to before they left so he should have a decent idea of what he's in for. "Then we'll be glad to have you. We have several others to visit while we enjoy the marid's hospitality, but we can arrange a timetable for taking on your volunteers after our other business here is concluded."
"Done," Sir Richard says.
Okay, the rest of this is logistical stuff that can be done OOC instead of IC. We'll skip over that.
Once you have the logistics of it sorted out, a sea elf swims up. A female, delicately beautiful and small. She is thin even for an elf and bows deeply to you, "Ma'am, sir and sir, there is someone who wishes to meet with Aurora immediately."
"And who might that be?" Afina asks the obvious question.
With the barest hint of a smile, "The Great Padisha, ma'am."
Moore blinks. Maybe she wants to apologize for being so rude earlier.
"Oh, how kind of Her."
Well that's an offer not to be refused! "We'd best not keep her waiting then. Lead on, if you please?" she says agreeably.
The sea elf merely smiles slightly and bows again, leading the two along. You are lead through a single archway and you are suddenly in a vast, private undersea garden. It is all tended beds of seaweed and color clusters of plankton, swirling around a tall throne of stone. Here the Padisha sits. She has green hair tied back into two ponytails and wears a clingy black dress. Standing behind the throne is the Tsunami Lord, silent.
"Approach," The Padisha commands.
She hardly has time to admire the lovely garden before her attention focuses onto the marid monarch before her. To be on the safe side Afina sticks with courtly conduct and approaches to a respectable distance before bowing, her eyes avoiding the Padisha's.
Moore follows after Drena again and takes up the same relative position he did last time, bowing his head as he did before.
Drena does the same, sinking to a knee behind Afina and in front of Moore.
"Afina, Afina, Afina," The Padisha laughs, "Mmmmm yes, the current you cause is even different from that of any other creature in Water. What is to be done with you? There are those that call you an abomination, who wish to exterminate you for Water's honor. To grind your bones to dust and spread the dust amid Water's currents forever and ever."
She still wears the necklace Aurora gave her, looking down at the emerald. She traces a finger along it, "So gauche to give a gift that came from the embrace of Earth. There are also those who believe gemstones are an affront to any proper marid, because they come from Earth."
On one hand it sounds like they messed things up with the gift, on the other she gets the feeling the Padisha likes a bit of gaucheness now and then. Certainly she'd heard rumours about her love for green gemstones and she doesn't believe them to be false! "Maharaja of the Ocean," she speaks up now that she's been addressed, "To countenance such wishes would be short-sighted. Success would be far from guaranteed, and without wishing to add to the arrogance you accuse me of I am far more valuable as a friend than an enemy.
"Water is my nature, even mingled with the other elements it is still incontrovertible. Grinding my bones to dust wouldn't preserve Water's sanctity better than simply letting me continue to exist as a part of Water that may never be evaporated. As for the gift?" She allows a lithe shrug, "Pearls you have in abundance, is not a little novelty, a little something taken from Earth and given to Water, a fair thing?"
"What is it, indeed?" The Padisha laughs again, sweet and light. "But it was not all your work. I feel Moore's influence and magic in the amulet as well."
"I had the pleasure of working with Baleruk to create the piece." Moore says simply. "My forté is in pushing people beyond their limits and allowing them to better see their natural talents. Sometimes, people are blinded by what they think they cannot accomplish. It is the least I can do to aid those to walk the paths that they should, Princess of Coral." Moore further explains.
"Limits are for lesser creatures," The Padisha agrees, still idly fingering the emerald. Tracing it, playing with it. "A few decades ago, I met another determined to overcome limits. Now Afina comes to me, proof of that dedication. What do you think of that, Moore?"
"I would not presume to disagree with the Queen of All Marid, but if it would please Her, I will offer my opinion on Miss Afina." Moore says.
He clears his throat a bit at this. "She is determined, moreso than anyone I have ever met, to see her goals met. She does not take 'no' as a satisfactory response to something, even going so far as to challenge Creation itself when it does not decide to fit her mold. As a crafter by nature, she finds life something that must be changed to suit the bearer, so she takes steps to ensure that she doesn't have to worry about reaching any so-called limits."
