OOC start here. So did you all decide to bring Aurora to Gytha and do that right away, y'all?
I think that it makes sense for them to have moved. I know there was some talk of getting it off Elysium anyway.
I'm assuming so? If not, this is rather pointless.
Alrighty then.
Aurora soon transports to the Deep Ethereal, right outside of the demiplane's entrance. Adrian's just outside the gate, "Go on and talk to him while we get started," he says, "We'll be busy for a few days integrating it in, or at least Elena and Galariel will."
"Kay!" Calleigh chirps as the pair head over.
The two of you return to the docks. Gytha is waiting there, back to you as he watches the waves. "Do you ever wish to own the waves, to claim them as your own precious treasure, Tryll?"
Calleigh looks at Gytha strangely.
'Uhh...no. I forsook the seas long ago.'
Gytha is silent for a time longer. 'What is it you covet then, Tryll?"
'Covet is such an ugly word. A yearning desire. What do I desire, then. A good question. I desire a great many things. Freedom, security, but these are...by-products. Or rather derivatives. What is the meaning of life?'
'What is it to live? Is a half-life of loneliness worth anything? What can we find to fill the gaps in our souls, Tryll? I have become powerful in the long years, but power does not make your dreams come true.' Gytha responds slowly. 'To create new souls and life is to tread on the hallowed ground of divinity. The merest misstep means obliteration. Power only goes so far.'
'...was going for something else there, but alright. Power is a means to an end; it requires both the intelligence to correctly apply it, and the wisdom to know when to do so. It's what you do with the power that truly matters. While it is arguable that you tread on treacherous ground, we are not necessarily mortal any more. Let me ask a different question, Gytha. Why are you lonely?'
'Do you not already know the answer to that?' Gytha says. 'We are alone.'
'Your statement is both true and false. We are alone in that there are no more irrigo. There may never be true irrigo ever again. And that's okay. If there are ever irrigo again, that's okay too. The fact that there are no more irrigo left with physical forms doesn't mean you can't meet new people, Gytha. We are as alone as we wish to be. There are countless creatures across the planes, both mortal and not. Have you not reached out to any?'
'Yes, but they aren't us,' Gytha says, 'I want us to no longer be alone, Tryll. All I've done has worked towards that.'
'As you will. I think you'll find that the others are willing to at least lend a friendly ear. Is there anything I can do to make your stay with us more comfortable? Or perhaps aid you in your endeavors?'
'...yes. There is one thing. Tell me, Tryll. Is all of this a worthy endeavor to you?'
'Of course. Have you spoken to any of the people here yet? Really spoken to them?'
'I have not. Not yet.'
"Then now's a good time," Elena pops in next to you, "Hi, don't have long, just starting with the demiplane. Oh, you're adorable, just like Tryll is in that terrifying sort of way."
'...what?' Gytha stops cold, staring.
'This is Elena, resident ghost girl and the effective majordomo for Aurora, of which you are joining. She coordinates things, assists with location of people within the demiplane conglomerate, and is generally very helpful.' Tryll explains.
"Also she's adorable!" Calleigh interjects.
Continuing smoothly as though he was not just interrupted, 'Elena, this is Gytha. He is a friend, and a bit lonely. He's also experimenting in the creation of souls. If you could send interested and scholarly parties his way when you're finished, I would appreciate it. Actually, you might want to talk to Baleruk, Gytha. He'd probably be interested. If it steps on the toes of gods, he'd probably be pleased to contribute. Considering his nature, anyway.
As it is, a very large percentage of the residents here are refugees from a Prime called Lifasa, which was subsumed partially into Baator through a process we're still trying to figure out. They have started a crusade against the Nine Hells in an attempt to free Lifasa from the infernal occupation. Many here have lost their homes, their families, and their livelihoods. You may find more in common with them than you'd think.'
"Hi, nice to meet you," Elena says, coming over and giving Gytha a hug. The squid-like creature is completely inert for that and then Elena vanishes.
'I...see.' Gythan finally says. 'Hell took that all from them?'
'Yes. There are some very driven people here. Some of the more recent refugees have suffered some time under a devil's yoke before being freed, as opposed to just fleeing the plane as it was subsumed. Again, I would encourage you to talk to people. Many are already used to me, though you may wish to consider altering your form to ease conversation. Modern mortals find our natural forms unnerving.'
