Quote from: Ebiris on December 20, 2016, 04:07:13 PM
Afina will run war games with attacking/defending fortified locations. She'll see what the brain trust can dig up on Semyaz's favoured tactics and incorporate that kind of stuff into it along with a smattering of generic Hell tactics and Bel specials. It's less Afina teaching people how to murdersprint and more broad strokes command stuff. Her personal involvement will be giving the rank troops practice in dealing with elites, which will boil down to a lot of 'don't bunch up and get murdered by AoE, use battlefield control and stuff that doesn't go directly against the enemy's resistances, and if pushed into melee rely on buffs and lots of aid another to make hits count'.
As far as anyone needs to know if they get curious she'll explain it as prep for an attack on Lifasa, just so if there's any spies they won't give away the surprise advantage.
Quoting this for my own reference.
First of all, basically want the brains to K:P about Semyaza, his tactics and all of that? Just to be clear.
Yeah, not his tactics personally but how his minions do stuff, noteworthy tricks and traps used, blind spots or rage buttons, stuff like that.
Okay. We'll start with that. Sylvie's Knowledge check will be on point since she can get the highest, Tepen'll aid her as will Gold.
> roll 1d20+113 (+2 Tepen aid, +2 Gold aid, +15 library, +23 factotum, +10 lore of the gods, +3 floating feat in skill focus) Sylvie K:P
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+113 (+2 Tepen aid, +2 Gold aid, +15 library, +23 factotum, +10 lore of the gods, +3 floating feat in skill focus) Sylvie K:P --> [ 1d20=2 ]{115}
By the time you check in on Sylvie, Tepen and Gold, all of them look a little frazzled. Books are everywhere. A cork board hangs from a wall in the library, full of notes and references. Another one is chock full of diagrams and drawings linking various items, lines connecting to circles with words in them.
"To begin," Sylvie says, taking a half drank glass of water and draining it before going on, "How much do you know about Semyaza?"
Taking 10 for 48 on planes, what *does* Afina know?
Do you know if you've made this check before, Afina?
Reasonably sure I haven't, Afina probably didn't even have it as a skill when we first got involved with this stuff.
Semyaza was once a solar who aided mortals through the power of song and magic. It is said that in time he came to view mortals as nothing but instruments for his will and pleasure, until he was cast out for his sins. He is now known as the Archduke of Sensuality and is a being who crushes the will of others in order to sate his own lusts. He is vain, cruel and ultimately incapable of loving anyone but himself. He is outside of Hell's normal hierarchy, essentially an outcast devil even if he is not officially one. You recall a tidbit that his lair is in Avernus and that Bel curries favor with him by ensuring it is well protected.
In recent times he came to take over the world of Benfal, which you already know about.
"Narcissistic fallen angel with an overdone focus on sexuality," Afina gives her unflattering summary. "Not greatly tied into Hell's politics but seems to have a beneficial understanding with Bel."
Sylvie pushes up her librarian's glasses, huffing, "That's about right. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks on many of his habits."
After a breath, "Ugh." Sylvie slowly rubs the bridge of her nose, "He doesn't have a lot of mortal worshipers, save for Benfal or places he has undue influence. They tend to organize into fairly typical lawful clergies, though the doctrine's horrible. On Benfal he has the numbers for more atrocious things, like the Raspine Bands. They see to his will and the natives are expected to satisfy them. Anyone willingly serving him you can put down with no guilt on your part."
"Ahem," Tepen coughs, a light and delicate sound. "In short, his direct minions are typical devils, albeit ones focused on beauty. Expect spells around that and favored mortal minions who are attractive or so useful to be tolerated anyway. Those are the ones to be weary of, since enough talent to overcome Semyaza's biases means a formidable foe. I'd suggest making them priority targets."
"No sympathy for collaborators," Afina nods. The same policy will apply on Lifasa, anyone trusted enough by the devils to run around with weapons or spells is someone that deserves to die. "I'll make sure everyone understands the same when the time comes. We're keeping it secret for now so as to not upset Alicia and Seira's timetable, let our own forces plus any spies or observers think we're gearing for an attack on Lifasa." For that reason the library's been cleared out aside from Afina and her advisers here. Which perhaps doesn't make her very popular but needs must.
"Right. That's his general minions. Do you want details on his best and brightest next?" Sylvie asks.
"I was more looking for an overview of tactics and strategies, but it wouldn't hurt to know of any notables we might run into," Afina agrees. "I can pass along any information via Ebony to our allies since we might have things they missed."