He pauses for a moment. "Even in doing this, she does not forget those around her. She builds on her own merits, but includes those around her, regardless of their station. She allows others to stand with her and support her without trying to diminish their own accomplishments, even if she may not handle things in the same fashion. She does not look down on anyone, only looking up to continue on her own path." Moore bows his head again, finished.
"I look down on devils," Afina offers as a correction, but she seems pleased with Moore's description nonetheless.
"As you should," The Padisha appends at the end of it, "The only tolerable devil lies entombed in ice by his kin. No matter. Spoken as if Afina were a Queen rather than a general. It is fortunate you are not a marid. Also, Drena, Chan supports them? What of Ben-Hadar?"
"Majesty," Drena stays kneeling, "Aurora has not had serious contacts with the Prince of Elemental Good."
"Ah yes, he has been in an even grumpier mood than usual the last few decades. Your elemental patron is to blame, Afina. But again no matter. What of Olhydra?"
"Nor the Prince of Elemental Evil. While demons stand opposed to him and Olhydra favors demons, Aurora has not had serious dealings with demons nor him." Drena replies, "We have had contacts with Princess Sunnis and Prince Entemoch, though not Zaaman Rul. The Princes of Elemental Evil have been largely avoided."
"Also such a glorious insult to the efreet," The Padisha laughs lightly, "Akil bin Faheem is an intolerable pile of self importance. But," With a growing smile, "I would expect good odds if you oppose him further. His luck is surely running out soon."
Moore can't figure out whether or not that was a compliment or an insult, but it's probably best to concede the floor either way.
Since it seems like Drena's got this part under control he just lets Drena or Afina comment on the military matters.
She's also a baroness! Though she's starting to think the Padisha is genuinely unaware of her elevation to the nobility rather than deliberately scorning her. It hasn't made much outside of Aurora's court after all, and she tends to lead with General in her dealings with other parties.
"We have traded with Zaaman Rul, though he has sufficient problems of his own to prohibit lending our Crusade support." It was also him that sparked her elemental transformation, but Afina sees no profit in talking about fire here.
"As for the efreet, revenge was sworn after our assault on their slave pens, but we've seen little come of it yet."
"The efreet are slow to burn," The Padisha remarks, "They are capable of waiting, wise council is not to forget that." She looks down at her emerald necklace, "What of the dao and djinn?"
Afina shakes her head, pleased the Padisha at least seems to be fond of her necklace. An ice sculpture might have placated the traditionalists in her court but the Padisha's opinion is the only one of true import. "We have had no dealings with either, for good or for ill. Our interactions with Air and Earth have both been primarily with the archomentals."
"Interesting." The Padisha sits back, "I have found it the other way around mostly, especially for those who seek the magic of wishes. Otherwise, mortals seem to have little use for the Elemental Princes."
"Undoing Bel's conquest will take more than a wish. For our task we require an army, one that Princess Chan has graciously provided," Afina inclines her head generously towards Drena. "Our relations with Lord Entemoch and Lady Sunnis came in the wake of an incident involving a sealed Yugoloth one of our generals stumbled across and is of less relevance to our Crusade, Great Padisha."
"Beyond that, mortals do not hold much of a majority within our numbers."
"Mortals," The Padisha slowly shakes her head, "As ever a pebble in the great stream of planar affairs, carried away helplessly by far greater currents. I applaud your wisdom. I also wonder. Afina and Moore, if I were to grant each of you a wish, what would you wish for?"
Awww, not Drena? Then again his great grandmother can probably grant his wishes just fine. And she can get Tepen to grant her wishes, though she suspects were the Padisha to grant a wish she'd exercise considerably more power than a simple spell towards seeing its fruition. So what would she ask for?
There's no point asking for something beyond even the Padisha's power such as doing away with all devils. If it were possible some self-sacrificing power or divinity would have done it long ago. To free Lifasa? Jaela's Triune haven't managed it, and Alicia and Seira are fighting a mighty struggle to help the world of Benfal in similar straits.