Gytha shifts with a few strange, twisting words of power. He is now a simple elf, unremarkable on a glance. He wears plain ranger's garb and carries no weapon. "This will do?" he asks.
Calleigh gives Gytha two tiny thumbs up. "Looks good!"
"I will go visit Aurora, then," Gytha vows. "Will you show me around?"
'We can do that.' Tryll agrees as Calleigh cheers.
Ball's in your court, Tryll. Where are you going to take Gytha?
Let's start with the library
The library is quiet. Not a lot of people are here, just a few of Vul'lath's acolytes and a couple of common soldiers. Gytha looks around quietly and says, "A worthy hoard of knowledge. All of this is Aurora's?"
Tryll has adopted his tiny squid-hat form, resting atop Calleigh's head As he speaks, he gestures about. 'Indeed. Remember, this was originally Medicant. The books and scrolls here are incalculably old, though occasionally a work is added to the library when it is found to be of use. The knowledge contained here is free to use by all residents, though not everyone here can quite get the most out of the place. You can find nearly anything here, and if you can't, you can often find something that will lead you to it.'
'Normally this is a quiet place and you can frequently find at least one of Aurora's luminaries here. I see none here now, though.'
Gytha goes and sits in the nearest chair, closing his eyes and sighing softly. "That is not true. You are here. I can feel your power, Tryll. You would be one of them."
'Yes, well, hubris and all. No reason to tempt disaster with arrogance.'
Gytha looks around a little longer, "Interesting, but it's for another time."
Going to show him somewhere else?
He asked me to show him around, so he gets the full tour. We're gonna do ALL THE EVERYTHING.
Buckle up, we're headed to: The Training Grounds.
In comparison, the training grounds are packed. Common soldiers of all types work here. You see Hanna here as well, practicing with a small squad of elite warriors. The smell of sweat combines with the clank of wood on wood, hundreds at it.
Of course, the moment the two of you are in, Hanna happens to look your way. She's over in a few dozen ground-eating steps, a practice axe in hand. "One of your friends?" she asks Tryll.
'Hanna, a planetar. She is Jaela's mother. Jaela is one of the generals of Aurora, and has a great deal of say in how things are run. You'll likely meet her later. Hanna is tough but fair, and is very martial-minded. Though I've noticed that she tends to wade into combat before gathering all the facts.'
"...Gytha," Gytha says after a pause, "You're as perceptive as any of your caste."
"Thank you for noting I'm adequate for a planetar," Hanna retorts dryly. "You're an acceptable squid-creature."
Calleigh waves cheerily at Hanna. "What's going on today?"
Shifting her practice axe to rest on her shoulder, Hanna says, "Practice. Most of the common soldiers need to be out of the way for the demiplane integration, so we're keeping them busy however we can."
"Oh, okay! We're showing Gytha around! He needs friends!" Calleigh says.
"Really? Can you fight?" Hanna asks Gytha.
"...some?" Gytha says slowly, carefully.
"Good enough." Hanna grabs Gytha's hand and drags him over, "Someone get him a...oh, I don't know, a practice longsword."
Privately, Tryll sends to Hanna, 'Prudent reminder: All living irrigo are naturally incorporeal, and cannot overcome this with willpower alone. If you expect him to take up a wooden sword, you may be disappointed and succeed in alienating him. I believe, however, that he is a mage.'
A few soldiers run off at Hanna's request, as Gytha begins, "This is a problem, but fortunately, I developed a spell to help with it. A moment, please."
Once Hanna backs off a bit, Gytha's hand glows ghostly blue.
'He is a mage, so that sorts that.' Hanna sends back. 'I would have been more surprised if he didn't have a way of overcoming that.'
Calleigh nods, headsquid Tryll flopping forward and back.
From here it's sparring. Gytha watches Hanna advances and simply dodges a split-second before her strike would land. Then a juke to the side, predicting Hanna's attack before it happens.
Hanna draws back after that, "Combat seer?" she asks, starting to smile.
"...amid other talents," Gytha admits.
"You're like fighting Dana when she tries to dodge. You aren't where you're supposed to be," Hanna retorts, smiling as she charges him again.