"We're getting to that, we were through," Sylvie smiles and checks her notes. "His most notable are two of his sons. He has a lot of bastards out there, but these two are a nightmare. They're named Hiwa and Hiya, who specialize going around and making mortal empires of tyranny. They rule them until they collapse over the two's gluttony and they leave, only to repeat the feat on another world. They're natural sorcerers as well as far larger than they should be, virtual titans over lesser creatures. Semyaza's been known to call on them when things are serious and he may do so this time. Frankly, they're out of the rank and file's depth to deal with, so my advice is that they delay or retreat while officers deal with them."
Tepen takes over after that, "Unusually, the mother's in the picture. Her name varies by source: Ishtar, Isahatar, Isha, Ishtahar and other variants are common. What's clearer is that she's an intensely powerful and extremely reclusive sorceress of surpassing ability. She's long left the mortal world behind and it's said she has a lair somewhere in the Inner Planes. Details are sketchy, but we can't rule her out. She was powerful enough to survive Semyaza with her will intact. She's noted as being unearthly beautiful and carries a snake-shaped staff."
While Tepen gets a drink of water, magic bringing over ice water, Gold picks up. "The other notable is his Prime Minister, Dougalf. He is a fallen planetar who is known as a gifted orator and has great talent in divine magic. He fell long after Semyaza but immediately found sanctuary with him, so the common thought is that Semyaza had a hand in his fall. He's known as managing at least 10th level magic, including magic to cause confusion over at least a mile."
"I'll have to ask our allies if any of them are known to have particular focuses or holdings on Benfal," Afina says."While they might appear anywhere it'd be good to know if we're particularly likely to face one or the other depending on where we're engaged."
"Now then, to strategy and tactics," Sylvie says, "First of all, the strategic goals of both sides are straight forward. Semyaza wants to hold Benfal and Sylica wants to liberate it. There's a few wrinkles in it - it's likely there will be a battle. Alicia and Syala vs Semyaza will be it. Semyaza hates combat but I doubt he will give up Benfal without a battle. If all goes well that will be the crux of the campaign. We've gotten a request to avoid that battle, as it's Sylica's fight and reading between the lines, I don't think Alicia or Syala is going to hold back. Benfal may be short a few nations or a continent when they're done throwing power at one another."
A moment's pause to clear her throat and get more water. "That makes our tactical and strategic goals simple: Push into Benfal enough to enable Sylica to force Semyaza to give up Benfal or face down Alicia and Syala. We're the spear, they're the spear head. We need to confront and crush Benfal's defenses rather than worrying about a full occupation. If all goes well Semyaza's defeat and retreat - or even death, Heavens willing - will do much to demoralize the forces and invite a retreat."
"That's my analysis," Afina agrees. "Aurora is best used as giving a beachhead and safe haven on Benfal as a ready made fortification. We're in a supporting role, which is fine. We don't have the numbers to take an entire world, and the fight with Semyaza is one they've been building to too long for us to step in the way of."
"Yes," Tepen says, "Due to all of these factors, we don't expect Semyaza to take the battlefield. We can't rule it out entirely, so we have some information on him. He has the ability to charm even the uncharmable, and once charmed, you're as good as his. He's turned entire war parties into loyal slaves in seconds."
"He's a bit like Belial without all the pain and suffering," Sylvie interjects, "A large percentage of the diabolical analysis we've read suggests he'd be the next Lord of the Fourth if Belial and Fierna died or lost the position."
"Ahem," Tepen clears his throat and Sylvie goes silent. "His one weakness is true seeing. What precisely it is we're not clear on, but ancient lore suggests Semyaza's true form is twisted. It's an option if all else fails, but be wary of it. Also, he is a master of a bard's arts - a rarity amid the lawfully inclined - and has clerical magic as a fallen solar. Whatever true seeing can do may be better than trying to face him head on."
"21 would doubtless be ruinous as well, but it's not our fight," Afina says, giving Sylvie a look there. "We'll content ourselves with guarding the flanks and holding ground. I'm sure there'll be plenty of action still to go around for us all."
"I might have a chance if I had to face him, but it's a gamble. My instincts say he'd run from me if I have 21, not sure why. I...just know." She finally finishes, a note unsureness in her voice.
"If True Seeing unsettles him it's an easy inference to make," Afina says. "21 is weaponised truth, isn't it?"
"It's not so simple, but close enough," Sylvie says. "As far as I understand it. My knowledge of 21's growing but I've not even scraped the surface yet."
"Well anyway," Afina puts that digression aside since no new insights await, "What do we know of the tactics of his forces? I'll ask Ebony later for the disposition of how they're spread around Benfal, but in general we should have ideas of how he deploys his pieces, what they prioritise and shy away from and so on."