No, the best thing to ask would be for something of substance and duration. Self improvement or friendship. Afina's handling her self improvement fairly well, and while she does have ideas for furthering her elemental affinities they're things that stand within reach but for time and opportunity to pursue them. "Asking the Emir of All Currents to perform a simple service would be short-sighted when one could wish for Her continuing good graces," she replies, cheeks dimpling into an adorably cutesy pixie smile.
Moore considers his words carefully for a few moments before he nods, seemingly satisfied with them.
"I would like to think that any in this situation would think of a magnanimous or charitable idea to wish for, one that showed their true character in front of a gathered court of onlookers from across the whole of Water." Moore starts.
"However, I am not one with such grand ideals or desires to the point of trying to impress others by acts of my character alone. To the Maharaja of the Oceans, I would ask only this -- I wish that Aurora and the forces of Water can strengthen our bonds together. It's an easy enough task for us to say something as simple as 'please provide us allies,' but that doesn't get to the heart of what I think would benefit both of our parties. A true alliance, a true pact between our forces, one that strikes fear into the hearts of evil across Creation, knowing that they cannot circumvent or subvert that bond -- that is my wish to the Pearl of the Sea."
He is hamming it up a little bit but it's all honesty.
Diplo checks here, y'all. +5 circumstance bonus. Moore leads and Afina aids, I assume, unless you two want to do it otherwise.
It sounds similar but we are saying different things. But my diplomacy sucks balls so I guess I'll aid.
[19:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+19
[19:33] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{31}
You are, but I'm measuring total skill and impact of your words.
Taking 10 for 55
"Short sighted and yet a wise proposition is put forth. Do not rely on a wish, and if you must, use it with the greatest wisdom." The Padisha smirks, "You have them. You have won my good graces for now. Now what will you do with them? Strengthen bonds as you suggested?"
"I have traditionally found that putting a name with a face can be one of the most important aspects of diplomatic matters." Moore says. "If the Parent of the Waves would have any suggestions as to any individuals that we could perhaps take the time to meet with personally, we would be happy to do so."
"Simply knowing that the Parent of the Waves smiles upon our efforts here in Her domain will lend strength to our cause," Afina says winsomely. "But should the Great Padisha require our attention She will of course have it, particularly where it concerns any shared interests we might have. For now, your Shahzada did mention other guests within the Citadel who could be convinced to stand under our banner."
"Yes, yes, faces to names and names to allies," The Padisha says, "Lord Tsunami, see to them." The Padisha instructs, the silent marid at last coming out from behind the throne.
"Do you wish to see any of them first?" he asks.
"We should not keep the Waltz Prince waiting," Afina says after thinking over the list, deciding to start with the most prestigious.
Lord Tsunami leads you out of the garden. Through a few more arches and halls, until you come to a balcony. You are fairly high up in the Citadel, an excellent view of the city below. The Tsunami Lord gestures, "Enjoy the view," he invites, "The Waltz Prince will be here shortly." He then vanishes.
Chance to setup or prepare, you two.
Moore will throw up a Divine Insight.
Afina has no special preparations.
It doesn't take long from there. Just some time enjoying the view until a man approaches. He's clad in a black tunic and pants lined with gold accents accents, cut short to allow his arms freedom. He's young, no more than twenty as humans reckon it. A youthful face full of vigor, short blonde hair cut neatly. He looks human, save for a tiny pair of goat horns poking up from his forehead.
"Aurora?" he asks, striding forward with big steps, coming close swiftly. "The Aurora that's bashed down Abigor and has Bel in a frothing rage?"
"Greetings, your Highness," Afina stands to greet the Waltz Prince, giving him a respectful bow. "I am Baroness Afina Devilsbane," she introduces herself, deciding to lead with her fey title but of course she'll then add, "General of Aurora. My two companions are Colonel Drena of Princess Chan's court, and Major Moore, a recent recruit to our cause. It's a true pleasure to meet you and hear of our actions spoken so."
Drena sweeps into a wind-gusty bow, "An honor, sir."
"Well damn," he grins, reaching out and clapping Drena on the shoulder then bowing deeply to Afina, "Baroness," he greets her, "The Coral Throne indicates you want to talk to me. No need to dance around it here, so shall we get to business?"