Calleigh claps. "That would be fun to watch!"
A quick dodge and leap back, then...
Gytha bows, "I concede, stalling is not the same as winning. Thank you."
Hanna returns that bow, "Been awhile for you?"
"Ages,' Gytha admits, "...it's been a long time since I had reason to use this form."
'Shall we move along then?'
As you go, Gytha sends, '...it's been a long time since I sparred with someone,' he murmurs to you, 'So long ago.'
'You are free to come back when you like. The training grounds are open to all.'
'That...would not be bad,' Gytha says, ever so quietly.
Now would be a good time to explain the portal system. To the main hall!
The main hall is busy as always, people coming and going at a steady clip. Gytha looks around and stays close to you, though his attention turns the portals when he sees them. 'A teleportation network?'
'Yes. They go just about everywhere throughout the demiplane. Don't be surprised if a portal springs up in your haven. They do make it exceptionally easy to get around. From here, you can reach the living quarters, cafeteria, infirmary, hot spring-'
"HOT SPRING!" Calleigh cries, "ohmygosh I forgot about the HOT SPRING! How could I forget! I wanna gooooooooo!"
'-as well as connections to the other attached sub-demiplanes. The Aurora is fully mobile, so we tend to station ourselves on various neutral or allied planes.'
'She is...energetic,' Gytha says, almost painfully. 'This...this is enough for now. It's so much. Take me somewhere quiet.'
'Hmm, perhaps the glade.'
To the Worldmeet Glade!
The Worldmeet Glade is peaceful and chaotic at once, as various places and elements meet and are recreated, edges pushing against edges. Only a few are here, various outsiders and elementals at peace.
Gytha looks around, "The place where all the worlds meet. You call it a glade?"
'It's not a term I coined. It is called a Worldmeet Glade, a place where the elements can meet in relative harmony. It is a calming place, for many.'
"I've heard of it before but never seen it. Worldmeet Glade? A suitable name." Gytha floats towards a small stream and sits besides it.
Calleigh flits about, examining everything.
'You'll encounter many things with us, Gytha. Some horrible. Some incredible. Most of them will be worth the time and travel. How are you feeling?'
"Tired," Gytha admits, "All of this is...overwhelming."
'Well, you've been alone for, uh, how long exactly?'
"I stopped counting," Gytha admits, "It's been.... I don't know." A faint look of dismay, "What do the years matter when you have all of them?"
'I stopped trying to explain it to others once it got to the point that nobody could remember us.' Tryll points out, chuckling. 'Not that we were exactly the high-adventuring type when we were, you know, bodied. On the rare occasion that someone asks, I can reliably say that I'm older than they are. It doesn't matter. With how much time I spent in hiding after the cataclysm, I'm not that old. Not really. Not like we used to get, with the shriveled tendrils and the flaking fins and the crack-skin we would get on our bellies.'
A dry, almost sad chuckle. "I do remember the pains of time and aging. I do not mourn being free of them. It is...others are tiresome. I had forgotten how overwhelming others can be."
'You will grow accustomed to it in time. Many of the mortal races are a delight, and there are also the non-mortals as well. Perhaps you will develop a relationship like Calleigh and I have some day.'
Gytha doesn't reply and instead watches the Glade for a short time. A natural lull in the conversation, your fell irrigo's vision on things far beyond the Glade.
"Hi!" Elena pops in, 'We're working on the demiplane now. We may integrate those ships in that Jaela stole, though since they're from Fire, it's not the best place to store them without a bit of work. Still, that means we may have the start of our own navy."
'If they're ships, they'd probably float regardless.' Tryll points out.
"They're magic flying ships from Fire," Elena retorts, "We're testing them with water now, seeing if they're watertight."
'Ah. Okay.'
"Right," Elena says, "So have fun and we'll get back to you."
Once gone Gytha says, "Aurora has a fleet?"
'It does now, I suppose.'
Calleigh streaks by overhead, shrieking and trailing smoke. A glob of water hurls itself at her from a nearby pool, drenching her and dragging her down to the ground. Tryll continues as though nothing has happened.