"There's a lot of the pretty sort. Most are powerfully charismatic, expect sorcerers, dark paladins and favored souls who worship Hell. Semyaza himself has a small cult of minimal power, most of them are from it, but he has a few crusaders from the Fourth Hell and the First Hell," Gold cuts in. "Spellcasting's common and minions are used to shield them. They often prioritize movement to further keep themselves safe. Ranged options are common. They're lovers and not fighters to a degree, don't expect a lot of melee from those sorts."
"One popular tactic is to isolate a single opponent and surround them. This is fairly basic tactics, but devils in it have a trick. They use telepathy to inflict illusions on the target to make everything seem that much worse and force them to act rashly or surrender. Often you'll see powerful enemies surrounded and simply give up, even when they had a good chance of victory." Sylvie says.
"In most cases, forcing melee will be to our benefit," Gold cuts back in, "But not always, especially for the exceptions mentioned and irregular troops pulled from Benfal. Commanders should be aware of this and coordinate local strikes accordingly. It needs a flexible response at the officer level - I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with Aurora's rank structure yet," Gold admits, "Your squad and platoon members, or however you organize it, should have the flexibility to respond to this rather than being locked in a strategy."
"We're quite handy with illusions ourselves so it's not a tactic that'll catch most of us off guard at least," Afina says as she digests that. "Alright, that should give me plenty to work with. I'll talk to Gisfal and Adrian and start running people through some exercises. Thanks for all your hard work, you three," she gets up to leave, pausing to add, "Oh by the way I like the spectacles, Sylvie. They really soften your features."
Sylvie smiles, "Thank you. Do you think my features are too hard without them?"
"I wouldn't say hard, because that sounds unpleasant. Sharp is a better contrast," Afina shakes her head. "Imagine a spectrum from Kascha to Annalise?" she gives an example providing two beautiful women so no hard feelings will be engendered by the comparison. "The glasses move you closer to the left on there. Make you seem more approachable."
"Really?" Sylvie considers, "Kascha's too...too...soft, yes, that's a good word. Too cutesy." Sylvie takes them off and considers, "Where do I stand naturally?"
It was just a throwaway compliment, she's been trying to be nicer about giving those! But now she's put on the spot, Afina peers intently at Sylvie's face. "If we take Kascha as one and Annalise as ten, I'd put you as six," she announces after a moment.
"...hm." Sylvie finally says, waving you away. "I'll think about it."
"Have fun with that," Afina bids her, flying off to find Ebony next so she can share the brain trust's insights which she can pass on to her superiors in Sylica if need be, and also get an idea of where Alicia will want Aurora deployed on Benfal.
You find Ebony amid the phase spiders. She sits here sipping tea. As you come in, the noise of the courtyard muted by the webs, "Would you care for some?"
"Not right now. In fact would you mind coming with me?" Afina asks, "I need to discuss some things privately with you."
"Of course," Ebony says.
Go ahead and set yourself up for that, Afina.
It's just to avoid eavesdroppers, so Afina takes Ebony up to one of the meeting rooms. "I don't know if Antenora spoke to you while she was here earlier, but we're going to be joining Sylica and the Cauldron in their attack on Benfal in a weeks time. You're of course the natural liaison between us and Sylica's forces so I wanted to tell you what pertinent information I've had our researchers come up with so you can pass it along and find out where Alicia would like us deployed on Benfal so we can build our plans around it," she explains.
"Do go on then, I'll be in contact and relay what you wish to be told," Ebony says.
Afina proceeds to repeat the information Sylvie gave about Semyaza and his servants, notable figures and tactics both. "I don't doubt most of that's already known but we may as well be thorough - our research division isn't to be scoffed at," she says after her narration. "So if you can find out where Alicia wants Aurora to attack and get us some information on the terrain and local defenders, I can work that into the wargames I have planned so we'll be as prepared as we can possibly be."
"Wise. I will return shortly with that information," Ebony says, "Is there anything else?"
Should she comment on the gloss of Ebony's feathers? No, she doesn't want to get into another analysis. Also she felt somewhat condescended to when she tried flirting with Ebony over that whole nudity on ice thing. "No, that's all thank you," she gets up. "I'll be getting everyone started on exercises now, so just come find me when you have something."
It's not long. A few hours pass before Ebony returns, giving you a break from training. "Aurora's presence is desired for a trio of cities. They are all on plains and by a large river and are some of Benfal's largest. Our goal will be to liberate them and be seen by as many devils as possible."
Back in the meeting room for this, Afina nods. "That sounds like a situation where having a defensible fortress immediately on the scene would be helpful, so suits Aurora's strengths. What can you tell me about the cities and their defenders?"