How very direct for a fey, especially one so high up in the Seelie! Still, Afina can work with that. "Quite simply we're looking to strengthen our Crusade. Killing Abigor was all well and good but those who stood behind him remain out of reach for the time being. The Great Padisha's Shahzada offered to put us in contact with you in exchange for some of my pixie dust, your Highness. Given how well travelled and connected you are, we're hoping to take advantage of your wisdom. Are there any forces opposed to Hell that could join forces with us? Any secret places of power that could strengthen our officers? In particular," she leans forward, "We would be greatly interested in hearing word of any fey that survived Lifasa, should you have heard any stories on your travels. Our current numbers account for barely two score."
"The last is the most important," The Waltz Prince says, "Not only do I know where one is, I have one taking shelter in my house." He snaps his fingers, an image appearing in the air. It looks to be a beautiful, sandy haired nymph. "Emerelda," he says, "She managed to escape after the fact and has been been recovering under my protection."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Afina says, delighted at getting such a quick answer! Sure one nymph isn't much, but given all they have is forty three pixies it's still pretty good! "I'm sure Emerelda is quite happy with your hospitality, but if you could let her know she'd be made welcome amongst us any time we'd appreciate it. Do you know what part of Lifasa she came from?" she asks in case she might be known to any of their pixies.
"She will. She's only recently opened up after her ordeal, but she's been interested in Aurora," he confirms.
"That's wonderful to hear." Moore agrees with a nod. "I've actually been a bit surprised at the reception we've had here thus far... I suppose it's natural for people to put their best foot forward behind a group that's actually accomplishing something notable."
"That's a delight to hear," Afina says. "Already this meeting has proven more than worth the effort. If you can keep your eyes and ears open for any others from our home we'd be grateful. It doesn't matter what Courts they came from before, everyone from Lifasa needs to stand together."
"I can go fetch her now," Prince Waltz says, "'tis a simple matter."
"We're quite happy to wait, in that case," Afina says, looking forward to meeting another Lifasan fey.
"Were there a lot of different Courts on Lifasa?" Moore asks Afina. "For some reason I just presumed it was all under Queen Illsenine."
Afina snickers at that, shaking her head. "Not even close. Her Majesty ruled a moderately sized court made up almost entirely of pixies in the Gloaming Forest, a small but primal part of Lifasa. That's where all the reactionaries and traditionalists lived, scheming against and murdering each other. Of course we all have shared allegiances through the Seelie or Unseelie and the seasonal courts, but they transcend the boundaries of worlds and are remote things for most fey. There would have been thousands of local courts spread all across Lifasa, but since we survivors are so few we've banded together under her Majesty as the highest ranked fey left to us."
The Waltz Prince quickly goes off at that, giving the three a little time alone.
Go ahead and chat a bit, y'all. Let me know when you're done.
"Ohh, I see." Moore nods. "I never really fell in with any Courts, I was too... ah..." Moore shrugs. "I guess I was simply not devoted enough to any one thing. But it's good to see everyone refocused, even if it wasn't the best reason to begin with."
I'm good whenever.
"I suppose you have Celestia to take their place," Afina says. Honestly she wouldn't normally trust a fey that didn't belong to any courts at all but Celestia's good people.
I'm good likewise
That was quick.
The Waltz Prince returns a mere ten minutes later. With him is the nymph you saw in image, dressed in a gown in a green that matches her name. She approaches behind him, striding forward purposefully. "General Devilsbane?" she asks, going right to Afina, "Major Moore?"
"You can call me Afina," she smiles warmly at the nymph. "From where in Lifasa did you hail, Emerelda?"
"Argent Dale," Emerelda replies, "Under Queen Brambles."
"A pleasure, Miss Emerelda." Moore says with a small bow.
Have any of our resident pixies talked about such a place or person?
It rings a bell to Afina - a valley full of rivers and small lakes, fairly remote and largely populated by a nymph kingdom.
Do I remember the name of the pixie who talked about it? Or is this from my own knowledge?
Yes, the pixie's name is Riverina.