'Aurora has a sizable dedicated army, and is fully capable of deploying nearly anywhere. The generals are capable and caring. Most importantly, membership in the army is not compulsory. You are free to join us and not fight, if you so choose.'
Gytha merely gives Calleigh a quick glance.
"I need time. More time that I thought, I can see that now."
'Well, we do have forever.' Tryll points out as Calleigh sputters and shakes water off of herself.
"For better and for worse," Gytha echos.
Going to show him anything else notable or let him rest?
'Would you like to continue?'
A long pause before Gytha rises, "Yes, a little longer. Show me something magnificent."
'Let's see if Baleruk is about, then. He's certainly unique.'
you know the drill.
> roll 1d100 Baleruk check
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 Baleruk check --> [ 1d100=76 ]{76}
You find Baleruk in his lair, a kiln set up before him. Half a dozen gray slaad work at the kiln in between bowing and uttering strange words you don't understand. The moment the three of you come through, his attention turns right to you. In a soft voice, "You are late," he says.
"Nuh uh! We're right on time!" Calleigh shouts back, "What are we doing?"
Gytha floats back, a look of surprise and alarm. "How?" he asks quietly.
"We are making pottery to commemorate Aurora being gifted by my prismatic presence," Baleruk says coolly, then bursts into a shout, "WHICH WE WILL SMASH IN THE FACE OF ANY DEVIL WHO DARES OPPOSE US!"
"YEAH! SMASHIN' DEVILS!" Calleigh shouts back, flying forward to help.
Calmly, Tryll explains, 'It's a long story. In short, Gytha, this is Baleruk, our resident prismatic dragon. Energetic, yet genial fellow. Also: loud. He builds his hoard here, and occasionally sends people out on quests to acquire more for him. Calleigh is rather enamored with him. As to how he came about, there were...circumstances. If you want the story, you'd be best off asking one of the generals, or Tepen. Or Baleruk, of you're feeling particularly brave.
Baleruk, this is Gytha, another irrigo like myself. Gytha is experimenting with the creation of life and souls. I'm told it's borderline blasphemy. Or something.'
Baleruk smiles. IT shows far too many teeth to be anything but menacing. "Excellent."
Gytha marshals himself, "Do you know of what I work on, dragon?"
"Of course. I am divine." Baleruk bristles, "NOT EVEN BAHAMUT AND TIAMAT COULD STOP ME!"
"Will you help me in my research?" Gytha asks plainly.
Chance if you wanna chime in, Tryll.
'I think this is an excellent idea and clearly nothing but positive things will come of this.' Tryll remarks.
Gytha gives you a long, tired look, 'Sarcasm is unbecoming,' he sends to you.
Meanwhile Baleruk considers as the slaad work, "Yes, yes I will. If there is life to be found, I will forge it with these two claws!"
'Not at all. I am serious. The two of you could do great things.'
"Now then, I shall see this forthwith!" Baleruk rises, "Slaad, continue as you are and do not mistake anything here for foodstuffs!"
'Now's not a good time, Baleruk. They're still absorbing the demiplane into Aurora.' Tryll explains.
Make a Diplomacy check, Tryll.
[21:29] <Serith> Yu roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=4]
Baleruk turns to you, giving you a long, baleful glare up close. Very softly, "Do you think I am bound by such petty problems? Do you doubt my draconic majesty will overcome them?"
'I'm more concerned with the demiplane improperly bonding with Aurora, causing a catastrophic failure in the bond at a random future date which could destroy the research being done.' Tryll points out, quite reasonably.
"As I said, petty problems," Baleruk retorts, "None that are a challenge to me."
Tryll looks at Gytha. 'The rest of us, however, are not divine. Not yet, at least. While you may not disrupt the process, our presence might. Unless you have a way of making us temporarily divine?'
"Then I will go alone. Stay here," Baleruk commands, taking to wing and leaving the demiplane behind.
'...not exactly what I had in mind?' Tryll ventures.
Gytha shakes his head, "He's a prismatic dragon. However he did it, he's not the type to take no for an answer."
OOC update: Jaela's inviting any PCs who want to go along to the diplomatic meeting. If you want to go, say so.
Probably a good idea. I can read minds.
Go ahead and wrap up here for now, it was getting there anyway, and we'll begin that topic tomorrow.