"Three cities: Fairwater, Elons Rapids and Liber." Ebony begins, gesturing as she tells her story.
"Fairwater is home to Semyaza's 4th army of irregulars and are lead by a company of erinyes. Elons Rapids are home to the Beautyseers, a group of military seers overseen by a fallen astral deva. Liber northernmost on the river and home to the 1st naval arm. Besides the river the terrain is flat and has little cover. It's good territory for marching armies or to engage a force with a minimum of defensive advantages. They'd changed hands before in local wars before this, as the river route is profitable and the terrain makes defense challenging."
"Jaela will be thrilled to get some use out of her boats," Afina says dryly. "So a mixture of naval combat and city fighting, unless we can goad them into battling us on open plains. I can work with that. Anything else I should know?"
"Yes, there's word Dougalf may be at Liber when we attack," Ebony says, "The intelligence isn't confirmed, but if he is, he may join the battle."
"I think that sounds like a problem for Hanna to sink her teeth into," Afina nods. "Thank you, Ebony. Let me know if anything else comes up from back home."
Okay, how are you going to integrate that into the training?
I'll have Aurora moved to Ysgard and mock up a dummy city by a river there using lots of stone shape/fabricate. Then we'll have our troops attack/defend it with the defenders employing lots of illusions and trickery, and the attackers trying out Jaela's boats.
Okay. Mmmm. Make a Charisma check (or a relevant skill check if you have anything thematic).
One second while I make a new Aurora topic upgrade.
[19:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+15
[19:32] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+15 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{28}
I kinda feel like bab could be used for war-like stuff like this, but none of Afina's skills fit otherwise
Base attack bonus is your personal skill. It doesn't mean you teach it well, that's a whole other art. Of course, the more skilled you are, the more you have to teach, so it does indirectly impact it.
Training shows fruit fairly quick. Afina finds herself to be a decent enough teacher, able to get people to pay attention and teach them.
After the first day of this, you rest. Or you would if not for Bubbles waiting inside your quarters. "Oh hi, dearie," she greets you, wearing a dress that's a riot of orange and black. "I heard you're tied up training for something."
"Hello Bubbles," Afina smiles, flying up to the nymph. "We've got another attack lined up soon, and after how poorly things went when we ran that feint on Lixer's fortress I wanted to make sure the general troops are up to standard."
"The price of fame," Bubbles admits, and smiles rather sadly. "No need to apologize, sweetie. I've been there with marid nobles before. Besides, it opens up another possibility."
"I haven't forgotten your plan to go exploring Ice for treasure, but we're on a timer so it has to wait," Afina says apologetically. "What possibility's just opened up, though?"
"Fighting with you in this coming operation," Bubbles says, "Darling, I think we'd work well together."
"We certainly could," Afina nods, going to open the door to her room and gesturing Bubbles inside rather than blocking up the hallway with their conversation. "I'm most likely going to see use destroying any devils foolish enough to mass their forces in one area, and your nature magic synergises well with that. And like me your melee skills are well suited for wearing down and defeating any single powerful opponent that shows up to challenge us."
"Lovely," Bubbles smiles once you're in, smoothly slinking down into the nearest chair. "That means we need to coordinate our outfits."
"I'm thinking of something in purple and gold, for a regal sort of look," Afina says, easily latching onto this conversational topic as she goes to sit on the edge of her bed. "Something with a high collar," she brushes a hand over the back of her slender neck, "And a split skirt down to the sides of my calves but open at the front and back."
"Nothing too constraining," Bubbles agrees, "The right fabrics and cut will see to that. What shade of purple are you thinking, since I may design to match that, as I like your idea."
"I'm thinking indigo, something dark to better offset the metallic brightness of gold," Afina says, already picturing it in her mind.
"Can you hat change its appearance? A crown would go marvelously with this look, sugar. Let them know someone far above them is here." Bubbles taps a finger on her chin, "Oh yes, I like that. Or maybe a princess tiara."
"Yes, it's too powerful for me to discard on the whims of fashion," Afina reaches up to adjust her headwear, "So I've had it enchanted to coordinate with whatever I'm wearing. A tiara sounds like it could work - crown's a little bit too grandiose for me."
"Dearie," Bubbles says with a wry smile, "You're strong enough to be a fey queen if you wanted to be. With your reputation, making your own court would be trivial. That's not being grandiose, that's being humble."
"Until I actually have a court behind me it's just empty boasting though, isn't it?" Afina retorts. "For all my personal strength, people follow me as a military leader more than anything else." That gets her to hum in thought for a moment as she considers the ramifications of that. "I should try wearing a beret sometime, on that note."