"Did you ever know a pixie called Riverina?" Afina asks. "I think she's from that area as well."
"Oh!" Her hands go to her mouth, "Yes! She was an aide in Queen Bramble's court. How is she?"
"She's well," Afina nods. "After the fall she was captured by yugoloths along with most of the other pixies currently in Aurora. We rescued them early on in our Crusade, but you're the first Lifasan fey we've seen since then apart from Queen Ilsenine. Right now Riverina's..." Afina launches into an update as to what Riverina's been up to lately.
Emerelda brightens up right away as she listens, "Oh, that's great. I'd love to help all of you. I only have the druid magic a normal nymph has, but you're welcome to it."
"We used to have a particularly powerful druid but he fell afoul of Lixer's schemes recently," Afina admits, looking downcast. She perks herself up though, not wanting to scare Emerelda off, "We do have a few nymphs from the butterfly kinship with advanced druidic magic though, so you could fit in there. There are other styles of fighting practised at Aurora which could complement a nymph's nature quite well, too," she adds, thinking of the Graceful Blow and her own style.
"Have you, ah... heard of any other survivors?"
"Two," she says, "A pixie and a satyr. I know where both of them are - in the custody of the mercane for trying to rob a mercane caravan."
"We have contacts with the Union Bank, we'll see what we can do to get them out of that situation," Afina declares without even having to think about it.
"Thank you," Emerelda bows, "I'm yours to command. Take good care of me."
"We will," Afina promises, before she bows to the Waltz Prince. "And thank you, your Highness for enabling this reunion."
He returns that bow, and then to Moore, "There's a matter that may interest you as well."
Moore blinks. "Your Highness?"
To be clear he's inquiring about the matter, not questioning Afina calling him as such.
"I've been told you're a seer," he remarks, "A follower of Celestia?"
"Ah, I wouldn't claim to be a seer." Moore says with a sheepish smile. "There are those out there far more devoted to that craft than I to call as such, but I am able to reach to Celestia for guidance on certain subjects, yes."
"Then a gift for you, one with no favor required," he says, taking out an old, tarnished silver coin. "Catch." He tosses it to Moore.
Moore will catch it! "While you say no favor is required, It would be rude for me to not at least ask if I can do something for you in return."
He will take 10 on the spellcraft for 45 since... well, yeah.
"There's one thing," He looks to both pixies, "Win."
The coin is an old, tarnished silver coin. One side has the faded image of a smiling woman, regal. The other side has seven stars engraved into the back.
Moore smiles. "I think we can manage that. If you ever need our services, or the services of Aurora, please do not hesitate to reach out to us."
So it's not magical?
The coin doesn't radiate magic.
"That coin's a funny thing," he says, "Always comes up heads for something that's true and false for something that's not. Try it. Or it'll land on its side if it's something powerfully protective. A seer can get a lot out of it, but it doesn't work for most fey. Chaos and it don't cooperate."
"That is really curious..." Moore says. Hmm, what's a good question...
"You think you always have to vocalize what it is?" Moore says idly. "We'll find more allies for Aurora here." He'll go with something simple and then give it a toss!
"Yes, you do. The rest of it I leave to you, since I've hardly found out any of its secrets in a century's time." He waves and goes off, leaving the three alone.
The coin comes up heads.
"Lets look up Oak Pride next?" Afina suggests.
Gonna have to be honest, all these recruitment scenes one after the other are starting to really bore me, especially with everyone else going off and having fun adventures. If things can be sped up a bit it'd be swell
We can just do them later and have them come to Aurora, it's really not a big deal there. The marid'll handle transportation, that's fairly trivial for them within Water.
Up to y'all.
Lets just get it out the way then. IC it's dickish to turn up and then snub the folks hanging around here.
Moore doesn't mind handling the diplomatic stuff if Drena and Afina want to go back.
I'll stick with it. I don't want to snub the new recruits and Afina's all about the fey pride.
Getting a member of Oak's Pride here isn't hard. He's a satyr clad in form-fitting armor, including custom greaves for his goat legs. "Aurora, I've heard good things about you," he says, a neatly trimmed goatee framing his face and horns. "You wanted this meeting?"