"As if royalty doesn't often spring from might of arms," Bubbles retorts with a smile, "A beret? Really? I could see it. I think you're better off with either bigger hats or eschewing them, as a beret would be in a strange middle zone for you."
"You might be right, I do prefer having the weight of something substantial on my head, and it presents a more visually arresting silhouette," Afina nods, accepting Bubbles' fashion advice. "So what are you thinking of wearing?"
"Something like yours, only more feminine. More foofy, something that makes me look like a counter part to you. If we're to fight together, I think it's only fitting," Bubbles leans forward, "Even if it will be a little annoying to fight in, it makes a tremendous fashion statement."
"Whatever hindrance it gives in the heat of battle will be repaid in your future reputation," Afina reassures, similarly leaning towards Bubbles. "Being memorable and having your fame spread is a power all of its own."
"Really?" Bubbles leans back and pats her lap, "Why don't you get comfortable and tell me all about it? What is it like to be so well known?"
"Honestly I thought you'd grasp it intuitively," Afina admits as with a little hop and a flutter she carries herself over to land on Bubbles' lap, sitting side on with her legs dangling off the side. "Being such a fashionably powerful nymph and all. Or is this just an excuse to hear me indulge in some self aggrandisement?" she smiles teasingly.
"It's nice," she begins, straightforwardly enough and leaning her head against Bubbles' upper arm as she reflects. "My name is enough to gain respect from potential friends - dragons excepted, and give pause to enemies. My presence on the battlefield is a threat impossible to ignore. It compels me to act openly and flagrantly, rather than as the subtle assassin I trained as. Which I confess I enjoy a great deal. Moreso since I became a prismatic pixie... something about my nature just makes me want to show off."
Bubbles starts to brush your hair with a tiny bit of magic, gentle strokes once she takes your hat off. "I understand, but I still want to hear it."
Once you finish Bubbles says, "Honey, I think you find out that you're meant to be a queen instead of an assassin. It merely took you time to grow into the role."
"I do feel like Baroness is a bit too lowly a title for how far I've come," Afina admits, humming contentedly as her hair is brushed smooth in its (of course) pixie-cut. "But I don't have the sort of contacts in the grander courts that I'd need to elevate myself beyond what Queen Ilsenine grants me."
"Then have Queen Ilsenine grant you something more," Bubbles says, "Have her make you a Duchess." She keeps the brushing up, slow. Mmmm. Relaxing. "I'd think she owes you more than that for saving her! I got the details on that little story."
"I'd still only be a Duchess of our little court here," Afina observes the flaw. Though to be fair she doesn't know how much influence Ilsenine holds in the greater courts that she herself is a member of. "I'd like a higher place in the courts of Summer or Seelie. For that matter I feel like I have a good claim to just outright take over the court of Rainbows. But I'm just not fully up on sylvan politics, and my non-fey nature presents a handicap."
Though of course Titania would understand about that last thing.
"Well then," Bubbles smiles, "I think I have a project. How about I go visiting the Seelie Court and find out? We still have a few days, that should be enough to dig up some details."
"You'd do that?" she cranes her neck up to look her lover in the eye. "Thanks. I'll make use of whatever you learn after we conclude our upcoming sortie."
"You're welcome," Bubbles smiles, a calm expression as she keeps brushing your hair. "You'll pay me back when I have the money to have you make me all sorts of useful things, too. This is no great thing, Afina. You deserve better."
"It's nice to hear it said. Although we must remember the Crusade comes first, and with it a lot of demands on my time. I wouldn't be a very attentive noble until Lifasa's free, and even afterwards I expect to be busy for a very long time."
"You can't do the same thing forever," Bubbles says, "You'll need fallow periods to rest and prepare for the next Crusade. Otherwise you'll burn out, dearie. It may be a year, a century or longer, but something will give."
"True," Afina agrees. "I'm just pointing out there needs to be balance, I won't ever be able to commit to politicking full time the way the Padisha for example does."
"You'll work it out," Bubbles says, "I'll check back in a few days."
Okay, beyond waiting for more from Ebony and Bubbles, doing anything else during the week?
Nope, just focusing on keeping the troops sharp.
Make another Charisma check.
[20:11] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+15 Rei
[20:11] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+15 Rei --> [ 1d20=2 ]{17}
The next morning you get a missive from Sylica. Ebony delivers it to you, a handwritten note. "It's from Syala," she says, "Your eyes only."