"And I've heard about Oak Pride. It's the sort of organization our world could have used before all this. Afina Devilsbane, pleasure to meet you," she introduces herself.
"Quite simply we're looking for help. Our hosts here offered to facilitate this meeting, and it seems we have a common interest that could be served by working together."
"Devils are loathsome creatures," The satyr says, "But first, my name is Alain," He steps back and makes a sweeping bow to Afina, "To get to the point of it, why should we devote some of our limited resources to your cause?"
"If resources are a concern you should know that what you have can be stretched far further with access to the crafting facilities we have on Aurora, as well as its master enchanters such as myself. We see to equipping those who fight with us, and there's no expectation that you have to return your armaments after a term of service. Furthermore, while the destruction of devilkind and liberation of Lifasa are our primary goals, we recognise the concerns of our allies and are willing to put our own efforts towards helping them - if there's a troublesome group of demons or cabal of liches that have stubbornly held on in the face of your efforts, we would lend our own might towards striking them down."
"A fair exchange of services," Alain considers it, arms crossed over his broad chest. "In Malathas, our home Prime, the highest mountains in the world hide a valley where a blight on everyone rests. The lich Tulthas has hidden there for centuries, unassailable and a constant thorn in the side of Sylvar. The mountains natural protections and the magic he's wrought there protect him from any champion's wrath."
"The mountains and the valley are the focus of ley lines and nodes. The interference makes teleportation impossible as well as hopelessly scrambles scrying. He's laid a curse on the land, so that flight is impossible. The only way in is to climb the mountains and find a pass in, then descend down and stalk his lair. Over the ages he's built up a tremendous amount of defenses and has the energy of the ley lines to draw on for power."
Oh excellent, she really wants to get a lich's phylactery for this golem schematic she found in the library. "We'll take care of Tulthas in exchange for twenty seasons of service from Oak Pride?" she offers. "And of course if any other dangers threaten Malathas during that period we'll combine our forces to deal with them so you needn't worry about leaving your home undefended."
"Agreed," Alain offers his hand out to Afina. "If you can eliminate him, you'll have earned it."
Afina extends a tiny hand to shake Alain's. "Excellent, I'll contact you after the deed is done and we can work out the logistics of your contribution to our Crusade."
His grip is downright crushing, only Afina's innate protections preventing real pain. "It's done," he nods to Moore and Drena after, "Gentlemen," he says, before turning to go.
Anything left to do here, you two?
I think that's everything, unless our assuredly amazing diplomatic display has given rise to anyone else who wants to meet us!
There are nymphs hanging around here that are recruitable aren't there?
Yes, you can make contact with them now or later as you please.
Lets get it out of the way. We'll ask Lord Tsunami if there's a spokesnymph or leader amongst them first?
Sure.
From here it's a short wait until a nymph presents herself. She has orange and pink hair, intertwined in bands of alternating colors. She wears a short purple dress and wears jewelry with many bright red gemstones.
"Hi!" she greets brightly, "Oh, I love what you've done with your hair!" The nymph gushes, elven ears studded with half a dozen small earrings with red gems. After Afina her attention turns to Moore, "And you're proof pixies continue to be adorable. And you," she whirls on Drena, "...are an air elemental. Took a wrong turn somewhere around Ice?"
Moore has to suppress the urge to go "tee hee!" and somehow manages. He clears his throat quietly. "Ah, thank you for the compliment, miss...?"
"Oh, you can call be Bubbles," the nymph says, a hand on her hip.
"Thank you," Afina smiles, quite pleased with her prismatic hair as much as she enjoys the rest of her prismatic self. "My name's Afina Devilsbane, general of Aurora. Perhaps you've heard of us, and our Crusade to liberate the world of Lifasa from devil tyranny?"
"Oh, who hasn't heard of Aurora these days? Sugar, it's like this," she waves a hand, "Either a marid's complimenting them sticking it to the devils or complaining about them and that they'll drag the marid to war. They're the best ever or not our war, that's all I hear." Giving Afina a look over, "Where do you two get your clothes done? You both are dressed so interestingly! And I like your sense of style," she says to Moore.
Meanwhile Drena just glowers at her, but refrains from tossing fuel to the fire.
"Mostly from Blazing Fashions. Azuril runs the boutique on Aurora," Afina answers, "But he wasn't quite up to this outfit," she gestures down at her tentacled sealife ensemble, "So I employed an eladrin in Brightwater named Hestia to put it together for my visit to the Citadel." She's quite happy to talk fashion for a little bit with Bubbles before getting to their sales pitch, figuring if they bond over that it'll make recruitment more likely.
"Oh, thank you, Miss bubbles. I try to find something to accompany anyone I go with suitably." Moore says with a smile. "I'm not quite as daring as Miss Afina, though."
"Haven't heard of him, but I don't keep up with Fire's fashions. He sounds like he's from there," Bubbles adds, "Now a few weeks ago I saw some flabby human try that outfit and it so didn't work on her. A total disaster and humiliation to be seen in that, but you make it work! Also, that's exactly what makes it work. You don't need two daring outfits. Something like Afina's outfit here needs solid support and that's what you give her."
"You can never be too extravagant," Afina banters back, no real fan of subtlety in her fashions despite her assassin background. "Anyway, Shahzada Badahur Paria mentioned that some of the nymphs here at the Citadel might be willing to join our Crusade, and we heard you were something of a leader amongst them. You've heard about us enough to have probably formed an opinion of your own, and now you've met us. Interested yourself, or know anyone that might be?"
"Oh yes, yes. We're forming up a banner and everything. Dearie, let me explain one thing. When the Coral Throne asks, it's not really optional. I'll probably be commanding it," Giggling a little at that, "So I can call you master."
"In that case we'll take good care of you!" Afina smiles brightly. "M'lady or General is fine too," she adds good naturedly.
"Oh, that'll do," she brings her hands together, "Well, off to start getting the girls ready, we'll be along."
"We'll look forward to seeing more of you!" Afina waves before turning to Drena and Moore. "Well, I'd say that was a success all around. Lets see about transport for Sir Brownfeather's contingent and get ourselves back to Aurora?"
Ready to move on then, y'all?
Yar.
Yes!
Soon enough you head to Aurora and watch the Brownfeathers head in. A squad of elite knights, some on griffons, followed by squires directing big, lean hounds. They march in with good order and only gawk once Sir Richard declares, "At ease!"
You can do as much or as little with this as you like here, so feel free.
Afina considers introducing them to Dana considering her human noble upbringing, but it could also go pretty wrong so she shelves that for now. "Quarters will be arranged for officers and troops, and we already have a contingent of griffons who can have their aerie expanded to allow for yours. Similarly your dogs should be able to fit in with out wolves," Afina tells Sir Richard, going to delegate a few senior soldiers from Aurora's ranks to help those groups get settled in. "If you have any questions or need directions simply call for Elena, she can hear you from anywhere in Aurora and appear to provide guidance at any time."
"I will," he says, a handshake following.
Both of you good to move along. If so, what do each of you want to do?
Good to move along. I don't have anything planned specifically.
I wanna grab some badass dudes and kill a lich!
Okay. Moore, do you want to join with Afina or do something else in your pending things, or do something completely unrelated? Afina, who do you want to take with you?
Smrgol, Mei, and Moonlight are my preferred lineup
Moonlight's with Yuth, but they're most likely about to return. You'd need to wait until tomorrow for her, but we can do some prep in the meantime if you like.
Moore'd be happy to go if the thought is that he could be of a benefit to the group.
I guess I'll swap Moonlight for Hanna then? Rosa'd be my backup but Yuth has her as well, so we'll cleric it up.
Or nah, fuck it I can wait one day.
Hanna's with Ithea.
Yeah nevermind anyway I'm waiting for Moonlight to come back with the psionic squad, I posted the Hanna bit then edited about waiting
What about Moore then? He offered to go as well but you never replied.
No offence to Moore but we've been joined at the hip for like a month, lets go do different stuff?
Sure, no offense taken.
Okay, then I'm going to spin you two off into new threads. They're incoming, this one is locked.