"Thank you, Ebony," Afina accepts the note. "I'll read it in my quarters and get back to you," she says, still cognisant of the need for secrecy. There's plenty of people with sharp eyes that could read a note over her shoulder from a respectable distance away after all.
The handwritten note is as follows:
"Dear Afina,
This letter is enchanted and will go far longer than it would otherwise be able to. Enclosed are intelligence reports about your targets, likely enemy dispositions and the names of several resistance members who hold positions within the occupying force. Some of these are noble mortals press-ganged into a horrible service, others are opportunists who believe Semyaza will fail and want to cover themselves.
Justice will be done as it needs to be once Benfal is liberated. Until that time, please ensure that as many people on this list as possible survive, no matter how innocent or guilty they appear.
More than one of the names belong to devils. Antenora's unique position allows her to reach fiends in a way others cannot. There may be hope for these devils; as such, I ask that you spare them as well. Many or perhaps all are merely opportunists who believe they have nothing to return to if this occupation fails. Nevertheless, Antenora insists they be given the chance. I understand the difficult position this puts Aurora in. If you feel Aurora cannot comply with this, please send word back with Ebony immediately.
Syala."
What follows is a great deal of information, dozens of pages somehow crammed into a single sheet of paper.
It's troublesome but Afina's dire feelings towards devils generally only extends towards those involved in Lifasa's subjugation. For the rest she only really musters general dislike. Still, actually executing it will be difficult while maintaining secrecy. Probably will be best to extend general orders to allow quarter where requested, and anyone taking surrender can check names against the list centrally at Aurora via telepathic communication? That way they won't have the list out in the wild where devils could intercept it or capture someone with the knowledge so as to root out potential traitors in advance.
Confident in that plan, she goes back to find Ebony again. Once that's done, she says, "Ebony, tell Syala her suggestions will be heeded, though I'll need to share the information on it with Tepen so he can verify it against what forces in the field discover during the battles."
A nod, "She trusts you to disseminate the information wisely. Will there be anything else?"
"That's all. It'll help a great deal with forming our strategy," Afina says. She'll speak to Adrian and Gisfal about the tactical information before giving the names to Tepen since he usually acts as their telepathy hub. Then they can put the information to use in refining their war games.
Time passes.
You are in your room, taking a break before getting back to things. You're simply sitting back and letting your mind go as it will, decompressing from the last several tasks.
Several knocks and a call of, "Afina, I'm back," from Bubbles.
"Come on in, I'm just resting for my spells," Afina calls, currently sat on the windowledge as she lets her mind sort itself out to reset her mana flows or whatever it is they call it these days.
Bubbles does so. Once inside, Bubbles goes and takes a seat right away. "That was one trip that I won't forget, dearie."
"That exciting?" she asks, turning to dangle her legs off the interior of the windowledge and give Bubbles her full attention.
"Yes. I met Her Majesty," Bubbles says, a little smile showing.
"Titania herself?" Afina asks, brows rising. Well, she did meet Oberon recently, so she has to be known. And she's been meaning to visit Morwel as well, but busy pixies are busy. "You are moving in high circles."
"Goodness yes, I about died of shock!" Bubbles exclaims, a hand on her chest.
"So how did it happen, don't keep me in suspense!" Afina says, waving her hand at Bubbles in a gesture to carry on. "She must have come to you from what you're saying."
"I was having a private tea in my room when she simply appeared." Bubbles gushes, "She bade me to give you this and that you can choose to use it or not as you please."
"Give me what?" Afina looks over Bubbles for anything she might be carrying.
With a little smile, Bubbles reaches into her cleavage and takes out a wrapped scroll. "Here, dearie."
That's a hiding place Afina couldn't ever use! "Kept it close to your heart, did you?" she smiles knowingly as she flutters over to take the scroll, removing the wrap and unfurling it to have a look at its contents.
It is a writ of nobility. It is for the rainbow court of Lifasa, pending Lifasa's liberation, for it must be created on a pure, whole Lifasa. It is yours to establish as you see fit.
"Well then. That's... fairly conclusive, isn't it?" Afina says, turning the scroll for Bubbles to see if she hasn't already. The greater Rainbow Court will remain safe from Afina's predations at least for now.
"It's quite the responsibility," Bubbles agrees, "Also a command to restore Lifasa, even if indirect."
"I have other plans, but like you said before I can't be crusading all the time," Afina says, rolling up the scroll and going to put it in her drawer. "I'll speak to Crystal and her Majesty about it as well. It's still not as near in the future as I'd like before I can act on things."
"One day," Bubbles says, "No matter how hard you Crusade, you need a home to return to or it's all meaningless."
"For now at least I have a home that travels with me," Afina pats Aurora's walls before she flies over to sit on Bubbles' lap. "Anyway I have a few more hours of rest needed before I can regain my spells, but I can afford to exert myself just a little bit in the meantime," she observes leadingly.
From there a good time is had by all.
Going to tell Crystal or Ilsenine about the writ anytime soon?
Yeah, I'll tell Ilsenine later in the day and Crystal after that.
In private for Ilsenine I assume?
Yeah
Easy enough to get Ilsenine in her private room. She sits down gracefully, "You have a report, Afina?"
"Not a report as such, your Majesty," Afina shakes her head. "Bubbles went to the Seelie Realms on my behalf after we had a conversation about my place in fey society. While she was there she met Queen Titania herself who bade Bubbles to give me this writ," she passes the scroll over so Ilsenine can see it for herself.
Ilsenine reads it, features calm and controlled. When she's done she puts it down on the table. "...I had feared this day would come. Who am I to say no?" Ilsenine remarks, "You've grown so much from being the court dancer, Afina. You have my deepest congratulations."
And assassin, can't forget the real reason she was kept around! "Well, it's all moot for now until Lifasa's free again, but I wanted you to know," she says. "I still remain your humble servant, your Majesty."
"Yes. Afina, come here," Ilsenine flutters up.
Standing up, Afina flutters over to rest directly in front of the pixie monarch with an expectant air.
Ilsenine comes up to you...and hugs you tightly. "Thank you, Afina," she murmurs into your ear. "You saved me. You've given all of us hope."
She stiffens at the unexpected embrace. In the past Ilsenine was always very sparing with her affections, yet as the centre of the Court and centre of Afina's world what little she doled out was always enough to ensure loyalty and dispel any doubts. Just being able to recognise that she's being manipulated doesn't really change the feelings engendered, something she's always struggled with.
Still, it's a different woman that hugs Afina now than the one that ruled her youth, and she can put aside her misgivings for that. It doesn't help her find the words to respond to such unexpected earnestness, so Afina just mutely holds her Queen in response for as long as the embrace lasts.
Ilsenine doesn't hold it terribly long, but she looks you in the eyes and says, "Afina, I'm proud of you. You've become a legend for Lifasa's sake."
"Thank you, your Majesty," she says, glowing a little at the praise. "One day there'll be a free Lifasa for my legend to be told in."
A tear glistens in Ilsenine's eye as she says, "I'll make sure it's told in my court as long as I live."
Oh no, is Ilsenine crying now? This is way far out of Afina's comfort zone she has no idea how to deal with it. Seeking the safe refuge of formality she says, "And may your reign be everlasting, your Majesty."
Now, how to gracefully extricate herself without waiting for a dismissal? "I should tell Crystal about this as well, but I wanted you to be the first to hear it."
Just a little bit, it looks like. A single tear even as she smiles, "Thank you for that, Afina. You've served me well again. Go and tell her."
So dignified even when crying! Afina would be all ruddy-cheeked and runny-nosed...
That is if she ever cried, of course!
"By your leave, your Majesty," she bows elegantly and sees herself out, remembering to grab up the scroll before she leaves.
You get Crystal in her room. She's lying in her bed in pajamas, yawning as you come in. "My apologies, but preparing for the battle has been taxing, plus I slept poorly the past evening. Please, make yourself at home."
"Don't push yourself too hard," Afina says, going to claim one of Crystal's armchairs, indeed feeling at home amidst appropriately sized furniture. "I had Bubbles visit the Seelie Realms on my behalf, about my place in fey society," she begins. "She ended up meeting Queen Titania herself."
"Oh!" Crystal sits up at that, "Do go on."
She holds up the scroll. "It's a writ of ennoblement, instructing me to form the Lifasan court of Rainbows upon Lifasa's liberation," she explains. "I'd thought I might have a chance at taking over the grand court of Rainbows given my status, but I think this is Titania's way of telling me to stay focused on what's important."
"Oh!"
Crystal drops it after reading halfway, scrambling to snatch it and begin again. "Oh. Oh!" Gasps as she reads, "Oh Afina, congratulations! Yes yes, of course. It's a mission and a directive from her. Yes, if she wanted you in the Seelie Court she would act, or if she wanted you in the Court of Stars."
"Yes," Afina nods to that last part, glad Crystal's someone she can talk to about the whole fey/eladrin thing. "I'd considered going to the Court of Stars and presenting myself to Morwel, get her thoughts on the outsider thing. But this is as conclusive as anything, and gives me something to work on after the hard work of liberating Lifasa is complete."
"It says everything you need to know without saying a word," Crystal agrees, "It's a deft move, is it not?"
"That's why she's the Queen," Afina agrees. "Anyway, it's for the future, and I'd need to gather followers before I could be a Queen worthy of the title, but there it is."
"If not for Ilsenine, I would join you in an instant," Crystal says, then turns and looks out the window. "Though I fear my place will not be with either of you. Now that I know, the Court of Stars calls far more keenly. My soul remembered, even if my mind did not."
"You've always felt fealty there anyway, this just clarifies it for you doesn't it?" Afina observes. "You'll be in good company." Everyone she's ever met from the Court of Stars has been really nice after all.
"That it does," Crystal agrees. She looks down at the courtyard and the soldiers out there training and then sighs. "I wish to go, because I desire to see the day when the division ends."
"Will it, though?" Afina asks. "We were made for a reason, do you think it will ever stop being valid?" She looks at her hands, the hands of a being who's soul and body form one completely integrated whole. "Outsiders of a certain spiritual strength can't stay on the prime. I ran into that recently when I wanted to take Moonlight somewhere. My elemental nature gives me a little more leeway than her even though we're of similar strength. But that's not a limit fey are bound by. There will always be need for stewards of the material realm."
"I don't believe Titania...Morwel...whatever her true identity is will have her children divided forever. She loves us, does she not? All I know of her suggests she does." Crystal looks out, "This is purely speculation, but it feels right. It feels right that we'll be reunited again. If our role is needed, perhaps it will be the material world that changes?"
Then Crystal turns and smiles, "I ponder these things all the time now. Forgive me for indulging in navel gazing."
"Oh, don't mind it," Afina waves her hand towards Crystal with a smile. "In the past I wouldn't have had much patience for it, but my interests are a lot broader these days. It's the sort of thing that is relevant to all of us, even if we'd try to keep our heads down."
"We do have more to think about these days, don't we?" Crystal remarks. "I grapple now with the problem of evil itself. Will we live to see the day where evil is defeated for all time, or are our struggles merely futility cast against the impossibly large stage of eternity?"
Crystal sighs once more, "There is great wisdom in the ignorance of the masses, as to confront the problems of eternity is terrifying."
"Punishing every single devil that had any involvement in Lifasa's fall will be the work of lifetimes, and even then it's just a drop in the bucket compared to all of Hell isn't it? Far less the numbers of the Abyss," Afina nods. "I mean if you wanted to tackle the problem at the root, every outsider was once a mortal of similar ethos. Have everyone change their ways and you'd stop any new devils or demons arising, but that does nothing for the untold hordes that are already there and ardently working to ensure more join their ranks."
"Thus I ask the question that has stumped all across Creation: How can we change this. How can we win?" Crystal asks, running a hand through her hair. "How can we defeat the root of it and overcome the idea of evil? Can the shadows of our heart ever be fully tamed?"
"Don't look at me, broadened interests or not I'm still bound towards the smaller scale in my thinking. Maybe ask Sylvie? 21 was made to answer that sort of question, wasn't it?"
"It hasn't succeeded yet, has it?" Crystal says with a small smile. "Even those who made Creation cannot answer that. I doubt Sylvie can, 21 or not."
"Perhaps not, but she might at least have a clue as to the right way to ask the question? Have to start somewhere," Afina says, getting up and collecting her writ of ennoblement. "Anyway, I'd best get back to overseeing our exercises."
"I will do that. Do you wish for me to tell you what she says, Afina?" Crystal asks, getting up as well.
"Only if it's something interesting. If it's trite or predictable, well I don't need to hear it do I?" she responds with a giggle.
"Afina! Did you just giggle? You're in a remarkably good mood," Crystal smiles and gives you a sudden hug. It doesn't last long, "That or you celebrated with the fruit of the vine."
"I'd call it more of a snicker or a chuckle, really," she mutters, momentarily embarrassed. But with how she sounds it all can't help but come out as sickeningly adorable. "But yes, I'm in a good mood. It's nice to be recognised like this," she waves the scroll in her hand. "And I appreciate Bubbles going to the effort on my behalf."
"Afina, you are adorable when you're embarrassed." Crystal giggles herself, bringing her hand up to her mouth. "You should be more often."
"I'm going to go put our troops through some extraordinarily harsh and vicious training now," Afina retorts, drawing herself up with as much dignity as she can muster and fluttering off.
Crystal's laughter follows your retreat, as if chasing you off to training.
Anything else on your plate during the week's prep time?
Nah, just military readiness training.
Let me tentatively pause you. There may be more depending on how the other rooms go, but for the moment you're done. I'm hoping to wrap the other rooms up fairly soon, but we'll see.